Marion’s roads are suffering to degrees that have been analyzed by contracted engineers and divided into proactive and reactive categories, the former 1.22 miles of roadway addressing the more urgent needs and prescribing more substantial measures.
Department of Public Works Director David Willett and DPW Engineer Meghan Davis appeared in the March 16 meeting of the Marion Board of Selectmen to present a program to be implemented over the next six to eight months.
Four roads fall into the prioritized proactive category: Water, Holmes, and School Streets, and Parlowtown Road; 1,057 feet of Parlowtown Road and 449 feet of School Street will receive a mill-and-overlay treatment, while 2,576 feet of Water Street and 2,345 feet of Holmes Street will receive a hot-mix overlay. The price tag is $117,946.33, with a 20-percent inflation contingency total of $141,535.60.
The plan, said Willett, is to advertise for construction bids in mid-April and award the contract in May with a target date of mid-summer construction.
The bidding process for the longer list of 15 roads (4.12 miles) requiring a total of $26,577.99 ($31,893,59 with a 20-percent inflation contingency) in routine crack-seal maintenance will be separately handled, according to Willett. Converse Road is on that list, but not its full length.
Davis told the selectmen that routine maintenance will not require road closures and that the work on any one area “should only take a few days.” She intends to visit the work on Converse Road to ensure that the right repairs are being performed in the right locations.
According to Willett, the purchase of a crack-seal trailer would provide the town the best value to keep its roads in shape long-term, and he envisions that, at some point, the work can be done in-house. “In the future, I hope to bring several programs to the board so the board can choose which (roads) are treated first,” he said.
Selectman John Waterman noted that Marion has $1.2 million in Chapter 90 funds to draw from to cover the cost.
Selectman Norm Hills addressed paint traps on Route 6, saying there are “some pretty bad holes out there.” Willett said he would reach out to the state Department of Transportation on the matter.
Town Administrator Jay McGrail told the selectmen that the warrant for the May 10 Town Meeting would be closed on Tuesday, April 6.
After fielding Waterman’s questions about the article related to dog owners, McGrail said he would work with Police Chief Richard Nighelli and new Police Lieutenant Jeff Habicht on coming up with a user guide that can be accessed at marionma.gov, the town’s website. Waterman suggested mailing out a paper copy with dog license renewal forms. Habicht’s contract as a police lieutenant was approved during Tuesday’s meeting.
The Town Meeting warrant was discussed, and the article presenting the water bylaw will not include the shut-off policy that remains in the town’s rules and regulations. Chairman Randy Parker suggested detailing the two new trucks that will appear on the warrant.
In his Town Administrator’s Report, McGrail said a piling up of classroom equipment has taken the gymnasium out of play for Town Meeting at Sippican School. The library is substantially smaller, but McGrail said a room dedicated solely to COVID-vaccinated residents at 3 feet of social distancing would create adequate space.
Sippican School has a new 60-by-30-foot tent for an outdoor learning space, mask breaks, and recess in subpar weather. The tent was paid for by state funds.
The Cushing Community Center will begin hosting Council on Aging programs in its heated tent on April 1. COVID-vaccination certificates are not required but are “highly recommended.”
Citing Marion’s gray-community status, McGrail is looking to reopen the Town House to the public on Monday, May 5, and in-person public meetings may come back in April pending continued success against the coronavirus.
Scott Tavares, a teacher at Old Rochester Regional High School, was introduced as the town’s new recreation director, as Jody Dickerson has been transitioned to DPW. Tavares is working 19.5 hours per week for the town. “Scott’s got heavy lifting to do,” said McGrail, noting that both positions are being transitioned on a trial basis for the employees’ sake as well as the town’s.
Adam Lambert, a six-year ORR teacher, will fill the part-time role as assistant director of the Recreation Department. Nate Vaughn stepped away from the position after “nine great years to the department,” said Tavares.
McGrail planned to post an advertisement for a new DPW director on Wednesday with an April 16 application deadline. Willett plans to stay part-time until June 30 and continue into the fall as a consultant. McGrail reported that Brewster and Randolph are also currently seeking a new DPW director.
Open Space Acquisition Commission Chairman John Rockwell was on hand to explain a Conservation Restriction on Little Neck Village to protect endangered species.
The matter, said Rockwell, dates back to 2008, but various quirks in the law and twists, turns and dormant periods extended the matter to 2021. Rockwell credited the Sippican Lands Trust for a very reasonable fee to act as the third party required to hold the Conservation Restriction.
Parker abstained from a vote, but Hills and Waterman voted to approve the Conservation Restriction. The board thanked Rockwell for his persistence in seeing the matter through.
In other business, the selectmen approved the nomination of Sue Connor and Adam Murphy as inspectors of animals under Animal Control. The board approved the Marion Art Center’s request for street closures on July 10 between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm for its annual Arts in the Park event. The rain date is July 11. The board also approved Margie Baldwin’s request to declare April 30 Arbor Day in Marion. The selectmen will next meet as Water & Sewer Commissioners on Thursday, March 25, at 4:00 pm. The next meeting of the Marion Board of Selectmen is scheduled for Tuesday, April 6, at 4:00 pm.
Marion Board of Selectmen
By Mick Colageo