Pubdate: Tue, 11 Jun 2013
Source: Sun Chronicle (Attleboro, MA)
Copyright: 2013 Sun Chronicle
Contact:  http://www.thesunchronicle.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3184
Author: Stephen Peterson

WRENTHAM TOWN MEETING APPROVES MEDICAL MARIJUANA MORATORIUM

WRENTHAM - A request to adopt a temporary moratorium on medical
marijuana treatment centers in town sparked a lot of the debate at the
second night of the annual town meeting Tuesday, but was supported.

Just 48 residents turned out to King Philip Regional High School - a
far cry from the 499 who came through the doors for Monday night's
first session. And instead of lasting to almost midnight, the second
session wrapped up business about 9 p.m.

Voters passed a statewide ballot question in November allowing for the
marijuana dispensaries for medical purposes, and since then, the town
has received several inquiries about the subject, town officials said.

Following in the footsteps of other communities, planning board
members and local officials decided a one-year moratorium is needed to
allow the town enough time to plan for the impact and operation of
such businesses since zoning doesn't allow them.

"This isn't some small operation," Selectman Charles Kennedy said. "We
need to find out how zoning fits into this. Giving it extra time I
think is a wise move."

Everett Skinner, a planning board member, opposed the moratorium.
"People spoke and voted," Skinner said. "I don't think the town should
further regulate it to the point of excluding them. They should be
able to start."

The moratorium was approved 29-9.

Several other zoning proposals passed with little discussion. One
increases the size of buildings in the center of town from 10,000 to
15,000 square feet. Local officials hope to see the former Crosby
Valve site redeveloped into commercial use.

Voters revised the adult entertainment district bylaw that was
approved at the November town meeting that focuses sex-oriented
businesses such as X-rated video stores and strip clubs to about 20
acres in a commercial zone off Route 1A and near the Norfolk line and
that town's industrial park.

The state Attorney General's office had disapproved certain sections
of the bylaw.

Another zoning bylaw regulates solar farms that are becoming more
popular and growing in size.
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