this is typically corrupt MA. politics at play yet again
no doubt Rick Roche is lobbying hard to cover up a very bad business decision on his part when he passed on Westwood Station
in the first place

I think Rick Roche really wants to kill potential competition and is afraid of Wegman's as a competitive food chain. This is not about liquor licenses for Wegman's or Roche Bros it is about monopoly and lack of competition in Westwood. Roche Bros wants to keep its monopoly as the only grocery store in town. The only way for Roche to stop Wegman's is to stop the liquor license. A town resident hiring a lobbyist to defeat the will of town meeting is unprecedented. Wegman's must have great food and Roche Bros must be terrified. Roche Bros had the first shot at Westwood Station and they didn't want to make the investment.

How about addressing the way the selectmen presented this license in an unethical manner at town meeting. Pat Ahearn had the guts to stand up and say it was not done properly and should be handled in a different manner. But the town bought into the idea if Wegmans did not get their liquor license, they would not come. Who are they to make demands and have the town change it's liquor status? I can guarantee if this store was going in on 109, Westwood residents would have had a different outlook. Go Scaccia. Have it written so it is fair for all or NOT AT ALL!

In 2006 Roche Brothers donated to fund a campaign for licenses to sell wine in the state and they currently hold three licenses. Fearful of competition they have initiated their own campaign in the State House and have elicited support from Lewis and Scaccia. I'm sure that both have connections with Roche Bros. Let's not forget that Stop & Shop had a distribution center in Scaccia's backyard and that parcel owned by Campanelli may be a future area for development (if they could only annex Dedham's portion). Westwood Station needs an anchor store that is unique--something that brings shoppers to this destination. It is necessary for viability. The town has a lot riding on this. Roche Bros. needs to think of the greater good.

The editor of this page is deliberately deleting posts that should be read by the public
BOYCOTT ROCHE BROTHERS and their anti-democratic corrupt business practices
NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rick Roche has every right to protect his business. The MUOD zoning was passed at town meeting to get 2 hotels, a 10 story condo tower, upscale Newbury Street type stores. Now the "good" stores are going to Legacy Place. Westwood Station's left with Target and Wegman's. If beer/wine are that crucial to business success, give the beer/wine license to Roches's, High Street Market, etc. If you think the process is starting to be annoying, you should have been at the last 2 years of meetings.

I am keeping this site fairly "open" in the sense that I do not require registration (hence all these posts by "Guest" and others who do not feel comfortable giving their names.) I am not reviewing each and every post and I am not trying to manipulate the discussion by suppressing opinions I disagree with, but I am also under no obligation to keep comments on the site.

Roche Bros has misled the town throughout this process. If they are the cause of Wegman's backing out, and the project stalling, everyone who sends their kids to the schools or has to pay higher taxes because of an over ride of Prop 2 1/2 should boycott Roche Bros. He knows he can have a liquor license if he wants one (he doesn't want to move one of his 3)he is just afraid of competition. He said he didn't want the cost to lobby the legislature next year. He's already paying a lobbyist when he doesn't have to. No one hires lobbyists for or against home rule petitions. They just pass automaticly unless some selfish obstructionist intervenes. Lame, lame, lame.....the truth is he is fearful that his profit margins will go down if he is forced to compete with a first class operation like Wegman's (with or without liquor).

Sad that a $1.5 billion project is hung up on one beer and wine license. Where are the $700,000 condos? The Newbury-street type stores? The sales pitch hasn't kept up with reality. The financing isn't there. Who knew Commonfund wasn't providing financing? Commonfund has $37 billion under management; if the project is so wonderful, why don't they finance it? Lots of smoke and mirrors. "The most environmentally friendly project" of its kind...right...how??? Air pollution, light pollution, and cars backed up for miles on 128 waiting to get to the sales at Wegmans and Target. Many dollars promised to the Town of Westwood...but a sham behind the promises. Hope CC&F is at least paying real estate taxes on the multiple buildings they demolished.

The party to blame is the selectmen for not addressing the issue properly in the first place. The article could have been written to address the needs of all businesses in town not just Wegmans. Also, if the project fails, the blame will be on the greedy developer. The size of the project at 4.5 million square feet is massive and had the developer looked to a smaller size development like the town was initially promised, one liquor license would not be the make or break point of this project. If Jay Doherty has all his eggs in one basket, he is the loser. Not Westwood and certainly not Roche Bros.

I moved to Boston from Syracuse NY a couple years ago. We had one of the giant 100,000 sf Wegmans stores near me and it was fantastic. If you speak with upstate NY transplants most will say the most they miss about the area is Wegmans (right after their family - sometime even more so...). Regardless - only beer can be sold in stores in grocery NY - not hard liquor or wine. So when I hear that not getting a liquor license would prevent a Wegmans being built it seems completely absurd. I hope they get this settled either way so they will actually build it. Trust me folks (not sure why you would but) Roche Bros is not in the same league as Wegmans so I understand why they will do anything to delay them building it.

