Cameo allowed to open with restrictions The banquet hall turned illegal nightclub to hold banquets only BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer WOODBRIDGE — Colonia resident Diana Moses, who booked her granddaughter Kimberly’s sweet 16 party at the Cameo Banquet Hall on Rahway Avenue for Dec. 22, had no idea the owners voluntarily closed the hall temporarily on Dec. 13, until she read the newspaper. “I booked her party last February,” said Moses, who was close to tears before the hearing. “I wouldn’t have known if I didn’t read the paper. I put a $500 down payment already and would have paid the rest of the money on Dec. 20. I would have had 80 family members and friends come as far away as Florida and have no place for the party.” The Township Council, which serves as the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Governing Board, offered relief for Moses by allowing the owners of the Cameo to temporarily open their doors pending another hearing next month. At the Dec. 19 hearing, the council issued eight restrictions the facility will have to follow to stay in operation. Three events were canceled over the weekend pending the Dec. 19 hearing. Harry Dominick, who has operated Smith Toth Inc. with his brother Jarrod for a year-and-a-half under the name the Cameo, signed an agreement with the township that they will comply with the eight restrictions. “We don’t want a riot every week,” said Ward 1 Councilman Charles Kenny, who lives a block away from the Cameo. “And I’m sure you [the owners Harry and Jarrod Dominick] don’t want the problems for your business every weekend either.” The Dominick brothers will appear before the Township Council again at a continuation hearing on Jan. 9, 2007, in council chambers at town hall. “This hearing tonight let’s us keep an eye on your business,” Kenny said to the brothers. “The charges will be heard on all infractions at a hearing [on Jan. 9] and we will make another decision. We could have easily suspended your license, but we feel this is the best solution for now.” The Dec. 19 hearing stemmed from two incidents at the banquet hall on Dec. 3 and Dec. 10 that led to three arrests. During the township’s investigation, officials found that the Cameo was hosting programs other than a banquet facility-type event such as “Sexy Wednesdays,” a Comedy Club Night on Thursdays, a “Passion Jazz Café” in September, and a “Hype Hair Magazine Natural Beauty Contest.” Smith Toth Inc. was also selling advance tickets and tickets at the door, which is uncharacteristic of a banquet facility and without the approval from the township. Smith Toth Inc. (Cameo) has been charged with multiple violations of state and township ordinances, municipal codes and ABC regulations. The violations include immoral conduct and public disturbance; maintaining a nuisance operation; failure to adequately provide security personnel; sale of alcoholic beverages to unauthorized underage persons; serving intoxicated persons; and multiple violations of municipal housing, building, zoning and planning ordinances. Additionally, the fire department officials previously issued fire code violations. Ken Gardner, who lives a block away from the Cameo and regards the facility as a reputable business, said he has a great concern about what has happened at the facility recently. “I had my wedding reception at the Cameo,” said Gardner. “But my neighbors and I will not stand for what has happened and oppose the clientele that have rented out the place. It is unacceptable.” Ken Nowak, an Alcoholic Beverage Control attorney for the township, said the Cameo Banquet Hall should only be used as a traditional banquet hall, not for nightclub uses. “The facility is not zoned for those type of uses, and the building does not have the appropriate fire codes for those uses,” said Nowak, as he read the eight restrictions. Nowak read the restrictions at the hearing, which included having the Cameo operate solely as a banquet hall and fulfill all contractual obligations with event hosts. After the hearing, Moses was elated. “This is a big relief for me and my granddaughter,” she said. “I can’t wait to tell her and start decorating.” The Dominick brothers could not be reached for comment before press time.