The BullSpit property was put out for Request for Proposals (RFP) in 2020.

Keith Kopley, then-owner of BullSpit, won the bid with an offer of $5,001.

The Town received a $160,000 soil remediation grant to clean the site.

As part of the grant process, the Town became obligated to file documentation based on soil testing and remediation results. That would have triggered Keith’s responsibilities under the RFP agreement. Keith went back and forth on this with then–Town Manager Justin Sulsky (name may be misspelled).

At some point during this process, Keith and his wife decided not to continue operating BullSpit Brewery. Around this time, I saw an opportunity to create 40 low-income apartments in the Goodspeed building, so I purchased that building and another lot from Keith.

In our discussions, Keith asked if I would be interested in continuing the BullSpit Brewery. I did not purchase the business from him. Instead, he stepped aside and appointed me as president. He and his wife formally resigned from their positions.

My goal was to work with the Town to develop a grocery store on the BullSpit property while continuing some of the community music events Keith had started. I also envisioned car shows, flea markets, and a skate park.

On July 9th of last year, I met with Town Manager Bill, Planning and Development Director Nicole, and DPW Head Bryan for over an hour. These calls are recorded and can be transcribed if needed. We discussed three downtown Winchendon properties that I own.

For 86 Front Street, my original plan was to establish a 40-bed long-term residential sober program. Due to parking regulations associated with apartments, the sober program was a better fit as it didn’t require the same parking infrastructure. During the meeting, the three town officials voluntarily offered me two lots across from Town Hall in exchange for shifting the project to residential apartments and allowing public use of the parking lot. I also offered to set up a $100,000 trust to restore the Morton Converse Gardens along the Millers River. Everyone was enthusiastic about this agreement.

We also discussed the Goodspeed Machine Company building, where I expressed my plan to renovate and maintain its historic character while creating 40+ low-income apartments. This would add 60 low-income units and bring three storefronts back into operation — exactly the kind of development Mr. McKinney supported during his campaign for Town Manager.

Finally, I informed them that I had been appointed president of BullSpit Brewing and asked what the Town wanted me to do once the property was conveyed — a step they were already obligated to take under the soil remediation grant agreement. They stepped away for a private discussion and then returned to say they would love to see a grocery store in the former foundry building. I was thrilled. I’d been trying to bring a grocery store back to Winchendon for six years.

Additionally, Bryan Croteau (Treasurer of the CAC) and I discussed the loading dock built behind the CAC building — which can only be accessed by crossing my property. We agreed to a 12-foot easement in exchange for the CAC deeding me the corner of Beech and Summer Street.

When I asked the three town officials in what order they’d like me to proceed with the three properties, they said to start with the Front Street building, and then proceed with the grocery store — either simultaneously or shortly after. They were 100% on board.

When Keith received a notice from town counsel last June regarding the foundry building, he immediately responded to Mr. McKinney, stating clearly that he had not violated the RFP agreement. There was no further communication, and it seemed the Town accepted Keith’s explanation.

So when, just a month later, Mr. McKinney told me directly that he wanted me — as BullSpit’s president — to develop the grocery store on that property, it was a clear affirmation that the Town considered the RFP terms satisfied and had no issue with the leadership transition.

It’s worth noting that two years ago, the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to convey the property to BullSpit Brewing Company.

So I ask:

Why would anyone want to derail a project this far along — especially one that finally brings back a grocery store we’ve needed for six years?

As the owner of the Goodspeed Machine Company, I am uniquely positioned to meet the criteria under Bylaw 4.2.8 Paragraph 1, which states that a Mill Conversion Project (MCP) shall include residential uses such as apartments, independent living units, or age-restricted housing.

Additionally, Bylaw 4.2.9 Paragraph 14 requires that at least 25% of the gross floor area of an MCP be used for residential purposes. My plan fulfills that requirement.

So again I ask — why is the Town working so hard to stop something that I’ve worked so diligently to bring to life?

Why not convey the property and allow this much-needed grocery store project to move forward?

A motion will be presented Monday night, May 19th at the Town Meeting to withdraw Article 25 from the warrant. If, for any reason, this is not allowed to proceed, the article can be reintroduced at the fall special meeting.

— Robert Grady

 

VOTE NO ON ARTICLE 25