The town of Millville looks sick. I think it's time to get her healthy. There is a $75,000 business retention grant that has been made available to Millville. The word "retention" is kind of comical, but, I'm told the money can also be used for business start up costs. There is a stipulation. The funds need to be earmarked by 6/30/2007 so you can't wait for the bridge to be finished. We also have the bike path that's coming and talks are still ongoing to have the train stop in Millville. This helps with the timing.
There are a couple of existing buildings that could be transformed into some type of business. I believe the building boarded up is the old McCormicks Penny Candy Store. It doesn't take a visionary to see the possibilities. Maybe a hair salon or barbershop ? How about what's left of the Mug Pub ? Could it be renovated to be a Pizza Place/Pub/Sports Bar. Could an outside deck be part of it ? A place somebody riding through town, maybe on the bike trail, the train or maybe even the river, could stop and have lunch or dinner. The Post Office is rumored to be moving. Is it a stretch seeing that building made into a diner for breakfast/lunch/dinner ? Could an outside deck be built on the back overlooking the mighty Blackstone River ?? Could kayak's & canoes be rented as a side business ??
I'm not sure if the 75K could be used for infrastructure. Millville will struggle to get any business's on Main St until public water is made available. From what I hear, the fire department could use another water supply as well.
Something to think about this Sunday morning. If you have ever considered opening a business in town, getting start up assistance would be a huge help. I believe our executive secretary has more info if you have an interest. You'll need to get moving though. The cut off is 6/30/2007.
13 comments:
Booster ran a Liquor store at that location on Central St. (He also sold penny candy and newspapers etc.)
I think you might find problems with the Mug Pub's location and septic needs? Not sure. Did the $$ for the business retention get restored from Romney's cuts just before he left office? On the other blog there are links to Senator Moore's comments on the funding and what might be applicable for the funds usage.
I think before retention, you need to build a case for creation. Good question, what would it take for someone to establish a business in Town?
My apologies to Mrs. McCormick if she felt my "broken" comment was aimed at her property. It wasn't. The point of my posting was to share a vision. What would Millville be like if we breathed some life into her ?? I was painting with a broad brush. My point about the store front, on the McCormick property, was wouldn't it be nice if a beauty salon was there. The ladies in town could go and get their hair done and chat. It was also brought to my attention that maybe Mrs. McCormick doesn't want that. Could be true, but what if she wouldn't mind the supplemental income ? It was just a vision. Right now everyone goes out of town for everything. Change scares some people and I understand that. But I also know change can be good. Sometimes we need to give it a chance.
Interesting point you have brought up .... Hopefully, when new business does arrive in town, we have checks and balances in place to prevent mistakes made in the past. What mistakes you ask yourself ? Let’s look at our town history to get those answers. We know we have had Class II & III auto business in town which ignored local by-laws and license restrictions in the past. I am sure the “nay-sayers” will respond to this as this type of thing was allowed before our current BOS took office. Whether it was too many cars on Rt. 122, spray painting on Chestnut Hill, or DEP violations on Lincoln St., violations took place. How many hearings do you remember in the past concerning business violations? I give our current BOS a lot of credit in trying to get this problem under control. I can remember two that I watched involving Marc’s Garage and Factory Auto on Lincoln St. I couldn’t believe this stuff was going on in our little town. At least, our class II businesses are still being monitored for violations thru coordination by our BOS and our boards. I believe they have an approval check-off list which needs to be completed before they will sign their license. A smart move to protect our town from those who wish to violate our towns’ rules and by-laws.
Unfortunately, what checks and balances are in place for the other business whether new or not? Are we waiting for a junk tire fire on Lincoln St. like Leominster had years ago?
Didn’t Onnie & Nonnies have a septic problem when Mr. Pare was on the BOH? No one seems to recall Mr. Pare fixing it himself? checks and balances again. I believe a comment was posted about why they are allowed to leave their doors open on a hot summer day? no concerns about flies with the food service? I guess everybody was more worried about a $ 500 liquor license waiver. I believe they knew the bridge was going to be repaired beforehand … perfect case of “Buyer beware”
I believe before we can talk business retention we need to make sure we have checks and balances in place first .. Mr. Houle and Mr. Stanley have tried there best but they need help. Let’s learn from our past before we leave the potential for the same mistakes to happen again.
