Notes from the Feb. 16 Board of Selectmen Meeting

Horizon to get diesel fuel tank, Marc Pacheco strives to keep Taunton State Hospital open.

Town Offices will be closed Feb. 20 in observance of Presidents’ Day. Selectmen Robert Kimball gave an update on the Conservation Committee public hearing for the team building camp proposed for Pheeny’s Island. While a lot of environmental issues need to be addressed, Kimball and selectwoman Mary Steele warned that no one knows what will be proposed next for the privately owned island. More on this developing story will be posted Monday on Norton Patch. Selectmen approved the license for Horizon Beverage, 45 Commerce Way, to have an aboveground diesel storage tank that would hold 13,247 gallons of fuel. Marc R. Pacheco, State Senator of the First Plymouth and Bristol District, requested selectmen to sign letters in support of keeping the …

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Two Men Treated for Electrical Shock at Horizon

Electricians transported to area hospitals by safety officials.

Earlier today, fire and rescue officials were deployed to Horizon Beverage facility, located at 45 Commerce Way, Norton, for two electricians who were injured by an electrical shock. Both men, who were working on an electrical panel, were taken to area hospitals for treatment of electrical burns. According to reports by Sun Chronicle, fire captain Shawn Simmons said that one worker suffered second-degree burns to his face and another suffered minor burns. The victims were subcontractors at the site and were not employees of Horizon Beverage, Simmons said. One worker has since been treated and released; the other remains hospitalized. The exact cause of the accident is under investigation. "Our thoughts are with the injured men and their …

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U.S. Senator Scott Brown Visits Horizon Beverage Company

Discusses Jobs, Business and the Economy with employees and management.

Horizon Beverage Company today hosted a visit by U.S. Senator Scott Brown to the company’s office and warehouse in Avon, where he met with Horizon’s management team and employees to talk about jobs, the current business climate, the economy, and Horizon’s secrets for success. Delayed by Senate business from attending Horizon’s groundbreaking for its new headquarters facility in Norton last month, Brown spoke with Horizon staffers to hear their viewpoints on challenges facing workers and employers.   These discussions provide him with important feedback that he uses to help craft policies and legislation that help business be more competitive and add jobs.  “Horizon Beverage is expanding their business during a very challenging time for our…

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Lt. Governor Timothy Murray Visits Horizon

Takes tour of facility in Norton.

Following the company’s groundbreaking last month for their new headquarters location in Norton, Horizon Beverage Company hosted Lt. Governor Timothy Murray for a tour of the company’s new and expanded building Thursday. While currently under construction, when completed the facility will feature a new warehouse of 100,000 square feet and new office space of 55,000 square feet in addition to the existing facility that currently measures 400,000 square feet.   Horizon expects to fully occupy the new facility by Labor Day, 2012, bringing nearly 400 jobs to the region.

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Horizon Beverage Digs In to Norton [VIDEO]

Groundbreaking ceremony took place Friday, Sept. 23.

On Friday, Sept. 23, town officials, state representatives and business people gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of Horizon Beverage, a wholesaler and broker of fine wines, spirits and malts in New England. Previously located in Avon, Horizon has moved to the abandoned 394,179 square foot GM building at 45 Commerce Way, Norton with plans to add on another 150,000 square feet. Michael Epstein, Co-President of Horizon, said that the move will also necessitate 35 more positions. "We look forward to playing an important role in the economic foundation in Norton and Massachusetts for many years to come," he said. State Representatives Steven Howitt, Jay Barrows and Betty Poirier voiced their praises of the relationship being fostered …

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Menino, Horizon Beverage, Increase Efforts to Stop Underage Access to Alcohol

Colleges and universities support ‘We Don’t Serve Teens’ campaign targeting adults.

