For the second time in 12 months, the ownership of Hotel LBI narrowly held onto an inactive liquor license after the annual renewal divided the Ship Bottom Borough Council at its June 27 meeting. Mayor William Huelsenbeck broke the three-three deadlock vote.

“It wasn’t going to change anything,” Huelsenbeck explained, before adding his approval, of a legal opinion borough officials received about a month ago from their attorney. “The ABC (Alcohol Beverage Control) would give him his license.