Patch Facts

Five Things to Know Today in Hamilton and Wenham: July 11

An essential get-me-going daily morning column from Hamilton-Wenham Patch.

Today is Wednesday, July 11. Here are five things you need to know: 1. Owls: Live owls are coming to Hamilton-Wenham Library on Wednesday night. The library is presenting a program called “Wingmasters” at 6:30 p.m., which will, among other things, show how owls “use their specialized sight, hearing and flight to survive.” It is free and open to the public. 2. Slurpees: Wednesday is July 11 - a.k.a. 7/11. And that means at participating 7-Eleven stores they will be giving away free 7.11 ounce Slurpee drinks between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Locally, the promotion is running at the 7-Eleven on Elliott Street in Beverly plus at two locations in Salem (North Street and Norman Street) plus four locations in Peabody and one in Gloucester. 3. Light …

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Michelle Bailey

5:06 pm on Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Free 7.11oz of Watermelon-Lime Slurpie served up by Mike in Beverly on a hot afternoon...It's must be July 11!   more ›

Patch Facts

Five Things to Know Today in Hamilton and Wenham: July 5

An essential get-me-going daily morning column from Hamilton-Wenham Patch.

Today is Thursday, July 5. Here are five things you need to know: 1. Captain America: Summer movies for teenagers start on Thursday at Hamilton-Wenham Library with a showing of “Captain America: The First Avenger” at 3 p.m. It is free and the movie is rated PG-13. 2. Principal: Thursday is the deadline for resumes to be submitted to become the next principal at Winthrop Elementary School. Last month, Principal Carrie Vaich said she was leaving for a new job as a principal at an elementary school on the seacoast of New Hampshire, closer to her home. 3. Bingo: As part of the festivities at the Two Town Fourth on Wednesday at Patton Park, a game of Cow Pie Bingo was held to benefit Hamilton-Wenham Generals football. And the winner was – John …

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Mike's to Have All Used Cars Removed by Selectmen's Deadline

The owner of Mike's Auto Repair says he will remove all used cars to comply with a deadline of July 5 to comply with the Class II dealer's license.

The owner of Mike’s Auto Repair says he will have all of the used cars removed from the downtown Hamilton property by next week’s deadline. Mike Holland said last week he is still looking for a place where he can legally move the cars, which have been ordered to be removed by July 5. The deadline was set in early June by the Hamilton Board of Selectmen, which ordered Holland to comply with his Class II motor vehicle dealer’s license that does not allow used cars sales on the property or allow used cars to be stored there. After the 30 day deadline was set, Holland’s attorney, Jim Kroesser, wrote to the board and asked it to extend the deadline until after the Zoning Board of Appeals rules on an application that would give him permission, …

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Mike: Used Car Sales Keep Me in Business

The owner of Mike's Auto said on Tuesday that used cars sales in recent years have been a key part of his business' survival.

Mike Holland told the Hamilton Planning Board on Tuesday that he needs to sell used cars to stay in business. The owner of Mike’s Auto Repair in downtown Hamilton told the board that “we’d be toast” if he didn’t sell used cars in addition to repairing vehicles. Things all changed for Holland a few years ago when Volvo started selling new cars with full maintenance coverage – except tires -  for five years or 50,000 miles. “You know what that did to me? It killed me,” Holland said, adding that 85 percent of his repair business in from Volvos – Mike’s is known as specializing in Volvo repair. By the admission of both Holland and his attorney, Jim Kroesser of Hamilton, Holland has been storing and selling used cars on the property since 2008…

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Mike's Given 30 Days to Halt On-Site Used Car Storage

The Hamilton Board of Selectmen voted on Monday night to give Mike's Auto 30 days to remove the used cars that are being stored at the downtown business.

A downtown Hamilton auto repair shop has been given 30 days to stop storing used cars on its its property. Mike’s Auto was first issued a Class II motor vehicles dealers license by the Hamilton Board of Selectmen in 2008 that allows it to broker used car sales from the site but does not allow cars to be stored on the property, on Route 1A just north of the Wenham town line. “They are, by all appearances, in violation of their Class II license,” said Town Manager Michael Lombardo on Monday. There are four Class II motor vehicle dealer’s licenses in Hamilton and none of them allow the cars to be stored on site, Lombardo said. The Board of Selectmen, wehn it met on Monday night, gave Mike’s 30 days to remove the used cars from the property. …

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Letter to the Editor: Make Your Voice Heard About the Beauty of Downtown Hamilton

Hamilton resident Bob Gray encourages residents to have their voice heard as the Zoning Board of Appeals considers a permit for Mike's Auto and discussed the town's sign ordinance in early June.

To the Editor: Is this what you want to see in downtown Hamilton? Is this the direction we should be taking? (See attached pictures) Do you like it? Dislike it? Maybe don't really care? You can voice your opinion at the next Hamilton Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on June 6 at 7 p.m. at Hamilton Town Hall when Mike's Auto will have a hearing on whether or not he can display used cars such as you see here in the attached photos. Also the sign ordinance will be discussed. If you think the signs pictured are distasteful then plan to attend this important meeting. Can't make the meeting then please e-mail your opinion to Debra Paskowski, Zoning Board of Appeals: dpaskowski@hamiltonma.gov. Bob Gray Hamilton

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Town Planners Oppose New Used Car Lot

One Hamilton Planning Board member says that Mike's Auto Repair should be allowed to sell used cars “over my dead body.”

The Hamilton Planning Board voted unanimously Tuesday to oppose what is seemingly a used car lot that has recently cropped up at Mike's Auto Repair. The board said it would advise the Zoning Board of Appeals that Mike's should not be allowed to sell used cars. The ZBA is scheduled Wednesday night to hold “an informal discussion” with attorney Jim Kroesser about Mike's Auto Repair at 17 Bay Road in downtown Hamilton. Mike's Auto Repair began to sell used cars on its property on April 13, according to the Planning Board. Planning Coordinator Kristine Cheetham told the Planning Board that the shop had been told by town officials to stop selling cars, but she did not know if a formal cease and desist order was given. She said she understands …

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disgust

10:58 pm on Thursday, May 10, 2012

Bob, do you have a problem displaying the AMERICAN FLAG? There are no banners nor any illuminated signs. Permit? Mike's Auto has had a license to sell cars for YEARS and has done so...would you care for the reference list of satisfied clients or a number of the THOUSANDS of dallars in sales tax revenue that Mike's Auto has generated? By the way, most cars today do not even have antennas...must be…   more ›