Thinking of Opening a Business in Maynard?

How the Office of Municipal Services (OMS) Works to Cultivate a Business-Friendly Environment

Town of Maynard
Office of Municipal Services
195 Main Street, Maynard, MA 01754

Tel: 978 897 1392 | www.townofmaynard-ma.gov

Customer Service 

Yes, the Town believes businesses, as well as residents, are customers. Let’s start with how Town staff help entrepreneurs learn about the local requirements to open a small business. Although Maynard‘s website contains much of the information you would need to start a business, learn about required licensing, and go through a public hearing permitting process (it even has a downloadable business guide), most inquiries begin with an appointment, an impromptu visit, or a phone call to Town Hall, typically to the Office of Municipal Services (OMS) or the Select Board’s office. Town staff walks the inquiring person through the permitting or licensing processes specific to their stated type of business. 

OMS handles permitting of most (but not all) business activities that require board or committee approvals–such as Building, Planning and Zoning, Health, Conservation— depending on the type of business. Businesses requiring licensing by the Select Board such as alcohol, victualer (“common vic”), or marijuana sales, are handled through the Town Administrator’s office.

Town Hall seeks to ensure individuals are thoroughly advised, which includes directing them to other departments whose approvals may also be required to operate, e.g. Department of Public Works or Police/Fire Departments. This is specifically intended to prevent the frustration of going through one approval process only to learn that a separate, parallel approval is required from another department. Town Hall staff strive not to leave the potential business owner adrift in the sea of local bureaucracy. 

But Town Hall customer service doesn’t stop with inbound inquiries. In early 2025, Maynard established a volunteer “Business Ambassador” role whose core mission is to:

• Identify the business community’s needs and wants.
• Build and gauge consensus around economic development. 
• Ensure businesses are aware of the available resources and information at Town Hall. 
• Maintain an open line of communication between Town Hall and the local commercial sector. 
• Promote Maynard as a destination for new business.

The Business Ambassador program was a product of Town Hall listening sessions, outreach efforts, and one-on-one meetings with members of the business community, and is intended to set the stage for a full-time Economic Development Coordinator. 

In addition, Maynard’s Economic Development Committee (EDC) is tasked with the mission to monitor the local business climate and advise Town administration and staff on economic policy, strategy, and related initiatives. 

Discretionary Permits and Economic Development

Maynard’s blueprint for future development is laid out in its 2020 Master Plan. Along with the Town’s zoning map and Zoning By-laws, which provide the spatial and regulatory framework governing the appropriate placement of various business types, and in concert with the Community Development Principles, the granting of discretionary permits (permits that must be approved by a special permit granting authority or “SPGA”, often the Planning or Zoning Boards) is often predetermined. These documents represent the collective will of Maynard’s residents and are difficult, if not impossible, to circumvent. As a result, a business may be denied a permit due to site-specific considerations or other review criteria that are not demonstrated to a satisfactory degree. This in and of itself should not be considered as “business unfriendly”. A business may impact its surrounding neighborhood to such an extent that the SPGA believes that the negatives generated outweigh any economic benefits. For example, a use that may be appropriate for some neighborhoods may not be appropriate for other ones, such as a gas station looking to set up adjacent to a Town water well or a high traffic drive-thru next to the drop-off point of an elementary school. The takeaway of the discretionary permitting process is that a reasonable person should be able to apply the regulatory framework to an application and have a degree of confidence if it meets the general criteria for issuance. 

Denial of a specific discretionary permit is sometimes characterized as “business unfriendliness”. This characterization, without knowing the factors the SPGA must investigate in each case to render its decision, is neither fair nor accurate. 

An Even Playing Field

Town Hall also believes that it has a duty to treat all businesses—both existing and potential–equally and with respect, if for no other reason than their willingness to invest in Maynard. Town Hall cannot and should not be expected to recognize a hierarchy of businesses. To maintain a healthy business and economic climate demands flexibility, free and fair competition, and adaptability. Failure to uphold these standards would be more damaging and contributory to an actual atmosphere of business unfriendliness than anything else. 

Conclusion

Town Hall recognizes the need to continually improve all facets of economic development, which includes maintaining a welcoming business environment, attracting new investment, and supporting existing businesses. Each of these is essential to Maynard’s economic viability. No system will satisfy everyone all the time. But without a doubt, I believe Maynard is continuing to make progress towards economic viability in a business-friendly manner that reflects the Town’s vision and will contribute to the creation of an economically sustainable future.