Voters at 2017 Foxborough Town Meeting Confirm Pot Ban

FOXBOROUGH, MA — Following a vote at the Annual Town Meeting, marijuana businesses are officially not welcomed in Foxborough.

Voters at Monday night's meeting completed the two-step dance needed to prevent all recreational marijuana business and dispensaries from setting up shop in town. To opt out of the state ballot question which passed last year, towns need to pass a ballot question and receive a vote of approval at a town meeting.

Resident Dennis Naughton said he saw the issue not as a drug one, but a revenue issue.

“I think this is an economic issue. Maybe another town will do it, they’ll get the benefit and the people from Foxborough will go there,” Naughton said.

Many residents said the ban was needed because of uncertainty on the state level regarding enforcement and regulation.

"We’ve already seen on the state level how they are arguing on how to control this stuff. They don’t know. The best way to control it is to not have it,” resident Ernie Hirsch said.

The ban was approved 142 to 22. While all licensed recreational marijuana business cannot open in Foxborough, the ban does not affect medical marijuana laws and does not prevent the private consumption by adults 21 and older.

In other town meeting actions, voters approved an article that gives the town manager the power to declare a winter parking ban during a snow emergency. Despite some concerns over who is liable if a town plow hits a mailbox, the meeting approved an article on town snow removal operations.

At the top of the meeting, the town’s fiscal year 2018 $73.15 million budget, which includes the funding for the town’s first tuition-free full-day kindergarten program, was approved.

A stormwater bylaw which is apart of a 2003 EPA permit on practices for taking care of stormwater was passed. Town Engineer Chris Gallagher said most of the content has been put to use by the planning board and conservation commission.

Overall, the entire warrant was passed without any amendments. Unofficial attendance was 329 voters, according to Town Clerk Bob Cutler.

Image Credit: Dan Libon