Cheshire Mulls Marijuana Consumption Bylaw

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
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CHESHIRE, Mass. — The Board of Selectmen is considering a bylaw covering the public consumption of cannabis. 

Police Officer Aaron Goodell brought this to the town administrator after receiving an increase of calls about juveniles in possession of marijuana vapes at Hoosac Valley High School.

Chair Shawn McGrath wondered at last week's meeting if they should consider adding an alcohol bylaw or incorporate both substances into one bylaw. 

The board had an initial draft based on Dalton's bylaws regarding public consumption.

The draft mentioned any public consumption of marijuana was prohibited with a penalty of $300 for each offense and the bylaw may be enforced through any lawful means.

The board members had many questions and suggested that they table the discussion until Goodell could attend a meeting to answer their questions.

In other business, the board was informed that the free cash certifications would bring in $677,991 from the general fund, $204,394 from the Water Enterprise Fund, and $32,071 from the Transfer Station Enterprise Fund.

Town Administrator Jennifer Morse also brought up the state Department of Transportation's Municipal Pavement Program. The state is planning to improve Route 116 in Cheshire and Savoy in fiscal 2028. Morse said the town will not be responsible for the project.


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Cheshire Shifts Focus From Merger to Improving Police Department

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
CHESHIRE, Mass. — The town will be seeking volunteers to serve on its police chief search committee. 
 
The process of finding, interviewing, and selecting a qualified candidate is expected to take several months. 
 
Interim Police Chief Timothy Garner, who has not accepted a stipend for the post, advocated that the board have a start date after the fiscal year to ensure voters approve the funds for the salary. 
 
"I'm more than happy to stay until the first of the fiscal year. If you want to wait until a budget is in place where you can actually advertise [a salary already approved at town meeting,]" the retired chief said. 
 
"If you do it now and you put somebody in there, what are you going to offer that might go away at town meeting." 
 
The town has been in discussions with the Lanesborough Police Department to explore the feasibility of a merger. 
 
However, after preliminary talks, that appears unlikely. As a result, the board is refocusing its efforts on strengthening its own department.
 
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