Jed Cornock, principal and comprehensive planner with Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD), presented the organization’s Route 6 Corridor Study Results and offered the Marion Board of Selectmen options for the town to consider during its March 3 meeting at the Town House.
Route 6 has been discussed frequently as a sore subject in desperate need of repair.
Cornock’s main question to the board was broken down into four options, two with four-lane scenarios and two with two lanes.
Route 6 is a four-lane highway through its Marion stretch, unlike part of the route that reduces to two lanes in the commercial districts of Wareham and Mattapoisett.
Cornock identified main areas of concern including the nearby intersections of Route 6 with Spring and Front streets, the “S-curve area,” and the angular entries from Creek and Converse roads.
Recommendations included a light signal or rotary at Spring Street, protected lanes from Front Street for left turns onto Route 105 in both directions, and geometric improvements for the turning forks at Creek and Converse. Illustrated plans showed proposals to fill in around those roads and made them into 90-degree turns to curb speed leaving Route 6, and for improving visibility turning onto Route 6.
Two-lane scenarios would widen sidewalks and give the option of having bicycles share the sidewalk or have their own lane either on the same elevation as the sidewalk or level with the traffic lanes.
Other improvements proposed include: retroreflective signage; LED lighting; “continental” and “ladder” style crosswalks; reconstructed drains; the removal of telephone poles to achieve ADA compliance; and (if the road is left in its current configuration) the addition of bicycle signage. “In Massachusetts, bicycles are considered to be a vehicle,” said Cornock.
Marion resident Mike Tracy spoke in opposition to the two-lane option. “I sit in Boston traffic every day, and I feel like reducing to two lanes will cause traffic congestion. The other concern I have is, God forbid, we have a hurricane,” he said.
Selectboard Vice Chairman John Waterman assured Tracy that nothing has been decided, but that it is time for the town to start considering different options, including varying solutions for different parts of Route 6 in Marion.
The Board also approved Marion Board of Health’s February 18 vote to withdraw from the Tri-Town Health District effective June 2021. The town is examining options for a potential future association or to go it alone.
“We have time to do a good job and do it right,” said Health Board member Dot Brown.
Police Chief John B. Garcia appeared to take questions on his upcoming retirement and the process of selecting his replacement. The procedure used when Garcia was selected in 2017 will invite sergeants and lieutenants to apply with letters due on April 24, setting the table for interviews to be conducted during the May 18 week, which falls after Town Meeting.
Town Administrator Jay McGrail recommended that Garcia sit in on the interview process.
Garcia said, “We’re not only preparing people for the positions they’re in but for the positions above them. I might be biased, but I think it worked out pretty well (in my case).”
The board approved adjusted hours of operation for Town Hall from May 26 through Tuesday, September 28. The “summer” hours will be Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 am to 5:30 pm, and from 8:00 am to noon on Fridays. The approval was given on a one-year basis for 2020.
McGrail’s report included a board update on the town’s preparation for a potential outbreak of COVID-19 (aka Coronavirus). “We’ve been as proactive as we can,” he told the board. “I think we have a pretty good team.” A meeting was scheduled for March 4 with the command team of department leaders.
The board indicated it will write a letter on behalf of the Kittansett Club regarding its application for an alcohol license.
Citing some 60 articles, McGrail has scheduled a “pre-town meeting” briefing for Monday, April 27, at 6:00 pm at the Music Hall.
There will also be a Massachusetts principals’ legislative breakfast from 8:00 to 10:00 am on Friday, March 6, in Carver.
Marion Board of Selectmen and Water/Sewer Commissioners
By Mick Colageo