New Milford Liquors to Face Disciplinary Hearing

At Monday night's work session, the mayor and council set a date for a disciplinary hearing for the owners of New Milford Liquors.

The NMPD said they picked up three minors on April 23 after they purchased alcohol at the store using fake out-of state identification. The borough will now conduct a disciplinary hearing following the Alcoholic Beverage Control guidelines.

"We are obligated to undertake certain hearings," said Borough Attorney Mark Madaio. "We have done this a couple times with this same entity."

"This will afford them a full opportunity to provide their side of the story," said Mayor Ann Subrizi.

Borough Administrator Christine Demiris explained the procedure of an ABC disciplinary hearing. "The attorney will represent their side, Mark [Madaio] will ask some questions and then their attorney can follow up."

A discussion began regarding what potential penalties were on the table for the hearing. The borough is not in a position to revoke their license, Demiris said, but that suspension of the license for a period of time was a likely penalty based on ABC guidelines.

"Whatever you suspend their license for, most owners will convert that to a fine because they don’t want to be closed," said Madaio. "They are entitled usually to convert the closure and pay a fine which is an ABC decision."

Subrizi said New Milford Liquors had their license suspended for 10 days in 2005 and for 20 days in 2007 for two prior incidents and both times the owner modified the suspension into a financial fine. There was another incident in 2006 but the matter was not heard.

After a brief discussion on possible dates and times for the hearing, Subrizi said the hearing would take place at 6:30 p.m. during the May 23 public meeting of the mayor and council.

Borough Administrator Christine Demiris said she would send the owners notice of the hearing date and the charges against them.