Dog Standoff Resolved, Licenses Discussed, Input Heard on Billerica Housing Development

Part Two of a Summary of the Dec. 16, 2013 Board of Selectmen meeting.

For the full meeting, click here. 

7:00 p.m. to 7:05 p.m.

Town Clerk Onorina Maloney began the meeting with an update on upcoming dog license requirements for residents as well as an update on the upcoming town election and town census.

Selectman Pat Wotjas elaborated on the census project.

7:05 p.m. to 7:19 p.m.

Bill Griffin from Precinct 9 reported that the Aspen Project at the Billerica Zoning Board of Appeals will be discussed on Wednesday. He says it is a housing project less than 300 feet from his home that is larger than the controversial Mill Road project.

Griffin said that the last meeting in early December was very heated.

The project will be located on Rangeway Road near State Street in Chelmsford and was remanded from Land Court.  Concerns over flooding were mentioned.

Since it’s unlikely that the matter will be resolved on Wednesday, Town Manager Paul Cohen requested that Griffin get plans from the town to provide to the town so a more organized opposition can be made by Chelmsford, renewing earlier opposition from the town.

Eileen Martino of the LaRouche Political Action Committee talked about the Glass-Steagall Act, asking the Selectmen to urge Congresswoman Niki Tsongas to support a bill that would restore Glass-Steagall supported by other Massachusetts’ Members of Congress.

7:19 p.m. to 7:38 p.m.

A list of openings was discussed and then Rob Parsons and John Stellianos approached the board to request a common victualler license for Popeye’s Chicken on Parkhurst Road.

The location will be a training facility for other Popeye’s and will be 4,000 sq. ft.

The request was unanimously approved.

A Keno-to-Go request was provided by Smitty’s Country Store, no action was needed.

Peter McAllister of Triangle Service Center then came to the board to request a name change on the company’s Class II Auto Dealers Service License from Triangle Service Center to Triangle Service Center Inc., as of Jan. 1, and that Peter be named as the new manager in place of his father.

Linda Prescott of the Historic District Committee presented an overview of the Cultural and Historical Preservation Plan.

She noted that Chelmsford is the first town in Massachusetts with a plan to preserve town culture.

The goals of the overview are to identify and preserve important historical and cultural resources.

Prescott said that Chelmsford began to grow in the 60s, and while she is not fond of the architecture, there are many examples of the architectural style of the era that are becoming harder to find.

Town Conservation Agent Alison LeFiore told the board that is aiming to apply for a “Tree City” designation by the Arbor Day Foundation by the end of the year.

7:38 p.m. to 7:40 p.m.

Animal Control Officer Erik Merrill gave an update on seizure of a dangerous dog on Graniteville Road, which occurred.

An enclosure and other criteria required to resolve the matter were solved six days after the dog was seized, and the matter was resolved.

7:40 p.m. to 7:43 p.m.

The board then addressed on-site alcohol license renewals for Jessie’s Place, India Palace and an off-site alcohol license for Sam’s Liquors

Jessie’s Place was approved unanimously. Sam’s Liquors’ license was approved pending a six month process for a more thorough renewal since they had achieved almost all of the criteria for renewal.

It was unclear if India Palace wanted to renew its license, with the license lapsing on Dec. 31. No action was taken on that license.