BRUNSWICK
Councilors approved Monday night an emergency moratorium banning recreational marijuana shops and social clubs in town, even as a recount on the citizen initiative Question 1 continues in Augusta.
Brunswick’s moratorium will be revisited in 50 days.
District 6 Councilor Jane Millett sponsored the item that was supported unanimously.
The council decided they needed time to further understand the law should Question 1 go into effect.
It appears that the ballot initiative will survive the recount, yet opponents of Question 1 may not readily give up the fight. The referendum makes it legal for adults 21 and over to buy up to 2 1/2 ounces of marijuana. Sales of edible pot and social clubs or hangouts where marijuana would be consumed also are allowed, but a municipality can ban both.
Recreational marijuana would be taxed at 10 percent.
A public hearing on Dec. 19 will determine if the moratorium will be extended 180 days.
Mere Point developments, shellfish licenses
Town Manager John Eldridge announced that the town has cleared the title on 946 Mere Point Road, a hotly contested piece of waterfront property.
“A quit claim deed (was) received from the prior owner and that was recorded today,” said Eldridge on Monday.
Richard W. Nudd of Walpole, Massachusetts, is the prior owner.
A group of citizens sought to turn the water-view property into a public park via a petition. Petitioner Soxna Dice was in the audience and Eldridge said seeing her prompted his announcement of the recorded sale.
Also announced Monday, shellfish licensing fees are now higher. For resident commercial, $500, up from $300; non-resident commercial, $750 up from $450; resident recreational, $50 from $25; non-resident recreational, $75 from $50; resident student commercial, $100 from $75; non-resident student commercial, $150 from $125; and bushel commercial license, $225 from $175.
License fees help offset the cost of the marine resources program, Eldridge said. Fees cover about 20 percent of the $140,000 program. Money from property taxes pay the remaining 80 percent. About 50 licenses in all are now under issue.
“Our fee will be among the higher fees,” he said. “Setting aside $2,500 to $2,700 out of $140,000 is something we want to do every year.”
lconnell@timesrecord.com
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