Selectmen approved hiring a part-time town planner following the Planning Board's recommendation at a specially scheduled meeting Friday morning.

Kenneth Buckland, of the Falmouth-based KJ Buckland Associates, will be paid $29,952 for his services as town planner. The position does not include benefits.

With more than 30 years of experience, Buckland is an environment and urban planner who was trained as an environmental scientist and land use planner.

Prior to his current position, Buckland was a principal at the Cecil Group in Boston. The firm specializes in urban design, land planning, community planning, landscape architecture and institutional planning.

With Marion currently in the middle of developing a Master Plan, board members said having a planner on staff would facilitate that process as well as guide future development.

Town Administrator Paul Dawson noted that the salary was within the town’s budget.

Planning Board members sought Selectmen’s approval on Jan. 5, but Chair Stephen Cushing said his board had yet to review the contract terms.

Dawson said town counsel reviewed the contract and had no issues.

Before the vote, Selectman Jon Henry said an official from a nearby town asked if Buckland would also be available for hire on a part-time basis.

“I just wanted to throw that out there,” Henry said. “I don’t see anything [in the contract] that prohibits that arrangement.”

Cushing said he was OK with that, provided Buckland didn’t neglect his Marion duties.

“Why would I prohibit someone from seeking the equivalent of full-time employment if he can get the work done here?” Cushing asked.

Buckland is expected to start working next week.