Carroll County Board of License Commissioners Meeting - November 14, 2025
Carroll County Board of License Commissioners Meeting - November 14, 2025
The Board of License Commissioners of Carroll County met on November 14, 2025, to discuss routine business, receive updates on local events, and hold a violation hearing for a liquor license. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence.
Consent Calendar
- Spargo's Membership Change: A letter from Kelly Miller informed the board that Tulsey Geary, sole member of Kadaki Operating Company LLC (t/a Spargo's), intends to transfer 33% membership interest each to Sheedhar Panday and Kim Bad Hadur Mashrangi, retaining 34% and remaining the license holder. Both new members have alcohol awareness training. The board noted this as a change of corporate ownership and took no further action.
- Dutch Corner Participation in Cascade Lights: The board approved a request from Susan Rill of Dutch Corner to participate in the Cascade Lights event series under a one-day license. Dutch Corner does not have a catering license and is still establishing its restaurant. The event includes approximately 13 nights. No objections were raised.
Discussion Items
- Seminar Date and Location: The board learned that the community college will begin construction on June 17, 2026, requiring a new date or location for the annual seminar. Possible alternatives include the Public Safety Training Center or Best Western Conference Center. The board decided to explore other locations rather than cancel.
- Compliance and Enforcement Update: Inspector Keith Benford reported ongoing compliance checks, including complaints about underage sales. Some establishments have been rechecked and passed. The board discussed the need for DUI statistics, which will be available in January or February 2026.
- Local Event Updates: Inspector Bill Ledley reported that the Sykesville Beer Fest on November 8, 2025, had good attendance, with four local breweries participating. The farm museum events (Wine Festival, Oyster Stroll) were smaller but still held. The City of Westminster now has five annual events with alcohol. The board discussed the shift of towns to state catering licenses and a new form to track participation.
- Gateway Liquors Update: The board noted that the new owners of River Downs (a church) may not seek a liquor license. The Mexican restaurant at DD Road (Tara/Cara) is expanding but is limited to 49 seats by the fire marshal due to egress issues; they are seeking a beer, wine, and liquor license.
Violation Hearing – Case #6582: Gateway Liquors
- Charge: Sale to a minor on August 28, 2025, and alcohol awareness training noncompliance.
- Testimony: Inspector William Ledley testified that an underage volunteer (19) purchased a 12-pack of Twisted Tea without being asked for ID. The clerk, Christopher Schwing, admitted the sale and was not TAM-certified. A follow-up check on November 6, 2025, also failed. The licensee, Namrata Basnet (also known as Namrata Karka Basnet), appeared and explained that Schwing was left temporarily in charge while she retrieved a cable for the Maryland lottery inspection. Schwing testified he was not an employee at the time but had experience in the liquor business. The licensee claimed she had completed alcohol awareness training under her maiden name, but the certificate listed a different spelling.
- Board Deliberation: The board dismissed the alcohol awareness training charge, finding the licensee was compliant at the time of the inspection and the name discrepancy was a clerical error. However, the board found the licensee culpable for the sale to a minor, noting that the store was open and the employee was not authorized to sell. The failure of the follow-up check was considered an aggravating factor.
- Decision: The board voted unanimously to fine Namrata Basnet (t/a Gateway Liquors) $400 for the sale-to-minor violation, payable within 30 days. The alcohol awareness training violation was dismissed.
Key Outcomes
- Approved: Spargo's membership change; Dutch Corner participation in Cascade Lights.
- Dismissed: Alcohol awareness training violation for Gateway Liquors.
- Fine Imposed: $400 for sale to a minor at Gateway Liquors.
- Next Steps: The December meeting date is to be determined; the board will check room availability for December 17 or 24, 2025. The board will also obtain a copy of the licensee database and finalize the seminar location.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. We will call this November meeting of the Board of Licensed Commissioners of Carroll County to order. We'll begin our meeting as usual with a pledge to the flag and observe a moment of silence for those who have gone before us. It is strictly voluntary. Mr. Barnard. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. One nation under individual justice for all. Thank you. Back to the diaspora member of the board. With that. There is no new business appearances. And there was no meeting notice minutes from last meeting. Okay. So we have no appearances. We have a letter from Kelly Miller in reference to Spargo's membership change. All right. October eighth, twenty twenty-five letter. Office represents Tulsey Geary and Gandacki Operating Company LLC trading aspargos. As you are aware, Miss Geary is currently the sole member owner of Kadaki Operating Company LLC, owning a hundred percent of the membership interest. Mr. Gary intends to sell and transfer 33% of his membership interest to Sheedhar Panday and 33% of his membership interest to Kim Bad Hadur Mashrangi. Mr. Geary will retain thirty-four percent of the membership interest and will remain the license holder for the establishment. The intent is for these two additional members to have an active role in the operation and management of the establishment. In addition, Mr. Gary's oversight and management. Both anticipated new members are previously known to Mr. Geary and have experience in the restaurant industry. That's basically it. Oh sure. Maybe because I killed something. Sounds like just a change of corporate ownership. Nothing to do with the license. Right. And then both those people went through alcohol awareness training last month. Or beginning of the month. Okay. Do we need for our file any documentation that this is taking has taken place? It looks like it hasn't taken place yet. No, we're just it's just giving us notice. Um when you're done. So this is what she's been in regards to that section. But he's the only one on the liquor license, right? Right, he's the only one on the license. He's gonna stay that way. Right. Yeah. Keith, do you have any extra new rules? Do you have any extra new rules on on you?
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