THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, JUnE 14, 2024 Page 17 LEAPING | FROM PAGE 15 ment’ … This court will not be the first to so rule.” Northeastcann criticized the town manager In the lawsuit filed early this year, Northeastcann lawyers alleged that Sanctuary Medicinals’ project contained numerous adverse conditions that prevented it from being a marijuana establishment. In the complaint, the lawyers were also highly critical of Town Manager Crabtree and his use of the seven-member Marijuana Establishment Review Committee (MERC) to make recommendations on which companies to issue an S-2 permit. “There is an apparent political dispute between the town manager and selectmen members,” the complaint said. “The town manager failed to follow the bylaws related to the Host Community Agreement,” according to the Northeastcann attorney. “Selectmen improperly relied on the findings of the MERC. Selectmen came to meetings with preconceived decisions,” the complaint said. “Selectmen came to the meeting for the special permit, improperly swayed by the MERC and its flawed process.” Sanctuary was only one of two candidates that received a recommendation from the seven-member Marijuana Establishment Review Committee (MERC) for the S-2 permit. The business received a total of 118 points out of a possible 140 in a scoring system. “The Respondent’s proposed location is advantageous, and its extensive cannabis experience and current vertical integration business model are significant benefits,” the committee concluded in its analysis. “The Respondent appeared to be one of the strongest positioned to open, succeed, and provide minimal or manageable impact to the surrounding neighborhood,” it noted. MERC report rated Northeastcann poorly Northeastcann finished fifth in the MERC ranking with 32 points. The committee found the proposed site at 1529 Broadway, the current Avalon Motel, as “adequate.” But the committee was concerned about its proximity to existing cannabis retail businesses operating in Malden and Melrose. Access to the site is difficult, due to significant traffic congestion in the immediate area. In addition, the current and future development of Essex Landing has already added significant traffic and roadway layout challenges, according to the committee. Conclusion: “The lack of an open retail cannabis business and verifiable cannabis retail experience are a concern to the Review Committee. In addition, the proposed location presents negative impact concerns and challenges.” At the selectmen meeting last December, Selectman Corinne Riley made the motion to approve an S-2 permit for Northeastcann, for its proposed site at 1529 Broadway, the current Avalon Motel. Selectman Anthony Cogliano voted to approve the permit. But Selectman Michael Serino and Board of Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta voted against it citing their confidence in the MERC report’s recommendations. It failed 2-2. Pat Russolillo, a retired major in the Massachusetts State Police, challenged the MERC findings about access being an issue for the site. “The best location was the Avalon Motel [Northeastcann], because it would eliminate that public safety nightmare and replace it with a first-class facility,” Selectman Cogliano said in an interview after the December meeting. Selectman Riley also spoke in support of Northeastcann’s application. “To me, it’s unfortunate that the proposed facility at the Avalon Motel [Northeastcann] wasn’t one of the applications approved, as I feel it would be a better use of the site than the current motel with the state renting rooms to migrants, putting a strain on our Police Department and school district,” she said. Board of Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta defended the way the MERC conducted business in making its recommendations. “Both Sanctuary Medicinals and Uma Flowers received the highest scores on location by the Town of Saugus Marijuana Establishment Review Committee,” she said in an interview last December after the vote. “As a Selectman, I have trusted the recommendations of our Police Chief, Fire Chief, Public Health Director and Building Inspector, where these four individuals were members of this committee. I welcome Sanctuary Medicinals to Saugus, and I wish them the best of luck,” she said. She noted that the Board of Selectmen’s responsibility was to grant an S-2 permit (special permit) based on the best location, traffic flow, neighborhood impact, access/egress, proximity to schools, circulation flows, parking and queuing, etc., “as required by our zoning bylaws.” “Once the Board issues the special permit, it’s the Town Manager’s responsibility to enter into the host community agreement. Then it’s up to the state, the Cannabis Control Commission, to issue the license,” she said. LEAPING | SEE PAGE 18 - LEGAL NOTICE - COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS THE TRIAL COURT PROBATE AND FAMILY COURT Essex Probate and Family Court 36 Federal Street Salem, MA 01970 (978) 744-1020 Docket No. ES24C0204CA In the matter of: TERESA ANN FRESINA CITATION ON PETITION TO CHANGE NAME A Petition to Change Name of Adult has been filed by Teresa Ann Fresina of Saugus, MA requesting that the court enter a Decree changing their name to: Terry Sage Bernard. IMPORTANT NOTICE Any person may appear for the purposes of objecting to the petition by filing an appearance at: Essex Probate and Family Court before 10:00 a.m. on the return day of 07/15/2024. This is NOT a hearing date, but a deadline by which you must file a written appearance if you object to this proceeding. WITNESS, Hon. Frances M. Giordano, First Justice of this Court. Date: June 05, 2024 PAMELA CASEY O’BRIEN REGISTER OF PROBATE June 14, 2024 REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS Copyrighted material previously published in Banker & Tradesman/The Commercial Record, a weekly trade newspaper. It is reprinted with permission from the publisher, The Warren Group. For a searchable database of real estate transactions and property information visit: www. thewarrengroup.com. BUYER1 Arreaga, Guilian G BUYER2 Lopez, Edisa C SELLER1 46 Serino Way LLC SELLER2 ADDRESS 46 Serino Way CITY Saugus DATE 05.10.24 PRICE 750000
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