Liquor Board approves Delegation of Authority, extends Market @ the Creek approval and schedules in-house VPC training

The Frederick County Liquor Board on Jan. 12 approved several administrative items, extended a conditional license approval, and announced staff updates.

Chair Joan Aquilino moved to approve the annual Delegation of Authority as presented; Commissioner Debbie Burrell seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. The Board also extended conditional approval for Market @ the Creek (Application #261452 for Ballenger Corporate, Inc.) until May 31, 2026, contingent on compliance with state, county, municipal, and Liquor Board regulations.

Director Dawn Shugars presented staff reports including the monthly violation report and year-end compliance and budget data. She told the board that license renewals are scheduled to launch on Jan. 15, 2026. Shugars announced that the Violation Prevention Class (VPC) will return to its original name and be offered in-house; the first in-house session is scheduled for Feb. 3, 2026, and Shugars will teach that class. The Board also heard that a new inspector has been hired and is scheduled to begin work on Jan. 26, 2026.

Commissioner Burrell raised compliance observations and suggested a dress-code policy for minors to reduce interactions that lead to improper sales; Commissioner Glass added a recommendation that minors not wear clothing with logos. Director Shugars agreed with the recommendations but no formal policy change was adopted at the meeting.

The meeting closed with a motion to adjourn that passed unanimously; the session ended at 10:36 a.m.