Board Approves Permits for Grist Mill Reconstruction

To the sound of loud applause from dozens of people in attendance, the Seekonk Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously Monday night to grant permits and variances for the reconstruction of the historic . The building, which has stood since the mid-18th century, was greatly damaged last month in .

Attorney told the board that owner Greg Esmay's plan is "to repair the Grist Mill to what it was before the accident or as close to that as possible."

Robert Connors, an engineer from Boston-based STV Inc., said while more than half the roof and 50 percent of the walls were destroyed in the fire, the floors and substructure of the building "are essentially intact." He estimated 70 percent of the structure overall survived the blaze.

The fire started June 24 shortly before 6 a.m. when a banana-carrying truck overturned and struck the gas main and electrical service to the building. State and local police have blamed the crash on , which they say was improperly packed. State police have cited Chiquita Fresh North America, which supplied and packed the bananas.

Just prior to the crash, the truck had passed through a dangerous y-shaped intersection next to the restaurant on Fall River Avenue (Route 114A) that the state has determined to be  A state plan is in the works . This will be further discussed at next week's Board of Selectmen meeting.

The ZBA's approval included stipulations that the gas service be relocated to a different section of the building acceptable to the fire chief and that a jersey-type barrier be built along Fall River Avenue.

The project must go before other local boards, including the Conservation Commission, before reconstruction can begin, but Esmay told reporters after the meeting that he hopes to make the process "as short as humanly possible."

Several people spoke in favor of the reconstruction, including those who live and work near the restaurant.

"It's Seekonk's identity … everyone knows the Grist Mill," said Eleonora Rezek, owner of the bed and breakfast. Her husband and co-owner Bill called the Grist Mill a "gem."

State Rep. Steven Howitt, who is a third-generation Seekonk resident, said he has had many family functions at the restaurant. He called it an "institution" and a "treasure."

Rehoboth resident Kate Cherepowich, who addressed the board while holding her 4-year-old daughter, became emotional as she talked about how her family regularly went to the Grist Mill.

'It's been our Cheers," she said. "We go every Friday night … and everyone has been so wonderful to us."

Regarding the favorable comments, Esmay said after the meeting, "The community has been great to us. The town has been fantastic. The Grist Mill has touched a lot of people."