LIVERMORE — At a meeting held Thursday evening, May 27, proposed amendments to the town’s medical marijuana ordinance drew the only questions or comments.
The meeting was offered via Zoom or in person at the Town Office/Fire Station complex to review the ballot questions for the June 8 annual town meeting referendum vote. Nine townspeople attended through the online option. Polls will be open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Spruce Mountain Primary School, Gibbs Mill Road.
Why has the distance been changed from 500 to 1,000 feet, resident Michael Weaver asked. It will only affect one individual who has an interest, he noted.
The change was made on the advice of the town attorney, Administrative Assistant Aaron Miller said. “He wanted to have the distances mirror each other. The old language wasn’t consistent. We wanted to have consistency, a good road map for our planners and select board to make decisions when it comes to licensing.”
When the attorney looked at the ordinance he was completely objective, didn’t look at businesses in town, Miller said. He was more interested in ensuring we had a consistent ordinance, Miller noted.
“This is a licensing ordinance, not a zoning ordinance,” he said.
Weaver resides at the location of his caregiver business.
“You understand that this (ordinance) wouldn’t apply to you,” Miller asked.
“To clarify, if you reside on the property, that you’re exempted from this restriction,” moderator Matt Dunlap, the former Secretary of State noted.
Miller confirmed, referencing Section 7 under definitions in the ordinance, “For the purpose of this Ordinance, the term “Medical Marijuana Cultivation Facility” means a facility used for cultivating, processing, and/or storing of medical marijuana by a registered caregiver at a location which is not the registered caregiver’s primary year-round residence or their patient’s primary year-round residence
“You’re not considered a medical marijuana cultivation facility because you live there,” Miller said.
Resident Lea Young asked why Weaver has to redo his license as he was approved in January 2020.
“I don’t believe anyone has said he needed to redo anything,” Miller said.
“I was told I wasn’t approved, was given a paper saying I wasn’t approved,” Weaver said.
The licensing process hasn’t changed, Dunlap noted and requested keeping the discussion on the ordinance amendments.
“What happened in January in terms of the licensing process itself doesn’t seem to be substantially changed except for what they call things,” Dunlap said. “It’s not appropriate for us to be talking about that here because that is typically a confidential process.”
Changes to the Comprehensive Plan aren’t part of the marijuana ordinance, Miller said.
Was the medical marijuana ordinance flawed, were there complaints or safety concerns leading to the changes, Weaver asked.
“No,” Miller replied.
No questions were asked about the remaining 52 articles on the Town Meeting warrant.
The $4.29 million budget as proposed for Fiscal Year 2021-22 is up $101,940 over the current spending plan. The 2.4% increase does include the $2.27 million assessment for Regional School Unit 73 and the Androscoggin County assessment of $249,250.
Voters will be asked to approve $100,000 for the second installment of a three year plan to set aside money towards a fire truck.
Entering a 15-year lease with Central Maine Power to install LED streetlights will also be considered. There will be no cost to the town if approved.
Voters will also elect two selectpersons and two RSU 73 school board directors. Andrew Sylvester is unopposed for another three-year term on the school board and no one is seeking the other seat.
Current selectperson Brett Deyling is seeking the three-year seat currently held by Benjamin Guild. Randy Ouellette and Brett Poisson are seeking a two-year term.
In a recent phone interview Ouellette said he has the time now after retiring as a mill worker.
Town roads and continuity between people, governing ethically were noted as important things for Livermore.
“What’s good for one is good for all,” Ouellette said.
Ouellette grew up in Livermore. He is quite private, he noted.
“I just want to try to do my part for the behalf of the residents and the town,” he said. “I care about the town and the people.”
Attempts to reach Poisson were unsuccessful.
The Town Meeting warrant and changes to the medical marijuana ordinance may be found on the town website or at the town office, 10 Crash Road.
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