The Mattapoisett and Marion Town Meetings are tonight, and on both agendas are some contentious topics.

In Mattapoisett, voters will be asked to enlarge the Select Board from three to five members. If approved, the matter would still need to be approved by the state Legislature.

There are also two proposals that, if approved, would be funded through Proposition 2½ debt exclusions.

Proposition 2½ prevents towns from increasing the property tax levy more than 2.5% each year without voters’ approval. Debt exclusions allow for a temporary tax increase above the 2.5% limit to repay borrowing for a specific project per voters’ approval.

First, the Mattapoisett Highway Department is requesting $4 million for renovations to the highway building, which hasn’t had any major work done to it since the 1960s, according to Mattaposiett Town Administrator Michael Lorenco.

The average taxpayer would pay approximately $52 per year of the debt’s lifespan.

If approved at Town Meeting, this project would appear on the ballot in the May 20 Town Election.

Second, the town is looking for $1.3 million to complete a drainage project on Oakland Street, after recently upgrading the water, sewer and gas lines.

The average taxpayer would pay approximately $30 per year of the debt’s lifespan.

If approved at Town Meeting, this project would appear on the ballot in the May 20 Town Election.

Other topics appearing at Town Meeting will include whether to require that all trailers parked on public roads be attached to a motor vehicle, renovating Pearl Street to widen the road and construct an ADA-compliant sidewalk and six proposals that would be funded through the Community Preservation Act.

Mattapoisett’s Town Meeting is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Old Rochester Regional High School auditorium.

In the Marion Town Election, registered voters will vote on whether to approve Town House renovations, withdraw from the state’s Green Communities program and approve the creation of a Marion Village Historic District.

Renovations to the Town House would cost just under $3.3 million and go toward improving building accessibility, installing a fire suppression system, and updating HVAC systems.

Potential funding would come from $300,000 in free cash and almost $3 million from borrowed funds.

After voting to join the Green Communities Program in 2019, Town Meeting is now being asked to leave the program by removing the Massachusetts Stretch Energy Code from bylaws.

Currently, construction in Marion must meet specific energy efficient demands that opponents of the stretch code say excessively increase construction costs. The Marion Historic District Study Committee has recommended establishing a Marion Village Historic District to focus on preserving and protecting the area.

Areas of town affected by this district would include all of Cottage Street, Hiller Street, Main Street, Pie Alley, School Street, South Street, Water Street, #1-9 Allen Street, #137-183 Front Street, #1-2 Island Wharf Road, #2-10 Lewis Street, #61-78 Pleasant Street and #8-16 Spring Street.

Property owners would be required to abide by guidelines for exterior construction, additions, new construction and demolition. 

Marion Town Meeting begins at 6:45 p.m. in the Sippican Elementary School auditorium.

In both towns, all registered voters are eligible to attend, participate in and vote at Town Meeting.