Marshall firefighters are one step closer to ending a two-year wage freeze after the Advisory Board recommended a $1.1 million contract ratification during a session at the Police Emergency Operations Center on October 16. The high-stakes meeting saw the board navigate a massive drawdown of town reserves, complex zoning mandates, and a disputed emergency spending request for seaweed removal.

The recommendation for the Local 2568 firefighters union contract addresses a stalemate that has seen wages frozen since June 2023. Member V. Fallacara detailed the $1.1 million price tag, which includes $798,178 in retroactive pay and $300,000 to cover the remainder of the contract through 2026. Chief Lasselva finds the situation a significant detriment to morale and his ability to attract candidates, Fallacara said, noting that the deal includes new educational incentives to put Marshall on par with surrounding communities. Finance staff member Sean explained that the funding would be pulled from free cash to avoid year-end budget deficiencies. Motion Made by V. Fallacara to recommend Article 2. Motion Passed (9-0-0).

The board also tackled the controversial MBTA Communities Act, recommending a zoning overlay district despite having seen the town reject the mandate twice before. The move follows the dismissal of the town’s lawsuit against the state. V. Fallacara expressed deep personal reluctance even while supporting the motion. I still don’t like it—the fire of a thousand suns, literally—but we're stuck, he said, explaining that the Planning Board selected an area that is nearly impossible to develop due to a lack of sewer infrastructure. Chair C. Rohland warned that if the town does not act by January, the state could impose high-density zoning in less desirable locations. January 1st, the state is going to come in and tell us where it goes, unless we tell them now that it's going here, Rohland noted. Motion Made by V. Fallacara to recommend Articles 13, 14, and 15. Motion Passed (9-0-0).

Financial discussions dominated the evening as the board reviewed a series of free cash transfers totaling over $1 million for department maintenance, roof repairs, and a $130,000 dredging permit for the North and South River. B. Crowley noted that the town’s certified free cash balance is approximately $6.4 million, but warned that after the evening's recommendations, it would sit closer to $3.3 million. V. Fallacara questioned the reliance on special articles for routine upkeep. Why do we have to have these maintenance items coming out of free cash? Why can't we move those to operating budgets? he asked. Staff member Sean responded that while maintenance often gets deferred until it becomes a capital crisis, Free cash can be used for either capital or operational, but it shouldn't be used for operational needs in perpetuity. Motion Made by C. Rohland to recommend Article 5. Motion Passed (9-0-0).

The board balked at a $23,000 reserve fund request from the beach department to reimburse the costs of seaweed removal over Labor Day weekend. The work was performed as an emergency due to health concerns, but members were frustrated that they were only being notified six weeks later. I don't consider it an emergency. Seaweed happens, Fallacara said. S. Swain questioned the effectiveness of the work itself. What I heard was they put it out in the ocean and it all came back in the next day, Swain noted. The board reached a consensus to table the matter until their next meeting.

A proposed $735,000 land acquisition at 91 Old Colony Lane was also deferred. The purchase is intended to prevent the construction of a private heliport and settle an ongoing lawsuit, but board members demanded more transparency regarding the price and legal details. I'm inclined to abstain from voting on it until town meeting. I don't see enough here to bring me over the top, P. Simonelli said. S. Swain agreed, asking for more information on why the heliport was being contested beyond its proximity to homes. Motion Made by C. Rohland to table Article 11. Consensus reached to table.

In a unanimous show of support for local veterans, the board recommended Article 27, which implements property tax exemptions under the state Heroes Act. J. Martin noted the $164,000 estimated impact on the town budget starting in 2026. I think most people agree everything we can do for our veterans is a good thing for the town, Martin said. Motion Made by J. Martin to recommend Article 27. Motion Passed (9-0-0).

Other significant recommendations included a $7.8 million school roof project and a $250,000 stabilization fund for special education. S. Swain, who sought a check estimate from his own firm's chief estimator, noted that while the school's presentation cited $7.4 million, the $7.8 million figure in the warrant provided a necessary contingency for soft costs. Motion Made by S. Swain to recommend Article 7. Motion Passed (9-0-0). Regarding the special education fund, Swain warned that while the budget is currently in a $226,376 deficit due to transportation inflation, The risk is that the budget process may become dependent on that $250,000 fallback. Motion Made by S. Swain to recommend Article 6. Motion Passed (9-0-0).

The board did issue one formal "not recommend" vote for a citizen-petitioned drainage bylaw that would prohibit artificial water discharge onto neighboring properties. C. Rohland voiced concerns over how the town would prove a specific sump pump caused a flood during a major tide event. How do you prove this? It's subjective, Rohland said. P. DiCristofaro added that he wanted to see the language tightened up before the town began fining citizens. Motion Made by C. Rohland to not recommend Article 28. Motion Passed (9-0-0).

Additionally, the board supported a pro-business measure to allow the conversion of wine and malt liquor licenses to all-alcohol licenses. P. DiCristofaro explained that these converted licenses are non-transferable, meaning they won't devalue existing licenses. It doesn't cap out the quota for full licenses. It’s pro-business, helping restaurants survive and grow, DiCristofaro said. Motion Made by P. DiCristofaro to recommend Article 12. Motion Passed (9-0-0). Members E. Dubois and D. McAleer joined in the unanimous votes throughout the evening.