After minimal additional discussion during the board’s April 27 meeting, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve awarding Bentley Companies the title of master developer for the Tremont Nail Factory property.

Bentley Companies, a Rhode Island-based operation, presented its vision for the Tremont site to the Wareham Redevelopment Authority and to the Board of Selectmen earlier this year. In mid-March, the Redevelopment Authority recommended that the selectmen choose Bentley Companies as master developer for the site. 

Bentley Companies’ plan envisions the site with office space, retail establishments and a brewery or restaurant of some sort. The developer’s vision also includes a waterfront community park — complete with a pier, boardwalk and kayak rentals.

The selection of a master developer is another step toward the town’s goal of redeveloping the Tremont Nail property, which was originally built in the 19th century.

Steel cut nails were manufactured on site in the “steel building” as recently as 2006. Wareham bought the Tremont Nail property in 2004 using Community Preservation Act funds, citing its historic importance to the town. Today, the property consists of multiple unused buildings in various states of repair and disrepair.

The board unanimously voted to make Bentley Companies the master developer — a move Town Administrator Derek Sullivan described as “the notice of award.” He noted that the next step would be negotiating a contract with Bentley Companies.

“This has been dragging along for way too long,” Selectman Alan Slavin said, voicing his support for the decision. “We need to get moving on it.”

Sullivan also said that by selecting Bentley Companies as a master developer for the Tremont site the town was “taking town assets, and turning them into something that generates revenue for the community and for the town as well.”  

Jason Pannone, a Bentley Companies representative, thanked officials for their decision.

“We look forward to working with you,” he said. 

The Board of Selectmen’s decision to choose Bentley Companies for the master developer role did not impact the town’s negotiation of a host community agreement and lease to use the steel building on the Tremont Nail Factory property to manufacture and package a variety of cannabis products. The selectmen approved that lease and host community agreement with the cannabis business Aspen Blue Cultures during the April 27 meeting.