July 20, 2015
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order at 7:00 PM by Chairman Soter with all members in attendance except Mr. Spencer.
Public Hearing – petition of NSTAR Electric Co. d/b/a Eversource Energy for the purpose of obtaining a Grant of Location to install approx.. 10 ft. of conduit in Maple St.
Mr. Soter read the public hearing notice.
Right of Way Agent Christine Cosby represented Eversource and stated the Grant of Location is to install approximately 10 feet of conduit in Maple Street to provide new electric service to 355 Maple Street. The Board asked Ms. Cosby if the street will be dug up for the conduit installation. She stated it will not. The installation will be on the side of the street.
Mr. Soter asked if there was anyone present to speak on this petition. No one responded.
On a Mayhew/Connor motion, the Board unanimously voted to close the public hearing. On a Mayhew/Connor motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve the petition of NSTAR Electric Co. d/b/a Eversource Energy for a Grant of Location to install approximately 10 ft. of conduit in Maple Street to provide new electric service to 355 Maple Street. Work to be performed under the direction of the DPW Director.
On a Mayhew/Connor motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve the June 1st & June 22nd minutes as presented.
School Supt./School Committee – School Reorganization
Mr. Reed and Mr. Marano stated converting the Keough Admin. Building to house the P.J. Primavera Center will cost approximately $500,000 and are hoping to have this project completed for September, 2016.
They also stated that after visiting the Old Town Hall, they feel that between that building and the Annex, the School Administration will have enough room for their offices. It was originally suggested that an addition be built on the Annex, but there is sufficient room without the addition, saving the Town money.
The Board thanked Mr. Reed & Mr. Marano for the update.
On a Mayhew/Martinis motion, the Board unanimously voted to award Contract 2015-LPX, Library Parking Expansion, to the low bidder, P. M. Zilioli, Inc. of Upton, MA.
Minutes of July 20, 2015
Page 2
On a Martinis/Mayhew motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve the following abatements: residential water, $5979.90; residential sewer, $1308.60; residential trash, $785.85; municipal water, $4114.61 and municipal sewer, $50.90.
Mr. Laviolette presented the End of Year Budget Transfer Requests & explanations for same (attached to these minutes).
On a Mayhew/Martinis motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve the End of Year Budget Transfer Requests as presented by Mr. Laviolette, CFO.
Beacon Compassion Center – RE: medical marijuana grow facility
Representatives of Beacon Compassion Center, Stephen Angelo, Executive Director and Rina Cametti, General Manager appeared before the Board to make a presentation regarding their proposed medical marijuana grow facility.
Mr. Angelo stated they met with the Board of Health on July 9th, at which time the Board unanimously voted to recommend a letter of No Opposition be prepared. Mr. Angelo stated they are hoping they can receive a No Opposition vote this evening from the Selectmen so they may move forward with the MA Dept. of Public Health’s medical marijuana licensing process. Mr. Angelo stated Beacon Center is looking to get approval to grow and process marijuana out of a warehouse located at 24 Williams Way.
Mr. Connor and Mr. Martinis asked if they would be looking to locate a dispensary in Bellingham. Mr. Angelo stated Beacon has applied for three licenses to open dispensaries in Foxboro, Framingham and another location in Norfolk County (not yet disclosed). He noted the marijuana products would come strictly from the Bellingham facility per the State’s “seed to sale” policy and stated there would never be a dispensary opened in this Town.
Mr. Martinis asked how many individuals would be employed at this location and about security.
Mr. Angelo stated the facility would employ about 20 individuals with rigorous background checks performed on all following the State’s regulations. There will be layers of security, including 24-hour surveillance, strict access controls, video cameras and security staff on site. It was also stated there will be some areas that only certain employees will have access to. Mr. Angelo & Ms. Cametti both stated they would work with police and fire officials throughout the site’s build-out.
Board members expressed their displeasure with Beacon Compassion Center handing them a 47-page proposal this evening that cannot be shared with the public. Both Mr. Connor & Mr. Soter handed the proposals back to Mr. Angelo and Ms. Cametti noting this was submitted at an open meeting and should be available to the public.
Mr. Soter also questioned why they did not apply for a dispensary in Walpole since that is their home community. He went on to state that Walpole doesn’t want a marijuana dispensary because it will bring down the home values. He also stated he does not want Bellingham to be known for growing marijuana.
Minutes of July 20, 2015
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Mr. Angelo stated Mr. Soter’s comments are inaccurate. He noted that Beacon Center is meeting with Foxboro and Walpole to discuss a dispensary proposal on the Walpole line. Mr. Angelo stated this is our general community, just a couple of towns over.
Mr. Kaplan, realtor for Beacon Compassion Center felt that Mr. Soter is taking this issue too personally. He noted that he and Beacon Center looked at many locations before finding the right fit, which happens to be in Bellingham.
Mr. Collamati stated he is offended that he cannot read the proposal that was given to the Selectmen in open session and also feels the Police Chief should have been present this evening.
Mr. Hamwey stated he is appalled the proposal was not made public.
Mr. Angelo apologized for the presentation and asked to schedule another meeting before the Board. It was agreed that Beacon Compassion Center would be scheduled for the first meeting in September submitting proposals to Board members well in advance of that meeting. Also, the proposals will be available for the public. The Police Chief will also be requested to attend this meeting.
On a Connor/Martinis motion, the Board voted to reappoint the firm of Blatman, Bobrowski & Mead as Town Counsel. Mr. Mayhew opposed; all other members voted in the affirmative.
On a Mayhew/Martinis motion, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Jacqueline A. Bokoski
Administrative Assistant
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