Plympton locals hash it out over marijuana: Residents share concerns at marijuana grow facility forum

PLYMPTON– On Jan. 25, the Board of Selectmen held a special forum for residents to give their input on a proposal by Jeff Randall, of 98 Ring Road, to build an indoor medicinal marijuana grow facility on his family farm.

In order for the project to proceed, he needs either a letter of non-opposition or a letter of support from the Board. Selectmen may also choose to take no action, or write a letter of opposition, according to Selectperson Colleen Thompson.

More than 50 residents were present, as was Randall and his representative, Kris Krane, to help explain the proposal. The room was full, with townspeople standing in the rear and on the sides of the room. Some had lived in town as short as three months, while others were lifelong residents.

The mood of the meeting was tense throughout, and although never got out of hand, there were certainly some raised voices.

Selectmen Chairman Mark Russo began by setting some ground rules, as did Selectperson Christine Joy.

Russo then began by mentioning some of the concerns he and the other Selectmen had heard from the public before the meeting.

These concerns included odors, the impact of such a facility on area land values, the proximity of the proposed facility to the Dennett Elementary School sending a mixed-message to children in town, concerns of abutters and neighbors and the opposition of the police chief.

All of these concerns were brought up by residents at the forum, as well.

Randall spoke first, reiterating his presentation given at a Selectmen’s meeting several weeks ago.

The facility to grow medical marijuana, according to Randall, would be entirely indoors, with the plants being grown in soil in a 60 foot by 180 foot enclosed building. He previously presented a very detailed written proposal to the Board, explaining the entire licensing process. He specifically noted that he is not proposing a medical marijuana dispensary in Plympton (a place where medical marijuana is sold to patients). There would be a direct payment to the Town, based on the amount of marijuana produced. Randall estimated this at $50,000 a year, although latter appeared to acknowledge that this amount would be negotiable.

Maureen Doyle of Ring Road had questions about the application itself. She questioned if the application could possibly allow a marijuana dispensary in Plympton. She asked several times, “Is it possible?” According to the law, it is not (this would require an entirely new application) and Randall reiterated, as did his representative, that he was not proposing this.

Doug Reese of Center Street questioned why Randall was not growing the marijuana near a dispensary. Randall and his representative explained that there is no wholesaling in Massachusetts, so Randall will be operating a dispensary, in a yet to be decided city or town. This is legal under the Commonwealth’s medical marijuana laws – and he cannot get his application approved by the State without having both the remote cultivation facility and the dispensary located elsewhere signed off on by the Selectmen in both towns they are located in.

They also noted a shortage in supply.  There are only four operating dispensaries in Massachusetts: in Ayer, Brockton, Northampton and Salem. According to Krane, they are all experiencing shortages. With more than 18,000 medical marijuana patients in Massachusetts, there is an apparent need for more dispensaries – and thus cultivation facilities, such as the one proposed in Plympton.

Several neighbors and abutters of Randall’s then became quite vocal, some expressing that they felt he had misrepresented them in his first meeting with the Board. Randall said that he had spoken to some neighbors, and that they were enthusiastic.

Dan Doyle, of Ring Road, stated that he was “personally offended” by the alleged misrepresentation. He also questioned why Randall characterized his conversation with Police Chief Patrick Dillon as “productive” in his initial meeting with the Selectmen if the Chief had written a letter of opposition printed in the Express.

While that statement may have been true, and there were neighbors who supported him present, Randall apologized for not speaking to all of them. “I didn’t feel it was appropriate to trap you at your door,” he said to Doyle.

As for the meeting with the Chief, Chief Dillon stated that, “Jeff is a nice guy,” and that they had a “nice” conversation, although he would not characterize it as “productive”. He stated that he told Randall that he opposed the idea at the end of their meeting.

The Chief believes that for the proposal to be viable, the police would have to hire another officer. The cost to the Town would be about $68,000. He came to that rough number estimating the cost of a second year police officer’s salary and benefits.

Chief Dillon opposes the project for Plympton, and posed the question: “Do you really want this in your community?” As well, although not mentioned during the meeting, he later stated in a conversation that he was not opposed to the medicinal use of medical marijuana, he just did not feel that this was a good fit for Plympton.

