A plaque honoring the late Warren L. Washburn (1927-2001) will reside at Old Landing after the Marion Select Board enthusiastically voted to honor the request made by his son, Warren “Buddy” Washburn, during Tuesday night’s public meeting at the Police Station.
The senior Washburn was a lifelong Marion resident, only ever leaving town to serve in World War II. His name is on the WWII plaque at Old Landing. Thanks to his unrelenting community service, he will soon have one of his own.
“We wanted to do that for Dad … when he learned about something that needed to be done, he did it,” said Buddy Washburn, who had to explain to people the scarcity of photos of his father at the old VFW (Cushing Community Center.) “Because he was behind the camera. … Not too many people remember my dad because there’s a lot of new people (in Marion.) … I’ve been holding my brothers back for a few years now. That’s why I’m here.”
Warren L. Washburn was the quartermaster for the majority of the ambulances that the VFW supported.
The stone and plaque, which are ready for installation, measure slightly larger than 5×7 inches and 4 inches thick; it will be placed near the base of the red maple tree facing in towards the center of the park.
Noting that the maple tree is still growing, Select Board member Randy Parker asked how far from the tree Buddy Washburn wished to place the memorial. Washburn’s main concern was that roots are going to come up.
The plan is for the family to install the plaque before Veterans Day, but the town has pledged its assistance.
During a public hearing continued from September 6, Parker grilled Eversource’s Community Relations representative, Anthony Veilleux, during a public hearing to vet the utility company’s application to install underground conduit at Hiller, Front and South Streets and install an electrical pole between two existing poles on South Street.
Jessica Elder, who appeared with Veilleux on behalf of Eversource, said the project is one of many designed to lessen the carbon footprint.
Parker, a longtime electrician by trade, had all kinds of questions about the project that over a period lasting from seven to 10 days, will see activity inside a foot-wide trench in order to install two, 4-inch conduits for secondary service. Despite its age, the existing underground cable will remain in service. The trench, which will be at least 42-inches deep to reach the existing lines, will not be left open at night.
Parker asked if Eversource would install a spare conduit so that the line won’t have to be dug up again. Veilleux considered that a reasonable request and joked that had he known he’d be facing experts, he’d have tried to bring along an Eversource engineer.
“If there’s room in there for an extra conduit, it would be nice to have a spare. If you have a spare conduit in there, you don’t have to dig it up if we want to do something in there in 10 years,” said Parker, who also asked how many homes the upgrade will satisfy when finished. Veilleux had no answer but said he would seek that answer from the engineering side at Eversource.
Parker explained to the other two board members that should the pole behind Hiller Fuel go out, those streets will lose their power. “We have a lot of old primary on the south coast. We’re doing a lot of that,” said Veilleux.
Select Board member Norm Hills requested information on next steps for Eversource in Marion. Veilleux said he will provide the town a schedule of the company’s service plans.
The new lines will have faults and indicators, and Eversource has already added some new transformers in the area, according to Veilleux.
Town Administrator Geoff Gorman noted that upper south Hiller and Front Street have not been paved within the last five years. Veilleux indicated that Eversource is willing to work within a permit, including a paving condition.
Parker asked how the affected manhole covers on Front Street will be secured, recommending a five-head nut. He suggested that the town’s engineer would like to see the side of the transformer pad and how Eversource plans to bring that up to level. “I’ve been in those manholes, so I know what’s in there,” he said, later adding a question as to how Eversource plans to secure the ring cover.
Noting that school is now in session, Gorman said that the DPW’s and town engineer’s requests include at least a couple of preconstruction meetings. “This is impactful for the town so let’s make sure we talk a lot,” he said.
Parker suggested that Eversource meetings can also address the needs of Marion’s new Maritime Center.
“With approval, I will go right back to engineering and get right to work scheduling this,” said Veilleux, explaining that the company’s current focus is on permitting the project.
Select Board Chairman Toby Burr asked about repaving and past problems with asphalt falling off the truck and sticking to the street. “There’s really no excuse for that, it shouldn’t happen,” said Veilleux.
Marjorie Borden, 21 Main Street, asked if any digging would go into private property. The answer was no activity will take place on private property.
The board voted to approve the request with the conditions presented and closed the public hearing.
In his Town Administrator’s Report, Gorman announced that procurement for the construction of the Maritime Center is live with over 35 vendors requesting information. Subcontractor bids are due October 4 and general bids on October 13. That will give the town an exact price for the October 23 vote at Special Town Meeting. Gorman reported a $922,000 estimated shortfall that would be needed from the Waterways Account, which is funded by harbor-related fees. Gorman said he is working with the Marine Resources Commission to create an informational pamphlet to voters.
The public hearing for Major Site Plan Review of the new Department of Public Works construction is scheduled for October 2.
The Special Fall Town Meeting will be held on Monday, October 23, at 6:45 pm Sippican Elementary School. Highlights include the funding for the harbormaster building, funding union and nonunion negotiations and the opioid settlement. There were no citizens’ petitions at press time. The warrant closes at the October 3 Select Board meeting, will go to the printer on October 5 and into the mail on October 13.
Burr pointed out that the timeline means the exact request to fund the balance of the Maritime Center will not make it into the mailer. Gorman said the exact amount will be presented at Town Meeting.
The FY25 proposed budget timeline will be similar to last year’s milestone dates. Capital Improvement Planning Committee forms are due from department heads at the end of September, and it’s anticipated the CIPC will start meeting with department heads in mid-October.
The board voted to table a plan to approve revisions to the town’s Cemetery Regulations. Pointing to some of the language in the revisions. Burr said he would like a tour to see what the impact would be.
The matter was tabled to the board’s October 17 meeting. The board’s next meeting on October 3 will see the closing of the Town Meeting warrant and is overall a busy agenda.
Parker publicly thanked the many volunteers who make up Marion’s Emergency Management Committee for their extensive communication and attention to detail.
The Select Board approved the following appointments: Sue Maxwell Lewis (three-year term to the Parks & Trees Committee); Nalini Sharma (one-year term to the Scholarship Committee); Jeff Doubrava (three-year term to the Zoning Board of Appeals) and Gary Taylor (fills vacant spot as registrar.)
The board approved the reappointment of the following representatives on one-year terms to the Stewards of Community Open Space and Recreation: Shaun Walsh (Conservation Commission); Norm Hills (Select Board); John Rockwell (Open Space Acquisition Commission); Vin Malkowski (Marine Resources Commission); Town Planner Doug Guey-Lee (Planning Board); Margie Baldwin (Parks & Trees Committee); Cynthia Callow (Sippican Lands Trust); Meredith Days (Washburn Park) and Adam Lambert (Recreation Department.) The stewards are waiting on a representative from the Pathways Committee.
The board approved the reappointment of the following representatives on one-year terms to the Community Preservation Committee: Jeff Doubrava (Conservation Commission); Randy Parker (Select Board); Deb Ewing (Open Space Acquisition Commission); Ellen Bruzelius (Parks & Trees Committee); Brian McSweeny (Historical Commission) and Toby Ast (Affordable Housing Trust.)
The board approved Water/Sewer commitments of $1,249.01 (final readings September 6) and $155 (sewer replacement September 13.)
The next meeting of the Marion Select Board is scheduled for Tuesday, October 3, at 6:00 pm at the Police Station.
Marion Select Board
By Mick Colageo