A. Lincoln
It's amazing, when you stop and think about it, you cannot sit down and have a meal in Millville unless it's at somebody's house or your own. We need something folks. And the state is willing to pay !!! Doesn't anybody have a dream of opening up a restaurant/diner in Millville ?? How much fun would that be ??
Dear Abe
We appreciate your support. Tommy Houle and myself are trying our best and we are slowly making progress.We are in the process of rewriting the BOH bylaws and establishing better communications between the various boards ,committees and inspectional departments.
On a side note, somebody actually had the audacity to say the MRI report had it all wrong and the removal of the former chief was unjust (the "other" site). I mean are you kidding me ?? If you were able to comprehend the report, and if you can read between the lines, it wonders what took Millville so long. Can you spell liability ?
Welcome Chief Landry, your arrival was way overdue. If you haven't met Chief Landry, do yourself a favor. Let's call it a contrast in styles. You'll be pleasantly surprised.
With reference to the MRI report and removal of the former chief, lets face facts..there will always be those who wear "blinders" and refuse to face the truth..even if it is "spelled out" (MRI report).
I agree with you, the action was long overdue and many painful experiences under the old Police Department approach, may have been spared had support for bringing this situation forward years ago, been received. Unfortunately, "politics" remain in the forefront and continues to cloud the real issues. Be that as it may its time to move forward - welcome Chief Landry and his professional -
unbias approach. Those people who continue to wear "blinders" relative to the removal of Chief Ryan may very well have been recipients of favorable action and continue to show dedication-but the truth has been revealed - accept it - its part of growing up as many parents would tell their children; but "grow up" is a must if we truely want to see the little Town of Millville recapture its once neigborly,giving ,decent and caring reputation of which it was once so proud..Finally,it is important to acknowledge the difficult and time consuming action taken by the Board of Selectmen with regard to this Police Chief matter and be grateful that this action had been taken before liability suits became a reality. This is the truth of the matter..."The truth will set you free!"
With all these comments on the former chief, do you not remember, he RESIGNED from this position. The reasons for doing so are his own.
The town paid him a large amount of money while he was on suspension and now, I believe, we are still paying him for his unemployment benefits.
Let's move forward.
I'm sorry to say I don't think he is going to find employment locally. Might be time to head south and be security chief of a gated community. Do yourself a favor and leave the camera at home. God only knows the history of that camera before Quantico. Hopefully he had the sense to clear the memory card before he "returned" it.
I think it is great that you believe to have big plans for gentrifying Millville, however it is very obvious that you have never owned or openned a business. Everyone 'dreams' of openning a resaurant or diner or hair salon. There is a big difference between dreams and reality and money isn't the only issue. 75k isn't exactly a significant amount of money, not to mention the permits necessary as this is a 'bedroom community' in case you werent aware. That means that every property is zoned residential. The only way to operate a business is with special permits and the properties in question are not nearly in compliance for that. I think it is great that you are trying to show how much you care about Millville and its future. I know you would not even pretend to care if you weren't running for selectman. Perhaps you should concentrate on campaigning and selling yourself instead of demeaning the other candidates. Who are YOU and what do YOU bring to the table (that's practical) and what will YOU personally do to help Millville grow? I learned a long time ago that when a person in your position says "what someone should do is..." they almost always mean someone else!
Dear Anonymous,
I have owned my own business going into my 9th year. I don't believe I have been demeaning the other candidates. That's the beauty of this forum. You are on record. I have taken the high road and will continue to do so. I have shared my thoughts on town issues and my vision on what I hope Millville could be. I also recorded a cable spot that is currently airing. I hope between this web site and the cable spot, your questions are answered. I am sorry you're so angry. No need to be mad.
To one of many ANONYMOUS, Please ckeck the town Zoning. You'll find that there are multiple zones. The interseting thing is, you would find out if you took the time to check, that with special permitting aplications you can run a Mom or Pop business in most areas
in town. Your not going to get a BJ's or CVS without sewer and water, plus waiving taxes for a period of time. But unlike in the pass the town should be looking for revenues from SAY the power companies in Blackstone and Burriville as they do effect the quality of our AIR or BJ'S that is impacting our roads., Just to name a few examples were we should be receiving $$$$ for the way they impact our town. Thanks : Dick Mercure
All the trash along the roadside can't help Millville look like a town people are proud to live in.
Please get out and help Millville clean up on May 12, Town Cleanup Day! Details are on the town's web-site www.millvillema.org.
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