Montville — Local leaders are considering waiving the town's prohibition of alcoholic beverages on public grounds at the summer carnival, but public safety officials caution the family event could get out of hand if the waiver fails to include controls to prevent overdrinking.

Officials are scheduled to discuss the proposed waiver at Wednesday's Parks and Recreation Commission meeting. The Town Council put the issue on hold last week in light of safety concerns expressed by Fire Marshal Raymond Occhialini, Police Lt. Leonard Bunnell and former Oakdale Fire Chief Gary Murphy.

Bunnell noted Monday that the Lebanon County Fair allows alcohol sales, but incorporates a wristband system "monitoring the number of drinks a person has, when they last had one ... it's very in-depth but takes people to administrate it."

"I'm in favor of the carnival," he added. "It's a good idea and a good community event. I think the longer it goes on, the more financially beneficial it's going to be. But throwing on an extra cost to monitor and administrate the serving of beer might be taking on too much."

Parks and Recreation Commission member Ryan Hartman said the waiver proposal stemmed from the group's hopes to expand the carnival since reviving the event a few years ago. Hartman said the potential revenue from alcohol sales could help fund the hiring of a carnival band.

"We want it to be safe," Hartman said, noting the commission was thankful for public safety officials' expertise. "We are here for families. That is our main goal, to provide the families of Montville fun activities. If we have people overindulging, that would take away from the family atmosphere that we're trying to nourish."

Councilor Jeff Rogers, the liaison between the commission and the council, said he thought it was prudent to withdraw the initial resolution from councilors' consideration last week and bring the concerns of public safety officials to commissioners.

"Each year (the Parks and Recreation Commission) is trying to get a little better and expand on their ideas," Rogers said. "They've had entertainment in the past. Last year they had fireworks. This was just one of their ideas they want to proceed with. We'll see where it goes."

Occhialini and Murphy both described themselves as "totally against" alcohol at the event as initially proposed in a resolution last week. The resolution would have waived "the prohibition of the sale, use, or possession of alcoholic beverages at any time or in any form on town park and recreational areas" at Camp Oakdale and Fair Oaks School for the Montville Carnival.

"I think it's ridiculous," Occhialini told councilors, noting previous festivals in town produced drunken fights. "The way you have it written ... I could walk around with a whole beer or have a keg party."

Mayor Ronald McDaniel said Monday that Bunnell, Occhialini and Murphy "raised some valid concerns."

"I'm sure they'll look into it and come to a positive compromise and make sure we have a safe event," McDaniel said.

Officials said this year's carnival has not yet been scheduled, but Hartman said the commission hoped to set a date for late June.

The Parks and Recreation Commission meets Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Council Chambers at Town Hall.

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