Select Board votes to seek one-year ban on recreational cannabis delivery in Lexington
The Lexington Select Board voted unanimously on July 21 to request a one-year temporary waiver from the state Cannabis Control Commission that would prohibit retail recreational marijuana delivery in town. The 5-0 vote was the most consequential decision from the board's recent meeting, where members also approved several licenses and appointments.
Cannabis delivery waiver
The board voted 5-0 to request the one-year waiver from the Cannabis Control Commission. If granted by the state, the waiver would temporarily prohibit retail recreational marijuana delivery within Lexington. The vote represents a formal request to the state; the Cannabis Control Commission would make the final determination.
Art installation, licenses, and appointments
Also on July 21, the board approved several items by 5-0 votes:
- An extension of the Riding Through History art installation and the auctioning of three horses.
- A Common Victualler License for Commune All Day Cafe at 7 Depot Square.
- A one-day liquor license for Wilson Farm.
- The appointment of Samantha Richard to the Historical Commission.
These items were part of the board's consent agenda and passed without dissent.
Financial summit held as discussion only
A joint meeting of the Select Board, School Committee, Appropriation Committee, and Capital Expenditures Committee covered long-term fiscal policy topics including revenue allocation between the town and schools, OPEB (retiree health benefit) funding, capital planning, and the use of free cash. No votes were taken on any policy item. The Select Board voted 5-0 to adjourn the meeting at 9:04 p.m., and the other committees followed.
Items on the agenda with no published minutes yet
Several other items appeared on July 21 Select Board agendas, but official minutes have not yet been published for those discussions. It is not possible to confirm from available records whether votes were taken on these items. They included:
- An update on the Lexington High School project.
- One-day liquor license requests for Spectacle Live at 1605 Massachusetts Avenue (four events), the Lexington-Waltham Lodge of Elks #2204 at 959 Waltham Street, and the Lexington Historical Society.
- A proposed Common Victualler License for Dunkin' Donuts/Jimmy Johns at 323 Marrett Road.
- Temporary bike lanes and green paint on Massachusetts Avenue between Bow Street and Maple Street.
- A proposed amendment to Chapter 192 Traffic Rules and Orders, including four-way stops at Forest/Clarke and Forest/Muzzey intersections and parking restrictions on Parker Street.
- End-of-year budget adjustments.
- Discussions on a proposed local election voter turnout task force, trash program options, Article 31 and a potential referendum, and potential solar projects at Muzzey Parking Lot and Pine Meadows Golf Club.
- A continued hearing on Eversource grant of locations for Massachusetts Avenue/Meriam Street/Depot Place and 17 Hartwell Avenue.
- Committee appointments to the Communications Advisory, Design Advisory, Housing Partnership Board, and Town Celebrations Subcommittee bodies.
Readers should check the town's official meeting portal for published minutes confirming any outcomes on these items.
Coming up
No government meetings are listed on the town calendar for the next 14 days. Residents should monitor the town website for any newly posted agendas.