Parker, Town Avoid Second Dig

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Marion Select Board member Randy Parker’s effort to get a second line of conduit under Front Street as a placeholder in addition to the work proposed by NSTAR Electric Company (Eversource Energy) appears successful after discussion at Tuesday night’s public meeting of the board concluded with an agreement that Eversource representative Faye Sweatman will coordinate with Verizon New England to make that happen.

            Parker, the Select Board’s resident electrician, sought the extra line to prevent a potential scenario whereby the town would be asked to once again dig up the road when he expects it will eventually be determined that optic fibers presently above ground need to go underground. He wants all the infrastructure done before the road is resurfaced.

            “The pole can’t be pulled out until we get everything underground,” said Parker. “We just want somebody to do it, that’s all. … I almost want to go down and do it myself, it’s so easy.”

            The project being considered will move above-ground equipment below ground but not everything Parker believes will eventually go underground.

            Town Administrator Geoff Gorman clarified for Sweatman that the project has been approved but with the caveat of adding the second line of conduit so the town can avoid an unnecessary excavation. Gorman said that should the project be arranged as requested, no subsequent meeting with the Select Board will be necessary.

            The discussion took place on the heels of a 6:15 pm continued public hearing for a new pole installation on South Street, a case originally heard on May 21.

            The continued public hearing also brought Don Voner of Verizon New England to the Select Board. Voner reported having just visited the South Street site and seeing the pole mark. He said he had been instructed that the purpose of the project is to upgrade Eversource facilities in the area, along South Street.

            Parker said he remained “a little puzzled” to see an additional pole between two existing poles but without a specific application to a service not currently provided. Parker nonetheless made a motion to approve the new pole on South Street.

            Before presenting two hires for the Select Board’s consideration, Marion Police Chief Richard Nighelli took the opportunity to update the board on Tuesday’s statewide outage of 911 emergency service.

            Nighelli said that the town’s 911 service was fully restored and that during the outage, one station was down and the other operational. “For 30 minutes, didn’t have either,” said Nighelli, suggesting that residents make the Police Department’s business line (508-748-1212) a contact in their cell phones. He said this is the second time 911 has gone down in the past three months.

            Nighelli requested the appointment of Kayla Sylvia as a full-time police officer. Sylvia was not able to attend because she was on her honeymoon. The April 2018 police-academy graduate currently serving in the New Bedford Police Department has six years of experience. Nighelli said Sylvia will earn a second degree this year in wildlife conservation. The board approved her hire for the standard, one-year probationary period.

            The board also approved Nighelli’s request to appoint James MacDonald as a part-time “special” police officer. MacDonald works in the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department and has several certifications, including automotive technician and firearms instructor. Nighelli said MacDonald has responded to numerous recent incidents. His appointment becomes effective on June 23 for a one-year probationary period.

            The board also approved the appointment of Robbi Dunn Tracy to the Affordable Housing Trust as an associate member, per the trust’s recommendation.

            Reappointments of boards and committee members also included the upgrade of Conservation Commission associate member Millie Seeberg to that of full, voting member.

            Ever Ortiz, whose application to the Planning Board to operate a car dealership at 13 Washburn Lane drew much in the way of public comment from abutters, was approved for a Car Dealer Class II License in the name of Ever Auto Sales. Ortiz explained to the Select Board that vehicles will be pre-ordered and quickly moved off site, resulting in no more than two vehicles on site at any one time.

            In his Town Administrator’s Report, Gorman said a second annual Employee Appreciation Day will be held on Tuesday, June 25, at 12:00 pm at the Cushing Community Center pavilion. Town Hall will close at lunch time and not reopen until the next morning.

            Opportunities to march in the July 4 Independence Day Parade are still available. Executive Assistant Donna Hemphill reported that four sailors are expected to march, and a World War II veteran will be among those riding in vehicles.

            The Town Fireworks to be held on Saturday, July 6 (rain date July 7). Gorman expressed his appreciation to the Fireworks Committee for successfully putting together the event for a third straight year. He estimated the cost at $67,000.

            Marion’s annual Town Party is scheduled for August 24 at Silvershell Beach; the town is seeking donations to offset the cost.

