BELCHERTOWN — Ashby-based marijuana cultivator Minuteman Farm will be moving ahead with a virtual host community outreach meeting on Friday at 6 p.m. for its proposed 3,000-square foot cannabis cultivation operation at 401 Mill Valley Rd., off Route 181.
On Dec. 7, representatives of Minuteman Farm came before the Select Board about seeking approval for the cultivation of marijuana at the location. The board previously signed a community host agreement with another cultivation company, High Peaks at the same property.
A week later, on Dec. 14, Belchertown Town Administrator Gary Brougham had received confirmation that High Peaks “has surrendered all future interest in this property” with the company’s lease also having expired.
Richard Barry, owner of Minuteman Farm, said another community outreach event will take place at a later date after Friday’s meeting as is required by the Cannabis Control Commission.
Select Board Chairman Gail Gramarossa said the next steps for Minuteman Farm include the community outreach meeting on Friday and gaining site approval by the Planning Board.
“Personally, for me, I feel like because you’ve done additional steps, I’m comfortable with moving forward and having the final product and the negotiations happen between the town administrator and Minuteman,” she said.
The rest of the board had no objections about Brougham negotiating a final community host agreement. Brougham said he plans on bringing the final version of the agreement before the Select Board at its next meeting slated for Dec. 21.
Chris Goudreau can be reached at cgoudreau@gazettenet.com.