Board asks Buds Goods for application packet and defers host‑community decision on former Apotheca site

Buds Goods, through counsel and principal Alex Mazin, appeared before the Select Board seeking consideration of a draft Host Community Agreement (HCA) for the former Apotheca location at 333 Massachusetts Ave. Counsel explained the site is entering an asset transfer under a court‑ordered receivership and that Buds Goods seeks to acquire the lease and transfer operations to its team. Mazin described his company as an established operator with existing retail outlets and packaging capacity and said he would be local and hands‑on.

Board members discussed procedure and municipal authority. Town counsel and board members emphasized that municipal HCA approval is separate from the state Cannabis Control Commission's change‑of‑ownership process and that the 2019 HCA criteria remain a useful guide. The board asked Buds Goods to submit the standard applicant packet — including the LOI/lease transfer documentation, principals and management background, staffing and security plans and any evidence of local operations — so the board and staff can evaluate the request consistently with prior HCAs. The board agreed to schedule further review and discussion at an upcoming meeting and suggested targeting the September 14 Select Board meeting for follow‑up so members have time to review materials.