A ‘Critically Important’ Choice

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            All Medicare recipients, and most people enrolled in health plans through their employers or the Affordable Care Act, have the opportunity to sign up and/or change plans during the annual Open Enrollment Period. For Medicare, this is October 15 through December 7, 2023.

            While I am sure you have many things you would rather do than review your health insurance options, please set aside time for this critically important task.

            Why is it important? Once you choose a plan, you are generally locked in for a year. If you find in March that you have a condition you want treated by “Dr. X,” but Dr. X is not in your health plan, you are out of luck. The fall Open Enrollment Period is your chance to ensure that your needs are best met in 2024.

            In the early days of Medicare, there was very little choice and life was much simpler. Now you have the major option of “classic” Medicare or Medicare Advantage (MA.) In addition, if you opt for classic Medicare, there are options for the “fill-in” plans that cover Medicare’s deductibles.

            This year, for the first time, over half of Medicare enrollees are in MA plans. These plans, run by commercial health-insurance companies and heavily marketed, offer benefits not covered by traditional Medicare, such as payment towards hearing aids and eyeglasses, and even gym memberships. Their major downside is limited choice of doctors and hospitals. There have also been allegations that some plans have denied or delayed needed care. There is no free lunch, and plans that lure you in with lower out-of-pocket costs (and are run by profit-making companies) need to cut costs somewhere.

            Suggestions:

            1. Even if you are happy with your current MA plan, read the plan information carefully to see what has changed. Plans can and do change what they cover each year. Be sure you know what medications will be covered if your plan provides drug coverage and what your medicines will cost you. Check if any doctors you are seeing will no longer be covered. Ditto a hospital you prefer to use.

            2. Double-check with your doctors’ offices to be sure what plans they will be accepting. MA information is often out of date with their list of participating doctors.

            3. Be sure your plan and your health needs are a good fit. A plan that covers your fitness-club membership may have been inviting when you felt healthy but may no longer be the best fit if you have a new serious illness and the best doctors and hospitals for this condition are “out of network.”

            4. Take the time to look at alternatives. Since both plans and your health needs change, there may be a plan that is a better fit. Check the plan ratings on medicare.gov.

            5. Ignore the hype and read the fine print. You will be barraged with advertising and sales pitches. Regard these with the same skepticism as you would any other advertising.

            Finally, maintain good health habits. Do not smoke or drink; exercise and eat a healthy, plant-focused diet. The healthier you are, the less you will need to worry about what services your plan covers.

            Dr. Ed Hoffer is the chairman of the Marion Board of Health, a graduate of MIT and Harvard Medical School. He is Associate Professor of Medicine, part-time, at Harvard and a Senior Scientist at the Massachusetts General Hospital.

By Dr. Ed Hoffer

Vertical Wall No-Go in Velocity Zone

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            A request for a Certificate of Compliance filed by Laurence E. Reinhart (East Avenue Trust) for work done at 17 East Avenue brought concern to the Marion Conservation Commission after four of its members visited the site on October 21 and found four discrepancies, one of which was considered a deal breaker.

            During the commission’s October 25 public meeting, a letter from the applicant’s engineer with an Order of Conditions dating back to 2010 for new construction noted deviations to what was permitted.

            Commissioner Shaun Walsh said that the plan called for sloped grass with an approved fabric to keep the soil in place, but instead two retaining walls were constructed. Citing the land being subject to coastal-storm flowage and being in a velocity zone, Walsh was surprised at what was constructed. He explained that the plan called for a gentle slope so that the water would redistribute safely.

            “I don’t think we would have granted an amended order of conditions because that’s not the same impacts. It’s more impacts,” said Walsh, describing the construction as trying to pound a square peg into a round hole. “I wish (engineer) Rick Charon was here, I’d be interested in what he’d have to say.”

            Attending remotely, Conservation Agent Doug Guey-Lee told the commissioners that he had been told by the applicant to expect Charon’s attendance. He sought clarification on the commission’s intentions in dealing with the deviations from the plan.

            In clarifying his own position, Chairman Jeff Doubrava said he could live with the generator, staircase and additional recharge areas and suggested that a request for determination of applicability would be a proper manner for vetting those items. It’s the retaining wall he could reconcile with because doing so would send a bad message to future applicants.

