Lower Milford supervisors focused on two upcoming ordinances at the Sept. 19 meeting. Township solicitor Mark Cappuccio conducted an open hearing after all agenda items were moved.

The first portion of the hearing was an adoption of a “no nuisance” policy regarding the growth of medical marijuana. The growth of medical cannabis has been constituted as legal in state policies. Cappuccio is putting this ordinance in place to better reflect the state’s rulings. Questions were, of course, asked about what constitutes legal growth. Supervisor Chair Donna Wright explained the guidelines.

The growth of medical marijuana must be conducted under cover and with mandated security. Wright stated there must be intense security, meaning people in the township growing marijuana must guarantee the marijuana is secure. They do not want this to cross-pollinate or be stolen.

Supervisor John Quigley asked if there was a way to ensure medical marijuana could be grown only in certain areas of the township, but Wright quickly responded all municipalities in the state must reflect the state’s new law on the ability to grow medical marijuana. Cappuccio later agreed he feels better the amendment occurred. He said it can be amended in the future and it is good the township reflect the states ruling.

The next portion of the meeting moved on to the issues of whether to amend a zoning ordinance to reflect a new overlay district. The issue of whether this still needs to occur is still up for debate, and surely was, as the conversation trailed for a long time to eventually come to no decision.

The supervisors are still awaiting an answer on whether the township is considered small enough so the district would not need to change the zoning ordinance. There are nine residences within those districts and the community members living in those zones will need to be informed at least 30 days before the ordinance is enacted. Supervisors did not approve and will table the ordinances for the next meeting.

The other underlying factor was whether to approve the ordinance to advertise the new zoning amendment. The supervisors, as with the previous decision, tabled the discussion. They are ultimately awaiting whether they need to actually the amend the zoning ordinance.