Forget about Britney – my old pal Eric Barnstead is being harangued by his neighbors in Concord to move and/or shut down his home based landscaping business.
“The board has always had a reluctance†to deny home-based businesses, Chairman Roberto Braceras said before the board voted. “Perhaps the community has become so upscale that we’re going to restrict someones ability to make a living.â€
That sounds like Concord all over. From what I can tell his neighbors on Ministerial Drive have made him jump through many difficult hoops in the hopes that he’d be unable to abide and then inevitably shut down by the board. He took down the small sign he had for his business on his lawn as per their wishes. He also limits vehicle trips, idling time, limits his employees to one, operates within strict hours and has ceased storing any materials there. But there’s no pleasing those elitist bastards.
“The neighbors are asking ourselves if we should have moved here or to Billerica,†said one angry neighbor in an outburst after the hearing was closed, “Because here is going to be like Billerica if you continue to carry on this way.â€
What a pompous twat. Eric has always been a bit of a back woodsman in the middle of a street of the elite, but he’s a good man and a hard worker – not to mention he is one of the best harmonica players I have ever heard. I spent a lot of time at that house during high school, and I know the area well. Caterina Heights Powder Mill Road definitely isn’t, and I have a hard time imagining the Barnstormer single-handedly causing property values to plummet.
None stood in support of the applicant; almost the entire audience rose in opposition.
Hang in there, brother. If this doesn’t work out John Popper has never looked very healthy.
Detroit Velvet Smooth from Moncton
Barney is a hell of a hard worker, a darn finer harmonica player, and was an excellent right wing in his day. Hang in there Barney. You’ll have your day.
Greg
Something similar happened in my hometown Medfield. The rest of the landscapers who did business in town all banded together and “striked”. They refused to do anyone’s yards until they left the guy alone.
None of these “pompous twats” want to do there own yard work so it ended pretty quickly.
Dave
I’d like to see the Concord landscapers band together with dirt rakes and batter the frig out of Barbie and Ken. Mulchers of the world unite!
Bob
“The neighbors are asking ourselves if we should have moved here or to Billerica,†said one angry neighbor in an outburst after the hearing was closed, “Because here is going to be like Billerica if you continue to carry on this way.â€
WOW! we should send that quote to the Billerica local newspaper. Forget about Eric’s business, the Neighbors snottiness will bring down any value of living in Concord. Keep on truckin’ Eric! Remember that sweet ol’ rig he used to cruise around in. I think he called it “The Barnstormer”.
Dave
I think that truck is actually mentioned in the article. Read it again very carefully. The neighbors complain specifically about it.