Page 22 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, ApRil 15, 2022 BEACON | FROM PAGE 21 REQUIRE REFERENDUM ON ONSITE CONSUMPTION (S 2801) Senate 3-36, rejected an amendment that would require a city or town to hold a voter referendum on any proposal that would allow the sale of marijuana and marijuana products for consumption on the premises where they are sold. The amendment would replace language in the bill that gives two options to cities and towns: hold a referendum or have the option to give the authority to the City Council or Board of Selectmen. Amendment supporters said that the voters, not city or town offi cials, should have the fi nal say on whether to allow these businesses to operate in the community. “If you believe in democracy and full participation and allowing every voter to weigh in, and most of us do, then you would be in support of this amendment,” said amendment sponsor Sen. Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester). Amendment opponents said cities and towns should have both the referendum option and the local offi cials’ option, which will save the costs of holding a referendum. The main opponent of the amendment, Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz (D-Boston) did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call to comment on the amendment. (A “Yes” vote is for allowing only a referendum. A “No” vote is for allowing a referendum or a vote by local offi cials). Sen. Sal DiDomenico No CREATE A FUND TO HELP CITIES AND TOWNS DEVELOP AGREEMENTS (S 2801) Senate 8-31, rejected an amendment that would create a state-funded Host Community Technical Assistance Fund to help cities and towns in developing and negotiating Home Community Agreements (HCAs)—which are agreements between a city or town and the business looking to open a marijuana-related business in the community. “If we are going to put so much stock in HCAs and put stringent requirements on their accounting and execution, then we ought to be helping municipalities that may not have the ability to negotiate and develop the kind of agreements that we all hope to have,” said amendment sponsor Sen. Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester). Amendment opponents said the fund is not necessary and ~ LEGAL NOTICE ~ ENROLLED ORDINANCE PUBLISHED PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 1 SECTION 4.5 OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF EVERETT AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL LAWS Chapter 43, Section 23. ENROLLED: 04/11/2022 DATE OF PROPOSED ORDAINMENT: 04/25/2022 noted that the bill includes the creation of a model agreement on which cities and towns can base their agreements without spending a lot of money. They also noted cities and towns can use the 3 percent tax that local communities are already entitled to levy on the businesses. The main opponent of the amendment, Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz (D-Boston,) did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call to comment on the amendment. (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it.) Sen. Sal DiDomenico No COMMISSION ON DRUGGED DRIVING (S 2801) Senate 39-0, approved an amendment that would create a Special Commission on Drugged Driving to do research on the development of technology and methods that would reliably test individuals suspected of operating motor vehicles under the influence of marijuana. The commission would submit an annual report, beginning January 1, 2024 of its fi ndings and recommendation for legislation. “From what we have seen in Massachusetts and other states where marijuana has been legalized, there has been an uptick in incidents of driving under the infl uence of cannabis and this remains a significant public safety issue,” said Sen. Mike Moore (D-Millbury). “Drugged driving has long been an issue here in the commonwealth; however, the lack of a reliable test for individuals operating motor vehicles under the infl uence of marijuana has posed challenges to law enforcement. This amendment creates a commission to help ensure that we remain vigilant to advancements in technology and have updated policies for court proceedings to keep our roadways safe.” (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment.) Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes CREATING WOMEN’S RIGHTS HISTORY TRAIL PROGRAM (S 2802) Senate 39-0, approved a bill CITY COUNCIL …………………………………………………………….No. C0201-22 IN THE YEAR TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY-TWO AN ORDINANCE PLACING A RESTRICTION ON THE SALE OF CATALYTIC CONVERTERS TO PRECIOUS METALS DEALERS Councilor /s/ Anthony DiPierro Whereas: The theft of catalytic converters has been on the rise; and Whereas: The Everett Police Department have expressed the need for stricter regulations; and Whereas: The City Council has a duty to address this growing concern among residents. Now, therefore, by the authority granted to the City Council of the City of Everett, Massachusetts to make ordinances; Be it Ordained by the City Council of the City of Everett, Massachusetts that the Revised Ordinances of the City of Everett be amended as follows: Chapter 12, Article XI, Division 25 of the Revised Ordinances of the City of Everett is hereby amended by inserting a new version of Section 12-555(d) as follows and resequencing the current version of said subsection accordingly: (d) Catalytic converter transactions restrictions (C0077-22) No precious metals dealer shall, directly or indirectly, either purchase or receive, by way of barter or exchange, catalytic converters from any business or individual who is not a representative of a licensed motor vehicle body shop or motor vehicle repair shop. This ordinance shall take effect upon passage by the City Council and subsequent approval by His Honor the Mayor. A true copy attest that would require the state to develop and implement a Women’s Rights History Trail Program. The measure includes requiring the state to designate properties and sites that are historically and thematically associated with the struggle for women’s rights and women’s suff rage. Another provision provides that the state promote education and awareness of the struggle for women’s rights in the state. A 13-member Women’s Rights History Trail Task Force would be formed to research, solicit public input and make recommendations for sites, properties and attractions to be included in the trail. The House has already approved its own version of the bill. The Senate version now goes to the House for consideration. “Massachusetts has a rich Sergio Cornelio, City Clerk April 15, 2022 history of involvement in the women’s rights movement,” said the bill’s sponsor Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem). “Women have had a pivotal role in shaping the policies of our commonwealth, and this bill will ensure that those contributions are known and celebrated … The history of these women is our history, and we must continue to advance that history forward.” “Women in Massachusetts BEACON | SEE PAGE 23
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