            Gorman reported that the Department of Public Works and Highway Division are improving parking at the Point Road playground. Features include a painted crosswalk with a flashing crosswalk sign planned. “We are not ignoring their concerns,” he said.

            Select Board Chairman Norm Hills said traffic on Front Street has become dangerous with drivers running lights, characterizing their treatment of red lights as “stoptional.”

            Gorman publicly welcomed Jennifer Stewart to the town’s administrative team and Nicholas Gioni to the town’s labor force at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

            Hemphill noted that Silvershell Beach is open and that parking stickers issued by the Town of Rochester and Marion Guest passes are required year-round, not just in season.

            In other action items, the Select Board approved the First Congregational Church’s request to close Main Street between School and Front streets on July 27 between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm for its annual Summer Fair.

            The board approved Louisa Bergsma as the new manager at the Kittansett Club, 11 Point Road.

            The board approved a change of date on a previously approved One Day Alcohol Beverage License for the Marion Social Club, 44 Pumping Station Road from July 21 to July 14.

            The board approved a One Day Alcohol Beverage License – With a Twist/Katie Massey – Bartender – for the Marion Art Center’s Cocktails by the Sea fundraiser to be held on Friday, July 26, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Tabor Academy, 245 Front Street.

            The board accepted a $100 donation to support fire equipment to the Marion Fire Department from Alice and Harry Curtis.

            The board approved the donation of a 4-inch, Marion Fire Department supply hose to the Farmington, New Hampshire, Fire Department. The hose had been removed from the town’s decommissioned ladder truck. Gorman said the donation will not impact the department’s readiness.

            After its third read of proposed increases to the Music Hall fee schedule, the board approved the policy as printed with one edit to clarify a Marion residency discount.

            Sherman Briggs’ Water Abatement request for $1,722.71 that he had been billed since selling the Spring Street (bike path) property on December 6, 2013, was approved. Parker said there is no meter and the building was demolished. Baldwin Brothers is now at the site and has its own 2-inch main with associated water service.

            Water/Sewer commitments were approved for $155 (sewer replacement May 6), $1,866.48 (final readings May 31) and $853.56 (final readings June 11).

            The next meeting of the Marion Select Board is scheduled for Tuesday, July 2, at 6:00 pm.

Marion Select Board

By Mick Colageo

Milde Honored in Retirement

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            In saying goodbye to the 2023-24 academic year, the Marion School Committee used its May 23 meeting to say goodbye to Sippican Elementary School fifth-grade teacher Elizabeth Milde.

            Old Rochester Regional Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson called Milde the “utmost professional” in announcing her retirement.

            Citing her teamwork, dedication and encouragement of students to work on developing their own viewpoints on issues, members of the Marion Teachers Association spoke about Milde’s career as a model educator.

            The School Committee approved the following book donations to the Sippican Library in Milde’s honor: “Anna Strong” by Sarah Glenn Marsh (from the Volunteers at Sippican Elementary); “Revolutionary Prudence Wright” by Beth Anderson (from the Marion School Sunshine Committee) and “Her Name was Mary Katherine” by Ella Schwartz (from the Marion Teachers Association).

            Committee Chair April Nye recognized retiring Assistant Principal Peter Crisafulli with the donation of the book, “You Can Change the World: Inspiration for Future Heroes.”

            Nye told the meeting attendees that she was holding off on her year-end chairperson’s report in favor of recognizing Marion’s voters to supporting the school budget at the recent Annual Town Meeting.

            “They always come through for the kids,” she said. “We could not be more thankful to them for always putting the children first.”

            In his update, Nelson recognized the volunteers who helped with the hiring process for new principal and assistant principal at Sippican. He also noted that Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll stopped at Sippican School where she was greeted by the school band and nearly the entire student body. Driscoll was in Marion to see the new harbormaster construction that has been funded in large part by the state’s Seaport Economic Council.

            Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Shari Fedorowicz recognized the work done by faculty and students in the district’s literacy program, also noting Project 351.

            In other business, the Marion School Committee approved three grants totaling over $75,000.

