Marion Police Chief Lincoln Miller gave the Marion Board of Selectmen on June 6 a brief update on the goings-on at the police station, which ultimately became a public announcement of his impending retirement. The department is about to once again undergo the process of accreditation, which happens every three years. Miller said Marion is only one of 70 police forces in the state (out of 351 municipalities), and only one out of four in Plymouth County, that is accredited.
“It’s a very intensive process to do,” Miller said, adding that there are evaluations, reviews, and a number of assessments involved.
Miller also said the department is involved with the Plymouth County Project Outreach, a program that reaches out to victims of opioid overdose and their families for support. Miller said victims are offered rehabilitation opportunities and families can receive support. Once the offer is accepted, social services takes over.
“It’s been a really positive experience,” said Miller. “It’s something that worked out really well.”
Board of Selectmen Chairman Jody Dickerson commented that Miller would indeed be missed and praised his leadership.
“I’m proud of the way this has all panned out over the years,” said Miller. “I’m very proud of having had the opportunity to serve here. But change is good … and it’s definitely time.”
Miller will retire effective December 31, 2017.
Also during the meeting, local condominium developer Christian Loranger, owner of 324 Front Street, requested that the board, acting as the Water Commissioners, approve his request to provide sewer to the 12 existing bedrooms in the structure he purchased to renovate. The Town has previously assessed the multi-family home at five bedrooms, but Loranger said a proper interior assessment was never made.
The Zoning Board of Appeals had denied in a 3-1 vote a Special Permit to Loranger in favor of Loranger’s formerly proposed project; however, the project required a supermajority vote of 4-0.
He is currently appealing the ZBA decision.
Loranger said he was not applying for an increased use of sewer service, just that it be properly authorized for 12 bedrooms.
“I’m not sure what’s going to happen with it, whether there’s going to be a new building there or whether I’m going to build a new structure,” said Loranger.
The board said they would review the materials submitted by Loranger and make a decision at the next meeting.
In other matters, the Town has received a $289,000 donation from Peggy Repass and family to enhance the accessibility of the Elizabeth Taber Library. Resident Nancy Braitmayor has also donated the funds to cover the cost of architectural plans for the project; all that is left is for the Town to follow a process to accept the donation and enter into a philanthropist agreement with the donors. Groundbreaking could take place sometime after June 17.
Town Administrator Paul Dawson and Dickerson mentioned that they and several others had engaged in a meeting with Tabor Academy Head of School John Quirk in an effort to strengthen communication between the two parties. Dickerson said the meeting was positive and a first step towards future cooperation.
Finance Committee Chairman Alan Minard and former Planning Board member Robert Lane approached the board with a list of their suggested names for a subcommittee that Town Meeting approved to explore the VFW site for a town hall.
Minard and Lane wish to appoint themselves to the subcommittee, as well as former Planning Board member Michael Popitz, Caroline Bobick and Lars Olson.
Dickerson asked if the two gentlemen had advertised in the local newspapers that the Town was seeking members for a subcommittee to study the VFW site for a possible town hall. After a pause, Minard told him that they had not.
Dickerson said he preferred to refrain from making any appointments to the subcommittee until after the subcommittee positions were advertised for at least one week, as are all other committees and subcommittees in town. People interested, Dickerson said, should contact the Selectmen’s Office.
The board also refrained from accepting Lane’s request to allow him and Minard to expedite the architectural study process by appointing their preferred firm to get straight to work on the exploration of the site. Dickerson preferred to delay until the next meeting so that members eventually appointed to the subcommittee could have a say.
The next meeting of the Marion Board of Selectmen is scheduled for June 20 at 6:30 pm at the Marion Town House.
Marion Board of Selectmen
By Jean Perry