Comprehensive Maintenance Pitched for Town Roads

            David Willett, Department of Public Works Director, opened his presentation to the Marion Board of Selectmen at its February 18 meeting at the Marion Town House by introducing Megan Davis, the DPW’s new engineer.

            From there, he delegated a presentation to Conrad Leger from Data Group, a full-service engineering firm. Leger made a PowerPoint presentation on capital infusion to maximize value when addressing the maintenance of Marion’s roads.

            The so-called Pavement Management Plan is a five-step program aimed at helping the town efficiently maintain its 28.31 miles of town-managed roadway. There are more road miles than that in Marion, including approximately eight miles of either unaccepted or private roads, along with 14.42 miles of state roads.

            “The goal,” said Leger, “is to put every pavement segment into a category.”

            Every segment has a 0 to 100 maintenance-category rating, beginning with a zero rating where no maintenance is required at the time of the study.

            Routine maintenance costs the town 50 cents per square yard, including crack sealing. Preventative maintenance, at $6 per square yard, includes chip-seal and microsurfacing overlay. Minor rehabilitation at $14 per square yard includes mill and overlay, and major rehabilitation at $40 per square yard means complete reconstruction.

            Roads were graded on rideability rather than appearance, and Marion’s road-surface rating (RSR) is 75.54, which is average for the region.

            Leger stated that there is a backlog of maintenance right now, and addressing the needs of each and every town-managed road would cost $2.15 million. These are curb-to-curb costs and do not address drainage, sidewalks or ramps.

            “Roads are typically inspected every 3-5 years,” said Leger, whose program is meant to address what happens in between those inspections. “This program alters priority from worst repair to cost-benefit value.”

            The bike path is not part of the program.

            Marion’s Chapter 90 allotment of $170,000 is based on miles (66 percent), population, and number of business employees within the town.

            Willett will present this program to the public during the 6:00 pm, February 24 Informational Meeting on trash and pavement management at the Music Hall.

            Opening Tuesday’s meeting, Town Administrator Jay McGrail read a letter from Chief of Police John B. Garcia announcing Garcia’s retirement effective January 2, 2021. Garcia, who has been with the department for 34 years, thanked the board for its support. McGrail, Board of Selectmen Chairman Randy L. Parker, Vice Chairman John Waterman and clerk Norman A. Hills all voiced appreciation to Garcia.

            Waterman said that, despite knowing Garcia just two years, “I appreciate what a great person you are and we’ll miss you.” 

            “Thirty-four years is a helluva commitment and we certainly appreciate it,” added Hills. 

            In spending matters, Paul Naiman spoke on behalf of the Capital Improvements Planning Committee, noting that Marion has 26 planned projects totaling $2.3 million.

            Waterman credited the CIPC with bringing order to the projects the town considers and allows the Board of Selectmen to get a big picture.

            “This team has been together. We hope you stay together,” he said.

            In other business, the board voted to approved a Water/Sewer Commitment of $1,156,868 in quarterly water and sewer billing as of February 7.

            The board voted to approve Water/Sewer commitments of $4,130.58 (for final readings and miscellaneous bill dated February 6), $2,348.78 (for final readings dated December 3, 2019), and $550 (for new service dated December 3, 2019.

            The board voted to approve an update to Town Administrator’s contract.

            The board voted to approve one-day, all-alcohol licenses to Marion Social Club for its chicken barbecue from noon to 4:00 pm March 1 and for the Marion Firefighters Association clamboil on March 28 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm.

            The Board also approved the appointment of Jeff Oakes as Town of Marion representative to the South Coast Bikeway Alliance through June 30, 2021 and approved Marion Art Center’s annual request to use Bicentennial Park for Arts in the Park on July 11 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm with a rain date of July 12.

Marion Board of Selectmen

By Mick Colageo

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