Marion will hold its Fall Town Meeting this Monday, November 24 at 6:45 pm in the Sippican School Multipurpose Room. Andrew Daniel, resident and Planning Board Chair, filed a Citizen’s Petition regarding the separation of water and sewer meters. Leading up to the vote, Daniel spoke to The Wanderer regarding the reasoning for his petition, his drive for filing it, as well as the support he’s garnered in doing so.
“This started because I was doing a project for my house,” he started, after being asked of the origin of the filing. In doing the work, he said “Man, I’m spending a fortune in sewer fees.” I asked of the importance of his initiative, and the timing of it. He referred to the town’s past, saying , “they’ve talked about the second meter as long as I’ve been in town – the timing was kinda perfect.” He continued, “As you start researching, most towns have the ability to split. I noticed Fairhaven, Wareham, Mattapoisett, they had votes similar to this one.” He later continued, “It’s the fair and the right thing to do. I’ve heard it again and again from the other towns. The other towns saw a small increase in water and a decrease in sewers. I don’t think you should be a millionaire to take pride in your property, or water your lawn or wash your car.
I asked how the public perception has been and whether he has largely heard support or detraction. “I started meeting with people, I heard some sad stories. They had to stop taking care of their outside because they couldn’t afford it,” he responded. For a Citizen’s Petition, the document needs 100 signatures to be brought forward at Fall Town Meeting. Daniel collected those the final day applications were open, September 18. “I thought there was no way I’d get 100 signatures by the end of the night. I got 120 within like 6 hours.” He said he has gotten support from many residents since filing the petition on the final open-day. “I’ve learned a lot,” he finished.
He referenced issues and discrepancies he’s detected in town, saying “A lot of people have put in well. If you’re driving around and see a really nice lawn, odds are, it’s a well. They’re expensive and a gamble,” he said, referring to the unknown water quality of well-drilling.
I referred to the Select Board meeting from October, where Daniel and the board argued over the petition and the Select Board presenting arguments against, cautioning against strikes to the town’s budget. He said, “the Select Board agree, but they’re worried about the financial impact, which I understand.” He finished on budgetary concerns, saying “But it’s all a guess.”
For his final comments on the petition, Daniel said, “It would be allowing people the opportunity to have a choice. Now they have no choice.” He then stated, should the petition not pass, “At the very least, I got the conversation started.” He finished, “My intent wasn’t to cause trouble. It’s time for the rate-payers to get a small victory. Whenever there’s a debt, the whole town gets a vote, but it’s a small share paying the bill. Give them a choice. That’s it. The premise of it is pretty hard to deny. It’s not going to be a big money-saver to most people. But if I was allowed to put in a second meter, I would definitely take advantage of that. At least I know I’m paying for the services I’m getting.”
Andrew Daniel’s Citizen’s Petition is to be Article 2 of the Fall Town Meeting. Article 1 is the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) bylaw, to align the town’s regulations with those put forth by the Environmental Protection Agency. The MS4 Bylaw was largely worked on by the Planning Board, which Daniel is the Chair. “It’s going to be the Andrew Daniel meeting at this point.” He joked. “Hopefully we get a lot of people talking.”
By Sam Bishop