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. 

North Adams School Committee Applauds Award Winner, Hears Budget

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
02:42PM / Wednesday, April 08, 2026

Superintendent Timothy Callahan presents his first Superintendent's Award to Brayden Canales. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The School Committee on Tuesday voted to send a recommending fiscal 2027 budget to a public hearing and congratulated the newest recipient of the Superintendent's Award. 

 

Drury High School senior Brayden Canales is graduating at the top of his class with 33 college credits and a grade-point average of 4.3.

 

"In addition to his impressive list of college courses, he has rounded out his transcript with several Advanced Placement and project based learning courses," said Superintendent Timothy Callahan, adding, "I had the honor to be Brayden's principal when he began a Drury."

 

Canales is a member of both the Nu Sigma and Pro Merito honor societies and received the Principal's Award for having the top five average in his class all four years and the Rensselaer (N.Y.) Institute of Technology award for science and math as a junior outside of the classroom.

 

He's also been a member of the soccer, hockey and baseball teams and this year was presented the Berkshire County Ice Hockey Officials Association's Sportsmanship Award for his leadership. Canales has also been a peer mediator, student ambassador, among other activities.  

 

He plans to pursue a major in architecture but has not yet selected a college. 

 

The Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents Certificate of Academic Excellence is awarded to students who have achieved not only academically but in leadership and community service.