HANSON PLANNING BOARD
MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC MEETING OF NOVEMBER 4, 2013
TOWN HALL, 542 LIBERTY STREET, HANSON, MA.
Members present: Donald Ellis, Chairman
Patricia Glenn, Vice-Chair
Stephen Regan, Clerk
Joseph Gamache, Member
Joseph Weeks, Member
Also Present: Laurie Muncy, Town Planner
Virginia Costley, Administrative Assistant
II. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
Motion made to accept the minutes of October 21, 2013: Joseph Weeks
Second: Patricia Glenn
Vote: 5-0
III. PUBLIC HEARINGS
No public hearings on agenda for this meeting.
IV. APPOINTMENTS
No appointments on agenda.
V. NEW BUSINESS
The Planning Board discussed the Medical Marijuana Zoning District By-law and a possible site location. Some questions to consider are who will be responsible for setting the fees; who will be the permitting Board - Planning or Board of Appeals. Ms. Muncy gave the Board members a packet of information relating to other towns for them to read over. The State will basically be the controlling entity for the marijuana dispensaries – hours of operation, permitting, inspections, security, etc., all State mandated. The Board discussed water usage – how much water will be required for the cultivation of the plants.
One area under consideration for a dispensary is the LiteControl property off Pleasant Street. Reasoning for this location is because of the railroad tracks and high fencing. It is also an industrial zone area. Members also discussed another possible site in the Industrial Park off Route 27. The Board does feel that initially Hanson will not be one of the five communities selected. Perhaps in five or 10 years the State will expand the dispensaries. Once a definite site has been determined, a public hearing will take place and abutters will be notified. The Planning Board members determined that an informal meeting with the abutters and public should be held to get some feedback on selected sites and impact on abutters. These dispensaries
must be 500’ from schools, and/or where children congregate.
Board members were given packets of information on the Adult Entertainment District and also a draft Cluster Zoning By-law prepared by OCPC to read and comment on at a future hearing.
VI. OLD BUSINESS
Member Joseph Gamache attended a Capital Improvement meeting. Basically not too much can be done as far as maintenance on schools and buildings. Money cannot be rolled over. Simply put if the schools can’t be fixed, there will be no funds from the State.
Costs for sidewalk construction and engineering per Capital Improvement is $150,000.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Motion made to adjourn the hearing: Patricia Glenn
Second: Stephen Regan
Vote: 5-0
Next scheduled meeting is December 9th, 2013
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