The Old Rochester Regional High School Track Department’s road race and an initiative for more solar on town properties received endorsements at the January 21 Select Board meeting in the Police Station conference center.
Jessica Pilla, a teacher at the high school and a track coach, said the cross-country team has fewer needs but the track team is playing with older hurdle equipment and mats. She speculates that some of the mats in use date back to the 1980s. Modern replacement mats are priced at $13,000 per pack, Pilla said.
Pilla said the department works on fundraising frequently, but she said a road race would further help the program. She said successful fundraising could also open more opportunities, such as scholarships for students and other training equipment such as treadmills and ellipticals.
The board endorsed the road race, which will take place later this year on a currently unspecified Saturday.
The Select Board also approved placing solar panels on the new Department of Public Works building, which is expected to open next month.
The Energy Management Committee met with the Select Board late last year. At that time, the board was hesitant because start-up costs will range in the $90,000 range. However, EMC members said there are state and other funding sources that will help pay back that appropriation.
Town Administrator Geoffrey Gorman said a solar company has also approached the town about placing solar arrays at the landfill, which could also generate energy and savings for the town.
The Select Board appointed several members to the 175th Anniversary Committee. Board members noted that some people have applied but were not appointed. Officials at the January 21 meeting still encouraged non-appointees to volunteer. They mentioned that with many facets of this town birthday celebration, subcommittees might form and some interested parties, not appointed to the main committee, might get a second opportunity for an official appointment.
The Select Board also approved some town-land for the long-awaited shared-use regional bike/walking path route through Marion to Mattapoisett.
That South Coast Bikeway starts in the Fall River area and is in the process of ending close to the Cape.
Gorman said that the state Department of Transportation has three engineers working on the design, which is still in flux. He said the town also received a $97,000 feasibility study project as the path continues to be revised.
The Select Board also approved a donation from the Friends of the Council on Aging for an industrial grade hand mixer, which will save kitchen staff time as they prepare calzones, pizza and other treats for COA events.
The mixer’s market price was over $3,500 but a grant has allowed the friends group to secure a deal to purchase it for just under $2,000.
The next meeting of the Marion Select Board is scheduled for Tuesday, February 3 at 6:00 pm in the Marion Police Station.
Marion Select Board
By Jeffrey D. Wagner