Hanson Talks on Liquor Licenses, Affordable Housing and More
Couldn't make it on Friday? Here's what you missed.
On Friday, we had our third Board of Selectmen live chat so far this election year, this time talking to Matt Hanson.
If you couldn't make it, here's what you missed along with results from the in-chat straw poll.
| First Choice | Second Choice | |
| Janet Askenburg | 55% | 73% |
| Pat Maloney | 37% | 8% |
| Matt Hanson | 6% | 15% |
| Roland Van Liew | 3% | 0% |
| Bob Joyce | 0% | 0% |
| None | n/a | 4% |
Liquor Licenses
Hanson supported a mixed ulse liquor license for the Meat House, and also supports licenses on a case-by-case basis, although he expects a majority of the board to vote against most mixed-use licenses for the foreseeable future.
Affordable Housing Project on Littleton Road
The current Board of Selectmen support the project, and it will help the town get to its "10 percent goal," which would give the town more latitude against developers seeking to start affordable, or 40B projects, that are against the town's interests.
In the next two years, he hopes the Chelmsford Housing Authority or the current land owner can help Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe, which is located on the site of the new 40B Development, to relocate.
Regional Dispatch Response Centers
Hanson sees a switch to a regional dispatch center as a good idea, citing studies he's seen that response time actually improves with regional centers.
He also indicated that Chelmsford residents would be part of the dispatch center and that it would save the time money in earlier debates.
How Selectmen's Meeting Should Be Run
While Hanson understand that it can be a chairman's prerogative to include or nothing incluide things on the agenda or during discussion during meetings that if he were ever to become chairman, he would not stifle input from his colleagues or ignore agenda item requests from his colleagues.
Transparency Laws
He says the town follows state level transparency laws, and notes all BoS meetings are televised and open to the public.
Hanson also notes that the town has been given an award by Common Cause, a transparency website.
Rob C.
10:09 am on Monday, March 18, 2013
Why is everybody so against little stores selling beer and wine?
Where is the harm in allowing beer and wine to be sold in more place?
Rest of the country you can go into a gas station and pick up a six pack or a bottle of wine.
Why does MA have to be so backwards on everything?
John Gault
5:42 pm on Monday, March 18, 2013
Rumor has it there's a big store in town that doesn't want the little stores to carry the same thing. Rumor has it that the owner of the big store is on some boards and can pull strings.
Plus, as we know, stores no further than a Tom Brady football throw should carry the same items, unless the stores are drug stores, fast food, gas stations, or restaurants. Makes sense.
Rob C.
5:52 pm on Monday, March 18, 2013
Hmmmm. Could that be John Harrington, owner of the big place in behind where Marshalls used to be?
I will go all the way to drum hill or NH before I buy something in there.
But it is not just this town, this whole state is backwards from the rest of the country when it comes to beer and wine sales and other things.
John Gault
6:27 am on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Mass voters are very concerned for children and against drunk driving. A few years ago, a question on the ballot asked about allow supermarkerts to sell wine only. Mass voter were very concerned that children would be buying bottles of merlot and tawny port and that the markets had to no way to stop them. Mass voters were also concerning that adults would buy wine at markets with food and drink and drive, as opposed to package stores that sell some salted snacks. The result was a majority of Mass voter decided that no one should be able to buy wine at supermarkets because of these two factors.
Mass voters believe they need to be tucked in at night.
Sunny
4:19 pm on Monday, March 18, 2013
Why does 40B have to locate on Littleton Rd.? We overpopulated with condos, trailer parks, apartments, and assisted living with memory problems (Westford); besides two sets of retail stores, industries and businesses.
Rob C.
4:51 pm on Monday, March 18, 2013
Thats the part of town nobody really cares about so there is the least amount of fightback when its over there.
Its the NIMBY attitude, we have to have it just not near me. Over by the asphalt plant is OK but dont let them near me.
If it is where the old "motel" buildings are that area could use a rebuild.