Members of the Marion Board of Selectmen were concerned December 9 about a draft National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that would essentially eliminate the Town’s use of the Marion Wastewater Treatment Plant Sewage Lagoons.
The problem, stated Town Administrator Paul Dawson, is that Marion’s sewer plant was designed and built around the utilization of the three large sewage lagoons located at the end of Benson Brook Road.
“This is going to be very problematic, to say the least,” said Dawson, calling the news startling.
Dawson said engineers for the Town have been busy since last Friday reviewing the matter and engaging in teleconferences with state EPA officials in an effort to understand new water quality levels that Dawson said were far below the levels even the latest technology could produce. Dawson said he did not know if this was due to an oversight in the preparation of the preliminary draft NPDES permit, and only time will tell as new information reaches his office.
“We’ve known for a long time that this was coming,” said Dawson, avoiding the minutia of the technical aspects of the draft NPDES permit for the time being. However, if the Town was compelled to cease the use of the sewage lagoons, Dawson said it would cost roughly $10 million to replace it, costing more than the current facility cost to build.
“It’s not surprising,” said Chairman Jonathan Henry. He said that although he feels the Town has made advancements relative to the sewage system, “technology doesn’t stand still.”
Dawson asked the selectmen to authorize him to request that the EPA grant an extension of the public comment period from 30 days to 180 days, but he said he would settle for 90 days. The board approved Dawson’s request.
In other news, the Board of Assessors, during its annual classification hearing, told selectmen that the tax rate will remain unchanged for the coming year, with one flat tax rate to continue for both residential and commercial.
“It makes no sense to change it,” said Town Clerk Ray Pickles. Selectman Stephen Cushing concurred, and Henry commented that businesses would be adversely affected by a shift of the tax burden from residents to businesses during a time when it is “trying to promote it.”
Also during the meeting, selectmen declined to act on the approval of a conservation restriction for 105 Allens Point Road, wanting to know more details about any negative impacts –
aside from a loss of tax revenue – that could result.
Doug Watson, one of the joint owners of his family’s inherited property, asked the board to approve a conservation restriction that would prohibit any future development on the waterfront property, but selectmen were reluctant to make a motion before taking the matter under consideration.
Several parties spoke in favor of the request, including Marion Conservation Commission Chairman Norman Hills and Sippican Lands Trust President Chris Bryant; however, all three selectmen were hung up on any possible legal repercussions, asking for an opinion from town counsel to determine to what extent the public would benefit from an approval.
“I’ve never asked for a legal opinion on conservation restrictions,” stated Dawson, clarifying that this was not a legal decision, rather a public policy decision.
Mark Robinson, executive director at the Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts, speaking on behalf of Watson, pointed out that the conservation restriction is in alignment with Marion’s Open Space & Recreation Plan of preserving the natural resources of the town.
Despite all the advocating in favor of the conservation restriction, when Henry called for a motion to approve, Cushing and Selectman Jody Dickerson shook their heads no. The board will take the matter under further advisement and possibly add it to the agenda of an upcoming joint meeting of the Tri-Town Selectmen scheduled for December 15 at 7:00 pm in the ORR Media Room to discuss Comcast contract negotiations.
The next meeting of the Marion Board of Selectmen is scheduled for December 30 at 7:00 pm at the Marion Town House.
By Jean Perry
