Torched Rt. 107 site a concern for Saugus

SAUGUS – It?s been more than two years since the Board of Selectmen transferred a liquor license to Pamela Avedisian for a proposed restaurant and function hall at 60 Salem Turnpike, Route 107, the former site of Atlantic Lobster.In that time, construction has been delayed by a series of fires, part of the roof collapsed and the developer has faced issues with the state Department of Environmental Protection.These delays have caused some concern by the selectmen over Avedisian?s idle license.?Our issue primarily has to do with the non-use,” said Selectmen vice chairman Scott Crabtree. “The licenses are in pretty high demand here in Saugus and we?re concerned with the community benefiting from a license that basically hasn?t been put to use with the tax revenue and jobs that are created.”Selectmen voted to continue a hearing on the liquor license after another round of debate at their Tuesday night meeting.Avedisian?s lawyer, Jamy Madeja, said her client?s plan will be a boost to Saugus? economy once it gets off the ground.?It?s in an area that people obviously want to use,” said Madeja. “You have on your hands a very challenging site to be developed. It would be even worse if you are left with a site that couldn?t be rebuilt because it had an inability to construct and use a liquor license. What they intend to build is an enormous public benefit for re-access to the waterway ? and will increase security and safety and bring tax revenues.”In May, a fire destroyed much of what was left of the old Atlantic Lobster Co., which had suffered a roof collapse and fire in 2009, and oddly enough, another fire on Tuesday, the same day as the latest hearing before selectmen.Fire Chief James Blanchard said some debris from the last incident ignited and caused a small fire that was handled quickly, but the fire in May is still under investigation.?There?s been a lot of people there fishing,”said Blanchard. “A lot of people go by there and there are a lot of people looking for junk like metal from the roof structure.”The building sits next to Rumney Marsh.Madeja also made note of trespassers on the property during the hearing.?These are uninsured, catastrophic events,” said Madeja. “I don?t think there?s anything left to burn, but when I drive by I see eight or 10 people fishing off the area. People are so interested in trespassing on this site.”But while construction still has yet to begin on the site, Madeja said she is confident this issue can be resolved in August, citing a Chapter 91 amnesty license that she discovered for previous owners of the site.According to the Mass. DEP website, Chapter 91 licensing seeks to “protect the public?s rights to fish, fowl, and navigate” waterways while “promoting the preservation of tidelands.”?We expect to be done by then,” said Madeja in a phone interview. “We expect to have a building permit or a complete collapse of an agreement.”Selectman Stephen Horlick stressed the issue of Avedisian?s idle liquor license, and said he wants to see progress at the next meeting on Aug. 16.?I?m willing to vote for the two months because we need to work together on this issue” said Horlick. “I?m very frustrated with this. When this came forward, there was nothing presented to me that would convince me to give this license out. Two years later here we are and nothing is being done. There are so many people in this town that want a liquor license and to be able to hire people and produce revenue and meals tax.”