Nahant meat market open for business

NAHANT – After almost two years of delays, the meat market Old Towne MPB has opened on the site of the former Doyle Electric at 2 Castle Road.Gail Dombrowski had a soft opening Tuesday and says she is pleased with the welcome she has received from the community.”We’re very excited,” she said. “It’s been great and the community has been great. I think people are excited we’re here.”Dombrowski pointed out the property used to be a meat market and grocery store decades ago.”We have a picture of the place in 1928,” she said. “It was a meat market then.”The store carries an array of fresh meats, deli items, fresh produce and breads, which Dombrowski said is a convenience for residents, and especially the elderly, who don’t want to across the Causeway in the winter.Selectman Richard Lombard, who helped cut the ribbon at the grand opening of Old Towne MPB (an acronym for meats, produce and bread), said the store is an asset to the town.”It’s something we really needed in town,” he said. “That property has been vacant too long. This is great. It’s a good place for people to pick up items they need.”Whether the market will be allowed to remain open is in the hands of the state land court, which is scheduled to hear the case this spring, according to attorney William DiMento.A suit, which was filed in state Land Court Nov. 6, 2006 on behalf of a group of abutters, asked the court to overturn the Zoning Board of Appeals decision of Oct. 30, which granted permission for Old Towne Meats to open at 2 Castle Road.Joseph L. Giardella, Laurie A. Giardella, Anthony J. Colloggero and Barbara Colloggero retained Attorney William DiMento to represent them in the case against Dombrowski, her partner Vincent Lopez and five members of the Zoning Board of Appeals.DiMento said the second permit was granted without a public hearing, which violated the law and the state Land Court agreed. After the courts remanded it back to the ZBA, the application was approved once again and abutters once again appealed the decision in state Land Court.DiMento said abutters are opposed to the market because they believe there is inadequate parking, it would cause property values to decline, increase noise in the area and create a potential for increased litter in the residential neighborhood.