TOWN OF VIENNA PUBLIC HEARING

*CANNABIS PERMISSION ON RETAIL SALES*

June 7th 2023

PRESENT: Town Clerk Beth Bunce, Supervisor Mike Davis, Councilman Darrin Smith, Councilwoman Gail Whitham, Councilman Jason Spellicy, Councilman Jason Lamb

PUBLIC HEARING – CANNABIS PERMISSION ON RETAIL SALES:

The Town of Vienna did not opt out of the state cannabis legislation. The planning board has been looking at what can be done. This mainly involves zoning solutions. The state is still writing the legislation as they go there is no lock on exactly what the law is. There is a presentation at Turning Stone with the Tug Hill Commission. Mr. McMurray stated the background of the law. He also stated that two main concerns that the Planning Board has are dispensaries and adult use consumption sites. These sites are allowed in the Town of Vienna because the Town did not opt out. Some other concerns were growing sites and testing facilities. These are also allowed under the law. Municipalities have the right to adopt zoning site planning and regulations under the law. Mr. McMurray stated some of the solutions they found were to draft an interim town law, draft an interim zoning law amendment, and to create a moratorium with a specific time limit. The Planning Board adopted a resolution at a meeting to recommend the Town Board to establish a moratorium on cannabis related development in the town. The end date would be established after the date. A vote can not be made until the County responds to our request.

A motion was entertained by Councilman Spellicy and seconded by Councilwoman Whitham to open the public hearing on Cannabis Permission on Retail Sales at 7:25PM. Motion carried.

Voting Record:

Councilman Smith Aye

Councilwoman Whitham Aye

Councilman Spellicy Aye

Councilman Lamb Aye

Supervisor Davis Aye

Public Comments:

Rick Mansfield – Wanted to know how much of the revenue the town would receive if there were dispensaries.

Supervisor Davis stated that the town would receive a certain percentage.

Another resident asked if the Town went based on what the Sylvan Beach municipality did.

Supervisor Davis stated they did not follow the Sylvan Beach moratorium.

Mr. Carpenter – Stated that he applauds Mr. MacMurray and the Planning Board A motion was made by Councilman Lamb and seconded by Councilman Spellicy

to close the public hearing at 7:30PM. Motion Carried.