Marion’s future addressed at candidates night

MARION — Three candidates for Select Board shared why they would be the best fit for Marion Select Board at an evening forum. 

The forum was held at Sippican Elementary School on Thursday, April 23. Incumbent Norman Hills is up for reelection challenged by Toby Burr and George “TJ” Walker. 

Hills has been on the Select Board for 9 years and a resident for over 23 years. 

Hills said he understands the complex challenges facing Marion but said he will “dig out the facts” to face these issues rationally. 

“I'm committed to making decisions that benefit the residents as a whole and provide for Marion's future and economic well-being,” Hills said. 

Hills said that affordable housing and living in the area is an issue. Even though he does not have a complete answer for the solution, he wants to make sure families can move to and stay in Marion. 

When asked about addressing the rising sea levels and pollution, Hills said the issue was complex and there was no easy fix. 

“It's a real problem and it's going to be more of a problem especially as the weather is changing and getting more violent storms you can expect you know more storm surge it's going to go further,” Hills said. 

To address rising pollution and water bills, Hills said that he hopes to put more people on the area sewage system making it less expensive. 

In his closing statement, Hills urged residents to come to meetings and ask him any questions about town. He said he has a clear understanding of the challenges Marion faces. 

“Decisions should be made based on facts and filtered by experience,” Hills said. 

Burr was elected to the Select Board in 2022 and served for one term. He runs an area business and wants to focus on transparency and making sure residents feel heard during his term. 

He said he wants to encourage more small businesses to open and work with the state to ease tax burdens put on Marion. 

“If elected, I will continue the Select Board tradition of being open, transparent, and listening to everyone,” Burr said. 

Burr said he wants living to be affordable in Marion, but does not want subsidized housing in the area. He does support keeping homes in the $300,000 and $400,000 so young families can move in. 

To make things more affordable in Marion, Burr hopes to lessen restrictions from the government. 

“If we can make everything cheaper by having less government, we'll have more affordability and we'll have more freedom,” Burr said. 

Working with the state to protect Marion from rising sea levels and pollution is Burr’s goal on tackling rising sea levels. He acknowledged that getting more people onto the sewage system would mean expanding it leading to more expenses. 

Burr said he is excited to take his three years of select board experience forward if elected. 

“I'm looking forward to joining the board because I like the people in the town hall, I like the people in the audience and I like working with them all,” Burr said. 

Walker has lived in Marion for over 40 years and is currently an elected member of the Board of Assessors. He has been in and out of elected government positions since 1993 and has held positions on the Board of Assessors and Planning Board. 

Walker said his position is to serve the residents who are the ones in charge of town decisions. 

“I believe our Town Meeting form of government gives you, the voters, the power and responsibility to do the job of making major decisions and policies that affect our town,” Walker said. 

Walker agreed that affordable housing is an issue, but wants to focus on housing the senior citizens of Marion. A large percent of residents are over the age of 60. He hopes elderly residents can stay in Marion with more affordable, accessible housing options. 

He said that bringing more business into Marion could make living more affordable giving tax breaks to residents. Walker also wants to change town policies to make water and sewage bills more affordable. 

To deal with rising sea levels and pollution, Walker said he wants to fortify town facilities and work with residents as issues become more serious. 

In his closing statement Walker said that all three candidates are qualified, but have different visions of Marion's future. 

“If you want your Select Board and town administrator to inform you thoroughly to seek your input, to welcome your participation, to implement your decisions and be accountable to you, I promise to do just that,” Walker said. 

Town elections will be held Friday, May 15 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Benjamin D Cushing Community Center located at 465 Mill St.