Thanks to the Town of Marion’s generosity and the benevolence of the Conservation Commission, one less osprey family will be forced to live talon-to-beak and homeless on the streets of Marion. Personifying the plight of the osprey is perhaps a tad overly dramatic, but the raptors’ rebound from nearly threatened to now thriving is something the ConCom members appreciate.

            The commission on November 18 gave final approval for an osprey pole with perch for the northwest corner of the town-owned Boat Works Lane property.

            Conservation Commission member Jeff Doubrava put his name on the Request for Determination of Applicability application on behalf of the Town of Marion and recused himself from the decision-making process that started November 4 and concluded that night.

            Being a simple wooden platform held vertical by a wood pole, the project is pretty self-explanatory, said ConCom Chairman Shaun Walsh. The commission had already performed a site visit to survey the pole location off Briggs Cove ahead of the last meeting. Walsh said the pole would “increase habitat for the lovely osprey that we have in our area.

            “We are fortunate to have an abundance of osprey in our area,” said Walsh. “I don’t have any other questions.”

            The commission reflected on the headline from the November 4 meeting coverage in the prior edition of The Wanderer that likened Doubrava’s shift from ConCom member to applicant as a jump over the proverbial fence. The commission laughed at the vision of Doubrava as a literal “fence jumper” of sorts, with Walsh commenting that it would be “impressive for a man of his… (brief pause) … age.”

            “Will you be becoming a pole dancer as well as a fence jumper in this project?” asked ConCom member Cindy Callow.

            “I’m not going to touch that one,” said Walsh before shifting gears. “Thank you, Jeff. Great project.”

            In other business, the commission approved and issued an Order of Conditions for the Notice of Intent filed by Island Associates of Marion, Inc. Again, Doubrava recused himself from participation in the discussion as a member of the association and resident of the neighborhood.

            The approval will allow for storm drainage improvements inside an 18-foot by 30-foot area at Planting Island Road, and engineer David Davignon designed the project.

            Davignon presented an improved plan that underwent significant changes since the November 4 meeting, changes the commission agreed ultimately made for the best possible plan to address the ConCom’s prior concerns.

            Planting Island Cove is a productive shellfish habitat, and the commission had hoped Davignon could alter the trajectory of the planned spillway to discharge away from the salt marsh. Although that could not entirely be done due to the natural contours of the land and the proximity of abutting private property, Davignon could include a perforated recast concrete basin into the design.

            “My concerns, I think, have been allayed because you’ve instituted this … basin into the design, which is a new component,” said Walsh. “The first flush (of stormwater) ends up in that basin, and you’re not going to have an overland flow.” Furthermore, the spillway would be a more rectangular shape and farther from the salt marsh. “The farther away we can get it, the better,” said Walsh. “I’m good with this design. I don’t think that there’s a way that you can accomplish what you’re trying to accomplish … without a significant disturbance of that area and recontouring the natural grade out there.” He called this the “least impactful design.”

            The commission could envision a positive outcome for the flow of stormwater due to the recharge basin without any detriment to the salt marsh.

            As part of the Order of Conditions, the basin will have to be inspected annually for effectiveness.

            The commission also approved and issued an Order of Conditions for an NOI filed by Lance and Kathleen Scott for site redevelopment, eradicating phragmites and invasive vegetation, constructing a formal stone rip-rap slope, and beach nourishment on a lot across from 18 Wianno Road.

            After the public hearing first opened on September 23, it was apparent that the project was more complicated as it developed over the two months, resulting in multiple plan revisions before the plan the commission approved that night.

            A proposed fire pit had to be shifted out of the way of the natural vegetation line, and the commission preferred this plan’s more uniform beachgrass planting design.

            “It’s a tremendous improvement, I think,” said Davignon, and the commission agreed.

            Joseph and Caroline Sheehan, 17 Nokomis Road, withdrew their Request for Certificate of Compliance without prejudice after learning that the commission would have required the Sheehans to apply for an NOI for work done outside of the plan that was initially approved.

            The commission approved a Request for Extension Permit, 11 Hiller Street, giving the applicant more time to seek a Waterways Permit for proposed stone steps to the water.

            The commission issued a Certificate of Compliance to Louis Secatore (William and Jennifer Fulton), 5 Island Court, for a beach-nourishment project originally approved 23 years ago.

            At the applicant’s request, the commission continued the Kittansett Club’s public hearing for an NOI for the expansion of an overflow parking area in the southern part of the property at 11 Point Road until January 13.

            The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission is scheduled for Wednesday, December 9, at 7:00 pm.

Marion Conservation Commission

By Jean Perry

            Applicants Deborah Smiley and Sam Ogle, 13 North Street, pled their case before the Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals for a Variance to reconfigure an existing driveway for safety reasons. The strongest argument they made during the ZBA’s November 19 meeting was that they wish to age in place and can no longer easily and safely navigate backing out of their driveway onto busy North Street.

            Several times throughout his presentation of the proposed project, which included changes to the driveway and a new garage only 15 feet from the rear setback, architect Steve Kelleher noted his clients’ ages as the primary reason changes were necessary. He said the garage’s second floor would be a studio and that the plan includes a first-floor master bedroom suite. But the fly in the ointment through the 45-minute hearing was the location of the garage that one ZBA member said was a self-induced hardship.

            Board members questioned why the applicant didn’t merely change the driveway configuration, which is possible without a Variance or Special Permit. That point brought the discussion back to the garage. Kelleher said that, too, was necessary due to the age of the applicants.

            Chairman Sue Akin commented, “To me, this isn’t a hardship.” ZBA member Mary Anne Brogan said, “They can drive around the home,” and further, “Building a garage, asking for a Variance, this isn’t a hardship.” Another member, Tony Tranfaglia, noted that backing onto North Street and the busy traffic experienced during the summer season were “an inherent part of living in the village.”

            Speaking for himself and his wife, Ogle said, “The hardship is because we are growing old and can’t back out of the driveway.” He said that safety should be a compelling reason to grant the Variance.

            ZBA member Colby Rottler approved of the project as presented, saying, “It makes sense, and it fits in the neighborhood.”

            In the end, the ZBA denied the Variance application, with Rottler voting to approve it. During a follow-up, Director of Inspectional Services Andy Bobola said the applicant would have to substantially change the plans and go before the Planning Board, where a favorable site plan review might be achieved.

            A proposal to construct a new home on an existing foundation in a flood zone posed more questions than answers when the Special Permit application filed by Stephen Goulston for property located at 27 Nashawena Road was opened.

            Representing the applicant was Danial Perry, who briefly explained the scope of the project, which included a finished home that would require bringing in fill to ensure the foundation height meets FEMA regulations.

            Representing several abutters was David Davignon of Schneider, Davignon, & Leone. He stated that, while the neighbors favored having the lot developed, they also wanted to ensure it meets all the construction requirements for a flood zone. Davignon noted two significant areas of concern. First was a concern about stormwater runoff, given that the area roadways already flood during heavy rain and that drainage is basically non-existent in the beach community. He said a simple solution of diverting roof runoff underground would be needed. Davignon said the second concern was whether the calculations for the elevated home’s finished height would meet the 35-foot bylaw requirement. He told the board, “There isn’t enough detail here for you to make a decision tonight.”

            The hearing was continued until the January meeting of the ZBA to give Davignon and the applicant’s engineer sufficient time to review the engineering.

            In other business, John and Tricia O’Reilly, 6 Pearl Street, received a Special Permit for renovation and additions to an existing home.

            Kathleen and William Sylvia, 41 Cove Street, also received a Special Permit to demolish the existing home and build a FEMA-compliant, single-family dwelling, which included accepting an overall building height of 38 feet.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals will be scheduled for January, the date and time TBA.

            The Marion Planning Board held a pre-submission conference for a site plan review for Tabor Academy’s new proposed campus center. The Hayden Library presently sits turned away from the facility itself and onto Spring Street, a nagging problem that Planning Board members believe could be helped should Tabor use its project in part to expand on-campus parking.

            Planning Board Chairman Will Saltonstall was in the odd position of not being able to comment because he is the architect of the project. As a professional involved with the project, Saltonstall recused himself from the November 16 discussion, while members of the board, including Chris Collings and Andrew Daniel, addressed Spring Street’s long-standing congestion.

            Daniel called Spring Street “a disaster to traverse” and “impossible” for large vehicles. He blames the narrow passageway to Tabor parking and barrels in the crosswalks.

            “Is this an opportunity lost to expand on parking and get people off the street?” Daniel asked. “The building is getting larger, so are we losing even more parking? That road’s a disaster right now, it’s amazing that it’s been allowed. I’ve gotten out of school events where you couldn’t get down that road.”

            Representing Tabor Academy, Robert Field of Field Engineering said the new parking lot configuration would add two spaces, raising the number from 48 to 50 while improving traffic flow in and out.

            Daniel said he would not be in favor of waiving the traffic impact study, one of two waiver requests, the other being an environmental assessment for building out of a coastal flood zone. The building itself is outside the flood zone, according to Field, but incidental grading that will touch the coastal flood zone.

            The basis for the waiver request for the traffic impact study is no significant change in traffic impact. “We are not expanding the size of our school or our student population, rather we’re just reworking the program spaces into new, more exciting, and functional spaces for our students and our faculty,” said Interim Head of School Julie Salit.

            Board member Chris Collings called Tabor’s traffic patterns fragmented and wondered aloud if this project presents another opportunity to improve the school’s traffic flow.

