The Select Board on Tuesday night approved common victualer and entertainment licenses for Crust & Co. in a 4-1 vote with conditions that would allow the pizza place to open as soon as required inspections are completed.
Crust & Co. is poised to take over the former the former Hillers Pizza location at 77 West Main Street. Ryan Dion, who bought the restaurant last week, is a seasoned restaurateur. He co-founded 110 Grill and has opened more than 60 restaurants in seven states over the past decade.
Dion said he had a “longstanding relationship” with the building’s landlord, Paul Mastroianni. He said Mastroianni called him about this opportunity a couple of weeks ago.
The food selection will be similar to the former venue’s menu, featuring Greek-style pizza. Some former Hillers Pizza employees will be retained, adding a familiar vibe to the new enterprise. He described the restaurant equipment as being “in good shape.”
But Dion changed the restaurant’s color scheme and interior to make a clear distinction from the previous pizza shop, which closed abruptly as of Sept. 1.
“[There will] be a very, very different look when you enter the restaurant,” he said, “which I think is important given the history there.”
The history he referred to was the conviction of former Hillers Pizza owner Petros “Peter” Sismanis on charges of indecent assault and battery on a person over 14 years of age and two counts of witness intimidation. The sentencing sparked protesters to hold signs in front of the restaurant and oppose the transfer its common victualer license to his wife, Eleni. A hearing on that matter was scheduled to be held on Sept. 4, but Dion’s purchase made the matter moot.
“I think it’s important to mention I’ve never met the family — the prior owners,” stressed Dion. “I don’t know who they are.”
He added that no one from the Sismanis family is involved in any aspect of the new restaurant.
Said Dion: “It’s time [with] everything that I’ve heard for everybody to move forward with a new, great business in town.”
Town Manager Elaine Lazarus said that Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) checks had been performed on Dion and the new managers, with no offenses found.
She added that an application is pending with the Board of Health for a food service permit. Lazarus said the Health Department, whom she spoke with earlier in the day, would be “very comfortable” if the board issued the licenses contingent upon the issuance of this permit.
Member Amy Ritterbusch asked if there would be “supervision systems” for teen employees. Dion said he and trained managers would be at the restaurant.
“Treating people with respect and having fun at work is the name of the game,” he added.
Lone dissenter Matt Kizner said he wanted Crust & Co. to receive the food service permit before the board voted. He stressed that he wanted this business to “start off on the right foot from a place of trust.” He expressed similar concern over the proposed entertainment license.
Kizner also said he appreciated the “collaboration and creativity” between Dion and Mastroianni to move this venture forward.
Member Brian Herr said he was comfortable with approving the license requests with conditions. Chair Joe Clark echoed this statement, noting it is “not something that’s uncommon for us to do.”
Main Street building collapse addressed
The board discussed the collapse of a building wall that occurred at 52 Main Street, the former site of Hopkinton Drug. The wall fell onto the sidewalk and spilled into the street during the building’s demolition on Aug. 27, causing no injuries.
Boston-based Parsons Commercial Group, along with Brendon Properties, is redeveloping the property into a multifamily mixed-use development.
Clark said he and Lazarus spoke with public safety leaders Friday to discuss what could be done “from a town standpoint” to ensure residents’ safety. He cited “lack of communication” between the town and the developer once the demolition permit was issued as a problem that could be easily addressed moving forward. The board and the public safety leaders should get regular progress updates given the project’s scope, he stressed.
Hopkinton Fire Chief Gary Daugherty said there was a public “misconception” that the police and fire departments are notified when a building is scheduled to be demolished. In reality, the Building Department gets a notice.
He added that the only reason he knew the building was coming down is because the accident triggered the fire alarm and sprinkler system.
Vice chair Shahidul Mannan said he was happy that the town would be “institutionalizing more vigilance.”
“Folks, it’s OK to be scared about this one,” added Kizner, noting that it occurred on the first day of school.
Ritterbusch asked if damage was done to town property. Lazarus said that the town is filing an insurance claim, which is standard protocol.
Town counsel selection criteria discussed
Board members discussed the strengths of the four firms vying to be chosen as the town’s legal representative. After trying to narrow the list to two top choices, they agreed to come up with a list of criteria for the next meeting to determine which candidates will advance to a final interview.
The candidates include current town counsel Harrington Heep (based in Wellesley); KP Law (based in Boston, with offices in Hyannis, Lenox, Northampton and Worcester); Mead, Talerman & Costa (offices in Newburyport, Millis and New Bedford); and Brooks & DeRensis (offices in Boston and Natick).
Members discussed the advantages of hiring a large firm like KP Law and Harrington Heep while appreciating the hands-on style shown by the smaller firms. They agreed that all candidates were highly qualified.
Ritterbusch said she had some reservations about hiring Mead, Talerman & Costa because it represents other area towns with which Hopkinton has intermunicipal agreements. Clark and Kizner said they liked that the firm had local knowledge.
Mannan suggested creating a matrix where the candidates could be compared based on the town’s priorities, which Clark said could include fee structure and responsiveness.
Misc.: Volunteers Dauchy, O’Leary lauded
The board honored Chuck Dauchy for his decades of enhancing Hopkinton’s beauty through his work creating and maintaining trails. It also recognized Mavis O’Leary, who previously served on several town committees and was a Scout first aid instructor and substitute school nurse. …
The board accepted the resignation of Heather Burton from the Conservation Commission. This follows Janine LeBlanc’s recent resignation. Also, it announced the resignation of Parks & Recreation Commissioner Laura Hanson. It also accepted Jamie Shepard’s resignation from the Regional Vocational School Committee. Later in the meeting, former Select Board member Brendan Tedstone was appointed to a three-year term and Sabine St. Pierre to a one-year term.
I have no reason to no believe that the new owners are not being truthful about having never met the old owners at Hillers, but it certainly bears watching to assure they were truthful at the meeting. Could be a point of contention if it proves to be untrue. That said, I hope they’re being truthful and bring another wonderful place to eat in town asap.