Grant Would Help Determine Direction of Wastewater Project

            Marion’s Department of Public Works is preparing to apply for a coastal-resiliency grant aimed at benefitting the town’s wastewater collection system. The grant totals $300,000, 25 percent of which has to come from the town. There is an article on the draft warrant for the June 22 town meeting to provide Marion’s $75,000 portion.

            In his Town Planner Report, Gil Hilario told the Planning Board during its June 1 remote access meeting that a year and a half ago he and Planning Board member Norm Hills were doing the grunt work associated with preparing an application for the grant without the aid of a DPW director (David Willett was not yet onboard). Hilario and Hills went inside every single pumping station to take measurements and record information necessary to present the town’s case.

            “A lot of work went into that first initial project and we need to continue it to make it work, otherwise it would be a waste. I’m happy to see us applying (for the grant),” said Hilario.

            The money will fund design and planning work to help Marion decide whether to upgrade or build a new pumping station.

            An Approval Not Required (ANR) application was filed by Tangi Pina, 1011B Point Road, for the acquisition of land immediately behind her property. After a brief discussion, the Planning Board approved the transfer without a formal review process.

            “The big concern that I had was would it make Parcel A more non-conforming and clearly it does not,” said Board Chairperson Will Saltonstall.

            Hills asked if the acquired lot is buildable. Saltonstall explained that is it not and is only being acquired to create a backyard for the owner of the smaller portion of the property.

            The board passed a motion to approve the ANR transfer of the property. Signatures were to be made by board members.

            Saltonstall said an applicant wants to move an ice cream shop into the place where a candy store had been next to the barbershop at the juncture of Spring Street and Route 6. He said the board is likely to hear a presentation in the next couple of weeks. Technically, explained Saltonstall, ice cream is fast food and therefore will require a special permit.

            Hilario said it will almost be a repeat of the same application with just a different tenant on the same property.

            Saltonstall said, that in order to waive a pre-submission hearing – the Planning Board decides – there might be an environmental assessment of the facility. “That might be a little overkill for the level of thing that’s being proposed here,” he said. More discussion and potentially the presentation will be heard at the board’s next meeting.

            In keeping with the requirements of his report, Hilario reporting on managing the town’s single Zoom account. Various departments request its use from Town Administrator Jay McGrail and, upon approval, Hilario sets up their meetings. He’s managed Zoom meetings for everything from the town’s adjudicatory boards to meditation class.

            The Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Monday, June 15, to discuss warrant articles for the June 22 town meeting and the potential application for the ice cream shop.

Marion Planning Board

By Mick Colageo

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