The Marion Select Board met on Tuesday for three action items, though the most notable was the closing of the Town Meeting Warrant.
First, the board moved to approve the appointment of an Election Warden. As recommended by Town Clerk Katrina Desroches, Elisabeth Horan received a unanimous vote of approval by the board. She gratefully shook hands with municipal workers in the room, with her work beginning on the town’s election day, May 15.
Next, the board quickly approved the 53G Fund Regulations for the Department of Public Works’ Sewer & Warer Division without discussion.
Finally, the Select Board was on to close the draft Town Meeting Warrant. Up for discussion were 47 total articles, one being a Citizens Petition and the final two being Special Articles.
Chair Randy Parker noted he had paused discussion on the budgetary articles of the warrant at the last meeting to allow other board members to further look them over. He then said he had already approved the finance articles last time and had no questions. Article 1 was approved with no members nor audience having anything to say or questions. That began a theme, as Articles 2-31 were rapidly approved next, with unanimous votes and no discussion.
Vice Chair John Hoagland would move to accept, Member Norm Hills would second, and Parker would call the vote, being all “aye.”
When the board got to Article 31, Hoagland said, “let’s talk about this one for a minute.” Hills made note of the article as being the transfer of land from the Marine Resource Commission to the Select Board. He stated the land had been transferred to the MRC in 2009, but they have little use for it. Hills stated he hoped the decision to bring the land under the Select Board would allow them to give the land to a proposed Parks Department. Parker immediately said, “I don’t support that,” and with short discussion between the three, Parker made motion to remove the article with only Hills voting to support it.
Article 32 was a flip of the previous, with only Hills voting “no.” The article deals with eligibility to hold public office as well as limiting the holding of the title of Chair of any board, committee, or commission to no more than three years.
Article 33 focuses on the relationship between pet owners and tenants and received little discussion other than to point to the reasoning of the article as aligning with the state’s Ollie Law, passed in 2024. Statewide, its official name is “Act to Increase Kennel Safety” and mainly focuses on regulations for commercial boarding and training kennels. It was approved unanimously.
Article 34 pertains to the Attorney General requirements for the MS4 Bylaw, recently passed in the Fall Special Town Meeting. It grants authority to the town to handle abatements in relation to MS4. It was approved unanimously.
Quickly, the board then approved Articles 35-45. 45 being a Citizens Petition.
The two Special Articles were then approved with little discussion. Article S1: To see if the Town will vote to transfer from available funds in the Treasury (Free Cash) a sum not to exceed $219,869.19 to supplement the Fiscal Year 2026 budget of the Department of Public Works to pay expenses associated with the removal of snow and ice from public ways during said Fiscal Year; or take any other action relative thereto. Article S2: To see if the Town will vote to transfer any remaining balance in the Fiscal Year 2026 Group Insurance budget, after all obligations for said accounts have been satisfied, to the Town’s General Stabilization Fund, established pursuant to M.G.L.c.40, §5B, or take any other action relative thereto.
Following the short 21-minute meeting, the Town Meeting Warrant was officially closed. The Select Board will hold a Town Meeting Warrant Review at the Marion Music Hall on Wednesday, April 22 at 6:00 pm. Town Meeting will be held on Monday, May 11 at 6:45 pm in Sippican School. The Town Election is on Friday, May 15, 2026, but in person early voting is Thursday, May 7 through Thursday, May 14.
The next regular meeting of the Mation Select Board is scheduled for Tuesday, April 7 at 6:00 pm in the Marion Police Station.
Marion Select Board
By Sam Bishop