Split vote comes after arguments for tax revenue, helping business district
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
NORTHFIELD — City Council voted Aug. 10 to prohibit cannabis businesses from operating in the city but left the door ajar to possibly changing course in the future.
The vote fell along party lines with a bit of a twist. Democrats Frank Perri, Barbara Madden and Paul Utts, who have been advocating for four of the six classes of marijuana businesses to be allowed in the city, voted against the ordinance, 8-2021. Council President Tom Polistina and fellow Republicans Dave Notaro and Brian Smith voted to prohibit the businesses. Councilman Greg Dewees abstained, forcing Mayor Erland Chau to cast the tie-breaking vote. He joined the Republican majority, choosing to prohibit.
There was heated debate again, with Polistina and Notaro arguing that there simply are too many unknowns regarding the state’s regulations for the statewide marijuana marketplace and Smith arguing that marijuana has no place in a family town.
Perri and company questioned what the state could possibly include in its regulations that would be so detrimental to the city, saying that to delay could cost Northfield a chance at securing a new revenue stream. Municipalities that allow the businesses can impose a local tax of 1 percent or 2 percent, depending on the class of business.
Even the way the vote was handled was a matter for argument. City Council had previously introduced two ordinances — 7-2021 to permit the businesses and 8-2021 to prohibit — giving it the option of passing either measure ahead of the Aug. 21 state deadline to impose local limits on the marketplace.
Polistina opened public comment on 7-2021 and then 8-2021, but afterward called for a motion to approve 8-2021, skipping over 7-2021.
Perri objected, saying he had never seen that done in all of his many years on council.
Polistina argued that by voting on 8-2021 and leaving 7-2021 alone, City Council could decide to permit the businesses in one meeting if it decided to do so after the state’s guidelines are released. Solicitor Kris Facenda was directed to add language to 7-2021 stating that it rescinds 8-2021.
Notaro said voting to prohibit was only temporary, adding that he supports the businesses but would like to “pump the brakes” before moving forward.
Polistina said the city could still approve 7-2021 at the next meeting if it chose to do so.
“We still don’t know the law. We’re voting on something blindly,” Polistina said, noting the state has sent mixed messages about how soon a city could opt in if it voted to prohibit. “That gives me less confidence.”
According to Polistina, the state has said municipalities would have to wait 18 to 24 months but also said there would be no wait.
Arguing that the revenue would not be worth the hassle, Polistina said for the city to make $40,000 a shop or shops would have to do $450 worth of business every hour 12 hours a day for 365 days a year.
Utts contended that once licenses are issued, entrepreneurs will move quickly to open business and will go where they are welcome immediately.
“If the regulations come out and we don’t have space available, they will go elsewhere,” Utts said, adding that the “Golden Mile” of Tilton Road is a little less shiny than everyone could hope and that perhaps marijuana businesses could help bring it back to its former glory.
“You will have to answer to the constituents why the money is going to other towns,” Utts said.
Notaro argued that there is still time to consider options before moving forward.
“I’m in favor of 7 but see no need to rush,” he said.
Madden asked what could possibly go wrong.
Smith said a lot could go wrong for the city’s youth. He then read a statement from a group of physicians arguing that marijuana is much stronger today than in the past and its use can lead to depression and suicide.
“It’s not healthy for children. It’s called dope for a reason, it makes you stupid,” Smith said.
Both Utts and Madden pointed out the hypocrisy of allowing liquor licenses but prohibiting marijuana businesses.
Perri argued that the Planning Board could regulate the businesses and that allowing legal marijuana businesses would take the money out of the hands of drug dealers and give it to the taxpayers.
Polistina got the last word, using Notaro’s phrase in saying the city will “pump the brakes.”