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01:20:44 pm Plymouth County Under Hurricane Warning

Categories: News, Marion, Mattapoisett, Rochester

The National Weather Service announced today at noon that Plymouth county is under a Hurricane Warning, prompting safety preparations in the Tri-Town.

At Mattapoisett Town Wharf, the tow trucks were busy pulling boats from the harbor as onlookers sat in the shade of the trees. Building winds tossed leaves and made the surf increasingly choppy, and the wharf ice cream stand was preparing to move back to Route 6.

The region’s Hurricane Warning indicates that Earl will bring hurricane conditions on Friday, including winds of 74 mph or more. Meteorologists are waiting to see if the hurricane will veer to the left; if this does happen, the wind speeds will be even more intense.

All three towns are urging their residents to use safety and to secure outdoor items like umbrellas, patio sets, and lawn mowers. If residents haven’t done so already, they should prepare hurricane survival kits (details can be found here: http://www.wanderer.com/information/HurricanePrep.pdf), develop family communication plans and stay informed via media sources throughout the whole warning.

The town of Marion is reminding residents of Planting Island to be especially cautious since they are “vulnerable to hurricanes and tropical storms”. Planting Island access has been cut off to traffic in past storms, and residents should be prepared to leave early in case a storm surge brings water over the causeway. According to a Marion press release, “it is important for Planting Island residents to realize that, once the causeway is under water, it will be virtually impossible for us to get emergency aid to you.” The Water department plans to shut off the water supply to Planting Island if the causeway is flooded.

If evacuations are necessary, Marion will open an emergency shelter at the Sippican School – no pets will be allowed into the emergency quarters. No emergency quarters have been sanctioned in Mattapoisett or Rochester yet, but the Wanderer will update this story as it develops.

By Anne O’Brien-Kakley

 

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11:31:18 pm Mattapoisett to Establish Aquaculture Regs

Categories: Mattapoisett

Mattapoisett’s recently formed Aquaculture Ad Hoc Committee is on “an aggressive schedule” to draft regulations or bylaws outlining protocol for current and future aquaculture applications, according to Town Administrator Michael Gagne. Such recommendations are slated to reach the Board of Selectmen (BOS), who will make the final determination on what is adopted this December.

Committee members represent interests related to new aquaculture businesses and include applicants and cove abutters. Board members include John Hinman from the Marine Advisory Board, Lisa Winsor, Horace Field III, Horace Field IV, Joyce Almeida, Paul Osenkowski and Jim O’Dowd. Mark Whalen will also advise on the committee as a non-voting member. Ex-officio members will be Mr. Gagne, Harbormaster Steve Mach and Natural Resources Officer Kathy Massey.

Mr. Gagne said the new committee will consider several issues while drafting its recommendations with a focus on establishing firm methods and measures. “They will need to look at the public versus private benefit and what we will use as a system to weigh that,” explained Mr. Gagne. He said concern over aesthetics and public recreational access will be factored into their analysis.

Six of the seven members reside in the Brandt Island Beach community, which is near a one-acre oyster farm proposed last spring by the seventh member, Mr. O’Dowd. Mr. O’Dowd emphasized that the committee will not investigate his specific application, however he hopes to educate committee members on aquaculture.

“People don’t realize what oyster farming is. You put the seed in water, keep an eye on it as oysters grow in the different bags. It is all done by hand. It’s not an industry,” commented Mr. O’Dowd, who said he has pored through “a whole stack” of state regulations, aquaculture bylaws in other towns, and information from the East Coast Growers’ Association on the practice. “People hear different things and don’t really understand what the whole thing is about. It’s a little frustrating. If people are educated, they can make informed decisions,” he said.

One issue the committee will tackle is the identification of suitable areas for aquaculture while balancing the interests of commercial shellfish businesses and general public recreational users, Mr. Gagne said. In addition to oysters, potential new applicants could pursue aquaculture businesses for quahogs, clams, and scallops, which require different environmental conditions favorable for growth. Mr. O’Dowd noted that aqua culturists tend to research at length potential locations for their businesses. “You can’t go into this blind. You’ll end up with dead animals,” he said.

How the town will benefit from aquaculture enterprises also will be studied at length. Mr. Gagne said that businesses on water do pay state taxes but do not contribute at the municipal level. Thus, members will evaluate if a leasing fee should be established to benefit the town and how that fee would be related to revenue potential. Transferability of licenses is another issue under consideration. “It could become a great money making venture,” Mr. Gagne said, stressing the need for protocol to establish the sale of a thriving aquaculture business to a new party. State regulations do require that individuals seeking to purchase an aquaculture business receive approval from a town’s BOS.

Mr. Gagne said new protocol also would include a pre-application assessment and assurance that proposed locations meet the requirements of the Division of Marine Fisheries. “It is a waste of time to have a three-hour emotionally charged meeting only to find the Division of Marine Fisheries would not allow the proposal,” he said.

Committee meetings, scheduled to occur every two weeks, are open to the public and will begin sometime in early September. “I’m hoping we can get through this with some real objectivity and develop a really good framework for aquaculture in Mattapoisett,” Mr. O’Dowd said.

By Laura Pedulli

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11:31:04 pm Heritage Days Canceled Outright

Categories: Mattapoisett

After a mid-August Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) scare in mid-August canceled and postponed most outdoor evening events, the annual Mattapoisett Heritage Days were rescheduled for mid-September. Now, Chairperson of the Heritage Days committee, Bobbi Gaspar, has announced that the 2010 Heritage Days have been canceled outright.

Part of the reason for the cancelation was the continued threat of EEE in the southeastern Massachusetts region. Despite the recent aerial spray that temporarily reduced the adult mosquito population, the threat of EEE remains significant. Both the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) and the local Boards of Health in Mattapoisett, Marion and Rochester are enforcing a 6:00 pm curfew on town activities until the first hard frost comes to the region.

Heritage Days has been an August tradition since the town’s sesquicentennial in 2007, when the event was born. The Heritage Days committee tries to make a week of fun, family-friendly events available to the public at low-to-no cost. These events celebrate Mattapoisett’s past, and showcase all of the thriving industries of the region’s yesteryear.

The EEE postponement created an issue with vendor and event availability. Some of the events scheduled for Heritage Days – like the kite fly, the ecumenical service at Ned’s Point and the Salt and Cranberries presentation planned for the Museum and Carriage House – were easy enough to reschedule. Other events, like the Fairhaven Militia encampment on the Mattapoisett River and the American Legion clambake that were supposed to coincide with Heritage Days activities couldn’t be rescheduled. The organizers had difficulty getting vendors to reschedule as well, leading Ms. Gaspar to call the postponement “impractical.”

“It was hard to let go,” said Ms. Gaspar. The event was all set to go forward, despite the Board of Health curfew, but two-thirds of the crafters signed up for the event could not attend the rescheduled date.

Not wanting to operate at a loss, the Heritage Days committee started to consider a cancelation, since they feared that the threat of EEE would affect turn-out anyway. “We thought people aren’t going to come out because of the mosquitoes,” said Ms. Gaspar, “so we opted to cut our losses, basically. We run on a no-budget kind of thing.”

Heritage Days is a fairly new town tradition, and Ms. Gaspar hopes that the event’s absence for one year won’t remove it from the minds of residents. “The ideas for next year are already bubbling,” she said, urging people to get excited for Heritage Days 2011, and encouraging residents to even consider volunteering for the event and its preparation.

The t-shirts for the 2010 Heritage Days are still available though, and Ms. Gaspar thinks that they may be considered collector’s items for local Heritage Days enthusiasts. Those interested in purchasing a t-shirt can do so by emailing Ms. Gaspar at theseamstress@verizon.net. Anyone interested in volunteering for the Heritage Days committee can also email Ms. Gaspar.

Next year’s Heritage Days will take place from August 5-7, 2011, and will include some of the canceled events from this year, plus other new events.

By Anne O’Brien-Kakley

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11:31:01 pm Police Station Work is “Making Progress”

Categories: Mattapoisett

Work at the Mattapoisett police station is coming along nicely, according to police chief Mary Lyons on August 30. “We’re making progress,” said Chief Lyons, who listed electrical work and a transfer of 911 services as the remaining projects before the station can re-open. She said the process would likely take about two weeks.

The Mattapoisett police station has been closed since May 28, when a water pipe on the second floor burst and sent water cascading throughout the first and second floor. The building’s damage was “extensive,” according to Chief Lyons, and the building’s first floor was completely gutted. Damage on the second floor was mostly limited to floor damage.

Since the pipe disaster three months ago, the police station has been operating out of the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department Mobile Command Center with some assistance from the Fairhaven police department.

By Anne O’Brien-Kakley

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11:27:51 pm Norman Fortier’s Mattapoisett Waterfront

Categories: Mattapoisett

A lecture and slide show titled “Yachts, Boats and Boat Shops: Mattapoisett 1940-1985 as seen through the eyes of Norman Fortier” was given on Thursday, August 19 at 7:30 by Seth Mendell at the Mattapoisett Free Public Library. Mr. Mendell is the president of the Mattapoisett Historical Society.

Mr. Mendell opened the evening with a presentation of some of the maps and calendars available for sale from the Mattapoisett Historical Society. These included old maps of Mattapoisett and Rochester, and a map of Buzzards Bay in 1906. The evening’s talk was focused on the work of Norman Fortier, a photographer who worked between the years of 1940 and 1985 taking many pictures of the boats in Buzzards Bay. Mr. Fortier took “thousands of pictures of this particular area, (Marion and Mattapoisett) of the land, boats and waterfront,” according to Mr. Mendell.

About 10 years ago, roughly 16,000 negatives of Mr. Fortier’s work were donated to the New Bedford Whaling Museum. At that time, the Whaling Museum contacted Mr. Mendell to ask if he would be interested in picking out the pictures taken in Mattapoisett. He was, and the photos used for this presentation were courtesy of the Whaling Museum.

The photos began with an aerial view of Mattapoisett, circa 1962. Mr. Mendell explained that the Wampanoag Indians had used the Mattapoisett River as “their life-line to the sea.” Mr. Mendell considered the Indians “chapter one” in the history of Mattapoisett, with following chapters including the settlers who arrived in 1680, and then the development of the ship-building industry, and eventually the demise of the whaling trade leading to the now-present summer crowd.

More photos followed, including pictures of a fleet of catboats from the New Bedford Yacht Club in 1977. The New Bedford Yacht Club held their regattas in the Mattapoisett harbor at that time.

Going back further in history, the New York Yacht Club visited the Mattapoisett Harbor in 1962, and Norman Fortier was able to capture a few brilliant shots of the parking lot, dock and harbor. The lot didn’t look much different than it does today, other than the 60’s style cars, and the normally bare harbor was filled with expensive New York yachts.

