11/04/2004 DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE Minutes (2)

Home Browse Search

c The word "retail", by common use and understanding and according to the dictionary, means the sale of commodities in small quantities or parcels, as opposed to "wholesale", which means F sales of goods by the piece or in large quantities—extensive and indiscriminate. Retail sales are designed for the ultimate consumer. Wholesale sales are essentially designed for building contractors, masons, landscapers, and the like. As in this case, such sales involve heavy machinery, tractor-trailer deliveries, trucks, etc. to handle the massive quantities of merchandise that are constantly being shipped in huge quantities. Mashpee is a major major outlet and warehouse depot and extension of the huge Harwich plant. . It is not a retail outlet for the ultimate consumer. The best evidence of that comes from no less an authority than Mr. Wickstrom himself. You will recall that he told the board, in effect, that the Mashpee operation was so essential to his business that if it were closed, five (5)jobs would be lost here, and fifty jobs would be lost in Harwich because he would have to close Harwich down. One of the board members asked him if he wouldn't be spiting himself if he did that. I believe he said — No, because Mashpee was so integral to his business. His exact quote could best be ascertained by playing back the audio tape. This is like an 800 pound Gorilla sitting at our dinner table: First, - We can't deny what's there. Second, - It doesn't belong there. Third, - We just can't ignore it because it just won't go away of its own accord. To allow this activity to continue under the guise of a retail establishment would amount to the equivalent of granting a variance which, of course, cannot be justified under any circumstances. There is no need for such a phony retail establishment in our community, especially when its wholesale customers have only to travel an extra thirty minutes to Harwich, as the evidence has disclosed at a plant with fifty employees. Henry Desrosiers, Mike Shelton, the Sturgis Landing Trust Neighborhood Association and the many aggrieved taxpayers, citizens and signers of the petitions filed with your board have indicated their opposition to the damage caused, and continuing to be caused,under color of this illegal, unfortunate and ill-advised special permit. Again I wish to thank you and the Zoning Board of Appeals for the time and the kind consideration that you have afforded the proponents in favor of revocation, and trust that based upon the incontrovertible evidence, these requests will be granted as a matter of law, and that you so rule. Respectfully, Sidney Heimb g Cc: Russ Wheeler, Building Inspector Board of Selectmen Mark Boudreau, Esq. Design Review Committee Patrick Costello,Esq. Planning Board