With only two hearings before them, the Zoning Board of Appeals members were able to hear the applicants and approve the projects in nearly record time.

Coming before the board was an appeal from Ben Bailey of South Natick for property located at 5 Oakland Terrace. Represented by engineer Christian McCulloch the application requests permission to build a farmers porch onto the existing structure. Seeing nothing that would impede the improvement, the board approved the request.

Long Built Homes of New Bedford for Kathleen Ruane and James Sinning of Chappaqua, N.Y., requested approval of their application to demolish the structure located at 8 Deep Woods Dr. and build and new four-bedroom home and install an in-ground pool. They noted receiving approval of their project by the Conservation Commission for the abutting wetlands issues. Again, in the absence of any impedances, or concerns of the board, the project was approved with notation from Building Inspector Andy Bobola that the new home would complement the other homes in the neighborhood.

By Marilou Newell

A short but effective meeting was held by the Marion Zoning Board of Appeals on Thursday evening. The public hearing regarding a Special Permit requested by Robert and Phyllis Partridge at 60 Converse Rd. was approved.

The Partridges proposed changing a dining room addition back into a garage, which is situated on the north side of the property, as well as an extension addition in the rear of the home, which met town setback allowance. The property is on town water and sewer.

At issue was a variance that allowed a certain frontage, but the proposed change was a 6.4-foot frontage, which was the reason for the Zoning Board of Appeals approval.

The board read a letter from the Board of Health noting that there were no objections to the proposed change.

By Joan Hartnett-Barry

Most business before the Conservation Commission was dispatched with all due speed with little need for debate or discussion. However, several other agenda items got bogged down and found the board, the applicants, and the public still seated as the clock struck 10 o’clock.

Those agenda items requiring lengthy dialogue were two residential projects and one commercial venture.

Leisure Shores applicant Robert Ringuette was once again before the board attempting to receive some permitting for marina activities that abut or take place in wetlands and waterways. Ringuette’s business and the impact on this beach neighborhood has seen ongoing complaints from abutters and other residents in the area. Further, numerous requests from various town boards and governing bodies have gone unanswered or insufficiently responded to. This night, Ringuette was in front of the board to address the enforcement order he had received and attempt to get the board to allow him to continue business as usual. That did not happen. Instead, the board learned that he would be appealing the enforcement order while still trying to come to terms with all the complaints before him.

Horace Field, recently retired harbormaster, commented on the issue of Styrofoam floats that had been used on some of the floating docks at the site: “The harbormaster’s office is not going to back down!” He said the town should not have to put up with the disintegrating floats and the associated debris that entangles itself in the surrounding marshlands.

Raymond LaFleur of Brandt Island Road said, “I’ve been looking at this for 10 years, and the pictures only tell part of the tale.” He went on to say that although some clean-up work appears to be taking place, it isn’t happening fast enough, nor does it appear that sufficient investment is being made in the effort.

Board member Bob Rogers stated, “Its like we are playing catch-up … if you want us to do your work, it will be a slow and tedious process.” He noted that if that was the case, the board could hire an outside consultant to assist the applicant to achieve compliance but at the cost of the applicant.

Chairman Peter Newton told Ringuette that he needed to button up his paperwork along with providing various documented assurances such as size of the septic, boat-washing pad, and water management, parking, and list of all the site activities.

Ringuette was given 30 days to return with documents that can support his request for continuation of his business that comply with the town’s wetland protection rules, certification of application to state waterways authorities, and a DEP file number.

Another hearing taking considerable time to resolve came from Daniel and Daneen Eilertsen of 20 Water Street. Their massive restoration project that includes the grounds, proposed in-ground pool, stone jetty, and sea walls was viewed overall as an asset to the village. The discussions regarded the retaining walls, fill, and storm conditions that might impact the seaside residence. Eilertsen was returning with modified plans, which now expand some previously approved patio spaces and the need to bring in stones and fill for retaining wall construction. After careful review of the revised plans, the board approved them.

The next project that needed lots of time to resolve was one brought before the board by Kevin and Lisa Geraghty, 24 Pine Island Road, who were returning with revised plans. Their first run at receiving the blessing of the Conservation Commission came up against objections of one abutter, Robert Tweety, represented by Bill Madden of Madden Engineers.

