Will Tifft of the recently formed Marion Historic District Study Committee appeared before the Marion Select Board during its September 6 public meeting to update the members and the town on the committee’s activities.
Tifft said the committee was leaning toward a fairly “soft” set of requirements for recommendation regarding a potential Historic District.
The committee’s fact-finding mission has included a survey of approximately 200 homeowners within the proposed district who were canvassed over related subjects. Tifft also outlined the committee’s intentions for a September 8 public meeting in which the committee would introduce itself in person, update the public on the survey results and discuss next steps.
Tifft was accompanied by Meg Steinberg, an advisor to the committee and official chairperson of the Marion Historical Commission. Steinberg clarified that the historic survey being done by the Historical Commission is ongoing and operating as an activity separate from the surveying activities of the Historic District Study Committee.
The Select Board voted to approve the Codification Committee’s list of responsibilities and appointed the following existing members for terms to be determined: Hills, Planning Board member Eileen Marum; Building Commissioner Bob Grillo; Town Planner Doug Guey-Lee; and members at large Mike Sudofsky; Will Saltonstall and Marilyn Whalley.
After thanking Town Administrator Geoff Gorman and the Codification Committee for its work and noting that the town “got it right this time,” Parker asked if Select Board member Norm Hills, who was not present for the September 6 meeting, approves of the action as prescribed. Gorman assured Parker that Hills is, in fact, on board.
Until it was discovered that the town’s charter dictates differently, the Codification Committee had operated as a subcommittee to the Planning Board. Now it is directly under the Select Board’s purview.
Hills was traveling but is anticipated back for the board’s September 19 meeting.
In his Town Administrator’s Report, Gorman led off by announcing that procurement documents are complete and bids for construction of the new Marine Center (harbormaster building) had gone live as of September 6. The remaining estimated funding shortfall is just under $1,000,000. Bids are due on October 13. Minor site-plan review is in progress.
The Planning Board’s public hearing for major site-plan review of the new Department of Public Works operations center is scheduled for October 2.
Gorman was thrilled to report on a successful Marion Town Party held August 26 at Silvershell Beach. He served food at the event and enlisted his daughter’s help to sell tickets. Gorman credited Hemphill, Brooks Wilson, Terri Santos, Kristen Saint Don Campbell, Jennifer Peterson and Sebastian Pawlak.
Special Town Meeting on Monday, October 23, at 6:45 pm at Sippican Elementary School. Votes on Waterways Account appropriations to fund the remaining construction costs for the new Marine Center and seawall upgrades will highlight the meeting.
Monday, September 11, was the deadline to submit articles for the warrant. As of September 6, the town had yet to receive any citizens’ petitions. The warrant closes on October 3 and will be mailed out on October 13. Marion will not hold a special election this fall.
In light of Judy Mooney’s impending retirement, Gorman updated the board on the activities of the Finance Director Hiring Committee. He said 15 resumes were received, from which seven were selected for September 7 interviews, two of those seven dropping out from consideration. The interviews were to yield finalists for the job to be interviewed by the Select Board.
Gorman concluded his report by recognizing the Energy Management Committee, which over six years has brought about a 24% reduction in energy consumption in Marion.
Citing 29% energy reduction in municipal buildings and town vehicles and a 49% reduction in traffic lights and streetlights, Gorman said, “not only does this drastically decrease our utility costs and save taxpayer money, it also opens up added grant opportunities and increases our competitive advantage to receive those grants. I wanted to thank the EMC publicly for their hard work and their support of the citizens of Marion. I continue to work with the committee to find other avenues of savings, including several ground-mounted solar projects in discussions and support from Eversource to develop a phased plan for electrifying our vehicular fleet.”
Jessica Elder of Eversource requested continuance of the company’s public hearings on the installation of underground conduit at Hiller, Front and South streets and the installation of a new FO pole on South Street. They were continued as one public hearing on September 19.
Debra Watson and Mandy Givens were approved for appointment to the Capital Improvements Planning Committee.
The board accepted a donation of $500 from Joan Gardner for the Marion Concert Band. Executive Assistant Donna Hemphill said she has seen the band play a couple of times this year and that the band has “an immense amount of talent.”
At the request of the Plymouth County Suicide Prevention Coalition, the board declared September Suicide Prevention Month for 2023 in Marion.
Parts of Front, Main and Cottage Streets and Island Wharf will be closed on December 10 from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm for Marion’s annual Christmas Stroll.
The board spoke briefly about the town’s FY24 goals … “This is probably the most aggressive one that I’ve looked at,” said Parker. “It’s a good set of goals,” said Burr.
In separate votes, the board ratified the union contracts of the Department of Public Works and the Clerical workers that the board had approved in executive session. Updates included sick-time language and a modest cost-of-living adjustment to both salary and longevity, according to Gorman.
The board was updated on plans to create a Mary Ross Memorial Art Gallery at Cushing Community Center. According to Gorman, Ross was the pivotal force behind the art shows held at the center. The plan is to add a small plaque to the existing presentation of Ross’ artwork at the entry to the center.
The Marion Council on Aging’s existing emergency fund was named the Susan Schwager Memorial Fund. Under Schwager’s tenure at the COA, the fund was created to support life-sustaining services. Burr and Parker said the legacy recognition is well-deserved.
The board approved a two-week extension of a Mobile Home Permit at 357 Point Road with the condition of inspection by the town’s Health agent.
The board approved Water/Sewer commitments of $1,572.28 (final readings August 11), $400 (new water service August 21) and $629.20 (final readings August 25.)
The board approved two Special One-Day Alcohol Beverage Licenses for the Marion Social Club, 44 Pumping Station Road, one for its Chicken Bake on Sunday, September 17, from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm and the second for its Pig Roast on Sunday, October 15, from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
The board entered Executive Session pursuant to Purpose 3 of General Law Chapter 30A, Section 21(a)(2) to conduct strategy for negotiations with the town administrator or collective bargaining or nonunion personnel. The board adjourned without returning to open session.
The next meeting of the Marion Select Board is scheduled for Tuesday, September 19, at 6:00 pm at the Police Station.
Marion Select Board
By Mick Colageo