The possibility of another pawn shop opening on Main Street has some citizens up in arms and the Selectmen concerned about the location and crime.

Aaron Tetrault, president of Spindle City Pawnbrokers, has his eye on 194 Main Street, which formerly housed doctors' offices, for his newest location.

Tetrault is set to buy the building, but the purchase is contingent on his obtaining licenses from the Board of Selectmen that allow him to operate a pawn business.

Tetrault and his lawyer, Peter Saulino of Fall River-based Saulino & Silvia, appeared before the Selectmen on Thursday hoping to get those licenses approved.

"He runs a clean operation," Saulino said of Tetrault, noting that the company operates 13 other locations.

The Selectmen, however, were not ready for a vote.

Holding a three-page petition that she reported was signed by members of the business community and Wareham residents, Selectman Ellen Begley said citizens are concerned about the location not being suitable for a pawn shop, about its close proximity to Gateway Gold & Pawn at 298 Main Street, and about potential traffic problems.

Selectmen Chair Steve Holmes expressed some of those same concerns.

"We just spent over a million dollars right where we're talking about putting another pawn shop," Holmes said, referring to the recently-completed "Streetscape" improvement project, which brought new curbing, sidewalks, and signs to that portion of Main Street. "Not that I'm against pawn shops, [but] in that particular spot? I don't think that I could support it in terms of economic development in that area."

Holmes, who was a new member of the Board of Selectmen when it approved the licenses for Gateway Gold & Pawn in 2010, remains skeptical about Main Street as a location for pawn shops.

"I didn't like the last [pawn shop], although I supported it. ... I wish I could go back and rescind that vote," he said. "There are vehicles in the street, there are signs all over the place."

Holmes suggested that perhaps another location in Wareham would be more suitable.

"There are plenty of buildings in town that you can purchase for a pawn shop," he said. "We have a nice plaza in East Wareham where we have empty storefronts."

Selectman Alan Slavin was worried about the potential for increased crime, especially in the parking lot behind the 194 Main Street building.

Parking is "behind the store, and it's kind of hidden back there," Slavin explained. "I'm concerned about [illegal] activity."

Slavin requested that the Wareham Police Department report to the Selectmen about the matter. The police are "the ones who have to interact with a pawn shop on a regular basis," he noted.

Selectman Peter Teitelbaum agreed.

"My suggestion would be for this board to continue this until such time as we can hear from the police, and at least get that information before us before we make a decision," he said.

The board concurred.

Tetrault asked the Selectmen to visit one of his shops -- Fall River Pawnbrokers, located at 268 Union Street in New Bedford -- in the meantime.

"A major remodel would be a contribution to your downtown," Tetrault said, "not a negative."