Hilltop drawing interest

SAUGUS – Hilltop Steak House has had varied inquiries across the country for its future development, but according to restaurant representatives, one commercial developer is the frontrunner for the job.According to attorney Peter Rossetti, the Dartmouth Company of Boston was the lead entity vying for development of the 14-acre property. “They haven?t signed anything yet, but there are active negotiations going on,” said Rossetti.Rossetti came before the Board of Selectmen at its meeting Tuesday to speak on the application for the Hilltop?s licenses to be renewed and to have them transferred from deceased manager Lenny DeRosa to manager Don Doward.Rossetti said he expects there to be a plan for development by spring. He said there?s “been talk of assembling other parcels” for development. “We anticipate that we may have an article for overlay zoning in the spring,” he said. “It takes time to put it together with an operation of that size.”Rossetti said as a restaurant known nationwide, Hilltop has received inquiries from all over the country in the six weeks since it closed, with ideas such as a car dealership, a supermarket, a medical facility or just a different restaurant. “It may not even be what we think – it could be a multi-story office tower with a mixed use,” he said.Rossetti said Hilltop will be working with Economic Development Coordinator Robert Luongo as talks of development continues, but majority shareholder Dick Montfort will make the final decision.