            “Since I’ve been here, we’ve never allowed anybody to build a vertical sea wall in a velocity zone, we’ve always asked them to have a slope,” said Doubrava, who said the commission has allowed retaining walls with a slope on the downward side to diffuse the wave energy. “This is not an acceptable implementation of the Order of Conditions.”

            Doubrava cited multiple cases in which the commission required seaward slope of a retaining wall, one of those only two doors up from the applicant’s address.

            “This is the velocity zone. If it was the A zone, not a big deal,” said Doubrava.

            No members of the commission were serving when the Order of Conditions was granted. Doubrava said it’s not the commission’s responsibility to find a solution for the applicant, but he and Walsh agreed they would like to hear from Charon. Doubrava said, if left dormant, the matter won’t come up again until the house is sold. Walsh, an attorney, suggested that the blockage would come up with a lender for a prospective buyer of the house.

            Since the request, the commission has been obligated to respond within 21 days. But Walsh suggested, knowing the certified will not be granted without further discussion, that the applicant should be receptive to extending a rule of convenience to avoid the alternative, which is denial.

            Walsh suggested Guey-Lee reach out to Charon to see if he would attend the commission’s next meeting (November 1) and see if a solution is possible. The matter was thereby tabled.

            A Notice of Intent filed by 133 Wareham Road LLC to construct a 45×35-foot commercial building with associated parking, drainage, utilities and grading at the corner of Route 6 and Point Road was heard, and consulting engineer Jamie Bissonette presented on behalf of the applicant.

            The area is approximately 15,295 square feet (23.5 acres) and is located in a flood zone. The wetland line, he said, was established in May.

            The building will be used by an aesthetician and associated spa workers. Bissonette said the applicant has filed with the Planning Board for a Special Permit to reduce the number of parking spaces from the required 11 to nine. With the Planning Board still vetting the project, Bissonette said the applicant would like to continue the case with the Conservation Commission regardless of its own disposition so that any changes in the Order of Conditions as set by the Planning Board would be included in the commission’s decision as well.

            The new business will share the entrance to the parking lot, and handicap access will be installed on the other side of the building. Screening will be provided to the abutting residence by a 6-foot vinyl fence.

            After pointing out three drainage areas and associated treatment, Bissonette said plantings would include four dogwood trees, 30 white azaleas and four giant arborvitaes in the front. A 12-inch silt sock will be used for erosion control.

            Commission Chairman Jeff Doubrava said his only concern would be to place a permanent marker to indicate the buffer to the wetland line.

            “Historically, that’s been boulders or – I don’t like the term – permanent, split-rail fences,” he said, explaining it means, “You can’t go farther than this with anything.”

            Walsh agreed with Doubrava, citing incremental encroachment toward the line.

            The limit of work is 15.9 feet at its closest to the wetland line. Commissioner Matt Schultz confirmed that the land behind the new building will be raised by approximately 3 feet. Walsh complimented the applicants on improving the site since taking ownership.

            At Bissonette’s request, the commission continued the public hearing to December 13.

            A Notice of Intent filed by Sandra Peterson, Dexter Road Family Trust, for construction on an existing, single-family house and construction of a permanent pier, seasonal ramp and float at 35 Dexter Road was conditioned.

            Following feedback at the last public hearing, a revised plan was submitted with the pier shortened by 18 feet. The commission also received comment from the harbormaster and from the state’s Division of Marine Fisheries. Both of the letters indicated no concerns with the plan.

            Heather Vrattos was voted a Negative Determination (Boxes 2 and 3), allowing her to cut down and remove a dead poplar tree and cut down and remove three dying ash trees on Water Street. Having visited the site with members Ethan Gerber and Millie Seeberg, Doubrava said the trees were flagged and appeared to be dead.

            The Marion Conservation Commission was scheduled to meet on Wednesday, November 1, at 7:00 pm.

Marion Conservation Commission

By Mick Colageo

Relentless Runners SCC Runners-up

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            The Old Rochester Regional High School boys and girls cross-country teams turned in a pair of second-place finishes in their South Coast Conference championship meets held on October 28 in Wrentham.