The project ‘s scope is to expand the 170-year-old home and install an in-ground pool with multi-level patio system. Madden cited guidelines from the Massachusetts wetlands regulations regarding activities on riverfront areas; he stated that the project exceeded the square footage allowed. The overall work is planned to encompass approximately 7,500 square feet, whereas the regulation specifies only 5,000 square feet. Madden also noted that the impervious area would also exceed requirements, since it was going to be 100% of the total. He also complained that drainage would not be sufficient to guard against storm-water runoff invading Tweety’s property

After considerable debate between Madden and several members of the board, including his contention that the board didn’t have a quorum to vote on the project, the board did approve the project with conditioning. It was decided that a standing lip would be construction around the pool to insure water was not escape and flood neighboring properties during heavy storms.

Other projects that moved positively through the process more quickly were:

David Nicolosi, Deer Woods subdivision, for a small wording modification for the conditions of work he is undertaking; Donald and Janet Meyer, 8 Upland Way, to build a garden shed; Ann Alden Allen, 118 Aucoot Road, four-bedroom addition to existing structure; YMCA, 38 Reservation Rd., to move ball field to make way for the bike path was allowed to move forward once confirmation that the Reservation Golf Club was notified; Kelly and James Hoye, 7 Ripple St. to demolish existing structure and construct new dwelling; request for certificate of compliance by Taylor Seafood, Nasketucket Bay, placement of buoys.

Request for certificate of compliance requested by D & P Builders, 3 Nantucket Dr., was declined due to the as built drawing of the driveway in question not conforming to previously submitted plans.

The next Conservation Commission meeting is scheduled for October 28, 6:30 pm.

By Marilou Newell

With under two weeks to go until Fall Town Meeting, Marion officials are hoping voters will approve upward of $349,000 to improve EMS service.

Special Article 4 reads as follows: “To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds in the Treasury the sum no to exceed $349,108 to supplement the Fiscal Year 2014 Fire Department budget for the purpose of augmenting ambulance staffing and

related expenses; or take any other action thereon.”

Town Administrator Paul Dawson had announced at a recent Board of Selectmen meeting that Marion had launched the bidding process for private ambulance service – which would be less expensive, but potentially less invested in the community – in case voters rejected the appropriation. As the bids start to come in, Dawson said he understands that many residents are opposed to the idea.

“I understand how people feel about the private ambulance service,” said Dawson, noting that there are others who are either ambivalent or in favor of privatization. “It’s not my first choice.”

During an interview last week, Dawson reaffirmed that the bidding process in place is “to be prepared,” and said that he had told prospective bidders that he “was even hoping that we wouldn’t have to use them.”

But Dawson also said that the town can’t have it both ways.

“We have a very real problem with our response times, significant deficiencies that the state’s Office of Emergency Services has told us that we have to improve upon if we’re to hold on to our license,” he said. “Things are unacceptable as they stand. We have to have a staffing plan that’s mindful of the town’s needs. If you don’t want to create new benefitted positions, that’s fine, but there are limited alternatives.

“I have a responsibility to make certain that when someone picks up the phone to call 911, somebody is there,” Dawson said. “I’ve got to have someone ready to go. I’ve got to have a plan in place.”

Dawson said that is a “perfect storm” of conditions that has left Marion and other towns in this position.

“It’s a different era. You used to have nearly all of your emergency employees living in the town they served, on call at a moment’s notice and familiar with the terrain,” Dawson said. “Fast forward 35 years, and that’s not the case anymore. It’s not news to anyone, but it’s a national trend: These men and women are coming from greater distances when something happens. That has an impact. That’s certainly not the only factor in this, but it’s a big one.”

With concerns from some community leaders about the direction of Marion’s budget – from reimbursement policies to grandfathered benefits to the funding of a new position of Facilities Manager (itself approved at Town Meeting in May) – Dawson said he is aware that the EMS funding to strengthen ambulance service could be on shaky ground.

“I learned a long time ago to never try and influence or predict these things,” he said. “My job, along with the Board of Selectmen and others at the Town House, is to present all of the information I can. It’s the voters’ job to decide. And we’ll accept it. We’ll respect it either way. But good, bad, or indifferent, it’s a huge change in how we would operate.”

Marion Fall Town Meeting takes place on October 28 at Sippican School. To read the warrant, visit www.wanderer.com.

By Shawn Badgley