The Marion Conservation Commission met on Wednesday, June 22, to discuss reorganizing to appoint a new representative to the town’s Community Preservation Committee (CPC).
The CPC is responsible for recommending how Community Preservation Act funds should be allocated and appropriated at Town Meeting. Its membership includes representatives from ConCom, the Historical Commission, the Affordable Housing Trust, the Planning Board, the Parks & Tree Committee, the Open Space Acquisition Commission, and the Select Board.
At the start of the meeting, Conservation Commission Chair Shaun Walsh noted there had been some discussion on reorganization in the prior week, but as not all members were present, the vote was postponed.
Commissioner Jeff Doubrava, the current CPC representative, was asked whether he wished to continue in the role.
“I would be willing to. It’s actually probably the most fun job you can have as part of the Conservation Commission,” he said. However, he added that after serving in the role for around 10 years, he would be OK stepping aside.
Associate Commissioner Tom Drechsler declared his interest in replacing Doubrava, but commission members were unsure if an associate member would be allowed to take the role. They requested Administrative Assistant Jenna Riewerto investigate the legality of such an appointment. The chair made a motion to make Drechsler the new representative, contingent on whether an associate is eligible to fill the role. The ConCom voted unanimously to approve this motion.
The next agenda item was a request for comment from the Zoning Board of Appeals regarding a Special Permit or Variance request for 8 Crapo Street. The chair noted that work was not in the nearby flood zone; they had no jurisdiction and, thus, offered no comment.
The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission is scheduled for Wednesday, August 12, at 7:00 pm in the Marion Police Department conference room.
Marion Conservation Commission
By Sam Bishop