Another shot was of the “Buzzards Bay 25,” a ship “designed to sail in Buzzards Bay and keep you dry.” This boat is now on display at the Herreshoff Marine Museum in Bristol, R.I. Many other boats belonging to Mattapoisett owners were shown under sail, many heeling precariously.

Mr. Fortier spent significant time with two well-known boat builders; Allan Vaitses and Fred Brownell. These two began a boat shop together in Mattapoisett, but they soon went different ways, due to their conflicting, strong personalities. Mr. Fortier photographed the inside of Allan Vaitses’ shop, where Mr. Vaitses developed a new method for building ships by binding two fiberglass halves of the hull together, rather than building one complete wooden hull. Mr. Vaitses wrote a number of technical boat-building books and built over two-hundred custom designed boats.

Mr. Brownell also built over a hundred boats, and he also invented the first Brownell hydraulic trailer and “jack stands” which aided tremendously in launching and storing boats. Anyone interested in viewing the Fortier collection can stop by during the Museum’s regular hours, Wednesday through Saturday, 1:00 to 4:00 pm.

By Sarah K. Taylor

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11:27:45 pm Board Upholds Inspector, Local Bylaw

Categories: Mattapoisett

A regular meeting of the Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) was called to order by Chairman Jeffrey Chase on August 19, 2010 in the Mattapoisett Town Hall conference room. Also in attendance were ZBA members Paul Milott, Ken Pacheco, Susan Akin and Mary Anne Brogan, Building Inspector Andy Bobola and Administrative Assistant Maria Cananzey.

In the first hearing of the night, the Board once again conducted a public hearing concerning 8 Ocean View Ave. The appeal, filed by William Halmkin of 10 Ocean View Ave, sought to appeal Mr. Bobola’s decision to not revoke a building permit, which had been issued to Thomas and Terry Simonson, owners of the 8 Ocean View Ave property.

The non-conforming structure at 8 Ocean View was grandfathered to pre-1973 setback requirements. According to Mattapoisett bylaws, that gave jurisdiction to the building inspector to approve the permit, said both Mr. Bobola and Attorney Daniel Perry. At a May 20 meeting, the ZBA voted to support Mr. Bobola’s decision, citing failure to file an appeal 30 days from the permit approval, and Mr. Bobola’s uncontested use of the Mattapoisett bylaw for 10 years, for their decision.

A representative of Mr. Halmkin, Attorney Barbara Huggins, claimed that a special permit should have been issued, and that Mr. Bobola should not have approved the application, since the project increased the non-conforming nature of the building. “We’re not saying the building inspector can’t issue the permit, but that they must complete an inquiry,” said Atty. Huggins, who also went on to note that the local bylaw should not “trump” Massachusetts law, citing a Supreme Judicial Court case, Bjorklund vs. Norwell Zoning Board, in which the local bylaw could not be upheld in a case of house expansion and non-conformity.

Atty. Perry refuted Atty. Huggins’ claims, saying that the language in the Mattapoisett bylaw is clear: Mr. Bobola had the right to issue the building permit. Town Counsel Atty. Joel Bard of Kopelman and Paige said, “It’s up to the building inspector and the [ZBA] to interpret what [the local bylaw] says.”

After closing the public comment period of the hearing, the ZBA entered a brief deliberation period.

“I don’t think they told us anything different than last time,” said Ms. Akin.

“What was the reason that they wanted the appeal?” asked Mr. Pacheco, who had not been at the May 20 meeting.

“It was neighbor versus neighbor,” said Chairman Chase.

The Board unanimously voted to deny the appeal.

In a second hearing, the ZBA received an application from Richard and Gloria Waterhouse of 17 Bay View Ave. The applicants sought a special permit to construct an addition to the back of their home, which would produce a 23.8-foot setback at the rear of their home – the setback requirement is 30-feet. The addition would house an extra bedroom.

The application, which Mr. Bobola described as “very straightforward”, was approved quickly and unanimously by the ZBA.

In a third public hearing, the ZBA met with Doug Schneider to hear plans for a new structure at 3 Ship Street. The old structure, which was built in 1967, consists of three structures: a one-car garage, a main house and another structure containing a kitchen, connected to the main house, which Mr. Schneider described as “an odd little house”.

In the plans, the old house would be demolished and replaced by a shingled residence existing mostly on one level; the western portion of the home would have a second floor. Mr. Schneider claimed that the new house would improve the Ship Street setback and remove encroachment on the abutting lot. The new structure would also include a one-car garage, which would be in line with the main house. “There is a concerted effort to keep this as low as possible,” said Mr. Schneider.

The ZBA received several letters from abutting neighbors, all in support of the project. Some neighbors even attended the meeting in support of the applicant.

“This is an interesting case,” said Mr. Bobola, who said that the property owners, the Zarin family, were “working hard to make their neighbors first priority so their views are protected.” Instead of other applications, which often cut into the views of neighbors, this applicant was trying to maintain their neighbors’ ocean views.

In the deliberation period, Chairman Chase said, “This is a good addition to the town and neighborhood… I think it will be an improvement over what is there for sure.”

The ZBA unanimously approved the submitted proposal before adjourning at 7:10 pm.

By Anne O’Brien-Kakley

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11:27:42 pm NSTAR Circuitry Work Approved

Categories: Mattapoisett

A meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission was called to order by Vice Chair Carmelo Nicolosi on August 23, 2010 at 6:35 pm at the Mattapoisett Town Hall. Also present were commission members Ken Dawicki, James O’Dowd, agent Rene Drouin, Conservation Committee Secretary Marcia Perry and Building Inspector Andrew Bobola. Chairman Tyler MaCallister was not present.

In the first public hearing, David Davignon of N. Schneider and Associates presented a Request for a Determination of Applicability (RDA) on behalf of Simon and Lauren Kavanagh of 8 Highland Avenue at Point Connett. The applicants proposed to raze the existing single family dwelling for the purposes of constructing a new dwelling in the same location, in addition to the construction of a patio and crushed stone driveway. The proposed residence is in the flood zone but not the wetlands buffer zone, Mr. Davignon explained.

Mr. Dawicki expressed concern that the new structure increases the impervious surface area by 33 percent. He said the commission might require a swale to prevent water entering other properties. Mr. Dawicki also expressed concern about water falling from the top of the house due to lack of gutters. As such, he suggested additional three-fourth inch stone around the driveway to prevent runoff.

“I have no problem with that,” replied Mr. Davignon. The commission then accepted the plan with the negative three determination with the condition that an 18-foot-by-six-foot band of crushed stone be placed around the north and south side of the house.

Mr. Davignon then presented two Requests for a Determination of Applicability for identical projects on adjacent lots at the corner of Windward Way and Mattapoisett Neck Road on behalf of Diane Normand and Rene Rock. Neither project resides within 100 feet of the Wetland Resource Area but they are within the velocity zone, Mr. Davignon said. The representative said he is seeking a positive determination so the projects can move forward to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

With little deliberation, the commission voted to accept both projects with a positive determination.

A power outage then struck the Mattapoisett Town Hall and the remainder of the meeting was conducted with assistance from flashlights and the slowly waning sunlight. Ironically, NSTAR presented its Notice of Intent to add a new circuit line to its Mattapoisett substation due to area outage problems.

Eric Las of Beals and Thomas reviewed the full project, which requires mounting brackets on existing and new poles on a carpath from North Street to a substation off Crystal Springs Road. Mr. Las explained that all work is slated for completion before the end of the year and all areas would re-vegetate at that time. He said temporary swamp mats will be used to provide more surface area for vehicles upgrading and installing poles. He said any wetland loss – which would be minimal – would be mitigated with a proposed small wetlands area.

The applicants failed to provide a DEP file number, however, thus the commission voted to continue the hearing on September 13 to wrap up the case.

In an unscheduled discussion, David and Grace Knox, and Bud and Helen Ellis approached the commission about tree clearing taking place near their homes by another neighbor. Mr. Bobola explained there also was a dispute about rights to an access-way. Doug Schneider of Schneider and Associates explained that the work is being done to survey the land for possible sale and clear out the access lane.

The neighbors expressed concern that the work was being done within 100 feet of wetlands, and the commission decided to send out Mr. Bobola, Mr. Dawicki, and Mr. Drouin to investigate. Mr. Nicolosi noted that, “If there are no wetlands, we have no teeth,” and said the case would be a civil matter unrelated to the work of the commission.

The commission then continued a discussion with Alan Ewing of Ewing Engineering and Bob Gray of Sabatia, who represent the Plymouth Nominee Trust. The applicants are seeking an Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation for an undeveloped lot near Mattapoisett Neck Road and Old Mattapoisett Neck Road. The representatives sought determination from the commission declaring that the salt marsh system on part of the property did not constitute a river. Mr. Gray went into extensive detail on his reasoning, including the lack of blue lines on the U.S. Geological Survey map and the lack of a continuous flow, among other considerations.

Mr. Dawicki said such a determination of whether there is a river would not affect the scope of the project, which is already on a waterfront, and thus is a mute point, but Mr. Gray expressed concern that a lack of a determination could impact future projects of neighbors. Mr. Nicolosi pointed out that the applicant had not paid a fee for the commission to determine if there is a river on that segment of the property thus opted “not to define it at all.”

“I can’t say I’m 100 percent convinced this is not a river,” Mr. Nicolosi said. The representatives and commission discussed at length the issue, but the commission still believed that a determination of whether there is a river was unnecessary. The commission in the end accepted the delineation with no determination of water flow on the southerly end of property.

The commission then briefly met with Highway Surveyor Barry Denham, who sought and received permission to clear out stream beds.

The commission approved the August 9 minutes and adjourned at 9:07 pm.

By Laura Pedulli

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11:44:20 pm Old-Fashioned Clambake Revives Legion

Categories: Mattapoisett

It’s been two years, but the American Legion still knows how to host one heck of a clambake.

The last time the Florence Eastman American Legion Post 280 hosted a clambake was in 2007. The Legion was forced into a hiatus in 2008 and 2009 when they couldn’t procure a location large enough to accommodate their annual event. This year, the clambake was back, and better than ever, on August 8 at the Lions Club’s Holy Ghost Society Grounds on Park Street.

Close to 240 people attended the old-fashioned clambake, said American Legion Commander Michael Lamoureux. The clambake followed old traditions, relying on a weekend’s worth of labor – hauling rocks and rockweed, constructing wooden boxes – for a truly New England-style meal.

Among those who assisted in making the clambake a success were Legion members, the Mattapoisett Lions, the Mattapoisett firefighters and the Firefighter Auxiliary Club, and the Mattapoisett Boy Scout Troop 53. Dan and Andy Chase provided tarps for the bake as well. Commander Lamoureux expressed “profuse thanks” to these groups for their contributions. “Troop 53 did a bear of a job,” said Commander Lamoureux, who said that the Boy Scouts had the daunting task of serving everyone at the clambake. “Everyone did a great job and the people were very appreciative.”

The work began on Saturday, August 7, when the rocks and weeds were brought to the Holy Ghost Society Grounds at Park Street, and continued the next morning, when the rocks were heated, spread out, and weeds were placed on top of the hot rocks. The boxes of clams, native corn, potatoes and other assorted foods were placed on top of the weeds in the traditional style of Wampanoag and early New England settler clambakes.

The American Legion used the proceeds from the event to keep their organization “solvent and viable,” and to pay for costs associated with up-keep of their location at 3 Depot Street. Their Depot Street location is important to the town, said Commander Lamoureux, since it provides a building for small venues, like baby and wedding showers. The American Legion also sends young men and women to an annual academic state convention and hosts two VA events each year.

“We want to thank all the people who helped and all the people who came and supported us,” said Commander Lamoureux. The American Legion, refreshed by what Commander Lamoureux called “a gigantic success,” looks forward to organizing another clambake for next year as well. “To all the naysayers… we are back!” he laughed.

By Anne O’Brien-Kakley

 

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11:46:21 pm Amendments to Approved Pier Debated

Categories: Mattapoisett

A meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission was called to order by Chairman Tyler Macallister on August 9, 2010 at 6:30 pm at the Mattapoisett Town Hall. Also present were commission members Carmelo Nicolosi, Ken Dawicki, James O’Dowd, agent Rene Drouin, and Conservation Committee Secretary Marcia Perry

In the first public hearing, John Thomas of Beals and Thomas presented a Request for A Determination of Applicability (RDA) for minor grading to fill, remove boulders and level mounds on North Street to Crystal Spring Road. According to Mr. Thomas, NSTAR is seeking to add additional cables to its substation due to outage programs. NSTAR thus would install eight intermittent poles and update one existing poles to carry the cables a quarter of a mile from the substation to I-195. The work cited is required to clear an access road to transport and install the poles.

Describing the site as “laced with wetlands,” Mr. Thomas said that NSTAR will file a Notice of Intent (NOI) on August 13 that will detail the full scope of work, and how it will affect these environmentally sensitive areas. “NSTAR would like to commence work at the earliest convenience,” he said, noting that it would like to complete installation of the poles by the end of October. Mr. Thomas said the work “will not cause any ground disturbance next to wetlands” and that erosion controls, such as swamp mats, will be utilized. Further, he said that NSTAR is working with the National Heritage and Endangered Species to minimize environmental damage.

Shortly after the presentation, the commission voted to accept the plan with a negative three determination on the condition that no work is done in the resource area of the plan.

For the next hearing, Bruce Rocha of Fisher & Rocha requested a negative RDA for an 11-by-13-and-a-half foot shed Harry and Bobbi O’Hare seek to build on their property at 3 Oyster Lane. An abutter present at the meeting reviewed the plans and stated no concerns. With little deliberation, the commission accepted the plan with a negative two determination.

Susan Nilson of CLE Engineering presented a NOI on behalf of the Town of Mattapoisett for a footbridge rehabilitation and replacement located on the bike path over the Mattapoisett River. Ms. Nilson said that the town is looking at using students from Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School to assist with the project. Bonne DeSousa of Friends of the Mattapoisett Bike Path, who was at the meeting, stressed, “this is a bridge for feet and bikes” and not authorized for vehicle use. Ms. Nilson noted that the proposal includes no in-water work

Overall, Ms. Nilson said that work would require a 14 foot wide access road for trucks, which will be done by the Friends of the Mattapoisett Bike Path. The YMCA will allow use of the parking lot as a staging area, she added. “There will be no grading or stumping, only cutting,” she said. Mr. Macallister noted that the Department of Public Works and Eco-Heritage, “have all given green lights so far.”

Following the presentation, the commission approved the NOI on the condition that the trucks are cleaned off site.

Ms. Nilson also presented a Request for an Amended Order for pier modifications at Starboard Way on behalf of Lawrence Oliveira. The applicant seeks to amend an April 16 approved plan to decrease the size of the pier from 230 feet to 223 feet and the addition of steps leading onto the seawall fastened by sonet tubal footing. Ms. Nilson said the reduced length of the pier addresses concerns by the Department of Environmental Protection that the pier disturbs eel grass.

In regard to the stairs, Mr. Nicolosi said, “I’m not convinced this is a reduction in the scope of work. If it is an increase in the scope of work, we cannot amend it.” The rest of the commission agreed that the steps would not be approved in the amendment.

Christian Hicks then approached the commission with concerns about the amended proposal. He argued that the shortening of the pier increases the environmental impact of the proposal because boats birthing and docking at the site will be in shallower waters of between 2.3 and 2.6 feet. “It’s an increased impact on soft-shell crabs and co-hogs,” he argued.

Mr. Macallister disagreed. “When you decrease the pier, you decrease the length of flow and the overall impact. The different between the piers is two tenths of a foot,” he said, noting that the old proposal has the level water between 2.8 or 2.6 feet for boats. “I think less impact on the eel grass is more important than the impact on the quahogs.”

With Mr. Hicks, an environment engineer was present to give a presentation on his study of the proposed change. Mr. Hicks urged the commission to listen to his presentation, and Mr. Macallister deferred to the members on the matter.

“I think anything that comes out of it is negligible,” said Mr. O’Dowd.

“I think it is a day late and a dollar short,” said Mr. Davicka, noting that the two tenths or fourth tenths change is water level for boat maneuvering is not a significant increase in environmental impact.

“Two tenths matters. It matters. All we are asking is for you to hear us on whether it matters,” responded Mr. Hicks. Mr. Macallister said the current proposal is similar to other piers in the area. “Mattapoisett is fairly consistent when it comes to depths.” He added: “It you are moving away from the eel grass line, at the end of the day it is a decrease in scope.”

Mr. Nicolosi noted, “Well, it is a public hearing,” and after some dialogue back and forth, the commission said Ms. Nilson has the right to continue the hearing to provide her own expert to speak on the matter. Ms. Nilson opted to continue the hearing. After some discussion, the commission voted to continue the hearing for the first meeting in September. Mr. Macallister stressed that only the proposed amendments are up for appeal, but the plan approved in April is still valid.

Then Alan Ewing approached the board for an Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation on behalf of Plymouth Nominee Trust. The applicant is investigating whether a lot near Mattapoisett Neck Road and Old Mattapoisett Neck Road is buildable. Upon looking at the plans, the commission voted to visit the site in person for a better analysis.

The commission approved the July 29 minutes and voted to adjourn at 8:26 pm.

By Laura Pedulli

 

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11:46:18 pm Point Connett Fire Ruled Accidental

Categories: Mattapoisett

The Point Connett fire at 21 Bay Road that took place on the evening of July 22 has been ruled accidental, according to Mattapoisett Fire Chief Andrew Murray.

Chief Murray said that the cause of the fire was determined to be “rags soaked in paint thinner or stain left in an inappropriately ventilated area.” Chief Murray added: “The structure is being deemed a total loss.” At no point in the investigation did Chief Murray suspect arson, but the case was reviewed by the state fire marshal.

Area residents described the fire as moving fast and producing a lot of smoke. The fire was viewed as far as Town Wharf and Angelica Point.

The Mattapoisett, Marion, Rochester and Fairhaven fire departments all responded or assisted in the July 22 blaze.

By Anne O’Brien-Kakley

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01:29:13 pm Mosquito Spray Tonight for Rochester, Mainland Mattapoisett and Marion

Categories: News, Marion, Mattapoisett, Rochester

Governor Deval Patrick announced this week that the state would be conducting an insecticide spray over the southeastern portion of the state, in response to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's reports of high levels of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in tested Bristol and Plymouth county pools.

So far, a young Middleborough horse has been euthanized due to EEE, and more recently, a Worcester horse was diagnosed with EEE as well. MDPH is hoping, with an aerial spray and a widespread educational campaign, that they may be able to minimize or avoid a human case despite the unusually high level of EEE-positive mammal-biting mosquitoes found.

The aerial spraying will use an insecticide called Anvil to kill the mosquito adults. The following towns will be sprayed: Easton, Norton, West Bridgewater, East Bridgewater, Hanson, Pembroke, Taunton, Raynham, Bridgewater, Halifax, Duxbury, Berkley, Middleborough, Plympton, Kingston, Lakeville, Carver, Plymouth, Freetown, New Bedford, Acushnet, Rochester, Fairhaven, Mattapoisett, Marion and Wareham.

Areas directly along the coast will be excluded from the spray, including coastal areas of Mattapoisett and Marion. A PDF version of the map can be viewed here: http://www.mass.gov/Eeohhs2/docs/dph/cdc/arbovirus/aerial_spray_map.pdf

Also excluded from the spraying will be organic farms, public water supply areas and Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP) areas.

According to representatives from the MDPH, residents within the spray zone, and even coastal residents near the spray zone, should use some precautions on the evening of the spray. Precautions include closing windows, shutting off window fans and air conditioners, washing garden fruits and vegetables before consumption and bringing in pets for the night.

The aerial spray was originally slated for the evening of August 4, but was postponed due to high winds. As of 7:30 pm, the state was still planning to spray certain municipalities within the spray zone, including all of Rochester, and northern "mainland" sections of Mattapoisett and Marion.

By Anne O'Brien-Kakley

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07:48:47 am EEE Buzzkill for Tri-Town Activities

Categories: News, Marion, Mattapoisett, Rochester

It’s on the tip of everyone’s tongues, this EEE business.

The increased Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) threat has curtailed all evening outdoor activities in the Tri-Town over the past week, per orders from the Board of Health (BOH). The Rochester Block Dance, originally scheduled for Saturday, July 31, will have to be rescheduled for autumn. A New Bedford Sea Chantey chorus event, organized by the Friends of Plumb Library, was moved indoors on July 28. The Old Rochester Farmers’ Market will be wrapping up business an hour early, at 6:00 pm, until the BOH lifts the evening curfew. Most recently, the Mattapoisett Heritage Days were rescheduled to the weekend of September 17, and several Rochester Country Fair events, including the Woodsman Show and bonfire, have been canceled.

Beaches, playgrounds, and other public facilities are closing each day at 6:00 pm, due to the levels of EEE found in Bristol/Plymouth county mosquitoes. The Tri-Town Boards of Health are cutting to the chase and saying: no evening activities altogether. If residents absolutely must go outdoors, they should wear clothing that covers – long sleeves and pants – and they need to cover themselves in DEET-based bug repellant.

The threat is coming as a result of mammal-biting mosquitoes that were found in both Plymouth and Bristol counties – more specifically, in Mattapoisett and Rochester. There hasn’t been a human death from EEE since 2006, which was a particularly bad year for EEE. From 2004 to 2006, there were 13 human cases and six deaths from EEE.

Every year we hear about EEE – so why the extra precautions this year?

“All the scenarios [this year] are the same as 2006, just a little earlier,” said Mattapoisett Public Health Agent Dale Barrows. Compounding this fear is the young horse in Middleboro that recently had to be euthanized due to EEE sickness. The Boards of Health are hoping that, with extreme measures, they may be able to avoid a human case of EEE.

In regards to a human case, Mr. Barrows said, “It is just a matter of time – that’s what [the Massachusetts Department of Public Health is] anticipating.” That means, until the region undergoes a hard frost, there could be a lot of evening event cancelations.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) reported on Tuesday that samples from 30 pools all tested positive for EEE, which is triple the level typically found at this time of year. MDPH officials describe these mosquitoes as being “hot”, meaning they contain concentrated levels of the virus.

Both Mattapoisett and Rochester have both sprayed their entire towns with trucks, but an aerial spraying requires a “public health emergency”. Mr. Barrows describes aerial spraying as “a very expensive undertaking”. Local Boards of Health do not have jurisdiction over aerial spraying. Such a decision would be left at the state level. State Epidemiologist, Dr. Alfred DeMaria M.D. said, “Aerial spraying will be done if the virus keeps intensifying as measured by infected mosquitoes, especially mammal biters… and it can be done to get the effect on flying adult mosquitoes that will reduce risk.”

Over the past weekend, Governor Deval Patrick said that public risk was great enough to justify aerial spraying, which was slated to begin as early as August 4, depending on the weather.

"This has been an unusual year in terms of persistent hot weather and rainfall conditions," said DPH Commissioner John Auerbach. "We believe there is a significantly higher risk of EEE this year than in years past, but we're hopeful that the prudent use of aerial spraying will decrease that risk, along with people taking care to keep from getting bit by mosquitoes."

According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), only 100 cases of EEE have occurred in Massachusetts since the virus was first identified in 1938. However, with 60 percent of these cases falling squarely on Bristol and Plymouth counties, the Boards of Health still consider this rare disease a regional threat.

Despite the rarity of the disease, the public fear arises from the inability to treat the virus. It starts as a stiff neck with fever and lethargy. The symptoms progress rapidly, with seizures and most of the time, coma and death as the brain swells. Of those who do contract the disease, only about 10 percent completely recover – the rest die or are permanently disabled. EEE is a particular concern to children younger than 15, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems.

At a recent Rochester Board of Selectmen meeting, the Board urged the public to take the threat seriously, citing the 2006 case of Derek Ashworth, a Rochester resident. Mr. Ashworth was one of the rare 10 percent who survived the disease without permanent disability, but still suffered from a coma and had to fight to live.

Some residents think that they should report dead birds to the state. One thing to note is that the state is not testing dead birds to gauge the EEE threat, so it is unnecessary to alert the MDPH to dead birds. According to Dr. DeMaria, “EEE does not make birds sick or kill them.” A public health fact sheet from the MDPH says the EEE virus infects the bird, but there still is no evidence of sickness in the bird. The problem arises when the mosquito bites the infected bird and then bites a human. Likewise, Dr. DeMaria said that testing dead birds for West Nile Virus (WNV) is also useless, since, “Even when we tested dead birds, most didn’t have WNV… because North American birds are no longer susceptible [to WNV].” So far, Mr. Barrows said that West Nile is not shaping up to be a problem this year, and has not been detected in tested mosquitoes.

In the meantime, the BOH is hoping that the public will follow their recommendations: to stay indoors during peak mosquito hours (dawn and dusk), wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, and wear mosquito repellent containing DEET, picaridin, premethrin or oil of lemon eucalyptus, though these repellants should not be used on infants. For help selecting the right repellant, the public is invited to call the National Pesticide Information Center at 1-800-858-7378.

The public is also urged to get rid of standing water in the yard, since mosquito larvae can thrive in as little as a thimble-full of water. Clogged gutters and birdbaths can also be a source of mosquito colonies. Every year from May to the first hard frost, MDPH collects mosquitoes from various state locations and tests for EEE and WNV. Visit www.mass.gov/dph/cdc/wnv/wnv1.htm throughout the season to see where positive samples have been found.

On Tuesday, the state advised the public to stay informed on the scheduled aerial spray, which contains a pesticide called Anvil. Anvil is a man-made chemical that is molecularly similar to the chrysanthemum flower. Its pesticide properties are enhanced with the addition of piperonyl butoxide. Some areas containing drinking water and organic farms will be bypassed in the spraying. Although the low concentrations of Anvil are not considered a health threat to the public, MDPH is advising the public to bring in pets, and turn off air conditioners and fans when the spray is conducted, likely in the late evening/early morning hours.

For information on a local level, visit the town websites, www.Mattapoisett.net and www.MarionMA.gov, for updated information from the Board of Health throughout the week. Rochester residents can receive more information by calling their Board of Health at 508-763-5421, ext. 1.

By Anne O'Brien-Kakley

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11:49:47 pm Aquaculture Ad Hoc Committee Formed

Categories: Mattapoisett

A regular meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen was called to order by Chairman Jordan Collyer on August 3, 2010, at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall conference room. Also in attendance were Selectmen Paul Silva and George Randall and Town Administrator Michael Gagne.

After the pledge of allegiance and a moment of silence for those who have served the country, the Board then voted to sign and approve the warrant for the September primary election.

The Board then voted to accept the applications for appointment to the Aquaculture Ad Hoc Committee from the following residents: John Hinman from the Marine Advisory Board (MAB) who volunteered to represent his board, Lisa Winsor, Horace Field III, Horace Field IV, Joyce Almeida, Paul Osenkowski and Jim O’Dowd. Rochester resident and Mattapoisett property owner Mark Whalen will also advise on the committee as a non-voting member. Ex-officio members will be Mr. Gagne, Harbormaster Steve Mach and Natural Resources Officer Kathy Massey.

“Now let’s get to work,” said Selectman Silva. Chairman Collyer said that the newly formed committee would soon have their first meeting.

The Board then voted to appoint Bob Spooner and Cheryl Randall to the newly formed Agricultural Committee (AgCom). Mr. Gagne did note that there were still positions left on AgCom and those interested in joining the committee should contact the town hall.

Barry Denham came before the Board to inform them that there would still be a clambake held at the Holy Ghost grounds on Sunday, August 8, with work starting around 9:00 am, and food being served around 1:00 pm. Anyone interested can still buy a ticket at the Mattapoisett Clipper, the fire station, or from Mr. Denham or Michael Lamoureux.

Mr. Denham also informed the Board that his current manpower and hours are not enough to conduct street sweeping in all areas of town more than once a year. The bulk of the street sweeping and catch basin cleaning takes place in the center of town, since events like road races necessitate the cleaning. But “outlying” areas in town are only slated for one sweep this year, which will be in autumn.

For the sake of wetlands safety, and for the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists, Mr. Gagne suggested that they might even be able to put out a small bid for outlying areas as far as sweeping goes. He said, depending on the bids received, it may be less costly than increasing budgeted hours.

Judy Mooney and Donald Carlstrom were then reappointed to the Financial Committee by Chairman Collyer, School Committee Chairperson Grace Knox, and Town Moderator Jack Eklund.

Under Notes and Announcements, Chairman Collyer announced that the next Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen meeting would take place on Tuesday, September 14, 2010 at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall conference room. There is not a scheduled second Board meeting in August, though Chairman Collyer said that they might meet during the week of August 17 for the sake of the private roads plowing decision. Such a meeting will be posted in advance.

In his Town Administrator’s report, Mr. Gagne discussed the upcoming fall special town meeting, which will likely occur on October 12, the Tuesday following Columbus Day. The special town meeting is scheduled to start a little earlier than usual, at 6:30 pm, to make the adjournment time more manageable for residents. Mr. Gagne said that the deadline for warrants would be posted on the Town of Mattapoisett website, www.Mattapoisett.net.

Mr. Gagne also noted that the town was still seeking volunteers for the town’s Facility Evaluation Committee. The committee, which was approved for formation at the annual town meeting, will look to identify and prioritize repair work on town buildings. The town is currently seeking residents in the fields of construction, electrical work, masonry and construction management to fill the committee vacancies.

Under Correspondence, the Board heard from Comcast regarding customer service and channel upgrades. These changes and upgrades will be posted on the Town of Mattapoisett website. They also received notification from the Mattapoisett Congregational Church in regards to the upcoming “Homecoming Sunday” on September 12 at Ned’s Point. The Homecoming will include a worship service at 10:00 am and will be followed by a cookout.

The Board voted to go into executive session at 7:58 pm for the purpose of ongoing collective bargaining discussion.

By Anne O’Brien-Kakley

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11:49:43 pm Visitors Fared Well at Summer Faire

Categories: Mattapoisett

In its fourth year, the Mattapoisett Congregation United Church of Christ had plenty to offer treasure hunters at its Summer Faire last Saturday.

Browsers checked out beautiful wooden furniture, couches and rugs scattered across the church grounds; meanwhile, a bake sale booth provided treats for sweets lovers and a separate sale of children’s toys caught the eye of parents and kids alike. The church hall also offered items including kitchenware, glassware, jewelry, figurines and artwork.

“This is not a rummage sale,” said Kim Field, an event coordinator and volunteer at the church, remarking on the high quality donations. She said volunteers hauling in the high quality furniture left “antique dealings drooling.” She noted that each furniture item was cleaned in preparation for the sale.

Volunteer Beth Lopes led the children’s activities so parents could focus on shopping. Dennis Silva of Fall River laughed with his daughter Gabriela Silva and niece Devon Sylvia as they pounded on pedals connected to a machine that inflates balloons. After five minutes of grueling and fun work, the balloons burst to a chorus of laughter. “We just came through here on a trip back from the Cape. We are having a great time,” said Mr. Silva.

Close by in one corner, Martha Burbank manned tables containing a large selection of children’s toys and accessories, including a wooden garage with manual crank, strollers, scooters, bikes, games, and dolls. Meanwhile, adjacent to the bake sale booth, attendees sampled popular dips prepared with mixes concocted by Ms. Field and Diana Dunn. In flavors including curry, bacon, ranch and Mexican, volunteers sold small packages of the dip mix as part of the fundraising effort.

Former churchgoers also lent a hand, even from a distance. In the hall, colorful necklaces and matching earrings handcrafted by artist Sandra Murray adorned one table. Ms. Murray spent her childhood in the church and sent the shipment from her new residence in Florida, according to her mom who manned the table.

Approximately 50 volunteers assisted with the event, manning cash boxes, lifting and loading furniture and leading children’s activities, Ms. Field said. She added, “We’ve been very blessed. All of these years [the event] has landed on beautiful days.”

One hundred percent of the proceeds benefited the general budget of the church. Ms. Field said the event on average raises about $4,000 to $5,000.

By Laura Pedulli

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03:58:32 pm Subdivision Public Comments Reopened

Categories: Mattapoisett

A regular meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board was called to order by Chairman Thomas Tucker on August 2, 2010 at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall Conference Room. Also in attendance were board members Ronald Merlo, Karen Field, Robert McNamara and John Mathieu.

The minutes of the July 19 meeting were approved.

The board met with engineer Alan Ewing, a representative for Robert George Randall and Maria Randall of 174 Acushnet Road, for an application for endorsement of a plan believed not to require approval. According to Mr. Ewing, his client wanted to “carve out” an L-shaped parcel from their 13-acre plot for a family member. The new parcel would meet frontage and parcel size requirements. The board found the proposal acceptable and voted to approve the endorsement application.

The board then met with Bill Madden in regards to a request from the Village at Mattapoisett. Several residents of the condominium village were present alongside Mr. Madden, who inquired the board for a status update on bond funds that the board had approved at a previous meeting for some restorative pond work at the Village.

Upon the condominium’s construction, the developer agreed to place money into a town bond to remediate any future issues with the pond at the Village. Approximately $20,000 came from the developer, with the condominium association gathering about $30,000 to make a total of $50,000 in the bond. This represents a cost of about $1,000 per homeowner, according to Mr. Madden.

Once the pond starting showing signs of failure, the association came to the planning board, who agreed that the pond needed repairs and voted to release the interest accrued in the bond. The association said that the repairs would cost more than the interest accrued, and asked the town to release more than just the interest. However, the decision to release additional funds can only be authorized by Town Council.

“We’re just trying to bring this thing full circle,” said Mr. Madden, who noted that the process so far has taken over a year and the residents wanted closure.

Resident Cheryl Martin said that she was concerned that the pond could pose a safety concern to the residents, including the possibility of increasing moisture and standing water in the area for breeding mosquitoes.

“We’re just waiting on town council,” said Chairman Tucker. “I’ve made numerous requests… [Kopelman and Paige] represent several towns… You won’t be able to nudge this along.”

Ms. Martin asked if the Town Administrator might be able to move the process along.

“It’s become a legal issue,” said Chairman Tucker. “If you want to hire your own council… sometimes attorneys talking to attorneys move things along.” Chairman Tucker made it clear though, that the planning board did not have the authority to advance the matter further, and that the association would have to await Town Council’s decision.

“It’s tough when you can’t even get your own money back,” said one frustrated resident.

In proceeding with the Timothy and Greta Fox 2 Pine Island Subdivision application, the board took a moment to clarify “procedural issues” that had arisen.

At the July 21 meeting, the board, upon motion from Mr. Mathieu, had voted to close the public comment portion of the public hearing. Upon learning new information from engineers, the board wished to reopen the public comment portion, but Chairman Tucker wished to do so with a continuance, since the number of abutters present at the meeting was lower than it had been previously.

“I don’t want this thrown out on procedure,” he said.

The applicant agreed to have the hearing continued until September 20 in order to give time to notify all the abutters, and all the people present at the first two meetings of the public hearing, that public comment had been reopened.

“I want everybody to have the opportunity to attend on the 20th,” said Chairman Tucker.

The board officially voted to reopen public comment in the hearing, and voted to continue the hearing on September 20. This decision will also give the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission the chance to weigh in on drainage matters at the site.

The board voted to adjourn at 7:50 pm.

Correction: The Wanderer reported that Thomas Tucker was present at the July 19 Mattapoisett Planning Board meeting in the July 22 issue. In fact, Chairman Tucker was not present at the meeting.

By Anne O’Brien-Kakley

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06:06:48 pm EEE Threat Cancels All Mattapoisett Outdoor Activities

Categories: Mattapoisett

Mattapoisett issued a reverse-911 call to its residents today, informing them that the Shipyard Park concert was canceled, and all town-related outdoor facilities, like the beaches, ballparks and playgrounds will be closed during the peak mosquito hours, starting at 6:00 pm. This order, which comes from the Board of Health, is in response to the increased threat of EEE (Eastern Equine Encephalitis) that is facing the SouthCoast region.

From the official Town of Mattapoisett website:

"If you need to go outside at any time of the day wear long sleeves, long pants and socks to keep mosquitoes away from your skin. Use a mosquito repellent with DEET. DEET should not be used on infants under two months of age.

Other measure you may take around the home is to drain standing water and change bird baths frequently. Install or repair screens.

For more information please contact the Mattapoisett Board of Health at 508 758-4100, ext. 8"

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12:01:50 am First Grader Inspires Clean-up

Categories: Mattapoisett

On Saturday, July 17, several Mattapoisett children cleaned up the Old Hammondtown School nature trail behind Lambo Field. The trail has been collecting litter for some time when Alice DeCicco-Carey, a first grader at Center School in Mattapoisett, noticed an abundance of trash piled on the trail near the playground in June. Inspired by learning about the environment and "being green" at school this past year, Alice and some friends decided to help the Earth and clean up the mess.

The children who participated in the clean-up were Julia Sheridan, Joseph Sheridan, Abby Simcox, Jacob Simcox, Aiden Harrington, Liz Harrington, and Alice, all students at Center School. They collected 10 bags of trash, several tarps, old carpets, an assortment of old boards and tools and a box spring mattress. The children, with the help of their parents, collected all of the trash in just under an hour.

The nature trail was established in 1998 by junior and senior high school science students and offers a scenic walk through the woods behind Old Hammondtown School.

The children would like to encourage everyone to pick up trash wherever they see it and take a walk along the nature trail to enjoy the views and the hard work they put into cleaning up. Photos of the clean up can be seen on Facebook at the “OHS Nature Trail Clean-up” group page.

By Kyle DeCicco-Carey

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12:01:28 am EEE Mosquitoes Found in Mattapoisett

Categories: Mattapoisett

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) announced on July 23, 2010, that the EEE (Eastern Equine Encephalitis) virus has been detected in mosquitoes collected from Mattapoisett. The EEE mosquito strain identified does not bite humans, but does bite birds.

EEE is a rare but serious illness spread by mosquitoes. Four human cases were identified in 2005; of those four cases, two of the infected people died. While EEE can infect people of all ages, people under the age of 15 or over 50 are at greatest risk for serious illness. Mattapoisett and the MDPH recommend that the public take action now to avoid mosquito bites and reduce mosquito populations around their homes and neighborhoods.

• Limit your time outdoors during peak periods of mosquito activity (dusk and dawn) or, if you must remain outdoors, wear a long-sleeved shirt and long pants.

• Use a mosquito repellent that contains DEET or Picaridin. Oil of lemon eucalyptus may also be considered. Products with peremethrin should only be used on clothing. Always follow the directions on the label. Repellents should not be used on children younger than two months of age. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.

• Take special care to cover up the arms and legs of children playing outdoors. When you bring a baby outdoors, cover the baby’s carriage or playpen with mosquito netting.

• Fix any holes in your screens and make sure they are tightly attached to all your doors and windows.

• Remove any standing water around your home that is available for mosquito breeding. Mosquitoes will begin to breed in any puddle or standing water that lasts for more than four days. Make sure water does not collect and stagnate in ceramic pots, trash cans, recycling containers, old tires, wading pools, bird baths, etc. Remove leaves and debris that may prevent drainage of roof gutters.

Information about EEE and reports of EEE activity in Massachusetts during 2006 can be found on the MDPH website at www.mass.gov/dph/wnv/wnv1.htm. The Town of Mattapoisett will continue to work closely with Plymouth County Mosquito Control on surveillance efforts and spraying efforts.

 

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12:01:22 am ConCom Talks Tree Removal, Beach Clean-Up

Categories: Mattapoisett

A meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission was called to order by Chairman Tyler MaCallister on July 26, 2010 at 6:35 pm at the Mattapoisett Town Hall. Also present were commission members Carmelo Nicolosi, Ken Dawicki, James O’Dowd, Gary Brackins, agent Rene Drouin, and Conservation Committee Secretary Marcia Perry

In the first public hearing, Thomas McGuire of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation submitted a Request for A Determination of Applicability (RDA) for the purpose of removing dead and dying trees along Route 6 that are within the wetlands buffer zone. Mr. McGuire cited winter moth infestation as the main culprit of the tree damage, and described falling trees on the state road as a public safety concern. He said trees would be flesh cut with no digging and that the soil will be undisturbed. The commission voted to accept the request with a negative determination so the DOT can proceed with the project.

The board then heard from Doug Schneider of Schneider and Associates who presented his RDA on behalf of YMCA Southcoast. The organization is proposing to expand their existing porch located on the south side of their main building, which resides within the Coastal Storm Flowage, Zone VE but outside the wetlands buffer zone. With no concerns on the table, the commission accepted the plan with negative determination.

In the subsequent public hearing, Paul and Jayne Pierre of 25 Main Street submitted an RDA to construct a 22-foot-by-16-foot deck attached to the west side of the existing house. The applicants provided two letters of support from abutters and agent Mr. Drouin expressed support for the project. With little deliberation, the commission accepted the plan with a negative determination.

Shortly thereafter, a representative of the Mattapoisett Bay Club had an informal discussion with commission members on how to acquire an extension for an order of conditions not yet met for its lots, which include two villages that have yet to be developed. The representative agreed to draft a letter detailing background of the project, including the initial order of conditions, and meet with Ms. Perry to determine if the applicant has exceeded the number of allowable extensions.

Ron Geraci then approached the commission for advice on how to improve the quality of Cove Beach, which he said needs some improvement. He said he is investigating several options, including raking things around, obtaining equipment to move sand, or adding sand to the beach through a nourishment project.

“As far as beach nourishment, most times it doesn’t work. Your best bet is to clean up the big stuff,” said Mr. Dawicki, noting that nourishment efforts typically do not last more than one or two seasons.

However, should an association wish to pursue a clean-up plan, Mr. Dawicki said they should establish a “perpetuity plan” that details their planned work from year to year; this would require a Notice of Intent (NOI) to ensure they abide by the Wetlands Protection Act. Mr. MaCallister recommended that Mr. Geraci hire an engineer to submit the work. He said it is important to have the NOI established prior to beginning work. “As soon as [you] drive a boat out with that rake on it, people will jump out of helicopters to stop you,” Mr. Dawicki joked.

The commission then opened up the next public hearing for a NOI submitted by David Davignon of Schneider and Associates on behalf of applicant Laima Zarins. Mr. Davignon presented the NOI, which proposes to demolish the existing single family home for the purposes of constructing a new home. Accordingly, the project will require construction of new driveways and retaining walls, the installation of associated utilities and landscaping and the placement to properly grade the site. Mr. Davignon noted that nothing would be done in the coastal buffer zone. The commission accepted the plan as presented unanimously.

Bill Madden of G.A.F. Engineering then approached the Conversation Commission about the Pine Island Road subdivision pursued by Timothy and Greta Fox. Earlier during the meeting, the commission had continued a related hearing for August 9. However, Mr. Madden spoke up about concerns of action recently taken on the application by the planning board. According to Mr. Madden, the planning board agenda stated that the public hearing on the Pine Island Road project would continue on August 2; however, the board ended up taking action on the filing at its July 19 meeting by closing the public hearing portion.

“We think there will be confusion how the conservation commission is going to get their input into that project when the public hearing portion has been closed,” he said, adding that he detailed these concerns in a letter to the commission. He elaborated that the planning board’s closing of the public hearing, “leads us to believe that it will approve the plan as submitted.” He added, “Certainly there is a procedural issue here with ramifications to the planning board and the commission…We find it odd they closed the public hearing portion… It shuts off anyone’s input.”

Mr. MaCallister responded that he would read Mr. Madden’s letter into the record at the August 9 hearing and look into the matter.

In the next public hearing, Mr. Davignon presented an RDA on behalf of J. Andrew Thomas and J. Robin Lepore for a subdivision plan. The commission had approved the plan twice but the order of conditions had lapsed. After a thorough review, the commission determined that the order of conditions – including the limit of manicured lawn allowed on the property – needs to be included in the plan. As such, they approved a negative determination once the plan is modified.

At this point, the commission heard another public hearing involving an NOI submitted by James and Dale Barnes of 69 Mattapoisett Road. Specifically, the applicant proposed to remove their existing garage and expand their driveway. However, no file number had yet been assigned to this application, thus the commission could fully approve it.

In a later agenda item, Highway Surveyor Barry Denham met with commission members about how new private road policy affects procedures. He suggested that owners of private roads who request grading must go through the conservation commission to ensure all requirements are met. Looking at a list of private roads, Mr. Dawicki noted, “Almost all of these fall within the Wetlands Protection Act.” Both parties agreed that applicants must submit an NOI prior to asking Mr. Denham’s department for grading services.

Following several shorter hearings, the commission approved the June 28 minutes with modifications and the July 14 and July 12 minutes as presented. The commission adjourned at 8:13 pm.

By Laura Pedulli

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12:01:13 am BOH Issues Beach Closing Q&A

Categories: Mattapoisett

Q: Why is beach water sampled? A: The state and federal beaches acts require that public and semi-public beaches be monitored for bacterial contamination in the water during the bathing season. Private beaches are not subject to these regulations.

Q: Who monitors the beach water quality? A: Local boards of health, the Barnstable County Department of Health and the Environment, and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation conduct the vast majority of beach water sampling in Massachusetts. Most marine beach samples collected at public beaches are analyzed at Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) contracted laboratories.

Q: How often is the water tested? A: Depending on the beach, the water can be tested anywhere from every day to once per month. The testing frequency depends on how likely the beach is to have water quality issues. Infrequently used beaches or beaches that historically have had very few, if any, water quality issues are tested less often, while high-use or historically problematic beaches are tested more often.

Q: What kind of bacteria is the beach water tested for? A: The water at marine beaches is tested for the presence of Enterococci. Enterococci are a group of bacterial species within the Streptococcus genus, some of which are typically found in human and animal intestines and are therefore present in sewage.

Q: What does it mean for a beach to be posted? A: If a beach is posted, it means recreational use of the water is prohibited. You can still go to the beach to take a walk or enjoy any recreational activities that do not involve contact with the water. The beach will remain posted until the bacterial levels have been shown by laboratory analysis to have dropped back down into the desired range

Q: What are the sources of bacteria in the water? A: Bacteria may be present in the water due to a variety of sources including but not limited to sewage treatment plant outfalls, illegal sewage hookups, leaking septic tanks, boats dumping sewage directly into the water, and combined sewer overflows. Rain is often a contributing factor to beach water pollution. As rainwater washes over land, it can carry bacteria to the beach.

Q: What about animal wastes on the beach? A: Animal waste, such as from dogs or birds, can get into the water and negatively affect water quality at beaches. The bacteria in dog and bird waste can elevate bacterial levels, which can lead to beach postings. Properly cleaning up after your pet can lessen the likelihood of your pet’s waste contaminating the beach water. Similarly, refraining from feeding birds at beaches should help reduce potential bacterial contamination.

Q: What type of illness can you get from contact with water contaminated with bacteria? A: Swimming in polluted water can cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, respiratory symptoms like sore throat, cough, runny nose, and sneezing, eye and ear symptoms including irritation, earache, and itchiness, dermatological symptoms like skin rash and itching, and flu-like symptoms such as fever and chills. Most of these symptoms are minor most of the time but can occasionally be more serious, especially in sensitive populations (e.g. immuno-compromised children and elderly).

Q: How can I find out if a beach is open or has been posted? A: For public marine beaches, go to http://www.mass.gov/dph/topics/beaches.htm, click on “Marine and Freshwater Beach Testing in Massachusetts”, choose “Beach Water Quality Locator”, and select the region, community, and beach you are interested in to find out its current status. For freshwater beaches, you can call your local Board of Health.

Q: Where can I get more information? A: Contact your local Board of Health or access the MDPH beaches website at http://www.mass.gov/dph/topics/beaches.htm. Additional information is available on the EPA’s website at http://www.epa.gov/beaches/index.html.

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08:52:03 am The Wanderer Wins National Award for Movie Review

Categories: News, Marion, Mattapoisett, Rochester

As we reported in our July 22, 2010 print issue, The Wanderer was awarded third place in the Non-Daily Division of the National Newspaper Association for Rob Gonsalves' review of Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans, starring Nicolas Cage and Eva Mendes, directed by Werner Herzog. Running time: 122 minutes. MPAA rating: R.

There are a host of scaly, slimy critters in Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans — snakes, gators, iguanas — and after a while we get the idea: The movie is about the lizard brain, the atavistic area of the mind that wants, hates, fears. The bad lieutenant in question is Terence McDonagh (Nicolas Cage), a reptile on two feet, ravenously snorting and smoking various iterations of cocaine. McDonagh does this to kill the pain in his back, which he injured while saving a prisoner from a flooded jail cell in the days after Hurricane Katrina. The New Orleans of the movie is a gray and blasted place, perfect stomping grounds for the beige-suited McDonagh, who takes advantage of the chaos to feed his demons.

None of this, though, prepares us for how funny Bad Lieutenant is. There was another movie by that title, from 1992, with Harvey Keitel as a soul-sick lapsed-Catholic cop confronting his own faith while trying to catch two guys who raped a nun. Keitel was a howling bulldog, drugging himself into quiet oblivion. This Bad Lieutenant is not a remake; it simply uses the title and the basic theme of a cop lost in addiction and corruption. The legendary director Werner Herzog, perhaps best known recently for Grizzly Man and Rescue Dawn, has always been preoccupied by obsession, exalted or ecstatic states of mind. McDonagh, getting high, has visions of iguanas, football players with antlers, and so on. If anything, his drug abuse makes him a better detective, since it frees him to make connections that sane people miss. He’s a bit like Sherlock Holmes, who also liked to indulge in a sniff of powder, except McDonagh is his own Moriarty.

The official plot has McDonagh trying to get to the bottom of the murders of local African drug dealers. He also has a prostitute girlfriend (Eva Mendes) and a gambling habit (Brad Dourif is his bookie, indulgent up to a point). But most of Bad Lieutenant is a study in extremis. Herzog has obviously given Nicolas Cage permission to try anything, and Cage responds with an overwrought jazz riff of a performance, abstract and near-geometrical. (In agony from his compressed spine, McDonagh always stands and walks askew, a parallelogram pumped full of poison and pain.) If Keitel was a seething, ticking time bomb, Cage goes all the way into rage and hysteria. The weird thing is that McDonagh’s partner (Val Kilmer) might be an even dirtier cop than he is, but since Kilmer doesn’t rhapsodize about touchdown-scoring elks, nobody’s watching him.

As usual, Herzog works the madness for any poetry he can find, as in the much-quoted scene in which McDonagh says of a just-killed criminal, “Shoot him again — his soul’s still dancing,” and sure enough, the soul is break-dancing to harmonica music from Herzog’s Stroszek. On one level, the movie shows what happens when you hire the director of Fitzcarraldo to make a police procedural: Herzog couldn’t make a mainstream movie if you held a gun to his head. And in Cage, Herzog has found his lizard king, beginning the movie by jumping into snake-infested water and ending it leaning against a shark tank. By that point, life has improved externally for McDonagh (there’s a late scene that plays like McDonagh’s wishful daydream but is, hilariously, real), but he’s stuck with the same sharp-fanged amygdala, forever wanting and hating and fearing.

By Rob Gonsalves

 

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08:32:25 pm Point Connett Home Heavily Damaged by Fire

Categories: News, Mattapoisett

The Mattapoisett Fire Department responded to a house fire on 21 Bay Road in the Point Connett area around 7:00 pm on Thursday evening.

Chief Andrew Murray said that when he arrived at the scene, "There was a ton of smoke... 20 to 30-foot flames [were] coming from the roof." The smoke was so thick that Chief Murray initially "couldn't tell if it was a one-story or a two-story."

When the fire department arrived, the basement and wrap-around porch of the house were well-involved. Neighbors were shocked by how fast the fire spread. Witnesses said they saw the homeowner attempting to put out the fire with a garden hose just prior to the fire department's arrival. Other witnesses as far as town wharf reported seeing smoke in the horizon.

The wrap-around porch, basement and front of the house sustained heavy damage. The remainder of he house showed signs of smoke damage. According to Chief Murray, the fire was under control within 20 minutes, but the house is a complete loss. There were no injuries to civilians or personnel.

16 personnel from the Mattapoisett fire department battled the blaze with three engines and a rescue truck. Marion responded to the scene with their ladder truck and five personnel; Fairhaven responded to assist with four personnel. The Rochester Fire Department covered the Mattapoisett Fire Station during the fire.

Two people live at the location, but only one homeowner was present at the time of the blaze. Arson is not suspecting at this time, said Chief Murray, but the fire is currently under investigation with the state fire marshal's office.

By Paul Lopes and Anne O'Brien-Kakley

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12:29:23 am Still A Craze For Harbor Days

Categories: Mattapoisett

Impeccable weather drew throngs of appreciative crowds on Saturday to Mattapoisett Lion’s Club’s annual Harbor Days event. Guests browsed the booths of more than 100 crafters and artisans in Shipyard Park as musicians strutted their stuff in the gazebo. Smells of freshly prepared seafood and burgers wafted through the air; meanwhile, a few attendees took advantage of boat tours that offered scenic vistas of Mattapoisett’s harbor.

Among booths selling artistic creations and nonprofits representing a variety of causes, Mattapoisett Lions Club volunteers manned an extensive raffle table. To participate in Harbor Days, each booth is required to donate a raffle item. All proceeds directly benefit the service organization, which participates in a slate of community projects in the area.

Entering into his 19th consecutive year of participation in Harbor Days, basket weaver Keith Boling remarked that the fair has grown considerably in size. “It is a phenomenal fair for us. It is always done well; the Lions Club runs an excellent fair,” he said. Mr. Boling and his wife Margaret sold dyed wicker baskets and purses adorned with seashells and rocks. Basic weaving became “therapy” for Mr. Boling after a car accident many years ago, when a friend provided him with a mold, baskets and books during his recovery. His interest eventually blossomed into his own business and now he regularly attends ten fairs per year.

Conversely, Dartmouth resident Denise Maranhas is participating in the event for the first time. “I’m excited to see what will happen,” she said, noting the burgeoning crowds. Ms. Maranhas is an artist who fuses stained glass patterns in a kiln into functional objects, including clocks and cheese platters. She began fusing glass after taking a class three years ago on the use of stained glass, and took to it so much she bought a kiln of her own.

The nonprofit Helping Hands and Hooves again offered its popular hair wrapping services. “This is the most fun booth,” said Debbi Dyson. The booth bustled with activity; volunteers enthusiastically wrapped strands of young women’s hair in multicolor beads in exchange for a donation towards its cause – providing therapeutic horse rides to teens and adults with disabilities.

Marilyn Quilty, who handcrafts belt buckles and elaborate jewelry, is in her fourth year of participation. “It’s the only summer show I do, and there is good weather every year,” she said, adding, “I like the people, it is a nice atmosphere.” A mother of three, Ms. Quilty is a self-taught artist who turned a hobby into a full-out business.

In its fifth year, the harbor tours offered an opportunity for attendees to see Mattapoisett by boat. The small cost to participate entirely benefits the Mattapoisett Lions Club. On that unusually wind-free Saturday, David Kaiser of the Mattapoisett Boatyard led groups of about a dozen on 30-minute tours among Mattapoisett’s approximately 800 moorings. He said the waiting list for a mooring ranges between five and ten years, “although it used to be for 20 years,” he noted. Mr. Kaiser also pointed out Mattapoisett’s old shipbuilding piers, which actively built whaling ships during the 19th century.

While Mr. Kaiser led the boat to Ned’s Point and its historic lighthouse, passengers watched three stand-up paddle boarders enjoy the serene waters. Mr. Kaiser pointed out that Buzzards Bay usually is windier and typically is known for its breezes, which are especially noticeable from the Block Island area up to the Cape Cod Canal. He attributes the wind zone to ocean currents, which is why the water temperatures are warmer in the area than further north, he said. In addition, he pointed out an old traditional wooden boat from Martha’s Vineyard that “warmed my heart,” he said.

After 20 years, Harbor Days is still going on strong and remains a beloved tradition for locals and visitors alike. This year the weather contributed again to another successful event.

By Laura Pedulli

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12:29:14 am Art Show Revived at Mattapoisett Museum

Categories: Mattapoisett

After a four-year hiatus, the Mattapoisett Museum and Carriage House was host once again to their Art Show and Sale. The event showcased area talent, with tents of original paintings and a “bin art” tent filled with unframed originals and prints.

Organizer Betty Roberts said that the event was a great opportunity for the museum to make a little money, and a chance for local artists to get the exposure they need. 20 percent of painting sales went to the museum. Ms. Roberts relied on returning artists and word of mouth to build the show.

The show’s revival was due in part to prompting from artist Donna Junier, an oil-landscape artist who missed having the art show event. “I’ve been driving Betty crazy to do this because I sold my first painting four years ago at the art show,” she explained. Like some of the other local artists represented at the show, Ms. Junier does not have formal training, but enjoys working with oils just the same. Ms. Junier’s three paintings in the show were all landscapes of ocean settings, entitled: “Incoming Fog”, “Eye of the Storm” and “Fish House”.

The publicity poster for the Art Show and Sale was based on a painting entitled “Who Cares” by New Bedford artist Sylvia Morrell. The poster, which sold as prints at the show for $5, depicts a carefree woman, clad in a red sundress and wide-brimmed hat, riding her bike near the beach. A dog in the bike basket peeps her head out to enjoy the ocean air, and the beach roses in the foreground give the viewer a sense of joy and familiarity. The painting reflects Ms. Morrell’s favorite subject matter: happy people.

“I always try to [capture] happy people,” said Ms. Morrell. “Most people are happy – most of the people I am around are.”

Ms. Morrell, who typically works with oils, has studied at the Venice Art Museum in Florida and with Jesse Martin in Freetown, MA. She has a room in her home specially dedicated to her craft, but didn’t get started on painting until she was retired.

“I do this for fun,” said Ms. Morrell. “I started when I retired and I didn’t know I could do anything.” For Ms. Morrell, the creative outlet is a source of joy. “I love characters,” she said, and she gives a name to each of the characters in her paintings, in addition to naming the painting itself. “As I’m painting, it comes to me,” she said. “The dog is Thumbelina and [the woman on the bike] is Phyllis. Why? I don’t know.”

Ms. Morrell signs all of her paintings with her childhood nickname, Sovia, in honor of her late mother.

111 paintings from 37 artists participated in the show, and many of the paintings celebrated Tri-Town locations. Local artist Betty Beaulieu included two paintings, “Ned’s Point Sunset” and “Bird Island Light”, artist June Clay displayed a painting entitled “Marion Harbor”, and Jane Egan included a watercolor entitled “Wanderer.”

By Anne O’Brien-Kakley

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12:29:10 am Lighthouse Tours Entertain, Inform

Categories: Mattapoisett

On a peaceful Thursday morning, Bert Theriault arrives to key visitors in to the Ned’s Point Lighthouse for another day of tours. The lighthouse visitors range from Texas vacationers to Rochester residents, but they all have in common one thing: they have never been inside the Ned’s Point Lighthouse.

The 172-year-old structure embodies Mattapoisett, vying with the Route 6 seahorse for the most recognizable symbol in town. There is no shortage of visitors to the lighthouse grounds. On any given day, there are dog-walkers, joggers and beach-loungers, all enjoying the sights of Buzzard’s Bay. But how many of these people have actually toured the historic structure’s interior?

“A lot of people have been here, but have never been inside,” said Ralph Dlouhy, a Coast Guard auxiliarist and tour guide.

In an ongoing quest to make the Ned’s Point Lighthouse and its history available to the public, the Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 63 has been conducting summer tours of the lighthouse on Thursday mornings this summer, just as they have done for over a decade. Groups are limited to five people at a time, since the beacon area is cramped quarters.

The lighthouse was made from rocks acquired from local beaches, and the interior granite slab stairs are held in place by gravity only, incrementally building upon each other. At the top of the stairs is a ladder that leads to the upper beacon chamber. This ladder is slightly treacherous, so for this reason, the Flotilla asks visitors to not wear flip-flops.

Upstairs, visitors learn all about the history of the lighthouse. Visitors can see the outline of an overgrown stone foundation near the base of the lighthouse, which was the location of the lightkeeper’s house. According to Mr. Dlouhy, the lightkeeper’s house stood at that spot until 1923. The lightkeeper was responsible for keeping the light fueled and operational. When the lighthouse was first built in 1838, Mr. Dlouhy said that the light was fueled by whale oil. To this day, there are still original brass flues in the top part of the lighthouse for ventilation.

The lightkeeper’s house was moved to Pocasset in 1923, to serve as the home at Wing’s Neck Light. Mr. Dlouhy said that the house was floated on a barge across Buzzard’s Bay, and it still stands in Pocasset today as a private residence.

The Ned’s Point whale-oil lantern was replaced with a Fresnel lens in the latter part of the 19th century, and was electrified in the 1920s. The Fresnel lens is hard to come by nowadays, since it was a highly sought-after antique. “Most are in museums or have been absconded,” said Mr. Dlouhy.

The light in the lantern room underwent great changes from 1838 to modern times. Now it is an “isophase” light that uses photocell technology. When the sun sets, the photocell alerts the lantern. Mr. Dlouhy allowed the young visitors on the tour to place their hand over the photocell, tricking the light into igniting.

“That’s cool,” remarked Matthew Hathaway, a Rochester student on the tour.

All but one-sixth of the Ned’s Point land is Mattapoisett-owned. The immediate plot that the lighthouse stands on, however, belongs to the Coast Guard. The light was decommissioned in the 1950s, but this decommission was not met favorably by sailors, said Mr. Dlouhy. The Ned’s Point Lighthouse had become a Buzzard’s Bay landmark over the years and sailors did not adjust to the light’s absence well, which led to the light being re-commissioned about a decade later.

Being made of stone has made the Ned’s Point Lighthouse resistant to the many devastating storms that have swept through Buzzard’s Bay over the past two centuries: the Hurricane of 1938, Hurricane Carol, Gloria, Bob, and more. A large, black spike at the building’s apex keeps the building grounded if a bolt of lightning hits it.

The interior steps are dank and reminiscent of a scary castle – Mr. Dlouhy said that it is really important for the building to be maintained a certain way, so the mortar is not disturbed. That means no pressure-washing, and “using hoses is a no-no”.

The closest lighthouse in style to the Ned’s Point Lighthouse is the Palmer’s Island Lighthouse in New Bedford, which is privately maintained.

Besides the “no flip-flop” rule, the Flotilla says that visitors must be at least 10 years old to take the trip up to the lantern room. This free tour is a must for area residents and visitors who want beautiful views of Buzzard’s Bay, and for those who want to learn more about the lighthouse’s history. The last July tour will be on Thursday, July 29 – tours go from 10:00 to 11:45 am. Tours will also be conducted on August 5, 12 and 19 from 4:00 pm to 5:45 pm. The tours are a wonderful way of learning more about Mattapoisett’s marine history.

By Anne O’Brien-Kakley

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12:28:49 am Board Helps Couple with Utility Pole Dilemma

Categories: Mattapoisett

A regular meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board was held on July 19, 2010 at the Mattapoisett Town Hall conference room at 7:00 pm. In attendance were members John Mathieu, Thomas Tucker, Karen Field and Robert McNamara.

The Board voted to accept Field Engineering’s report on the Pine Island subdivision, and officially closed the public hearing on the subdivision. “We’ve heard enough,” said Mr. Mathieu, who then motioned to accept applicant Greta and Timothy Fox’s request to continue their hearing until August 2.

The Board then heard from an attorney representing Fred Klein, who wished to present a “what-if” scenario to the Board. Mr. Klein had inherited 7 Oakland Street and would like to subdivide the lot, but ran into a frontage issue. On the Oakland Street side, the first lot would meet the necessary 125-foot frontage, but that would still leave the second lot short. Both proposed lots would be large enough to conform to bylaws.

The Board determined that, if the structures currently at the location pre-date 1967, the lots would be grandfathered into old frontage laws and Mr. Klein would likely be able to continue with his project. According to the online assessor’s database, there are two structures at the location: a ranch built in 1944, and a cottage built in 1955. After gathering official records and some neighbors’ testimony, the Kleins will return with a more formal application.

