The Rochester Select Board Monday took under advisement the proposed adoption of a new Special Equity Policy regarding marijuana establishments, out of concern the regulation will limit who can receive that type of business license.
The policy that the state is mandating every city and town adopt requires towns to grant permits for marijuana-related establishments to minority-owned businesses. The theory is that minorities were the most adversely affected by the past illegality of marijuana.
In an appearance with the board on Zoom, Town Counsel Elizabeth Lydon explained that the town has three options to comply with this mandate: adopt the policy exclusively for three years, adopt a model bylaw setting the policy in town regulations, or merely put the policy into the permitting process. In any of these cases, a socially-equitable applicant must get the permit.
Select Board member Brad Morse pushed back, saying adopting this mandate means that if someone comes to town to request a marijuana establishment who does not fit the social equity criteria, the town can’t approve the permit. The town is considering one applicant for a marijuana establishment already. Beyond this application, a second permit applicant would have to match the “social equitable” definition. “It’s just wrong,” he said. “I don’t like being told we can’t have a certain business in town.”
Lydon said the only way around this mandate was for the applicant in question to partner with a minority business owner. Both Morse and fellow member Paul Ciaburri indicated they disagreed with this mandate. “We want to encourage more business in town, not less,” Morse said.
“To summarize,” Town Administrator Cameron Durant said, “this is something that the town should have done since 2022 (when marijuana-related establishments were first allowed).”
Morse and Ciaburri chose to take the policy change under advisement and await absent member Adam Murphy’s return at its next meeting for a formal vote.
In other action, the board appointed Stephen Doonan, a town resident since 2014, to the Historic District Committee.
The board approved newly appointed Park Commission member Douglas Sims as a Special Employee. Durant explained this designation will avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest, as he is also a member of the Old Rochester Youth Baseball League and mans the league’s snack shack.
The board acknowledged the town has received $179,671.94 from the Massachusetts Senate Committee on Ways and Means’ Winter Recovery Assistance Program. Durant said these funds will be used to town roadwork.
Board of Selectmen’s next meeting will be Monday July 20 at 6:00 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.
Rochester Select Board
By Michael J. DeCicco