SOUTHAMPTON — Voters will decide whether to implement a temporary moratorium on recreational marijuana businesses at a special Town Meeting next week.
The meeting begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the William E. Norris School gymnasium, 34 Pomeroy Meadow Road. Town Moderator Robert Floyd will hold an information session on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 210 College Highway, to discuss the moratorium and 36 articles on the warrant.
If approved, the moratorium, listed as Article 9 on the warrant, would be in place until Dec. 31, but Health Director Geraldine Swanson said it could be shorter than that.
“It just gives us a little bit of time,” Swanson said on the town finalizing regulations on pot shops.
The state is set to implement regulations March 15 and will begin accepting applications from marijuana retailers and other related businesses April 1. During the moratorium, the town will undertake a planning process to address potential impacts of legal marijuana, according to the warrant.
Southampton voters narrowly approved — 1,912 to 1,880 — a statewide ballot question in November 2016 that legalized adult use of recreational marijuana.
On Article 16, the Police Department is asking for $4,800 for five high-velocity vests and five Kevlar helmets for active shooter situations.
Police Chief Mike Goyette said mass shootings throughout the country prompted him to make preparations for the department.
“It really doesn’t matter what size city or town you’re in,” Goyette said.
If an incident were to occur in Southampton, Goyette said, he wants officers to be protected.
Police have also requested $5,020 to cover the cost of replacing a failing video dash camera system in a police cruiser under Article 24, and $4,900 for a portable radar speed limit sign under Article 26.
Goyette said the current radar detector is on a trailer and must be towed. The portable radar sign would be more efficient, but also would record data, such as highest, lowest and average speeds.
Under Article 28, voters will decide whether to transfer $40,000 to the Conservation Commission to fund necessary preservation, including a new roof for the Szczypta Barn.
Select Board Chairman Charlie Kaniecki said the barn’s roof has become a hazard and the metal can potentially blow onto the road.
Article 29 asks for $30,000 for a feasibility study for a preliminary design for the restoration of old town hall
“We need to have that study,” Kaniecki said, adding that it will determine the next steps on what to do with the building.
Article 31 asks for $12,000 to clean and straighten Revolutionary War and Civil War veterans’ grave markers in Center Cemetery. Restoring the grave markers has been a continuing effort for the town.
William E. Norris School is requesting $45,000 for a boiler replacement under Article 33 and $15,000 for new carpet in the school’s library with Article 32.
Article 34 is for $35,000 to purchase a modular trailer unit for the Fire Department and Article 35 is for $62,000 to purchase a lawn mower for the Highway Department.
Caitlin Ashworth can be reached at cashworth@gazettenet.com.
Editor’s Note: This story was changed on Jan. 11, 2018, to clarify that the proposed moratorium would apply to recreational marijuana establishments.