            ORR’s boys faced eight teams, including Apponequet and Seekonk. The boys scored 37 points, with seniors Tyler Young and Aidan Silk earning first and second-place individual finishes. Both runners ran under a 17-minute 5k.

            ORR’s girls got second place with 44 points, right behind Apponequet, which dominated the field with 34 points. ORR’s Alexia Gonsalves finished in fourth place individually, and Aubrey Heise and Maddy Conner finished eighth and ninth overall for ORR.

            The boys went undefeated for the season, going 5-0 in dual meets, while the girls went 3-2. Both teams will look forward to the state meets on November 11 and 18.

Girls Volleyball

            The Bulldogs defeated Dennis Yarmouth (10-7) on October 25, 3-0, in their final regular-season match. They finished the season on an eight-game winning streak with a 15-4 record. Junior Caroline Brogioli had 14 digs, 8 service points and 3 aces. ORR, the sixth seed in the Division 3 MIAA state tournament, awaits the winner of the November 1 preliminary-round match between Triton and Burncoat.

Girls Soccer

            Having done their hardest work of the season, the Bulldogs (10-8-2) had put themselves in position to win and make the playoffs, and they got it done Monday with a 6-0 victory over Seekonk (8-9-1.) ORR tied 2-2 at Falmouth (6-6-6) on October 28, as juniors Liz Feeney and Audrey Thomas each scored a goal. Sophomore Delaney Chase had an assist. ORR lost a tough match, 2-1, to visiting Durfee on Senior Night on October 25. Feeney scored the Bulldogs’ goal on a direct kick in the second half to tie the game. “Durfee is a top Division 1 team, and I was proud of how we played and battled and fought to the end,” ORR coach Jeff Lombard said.

Boys Soccer

            Boys Soccer (11-5) won 2-1 vs Falmouth (5-10-3) on October 28. Both ORR goals were scored in the first half by senior George Psichopaidas unassisted. Emile Joseph made 6 saves in goal and was named a player of the game, along with Psichopaidas. On Monday, the Bulldogs defeated Seekonk, 5-0, in their final game of the regular season. They won 4-1 at Apponequet (6-11-1) on October 27, as Psichopaidas scored 2 goals and John Maremlo scored his first varsity goal of the season.

Football

            The ORR football team hung tough in a 43-7 defeat at 7-1 Barnstable on October 27.

“They are a Division 2 team and are ranked in the top 20 in the state. I’m proud of our effort,” said ORR coach Bryce Guilbeault. “The boys played hard and did some really good things. The score was 9-7 with six minutes to go in the second quarter, and then they made a couple big plays and the game got away from us.”

            The Bulldogs are in the state playoffs and anticipate a home game next week. They will find out who their opponent will be on Sunday, October 29.

Field Hockey

            The ORR field hockey team lost 4-2 to New Bedford (7-11) on October 27 to finish out the season at 4-9-4. ORR lost to West Bridgewater 3-1 in non-conference play on October 25. Freshman Addy Roy scored the only goal for the Bulldogs. Goaltender Reilly Patraiko made four saves.

Unified Basketball

            ORR’s Unified basketball team traveled to Joseph Case High School on October 30 and won 62-48. Junior Michael Hogan scored a massive 28 points, and David Wilson added 14. Sophomore Adam Murphy earned player of the game for aggressive defense, hustle and multiple steals. “I am proud of the way our team responded to tough defensive pressure from the Cardinals. We never lost our composure, which helped us secure the win,” said ORR head coach Emma Fenton. The 5-0 Bulldogs were scheduled to finish out their regular season on Wednesday at Fairhaven (3-1.) On November 21, the Unified team plays its annual fundraiser against local Police and Fire at the ORR gym.

Sports Roundup

By Aiden Comorosky

Mattapoisett Bogs Tour

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The Mattapoisett Museum, 5 Church Street, is proud to host Restoration Ecologist, Sara Quintal from The Buzzards Bay Coalition on Saturday, November 4 from 10 to 11:30 am at the Bogs at 141 Acushnet Road. Participants will tour through “The Bogs,” which are a gateway to more than four miles of trails through the woods, along a scenic freshwater swamp, and around 50 acres of cranberry bogs. They were created in the 1930s and operated until the fall of 2011.

            Although these bogs are now retired from commercial production, native cranberries continue to grow wild here. Join the Buzzards Bay Coalition to take a walk and enjoy the outdoors. Meet at “The Bogs” parking lot at 141 Acushnet Road. Because of active construction, this tour will be limited to 20 people and will be filled on a first come first served basis. Please dress appropriately for this tour. These tours are free and open to the public.

Mattapoisett Library Jewelry and Accessory Sale

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Get ready for the Friends of the Mattapoisett Library Annual Jewelry and Accessory Sale. Be sure to mark your calendar for Saturday, November 18 from 10 am to 2 pm for the annual Friends of the Mattapoisett Library Jewelry and Accessory Sale. Friends’ members will have a chance to shop at the preview sale the evening before, Friday, November 17 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Not a member yet? Pick up a form at the Mattapoisett Free Public Library circulation desk or join on the evening of the Preview Sale.

            There are so many beautiful pieces that will be on sale that night. Thank you to everyone who has donated thus far. The Friends will accept donations through Sunday, November 12. Donations can be dropped at the library during open hours; please do not leave any donations outside. For more information or questions, email mfpl@sailsinc.org.

Special Town Meeting

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To the Editor:

            Mattapoisett will hold a Special Town Meeting on Monday, November 6th at 6:30 p.m. at the Old Rochester Regional High School. Article 7 asks voters to accept the proposed layout of Old Slough Road so that the Town may complete the restoration of this road for use as an emergency access route to the Point Connett and Angelica Point communities. Mattapoisett Land Trust (MLT) asks for your YES vote on Article 7.

            Old Slough Road first was accepted by Town Meeting in 1810. The road presently is an 8-10 foot wide dirt path running from the end of Bowman Road to Angelica Avenue. The restoration will result in a 12-foot wide gravel path running along the present path of the road, with locked gates at each end to prevent motor vehicles from using the road except in emergencies. During normal times, the road will be available to walkers, bicyclers and horseback riders, as it is now.

            The major benefit of the restored road will be emergency vehicle access to and from Point Connett and Angelica Point in the event that Angelica Avenue becomes impassable due to flooding or storm conditions. In addition, the restored road will provide improved access by foot, horseback and bicycle to 400+ acres of conservation land preserved by MLT over the past 30 years. Users with limited mobility will be able to access MLT lands if they can navigate a gravel surface, and MLT will work to install full handicap accessibility from the restored road to Grace Pond.

            MLT owns nearly half the land area that is permanently affected by Article 7. Three other private landowners also are affected, and two of the three support Article 7. One landowner has raised objections to the project, and proposed an alternative route for the restored road. After careful review, MLT found that the alternative route would require more than 1000 feet of new road construction through MLT forest and recently restored grassland/meadow. There is no public benefit from the alternative route, and the increased construction costs and environmental damage would be significant. Thus MLT does not support the alternative route and urges voters to accept Article 7.

Sincerely,

Mike Huguenin

President, Mattapoisett Land Trust, Inc.

The views expressed in the “Letters to the Editor” column are not necessarily those of The Wanderer, its staff or advertisers. The Wanderer will gladly accept any and all correspondence relating to timely and pertinent issues in the great Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester area, provided they include the author’s name, address and phone number for verification. We cannot publish anonymous, unsigned or unconfirmed submissions. The Wanderer reserves the right to edit, condense and otherwise alter submissions for purposes of clarity and/or spacing considerations. The Wanderer may choose to not run letters that thank businesses, and The Wanderer has the right to edit letters to omit business names. The Wanderer also reserves the right to deny publication of any submitted correspondence. All letters must be typed and submitted directly to: news@wanderer.com.

Second Book Courts Different Reader

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            Mattapoisett resident Ed Doherty’s two life-long passions spawned his two books, “Seven Miles After Sundown,” his tome on surfcasting for striped bass along the Cape Cod Canal (published in 2018), and his recent release, “Laughs, Lies & American Justice,” which recounts his 37 years as a district court clerk-magistrate.

            In a similar way, the Attleboro native credits both life passions to his summers in Mattapoisett as a boy. He and his family spent those summers with his grandfather Jack Flynn, a detective with the Taunton Police Department who had a home on Prospect Road.

