02:44:10The host community agreement discussion was particularly pressing, as the town had previously agreed to collect an additional 3% fee on top of the existing 3% from cannabis sales. The collection of these funds has been paused while awaiting the litigation outcome, with many towns having to return previously collected fees due to legal challenges. Legal counsel from KP Law noted that if the litigation favored host communities, retroactive collection of fees could ensue; if not, the clause would be nullified while preserving the rest of the agreement. The uncertainty surrounding potential liabilities—described as possibly owing “a couple hundred thousand dollars”—complicated business operations and relationships. Business representatives called for documentation of specific town impacts to justify additional fees, which they claimed had not been provided. There was also concern about the role of KP Law in the matter, with suspicions about their billing motivations and calls for removing the additional 3% to allow for more realistic business planning.

03:12:04In other business, the Board discussed proposed changes to the operational hours of the cannabis business Tarpine Journey, which aimed to open an hour earlier to facilitate deliveries. Concerns were raised about potential neighborhood disruptions, and the importance of maintaining positive community relations was emphasized. The Board also reviewed traffic changes, particularly making Elm Place a one-way street based on community input, and discussed the introduction of temporary speed bumps to address perceived speed issues.

01:30:35The meeting also saw the presentation of a significant affordable housing project for veterans by Benabirth Housing, named Veterans Crossing. This development aims to provide 41 units of affordable housing for seniors and local veterans, with architectural designs inspired by traditional New England styles. The project, requiring Select Board approval for schematic designs, addresses environmental impacts by relocating an existing culvert and committing to explore green building practices.

02:13:53The session included updates on the ongoing seawall repair at Mission on the Bay. The repair, requiring operation on town property, involves two potential solutions: a straightforward revetment and a more complex sister wall. The Board’s role was emphasized as acknowledging the need for work on town-owned land rather than choosing the solution, with state agency evaluations playing a critical role.

Community engagement remained a focal point, with calls for a public meeting to gather feedback on the Veterans Crossing project, ideally at a venue like the senior center to make it more accessible. The importance of clear communication was stressed, particularly regarding the schematic design phase and not tenant selection processes.