            A Vacation Acceleration Academies Grant in the amount of $33,000 will allow the district to provide a week of instruction before the next school year. A High-Quality Instructional Materials Purchase Grant in the amount of $27,992 will allow programming outside of the operating budget, and a Civics Teaching and Learning Grant in the amount of $16,000 will align with the literacy-based initiative of the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

            The committee nailed down its regular meeting dates for 2024-25: September 19, October 24, December 5, January 30, 2025, March 6, 2025, May 8, 2025 and (Wednesday) June 11, 2025.

            The School Committee approved a list of materials to be withdrawn from the Sippican School Library.

            At the recommendation of ORR Administration, the Marion School Committee reupped its annual agreements via the approval of memorandums of agreement, renting space at Sippican Elementary to the South Coast YMCA and Countryside Child Care for the 2024-25 school year.

            The committee heard from Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Howie Barber, who provided General Operating Financial Report, Food Services and Facilities reports. Nelson would later note he is grateful that the district’s capital requests have been met.

            The committee went into executive session to prepare for negotiations and to comply with state laws.

            The next meeting of the Marion School Committee is scheduled for Thursday, September 19, at 6:30 pm at Sippican Elementary School, and the next meeting of the Joint School Committee is scheduled for Thursday, June 20, at 6:30 pm at the ORR Junior High Media Room, 133 Marion Road, Mattapoisett.

Marion School Committee

By Mick Colageo

Eight ORR Juniors Attend State Convention

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From June 15-21, eight ORR juniors will attend the Boys’ and Girls’ State Convention sponsored by the American Legion’s Florence Eastman Post 280 at Stonehill College, 320 Washington St., in North Easton.

            To be eligible for Boys’/Girls’ State, students must be a member of the junior class and have achieved high academic success. Student delegates must also show evidence of leadership ability and an interest in the democratic process.

            “This program truly engages students in the democratic process and learning about our government,” said ORR Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson. “It’s civic education at its finest and empowers our juniors to feel they have a voice in what matters in our communities.”

            At the convention, student delegates will study local and state government. They will establish and operate their own cities and towns and state government. This will include forming two political parties, holding conventions, nominating candidates, conducting campaigns and electing officials. The primary goal of Boys’/Girls’ State is for participants to develop a better understanding of how state government functions.

            “I’m proud that these students will be representing Old Rochester at Boy’s and Girls’ State this month,” said ORRHS Principal Mike Devoll. “This will be a wonderful opportunity for the students to demonstrate leadership skills on a state-wide level.”

            Boys’ State: Xavier Pateakos is sponsored by The American Legion Florence Eastman Post 280. Wesner Archelus is sponsored by Lawrence DiCara, Esquire, in memory of George White, and Luke Devoe in memory of Jack DeCosta. Nolan Bushnell is sponsored by the Machacum Club.

            Girls’ State: Ella Bartholomew is sponsored by The American Legion Florence Eastman Post 280. Emily Wyman is sponsored by The Mattapoisett Police Department. Caroline Brogioli is sponsored by Lawrence DiCara, Esquire, in memory of Gerry DeCosta. Emerson Gonet is sponsored by the Mattapoisett Woman’s Club.

Upcoming Events at the Elizabeth Taber Library

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Join us for all ages story times all summer long, every Saturday at 10:30am.

            Join Elke Pierrie Loft for morning yoga on the library lawn, Tuesdays at 9:30 am. The perfect way to start your summer days.

            See highlights from the year and get your questions answered at the Elizabeth Taber Library’s annual meeting, Monday, June 24 at 5:30 pm.

            Join us Tuesday, June 25 from 6 to 8 to celebrate Pride with food, fun and karaoke. All welcome.

            Meet Sara Shukla, local author of the debut novel Pink Whales, Thursday, June 27 at 6:30 pm, at The Marion Art Center. Pink Whales has been described lauded by reviews as “A satisfying romp through a New England enclave that’s not nearly as idyllic as it seems.” Meet Sara Shukla, the author of the latest summer rom-com that will be making a splash this beach season. Limited signed copies will be available at this event.

