The Marion Conservation Commission met on May 28 with a handful of members present initially. Those being Chair Matt Shultz, Vice Chair Emil Assing, Associate Member Alex Hansell, and Associate Member Tom Drechsler who joined remotely. Town Planner Doug Guey-Lee also joined remotely. Shultz began by saying “we’re a little short on commission members this evening” before electing Hansell to step in as a voting member for the rest of the meeting as well as asking Drechsler to vote on an issue the chair himself submitted for his own property.

            The meeting then began with a Continued Public Hearing for a Notice of Intent for pier repairs submitted by Robert Luchetti of 548 Point Road. Along with the pier’s repair, the removal of a stone wall and steps is also desired, alongside the restoration of eroded areas. Bob Rogers from GAF Engineering appeared on behalf of the applicant. Rogers explained removal of some vegetation is now required, as well as the possibility of Special Conditions for the water-side delivery of materials. Without serious questioning, the commission closed the Public Hearing with a unanimous vote.

            Next began a Continued Public Hearing on Oren Robinson Revocable Trust 2017’s Notice of Intent for the reconstruction of a single-family dwelling at 16 Spinnaker Lane. The existing structure will be demolished, and there will be a totally new house built. It was also stated there will be minimal alterations to the property’s vegetation or landscaping. Member of the public Lisa McKenzie asked about the size of the new structure. The current building is 539 square feet with the representative saying the new structure would be an increase at 52×32 feet and would be two stories. Abutters expressed concern over this increase in size, especially within the coastal buffer zone. This hearing was closed, though a drafting of the permit will happen at a later time. The chair stated this was due to the number of hearings still left to cover in the meeting.

            There was then a hearing for a Request for Determination of Applicability for the construction of a deck and portico, as well as the grading of the dwelling perimeter at 28 Parkway Lane, submitted by Monica Gracia. Commission members stated they had visited the site in the days prior. The owners confirmed their property lies in a flood zone when asked of the property’s resource area. There were no further questions, and the commission held a unanimous vote to close the hearing.

            Following this was another hearing for a Request for Determination of Applicability for the construction of a blue stone patio addition to an existing patio at 21 Bayview Road, submitted by Hurley Nominee Trust. The patio sits near the water edge with the request enlarging it as well as the addition of boulders on the slope to the sea. Without much questioning, the commission closed with hearing with a unanimous vote as well.

            The next hearing was filed by Joseph Irvine of Tabor Academy, 218 Front Street, for a Notice of Intent for the construction of a new handicap ramp and surrounding parking improvements for the head of school’s house near the library. With only minor questions on vegetation removal, the commission closed the hearing with a unanimous vote.

            Another Notice of Intent was next, this time from Dean B. Burpee 1999 Revocable Trust at 52 West Avenue for the reconstruction of a damaged and eroded seawall. The representative stated this project would be a continuation of a similar project from abutters approved last fall, seeing the seawall mirror and copying that construction, using the same contractor as well. There was general support for this, especially given that the project is the continuation of a recently approved project. The board closed this hearing with a unanimous vote.

            The next and final hearing saw the chair recuse himself, given he and his wife are the applicants. Matt and Sara Shultz of 459 Point Road had a hearing for a Request for Determination of Applicability for the replenishment of a gravel driveway and the installation of a cobblestone apron. Shultz stated the “driveway’s in kind of a bad shape, with lots of displacement during the last project.” He also cited heavy rainfall. The commission, with the Acting Chair Emil Assing, closed the hearing with a unanimous vote.

            The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission is currently scheduled for Wednesday, June 18, at 7:00 pm in the Marion Police Department Conference Room.

Marion Conservation Commission

By Sam Bishop

            Georgie the Saint Bernard is still considered a nuisance dog and will have to be muzzled outside of her home until Labor Day.

            The Select Board on Tuesday made that decision after learning that the dog, which allegedly attacked another dog in December 2023 at Silvershell Beach, was photographed not wearing a muzzle before a one-year muzzle order expired in late March this year.

            Boston-based lawyer Jeremy Cohen, who specializes in dog-nuisance issues, said that a muzzle is a bit extreme because the dog has never bitten a person and the incident in 2023 was the only documented evidence of the dog expressing aggression. He said that the dog’s owner, Verena Hultsch of Vine Street, has complied with town directive over a 432-day period. After a hearing in March of last year, Hultsch has fenced in her yard and posted a sign on the gate. She has also kept the dog on a leash that can handle up to 300 pounds while maintaining a 3-foot distance from the owner. Georgie has also been professionally trained and continues to visit a trainer.

            Georgie has also been banned from visiting Silvershell Beach and Washburn Park, where dogs and their owners often visit.

            Cohen accused town residents of being “deputized” to take photos of Georgie without a muzzle.

            “People are walking around snapping pictures,” he said. “People are deputized.”

            Cohen said that the incident in 2023, when resident Miles Grant’s goldendoodle Harry was allegedly attacked by Georgie, leading to a puncture wound and a veterinarian visit and $200 bill.

            Cohen noted that Grant allegedly kicked Georgie in the head several times and that the dog laid down and stopped the attack on the goldendoodle. He said that alone is not a sign of a dangerous dog.

            Citing the expense of veterinarians, Cohen said that injury was minor and $200 is a small bill based on current rates. He also described beaches in the wintertime and dog parks in general as “the wild west” and indicated that all owners and their dogs should expect possible fights or issues.

            Cohen said that “considering Saint Bernards tend to slobber, keeping a muzzle on the animal is an extreme punishment.”

            “The idea of muzzling this dog who has never bitten somebody is a stretch,” Cohen said, adding that Hultsch is a responsible dog owner.

            He added that she has prevented any injuries from happening to any dog or person in the last year.

