New Milford Liquors Facing 30 Day License Suspension

The Mayor and Council will be voting on a resolution Monday night that would suspend New Milford Liquor's license for 30 days.

The company that owns New Milford Liquors, Shukla and Sons, appeared with their attorney before the Mayor and Council on June 13 for a disciplinary hearing on charges that anemployee sold alcohol to a minor back in May, according to the NMPD.

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 conducted a disciplinary hearing following the Alcoholic Beverage Control guidelines.

Owner Rajesh Shukla and his attorney, Stuart M. Stern of Daitzman & Stern in New Milford, entered a plea of non vult. 

"We are entering a plea of no vult to this offense," said Stern. "This is the first offense before this board for selling to a minor under age 18."

Madaio explained the plea to the mayor and council.

"A plea of non vult is a plea of no contest and is as close to a guilty plea as you are going to get," said Madaio.

This was not however the first time Shukla and Sons have been before the council for a disciplinary hearing.

Mayor Ann Subrizi said during a prior council meeting that 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.

"You should accept this plea and impose sanctions," said Madaio, advising the council. "This is a horrendous situation and there are multiple offenses in very, very few years."

Madaio then addressed Shukla and Stern.

"It is almost like you are ignoring us," said Madaio. "My recommendation is to begrudgingly go with the guidelines."

Council members also expressed their frustrations about the situation.

"Your store is known to be the place to buy alcohol if you are underage," said Councilwoman Celeste Scavetta. "My 16-year-old daughter was the one who told me."

The governing body was limited by ABC guidelines, which essentially left them with the ability to impose a 30-day suspension of the license which Shukla can appeal to the state. Shukla and his attorney indicated they will be appealing to have the penalty converted into a monetary fine so that the store can remain open.

Two conditions the council will require are the installation of a machine that can scan drivers licenses to detect fakes and training for all store employees offered by the state ABC.

"You have to vow that any future employees will have some training on what to look for," said Mayor Ann Subrizi.

"The situation is disgraceful and my sense is you are bound to go with 30 days suspension," said Madaio. "There should be an increased police presence and you should consider non-renewal of the license which is something I have never said in 25 years of this work."

Madaio recommended that Shukla spend more time at New Milford Liquors overseeing operations. Shukla currently spends more time at his other liquor store in Cliffside Park, Liquor City. That location has not had any violations, according to Cliffside Park Borough Clerk Sercan Zoklu.

The store will likely get a stay of the suspension until their appeal is heard in Trenton.