After 16 months, three workshops and countless comments, the Marion Planning Board is halfway to completing the town’s Master Plan.

Nearly 50 people arrived at the Music Hall on a cold, blustery evening for the board’s public forum and open house. Southeast Regional Planning and Economic Development District professionals conducted the event on Monday night.

Improving transportation, protecting the village’s character and determining the future of the wastewater plant are all goals residents had listed as high priorities.

A master plan is a community’s development blueprint for 10 years. Per state law, it must be updated regularly if municipalities want to be eligible for certain grants.

Led by Grant King, SRPEDD’s principal comprehensive planner, the presentation featured a summary of six draft plan elements discussed at previous workshops including climate resiliency, economic development, housing, land use, services and facilities and transportation.

King encouraged the crowd to review SRPEDD’s work with the following questions in mind: Did we get it right? Are we going in the right direction? What improvements can we make?

“This is nowhere near a done deal,” King said. “We’re here to plan with you.”

Before residents reviewed the goals compiled by SRPEDD, King explained some of the challenges facing the town.

With Marion’s median age jumping from 36.4 in 1990 to 46.1 by 2010, he said accommodating the needs of that growing population will be addressed.

While most cities and towns base plans around nine areas of interest, King noted that Planning Board officials added a tenth – climate resiliency.

The element's purpose is to prepare for climate change related changes that could raise sea levels and have a major impact on residents and business owners.

Other recommendations included adding pedestrian friendly elements to town streets and retaining the town’s historical character through zoning bylaws.

During the question and answer portion, audience member Stephen Kokkins pointed out that SRPEDD overlooked one important factor for businesses, the town’s seasonal population.

“We all know there is a big seasonal element to Marion and it would help to measure that and determine its affects on our economics,” Kokkins said.

King agreed.

“That was an oversight on our part,” he said, adding that a study on the seasonal population will be conducted.

Another audience member wanted to know how the Planning Board would get other town officials on board with the Master Plan’s recommendations once completed.

Planning Board Chair Rob Lane said once the Master Plan is finished, his board will examine its findings and craft zoning bylaw changes to achieve stated goals.

Lane also noted that residents could bring forth changes to be voted on at Town Meeting in line with the Master Plan.

Following the presentation, residents viewed the parts of the Master Plan displayed on the Music Hall walls drafted so far.

Jack Beck, a member of the Master Plan Advisory Committee, said he joined to help guide the future of the town.

“There’s a lot of different areas for these groups to focus on and it’s important to examine and provide solutions that will benefit the town,” Beck said.

Residents who missed the previous workshops will have two more chances to have their voices heard.

King said additional sessions will be held in the spring and fall of this year. The dates are to be determined.

For more information on the Master Plan, visit www.srpedd.org/marion-master-plan.