GRANVILLE — A town ordinance addressing a cannabis dispensary and a class action lawsuit against opioid manufacturers were taken up by council this week.
Mayor Patricia Lewis said the zoning ordinance for the dispensary still needs a few changes.
Lewis said she would have something to present to the council on Jan. 2, which would mark the first meeting in January. The Planning Commission will meet Dec. 18, and a public hearing will have to take place before council meets in January. Council can make a decision after these avenues are addressed.
“The hours of operation were wrong, and they had to add a couple things according to state code, a couple definitions that we hadn’t discussed prior to. With all those changes we should have it ready in January,” said Lewis.
A dispensary is not coming to Granville, but the ordinance will allow council to look at the possibility should a company approach the town.
From Granville Police Chief Craig Corkrean, council learned it would take some time to compile records requested for the opioid lawsuit. Granville is one of several West Virginia municipalities involved.
Corkrean said he was asked to collect records dating back to 2001. He was concern about how those records would be obtained, and the cost of gathering them.
Michael Solomon, town attorney, said the records are meant to show the cost to the town of Granville, for example first responder wages in incidents involving opioids.
“I agree with him that the man hours that it would take to compile the information that they requested probably outweighs the recovery that we might be looking at,” Solomon said.
Solomon requested the issue be put on the agenda to have council decide how to proceed. The town could continue with the case or drop out of it. To be included in the lawsuit, the town previously paid $200.
“It’s a hard question to answer because we don’t know what kind of recovery we’re looking at,” Solomon said.
Lewis requested Corkrean do a preliminary search to see how long it would take to compile all the information before council makes its decision. In the absence of Municipal Administrator Ron Snyder, she asked that Corkrean collaborate with him upon his return and report back to council.
Also addressed at Tuesday’s meeting:
— A traffic survey in the University Town Centre and plans to install traffic signals will be put on the agenda for the next meeting.
— Discussion of building a wall at Cracker Barrel up to code, will be had with Tim Rice of Potesta & Associates.
— Request for Granville Police to hire another officer will go on the Dec. 11 agenda.
— Council voted to make a $1,000 donation to Shop With A Cop.
— Adding speakers to play music at the gazebo located at the Veterans Memorial Park.
— The Veteran’s Memorial Dedication will be at noon Dec. 8.
— A Christmas tree lighting on Dec. 1 at 5 p.m.
— West Virginia Black Bears Holiday Party will be from 4-6p.m. Dec. 2.
