The Marion Select Board meeting on Tuesday, July 22 took only 30 minutes, but the board managed to make some appointments, preview the Town Party this weekend, and offer an update on the bumpy Point Road.
At the Police Station’s meeting room, the Select Board promoted Sommer Cardosa to Marion Police sergeant and Adam Murphy, the town’s harbormaster, as a full-time Marion Police officer.
Town Administrator Geoffrey Gorman gave details to the Select Board on Point Road and said a contractor has been called on to repair sewer trenches. Gorman said the first attempt was not professional, so the contractor has agreed to return to working on the trenches.
Gorman said this was just temporary work, but the town is preparing its own contractor to conduct a curb-to-curb repaving of the road. Gorman said he hopes that work is conducted in the fall.
“We are looking at it aggressively,” Gorman said.
Select Board Executive Assistant Donna Hemphill, who plans the annual Town Party, said this year it should be bigger and better. She said many volunteers and businesses have stepped up to donate time and/or money to the event.
Hemphill said this year’s event will feature a rock wall for kids to climb, face painting, and other family-friendly events. The event starts at 4:00 pm at Silvershell Beach, and proceeds go to the Marion Cultural Council and the Marion Firefighters Association.
Gorman will be preparing some food as well.
Last year, the event was canceled due to mosquito-borne diseases in the area. The Health Department recently reported that, according to state records, only one goat tested positive for West Nile Virus in Worcester County, and no cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE or “Triple-E”) have been reported. Hemphill said, to stay ahead of that issue, she has asked for the area to be sprayed prior to the event.
The Annual Marion Town Party will be held on Saturday, July 26 with a rain date of Sunday, July 27 at Silvershell Beach. The next meeting of the Marion Select Board is scheduled for Tuesday, August 5 at 6:00 pm in the Town House.
Marion Select Board
By Jeffrey D. Wagner