The Marion Capital Improvement Planning Committee is reviewing 18 project proposals with a total cost of $5.7 million in 2014 alone. Long-term, the committee is reviewing an additional 30 projects to be undertaken over the next five years.

With so much on its plate, the committee is asking the Selectmen for assistance in prioritizing the town’s needs by creating a facilities manager position.

“We need to look beyond five years to capture the big projects,” said committee member Norman Hills.

On Tuesday, the committee and the Selectmen reviewed the five-year plan based on proposals submitted to the committee from various town departments such as the Harbormaster Department, Fire Department, Department of Public Works, and Sippican School.

The requests include $27,000 to install new exterior security cameras at the school, $595,000 to purchase a new pumper for the Fire Department, and $4.3 million to begin road and sewer repairs in the Village.

The amount of proposed projects in 2014 is a “staggering” increase over last year’s, Hills said.

A facilities manager could help prioritize the needs of the town and budget for such projects that have not yet been given the green light, Hills said.

“The buildings here are 100 or so years old and have to be taken care of,” Hills said. “We need somebody to do the advance planning to stagger the expenditures.”

Of the necessary work, committee member Carol Sanz said, “Someone has to bring it forward.”

The Selectmen agreed.

“It’s a surprise to see how those [maintenance costs] can creep up on you,” said Selectman John Henry.

Since December, the Selectmen have discussed creating a facilities manager position.

Town Administrator Paul Dawson said the Selectmen aim to have a proposal ready to go before May Town Meeting to approve funding for the position.

Additionally, the committee has recommended that the Selectmen establish a plan for the upkeep of town-owned vehicles and equipment.

“Periodic maintenance has to be done,” Hills said.

To pay for the proposed projects, the committee has recommended that funds be allocated from the town’s General Fund, Waterways Account, and both the Water and Sewer Enterprise Accounts. Additionally, the town would have to incur more debt by taking out loans.

Currently, many of the maintenance costs for town buildings such as the Town Hall and the Elizabeth Taber Library are budgeted in the DPW budget.

If the facilities manager position was created, Dawson said the Selectmen have discussed the possibility of moving these maintenance line items from the DPW budget into a new department budget for the facilities manager to oversee.

The Selectmen commended the report by the committee and agreed to continue discussions at a later meeting.