Massachusetts

Massachusetts town pays nearly $800,0000 to settle cannabis fee lawsuits

Published

2 years ago

May 31, 2024

Massachusetts town pays nearly 0,0000 to settle cannabis fee lawsuits

Cannabis firms have been asking Massachusetts towns and cities for refunds of previously paid fees.

The city of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, agreed to pay $786,625 to settle lawsuits brought by three cannabis retailers over community impact fees.

The settlements with Temescal Wellness, Berkshire Roots, and Bloom Brothers were approved by the Pittsfield City Council in a 10-1 vote, according to the Berkshire Eagle. Under the deals, Temescal will receive $360,375, Berkshire Roots $341,000, and Bloom Brothers $85,250.

The legal disputes centered on the municipality’s authority to impose fees on cannabis businesses under Massachusetts law. Pittsfield Mayor Peter Marchetti said that the settlement amounts were less than what the companies paid the city, but avoided potentially larger losses at trial.

“If we were to go to trial and lose, the conditions of that would be far greater than the monies that they owed us,” Marchetti told the Eagle.

The lawsuits alleged Pittsfield failed to justify the community impact fees it charged the cannabis companies under host community agreements. A 2022 state clarification also limited the fees municipalities could impose.

The settlements follow similar legal actions brought against other Massachusetts towns and cities by cannabis companies seeking refunds of previously paid fees. Boston at one point returned nearly $3 million in fees to local cannabis businesses, while the town of Uxbridge paid $1.2 million to settle with one retailer.

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Massachusetts

Inside the Massachusetts courtroom where former students face a teacher charged with rape

Published

11 hours ago

April 23, 2026

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Inside the Massachusetts courtroom where former students face a teacher charged with rape

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The women said they were frightened, but they didn’t show it Wednesday in a Massachusetts courtroom as they watched the teacher who allegedly preyed on them when they were students at the posh Miss Hall’s School plead not guilty to rape.

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Massachusetts

Heavy police presence due to ‘ongoing incident’ in Tewksbury

Published

23 hours ago

April 22, 2026

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Heavy police presence due to ‘ongoing incident’ in Tewksbury

There is a heavy police presence in a section of Tewksbury, Massachusetts, on Wednesday afternoon due to what authorities are describing only as an “ongoing incident.”

“There is currently a heavy police presence on Salem Road due to an ongoing incident,” Tewksbury police said in a social media post just before 1 p.m. “Motorists are advised to avoid the area and seek alternate routes if possible. Please allow emergency personnel the space they need to respond safely and efficiently”

No further details were released. Police said they will provide updates as more information becomes available.

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Massachusetts

Wrong-way crash closes I-495 southbound in Chelmsford, 1 seriously injured – Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News

Published

1 day ago

April 22, 2026

Press Room

Wrong-way crash closes I-495 southbound in Chelmsford, 1 seriously injured – Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News

CHELMSFORD, MASS. (WHDH) – A wrong-way driver crashed into another vehicle on I-495 in Chelmsford Tuesday night, shutting down the soundbound lanes in that area, according to Massachusetts State Police and The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT).

State police said Troopers from the Concord Barracks responded to a two-car crash on I-495 at the Hunt Road overpass shortly before 10 p.m. They said preliminary information indicates the crash happened as a result of a wrong-way driver striking a vehicle traveling in the correct direction.

Chelmsford Fire and EMS responded to the scene, and the driver was taken to the hospital by MedFlight. State police said they suffered life-threatening injuries.

MassDOT said the highway southbound is currently closed at exit 88 due to the crash, and is expected to remain closed for several hours.

Drivers are asked to seek alternate routes at this time.

This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.

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