Board of Selectmen Meeting June 25, 2018

Board of Selectmen Meeting June 25, 2018

On Monday June 18, 2018 the Zoning Commission had a hearing on the Application of Curaleaf for a Special Exception for a medical marijuana production facility in the I-I Restricted Industrial Zone on the property located at 34 Hopmeadow Street. The application was approved 5-1.

I would like to share my comments at the meeting with you.

We should not lose sight of the fact that Marijuana is a Schedule #1 narcotic as determined by the Federal Government. According to the Federal Government, Marijuana is illegal.

According to the Hartford Courant article Curaleaf will be quadrupling their facility operation at 34 Hopmeadow Street.

The building Curaleaf wants to occupy was built around 1960. Therefore, during the renovations they may find asbestos and lead within the building that would require hazardous mitigation.

This facility is in an area with a large density of residential developments.

The facility requires having armed guards, 24/7 surveillance and large amounts of marijuana waste.

Unmarked cars will be transporting the Marijuana products to various outlets.

This could become a public safety issue.

The aquifer supplying water to the State Firing Range and Metacom Gun Club should be tested for lead and other heavy metals. This aquifer will also be supplying water to 34 Hopmeadow, the Curaleaf site which requires unpolluted water.

With the increase in production, there will be an increase in waste. Where will the Marijuana waste be deposited?

According to the DEEP 34 Homeadow Street, the Eversource facility is on their list of contaminated sites. The property transfer investigation started in 2002 and has not been completed.

The DEEP has cited CL&P for Petroleum Spills that require remediation.

Since this site has been listed as a contaminated site, how has this affected the aquifer in the area that will supply the water to the Marijuana plants?

According to Consumer Protection Marijuana facilities must satisfy their security features that include professional alarm systems that, at a minimum include: a Perimeter alarm. Motion detector, Video cameras at all entry and exit points and all areas containing marijuana, Duress, panic and holdup alarms and the ability to remain operational during a power failure.

This facility will impact the quality of life of the residential neighbors in the area.

The Marijuana factory produces products such as Med Tabs, Pre-Rolled Cones, Raw Flower, Vape Cartridges, Vape Pen, various infused cookies, brownies, sublingual Strips, Concentrate and Concentrated Oil. This appears to be the Whole Foods facility for Marijuana. When these treats are brought home they are available to the entire family and friends. Small children could ingest the Marijuana treats.

The Hartford Courant published an op-ed written by Judith Grisel a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Bucknell University that stated , “ the best-documented medical effects of marijuana are achieved without the chemical compound that gets users high. “It’s not addictive.” “This is false, because the brain adapts to marijuana as it does to all abused drugs, and these neural adjustments lead to tolerance, dependence and craving-the hallmarks of addiction”

With the increase in medical conditions that are permitted for Marijuana consumption, physicians have increased the prescriptions for Marijuana. This will eventually create another epidemic in mind-altering drugs and more mental health issues.

A Zone change requires the applicant to establish that the zone change is beneficial to the community. Having a Marijuana Factory is not beneficial to the community, diminishes the quality of life in Simsbury and changes the impression that Simsbury is a family oriented community.

Simsbury should not be acclaimed as a community that condones the manufacturing and use of marijuana as a tool for Economic Development.

During the discussion, Jamie Rabbitt, Director of Planning and Community Development did not consider the known environmental issues on the property as a denial.

Is Jamie Rabbitt more interested in embracing and approving a large corporation’s development to the detriment of the health and safety of the Simsbury community?

The Town received $10,000 for the installation and use of the charging station for any users free of charge until the $10,000 was spent. The Grant money has been used up and now the taxpayers are paying for free electricity to all who charge their cars. There should be a mechanism in place for people to pay for the electricity. As taxes are escalating, I don’t think the Simsbury taxpayers should be paying for a free for all at the charging stations.

Both C-Tec Solar and the ISCC are asking for abatements. C-Tec has been denied their request by the Board of Selectmen on legitimate grounds and owes the Town $50,217.53 in back taxes. C-Tec Solar should not be rewarded for bad behavior.

The ISCC pays $80,000 in lieu of taxes which has been reduced over the years. They are financially capable of paying this small amount and should not receive an abatement.