CHARLTON – HealthWise Foundation presented its site plan for a medical marijuana dispensary Wednesday in the first of what is of what is expected to be several Planning Board public hearings.
Attorney James A. McMahon of HealthWise Foundation Inc. is seeking site plan approval for the vacant property at 46 Worcester Road (Route 20) at Route 31. The property is zoned Community Business.
The public hearing was continued to Dec. 6.
Therapeutic marijuana sales, Mr. McMahon said, will be strictly regulated. He said people without a state-issued cannabis identification card will not be permitted on the property, and marijuana use will be prohibited on the property. On-site private security guards will enforce the regulations. Additionally, he said, the Police Department will have real-time access to the internal and external security camera feeds.
“That’s one of the reasons we chose this site. It’s right down the hill from the police station,” Mr. McMahon said.
HealthWise engineer Zac Couture of HS&T Group presented the plan for upgrading the 12-space parking lot, outdoor lighting and storm water management.
Graves Engineering peer reviewed the plan and identified issues that were deemed minor. HealthWise, it was reported, is addressing those concerns.
One resident spoke against allowing a marijuana business in town. One spoke in favor of improving the blighted portion of the intersection, while others asked questions and received answers.
Selectmen approved a host agreement with the nonprofit in April.
During the selectmen’s hearings, Mr. McMahon said the plan is to expand the medical sales to include recreational marijuana when permitted to do so by the state.
By majority vote at the May town meeting, residents made it known to selectmen that they oppose a retail recreational marijuana store in town.
The Planning Board informed Mr. McMahon that HealthWise must come back before the board if recreational marijuana will be introduced.
HealthWise will cultivate the marijuana at a 153,000-square-foot facility in North Brookfield.
The company has purchased the building at Masonic Home Road (Route 31) and the two parcels behind it.
In addition to needing site plan approval, the dispensary needs a license from the Board of Health, which will determine the hours of operation.
credit:telegram.com
