Chesterfield Town Meeting voters OK spending, refer pot business limits to Planning Board for further study

By JAMES PENTLAND

Staff Writer

Published: 05-10-2023 5:28 PM

CHESTERFIELD — Voters approved all money articles and referred a petition article seeking a ban on many marijuana-related businesses to the Planning Board for further action at Town Meeting on Monday.

Town Clerk Sandra Wickland reported that 111 voters attended the meeting out of a checklist of 986, marking a turnout of 11%.

Support for the town budget was unanimous, with voters appropriating $3,979,815 toward school and municipal spending that totaled $4,816,890.

Other spending articles approved included a transfer of $47,153 from free cash to cover winter road expenses from the current year, transfer of $90,000 from free cash for removal of the underground fuel storage tanks at the highway garage and installation of aboveground tanks, and appropriation of $190,000 for the capital projects stabilization fund.

New computers for the town offices, repairs to the stone wall at the Mount Cemetery and other work at Center and Ireland Street cemeteries were funded out of free cash.

Voters also approved five articles related to the Municipal Light Plant, setting up an equipment stabilization fund and transferring money from the broadband network’s retained earnings to cover debt payment on the network.

Residents authorized the town to petition the Legislature to allow Greg Smith to continue working as a special reserve officer with the Police Department until he turns 70 or retires.

The citizens petition called on the town to ban “the operation of all marijuana establishments now or in the future permitted to operated under Massachusetts law,” with the exception of marijuana retailers, medical marijuana treatment centers, and registered marijuana dispensaries.

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The article spelled out a long list of examples of what should be outlawed, “including but not limited to” craft marijuana cooperatives, cultivators, couriers and delivery operators, testing labs, research facilities and social consumption sites.

A majority of voters directed that the matter be sent to the Planning Board with the aim of revising the town’s cannabis zoning bylaw, which was approved at a special Town Meeting in March.

Voters directed the board to complete its work and report back to the Select Board no later than Sept. 30. The Select Board is directed to hold a special Town Meeting on the matter no later than Nov. 20.

Town Meeting business was concluded inside of 2½ hours.

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