Court Orders Sanctions: Lakewood Banquet Hall To Pay $12,000 In Attorney Fees

By: Vincent DelRiccio, Esq. of R.C. Shea & Associates

On January 30, 2023, the Superior Court of New Jersey entered an order mandating that the Defendant in a contentious case pay attorney fees to the Plaintiff in the amount of $12,000. The case itself involves the roughly 40,000 square foot Lake Terrace banquet hall in Lakewood, New Jersey, which to date, has operated allegedly without the requisite land use approvals. Specifically, the Complaint alleged the property was approved as a school with an accessory assembly hall in 2005 and received a Certificate of Occupancy for same in 2007. Plaintiff alleges that the school has since ceased operation, and morphed into one of the largest banquet halls in Lakewood despite failing to obtain any further land use approvals. The fee award comes as a result of R.C. Shea and Associate’s successful Motion to Enforce the Court’s prior Order of February 3, 2021.

The Court, in its February 3, 2021 Order, imposed restrictions on the use of the Lake Terrace property. The restrictions included: limiting events to a maximum of 700 patrons, prohibiting outdoor events, and mandating that all parking for events be limited to Lake Terrace’s own parking lot.

Vincent J. DelRiccio, Esq.

As per the allegations, throughout the months of May and June of 2022, Lake Terrace held roughly eleven (11) events in violation of one or more provisions of the February 3, 2021 Order. The Plaintiff stated that during the largest of these events, held on June 9, 2020, chairs, speakers, and a wedding tent were erected on Plaintiff ’s property by the organizers of a wedding taking place at Lake Terrace. Allegedly, when asked to vacate the premises, the wedding was moved into the street, completely blocking access to Plaintiff ’s adjacent businesses.

R.C. Shea and Associates, on behalf of the Plaintiff, fi led a Motion to Enforce the February 3, 2021 Order. The Court found that the Lake Terrace owner and operator had committed “repeated” and “bad faith” violations of the February 3, 2021 Court Order. The Lake Terrace Defendants were ordered to pay both $5,000 sanction to the Court, and $12,000 in attorney fees to Plaintiff ’s counsel.

If you are facing disruptions to your business as a result of a neighbor’s potential misuse of their property, please give the attorneys at R.C. Shea & Associates a call for a consultation.

30 th NJ Polar Bear Plunge Set To Return To Seaside Heights

By Bob Vosseller SEASIDE HEIGHTS

– The borough ocean front will once again serve as the entry point for thousands of Polar Bear Plungers who will enter the chilly surf for a good cause, Special Olympics New Jersey. The 30 th annual benefit event will return to Seaside Heights on February 25. It will also mark the early start of a number of “spring” activities on the boardwalk. Between the thousands of plungers and tens of thousands of spectators, the boardwalk venues end up hosting a number of after plunge winter parties.

The annual Polar Bear Plunge is one of the largest of its kind in the state and nation. The event raises on average around $2 million for Special Olympics, in partnership with state Police Benevolent Association (PBA) and Law Enforcement Torch Run.

This year, organizers have set a goal of raising $2,150,000. Even before the event had been formally approved, teams had already begun to organize and more than $640,782 has been pledged.

All money raised benefit thousands of athletes across the state through programming and activities. The plunge will take place on the beach between Blaine and Sumner avenues, directly in front of the Spicy Cantina located at 500 Boardwalk. Street closures in the area will be in effect until early afternoon and at 1 p.m., those who raised the plunge minimum will make their way into the ocean. Activities will run from 10:00 a.m. – 2 p.m.

For information about how to donate to the fundraiser, support a plunge team or to become a plunger, e-mail pbpinfo@ sonj.org.