Melrose Council Approves Cannabis Ordinance, ALS Wage Scale, and Fire Equipment

MELROSE — November 16, 2023 — Melrose City Council approved a public cannabis ordinance, new fire equipment, and a paramedic-RN wage scale at its November 16 meeting. The ordinance, modeled on Stearns County's existing rules, bans cannabis use in parks, sidewalks, restaurants, and other public spaces and gives the city local enforcement authority for the first time; City Administrator Winter said it "sets this up to provide for local enforcement" without changing daily behavior, since the county rules already apply. Fire Chief Tom Buddy, reappointed unanimously for 2024-2025, won approval to order new hydraulic extrication tools and 35,000-pound-rated airbags from public safety funds, and warned the council that neither of the city's current equipment sets can cut through materials used in modern vehicles. The council also approved a 2024 wage scale for paramedic-registered nurses following the ambulance department's new ALS certification, and voted to join a PFAS class-action settlement against 3M and DuPont, with claims due in early 2024. Nine first responders received life-saving awards for reviving worker Brian Borad, who collapsed on the job October 5.