Dartmouth Sunrise Bakery in ‘Financial Ruin’ Due to Town Requests

Everywhere Sunrise Bakery owner Richard Freeman goes, he hears the same question: "When are you opening the Dartmouth location?"

It's a question that frustrates him.

Back in August, Fun 107 broke the news that Freeman had secured a lease with an option to buy the Dartmouth location over a three-year period.

Since that article was published, however, Freeman says he feels he has been targeted by the Town of Dartmouth with endless requests.

"After Fun 107 wrote the article, for some reason, the Town arrived unannounced and started demanding an outdoor grease trap," Freeman said. "That's impossible because of the property's setup. We ended up installing a third indoor grease trap, but that was just the beginning. Every time the town walks through those doors, they find something else they want done."

READ MORE: Sunrise Bakery and Coffee Shop Returning to Dartmouth

Freeman initially planned to paint the inside of the building and replace existing equipment. He said he asked the building department if a permit was necessary, and they told him no.

"Less than two weeks ago, they asked me if I had a permit. I've done zero construction. Zero," he said.

Now, Freeman says he is desperate.

"Dartmouth has put me in financial ruin," he said.

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The veteran claims he has spent tens of thousands of dollars trying to meet the town’s demands – $25,000 on plumbing and more than $15,000 on electrical work – yet there is still more to do.

When Fun 107 spoke with Dartmouth's Director of Public Health, Chris Michaud, he said that on November 15, he personally walked Freeman through town hall, directing him to the necessary contacts. Michaud later followed up with a courtesy email to the Sunrise owner.

"We're not required to provide a list of what he may need to do, but we did it to be helpful," Michaud said. He also provided the email to Fun 107.

READ MORE: The Letter Sent to Sunrise Bakery Owner Richard Freeman

A few months later, when Michaud hadn’t heard back from Sunrise, he sent a follow-up letter to Freeman on January 16 to check on his progress. However, Michaud said Freeman never responded. The letter can be read below.

READ MORE: The Follow-Up Letter Sent to Richard Freeman

On Wednesday of this week, Freeman submitted a permit application to the Dartmouth Board of Health.

"It just doesn’t add up," Freeman said. "With the overwhelming community response to the Dartmouth location reopening, I thought the town would be more willing to work with me. I'm not a wealthy guy. It’s never-ending."

Michaud responded, "We're here to answer questions, but we can't be the designer or the applicant."