Townspeople in Halifax will consider 50 articles at Monday night’s Annual Town Meeting, with various issues, ranging from Marijuana Establishments zoning, Marijuana tax, to adding a Foreclosed Properties by-law.
Article 48 asks if the town will amend the Code of the Town of Halifax, Chapter 167 (Zoning) to define marijuana establishments as a marijuana cultivator, marijuana testing facility, marijuana product manufacturer, marijuana retailer or any other type of licensed marijuana-related business, as is defined by Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 94H.
This article would allow marijuana establishments by special permit in the Industrial District and will not be allowed within 500 linear feet of any school or child care facility or where children generally congregate, or any other marijuana establishment or any business licensed to pour alcoholic beverages. The distance will be measured by direct calculation of a straight line from the nearest property line of a facility to the nearest property line of the marijuana establishment.
The hours of operation may not include any time between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m.
Any permit applied for and/or issued for a Marijuana Establishment must comply with all state laws and regulations concerning Marijuana Establishments.
Article 49 asks to allow the town to tax each sale of marijuana at an amount not more than 2%.
Article 50 would amend the Code of the Town of Halifax by requiring the registration and maintenance of foreclosed properties, and the security of foreclosed properties, to help prevent blighted and unsecured properties. The article would require that owners must register the property with the Halifax Building Commissioner and if the owner is out-of-state it must appoint an agent within Massachusetts to act in the owner’s stead.
In addition to the usual finances of the town, its employee salaries and department expenses, the town will also be asked to fund
• $205,000 for a large dump truck for the Highway Department
• $50,000 for a security system and other items for the Halifax Elementary School
• $2,000,000 for renovations and addition to Pope’s Tavern Senior Center
• $70,000 for architectural and building plans for repairs to Pope’s Tavern
• $49,000 to purchase and equip a new service truck for the Water Dept.
• $80,000 to purchase and equip two new marked police vehicles
• $16,000 to purchase and equip two new ATVs to be used for patrol
• $5,000 to purchase and maintain communications equipment for the Fire Dept.
• $10,000 for new turnout gear for Fire Dept. personnel
• $280,000 to purchase and equip an ambulance for the Fire Dept.
• $27,145 to replace apparatus bay door openers at the Fire Station
• $9,000 to update the phone system at the Halifax Fire Station
• $10,000 to purchase IV pumps for the Halifax Fire Department
• $12,500 to repair chimneys at the Museum of Halifax, Old School House, Blacksmith’s Shop, and Pope’s Tavern
• $7,000 to replace light fixtures at the Town Hall with LED fixtures and wiring over the next two years.
• $9,500 to replace two furnaces as part of completing phase 2 of the furnace replacement at the Town Hall
• $7,200 to replace the Recycling Center’s two rear garage doors with new hardware motors, one section of panel with glass windows, and the other three sections with insulated solid panels
• $12.000 for the Assessors’ Triennial Revaluation Account
• $7,500 for additional hours for the Conservation Commission Secretary for wetlands protection work
• $5,000 for improvements to the town’s boat ramp
• $6,500 to refurbish the doors and replace the lock system at the Halifax Town Hall
• $28,100 for new computer servers at the Halifax Town Hll
• $3,500 to support South Coastal Counties Legal Services, Inc.’s free legal services to elders, low-income families and their children
• $3,500 to support South Shore Women’s Resource Center for domestic violence intervention and prevention services
• $70,000 for the second year principal payment of the water tower painting and repair debt and $5,989 for the second year of interest on the same debt
Town meeting warrant will also be asked to
• vote to accept Bourne Drive and Danson Road
• vote to accept Heron Road
• vote to revise the listing of delinquent taxpayers
• vote to amend the Streets and Sidewalks section of the Code of the Town.