The Marion Board of Selectmen approved two of six Water/Sewer abatement requests, that is appeals made by homeowners who believe they were unfairly charged, during Monday’s meeting at the Music Hall.
Bernie Greenwood’s request for an abatement to the $2,214.93 sewer portion of a quarterly water/sewer bill over $4,000 at his 408 Front Street address was last on the list of those to be considered. Greenwood was not one of the two to gain the corroboration of the Department of Public Works and receive a sewer abatement. He got stuck with his bill and he voiced his displeasure to the selectmen in no uncertain terms.
“I think you’re illegal because you don’t have a sewer meter. You’re charging me based on the water meter,” said Greenwood, pointing out that neighboring Mattapoisett installs sewer meters. “I feel that you guys are pulling a fast one, not only on me but on the 70 other people on Facebook said that they got bills that are astronomical.”
Greenwood said his prior sewer bill was for $343. “I’m being charged for water that I used, but I can’t accept the sewerage because it went into my plants. The water that went into the soil didn’t go into the (sewer) system …”
Selectman John Waterman said he, too, had a sewer bill reaching in several thousand dollars that he was forced to pay. Waterman laid out an explanation on how sewer usage is measured and gave a big-picture outline of Marion’s fiscal frustration over its inability to afford needed infrastructural repairs and updates, all the while falling further behind a recommended schedule.
Greenwood further explained that he collects water while heating up for a shower and uses it to water plants or for their dog.
“You described how you conserve water, we do the same thing at my house, too. We’re not sitting here sucking our thumbs, we’re trying to help. It’s not going to change overnight,” said Selectman Norm Hills.
Greenwood was told his increase is related to a drip hose he uses. Even so, he vehemently disagreed with being billed for water that he says went into the earth.
“You’re going to be forcing people to leave town,” Greenwood told the selectmen. “You’re adding $13 to the sewerage rate in one quarter, it’s unbelievable. One or two dollars is one thing. You’re not doing your job.”
Waterman explained the town was forced to borrow $8,000,000 to comply with an order to line the lagoons at the wastewater treatment plant, driving up rates on taxpayers.
“The state comes along and says you have to spend $8,000,000 on your wastewater treatment plant. We met every requirement and they changed the rules,” he said. “We’re not happy with the water bill, we’re not happy with the sewer bill … we’re not trying to make money.”
Waterman took the opportunity to explain to the meeting that, while most of Marion’s water-related infrastructure is 50 years old and outdated, the town is backing off of initial efforts to spend $2,000,000 every two years to upgrade its system. “We don’t think the rate structure can handle it,” he said, referencing an ongoing study aimed at finding a middle ground to address problems in hopes of improvement every four years at the cost of $1,000,000. “People have to realize we’re going to fall further behind. We’ll just have to deal with it as it happens.”
Waterman said the state has been of no assistance and that he would not vote to reelect Governor Baker.
Town Administrator Jay McGrail urged concerned citizens to write to state representative William Strauss. “Now’s a good time to do it,” said McGrail. Selectman Norm Hills is writing an update to Strauss on behalf of the town.
Greenwood’s abatement request was denied, but McGrail said the town works with citizens needing assistance and would reach out to Greenwood the next day.
In a 4:15 pm appointment delayed by the extensive discussion about water-sewer issues, the case of Shea Doonan’s revoked aquaculture license resurfaced as the town considers four applicants seeking licenses to use his location.
Doonan told the selectmen he would like to transfer his license and has multiple interested parties that, if deemed qualified, could save him some of his lost investment. “There are people willing to give me money for the equipment,” he said.
Harbormaster Isaac Perry said, “It’s in the board’s purview right now. I think it’s best that we review what we have in hand.”
Doonan said he had a deal in place to recover some of the money he invested, but he is legally not part of the process in which the town is now engaged. McGrail told Perry that, if one candidate is clearly better the selectmen would listen to such a recommendation but that presenting two or three candidates would be the protocol.
Doonan believed he could recover money for boats and equipment, but Perry offered only partial agreement. “The boats, yeah, the gear and the product on-site, no,” he said.
Assistant Harbormaster Adam Murphy said that Doonan does not have the authority to transfer the shellfish product unless an applicant is reached through Marine Fisheries.
McGrail explained that the selectmen will transfer the site to the best candidate.
Perry will meet with the Marine Resources Commission and come back to the selectmen with a recommendation on a candidate to take over the site Doonan had occupied.
McGrail visited Old Rochester Regional High School, the site for the November 5 Special Town Meeting, and toured the auditorium with Facilities Director Gene Jones. Marion will also use the ORR gymnasium for overflow seating; the gym will have audio/video feed, and residents viewed in the gym will be able to walk over to the nearby auditorium to address the meeting.
Fire Chief Brian Jackvony is scheduled to speak about COVID-19 safety, and Waterman suggested the town use the meeting as an opportunity to recognize Chief of Police John Garcia, who is to retire at the end of the calendar year.
McGrail assigned article preparation for the November 5 Special Town Meeting warrant as follows: Chairperson Randy Parker Articles 1-2; Waterman Articles 3-4; the Marion Open Space Acquisition Committee Articles 5-8; and Waterman Article 9. Due to a conflict, Hills cannot attend the Special Town Meeting.
In his Town Administrator’s Report, McGrail noted that the town is recommending the opposite to tradition at Halloween, encouraging outdoor activities over indoor parties. An email blast to residents detailed guidelines for trick-or-treating.
A Veterans Day Celebration will be held 11:00 am at Old Landing, where Parker will speak. Afterward, there will be a drive-through veterans’ lunch served at the Community Center.
The Tri-Town Selectmen’s meeting will be held at 7:00 pm Thursday, October 22, via Zoom. It will address common matters including the agreement with ORCTV, but the ORR School District agreement will not be discussed because ORR is waiting on the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for budget approval.
Recent feedback from citizens has influenced a change from 4:00 pm Board of Selectmen meetings to 6:00 pm beginning with the new year.
Parker thanked the Marion Garden Club members whom he noticed working in the rain on Tuesday.
The next meeting of the Marion Board of Selectmen was not scheduled at Tuesday’s meeting.
Marion Board of Selectmen
By Mick Colageo