2011 Marion Open Space and Recreation Survey Results
The Open Space and Recreation Survey results are from the tabulation of 152 surveys returned to the Open Space Acquisition Commission in the Spring of 2012. The results will be used by the Open Space Acquisition Commission to guide land purchases and to direct the focus of the new Open Space and Recreation Plan.
Surveys with similar questions were done in 1994 and 2004. To add context to the 2011 results, we have added information regarding the 1994 and 2004 survey results where appropriate.
See http://marionma.gov/Pages/MarionMA_BComm/survey11.pdf for a copy of the survey and the results to questions.
Methodology:
The Open Space Acquisition Commission started with a list of 3627 voters supplied by the Town Clerk’s office, which was modified twice, based on past survey return rates. The first modification was to remove residents with an address of 15 Mill Street (Sippican Longterm Healthcare Center), as past Open Space Surveys sent to 15 Mill Street have caused difficulties for the staff. The second modification was to remove residents with an out of town address, other than a Post Office box in Rochester, Mattapoisett, or Wareham.
Starting with the first person on the list, and then every tenth resident, the random sample group of 345 residents was created. Of the 345 surveys sent out, 15 were returned for various reasons as
undeliverable, leaving a final sample size of 330. 152 surveys were returned, giving a 46% return rate.
Summary of Results
Marion residents walk - a lot. Of the 152 surveys returned, 128 said they walked. They want more
places to walk - bike paths, sidewalks, and nature trails.
Marion residents want more permanently protected open space and they are willing to pay for it. Those wanting more open space outnumber those who don’t by a margin of 6 to 1. Those willing to pay for more open space outnumber those who aren’t by a margin of 4 to 1.
Residents believe pollution from runoff is the biggest problem facing Marion’s marine resources.
They believe that the rate of growth is “about right.” By a wide margin, residents think open space should be required in all subdivisions, and that at least 25% of Community Preservation funds should be spent on open space.
Essay Answers
Of the 152 returned surveys, 110 had added comments in spaces provided throughout the survey pages. We have provided a list of those comments below. We have attempted to limit edits to spelling and placing full wording when abbreviations were used. In an effort to condense the size of the document, some comments were combined when they were made by more than one resident; as the document was otherwise too repetitive. When the comments were combined a notation on the number of similar comments is made in the text.
The comments by Marion residents provided here are best viewed in the context of the complete 2011 Marion Open Space and Recreation Survey Results. ( http://marionma.gov/Pages/MarionMA_BComm/survey11.pdf )
Page 1 Comments:
Sidewalks (5 comments):
• I’m very disappointed with the upkeep of the sidewalks along Point Road and Route 6. The overgrowth prevents users to bike safely and/or walk safely.
• More Bike trails along busy Roads (i.e. Delano/Point Rd.)
• We need bike/walking paths on Converse and Point Roads.
• Sidewalks need repair.
• Streets desperately need to be fixed to make biking and driving less dangerous and annoying.
Bikepath (2 Comments):
• Please support & make the bike path happen, we need a safe place to bicycle and walk.
• The bike path is the single most important open space and recreation concern in Marion today, all effort should be on this item.
Cost of Open Space Survey (2 comments):
• Do not spend town money on surveys like this.
• Who is paying for this survey?
Other Page 1 Comments:
• Oyster farms as proposed impinge on peace and serenity / sailing and navigation.
• Cleaning/detritus is (can’t make out).
• Need a dog park.
• Bury the poles along Route 6 and on Delano
• In many countries the farm land has available and useable trials for walking. This allowed use
of private land adds to open space use and enjoyment, ocean access, etc.
• How about a community sailing instruction program for non BYC kids?
• Boat ramp at Town Wharf needs a steeper angle & more depth.
• It’s very difficult to object to a neighbor (with whom you will have to live) who applies for a
zoning variance. Zoning Boards need to protect Zoning Bylaws, not facilitate getting around them.
• Racks need with canoe access
Question 11: “Which of the facilities in Question 8 (Town to Town bicycle paths, Horse-riding trails, Nature and hiking trails, Roller skating rink, Sidewalk system in Town, Teenage Center, & Year-round swimming pool) would you be most willing to pay for with taxes?”
