Templeton select board approves appointments, one‑day license and marijuana host community agreement; tables annual warrant for more review

The Town of Templeton Select Board voted on a series of administrative items at its regular meeting, approving several appointments, one temporary alcohol permit and a local host community agreement while delaying final action on the annual town meeting warrant.

The board unanimously appointed Interim Town Administrator Holly Young as the town’s records access officer. Select Board member Mr. Curry moved to appoint Young, saying, “I move to appoint interim town administrator Holly Young as the records access officer for the town of Templeton.” The motion passed with all members voting yes.

Also approved was a one‑day wine and malt license for Dirt Church Brewing Company LLC to hold an event on April 13 from noon to 5 p.m. Anna Cronin, listed in the agenda as the business’s authorized representative, appeared remotely and confirmed the application was complete. The license passed on a unanimous roll call.

The board approved a host community agreement (HCA) with Royal Sun Farm (marijuana cultivator and product manufacturer) and authorized the chair to sign the final contract. Board members indicated town counsel had reviewed final text; the motion passed unanimously.

The board voted to delegate limited contract authority to the interim town administrator for agreements up to $25,000. Interim Administrator Holly Young and others explained the need so routine operational contracts can be executed between meetings; the board approved the motion 4‑0.

Other votes included a lien release for 51 Walnut Street (Baldwinville) and the board’s decision to sign and submit a letter to the Montachusett Regional Planning Organization asking that Route 68 remain on the MPO’s priority list for design funding.

On the warrant for the annual town meeting the board paused final approval. After extended discussion about Article 7 (a proposed surplus/easement related to a sewer project) and other budget items, the board voted to table the town meeting warrant and return with clarifying language and additional legal and technical review on April 23.

Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes (03/26/25 and 04/01/25): passed 4‑0 (Mr. Bennett, Mr. Curry, Ms. Griffith, Chair Tim Toth). - Appointment: Interim Town Administrator Holly Young as Records Access Officer: passed 4‑0. - One‑day wine & malt license — Dirt Church Brewing Company LLC (04/13/2025 noon–5 p.m.): passed 4‑0. - Host Community Agreement — Royal Sun Farm (marijuana cultivator/manufacturer): passed unanimously; chair authorized to sign. - Delegation of contract signing authority to Interim TA up to $25,000: passed 4‑0. - Lien release — 51 Walnut Street (Baldwinville): passed 4‑0. - Town warrant (annual town meeting): motion to table pending research and clarifying Article 7 (sewer easement/surplus) and budget numbers; passed 4‑0. - Route 68 MPO letter (requesting continued design funding on TIP list): passed 4‑0.

Why this matters These routine administrative decisions keep town operations running — delegating modest contract authority speeds procurement between meetings, and appointing a records access officer fulfills an immediate statutory requirement. The decision to table the annual warrant matters because it delays formal presentation of several warrant articles to town meeting while the board seeks legal and technical clarification, including a contentious Article 7 that drew detailed public comment.

What’s next The board asked staff to return language clarifying Article 7 and budget line items at the April 23 meeting so the warrant can be finalized ahead of the town meeting schedule. Several administrative items signed by the chair will be filed with town clerks and relevant agencies.