November 18, 2008
By Kenneth J. Souza
A regular meeting of the Marion Board of Selectmen was called to order in the Marion Town House on Tuesday, November 18 at 7:00 pm by Chairman Jonathan Henry. Also present were Selectman Roger Blanchette, Selectman Stephen Cushing, Town Administrator Paul Dawson and Secretary Helene Craver.
The board first met with representatives of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) department and the Marion Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) to accept the gift of a new ambulance which was purchased through funds raised by the Benjamin D. Cushing Marion VFW Post 2425.
"The ambulance was delivered last Thursday and is going through the final phases of being oufitted," said EMS Director Jeff Habicht. "It is a state-of-the-art ambulance and we look forward to putting it into service. On behalf of the Marion EMS and residents, I'd like to thank (Commander) Joe Napoli and the members of the Marion VFW for all their hard work in raising money to purchase this vehicle. I'd also like to thank Dale Jones, who has put in countless hours to get this ambulance ready to be put on the road."
Mr. Habicht estimated the VFW raised about $162,000 and the ambulance cost just under $150,000.
"It's a 450 chassis rather than the previous 350," Mr. Jones said. "It's a bigger vehicle, but it's certainly adequate for our needs."
Mr. Jones noted the existing ambulance will go to the Fire Department to be used as a backup emergency vehicle.
"This has been a very, very successful system for the town," Chairman Henry said. "And we appreciate the efforts of the VFW."
With that, the board unanimously voted to accept the gift of the new ambulance on behalf of the Town of Marion.
At 7:10 pm the board met with the members of the Board of Assessors to open the annual Tax Classification Hearing.
"The Board of Assessors requests a continuance to December 2," said Assessor Ray Pickles, noting they don't yet have the final numbers ready to make a determination.
"Wouldn't it be wise to invite the members of the Finance Committee (FinCom) to make a recommendation on the town's tax rate?" Selectman Blanchette suggested. "Doesn't it make sense that the FinCom might want to offer their input?"
"The Assessors have been looking at this very carefully over the years," Mr. Pickles said. "Changing the tax rate from a single to a split rate would affect small businesses in Marion. All of the commercial property in Marion will be increasing in value this year ... by roughly 5 percent."
"We have a lot of small businesses in town, but we also have a lot of businesses in town that are getting a free ride," Selectman Blanchette said. "I think this is worth looking into."
With that, the board unanimously voted to continue the Tax Classification Hearing to Tuesday, December 2 at 6:00 pm at the Marion Music Hall.
At 7:17 pm the board met with Police Chief Lincoln Miller and Special Officer Kevin Paulson of Fairhaven, who the chief is recommending to be hired as a full-time police officer with the Marion Police Department. "He's been with us for 12 years, we know him well, and he will save the department money because we won't have to send someone to the police academy for training," Chief Miller said.
With that, the board unanimously voted to promote Officer Paulson to full-time status.
At 7:20 pm the board opened a hearing to consider a change of manager for The Wave Restaurant. The request is to change the manager of the establishment from Todd Zell to Robb DeSimone. Mr. DeSimone has been working in the restaurant business since 1972 and has previously managed several establishments.
"I think what you're doing up there is pretty nice," Selectman Blanchette said.
With that, the board unanimously voted to approve the change of manager as requested.
In other matters, the board:
* Voted to declare a 1984 Ford Econoline van previously used by the Fire Department as surplus equipment.
* Signed and approved alcohol license renewals for 2009, including The Beverly Yacht Club; The Frigate Steakhouse; The Kittansett Club; Leo's Cheese and Wine Cellar; Lighthouse Liquors; Marion Country Package Store; Marion General Store; Sippican Cafe; The Stone Rooster; Spirits, Inc.; The Caz; and The Short Wave Bar and Grill.
* Voted to sign and approve an Owner's Project Manager (OPM) contract with Pomroy Associates of Easton, MA for the Marion Police Station for $150,000 to provide a full-time Clerk of the Works on the project. "With this contract in place, the next step is to negotiate the final design with the architect," Mr. Dawson said. "With the notice to proceed, he will be doing that forthwith."
Mr. Dawson said Phillip Gallagher has been proposed as the Clerk of the Works for the project, who will be working for Pomroy Associates. "He has been doing this kind of work long before there was a state requirement," he said.
Under the Town Administrator's report, Mr. Dawson first noted he has received a settlement offer from the D.W. White Construction Company for the recent sewer backup problem in the area of Arrowhead Lane and Reservation Way. "Their offer is $13,255 ... this offer represents a little more than 45 percent of the total cost to repair the blockage," Mr. Dawson said. "They contend that the blockage was caused by what the public is putting into the system, but the town maintains that a tee connection in the problem area was improperly installed. The bottom line is we don't really feel this is a fair offer."
Department of Public Works (DPW) Superintendent Rob Zora likewise noted the incident cost $27,782.14 to repair and he would recommend D.W. White, as the original contractor, be responsible for paying 100 percent of the cost or, at the very least, 75 percent or no less than $20,836.61.
The board agreed to reject D.W. White's offer and asked that Town Counsel look into their options.
Mr. Dawson also announced the Board of Selectmen's Annual Pot-Luck Holiday Feast will be held on Tuesday, December 2 beginning at 7:00 pm at the Marion Music Hall.
The board also approved the following Holiday Schedule for the Marion Town House: Wednesday, November 26 - closed at noon; Thursday, November 27 - closed; Friday, November 28 - closed; Wednesday, December 24 - closed at noon; Thursday, December 25 - closed; and Thursday, January 1 - closed.
Mr. Dawson also announced the following Selectmen's meeting schedule for 2009 with all meetings to begin at 7:00 pm on Tuesday in the Conference Room of the Marion Town House: January 6; January 20; February 3; February 17; March 3; March 17; April 7; April 21; May 5; May 18 (Annual Town Meeting at Sippican School, May 22 Election); June 2; June 16; July 7; August 4; August 18; September 1; September 15; October 6; October 20; November 3; November 17; December 1; and December 15.
Under Old Business, Selectman Blanchette asked how Marion can increase the number of grants it receives for general government projects.
"I'm reading from time to time about other towns getting grants for things," Selectman Blanchette said, noting her read in the newspaper that the Town of Westport just received a grant to install a light to illuminate their Town Hall sign. "How does that happen?"
"There are grants that the town receives," Mr. Dawson said. "Many of them are for education, the Council on Aging, and public safety. But lately grants have been drying up at a quick pace."
The board also noted the next Tri-Town Selectmen's meeting will be held on Thursday, December 11 at 7:00 pm in the ORR Media Room at Old Rochester Regional High School, with Marion hosting.
There being no further matters to come before the board, they unanimously voted to adjourn for the evening at 8:07 pm.