The rearranged Marion Select Board assured 159 Spring Street residents Matt and Jen Christopher that they will be heard, but new chairman Norm Hills insisted the Christophers’ complaint over their water bill be thoroughly fleshed out with representatives from the Department of Public Works on hand and only after he has had ample time to digest the documents presented the board.
Tuesday night’s meeting of the Marion Select Board still entertained some discussion after member Randy Parker requested that the Christophers state their case on the basis that hearing from them in person will help the board members interpret the documents they will be pouring over until Town Administrator Geoff Gorman is able to arrange a meeting.
The DPW is recommending the Select Board not honor the Water/Sewer Abatement request of $9,122.34, a four-year bill, primarily because the homeowner did not respond to the DPW’s contact efforts.
Matt Christopher insisted, based on the mathematics involved, that the billing goes back 18 years on an estimated basis and is wholly inaccurate as to what he should be charged.
Gorman explained that the system rounded up and down to the nearest hundred. All sides agree that given the new metering equipment, current usage is being accurately measured.
Jen Christopher said they are “asking for a fair resolution and a fair number.”
The Select Board did act to disapprove another Water/Sewer Abatement request of $600 coming from 71 Olde Knoll Road. The bill was not recommended by DPW and was attributed to high use without a cause.
Water/Sewer commitments were approved for $759.65 (final readings May 8), $10,450 April 25 new water and sewer service and $125 sewer reconnection April 12.
The Marion DPW has been contacted by the Wareham water commissioner to discuss a potential interconnection of the two towns’ water systems, the purpose being to allow Wareham to maintain its current permit (draw level). Such a connection does not necessarily imply a physical connection of the neighboring systems.
Hills pointed out that Marion’s wells in Rochester, though down for years, are scheduled to soon be up and running. He suggested the town have engineering firm Tata & Howard evaluate the situation and let Marion officials know where the town now stands.
Parker referenced a situation that had town officials seriously considering a tie-in to Wareham water on an emergency basis after the line in the Sippican River ruptured and drained the water tower.
Marion had intended to have its rehabilitated wells online by now, but there were problems with the well pumps that have since been replaced.
Given the prospects for wells online and with the Mattapoisett River Valley Water District as a fallback, Marion officials are wondering if any water connection with Wareham is necessary.
Marion Finance Director Heather O’Brien explained during a presentation on FY25 water and sewer rates that service and supplies will include an electric increase with three wells coming on line.
Projected revenue will include $300,000 lost from the departure of Lockheed Martin. In what has been characterized as a “very wet year,” O’Brien said the town is trying to carry a surplus of $100,000.
The rate adjustment for water will be 1.5% on a rate charge, 1.5% on the first and second tier of usage and a 3% increase on the third tier.
The Select Board approved O’Brien’s report.
The board re-organized with Hills back serving as the chairman, Toby Burr as vice chairman and Parker as clerk. Hills will continue representing the board to the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD) as a member for 2024-25 and also as member of SRPEDD’s Joint Transportation Planning Group.
Parker publicly thanked Burr for his year as chairman, sparking applause at the meeting. Gorman, in turn, congratulated Parker on his re-election to another three-year term on the Select Board. “We need more voting,” said Parker, who was not happy with Marion’s turnout of fewer than 900 voters for the May 17 Town Election.
A DiMinimus Determination regarding the Shared Use Path is no impact according to the Select Board, meaning that the construction project will not threaten wildlife. There are several parcels in Washburn Park with easements that the board believes will enhance the recreational benefits in the park.
The public hearing for Verizon New England, Inc. and NStar (dba Eversource) for a South Street pole installation that had been scheduled for Tuesday night was continued to June 18 at 6:15 pm in the Police Department conference room.
A donation of $1,085.40 in art supplies from the Friends of Marion Recreation to the Marion Recreation Department was earmarked for the Silvershell summer program and approved by the board.
The board also approved adding Sunday hours from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm to Vinodivino’s existing alcohol license at its 154 Front Street package store.
Three Special One-Day Alcohol licenses were approved for events at the Music Hall: Blackstone Caterers June 13 (6:00 pm to 7:30 pm … 80 guests, full bar); Emery’s Catering June 16 (4:45 pm to 10:30 pm … wedding June 16 beer, wine and liquor), and ICJ Corporation June 29 (4:00 pm to 11:00 pm … 75 people, full bar).
The board determined after a second read that a proposal for a Music Hall fee increase needs more tweaking with a third read.
In his Town Administrator’s Report, Gorman recognized Jody Dickerson of the Marion Highway Department and Marion’s DPW staff in a presentation of the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) Award for the department’s work on the County Road pavement project. It was one of 10 such awards across the state. The Marion DPW saved the town between $63,000 and $65,000 on berm work.
Gorman recapped the Annual Town Meeting, thanking the volunteers and noted that voters approved all financial articles. Gorman told the board he is standing by for procurement regarding the Bird Island project, the DPW construction, the new patrol boat, and CPC projects.
Gorman thanked the DPW staff for its work on the landscaping surrounding the Police Station.
Memorial Day observances will begin at 9:00 am at the Music Hall with a procession and ceremonies at Old Landing.
Independence Day parade marching applications are available on the town website and at the Town House.
The Fireworks Committee still needs to raise “two or three thousand” to hold the event planned for July 6; the committee has until June 16 to call off the event and recover all expenses.
Gorman publicly welcomed what he dubbed the town’s “rockstar team” of Meghan Mosher and Emily Miller, Marion’s new grant administrator.
The board voted to schedule monthly meetings through the summer on the third Tuesday of the month. The Select Board summer schedule is June 18, July 16 and August 20, with meetings shifting to the Police Station.
The next meeting of the Marion Select Board will occur at the Annual Town Meeting to be held on Tuesday, June 4, at 6:00 pm at the Town House Annex building.
Marion Select Board
By Mick Colageo
” Water is the next oil ” was stated years ago, I don’t even remember who said it but they were correct.
Nestle showed the world that you can control a population if you control their access to water.
Private wells will eventually be in the crosshairs of this greed. That’s you and I.