            “I formed an opinion from him to do something in the criminal-justice system,” Doherty said. “The stories he told about his work made me want to do something in that line of work.”

            And his grandfather would take him to the Cape Cod Canal, Ned’s Point and Strawberry Pond, where granddad did not fish but where young Ed Doherty saw the type of fishing that he wanted to do himself. Then came the lesson he learned from one of his first jobs when he was in high school, as a local ice cream scooper. He said he learned he never wanted to be a short-order cook after having to fill in as one briefly that summer.

            After graduating with a degree in English from the University of South Florida in Tampa, at age 25, he became the youngest person in Massachusetts ever to hold an assistant clerk-magistrate position (Attleboro District Court.) Eighteen years later, Governor Paul Cellucci promoted him to the lifetime position of clerk-magistrate at Wrentham District Court.

            Mattapoisett drew him back when he and his wife Joanne bought a condo at the Fairhaven/Mattapoisett line, retiring in 2016 to become full-time residents. Nowadays, Doherty rises between 2:00 am and 3:00 am, goes fishing until 8:00 or 9:00 am, naps, then spends time with his five grandchildren, sometimes taking one of them fishing.

            A career in the court system inspired him to write a second book, “Laughs, Lies & American Justice,” that mixes humorous moments amidst an often, sad setting.

            “Though some stories were not so funny,” he said. “I saw and handled so many, sometimes gruesome, domestic-violence cases over the years that I will donate some of my proceeds from this book to ‘Jane Doe, Inc.’” (Jane Doe, Inc., is the Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence.)

            One night he set a $5,000 bail for a man charged with domestic violence; telephoned at home, his job sent him to the police station to set arrestees’ bail. That night, the victim asked, “What time do I have to raise the bail?” Some victims are challenged to suddenly cut ties with their assailant, he explained, especially for financial reasons.

            “I could’ve reduced the bail to zero to help her out,” he said. “But I didn’t. It was always a big conflict for me if a bail reduction would really help the victim. Yet every day I saw a woman battered by a coward’s fist and I was repulsed by it. And I was saddened by it.”

            Thus, his effort to recall the funny things that happened over his career.

            In “Laughs, Lies & American Justice,” Doherty tells his life story, emphasizing the intricacies of how the district court system works and humorous anecdotes describing his encounters with prominent lawyers, judges, politicians and defendants alike.

            He recounts Ralph Tavares, a member of the Grammy-winning R&B group Tavares, who was also a court officer periodically working in the Attleboro District Court. “Sometimes arrestees would be acting up and making noise so we would ask Ralph if he would go back to the cell block and calm the prisoners down by singing to them!” Doherty reports.

            He recalls the juror candidate who said he had an “extensive background in law enforcement” because of his record of 17 arrests. And the time reporters believed that Red Sox MVP first baseman Mo Vaughn, who was being tried (and eventually acquitted) on drunken driving at Dedham Court, was getting preferential treatment because a car with the license plate “Mo” was parked in a judge’s spot. The plate belonged to Judge Maurice H. Richardson, who shared Vaughn’s nickname.

            Vaughn also factored when Doherty’s swearing-in as Wrentham Court Clerk-Magistrate conflicted with Opening Day. He and his brother had season tickets. Also a Sox fan, Governor Cellucci agreed on a delay. “Chris and I got to see Mo Vaughn hit a walk-off grand slam in a Sox come-from-behind, ninth-inning victory against the Seattle Mariners before we celebrated at J.J. Foley’s Cafe!” Doherty recalls in the book. “The following Monday immediate family gathered at the State House in Boston to watch me become Clerk-Magistrate.”

            Doherty got the nickname “East End Eddie” from other fishermen who noticed his preferred spot along the Cape Cod Canal.

            The word “Lies” is in the title because, while many litigants tell the truth, many do not. “A lawyer once remarked, ‘you seem to make your living off of listening to people lie to you!’ And I said, ‘yeah, I guess that’s true,’” he admitted.

            Doherty said he wants readers to know the lighter side of district court life but also to know that “most court people are hard-working, state employees. They work late, come in early, and work through lunch. They work hard for the people’s business.”

