By Jeffrey D. Wagner
The Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission received some good news at the April 16 virtual meeting. Rockwell said the Point Road walking path’s land acquisition of town land has been approved by Town Meeting and when the state legislature approves it, the easements will go to the Select Board.
The acquisition of 3,000 feet from Washburn Park was approved at a Special Town Meeting last month to help build the Point Road Bike and Walking Path. But to top it off, the OSAC learned that town finance officials found $50,000 extra that will be deposited into the OSAC’s treasury.
Rockwell and OSAC member Kitty DeGroot noted that due to a clerical error, the money was labeled as an “environmental affairs reimbursement.” OSAC learned later that it was from a reimbursement grant in which OSAC had to pay some money and receive money in return.
The project was for the acquisition of the 30-acre Hoff property, which provides a half-mile walking trail as well as wetlands and wildlife protections. OSAC acquired it for that purpose in 2021.
“They (the Town Accountant and Finance Director) tracked down what happened with the money, and it sounds like there was an entry error and they will provide monthly reports and will get our first report in May,” DeGroot said.
DeGroot updated OSAC on the open space property maintenance plan. The commission has sought help from Department of Public Works Director Jody Dickerson. The DPW does not have funding available for regular maintenance of open space lands and trails but Dickerson and his staff have conducted some maintenance work at Grassy Bog, including building drainage ditch and leveled out ditches at Great Swamp.
“They did a great job,” OSAC member Adele Sands said. Rockwell, who also chairs the Point Road Path Committee, for the second consecutive meeting had updates on the path. He stressed that the state Legislature must approve the land swap. He said the Community Preservation Committee has approved funding that will analyze the existing path and cover material before final approvals are made.
The next meeting of the Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission is scheduled for Thursday, May 7.
Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission