The agenda item of the Windham Town Council meeting held on
Tuesday, July 9th that brought the crowds into the Town Council Chamber was:
“To discuss and act on the continuation of the Retail Adult-Use and Medical
Task Force”.
The discussion began with Interim Town Manager, Don Gerrish,
giving a historical background of the issue at hand. He explained that the
council had a workshop on June 25th with the town attorney and at
the workshop the council made a tentative decision on marijuana options in
Windham. Due to that meeting and based upon the outcome, Gerrish explained that
he cancelled the Taskforce meeting, admitting that he made an assumption
without the direction of the Council.
The floor was then open for public comment with Maggie Terry,
co-owner of Legal Leaf the first to speak.
She expressed that she felt the task force was not being
heard by town leadership and believed, as a chair of that task force, she had
not received any guidance from the council. Terry also mentioned that she had
heard there were some complaints about the cannabis industry and when she asked
what those complaints were so they could be addressed, she received no
response. Terry reiterated, “the owners of the cannabis industry are
hardworking and family oriented and Windham can benefit from this business. The
cannabis community wants to work together for the best of all involved.”
She presented more than 200 signatures for all legal use
marijuana options.
Joanne Mattiace, also of
Legal Leaf, spoke to the council about her concern regarding the town
attorney’s work with a cannabis company. “The law firm that represents the town
and advises the council simultaneously advises a cannabis company,” she said. “It’s
critical that we consider if this is a conflict of interest. Any advice by the
legal council [at the above-mentioned meeting] may have been bias.”
Mattiace asked the council
the following questions:
When did the law firm’s representation begin? Which client
did it serve first?
Was the duo representation made known to the town?
Who advised on this matter?
What is the specific billing arrangement with the law firm?
Response from Council:
Councilwoman Donna Chapman reiterated that the Council did
not know about the cancellation of the task force meeting and intends to make
sure that everything will get back on track. She suggested that with signatures
it be put on the ballot for public vote in November. In regard to the Town
Attorney, if there is a problem it will be looked into. “The only thing we are
saying ‘No’ to right now is adult use grow stores. We try to listen to both
sides of the voters.”
Councilmen Jarrod Maxfield stated that he does believe the task
force should continue and concurred with Chapman that if there is a problem
with the law firm and a potential conflict of interest, research in the matter
should occur.
Councilwomen Rebecca Cummings admitted that she was torn
about continuing the task force because, “Since we voted ‘no” for adult use – I
do not want to have the task force members leave their families every week to
meet on the committee. But at the same time, perhaps a compromise could be
made.”
For more details about the meeting and to hear opinions from
members of the task force, the minutes and video can be found at: www.windhammaine.us/
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