            Make a fuzzy felted patch with wool with artists from Pop up Art School, Saturday, June 29 at 11am. Pick from four rainbow designs. Use the finished piece as a patch on a jacket, or frame it for a unique piece of art. Pop up Art School will show you how to use a barbed needle and wool roving to make this cool accessory. Needle felting is fun and easier than it looks. Spaces are limited, sign up at the library. This program is for ages 11+.

            For more information on the Elizabeth Taber Library, visit us at www.ElizabethTaberLibrary.org or call us at 508-748-1252

Fall Town Meeting Scheduled

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            Rochester’s Select Board Monday set a Fall Special Town Meeting for October 21 and approved August 9 as the last day to submit articles for the warrant.

            Asked by The Wanderer what articles they might have in mind for the October date, Select Board Chairman Brad Morse said there are a couple of zoning articles that will need to be on the warrant. Interim Town Administrator Suzanne Szyndlar said she isn’t sure at this point what budget items might also be up for a vote in October, but she speculated some fiscal year budget cleanup measures may be included.

            The Select Board approved Interim Police Chief Don Kemmett’s appointment of new officers, one full-time and one part-time. The new full-timer is Scott Smith, whom Kemmett said has been a part-time member of the Rochester Police force for eight years. The new part-time officer is Rick Bartley. Kemmett said Bartley has been a reserve police officer in Rockland for 10 years. He is also the Logistical and Fulfillment manager for Emulate, Inc., in Boston.

            In other business, the board approved a new Eversource pole for new utility service on Vaughan Hill Road to accommodate Tree Talk Natives, LLC, the new tree nursery business there.

            The board awarded an employee citation “for nine years of work and dedication” to Executive Assistant Amanda Baptiste. It then announced that Baptiste has handed in her letter of resignation, effective June 21.

            The board reappointed Chris Peck and Steve Pena to the Capital Planning Committee for terms to expire on June 30, 2027.

            The board accepted a donation of four, 24-foot aluminum stands from Old Rochester Youth Baseball to the town.

            The board appointed resident Dennis McCarthy as a Zoning Board of Appeals associate member. Zoning Board Chairman David Arancio cautioned the board that he has not had the chance to speak to McCarthy to make certain he understands everything a ZBA member needs to know. Morse said he will forward McCarthy’s contact information to Arancio, so he can have that conversation.

            The next Rochester Select Board meeting will be held on Monday, July 1, at 6:00 pm at the Rochester Council on Aging, 67 Dexter Lane.

Rochester Select Board

By Michael J. DeCicco

John Moline Teal

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John Moline Teal, 94, died on June 14, 2024 at Teal Farm. John was an internationally recognized biologist and naturalist. He was best known for his research work on salt marsh ecology, including the popular book Life and Death of the Salt Marsh, co-authored with his first wife Mildred Teal. His research also included deep sea oceanography and oil spills in the ocean. Throughout his career, he used his scientific expertise to effect change in policies and laws. He was instrumental in developing the Massachusetts Wetland Protection Act that is a model throughout the US.  As author and co-author, he published more than 160 scientific publications, including articles on “The Long-term Effects of Nuclear War “ (Science 1983) and others warning of the effects of sea level rise and wetlands loss in the US.  He also wrote articles for children on oceanography. He served on boards and government advisory committees including The National Academy of Science, The Conservation Law Foundation (1978-2013), and closer to home on the Conservation Commissions in Falmouth and Rochester, MA.

            Born in Omaha, Nebraska to Clarence William and Valentine Moline Teal, he got an early start on his career as an ecologist playing in the ravine wetland behind his house that was later filled in to build more houses. His summers were spent outdoors as a camper and then counselor at Camp Vermilion in northern Minnesota. After his graduation from Omaha’s Benson High School in 1947 he went on to get a BA, 1951, and PhD in 1955 from Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  At Harvard, he sang both with the Glee Club and with a group called the Dunster Dunces, working summers in research labs in Woods Hole, MA.