            “You either enter or leave on Front Street, or you enter or leave on Spring Street,” he said. “I’ve always felt that there’s a missed opportunity here to simplify and decrease impact on town streets, if there was a functional crossover that would enable your traffic pattern to come in on one street and exit on the other, allowing for your guests to disembark while on a crossover street.

            “I’m wondering with this significant redesign of your campus facility, which is a marvelous design, I think – I look forward to seeing it – is this the time to think about sort of up improvement of the traffic flow for the campus in a way that I’ve described?” Collings continued, “It doesn’t make sense to ask for a crossover that you guys can utilize to take your traffic flow off of our streets when you’re doing your transfer, drop-off, and so on.”

            Field said his team could certainly look at it. Tristan DeBarrows, also representing the project, added that Holmes Lane crosses through, but most of the traffic in question is Tabor traffic and that the existing perpendicular road that does not connect Front and Green Streets is not a publicly known way.

            “I’m not talking about a town road, I’m talking about developing a traffic flow for your patrons, guests, and students that you could use that in a more formalized way…. I just think it’s an opportunity to simplify things for the town,” said Collings.

            “We’ll certainly take a look at it, Chris,” said Salit.

            The proposed Campus Center itself, a 22,750 square-foot facility, was lauded with compliments.

            Salit described the project as “truly a community center, house library, and academic student support services, student union, community life offices where boarding students, day students, and faculty can gather for collegiality, camaraderie.”

            The building will be constructed on the same plot as the current Hayden Library. Tabor found that the existing structure does not lend itself to renovation, so the focus shifted toward a new build rather than a rebuild.

            The new campus center would also bring the work of the Dean’s Office and the Office of Equity and Inclusion closer together. Students who would be passing by en route to the student union or the library would travel that route. In the campus center, students will be able to enjoy a larger space for events like a speaker series. It’s just a comfortable area for day students waiting for their ride. As of now, those students wait in the hallway.

            “I said that this would be a community center, a place for all the members of our community to come together,” said Salit. “As we’ve experienced these last nine months, it’s never been more important…. There’s divisiveness on political sides, and we’re all trying to find that common ground among all of us…. This kind of community center would help us build the necessary relationships that we want to build here so that we can learn, we can live, and we can grow together as a community at Tabor.”

            Noting that Lillard Hall has a more formal space called the Lillard Livingroom, Salit said, “We expect that this center will be more like the family room of a home, something that’s been missing from our campus at this particular time.”

            The existing Hayden Library covers approximately 12,000 square feet and is mostly one story. The new campus center sitting on the same space will have a basement measuring 2,761 square feet, a first floor measuring 11,799 square feet, and a second floor measuring 8,190 square feet for a total of 22,750 square feet.

            Planning Board member Norm Hills agreed with Tabor’s representatives that Tabor personnel doesn’t drive from location to location around campus. Instead, they walk, as do the students. Collings reiterated his point that, despite not being the cause of congestion, any major project is an opportunity to help the town improve the situation.

            Tabor got both of its votes for waivers, with Eileen Marum, Hills, and Joe Rocha voting in favor, and Collings and Daniel voting against in both cases.

            A continued pre-submission conference for site plan review of the solar plan for the Benson Brook capped landfill was heard. The Planning Board recommended $3,000 as an amount for a site plan review for engineering support.

            “If this does go forward, don’t we have a significant amount of oversight that we have to review?” said Collings.

            Town Planner Gil Hilario said, “We’re not sure if this project is moving forward, so we don’t want to assign too high of an amount.”

            Saltonstall, who presided over the Benson Brook discussion after handing the floor to Marum to monitor the Tabor discussion, said that the next step in the Benson Brook case is for the applicant to apply for the full minor site plan review application, if and when they’re ready. Once that application is formally filed, there is a 60-day deadline, but an extension can be requested while awaiting a response from Eversource.

            “Depending on the cost of power upgrades, it determines the amount of income the town receives. That will determine the final lease price,” explained Hilario. “The Eversource connection application will determine the final lease payment to the town, and I think that’s why we can decide whether or not it’s good to move forward or not.”

            A motion to approve the value of $3,000 to be included in the application for an engineering consultant review unanimously carried.

            The Planning Board unanimously voted to accept the Fiscal Year 2022 budget as prepared by Hills. The budget will be submitted to Town Administrator Jay McGrail. Marum publicly thanked Hills for his work on the budget.

            This month, Kristen Saint Don-Campbell resigned from the Planning Board. Saltonstall publicly thanked her for her service, calling her “one of the hardest working people I know.” Saltonstall said the Board of Selectmen had posted an advertisement for a replacement for her seat on the Planning Board.

            The board also voted to hold 2021 meetings at 7:00 pm.

            The next meeting of the Marion Planning Board is scheduled for December 7 at 7:00 pm.

Marion Planning Board

By Mick Colageo