Amenia Town Board continues public hearings on cannabis dispensaries

AMENIA — Two public hearings on whether or not to permit a cannabis dispensary to join the town’s business landscape and consideration of term limits on the Town Board were some of the topics discussed at the regular meeting of the Town Board on Thursday, Jan. 16. Councilmember Brad Rebillard was absent.

The first of the public hearings on the topic of a cannabis retail establishment concerned opting in to state regulations, a necessary step to reversing a 2022 local law that had opted out of those state regulations. The second of the public hearings would incorporate a new local law into the zoning code to regulate cannabis dispensaries in the town, detailing permitted locations and rules regarding operations.

Both public hearings heard residents’ concerns about the wisdom of allowing such establishments.

Councilmember Rosanna Hamm suggested continuing both public hearings to allow more public input at the next Town Board meeting on Thursday, Feb. 5.

All residents who offered comment favored holding a town-wide referendum on the question of allowing a cannabis dispensary to open and operate within the town.

Citing years of experience as a member of the Town Board, resident Darlene Riemer opposed allowing a dispensary, detailing the dangers of the use of drugs particularly among young families.

“I don’t think cannabis is necessary,” she said, favoring provision of more recreational opportunities for the town’s young families.
Seeing a link between drug use and mental health issues, resident Bob Riemer strongly opposed the proposed dispensary, urging the Town Board to take a hard look at the proposal.

Resident Judy Moran also opposed the proposal, although she would favor helping those who need it for medicinal use to find more convenient, safe access.

Before the meeting ended, councilmember Paul Winters defended the cannabis dispensary proposal indicating no referendum was held on the Town Board’s 2022 opting out of the state regulations, and questioned whether a referendum should be held to opt in. He noted the town of Pine Plains has opted in to allow for dispensaries.

“Drugs will be here whether you regulate or not,” Winters said, adding, “Society is changing.”

Councilmember Hamm said she would like to hear from the voters on the matter.

Term Limits

Councilmember Winters introduced two measures to effect a change in length of terms on the Town Board suggesting that the questions be voted on at referendum.

Under one proposal, the term of service for the Town Supervisor would change from two to four years, to equal the length of term of councilmembers. Under a second proposal, councilmembers would be limited to four consecutive four-year terms, or a limit of 16 years.

Councilmember Hamm did not see a need for the limits, recalling that a 2016 ballot question proposing term limits was rejected by voters by a wide margin.

Town Supervisor Leo Blackman expressed his opinion that the idea of term limits seemed undemocratic, that voters make their determinations when they vote.

Following discussion, the board agreed to allow voters at referendum to determine whether the Town Supervisor’s term should be lengthened from two to four years. The vote was 3 to 1, with Hamm voting in the negative.