On April 15, the Marion Select Board met to tackle a long list of action items, as well as hearing reports from Town Administrator Geoffrey Gorman.
After the approval of minutes from the group’s last meeting, the board held a review of a dog complaint for 20 Vine Street per an agreement from March 2024. Animal Control Officer Susan Connor, who was present, stated that “nothing has changed. We’ve had numerous complaints, violations; I myself have witnessed violations.” Connor then recommended the board move ahead with a Dangerous Dog Hearing.
The dog owners were not present, and the board discussed with the town administrator what the next course of action should be as there is no applicable fee in place. A hearing was scheduled for May 20.
A sewer application waiver request was granted to the residents of 24 West Drive. They had requested two waivers for a tie in for two of the property’s houses. The first is for the installation of a 4-inch, Schedule 40 pipe that runs approximately 92 feet from both homes to the grinder pump. The second for the existing condition of the sewer pipes leaving the foundation with less than 3 feet of cover. The board mentioned an independent review may be necessary to analyze the site’s sewer compliance.
The Board of Accessors had requested security fobs for access to the Town House after hours in preparation for the upcoming election. Currently, there is a limited number of key fobs. The three Select Board members agreed that elected officials should have access to the Town House. In the past, the board discussed there being numerous people with keys and there not being a registry of who possessed them. The board is apprehensive to allow for many other people to have keys due to security concerns of limiting the restriction.
Members of the Board of Assessors was present to defend their request, with one saying, “I’m just going to get this off my chest. We are not essential personnel as far as security or public safety, but if we don’t get our work done, this town’s going down the drain because you’re not going to get tax rates set.”
After much discussion, the Select Board allowed the Planning Board, Board of Accessors, and Board of Health or “any other elected official that has an office in the Town House” to have security fobs to enter the building after hours.
The board then approved the appointment of Tom Drechsler as associate member of the Conservation Commission. An amendment was made to the Ever Auto Sales License to include a Doing Business As (DBA) on the license per RMV requirement. A Special One Day Alcohol Beverage License was granted to OCD Beverage Catering LLC for the Tri County Music Association Fundraiser on June 8 at Tabor Academy, where beer and wine will be served to approximately 300 people. The approval of the donation of a 2004, 14-foot Mercury Quicksilver Inflatable Boat from the Town of Rockland Fire Department was also approved.
A discussion on the MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer) Bylaw, to be voted on at the fall Town Meeting, was levied. Where pressure from the Environmental Protection Agency has notified the board of the necessity in notifying them of the status of the bylaw, they stated they need to see a complete MS4 Bylaw by April 21. The Select Board said the town would use October 20 as a placeholder date for fall Town Meeting.
The next meeting of the Marion Select Board is scheduled for Tuesday, May 6, at 6:00 pm in the Marion Town House.
Marion Select Board
By Sam Bishop