Flanked by engineer Bob Collucio and installer Troy Phillips, applicant Dena Xifaras presented a well-organized proposal on April 20 before the Marion Board of Selectmen that is meant to eventually yield a special permit to operate a propane storage business at Luce Avenue.
But Xifaras’ application was met with stern opposition from abutter Shawn Brice, 525 Mill Street. A self-described engineer, Brice augmented questions posed by the selectmen with some pointed concerns of his own and stated his intention to argue against the proposal.
Xifaras’ twofold request seeks a special permit to house two 30,000-gallon propane tanks behind barriers at the location and create a tasteful landscaping. She told the selectmen she needs the permit because the parcel is part of the Water Protection District. Collucio noted in a letter with the application that propane does not affect groundwater; it is stored in liquid form but comes out as a vapor. Xifaras noted that propane is also allowed in aquifer protection areas, so it does not pose a risk or hazard to the water supply. The second part of the request is to run a business on that location.
Selectman Norm Hills said his site visit left the impression that it is a private road and “not in the best of shape…. Tanker trucks are large and heavy.” Hills said Xifaras needs to give some consideration to the road and investigate to what extent she has the power to improve it.
Selectman John Waterman was impressed with the presentation, but said, “We need someone independently to tell us about the groundwater,” citing it as a regulated business. Town Administrator Jay McGrail said he will discuss the matter with Town Counsel Jon Witten.
After Phillips said that the propane would emit such a small amount of odor that neighbors should not smell it, Brice asked for a guarantee. He also questioned the applicant’s and associates’ experience handling propane.
Xifaras said her husband has for 10 years owned and operated a heating oil business and said her team is committed to the educational and certification process required by the state.
She told Brice that, while they do not currently own the land, it is under agreement. Brice asked for detailed plans, and Xifaras told him plans have not advanced to more specialized drawings because the project is too early in the feedback process.
Brice said people who live on the road maintain it. “The road is in very difficult shape,” he said, noting potholes. “I don’t understand the financial considerations with that.” Hills told him that Xifaras has to work out those aspects with the ownership or association.
Fire Chief Brian Jackvony has yet to make his recommendation to the selectmen. The case was continued to May 4 at 4:30 pm and will be heard prior to the warrant presentation.
Also continued to May 4 (at 4:45 pm) was Stone Rooster Hospitality’s application for a special permit for an all-purpose, all-alcohol license at 27 Wareham Street.
The former Gilda’s establishment is under the new management of John Mello, who, like Xifaras, is a life-long Tri-Town resident. In business 11 years, Mello is involved in a partnership at the Gateway Tavern and was behind the Rose Alley Pub in New Bedford.
His goal is to clean up the site, improve it aesthetically, and look at long-view upgrades after the site comes back as a “summer fried clam type of thing” and perhaps “pub pizzas” in the winter.
The building sits in a flood zone at the mouth of River Road at the Wareham town line.
Shippey said the kitchen has not been used in years and must be revamped with smoke detector upgrades, especially considering there is office space on the second floor. Several issues relating to the flood zone, inspections, egress, grease, fire, etc., will come into play, said Shippey.
The bone of contention for River Road resident Chris Collings, a member of Marion’s Planning Board, is the parking lot cannot handle the kind of traffic he expects Mello’s plan to generate. The occupancy load is set at 89 people for Gilda’s, and a sprinkler requirement kicks in at 100 or more. Gilda’s frontage faces Route 6, and according to Collings, is not a corner lot.
After 38 years of service to the Marion Police Department, Sergeant Marshall Sadek is retiring on May 1, and Chief of Police Richard Nighelli requested that Sadek be appointed as a part-time officer to stay on a few details.
The selectmen enthusiastically approved the appointment, as well as two part-time appointments to one-year probationary periods effective April 25 for Gregory Miller and Thomas Bilodeau.
The selectmen agreed to sign an agreement, which they will share with Mattapoisett and KP Law as Town Counsel, in its review of the agreement with the Old Rochester Regional School District.
Having lifted its moratorium on sewer hookup requests, the selectmen approved a new process in which the Public Works Department enacts a 30-day review period, after which it either recommends the installation or cites information needed to achieve approval.
The selectmen are writing a letter of support regarding the Weweantic Bridge upgrade project, and Waterman asked that conduits under the bridge that could support water/sewer infrastructure be included.
To alleviate confusion with boards and committees, the selectmen approved a cleanup of policy regarding their role when attending committees and subcommittees to which they were neither appointed nor elected. Selectmen do not speak for the board, vote, or factor in a quorum.
In a public hearing, the selectmen approved the move of a 35-foot guide pole across Converse Road to the west side per application from Verizon New England, Inc. and Eversource Energy.
The selectmen approved, subject to Board of Health approval, a common victualer license for Jill Pittman of Sea Dips, the ice cream shop next to Serendipity.
The next meeting of the Marion Board of Selectmen is scheduled for Tuesday, May 4, at 3:30 pm.
Marion Board of Selectmen
By Mick Colageo