The Marion Affordable Housing Trust met on Tuesday, June 10, to go over the results of the Town Meeting’s votes on accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and short-term rentals (STRs). Select Board member and representative to the trust Norm Hills began the meeting by discussing his worry over the passed ADU bylaw. Sympathizing with this was Member Eileen J. Marum, saying “Airbnbs have full reign” when referring to problems with residentially zoned areas being used for business. To reverse this decision, and change what was voted upon, it was agreed by Hills and the trust members that it can only be changed/reversed at a future Town Meeting.

            The trust then discussed updating their website and increasing social media engagement. Associate Member Roberta “Robbie” Dunn Tracy stated “I’ve done my homework” before describing to the panel various community outreach capabilities they can engage with using both the town website as well as Facebook. Using Facebook, Tracy stated it would be beneficial to post quick updates or get instant feedback from the community, if required. Town of Marion Facebook page began posting in 2019 and currently post irregular updates, typically around twice per week, reminding residents of local events or posting pictures following an events completion. It was stated at the end of this discussion Robbie would be the person to speak to regarding website updates, as she would pass them on to the Executive Assistant to the Town Administrator Donna Hemphill, who is in charge of the town’s website and Facebook.

            The trust also discussed national and state-wide issues, with one member stating, “apparently HUD (US Department of Housing and Urban Development) is a disaster.” There are multiple states working on lawsuits with much uncertainty regarding changes in regulation and policy, as well as funding changes.

            The Marion Affordable Housing Trust moved on to discuss reorganization although without member Toby Ast present, it was stated they should possibly table discussions until the next meeting; especially considering he may desire to be Chair.

            The next meeting of the Marion Affordable Housing Trust is scheduled for Tuesday, July 8 at 6:00 pm in the Marion Police Station.

Marion Affordable Housing Trust

By Sam Bishop

            Rochester’s Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) appointed Donald Spirlet as its new Chair and re-appointed Davis Sullivan as Vice-Chair when it met June 12 on the occasion of veteran member David Arancio’s last time as Chair.

            Arancio has been ZBA Chair for 11 years. Spirlet has been a zoning panel member for 10 years, Sullivan a member for 22 years. But their nominations did not come quickly. First, veteran member Richard Cutler declined the nomination for Chair, saying he has one year to go on his current term “and then I’m out here.” Sullivan said the same when offered the Chair position, saying he also intends to exit the board after his own term is up. Spirlet said he would accept the nomination as Chair so long as no one else on the panel wanted it.

            The votes approving Spirlet and Sullivan for their new roles came after Cutler noted the problem is that many members have been on the board for a long time “and that can’t be sustainable.” Arancio agreed. “I’ve enjoyed my time on the board,” he said. “But it needs new blood and energy.”

            The board began the meeting by approving a variance to permit a 62×38-foot, 1,500-square-foot steel accessory structure on a six-acre residential lot at 364 Neck Road. Applicant and homeowner John Verentes said he needs the additional building because he fixes his own cars. He needs a car lift and storage for his equipment and tools and possibly a boat to avoid the expense of paying for storage and outside car repair. To that end, he is requesting a variance from the requirement that an accessory building be no larger than 1,000 square feet.

            The hearing’s only query came from neighbor Brian Porter of 369 Neck Road. He wanted to know the pitch of the new structure’s roof. “He’s a good, quiet neighbor,” Porter said. “I’m just curious.”

            The resulting approval vote included the following conditions: that no farm animals be housed, no commercial use, no second floor and no housing use without the board’s prior approval.

            In other action, board Administrative Assistant Andreia Lacerda reported no new petitions have been filed for the board’s review. As a result, pending any last-minute submissions, there will be no regular meetings on June 26 and July 20.

Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals

By Michael J. DeCicco

            Rochester’s Conservation Commission began its meeting Tuesday by approving a positive Order of Conditions the Notice of Intent filed by Sealord Enterprises, LLC for construction of a 20,000 square-foot commercial building for contractor bays with associated access drives, parking areas, utilities, and storm water management system within the 100-foot of wetlands at a new address on Cranberry Highway.

            The project’s engineering consultant Bob Rogers said the Planning Board had approved the waivers he requested for that panel’s permit and simply wanted to leave the latter’s public hearing open in case the commission had further comments he needed to address. Commissioner Chris Gerrior said Rogers needed no waivers from his board, and the resulting approval vote was unanimous.

            The commission then issued another positive Order of Conditions, in the Notice of Intent hearing for Eversource Energy’s work on a utility sub-station within the 100-foot wetlands buffer zone and the 25-foot No Disturb Zone at 214 Rounseville Road. Engineering consultant John Zimmer, attending the meeting on Zoom, clarified the project is to rebuild the existing substation, including relocating three existing stormwater basin “poles.” He said he needed variances for property’s access entrance. Gerrior asked if abutters have concerns. Zimmer said an abutter who spoke at the project’s Planning Board hearing merely needs to see the final landscape design.

            The commission then opened its biggest hearing of the night, on the Notice of Intent application for work within the 100-foot wetlands buffer zone at 53 Dexter Lane for the construction of a floating and ground-mounted solar array with associated battery energy storage system.

            Project representative Sarah Sterns said this is a plan for three floating solar panels on their bog manufactured lakes and three panels upland that are all part of an existing farm. Both commission members and audience members responded with concerns focusing on what this installation will do the waterways there and the wildlife. In the end, the commission motioned a continuance in order to hire a wildlife biologist to investigate their issues.

            The first question before this result came from Member Matt Bache, who asked “how will the floating panels be anchored?” Stern said they will either be anchored to the bottom of the pond or slightly under the surface of the water, depending on the vendor that is chosen. “It will be like a dock in the water, with a very small footprint,” she said.

            Bache also wanted to know what happens to materials from the panels landing in the water. New member Jenelle Jesse asked if a variety of metrics had been used to test water quality. Abutter Lena Finch said the installation could directly impact the Eastern Box Turtles and salamanders in the area. Gerrior noted past Conservation Commission approvals have included promises of erosion controls and regular turtle searches.

            Member Ben Bailey voiced the biggest objection. The Department of Environmental Protection allows floating solar arrays only on man-made water, he said. But a natural river runs through this pond. “I don’t think you can do that here,” he said. He then signaled opposition to this plan based on that fact.

            He also noted waterfowl fly into solar panels thinking they are water, thus injuring or killing themselves. “Are there any studies of bird mortality rates?” he asked.

            Member Merilee Kelly suggested the peer review option. “I’d like to see a peer reviewer get involved,” she said.

            The commission approved this move and to continue the hearing to July 14.

            In other action, upon the applicant’s request, the commission continued to its next meeting the Notice of Intent hearing for work within bordering vegetated wetlands related to a ground-mounted solar array system in the area of 600 Snipatuit Road.

            After a brief discussion of the plan, the commission also continued to its next meeting the Notice of Intent hearing on a proposed single family home within the 100-foot wetlands buffer zone at 28 Marion Road.

            The next Conservation Commission meeting will be on July 1, 2025 at 7:00 pm, at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.

Rochester Conservation Commission

By Michael J. DeCicco