What to Expect at Town Meeting Tonight

Town Meeting starts tonight at 7 p.m. in the auditorium at North Reading High School. There are a couple of topics that may generate discussion at the meeting.

Besides several standard articles on the warrant, including the budget, there are a couple of articles that may get residents talking. The temporary marijuana moratorium and a fire hydrant installation are two of them.

Medical marijuana moratorium

The Community Planning Commission is proposing a temporary moratorium for medical marijuana dispensaries.

Last November, Massachusetts voters approved a ballot proposal that allows medical marijuana sales in the state, which left cities and towns to set regulations for medical marijuana dispensaries. North Reading is proposing a temporary moratorium to residents at Town Meeting, according to Community Planning Administrator Danielle McKnight. The moratorium would temporarily prevent anyone from licensing a dispensary in town, McKnight said. 

The moratorium would last for 18 months and would give the CPC enough time to draft a bylaw to present at October Town Meeting in 2014.

Fire hydrant installation

A Summit Road resident would like a fire hydrant installed on her street in case of an emergency. The fire hydrant would cost $33,000 to install. 

At a recent Board of Selectmen meeting, Selectman Mike Prisco said that he thinks it's necessary, but other residents may want to do the same thing if this one is approved.