The Halcyon Days of Big Checks are Over, Chuck
On September 9, 2019, “Sanctuary Check Presentation” was on the Select Board’s agenda. Although Joe Knox was chair, he passed this agenda item off to you, Chuck. It seems Joe knew who from the board dealt with all things cannabis.
Click HERE for the “presentation,” where you make the point that although the money is already in the town’s account, this was an “opportunity” for Sanctuary to “come forward and present the board with one of their HCA payments.”
I did the best I could to capture how your eyes lit up when Nick from Sanctuary held up that giant check:
But to get the full effect, you really have to go to the video and watch it happen at the 10:03 mark.
You know, Chuck, I can totally see why someone like you would have such a strong reaction to seeing this:
And there’s zero ambiguity in this pleasant smile of yours as you gaze upon Nick and Sanctuary’s giant check. Look how exceedingly happy you are:
Look how happy everyone is:
There may have been giant checks presentations before this one; there may have been giant checks after. I don’t know for sure because—I’m going to be candid with you, Chuck—I didn’t research it since the fetishization of wealth, of which a giant check is emblematic, turns my stomach.
Irrespective of giant checks, between April 17, 2018, and September 16, 2021, Sanctuary paid Littleton $230,000.00.
Fast-forward to August 22, 2022.
By that time, Sanctuary had gone almost a full year without making any payment to the town. I think you (and no one else from the Select Board) knew this. I base my conclusion on three factors:
On September 9, 2019, you knew that Sanctuary’s HCA payment had been received before the check presentation ceremony, which implies that you made it your business to know these sorts of things;
You were then, and inexplicably still are, the go-to guy from the Select Board for all things cannabis in town; and
You and Jason Sidman (Sanctuary’s CEO) were (and still are) friends.
Since you already knew that no payments were coming in from Sanctuary, it boggles the mind as to why you were waxing nostalgically for the halcyon days of giant checks during this discussion on August 22, 2022
You even held up an imaginary giant check—much to Matthew’s entertainment, who was seated right there with you at the Big Kids’ Table as all five of you discussed Host Community Agreements:
Well, Chuck, as I’m sure you’re aware, there will be no more giant checks because the Cannabis Control Commission changed the deal on those. No longer will “pay to play” arrangements between municipalities and cannabis businesses be allowed.
Those are the new rules.
And—and this is a big “and”—if municipalities received money from cannabis businesses and are asked by those same cannabis businesses for a refund, the municipalities must return the money (this presumes the town hasn’t already spent it) or potentially be sued by the cannabis business.
Well, over a year ago, Caroline Frankel filed a lawsuit against Uxbridge for the return of $1.4m. That matter was settled last month: Uxbridge will give Caroline back $1.2m. This was big news, both when she filed and when the matter settled.
Doubtlessly, your friend Jason has known about the new rules for a very long time, i.e., he knows he can ask for his $230,000.00 back.
So why hasn’t he?
My theory? Jason is waiting until the Planning Board renews Sanctuary’s Special Permit (a decision which by no means is guaranteed) before mentioning the $230,000.00.
But you, Chuck, probably know for sure what Jason’s planning on doing, and I’m of the opinion that it would be good for Littleton to know as well.
So, could you ask?
TTYS,
Jkb