• E (sidewalk system) – we already pay taxes for this!
Question 14: How would you improve any of the following? (Pollution from runoff,
Pollution from boats, Pollution from septic, Pollution from lawn care products,
Pollution from the town sewage plant, Pollution from geese, Overfishing of
shellfish beds, Too many moorings, Lack of access, Too many mooring areas, Too
many docks)
Pollution from Lawn Care Products: (26 Comments)
• We have not lived here long enough but green lawn fetishes are apparent with the building of
private wells to offset water conservation laws.
• Limit nitrogen lawn care.
• Discourage use of lawn fertilizers.
• Offer discounts on natural lawn fertilizers to encourage homeowners and golf courses.
• Encourage more organic lawn care products – monthly newsletter to all touting the health benefits of such.
• Education about Pesticides and herbicides.
• Tabor’s new athletic fields are an unknown; irregardless of Tabor’s letter which conveyed very little information.
• Ban pesticides on lawns.
• Discussion of use of lawn products–perhaps timing and types of products used?
• I’m not sure the town can control lawn chemicals used by private citizens.
• Lawn education.
• Strict lawn care guidelines for homes that are situated on the waterfront or along waterways that run into the harbor.
• Work on service providers to use/recommend alternative products.
• Kittansett & Little Marion should meet with the Conservation Commission to review chemicals used in grounds maintenance.
• Use organic fertilizers.
• Use Pearl’s Premium grass seed for lawns.
• Promote green lawns using natural substances for weeds and growth protection.
• Ban lawn care products on waterfront properties.
• Restrict/Ban use of chem lawn in runoff areas.
• Restrict use of lawn care products on properties close to the water.
• Increase buffer zones between lawns/landscaped areas and waterways.
• Install more artificial turf in place of grass.
• Limit the use of fertilizers.
• Restriction on lawn care products.
• Enforce water restrictions when in place.
Pollution from Septic: (14 Comments)
• More septic inspections. (4)
• Expand town water & sewer. (3)
• Town sewer for everyone. (2)
• Septic Systems
• Annual inspection and bi-annual pumping of septic system required.
• Start dealing with harbor pollution and stop denying it.
• Try to eliminate septic tanks or make more efficient.
• Continue to expand sewer system especially close to shore.
• What relevance is this question to laymen? This is a question for research not uninformed opinion!
• Research & committees, etc. on how to improve.
• Expert consultation to determine action plan.
• Research solutions.
• Study the pollution and truly identify the sources.
• Determine if sewer plant is causing pollution take appropriate action.
• Do a study of where pollution is coming from.
• Study and recommend ways to mitigate fertilizer runoff and impact.
• Develop comprehensive plan to deal with pollution of the bay from nitrogen pollution.
• Find & make available test kits to allow people to monitor personal impact.
Pollution from Boats: (9 Comments)
• A fee for boaters who don’t use septic pumping.
• Monitor harbor i.e. boats.
• Have free pump stations in each harbor on Buzzards Bay.
• Require boats to have holding tanks.
• Fines, monitoring of boat discharges by Harbormaster.
• Restrict any possible dumping of Marion sewage in the bay.
• Increase fines for boats releasing hazardous materials.
• Fines on boaters who pollute our water.
• Harbormaster and crew should patrol harbor & look for slicks /oil leaks & impose hefty fines for leakage to deter future leaks /spills.
Education & Outreach Needed (7 Comments):
• Education of the public especially on nitrogen from lawn care & septic.
• Education – Coalition for Buzzards Bay could help with this.
• More public awareness of the fact fertilizers end up in Buzzards Bay.
• Alert the public of the problem.
• Educate townspeople in how they contribute to harbor pollution.
• Educate people on issues.
• Educating the users/community about the impact of current practices.
Pollution from Geese (5 Comments)
• Kill the geese.
• Get one of those foam coyotes.
• Shoot geese.
• Reduce resident geese numbers by more lenient hunting regulations or by culling.
• Geese? Really?
Lack of Access: (5 Comments)
• More boat launch or public access to Aucoot.
• Public access in Aucoot Cove.
• Boat ramp in outer harbor (from sheltered area).
• Set aside land for beach access and walking parks etc. when and where possible.
• Make dock owners provide passage around or over them for compliance with the law of free access for fishing and fowling according to the colonial acts of 1641 to 1644.
Too many mooring areas: (5 Comments)
• Keep larger anchoring area for visiting boats.
• Encourage the use of sailboats and rowboats vs. power boats.
• Mooring grid in harbor ought to be regrided, many boats are too close together.
• Power boats on moorings.
• Manage moorings as has been done,
• keep space for sailing, shellfishing, swimming.
More Enforcement: (5 Comments)
• Upgrade and enforce existing rules and regulations.
• Enforcement of Coast Guard requirements.
• Monitor for offenders.
• Fine or otherwise penalize offenders.
• Strict enforcement of waterway protection laws.
Pollution from Storm Runoff: (5 Comments)
• Down at our dock by the groin, a huge pipe drains out into the harbor. (location not specified).
• Upgrade storm sewers system close to shore.
• Educate the public.
• Implement best management practices for storm water on roadways and town owned properties.
• Catch basin for road runoff.
Too Many Moorings: (4 Comments)
• Moratorium on moorings.
• Restrict boats and moorings in Marion harbor.
• Reduce the number of moorings.
• Fewer moorings in Sippican Harbor.
Lagoon –Nitrogen Issues: (4 Comments)
• Line the lagoons.
• Nitrogen pollution.
• Reduce nitrogen inflow into bay.
• Restriction on nitrogen.
Management of Shellfish Resources: (3 Comments)
• Charge enough for aquaculture permits in anticipation of more extensive management issues: % of profit making venture should accrue to the town.
• Some previously restricted shellfish areas have been opened up for commercial use. This may bring the Town more money but is shortsighted.
• Some areas should not be for commercial use.
Too many docks: No Comments
Other comments on Question 14:
• How about a fund to help those of us who will not be able to afford the new FEMA flood
insurance rates!
• Do nothing.
• It all costs money to fix. I won’t pay a penny more in property tax for any of it. Live in your means.
• Let nature take its course.
• Do nothing.
• Control/limit the installation of synthetic surfaces in the flood zone.
• Please include (man made) all local lakes, ponds, freshwater rivers, streams, brooks, into a Federal tax code for the ACOE
Survey Question #19 Residents were asked to state their level of agreement with the
following: “Prohibition of future building in the floodplain zone”
• If people are willing to spend the extra to meet the zoning and carry insurance it is their free choice.
• Just make sure built properly.
Survey Question #21 Residents were asked to state their level of agreement with the
following: “Open Space should be required in all future developments.
• Poor question, can’t answer.
Survey Question #23 Residents were asked to state their level of agreement with the
following: “Marion should provide incentives to promote cluster zoning development.”
• I disapprove of cluster development no matter what the incentives are.
Survey Question #24 Residents were asked to state their level of agreement with the
following: “Marion should form a “historic district” to protect the village area.”
• 5 (meaning “strongly agree” – ed. note) but not an overlay district which is too large and would gut the town center.
Survey Question #29 Residents were asked to rate Marion's rate of growth: (4 Comments)
• Many appeals before the Zoning Board give people living close to the water license to build and extend into what should be protected areas.
• They are not applied consistently.
• Town boards are too inbred – positions occupied primarily by long term “townies” that have prejudicial interests in town and apply guidelines unevenly and often unreasonably.
• Influenced by an outspoken minority.
Survey Question #30 Residents were asked to list the three most important issues facing Marion.
Planning: (56 Comments)
• Growth. (10)
• Preservation of village center. (5)
• Preservation of town character. (3)
• Strip development on Route 6.
• No waterfront dining.
• Development along Route 6.
• Eyesores: Route 6 & Spring Street.
• No new construction.
• Preservation of small town feel.
• Intelligent managed growth.
• Restrict development.
• Restrictions in flood zones (needed).
• Commercialization.
• Housing structures of excessive size for the neighborhood.
• Don’t want any large housing development.
• Keep malls and strip malls out.
