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Foster council hears updates and resident concerns about stalled Compassion Center project
Summary
Councilors and staff said the Compassion Center’s construction has halted amid state review for environmental and remediation issues; residents expressed concerns about security, public notice and potential local impacts. The council agreed to pursue public information and additional liaison with state regulators but took no binding action.
Council members raised the status of a proposed Compassion Center (a medical/recreational cannabis facility) that has been discussed in prior meetings. Staff and some councilors reported the project’s progress is currently blocked by state agency review and remediation requirements; the meeting record referenced Department of Environmental Management involvement and missed remediation timelines.
S11, who has met recently with the owner and contractor, said the center’s timeline slipped (originally anticipated opening mid‑October) and that the town has received multiple resident inquiries. Police and planning staff described mitigation steps they have discussed with project managers, including security measures and camera access for law enforcement. The police chief and captain noted they had been working behind the scenes to coordinate with the project’s security staff.
Several residents said they had not realized the project had been approved previously and asked for clearer public information. Council members suggested a public information meeting and additional outreach; S12 (Planning Board attendee) confirmed the project has appeared repeatedly on the planning-board agenda and that agendas are posted. Councilors emphasized that the state deploys licensing and enforcement authority and that the town’s options are limited while state reviews are underway.
No enforcement action or changes to approvals were taken at the meeting; councilors asked staff to continue to liaise with state regulators and the applicant and to plan an informational session for residents once there is a clearer schedule from the state.
