Aaron Benjamin Milliman, owner of the restaurant Rock Salt, told the Carroll County Board of License Commissioners on Aug. 13 that he stored beer at a Harford County marina after a weekend catering event and later learned another operator used that stock during a July 4 event. Milliman said he relied on representations from a marina representative and a part‑time manager and that he did not contact Carroll County licensing staff before the event.

Milliman described his efforts to operate “very black and white” and said he sought a state catering license after the weekend because he found “a lot of gray areas” between county liquor rules. He told the board he did not intend to break any law and that he had been “lied to and manipulated” by an associate he identified as a manager who later used Milliman’s stock without permission. He said the situation has put personal and business stress on him and his family.

The board reviewed the underlying facts raised in a June/July incident that also produced an enforcement action in Harford County. Milliman said his leftover beer was locked in a secure storage area at the marina and that he had planned to retrieve it when the marina reopened; he said he learned on July 3 only that the site was operating and that, by July 4, another person used the beer on site. Milliman maintains he instructed staff not to let others use his stock and that he expected payment if anyone did.

Board members pressed Milliman on why he had not contacted Carroll County licensing staff before catering outside the county. Milliman said he had been told by his contacts that the marina’s organizers had approved the event and that he did not realize Carroll County approval might be required. The board’s staff and commissioners noted the difference between obtaining approval or information from another county’s liquor board and confirming compliance with Carroll County law.

Commissioners discussed possible violations and whether Milliman’s conduct showed negligence or bad intent. Several members said Milliman appeared to have been misled by the third party and that he has since obtained a state catering license. The board decided not to take immediate disciplinary action at the hearing. Instead, the panel voted to table the matter for further discussion, to prepare a written admonition for Milliman’s file, and to reserve the right to call him to a future hearing if additional charges are warranted.

In closing the session, the chairman said the board would draft a letter to Milliman acknowledging the events, warning that the letter would be included in his file for future consideration, and urging him to consult licensing staff before pursuing out‑of‑county catering in the future.

The board did not issue a fine or suspension at the Aug. 13 hearing; it left open the possibility of further proceedings after staff follow‑up.