MARSHFIELD - October 6 - The Marshfield Select Board unanimously approved both a wine and malt beverage restaurant license and an entertainment license for Modest Roots Brewing South at 25 Dyke Road in Brant Rock on October 6, 2025, paving the way for a new taproom and bar pizza establishment in the coastal neighborhood.
The Full Story
Andrew Gittleman, manager of Modest Roots Brewing South, appeared before the Select Board during a public hearing to request the licenses for the approximately 2,800-square-foot space with a capacity of 99 people. Gittleman explained that his family currently operates a brewery in Tyngsborough and has been searching for a location in the Marshfield area for about two years.
The new location will differ from the Tyngsborough operation in that it will not brew beer on-site but will serve as a taproom featuring beers from the existing brewery, along with wine and bar pizza. “It’s just a kind of casual place to just come have a drink and hang out with friends,” Gittleman said. “We think Brant Rock’s a good spot for this, especially with everyone over there in the summer for the beach.”
Gittleman, who moved to Duxbury from California five years ago with his wife and two children, said the family is “looking to set down some roots and open another location for our family’s business.” The establishment will be located next to the former post office site in the building known as the Shops at Brant Rock, currently owned by a trust established by Dennis Crowley for his children.
The board approved operating hours of 12 PM to 10 PM during the summer season and 4 PM to 10 PM during the off-season. The business plans to operate Thursday through Sunday year-round, with daily operations during the summer months. While Gittleman checked off entertainment options on his application, he clarified there are no immediate plans for live music, though he left open the possibility of a single musician with a guitar in the future. The entertainment license approved covers television broadcasts.
Select Board member Trish Simpson inquired whether either of the two proposed locations might trigger flood zone compliance issues, given the coastal location’s vulnerability. Gittleman assured the board that renovations would remain under the 50 percent threshold of the building’s assessed value, avoiding triggers for modern code compliance requirements.
The board also addressed several donation requests during the meeting. The Ventress Memorial Library received approval to accept $100 from Mark and Lauren Evans in memory of Owen Ritter for children’s services, and a substantial $10,000 donation from longtime patrons Louis and Sharon Viraj. Simpson noted that Louis Viraj also volunteers his time to clean the skate park, library, and playground areas. The Department of Veterans Services received authorization to accept $2,000 from the Marshfield Elks Fish Fry event to provide assistance for veterans and their dependents. The Recreational Trails Committee gained permission to accept $350 from Jerry Mars, Dave Harrington, and Jack Hoey for a trail bench at Red Gold Farm in memory of Gibby Garretson.
The board approved several routine requests, including permission for the Marshfield Housing Authority to waive all building department fees for work at 305 Webster Street, authorization for the Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield to hold the 10th annual Marsh-Vegas Turkey Trot on November 27, 2025, and an annual peddler’s license for Wicked Sweets Groups, LLC, a mobile ice cream catering company. The board also approved a film permit for Emerson College student Jessica Zhang to shoot a music video at Westbrook Meadow on October 18 and 19, with the Marshfield Police Department determining the appropriate location for crew base camp.
A significant portion of the meeting focused on administrative transitions and upcoming decisions. Interim Town Administrator Peter Morin announced his work schedule limitations due to retirement regulations, noting he could work 25 hours the current week and would be available remotely the following week without charge. After October 29, he indicated he could attend the November 3 meeting if necessary but would need to conclude his service.
Morin recommended two potential interim replacements: Charles Sumner, former town administrator in Brewster with extensive experience as an interim in numerous Cape communities, and Kim Roy, former assistant town administrator in Norwell, former town clerk in Cohasset, and former select board member in Halifax who led the Massachusetts Selectmen’s Association. “Charlie Sumner’s got one of the best reputations in the business,” Morin said. “If there’s an empty job in the Cape, which is where he lives, he gets it. Nobody else, if he applies, he gets it.”