Money, money, money. Todays Transcript article clearly demonstrates that money buys you friends. Roche Bros. philanthropy sure has had a cumulative effect on Scaccia. Both lobbying and contributions can blur professional boundaries. The bottom line is Roche Bros. does not want competition and they are not alone. The presence of Wegmans in this area will force Roche Bros and others to increase their own level of quality. Like other residents in Westwood, I shop at Roche Bros., but mainly because of its proximity. It's too bad they didn't opt for Westwood Station. However, they did so in Westborough at Bay State Commons. There they created an open market concept store--a cross between Whole Foods and Trader Joes. In addition to feeling in debt to Roche Bros., Scaccia has other reasons as well. For years the Stop & Shop distribution center was in his backyard and there remains the undeveloped 72 acre parcel currently owned by Campanelli. Just last year they took their plans off the table for their mixed use development. Regardless of the license, I hope that Wegman decides to come to Westwood.

For those who haven't read a newspaper in the last 15 months....yes this and every other development that isn't 100% equity is built on egg shells. If we want this to help the town and its finances and they say they need Wegmans then they need Wegmans. They may not have needed them when the markets and lenders were soaring. They need them now. Otherwise let's just plan for the next over ride. Get your checkbook ready and take out a loan for your kid to play school sports.

I simply get frustrated beyond belief when the will of the people is disregarded. A forum was held. Both sides presented their side. A vote was talled. More people voted for it than against it. The rules of the town were followed to the letter. The people spoke, pass the darn bill and give the majority of Westwood residents what they want. Scaccia has no right to subvert the Town's vote. If giving Wegman's a liquor license increases our towns ability to land them 1% then we need to do it. Let's not screw this opportunity up now. I respect everything there is about Roche Bros -especially the community involvement. I shop there every week. However; they don't give the food away...it's a business. Seems like Wegmans is a top shelf chain which will make Roche Bros turn it up a notch. Not to mention, think of how many good jobs Wegmans will create in our backyard. Get it done McMurtry!

The town did vote on this issue as they were told to vote by the BOS. The town was scared into the vote tying this and many other votes into the success of Westwood Station. Look around at other developements that are happening... Legacy Place, Patriot Place etc. This town has played the victim.. they promised Newbury Street.. The town voted on Newbury Street and then along came 4.5 million square feet of development and the BOS says... WE DIDNT KNOW. WE HAD NO IDEA. COME ON. If the developer wasnt soo greedy and the town wasnt soo quick to take, we would not have this problem. Now we are all on the edge of our seats hoping Wegmans will SOLVE all our problems. Well, if they were that great, a beer and wine license wouldnt matter. If the BOS had written this correctly, THERE WOULD BE NO DEBATE. This would not be held up by Scaccia if it was done right. Instead, it was done incorrectly by a greedy bunch of amateurs! GOOD LUCK.

What happens if we just wait this out until the legislature is back in session and this matter comes up for a general vote, at which point it will easily pass?

Massachusetts is well known for its hospitals and educational institutions so why not welcome a company that has been on Fortune Magazine's list of Best Companies to work for(11 years). I wonder how Roche Bros. nearly 4000 full-time and PT workers feel, particularly those who were not paid overtime until the courts stepped in. Roche Bros. had violated the Fair Labor Standards Act. Futhermore, Scaccia has been in front of the State Ethics Commission for violations--gift statue, financial disclosure and public officials' code of conduct. To that I ask--what exactly does Scaccia get out of blocking this bill or is he simply tiffed because "the kid" (McMurtry) stepped on his toes. Thanks to Paul McMurtry, the Scaccia/Roche Bros campaign to block this bill is not outside the medias glare.

Check out the Dedham Blog for more detailed info. They have a link to a recent Boston Magazine article.

If the selectman want to do the true will of the people, then just put this warrant article on the NOV ballot. At town meeting only 7% of voters weighed in on this issue. The town spent alot of money on this home rule petiton and it seems like it is going no place soon. Im not saying this is the answer but it gives feedback from over 90% of the residents instead of 7%. Maybe other residents have a solution to this problem and would like to weigh in on it.

The bottom line is NO ONE is stopping Wegmans from opening in Westwood. Rich Roche can't stop them. If Wegmans wants to come to Westwood Station it should be on the merits of Westwood Station.

Forget about Roche Brothers how about Lamberts or High Street market. Is it fair to the small mom and pop operation to give Wegmans an unfair advantage. Im sick of the double talk and can't wait to discuss off premise licenses with the EDAB and Board of Selectman.

One other thing, I take my hat of to the residents that list their name on a post. Im reading some posts now that seem like the person that wrote it, knows more information than an average citizen.