• Protect General Store.
• Too much commercial development.
• Urban sprawl.
• Building codes to protect the ambiance of the town.
• Right to develop your property.
• Flood map rezoning.
• Development is extremely hampered yet the development and beautification along Route 6 particularly at Front Street should be a priority.
• Encourage business that is town appropriate.
• There is nothing wrong with modernizing and adding to a nice commercial district if in fact we could really use some new development - just not for Dunkin Donuts type operations if we are going to be restrictive, let’s do it right.
• 2015 Plan _ Let’s get it Going!
• Keep the character of the town – not just the village.
• Development of the Route 6 Spring Street area.
• Do not like clusters of homes.
• Lost small town charm.
• Cluster zoning looks ugly.
• Allow reasonable growth.
• Intelligent growth.
• Potential for over regulation.
• Support for local business.
• Zoning (ie) Joanne Drive: housing density.
• The Rt6/ Spring Street intersection: The derelict buildings at the intersection of Route 6 and
Spring Street are both ugly and potentially dangerous. The old Sweet Shoppe is a potential fire trap. Why can’t this be improved by private ownership? If not, why can’t we buy it as “open space?” in a beautiful place like Marion how can this eyesore be allowed?
• Commercial development on Route 6.
• Stop future fast food restaurants on Route 6 by purchasing any commercial properties which are available.
• Planning.
• New development near the Wave.
• Encouraging more businesses to town (good).
Taxes & Financial: (35 Comments)
• Taxes. (5)
• Price of water & sewer (2)
• Helping the lower income residents to stay in this beautiful town.
• Small tax base.
• Attract small business to generate revenue &
decrease residential taxes.
• Balance our budget.
• Taxes, restructure town tax system.
• Controlling town debt.
• Keeping Marion affordable for the elderly so that they may continue to live here while making it affordable for young people to do the same.
• Infastructure costs.
• Town pensions.
• No increase in taxes.
• Insufficient tax base.
• Continuing tax increases that force the elderly to leave their homes.
• Better financial management-budget and spending.
• Better control over public works spending.
• High water bills.
• Water rates are too high.
• Quality & price of water.
• Mounting debt.
• Budgety defict/financial deficit.
• Benefits to employees.
• School funding.
• Water availability and cost.
• Capital Spending-too much!
• Cost of living.
• Expand the tax base.
• Increase property tax for new buildings.
• Should Marion implement a hiring
• freeze or have layoffs? Yes!
• Should we approve 99% of all articles at town meeting like we do now? No.
Transportation: (34 Comments)
• Horrible condition of streets and roads. (11)
• Lack of sidewalks. (7)
• Completion of Bike Path from Fairhaven to Wareham. (5)
• Transportation.
• No public transportation.
• Cleaning Route 6 sidewalks.
• Speed limits enforced.
• Sidewalks maintained- no bike paths available
• County Road asphalt.
• Sidewalk safety on Route 6.
• Sidewalks in bad condition and force children and handicap to use the street.
• Walking /Bike trails.
• Better control traffic – speeding on Route 6 and coming off of 195 ramps.
• Bike paths on Converse Road and Point Road: kids are in danger on these roads.
Environment: (18 Comments)
• Polluting of harbor. (5)
• Pollution. (2)
• Overfishing of shellfish beds.
• Too many moorings.
• Protection for wetlands.
• Nitrogen pollution of Buzzards Bay.
• Protection of our environment.
• Chemical fertilizers.
• Mandatory recycling.
• Preserving the waterways.
• Threat of rising water and more frequent and severe storms as a result of global warming.
• Environmental issues.
• Wetlands/harbor protections.
Government: (16 Comments)
• Consistent application of regulations.
• A “big picture” perspective, not just NIMBY.
• No supervision of DPW.
• Zoning enforcement.
• Harbor management.
• Town fathers need to monitor committees.
• Fair taxing for all.
• Out of town residents getting and keeping beach passes.
• Ineffective government and administration.
• Too few people participate /know anything town government/how things get done.
• Inconsistent application of law by town boards and committees.
• Poor leadership.
• Poor Planning Board
• Conflicts of interest on Town boards.
