ROYALSTON — Forty-two voters attended a Special Town Meeting at the Royalston Community School recently to address three articles, including the adoption of first-time bylaws guiding recreational marijuana establishments in town. Moderator George Northrup introduced the three articles, which were explained, discussed, and passed in a total of 51 minutes.
The small group of Royalston’s approximately 900 voters unanimously passed the first article, reducing the amount transferred from the Capital Stabilization Fund “…from $10,600, to $5,600 for repairs and refurbishing of pumps in Pump Stations 1 and 2 for the sewer system, including any incidental or related costs.”
Royalston’s Financial Director Rebecca Krause-Hardie offered a brief explanation of the need for Article 2, “…to increase the amount appropriated for the operation of the Wastewater Treatment Plant and Sewer System from $39,183 to $47,938,” with an anticipated $42,938 from user fees, and $5,000 from the Capital Stabilization Fund. Following discussion, the article passed with 34 in favor, and three opposed.
Prior to discussion on Article 3, which sought to amend Royalston zoning bylaws by including a new section entitled, “Recreational Marijuana Establishments,” Planning Board Chair Kate Collins gave her Board’s report. The bylaws, she explained, include standards for placement, design, construction, operation, monitoring, modification, and removal of such establishments.
Based on the advice of Town Counsel, the following wording was deleted from the posted warrant article: “No smoking, burning, or consumption of any product containing marijuana or marijuana-related projects shall be permitted on the premises of a marijuana establishment.”
Amendments which did not pass requested “a home in which home-schooling takes place” be included in the locations requiring a 500-foot boundary, and the addition of, Pre-existing establishments shall have grandfathered approval in the case that one of the above-named entities comes into existence within the 500 foot requirement.”
Two favored the article with those two amendments, but they failed with 37 opposed.
As passed, Section D(3) text reads, “No marijuana establishment shall be located within
500 feet of the property boundary line of any lot in use as a public or private pre-school, primary or secondary school, licensed day-care center, church, library, park, playground, or other marijuana establishments.
Following discussion characterized by Town Clerk Melanie Mangum, and Selectboard member Roland Hamel as civil and productive, the amended version of the article was passed, 30 to four. The full text of the Recreational Marijuana Establishments bylaws are available at the Town Clerk’s office during business hours, or on the Town’s website, in the public records section, under “10-4-18 Special Town Meeting.”
Residents are reminded if they wish to vote in the State Elections Nov. 6, or in future town meetings, they need to register to vote with the Town Clerk prior to Oct. 17. The office, located in Whitney Hall at 5 School St., during regular business hours on Mondays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 6 to 8 p.m. The office is closed on State and Federal Holidays.