HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-12-08 Board of Health Minuteso,FR OFq qO'
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Board -Committee- Commission -Council: - -.
Board of Health
Date: 2025-12-08 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Virtual Location: Zoom
Address: Session: Open Session
Purpose: Open Meeting- Remote Session Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
Aditya Bengali, Sal Bramante, Kevin Sexton, Joan Wetzel, Richard Lopez
Members - Not Present:
Kerry Dunnell, Sophie Hansen
Others Present:
Health Director Ads Solarin, Haley Murphy, Sasha Meyer, John Russell, Mario
Venditelli
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Haley Murphy
Topics of Discussion:
This meeting was held remotely via zoom.
Meeting called to order at 7:02pm
Roll call: Aditya Bengali, Sal Bramante, Kevin Sexton, Joan Wetzel, Richard Lopez
Richard states that this is a special meeting for the request for the transfer of a tobacco sales
permit.
Tobacco Permit Transfer - 87 Walker's Brook Drive
Health Director Ade Solaria reported that Colbea LLC is seeking Board of Health approval to
transfer a tobacco sales permit related to its purchase of a tobacco establishment at 87 Walker's
Brook Drive. He noted that the Board does not typically meet in December and advised the
applicant to submit a written request for consideration. Sasha Meyer, attorney for Colbea LLC,
stated that Colbea Enterprises is acquiring the property, business, and all associated assets, with a
scheduled closing date of December 16, 2025. He cited the Town of Reading Tobacco
Regulations allowing permit transfer with Board approval and noted that the permit application
was submitted on December 8, 2025. Approval was requested to allow tobacco sales to begin
upon closing. Chair Richard Lopez stated that approval would be conditioned upon completion
of the sale and confirmed regulatory compliance. He asked about Colbea Enterprises' history of
tobacco compliance in other municipalities. James Hall, General Counsel, reported that Colbea
operates approximately 60 locations in Massachusetts with no tobacco violations in the past year.
Mario Venditelli, Director of Operations, described strict compliance measures, including
mandatory ID scanting. Chair Lopez also asked whether Colbea's systems comply with
Reading's regulation prohibiting sales to individuals born on or after January 1, 2004. James Hall
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confirmed compliance in similar jurisdictions. Board members Kevin Sexton, Sal Bramante, and
Joan Wetzel indicated no additional questions beyond those raised. Ade Solaria stated that the
sale had not yet closed and was expected to close on December 16, 2025. John Russell,
shareholder, clarified that the purchase and sale agreement was executed and held in escrow
pending the wire transfer. Kevin supported conditional approval. John Russell asked what
notification would be required at closing. Richard Lopez stated that Colbea should notify the
Health Director upon transfer of funds so the permit may be issued. Sal recommended
conditioning approval on completion of the transaction rather than a specific date, and the Board
agreed. Richard Lopez moved to conditionally approve the tobacco sales permit transfer for 87
Walker's Brook Drive, contingent upon completion of the sale, notification to the Health
Director upon closing, and submission of required change -of -ownership documentation. The
Health Director is authorized to issue the permit upon confirmation. The motion was seconded
by Sal. Ade asked when ownership changes must be reported. John Russell stated that the deed
had been recorded and that Colbea would notify the Tax Assessor, Tax Collector, and file
change -of -ownership documentation with the Town Clerk's Office. Richard amended the motion
to include this requirement. Roll call: Sal yes, Kevin yes, Joan yes, Rick yes.
Chair Richard Lopez makes a motion to adjourn at 7:28 pm. Kevin Seconds
Roll call: Sal yes, Kevin yes, Richard yes
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