CHESTERFIELD — Residents will have the opportunity to weigh in on a proposed marijuana growing operation on Willcutt Road at a Feb. 24 community outreach forum.
Ember Gardens, a southeastern Massachusetts-based company that is looking to transfer its cultivation license from Middleborough to Chesterfield, is holding the forum over Zoom, starting at 6 p.m.
“It’s a state-mandated presentation,” said Shane Hyde, Ember Gardens’ CEO.
Hyde said the company’s presentation at the forum, which is expected to run two hours, will touch on all aspects of the project — from security to employment to traffic to site design.
“After presenting, we’ll open the floor to comments, questions and feedback from the public,” Hyde said.
The proposed site is a little more than 10 acres, and would include both outdoor and indoor cultivation. The company intends to grow marijuana organically using a no-till system, and the final hiring estimate for the business is more than 100 employees. Part of the presentation will include an explanation about how the companion plants that would be grown with the marijuana interact with the crop to naturally suppress its odor.
Hyde said the company’s received some feedback with concerns about light pollution and security, and that it will be addressing those issues in detail.
“We’re always open to modifying our plans,” Hyde said.
Ember Gardens has plans to open up a marijuana delivery business in Middleborough, and dispensaries in both Boston and New Bedford, as well as a processing facility in New Bedford. So far, however, these businesses are still in the approval process.
Roger Fuller, Select Board chairman, said he thinks it’s “great that the townspeople get to say their piece” at the forum.
“Hopefully the people will show up that have concerns or questions,” he said.
He also thinks there’s a good chance people’s concerns will be addressed, as the project being proposed would be built from the ground up.
Eileen Theroux’s residence is on Wilcutt Road near the proposed site.
“For sure I’ll be attending,” she said.
Theroux said a number of neighbors have concerns about the proposal, which she described as “fairly large.”
Increased traffic, the need for fire and police, and environmental concerns are some of the issues she said Wilcutt Road residents have discussed.
“We’re looking forward to hearing more about the proposal,” Theroux said.
She also said she’d like to see a more balanced accounting of the pros and cons of the proposed business.
The Zoom link for the meeting is https://zoom.us/j/7985480068 and the Meeting ID is 798 548 0068. Those interested in the meeting can also phone in by calling 646-558-8656 and entering the Meeting ID.