PRINCETON — A virtual community meeting to discuss plans for an adult-use retail marijuana facility at Mechanics Hall on Route 140 in East Princeton was hosted by Red Cardinal on Sept. 10.

Residents were able to submit questions in advance log on for the presentation.

The select board agreed to sell the town-owned, 168-year-old building to Red Cardinal in June. The company, which owns or plans retail marijuana stores in Worcester, Amherst and Westfield, will do business in town as RC Retail Princeton.

“We’re extremely excited to have the opportunity to work with the people here in Princeton,” said the company’s community liaison, former Mass. State Senate president Stan Rosenberg. “The opportunity was presented to me by some friends who live in Princeton who said ‘there’s this wonderful building that needs some tender loving care.’”

Rosenberg said Red Cardinal will spend more than $435,000 on renovations to convert Mechanics Hall to the town’s first marijuana retail shop.

The restoration of the Greek Revival-style building and the launch of a retail marijuana business is viewed by the company as an economic development project, he said. Red Cardinal hopes to contribute to the town’s community life through engagement with local civic, business and philanthropic organizations.

Rosenberg introduced Red Cardinal’s slate of officers, including chief executive officer and company founder Salvatore Carabetta, operations manager Salvatore Carabetta Jr., and director of operations and construction Jeff Roblyer.

Rosenberg said Red Cardinal will also benefit the town through additional tax revenue and new revenue streams.

Future steps

The Host Community Agreement must be negotiated between the select board and Red Cardinal. The HCA will direct a certain percentage of gross sales to the community annually, said Roblyer.

According to the state Cannabis Control Commission, the HCA can include a community impact fee of no more than 3 percent of gross sales to cover costs incurred by the town relating to the marijuana business. This can include things such as traffic, public infrastructure, noise, security and law enforcement, educational materials, inspections and town officials’ time.

Building and site plans need to be finalized. Red Cardinal is using Meander Architects of Waltham, who have previously been consulted by the nonprofit group Friends of Mechanics Hall.

Jobs will be advertised, and at least one local job fair will be held. The company expects to hire and train 15-20 full time employees, with preference being given to town residents and anyone disproportionately affected by enforcement of marijuana policies, Roblyer said.

The Princeton Police Department will also be used for traffic control as needed, he said.

The building and its surrounding property will be maintained in pristine condition, he promised, and will provide adequate parking.

Security plans

Red Cardinal spokeswoman Becca Rutenberg summed up the security plan as including randomized routes and times for product delivery and pickups. The property will also have 24/7 interior and exterior video surveillance. Parking lot lighting, perimeter alarms, interior panic alarms, and an alarm failure notification system will provide additional security, she said. Secure entry and exit vestibules will give an extra layer of safety.

Meetings with the Princeton Police Department to review operational issues will take place periodically, she said.

Trained security agents will be on duty during business hours. Employees will be trained in diversion detection, purchase limits and security protocols.

Marijuana products will be stored in an interior vault, and inventory control will use the state-mandated METRC system. Marijuana waste products will be stored in the vault until pickup by Red Cardinal. No marijuana waste will be stored outside of the dispensary, Rutenberg said.

Customers will be required to prove they are age 21 or older to enter the dispensary. The company also promises not to initiate any marketing designed to appeal to minors, she said.