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Select Board previews May 5 warrant, planning board to review marijuana buffer citizen petitions
Summary
The Select Board reviewed the draft May 5 town meeting warrant, highlighting three citizen petition zoning articles addressing marijuana buffer zones; the planning board will hold a public hearing May 4 and provide recommendations before town meeting.
The Select Board spent significant time on April 7 reviewing the draft warrant for the May 5 annual town meeting and flagged three citizen petitions proposing zoning bylaw changes that would alter marijuana buffer zones for cultivation and medical treatment centers.
Town Administrator explained the petitions were delivered late (February 27–28) and said the planning board will hold a public hearing on May 4 to vet the three zoning changes and return a recommendation to the select board. "The petitioners will be the ones presenting at the town meeting," the administrator said, adding that the planning board will opine on the proposals before citizens vote.
Board members asked whether the citizen-petitioned zoning changes require a two-thirds vote and were told the required threshold varies by article; the administrator said she will confirm vote requirements with the town clerk. The board also discussed typical placement of zoning articles and whether citizen petitions should be placed earlier or later in the meeting agenda to balance debate and timely budget votes.
The select board did not alter the content of the citizen petitions and agreed to let the planning board process and public-hearing schedule proceed. Residents with questions about the citizen petitions were encouraged to attend the planning board hearing on May 4 and town meeting on May 5.