            “Laughs, Lies & American Justice” was published in August of this year and is available on Lulu Press. “Seven Miles after Sundown” is available on Amazon.com.

By Michael J. DeCicco

Newport Playhouse Trip

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Come and enjoy the fun on December 14 as the Marion Council on Aging and the Mattapoisett Council on Aging travel to the Newport Playhouse. Transportation will be provided and will leave the Marion COA at 10:30 am and arrive back at approximately 5:15 pm.

            You will enjoy a scrumptious buffet with lots of delicious food to choose from, a wonderful and funny play – “Miracle on South Division Street” and then you will be treated to a fun-filled cabaret show. What a great way to spend the day. A cost of $94 will cover your transportation, driver’s gratuity and a fun-filled day that includes great food and two great shows.

            Please call the Marion Council on Aging at 508-748-3570 or Mattapoisett Council on Aging at 508-758-4110 to make your reservation. Space is limited.

Upcoming After-school Programs at the MNHM

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Build a Bog. Wednesday, November 15, 3:30 to 4:30. Let’s investigate how cranberry bogs were created from glacial times to now. What is required to keep them healthy and productive? Every child will go home with a miniature bog in a cup. Learn more and register at marionmuseum.org/event/build-a-bog.

            Fall Forests, Wednesday November 8, 3:30 to 4:30. An introduction to fall forests with state forester Jim Rassman. We will learn about different types of local trees, how to tell how old a tree is and the benefits that trees and forests provide to us all. If the weather is nice, we will get to meet a few trees that grow nearby, so please dress accordingly. Learn more and register at marionmuseum.org/event/fall-forests-with-jim-rassman.

            How watersheds work? Wednesday November 29, 3:30 to 4:30. What is a watershed? We will be using the museum’s watershed table to conduct an investigation into how a watershed reacts to certain conditions. We will be using our creativity and hands-on experiments to find the answers to some of our most common issues like pollution, erosion, flooding, sea level rise and more. Please dress to get messy. Please go to: How watersheds work – Marion Natural History Museum (marionmuseum.org.)

            Whales in our waters – Wednesday December 6, 3:30 to 4:30. While investigating museum specimens we’ll learn a little about the whales that visit our coast each year. Some filter their food, and some use their teeth for larger prey. Where do they migrate from when they enter our waters in spring, and where do they go when the weather gets too cold? What are their relative sizes, and what are some of their habitats? Let’s learn a little about these warm-blooded animals that visit us every year. To register please go to: Whales in our waters – Marion Natural History Museum (marionmuseum.org.)

            Annual Holiday Party. Wednesday, December 13, 3:30 to 4:30. Let’s have fun at our annual holiday party. We’ll be making gifts from natural and recycled materials. As usual we will be spread out over several tables for a variety of crafts and activities. Let’s get together and have fun making creative projects while enjoying some snacks and beverages. To register please go to: Annual Holiday Party. – Marion Natural History Museum (marionmuseum.org.)

DPW Approved for Construction

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            The Marion Planning Board has approved the site plan for the town’s new Department of Public Works operations center to be built off Benson Brook Road and off Mill Street.

            Ken Motta, a senior project manager with Field Engineering, was on hand for the continued public hearing and opened by telling the board that the 23-acre construction area had been cleared and graded and most recently has been used as a staging area. He alluded to other locations once considered before the town settled on an area nearby the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

            The construction footprint is 14,400 square feet including a maintenance facility and 21 parking spaces, and all abutting parcels are owned by the Sippican Lands Trust, except for the WWTP.

            “I worked very closely with (Marion Building Commissioner) Bob Grillo with respect to the Zoning-compliant elements of the project,” said Motta, noting that the Residence D classification does not impinge on this municipal building’s allowed activity.

            Stormwater, said Motta, will be managed using the existing stormwater-detention basin at the foot of the Benson Brook landfill. Pavement runoff, half heading north and half heading south, will drain into a pair of catch basins to the north and one catch basin to the south. The closest wetland, said Motta, is 500 feet away from the construction site.

            Sewer will tie into the town’s force-main on Benson Brook Road, and water will tie into the water tower nearby. Oil and water drainage in the maintenance area will be processed by an underground system that holds back oil-based materials and allows water to enter the WWTP.

