GIRARD — City council by a 5-2 vote at their meeting Monday passed a motion to override Mayor Mark Zuppo’s veto of placing a moratorium on the number of adult-use cannabis dispensaries in the city.

The override means that only one marijuana dispensary is allowed in the city. Safety-Service Director Mark Ragozine said that location is set to open in August at a former video store at the intersection of U.S. Route 422 and Churchill Road.

Councilman Thomas Grumley, D-4th Ward, chairman of the health / safety committee, said he has done a lot of research on the marijuana dispensaries and guidelines for them.

“The city needs to have something in place to regulate marijuana dispensaries. I believe it is imperative this council takes proactive steps ensuring that we are doing our due diligence in protecting the interest of our community,” he said before the vote.

Grumley said legislation needs to be put in place that will address key issues regarding marijuana dispensaries such as the architectural design of such establishments, traffic studies to see what impact such establishments have on traffic flowing in and out, and a safety and security plan, including surveillance and police at the location.

Grumley said he is concerned such establishments will create traffic congestion on Route 422 and other streets. He said he saw a facility in Youngstown that had two police officers on site.

Grumley said the dispensary is 75 feet from residential homes.

In addition to Grumley, voting to override the mayor’s veto and limit the number of dispensaries to one were council members Mark Standohar, Keith Schubert, John Moliterno and Sam Zirafi,

Voting to not override Zuppo’s veto and allow more than one dispensary were council members Jeff Kay and Lily Martuccio.

Zuppo, who was not at the meeting, previously said a second marijuana dispensary was considering locating in the area of Route 422 and Morris Avenue. He said the sales taxes from the dispensaries will help the city because the state has agreed to give communities that have dispensaries 3.6% for every $10 million generated.

Zuppo said he has spoken with Niles Mayor Steve Mientkiewicz about the marijuana dispensary off Route 422 in Niles, which he was informed has been very busy.

Zuppo has said he estimates Girard can receive between $250,000 and $500,000 from the dispensary.

Resident Vernon Mitchell of Prospect Street said the city does not need more than one marijuana dispensary. He said there will be problems with many people smoking weed.

“It is not good for everyone. The more people we have buying this stuff the crazier it is going to get,” Mitchell said.

Zuppo said the city also will receive income tax from the workers.

INTERIM LAW DIRECTOR

In other business, Zuppo appointed Maurus “Pete” Malvasi as the interim law director, replacing Brian Kren, who stepped down to take a position with the Trumbull County prosecutor’s office. Kren’s term expires in December 2027.

Malvasi still needs to be approved by the Democratic Precinct committee, but he plans to run for the seat in the November election.

“I accept this position at this time. I will make myself available to anyone who needs my help,” Malvasi said.

Malvasi said he looks forward to working with the council and the administration and said his door will be open for any questions.