Milford Strengthens Punishment for First-Time Alcohol Serving Violations

A first-time offense for a restaurant, bar or package store that sells alcohol to an underage customer will no longer be left to the discretion of Milford Selectmen.

The board voted 2-1 Monday to adopt a new rule that will require at least a one-day suspension of an alcohol pouring or package store license on a first violation. Compliance checks are performed undercover by Milford Police, who send in an underage person to see if they can purchase alcohol.

In the most recent round of compliance checks, on Sept. 20, police detectives sent a 20-year-old man into 36 establishments. Thirty-five employees would not serve him alcohol. Only one business — Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar — served him a beer. After discussing the issue, selectmen agreed Monday to send a letter of reprimand to the business, but did not suspend its license.

The new rule, adopted by the board about a half-hour after reaching that decision, would require at least a one-day suspension of the alcohol pouring license for the restaurant, as this was the establishment's first offense.

The new rule would allow selectmen to consider subsequent offenses on a case-by-case basis.

Selectman Brian Murray voted against the proposal, saying he didn't like the mandate for a one-day suspension.