Barre Select Board Approves Icehouse Pub Manager Change, Advances Marijuana Bylaws

BARRE -- December 3, 2018, Barre Select Board approved a liquor license manager change and advanced two marijuana bylaws ahead of a December 11 special Town Meeting. The board unanimously approved Lauren Morelli as the new manager of record for the Icehouse Pub's all-alcoholic license, with a target open date of February 1. At a public hearing, members discussed a proposed local marijuana licensing framework establishing Select Board authority over host community agreements, and a separate measure to adopt a 3 percent local retail marijuana tax, the state-permitted maximum, on top of an 18 percent state levy. The Transfer Station Study Committee, after six meetings and visits to facilities in Leicester and Royalston, recommended holding the status quo under the existing third-party contract for another year while the board gathers detailed revenue data; a contract decision is required by the end of December. The board also voted to release 13 executive session minutes dating from December 2010 through May 2012, tabled a set of more recent meeting minutes for further review, and entered executive session on litigation strategy and a matter involving the town and the Commonwealth.