Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Holyoke - Supporters, foes and others can comment on a plan to put a medical marijuana dispensary in the Springdale Neighborhood at a public hearing to be held next month or early October, a city councilor said Tuesday.
Ordinance Committee Chairwoman Linda L. Vacon said time is needed to post notice of such a public hearing and to schedule the session in between previously arranged committee business.
Notice of the public hearing must be published at least 14 days before the hearing and must be published at least twice, Assistant City Solicitor Kara Cunha said. Vacon said that means the hearing on the medical marijuana proposal probably will be held in September or early October.
The City Council Tuesday referred to the Ordinance Committee an application for a special permit to open a medical marijuana facility at 630 Beaulieu St. The location is in an industrial zone in the same neighborhood as the city wastewater treatment plant, a trash transfer station and the entrance to Interstate 391.
Debilitating Medical Condition Treatment Center, a nonprofit organization, has applied for the special permit to open a medical marijuana dispensary.
Principals of that organization are Heriberto Flores, president of the New England Farm Workers Council,of Springfield; Brian P. Lees, who formerly was a Republican state senator and Hampden County clerk of courts, of East Longmeadow; Mary E. Frey, wife of former Hampden district attorney William M. Bennett, of Longmeadow; and lawyer Tonia Butler Perez of Springfield.
Flores is listed on the special permit application as the applicant and Lees' is the contact name. Flores also is listed as president and a director of the corporation in documents on file with the state secretary of state's office. Bennett, who was district attorney for 20 years, is listed as attorney for the nonprofit organization in corporate filings with the state secretary of state's office. He also has represented Flores in other matters.
Massachusetts voters in 2012 permitted medical marijuana facilities by approving a statewide ballot question, and state law prohibits a city or town from banning such facilities.
But, as City Council President Kevin A. Jourdain has said, the medical marijuana ordinance the city adopted in August 2014 gives the city control in two ways. The city can restrict where such facilities can operate, such as in industrial zones and not in residential neighborhoods. And the special permit process allows for scrutiny such as a public hearing for discussion of security measures and hours of operation, he said.
Flores was accompanied by Holyoke lawyer Joan M. Dietz to the City Council meeting at City Hall. Neither spoke during the meeting.
In comments after the council meeting Tuesday, Flores said the facility will employ about 20 people, with Holyokers getting some preference.
"I want people from Holyoke, some of these jobs, to go to Holyoke people," Flores said.
He has spoken with Holyoke police about the facility and will stay in touch with people who live in the neighborhood, he said.
During a brief discussion, before the special permit request was referred to committee, Councilor at Large Howard B. Greaney Jr. made a reference to Flores and Lees not being Holyokers.
Ward 2 Councilor Nelson R. Roman, in whose ward the facility would operate, said Flores and Dietz had already reached out to people in the Springdale Neighborhood to discuss the facility.
"I just want to commend them," Roman said.
Councilor at Large Joseph M. McGiverin said he was looking at the proposal from Debilitating Medical Condition Treatment Center as a new business offering jobs and property tax revenue.
Improvements planned for 630 Beaulieu St. include installation of handicapped accessibility features from the parking area and enhanced security and lighting, the special permit application said.
Security measures will include installation of a chain link fence, which will contain lockable gates, to surround the site. The loading area also will be protected with a new fence, the application said.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Public Hearing Getting Scheduled On Medical Marijuana Plan In Holyoke
Author: Mike Plaisance
Contact: Massachusetts Local News
Photo Credit: Mike Plaisance
Website: Massachusetts Local News
Ordinance Committee Chairwoman Linda L. Vacon said time is needed to post notice of such a public hearing and to schedule the session in between previously arranged committee business.
Notice of the public hearing must be published at least 14 days before the hearing and must be published at least twice, Assistant City Solicitor Kara Cunha said. Vacon said that means the hearing on the medical marijuana proposal probably will be held in September or early October.
The City Council Tuesday referred to the Ordinance Committee an application for a special permit to open a medical marijuana facility at 630 Beaulieu St. The location is in an industrial zone in the same neighborhood as the city wastewater treatment plant, a trash transfer station and the entrance to Interstate 391.
Debilitating Medical Condition Treatment Center, a nonprofit organization, has applied for the special permit to open a medical marijuana dispensary.
Principals of that organization are Heriberto Flores, president of the New England Farm Workers Council,of Springfield; Brian P. Lees, who formerly was a Republican state senator and Hampden County clerk of courts, of East Longmeadow; Mary E. Frey, wife of former Hampden district attorney William M. Bennett, of Longmeadow; and lawyer Tonia Butler Perez of Springfield.
Flores is listed on the special permit application as the applicant and Lees' is the contact name. Flores also is listed as president and a director of the corporation in documents on file with the state secretary of state's office. Bennett, who was district attorney for 20 years, is listed as attorney for the nonprofit organization in corporate filings with the state secretary of state's office. He also has represented Flores in other matters.
Massachusetts voters in 2012 permitted medical marijuana facilities by approving a statewide ballot question, and state law prohibits a city or town from banning such facilities.
But, as City Council President Kevin A. Jourdain has said, the medical marijuana ordinance the city adopted in August 2014 gives the city control in two ways. The city can restrict where such facilities can operate, such as in industrial zones and not in residential neighborhoods. And the special permit process allows for scrutiny such as a public hearing for discussion of security measures and hours of operation, he said.
Flores was accompanied by Holyoke lawyer Joan M. Dietz to the City Council meeting at City Hall. Neither spoke during the meeting.
In comments after the council meeting Tuesday, Flores said the facility will employ about 20 people, with Holyokers getting some preference.
"I want people from Holyoke, some of these jobs, to go to Holyoke people," Flores said.
He has spoken with Holyoke police about the facility and will stay in touch with people who live in the neighborhood, he said.
During a brief discussion, before the special permit request was referred to committee, Councilor at Large Howard B. Greaney Jr. made a reference to Flores and Lees not being Holyokers.
Ward 2 Councilor Nelson R. Roman, in whose ward the facility would operate, said Flores and Dietz had already reached out to people in the Springdale Neighborhood to discuss the facility.
"I just want to commend them," Roman said.
Councilor at Large Joseph M. McGiverin said he was looking at the proposal from Debilitating Medical Condition Treatment Center as a new business offering jobs and property tax revenue.
Improvements planned for 630 Beaulieu St. include installation of handicapped accessibility features from the parking area and enhanced security and lighting, the special permit application said.
Security measures will include installation of a chain link fence, which will contain lockable gates, to surround the site. The loading area also will be protected with a new fence, the application said.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Public Hearing Getting Scheduled On Medical Marijuana Plan In Holyoke
Author: Mike Plaisance
Contact: Massachusetts Local News
Photo Credit: Mike Plaisance
Website: Massachusetts Local News
