Businesses in village would pay $1,000 per year, $300 per month

CHESAPEAKE — The Chesapeake council voted Monday to set fees for medical marijuana dispensaries which could potentially open within the village.

The 6-0 vote was for an ordinance proposed by council member Paul Hart, who has raised the issue at past council meetings.

Hart said, after medical marijuana was legalized by the state of Ohio, it is possible that dispensaries may open in Chesapeake.

Hart’s ordinance set the fee at $1,000 a year and $300 a month, with the option of increased fees at the discretion of council.

While the village would see revenue from the dispensaries as a result of the ordinance, Hart stressed, “in no way do we endorse the product,” which was legalized at the state level.

The council also voted to agree to a plan by the state of Ohio to audit the village for three periods, 2015-2016, 2017-2018 and 2019-2020.

The audits, which would be conducted by the firm of Balestra, Harr and Scherer, would cost $27,000, and are required of villages within the state.

The council voted 5-1 to accept the plan, with Hart dissenting.

“The price is too high,” he said. “I’m sorry. I can’t agree. It’s not good business.”

Clerk-treasurer Peggy Houston told Hart the requirement was in the Ohio revised code.

Hart suggested the village try to negotiate for a lower rate.

“We do not have the money to pay this ridiculous fee for an audit,” he said. “I wouldn’t pay my own bookkeeper that much.”

Other council members expressed reservations about the cost, but agreed to the plan.

“I don’t see any way around it,” council member Kenny Wolfe said. “There are a lot of things you don’t like.”

Mayor Tommy Templeton informed the council that he plans on having a new Facebook page set up for the village.

“We would use it to put up police-related information, like when we have a drug bust,” Templeton said. “That way, people would know what we’re doing.”

Interim Police Chief Randy Lewis was asked to show the council some of the drugs that have been seized in recent arrests.

Lewis produced five sealed bags, which he said were only a small portion of what has been collected, which contained various pills, marijuana, heroin and other drugs.

Lewis also presented the council with items seized, including a can of Red Bull and a bottle of Dasani water, the tops of which could be screwed off to hide a false bottom.

“It’s a safe,” Lewis said of the methods of concealment.

In other business, the council:

• Discussed bids and methods of repair for the Chesapeake-Union fire department. No action was taken.

• Entered the wages of the mayor, police chief and village employees into the record, to prepare for the upcoming audit.

• Voted 6-0 on a measure put forward by Hart, which calls on the village to help Operation TLC in its efforts at beautification and litter pick-up.