Long Branch ordinance sanctions civil unions

LONG BRANCH - Last week's City Council meeting marked an "historic moment," according to a council member, when an ordinance was introduced to permit civil union licenses to be issued by the city.

"This will allow for same-sex unions," Councilman Brian Unger said. "I feel very strongly on this. It is an issue of equality and fairness. It is momentous and important that we are doing this in Long Branch."

The City Council voted Feb. 27 to introduce Ordinance 4-07, to amend the code of the city of Long Branch to include civil unions in its marriage statutes.

The public hearing and final vote on the ordinance is scheduled to be heard at the March 13 council meeting.

The ordinance amends Ordinance 39-06, adopted in December, to include a fee of $10 for a civil union certificate.

The city will also amend its ordinance governing marriage licenses to include a $28 fee for the processing of a civil union application and issuance of a civil union license, according to the ordinance.

Upon its adoption, the code of the city of Long Branch will now include "marriage license and civil union license applications shall be processed and licenses shall be issued by the City of Long Branch Department of Health," according to the resolution.

As of last week, Unger said there have not been any requests for civil union licenses in Long Branch.