The impression that Finance Committee member Peter Winters made during his November 15 interview before the Marion Select Board and the Board of Assessors still resonated when the two boards reconvened on December 7 at the Cushing Community Center.
Board of Assessors Chairman George T.J. Walker said all three candidates (Winters, Michael Pierre and Barry Gaffey) were impressive but agreed with Select Board member Norm Hills that Winters is the best fit. He credited Select Board member Toby Burr for asking the interviewees about their availability to meet the demands of time that further separated Winters as the preferred candidate.
“Town Meeting will ultimately decide who will fill the vacancy,” said Walker. “We’re talking about six months. We’ve got a lot on our plate and given the (increase in property) values … a lot of hearings. For that purpose, I think Mr. Winters is qualified, and he’s going to get thrown to the wolves right away – for six months.”
The joint vote was unanimous at 5-0.
With the appointment, Winters fills the seat vacated with the September passing of longtime member Catherine Gibbs. The term will expire in May with the 2023 Town Election. Winters told the boards during his interview that he intends to run for the seat.
In her Town Administrator Report, Judy Mooney announced that the state Seaport Economic Council has granted Marion another $300,000 toward the construction of the new harbormaster facility at Island Wharf.
The town had applied for a second $1,000,000 grant from the SEC; this grant leaves the effort short by $700,000. Total SEC grant funding toward the project now stands at $1,600,000, counting the initial $300,000 grant.
Mooney told the Select Board that she and Harbormaster Isaac Perry will go to Plymouth County as part of their effort to seek more funding. Perry has filed more grant applications.
“Right now, the way the article’s written, we can’t send it. … You’d have to go back to Town Meeting,” said Mooney of voter approval for the project.
“If we miss the Spring Town Meeting, the price of that building is going to go up $400,000,” added Select Board Chairman Randy Parker.
Mooney also updated the board on the new Department of Public Works facility planned for Benson Brook.
Project designer Will Saltonstall is putting together a team of architects and engineering services. He is working on a proposal for consulting services that he plans to submit to the town this month. Parker asked that Mooney share that information with the DPW Planning Committee.
The search for a new town administrator yielded 28 applications ahead of the Screening Committee’s initial review on December 8. Parker indicated that it is hoped the committee can conduct interviews for two days prior to Christmas.
The Select Board voted to extend the deadline to apply for the Historic Study Committee to the board’s next public meeting on December 20.
Mooney estimated that 10 applications had been received as of December 7. The town has also requested two nominations from the Marion Historical Commission, the Boston Society of Architects and the state Board of Real Estate Brokers.
The tax rate (per $1,000 in property) for FY23 is not $9.52 as previously projected but $9.44, reported Mooney. The rate is established according to actual property sales, said Assessor Pat DeCosta, who told the board she had hoped the FY23 rate would be lower because property values have continued to climb. The state certifies the rate, pointed out Walker.
Mooney said that the state Department of Revenue says property values continue to increase across the state and in waterfront communities, even more.
The Select Board voted to renew licenses for 2023.
Executive Assistant Donna Hemphill explained that the 48 licenses issued by the town are held by 30 businesses. There are 12 liquor licenses (including eight on-premises consumption), the remaining fall under categories including common victualer, entertainment, etc.
Burr recused himself from the vote, noting that Burr Brothers Boat Company is on the renewal list. Parker and Hills voted to approve the list as presented and to authorize Hemphill to use the board’s signature stamp. Hemphill said she will send out the license renewals at the end of the month.
Also applying to the state’s Alcohol Beverage Control Commission (ABCC) was a discussion and vote on Marion’s estimated seasonal population. Hemphill said the town clerk estimates that population as of July 5, 2023 is expected to reach 6,200. The annual submission to the ABCC provides the estimate for the purposes of seasonal alcohol permitting.
The board approved a new application for a previously approved sewer connection at 43 Dexter Road, also recommended for approval by the DPW. The correct application will be held until signed by the applicant.
The board also approved Water/Sewer commitments of $1,097.10 (final readings December 1), $1,031.00 (new water service November 18) and $466.57 (final readings November 15.)
The next meeting of the Marion Select Board is scheduled for Tuesday, December 20, at 6:00 pm at the Police Station.
Marion Select Board/Board of Assessors
By Mick Colageo