The agenda for the October 16 meeting included three Appointments, 10 Action Items, and 10 items in the report from the Town Administrator. The meeting started on time and the committee moved fairly quickly through its list.
Animal Control provided an update on a problem dog, “Georgie,” whose owner is under an agreement to keep him on-premises and hire a professional dog trainer. Recommendation was to continue its current status for the remaining six months and have AC Officer Connor verify that training is being done.
Inovis Electric then presented a proposal to provide the town with electric vehicle chargers.
They recommended highly efficient, vertically integrated equipment and locations where the presence of the equipment would be easily accessible and enhance foot traffic to nearby businesses and community sites.
The committee looked favorably at the proposal but held back approval for the moment to allow further consideration of funding and exploration of alternate providers, if any.
One funding option would use energy-incentive federal funds through Eversource. Eversource funds are now overcommitted and could result in a wait of two or more years. An alternative “option two,” would be to fund using an outside investor. In this case, the third party pays to develop the project, and the town then receives a share (likely 70%) of its revenue.
Under either option, increased EV stations would decrease dependence on fossil fuel and bring revenue to the town, according to the speakers.
The committee approved appointments of Wistar Wood to the Marion Energy Management Committee and Adele Sands to the Scholarship Education Fund. It accepted a donation from the fire department of 2007 Surplus Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). The committee also approved the quarterly water/sewer commitment of $1,830,272.
In the Town Administrator’s report, Gorman noted that the Harbormaster building is on track, with a ribbon-cutting tentatively scheduled for November 1, and the Department of Public Works building construction proceeding on schedule.
The Benjamin D. Cushing Community Center Audio Equipment Project is also on track, with the objective of providing the Council on Aging with a new system for enhanced audio capability throughout the center, bettering the experience of visitors and staff.
Gorman also noted the following upcoming events:
-Third annual Pumpkin Palooza, Saturday, October 26, at the Cushing Community Center, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
-Election Day, Tuesday November 5. Details on how, when, and where to vote are on the Town Clerk’s website.
-Veterans’ Day Ceremony with guest speaker, November 11 at 11:00 AM.
-Unified Basketball Team vs. Tri-Town Police Annual Fundraiser, November 13.
The final topic for the Board was a lengthy discussion on the Point Road Bike Path.
In 2018, Marion Open Space Acquisition Committee (MOSAC) proposed its plan seeking funds for the path. In 2019, a town meeting approved a plan for the Path using $268,000 in funds allocated by the Community Preservation Act, with an anticipated completion date of May 2020.
While progress on the path has been made, abutters and users came to the select board to report that not only is it not yet finished, but that in its current state it is dangerous. They reported that the sand along the path has snakes, often less than seven feet off the road. This is presenting a hazard to walkers and riders. Storm water runoff is also damaging homes and yards, consequently reducing their property values.
According to abutters and to board member Mills, who has visited the area, the path is a “2700-foot sand pile.” Mills added, “it needs retaining walls, and it needs more trees to come down.”
Neighbors and other residents also feel more storm drains are needed to divert storm water.
John Rockland, Chair of MOSAC, was in attendance.
Wells made a strong recommendation that MOSAC bring in an engineer to develop a comprehensive plan for the site. He and others noted that with all the variables affecting the site such as its topography and existing municipal drainage infrastructure, the project would have benefited from a full engineering plan before it began. “At this point, it seems critical to proper site development.”
Rockland stated that he has been working since the outset of the project to tend to the various concerns raised. He has received cooperation from Eversource in removing trees and has plans for infiltration trenches to mediate storm water flow issues. He indicated that bringing in an engineer, especially at this time of year, would slow progress even further and raise costs, possibly beyond what he has available from the CPA. He added that municipal storm drains are insufficient in the area.
When it was suggested, he agreed to consider requesting more funds from the CPA, but, again, that timing is an issue – it would mean another vote at the town meeting, for example, which is months away – and that he is confident he can address some of the issues, given the time to carry out his plans.
Neighbors and abutters present reiterated several times that the state of the path as it is now is “hazardous,” “dangerous,” and “unacceptable.” They also stressed the path “needs to be fixed as soon as possible.”
“This is not what taxpayers voted ‘yes’ on when they approved this.”
Town Administrator Gorman offered to work with Rockwell and MOSAC to explore solutions and to continue the town’s work on improving storm water issues in accordance with town plans.
The committee urged Rockland to seek the means to obtain a professional engineer and indicated it would support his request for more funds from the CPA, if that were an option.
Further discussion and updates to be addressed at future meetings.
The next meeting of the Marion Select Board is scheduled for Tuesday, November 6, at 6:00 pm in the Town House conference room facing Main Street.
Marion Select Board – Water/Sewer Commissioners
By Mary McCann Fiske