The March 21 meeting of the Marion Select Board was brief but dealt with a serious matter, public health. The board approved Westport’s management of the Southcoast Public Health Collaborative of which the town is part.
The intermunicipal, shared-service agreement, joins the towns of Westport, Marion, Freetown, Lakeville, Mattapoisett and Rochester with sharing of public health services. The collaborative is funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
An outline of the program notes health equity across the region is a primary goal with the aim to promote healthier communities. Two new public health positions that will be located in Westport, a Shared Services coordinator and a Shared Service, full-time, health inspector-trainer will be funded via a grant estimated at approximately $40,000 and a total grant of $300,000. It was further noted that additional grant funding will be sought for the collaborative.
A stipulation of agreement with Bristol County Agricultural High School was briefly discussed. Town Administrator Geoff Gorman said that Town Counsel reviewed the agreement resulting in a decision that the town was obliged to pay the school approximately $29,000 for improvements made to the institution for school years 2021 and 2022 when several Marion students were enrolled there. He said, in spite of the fact that schools outside of Bristol County have no say in the work, they were still obligated to pay a portion of the incurred debt.
In other business, the board accepted a donation of two 10×10-foot swim floats from the Friends of the Marion Recreation Department valued at $9,000.
Nominations for Inspector of Animals was approved for Susan Connor and Adam Murphy. Also approved was the appointment of David Pierce to the Mattapoisett River Valley Water District; board member Randy Parker commented that Pierce’s long history with the district is invaluable. The board further appointed Tad Wollenhaupt as a full member to the Marine Resources Commission and William Horrocks as alternate building inspector.
After recusing himself from the proceedings, Parker was reappointed as the wiring inspector with Stephen Dixon the alternate inspector.
Gorman reported that there had been a meaningful meeting with Eversource regarding increased distributed generation. Gorman offered to invite members of the utility to a Select Board meeting so members could ask questions and receive more detailed information. The board concurred that was a good idea.
Gorman told the board a letter had been received confirming the spraying of swamps in Marion by Plymouth County Mosquito Control with a type of Bacillus found in soils. More information can be found at plymouthmosquito.org.
Another notification, this one from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, informed the Select Board of upcoming roadway improvements to several intersections. The work involves making the sidewalks ADA compliant. Work is planned to begin on March 27 and be completed in six weeks.
Gorman announced openings on several committees, saying that information will be posted on the town’s website for those interested. Committees with openings include the Historical Commission, Trees and Parks, Marine Resources Commission and the Scholarship Committee. Visit Marionma.gov for details.
The next meeting of the Marion Select Board is scheduled for Tuesday, April 4, at 6:00 pm.
Marion Select Board
By Marilou Newell