In response to the dozens of residents who have reached out to weigh in on the proposed gun shop in East Dedham, I wanted to provide some background and ways to weigh in on not just the current proposal, but in our vision for the future of Dedham.
According to the company’s Facebook page, J&J Arms is slated to open at 224 Bussey Street in September. The business, as is the case with all gun shops, has been reviewed and permitted by the federal government. Locally, the company faces review & approvals from the Police Department, Fire Department & Building Department. Depending on the business' plans to operate, to change the building or to change the parking/landscaping, other boards may be asked to weigh in on issues in their purview.
What can residents do?
1. Reach out to the business owner and express your opinions on their choice of location. J&J Arms is owned by Joshua Cruz, a Dedham resident, and has a presence on Facebook, Instagram and via a website.
2. Reach out to the property owner/landlord and express your opinions about their decision to lease to this business.
224 Bussey Street is owned by JM Realty/River Family Limited Partnership, P.O. Box 305, 201 Neponset Valley Parkway, Readville, MA 02137.
Attorney: Andrew Couture Property Manager: Desmond Glynn Contact on Property Records/GIS: Marianne Saeyan (15 Little Boot Lane, Westwood 02090)
3. Contact your Town Meeting members and encourage them to review and support the proposed zoning article at the November 2019 Town Meeting.
4. Participate in the town’s upcoming Master Plan process, which will document a vision for the town’s future. Dedham 2030 will define goals and policies relating to land use, housing, economic development, natural and cultural resources, open space and recreation, services and facilities, transportation, public health and livability. The Master Plan Committee will convene citizen subcommittees and host many public meetings and other events in order to hear from residents. The Dedham 2030 Committee is currently being appointed; meetings will begin in October. Learn more and sign up for notifications at http://www.dedham-ma.gov/government/land-use-zoning/dedham-2030
As a mom and as a resident, I do not want to see guns, or gun sales, in our community. However, as a town official I understand the protections guaranteed to us all in the Constitution and our laws. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Planning Board, Zoning Board, the staff in the Building Department and Police Department and residents throughout town to craft a vision of the community we want to see and the policies and regulations that will get us there.
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