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Date: 12/27/2022
WESTFIELD – Representatives of the Pioneer Valley Trading Co. came before the Planning Board on Dec. 20 seeking a special permit to relocate the retail portion of their planned marijuana operation to 475 Southampton Rd., the current site of a Dunkin’ Donuts that is moving to a new location. After the discussion, the hearing was continued to Jan. 17.
Pioneer Valley Trading Co. principals Jason Fiore of Southwick and Mike Albert of Westfield, and attorney Valerio Romano, told the board that they already have a host community agreement with the city of Westfield for their cultivation business at 99 Medeiros Way, which is under construction. They said the Southampton Road location was more appropriate for a retail business.
At least one neighbor at the public hearing didn’t agree.
An abutter said he was opposed to having a cannabis retailer move in.
“Don’t we have enough marijuana?” asked Robert Goyette of 498 Southampton Rd. He said he had lived in the house for 55 years, and was in business in the area for 67 years. “I’m against it. There are so many shops I see. What about our children,” he said, adding that college students could sneak in with fake IDs.
“Last week, one of the few established marijuana shops in Holden went bankrupt. All this has happened in the last 10 years,” Goyette said. He asked if the owners would be buying the building, and Albert said they would.
Romano said his business would be a good neighbor.
“Personally, I would much rather live next to a nice cannabis retailer than a Dunkin’,” Romano said.
“It’s an appropriate location and won’t adversely impact the neighborhood; will decrease traffic and conform with the intent of the zoning district,” he said, adding that the Pioneer Valley Trading will give 10 percent of its profits to the local YMCA, Boys & Girls Club and Amelia Park Children’s Museum.
Romano said only exterior modifications were planned for the Dunkin’ location, which he said would have a “clean” appearance. Among the modifications will be removal of the drive-through window, menu board and directional paint.
A traffic study by T. Reynolds Engineering showed that the new business would decrease the number of trips per week to and from the location, from 2,000 trips per day to 600 trips per day for the new usage.
Romano said the company will maintain the existing landscaping on the property, and if requested by the Planning Board, will add to the landscaping. He also said the group had met with the Police Department and the Fire Department to discuss security. Romano said security will also be monitored by the state Cannabis Control Commission (CCC).
“I’ve personally been involved with opening 100 cannabis shops. The CCC is basically comprised of law enforcement,” Romano said.
There will be cameras on the interior and exterior of the business, which will allow only authorized visitors 21 and older. All litter waste will be in a locked dumpster, and any unused cannabis product will be returned. No cannabis will be visible on the outside of the building, and on-site consumption will not be allowed.
Planning Board member Richard Salois asked whether the Southampton Road location would replace the retail portion of the business on Medeiros Way. Albert said Southampton Road would become the company’s only retail location.
In response to more questions from Salois, Romano said the retail would be strictly recreational products, not medicinal, which he said is too costly to operate in Massachusetts. He said the company has no plans for home delivery services.
Bowen said the CCC requires a public meeting, and asked if the Pioneer Trading Co. had hosted one yet.
“It might be better if it was held first,” he said.
Romano said they would schedule a community outreach meeting, and the board agreed to reopen its public hearing on Jan. 17.