Avedisian fined $100k for Saugus building

SAUGUS – At least one Saugus Selectmen supports a $100,000 fine issued by the Attorney General for the developers of the old Atlantic Lobster Company.Selectman Chair Scott Crabtree said he supports Attorney General Martha Coakley’s decision earlier this month to fine Pamela Avedisian and Gary DeCicco, developers of the old Atlantic Lobster Company site in Saugus, $100,000 for tidelands and wetlands violations.?The Board is well aware of the two individuals evidenced by the two show cause hearings that we had,” said Crabtree. “They never came out and admitted they were under investigation for any wrongdoing down there. The Board raised the question and they kind of danced around it.”Avedisian purchased the property more than two years ago with the intent of opening a function hall and restaurant, but a series of fires and environmental issues put a hold on those plans. The Board of Selectmen recently held a pair of show cause hearings and revoked the liquor license for non-use and for undisclosed ownership.According to a press release from the Attorney General’s office, the lawsuit alleges the developers scraped around one acre of wetlands and then used to fill a tidal lagoon on the property. The area is a part of Rumney Marsh, which the release said is designated as a Area of Critical Environmental Concern.The release states the work done violated the Wetlands Protection Act, the Clean Waters Act, and the Waterways Act, which “prohibit work in wetlands and tidelands without permits granted by state or local authorities.”Read Wednesday’s Daily Item for more reaction to the fine.Matt Temptesta can be reached at [email protected].