Over 30 applicants applied for the newly created position of Facilities Manager for the town of Marion. The Marion Board of Selectmen agreed at their meeting on Tuesday evening to form a subcommittee to review and winnow the applicants to a smaller number for consideration for the position.

“I’m pleased that we’ve had such a great number of applicants,” said Selectman Jody Dickerson.

Dickerson was voted to be on the subcommittee, representing the BOS along with Town Administrator Paul Dawson and Gene Jones, Facility Manager for the ORR School District. The subcommittee will cull through the applicant pool and present less than 10 applicants for discussion with the BOS at a future meeting.

“Hopefully, we’ll get it down to five soon,” said Dawson.

            Pamela Marean, a successful grant writer hired by the town of Marion over a year ago, came before the Marion Board of Selectmen with a request for approval to pursue a grant worth up to $500,000 for a GIS mapping system tied in with surrounding towns. The proposed grant would overlay assessors maps with open space, wetlands, historic districts, zoning, elevation, flood zone information and pretty much tell a resident a great deal about a parcel of land.

Marean discussed the grant and answered questions about it with the Board of Selectmen and Town Administrator Paul Dawson. At issue was getting a spearhead person at Town Hall who could work with Marean on the huge project.

“We’re all busy and out straight,” said Dawson, who intimated that it would be difficult to find someone who had any time to devote to such a large and ongoing project.

After feedback from Dawson regarding ownership of the massive project, the BOS decided to have Marean move slightly forward by attending a SRPEDD meeting scheduled for next week and getting back to them with her findings.

In other business, the Board approved the transfer of an all-alcohol retail package goods license from Marion Country Package Store, Inc. to ICJ Corporation. The new owners are residents of Marion and own another package store in Bedford, Mass. The complex purchased includes tenants Rose & Vicki’s and Marion Re-Con, who plan to remain tenants in the complex.

“We’re glad to see local residents owning this Marion complex,” said Selectman Dickerson.

Two one-day all-alcohol licenses were approved for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2425 for a spaghetti dinner on September 14 from 12:00 to 5:00 pm and a Tri-Town Republican Committee on September 21 from 12:00 to 5:00 pm.

The BOS, who are also the Water and Sewer Commissioners for the town, approved several financial commitments of $700 for New Services, $2,286.61 for Miscellaneous Sewer Issues and $9,777.43 for Final Readings.

Two additional one-day all-alcohol licenses were approved for the Marion Social Club for a steak dinner on September 22 from 12:00 to 4:00 pm and a clambake on October 20 from 12:00 to 4:00 pm.

A roof replacement quote for the Perry Hill facility was discussed and approved, with the order to proceed with the work.

A water leak/road repair at 24 Rezendes Terrace was discussed. At issue was a private road, built by a contractor many years ago, with utilities owned by the town. A leak, only assessable by going under a road to find a water turn-off valve, resulted in an excessive water leak and road repair.

Two candidates were proposed for the Marion Cultural Council and the Conservation Committee, and the BOS discussed the applications and wanted to meet the candidates – if possible –before taking a vote to approve the positions.

In final words, Jon Henry spoke in tribute to C.J. Heberd, who passed away last week.

“He was a friend to a lot of people downtown and a great neighbor to so many,” said Henry.  “He’d fix your lawn mower, your antique car, shovel snow for you and fixed the clock on the tower of the First Congregational Church of Marion … He was a handy guy who could and would fix anything. We lost a true Marion neighbor and we’ll miss him … that’s all I have to say,” Henry concluded.

By Joan Hartnett-Barry

A packed house came to a public hearing on Marion’s proposed solar bylaw at the Marion Planning Board’s meeting on Tuesday evening. The bylaw was a proposal hammered out between the Planning Board and the Marion Energy Management Committee. The deadline for putting the proposal on the town warrant for fall town meeting – to be held Monday, October 28 – is October 6, so the Board had to put the various options to the public and then take a vote as a Board.

Chairman Pat McArdle opened the meeting with three options on the solar bylaw discussion.  The first question was whether the town should allow solar farms in residential areas. The second question was whether the town should prepare a Solar Overlay District for solar farms. The third question was whether the town should restrict solar farms in residential areas via a special permit with certain conditions.

“Let’s have the people discuss this bylaw in full and work it out at town meeting, on the floor,” said resident Margie Baldwin. At issue was dragging out the key question of allowing residential properties to have solar farms on their properties.

Energy Management Committee member Bill Saltonstall spoke and said that limiting solar farms to industrial or commercial properties didn’t make sense, as over 90 percent of Marion land is zoned residential, thus limiting the option to utilize the technology and encourage alternate energy options.

Saltonstall stood before a map of Marion and showed a small strip of land on Route 6 and the Lockheed Martin complex and said that if the bylaw restricts solar farms to commercial and industrial areas, that the small strip he pointed out with his finger was the only place where solar farms would be permitted.

“It’s unlikely that any solar farms would be created in this small strip of land,” said Saltonstall. Saltonstall said that the town should approve solar farms in residential zoned areas.

Saltonstall was the only individual at the meeting who has invested in solar panels at his residence, and answered questions about the positive use of solar energy now and in the future.

The Planning Board voted to bring the document, as drafted, to town meeting but then propose to strike the section on solar farms from the bylaw on the floor at town meeting.

Several residents brought up questions regarding the bylaw, including John Rockwell.

“I’ve been a farmer since the 80s and the wording here says ‘farms’… this is a commercial solar installation and perhaps you should reconsider the wording of the document,” said Rockwell. Rockwell also brought up multiple issues which the Board agreed had not been considered in the discussions on the bylaw.

Another issue, raised by Board member Rico Ferrari, was that of evolving technology and how that would play out with the wording of the bylaw.

“In California, they are working on a solar shingle. How will the bylaw keep up with the technology developing in this area?” asked Ferrari.

Much positive discussion moved the Board to come to a vote, three to three with Chairman McArdle breaking the tie, to bring the current document to town meeting. The Board agreed that they would bring up the issue of solar farms in residential areas and let the town decide if the proposed portion of the bylaw will stay or be stricken from the bylaw.

The Board voted in favor of going to town meeting with the document, but continued the public hearing until September 16. The public is invited and encouraged to attend. Copies of the proposed solar bylaw can be picked up at the Marion Town House.

By Joan Hartnett-Barry