Barre Select Board Opens Door to Outdoor Cannabis Cultivation Discussion

BARRE — December 18, 2017 — Barre Select Board hears cannabis pitch, approves 18 liquor licenses at final 2017 meeting. A representative of the Massachusetts Cannabis Business Association told the three-member board Monday that outdoor cannabis cultivation could generate roughly $30,000 per acre annually for the town under a mandatory 3 percent state revenue-share, and urged Barre to form an informal task force before recreational license applications open in April 2018. Board members, operating under a current cannabis moratorium, expressed interest but deferred any formal action, suggesting the town's Agricultural Commission take the lead on drafting zoning guidance for the Planning Board. The board also unanimously approved 18 liquor license renewals for the 2018 season, accepted resignations from Tom Mertchik of the Council on Aging and Kayla Cassiello of the Youth Commission, and appointed Ashley Toscano to the Youth Commission. One member pressed staff to obtain a copy of the town's Charter cable franchise agreement, warning that without action on broadband infrastructure, Barre risks losing its younger residents.