Ronald P. Campurciani, former West Springfield police chief and now a security consultant, discussed security at the Mass Alternative Care medical marijuana facility during a community outreach meeting Thursday, July 5, 2018.

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CHICOPEE -- One thing it will be is safe.

That was the message delivered Thursday at a "community outreach meeting" about the Mass Alternative Care Inc. medical marijuana facility that officials said will open in the first week of August at 1247 East Main St.

"These sites are monitored 24-hours-a-day. We have over 100 cameras both in and outside the facility," said Ronald P. Campurciani, the former West Springfield police chief, who is a security consultant for the company.

Campurciani told The Republican the facility's surveillance cameras will feed directly to the Chicopee Police Department. "Man traps" at entrances will permit limited entry with advancement to the next section of the facility authorized only by monitoring personnel, he said.

"I'd say it is the safest in the city," Chicopee Chief William Jebb said of the building.

Other security steps discussed at the meeting include guards, entry only via identification card, intrusion detections and armored vehicles to transport money.

"We're very committed to security," company official Kevin Collins said.

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Mike Plaisance | mplaisance@repub.com

The company has a license from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to run a medical marijuana dispensary. The firm also has obtained a special permit and a zone change from the Planning Board and City Council.

Mass Alternative Care also is pursuing a license from the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission to operate a recreational marijuana business at the same location, Collins said.

The plan is for the company to produce and dispense over 25 different kinds of marijuana products, including strips that dissolve on the tongue and capsules, Collins said.

Four thousand pounds of marijuana will be produced at the site a year in a facility that will include six plant flowering rooms, he said.

The facility will employ 35 full- and part-time employees, he said.

According to slides displayed during the meeting, Kevin Collins Sr., Collins' father, is CEO of Mass Alternative Care Inc.; Vincent Cardillo, who has experience in three dental practice management companies, is the chief financial officer; Christopher Mayle, executive director of Advanced Grow Labs New York LLC, is the chief operating officer; and Campurciani, security chief.

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Mike Plaisance | mplaisance@repub.com

About a dozen people attended the meeting about the marijuana facility held at Charles P. Kennedy Post, 41 Robbins Road.

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Mike Plaisance | mplaisance@repub.com

The company is committed to providing education and being available to the community, Collins said.

"We'll always make sure one or two of our staff is always there and will be happy to help out," he said.

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Mike Plaisance | mplaisance@repub.com

Bill Andersen of Palmer (above) asked whether the facility will produce any negative effects on the environment.

Collins said no. The company will be used no harmful solvents in its production, he said.

"We're only going to use carbon dioxide extraction, which is high-pressure carbon dioxide, which if it's released into the atmosphere, it's already there," Collins said.

Andersen said later he was satisfied with Collins' response.

"Any time there's any manufacturing product that's going to be made, my concern is what effects it will have on our environment," he said.

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Mike Plaisance | mplaisance@repub.com

7/5/18 - CHICOPEE - 1247 East Main St., Chicopee, Massachusetts.

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Mike Plaisance | mplaisance@repub.com

The company has done $6 million in renovations to 1247 East Main St., which formerly housed Chicopee Engineering Associates, Collins said.

Chicopee companies the firm has hired include A. Crane Construction General Contractor, Bloo Solutions computer support, Alarmworks and Fire Detection Systems, he said.

"We're committed to being a good neighbor in Chicopee," Collins said.