Saugus will get a second pot shop on Route 1

Selectmen issue a special permit to Uma Flowers to locate a marijuana dispensary at 24 Broadway

By Mark E. Vogler

More than a year after falling one vote short of obtaining a special permit to operate a retail marijuana dispensary on Route 1 in Saugus, Uma Flowers prevailed on a second chance before the Board of Selectmen. The board’s vice chair – Jeffrey Cicolini – who had recused himself from the hearings that led to Uma being denied an S-2 permit back in December of 2023 – cast what proved to be the decisive fourth vote. Selectmen voted 4-0 in favor of Uma, with Selectman Anthony Cogliano voting “present” after opposing Uma’s application 13 months ago.

A state Land Court judge back in December ordered that the board’s previous 3-1 vote be annulled and the case be returned to selectmen for a new hearing. In a court complaint leading up to the judge’s ruling, Uma alleged that Cogliano “appeared to act with bias against Uma and in favor of Bostica,” another company competing for an S-2 permit.

Cicolini didn’t participate in the previous hearings after citing a potential conflict of interest because of his company’s relationship with one of the seven applicants. Cicolini said he consulted with the state Ethics Commission, which advised him the conflict no longer existed because his firm’s client was not selected in the previous hearings. “I verified with the Ethics Commission that I could participate,” Cicolini said.

With the town issuing an S-2 permit to Uma, there are now two retail pot establishments planned for Saugus – one in the northbound lane of Route 1; the other in the southbound lane. In December of 2023, selectmen voted 4-0 to issue one of three available S-2 permits to Sanctuary Medicinals. The company has submitted plans to build its dispensary at 181 Broadway, site of the former 99 Restaurant.

Uma Flowers is based in Pepperell, Mass. Two women – Priyanka Patel and Tejal Patel – own the company. The owners have years of pharmaceutical and cannabis experience, handling of controlled substances and analyzing and improving community health, according to the complaint. Uma Flowers operates marijuana retail businesses in Pepperell and Lunenburg, Mass.

Former Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis is listed as Uma’s Director of Security. Former Saugus Police Chief Domenic DiMella was listed as the company’s community liaison for Saugus, according to the court record.

Sanctuary Medicinals was the only other candidate that received a recommendation from the seven-member Marijuana Establishment Review Committee (MERC) for the S-2 permit. The business received a total of 118 points out of a possible 140 in a scoring system. “The Respondent’s proposed location is advantageous, and its extensive cannabis experience and current vertical integration business model are significant benefits,” the committee concluded in its analysis.

“A plus for the town”

Attorney Valerio Romano, who represented Uma Flowers during this week’s hearing, noted that the town would get 3 percent of Uma’s sales through the local option tax.

Once the project is completed, the dispensary will be open seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

“We have the opportunity to expand our commercial tax base,” Selectman Michael Serino said, noting that the tax rate for residential use is $10 per $1,000 and would now be at $20 per $1,000 through commercial use.

“We could double the tax rate on that property if it’s commercial,” Serino said.

“That’s a plus for the town – $20,000-a-year increase in property taxes. Also, general building permit fees and remodeling fees,” he said.

Selectman Cogliano said he couldn’t support the proposed location on Route 1 North because of a potentially dangerous situation for drivers. “I think it’s an accident waiting to happen. And I can’t support it,” he said.

“There’s no deceleration lane. You’re going right in front of the cars at the Army Navy Store, with no buffer. I think it’s terrible. I think there’s better ways to get in and out of that property,” he said.

Attorney Romano said that was an issue that could be addressed when Uma goes before the Planning Board. Cicolini suggested that selectmen make a note to Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree to make sure Uma gets a peer review when they appear before the Planning Board.