By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

Why is Bridgton seeing a steady growth in the number of medical and recreational marijuana storefronts compared to neighboring towns?

Since the town approved marijuana guidelines, the Planning Board has approved six storefronts — the most recent in early October an apothecary and medical marijuana facility known as Opus Organics located at 2 Sustainable Way — and a cultivation facility along the Route 302 corridor between Willet Road to the Bridgton-Naples town line. 

“We have four more applications,” Bridgton Planning Board Chairwoman Deb Brusini told the Select Board last week. “So, it’s not leveling off.”

So, planners wondered if Bridgton needs to hit the “pause” button and take another look at town ordinances to see if any adjustments are needed to ultimately “strike a balance” within this growing market.

The “pause” would be in the form of a marijuana moratorium. Representing the Planning Board, Brusini read the following “rationale”:

“Surrounding towns have not seen this type of influx or activity. Another four applications are queuing up. Marijuana establishments may soon be the dominating industry as one enters our town along Portland Road. Why Bridgton? Perhaps because surrounding towns have not permitted all types of marijuana establishments (medical and adult use)? Perhaps our ordinances have loop holes that need to be addressed?

“Because of this influx and to be sure the town strikes an appropriate balance of business diversity, the (Planning) Board recommends a pause from accepting additional applications in order to spend time evaluating the impact of such a large influx in a relatively short period of time and whether our ordinances should be adjusted. For instance, is there an impact on existing businesses in the same districts and is there a hesitation for a variety of businesses to n ow locate in those districts, stifling diverse commercial growth? Is there a safety impact?

“The Board is not promoting nor recommending shutting down businesses or reversing the decisions made by the voters in July 2020 to accept marijuana establishments. The Planning Board would like the time to evaluate our town standards and come back to the Select Board with a recommendation for adjustment or quite possibly not if the findings deem that.”

The proposal called for a 180-day moratorium ordinance on all types of marijuana establishments. A special town meeting would be held in either February or March 2022 to vote on the moratorium.

“A moratorium would not impact small-scale registered caregivers, which are not currently regulated by the municipality,” planners noted.

Several Select Board members, however, failed to see the situation as an “emergency” requiring a moratorium.

“I have a lot of problems with the concept,” Selectman Paul Tworog said. He felt use of a moratorium is valid when a situation, like solar farms, emerge and there is “nothing in ordinance” that assists officials with elements such as visual impact and disposal. He noted that significant time was spent crafting a marijuana ordinance. If the main concern is the amount of “spacing” between marijuana establishments, it can be addressed by amendment to the Land Use Ordinance. But, an “emergency measure” like a moratorium is not needed, Tworog felt. He also speculated the number of marijuana establishment, over time, will likely thin due to attrition.

Brusini pointed out that South Berwick is looking to enact a similar moratorium due to a “large influx effect on the town.” While “noise on social media” regarding perceptions of Bridgton becoming a marijuana epicenter “doesn’t mean there is a need for a moratorium,” hitting the pause button and investigating the issue might be the pertinent path to take, Brusini suggested. Another aspect to look into is safety, Brusini said.

“I don’t think we’ve seen those issues. Vacant storefronts are filling up with businesses. I think the intent of voters, and Board of Selectmen is to grow business opportunities in town. The influx of business — it is working,” Tworog noted.

Selectman Bear Zaidman asked Bridgton Police Chief Phil Jones whether any problems have surfaced in regards to marijuana establishments?

“None that I know of,” Chief Jones responded.

Selectman Fred Packard added that when the town addressed permitted uses within varies districts under the Land Use Ordinance, marijuana operations were limited to the Inner and Outer Corridors.

“Land Use prohibits them (marijuana establishments) except for that strip, so where else are they going to be?” Packard asked.

One change (an area for planners to study) could be the distance between marijuana operations. Right now, there must be at least 300 feet between properties housing marijuana establishments.

Zaidman pointed west noting Fryeburg has four marijuana establishments, and believes “good businesses will survive” and towns need competition amongst its businesses, which is always good for consumers.

“We used to have more car dealers and grocery stores, creating more competition,” he said. “At one time, Bridgton was a center where to get things. It’s happening now, it’s commerce.”

Board Chairwoman Carmen Lone was okay with pursuing a moratorium to take a look at marijuana regulations and find out the pulse of townspeople — is what is on the books and what is happening what people voted for or want?

“I hear people speak about how many more (does Bridgton need)?” Lone said. “I’m not saying I’m against marijuana businesses, but it’s not bad to take a pause (180 days) to take a look at where we want to with this.”

Tworog said concerns have been raised regarding storage facilities, yet “I don’t see us studying to limit the number of self-storage facilities. Again, same concept. There is no harm to study impact, but a moratorium says the town is taking action against business that is allowed. There is no problem to study, and if there is a safety problem, change the ordinance…To stop it, is to me, an extreme step.”

The Select Board decided not to move forward with the moratorium suggestion.