Town Meeting Vote
Though the vote did not go as I had hoped, I do want to thank all those who took the time to make the effort to be there, and especially those who spoke on our behalf.
Also, I would like to acknowledge David Atkins for doing a nice job providing access to this forum, and trying his best to keep things fair and balanced.
Rick Roche
Comments
A Liquor Licence For Roches
Even though I think the local Blue Laws are very important
as an anachronism, and as a reminder of our Puritan heritage;
I will actively support a liquor license for Roche Brother's
store in Islington by carrying petitions and attending meetings
and going door to door to gather signatures to undo this
"corrupt" use of the town's authority to issue licenses
to businesses. I hope that Roche Brother's will be making
money from liquor sales long before Wegmans even opens.
Obviously RB's never wanted
Obviously RB's never wanted a liquor license for
their Westwood store otherwise they would have
petioned for it.
If they gave up one of their other licenses, they could go through the same process as Wegman's has
done.
What is the issue????
I think the best way to
I think the best way to right any wrong would be to give Roche Bros. the opportunity to apply for a license--even if they never want to. That would bring about what I've wanted all along--liquor licenses for grocery stores.
I'm new to town, but did Roche Bros. request the opportunity for a liquor license in the past? That would explain a lot.
Wegman's and Roch Bros - What issue?
Your confusion is understandable. I shop at Roche Bros, I like Roche Bros and commend them as an outstanding corporate citizen.
No, Roche Bros. has never applied for a liquor license because Westwood was a dry town until 5 years ago and Roche Bros already had the maximum allowable (a state law) three licenses at other of their locations.
Roche Bros certainly does have the right to apply for a license. They simply have to go through the same process that Wegmans has just completed. They will need to get a warrant article at town meeting changing the zoning bylaws and authorizing the town to seek approval of the license from the state. Town Meeting will have the opportunity to approve or deny the warrant. I fail to see how this is unfair to Roche Bros.
From the reaction on these message boards you would think the town has done Roche Bros a great disservice when, in fact, absolutely nothing has changed for Roche Bros. But, thanks to Wegmans, if Roche Bros decides to pursue their own liquor license application next year, it should be a walk in the park.
Obviously, I expect to get flamed for this perspective so...flame away! :)
RB
the problem with your observation is that westwood is a dry town. It allows no stores to sell beer and wine. the article was narrowly drafted to advantage one retailer in one space. the fair and balanced thing to do would be to draft an article allowing all the food stores in westwood to carry beer and wine within the 3 license limit that is currently on the books. It is completely irrelevant that roche bros can go through the same process, or lamberts, or high street market for that matter. to say nothing of the fact that the passage from dry to wet was done with 410 votes. Its an embarrasment to suggest that town meeting serves up the best sort of democracy.
Well said Lily
Couldn't agree with you more. It was unfair and should have been across the board for other businesses and put to a vote. We voted for a dry town a few years ago and now 410 people changed that.
RB - Clarification
Westwood is not a 'dry' town. We currently allow alcoholic beverages to be served in restaurants.
We could never allow all businesses within Westwood, who chose to sell beer and/or wine, because in Massachusetts, Cities and Towns are limited on the number of 'establishments' that can sell alcoholic beverages based on population. Currently, we would be limited to the issuance of three (3) licenses.
This is not to be confused with the limit on a particular company's stores in Massachusetts. That limit is also three (3). Meaning, Roche Bros couldn't sell in Westwood unless they stopped selling at one of their other stores.
And finally, I do believe that we need to 'open' the process now and push for an Article for the next Town Meeting that will allow any other entity in Town to apply for a license to sell beer, wine and/or liquor.
It's not a done deal yet. The passage of Article 18 does not automatically grant Wegmans a license.
It was inevitable that this would happen. It was just a backdoor way of having it done. Not the best approach, but personally I'm happy it happened.
RB
I agree that the Town Meeting forum, while one that keeps with a New England tradition, is a difficult way for business to be conducted. It was impossible for me to attend on Monday night as I was out of town. However, had an issue like this been put to a ballot vote, I would have been able to secure an absentee ballot to make my voice heard.
Many have argued that Roche Brothers' refusal to secure space in Westwood Station justifies the acceptance of Wegman's conditions. Certainly, a space at Westwood Station must have been attractive to Roche Brothers, but the cost of such space is exorbitant, and Roche Brothers is a small, family owned business. I believe that their Westwood store could be jeopardized by the arrival of Wegman's, particularly with the beer and wine license. One must also consider the arrival of large supermarket chains to Legacy Place, which is very close to the Roche Brothers in Westwood. Therefore, Roche Brothers will not only be competing against Wegman's, but also against the chains that have secured space down the road in Dedham.
I am sorry that I was not able to attend the Town Meeting, and hope to use this forum as a way to thank Roche Brothers for all they have done for Westwood. Truly, this business has made Westwood a better community. I, for one, will continue to shop there.