The Select Board on Tuesday voted 3-0 to request that the town opt out of a new statewide cannabis policy allowing delivery to Massachusetts homes.

Health Director Shaun McAuliffe recommend the town apply for a two-year waiver from the state’s Cannabis Control Commission.

Legislation signed into law by Gov. Maura Healey in April restructured the state’s Cannabis Control Commission. It changed possession laws and the issuance of cannabis business licenses. Delivery of cannabis products now is allowed in any municipality unless it already prohibits cannabis businesses and asks to opt out.

Chair Shahidul Mannan explained that Hopkinton does not authorize retail marijuana dispensary licenses. This policy allows the town to opt out of cannabis delivery to residential addresses for up to two years. The waiver potentially could be extended every two years at the town’s request.

McAuliffe, speaking on behalf of the Health Department and Youth & Family Services (HYFS), gave several reasons why the town should seek a waiver. McAuliffe had been authorized by the Board of Health the previous evening to approach the Select Board requesting the opt-out.

Firstly, he said Hopkinton is one of 91 Massachusetts communities that voted against the legalization of marijuana a decade ago.

Said McAuliffe: “We believe that that will stand today.”

He explained that home delivery would allow youth to access marijuana more easily. Also, it would appear to “normalize use of marijuana products.” Another concern was driving under the influence of marijuana and the ability of police to respond to incidents caused by increased cannabis consumption in town.

HYFS and Hopkinton Organizing for Prevention (HOP) have worked diligently to be awarded a drug-free communities grant, he noted. Allowing cannabis delivery would contradict that effort as well as the Health Department’s work.

“I believe that allowing access to Hopkinton would really take away from the suburban and rural feel in the fabric of what makes Hopkinton what it is today,” he stressed.

Mannan, Amy Ritterbusch and Brian Herr unanimously agreed with McAuliffe. Vice chair Matthew Kizner and Joe Clark were absent.

Ritterbusch pointed out that this would not impact medical marijuana use. McAuliffe also said residents could purchase cannabis in other communities and use it at home.

Water, sewer rate hikes discussed

The board discussed options proposed by a consultant for water and sewer rate increases. It leaned toward the Water & Sewer Advisory Board’s recommendation to increase water bills by 15% and sewer bills by 30% for the upcoming fiscal year that begins July 1.

Consultant Matt Abrahams of the Abrahams Group presented his company’s rate study analysis, which he showed to WSAB on May 20. He explained that the town’s potential connection to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority system and the infrastructure needed to implement it will cost about $33 million. The financing will be phased out over two borrowing periods in 2028 and 2030.

The water budget of $3 million is expected to triple over the next five years, he noted. The projected figure for FY 31 is $9.3 million, which would include the MWRA debt and an assessment fee.

On top of that, other water-related capital projects are expected to cost $16 million.

The 15% hike for FY 27 would be a jump of $96.84 for the average homeowner. The five-year plan projected 15% increases for the following four years.

On a positive note, he said retained earnings for the water enterprise fund are “very healthy right now.”

Members agreed that a steady percentage increase would be easier for residents to budget for because it would be consistent.

On the sewer side, Abrahams said that revenue is not keeping up with expenses. There are multiple sewer capital projects coming up that must be funded.

The recommended plan would raise sewer rates by 30% in FY 27. This would increase the average homeowner’s sewer bill by $279.83. The rate increase over the following three years would be 10%. FY 31’s increase would be 5%.

Abrahams stressed that the town may not need the 30% increase if it uses retained earnings. The town is looking into a policy proposed by Kizner. It suggests that a minimum balance be held in retained earnings, which would drive future rate increases.

Abrahams noted that the board will only be voting on the FY 27 water rates at its next meeting on June 16.

Capital project financing approved

The board voted 3-0 to approve short-term and long-term financing to support $117,277,500 approved at Annual Town Meeting for capital projects.

CJ Paquette, the town’s treasurer/accountant, explained that there were seven bids for the short-term bond anticipation notes (BAN). The lowest bidder was Bank of America. The net interest rate received was 2.668%. It includes a premium of about $563,000.

“Even our financial advisors were not expecting to see it that low,” said Paquette.

There were eight bids on the 30-year bond. The lowest bidder out of eight received was from Morgan Stanley. The net interest rate is 3.82% with a premium of a little more than $2.1 million.

“I think those are some of the lowest rates we’ve seen actually in years, which is surprising given the economy right now or this environment,” said Herr.

PolyArts festival permit OK’d

The board approved 3-0 a parade permit application submitted by Jean Bertschmann on behalf of the PolyArts festival as part of the consent agenda. The annual event is scheduled for Sept. 12 from 7 a.m.- 6 p.m. The application requested a road closure of Marathon Way during that time frame.

Bertschmann expressed some concern over the entertainment license application process. The meeting agenda stated that the entertainment and amusement license policy, which the board previously approved, required a public hearing because projected attendance is at least 100 people. Bertschmann noted that a band would be playing.

Town Manager Elaine Lazarus explained that two separate votes were required. The parade permit was approved in the consent agenda because it is a routine request. A food court will be set up on Marathon Way. The entertainment license had to be voted on in a public hearing because a band would play.

Bertschmann said it would be helpful for applicants to have a checklist for permits.

Lazarus later explained that the town is working on digitizing all application processes. This should allow quicker access to information and turnaround of requests.