The Middletown Police Department shall enforce the provisions of this chapter. All licensees shall be subject to a compliance check at least two times a year; violators shall be checked more frequently, until two consecutive compliance checks are completed without violation. If an alleged violation occurs, the Middletown Police Department shall issue a citation requiring the licensee to appear before the Middletown Municipal Court. If, after a hearing, the Court finds that a violation of this chapter has occurred, the Court shall impose a civil fine of $250 for a first offense. For a second offense, the Court shall impose a civil fine of $500, together with a 14-day suspension of the tobacco retailer's license. For a third or subsequent offense, the Court shall impose a civil fine of $500 and the Town Council shall have the authority to revoke or suspend the license at a show cause hearing. If a licensee maintains its license for 36 consecutive months without a violation, any new violation shall be treated as a first offense. It is the intent of this legislation that all fines collected by the town hereunder shall be used for the purposes of the Middletown Police Department conducting tobacco product compliance checks and the Middletown Prevention Coalition providing tobacco education.
(Ord. 2017-11, passed 6-19-17; Am. Ord. 2017-17, passed 12-4-17)