            John’s professional career started at the University of Georgia Marine Institute (1955-1959) on Sapelo Island where he lived with Mildred and their children Eric and Tanya. He considered the island a living laboratory and developed techniques to study and measure the biogeochemical functions of salt marshes.  He then moved to Nova Scotia and spent two years at Dalhousie University’s newly-established Institute of Oceanography before joining Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) in 1961, where he became Senior Scientist and served as the Chair of the Biology Department from 1982-85.  John loved going to sea on WHOI ships, sampling animals from the deep ocean and introducing students and young scientists to the magic and the rigors of sea-going oceanography. He was active in the WHOI-MIT Joint Doctoral Degree Program as a teacher and mentor.   He retired from WHOI in 1994.  After retirement, he worked as scientific consultant to several major wetlands restoration and conservation projects in the United States. He became a scientific advisor to Public Service Electric & Gas of New Jersey on their extensive coastal wetland restoration project around Delaware Bay and continued to work on that project until he retired in 2018.   

            In 1977, he bought a 100-plus-acre farm in Rochester, MA and started a new adventure with his second wife Susan. They added another 50 acres a few years later with generous support from their neighbor, Julia Enroth, who believed in their vision to protect farm land in their community.  They also subtracted some land when they gave a house lot to John’s daughter Tanya and a few acres to the Rochester Congregational Church so that they could build a church hall. This new venture allowed John to buy farm equipment, including two 65-hp John Deere tractors, a back hoe and haying equipment.  And they built a house, barns, sheds, chicken coops, greenhouses where they raised sheep, geese, ducks, chickens, hay, fruit and vegetables, with an orchard that had over 50 varieties of apples. Teal Farm is permanently protected from development by a Conservation Restriction held by the Wildlands Trust of Southeastern MA. 

            John was predeceased by his parents, his brother Dr. Peter V. Teal of Billings, MT, and his former wife, Mildred Teal. He is survived by his wife Susan Blackmore (Peterson) Teal, his brother Thomas A. Teal (Anne Nou) of Somerville, MA, his sister Alison V. Teal (Sam Brown) of Key West ,FL, his sister-in-law Annie Teal of Tucson, AZ, his son Eric Teal of Townsend, GA, daughter Tanya Sanders (David) and grandchildren Matthew Sanders (Kayla), David Sanders Jr. (Sybil Krawczyk) all of Rochester, Carolyn Abrantes (Eric) of South Dartmouth, and Alexander Carroll-Teal of Falmouth, MA.  He has three wonderful great-grandchildren:  Weylyn, Rhiannon, and Freya Sanders. 

            John leaves many friends, colleagues, students, nieces, nephews and in-laws.   Though known to terrify his graduate students, over time he mellowed and even learned to smile. His comfortable old age on the farm would not have been possible without having his grandsons, Matt and Dave, and their families, living and working on the farm.  

            Contributions in his memory may be made to the Conservation Law Foundation of New England (CLF.org), the Rochester Land Trust (rochesterlandtrust.org), or Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI.edu).  Following the example set by his parents, John has donated his body to the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. 

Marion Social Club Scholarship

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The Marion Social Club is pleased to announce the recipients of this year’s scholarship awards. Ms. Lillian Manning of Marion who graduated from Bishop Stang High School was awarded a $1,500.00 scholarship and Jacob Hadley of Marion who graduated from Old Rochester Regional High School was awarded the $2,500.00 William H. Claflin Jr. Scholarship Award. For over thirty years, the Marion Social Club has been working to assist the youth and elderly of the Tri-Town area preparing many delicious dinners throughout the year, enabling us to announce this year’s winners. May the two of them go out and take their places in the world. Congratulations to both.

Marion Independence Day Parade

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The Annual Marion Independence Day Parade will be on Thursday, July 4, beginning at 9:00 am sharp.

            The Parade will form beginning at 8 am on Thursday, July 4, in the ball field behind the Marion Town House and adjacent to the Sippican School. Parade organizers will be on-site to check participants in and to line up the parade. Trophies will be awarded for First, Second and Third place in each category listed on the application. There is also a Best in Parade award.

            Insurance regulations prohibit the throwing of any objects from parade entries. Candies or other such items may be passed out by individuals walking beside the parade entry.

            To participate in the Parade, please submit your online application by June 30 at www.marionma.gov/509/Fourth-of-July-Parade-Committee.

