Letter from Rick Roche on Special Town Meeting

Dear Fellow Citizens of Westwood:

I am writing this letter to openly thank the members of both the Westwood Board of Selectmen and the Finance Commission for unanimously supporting passage of Article One on the Warrant for the Special Town Meeting scheduled for October 21, 2008 at 7:30 PM in the High School Auditorium.

I’d like to take this opportunity to explain why a vote in favor of Article One is good for all parties involved in this issue, good for the forward progress of Westwood Station, and good for fellow residents and neighbors in Westwood. I’d also like to briefly explain what brought about the need for this Special Town Meeting.

Article One would allow the town to grant, in addition to the license currently awaiting passage at the State House, three more licenses to grocery stores for the sale of beer and wine to be consumed off premises. Many residents in town--myself obviously included--felt that the potential of granting a single license was too restrictive, since it would have resulted in unfair competition to Westwood’s other grocery stores. Few, if any, residents feel that the voters who supported Article 18 in May intended to create unfair competition in Westwood; they simply felt that attracting Wegmans would assure the continued success of Westwood Station. Article One is a corrective measure that would create a level playing field for other grocery stores in town. That’s good for consumers, it’s good for Westwood residents, and it’s good for Westwood Station. I, and many others, believe that’s what everybody wants and deserves.

Over the past summer the Home Rule Petition, authorized by the passage of Article 18 at May Town Meeting, went to the State House where it became House Bill 4832. During the legislative process, I, along with others from Westwood, argued successfully that the bill, as written, was unfair to other businesses in town. Enough legislators agreed, and the result was a delay and, ultimately, a hold on the passage of 4832. After much discussion and good faith efforts on the part of all involved, a resolution was reached resulting in the Special Town Meeting, and the hold on 4832 was released as of September 23rd.

Now, unfortunately, Rep. Galvin from the town of Canton is holding up that same bill. His constituents oppose many elements of Westwood Station, particularly perceived traffic impacts of the project within Canton. I want to make it known that this is unrelated to the former opposition to this bill, and I am working with Rep. McMurty and others to assure the bill moves forward as soon as possible so that we can all share in the ultimate benefits of this project.

Public Policy issues often become difficult. The issues surrounding Westwood Station have proven to be no exception. I apologize to anyone who may have misunderstood our intentions regarding these efforts this past summer, which were designed only to assure greater fairness to all in Westwood.

This Special Town Meeting, even with just two articles to be considered, is extremely important--no less important than last May’s Town Meeting. I strongly urge all eligible voters to attend, and I respectfully ask you to vote “Yes” on Article One.

Thank you,

Rick Roche
CEO/Owner, Roche Bros. Supermarkets
Resident, Town of Westwood