Briefs: Pull Up Progresses, Tree House Lot Hits Snag, CoA Seeks New Member

Passing of longtime treasurer leaves vacant seat on Council on Aging

Fans of Latin soul food will be pleased to hear that 2254 Main St., the former Bluebird Café, is on track to open in the fall. In April, Tewksbury Community/Economic Development Planner Alex Lowder reported that kitchen plans had been approved for what is soon to be “The Pull Up” Latin soul food restaurant.

On Sunday, work was being done on the interior and exterior; a spokesman said the owner is working on securing needed permits and hopes for an early October opening. Hiring is ongoing for front- and back-of-house staff, including a line cook. Applicants should send a cover letter and resume with a detailed description of relevant experience to ThePullUpLLC@gmail.com.

Meera Cousens of Civil Design Consultants came before the Tewksbury Conservation Commission last week with an updated plan to address concerns about stormwater, high groundwater and the 1879 Main St. lot’s position in a 100-year floodplain.

Approximately 67% of the site is located within the floodplain.

The newly proposed design adds striping for pedestrian safety, cuts the number of spaces to 138 and reduces the impervious surface by .34 acres. Still, Mass DEP has pushed back on the plan to count a stormwater basin as both a compensatory flood storage area and an area where stormwater from other portions of the site will be directed to.

“It is counterintuitive to me that you’re directing stormwater to a basin, and then you’re counting the volume of that stormwater basin for both stormwater and compensatory flood storage,” said Conservation Agent Joe Fontaine. When asked whether that scenario would be generally permissible, Mass DEP came back with a firm no.

Cousens said that to fully comply with all current standards, the lot would need to be reduced to 60 spaces, which is not financially feasible given the $2.1 million price tag for the 2.3 acre property.

“It’s been what it is for a long time, so we’re all looking forward to doing something else with it, improving it,” said ConCom chair Daniel Ronan of the site. Members concurred with that sentiment, but no solution was forthcoming to the water issues.

After back and forth on whether getting rid of a berm would help, the hearing was continued. Cousens is expected before the Planning Board tonight for a continuation of the site plan review and land disturbance permit.

While the Select Board recently made some resident appointments to boards and committees, openings remain. There is one seat on the Council on Aging, because of the death of longtime treasurer Arthur Costa, and 11 openings on the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

The mission of the CoA is to enhance the lives of Tewksbury Senior Citizens by identifying their needs and developing programs, activities, community involvement and resources to provide them with an independent and enriched quality of life.

The Massachusetts Cultural Council charges municipally appointed volunteers to award more than $7 million every year, supporting 7,500 cultural programs that include everything from field trips to lectures, festivals and dance performances.

Interested residents may complete the online application to apply for these openings. You may also request a printable copy of the application from the Town Clerk’s Office and return it to: Town Hall, 1009 Main Street, Tewksbury, MA 01876, Attn: Denise Graffeo, Town Clerk or via e-mail to townclerk@tewksbury-ma.gov.

Those hoping to fill a vacancy should have their applications submitted by Sept. 1.