The Marion Planning Board met on Monday with their new member, Sean Sweeney. Sweeney will serve as a member for the remainder of the term, until the Marion Town Election on May 15 where he can pursue re-election.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance and the approval of minutes from March 2, the board had correspondence with the Zoning Board of Appeals. The ZBA had received the application of Toll Northeast V Corp. (Toll Brothers Inc.) for the potential enlargement of the dock at their property on 78 Wareham Road. “They’re just asking for the existing dock there to be bigger,” member Tucker Burr said. The dock would reach farther into the Weweantic River, just south of where Route 6 crosses.
Sweeney, at his first meeting, recommended a variance or a retractable Special Permit that would allow the town to maintain a grip on what development is pursued by the owners. Member Ryan Burke added that approach not only polices the waterway on the river, but also Wareham that lies across.
As the dock would serve as an “association dock/pier” serving multiple homes, members of the board were unresolved as to what course to recommend or what permits are needed. Vice Chair Alanna Nelson recommended the ZBA refer to other association piers. Chair Andrew Daniel concurred, saying along with that, they recommend the ZBA puts in wording to prohibit certain activities like fires and also wouldn’t rely on the town for maintenance and upkeep of the dock and accompanying trail.
The meeting was adjourned, with the next meeting of the Marion Planning Board scheduled for Monday, April 6 at 7:00 pm in the Marion Police Station.
Marion Planning Board
By Sam Bishop