To the Editor:

I am a candidate for Marion Selectman. Since I have lived in Marion, I have been a volunteer on many committees. My interest in the preservation of wetlands and open space led me to the Conservation Commission where I am presently chair. A passion for historic preservation led me to membership on the Community Preservation Committee. Concern over the challenging financial future of Marion led me to serve on the Capital Improvement Planning Committee. My interest in reducing the town’s energy costs led me to the Energy Management Committee. The need for more responsive and proactive town planning led me to run for the Planning Board, where I presently co-chair the Master Plan subcommittee.

I have been an active leader in each of these committees. I have demonstrated the initiative to do the research necessary to understand the requirements, doing site visits to clearly understand each situation, attending training to acquire specialized knowledge. As a result, I am a knowledgeable and productive committee member; contributing to decisions based on the actual and relevant facts.

Growing up in a number of small towns, I have come to appreciate each of them for their special qualities. The need to protect and preserve Marion’s beauty and small town feeling will require our active evaluation of new state and federal mandates and the changing environment. Bylaws and rules that made sense years ago may no longer be appropriate. The ongoing Master Plan development is an important tool for analyzing where we are, where we want to be, and how we identify the path we want to follow. Accomplishing this is important for the healthy growth and future development of the town, and I am committed to this effort.

You may email me at NormMarionMA@gmail.com. Until the elections I will be available on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Elizabeth Taber Library conference room, starting April 2 through May 7, to discuss issues that are important to you. Stop by and say hello.

Norm Hills
Marion