Sharon Housley, of Ring Road had several comments regarding safety. She stated that the security issues are real, and spoke quite emotionally about how in about 20 years of living in town, she’s never felt unsafe. “If we can put it next to an Elementary School, it can go anywhere,” she said.

When Randall tried to explain the security measures his building would require by law and what he specifically was planning, she responded, “Jeff, I don’t care about your pot.”

“This whole process is about limiting gangs [having access to marijuana],” Randall said, as several residents started talking over each other, referencing thieves, gangs and murderers being brought to Town.

Chris Housley, of the same Ring Road address, was also outspoken in his opposition to the proposal. He expressed that he understood the grow facility would be secure, but was very concerned for his security and that of his neighbors.

“This is a residential neighborhood. What will the increased security be for our neighborhood?”

At this point, Randall’s representative tried to respond over a half dozen times, only to be interrupted by Housley insistently stating that he wasn’t addressing the question. Finally, in frustration, Krane turned to Chairman Russo and said, “I feel like I’m trying to answer the question but I keep getting interrupted.”

Krane’s answer that there would be security cameras pointing out was not satisfying to Housley and Russo moved the discussion forward.

The Selectmen spoke and asked questions next.

Selectperson Colleen Thompson, who is “neither for nor against” the proposal at this point in time, asked about the timing of when the Board would have to make a decision. As Randall still has to finalize the location of his dispensary, he anticipates several months.

Thompson asked as well about odor control, and Randall explained that he would be using a system that removed any odor in the exhaust fans before it exited the enclosed building.

Thompson also had several legal questions, which Krane answered, including the logistics of getting a bank account for a Federally illegal practice. Krane stated that the Justice Department is now legally bound by Congress to not use its money to interfere with properly state-sanctioned activities that are illegal at the Federal level.

Thompson also stated that she had spoken to the Police Chief of Ayer, where a dispensary had recently opened up. She stated that the Chief  had said everything was, “so far, so good.” She also suggested to Randall to contact people like the Ayer Police Chief for some testimonials as it might benefit him.

Chairman Russo spoke next, and wanted assurances that there would be no odors, pests, or light pollution.

Randall and Krane described the odor control system, that there would be little concern regarding pests because the operation would be indoors and thus manageable, and that as for any light pollution, he would work diligently with anyone concerned to curb it.

He also stated that it would be an organic operation.

Selectperson Christine Joy, who clearly stated her opposition with one of the largest reasons being that she believed the project would be cash flow negative to the Town due to the cost of hiring a police officer, had some questions for Randall as well.

They were more probative in nature, checking in on where Randall was in the application process, notifying him that all other necessary Town Boards and Committees would have to approve the project if the Selectmen did, asking if he had established a non-profit (he had), and what his waste disposal plans were.

She had security concerns as well, and wanted to know Randall’s plans. Krane, the representative, stated that it could be whatever the police wanted, but that it was standard for the police to have direct access to the cameras but a private security firm would be constantly monitoring them.

Joy, and the Police Chief were both concerned that in the future, if the project is given the go-ahead, could put the Town at risk for grants or funds from the Federal Government.

She and Randall also debated whether the proposal fell under the “right-to-farm” by-law, with Joy specifying that she didn’t believe this was a “normal” agricultural practice while Randall insisted that the by-law did not specify what the crop was.

Joy did not push this too far as Randall did not seem to want to concede his point.

The public was given a second round for comments at this point, and some of Randall’s supporters spoke up.

Evelyn Dunbar of Ring Road stated that there have been many, many illegal crops over the years in the area that were well known “secrets”, and that there were no murders.

A recent resident who moved from Wareham to Cranberry Knoll, though, disagreed.

A youth basketball coach, she spoke of the horrible drug issues that she had witnessed in Wareham, and that she believed it all started with youth smoking marijuana. She did not believe that the grow operation would send an appropriate message to children.

Another Ring Road couple spoke in favor of the proposal, declaring themselves possible “lone wolves” in the room, but that they thought Randall would “do a good job” and that “crime is not new.” They did not believe the grow operation would increase crime. “Times change and growing medical marijuana is compassionate.”

Their endorsement was seconded by a Winnetuxet Road woman.

