On April 23, League of Women Voters held a candidates’ night for Marion the day after they did the same for candidates in Mattapoisett. The event took place at Sippican School and offered voters the chance to get an up-close look at would-be public servants running in this year’s Town Election. For a full list of candidates running, see the end of the article.
Moderator for the night was Jack Eklund, who thanked residents for attending before introducing Chair of the League of Women Voters South Coast Eileen Marum. Marum thanked the many individuals who helped bring the night together before stating that cards were being passed out to allow voters to write and submit questions. She also noted it was the 106th anniversary of the league’s commitment to empowering and safeguarding democratic principles. “Throughout the last century, we have actively advocated for election protection and equitable access to the ballot while adhering to our foundational commitment to nonpartisanship and promoting an informed electorate.”
First to speak was Sean Sweeney, currently serving a shorter, appointed term as an interim member on the Planning Board and now running for a full term of his own. On his credentials, he said, “I’m a civil engineer, and I’ve been practicing that for almost 40 years now.” He mentioned projects he has worked on with his firm, before adding, “I bring a lot – to the table, a lot to Marion, as far as the ability to look at things from a lot of different angles, and I think the Planning Board is a very important part of this town as far as defining the character of the town.”
Moderator Eklund then moved on to what he called “the big show” of the night, that being the three candidates for the Select Board seat currently held by Norman Hills.
For opening remarks, Candidate Toby Burr spoke first, saying, “If elected, I’ll continue the Select Board tradition of being open, transparent, and listening to everyone.” He then noted three key “issues” in Marion, being, affordability, the harbor, and working with state representatives to reduce state mandates on municipalities.
Next, Hills spoke, saying, “Marion’s a beautiful rural New England village surrounding a natural harbor with access to Buzzards Bay. Marion’s been the home of sailors, artists, businessmen, benefactors, farmers, and new people, resulting in an intelligent and active community.” He noted his residency for 23 years and noted 22 of those serving as an elected Marion representative.
George T.J. Walker spoke last, beginning, “I’ve lived in Marion for 40 years and participated in its governance on the Planning Board and the Board of Assessors, serving 19 years of elected service.” He also noted his law degree and noted the importance of town meetings. He said, “I’m committed to government transparency and accountability and alarmed at several examples where you have not been given timely access to all relevant information in advance.”
After introductions were questions from the moderator, the first being, “What skills, experiences, and strengths will you bring to the Select Board to make you an effective member? At the same time, what are some of the challenges you believe you may encounter as a member of the Select Board?”
Burr answered first, saying, “I’ve lived in town since 1984, and I know a lot of people. Having lived here and having access to a lot of people gives you the ability to get public input on numerous projects and problems before the town. I’ve run a small business here. It’s a family business. My parents bought it, and I ran it for a while, and then now my son is running it. So, we have a tremendous interest in the town being a good town to raise a family and send to school.” He noted the importance of being able to lean on others for their expertise.
Hills answered next, highlighting the importance of his time in the Navy, saying, “I’ve been involved in management of lots of large projects, lots of people, shipyards with two different shipyards with 10,000 people involved, buying four ships a year, submarines a year, $16 million apiece. So, I have a lot of experience in that aspect. I think I bring a lot of common sense and critical thinking to whatever I do.” For urgent problems, he noted the phosphorus conversion through the Department of Public Works and increased pressure on town sewer systems.
Walker then answered, saying, “I think the biggest challenge facing the community is a simple one: communication. We’re still feeling the results of Covid, and during Covid, the government was left to operate without any input.” He highlighted the importance of getting residents “re-engaged” in the process of government. He mentioned his own experience, stating he was a member of the town’s Planning Board when he was 23 years old and was soon after made chair.
The next question from the moderator was, “If elected as a Select Board member, how would you address any conflict-of-interest issues that may arise while performing your duties on behalf of the town?”
Hills answered first, noting the importance of filing proper paperwork with the Town Clerk should a conflict emerge. He finished, “other times, if it’s really obvious, you make the decision, you don’t stay involved. You just have to back out at that time. It’s not magic. It’s just common sense.”
