TEWKSBURY — The Tewksbury Select Board met on Feb. 13, 2024 at town hall. Member Mark Kratman attended virtually.
The board voted to sign the presidential primary warrant for March 5, 2024. The board voted to accept a donation from Lowell Five Bank to support the senior center, and a donation from Steve Dalin to the police department.
The board reviewed a building permit fee waiver request from Soldier On, the veterans nonprofit that is developing housing at 1660 Main St. Town Manager Richard Montuori said his team recommended that if the board did vote to approve the waiver (an amount estimated by Soldier On to be $69,000 to $76,000), they also approve a transfer from the Affordable Housing Trust to cover the revenue loss in the General Fund.
Montuori said that fees had only been waived for nonprofits for projects initiated by the town on town-owned land, such as those developed by Tewksbury Home Build, and the senior housing project on Livingston Street.
The Affordable Housing Trust balance sits at around $6 million. Chair Todd Johnson said that he was not inclined to support the request in order to avoid setting a precedent and because the town has already contributed significant funds — including a $500,000 commitment — to the project.
“I think the board was clear that we had exhausted our willingness to increase amounts from the trust fund, and this is essentially a way to go around that,” he said, adding that the money would have little benefit for Tewksbury residents without a preference for Tewksbury veterans in the project (preference is not allowed under state law).
Member James Mackey said residents should support a fundraiser on March 10 for the project and should raise money in that way. Member Jayne Wellman said she would be supportive, while Kratman said anyone living in the complex would become a Tewksbury resident upon moving in and sought to understand if granting a waiver would go to the contractor or veterans services.
The board voted 3-2 against the waiver, with Kratman and Wellman voting in favor.
The board reviewed a Class I license for Eco Auto at 623 Main St. The company currently has a Class II license for pre-owned hybrid and electric vehicles, and is seeking to expand to hybrid and electric fleet vehicles.
Owner Al Salas cited a desire to continue to lower barriers to participate in the sustainable transportation and decrease the carbon footprint by selling to state agencies, DPWs, and commercial companies; Eco Auto has a distribution partner lined up to do so.
The board voted unanimously to approve the request.
The board approved a change of manager application for the Hilton Garden Inn at 4 Highwood Dr.
The board reviewed a new entertainment license application for TJ Callahan’s Pub at 1475 Main St. The restaurant is seeking to have live bands for New Year’s Eve and St. Patrick’s Day for 1 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. Several residents submitted letters to the board regarding sound impacts on neighbors and sought limits on amplification at late hours.
Owner Dawn Callahan said that no residents approached her about noise and said the restaurant has a decibel meter to address complaints. Johnson recommended that Callahan reach out to the letter writers. The board voted to approve the application.
The board took up a retail marijuana application for Route 133 Cannabis LLC at 1625 Andover St. Johnson noted the board recently voted to close the application process for the cycle with two applicants, but would not be taking any further applications for the third and final retail marijuana license.
Owner Dean Graffeo and cannabis consultant Caitlyn Woodward-Samson discussed the proposal; Graffeo was denied a license in the board’s initial round and explained changes he made for the new venture after special Town Meeting in the fall expanded permitted zoning, stating that he would be the only Tewksbury resident to hold one of the three cannabis licenses.
Graffeo has appeared before the Planning Board and hosted public outreach meetings, and discussed several modifications made to address resident concerns.
Woodward-Samson reviewed the business and security plan, including strict no loitering rules. She also specifically addressed concerns about the site’s proximity to The Learning Experience preschool and said they reached out to another cannabis company in Brookline that is also located near a preschool to anticipate challenges; the company had no issues with safety and security.
Kratman asked about traffic mitigation; Woodward-Samson highlighted a right-turn-only flow and a widened driveway. Johnson asked about projected revenues; Woodward-Samson said the company is looking to do about $4 million in business annually, highlighting a saturated market.
Johnson opened up public comment. Several residents of Paulies Place and representatives of the Learning Experience raised concerns over traffic, crime and safety. Johnson asked residents to trust in the process as the Select Board and Planning Board do their best to execute their duties and meet their statutory requirements.
“We have to make a decision at some point soon,” he said, “and it’s on our shoulders to weigh all the information… and we have to compare that to what we’ve heard previously, and we’ll do the best that we can.”
Johnson raised the possibility of the board not granting a third license at all; the town is allowed to grant three licenses as a percentage of liquor licenses in town. The board continued the item to the next meeting.
The next meeting is scheduled for March 12, 2024. Residents may find the meeting agenda on the town website. The meeting may be viewed on Comcast channel 6 and Verizon channel 33.
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