In a touching moment, well known farmer Abdu Nassrella of Maple Street, a more than 30 year resident of Plympton said that the Board has a “huge challenge in front of you,” but that “I know Jeff Randall and he’s a class act.” He called him a gentleman, and he also said he had confidence in the Plympton Police Department. He wished to personally vouch for Randall.

Then, in a more hushed tone, he stated that he had a daughter with terminal cancer. With conviction, he said that she has a medical marijuana card, “and it is a god-send.”

Chris Hously of Ring Road spoke for a third time, criticizing the location, stating that it was hypocrisy to children for such a facility to be built, and he didn’t see “anything positive except for Jeff.”

Next, Frank Santoro of Ring Road, maybe the newest resident in the room having only lived in Town for two months, said that he and his wife had chosen Plympton because it was a right-to-farm community, and that he and his wife fully support and endorse the proposal.

A realtor addressed land values after several residents expressed concerns. Jean Cohen of Buttonwood Drive stated that there was no way to know how land values might be affected. She stated when she shows homes near a gun range, some people go running for the door, while those who enjoy target shooting end up excited.  She also noted that what she does know adversely affecting property values is the junk in peoples’ yards.

Another abutter, Dawn Hastings stated her grave concern for the project, and Susan Hayes of Cushman’s landing expressed concern for the reputation of the community, while expressing compassion for medical marijuana users who are sick. Hayes took umbrage with the term ‘pot’ being used in the newspaper.

Kim Russo of Palmer Road spoke at length about teaching children to understand things in context, such as medical marijuana or opioids for that matter. She further added, “bringing something progressive to Town will not kill us.”

Finally, Jeff Randall was given a moment to thank the crowd for attending, and said that he hoped that an “arrangement that works for everyone” would be found.

Chairman Russo stated that this would be the hardest decision the Board of Selectmen would have to make in his time there, and that he would seek to balance the rights of individuals with the rights of the Townspeople.

Dogs, poles and ’thanks’: Hearings dominate Halifax Selectmen’s meeting

HALIFAX– Tuesday, Jan. 12, Halifax Selectmen met for both a dog hearing and a pole hearing, that dominated the discussion of the evening.

Dog Hearing: Dating back to Nov. 18, an incident occurred at 304 Wood Street.  A bicyclist, the victim, was riding his or her bike at approximately 5:05 p.m. when a dog began to chase the bicycle and bite the victim.

Originally, the dog could not be located, but Halifax Animal Control Officer Noreen Callahan investigated and eventually located the dog at 270 Wood Street. She stated that according to an anonymous neighbor, the dog living at 270 Wood Street is often running loose.

At the hearing, which became quite heated, the owner of the dog at 270 Wood Street appeared with his teenaged son, who was watching the dog at the time of the incident, along with younger siblings. The dog-owner was not home at the time of the incident.

The dog-owner claimed that he simply did not believe that it was his dog that had bitten the bicyclist, despite the fact that the Halifax ACO stated that the description given by the victim matched the dog and the dog was “positively identified.”

He stated that the dog was either on a chain or in a kennel at all times.

This led to a heated back and forth discussion between the ACO and the dog-owner. Noting that all the victim wanted was his or her riding pants to be replaced, the dog owner said he’d be happy to do that and that this situation was causing “a lot of stress for [his] family.”

Selectmen Chairman Kim Roy pointed out that this was not the first such incident with the dog, noting that in 2009 a nearly identical incident occurred with a bicyclist and a hearing was held. The dog-owner said he did not remember that hearing. The Board all in one way or another stated that it was likely not a coincidence that two such similar incidents had occurred.

Roy, along with the rest of the board, asked pointed questions of the dog-owner, and cited the need to further investigate and protect the people of the Town.   Roy continued the hearing with a unanimous vote of the rest of the Board to Jan. 25 at 8:45 p.m.

The Board is hopeful both the victim and the neighbor will come before the Board– as they currently wish to remain anonymous– as well as the dog-owner’s wife. They pointed out to the dog-owner that he was not even home at the time of the incident, so his testimony was of relatively little use.

The dog is currently licensed and vaccinated, although according to records was not in 2009 when the previous incident occurred.

