Selectmen approve lease, host community agreement with Aspen Blue Cultures

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.

The first 25 percent of those funds will go to the Municipal Facilities Stabilization Fund, as approved by Town Meeting voters. Those funds will first be directed to the construction of a new police station, and thereafter be used to maintain town facilities.

The remaining 75 percent of those funds will go into the town’s general account. The host community agreement also includes Aspen Blue’s commitment to hire Wareham residents when possible. 

In addition to the host community agreement, the board approved Aspen Blue’s lease for the steel building, which includes rent at a rate of $12,000 per month.