E. B. Auto tries to make things right, ends up wrong
E. B. Auto Sales, on 773 Main Street, is not licensed to sell cars.
Owner Evan W. Bumpus has been selling used cars for years under someone else’s license. On Tuesday night, he was denied a Class II license to sell cars under his own name by the Board of Selectmen – not because he may be selling illegally, but because the business is located in the wrong zone.
The business is located next to the John W. Decas Elementary school, in a residential home that has been in the Bumpus family for generations. Because the property rests in an industrial zone, motor vehicle sales are not permitted.
Despite this, Bumpus said he has “sold cars out of there. I haven’t had any troubles.”
Bumpus said the only reason he went before the Board of Selectmen, was because a building inspector told him he needs a license.
“So you just came in here and sort of admitted that you were violating the law,” Chairman Patrick Tropeano said.
“Now I won’t, maybe,” Bumpus said, after a pause.
Though Tropeano declared the past sales “really illegal,” the topic never came up again, during the meeting.
Other articles on the Selectmen's agenda included reminding residents that required applications are available for flea market and secondhand permits, at the risk of a $70 daily fee; and informing residents about another meeting concerning homelessness at the Emmanuel Church of the Nazarene on Sunday at 2 p.m. He said there will also be a Beach and Tourism Committee meeting at 7:30 p.m. on March 17.