Police & Fire

Dexter looks to adjust marijuana ordinance

DEXTER — A month after the Dexter Town Council amended its ordinance on marijuana businesses to permit medical marijuana facilities and adult use marijuana products manufacturing facilities, another proposed change is being brought forward.

During the April 13 council meeting town officials scheduled a public hearing for the Thursday, May 11 session on an amendment concerning marijuana businesses. The adjustment would change the word “license” to “shall issue” to clear up some inconveniences for the medical marijuana establishments. The formal wording will be brought to the hearing and is set to be voted on by the town council at a future meeting.

Under last month’s approved ordinance amendment the two types of facilities are now permitted, provided all necessary state and local authorizations and permits have been obtained. Previously both had been limited to marijuana extraction only. The extraction process removes active ingredients from the plant to create a more refined and potent form of cannabis.

In January the council renewed the medical marijuana manufacturing license for Delta Solutions. Town Manager Trampas King explained Delta Solutions wanted to do more than simply marijuana extraction, such as packaging, formatting, and edibles at its 399 Corinna Road facility. The business requested its ordinance to be amended to no longer say “marijuana extraction only.”

In other business, the council approved the closure of Grove Street on the first Saturday of the month from May to September — weather permitting — in order for Story Teller Guitars owner David Iverson to hold cruise-ins by his business. Proceeds from the events on May 6, June 3, July 1, Aug. 5, and Sept. 2 will benefit non-profit organizations.

A similar event held last year at the municipal parking lot drew 35 vehicles and more than 100 attendees.

Councilors also accepted a pair of donations on April 13. First Heart of Maine United Way contributed $2,000 for fuel assistance, and the Maine Community Foundation donated $3,400 to the town’s age friendly committee for the construction of raised garden beds.

In his report King said work on the 2023-24 budget has begun with department heads preparing their funding requests. He said the council will start its work on the finances the first week of May.

The current Dexter budget totals $6,913,918, which was up by $148,804 from the year before. The net budget is $4,696,625, and the 2022-23 mill rate is $20 per every $1,000 assessed property. 

King also reported the day before a number of Dexter Regional High School students took part in community service projects across town. Students picked up Crosby Park, the Grist Mill area, beach, and bus garage. Others organized the emergency food cupboard, planted bulbs, and painted the rocks at the beach.

During the winter months the council moved its monthly meetings up to 6 o’clock on the second Thursday of the month. Starting in May the start time will go back to 7 p.m.

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