By PAMELA H. METAXAS

pmetaxas@repub.com



CHICOPEE - A proposed marijuana ordinance that expands a new state law permitting additional local fines for those smoking the narcotic in public has been endorsed in committee and is poised for a final vote on Tuesday.



Councilman-At-Large James K. Tillotson, chairman of the Ordinance Committee, said the only change in the final draft before the City Council on Tuesday will be to have a single proposed overall fine of $300 requested by Police Chief John R. Ferraro Jr. for each offense.



Previously, the committee was considering proposed fines of $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second offense and $300 for all subsequent violations.



"The second and final reading will be on Tuesday. I'm sure it's going to pass. The attorney general put out a model (local) ordinance" with Springfield, Chicopee, Ludlow and Belchertown already adopting it on the local level, said Tillotson.



"The chief asked for a $300 fine instead of having the three steps. He felt it would be too difficult to enforce in the earlier fashion," Tillotson said.



Ferraro has fully backed the proposal which was co-sponsored by Tillotson and Councilman-At-Large Robert J. Zygarowski.



The new state marijuana law took effect Jan. 2 after voters approved a ballot question that decriminalized possession of an ounce or less of marijuana.



The law replaced criminal penalties with a civil fine of $100.



Under the proposed city ordinance, police would be able to issue an additional fine for anyone caught smoking in public.



Zygarowski, a retired 30-year police officer and former 14-year DARE officer, said "This is another tool for the police officers. The chief and I discussed this a while ago. I think this is a deterrent and it will hit those who are ticketed in the wallet. I don't want Chicopee to be the last community to do this. I have seen the damage marijuana has done as a former police officer. The ticket hurts and I think the proposed ordinance change is a good idea."



"Many communities are addressing this and many chiefs are agreeing. I certainly support this as a deterrent and to ensure the quality of life in Chicopee. I don't want people smoking marijuana in public places and parks where mothers and children are and having children inhaling it," he said.



Ferraro has said it doesn't make any sense if people can't drink alcohol in public, then why wouldn't the city have an ordinance prohibiting smoking marijuana in public.



