Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Swansea - The spokesman for an expanding marijuana dispensary and growing company in Oregon told selectmen Tuesday night that the company was looking to acquire private property in town zoned for that use, off Route 6.
Mackie Barch, of Doctor's Orders and its related nonprofit DO Health Massachusetts, said in a three-minute presentation their aim is to submit a "letter of non-opposition" they would receive from the town to the state by the end of this year.
Just as quickly he heard direct opposition from one selectmen and a list of concerns from another.
"There would not be support from me," Selectman Derek Heim, who's been a director for organizations like the YMCA and Boys and Girls Club, told Barch, sitting alone at the table facing the board.
Heim identified operation of a dispensary for "recreational" marijuana as his tipping point.
He said the police chief and school superintendent would oppose such a plant, and the use would mean, "I would not be willing to sign onto that."
When Heim held out a "maybe" if the recreational aspect were removed, Barch said, "We would not be willing to do that."
He cited competition - in a field in which the state Department of Public Health in Massachusetts alone has received 187 applications, according to its website.
Speaking quickly and with virtually no detail about the scope of this project suggested at 4 Sears Road opposite the Target plaza, Barch said if his company qualified with the state it was "kind of nebulous" whether it would be for a medical or recreational marijuana dispensary.
He said there were "unknowns" but the town "holds the cards" on permitting the facility.
On Jan. 7, two months after DO Health Massachusetts submitted an application for a dispensary, the Department of Public Health invited the company to submit a "siting profile."
That's what brought Doctor's Orders to Swansea and to Deerfield in western Massachusetts, Barch said, to obtain letters of non-opposition, and also to Leominster, where the firm recently withdrew its application after town officials favored other applicants.
After the state accepted a non-opposition letter, he said they would start negotiations on a host agreement with the town, speaking generally.
Barch at the outset said he wanted a "conversation" with the board. It took approximately 15 minutes with selectmen's input.
The landowners of the 7.3-acre tract, which sits in a manufacturing zone that Swansea designated to allow medical marijuana, are Herman and Pauline Camara of Swansea.
Their lawyer, who has gained extensive experience in the emerging field, is Will Flanagan, the former Fall River mayor who attended the meeting but did not speak.
Selectmen Chairman Robert Marquis sought assurance from Barch that Doctor's Orders would remain in place and "down the road" another entity would not take over with a different use.
Barch said they were in it for the long haul if approvals are gained.
Marquis said based upon a phone conversation he and Town Administrator John McAuliffe had with Barch the company would "employ up to 50 people."
He said such a project would be "an economic development opportunity" for the town and such uses would be "taxed at 70 percent."
He said the town would have "profit sharing in perpetuity" of the revenues he did not specify.
Marquis said documents selectmen have are "not very specific."
"What's of great interest to me is what's in it for us," Marquis said.
Vice Chairman Christopher Carreiro said he had many questions about "where the money is coming from" and how much. He wanted to know what Swansea should compare this project to.
Marquis said ultimately he wanted a "very specific proposal" that would list build-out, employment and a host agreement terms.
He also wanted Barch and Doctor's Orders "to address the distribution between a medical and recreational marijuana facility."
He asked that McAuliffe handle those discussions with the company.
His motion to take the matter under advisement passed 3-0.
Barch, saying he had to catch a plane afterward, declined to answer questions or provide background.
"I think this was a great response from the community," he said, and said he was encouraged. He promised to provide his contact information by email.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Swansea Officials Give Chilly Reaction To Company Hoping For Marijuana Facility In Town
Author: Michael Holtzman
Contact: 508-676-8211
Photo Credit: Michael Holtzman
Website: The Herald News
Mackie Barch, of Doctor's Orders and its related nonprofit DO Health Massachusetts, said in a three-minute presentation their aim is to submit a "letter of non-opposition" they would receive from the town to the state by the end of this year.
Just as quickly he heard direct opposition from one selectmen and a list of concerns from another.
"There would not be support from me," Selectman Derek Heim, who's been a director for organizations like the YMCA and Boys and Girls Club, told Barch, sitting alone at the table facing the board.
Heim identified operation of a dispensary for "recreational" marijuana as his tipping point.
He said the police chief and school superintendent would oppose such a plant, and the use would mean, "I would not be willing to sign onto that."
When Heim held out a "maybe" if the recreational aspect were removed, Barch said, "We would not be willing to do that."
He cited competition - in a field in which the state Department of Public Health in Massachusetts alone has received 187 applications, according to its website.
Speaking quickly and with virtually no detail about the scope of this project suggested at 4 Sears Road opposite the Target plaza, Barch said if his company qualified with the state it was "kind of nebulous" whether it would be for a medical or recreational marijuana dispensary.
He said there were "unknowns" but the town "holds the cards" on permitting the facility.
On Jan. 7, two months after DO Health Massachusetts submitted an application for a dispensary, the Department of Public Health invited the company to submit a "siting profile."
That's what brought Doctor's Orders to Swansea and to Deerfield in western Massachusetts, Barch said, to obtain letters of non-opposition, and also to Leominster, where the firm recently withdrew its application after town officials favored other applicants.
After the state accepted a non-opposition letter, he said they would start negotiations on a host agreement with the town, speaking generally.
Barch at the outset said he wanted a "conversation" with the board. It took approximately 15 minutes with selectmen's input.
The landowners of the 7.3-acre tract, which sits in a manufacturing zone that Swansea designated to allow medical marijuana, are Herman and Pauline Camara of Swansea.
Their lawyer, who has gained extensive experience in the emerging field, is Will Flanagan, the former Fall River mayor who attended the meeting but did not speak.
Selectmen Chairman Robert Marquis sought assurance from Barch that Doctor's Orders would remain in place and "down the road" another entity would not take over with a different use.
Barch said they were in it for the long haul if approvals are gained.
Marquis said based upon a phone conversation he and Town Administrator John McAuliffe had with Barch the company would "employ up to 50 people."
He said such a project would be "an economic development opportunity" for the town and such uses would be "taxed at 70 percent."
He said the town would have "profit sharing in perpetuity" of the revenues he did not specify.
Marquis said documents selectmen have are "not very specific."
"What's of great interest to me is what's in it for us," Marquis said.
Vice Chairman Christopher Carreiro said he had many questions about "where the money is coming from" and how much. He wanted to know what Swansea should compare this project to.
Marquis said ultimately he wanted a "very specific proposal" that would list build-out, employment and a host agreement terms.
He also wanted Barch and Doctor's Orders "to address the distribution between a medical and recreational marijuana facility."
He asked that McAuliffe handle those discussions with the company.
His motion to take the matter under advisement passed 3-0.
Barch, saying he had to catch a plane afterward, declined to answer questions or provide background.
"I think this was a great response from the community," he said, and said he was encouraged. He promised to provide his contact information by email.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Swansea Officials Give Chilly Reaction To Company Hoping For Marijuana Facility In Town
Author: Michael Holtzman
Contact: 508-676-8211
Photo Credit: Michael Holtzman
Website: The Herald News