Pole Hearing

In Halifax, National Grid and Verizon jointly own utility poles, but Verizon sets them. The jobs are initiated by National Grid, which is attempting to improve safety in the area by moving guide wires, which help support the poles, from the trees where they are currently anchored to poles they claim are safer.

A Verizon representative came before the board to get permission to do the work. About a half-dozen residents of Lingan Street and surrounding streets in “the avenues”, where several of the new poles for guide wires were slated to be placed were also present.

The Verizon representative had already been researching the area, and was accommodating to the concerns of the Board and the residents. She had already spoken to several residents earlier in the day.

She was quick to point out that no new guide wires were being installed; only existing ones were being moved slightly from being anchored into trees to being anchored in poles.

Residents spoke passionately about how the neighborhood was congested, and contained crowded and narrow streets. They questioned whether the work was needed. Most notably, they were concerned that truck and boat-owners would continue to be able to clear the guide wires, which pass over the street.

Happily, a solution that worked for everyone was eventually crafted.

The most controversial pole, close to 116 Lingan Street, was denied by the Board, to the relief of the residents in the room. The guide wire will remain anchored to a tree. The board did approve a second pole on the street, near 120 Lingan Street.

The others were not as controversial once everyone understood exactly what Verizon was proposing. The Board approved three guide wire poles to be installed, one each on Garden Road, Pratt Street and at Richview Avenue.

Growing Pot in Plympton? Local farmer proposes medicinal marijuana ‘grow-op’ venture

On Monday, Jan. 4, Plympton Selectmen met to discuss what appeared to be a very short agenda. Yet, a surprise lurked in the “Appointments” section of the agenda. Only a resident’s name and “Agricultural venture” gave away any type of hint as to the surprise that would come with the 6:30 p.m. appointment.

The resident, local farmer Jeff Randall, is proposing to build a medicinal marijuana growing facility, commonly known as a “grow-op”, on his farm on Ring Road. The marijuana, according to Randall, would             be grown indoors, in soil in a 60 foot by 180 foot enclosed building. He presented a very detailed written proposal to the Board, detailing the entire licensing process. He specifically noted that he is not proposing a medical marijuana dispensary in Plympton (a place where medical marijuana is sold to patients).

Although marijuana is still considered illegal at the Federal level, at the State level it has been “decriminalized” for recreational use and legalized for medical use with a doctor’s prescription. The Commonwealth has stringent regulations for growing marijuana and selling it to patients medicinally, and Randall noted that he was still early in this    process.

At some point, he needs either a letter of support or a letter of “non-opposition” from the Board of Selectmen. Randall noted that he was quite likely in front of the Board prematurely, but was seeking input from the Selectmen to get a feel for where they stood on the issue.

The responses of the Selectmen were as interesting as the proposal.

The Board had clearly done their homework and asked detailed questions about security, abutters, the licensing process and Randall’s future intent with his property. The Commonwealth requires stringent security, and Randall had already had what he described as a productive meeting with the Police Chief. He stated that he hadn’t spoken to every abutter, but those that he had spoken to were enthusiastic and he has no intention of giving up his other farming activities, which include cultivating cranberries and boarding horses.

Selectperson Christine Joy spoke first when it came time for the Board to express where they stood on the proposal. Joy initially stated that she was opposed and personally uncomfortable with the idea. “I’m not a huge fan. I don’t think it is a good fit for the town … But if the townspeople support it, I support it.”

Selectperson Colleen Thompson spoke next. Typically she appears to listen very carefully, take everything in and ask a few pointed questions. This night was no different. She didn’t have many questions, but she stated that she “was not opposed.” Thompson said that she wasn’t sure if she would lean more towards a letter of support or a letter of non-opposition, but in any case would not stand in the way of Randall.

Selectmen Chairman Mark Russo enthusiastically supported the proposal. Citing that Plympton is a “right-to-farm” community, that he encourages expanding agriculture in town, the revenue such a venture could bring in taxes and his own interest in herbal medicine and noting  that his brother is a world-wide expert on the medical use of marijuana, he was whole-heartedly on board provided the appropriate other town boards approved the proposal.

The Board plans to set aside time at their January 25th meeting to seek public input and hear more from Randall.