David,

I think that is a great suggestion, saw your editorial in the paper, and hope it is brought to the attention of the BOS. I believe other businesses in town should be given the opportunity regardless of size or location to have a license and if that is not the case, then no business should receive a license. If the BOS had written the article like that for town meeting, we would not be having this discussion. I wish we had video tapes of previous town meetings when the BOS thought having a liquor license in town was just totally against the town's beliefs. What a difference a couple years makes.

Joanie

Joanie thanks for your reply. Trust me I know better than anyone ,seeming I was the one that originally petitioned the town for an off premise license. I'm not against Wegmans at all but the way the BOS did it was 180 degree turn around. They told me they do not want a monopoly, then they create one. They tell me they don't want a off premise license, then they push hard for one.
I hope the smaller stores step forward soon because I know they are interested in a license also.
I petitioned for 3 years and the EDAB went as far as to write a letter to the editor asking residents not to support my efforts. I hope more residents step forward and support Roche Brothers in their effort. I hope lamberts and high street market step forward soon so the residents know how they feel also. This fight should not be dumped on just Roche Brothers shoulders. They are the best corporate citizen this town has ever seen. I have said this many times if Wegmans wants to come to Westwood NO ONE is stopping them.
This is a perfect time to make CCF answer some questions. If this project is in danger because of a beer and wine license then we have bigger problems than Wegmans.
We have given CCF the keys to the town and still they demand more.
Im sure someone is going to argue against what I have to say and that's great.
But remember one thing I put my full name behind what I have to say and I hope you do the same.

It was nice to see Rep. Scaccia state his "loyalty" reasons, but would have liked to see him press the fairness issue a little more. It was likewise nice to see Rep. McMurtry say he was not frustrated by the opposition noting that participation in the process is a good thing. Government "of the people" seems to be working "corruption" assertions notwithstanding.

Sounds to me like all the town officials' "cautious" "planning" is starting to come unglued as the assumptions underlying the developer's self interested projections continue to fall like a house of cards. While I wasn't present, I wonder how many of those "assumptions" were really analyzed or vetted (hate the word, but lately it seems its the favorite word du jour), much less considered. And while I understand no one has a crystal ball, the comment about Nancy Hyde being "in over her head" may end up holding true, but not because she doesn't have a crystal ball, but maybe because she didn't do her due diligence job as well as she should have and then, when push came to shove on deciding between the right way and the wrong way of doing things, she chose the wrong way as a result of being blinded by all the developer's shiny lights. Again, I wasn't there, so that's all idle speculation. But that doesn't change the part about the wrong way vs. the right way . . . my sense is that an elected official should have a problem with a law, even one that a majority of the voters has approved, that smacks of unfairness . . . certainly Rep. Scaccia does . . . my guess is that the courts will too if push comes to shove gets that far.

As for Roche Bros.' opposition to Wegmans getting a community sponsored (and BOS sponsored) monopoly that now seems to be getting hung up in the not so rubber stamp home rule petition process, what exactly is it that is bothering some of you about Rick Roche's conduct in this matter?

It can't be the . . .

The 30+ years that Roche Bros. has been in the neighborhood?
The 30+ years of Roche Bros.' exceptional corporate philanthropy?
The 30+ years of Roche Bros. giving our kids good part time jobs (mine being one of them)?
The 30+ years of Roche Bros. providing an excellent place to shop?

Maybe its Rick Roche's own self interest in protecting the legitimate business interests of a local family run business from being denied a level playing field from a large out state competitor. Hmm, that doesn't quite sound like it should be objectionable in a society that routinely sends its soldiers to die for the right to live in a country that promotes a free market economy, that claims to support family owned businesses, and most importantly that cherishes the principle that everybody should play by the same set of rules . . .

Maybe its Rick's decision not to take the grocery store anchor spot in Westwood Station. Rick's detractors have argued that he could have had the only license in town by accepting the invitation to open a store in Westwood Station. Hmmm, there seems to be a few flaws in that logic. First of all, Roche Bros. already has a store in Westwood - why does it need two? Certainly seems plausible that Roche Bros. would have no desire to incur the cost of relocating a successful store to a location that is far from certain to be a success at a cost of doing business that would far exceed its present location. Certainly seems plausible that Roche Bros. might not have an interest in operating a store that is 3 times the size of its current Westwood store in this day of downsizing and cost cutting (i.e. anybody out there still buying Hummers?) That seems to leave as the only reason behind the "but Roche Bros. could have gone to Westwood Station" logic as being the argument that Roche Bros. could have had the sole grocery store liquor license in town. Hmmm, there's something about that argument that's bothering me, what could it be, let me say it again . . . Roche Bros. could have had the sole grocery store liquor license in town . . . ahh, I know what it is . . . why is it that there can only be one grocery store liquor license in town? Hmmm, can't be because Westwood's a "dry town", heck there are liquor licenses springing up all over town in restaurants, not to mention I think there are 10 more coming in Westwood Station. Must be something about grocery stores. Hmmm, now why is it that one grocery store can get a liquor license, but another gorcery store can't. Oh yes, I just remembered . . . that pesky "fair play" concept that the BOS and a majority of the voters at town meeting decided to ignore. Well I dont' know about the BOS or the majority that voted in favor of the monopoly license at town meeting, but my childhood lessons about fair play have me wondering why only one grocery store in town gets to have a liquor license and all the others do not (not to mention my high school civics lessons, my college studies in government, and my law school training re 4th amendment rights to equal protection of laws). Only explanation for the monopoly license that I've heard, other than those "shiny lights" ones from the developers, is that somehow, apparently, size does matter . . . I thought that was a myth, but then again I don't watch Sex In The City . . . more interested in my friends not getting screwed by apparently misguided, presumably misinformed, but most troubling, undoubtedly unprincipled politicians and citizenry . . .

