The Town of Marion’s plan to reduce overall driving speed limits on all local roads from 30 miles per hour to 25 (unless otherwise posted) will take time to implement, Department of Public Works engineer Meghan Davis reported during the Marion Select Board’s January 18 public meeting.
The plan, the product of meetings of the Pedestrian Safety Study Group appointed by the Select Board in August 2022, requires the approval of the state Department of Transportation and excludes any roads managed by commonwealth.
Along with Davis, group members include Police Lieutenant Jeff Habicht, Noel Pardo, Mike Russo and Hal Curtis.
In distributing maps illustrating the proposed changes, Davis summarized other recommendations of the group: Implement a 20 mile-per-hour speed safety zone around school areas on Main and Spring Streets and on a portion of Front Street, install a removable speed cushion on Front Street near the Music Hall and install transverse markings on the southern portion of Point Road.
The speed cushion, said Davis, is removable for snow plowing in winter and helps reduce speeds for Marion’s increased summer population, especially at the heart of the village and down to Silvershell Beach.
“Transverse markings are a series of white stripes on a curved area that are spaced appropriately so it looks like you’re … traveling faster than you actually are,” explained Davis.
Asked by Select Board member Toby Burr, Davis confirmed that the Planting Island Causeway will remain a 15 mile-per-hour speed limit.
At the entry points to Marion, road signs will be posted stating the new 25 mile-per-hour limit unless otherwise posted.
MassDOT still dictates and posts state-ordained speed limits on state roads such as Route 6, but the agency also must approve all of Marion’s regulatory limits. “We are currently working with MassDOT on the process to implement these revised speed limits in town,” said Davis, indicating that Select Board member Norm Hills has been participating in that effort.
Once MassDOT approves of the changes, a cost estimate will be established, followed by public notification. Then the DPW will coordinate with the Police Department on a timeline.
Last year at the beginning of the process, the DPW presented a GPI study bringing about recommendations that the Select Board approved. Not much in the way of public comment was made, but the comments were supportive of the measures.
Burr suggested revising the map to highlight roads with adjusted speed limits.
The Select Board voted to approve the DPW’s pursuit of implementation of the presented plan.
In her report to the board, Interim Town Administrator Judy Mooney said indications from architectural firm Catalyst show the construction price of the new Marine Center to be growing.
“Unfortunately, they have gone up significantly,” said Mooney. Future meetings will look at funding options.
Mooney also said that cost estimates for construction of the new Department of Public Works operations center were expected from lead designer Will Saltonstall within the next week.
The public is urged to visit marionma.gov to learn about two connected issues facing the town.
One is Weston and Sampson’s study on Marion’s Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan (CWMP); there will be opportunities for public feedback in March.
The other is a reminder that the public-comment period for the state’s Title 5 septic regulations (requiring denitrification technology in all areas deemed nitrogen-sensitive) is set to expire on Monday, January 30, at 5:00 pm. Two final public hearings, slated for January 24 and 25, required preregistration and were accessible via marionma.gov.
Mooney also updated the meeting on the search for a new town administrator in the wake of Evan Lehrer’s decision to remain with the Town of Mashpee. The Select Board scheduled an executive session on January 19 to discuss strategy.
The board voted to approve water/sewer commitments of $250 (new water tap December 9, 2022), $260.09 (final readings December 30, 2022), $595 (backflow tests January 3) and $421.72 (final readings January 5.)
There was no public comment at the January 18 meeting.
The next regular public meeting of the Marion Select Board is scheduled for Tuesday, February 7, at 6:00 pm. The Capital Improvements Planning Committee is scheduled to present its rankings of capital projects for FY24.
Marion Select Board
By Mick Colageo