[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6590205,"mediaKeyId","5607405-90e0c32d1904a8cf7d62791339b4f04a","parentId",5607405,"title","Lakeville limits adult-use marijuana to industrial zone, authorizes related uses and a 3% local sales excise","audioSeconds",1786,"startMs",2613000,"endMs",4399000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5607405-90e0c32d1904a8cf7d62791339b4f04a&start=2613&end=4399","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5607405-90e0c32d1904a8cf7d62791339b4f04a/thumbnail_2613000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6590205/Massachusetts/Lakeville-limits-adult-use-marijuana-to-industrial-zone-authorizes-related-uses-and-a-3-local-sales-excise","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6590205-70076a8cf665690f006c0c4d82267e4a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198311&Signature=KNTDyCjuIZooUz7Ce6cI2l1BWpSEcEbw0HTuyPrTKYjaWrCZndeHAzJTvPV9l-mI3DupB4BZeefbdaTW182sQdF28Fb251SRrphRavkjys~BRKXiokBVCvPtO8gxRrwUS-whYyUeKRkTJgLh8oyj-aamS6kxYLvMKnUaNW7pBq5n8LEV1CGZIrXJ7c3ZwGHhMSx6Sy1IKAnh1IgHeeoNxvjyWVjvq9-Ji324r7ACCY-epnRo6fhGhOTLtJZwCMdUPc9bGvYv6~8OjSWBZFm~YNB3vC6h7QYaJdQpZy6vVNs0VRLCC~eq227yA1MGqRf3~pOqKzocfyaLTdZ8Wjytcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lakeville","date","2025-08-20T20:03:05.873Z","article","Lakeville voters approved a set of zoning and tax articles allowing adult-use (recreational) marijuana activity in the town's industrial zoning district and permitting ancillary marijuana-related businesses, while authorizing the town to collect a 3 percent local excise on retail sales.

The package: voters passed four related warrant articles. Article 9 limits adult-use marijuana retailers to the industrial zoning district by special permit; Article 10 permits other adult-use marijuana establishments in the industrial district (except retailers under the Article 9 definition); Article 11 gives the Planning Board special-permit authority and lays out criteria for those permits; and Article 12 accepts MGL chapter 64, section 3 to impose a 3 percent local excise on sales by any marijuana retailer operating in town (the excise applies only if retail sales are authorized and occur). Each article passed with the following recorded counts: Article 9 passed 75-27 (two-thirds required); Article 10 passed 68-15 (two-thirds required); Article 11 passed 82-1 (two-thirds required); Article 12 passed by a majority vote (counts not recorded aloud for final tally in transcript excerpt).

Why it mattered: the package collectively creates a controlled local framework for adult-use marijuana in Lakeville: retail sales are not banned, but will be restricted to industrial-zoned parcels subject to special-permit review and host-community agreements if retailers seek to locate in town. Town officials said that restricting uses to industrial zones narrows where retail can be sited while preserving the option for voters or the selectmen to consider further restrictions at a future town meeting.

Exchange with residents and applicants: the articles drew extended public comment. Opponents said they were concerned about traffic, public safety and the town's previous ballot result opposing legalization; supporters and prospective operators said tax revenue and job creation would accrue to Lakeville if sales were located in town. Prospective operators and growers who spoke identified three companies engaged with local boards: Tricome Health (also referred to as Tricome/Trichome), Nature's Remedy and Bountiful Farms. A representative of a medical/marijuana firm told the meeting the three operations collectively could create dozens of local jobs and generate significant taxable sales, and said that if Lakeville does not permit sales, revenue would go to neighboring communities.

Law enforcement: the police chief (unnamed in the transcript) urged that legalization is already state law and that local law enforcement will enforce impaired-driving and other laws regardless of where retail sales are located.

Host agreements and future options: Selectmen said they do not intend to negotiate a host-community agreement for recreational retail if the voters reject the zoning articles, and one selectman said he would bring a prohibition article to a future fall town meeting if voters wanted a complete ban. Meeting participants asked about the ability of existing medical operators to expand or convert to adult-use operations; town counsel and selectmen explained conversion would require separate state licensing and local host agreements and would be reviewed under zoning and special-permit processes.

Votes at a glance: Article 9 (allow adult-use retailers in industrial zoning by special permit) passed 75-27; Article 10 (allow other adult-use establishments in industrial zoning by special permit) passed 68-15; Article 11 (planning-board special-permit provisions for adult-use establishments) passed 82-1; Article 12 (accept MGL c.64, \u0000 3 to impose 3% local excise on retail marijuana sales) passed by majority vote.

