MONTAGUE — Marijuana revenue will likely fund at least three new programs in next year’s town budget, including police training, school counseling and adult education programs.
Montague receives an “impact fee” from each marijuana-related business operating in town. Already there is one such company, 253 Farmacy, a retailer and grower that opened on Millers Falls Road in 2019. Three others, including two growers, are in the process of opening.
The town’s account that holds its marijuana money now has a balance of about $199,000, according to Town Administrator Steve Ellis. That money has come entirely from 253 Farmacy.
The sustainability of the account looks good, at least in the short term. Ellis said that, based on conversations with 253 Farmacy CEO Seth Rutherford, the company did at least as well this year as it did the previous year.
“It’s likely that, at least for another year, we should see a similar or better stream of resources populating this particular account,” Ellis said.
In the budget for the 2022 fiscal year (which starts in July), about $20,000 of the marijuana fund is already committed to expenses incurred by the town and the Turners Falls Fire District that are considered to be related to the operations of 253 Farmacy, such as extra traffic in the area or the business’s use of Fire Department services, Ellis said.
How to use the remaining $179,000 is being discussed by the Selectboard, in preparation for Annual Town Meeting in May.
As the board has discussed so far, about $7,000 will likely be proposed for special police training to learn how to identify people who may be driving while intoxicated.
A larger part will likely go to hiring a school counselor, who would probably divide his or her time between Turners Falls High School and Franklin County Technical School. A dollar amount has not been discussed yet.
The need for another counselor was identified in discussions with Gill-Montague Regional School District Director of Pupil Services Diane Ellis and Kat Allen, one of the coordinators of the Communities That Care Coalition, a local organization that promotes the health and well-being of youths.
Allen said the stress of the pandemic has affected schoolchildren acutely.
“My immediate thought was school counseling services,” Allen said. “We have an epidemic of symptoms of depression and anxiety in our young people. The stress is really high. That is the number one thing, in terms of the risk factor that leads to substance abuse.”
Selectboard members liked the idea of using some of the money to hire another counselor.
“I’m totally in favor of proceeding in this direction,” said Selectboard Chair Rich Kuklewicz. “This is the perfect use of these funds. … This is the year we need to devote to making a difference for these youngsters.”
Adult education programs that would complement the school’s programs will probably also be funded by the town’s marijuana revenue, board members said, although details have not been discussed yet. These programs would likely be offered by the Communities That Care Coalition and The Brick House Community Resource Center.
Reach Max Marcus at mmarcus@recorder.com or 413-930-4231.