City Council Meeting
Public hearing held on Ordinance 2024-099 (Cannabis Retail License Limits) and discussion of Ordinance 2024-132 (licensing adult cannabis retailers); Council approved budget transfers (2024-125, 2024-126), accepted multiple grants (2024-128 through 2024-131), and referred disposition of 9 School St. and 5 School St. (2024-133) to multiple boards and set a follow-up hearing.
The City Council meeting focused on several ordinance and budget matters, a cluster of grant acceptances, and consideration of city-owned property disposition. Public commenters spoke at length in support of Question 2 (a ballot question to replace the MCAS high school graduation requirement), raising concerns about MCAS impacts on students with disabilities, English learners, and economically disadvantaged students; a draft resolution calling for support of Question 2 was submitted. School Committee members reported budget pressures including increased transportation costs and an expensive out-of-district placement, and noted a temporary soft freeze on spending.
On business items, the Council debated local cannabis licensing limits (Ordinance 2024-099), including a proposed amendment to cap retail establishments and legal/contextual discussion; that ordinance was ultimately postponed to a later meeting. The Council approved two budget transfers (2024-125 and 2024-126), unanimously accepted several grants (2024-128 through 2024-131), and referred the mayoral order to dispose of portions of city-owned property at 9 School St. and 5 School St. (2024-133) to multiple boards and commissions and scheduled a follow-up hearing. Other zoning and licensing ordinances related to retail marijuana overlay licensing (2024-132) were discussed and continued for further consideration.