By Melanie Petrucci, Contributing Writer
Westborough – At the Annual Town Meeting March 18, registered town voters in attendance had the opportunity to weigh in and decide the next phase of the “belts and suspenders” approach of the town opting out of the commercial and recreational sales of marijuana. This conservative approach was recommended by town counsel and Town Manager Jim Malloy, and approved by the Board of Selectmen who placed Bylaw Articles 32 and 33 on the Town Warrant and the question on the March 7 Town Election Ballot.
Ballot Question 4, which was on the Nov. 8, 2016 ballot, legalized recreational use and sales of marijuana statewide. The law provides for an opt-out provision which requires towns to amend their bylaws to prohibit non-medical related marijuana businesses.
Westborough voters in the March 7 election overwhelming voted to prohibit all commercial businesses related to recreational marijuana, 1,192 to 294.
Article 32 “would amend Article 48 of the town’s General Bylaw – Marijuana Not Medically Prescribed and consistent with MGL Ch. 94G, Section 3(a)(2) and state all types of commercial, non-medical marijuana establishments as defined in MGL. Ch. 94G, Section 1(j), to include all marijuana cultivators, marijuana testing facilities, marijuana product manufacturers, marijuana retailers, or any other types of licensed marijuana-related businesses, shall be prohibited within the Town of Westborough. Or take any other action thereon.”
Article 33 “would amend Article 4, Section 5800 of the town’s Zoning Bylaws. Again, Marijuana Not Medically Prescribed and consistent with MGL Ch. 94G, Section 3(a)(2) and state all types of commercial, non-medical marijuana establishments as defined in MGL. Ch. 94G, Section 1(j), to include all marijuana cultivators, marijuana testing facilities, marijuana product manufacturers, marijuana retailers, or any other types of licensed marijuana-related businesses, shall be prohibited within the Town of Westborough. Or take any other action thereon.”
According to Selectman George Barrette, “both articles passed easily with support from the voters including medical professionals, scientists and Al Gordon, Westborough chief of police.”
Westborough’s Advisory Finance Committee recommended defeat of both articles citing that the amendments were, according to the committee’s Message to Town Voters on page two of the Town Warrant, “unnecessary and restrictive to potential future business that may be beneficial to the town evaluation and tax base.”
