Town Meeting Approves Tax Break for Jack's Abby Brewing

Framingham Town Meeting members approved a 7-year tax break for small business Jack Abby’s Brewing on its opening night of Town Meeting.

Article 2 of a Special Town Meeting called for Jack’s Abby Brewing to receive $250,000 tax break over 7 years as it continues its growth in downtown Framingham.

The tax break was approved by a vote of 139-2-2.

Editor’s Note: Framingham Patch was live blogging through Town Meeting, and will do so throughout each night.

Brothers brothers, Sam, Jack and Eric Hendler started the microbrewing business on Morton Street in Framingham in 2011.

Since then, Jack’s Abby Brewing, has won numerous awards, was named the small business of the year by the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce in 2013, and has outgrown its Morton Street location.

In December 2014, the brothers announced a $6 million expansion to 100 Clinton Street. The project would include a new brewery, a taproom, and a restaurant.

The brewery currently employs 19 full-time employees and when the project is complete and additional 35 full-time employees would be added.

And while the tax break is for 7 years, the brewery signd a 12-year lease for its new downtown location.

The brothers, along with their father Paul were at Framingham Town Meeting last night for the vote, but did not speak.

The expansion project has already started and is expected to open in fall 2015.

Framingham Community and Economic Development Director Art Robert, who made the presentation to Town Meeting members, said the Town of Framingham brokered the TIF (tax break) deal for the brewery to keep the small business in town and to continue the economic growth of downtown Framingham.

Robert said the brewery attracts young and out-of-town visitors to downtown Framingham, which is what that area of Framingham needs to continue its economic growth.

The Framingham Finance Committee, The Framingham Ways & Means Committee and Framingham Selectmen all supported the project.

“This is a win-win for the town and for the brewery,” said Framingham Ways & Means Chair Harold Geller.

This is a clear winner, said Town Meeting member Patrick Dunne of Precinct 9.

Town Meeting William LaBarge said “We are not giving them any money. We are just giving them a short term discount on their tax bill,” as he encouraged fellow Town Meeting members to support the project.

Only one Town Meeting member Gerald Bloomfield of Precinct 1 spoke against the project, but he abstained from the vote, when it was taken.