Marijuana host agreement transferred for Spinney Enterprises

The transfer of a host agreement for a marijuana retail store from Spinney Enterprises to Noble Manna, Inc. was approved by a 2-1 vote by the Select Board Tuesday after member Jennifer Thomas asked that town counsel review the wording.

At issue was an error in the initial host agreement granted to Spinney Enterprises, owned by former Select Board Chairman Bruce Spinney. The original agreement called for the hours of operation for the proposed 130 and 134 Worcester St. retail marijuana business to be 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. on Sunday — hours that are inconsistent with the town’s bylaws.

“It simply will be a different entity by name,” Spinney said.

Board member Doreen DeFazio, who voted against the initial host agreement, questioned whether the Select Board would be required to sign a new agreement.

“I’m just not okay with signing a new host agreement for something I was against in the first place,” DeFazio said,

Thomas noted that member Ed Prisby was absent from the meeting and might want to speak on the issue. She suggested that town counsel should also review the changes in wording and recommended the matter be tabled until the next meeting.

Spinney asked that the changes be made as soon as possible, since he needs to submit his paperwork to the state Cannabis Control Commission.

“What I would not like to do is wait another three weeks to submit the packet,” he said.

Carlson and DeFazio voted in favor of the transfer, while Thomas voted against.