Selectmen Issue Three Liquor License Suspensions After Sting Operation

The Dedham Board of Selectmen handed out suspensions to three local businesses at its meeting Thursday due to liquor violations. 

The Board hosted three hearings regarding violations by , and . Dedham Police found each location had served alcohol to minors as part of a sting operation on Sept. 23. 

District Convenience

District Convenience, located at 380 Washington St., received its liquor license in June 2010. However, store owner Perry Makarios admitted his mistake when his store sold alcohol to a minor.

"There's absolutely no excuse over what happened," Makarios told the board. "I was caught off completely that this [underage] person was sold liquor." 

Makarios said he has begun using an ID scanner for every customer that enters District Convenience, regardless of age. 

"I'd rather lose a couple of customers than lose my license," Makarios said. 

Selectman vice chairman Carmen Dello Iacono noted he was surprised by the incident, and encouraged Makarios to spend more time at the store. 

"This would not happen if you had a thriving business in there and focused on the small details," DellaIacono told Makarios. 

The board accepted a motion to suspend District Convenience's liquor license for three days, stipulating a one-day suspension would apply to Nov. 11 and two days in abeyance for two years. The Selectmen accepted the motion 4-0. 

East Dedham Liquors

East Dedham Liquors owner Robert Renzi faced the Board for the third time regarding a liquor violation. 

The store had sold four shots of liquor to a minor on June 15 and a 30-pack of beer to an underage person on July 10, according to police. The same store clerk had been involved with both violations. 

The board issued a warning to Renzi regarding the June incident, while approving a three-day liquor license suspension for the dates of Aug. 22-24. However, Renzi has appealed the suspension, and has only served one-day suspension, Aug. 23, thus far. 

Selectman Michael Butler questioned whether Renzi could manage his business operations. 

"I don't believe he's demonstrated to me he's able to achieve that," Butler said of Renzi. 

The Selectmen approved a 15-day liquor license suspension for East Dedham Liquors. The suspension would include 10 days to be served from Nov. 11 and five days in abeyance of two years. The Board approved the suspension 4-0. 

Gilbert's Wine & Spirits

Attorney Peter Zacha, representing Gilbert's Wine & Spirits, asked the board to issue a warning rather than a suspension to the Dedham liquor store. Zacha noted the Sept. 23 violation was the first in the history of the store's 21-year license. 

Zacha noted the store had purhcased an ID scanner and had utilized JBS Professional Services to train its employees on alcholic beverage sales compliance following the violation. 

In addition, Zacha said the clerk involved in the violation had been suspended without pay. 

Selectman Sarah MacDonald emphasized the clerk, along with the license holder, should be held responsible for the violation. 

"I appreciate that that step was taken," MacDonald said of the clerk's suspension, "but I do think there's some accountablity on the license holder's side as well."

Gilbert's received a three-day liquor license suspension with a two-year abeyance from the board. The Selectmen approved the suspension by a 4-0 vote. 

The Board issued a change to its liquor policy during its meeting as well, approving a motion unanimously not to grant stays due to alcoholic beverage violations. 

DellaIacono noted the measure provides protection to the Board and the town. 

"I think it's a good policy and it's time," DellaIacono said.