Marion’s Marine Resources Commission met Tuesday, October 29, to review its agenda and its questions for its meeting with the Board of Selectmen on November 6.
Judging by the commission members’ discussions Tuesday, that agenda is to determine who’s responsible for managing, maintaining, and financing aspects of the town’s marine-related properties such as the wharfs and the new harbormaster building soon to open on Island Wharf. For example, they want to know who is responsible for maintaining the lawn in front of the Island Wharf band shell and the swales on the property that prevent flooding.
Cautious about sharing details of the questions the select board will be asked before the board itself receives them, Commission Chair Vincent J. Malkoski Jr. explained that the commission’s role has changed since it first formed. Its responsibilities have waxed and waned over the years depending on who the town harbormaster is.
“There are a bunch of things we’d like to try to resolve,” Malkoski said. “We want to clarify our role in the management of MRC properties.”
The meeting between the MRC and the select board will be November 6 at 6:00 pm in the Town House conference room.
In other action, the commission was unable to get an update on its Harbor Management and Capital Projects because Harbormaster Adam Murphy was unable to attend.
The board, however, progressed on its plan to revise and update the Waterways Regulations. Commissioner Jim Stewart said there are 13 regulations needing attention. The categories are purpose, definitions, registrations, moorings, floats (such as floating docks), out awls, anchoring, rafts, boat operations, non-criminal disposal of violations, enforcements, and appeals. Malkoski asked the six members present to each take one or two of the sections for further study and return with their report at the commission’s next meeting.
The Marion Marine Resource Commission’s next meeting will be Tuesday, November 11 at 7:00 pm, either at the Marion Police Department Conference Room, 550 Mill St., or the new harbormaster building, Island Wharf. This depends on whether the new facility is ready for use, Malkoski said.
Marion Marine Resources Commission
by Michael J. DeCicco