Reporter’s Notebook: Grafton hits an all-time high — except for that fire chief dis
Painters scrape the wood siding of the Grafton Inn in preparation for a new paint job. 
Grafton Common was filled with residents enjoying the fall weather. 
Grafton photographer Carolyn Tay takes professional shots for a client on Grafton Common. 
A pair of dog walkers paused for a picture with one of the scarecrows around Grafton Common. 
Closeup of a Grafton Common scarecrow. Grafton Recreation will be asking residents for vote for their favorites this week. 
A red maple’s leaves are just starting to turn as residents enjoy a new bench on Grafton Common.
MJ’s Market had high hopes of holding its grand opening this past Friday, but a Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission delay now sets opening day for Tuesday.
MJ’s Market will become the first marijuana retailer to open in Grafton since 2016, when cannabis became legal in the state.
The grand opening, with all the bells and whistles and cutting of ribbons is now set for October 29 at the 13 Centennial Drive facility.
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But what’s going on with the remaining holders of the Host Community Agreements? It looks like Resinate, which plans to take over the empty space left by Anzios at 135 Westboro Road, may be making a change.in ownership according to correspondence sent to the Select Board this past week:
“Hello I am in the process of purchasing 135 Westborough rd, in Grafton from JKRP Holdings/Resinate. I would like to add a product manufacturing license to the building and would like to get details on the application process,” said the email.. “Please get in touch when possible.”
This would be the second company to change hands while floating in marijuana limbo. Last month, Jushi Holdings acquired Nature’s Remedy, its property on Millennium Drive, and plans to construct a grow facility.
Meanwhile, Discern’d Cannabis Purveyors, 130 and 134 Worcester Street, has stalled on construction of its retail marijuana facility, one of many ventures affected by supply shortages.
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When Glastonbury, Conn. Fire Chief Michael Thurz rejected the Grafton Select Board’s job offer, a lot of people were asking questions.
Why did he, along with the two other finalists, Chief Robert Valentine of Groveland and Chief Jeffrey Legendre of Bolton, indicate that he would accept the job if offered prior to the interview? What made him change his mind? And how DARE he mention that he was a Yankees fan during playoff season?
Was that one just me?
Fire Chief Search Committee Chair Lydia Bogar has other questions, mainly about the status of her committee, which spent the past six months finding and interviewing candidates .
“Please advise the members of the Search Committee the status of our work and efforts going forward,” she wrote in an email to the Select Board Friday. “We have worked very hard and have a right to know what is going on. Thank you for your anticipated prompt reply, which I hope will be posted on our secure Google site before the close of business today.”
On the agenda for Tuesday’s meeting: the disbanding of the current search committee. The board, in the aftermath of Thurz’s heel turn last week, discussed forming a new committee last week with slightly different criteria for the next fire chief, who will be the department’s first full-time chief. The new chief will replace Fire Chief Mickey Gauthier, who retires at the end of December.
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