MARLBOROUGH – A gas station/convenience store on Boston Post Road East may be allowed to open one hour earlier, but not 24/7.
During the City Council’s Urban Affairs Committee meeting on July 10, members heard from James Hall, the attorney for the applicant, Colbea Enterprises. Colbea is the current owner of the Shell gas station/Seasons convenience store at 342 Boston Post Road East, and it was seeking permission to open 24 hours a day.
When the site opened in 2020, it had a 24-hour permit; when Colbea took over in 2022, it kept the hours until the permit expired early in 2023.
Since April, the hours have been from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
In requesting a return to 24-hour service, Colbea CEO Andrew Delli Carpini wrote to the City Council, “We provide a safe, brightly lit haven for the residents of the surrounding area, first responders, emergency workers and travelers.
“We would like to offer vital services such as fuel, drinks, snacks, public restrooms, etc., on a 24-hour basis,” he added.
Hall told the City Council that he had been in touch with Police Chief David Giorgi, who said he had no objection to the 24-hour license.
“The police chief noted he was in favor of the station being open after midnight and early morning for commuters particularly on that side of town, close to the highway,” said Hall.
Several committee members, including David Doucette, have questioned the need for the 24-hour license, citing several locations already operating 24/7. They also cited construction along Route 20 as well as increased traffic from new housing developments.
Doucette said he was in favor of a 5 a.m. opening, similar to what’s allowed for the Shell station at 431 Lincoln St.
Committee members voted, 5-0, to approve the earlier opening to 5 a.m. The matter will be sent to the city solicitor before returning to the full council for a vote on Monday, July 24.
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