            Robert Hlady, a neighbor, said that his dog has play dates with Georgie and there have never been any issues. He described Georgie as a “sweet and gentle dog.”

            Animal Control Officer Susan Connor told the board on Tuesday that there have been other incidents of aggression involving Georgie. According to Marion Select Board meeting minutes from March 2024, Connor said she observed Georgie behaving aggressively at Washburn Park in May 2023 and cited an incident in which Georgie knocked down a resident and her service dog.

            “My experience with Georgie is she does need a muzzle and has had interactions with other people and their dogs, and what they have reported is there have been other bites. … I’m not trying to inhibit Georgie’s freedom.”

            Cohen countered that he has filed a Freedom of Information Act request and has not seen any definitive evidence of any other aggression from Georgie and has not even seen evidence of the puncture wound caused on Grant’s dog Harry in December 2023.

            Town Counsel Gregg Corbo disputed Cohen’s claim that residents have been deputized. Corbo said that Georgie’s owner has complied with all directives except for keeping the dog muzzled in public before the March 2025 deadline. He cited evidence in January, February and early March of Georgie without a muzzle in a public place.

            Corbo mentioned that Connor has observed aggressive behavior, and the owner did not comply with the muzzle order within the one-year probationary period. He proposed the dog use a muzzle with a basket, which would prevent discomfort, for the next 90 days.

            The Select Board agreed to revisit the issue on September 2.

            Cohen also noted that Georgie is a victim of a past incident in which a dog was killed and another was severely injured in Marion.

            Cohen said Georgie’s case bears no similarities.

            Select Board Chair Randy Parker said that the board treats every case individually. He said that evidence shows Georgie was not muzzled during the probationary period. He and other officials recommend extending the muzzle requirement for 90 days and will revisit it.

            Board members appeared to agree that Georgie is not a dangerous dog, but a nuisance and steps should be taken to protect the public. They said keeping the dog on a muzzle for the rest of summer would be a good compromise.

            In other news, firefighters asked the Select Board to house a 1937 Ford Truck, a historical fixture in town, at the Department of Public Works garage. Firefighters said the antique truck is a popular item in town with historical value, participating in parades, Santa runs, and other town affairs. Parker said the board would take the issue under consideration. Parker said the town has plans for extending sewer to that property and has not considered the possibility yet.

            Select Board Vice Chairman John Hoagland said that property has also been considered for senior affordable housing.

            In other business, Water and Sewer officials recommended maintaining the same water rates for fiscal 2026 but said the Sewer Enterprise Fund is running at a deficit of $5,000. They proposed a 1.5% base increase and a 4% increase for each tier. Select Board members asked that they break that down for the public in both letters to customers and on the town website (marionma.gov).

            The Select Board will hold a joint meeting with the Planning Board on Thursday, June 5, at 7:00 pm in the Marion Police Department. The Select Board will also hold a Special Meeting on Monday, June 9, at 6:00 pm in the Marion Town House.

Marion Select Board

By Jeffrey D. Wagner

The Rochester Town Election on May 28 defeated a move to make the Town Clerk an appointed, rather than an elected position and sparked a recount in the race for Park Commission.

            A total of 349 voters said “yes” to the question of whether to change the Town Clerk to an appointed position instead of an elected one. But 516 voters said “no,” defeating the measure by 167 votes. “The people had their choice,” Town Clerk Marjorie Barrows said, declining to say how she felt personally about the question’s failure. “That’s the power of voting.”

            Last Wednesday’s election also voted to replace veteran Park Commissioner David Hughes with youth sports coach and mechanical engineer Nate Reece, but by a narrow margin. Reece won the Park Commission seat by 10 votes. He garnered 480 votes, while Hughes received 470 votes.

            When asked on Wednesday if he is considering a recount in his race against Reece, Hughes said he wasn’t sure. “I have to weigh it out. I don’t want it to be a burden to the town, the cost. And would it make much of a difference? I congratulate him. He worked hard.”

            But On Sunday, Hughes announced to The Wanderer his decision to ask for that recount. “Today (Sunday) I just put a letter in the mailbox of the Town Hall for the Town Clerk,” he said in a telephone message. “I am going for a recount.”

            Wednesday found Reece a bit surprised by his apparent win. “I wasn’t sure what to expect,” he said moments after Barrows read the results. “Dave was running on his reputation. I had no prediction. I am a little shocked. If I had lost, I wouldn’t be surprised. But I think this town was ready to hear from a young voice. There are a lot more young people in town now.”

            As to what his future plans would be for his stint on the commission, he said he has some ideas but first he will confer with his fellow board members. Yes, he is still interested in exploring a larger plan for the Raynor Gifford Park where a new 3,649 square-foot, $81,724.68 playground was the only renovation this May. He recently presented such a proposal to the Select Board, but he wants public agreement with any plan first. “I will talk to the Park Commission and see where things stand,” he said. “I’d like public engagement. What do they want that will impact them?”

            Elsewhere on the ballot, an open seat on the Rochester Memorial School Committee went to Kirstin Jimenez, the RMS Parent Teacher Organization President. Jimenez won with 498 votes against 461 votes for Barbara Lee.

            Meg Hughes was the top vote getter for a spot on the Cemetery Commission, with nine votes. This position had no official candidate on the ballot, and she was a write-in candidate. For Planning Board, Michael Murphy received 683 votes as an official candidate on the ballot. Current Planning Board member Matt Bache received 26 write-in votes for re-election.

            A total of 980 voters cast their ballots last Wednesday, which is 20% of the town’s registered voters. Barrows said last year’s turnout was roughly 1,400 voters but that this year’s turnout was pretty good, too. “It was close to 1,000,” she said.

Rochester 2025 Annual Town Election

By Michael J. DeCicco