FARMINGTON — Selectmen Tuesday night, March 23, approved amendments to the town’s marijuana ordinance and will put them before voters at a special town meeting May 11.
The Town of Farmington Adult Use and Medical Marijuana Stores, Cultivation Facilities, Manufacturing Facilities, and Testing Facilities Ordinance was adopted by voters at the March 2019 Town Meeting.
“This is the result of discussion at the prior meeting, how to ensure people are paying their fees for these licenses,” Town Manager Richard Davis said. “In some cases the fees are quite substantial, have had some that have been outstanding for awhile.”
The amendments include:
•Applicants must sign a promissory agreement unconditionally promising to pay for the license/permit fees upon approval.
•In order to retain an active license/permit and keep it current, renewal fees must be paid on or before the anniversary date of the initial approval.
•Failure to make payments when due will result in immediate suspension of license/permit if fees remain unpaid 30 days thereafter and operations must cease immediately.
•Licensees cannot file a new Notification of Intent to file a new application until all delinquent fees have been paid and will go to the bottom of the NOI list.
•The license permit fee payment agreement (promissory note) must be signed by the treasurer, applicant and a notary public.
“It’s a fairly substantial method of ensuring payment,” Davis said. “It would have to go to special town meeting for approval.”
“It’s a little disappointing to see people haven’t paid their fees,” Selectman Joshua Bell said.
In discussing transferring an existing license, the renewal wasn’t paid, that is how this came to light, Selectman Scott Landry said.
Should we have a process to notify any others that haven’t paid to give them the same courtesy, Selectman Stephan Bunker asked.
“We can’t do anything until this amendment gets approved,” Davis said. “We found out we don’t have a method in place. This is more for renewals than new licenses.”
“It’s a start,” Selectman Chair Matthew Smith said. “This will be a moving thing, every so often we’re going to have to revisit as the industry evolves. In a couple of years there may be just one policy, not recreational or medicinal.”
“We found ourselves with an inadequacy,” Selectman Michael Fogg said. “We challenged Steve (Kaiser, CEO) to amend it and come up with wording. He did. I’m very satisfied with that.”
The warrant for the May 11 special town meeting is being worked on, Davis said.
“It’ll be shortly after the referendum town meeting,” Davis said. “The reason is the solar energy agreement. They need approval to get that in place, would like it in May.”
The town would realize huge savings on its electric bill, $140,000, Davis said. It’s a 20-year agreement, why the special town meeting is needed, he said.
A big solar installation is being built in Lewiston, Davis believes.
A subsidy from the state makes this possible, he said.
The annual town meeting will be held by referendum ballot vote at the Community Center, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, April 26. A public hearing on the articles to be voted on will be held at the Community Center 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 13.
The public may attend the hearing by viewing the livestream at http://mtbluetv.org/program-live-stream-farmington-selectmen.html or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MBTV11/. To have questions answered, call 207-778-3464.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