• Decision making that takes place is often on individual disparate items and does not think about the big picture or what is good for the whole town.
• Volunteers to serve on boards and committees.
Water & Sewer: (14 Comments)
• Sewer expansion. (3)
• Wells should be allowed in the house for water use.
• Water.
• Make sure town has source of clean water.
• Water pipe aging.
• Long term drinking water availability and quality.
• Water and sewer rates.
• Ridiculous Enterprise accounting for water costs.
• Town sewer for all homes (needed).
• Sump pumps hooked up to town sewer.
• Sewage treatment.
• Sewer expansion too slow.
Tabor: (13 Comments)
• Tabor should pay taxes. (3)
• Tabor not following the rules/laws.(2)
• Tabor exempt from taxes and paying for water usage.
• Keeping 90’ light towers from becoming a reality.
• Make Tabor pay taxes on residential property they own.
• Please have a plan B for Tabor Academy grounds in case the school goes insolvent.
• The waste of taxpayer’s money to wage war on Tabor over the field.
• 7 acres of astroturf with drainage into the harbor.
• Stop Tabor from buying any more private land in Marion, we need the tax revenue.
• Tabor school takes up an enormous amount of premium tax-generating land. If we are not going to earn taxes on it, it should be available for public use.
Demographics: (10 Comments)
• Population growth. (3)
• Aging population. (2)
• Maintain low population. (2)
• Population growth/expansion.
• Need for elderly housing.
• Diversity of population.
Open Space: (10 Comments)
• Preservation of open space. (7)
• More woodland areas are nice but not necessarily needed as open space -waterfront areas are.
• Protecting wildlife habitat.
• Public open space , parks, etc. (needed).
Affordable Housing: (7 Comments)
• Affordable housing. (5)
• Inadequate planned growth, i.e. affordable housing.
• House affordability to young families.
Recreation: (4 Comments)
• Recreational programs are extremely weak and poorly publicized for a town of this size.
• Point Road playground.
• Diverse recreation.
• Since we are older, we don’t use many of the town facilities. We need to get our kids and young families outside & places for them to enjoy!
40B: (4 Comments)
• Restrict 40B. (2)
• Impact on all town services if 40B /affordable housing units are built.
• 40B Construction projects.
Attitude: (2 Comments)
• Snobs.
• It is 2 towns – Village and the rest.
Other Issues Listed:
• The town needs to access to the waterfront where public can walk along harbor.
• Public restrooms in village.
• Boat ramp.
• Above ground wires.
• Doubling poles & new poles.
• Federally subsidized area to treat pond/lake water.
• Federal Regulations and funding.
• Make use of what we have rather than building more (make better use of public buildings).
• Generational opportunities.
• No retirement community with progressive care.
• More police & fire.
• I hope my taxes did not pay for this worthless survey.
• Educate and encourage everyone to work in the town.
• Town Hall restoration.
Survey Question #31 Residents were asked to state their level of agreement with the following: “Land should be taxed at a lower rate if it has perpetual open space protection on the deed.”
• Bay View Road and Shawandasse (Road) buildings devalue neighbors and town charisma.
Survey Question #32 Residents were asked to state their level of agreement with the following: “I would pay more for town water if the extra cost was used to protect the
town wells through land purchases.”
• 5 (“strongly agee”) The Town should do this anyway.
Survey Question #35 Residents were asked what percent of Community Preservation Act funds should be spent on open space.
• CPC money should be used for bike path.
• Very few natural open spaces are used very extensively. Some money should be allocated to create and maintain hiking trails.
Comments added to the last page of the Survey:
• More attention needs to be paid to the style and appropriateness of building to lot size, location, topography etc.
• Washburn Park facilities are a disgrace.
• Shortage of elderly housing (both income restricted and market rate).
• Need a senior center.
• Need a youth center.
• Maintain our town.
• Growing too fast.
• Keep the small town feel.
• Need sidewalks repaired and need them widened and maintained along Route 6, and lots of overgrowth and buildup of sand near Marion Garage & Town management facilities.
• I do not pay real estate taxes here so I do not think my answers should be counted
