NEWRA says no to Bricco expansion

Despite full support from abutters and other residents, the committee voted to oppose a plan by Frank DePasquale to expand Bricco Restaurant into the adjacent property he purchased from Nobile Insurance. The NEWNC also supported the request by a 10-0 vote.

It appears that residents were concerned with additional noise on Hanover Street. "Bricco’s hours (2am) closure would not change," according to Attorney William Ferullo who represented the owner. He added that the "valet parking would not take any more spaces and will not be increased."

Ferullo noted the additional 47 seats will not attract additional customers but take customers waiting off the sidewalk.

At the time the issue created some heated discussion and some personal remarks were made.

Commissioner of Public Works Joanne Massaro may have finally made her last appearance at North End/Waterfront community meetings to explain her proposed 10 month, mechanical street cleaning pilot program which will end December 31, 2010 and start up again on March 1, 2011.

Several residents opposed the pilot program basically because of having to move their vehicles on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the expanded program.

Many others supported Massaro’s plan because the neighborhood needs more attention to keep it clean. Massaro committed to a spring evaluation of the program with resident input.

The committee, which reportedly has a membership of 350 residents voted 26-4 to support a proposal by Paul Barker to change the legal occupancy at 65 Salem Street to a restaurant with a capacity of 28 seats with take-out food only.

By a vote of 24-6, NEWRA voted to support a request by Matthew Sepe to change the legal occupancy at 19 Cooper Street from three to four residential units and a studio apartment.

A request by Laz Parking to improve its property at 588 Commercial Street received a 23-3 vote of support with the condition that the company replaces a fence residents feel is unsafe. One resident complained that Laz Parking should do a better job with snow removal on the sidewalk adjacent to the parking lot.

The next NEWRA monthly meeting will be held on Thursday, December 9 at 7pm in the Nazzaro Community Center.