The renovated Tremont Nail Factory steel building. Photo by: Kenneth Borges
During an April 27 meeting, the Board of Selectmen unanimously voted to approve the lease and marijuana host community agreement negotiated with Aspen Blue Cultures.
Aspen Blue Cultures plans to use the steel building at the Tremont Nail Factory to manufacture and package a variety of cannabis products.
The Wareham Redevelopment Authority had discussed the negotiated lease and host community agreement during a March 4 meeting and suggested changes.
As of the end of that meeting, under the proposed host community agreement with Aspen Blue Cultures, the town would receive three percent of the company’s gross sales up to $450,000 per year as a “community impact fee.” By state law, towns can charge “community impact fees” for up to five years.
Renderings of Bentley Companies’ proposed Tremont Nail Factory development. Images courtesy: Bentley Companies
After minimal additional discussion during the board’s April 27 meeting, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve awarding Bentley Companies the title of master developer for the Tremont Nail Factory property.
Bentley Companies, a Rhode Island-based operation, presented its vision for the Tremont site to the Wareham Redevelopment Authority and to the Board of Selectmen earlier this year. In mid-March, the Redevelopment Authority recommended that the selectmen choose Bentley Companies as master developer for the site.
Bentley Companies’ plan envisions the site with office space, retail establishments and a brewery or restaurant of some sort. The developer’s vision also includes a waterfront community park complete with a pier, boardwalk and kayak rentals.
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The renovated Tremont Nail Factory steel building. Photo by: Kenneth Borges
Aspen Blue Cultures is close to securing a host community agreement and lease to use the steel building on the Tremont Nail Factory property to manufacture and package a variety of cannabis products.
The Board of Selectmen voted Feb. 2 to authorize the negotiation of a host community agreement and a lease for the building at 8 Elm Street in Wareham, and the town is still negotiating the terms.
During a March 4 meeting, members of the Wareham Redevelopment Authority suggested tweaks to what had been proposed so far.
When negotiating a host community agreement with a marijuana company, the town can set conditions, charge a community impact fee and clarify the responsibilities of the town and business owner.
The building at 4 Recovery Road. Photo courtesy: Town of Wareham
The fate of a town-owned building at 4 Recovery Road is once again unknown after Baystate Labs a company that planned to conduct cannabis testing at the site asked to terminate its lease.
The Baystate Labs facility would have been located in the building that used to house the Christopher Donovan Day School, which has since moved to the Hammond School in Onset. The Board of Selectmen approved the negotiation of a host community agreement with Baystate Labs on Feb. 10, but that approval was contingent upon the 4 Recovery Road lease being executed.