The suite of votes does not itself authorize any retail operation to open immediately; operators must obtain state licenses and local host-community agreements and comply with special-permit conditions overseen by the Planning Board.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2018 Lakeville Annual Town Meeting, 6/4/18 ARCHIVE","oneSentenceSummary","After extended public comment, Lakeville town meeting voted to allow adult-use marijuana operations in the industrial zoning district by special permit, to permit ancillary marijuana-related establishments, to give planning board special-permit oversight, and to accept a 3% local excise on retail marijuana sales.","taxTitle","Town of Lakeville, Plymouth County, Massachusetts","taxId",58187,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6590210,"Town approves parks, landfill, capital purchases and smaller appropriations",429,1512000,1941000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5607405-90e0c32d1904a8cf7d62791339b4f04a&start=1512&end=1941","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5607405-90e0c32d1904a8cf7d62791339b4f04a/thumbnail_1512000.jpg","/articles/6590210/Massachusetts/Town-approves-parks-landfill-capital-purchases-and-smaller-appropriations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6590210-554c9c71d0e8fd658f098d46d0cc8204/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198311&Signature=Ce-3R5W6zjHCIHDYM0kQB06dxNbu0iZ0Jrx-2yRToy6pgrJl9Qi24HVayg0QadZ4bT21faDxWGH9MRRxhOu5Hf5NKKZia7YMREBTRFZRP~hrkn9797TLZIIX4LfsnTS-PmWPtYn9QTks5EunovCp1udroMXNsH5WdFfzF0VJcLRj7ObyY6fr0vqM7OoHH5lhnO--9qA62ytu8ya14R3ubvRU14sxGN4s0alHpfl2EMpYm-PN8I0VARCf6-WA6844r7Geem~2hZr-cBjHDT6y-jWdTf17viG9ZrNPf0Hkc5VLISCGr191D8IX041LcDipD6otXIEY4y-9qd5bz75K~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Voters at the Town of Lakeville annual meeting approved several enterprise and capital warrant articles that will fund parks operations, landfill support, public safety equipment and other town projects.

Highlights of votes and appropriations:

- Article 2: Park Department enterprise fund appropriation of $330,000 (including $78,250 from retained earnings and $251,750 from estimated receipts). Finance Committee recommended approval; the article was approved unanimously by voice vote.

- Article 3: Landfill enterprise appropriation of $375,700 (including $105,000 raised by taxation and $270,700 from landfill receipts). Finance Committee recommended approval; the article passed by unanimous vote.

- Article 4: $20,000 appropriation to cover contractual retirement obligations (accrued vacation and eligible sick-leave buyback); finance committee recommended approval and the article passed unanimously. Officials noted the town already held roughly $51,000 in the account and the new amount adds to that balance to cover several anticipated larger retirements.

- Article 5: Capital improvements totaling $548,660 including two new police cruisers ($83,518 net), self-contained breathing apparatus for fire ($155,160), highway equipment and chassis ($160,000), senior center generator ($50,000) and other items. Funding sources cited in the motion included $205,160 from sale-of-land proceeds (Howland Road) and $343,500 from the Debt Service Capital Project Stabilization Fund. The article passed unanimously; town officials noted the senior center generator was prioritized after recent winter outages.

- Article 6: Transfer of $33,514 from the debt service capital project stabilization fund to purchase and equip a dump truck and plow for the school department (the expense is shared with Freetown); the article passed unanimously.

- Article 7: Transfer and appropriation of $9,945 into the septic loan program (town betterment fund), enabling low-interest loans to residents for septic repair/replacement; article approved unanimously.

- Article 8: $5,000 appropriation to the Middleborough-Lakeville Herring Fishery Commission for pilot projects to protect river herring passage on the Namasket River; finance committee recommended approval and the article passed by majority vote (one opposed).

Why it matters: the capital and enterprise votes supply equipment and fund programs that officials said are needed for operations and public safety. Several voters asked about frequency of cruiser replacement and use of Howland Road sale proceeds for capital, and staff explained vehicle rotation and the rationale for using land-sale proceeds for capital items.

