Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Springfield - A City Council subcommittee has scheduled a meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 3, to review formal agreement reached between Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and the owners of a medical marijuana dispensary planned on Cottage Street in East Springfield.
The council's Health and Human Services Committee is meeting at 4 p.m., at City Hall to discuss the proposed Host Community Agreement with the selected company, Hampden Care Facility Inc., of Chicopee, planning the dispensary at 506 Cottage St.
Some city councilors have raised concerns about a clause in the host community agreement that the city - for a period of 10 years - would not issue letters of support or non-opposition to any other company wishing to create a marijuana dispensary in Springfield. The councilors said that would seem to give Hampden Care Facility the lone dispensary in the city for 10 years.
The councilors, conferring with the company and city officials including representatives of the Law Department will review that clause and others at Wednesday's committee meeting, said Adam Gomez, committee chairman.
"We're hoping that we can come down with a compromise that benefits the city of Springfield," Gomez said. "We understand the patients are waiting for this dispensary, but I believe what benefits our city is more than one dispensary. Ten years is a long time for another dispensary to come into the city of Springfield."
If an agreement can be reached, the host community agreement could return for a council vote on Aug. 15, Gomez said.
City Solicitor Edward Pikula said the agreement gives the mayor flexibility to reopen negotiations to revise or eliminate conditions.
The City Council approved a special permit for the marijuana facility project on June 27, but it is on hold pending acceptance of the host community agreement.
Under the agreement, Hampden Care Facility has agreed to make annual donations to the city based on a percentage formula of its revenues.
The annual donations will start at 3 percent of its gross revenue in 2017, in addition to a $50,000 donation to the Police Department. The donation rises to 4 percent in 2018, and to 5 percent in 2019, repeating at 5 percent in 2020 and 2021, along with $50,000 donations to the Police Department each year.
Donations continue to rise, reaching 7 percent in 2024 and subsequent years. The council voted to require that at least 33 percent of the jobs must be held by Springfield residents and at least 33 percent must be minorities.
The company also agreed to create approximately 15 new full-time jobs in Springfield at the dispensary.
The company also submitted a detailed security plan to the city including a perimeter alarm on all entry points, cameras inside and outside the center, 24-hour security; panic alarms connected to law enforcement authorities, limited access entry points, back-up generators, and security lighting.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Springfield City Council Committee Renews Talks On Medical Marijuana Dispensary
Author: Peter Goonan
Contact: Massachusetts Local News
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: Massachusetts Local News
The council's Health and Human Services Committee is meeting at 4 p.m., at City Hall to discuss the proposed Host Community Agreement with the selected company, Hampden Care Facility Inc., of Chicopee, planning the dispensary at 506 Cottage St.
Some city councilors have raised concerns about a clause in the host community agreement that the city - for a period of 10 years - would not issue letters of support or non-opposition to any other company wishing to create a marijuana dispensary in Springfield. The councilors said that would seem to give Hampden Care Facility the lone dispensary in the city for 10 years.
The councilors, conferring with the company and city officials including representatives of the Law Department will review that clause and others at Wednesday's committee meeting, said Adam Gomez, committee chairman.
"We're hoping that we can come down with a compromise that benefits the city of Springfield," Gomez said. "We understand the patients are waiting for this dispensary, but I believe what benefits our city is more than one dispensary. Ten years is a long time for another dispensary to come into the city of Springfield."
If an agreement can be reached, the host community agreement could return for a council vote on Aug. 15, Gomez said.
City Solicitor Edward Pikula said the agreement gives the mayor flexibility to reopen negotiations to revise or eliminate conditions.
The City Council approved a special permit for the marijuana facility project on June 27, but it is on hold pending acceptance of the host community agreement.
Under the agreement, Hampden Care Facility has agreed to make annual donations to the city based on a percentage formula of its revenues.
The annual donations will start at 3 percent of its gross revenue in 2017, in addition to a $50,000 donation to the Police Department. The donation rises to 4 percent in 2018, and to 5 percent in 2019, repeating at 5 percent in 2020 and 2021, along with $50,000 donations to the Police Department each year.
Donations continue to rise, reaching 7 percent in 2024 and subsequent years. The council voted to require that at least 33 percent of the jobs must be held by Springfield residents and at least 33 percent must be minorities.
The company also agreed to create approximately 15 new full-time jobs in Springfield at the dispensary.
The company also submitted a detailed security plan to the city including a perimeter alarm on all entry points, cameras inside and outside the center, 24-hour security; panic alarms connected to law enforcement authorities, limited access entry points, back-up generators, and security lighting.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Springfield City Council Committee Renews Talks On Medical Marijuana Dispensary
Author: Peter Goonan
Contact: Massachusetts Local News
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: Massachusetts Local News
