Point Marion council to discuss alcohol sales at park
POINT MARION – The borough council will decide at a special meeting Wednesday if they should allow the sale of alcoholic beverages in the community park. As of now, borough bylaws forbid the sale and consumption of alcohol in the park, said President Ted Shaffer. However, Shaffer said the council might be able to amend those bylaws and said the borough’s solicitor is investigating the matter.
The council decided to review their bylaws after the Point Marion Volunteer Fire Department asked for special permission to sell beer at a concert during the 2004 Fayette County Firemen’s Convention.
Most of the events during the week of the convention will be held at the firehouse, located off Route 119, said Chief Gary Ganoe.
“We’ll have battle of the barrel and hose competitions at the firehouse,” Ganoe said. However, Ganoe said the park, located off Main Street, “is the only place in town big enough to hold a concert.”
Shaffer said he is not against having the concert and said the council is only questioning whether they should allow alcohol in the park.
“If we allow the fire department to have beer in the park, we’ll have to allow other parties to have it, too,” he said.
Ganoe said the department is asking for only a one-day permit to use the park, and he said the department will be able raise money by selling beer at the concert.
“We might be forced to hold the concert in another area if we’re not allowed to sell beer in the park,” he said, adding that all proceeds from the concert will benefit the department. “It takes money to run a fire department.”
Shaffer said the department would be responsible for insurance matters and security if the council decides to allow them to use to park and sell alcohol in it.
Ganoe said the department must know if the council will permit them to have the concert and sell beer in the park as soon as possible, so that other arrangements can be made if necessary.
“The convention attracts members from 50 different volunteer fire companies across Fayette County,” Ganoe said. “It’s a big deal. We have a lot of work ahead of us.”