The Marion Board of Selectmen met on a snowy, cold Tuesday evening at the Town House. One agenda item included a request for $38,000 above the designated snow and ice removal allocated budget for 2014. The Board approved the request.
After a signing of the warrants and approval of minutes for February 4, 2014, the board launched into other agenda items.
A recommendation from Police Chief Lincoln Miller to appoint Derryl Lawrence, Jr. as a full-time police officer was approved. Lawrence recently completed his one-year probationary period with the Marion Police Department.
A request from the Marion Art Center for the use of Bicentennial Park on July 12 for “Arts in the Park” was also approved. The event will run from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm.
A one-day all-alcohol license, on behalf of the VFW for a birthday party on March 1 from 4:00 until 11:00 pm, was approved. Another one-day all-alcohol license, on behalf of the VFW for a birthday party on March 8 from 3:00 until 9:00 pm, was also approved. A one-day all-alcohol license for the Marion Firefighters Association clam boil on March 22 from 4:00 until 7:00 pm was approved.
Next up was a discussion of the Plymouth County Mosquito Control Project that asked if the Town of Marion was in support of their proposed budget. “With the Eastern Equine Encephalitis issue and other insect issues, the PCMCP is asking if we support their budget,” said Town Administrator Paul Dawson. The board voted to support the effort.
Another discussion ensued regarding the calendar year 2014 Internal Revenue Service mileage reimbursement rate of 56 cents per mile, which is a reduction from last year’s reimbursement rate of 56.5 cents per mile. The rate is effective from January 1, 2014. The board discussed the rate reduction and had no comment.
A report by Town Administrator Paul Dawson regarding the Federal Emergency Management Agency flood map followed. Dawson said that Marion adopted the proposed maps that went into effect on January 17, 2014. “Some communities in southeastern Massachusetts are not determined yet, but Marion and Mattapoisett are approved by FEMA,” said Dawson.
A discussion followed regarding a volunteer to help with the Carver-Marion-Wareham Regional Refuse Disposal District (CMWRRDD). A newspaper advertisement requesting volunteers went unanswered. Dawson noted that Ray Pickles, head of the CMWRRDD, asked that volunteers have some experience in the trucking industry.
Lastly, Dawson asked the Board to appoint Facilities Director Sean Cormier as the Owner Project Manager of the oversight committee for the Town House feasibility study. Dawson also proposed advertising and using ‘word of mouth’ advertising to attract qualified individuals to join the committee.
In other business, the board said that they would like to have the two individuals who applied for positions on the Affordable Housing Trust come before the board and meet them. Jennifer Watson and Amy Wolfson both applied for slots on that board.
The board closed the meeting to go into executive session for strategy related to collective bargaining.
By Joan Hartnett-Barry
