The Marion Board of Selectmen continued the discussion on June 3 over the continuing debate surrounding the Fire Department’s request for a new fire engine, which failed at the May Annual Town Meeting. Controversy has swirled around the issue, with the Finance Committee questioning the merits of the purchase.
The Board of Selectmen decided to form a committee of five to study the issue, consisting of Selectman Steve Cushing representing the selectmen, a member of the Finance Committee to be determined, two members of the Marion Fire Department, and one citizen of the Town.
Issues discussed were not only the cost of the new fire engine, but other issues the Finance Committee has brought forward regarding the finances of the Fire Department and the impact on how town tax monies are spent.
Next up, the board denied a water abatement request from Ed and Kim Lavoie of 24 Pine Hill Lane. The deadline to apply for the abatement had passed, and selectmen voted in agreement with the Department of Public Works on the decision to hold the bill, as issued.
Another issue tackled was a request from the Wareham building commissioner who asked for the assistance from Marion’s building commissioner to inspect work done by the building commissioner in Wareham, who is a contractor. The board agreed to the request.
The board discussed a water-related inter-municipal agreement between the towns of Rochester and Marion, with the original agreement, signed 50 years ago, set to expire in April of 2021 and is now being renegotiated.
“This was a historic agreement,” said Town Administrator Paul Dawson.
Selectman Jon Henry said that he had met with Fred Underhill of the Rochester Historical Commission to talk about the issue.
“We need to get the boards and town administrators together and work on this,” said Dawson. Selectman Jody Dickerson agreed to be on the committee looking into the issue.
Department of Public Works Superintendent Rob Zora attended the meeting and said that Rochester uses only 9 percent of the water available for their use. The existing agreement grants Rochester first rights to 50 percent of the available water.
Henry spoke about well testing and whether or not the Boards of Health in both towns specified testing. Comments from several people noted that the Boards of Health from both Rochester and Marion, perhaps, have not addressed this issue.
Dawson said that he and his family purchased a home in Rochester and that the well on the property had to be tested as a part of the purchase of the home. The board asked if this was a condition in Marion.
Next up was a discussion regarding the ongoing issue of how Habitat for Humanity will handle the reselling of a property when the owners sell the property. At issue is the continued affordability of the home once the owners put it up for sale at market rates.
“We’ve had an opinion from town counsel and find that only a Zoning Board of Appeals ruling could keep the property affordable,” said Dawson.
In the end, the board agreed to waive the fee for the applicant to apply for the variance, but wanted to discuss the issue with Town Counsel John Whitten before making any major decision on the issue.
Lastly, the board discussed the Enforcement Order from the Conservation Commission regarding the tree and brush cutting at Washburn Park. The Conservation Commission issued an “immediate cease and desist, and that a plan be submitted to remedy and restore the area,” according to the letter from the Commission and the Department of Environmental Protection. The reply, according to selectmen, must be received before July 1, 2014.
All three selectmen spoke on the issue saying that they were citizens of the town and could not skirt any rules that apply to any citizen.
“There was no intention to circumvent any regulations,” said Henry.
Dickerson spoke and said that the welfare of Washburn Park was “the high cost of low maintenance” and that all three selectmen grew up in the town and remembered Washburn Park as an area that was used by many.
Dickerson also noted that $16,000 is needed by this coming Friday, June 6, if there are to be fireworks in Marion this year.
“You can’t say we didn’t try … auctions, selling T-shirts, lots of fundraising … we just want to bring back the fireworks,” said Dickerson.
By Joan Hartnett-Barry
