Beer board fines Haystack Cafe owner $230 over returned check for permit renewal

The Millington beer board voted March 9 to require David Bell, doing business as the Haystack Cafe at 6560 U.S. Highway 51 North, to pay $230 to resolve a returned check tied to his annual beer-permit renewal.

Staff told the board the applicant submitted a $100 payment that bounced and the returned-check fee was $30. After staff attempts to contact the owner failed, the board considered options allowed by state law, including suspension, revocation or a monetary fine. Board members moved that Mr. Bell pay the $100 permit amount, the $30 returned-check fee and an additional $100 fine to reflect staff time and repeated notices; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Mr. Bell addressed the board at the meeting and said he had received telephone notice in late December and that an employee at the Haystack had been handed a delivery notice; he said he did not personally receive the initial letter and that he had not intentionally avoided contact. He told the board he would pay restitution and any late fees. The board directed him to contact the clerk's office and pay in person the following day; the clerk advised the office cannot accept checks for the payment and that he should pay in cash.

The board chair noted that higher statutory fines (up to $2,500) apply for sales-to-minors violations, which do not apply in this matter, and that the beer board had no precedent for this administrative violation. The motion carried unanimously on the voice vote recorded at the meeting.

The beer board then adjourned and returned to the regular Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting.