Marion

Marion Fire Department to Receive Federal Grant to Purchase New Tanker Truck

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Friday, Sept. 6, 2019

For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-742-3922
Email: [email protected]

Marion Fire Department to Receive Federal Grant to Purchase New Tanker Truck

MARION – Chief Brian Jackvony and Town Administrator James McGrail are pleased to announce that the Marion Fire Department was recently awarded a nearly $300,000 grant to fund the purchase of a new tanker truck.

The department was awarded $297,142.85 through the 2018 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG). To be eligible for the grant funds, the Town of Marion will be responsible for five percent of the total purchase price of the new vehicle.

The new tanker truck that will replace the department’s existing 1957 model, which is a former military vehicle the was obtained through the Federal Excess Property Program (FEPP). The current tanker is not equipped with basic safety features that protect firefighters when operating the vehicle.

“The current vehicle does not have seat belts that would protect our firefighters in the event of a crash and this is unacceptable,” Chief Jackvony said. “Vehicles that have been converted for purposes that they were never intended for are particularly dangerous because of the added weight they carry, especially when operating under emergency conditions. The new truck will not only be safer but will be designed to support our initial fire attack, especially in areas in town where private water mains do not provide adequate water flow for fire hydrants.”

Recent studies done by the town indicate that the water main infrastructure on privately owned properties is insufficient for effective response to a fire emergency. There are over 130 fire hydrants in Marion on privately owned land.

“Aging pipelines are something that every community in Massachusetts has to deal with. Many of the pipelines in town are over 100 years old and replacing them can be very costly, especially if the financial burden falls on a private citizen. Marion has approximately 26 miles of private roadways and many of the water mains that are under the roads are also privately owned,” Town Administrator McGrail said. “While we continue to work on long-term and short-term solutions to repair or replace the aging pipes, this new tanker will serve to better protect our residents and their property from fires.”

Along with the new truck will come training from the Massachusetts Fire Academy. All vehicle operators will attend an Emergency Vehicle Operator Course to refresh their skills before the truck is put into service.

The performance period on the grant is one year from the date that it was awarded. Chief Jackvony has assigned the project to Assistant Chief Allen Denham and Capt. Ronald Auld due to their knowledge and expertise in the area of purchasing apparatus.

“I would like to give a special thanks to Lt. Raymond Reimold for all of his support with the grant writing process and say that we are extremely thankful to have been chosen to be a recipient of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program, which is very competitive” Chief Jackvony said. “This award demonstrates the talent and commitment of the members of this department along with our responsibility to always seek ways to better serve our community.”

The five percent co-share of the cost of the truck will need to be approved by voters at the upcoming Fall Town Meeting. If passed, the funds will be appropriated through budget resources already in place and there will be no additional cost to the taxpayer.

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Marion Board of Health Offers Safety Reminders After EEE Virus Confirmed in Mosquitoes in Town

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Town of Marion
Town Administrator James McGrail
2 Spring St.
Marion, MA 02738

For Immediate Release
Friday, Aug. 2, 2019

Media Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

Marion Board of Health Offers Safety Reminders After EEE Virus Confirmed in Mosquitoes in Town

Marion’s Current Risk Level is ‘High’

MARION — Marion Health Director Karen Walega and Town Administrator James McGrail announce that the Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus has been confirmed in mosquitoes tested in Marion.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has confirmed that the EEE virus has been detected in nine mosquito samples collected in Marion this year. As a result of the tests, the MDPH has announced that the current risk level for Marion is high.

EEE is a rare but serious illness spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. While EEE can infect people of all ages, people under 15 or over 50 years of age are at the greatest risk for serious illness.

The Marion Board of Health recommends the follow safety precautions offered by the MDPH to protect yourself and your loved ones:

Avoid Mosquito Bites

  • Be aware of peak mosquito hours: The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during the evening or early morning. If you are outdoors at any time and notice mosquitoes around you, take steps to avoid being bitten by moving indoors, covering up and/or wearing repellent.
  • Clothing can help reduce mosquito bites: Although it may be difficult to do when it’s hot, wearing long sleeves, long pants and socks while outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
  • Apply insect repellent when you go outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET, permethrin, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30 percent or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age. Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied directly to your skin.

Mosquito-Proof Your Home

  • Drain standing water: Many mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or getting rid of items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools and change water in birdbaths frequently.
  • Install or repair window and door screens: Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.

Information about EEE and reports of current and historical EEE virus activity in Massachusetts can be found on the MDPH website here.

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New Assisted Listening Devices Installed at Marion Town House

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Town of Marion
Town Administrator James McGrail
2 Spring St.
Marion, MA 02738

For Immediate Release
Friday, July 26, 2019

Media Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

New Assisted Listening Devices Installed at Marion Town House

Devices Can be Used for All Public Meetings

MARION — Town Administrator James McGrail and Old Rochester Community Television (ORCTV) Executive Director Robert Chiarito are pleased to announce that new assisted listening devices have been installed at the Marion Town House for those who are hearing impaired.

The devices can be used during all public meetings at the Town House.

The new system, by Listen Technologies, includes four wireless receivers that can be worn either as an earbud or headset.

When worn, the devices will receive sound directly from the microphones used by ORCTV’s recordings and broadcasts during meetings.

The small, lightweight receivers can be placed in a shirt pocket, purse or clipped to a user’s belt. The devices also allow the listener to control the volume to their comfort.

“These devices will allow for further inclusiveness for our residents who are hearing impaired during the town’s public meetings,” Town Administrator McGrail said. “The town worked closely with Old Rochester Community Television to get these new devices installed and we are thankful for our partnership with ORCTV.”

Those who would like to use one of the devices during a particular meeting should speak with the ORCTV employee in attendance who will be filming the meeting.

Anyone with further questions about the devices should contact ORCTV at 508-758 – 2300.

 

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Marion Fire Department Receives Drinking Water Donation from Anheuser-Busch

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Marion Fire Department
Brian Jackvony, Fire Chief
50 Spring St.
Marion, MA 02738

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Media Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

Marion Fire Department Receives Drinking Water Donation from Anheuser-Busch

288 Cases of Water Delivered to Station This Week

MARION – Chief Brian Jackvony is pleased to announce that the Marion Fire Department received a generous donation of thousands of cans of drinking water from Anheuser-Busch this week to be used to hydrate firefighters during incident response and training.

Anheuser-Busch announced in April that the company has expanded its emergency drinking water program in partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) to deliver critical hydration to firefighters across the country.

On Tuesday, the Marion Fire Department received a delivery of 288 cases of canned water from the company. Overall, the department received 6,912 cans of water.

“Fighting fires, and even training is an extremely strenuous activity any time of the year,” Chief Jackvony said. “Hydration is even more critical with the summer heat and humidity upon us. We are extremely thankful to Anheuser-Busch and their partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council for making this donation possible. This is something that will have a direct and immediate positive impact on our department.”

Marion FD and the Carver Fire Department were the only Massachusetts fire departments to receive a donation during this current campaign.

The new partnership between Anheuser-Busch and the NVFC kicked off in April with a program that will see one million cans of drinking water donated in support of volunteer fire departments throughout the year in 2019.

“As the country faces more natural disasters, like wildfires, it’s important to have more programs in place to help our emergency responders,” Adam Warrington, Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility at Anheuser-Busch, said in a statement. “With the evolution of our emergency drinking water program, we’re able to offer tangible support and necessary resources to those who are protecting our communities when they need it most.”

Anheuser-Busch has a longstanding tradition of providing emergency drinking water and supplies for disaster relief efforts in partnership with the American Red Cross. Since 1988, Anheuser-Busch and their wholesaler partners have provided more than 80 million cans of water to U.S. communities affected by natural disasters nationwide.

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