New Port Mayor Confronts Cannabis Merchants and More at First Council Meeting
Several local laws were approved and appointments were made, as Mayor Dominic Cicalese adjusted to his new role.
Presiding over his first Port Jervis Common Council meeting as mayor, Dominic Cicalese encountered two aspiring cannabis merchants angling for market entry. As the Council prepared to vote on Local Law 1 of 2024, extending the cannabis sale moratorium for up to six more months, attorney Vern Lazaroff spoke for the “hardship application” of a client, Akeel Negi, owner of Green Port Smokeshop, whom he said is paying $3000 monthly to rent a storefront at 180 Front St. and is not able to use it because of the moratorium, begun in July.
“My client never applied to sell THC,” said Lazaroff, referring to the cannabis chemical that creates the marijuana “high.” “He’s selling tobacco and other things.”
Negi attained a New York State Office of Cannabis Management Certificate of Licensure on March 14, 2023, Lazaroff wrote in the hardship application. But he said Negi’s plan was to sell cannabinoids that lack THC, not cannabis. According to the hardship application, “In addition to a retail tobacco and convenience store, the applicant's retail merchandise will also include a large and prominent gift inventory specializing in merchandise themed, ‘I Love America.’ The applicant is planning to stock t-shirts, bumper stickers, mugs, posters, pins and other novelty items for sale with the ‘I Love America’ logo.”
Janice Vicaretti also spoke at the hearing, continued from December.
“Is it a six-month moratorium or up to six months?” she asked.
“Up to six months,” said Cicalese.
Later however, Fourth Ward Councilman Stan Siegel said the moratorium could be extended, although two cannabis stores already operate in Port Jervis, opened before the moratorium. They are not legally allowed to sell marijuana, as the state has not yet licensed them, but Siegel said the stores are busy. Vicaretti says she has not chosen a site for her store, as she waits for zoning determinations.
The Common Council approved the moratorium and also Local Law 2, which provides a 10% property tax exemption for fire department and ambulance volunteers. Also approved was a $61,482 bid for a pole barn as part of the Port Jervis Police Department training center being built at the end of Canal St., by a landfill. Siegel said the center would be built in stages as funding becomes available.
Cicalese made several city board appointments, including putting former Fourth Ward Councilman Tim Simmons on the zoning board and Kelsey Farr on the planning board. She is the daughter of retired Port Jervis Director of Public Works Jack Farr.
“I wanted to get involved a little more,” said Kelsey, who is 26.
The Common Council includes several new faces. New First Ward Councilman Jason Vichiariello, former Port Jervis police officer, is on the Code and Police Committees. New First Ward Councilman Colin O’Connell is on the Planning and Zoning Committee. Longtime Second Ward Councilwoman Maria Mann is on the Tourism Board and Police Committee. Second Ward Councilwoman Misty Fuller is on the Finance Committee. New Third Ward Councilman Jeff Rhoades, a deputy Port Jervis fire chief, is on the Fire and Emergency Management Committee. New Fourth Ward Councilwoman Jacqueline Dennison is Community Development Agency liaison. Fourth Ward Councilman Stanley Siegel, with many years on the Council, is on the Housing Authority and Veterans Advisory committees. New Councilman-at-Large Michael Hockenberry is on the Department of Public Works Committee.
Community focused news can only succeed with community support. Please consider the various subscription levels.