The town’s pressure and increased attention to the issues surrounding the Ellingwood Construction site in north Framingham is yielding results. Residents in the area noted a decrease in traffic going in and out of the site and a virtual suspension of activity in the area.

“I have not seen much truck activity in the past week or so,” resident Jim Stewart told Selectmen at its Tuesday night meeting. “I think the trucks understand.”

Steward is one of many residents in the north Saxonville neighborhood, who have brought the Ellingwood situation to light.

For years neighbors have battled what they claim is illegal and unhealthy activity at the site. Ellingwood maintains an asphalt grinding and concrete crushing operation off Meadow Street and close to the Sudbury River where it flows into Wayland.

Framingham’s Deputy Building Commissioner and Zoning Enforcement
Officer Michael A. Tusino issued a cease and desist order in late January after his department uncovered multiple zoning violations. Apparently, Ellingwood was dumping soil and possibly other construction materials on land the company did not own and which was designated by the town as a future site for a planned unit development many years ago.

Selectmen in January formed a working group to address the environmental, zoning and legal issues that surround the operation. “The town attorneys continue to pursue the cease and desist order,” said Acting Town Manager Valerie Mulvey Tuesday night. “But we have not met with the working group yet.” Mulvey did say a working group session will be scheduled soon.

Selectmen have been following the Ellingwood issue for months after neighbors brought the situation to the town’s attention. In addition to the Selectmen, the Board of Health, the Planning Department, the Department of Public Works and state agencies are involved.

“We’re looking to the working group to keep this in the forefront,” of attention, said Selectman chairman Jason Smith.

In other action, Selectmen:

2) Heard from the town’s representative on the SMOC Board of Directors, Joan Klan Rastani, who reported on a number of activities that she has been involved with concerning SMOC and the town since October. She reported:

• SMOC is negotiating to buy property at 73 Gordon Street to house clients who were forced out of a SMOC shelter at 3 Merchant Road after an October fire. The Merchant Road property is unhabitable and repairs cannot be started there until SMOC and the state agree on certain issues.
• The razing of the SMOC office building in Marlborough and the assurance from SMOC that all displaced SMOC offices will remain in Marlborough.
• The transitional, temporary shelter for homeless veterans known as Larry’s Place will not accept sex offenders, arsonists, alcohol or drug abusers. She also said a SMOC staff person will be on duty inside Larry’s House at all times.
• A tour with Sean Riley, housing liaison offer of the Framingham Police Department. She ran through the process the police go through if they suspect a lawbreaker is living in SMOC or any of the town’s assisted living facilities. She was also informed on how the police department becomes involved with school truancy.
• That the shortfall of funding from the state and federal governments for fuel assistance remains a concern for SMOC. At last check, SMOC is expected to receive roughly $2 million less this year than last year for fuel assistance.
• On the pending sale of lots on Winter Street, in front of the Sage House, to a private developer. Once sold, the property will be back on the town’s tax rolls.

3) Asked the Acting Town Manager to look into keeping Memorial Hall open Monday nights in case the Selectmen wish to change their meeting night to Monday. There has been growing sentiment from the public that the Selectmen switch their meeting night from Tuesday to avoid conflicting with other town meetings, especially the School Committee.

4) Selectmen will allow Zoll Brothers Private Cellars, of Shrewsbury, to sell wine at the Framingham Farmer’s Market. The market will open on the Framingham Green in June and continue through October. Frank Zoll, owner of the winery told the Selectmen that he distributes his wine through farmer’s markets across the state. “It is challenging to get shelf space in the stores,” he said. “I’m a local agriculture business and I’m trying to push an industry. Selling Massachusetts wines at farmer’s markets is the best way for me to get in front of my customers.”

5) Selectmen approved an application for a change in officer or director for Ruby Tuesday. The change in officers or directors covers all the Ruby Tuesday restaurants in Massachusetts. The application was initially sent to the state ABCC, which completed its review and determined the application is in compliance. The normal procedure is for the town to rule on the change of officer and if allowed, the application goes to the ABCC.

5) Selectmen approved an all-alcohol package store license transfer from Garbarino Package Store to Old Station Wine & Spirits, 48 Waverly Street.      Despite some discussion of who will be running the business, the Selectmen approved the naming of Deborah Adler-Chicca as manager and Gimena Franca as assistant manager.

6) Selectmen granted a common victualer’s license to Pueblito Paisa Colombian Restaurant, 66 Hollis Street. Sandra Jaramillo told the Selectmen the existing restaurant on the site will be converted to a Colombian restaurant and be open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

7) Selectmen will  look into ways to get a resolution for a Constitutional amendment on Town Meeting’s agenda. A grassroots movement is underway nationally to give Congress and the states the power to regulate election contributions.

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