GREENFIELD — City Council has authorized Mayor Roxann Wedegartner to sell land at the former Bendix property on Laurel Street to a company called Greenerside Holdings LLC, which intends to use it as a marijuana cultivation site.
“This is a sale that has been in the works since slightly before I arrived here,” Wedegartner explained to city councilors Wednesday. “They had some of their own … steps to go through with the (Cannabis Control Commission), in order to get to a purchase and sale agreement. They met all of those things.”
Wedegartner noted there were a few extensions on the closing date, which proved to benefit the city in the long run.
“It allowed us to find out at the very last minute, when we were doing title work, that City Council — whether it was this one or the one before that, or before that — had never authorized Mayor (Bill) Martin, or he had not asked for, the city to authorize the sale of the property,” Wedegartner said.
The buyers are willing to take on the property and address any environmental issues necessary, she added.
Wedegartner acknowledged the last minute nature of the agenda item, noting the closing was scheduled for July 27. Precinct 3 City Councilor Virginia “Ginny” DeSorgher noted it had been approved by the Planning Board.
“This was unfortunately something that came up very last minute,” Wedegartner continued. “Councilor (Penny) Ricketts was kindly allowing us to put it on the agenda tonight, so the sale could go forward next week.”
Precinct 2 Councilor Daniel Guin said that while he doesn’t like that the topic was brought to City Council so last minute, “I think I understand this one, and it will get my full support.”
“I’m glad it’s going to be turned over to a property owner that’s going to be generating revenue in the sale, and we’re also going to have additional income based on their business,” he said.
The councilors voted 11 in favor of the authorization, with Precinct 6 Councilor Sheila Gilmour abstaining. Precinct 8 Councilor Doug Mayo was not present for the vote.
Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne