The meeting was notably focused on the Pine Street Inn, where residents expressed deep-seated concerns about the management of its lodging houses. A substantial portion of the discussion revolved around the need for effective oversight and compliance with town bylaws. Residents described a history of unresponsiveness and inadequate management, with some properties reportedly lacking a resident manager for extended periods. Complaints included issues related to drug activity and neighborhood safety. The board acknowledged the severity of these concerns and discussed the potential for future hearings to address compliance issues more thoroughly.

A board member voiced embarrassment over the lack of progress in resolving these issues, highlighting that the management problems seemed unique to Pine Street Inn compared to other lodging houses in the area. The board considered the possibility of requiring representatives from Pine Street Inn to attend future meetings to address these concerns directly. There was a consensus that while the board has the authority to hold hearings and invite representatives, enforcing attendance remains challenging. Ultimately, a board member expressed their intention to vote against renewing Pine Street Inn’s license until effective management could be demonstrated.

In a related discussion, the board examined the broader implications of cannabis licensing, particularly focusing on social equity and advertising practices. Concerns were raised about the lack of diversity in cannabis business ownership, with one company, Neta, facing scrutiny over its ownership structure. The board emphasized the importance of fostering diverse ownership in line with Massachusetts’ legislative intent to support communities disproportionately affected by cannabis criminalization. Neta acknowledged the issue and highlighted efforts to partner with equity applicants, though they noted the town had not reserved licenses specifically for equity applicants.

The board also addressed public dissatisfaction with advertising practices by local cannabis retailer Commonwealth Kanna. Residents and board members expressed frustration over the proliferation of promotional stickers and social media content that could potentially appeal to younger audiences. The board discussed the need for compliance with state advertising laws and considered reaching out to Commonwealth Kanna to address these issues. There was a broader conversation about the town’s role in supporting social equity within the cannabis industry, with suggestions to align local policies with state practices to better encourage diversity.

Additionally, the board reviewed several other topics, including the approval of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding allocations and the oversight of school capital improvement projects. The board approved the final slate of ARPA allocations, addressing various community needs, and discussed the complexities of managing school projects within the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The conversation highlighted the need for transparency and prioritization of existing commitments over new projects, particularly with respect to school facilities.