"Our Email Stats Exposed! Little Shop of Horrors, Controversial Cannabis Ordinance, and Sparta's Exciting Events"

Trivia Question❓

What is the population of Sparta as of the 2020 census?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

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‘Little Shop of Horrors’ onstage this week

Sparta High School will present its spring musical, “Little Shop of Horrors,” from Friday, March 14 to Sunday, March 16.

The dark comedy is filled with catchy tunes, quirky characters and a bit of horror. It tells the story of Seymour Krelborn, a down-on-his-luck florist who stumbles on a mysterious plant that promises to change his life. However, the plant has a sinister secret.

The show is directed by faculty members Angela DeLuccia, Paige Lucas, Lisa Tafuri, Laura Lopez, Andrew Lopez, Emily Scott and Joe Lombardo.

The cast includes Caiden Loyer as Seymour Krelborn, Jenna Flake as Audrey, Logan Scarpa as Audrey II, Lynnessa Marrow as Ronnette, Julianne Handzus as Chiffon, Sabrina Smith as Crystal and Jake Hamilton as Mr. Mushnik.

Also is the cast are Hana Kachersky as Customer, Michael Iudica as Interviewer/Patrick Martin, AJ Slee as Orin Scrivello, Hayden Denmead as Mr. Bernstein, Kaitlyn Kayser as Mrs. Luce and Thomas Fossett as Snip.

The shows are at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the high school, 70 W. Mountain Road.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens. They may be purchased online only at cur8.com/23455/project/129039

Source: Sparta Independent

Planning Board - March 5, 2025

Summary (Provided by Arificial Intelligence)

EXECUTIVE SESSION OVERVIEW

The Sparta Planning Board convened an executive session to discuss specific subject matters permitted under the Open Public Meetings Act, particularly regarding contract negotiations.
The resolution to exclude the public was read, emphasizing the necessity of confidentiality for the matters discussed, which will be made public when appropriate.
The session included a motion to enter and exit, indicating a structured approach to managing board discussions.

INTRODUCTION OF NEW PLANNING BOARD ATTORNEY

Mr. Kenneth Porro was introduced as the new planning board attorney, bringing over 30 years of experience in land use and municipal law.
Porro's background includes representation of multiple planning boards and experience in writing legal articles related to land use.
He is expected to provide training sessions, enhancing the board’s knowledge of planning and zoning regulations.

APPLICATION DISCUSSIONS

The board reviewed an application from Green 973 LLC, which operates an indoor golf facility. The discussion included details about their current operations and plans to expand.
The proposed expansion involves utilizing additional space from a neighboring tenant who has vacated, allowing for an increase in waiting area and pro shop space.
The board deliberated on parking requirements and how the facility manages customer flow to prevent congestion during peak usage times, particularly on league nights.

VARIANCE AND APPROVALS

The board discussed multiple variances sought by the applicant, including impervious coverage and parking stall requirements.
The applicant was noted to exceed the permissible impervious coverage slightly and requested relief for parking space requirements due to the nature of their business.
The discussion highlighted the need for compliance with landscaping ordinances while acknowledging the existing conditions and previous approvals from 2008.

CUSTOMER MANAGEMENT AND PARKING ISSUES

The business's reservation system was discussed as a critical element in managing traffic and parking, emphasizing a controlled flow of customers.
Concerns about parking congestion during league nights were raised, leading to a consensus on the need for a 30-minute gap between league reservations to allow for a smoother transition and reduce parking issues.
The applicant agreed to implement this change to improve customer experience and accommodate the needs of incoming league players.

FINAL APPROVALS AND CONDITIONS

The board voted to approve the application with specific conditions regarding the management of parking and landscaping improvements.
It was determined that further landscaping plans would be reviewed by board professionals, retaining jurisdiction for final approval.
The resolution included provisions for compliance with conditions set forth by various municipal departments, ensuring that all operations align with local regulations.

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Quote Of The Day

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. – Theodore Roosevelt

Joke Of The Day

What did one ocean say to the other ocean?

Nothing, they just waved.

"A Proposed Cannabis Ordinance in Sparta Township Faces Criticism and Revisions"

The article from TAPInto Sparta, written by Jennifer Dericks, discusses a proposed cannabis ordinance in Sparta Township that aims to regulate the distance between cannabis businesses and schools.

The ordinance suggests a 250-foot buffer zone between these establishments and schools, which is a decrease from the previous 500-foot requirement.

The Sparta Township Council is revisiting the ordinance after facing criticism for the original draft.

The council hopes to strike a balance between accommodating cannabis businesses and addressing concerns from the community.

The proposed ordinance will also address licensing fees, restrictions on signage, and hours of operation for cannabis establishments.

The council is accepting public feedback on this revised ordinance as they work towards finalizing regulations for the cannabis industry in Sparta Township.