A consensus-challenged board

Selectmen offer mixed reaction on the outcome of the votes to permit just one retail marijuana establishment

By Mark E. Vogler

Each of the four members of the Board of Selectmen who voted Tuesday night (Dec. 12) on the applications of seven businesses seeking special permits to operate a marijuana dispensary under the town’s zoning bylaws supported at least two of the candidates. The board could have issued up to three S-2 permits – one more than what was recommended by the seven-member Marijuana Establishment Review Committee (MERC). But selectmen could only agree on issuing one permit.

With Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Jeffrey Cicolini removing himself from the hearings earlier this year, any permit would require the unanimous approval of the remaining selectmen – making consensus a difficult barrier to overcome.

Here’s what selectmen had to say after Tuesday night’s vote, when The Saugus Advocate sought their reaction:

  Board of Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta: “The Board of Selectmen’s responsibility was to grant an S-2 permit (special permit) based on the best location, where we must consider traffic flow, neighborhood impact, access/egress, proximity to schools, circulation flows, parking and queuing, etc., as required by our zoning bylaws.

“Once the Board issues the special permit, it’s the Town Manager’s responsibility to enter into the host community agreement. Then it’s up to the state, the Cannabis Control Commission, to issue the license.

“Both Sanctuary Medicinals and Uma Flowers received the highest scores on location by the Town of Saugus Marijuana Establishment Review Committee. As a Selectman, I have trusted the recommendations of our Police Chief, Fire Chief, Public Health Director, and Building Inspector, where these four individuals were members of this committee.

“I welcome Sanctuary Medicinals to Saugus, and I wish them the best of luck.”

  Selectman Anthony Cogliano: “It’s Christmas season… I will attempt to be nice….although that meeting was staged and rehearsed with the TM (Town Manager).

“It would’ve been nice to get the answers I demanded for months to my questions. Best of luck to Sanctuary Medicinals. It’s unfortunate that the best applicant, Triple M, was not granted an S-2 permit.

“I’m quite sure we haven’t heard the last of it from the applicants.

“Mike Serino spent 15 minutes explaining why we shouldn’t have dispensaries in Saugus, then voted for two of them.”

Cogliano then went on to rate his top choices in order: “1st, Triple M; 2nd, Sanctuary Medicinals; 3rd, Bostica, because I feel that a growth facility is the most important key to a successful business plan. Although Bostica is new to the game, their grow facility is by far the best amongst the applicants. The best location was the Avalon Motel (Northeastcann), because it would eliminate that public safety nightmare and replace it with a first class facility. The owner of that establishment also pledged to build all new playgrounds at Oaklandvale, Stackpole field, Anna Parka, Waybright, LynnHurst and Golden Hills….wouldn’t that have been a welcome addition to the town. Allen Rothenberger, another great business mind, was slated to go into the AutoExcellence building (Olde World Remedies) and pledged to purchase Carla’s Shoes and tear it down. Why those factors were not taken into account by the Managers team leave many unanswered questions from me. Any report submitted to the Board of Selectmen should be explained in detail and questions and answers should have been not only allowed but welcomed. The process was flawed from day one, just like the dog and pony show on Tuesday Night.”

  Selectman Corinne Riley: “I’m glad that at least one application was approved to have additional revenue brought into the town. At the time of the presentations my primary concern regarding the Sanctuary site was it being near the Salvation Army rehab facility, however with Chief Ricciardelli’s assurance after speaking with the Salvation Army personnel, they were comfortable with the location. To me, it’s unfortunate that the proposed facility at the Avalon Motel (Northeastcann) wasn’t one of the applications approved, as I feel it would be a better use of the site than the current motel with the state renting rooms to migrants, putting a strain on our Police Department and school district.

“I am looking forward to meeting with the town manager to discuss what our Economic Development Department is doing to entice other businesses to Saugus. This was an opportunity to get new business growth, so I look forward to hearing his plan for creating additional revenue, rather than more apartments and condominiums on Route 1.”

  Selectman Michael Serino: “Based on the research I did on the amount of revenue that these establishments have generated – which is not really a significant amount, I don’t think it’s going to impact the town that much. I believe two retail marijuana dispensaries is the right amount – one on each side of the highway.”