What started out as a routine Marion Planning Board meeting ended with discussions bordering on despair over the debt implications of various proposed town projects.
The renovation or reconstruction of the Town Hall, a possible expansion of the library along with the recent estimate of $27 million for a water and sewer project with the subsequent road repaving, appeared to be the straws that broke the camel’s back at the meeting.
“Did you know that Marion has the highest sewer rate in the Commonwealth and the third highest water rate (in MA)?” asked Chairman Jay Ryder. “It’s hard for me to believe that we can afford all of this.”
“We’re over $40 million in debt right now, more than we’ve ever been in history…the sheer number is huge,” he said, encouraging the public to attend a public meeting on the $27 million water and sewer project on Thursday, February 9 at 7:00 pm at the Marion Music Hall.
The upcoming meeting was called by the Marion Board of Selectmen and will include members of the Capital Improvement Committee and the Finance Committee. A presentation of the water and sewer project, along with a question and answer session, will follow. Other town projects likely will be discussed, due to the sum total in dollars currently being proposed in the town.
“There’s no way we can finance all the projects in the pipeline,” said member Tom Magauran, who estimated that there are approximately $60 million dollars in proposed projects currently under consideration in the town.
“Will this project (water and sewer) double our rates?” asked Mr. Magauran. “We’re talking about taking on debt for the next 30 years out.”
“We need someone from the Board of Selectmen to stand up and answer some hard questions…the Capital Improvement Committee has no decision power…we need someone to step up and give direction,” said Mr. Magauran.
In other business, Mr. Magauran discussed ideas to bring before the town meetings in the fall. He said that the passage of the 1999 up zoning by-laws created a burden for many town residents who live on non-conforming lots.
“We need to include the Zoning Board of Appeals in our discussion,” said Chairman Ryder.
“This should be discussed, but with all board members present,” said member Steve Gonsalves. “It’s important that we have input from the entire board.”
The board agreed to discuss the ideas at an upcoming meet and agreed that all members of the board should participate in the discussion.
In other business:
• The board approved an Approval Not Required application for Jake Jacobson to combine two lots into one at his property 30 Alden Road.
• The board approved a disbursement to Field Engineering from the consulting account for the Cumberland Farms project in the amount of $210. The total was subtracted from the project fund, which was funded at $4,500. The monies are for Field Engineering, hired by the Town of Marion, to oversee and check on developments during the construction of the new two-story facility.
By Joan Hartnett-Barry
So glad to hear SOMEONE is horrified at the number of projects in the works and what that will do to our tax rate. Thank you Jay and Tom. I WILL be there on Thursday, Feb. 9 to hear the grim details. I’m afraid things are already in the works judging from the utility flagging thats already been done. If this project is approved at town meeting it hardly seems possible that work could start in the fall unless bids are already being entertained 🙁