The town of Marion will have a Fall Special Town Meeting every year, the Marion Board of Selectmen ruled at its Tuesday, December 6 meeting.
The vote stemmed from a request by Community Preservation Committee Chairman Lori Schaefer – who asked the board to guarantee a fall meeting to help plan for its dispersion of state funds. Ms. Schaefer explained that the committee does not know what funds are available until October, when the state budget determines what is available.
“It seems the most prudent thing to do is to seek applications in the fall when we know what the money is,” she said. “Funds have been declining the past few years.”
With the vote, the town will always have a Fall Town Meeting, even if the CPC articles are the only ones on the warrant.
“I like fall town meetings. It is an opportunity to do some house cleaning, and take up a few issues that need to be addressed,” added Selectman Roger Blanchette.
In other business, Marion Town Administrator Paul Dawson discussed the latest news of the forthcoming Town House Advisory Committee – which will determine next steps in the Town House’s renovation and future viability.
He said an outpouring of applications have arrived from residents seeking to join the committee. A total of eight applications have been received so far, with an additional one on its way, Mr. Dawson said.
“Far and away there is a lot of interest. It shouldn’t be surprising given the level of discussion at [the fall] town meeting,” he said.
At the meeting, the board determined that the advisory board would be composed of one member from each of the following committees: Finance, Planning Board and Capital Board. In addition, four citizens at large will serve on the committee, with Mr. Dawson participating as an ex-officio.
In addition to looking at the future of the Town House – another question remains as to the fate of the town-owned tennis courts north of the building.
“They are not usable as tennis courts. The grass is growing through all cracks,” Selectman Stephen Cushing said. Options include removing it completely and replacing with grass, utilizing a portion of it for additional parking or “something else yet to be determined,” Mr. Cushing said.
Mr. Dawson noted that the library also has an interest in that section of property, and said that he expects the Town House Advisory Committee will coordinate a discussion on its future form. He said a discussion on the courts also will take place at the next Selectmen’s meeting on December 20.
“We are essentially putting it up for grabs,” said Select Chairman Jon Henry.
In other business, the board approved the donation of a 1.8 property at 13 Atlantis Drive in Marion – which includes a large building that may serve as a storing area for the Harbormaster or a Department of Public Works maintenance facility.
Mr. Dawson said environmental reviews were conducted, and after a $3,000 to $5,000 asbestos clean up of a small crawl space in the basement, the building will be ready to use. “There are no hitches, and the town meeting has approved it,” he said.
A study will be conducted looking at potential long-term uses of the building as well, Mr. Dawson added.
Also at the meeting:
• The board approved annual renewal licenses for an unspecified number of businesses.
• Mr. Dawson encouraged interested residents to apply as an alternate member of the Conservation Commission.
By Laura Fedak Pedulli