Applicant outlines proposed cannabis retail, delivery and possible small-scale manufacturing at 1 North Main Street in Templeton

Damon Schmidt, the applicant for a proposed cannabis establishment at 1 North Main Street in Templeton, Massachusetts, told a community outreach meeting that he plans a recreational retail store and delivery service at the former Camelot site and may add small-scale product packaging and pre-roll production later.

Schmidt said the site meets the 500-foot buffer from K–12 schools, that he has obtained a special permit from the town, and that the operation will follow state security regulations. "We only sell to people age 21 and up. We check IDs multiple times before the purchase," Schmidt said. He also said the business will install interior and exterior cameras and seek to comply with 935 CMR 500 security rules.

The proposal matters locally because Schmidt said the business would return a portion of cannabis-related revenue to Templeton: "Out of the 20% sales tax ... 4% will go to Templeton," he said. He told attendees he hopes to open the retail location in September or October if outstanding state licensing issues are resolved and that staffing would likely be kept small, about "3 or 4" employees with a possible peak of five.

At the meeting Schmidt described steps that remain in the licensing process. He said a previously signed host community agreement (HCA) with Templeton was found invalid by the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC), leading to a multi-year delay and a now-resubmitted HCA. "The Cannabis Control Commission said it was invalid," Schmidt said, describing paperwork errors the town and applicant corrected. He said the CCC also identified other procedural issues in his prior filings, and the CCC licensing outcome remains pending.

Residents asked practical questions about circulation, hours and neighborhood impacts. One resident who said they own the property behind the site asked about driveway safety and children: "I'm more concerned about the driveway and people driving," the resident said. Schmidt responded that the town required an entrance-only configuration on one side of the lot, that there will be a right of way for neighboring access, and that cameras will record cars entering and leaving.

Schmidt said town approval allows installation of two drive-through lanes but noted that final CCC licensing could restrict how the drive-through may be used: "The town approved the drive through, but who knows what the CCC says," he said. He said proposed hours would be limited; the special permit lists maximum hours and he expects to operate roughly 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, with lighter hours on Sundays and some weekdays.

Schmidt described the proposed manufacturing as limited to packaging and final-product preparation and said manufacturing would require a change in local bylaws if pursued: "For manufacturing, they would have to do a bylaw change or add it," he said. He also said environmental reviews had been completed for work near the Otter River and that other property and greenhouse plans in Royalston are part of the group's broader operations.

No formal vote or new town action was taken at the outreach meeting; the session was a state-required public outreach presentation and question-and-answer period. Schmidt said the project already holds a town special permit and a host community agreement was signed and resubmitted; CCC licensing remains pending. He also said the applicant expects a provisional CCC decision at either an anticipated July 12 meeting or the second Thursday in August.

Schmidt closed by inviting further questions and saying construction and site work continue. "If anytime you have any questions, just come and see us," he said.