Springfield Cannabis Co. gets higher grades on updated presentation for proposed marijuana store in East Springfield

SPRINGFIELD — A company seeking to open a marijuana retail business on Cottage Street in East Springfield met with the neighborhood a second time on Wednesday night after a prior meeting ended with criticism of the plans as too vague and a “colossal waste of time.”

At Wednesday’s meeting, Steven Mrowzinski, president of the Springfield Cannabis Co., was joined by a seven-member team to provide details about the proposed marijuana store at 732 Cottage St., relating to operations, security, parking, employment and other concerns.

“I feel very confident the meeting went a lot better,” Mrowzinski said at the conclusion of the 90-minute community meeting held at the East Springfield Neighborhood Council office on Carew Street.

Some residents and local officials agreed.

Ward 2 City Councilor Michael Fenton was among the critics of the first meeting on Dec. 3, saying that the meeting was “a colossal waste of time.” That changed Wednesday, he said.

“This is how these initial community meetings should be run — through our neighborhood councils,” Fenton said. “There is much more to do for this site and our application process city-wide, but this was a good informational meeting tonight. A good first step for this applicant.”

Kathleen Brown, president of the East Springfield Neighborhood Council, said the residents' top concerns were how the company will deal with traffic, overall management of the product on site, and prevention of youth access.

"Springfield Cannabis brought a significant team with them and answered a lot of questions they weren't able to answer before," Brown said. "So that's a good thing. I know people in the room still have lots of other questions that will come forward as the process continues."

Mrowzinski said he and his family plan to move to the city if the marijuana license is granted and give back to the community. He lives in Middle Island, New York, owns Therapeutic Consultants Inc. in Middle Island and also is a licensed acupuncturist.

The store site in East Springfield is the former Thorn Industries building.

His hired security consultant, Andy Klein of American Alarm and Communications Inc., of Auburn, said there will be an extensive array of continuous recording video cameras both inside and outside the building, electric door locks for inside and outside doors and an intrusion alarm system including a panic alarm system to prevent burglaries.

Mrowzinski’s lawyer, Michael Cutler of Northampton, and an engineering consultant said that store operations, checking of identification to prevent minors from entering the building and labeling of all products are all heavily regulated and controlled under state law.

The company will need approvals and conditions from the mayor, City Council and Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission, including a host community agreement from the city and a special permit from the council.

At Wednesday’s meeting, Mrowzinski said the company will hire approximately 18 employees and will provide a significant donation to the neighborhood council along with the requirements for taxes paid to the city and state.

Regarding traffic control and parking, company officials said they will take whatever steps are needed, including the use of hired staff and security to prevent any hazards or oversaturation of parking. The company has a parking lot, but will also consider an off-site parking lot area and shuttle service, company officials said.

Company officials said that traffic could be escalated early on, such as experienced in other communities, but will be monitored and addressed by the company. Discussions will be ongoing with the neighborhood and city officials, they said.

State Rep. Jose Tosado, D-Springfield, among the about 35 attendees, said the legal marijuana industry is relatively new. “I think it requires close monitoring and accountability, and a whole lot of taxpayer insight,” Tosado said. “At the end of the day, it’s about the safety and security of the people who live here.”

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