Clarksburg Planners Continue Cannabis Dispensary Hearing

CLARKSBURG, Mass. — The Planning Board has approved continued a hearing on a special permit submitted by New England Regional Dispensaries (NERD) to operate a cannabis dispensary on Cross Road. 

The board granted the special permit did not have a quorum at its meeting on Wednesday because one member was absent and another abstained.

The board will meet Wednesday, Dec. 14, at noon at the Community Center.

However, Chad Cellana, the founder of NERD, said if all goes well, he expects to be ready for operation in March. 

"We've already signed the local host community agreement and have been provisionally licensed with the state, pending the special permit and a commission inspection," he said. 

Board Chair Karin Robert said she was concerned about potential parking issues. Robert also asked if NERD got permission to operate on Sunday, which Cellana said was something he would consider and look into in the future.

"The [police] chief addressed [parking concerns] in his letter, saying if traffic becomes an issue, we can make it a right turn only out of that driveway or put up some mirrors and or get a detail," he said. 

Cellana said the state Department of Environmental Protection and the Conservation Commission have already approved site plans for an accompanying cultivation facility. He explained, however, it is unlikely that part of the operation will be ready for next year. 

"So once the funding shows up, we can get that rolling. It's a 2024 project at this point," Cellana said. 

The greenhouse would be on property owned by John Cellana, Chad's business partner and uncle, and board member Erin Scott, who recused herself from the vote to approve the permit. Scott's father, Clebe Scott, is the chair of the Conservation Commission. 

In other business, the board approved a land subdivision submitted by BEK Associates on behalf of Mary and Gus Giron. The board had planned to review the town's subdivision bylaws but waited as board member Ron Boucher could not attend the meeting. 

Update on Dec. 8: the board apparently could not approve the permit on Wednesday and has scheduled another meeting. 

McCann Postsecondary Programs Graduate 18

By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff
03:44PM / Thursday, May 28, 2026

Medical assisting graduate Kelsi Houghtlin has a job lined up at CHP. See more photos here. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — After an intensive eight months, Annaka Rose Bradley is looking to take a little break. 

 

Bradley was one of five graduating from the dental assisting pogram Tuesday at McCann Technical School. 

 

"This is a great program, I'm ready for anything now," she said, adding that there are so many places hiring she's not too concerned with taking a breather before jumping into the workforce. 

 

Why dental assisting? "I was like, you know what, I'm 26 I got to do something," she laughed between congratulations from family and friends. 

 

She and her classmates, along with two graduates in medical assisting program and 11 in the cosmetology program were presented with the diplomas on Tuesday night at the school. 

 

Superintendent James Brosnan thanked the families for supporting the students who "have successfully concluded one of the most condensed, difficult, and busy schedules," and the graduates for their "great spirits, good sense of humor, and you all had to work with each other, that team bonding will position for the rest of life."

 

School Committee Chair Gary Rivers offered his congratulations, saying the academic content and clinical experiences they had were extremely unique.