Board updates: new inspector activity, enforcement training and bowling-alley license surrendered

At its Oct. 10 meeting the St. Mary's County Alcohol Beverage Board received administrative updates: the board’s new inspector reported recent inspections and training; staff summarized statewide enforcement-training developments; and board staff said the county’s only bowling-alley license had been surrendered.

Inspector Kevin Hall, who began on Sept. 20, told the board he had conducted 14 inspections and two follow-ups and had attended enforcement training in Annapolis. Hall described hands-on sessions that demonstrated methods for identifying altered or refilled bottles and other enforcement techniques learned from state trainers. He said he has received contact information from state field-enforcement trainers for technical follow-up.

Board staff and Chair reported that the comptroller’s field enforcement division is in the process of separating enforcement functions into a standalone alcohol and tobacco commission; staff described this as a transition that affects coordination. Staff said the county previously had an MOU with the sheriff’s office to assist with enforcement activities but the sheriff was unwilling to commit in the past when a position was vacant; with a filled sheriff’s position now staff said it would be appropriate to revisit an MOU for coordinated enforcement assistance.

Staff also reported that the county’s lone bowling-alley license recently was surrendered after a sale fell through. Board members discussed continuing coordination with state and county enforcement partners and training opportunities, including local delivery of training sessions for licensees and inspectors.

No formal board votes were taken on enforcement strategy at the meeting; staff said they would follow up with the sheriff’s office and state partners to define next steps for enforcement and training.