ADAMS, Mass. — After a sparsely attended public hearing Monday, the Planning Board approved a newly crafted marijuana establishment bylaw.
"I have no questions ... I reviewed all of the changes and I am in agreement with them," Planner Sandra Moderski said. "I think it is a good draft."
The board made some final changes to the bylaw late last month and agreed that retailers can only locate in the downtown, or B-2 district, if they receive a special permit from the Planning Board. They can't be located closer than 250 feet from schools, day-care centers or other areas where minors commonly congregate and are the population primarily served by the facility.
An establishment can locate in the industrial park by right and unless it is an independent marijuana testing lab. In that case, it would need a special permit.
Interim Town Administrator Donna Cesan said the bylaw amendment would add a new section to the town's zoning bylaws.
"There are several bylaw sections that address location criteria, operation standards and the information necessary for the review by the Planning Board," she said.
When the board opened up the floor to the public the small crowd was silent.
Police Chief Richard Tarsa, who had strong opinions about the bylaw and where establishments should be located, was the only one to speak.
"I just want to compliment everyone involved ... this has been going on for several months leading up to tonight and there has been a lot of positive input and a lot of give and take on both sides," he said. "I think what is being presented this evening is a well-worded document."
Cesan said the amendment will still have to go before town meeting and that the Board of Selectmen plans to hold a special town meeting in late winter.
"I know there are some other outstanding minor things that would be good to get out of the way in February or March instead of waiting until June for the annual town meeting," she said.
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Solar Carports Approved for Greylock Glen Outdoor Center
By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
ADAMS, Mass. — The Greylock Glen Outdoor Center will be getting its power from solar carports in the parking lot.
The Selectmen last month approved the design and siting of the 148-kilowatt solar array.
"We're attempting to do this without any investment essentially from the town, that is the goal of this," said Town Administrator Jay Green. "We're looking for an organization that can front the capital cost to install the solar."
Solar had always been part of the conversation around the outdoor center but as a separate construction from the building itself. It has included a cost benefit analysis to determine if solar was worth investing in.
The town paid for an impact study of $11,100 by National Grid, required before the utility would give interconnection approval. The request for proposals was issued by PowerOptions of Boston, former state entity turned private not-for-profit that procures energy services nonprofit organizations and governmental entities.
"The [town] is a PowerOptions member and so ultimately, can choose to move forward under the provisions of the letter of intent and per the agreement between PowerOptions and Solect Energy as the winner of the solar RFP put out by PowerOptions a couple of years ago," Andreas Schmid of Solect Energy, in a presentation to the board on Sept. 18.
"In terms of the panel capacity, things are a little flexible, so we could add a few more panels or take a few more panels out, as long as that AC system size."
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The committee voted unanimously Monday set a district vote on the fiscal 2025 budget and resolved its continuing support for the spending plan.
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