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OCTOBER 22, 2020
Regulating retail cannabis ‘Put them right in the middle of town’ By Jason Starr Observer staff
The Williston Selectboard will consider using zoning bylaws to restrict the location of retail cannabis stores after the legalization earlier this month of cannabis sales in Vermont. On Tuesday, Planning Director Matt Boulanger advised the board to steer cannabis stores into the town’s retail core, instead of in the industrial zone where the town previously restricted medical marijuana dispensaries to. Under current zoning, retail cannabis would be allowed anywhere the retailing of any product is permitted, including in the industrial zone on the west side of town, in the village and in the Taft Corners area. Under the legalization law, no retail licenses will be issued until 2022, after a three-member Cannabis Control Board is in place and its statewide regulations set. But Boulanger told board members Tuesday that “now is the time to start thinking about enhancing zoning regulations” around retail cannabis. He said the town’s re-
tail core in Taft Corners would be the best place for cannabis shops, suggesting that the higher rents and increased visibility compared to the industrial zoning district would help ensure higher quality operations. “It’s better to put them right in the middle of town where it’s integrated with other things and there are eyes on the street,” he said. With two board members absent from Tuesday’s meeting, board chairman Terry Macaig said the board would discuss potential cannabis-specific zoning changes at a future meeting and ask the planning commission to further study possibilities. “I like the idea of being proactive,” board member Jeff Fehrs said. The law requires a municipality to opt in before retail cannabis stores can operate. Opting in requires majority approval in a townwide ballot vote, either at Town Meeting Day or in a special election. The selectboard has the authority to place a cannabis optin question on a ballot as soon as the upcoming Town Meeting Day in March of 2021. Citizens can also petition to have the question placed on a ballot.
One week away
Observer photo by Jason Starr
The new Williston location of Healthy Living Market and Café in the Finney Crossing neighborhood on Route 2 is planning a Thursday, Oct. 29 opening. The 18,000-square-foot store will offer groceries, prepared foods and a smoothie bar. It is the third location for Healthy Living, which has a flagship store in South Burlington and another location in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
Police seek suspect in attempted Goodwill robbery Williston police are searching for a man who allegedly broke into the Goodwill store at 64 Harvest Lane and attempted to steal cash from a register. Last Thursday evening, police say video surveillance shows a man prying the door to the business open before entering and attempting to open cash
registers. The suspect reportedly fled when he was seen by an employee. Video surveillance shows a man wearing a grey shirt and pants and a black hooded sweatshirt. Police ask anyone with information about the incident to call 878-6611.
see CANNABIS page 17
Woman pleads not guilty to stabbing Walmart employee By Jason Starr Observer staff
A Ferrisburgh woman allegedly used an auto repair tool with a metal spike to stab a Walmart employee several times last Tuesday in Williston, according to a sworn statement from Williston Police officer William Bouffard. Anny Jenkins, 37, pleaded not guilty last Wednesday to aggravated assault with a weapon. She is being held at the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility in South Burlington. The employee, 41-year-old Williston resident Billie Jo Bentley, was transported to
UVM Medical Center by the Williston Fire Department, according to police. She was treated and released from the hospital. According to police, Jenkins had spent three hours in the store the day before the alleged attack without making a purchase. She allegedly returned Tuesday and tackled Bentley from behind while Bentley was setting up merchandise, stabbed her three times in the back of the head, then ran out the store’s front door. She was in the store for a total of about three minutes, according to police, and was seen by Walmart employees driving away in a Toyota Highlander.
Bentley told police that the Highlander belonged to her friend in Ferrisburgh. Williston Police requested a state trooper go to
Jenkins said she was ‘in a dream like state’ and could not remember what happened, according to police. the Ferrisburgh home, and when Bouffard arrived, the state trooper had already handcuffed Jenkins.
The owner of the home and vehicle said he had lent it to Jenkins for the day, according to police. Police say they found clothing in the car and at the home matching what Jenkins was wearing in video footage from Walmart. They also found a tire repair tool with a grip and a 4-inch metal spike that they believe Jenkins used in the attack. Bouffard drove Jenkins back to Williston, where she allegedly first told police she had lent the Highlander to another friend that day. Later, police say, Jenkins changed her story and admitted to entering Walmart and harming Bentley. She said she was “in a dream like state” and could not remember what hap-
pened, according to police. Bentley shared messages with police that allegedly show Jenkins accuse Bentley of having a relationship with their mutual friend from Ferrisburgh. A message on Jenkins’ phone warned that she was “going to do something but not write it in text,” Bouffard said. Her phone’s internet history showed a search for store hours and directions to the Williston Walmart store, Bouffard said. “Jenkins preplanned this attack by searching Walmart’s location, hours of operation, getting travel directions and scoping out the business prior to committing the act,” Bouffard wrote in his sworn statement.