Source: http://melrose.wickedlocal.com, June 2, 2016
By: Aaron Leibowitz

Contamination at the building formerly occupied by Caruso’s Pizzeria has halted progress toward bringing business back to the site.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, the site exceeds the reportable threshold for 1,2-dichloroethene, a highly flammable, colorless liquid with a sharp, harsh odor.

Luigi Fusco, who is attempting to purchase the property from four of his cousins, reported the hazardous material release to the DEP on Dec. 18. On a notification form posted online, Fusco said he first became aware of the issue Sept. 1.

The contamination is believed to stem from a dry cleaning business run out of the 685 Main St. building many years ago. Melrose Mayor Rob Dolan met earlier this year with Fusco and his attorney, Brian McGrail, who told him they were working to address it.

“When we’ve met with them, they seem very sincere that they’re working as hard as they can,” Dolan said. “But they have some very serious issues with that building.”

The site has gone unused since Caruso’s owner “Don” Michele Caruso – the so-called “king of pizza” – died in May 2010.

Three of Caruso’s nephews, Angelo Caruso and Luigi and Maurizio Fusco, initially planned to re-open the pizzeria, but controversy surrounding Michele Caruso’s last will put those plans on hold.

Because the three nephews did not re-open the restaurant, rights to the property went to five of Caruso’s nephews – the three aforementioned nephews plus two others.

As the family sorted out the language in probate court, the building deteriorated and the nephews paid $2,250 in fines to the city in August 2013 for failure to comply with state building code and a city zoning ordinance.

“We take great pride here in Melrose in the business sectors of the community and the aesthetics of our business zones,” said city solicitor Rob Van Campen. “When something like this happens, which is a multi-year vacancy, the city becomes increasingly concerned as time passes that there’s an impact on the other businesses in the community.”

Building Commissioner Paul Johnson said he was not aware of any existing city code violations at the building, and Health Director Ruth Clay said the same.

According to online records, the five nephews purchased two parcels of land for $558,000 in July 2014: 681-687 Main St., where the pizzeria stood, and 689-697 Main St., where a beauty salon, barber shop, jeweler’s and nail salon stand today.

Now, Luigi Fusco is attempting to purchase the property from his cousins. But that transaction is on hold until the hazardous material – which, according to Dolan, is inside the walls of the building – is addressed.

In his January inauguration speech, Dolan was met with hearty cheers when he expressed his hope to be mayor the day Caruso’s reopens. Today, that wish seems unlikely.

Fusco and McGrail did not return requests for comment, but Angelo Caruso, reached at his restaurant in Stoneham, said Caruso’s would not be reopening and that he no longer wanted to be involved with the site.

“I run my own business and that’s all I want to do,” Caruso said.

Fusco, meanwhile, has said he would like to open a restaurant at the former Caruso’s site.

“The message I got was that he would like to reopen some kind of restaurant establishment there and at the same time revitalize the building,” Van Campen said. “It’s a rundown building in a thriving downtown area, so it doesn’t match.”

Business owners and developers are keeping a close eye on the vacant property a stone’s throw from downtown Melrose. Dolan said a month does not go by without the city receiving an inquiry about the space.

“A lot of major restaurants are interested,” Dolan said. “Obviously, stuff doesn’t stay on the market here for a long time.”

Despite tension in recent years between the Caruso heirs and city officials, Dolan and Fusco appear to have a strong working relationship.

The question is whether Fusco can salvage the place where the king of pizza made his dough.

“They’ve been brutally honest, reputable business people,” Dolan said. “I hope it works out.”