Michael Powers, 6 year Westwood resident, 25 year attorney, 12 year personal friend of Rick Roche, father of a 6 mos. Roche Bros. employee, longtime Roche Bros. shopper, 52 year American citizen, firm believer in being loyal to your friends (but only when they are right).

P.S. I don't know ya Rep. Scaccia, but I already like ya, you too Rep. McMurtry even though we are going have to agree to disagree on this one.

I am so glad I sold my home and moved out of Westwood last June. This was a difficult decision to make having been born in the town and educated there.
I had my first job as a teenager in Roche Bros. supermarket. They treated us awesome and we had great working ethics, we learned respect and hard work. There is more to life than retail malls and high price homes. You all need to get a life! Now I can enjoy kayaking where it is peaceful and the beautiful sunsets over the ocean every night when I return home. What that area needs is a train to run along route 128 so people would not be so dependent on their automobiles. Instead, you all want to purchase more stuff!!! I just don't get it.
What a great message you are sending to your children. Let's go get in our cars and go buy more things! How fun is that! Wow, I am so impressed! Growing up as a kid all we wanted to do was drive along rte 128 to enjoy a ski day together at Blue Hills! Or spend the day hiking there!

Dave what upsets me about Westwood Station is how it was pitched to us. From the very begining the EDAB told us we need to rezone that area to stay ahead of the developer. It was told that we need to make the developer do what we want him to do. I was like, YES lets rezone and do whats in the interest of Westwood and not the Developer. So is the EDAB going to tell me that we forced CCF to build a mixed use discrect? Or is that exactly what CCF needed us to do to rezone university ave so they can build a mixed use district? It looks like the string master was pulling the strings right from the very begining.
I feel because of the Wegmans situation it shows how fragile this project is. If Westwood Station can't lure tenants on its own merits than we are in big trouble right from the get go.
Im going to call the BOS today and ask if they will put a referandum question on the ballot to allow all of ch 138 except for bars and taverns. This is the only way the majority of Westwood can weigh in on the off premise license situation. The board of Selectman should never be scared to let the true will of the people speak up. If they do not put it on then I have to question if they want to do the true will of the people.

Dave F,
I hope you will continue to update this blog with your efforts to reach the BOS. I think we could mobilize a group to get something started if need be. It will be very interesting to see what they say. I agree with you about not getting what we were pitched for Westwood Station. I have questioned the BOS many times on that issue. We are getting a massive development not the 50 acres of Newbury Street they spoke about at town meeting. One member of the BOS told me directly that they had no idea it would get this big either. Were there no controls? Could the Planning Board not just request a smaller version?

I attended countless PB meetings and requested this be looked into and other issues related to the size of the project. I can say, I received no answers. It will be interesting to see what happens.

I hope if this goes to the town, and if the town approves the licenses, I hope you get the shop you have been thinking about for years now. I was at those meetings when you petitioned in front of the town. I remember how the BOS painted the picture of this being something Westwood did not want. I believe their tune has changed. We shall see.

I think, if we are going to have a referendum to solve this impasse...somebody should ask Scaccia if he cares. He says he is acting out of loyalty and to protect a community resource, Roche Brothers. That argument would be good even if 100% of Westwood residents disagreed.

when I talk about a referendum question im talking about a whole new question. The home rule petition that Nancy Hyde and Tony Antonnelis supported creates a monopoly. The BOS has come out before and said they do not want a monopoly. I believe by asking a new referendum question that asks for all off premise license is fair. They can still prohibit bars and taverns.
When they passed the on premise licenses they passed all of them. The did not make every restaurant petition for a home rule petition. This also allows people to compete for the licenses unlike the Wegmans petition. The off premise licenses would be given to the town and each business would have to compete to get a license. I hope someone writes a letter to the Editor supporting this change.

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