For a comprehensive tally on Town Meeting results, see the end of this article.
Marion held its annual Town Meeting on Monday night. On the docket for the direct democracy vote were 43 Articles and two Special Articles. Beginning promptly at 6:00 pm, Moderator Brad Gordon began with an introduction before turning it over to Select Board Vice-Chair John Hoagland.
The vice chair moved to vote on the Town Meeting’s articles. Article 1 was passed with only one nay vote. It increased pay of various town officials, including Select Board members. Hoagland stated the last increase in pay was 14 years ago. Article 2 was the approval of the FY27 Town Operating Budget, with Hoagland reading through each department’s budgetary expenditure. It was unanimously passed. The Select Board members each got a chance presenting articles for vote, with Article 3 through Article 13 passing in short order with unanimous votes of approval. Article 14 was passed with one nay, followed by Article 15, which passed with three nay votes.
Next was Article 16, which regarded Gateway Health. Money is owed due to an issue with the original insurance broker. Old Rochester Regional School Committee member April Nye answered a flurry of questions, saying the committee voted to transfer into Mayflower Health, “we were lucky to land into Mayflower.” Nye stated legal action is being considered. Select Board Chair Randy Parker said, “we’re ahead of this, but it’s going to cost money unfortunately.” ORR Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson said, “the district is pursuing all legal means,” adding any recouped funds would go back to the town. The article passed with four nays.
After the unanimous vote to pass Article 17, the opening of a Special Town Meeting was held, with Articles S1 and S2 quickly passing before progressing back to the regular Town Meeting. Article S1 handled costs with the removal of record snow, and S2 was for the transfer of remaining FY26 costs.
Quickly, Articles 18 through 21 were passed unanimously. Article 22 handled surplus money left over from the construction of the new Department of Public Works building. Resident, Assessor, and Select Board candidate TJ Walker questioned the article, asking where the remainder of excess funds were. Town Administrator Geoffrey Gorman stated some funds had already been allocated. “The objection isn’t about the action items. It’s about process,” Walker responded. Planning Board Chair Andrew Daniel jumped in, saying “wants” in expenditure were not frivolous. The article passed with one nay.
Chair of the Community Preservation Committee Will Tifft read off the next articles, with Articles 23-30 passing quickly. Article 31 handled the addition of language to Chapter 109 Animal Control of the Code of Marion. There was a vote to strike a section. There was then a successful vote to cut off debate levied and passed. There were 53 votes for and 63 votes against the motion to strike an article. It passed with five nays.
Nearing the end of the meeting, Articles 32-39 were passed in rapid succession. Article 40 was a yearly article that handles the Select Board’s authority to lease town land. There was concern over giving the Select Board the right to lease park land, with notably Island Wharf and parking entering discussion. The town’s legal counsel argued against worry, saying the article has been voted on continuously at Town Meeting for “probably decades.” He also added that, though the board already has this authority, it does not expand any powers and said it is a way to increase transparency and “let voters understand.” Resident Bill Washburn said, “I’m filling in for Chris. Move the question.” Debate was halted, and the article passed with fivenays.
Article 41 was passed unanimously, and Article 42, being the Town Election Ballot, didn’t require a vote or motion.
Finally, Article 43: the Citizens Petition by Daniel, who spoke on the process begun at the Special Fall Town Meeting Last year, saying studies still need to be completed for the town to fully understand the ramifications and costs of its passage. The town has completed the water study, not the sewer study, per Daniel. He cited new housing developments that will bring in money in sewer fees, thus alleviating town worries. He recommended another postponement to this fall that would allow the sewer study to be completed, though, qualifying his remarks, “we need to not postpone this indefinitely.”
Daniel added, “I think more work needs to be done. I think we need to find a better way.” He moved to “pass over” until the Fall Town Meeting. His motion was passed unanimously.
Marion Town Meeting
By Sam Bishop