By Kevin J. MacLean

    Lunenburg-based Powell Stone and Gravel Co., in operation for more than 50 years, hopes to expand its business at 259 Leominster-Shirley Road, the Planning Board learned Monday night.
    “We are out of room where we are,” owner Steve Powell told the Board while responding to questions of the what the plan was.
    “The additional space will be used to house the trucks and the maintenance facility. We’re just out of room right now.
    “We spend a lot of time moving trucks around,” Powell said. “If all our equipment ever came back at the same time, I don’t know where we would put it.”
    According to Planning Director Marion Benson, she has been working with Powell and Mike Padula regarding the expansion in Lunenburg for some time now.
    About a year ago Powell has been contemplating expanding his business to Westminster.
    “I think the Powell’s business is financially very important for the town,” Benson said. “They do a good job. I never hear any complaints.”
    The plan is to subdivide 20.51 acres owned by Padula into two parcels. Powell has an agreement to purchase 10 acres of land, which is located next to his current site.
    Encouraged that Powell had things in order, and noting that the Planning Board was not meeting again in December, member Joanna Bilotta made a motion to approve the subdivision contingent on the review of other boards in town.
    “I don’t see why we can’t vote on this tonight,” Bilotta said, adding that it would help move things forward for Powell.
    Planning Board member Thomas Bodkin Jr. agreed and asked if there was any timeline for the expansion.
    Powell said they had hoped to get started by the end of the year.
    Emerick Bakaysa, Planning Board chairman, said he wasn’t comfortable voting on a plan without feedback from other departments.
    “I’m always reluctant … I don’t want to set a precedent,” Bakaysa said. “Yes, we do have two people from Lunenburg here, but what if someone from outside comes in? I don’t want to set a precedent. I don’t see anything wrong with the plan, but I’d rather follow our regular process. We do have 21 days.”
    Before voting on Bilotta’s motion, Bakaysa asked if there were any other comments.
    “I defer to your wisdom,” Bodkin replied.
    With that, the motion failed to approve the plan that night, without feedback from other town officials. The Board did agree to meet again Dec. 29 for a signing-meeting only.

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