Around Town: Selectmen Will Not Request Delay of Marijuana Law, Choose to End Monthly Office Hours and More

Foxborough’s Board of Selectmen chose not to follow the recent actions of several towns in the area to join Walpole’s lead in requesting a delay in the implementation of the “medical marijuana law,” which is set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2013.

Selectmen agreed to take no action on Walpole’s request to send a letter to the town’s legislative delegation seeking support to pass legislation that would delay the effective of the medical marijuana law.

“Not to be critical of anyone but I think there is some concern about control of marijuana use and who would be at these clinics,” said Foxborough Town Manager Kevin Paicos. “I’m not sure that’s really founded because the Department of Public Health is putting out some stringent regulations about this obviously. In other states where it is allowed it is very tightly controlled for obvious reasons.”

Paicos admitted he wasn’t sure what the “fear is” with medical marijuana.

“Unless somebody can articulate something specific I think sending a letter saying don’t implement [the medical marijuana law] against the overwhelming will of the voters is kind of throwing it in the face of the voters,” Paicos said.

The board is expected to relay the request to the planning and zoning boards to review zoning options if a medical marijuana dispensary were to be proposed in town.

“I think it’s a good idea for the planning board to think about it,” said Foxborough Board of Selectmen chair James DeVellis.

Selectmen in Easton took similar action this week, deferring Walpole’s request to its zoning and planning boards.

Four other towns in the area elected to join Walpole’s attempt to delay the Jan. 1, 2013 start date of the medical marijuana law in Massachusetts.

Selectmen in Wrentham, Norwood, Dedham and Stoughton all approved Walpole’s request.

Foxborough Board of Selectmen to End Monthly Office Hours

Due to poor attendance, selectmen decided at Tuesday’s meeting to end the monthly office hours at Town Hall and return to a meeting by appointment approach.

“I thought it would be a good idea and people would be responsive but it hasn’t worked out,” said Foxborough Board of Selectmen vice chair Mark Sullivan. … “I think it’s time to move on from that and if people want to come in they can make an appointment.”

Selectmen agreed and opted to end office hours.

Members of the board were holding open office hours on the first Tuesday of every month in the Andrew Gala Meeting Room of Town Hall. The hours were from 10 a.m. to noon and 5 to 6:30 p.m.

“[It was] an opportunity to come down to Town Hall if [residents had] something they [wanted] to discuss with the Board of Selectmen,” said selectman Virginia Coppola. “[It was] just an opportunity for one-on-one [with selectmen].”

The board encourages residents to contact Town Hall to set up an appointment if they would like to meet with members of the board.

Selectmen Appoint Paul Dumas as Alternate to Board of Directors of Crossroads Veterans Services District

Crossroads Veterans’ Services District board member Robert Siteman sent a letter to selectmen requesting the board appoints Paul Dumas as an alternate member on the Board of Directors to fill in for Siteman while he recovers from knee surgery.

“I think that along with the Board of Selectmen and town manager’s support of veterans; veteran representation on the district’s board has been a key strong point of Foxborough veteran support, in the district’s first one-year trial period,” Siteman said in his letter to selectmen. “Of the four towns in the district, over the past year, Foxborough has had the most support and least negative press. If it is the will of the Foxborough Board of Selectmen, I recommend veteran Cyril “Paul” Dumas, to represent the town in all district maters, in my absence, effective immediately through Jan. 31, 2013.”

Selectmen unanimously approved the request.

Selectmen Re-Appoint Two to Agricultural Commission

Selectmen unanimously reappointed John Hazeldine and Rosemary Smith to the Agricultural Commission for 3-year terms, expiring on Dec. 14, 2015.

Fred Smerlas Alcohol License Approved for Patriots Playoff Game(s)

Selectmen unanimously approved the request by Fred Smerlas First & Goal for a one-day all alcohol license for the New England Patriots home playoff game in January 2013. The Patriots won the AFC East division last Sunday in Miami, assuring the town there would be at least one playoff game played in Foxborough this season.

Selectmen Approve Lake View Pavilion’s Request for Early Openings

Selectmen approved Anastasia Tsoumbanos’ request for 11 a.m. openings at Lake View Pavilion on Saturdays and Sundays in 2013.

Selectmen Accept Meeting Minutes

Selectmen approved the meeting minutes from Nov. 13 and Nov. 20.