3 issues up for vote at Marion Town Meeting

MARION — Marion’s Special Town Meeting is set to cover financial business and continuation of a shared use path project.

Voters will be asked to vote on three items, two regarding the shared use path and one on funding phosphorus mitigation upgrades, at Monday’s Nov. 9 meeting, to begin at 6 p.m. in the Sippican School Auditorium.

Voters will be asked to approve transferring control of town-owned properties for the shared use path from the current board or officer to the Select Board so the path can be constructed.

Town Meeting will also consider changing Washburn Park Road and Spring Street to public ways to support building the path. 

The bike and pedestrian path is part of a larger project that will connect with the Mattapoisett Rail Trail at Point Road. The Marion portion of the path will be about 3.8 miles and increase recreation areas and transportation networks in town. 

Construction for the project is slated to begin next year.

The last agenda item will set aside approximately $1.3 million from the sewer fund for phosphorous removal upgrades to the town’s sewer plants.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires the town to upgrade its wastewater treatment facilities with phosphorus mitigation by May 2027. The funds set aside will cover engineering, construction and equipment costs, among others.

 Toll Brother, the developer building Marion Pointe, has paid the town almost $1.3 million in fees, which went to the sewer fund. Town Meeting will be asked to approve using these fees to pay for the upgrades.