LIVERPOOL — At its monthly meeting on Sept. 20, the Village of Liverpool Board of Trustees unanimously voted to prohibit legal marijuana businesses within the village.
Local Law C was passed pursuant to New York state’s Cannabis Law Section 131. Specifically, the trustees voted to “opt out” of licensing and establishing retail cannabis dispensaries and on-site consumption businesses here.
After conducting a public hearing at which no one spoke either for or against the ordinance, Mayor Gary White and the four trustees – Matt Devendorf, Christina Fadden, Dennis Hebert and Michal LaMontagne – all voted in favor of it.
Village Attorney John Langey pointed out that “growing cannabis for personal consumption will still be allowed per state law.” He also warned the trustees that citizens have the right to force a permissive referendum to challenge their decision to opt out.
White – a former deputy police chief for the city of Syracuse – complained that state government has failed to provide guidance regarding the legalization of marijuana. In fact, the state has yet to establish an oversight office which will be responsible for issuing permits and licenses.
The town of Salina – which includes the village of Liverpool – has not yet addressed the opt-out option.
“The town has until Dec. 31 to decide whether or not to approve cannabis distribution locations,” said Nancy O’Neil, executive assistant to Supervisor Colleen Gunnip. O’Neil seconded the village government’s concern about the current lack of state oversight.
A related proposed ordinance was tabled by the village board. Local Law B would prohibit smoking of any kind from all village properties. After discussion at its Aug. 16 meeting, the attorney rewrote the law to clarify that the prohibition would include sidewalks directly bordering parks and playgrounds.
Offenders could be cited and fined $25.
Residents and village property owners are invited to comment on the proposed smoking prohibition at a public hearing set for 7:01 p.m. Oct. 18, at the village hall, 310 Sycamore St.
Four DWIs in August
On Sept. 20, Liverpool Police Chief Jerry Unger reported via memo to trustees that the LPD made 224 traffic stops in August, and officers issued 183 citations for violations of the state’s vehicle and traffic laws.
Seven traffic accidents were investigated last month, and four arrests were made for DWI. Officers made 41 residential checks and 264 business checks during August while responding to a total of 664 incidents and calls for service.
The LPD arrested 19 individuals last month on 24 criminal charges.
Police chief passed
Having passed his Onondaga County Civil Service exam, provisional Liverpool Police Chief Jerry Unger is “provisional” no longer.
Now that he’s officially the village’s top cop, Unger’s contract was officially accepted by the trustees on Sept. 20. Having risen through the ranks since joining the LPD in 2009, Unger now earns an annual salary of $81,851.
