NORTON - Selectmen suspended Chartley Beer & Wine's liquor license for five days Thursday for selling to an underage patron during a sting this spring, the owner's first suspension in more than 21 years in business.

Owner John Drane, the store clerk, agreed to the suspension, which runs from Aug. 2 to Aug. 7. The store is closed Monday. Drane also agreed to take an alcohol education program for sellers of alcohol.

"I'm embarrassed to be here," said Drane, who was a Norton selectman from 1976 to 1978.

"If I had a second chance, I would've run out there to get that purchase back."

Selectmen praised Drane for taking responsibility for the violation, which Police Chief Brian Clark said happened in May at the package store at 325 West Main St. Selectwoman Mary Steele said Drane was "one of the first people that's come before us that's come out with some outright remorse."

"One out of 21 is a pretty good record," Steele said. "I'm sure the public got the message that you are not going to sell to any underage kids."

Clark said police sent all liquor license holders a letter in December asking them to be "extra cautious" and "make sure they check IDs."

Police then placed a newspaper advertisement that they would be checking the establishments.

Police sent a girl under age 21 into Chartley Beer & Wine, where Drane sold her alcohol, Clark said.

The store was the only one that sold to an underage patron, he said.