ATHOL — Brian Joseph Teason of Orange appeared at a public listening to earlier than Athol’s Selectboard final Tuesday, June 15, to make a pitch for the approval of a Class II Automotive Dealership License.
“Fifty-three Principal Avenue has lengthy been a automobile dealership,” stated Teason. “I used to be instructed by somebody on the town it truly began as an AMC dealership.”
“Jimmy Stewart’s,” interjected board member Andrew Sujdak.
“Yeah,” stated Teason, with a smile. “We’re seeking to deliver it again to what it as soon as was. Repairs. Going to be performing some detailing down the street. And simply promoting traditional vehicles and a few fashionable used vehicles as nicely.”
“Have you ever executed this anyplace else, in another city?” requested board Vice Chair Alan Dodge, to which the applicant replied within the destructive.
“That is my first alternative for promoting used vehicles,” he stated, “and apply for a Class II license.”
Board member Mitch Grosky inquired concerning the sorts of vehicles that will likely be labored on on the Principal Avenue location, which sits throughout the road from Athol Glass.
“The vehicles I’ve are in fairly fine condition,” replied Teason. “They’re principally entry-level vehicles. I’m going to be bringing them it at evening. So, they’re not going to be sitting in a single day. I’m simply going to be transferring them out and in.
“So, to start with, I’m most likely going to have three, 4, 5 vehicles out within the lot. Within the wintertime, I’m not going to be placing the traditional vehicles on the market — I’m maintaining them away from the salt and the weather. I’ll seemingly have F-150s, extra fashionable vans — 2000s, 2010s — stuff like that will likely be out on the lot. Hopefully, nothing goes to be sitting too lengthy.”
“My solely concern,” stated Grosky, “can be your upkeep of that lot. I would like it to be one thing enticing for the city versus what it might be — an eyesore.”
“I agree,” responded Teason. “I’ve already been on the market with my weedwhacker. I’m going to speak to the house owners of the constructing about doubtlessly placing in some re-rock and actually making that place shine and sparkle.”
Teason answered “No” when requested by Vice Chair Alan Dodge if he can be establishing a showroom within the constructing.
“Do you’ve gotten plans for that?” Dodge adopted up.
“I do,” stated Teason emphatically. “I do. I hope to finally purchase the constructing in two or three years down the street. We’ll see how the enterprise works and go from there.”
Board member Stephen Raymond requested the applicant about any warranties supplied with the sale of used vehicles and the bond which Teason might purchase.
“Sure, it’s a surety bond,” he defined. “So, it’s a $25,000 bond that I’ll get by way of my insurance coverage firm. I’m actively working with my insurance coverage firm in Westminster — Anderson, Bagley & Mayo — and we are going to principally have insurance coverage on high insurance coverage. So, if one thing does go flawed with the automobile, and if I’m not honorable based on the Massachusetts Lemon Legislation, there’s one thing in place to ensure the client is taken care of.
“However I’ll totally maintain my prospects and I plan on, even when I don’t provide a guaranty, I’ll work with whoever purchases a automobile. I would like them to be pleased.”
City Supervisor Shaun Suhoski needed to make it possible for an applicable restrict on the variety of automobiles that will likely be on the lot at any given time is about.
“You possibly can’t jam 20 vehicles into this little space,” stated Suhoski, “and that’s the one element I’m not seeing right here.
“Ten to 12 vehicles, most, will likely be stored within the lot throughout the road,” stated Teason. “That was the quantity for the outdated restoration heart that was once in there. So, 10 to 12 vehicles, and I wrote that on the enterprise description. And I’m not beginning out with 10.”
Michael Kelly, whose property abuts 53 Principal St., requested that entry to the enterprise be restricted to a driveway off of Canal Avenue, or {that a} driveway onto and off of Principal Avenue be restricted to nighttime visitors solely. Kelly stated kids play on the sidewalk alongside Principal Avenue, noting extra kids will likely be within the space now that faculty is out.
To the frustration of the applicant, Board Chair Rebecca Bialecki continued the general public listening to till the board’s subsequent assembly, at which period Teason will likely be required to current a website plan and particulars relating to the place automobiles will likely be stored, topic to any fireplace distancing protocols.
“The city has gotten ourselves into hassle prior to now,” stated Bialecki, “with a automobile dealership that was not very nicely managed and it was troublesome to repair after the actual fact. We need to contribute to your success and have you ever set as much as profitable proper from the outset.”
Greg Vine will be reached at [email protected]
