A presentation by the Marion Department of Public Works at Tuesday night’s Select Board meeting celebrated the news that most of the town’s previously dormant wells are now up and running. Then it came time to tackle the subject of Creek Road.
Accompanied by Tata & Howard engineer Jon Gregory, DPW Director Becky Tilden and engineer Meghan Davis presented a plan to install 600 feet of new water main pipe under Creek Road.
“There are a lot of obstacles for the new water main … the thought is a contractor can get in there with a small excavator. … We’re hoping in the end it’s going to provide a pretty good finish product without disturbing some of the other utilities,” said Gregory.
Select Board member Randy Parker challenged the methodology, citing the crowded location tightly surrounded by pressure-treated fence, granite curb and wooden guardrail. Parker also asserted that the uneven grade in some areas could pose complications. It was agreed that the 5-foot dig will require drawing out ground water.
Town Meeting appropriated $122,000 total that includes the water main project. Gregory said there is also a contingency.
Select Board member Toby Burr expressed concern about the timing. “My concern is rebuilding the road later … why not just do it all at once?” he asked.
Holding off on the project as planned would require reengineering, and Town Administrator Geoff Gorman said, “If it’s reengineered, it’ll cost money.”
Parker is concerned there won’t be enough money dedicated to the project to complete it and suggested that if that becomes the fact of the matter, then the town should reevaluate the whole road project and how to go about it.
Davis said that the project will not shut down the entire road. Tata & Howard is not involved on the wastewater side of the project. According to the DPW, the project will also provide opportunity for the town to get some infiltration-and-inflow (I/I) work done.
“I’m certainly not willing to go back to the taxpayers and ask for more (money); I am willing to go back to the taxpayers and ask if they want to look at the whole thing,” said Parker.
As Water/Sewer Commissioners, the Select Board members were thrilled to hear from the DPW about some of the town’s wells coming back online after a long wait.
Although sitting on Rochester property, Marion’s East and West wells across the street from the Mary’s Pond are online, as is the south well served by Perry Hill pumping station.
Last week, the Rochester Conservation Commission approved Marion’s plan to make a temporary access road through the wetlands to get equipment to the site. The pipe and trap rock required to construct the temporary access will stay, but the rest of the construction will end with the project. Marion is under contract with Tata & Howard to design a permanent access road.
The DPW reports no issues with the Wolf Island well, but the Main pumping station is currently offline. Tata & Howard is presently evaluating the station as a whole (the building, site, generator, well) to determine a recommended course of action.
Select Board Chairman Norm Hills pointed out that the Main pumping station does not produce a lot of water, and Parker noted it’s been offline for years. Gregory confirmed that the generator at the station is not very old but needs service beyond regular maintenance. Much of the data and communications run out of the site so it’s critical to keep it going, according to the DPW.
Tilden reported that the Cross Neck Road hydrant has been fixed and the one near the Kittansett Club is scheduled for repair this week.
Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission Chairman John Rockwell gave the board a progress report on the Point Road bike path and sought advice and volunteers looking to help complete the path’s construction.
“We’re at the stage now where we need to ask what exactly needs to be done,” said Rockwell after offering a historical sketch of bike-path efforts in Marion going back 30 years.
While water in some areas flows down the middle of the path and can be diverted by crowning the path, other water coming off Point Road crosses the path, so running a pipe underneath the path is being considered.
“The biggest challenge right now is the path has intercepted some of that flow that comes off Point Road and concentrated it. What was over 4, 500 feet is now all in one place,” said Rockwell, noting that some of the flow has settled into “someone’s backyard and they’re unhappy.”
He wants to offer the neighborhood an opportunity to walk the path and agree on the proper treatment. “We need to agree on what the problem is,” he said.
Rockwell would like to put 3 or 4 inches of densely packed, ¾-inch crushed stone on top of the path.
He recognized an Eversource driver who helped clear trees, saving the project substantial money. He also recognized residents Carol Molander and Shaun Walsh for their assistance with the project.
In his Town Administrator’s Report, Gorman was disappointed to report that the Marion Town Party scheduled for Saturday, August 24, at Silvershell Beach has been canceled after a mosquito in Marion tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). Donors to the party can request back their funds or have them held to support the party next year.
Marion’s pedestrian safety effort has resulted in a massive increase in traffic stops, according to Gorman. Since July 21, the Police Department has issued 161 stops, including 116 for speeding, resulting in 105 verbal warnings and 56 citations issued. Compared to the period from January 1 to July 20, the statistics represent a 190% increase in traffic stops. Gorman reminded pedestrians to please walk against traffic and bike riders to go with traffic.
The Harbormaster Building construction is on schedule for substantial completion in September and use in October. He also noted positive feedback the town has received from the work done to beautify and improve access in the area around the old Harbormaster office location.
After a successful summer program filled with activities, the last day for lifeguards at Silvershell Beach is Sunday, August 25.
The State Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, September 3, from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm at Cushing Community Center; all ballots must be received by 8:00 pm that day regardless of the method of voting.
Citing the governor’s new accessory apartment bylaw, Parker is suggesting a regional workshop with affected boards and committees.
In other action, the board approved the appointment of Alexandra Glew as a student officer in the Marion Police Department per the request of Police Chief Richard Nighelli. Glew has worked as a dispatcher with the Duxbury regional 911 center that serves Rochester. Her graduation from the state police academy is projected for June 2025.
A continued pole hearing for an Eversource petition covering installation of a new utility pole on Main Street for an electric-vehicle charging station was accepted without a vote from the board. The hearing was closed.
The board issued Tri Town Market, 428 Wareham Road, a Common Victualler License, appointed Stephen Gonsalves as tree warden, approved contracts for the police chief (five years ending June 2029) and police lieutenant (three years ending June 2027), approved the Election Warrant for the September 3. State Primary, reappointed Linda Schuessler as election warden and also reappointed and approximately 20 appointed poll workers for the 2024 elections.
Burr abstained from the poll-worker vote, noting that his wife is on the list.
The board also approved the schedule and deadline for 2025 license renewals: September 9 is the deadline to contact the town for Fire Department and Building inspections, October 31 is the deadline for inspection completion, and all paperwork must be turned in by November 29.
The board approved a Special One Day Alcohol Beverage License for ICJ Corporation for a wedding reception at the Marion Music Hall, 164 Front Street, on September 7, from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
The board approved closures on Front, Main, Spring and Cottage streets for the Marion Art Center’s Halloween Parade on Thursday, October 31, at 4 pm. The board also approved closures on Front, Main and Cottage streets and Island Wharf except for parking for the 30th Annual Marion Christmas Stroll on Sunday, December 8, at 3:00 pm.
The board approved the proclamation of September as Suicide Prevention Month.
The next meeting of the Marion Select Board is scheduled for Wednesday, September 4, at 6:00 pm.
Marion Select Board
By Mick Colageo