            Paper applications are also available at the Marion Town House. For questions, please contact the Parade Committee at 508-748-3520 or email Donna Hemphill at dhemphill@marionma.gov.

Robert J. McGowan

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Robert J. McGowan, Bob, passed away on June 15, 2024 in Nokomis, Florida after a long illness of Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s.

            Bob was born November 15, 1943 in New Bedford, MA. to Charles and Anna Smith McGowan.

            He is survived by his sister, Ann Boucher of Chelmsford, MA.

            He was predeceased by his brothers, Charles McGowan of Venice, FL, Paul McGowan of New Bedford, MA and his sister, Susan McGowan of Mattapoisett, MA.

            He was the loving husband of Sandra Field McGowan of Venice, FL. He leaves his children Melissa Kang and her husband, Will of Cumming, GA, Heather McGowan and her wife Pat Coryell of Gulfport, FL and Kelly Ochoa of Fairhaven MA. He was predeceased by his son, Jonathan, McGowan.

            He leaves behind his beloved grandchildren Nicole and Daniela Ochoa of New Bedford and Chloe, Isabella and Liam Kang of Cumming , GA.

            Bob graduated from Holy Family High School in New Bedford, MA., Bentley College, Boston, MA and Babson College in Wellesley, MA.

            During college he worked at Jordan Mash in Boston, where he met “his bride” Sandy. They were married at ST. Cecelia’s Church in Boston and enjoyed almost 58 years of marriage.

            After college graduation, Bob worked at St. Regis Paper, in New York City, Sisalkraft in Attleboro, MA, Plymouth Rubber in Canton, MA, New England Nuclear in Boston, DuPont in Boston and finished his career at CIS-US, Bedford, MA as CFO.

            After retirement Sandy and Bob moved to Venice, Fl and spent the summers at their family cottage at Pico Beach in Mattapoisett, MA.

            The whole family would like to thank Erin McKee for her love and care of Bob for the last 2 years and Tidewell Hospice of Venice.

            A celebration of life will be held later in the summer.

EMC Wants Solar on New DPW

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            The Marion Energy Management Committee met on Monday to discuss a list of items such as solar panels for the new Department of Public Works facility and township vehicles.

            EMC member Bill Saltonstall read a statement from his conversation with Town Administrator Geoff Gorman. “I would like to suggest some of these savings be spent to help find the rooftop solar project at the DPW building. … We will need more electrical power for town buildings, as we bring efficient heat pumps online, and the DPW roof is an ideal site for a municipal solar array.”

            According to Saltonstall, Gorman said the town is not allowed to “earmark” a specific revenue, instead “placing it in the General Fund to offset ongoing expenses.” Instead, Saltonstall said he understands there is potential to find another way and “transfer certified free cash in the interim to set up” a climate grant.

            “I think that this is an important way to get this in the budget early on, whether it’d be through a capital improvement planning, and definitely within (the Cape and Vineyard Electrical Cooperative) CVEC,” EMC member Alanna Nelson said.

            Saltonstall said he hoped some Select Board members would just jump in and say, “Do it.”

            After some deliberation between the committee members, member Jen Francis (attending the meeting via conference call) said she doesn’t think “the Select Board is going to give us direction” and that they should talk more concretely.

            The committee also talked about the recent meeting that Saltonstall and EMC Chairman Christian Ingerslevhad with Green Communities regional representative Lisa Sullivan about the potential removal of the state’s Stretch Code from the town’s building regulations.

            EMC member Tom Friedman said that he had spoken with Select Board member Randy Parker about the issue at the recent Old Rochester Regional High School graduation and said Parker “needs more information.”

            In other discussion, the committee discussed a New York Times article discussing profitability in plug-in hybrids for township vehicles. Ingerslev forwarded the article to Police Chief Richard Nighelli but had not received comment by Monday’s EMC meeting.

            Saltonstall mentioned a report he read that said Massachusetts towns also reported benefits from using hybrids. Nelson mentioned that Cambridge has benefited from the use of hybrids.

            The Marion Energy Management Committee will meet next on Monday, July 22, at 6:00 pm at the Police Station.

Marion Energy Management Committee

By Jared Melanson