Designing a master plan for the town of Marion was the topic of discussion at the Marion Planning Board meeting on Monday evening. Southeastern Regional Planning & Economic Development District (SRPEDD) representative Sandy Conaty attended and asked the board how she could help.
“We have the Marion 2015 plan and a 1996 growth management plan … are these two documents your master plan?” asked Conaty. The Planning Board discussed the defeat at town meeting of the Neighborhood Overlay District a year ago and asked Conaty about the other 350 towns in Massachusetts and how they were dealing with growth issues and tax increases.
Conaty’s reply was to take the issues in small chunks and not be overwhelmed by the entire town.
“If you want to grow, how are you going to do that?” she asked.
After much discussion, the board agreed to spend time at each meeting discussing the topic and possibly surveying the public about growth and increased taxation issues and how to tackle them.
“We have many intelligent and wise people in Marion who we have to tap into via surveys and questionnaires. We need to get opinions and help on this topic,” said Chairman Jay Ryder.
A full board of all seven members plus secretary Terri Santos attended the meeting.
In other business, the board approved a correction of an ANR Plan for the Knott family of 56 Allen Street. Bill Madden, of GAF Engineering, represented the Knotts and said that a typographical error in a deed reference was caught by an attorney in the transaction and that he was there to request approval for the change in the plan.
“This is a change in plan only, just something to be struck from the deed,” said Madden. The board approved the request.
A pre-submission conference for Fieldstone Farms, 806 Mill Street (Route 6, former Frigate Restaurant) followed with owner Arne Johnson, represented by Kevin Forgue, engineer with GAF Engineering along with architect Anthi Frangiadis.
Johnson spoke to the board and said that the reason for the board appointment was to get a feeling for the process of making his business vision a success. Johnson plans to raze the building and build a new structure that adheres to current setback regulations, parking regulations, run off and landscaping requirements and get his new produce business in progress during 2013.
The new business will be known as Fieldstone Farms.
The board adjourned at 9:30 pm.
By Joan Hartnett-Barry