Hoboken Club Receives 10-Day License Suspension

Milford Selectmen voted 2-1 Monday to punish the Hoboken Citizens Club with a 10-day suspension of its alcohol license, for an incident involving nude dancing .

The punishment will take effect from May 8 through 17, and will exclude previously scheduled events on May 10 and 11, which means the events will still be allowed to take place.

The nude dancing took place without the knowledge of the club management. Club manager Louis Piazza had left for the night, and the bartender who witnessed the dancing did not contact him, according to a report filed by Milford Police Chief Thomas O'Loughlin.

Following the incident, the club's manager and president cooperated with O'Loughlin as he determined what had happened. The police chief said they contacted him, and were candid about what had occurred at the club.

Two of the three selectmen said Monday they felt the 10-day punishment was too harsh, given the circumstances, and newly selected board Chairman Bill Buckley voted against the motion, as a result. He said he preferred no specific punishment, but to see the town notify all social clubs, to explain that despite their private status, they still must comply with town bylaws.

Selectman Brian Murray, who voted for the punishment, did so only when no one would second his motion for a five-day suspension.

Selectman Dino DeBartolomeis, who motioned for the 10-day suspension, cited a similar violation that took place at the Tradesman in 2009. At that time, selectmen punished The Tradesman with a 10-day license suspension.

"To me, it's the same thing," DeBartolomeis said. "You had girls there. And you had girls here. Everyone knows that's not allowed."