Malden Vol. 28, No. 36 -FREECITY TAKES A STAND AGAINST SMOKING AND VAPING SEE PAGE 7 ADVOCATE www.advocatenews.net Published Every Friday 617-387-2200 Friday, September 6 , 2019 City hopes to dump blue trash bags By Barbara Taormina M alden’s Pay-As-You-Throw blue trash bags are wildly unpopular with residents, but the city’s proposal to switch to a new system of barrels and monthly fees has raised some concerns among residents and city councillors. City Planner Ron Hogan updated the City Council this week on the new trash collection plan that would replace the blue bags with a 64-gallon barrel provided to each household. For each barrel, property owners would be charged a monthly $10 solid waste fee that would be included in monthly water bills. Each household would also receive a 32-gallon recycling bin which may or may not have a cover. Residents who have more trash than will fit in the new barrels would be able to buy stickers to attach to commercial trash bags to dispose of the overflow. “There’s a lot more discussion to be had on this,” said Hogan, adding that so far, the response has been tremendously positive. The city is planning at least two public forums on the plan. Ward 3 Councillor John Matheson, who proposed switching from bags to barrels months ago, raised a concern that most councillors seem to city departments developing and managing a payment system. Ward 5 Councillor Barbara Murphy and Councillor-at-Large Stephen Winslow asked about homes that have no space to store large barrels and bins, and houses that have a hilly climb up and down to the street. They worried that barrels filled with trash would sit on sidewalks all week long. “Barrels all day, every day John Matheson Ward 3 Councillor have heard from at least some of their constituents. Matheson asked about households, and particularly seniors, who generate a small amount of trash and don’t need a large $10-a-month barrel for weekly collections. “This is actually a tax increase for those residents,” said Matheson. Hogan said seniors would be able to apply for an abatement which would lower their solid waste collection fee to $5 a month. Several councillors asked about a program that would give residents the option to use barrels, bags or stickers. But Hogan said a lot of variables would create logistical problems for lessens the curb appeal of the neighborhood,” said Murphy. Ward 2 Councillor Paul Condon focused on the city’s 18-gallon recycling bins, which residents tend to fill with contaminated recycling. “The biggest problem was that recycling ended up all over the street,” he said. Hogan suggested the large trash barrels will have enough room to keep residents from mixing trash with recyclable waste. He also suggested the need for more public awareness about recycling and a city ordinance with teeth that would enforce Malden’s recycling rules. Some residents have raised eyebrows at the city’s timing. The proposal to get rid of the unpopular Pay-As-You-Throw bags was unveiled as Malden heads into a municipal election. But Hogan said the proposal was developed after JRM, HOPES | SEE PAGE 11 DeMaria celebrates birthday with champagne toast Shown from left to right are Councillor-at-Large Stephen Winslow, former Mayor Edward Lucey, Ward 5 School Committee candidate, Adam Weldai, Ward 6 Councillor David Camell, Mayor Gary Christenson, birthday girl Councillor-at-Large Deborah DeMaria, State Senator Jason Lewis (D-Fifth Middlesex), Ward 4 Councillor Ryan O’Malley, Ward 4 School Committee Member, Leonard Iovino and Ward 2 School Committee Member Robert McCarthy, Jr. See page 9 for photo highlights. (Advocate Photos by Tara Vocino) Cannabis Commission approves two license applicants By Barbara Taormina T he Cannabis Licensing and Enforcement Commission voted this week to recommend that two businesses that presented proposals for retail marijuana businesses move on to the next step in the licensing process. MassMedicum, which hopes to open a shop at 616 Broadway at the former site of Broadway Motors, and Standard Naturals, which is planning a store on Linehurst Road next to Kappy’s Fine Wine & Spirits on Route 1, can now start planning a community meeting to present their proposal to residents. After that meeting, they can apply for a special permit from the City Council. These were not quick and easy decisions for the Cannabis Commission, which made every effort to be fair to the eight applicants competing for five available retail licenses. Before even mentioning any of the applicants by name, the commission, which is led by City Planner Ron Hogan, had a long, almost tortuous discussion on how to evaluate each company individually and how to assess their potential relationships to one another. Commission Member Jenelle DeVits pushed hard for the commission to support Dr. James Kurnick’s proposal for MassMedicum. Kurnick, who started two biotech companies focused on developing new cancer treatments, is an expert on medical marijuana and its use to treat cancer and neuromuscular patients. He operates two medical marijuana dispensaries in Amherst and Taunton. MassMedicum’s business plan calls for an on-site compliance officer and a pharmacist who will meet with customers in a consultation room to explain the positives and negatives of cannabis. DeVits praised MassMedicum’s presentation, Kurnick’s experience and expertise and the company’s focus on education. She also stressed that Kurnick has a growing facility in Holbrook which produces high-quality cannabis. Supply will not be a problem for the business, she said. Commission Member Diana Jeong agreed MassMedicum and Kurnick stood out among the applicants as having the most experience and expertise. “Dr. Kurnick seemed passionate about educating people,” she said, adding that he has plenty of money to support his plan. Like Jeong, Police Chief Kevin Molis felt that Kurnick’s knowledge and experience with marijuana set him apart from other applicants. But Molis said the application was for a retail license, and he wondered if consumers would see MassMedicum as a medical marijuana dispensary. But DeVits said the company’s medical background would work in its favor and attract a clientele with needs and interests that differ from local Malden customers. Still, there were other concerns about MassMedicum. Building Commissioner Nelson Miller, who also serves on the Commission, raised questions about the location, which only has 16 parking spots. Miller said he is concerned by the company’s reference to on-street parking in its application. Hogan also had reservations about the location, the limited parking and the impact MassMedicum would have on the neighborhood. The commission is also CANNABIS | SEE PAGE 11 considering an application for a retail shop across the street from MassMedicum, and the medical marijuana dispensary in Melrose is just up the street. $3.39 $2.40 GALLON GALLON We accept: MasterCard * Visa * & Discover Price Subject to Change without notice 100 Gal. Min. 24 Hr. Service 781-286-2602
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