A marijuana cultivator that opened on Broom Street in 2018 is behind on property taxes in the amount of $56,458, prompting the town this week to unanimously vote not to renew the business's host community agreement.
Additionally, the town may soon file a lien against High Plains Farm and the property they own at 27 Broom St. for nonpayment of taxes. Town Collector Heather Davis sent a letter to the company on Sept. 6 giving them 30 days to bring taxes current. Since there has been no reply from the company, a follow-up letter was scheduled to be sent this week. Davis said if High Plains does not respond this time, a lien will be placed on the property in the coming months.
The board is open to reversing its decision not to renew the host community agreement with High Plains should the company pay its taxes. If that doesn't happen, the unanimous 3-0 vote on Tuesday states that the town would deny future licensing requests from the company once the current agreement expires. Town officials weren't sure when that pact would expire.
A host community agreement is similar to a business license for companies in the marijuana industry, as a means of gaining community backing before marijuana businesses open in town. Within the agreement, businesses agree to uphold and comply with all town and municipal rules and regulations, such as paying property taxes.
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