Conflict erupts at Plympton Selectmen meeting over petitions

Plympton – Monday, Dec. 14, Plympton Selectmen’s regularly scheduled meeting at the Town House began with former Selectman John Henry dropping off two petitions regarding meetings being filmed by Area 58 Community Access Media to the Board as they adjourned their executive session.  Henry was not on the agenda and this was not expected. The Selectmen also finalized a title for the “employee document” and further tackled various sections. They also announced that the USDA had auctioned off the property at 59 Parsonage Road. The meeting was brief, but dramatic.

Henry presents petition

Selectmen were just closing their executive session when resident and former selectman John Henry handed the Express two petitions he had circulated asking that all Finance Committee meetings between January 1, 2016 and the Annual Town Meeting be filmed by Area 58 CAM. The other asked that the Public Safety Building Committee meetings be filmed, as well.

He also supplied an email dated Dec. 6, stating that many elderly residents in the community could not attend these meetings because they don’t drive at night, that the room where they are held in is too small and uncomfortable, that the busiest meetings for the FinCom happen during flu season and that the FinCom meetings should be moved to a different room.

Selectmen had previously discussed the matter and decided that there was no problem with the current arrangement as the meetings are lightly attended, and FinCom Chairman Susan Ossoff had cited logistical issues in moving from their current space.

When selectmen asked Henry if his petitions were on the meeting agenda for the evening, Henry replied that no, he was just going to hand them to the Board after the meeting had begun.

As the Board broke from executive session, Henry entered the room and before the Board had come back into Open Session presented his petitions to the Board.

The entire exchange happened quickly, as Area 58 was setting up their cameras, so no record of the incident exists. A heated discussion ensued and Selectmen Chairman Mark Russo and Henry exchanged harsh words. The meeting began in open session after Henry left, continuing his tirade with members of the Finance Committee who were standing in the hall outside the selectmen’s meeting room.

Everyone who signed the petition to have the Public Safety Building Committee meetings filmed signed the petition to have the FinCom meetings filmed, but a few more signed the FinCom petition, with 78 unique signatures. Two individuals signed twice and were thus only counted once.

Just examining the FinCom petition, approximately 60% of the petitioners were over the age of 70, according to an analysis by the Express accomplished by crosschecking the names and addresses of the petitioners against birth years provided in the 2015 edition of the annually published “Plympton Street List”. The average age was about 70, and the median age was 72. According to the 2010 US Census, the median age for Plympton is 44.

Of all the petitioners, only four were under the age of 50. Of these four, only one was in his 40’s. The other three were between 30 and 35. The range of ages of the petitioners was from 30 to 90.

The Selectmen agreed to discuss the petition next week.

Sale of 59 Parsonage Road

Several attempts to negotiate Plympton’s obtaining the storied 36-acre property at 59 Parsonage Road for conservation land and other uses, fell through due to the lack of funding on either side for Phase II environmental studies.   The USDA, which owned the property through foreclosure, was finally able to bring it to auction on Friday, Dec. 11, when the property was sold to the highest bidder.

There was no floor on the initial bid. The USDA would not confirm the sale price as of press time, although the popular real estate website Zillow.com indicates a pending sale of $170,000 for that address.

The Chairman Russo wasn’t sure if the buyer’s name had been made public, but he did mention that he was led to believe that the property owner intended to continue to use it for agricultural purposes.

The Express has since learned it was a Plympton resident who made the purchase.

Personnel document progresses

The “personnel document” received a new name – the “Town Employee Policy and Procedures Handbook”.

The Board also settled on disciplinary guidelines, chosen from several other towns and Town Counsel, which were voted on and approved for a ten-day posting period for public comment. Following the review period, it will become part of the handbook.

They also voted on a uniform employment application, which as well will be posted for a ten-day period for public comment.

The Selectmen also discussed a “social media policy”, and were examining several possibilities, from one to eight pages long. The longest policy was recommended by Town Counsel.   The Board decided they needed more time to look over the document.

Furure meeting dates

Future meeting dates:

• The Board of Selectmen will meet next on Dec. 21 and Jan. 4.
• The Public Safety Building Committee will meet next Dec. 30.