The Marion Planning Board met on Tuesday, April 17 and heard from Board member Ted North about the town’s current budget and debt projections.
He said as of fiscal year 2011, the town of Marion has brought in $22,530,697 in revenue. Right now, the town’s debt stands at $44.7 million, but over the next ten years, will require up to $60 million to fund such projects as repairs to the Music Hall and the continuing water and sewer projects. The latter is responsible for the bulk of the money required in North’s projection.
North cited poor coordination among several town committees as reasons for the high numbers.
“The thing we need is good planning or else there is no way we can manage it over the next 10 years, “ North said. “We haven’t got that much geographic area for growth, so I don’t predict we’ll see a noticeable increase in that,” he said.
With only 2,400 taxpayers, he said it is not realistic for the town to keep spending money in the same ways.
The Planning Board also discussed the current amendment to the town bylaws regarding adoption of the new FEMA flood plain maps. If the town chooses not to adopt the amendment, they lose their eligibility for federal assistance with flood insurance. This would cause insurance rates for homeowners to skyrocket as they would be forced to turn to private insurance companies for flood insurance.
The new maps outline recent changes in the flood plain around Marion.
“This means that some people who were not on the flood plain map could now be included and some who were may not be anymore,” said Board member Steve Gonsalves.
It is up to each homeowner to determine if their property is affected by the new maps. While the appeal process for changing the maps has passed, residents can still challenge them any time.
The Planning Board felt that adoption of the amendment was required so that more people can stay in their homes.
“The bottom line is we have to adopt it,” said Planning Board member Tom Maguaran.
The next meeting of the Marion Planning Board will be on Tuesday, May 1 at the Marion Town House.
By Eric Tripoli