Everyone Mellow with Plans to Move Marijuana Retail Facility to Spring Street
The property at 682 Spring Street
by Inanna Arthen
At its meeting on Monday, November 25, the Winchendon Board of Selectmen held a Community Outreach Meeting to give information and invite citizen comment on a proposed marijuana retail facility at 682 Spring Street.
This facility had originally been planned for a site on Rte 202 that had formerly been a store called Stuff 'n' Things, near the Lake Dennison recreation area. Neighbors objected to the proposal as they felt it was too close to a school bus stop and other things attractive to children. At Fall Special Town Meeting, voters approved zoning bylaw amendments to extend the marijuana retail overlay district on Rte 140 and remove the overlay district around Stuff 'n' Things.
The new proposed location is a building just to the east of Little Anthony's Seafood Emporium restaurant. It also had formerly been a retail store which went out of business some years ago.
Anthony Parrinello, Operations and Strategic Advisor for the 202 Trading Company, gave a presention on the proposed retail facility. Also partners in the 202 Trading Company are Stephen Chaisson, who will handle Operations and Security, and Marla and Walter LaGrassa, who own Little Anthony's Seafood Emporium as well as the property at 682 Spring Street.
Mr. Parrinello stated that the facility will sell marijuana flower, pre-rolled joints, hash, rosin and oils, edibles, accessories, and vaporizer cartridges (when and if the statewide ban on those is rescinded). The store will be open to adults over 21 only. All regulations and restrictions specified in the town zoning bylaws and the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will be rigorously followed.
Professional security consultants will be hired to create a state-of-the-art security system, including motion detectors, alarm systems, 24-hour video monitoring of the interior and exterior, electronic keyed access, an entry Mantrap so customers can be vetted before coming inside, and a hardened vault to store product with panic alarms.
Measures will be taken to ensure that product is not attractive or accessible to minors. Product packaging will avoid bright colors, cartoons or similar graphics, nothing will be sold in packaging to resemble existed branded products, and all products will carry several warning labels. Products will be in tamper-proof child-resistant packaging. The facility will have strict inventory tracking and control procedures and will engage actively with the Winchendon Police and other community stakeholders. The interior of the store will not be visible from outside. No consumption of products will be permitted in the facility or on the property outside.
Mr. Parrinello explained the benefits the town will receive from 202 Trading Company's business. The town will receive a 3% tax on all sales, plus an additional 3% Community Impact Fee. The company expects to hire around 12 employees and will give preference to Winchendon residents when hiring. 202 Trading Company has negotiated a Host Community Agreement with the Town of Winchendon, and plans to donate funds to local community non-profit groups, such as the Kiwanis backpack program at the schools.
After Mr. Parrinello completed his presentation, there was one question from a community member, who asked if abuttors had been notified. The reply was that all abuttors had been contacted and all of them indicated no concerns with the new facility in that area.
The Board of Selectman approved a motion to recommend to the Town Manager that the town enter into the Host Community Agreement with 202 Trading Company.
Toy Town FYIs
The Winchendon Transfer Station will be closed on Friday, November 29.
Tuesday, October 15: The annual draw-down of Lake Monomomac will begin and will continue until it reaches the new winter draw down level of 3 feet on or around December 1st. The drop in the water level during the winter months allows property owners to do maintenance to their waterfront, including docks, walls, and beaches. It also helps with the weed control.
Be aware that the lower level increases the danger of hitting submerged rocks, trees or other hidden obstacles. Extreme caution should be taken by boat owners if you are planning to get in some late fall boating or fishing.
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