The Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission’s handling of a proposed shellfish and beach access project came into question at Tuesday night’s Board of Selectmen meeting.

The project involves waterfront property stretching from Quelle and Holly Lanes to be used for recreational shell fishing. It was submitted to the Community Preservation Committee for $60,000 in funding in September but was turned down. Parking restrictions on the private roads, neighborhood concerns of traffic and claims that most of the land is underwater were factors in the Preservation Committee’s decision as well.

The discussion of the project came after a letter from the Bayberry Lane Association was sent to the Selectmen stating it was never informed of the project and that the project would not serve the public well.

However, MOSAC already has a purchase and sale agreement for the land as well as $400,000 to fund projects. The commission also has legal authority to spend the money to acquire land without consent of Town Meeting.

Selectmen Vice Chair Roger Blanchette expressed his distaste over MOSAC’s decision to not use its own funding instead of trying to secure Preservation Committee money.

“Why they have been sitting on $400,000 but have not spent it is beyond me,” he said.  “I don’t quite know how to handle this. We as Selectmen have been left out of the picture.”

The Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission is holding a meeting Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. in the Police Station conference room to discuss its intentions with the project.

In other town business:

Police Chief Lincoln Miller was commended in a letter from Fire Chief Thomas Joyce on Miller’s efforts in a possible drowning in the area of East Avenue, Planting Island on Aug. 31. It was reported a child had become trapped beneath a pier and the mother was unable to locate her daughter.

According to Joyce’s letter, Miler was the first to respond and, without delay, removed his weapon, radio and phone and entered the water. Lt. John Garcia arrived soon after and also entered the water and searched for the child, as did members from the Harbormaster and Fire Department.

Fortunately, the child was never in the water, according to Selectman Roger Blanchette.

Joyce’s letter praised Chief Miller for his actions and said it was a testament to Miller’s commitment to the town.