By MAUREEN DOHERTY
NORTH READING — Christopher’s Market at 6 Washington St., was successful in obtaining an All-Alcohol off-premises license from the Select Board following a public hearing Monday night.
The request from Divyaansh Inc. (dba Christopher’s Market) sought a change of classification from the current wine and malt liquor license held by the establishment. Bhikhabhai Patel, president of Divyaansh, was present also with his legal counsel. Many neighborhood residents also attended and several spoke in favor of the change in license.
Also submitted with his application were signed petitions from over 300 customers in favor of the change, citing the lack of an All-Alcohol license on the east side of town. Liquor stores in Middleton are closer to residents on Elm Street and the surrounding neighborhoods than the establishments on Route 28 where there are three All-Alcohol licenses at Eastgate, New England Beverage, and One Stop Liquors. In addition, there are several wine and malt beverage licenses along Route 28 at locations such as Convenience Plus at 7 Main St.; Rte. 28 Convenience at 4 Lowell Rd.; Lucky Mart at 202 North St.; and 7-Eleven at 237 Main St.
Given the popularity of the plaza at Christopher’s Market with school-age youths, in particular those in middle or high school who walk there after school, Patel was asked how he would prevent alcohol from getting into their hands.
Patel stated that he is at the business seven days a week and he is familiar with all the kids. They limit the number of kids who can enter the store at one time, especially on the busy half-days. They also plan to condone off an area within the store where customers under the age of 21 would not be allowed and some liquor would be kept behind glass He also stated that he has never had a license violation, including underage liquor sales.
It was the last All-Alcohol license currently available in town. According to Town Administrator Michael Gilleberto, after the 2020 federal census the town gained one additional license from the ABCC based on the town’s population.
A second public hearing was also held Monday night for another business seeking the same remaining All-Alcohol license. North Reading Liquors is proposed to be located at 72 Main St. in unit 3a in Walmart Plaza (beside the Dollar Tree) by Vipul Patel, president, and Kiran Patel, manager, both of whom where in attendance.
In denying the All-Alcohol off-premises license for 72 Main St., the board cited the saturation of All-Alcohol off premises market along the town’s three-mile stretch of Route 28 and the lack of an All-Alcohol license on the east side of town.
Both public hearings were held and closed prior to the vote being taken by the board to provide both applicants with the opportunity to state their case.
The same point regarding over saturation of the market was made by the board last month when the proprietors of Lucky Mart at 202 North Street (at the corner of Route 28) sought a change of manager due to the death of the previous alcohol manager, Vijyaben Patel, and proposed that her daughter-in-law, Jill Patel, become the new sole shareholder, and Deval Patel become the new alcohol manager. At that hearing they also requested a classification change in their alcohol license from the sale of only wine and malt beverages to All-Alcohol.
The management changes were approved by the board at that hearing, but the license classification was denied. At that time, the board was also made aware that both Christopher’s on Washington Street and North Reading Liquors in Walmart Plaza were interested in obtaining this license.
Although the town became eligible for an additional All-Alcohol off-premises license based on its population, the Select Board is not obligated to issue every license it holds. All applicants have the option to appeal any decisions made by the board to the state’s Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) which regulates such licenses.
MARTINS LANDING SEWER ISSUE
The Select Board was briefed Monday night on a matter that has only recently come to the town’s attention regarding ongoing sewer odor issues at Martins Landing.
According to T.A. Gilleberto, the state Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) regulates the on-site wastewater treatment system at Martins Landing because the condominium complex generates more than 10,000 gallons of effluent per day.
According to the residents, they have been enduring ongoing odor issues emanating from the system quite for a while. Residents have held protests at the site and the matter was included as an agenda item before the Board of Health last Thursday night.
Last Friday morning, the North Reading Heath Department and Board of Health ordered a “Notice to Correct” to Pulte, the owners of the complex. This was followed by site visits from both Health Director Bob Bracey and Board of Health Chairman Gary Hunt on Saturday, October 18, with both confirming the strong sewer odor and the issuance of a $1,000 per day fine until the matter is abated. Subsequent site visits were planned on Sunday and additional days as needed.
On Monday morning, a meeting was held in the community room of the complex with the MassDEP, which was also attended by town officials, including Bracey, Gilleberto and Select Board Chaiman Stephen O’Leary, who is also the liaison to the Board of Health. Also in attendance were 150 residents of Martins Landing.
In his report to the board Monday night O’Leary thanked all involved for the efforts made to get this matter resolved as soon as it was brought to their attention.