LEOMINSTER — At its April 14, 2025 meeting, the Leominster City Council reviewed allegations that Middlesex Integrative Medicine (MIM), located at 25 Mohawk Drive, violated its host agreement and special permit obligations, while residents voiced opposition to a proposed horse racing facility on the city’s capped landfill.
During the discussion on MIM, Councilor Claire M. Freda said the company had not filed required annual reports since 2018 and failed to notify the city about changes in management, both of which are required under the city’s ordinances.
“I have not seen one annual report for this company at all from anybody,” Freda said.
Attorney Nick Carter, representing receiver David Engel, said Engel was appointed by the Massachusetts Superior Court in October 2023 to oversee MIM’s operations. Carter stated that Middlesex Integrative Medicine is currently involved in bankruptcy proceedings and that certain actions related to the property, including a $200,000 escrow account for the company’s orderly exit from the site, had been approved by the bankruptcy court. Carter said the company suffered significant crop losses due to leaks in the facility, resulting in millions of dollars in damages.
“If the facility had been provided as the landlord was obligated to provide it, it would not have leaked, it would have been successful, and there would not be a departure now of MIM from Leominster,” Carter said.
Kevin Crowley, representing Mohawk Drive Corporation, disputed Carter’s claim, stating:
“The roof leaks were caused by substandard work during fit-up.”
Fire Chief Robert Sideleau said his department encountered delays during an earlier fire incident at the facility because of incomplete contact information.
“If they’re not notifying the city or the fire or police department, in times of emergency that can mean the difference between someone getting injured,” Sideleau said.
Police Chief Ryan Malatos reported that officers responded to 11 alarms at the property in 2024 and initially had difficulty contacting keyholders but received updated information by the end of December.
City Solicitor Paul Goulart told the council that legal actions against MIM were complicated by a bankruptcy stay, which temporarily prevents enforcement actions or lawsuits without court permission.
The council entered executive session at the end of the discussion to review potential legal options against Middlesex Integrative Medicine, including possible permit revocation, fines, or litigation related to violations of the host agreement and special permit requirements. No vote was taken during the public session.
Earlier in the meeting, residents addressed the council during the public forum to oppose Bay State Racing’s proposal to build a horse racing facility on Mechanic Street.
Amy Kupta, reading a statement on behalf of Mary Gleason, said:
“The landfill poses significant health risks, releasing harmful deadly chemicals into the environment.”
Larry Williams argued that the landfill location was inappropriate for a large-scale development, warning that hazardous materials remained buried beneath the site.
Caitlyn Smith raised concerns about Bay State Racing’s leadership, stating:
“Bay State Racing’s principal Sagi Genger was fined in 2009 by the SEC for fraudulently inflating revenue to deceive investors and was banned for five years from acting as an officer or director.”
Smith also raised concerns about political lobbying expenditures by Bay State Racing and suggested the company may seek changes to state law to facilitate the project.
Several residents cited Massachusetts General Law Chapter 128A, Section 3, which prohibits issuing horse or dog racing licenses on land owned by the Commonwealth or its subdivisions, including municipalities. Residents urged the council to fully investigate the proposal’s compliance with state law before proceeding.
Additional concerns were raised about contamination risks, with speakers noting that the capped landfill remains under active environmental monitoring due to hazardous materials on site, and citing a 2023 groundwater report that detected elevated benzene levels above regulatory safety limits.
The council did not vote on the racing proposal during the meeting. A follow-up public hearing specifically addressing the Bay State Racing petitions will be scheduled for a future session, although an exact date was not finalized during the April 14 meeting.
Separately, the council reviewed and closed public hearings on zoning amendments, including a federally mandated update to the city’s floodplain regulations and a proposed rezoning of an industrial parcel on June Street for residential development. Further time was requested on other pending petitions.