            Board member Eileen Marum sought clarification on the term “solar ready,” a design feature of the roof. Motta said it means no design modification is needed to accommodate panels. Member Dale Jones noted that Randy Parker said that solar panels will be included if there is funding remaining.

            Marum expanded her question to general energy consumption, stating her wish that the town go green with new construction and furthermore observed, based on the construction proposal, that the town is not going to build a structure she would consider energy efficient.

            Attending remotely, Grillo said that discussion with engineers has yielded the possibility of a radiant heat system with “an electric, heat-pump technology.” He added that while the building’s roof has been designed to accommodate solar panels and the building itself is oriented in the optimum direction, solar is not in the construction budget as of now.

            “We’re hoping for the Energy (Management) Committee to get funding for it in the future, either through a lease program or ownership. We’ve just got to make the numbers work, that’s all,” said Grillo.

            Board member Alanna Nelson noted that the EMC will have an opportunity in the spring to work with the Cape and Vineyard Electric Cooperative (CVEC) and put the project out to bid. In that case, administrative duties would be taken off the town’s hands, according to Nelson.

            Grillo also noted that no trees will have to be taken down in order to follow through on solar at the new DPW.

            Member Andrew Daniel, who serves on the DPW Building Committee, clarified that the salt-storage shed will be a stone base with a canvas top.

            No one was willing to put a timeline on the DPW construction once it starts.

            A Benson Brook Road resident in attendance expressed concern over vehicular speed to and from the landfill area, and Motta said during construction there will be mechanisms in place to slow down cars and trucks.

            The board approved three waiver requests: one from Chapter 230-6.5.d.1 of the Marion Residence D Zoning Bylaws to allow 10 parking spaces forward of the building; the second from Chapter 230-6.5.d.4 requiring bicycle spaces (there will be space inside the building) and the third from Chapter 230-6.6.a requiring visual screening to adjacent properties.

            Guey-Lee drafted a decision for the board’s consideration, pending its vote to approve the project. Submitted documents from Field Engineering were to be included. With that, the board voted to close the public hearing.

            Before voting on the project itself, Nelson noted that construction hours stipulated in the draft decision were listed as Monday-Friday from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm and Saturday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Given traffic concerns expressed by a resident during the public hearing, Nelson asked the board to reconsider the Saturday morning start time given how it coincides with residents’ dump runs, but the board went with the decision as written.

            Despite an agreement regarding parking, the Planning Board voted to require major site-plan review for the construction proposal from 133 Wareham Road LLC at the corner of Route 6 and Point Road. The project is in the presubmission-conference phase.

            “I think what we should do just to give them something to go on is to tell them it’s going to be major site-plan review, and if they get to the point (where) they’ll do the parking-lot reduction, then we could drop some of the requirements as they get the permit for the parking-lot reduction,” suggested Burr.

            Daniel recalled the board’s strategy to include moving from major to minor site-plan review, pending the applicant’s reduction in parking from 11 to nine spaces (Marion requires major site-plan review at the threshold of 10 parking spaces.)

            Burr agreed with Daniel’s recollection but said he didn’t want to get the cart before the horse, officially grant minor site-plan review and then find out later on that for some reason the board should have held out for major site-plan review.

            Guey-Lee agreed with Burr that the Planning Board, at its discretion, can drop requirements of major site-plan review as it goes along. The Special Permit application for the reduction in parking spaces will be handled separately. The board’s unanimous vote to order major site-plan review includes a strategy to work with the applicant on dropping specific requirements that will be deemed unnecessary.

            The Planning Board closed the public hearing for the Chapter 220 Stormwater Management Bylaw considered for the October 23 Special Town Meeting but ultimately left off the agenda. Burr asked the members to remain accountable to one another to deal with the issue toward preparation for a future action.

            The Planning Board made no recommendation to the Zoning Board of Appeals regarding the application of Ryan and Glynnis Chase, 15 Maple Avenue. According to Grillo, the Chases requested an extension of a garage but were coming up on a ZBA deadline.

            Henry is being replaced by Jones as the board’s representative to the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD.)

            The next meeting of the Marion Planning Board is scheduled for Monday, November 6, at 7:00 pm at the Police Station.

Marion Planning Board

By Mick Colageo