Ban on marijuana sales in Dennis may be lifted at town meeting. What to know.
Voters at the Dennis annual town meeting May 7 will be asked to OK a $47.4 million municipal budget, set aside money for wastewater infrastructure, a Proposition 2 ½ override to replace a 1994 fire department ladder truck and a citizens petition to reverse a ban on recreational marijuana shops in town.
The marijuana shop measure, contained in Article 28 and likely the most controversial, calls for tossing out a bylaw adopted on Oct. 17, 2017 that prohibits recreational marijuana businesses. Article sponsor Kyle Pedicini of 12 Fox Run Circle, South Dennis, wants the town to adopt a zoning bylaw that would allow recreational marijuana establishments by special permit in zoning districts industrial, general commercial 1, and Dennisport Village Center areas A and B.
Proposed marijuana sales not allowed near skating rink
In the proposed regulations, recreational marijuana establishments as defined by the state Cannabis Control Commission, would not be allowed on land abutting the Cape Cod Rail Trail, Tony Kent Arena or residential zoning districts. Shops must be 500 feet or more from schools, day care centers, parks and playgrounds and must not open before 8 a.m. or after 8 p.m. according to the proposal.
The Planning Board has scheduled a public hearing on the proposed petition on May 6 at 6:30 p.m. in Dennis Town Hall. The board has to make a recommendation on any zoning bylaw change, according to Town Planner Paul Foley. The Select Board voted against the reversal on a 3-1-0 vote and the Finance Committee voted against it by a 3-2-0 vote.
Select Board, Finance Committee disagree on how to reach budget goal
The town’s fiscal 2025 operating budget is proposed for $47.4 million, an increase of about $2.7 million over the current budget. The Select Board approved the full amount while the Finance Committee recommended approving $44.3 million and transferring from other funds to reach the same total of $47.4 million.
Two capital outlay items call for borrowing to purchase an aerial ladder truck at $2.2 million, and $720,000 for an ambulance, to total $2.9 million. One or more of the appropriations may be contingent on voter approval of a Proposition 2 ½ debt exclusion at the ballot box.
The Select Board also unanimously voted to recommend the Dennis-Yarmouth Regional District School budget of $80.9 million and to appropriate $19.4 million for the town’s assessment and $1.4 million in debt service for a total of $20.8 million.
Easements to be sought for wastewater projects
The wastewater issues include articles for acquiring land by eminent domain at 120 Theophilus P. Smith Road in South Dennis and obtaining easements on other properties that may be needed for the wastewater projects, such as pumping stations. The Select Board is also asking to transfer uses of a portion of the Ezra Baker Elementary School property on Route 28 from school use to wastewater use.
The Select Board also recommended an article to establish a wastewater enterprise fund for the operation and maintenance and other needs for wastewater infrastructure. The Finance Committee held off on that recommendation. Another article asks for a transfer of $725,000 from the water stabilization fund to pay for consulting services for wastewater planning and design.
The town has developed a comprehensive wastewater management plan that includes a wastewater treatment plant. A town meeting in November 2021 approved $4.5 million to design, engineer and permit the treatment plant. The Select Board reviewed a Phase I modeling plan in March that showed a rendering of the plant and other aspects of implementing a plan. The estimated cost of the plant construction is $247.6 million.
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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Dennis town meeting will be asked to OK town budget, sewerage plans
