By K.B. Sherman, Contributing Writer
Shrewsbury – At the Nov. 10 Shrewsbury Board of Selectmen’s meeting – the night following the Nov. 9 Special Town Meeting – the hearing on the petition from Total Wine and More was continued.
At the Oct. 27 meeting, representatives from the retailer had appeared before selectmen to seek the board’s approval for a new store that would be located at 77 Boston Turnpike, the site of the former PETCO. The proposal involved a transfer of the All Alcohol Package Store license from Grande’s Market on Quinsigamond Avenue to Total Wine and More, doing business as Massachusetts Fine Wine and Spirits, LLC. Also requested was a change of location, change of manager, pledge of stock, and pledge of LLC membership interests. A number of voters spoke for and against the proposal. At the end of two hours the board continued the hearing for the purpose of reading different law cases referenced and for giving time for other townspeople to give their opinions to the board.
On Nov. 10, board members reported that materials from the petitioner had been delivered satisfactorily. After no further comments from the public, the hearing was closed, and the petition was approved unanimously.
Highway Superintendent John Knipe and Town Engineer Jeffrey Howland also addressed the board regarding the recently discovered ongoing disintegration of the bridge on Toblin Hill Road. According to them, the bridge’s failure has only accelerated, with supporting arches moving further out of true and cracking more. They decided that in the interest of safety the bridge needs to be closed until it can be repaired, and in fact, if the bridge does collapse it will take not only the road but a wall and the sidewalk may also collapse into the wetlands. Worse still, this may break a water main that runs alongside the bridge, depriving some homes of water. Water valves can be turned off, if necessary, but water service would be lost to approximately nine homes. Knipe and Howland voiced their belief that closing the bridge/road would forestall such an event.
As a result, barrels and road closure signs are being readied for a road/bridge closure Monday, Nov. 16. Letters to affected residents will be sent out, notifying them of the town’s action. Because there have been signs of someone building fires under the bridge using local wood, an attempt will also be made to warn such individuals of circumstances. Approximately 50 residents are expected to be inconvenienced by this closure, according to Knipe and Howland. The board voted unanimously to accept this plan.
