Woolwich to talk marijuana, other rules
The frame for Woolwich’s new informational sign was installed recently. Courtesy of Allison Hepler
The frame for Woolwich’s new informational sign was installed recently. Courtesy of Allison Hepler
The Woolwich select board will meet with the planning board at 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 15 at the town office to discuss codes and ordinances including the possible regulation of recreational retail marijuana establishments.
A regular meeting of the select board will follow at 6 p.m.
Chairman David King Sr. said he first asked for the meeting with the planning board to clarify a number of ambiguities in the town ordinances.
“Since then we’ve had questions concerning the establishment of future recreational retail marijuana businesses,” he explained.
The past year Woolwich has had one medical marijuana business open on Route 1. A second one is preparing to open. The state has yet to establish guidelines for businesses cultivating and selling marijuana for recreation use.
“Selectman Allen Greene is attending Maine Municipal Association’s annual convention this week and I’m sure the subject will be a topic,” added King.
The select board is considering a town meeting article related to recreational marijuana establishments. “Any article the select board might bring forward would need to be discussed at a public hearing,” said Selectman Allison Hepler. “I’m dismayed at the lack of direction the state has provided thus far. Whenever one of the select board members has attended a workshop, the information they provided has changed.”
Hepler hopes a discussion between the select and planning boards will shed some light on a path forward. “The townspeople will eventually need to decide which way they want to go with this.”
King said another ordinance in need of addressing concerns structures destroyed by fire or natural causes. “The ordinance states a property owner must clean up the property within 60 days after a building has been destroyed but doesn’t say what happens if they don’t comply,” he explained.
Also Monday, Selectman Jason Shaw said an electrical conduit and frame have been installed for the town's new electronic sign. The informational sign will be located alongside Route 1 behind the Woolwich Historical Society’s Farmhouse Museum. Shelter Institute partnered with Jack Shaw & Sons to design, build and install the new sign frame, jointly donating all of the labor and materials. This replaces a sign blown away in a storm last year. Selectman Shaw said the new sign would be installed within the next two weeks.
The fire department's annual open house is set for 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17 at the firehouse. The event coincides with other fire department activities at Woolwich Central School planned for Fire Prevention Week.
Road Commissioner Jack Shaw said the town is finishing up its roadside mowing for this year. It will be completed within a week or two.
The town office reported the "Age Friendliness" survey included in the recent tax bill contained an error. The correct link to the survey is:
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