Pepperell Planning Board Grants NECC Final 30-Day Marijuana Permit Extension

PEPPERELL — July 19, 2021 — Pepperell Planning Board grants final extension to marijuana retailer seeking second special permit. The board voted unanimously at its July 19 meeting to extend NECC's application for a second cannabis retail special permit to September 15, 2021, explicitly conditioning the vote as the final extension before a decision must be made. Town Planner Lisa advised that the town's active liquor license count — five approved or pending, short of the six required under her reading of the 20 percent bylaw formula — left the board unable to approve a second permit, and she urged an end to continuances. Members were split on the interpretive question, with Joyce and alternate Jennifer arguing the formula should apply to the state's allocation to Pepperell rather than active local licenses, a reading that would permit approval now. "I still go with my opinion that it's 20 percent of the state allocation to Pepperell versus the number of active licenses, given the fact that that number fluctuates constantly," Joyce said. The board also unanimously endorsed a lot-line adjustment ANR plan for 12 Village Road and 35 Park Street, continued a public hearing on a fire-damaged six-family dwelling at 50 Main Street to August 2, and approved $3,028.41 in bike rack purchases from Uline, while flagging that the procurement bypassed normal board notification.