After discussion, the board agreed to schedule interviews with both candidates for the week of October 20, potentially conducting them via Zoom given the tight timeline before town meeting. Select Board member Stephen Darcy noted the importance of not rushing the citizen search committee working to find a permanent town administrator. “I don’t want the Citizen Search Committee for the new town administrator to feel rushed,” Dorsey said. “I want them to feel like they have the time that they need to make this really important decision.”
The board also discussed concerns about the town administrator search committee’s interview process. Chair Eric Kelley expressed reservations about the committee limiting each member to two questions per candidate, suggesting instead a 10-minute time limit per committee member to allow for follow-up questions. “I think having rehearsed questions is not the best process in doing this,” Kelley said, noting his concern that questions might be known in advance by candidates.
Darcy defended the search committee’s approach, explaining that the Collins Center recommended the process based on extensive experience conducting similar searches. He noted that limiting questions to a consistent slate ensures fairness to all candidates and that open-ended questions taking about an hour total allow candidates to speak off the cuff rather than provide canned responses. “It wouldn’t necessarily be fair to ask a question of one candidate that you wouldn’t ask of another,” Darcy said. Simpson agreed, stating she didn’t want to micromanage the committee the board had appointed.
Kelley also raised concerns about the committee only considering applicants submitted through the Collins Center, which he felt limited the talent pool, and that the committee had to select questions from a pre-approved list rather than crafting their own. However, no formal action was taken to change the search committee’s process.
The board postponed discussion on setting a date for a special town election regarding a debt exclusion for school roof repairs and financing for the South Shore Vocational Technical High School building. Kelley indicated he wanted to meet with Accountant Meg LaMay and Treasurer Shaun Strobel first to understand the town’s financial position. Simpson emphasized the importance of educating residents on the difference between a debt exclusion and an override, noting that “just like your house, if you needed a new roof on your house, you don’t necessarily know that you’re going to have that in your free cash.”
Morin explained the town needs to examine what existing debt obligations are retiring and whether new debt could be offset, and suggested the town should establish a capital stabilization account for long-term planning. “A town of this size should have a capital reserve to call on,” Morin said, noting such accounts can smooth debt payments, fund emergency equipment replacements, and allow the town to borrow from itself to ease initial debt burdens while revenues grow. He acknowledged the town currently faces budget challenges, including funding operations from free cash and maintaining inadequate overlay accounts.
The board also made progress on selecting new labor counsel, with members expressing preferences among three finalists. Darcy favored Mead, Talerman & Costa based on their lowest hourly rate and proven performance during the interim period without permanent labor counsel. “I’ve always found [Kate Feodoroff] to be very accessible,” Darcy said. “I think her personality leads to calmer negotiations, and I think that’s important.” Simpson preferred Dupere Law Offices, a family-owned Westfield firm representing multiple municipalities, as a middle option in terms of cost. Kelley also expressed strong interest in Dupere after contacting nearly all 11 municipalities they represent and receiving universally positive feedback. The board agreed to interview both firms at a future meeting.
During public comment, resident Steve Lynch of 50 Central Street raised several issues. He criticized the process for bringing back questions about South Shore Vocational Technical High School funding and school roof repairs after voters previously rejected related proposals. “The town of Marshfield already voted no, and it was a due process, a duly authorized election,” Lynch said. “For you to bring it back is just ridiculous. It’s not fair to do that to the taxpayers and the voters of Marshfield.”
Lynch also objected to trucks carrying sand to Duxbury Beach traveling through Green Harbor’s residential areas and school zones, suggesting the board should request that the state Department of Transportation and Duxbury officials replace the wooden bridge with a modern structure capable of handling heavy loads. He criticized the frequency of remote board meetings and suggested the town should follow Duxbury’s model of holding all-day Saturday town meetings to increase accessibility. Lynch also opposed a Department of Public Works request for $440,000 for eight new trucks, arguing it should go through the capital budget process at an annual town meeting rather than a special session.
Finally, Lynch addressed an ongoing effort to recall Kelley as Select Board chair, reminding residents that Kelley was elected partly to fight high-density housing development that the previous administration supported. “I hope you’re all out there who came to vote for Eric and Trish to stop high-density housing in Marshfield, to try to control the budget,” Lynch said. “So I’m putting this on you. I hope you remember that was one of the reasons that 2,000 people voted for each of you.”