Mayor Thomas M. Menino announced that the City of Boston, in partnership with Horizon Beverage Company, who will soon be moving to Norton, Patrόn Spirits, Clear Channel Outdoor and the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts (AICUM), is increasing its support of the national “We Don’t Serve Teens” campaign during the August and September back-to-school period. The “We Don’t Serve Teens” initiative is sponsored by a coalition of public and private sector organizations, including the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The City of Boston’s support of this U.S. House of Representatives and Senate recognized program began in January and marks the first time that a municipality has utilized the “We Don’t Serve Teens” …

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Bob Havey

4:08 pm on Thursday, August 25, 2011

As nice as this may sound, how about if these establishments - JUST DON'T SERVE TEENS! The laws are on the books already! ENFORCE THE LAW! This is a problem that could easily be controlled if the current laws were ENFORCED and those serving minors were PROSECUTED - not just slapped on the hand as they usually are. Perhaps the money being provided for this program could be used for something else …   more ›

Deal is Sealed with Horizon

Company due to begin construction at 45 Commerce Way next month

The largest New England distributor of spirits, wine and beer will be moving to Norton shortly, promising new jobs and a boost to the local economy. Horizon Beverage Co., a family-owned business in Avon, purchased the recently-vacated General Motors distribution center in Norton earlier this month.  It paid $21 million for the building and the adjacent land, according to a press release issued by Regan Communications.  “This expansion project is not only good for Horizon, but it is a real boost to the economy of Norton,” said Michael Epstein, Vice President of Operations and General Counsel for Horizons. Horizon officials plan to expand the 404,000 square-foot facility by about 40%, and construction is due to begin next month, according to…

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AN INSIDE LOOK

Message To Taunton: Knock It Off!

City has to be kidding with latest comments about Norton traffic.

Taunton has some complaints about its neighbor to the north. As someone originally from the Silver City, but a resident of Norton since the age of 2, I’d like to say something to the city of my birth: You have GOT to be kidding! City officials are concerned about traffic from new Norton businesses planning to locate in the Norton Commerce Center near the Taunton line. The mayor and some city councilors worry that trucks from a new Waste Management depot on Hill Street and Horizon Beverage taking over the old GM building will damage roads in the Myles Standish Industrial Park. Mayor Crowley questioned Norton-generated traffic causing roads to deteriorate without providing any funding, and Councilor Deborah Carr suggested banning trucks on …

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR: A Retrospective on Town Meeting

Norton resident Tanya Willow wonders if the tax break for Horizon really was the best decision.

I want a cup of coffee before heading to the Yelle School where Nortonʼs town meeting is taking place. As I wait at the Honey Dew window, I looked out my windshield across Route 123 to the front of the school. A radiation symbol reflects back at me from my headlights. The school probably looks much as it did back in the days when it doubled as nuclear fallout shelter. Looking at the Yelle, I remembered driving past and seeing fire engines around it, one with its crane extended. Something had happened to the roof, though I donʼt think that was the same day my son was evacuated from the school because of the boiler. That was years ago, but as far as I knew, sitting there waiting for my coffee, the town still lacked the funds for any …

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Bill Gouveia

11:35 am on Thursday, January 27, 2011

I know what obsequious means Tanya - I don't have to look it up. Other people can use big words too, not just you. And I repeat - there is no loss here. Horizon will be paying MORE taxes than GM was. It is a GAIN to the town. I understand the genral opposition to TIFs and the principle behind them. As I said, we agree there. But communities doing whatever they can to attract desireable industry …   more ›

PATCH FACTS

Week in Review: Town Meeting The Top Story

Sunday, Jan. 16 - Friday, Jan. 21

The biggest story of the week was Town Meeting, the highlight of which was the approval for Horizon Beverage’s tax break. Be sure to check out some of the video footage. Sports had an up, then down kind of week. On Sunday, the freshman corps of the Norton High wrestling team put together several outstanding performances during the Freshman State Invitational Tournament in Brookline. The Lancers put forth great efforts during the junior varsity tournament on Monday in Reading as well. The Norton High wrestling team rounded out the week with its second Tri-Valley League dual-meet victory of the season with a 34-0 win in Bellingham on Wednesday night. It was a different story for basketball, however. Norton High’s varsity girls’ lost  60-37 …

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