NORTHFIELD — The city is moving forward with plans to hold a public referendum on voters’ desire for retail cannabis businesses to operate in the city.
Councilman Paul Utts started the conversation March 22, when he asked City Council whether it would object to holding the referendum, which involves adding a question to the ballot for the general election in November.
City Clerk Mary Canesi said the only expense would be for solicitor Kris Facenda to write the question and explanatory statement.
“We all want to improve the infrastructure of the city without burdening the taxpayer,” Utts said. “We don’t have parking meters, we don’t have beach badges but what we do have is an opportunity for cannabis revenue.”
In fall 2020, New Jersey residents voted 67 percent in favor of legalizing marijuana for recreational use and creating a marketplace for the drug. Northfield voters matched that percentage.
“There is an opportunity for maybe not a large amount of revenue but enough that could maybe pay for some playground equipment or a basketball court or improvements along the bike path without burdening the taxpayer,” Utts said. “I would like to get council’s temperature on putting forward a ballot initiative to ask the residents if they think that using the west end of Tilton Road for some economic development and revenue for the city is something they want to do.”
City Council President Tom Polistina noted the issue was addressed last year and it was decided to prohibit the businesses. Noting the two-thirds approval for statewide legalization, he asked where the bar should be set for the referendum. It was decided to address that when the time comes.
Mayor Erland Chau noted the referendum could be nonbinding, therefore serving only for informational purposes.
Polistina noted that some opponents said nearly 70 percent of city residents approved legalizing cannabis but did not approve it being sold there.
“That will answer that question for you,” he said.
Council voted 5-2 to move forward with the referendum, with Councilmen Greg Dewees and Brian Smith voting no.
“I respect the process but no,” Dewees said.
Smith noted his steadfast opposition from the start.
Councilman Eric Leeds said the state has not yet addressed the situation of established drug-free zones and how they would affect the location of cannabis businesses, noting most if not all of the businesses on that part of Tilton Road are within 1,000 feet of a zone.
“I’m all for voters to vote for it, I just want to make sure we cover all bases,” he said.
“As much as I am against it morally, I do believe the taxpayers have a right to make that decision,” Councilwoman Carolyn Bucci said.
“I’m a yes, I wouldn’t deny the taxpayers a chance to vote,” Councilman Dave Notaro said.
Polistina added the final affirmative vote.
“It gives the voters a chance to express explicitly what they intend with this new law,” Polistina said.
“In private,” Notaro added.
City Council discussed the issue extensively last year, when every municipality in the state had to decide whether to allow cannabis businesses within their borders.
A committee consisting of Utts, Polistina and former city councilman Frank Perri recommended the city move forward with allowing retail businesses in the Regional Commercial Zone on Tilton Road, from Deborah Avenue to the border with Egg Harbor Township, excluding the shopping center where Tilton Square Theatre, The Spot and Ace Hardware are located.
The measure was proposed as a revenue-generating move because municipalities that host the businesses are permitted to impose a tax of 1 percent or 2 percent, depending on the class of license.
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff