**REVISED** City Council Meeting
Council approved Order 2024-149 to acquire 5 Market St. for City Hall and appropriated $3,150,000; the Council also passed ordinance actions on cannabis retail licensing (2024-099 and 2024-132) and confirmed multiple appointments including James Wilson as Interim Director of Inspectional Services.
The City Council meeting focused on appointments, municipal ordinance changes related to adult-use cannabis, and a major property acquisition for municipal purposes. The Council approved several appointments and reappointments — including James Wilson as Interim Director of Inspectional Services, two Cultural Council appointments, multiple School Building Committee reappointments and a Health Care Trust Commission appointment — and approved the December license list. A public commenter raised concerns about events on November 2 and a missing plaque at 47 Friend Street.
Significant substantive actions included council votes on two cannabis-related ordinances (2024-099 and 2024-132) that amended licensing language and retail limits; those measures passed with recorded minority opposition. The Council unanimously approved Order 2024-149 to acquire 5 Market Street for City Hall use and appropriated $3,150,000 for the acquisition; councilors questioned budget details and the Mayor confirmed certified free cash of roughly $7 million. The Council also referred Ordinance 2024-163 (Special Events usage fee/regulations) and Order 2024-164 (acceptance of a portion of Elm Street) to the appropriate committees and scheduled further consideration on January 28, 2025.