The meeting moved next to zoning and other items.","Lakeville town meeting approved a package of enterprise fund appropriations, capital purchases and smaller funds including parks enterprise, landfill support, septic loan replenishment, and a $548,660 capital program that includes police cruisers and a senior center generator.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6590215,"Lakeville approves $27.67 million fiscal 2019 budget after debate over health benefits",1284,172000,1456000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5607405-90e0c32d1904a8cf7d62791339b4f04a&start=172&end=1456","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5607405-90e0c32d1904a8cf7d62791339b4f04a/thumbnail_172000.jpg","/articles/6590215/Massachusetts/Lakeville-approves-2767-million-fiscal-2019-budget-after-debate-over-health-benefits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6590215-82b25a1c4ae884fe9a5f14ae26365986/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198311&Signature=BpEppaYKsPIZAeDM~5Wvcli8Ih-jAgmHtuAhtUebzBLq1PSTk1Kj3zyov9ow2IGSQyEYox4s3YxcVRj8EH3yQguLmZVJBIS81IuAjPhgqE9oP9h9sOJ2oxJTS5xu0A~OAHc40QjjQX6mmYQhTIVZLHL4DAfo5mo~VFx2cIe5NPCbnORIQMCxBHf7yHD99Mbi~8D46hSXcjnbJWVnBjhZGGgpmXE7L1uuED0quwshBUMbUfqeD2a-WmDer~fTY6Qpj5-~3nNWZUOScqc82-L9WitQYMLA0-5YEpydlnjbYkIDC2a~aJg14YSRKEcMyRju2V0Vo6gGz-1dt79nRc1pig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lakeville voters approved the town's fiscal 2019 operating budget, including a $2.22 million health insurance appropriation, after about an hour of questions and explanation about who is eligible for town health coverage and how much the town contributes.

The warrant motion, read by the moderator, asked the town to \"raise and appropriate $27,370,280, transfer $5,415 from the Massachusetts Water Pollution Trust, transfer $25,000 from the sale of land proceeds, $200,000 from the Debt Service Capital Project Stabilization Fund, and $70,425 from the Stabilization Fund for a total of $27,671,120 to defray town expenses for the fiscal period 07/01/2018 to 06/30/2019,\" and referenced the handout titled \"Town of Lakeville Fiscal Year 2019 Budget.\" The motion passed by a vote of 111 to 1, above the two-thirds threshold required because the budget uses stabilization and other reserves.

Why it matters: the budget sets spending for core town services and includes several large line items that town officials said required explanation for voters, notably the health insurance aggregate line and the use of one-time and stabilization funds to balance spending.

Town staff and voters pressed for and received clarifications during the budget reading. A town official explained that eligibility for town health insurance is determined by state standards and that employees who work 20 hours or more per week are treated as eligible for full-time benefits. The town official also described the negotiated cost-sharing for active employees: the most generous plan has the town paying roughly 75 percent of premiums, a common PPO plan is about 65 percent town-paid and 35 percent employee-paid, and new hires were negotiated to a 50/50 split. Responses at the meeting identified an opt-out stipend budgeted to encourage eligible employees to decline town coverage: $2,500 for employees on a single plan and $5,000 for family coverage.

During the discussion a resident and insurance professional questioned whether the town's plan really had no deductible, saying deductibles are common and can materially reduce cost. Town staff and the moderator said the town participates in a Gateway Group purchasing pool and is constrained by state rules that require benefits at least as good as the GIC state plan; staff offered to continue the conversation outside town meeting.

Budget detail and administration: town staff explained that the health insurance appropriation is presented as a single line rather than broken out by department because the town uses a single operational account to avoid repeated transfers between departments during the fiscal year. The accounting official said an exhibit could be prepared for future meetings showing departmental breakouts if voters want those details.

Other budget context raised during the vote: a finance committee member described the year's budget process and said the town began with roughly $1 million in department requests above revenue forecasts, that the assessors' overlay holdback was reduced this year because of a current-year surplus, and that no net new positions were requested beyond replacements and some promotions in public safety.

The meeting then proceeded to other warrant articles.","At the Town of Lakeville annual meeting, voters approved a $27,671,120 fiscal 2019 budget after questions about employee health insurance eligibility, contribution rates and an opt-out stipend. The measure passed by more than the required two-thirds vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lakeville limits adult-use marijuana to industrial zone, authorizes related uses and a 3% local sales excise

Town approves parks, landfill, capital purchases and smaller appropriations

Lakeville approves $27.67 million fiscal 2019 budget after debate over health benefits