Walker went next, agreeing with Hills’ assessment and adding, “as an attorney, I’m aware of the conflicts that I may be in. I don’t do any business locally.” He noted the importance of his own recusal of numerous hearings through his time as an assessor.
Burr went last, stating, “When a conflict arises, I either just abstain or I leave the room. Because I have a business in town, if anything comes up that is pertinent to that business alone, that’s a conflict.” He also agreed with Hills, noting the importance of forms to the town clerk.
The next question from the moderator was, “How would you go about prioritizing town capital expenditures pertaining to town properties and/or unforeseen emergency events, such as the expenses associated with last winter’s snowstorms? How would you propose funding them without overburdening the taxpayers of the town?”
Walker went first, speaking of the unexpected issues that may arise. “The challenges that come up, for the most part, are known in advance, and if we tackle those issues as they come up, I think we get ourselves in a good position.”
Burr answered, saying, “We have a Capital Planning Committee, and they do a very good job prioritizing year by year, what the different departments need for capital.” He mentioned these unforeseen costs often are not exorbitant and can be tackled on a case-by-case basis.
Hills went last, answering, “We have that committee [Capital Planning Committee] that’s been going for a number of years, and right now – they have each department develop a 10-year plan to phase out all the expected and anticipated expenses.” He added, “There’s a lot of stuff we need to do, and there’s definitely not enough money to do it all. But you have to prioritize.”
The fourth moderator question was: “Given Marion’s real estate property values, what can the Select Board do to ensure or encourage affordable housing in the town?”
Burr answered first, saying, “we want housing that is cheaper than a million dollars. We want housing in the 400, 300 (thousand-dollar) range where young families can move in. But we don’t want what the state calls affordable housing, which is often subsidized housing.”
Hills went next, saying, “affordable housing is a real problem. There’s no question about it. The state talks about it all the time.” He noted his support for the development at the old Lockheed Martin site and added, “right now, we don’t have the 10% (state-required) number we need, so we’re vulnerable. Anybody who wants to come in and build a 40B project, we’ve got nothing to do to stop them. So, it’s going to be a problem. But we really need to address it because, right now, the school children are on a declining enrollment, and that’s just a sign of a dying town.”
Walker went last, noting his time on the Planning Board in the 1990s and stating the solution could be found at Town Meeting. “We had to go back to Town Meeting and explain the need and how it would fit in with the community at large.” He also said, “I think the biggest need that I see looking around, 60% of our population is over (age) 60. So, it’s keeping seniors here.” He noted the long waitlists to enter into senior-living facilities.
Later on, for closing statements, Walker stressed the importance of cooperation and transparency, and said, “you have three quality people here who are only interested in the best interest of Marion. We have different visions, and that’s okay.” If elected, he noted he will work to inform residents on his work. Hills went next, saying, “as a nine-year Select Board incumbent, I’ve got a clear understanding of the challenges that we face.” He directly challenged Walker’s assertion, saying “there’s nothing done in secret. There is absolutely no intention to hide stuff from people.” Finally, Burr spoke, stating he stopped being a Select Board member last year “by choice because I wanted a break, and I wanted to do some other things in my life, and now I’m back, and I’m looking forward to joining the board.” He stated he would continue to work with others in the town, be transparent, and listen to others.
The moderator noted the candidates running in the election:
Board of Assessors – Patricia A. DeCosta – Unopposed
Board of Health – Albin R. Johnson III – Unopposed
Marion School Committee – Mary Beauregard – Unopposed (2 seats)
Marion School Committee – Nicole Nye McGaffey – Unopposed (2 seats)
ORR School Committee – Margaret E. McSweeny
ORR School Committee – Katherine A. McAuley
Open Space Acquisition Commission – Norman Hills – Unopposed (2 seats)
Open Space Acquisition Commission – Patricia A. DeGrouy – Unopposed (2 seats)
Planning Board – Ryan Burke
Planning Board – Sean Sweeney
Planning Board – Anne Morgan
Select Board – Carleton “Toby” Burr Jr.
Select Board – Norman Hills
Select Board – George “TJ” Walker
By Sam Bishop