An article in today's Hometown Weekly gives a thorough review of this situation and describes how Westwood resident Steve Hasenauer sent out an email encouraging a boycott of Roche Brothers. Meanwhile, the impasse threatens to derail plans in Melrose to submit a referendum to voters on alcohol licenses there.

MR HASENAUER comments in the Home Town Weekley

FIRST 2 Paragrahs

MR HASENAUER comments in the Home Town Weekly

FIRST 2 Paragraphs

If people don't boycott Roche Bros., I'm hoping my email starts a debate," explained Hasenauer. "This is not about Wegmans, it's not about anything except for a home rule petition, which was passed at Town Meeting. No one should be allowed to derail the will of the people of Westwood except for the people of Westwood."

What Hasenauer finds so disturbing about the situation is the fact that the will of one person is stopping a decision made by the majority in Westwood.

First of all Mr Hasenauer asking residents to boycott Roche Brothers is just putting gas on a fire. Second of all you say "the will of one person is stopping a decision made by the majority in Westwood." The only way a true majority can be heard is on the NOV ballot where over 90% of the residents will vote. Only 7% of the residents voted on the home rule petition.The selectman could have put it on this years ballot to get 29% feedback. Then take it to town meeting. The EDAB, Selectman took the path of least resistance.
The bottom line is Mr Hasenauer that the Wegmans home rule petition was RAIL ROADED through town meeting. Ask the Selectman how much money was spent on this home rule petition. The only way to stop what is happening is to have another home rule petition that opens the off premise licenses up the same way the on premise licenses were opened. If you want to debate the issue I'm all up for that. Why don't you call the Board of Selectman and have a meeting on the issue with the residents. You're asking residents to boycott the best corporate citizen Westwood has? I have said this too many time, Roche is not stopping Wegmans from coming to Westwood. Why don't you educate yourself about the BOS and how they are against a Monopoly but then created one. Rick Roche is taking the bumps and bruises for High Street Market, Lamberts, and myself all who would like an off premise license.
I am more than glad to help a debate get started but asking to boycott Roche Brothers is just creating more problems. My number is listed unlike yours ,so if you would like to talk one on one please give me a call.

I will call the BOS and ask if they would set up a meeting for the residents to discuss off premise licenses.

Mr Hasenauer my telephone number is 781-326-6924 call anytime. Or anyone else that would like to debate the issue for or against.

I think it would be great to have a public discussion...but there are many issues nested together here:

1) Is the town ready to go fully "wet"? What about all the people in town who oppose beer and wine sales but are grudgingly willing to make an exception for this one store? Do you think that referendum would really pass?

2) Suppose we did have a "fair" license policy (anyone can get a license)? The BOS have said they would gladly give Roche Brothers a license if they asked for it. Phil Shapiro got up at town meeting as the last commenter and said he would do that, no problem. But the state law limits Roche to 3 licenses, so even if the policy were "neutral," Roche still has to stop selling beer and wine somewhere else to compete with Wegmans in town.

3) Is there a legitimate town interest in protecting Roche Brothers from a beer and wine selling Wegmans? Think about it. What would it be like if Roche Brothers closed their Islington store? They are an anchor to this end of town.

THE TOWN IS CALLING A SPECIAL TOWN MEETING IN OCTOBER.

See town website for Board of Selectmen Agenda for this Monday

Dave on Thursday the board of selectman had an EMERGENCY meeting. I didn't see anyone from the transcript there and no camera. For residents interested in Westwood Station the transcript from that meeting is a must read. After attending that meeting it was very clear that Westwood Station is not going as planned. The promise made to the people around canton street is a no go. They say the law suit has to be settled soon. I believe CCF stopped working on Westwood Station and that's one of the reasons the Emergency meeting was called. The word COMPLICATED was said a few times during the meeting. It seems Wegmans is only the tip of the ICE BERG. The Selectman and planning board seemed puzzled how to move forward. A lot of news coverage has gone on about Roche and Wegmans but it should be on what's happening or better yet what is not happening with Westwood Station.

Were the cable tv cameras at the emergency meeting? Does anyone know if it will be shown on mysterious channel 8?

Here at the BOS mtg Comcast and David F are here with cameras rolling...

Does anyone know if the Monday Sept 8 BOS meeting will be broadcast on Channel 8 on Sept 9 at 8 pm?

Can cable-tv scheduled-broadcast info be sent to the Daily News Transcript so people who miss the meeting can know when it will be shown on cable?