Most people connote a junkyard with the one in the famous childhood movie “The Sandlot,” a dirt-covered yard with old trinkets sprawled across the area guarded by a beastly dog.
In Everett, a petition has been circulating to prevent the approval of the Junk Dealer License from Wentworth Precious Metals at 0 Terminal and 413 Second Street.
“Originally my people were in favor of this. Back in 2008 before this committee Joseph Marchese said all junk would be stored in a structure, but today everything is outside. There is noise from the trucks that come in all day and all night, and there is dust that covers the area. There is no basis for granting this license. They run a compacting operation (done at night). There are numerous reasons to deny this,” said Marshall Newman, the lawyer representing those opposed to Marchese’s license.
Edward Owens, the owner of a property next to Marchese’s establishment grew boisterous in his heated tirade against Marchese. “I’ve been in Everett for over 15 years. This is the first time ever I’ve been in opposition. I’m right next door to a junkyard and my neighbors are going to suffer for the devaluation of my property. I have 100 jobs in that building. I took a risk. This is a very emotional thing for me. It’s not zoned, it’s not enclosed, All it is, is a debit. To do this to your city, well, you’re going backwards,” Owens said before being asked to lower his voice.
Steven Meltz, the president of General Steel Products agreed with Owens, urging the council to consider the environmental impact a junkyard would have on the city of Everett.
“If the zoning law states that junk of this sort cannot be stored outside then we have to hang our hats on that. I would like the emphasis to be on that point,” he stated. A photograph detailing the violation of the permit was also produced in front of the council as further evidence as to why a Junk Dealer License should not be granted for Wentworth Precious Metals.
When Marchese had a chance to rebut, he attacked his opposing parties for their own flagrant disregard for city ordinances in their businesses.
“I always do my homework on people who are going to speak against me,” he said. “It’s okay for them to come up and cast aspersions on my property. Never once have they come to me and said this is the problem. You cannot see what goes on at night, we close at 6 p.m. and there are no operations that go on in that property. Come on down, spend some time there,” he challenged them.
The item was referred to the next licensing committee meeting.
On a positive note, school’s out for summer, and the anticipated Everett city carnival will be heading to town next week, where it will be open for about 10 days, from June 15 to 24. There will be rides, games and food vendors for young and senior residents to enjoy.
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