Marshfield Select Board Approves $6.7 Million Bond for Pump Station Upgrade
Residents to vote on debt exclusion for vocational school in May election
MARSHFIELD - March 10 - The Marshfield Select Board has approved a $6.7 million bond for upgrading the Plymouth Avenue Wastewater Pump Station, a project that saw its budget increase from the original $8.1 million approved in 2023.
At their March 10 meeting, board members voted unanimously to authorize the bond through the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust, which will provide interest-free financing for the first two years of the project.
Town Treasurer Shaun Strobel explained that the financing arrangement offers significant advantages for Marshfield.
"We're not going to market. It's going to be at a very aggressive rate of 2% financing once the project is complete," Strobel said. "We won't be paying any interest on the monies borrowed through the SRF until the project is complete."
The pump station, constructed in the late 1970s, handles two-thirds of the wastewater in the town's sewer area. The project includes replacing pumps located 60 feet underground, relining the wet well, and addressing electrical components.
Town Administrator Michael Maresco explained that the additional costs stemmed from unexpected electrical issues discovered during construction.
"The additional cost which caused us to come back for the second time was all the electric was shot because of the water and the high acidity ate through the pipe that the wires are in," Maresco said.
The total $9 million project includes $2.3 million in funding from County ARPA funds, with the remaining $6.7 million coming through the bond.
In another significant financial decision, the board voted 2-1 to approve debt exclusion language for the South Shore Regional Vocational Technical High School to appear on the May 3 town election ballot.
The debt exclusion would allow Marshfield to temporarily exempt from Proposition 2½ the costs associated with building a new district high school and related athletic facilities.
Board member Eric Kelley cast the dissenting vote, expressing concerns about the lack of a specific dollar amount in the ballot question.
"I think it's utterly insane for anybody to vote yes on this ballot if it's proposed especially when there's no amount on it," Kelley said.
Strobel explained that the exact cost cannot be determined yet because Marshfield's portion will be based on enrollment numbers that are recalculated every four years.
"We're not certain as to what the dollar amount is going to be because the enrollment that's calculated every four years is what's going to drive the portion of the debt that Marshfield will be responsible for," he said.
The treasurer estimated the construction costs are tentatively projected at $26 million, with Marshfield's annual debt service potentially reaching $1.8 million if the project moves forward.
"If we don't do the debt exclusion, that $1.8 million is going to come from somewhere," Strobel warned, indicating that without the exclusion, cuts would likely affect all town departments.
Chair Lynne Fidler noted that the January vote to approve the vocational school project was "overwhelmingly supported" by all nine member communities, including Marshfield where it passed with 75% of the vote.
The debt exclusion language approved for the May ballot follows state requirements and is identical to what other member communities are using.
Maresco emphasized that regardless of the debt exclusion vote outcome, Marshfield remains responsible for its share of the project costs.
"If it fails, we own the cost whether we do the debt exclusion or not," he said. "The thing about the debt exclusion is it's outside debt. If we have to do inside debt, that would be problematic. We'd have to make cuts to budgets to pay for it."
The board also took action on several other matters:
- Approved voting hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the May 3 town election
- Accepted a donation of a kayak rack valued at $2,500 for Rexhame Beach
- Approved a one-day extension of licensed premises for Brant Rock Ocean Cafe for a St. Patrick's Day event
- Approved the renewal of a parking permit for Green Harbor Lobster Pound
- Voted to send a letter to state legislators supporting the continuation of remote meeting options
- Accepted several donations to Veteran Services in memory of Ed Sullivan
The Select Board also tabled a discussion on rules and regulations for use of town property after Chair Fidler expressed concerns with the draft policy.
The May 3 election will include positions for Select Board, Board of Assessors, Board of Health, Board of Public Works, Planning Board, School Committee, and Trustees of Veterans Memorials.
I think it is very important that Justin is going to these meetings and reporting on what goes on. With the demise of local papers, the citizenry is left in the dark on many issues.