Despite concerns from neighbors, Rochester Selectmen voted to approve a Class III license for Bob’s Tire Company to operate on the property at 19 County Road.

Now it just needs approval from the Zoning Board of Appeals to be official.

Neighbors addressed the Selectmen during Monday night’s meeting with anger over the debris left by Bob’s Tire Company, which they say violates an existing permit.

“The issue is not the business,” said David Tatten of 454 County Road. “The issue is that our neighborhood is a residential neighborhood. Bob’s Tire’s trucks are in and out of there everyday. It’s no longer about them selling a few used tires.”

Michael Murphy, who operates Murphy’s Auto Salvage on the same lot, owns the property at 19 County Road.

In 1985, Murphy was granted a special permit by the Zoning Board of Appeals to operate on the property with the condition that the business not be treated as a junkyard.

In addition to the debris, neighbors of are contesting Murphy’s expansion of the business.
Residents argue that the expansion of both Murphy’s and Bob’s Tire Company violates the special permit. The permit was granted to Murphy in 1985 to operate on the residential lot barring any expansion to the business.

To fix this, the Zoning Board would have to modify the original permit or grant Murphy a new permit.

Town Counsel Blair Bailey suggested Bob’s Tire Company apply for a Class III license to operate on the same property as Murphy’s Auto Salvage. As a tire dealership, Bailey said, Bob’s Tire Company requires the license to sell auto parts.

In December, the Selectmen told Murphy to remove the debris from the property before a Class III license could be issued.

On Monday, Murphy reported to the Selectmen that the cleanup was complete. “We accomplished quite a bit,” Murphy said. “Everything you wanted done is basically 100 percent done. We are trying to work within the rules to please everyone we can.”

Selectman Naida Parker visited the County Road property on Monday morning and agreed with Murphy.

“[Murphy] has cleaned it out,” Parker said. “He has made a substantial effort to straighten out the facility.”

The Selectmen granted the Class III license on the condition that the Zoning Board uphold the special permit for Murphy.

Town Administrator Richard LaCamera said he hopes for the matter to be resolved soon with the Zoning Board.

“I’ve been here five years, and there have been numerous complaints and discussions about this,” LaCamera said. “It’s got to be resolved one way or another.”