Select Board Votes to Put Third Tewksbury Board of Health Seat on Ballot

Date is also set to consider two applicants for single remaining cannabis license

The Select Board met last night with all members present; Mark Kratman joined virtually.

Cannabis consultant Ezra Parzybok and co-owners Brad Tosto and Stephen Doherty of Cannafords/Sundaze came before the board last night to revive the application for a retail cannabis shop at the former Sal’s Pizza location at 2504 Main St. 

Tewksbury has one license remaining, and the board voted unanimously to deny Cannafords a license in the first round. 

Chair Todd Johnson let the petitioners know at the outset that it was unlikely there would be a decision immediately, before turning over the floor.  

What’s changed since the last round? The company purchased a business condo in the adjacent complex to provide employee parking and address concerns over the size of the lot. Parzybok also said that traffic would be “minimal,” though how that squares with a sustainable business that delivers revenue for the town is unclear. He said the building is well configured for a retail cannabis shop. Security, sales, and operational details are in line with Cannabis Control Commission guidelines. 

Kratman and member Jayne Wellman asked about traffic.

“We’ve reached essentially market correction,” said Parzybok. “For example, north of Tewksbury, where the stores are more saturated, can they maintain market share? I’m not hearing towns complain about traffic.”

Wellman also asked how neighboring businesses might be affected by customers needing overflow parking. Doherty said there is excess parking in the business condominium complex, to which they have access. 

“There are no deed restrictions on the number of parking spaces any individual unit can use there,” said Doherty. “It’s quite a large parking lot.”

No residents rose to speak. Johnson called the presentation strong but said his preference is to close the hearing and take the matter under advisement. Wellman recommended setting a limited open period for additional applications, with a date certain to vote on the second tranche of applicants for the single remaining license.

“We’re not going to sit on this for six months,” said Johnson. 

Wellman made a motion to limit this round to Cannafords and 133 Cannabis LLC, the proposed dispensary at 1625 Andover St. now before the Planning Board. She also moved to take up the matter at the first meeting in March, which will be March 12. Both motions were approved unanimously. That gives 133 Cannabis around six weeks to clear the Planning Board and have its application into the Select Board.

Sal’s Returns, Wine @ Winter Market

The board unanimously approved a common victualler license for Sal’s Pizza to return to Tewksbury, in the 900 square foot former Subway within the Mobil gas station and food mart at 1700 Shawsheen St. At the recent Board of Health meeting, Health Director Shannon Gillis said Sal’s and the new Hilton Garden Inn in North Tewksbury had passed health inspections. Gillis also said Brelundi, Brothers Sports Bar & Grill and The Pull-Up are all very close to opening in newly renovated locations.

Both Aaronap Cellars, which sells locally made wines, and Blisspoint Meadery were granted licenses to sell at the upcoming Winter Community Markets, this Thursday, Jan. 25, and Thursday, Feb. 29 from 4 – 7 p.m. at the Senior Center. 

Kratman expressed concern.

“How many licenses should we be considering for this type of events?” he asked. “I wouldn’t want to say six or seven or eight wine vendors or something all selling and changing what was supposed to be a farmers market.”

Member James Mackey clarified that these vendors are the only two alcohol sellers at the market and during the summer generally alternate weeks. The new license application is due to the venue change from Livingston St. to the Senior Center. 

No residents rose to speak.

Additional BoH Seat On Ballot

The board voted unanimously to authorize Town Clerk Denise Graffeo to put on the April 6 town election ballot a two-year unexpired Board of Health term that resulted from the resignation of member Kate Budga Gwilt last week. Bugda Gwilt said she timed her resignation so that voters would fill the seat. There are now three Board of Health seats, with two residents having pulled papers so far.

The board rescheduled the meeting set for March 5, which is the date of the Mass. state primary election, to March 12.

In committee reports, Wellman advised the board that the Tewksbury DEI Advisory Committee will request use of the town common for a Pride picnic in June.  

Johnson commended the DPW for the mailing that went out to households with information on snow and ice removal and Town Planner Alex Lowder for her “Ask Alex” open office hours in the months leading up to Town Meeting at the Senior Center and Library. A schedule is here. Residents may connect with Lowder informally to ask questions about topics including the MBTA Communities article that will come before Town Meeting in May.

“I want to express appreciation to her for making that effort,” said Johnson. “It’s a sizable commitment of time, and hopefully residents will take advantage of that opportunity.”

The next Select Board meeting will be February 13.