While several governing groups including the Board of Health, Marine Resources Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals gained new members at Monday’s public meeting of the Marion Select Board, George T.J. Walker announced a terrible loss for the Board of Assessors.
Walker, the chairman of the Assessors, reported the passing of Catherine A. Gibbs on September 28 at age 92.
Gibbs, explained Walker, was a treasure for the Town of Marion, having served in different capacities for over 50 years. She passed away while in elected office, her latest three-year term not to expire until 2025.
Born in Wareham, her history of service to the Town of Marion began in what was then known as the superintendent’s office, then the registrar’s office, then the Department of Public Works, all before beginning 44 years of work in the Assessor’s office.
“She had her own special way of welcoming taxpayers into the Assessor’s office,” said Walker, noting that while technology wasn’t anywhere near what it is today, Marion homeowners “always walked out with the information.”
Walkers said that Gibbs worked for the taxpayer first. Following her retirement from full-time employment in 2001, Gibbs ran for elected office in 2003 and served as an elected member for 17 years. Her wealth of knowledge made her a valuable asset to the town, he said.
“Catherine was a very humble person,” Walker said, noting that she would not have wanted any attention for herself but at the same time, he told the Select Board that “Pat (DeCosta) and I and the rest of the office appreciated” the opportunity to bring this loss to the town’s attention.
As anticipated following his September 27 interview, Board of Health Chairman Dr. John Howard recommended Albin R. Johnson III for appointment to fill the vacancy left by Dot Brown until the May 2023 Town Election.
Citing Johnson’s vast experience, the Select Board agreed and voted unanimously to make the appointment.
The Board of Health is further stressed by medical issues that are sidelining Dr. Ed Hoffer, but Town Administrator Jay McGrail told the Select Board that he spoke with Hoffer earlier in the day and relayed Hoffer’s support.
Howard said that both Johnson and Tina McMichael are qualified. He said he had worked with Johnson before and is well aware of the new member’s expertise on septic regulations.
Following interviews on candidates in attendance, the Select Board voted to approve the following appointments: Sarah Tiago to the Fireworks Committee; Abigail Anderson, Gloria Monte and Sandra Smith to the Scholarship Committee; Ray Cullum and Tad Wollenhaupt to the MRC and Joan Gardner to the ZBA.
In his Town Administrator’s Report, McGrail told the board that water restrictions in place are due to expire on Friday, October 7. McGrail recommended letting the restrictions expire and revisiting the matter next year.
Select Board member Norm Hills expressed concern that while recent rain cuts down on the fire threat, it doesn’t do anything for the aquifer. McGrail said that the water district has a sufficient supply.
The board took no action, which will result in the expiration of the restriction.
The Lagoon Project is dealing with a snag, as a support structure has apparently connected to the liner in the smaller forebay. The matter has received attention from different points, including Methuen Construction and designer CDM Smith as they analyze potential solutions.
As a result, the lagoon has not reached “substantial completion” so the clock has not yet started ticking on the liner warranty. The state Department of Environmental Protection had Marion working to meet a completion date of September 15.
Local developer and longtime Marion resident Sherman Briggs has donated sections of pink granite that it is hoped will solve what McGrail is calling “a public-safety issue.”
The granite will lay atop the existing seawall at Old Landing and prevent vehicles from driving off the edge of the boat ramp. Marion Fence was consulted on the project. The DPW will install the pieces that Select Board Chairman Randy Parker estimates are 6- to 7-feet long and 17.5-inches wide. “They look really nice,” he said. The Conservation Commission made a site visit earlier Tuesday.
The Select Board voted to approve the installation of a new utility pole on Spring Street that will help move along the construction of Tabor Academy’s new Travis Roy student center. Tristan deBarros of Saltonstall Architects presented the project and offered some detail on the installation.
In other business, the Select Board approved a one-day liquor license for the Marion Social Club for a November 19 birthday party from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm, along with two water/sewer commitments: $284.08 (credit memo September 28) and $3,636.43 (quarterly billing September 29.)
The next meeting of the Marion Select Board is scheduled for Tuesday, October 18, at 6:00 pm at the Marion Police Station on Route 6.
Marion Select Board
By Mick Colageo