The Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission met in-person in the Police Station on June 4 with Chair John Rockwell noting at meeting start that one of the members was not present and the appointment of officers may need to be delayed to the next meeting, to which other members agreed.
The commission quickly discussed and approved the minutes of their May 7 meeting and then began talks on the Land Bank Fund report. Member Norm Hills noted the total amount in the interest-bearing account sat just over $249,000. The money in the account is used to purchase land, Rockwell noted, adding land appraisals can be completed with the fund as well in order to access values.
The commission then moved to discuss the transfer of land for the Marion Shared Use Path, which has moved successfully to its second committee in the Massachusetts General Court. Rockwell noted the transfer of 3,000 square-feet will still need to pass through a third reading committee, which the Chair joked, “is where projects go to die,” but also noted a “good legislative team” is working on and is supportive of the transfer. The transfer cannot be finalized until it has received approval from the state legislature which then passes to the Select Board for the final transfer sign-off.
Next, the commission began talks on the Creek Street and Point Road Bike Path. Chair Rockwell noted they received a draft contract for four phases of work. Rockwell noted the fourth and final phase, or “task,” of the work was missing from the draft, which will be included in the commission’s comments back to the original submitter. There was then a unanimous vote of approval to send the draft back with corrections.
Rockwell then brought up that in his home garage, he has some materials such as silt fence and geo-textile fabric originally bought with Community Preservation Plan (CPA) funds that is surplus from Point Road Bike Path construction. Rockwell recommended giving it to the Department of Public Works (DPW). Commission members agreed, and a unanimous vote was taken to transfer the material to the DPW for proper storage or use as deemed fit.
Next was a discussion on tree removal and general site maintenance at the Grassi Bog Conservation Area off Route 6 at 814 Mill Street. The commission worked to meet with an inspector from the state’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) on June 30 who would walk through with members to answer questions regarding projects and share professional opinions.
The next meeting of the Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission is scheduled for Thursday, July 2.
Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission
By Sam Bishop