 "Photo: Jenny Lin")
Newark City Council will consider a proposal Monday to modify its policy on large parties and events inspired by Chapelfest, one of the biggest block parties of the year.
In the meantime, the event is scheduled to be held as usual on Saturday.
Chapelfest, a fundraiser that features bands, DJs and lots of beer, has been a university staple for many years. It was also the subject of the proposal to limit and contain big parties. Since last October, the city council worked on initiating a bill that would require large social gatherings to register for a permit with the city.
The ordinance, which is not yet in effect, mandates that anyone who wishes to hold a public event must register for a permit with Newark. The ordinance decreased to 250, down from the current 500, the maximum number of attendees before the event is considered a public event that requires a permit.
Councilman Paul Pomeroy said the main focus of the bill was to strike an appropriate balance between students and other city residents.
"It's about balance and having mutual respect for each other while living in a community," Pomeroy said. "It's not inappropriate to have celebrations in the city, but there needs to be respect for others."
Mayor Vance A. Funk III said Newark does not have a policy against any event, but organizers must follow city rules.
"In the past, Chapelfest has chosen not to follow the rules and not apply for a permit," Funk said. "It is a requirement of the city permit system for tenants to get permission from their landlords, and it is my understanding that Chapelfest was not able to do that in the past."
Casey Patriarco, president of the Student Government Association and a member of the Town & Gown Committee, said she and other students held a valuable discussion session with council members.
Previously, the ordinance had a clause stating that people who violate the policy could be evicted, Patriarco said.
She said her concern focused on the initial eviction clause of the bill, which was omitted after meeting with the City Council.
"Initially, the clause indicated eviction for tenants who were responsible for the event," Patriarco said. "I didn't think it was fair because the clause was more focused on judicial sanctions and did not serve the purpose of protecting the students and ensuring safety of the community."
She said she and other students shared their opinions with the city council and said students expressed their concerns of safety as well. Some students who resided on North Chapel Street attended the meeting and shared their opinions as well.
"The students wanted to work with the city," Patriarco said. "It's great to see the students open up and show that they are more willing to work and compromise with the city as long as the officers do the same."
Councilman Stu Markham said Chapelfest sparked a public safety issue.
"Chapelfest is not like Wilburfest or Skidfest where the parties are contained in a specific area," Markham said. "People tend to spill out into the streets, causing disruptions to traffic and endangering the safety of others."
He said he and Councilman Jerry Clifton have been working on the ordinance since last October. Markham said the main problem was trying to figure out who was responsible for Chapelfest.
"It's difficult to pinpoint who is responsible for the event," he said. "That was why the eviction clause was the most controversial topic in discussion."
Since the ordinance is not in place yet, Markham said he predicts there will be a large police presence at Saturday's Chapelfest.
"The main concern is the well-being of the citizens of this city," he said. "We're not trying to prevent people from having a good time, but we want them to be respectful and responsible."
Patriarco said although she does not agree with parts of the ordinance, it is a good compromise with the city.
"The ordinance is reasonable and I am definitely satisfied," she said. "There is conversation happening with students and officers, which I think is a success in itself."
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