Why It Matters
The approval of Modest Roots Brewing South introduces a new business to Brant Rock that could serve as a gathering place for residents and beachgoers while potentially spurring additional economic activity in the coastal village. The establishment of a new taproom with food service may attract customers year-round, though with more limited hours during the off-season. For area residents, the business provides a casual dining and beverage option within walking distance for those living near the beach. The ongoing discussions about interim and permanent town administrator positions, labor counsel selection, and major capital projects like school repairs reflect significant decisions ahead that will affect town operations, tax rates, and service delivery for years to come.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: Approve donation of $100 from Mark and Lauren Evans and $10,000 from Louis and Sharon Viraj to Ventress Memorial Library. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:02:32)
Motion: Approve donation of $2,000 from Marshfield Elks Fish Fry event to Department of Veterans Services. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:04:57)
Motion: Approve donation of $350 from Jerry Mars, David Harrington, and Jack Hoey to Recreational Trails Committee for trail bench. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:06:40)
Motion: Approve request by Marshfield Housing Authority to waive building department fees for work at 305 Webster Street. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:07:39)
Motion: Approve permission for Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield to hold 10th annual Marsh-Vegas Turkey Trot on November 27, 2025. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:08:51)
Motion: Grant annual peddler’s license to Wicked Sweets Groups, LLC. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:10:46)
Motion: Approve select board participation in MHS scholarship program. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:13:57)
Motion: Open public hearing on application for wine and malt beverage restaurant license and entertainment license for Modest Roots Brewing South. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:15:40)
Motion: Close public comment on license hearing. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:22:24)
Motion: Approve annual wine and malt beverage restaurant license for Modest Roots Brewing South with hours 12 PM to 10 PM summer season and 4 PM to 10 PM off-season. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:23:07)
Motion: Approve entertainment license for Modest Roots Brewing South for television broadcasts. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:25:18)
Motion: Grant film permit to Jessica Zhang of Emerson College to film music video at Westbrook Meadow on October 18-19, with location for crew determined by Marshfield Police Department. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 01:16:02)
Motion: Approve open session minutes from August 22, 2025 and September 8, 2025. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 01:17:03)
Motion: Enter executive session to discuss strategy regarding collective bargaining with Marshfield Firefighters Local 2568 and not return to open session. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 01:27:28)
Public Comment
Steve Lynch of 50 Central Street spoke for approximately five minutes on multiple topics. He criticized the town administrator search committee process, arguing the Collins Center was limiting the talent pool and controlling question selection rather than allowing committee members to craft their own questions. Lynch strongly opposed bringing debt exclusion questions back to voters after previous rejections, arguing the town should use existing free cash reserves rather than asking taxpayers for additional funds. He complained about sand trucks traveling through Green Harbor residential areas and school zones en route to Duxbury Beach, suggesting the town should advocate for replacing the wooden bridge with a modern structure. Lynch also criticized the frequency of remote meetings, suggested adopting Duxbury’s Saturday all-day town meeting format for better accessibility, and opposed a DPW request for $440,000 for trucks as an end-run around the capital budget process. He concluded by referencing an effort to recall Chair Kelley, reminding residents that Kelley and Simpson were elected to fight high-density housing and control the budget.
What’s Next
The board will schedule interviews with interim town administrator candidates Charles Sumner and Kim Roy for the week of October 20, potentially via Zoom. The board will also schedule interviews with labor counsel finalists Mead, Talerman, and Costa and Dupere Law Offices at a future meeting. Chair Kelley will meet with Accountant Meg LaMay and Treasurer Shaun Strobel to discuss financial implications of proposed debt exclusions for school roof repairs and South Shore Vocational Technical High School financing before the board sets a date for a special town election. The town administrator citizen search committee continues its work interviewing candidates for permanent town administrator. The board will hold a special town meeting on October 20, 2025 for the MBTA Communities Zoning vote.