Not only will the Cushman Community Center get a new walking path this year, it will get a new pavilion provided the Council on Aging’s fundraising efforts are successful. Given the success the COA had raising the money to pay for a walking path, optimism is high.
In a scheduled appointment with the Select Board during the latter’s May 18 meeting at the Music Hall, Harry Norweb and Dianne Cosman spoke for the Council on Aging in their effort to garner three distinct Select Board approvals related to a project that Norweb estimates will take three to five years to complete in two phases.
The Select Board approved all three petitions, beginning with the formal approval of the 0.8-mile long, 6-foot wide, asphalt walking path that will loop around the perimeter of the front area grounds between the building and Route 6.
Norweb reported that three construction bids have been forwarded to McGrail since August 11, and all the funding necessary has been raised including $30,000 in Community Preservation funds and $9,000 donated by friends of the Marion COA and friends of Marion Recreation. Norweb has produced a walking video and stated the COA’s goal is to have the path completed by the end of the calendar year.
The second phase sought preliminary approval for construction of a pavilion inside the perimeter of the walking path. The pavilion would measure 36 feet by 26 feet and would be used for presentations, entertainment, family gatherings, and other events. To save money, the COA is planning on a prefabricated design, and Norweb said there will be no construction until funds have been raised and a formal approval given by the Select Board. “We need preliminary approval for good-faith fundraising to begin,” he said.
The third petition is the board’s authorization to pay for general landscaping that will be delayed until the path and pavilion have been completed. The plan is based on low to no maintenance, as plantings will grow tall to mitigate street noise. There will also be several benches located around the walking path.
Norweb assured the board that the sewer line on the site will in no way interfere with the construction of the path or pavilion.
“At some point, we need to do something with the parking lot,” said Select Board member John Waterman.
“The parking lot needs to be addressed,” agreed Town Administrator Jay McGrail.
Two other appointments were scheduled.
At the request of Recreation Director Scott Tavares, who could not attend the meeting, the Select Board approved McGrail’s proposal of a three-tier system for establishing fees for the use of town facilities and authorized McGrail to act in special circumstances.
The Kittansett Club was approved for a change of manager/board of directors, as Steve Mann was introduced to town officials.
Several appointments were made to fill vacancies on boards, commissions, and committees.
The Select Board appointed new DPW Director Nathaniel Munafo to represent Marion on the Mattapoisett River Valley Water District Commission and MRV Water Supply Protection Advisory Committee. Select Board member Randy Parker’s ongoing commitment to the MRV will be on a future Select Board agenda.
Joan Gardner and Jessica Barrett were appointed to the Music Hall Advisory Committee, and Derek Krein was appointed to the Pathway Committee, as recommended by Chair John Rockwell.
The Select Board voted to ratify a Memorandum of Understanding with the AFSCME Council 93, Local 30, approving a successfully completed contract negotiation with DPW employees. Asked about longevity pay in the new contract, McGrail explained that the town agreed to continue longevity pay in exchange for bi-weekly distribution of pay. “That’s going to save us a lot of money,” said McGrail, noting it is a two-year contract and that the DPW’s longevity pay now matches other unions under contract with the town.
The May 31 Memorial Day Remembrance ceremony originally planned for Island Wharf will be held at Old Landing off Front Street. McGrail said Front Street will remain open under this scenario.
The board approved Tabor Academy’s request for Front Street closure between Ryder and Cottage streets for graduation on Friday, June 4, from 10:00 am to 11:30 am.
The board approved a motion to recognize the Juneteenth state holiday honoring the struggle with and emancipation from slavery. The holiday will be held on Friday, June 18.
Also approved were the annual water restrictions from June 15 to September 15, without which the town would risk noncompliance for its water withdrawal permit.
The Select Board will meet five times between Memorial Day and Labor Day, as the board approved a schedule for June 1, June 22, July 13, August 3, and August 24. All meetings will be held at 6:00 pm at the Music Hall. A Water/Sewer Commissioners meeting has not been scheduled.
While Parker ran unopposed in the May 14 Town Election and retained his seat on the Select Board by a landslide, he will no longer be chairperson. That role was transferred to Norm Hills during a scheduled reorganization of the board. Waterman will serve as vice chair and Parker as clerk.
The new arrangement led to some unscheduled laughs at the conclusion of the meeting when Parker said, “I hear a motion to adjourn.” Corrected, Parker wound up making the motion instead.
The next meeting of the Select Board will be a special meeting on Zoom only to be held Wednesday, May 26, at 4:00 pm via Zoom for the purpose of discussion and a vote on water rates.
Marion Select Board
By Mick Colageo