VASSALBORO: Junkyard, marijuana licenses approved by planners

by Mary Grow

The March 3 Vassalboro Select Board meeting began with two public hearings, followed by unanimous approval of applicants’ licenses, as recommended by Codes Officer Ryan Page.

Robert Parise, owner of Platinum Core, LLC, at 1702 Riverside Drive (formerly RAP’s Auto – see The Town Line, Feb. 10), received a junkyard license, with no discussion.

Five medical marijuana business licenses were approved for the property at 55A Old Meadows Road, for building owner Leo Barnett and growers Colin Dorsey, William Cunningham, Zeena McMullen and Jason Luce.

After the decision, audience members asked about other medical marijuana businesses in town. Page said a total of nine licenses are current, valid through Dec. 31, 2022. In the future, Barnett has planning board approval for operations on Sherwood Lane (see The Town Line, Dec. 17, 2020) and in two more Old Meadows Road buildings (see The Town Line, Nov. 19, 2020).

In other business, Page reported no change in the situation of the former church on Priest Hill Road, in North Vassalboro, currently slated for demolition.

Select board members appointed John Fortin a member of the Recreation Committee.

Town Manager Mary Sabins reported on three foreclosed properties. The town now owns them; she is trying to locate former owners or their heirs.

The next regular select board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m., Thursday, March 17. Like the March 3 meeting, it will start an hour earlier than usual and be followed by a budget committee meeting.