Selectboard
Selectboard Meeting Minutes
March 30, 2023
Virtual Via GoToMeeting
Attending: Robert Cumming (RC), Town Administrator Sherry Patch (SP)
Absent: Karen Cruise (KC)
Call To Order
RB called the meeting to order at 4:00 PM.
Possible vote to include one or more Marijuana Regulation Bylaw Amendment Questions on the May 8, 2023, election ballot.
The board considered inclusion of three marijuana bylaw questions for inclusion on the May 8th election ballot as follows:
First Referendum Question:
Shall this town adopt the following by-law?
The by-law would ban the commercial cultivation, processing and/or manufacturing of marijuana in a Residential-Agricultural District. The proposed by-law would be inserted as Section III.1.(R) of the Zoning Bylaws and would read as follows:
“Notwithstanding any other provisions in these by-laws, commercial cultivation, processing, and/or manufacturing of marijuana is not a permitted use in a Residential-Agricultural District.”
RB moved to include the First Referendum question on the May 8th ballot. RC 2nd. The following roll call vote was recorded: RB aye; RC aye. Voted 2-0.
Second Referendum Question:
Shall this town adopt the following by-law?
The by-law would ban the commercial cultivation, processing and/or manufacturing of marijuana in a Business District. The proposed by-law would be inserted as Section IV.1.(K) of the Zoning Bylaws and would read as follows:
“Notwithstanding any other provisions in these by-laws, commercial cultivation, processing, and/or manufacturing of marijuana is not a permitted use in a Business District.”
RB moved to include the Second Referendum question on the May 8th ballot. RC 2nd. The following roll call vote was recorded: RB aye; RC aye. Voted 2-0.
Third Referendum Question:
Shall this town adopt the following by-law?
The by-law would ban the commercial cultivation, processing, and/or manufacturing of recreational marijuana in a Business-Industrial District, and would allow the indoor commercial cultivation, processing, and/or manufacturing of medical marijuana in a Business-Industrial District with Planning Board approval. The proposed by-law would be inserted as Section V.1.(D) if the Zoning Bylaws and would read as follows:
“Section V.1(D) Marijuana
“(i) Notwithstanding any other provisions in these by-laws, commercial cultivation, processing, and/or manufacturing of marijuana is not a permitted use in a Business-Industrial District except for marijuana for medical purposes as provided in subsection (ii).
“(ii) Subject to permission by the Planning Board as provided in Section VIII of this by-law, indoor commercial cultivation of marijuana for medical purposes, and related processing and/or manufacturing of marijuana grown on the property, shall be allowed in Business-Industrial districts, provided that the total canopy on the property does not exceed 5,000 square feet, and that the cultivation and related processing and/or manufacturing will not be offensive, injurious, or noxious because of noise, vibration, smoke, fumes, dust, odors, danger of explosion, light, or other characteristics detrimental to a dominantly residential town. The buildings used for cultivation, processing, and/or manufacturing shall meet the following setback requirements:
“a. All buildings shall be set back a minimum of one hundred (100) feet from the edge of the public right of way.
“b. All buildings shall be set back a minimum of one hundred (100) feet from the side and rear lot lines.
“c. All buildings shall be a minimum of five hundred (500) feet from adjacent residential buildings.”
RB moved to include the Third Referendum question on the May 8th ballot. RC 2nd. The following roll call vote was recorded: RB aye; RC aye. Voted 2-0.
Vote to Approve the Annual Town Election Warrant
RB moved to approve the 2023 Election Warrant. RC 2nd. The following roll call vote was recorded: RB aye; RC aye. Voted 2-0.
Adjournment
RB moved to adjourn the meeting. RC 2nd. The following roll call vote was recorded: RB aye; RC aye. Voted 2-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:24 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sherry Patch