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Vol. 2, No. 43
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Friday, October 27, 2017
Amazon a possibility for Centennial Park By Christopher Roberson
E
arlier this year, city officials were notified by the State Office of Consumer Affairs and Business that Amazon.com was in the market for a location to house its second North American headquarters and that Peabody is one of the state’s recommended municipalities. But 25 other cities and towns across the Commonwealth have also been included in the 182-page package that state officials will be sending to Amazon. Some of the other contenders are Waltham, Boston, Lynn, Tewksbury, Lowell and Somerville. However, Mayor Edward Bettencourt said he is excited just to have the chance at getting Amazon into Centennial Park. “Amazon is a global giant; this would be terrific for Peabody on so many levels,” he said. “We have land, highway access and low taxes; those are the selling points of our city.” Bettencourt also touted Peabody’s 20-mile proximity to the state’s capital. “We’re
Mayor Edward Bettencourt stands in Centennial Park, which could be the future site of Amazon’s second North American headquarters. Peabody is currently in the running with 25 other communities across the state. (Advocate photo by Christopher Roberson)
very close to Boston, it’s a short ride,” he said. “You can hop on any highway from Centennial Park.” Curtis Bellavance, director of Community Development and Planning, said the local office supply stores would also benefit, as their services
would be required for Amazon to conduct its operations. Should Amazon express a sincere interest in coming to Peabody, Bettencourt said, a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) agreement could be used as another incentive, adding that he has been waiting for the
Peabody celebrates its Italian Heritage
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Herbert Levine (left) is shown with members of the Peabody Womens Chapter of the Order Sons of Italy during the city’s Fourth Annual Italian Heritage celebration on Oct. 22. See more photo highlights inside on page 6. (Advocate photos by Christopher Roberson)
right time to offer a TIF. “For a strong corporate presence in the city, that’s something I would certainly consider,” he said. Although zoning variances would not be needed, Bettencourt said the City Council would need to approve a TIF agreement. State Rep. Theodore Speliotis said Amazon would have a highly qualified pool of job applicants. “I don’t think Amazon wants cheap labor; they want quality employees,” he said. “We have perhaps the most sophisticated workforce in the country.” He was also confident that there would be no shortage of positions for jobseekers. “You need workers of all grades, from minimum wage to PhDs,” said Speliotis. He also said the rental costs
on the North Shore are much more reasonable than those in Cambridge and Boston. “The housing market on the North Shore is as diverse as anywhere in the country,” he said, adding that traffic would not be nearly as much of an obstacle for anyone commuting from other North Shore communities – “We’re an attractive location; it provides many of the opportunities of the city without the hassle.” Established in July 1994, Amazon.com, Inc. is currently headquartered in Seattle and provides 341,400 jobs. According to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the company’s total revenue for 2016 was $135.98 billion. The National Retail Federation ranked Amazon as the leading online retailer for 2017.
Planning Board waiting for DPS decision on Birchwood By Christopher Roberson
T
he Planning Board recently voted unanimously to wait until its November meeting to make a final decision regarding the proposed Birchwood subdivision in West Peabody. During the board’s Oct. 19 meeting, members agreed that they did not feel comfortable moving forward without a green light from the Department of Public Services (DPS). Therefore, the board agreed to send a letter to DPS Director David Terenzoni asking him to accelerate the process of rendering a decision. Prior to the board’s vote, Attorney Athan Vontzalides, counsel for developer Carl Crupi, tried to nudge the board toward the finish line. “It’s a good subdivision. I’d like to see it voted on properly,” he said, adding that Crupi has been waiting to get started and “It’s a little unfair to the developer; we’ll be lucky to clear trees before the snow falls.” Following the meeting, Vontzalides said the project, which would consist of 23 homes, has been in the approval process since September 2016. “We’ve been at this for a good year,” he said, adding that this is the typical time frame needed for a subdivision to be approved – “Anytime you do a definitive subdivision it’s usually a long process – the process takes as long as it takes.” However, Vontzalides said there is always the risk that the real estate market could tumble as time continues to pass. “That’s not good for anybody,” he said. The project has also encountered its share of resistance, most notably during a meeting of the Municipal Safety Committee that was held in March. During the meeting, concerns were raised about the possibility of blasting at the site, which is very close to Burke Elementary School. “We’re in a school zone and kids are out at recess,” said School Committee Member John Olimpio. “With blasting going on, it can cause great concern.” Neighborhood residents also recognized the potential of construction vehicles impeding traffic and jeopardizing students’ safety.