Cannabis Moratorium in Wilton: A Reconsideration for Progress
The town of Wilton is reevaluating its stance on a cannabis licensing moratorium, as requested by the cannabis ordinance committee. This reconsideration comes after discussions about the need for a moratorium to be put in place until the review and revision of existing ordinances is complete.
Town Manager Perry Ellsworth informed the Wilton Board of Selectpersons about the cannabis ordinance committee’s recommendation during a meeting on August 1st. Ellsworth highlighted the main reason behind this proposed moratorium – the Planning Board would have to follow specific procedures related to zoning ordinances, which would necessitate public hearings.
This isn’t the first time a moratorium has been suggested in Wilton. Town Manager Perry Ellsworth initially proposed a moratorium on cannabis licenses for growth, cultivation, and store fronts in April. However, this suggestion was dismissed by the Select Board as some members believed the zoning ordinances needed to be reexamined before enacting a “blanket moratorium” on new cannabis facilities.
The idea of a moratorium resurfaced on June 6th, with Ellsworth bringing it to the Select Board for consideration. At that meeting, it was revealed that the town had four pending dispensary applications, with seven licensed cannabis operations already in operation. Ultimately, the Select Board voted in favor of Ellsworth presenting a moratorium on all cannabis operations at a subsequent meeting.
However, when the next meeting arrived, Ellsworth proposed an alternative approach. He suggested bypassing the moratorium and instead forming a committee to review and revise the policies and ordinances. It was believed that this would be a more productive and timely solution to address the issues surrounding cannabis regulations.
The town formed the cannabis ordinance committee, which includes members of the Select Board and the Planning Board. They scheduled a meeting on July 20th, which was later rescheduled to July 27th. The committee’s discussions included topics such as penalties for ordinance violations and updates to various aspects of the cannabis regulations. One issue they encountered was the lack of a comprehensive fee structure for cannabis-related activities.
While the committee continues to meet and review the existing ordinances, the draft of the moratorium is still pending for presentation to the Select Board. If approved, a moratorium would require two public hearings and may not take effect until October or November.
The reconsideration of the cannabis moratorium in Wilton shows the town’s commitment to ensuring well-informed and up-to-date cannabis regulations. By assembling a committee to conduct a thorough review and revision of existing policies, Wilton aims to strike a balance between supporting the cannabis industry’s growth and ensuring compliance with local zoning ordinances.
Residents and stakeholders can keep abreast of the ongoing developments by contacting the town office at [207] 645-4961. As Wilton moves forward with this reconsideration, it is evident that they are focused on making progress while addressing the concerns surrounding cannabis licensing and regulation.
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