Pelham’s regular Town Council meeting saw a somewhat awkward scenario Wednesday in which former Cannabis Control Committee chair Tim Nohara called out CAO David Cribbs.
Nohara, appearing virtually as a citizen delegate, took issue with the public being denied access to a staff report regarding ongoing odour complaints against cannabis producer Redecan.
“Regrettably, (CAO Cribbs) hasn’t been willing to answer my questions,” Nohara told council, Cribbs, and staff. “There is no improvement in transparency.”
In a June 3 letter to PelhamToday, Nohara took issue with Cribbs and Town staff for a lack of action against Redecan. Specifically, Nohara stated that the Town should have placed a request with the Ontario Land Tribunal to essentially shut down Redecan’s zoning agreement – and ability to function as company on its current site – by this past Monday.
This did not happen, leading Nohara to ask pointed questions of Cribbs.
“Today is the earliest date that I have been allowed to come before you,” Nohara added.
For his part, Cribbs said that he and the Town received specific legal advice not to follow Nohara’s preferred course of action.
Mayor Marvin Junkin backed this up, saying that legal counsel “allayed our fears about the course we are taking.”
Redecan’s odour issues continue to prove a nuisance to residents near its Foss Road site. Despite an odour bylaw in place, complaints have continued, leading many to believe that the “Nasal Ranger” readings taken by bylaw enforcement are not at a high enough threshold.
A public meeting on the matter is scheduled to be held next Wednesday at the MCC.