Two Mattapoisett residents also came before the Board seeking council in regards to their privately-owned telephone poles. Kenneth and Susan Rocha of 4 Kyla Way wanted to determine who was the official owner of three utility poles on the private road that leads to their property. After speaking with NStar and Verizon, they determined that the utility poles were not company-owned, and after speaking with the town, they determined that they were also not town-owned. Mr. and Ms. Rocha were hoping to find a way to sign off ownership and liability in regards to the poles, but first they needed the Board’s help to figure out exactly who owned the poles.

The poles exist on a road that the Rochas, in addition to neighbors, have an easement to use. NStar has agreed to take on the poles, including any liability and maintenance, as long as easement-holders sign off on the poles and pay $1600 to offset taxes that NStar would acquire.

Mr. Rocha said that his neighbors would not sign off because they do not think they own the poles, and are afraid that if NStar acquires the poles, they may decide to shift their location towards the street. The Rochas, who have some of their utilities underground, would even be interested in running the utilities under the whole private street and removing the poles altogether.

“This is an accident waiting to happen,” said Mr. Rocha. “I know at some point [in a storm], those trees are going to come down.” As it stands, if the Rocha family and the neighbors privately own the poles, any damage sustained, including blown transformers, could cost them thousands to fix.

“Ownership has no bearing on whether you can sign an easement to NStar,” Mr. Mathieu said. He said that being an easement holder was sufficient to pass the poles onto the utility company. “You’ve just got to convince your neighbors,” he added.

The Board also suggested that the Rochas might want to contact an attorney to see if the former owners of the property are still owners of the right-of-way. The Rochas decided that they would follow up with an attorney and thanked the Board for their guidance.

The Board voted to adjourn the public meeting at 7:27 pm.

By Anne O’Brien-Kakley

 

 

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01:25:37 pm Rochester Police Respond to Mattapoisett Accident

Categories: News, Mattapoisett, Rochester

While Mattapoisett crews worked on a boat accident in the area of Antassawamock, Rochester emergency workers responded to a car accident in the area of Wolf Island Road, at the Bolles Cemetery in Mattapoisett at approximately 1:20 pm. At this time, there are minor injuries reported.

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01:22:46 pm Mattapoisett Rescue Responds to Boat Accident

Categories: News, Mattapoisett

Mattapoisett Fire and Rescue responded to a boat accident in the area of Ram Island today at 12:45 pm. Responders reported that a father and daughter were involved in a boat accident near Ram Island, 200 yards off Antassawamock shores. Conditions at the time were choppy, as a strong thunderstorm had just swept through the area, possibly contributing to the accident.

The daughter managed to get to shore, leaving the responders to ascertain the father's whereabouts for fifteen minutes. Both father and daughter were determined unharmed, and medical crews did not have to respond. As of 1:22 pm, the harbormaster boat is on scene.

By Anne O'Brien-Kakley

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11:49:04 pm Board Reviews Private Roads Policy

Categories: Mattapoisett

A regular meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen was called to order by Chairman Jordan Collyer on July 13, 2010 at 7:00 pm in the Mattapoisett Town Hall conference room. Also in attendance were Selectmen Paul Silva and George Randall and Assistant to the Selectmen Melody Pacheco. Town Administrator Michael Gagne did not attend.

After the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence for those who have served and those currently in the service, the Board approved the June 22 minutes. The board then unanimously approved the following action items:

• The appointment of Bernard Klim to the Mattapoisett Cultural Council.

• A one-day alcohol license to serve beer and wine at the August 8 Florence Eastman Post 280 Clambake.

• The resignation of Elaine Botelho from the Tree Committee.

• A one-day alcohol license to serve alcoholic beverages on August 14 at 5 Shipyard Lane.

• A two-week trailer permit to Gregory and Patricia Bartlett for property located on Silvershell Ave.

• A one-day alcohol license to serve alcohol at the Mattapoisett YMCA’s August 7 Clamboil fundraiser.

For the first appointment, Chairman Collyer met at length with Highway Surveyor Barry Denham to discuss the promulgation of the guidelines regarding the private road bylaw. Both Selectman Silva and Selectman Randall recused themselves from the discussion because they reside on private roads.

Mr. Denham presented his guidelines, which he said is a conglomeration of different requirements from assorted Massachusetts towns. “It is the board’s responsibility [to establish] how we determine what is a public road that will be plowed. This is for your review,” he said. Chairman Collyer first questioned Mr. Denham on how to handle formerly plowed roads that may no longer fit the new criteria.

“Whatever we develop should be administered uniformly. Unfortunately, there are roads that may not live up to the criteria,” said Mr. Denham, adding, “It won’t be an easy thing to do.”

Chairman Collyer stressed the importance of “doing our homework” in terms of establishing hard data on how many of the 246 private roads will be affected by the new bylaw. He added, however, “We shouldn’t take out the ones we’ve been consistently doing because there should be no budgetary impact.” Mr. Denham countered that each year he is charged with overseeing more roads. “Yes, it is one little road here, and one little road there, but it increases every year.” He also added that after a major snow storm last year, it was “extremely late” when the crews completed all of the residential streets, thus hopes to add rental trucks to his fleet “so my guys don’t work 36 hours straight.”

Both Mr. Denham and Chairman Collyer responded to a concern from a resident about access to homes for emergency purposes during a snowstorm. Mr. Denham said that plowing crews always are available through radio to be dispatched to a home, and would even plow the lawn so emergency crews could reach the caller.

Another resident requested clarification on whether residents can keep up “Private” signs on roads, but Chairman Collyer responded that the issue is still under review. An additional attendee requested more detailed information in the bylaws, such as how plows would handle roads with speed bumps.

Overall, Mr. Denham said he hopes to “maintain the status quo” as much as possible. Chairman Collyer said the Board would vote on an official private road policy during the August 3 meeting. Mr. Denham said he would need the list by mid-September so his office is adequately prepared before the winter season.

In the next appointment, the board met with Police Chief Mary Lyon regarding the ambulance transport rate schedule. She asked the board to approve an increased billable rate of ambulance to 40 percent over the Medicaid level. She said this percentage is common in surrounding towns and that an abatement program exists for people unable to manage the increase. The board unanimously approved the request.

In a third appointment, the board met with Harbormaster Steve Mach to discuss staffing needs of his department. Mr. Mach said he is short-staffed by three people, which he said he “needed yesterday” to assist with the busy harbor season. After some discussion on scheduling, the Board requested that Mr. Mach juggle schedules to ensure coverage during the lunch hour. Further, the Board suggested extending the staff hours to a later time on Friday nights, but closing up earlier on Sunday evenings.

“This isn’t the sleepy old harbor we had many years ago. It is an active harbor,” Selectman Silva acknowledged, while stressing that the town should hire well-qualified individuals to fill these part-time seasonal positions. The board decided to widely advertise the positions in newspapers and at the Northeast Maritime Institute in Fairhaven.

Following the appointment, Selectman Silva formally thanked Dan White and the Fourth of July Race Committee “for another success event.” He also thanked the highway department and the police and fire departments for their assistance with the race.

In other news, Selectman Silva said that due to the recent loss of resident Daniel Goodman – who served on the Old Rochester Regional School Committee – the Board would need to find a replacement. Also, Chairman Collyer announced that the Conservation Committee is seeking a new member and requested that interested applicants contact the town hall.

In future business, Chairman Collyer reported that the next meeting is scheduled for August 3.

The Board then voted to go into executive session to discuss ongoing negotiations.

By Laura Pedulli

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11:48:47 pm Square Dancing Revived at Wharf

Categories: Mattapoisett

Until recently, Saturday nights in the summer meant square dancing at the Mattapoisett Town Wharf. Dwindling attendance ended the 52-year old tradition a few years ago, but Paul Letourneau — who leads the Wareham Swingers at the Wareham Council of Aging — decided to bring it back as an annual event.

Harkening back to the good old days, last Saturday dancers again dressed to the nines for some square dancing fun. The wharf teemed with 72 enthused participants – eight dancers in nine squares – with even more folks on the sidelines waiting for their turn to Do-Si-Do.

“It was a good night. It was wonderful,” said Mr. Letourneau, noting that attendees came from all over southern Massachusetts and even Rhode Island. He said the event included eight callers who prompted or cued dancers through a sequence of steps.

At the age of 88, Ann Wallace is one dancer who attributes square dancing to many health benefits. “It keeps you mentally alert,” she said. Her daughter, Eileen Marum, agrees: “My mom has been doing this for many, many years. It keeps her youthful and active. You have to process the call that is being called out to the group, and then you have to transfer that information to the dance steps,” she said.

In addition, Ms. Wallace described the valued companionship she has gained through her dancing group. “There is such a great group of people. You go out there and afterwards you’ve forgotten your troubles,” she said.

It was fitting that Ms. Wallace wore a special patriotic outfit as an unexpected small fireworks display added charm to the night.

“During the festivities, there was a boat out there setting off fireworks. I’m telling you, it was perfect,” said Ms. Wallace. “Even the weather man helped out. It all turned out beautifully.”

Overall, Ms. Wallace and fellow dancers stepped to the music for nearly three hours. The night also brimmed with nostalgia for many dancers. “Everyone was so enthused about having it again. Everyone came and everyone had a good time,” Ms. Wallace said.

After such a successful night, Letourneau said he hopes to keep the tradition alive – even if whittled down to once per year. “I want [the tradition] to reach 100. At least if it goes once per year, it is still in the books,” he said.

By Laura Pedulli

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02:36:25 pm Flash Flood Warning in Effect

Categories: News, Marion, Mattapoisett, Rochester

The National Weather Service in Taunton, MA has issued a flash flood warning to Southern Plymouth county, including Mattapoisett, Marion and Rochester. Torrential thunderstorms are expected this evening and could last into Wednesday with rainfall amounts of 2-3 inches an hour.

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11:52:44 pm Road Race Brings Old and New Traditions

Categories: Mattapoisett

It wasn’t just any year for the Mattapoisett Road Race. The Road Race celebrated its 40th anniversary alongside the nation’s birthday this year with a banner turn-out and lots of enthusiasm on the sidelines on July 3. With the road race came many traditions, both old and new.

The five-mile route was festooned with American flags and plenty of enthusiastic supporters shouting words of encouragement. Before the runners took their mark, they warmed up in front of the town wharf gazebo with stretching and callisthenic exercises. For some of them, it was their first time in the race – for some, it was just another chance to beat their previous year’s time.

This year’s race winner was Needham resident, 37-year-old Patrick Callahan, who took first place with a time of 27:53. This was the second annual win for Mr. Callahan, who took first place in the 2009 Mattapoisett Road Race as well. The women’s category went to 20-year-old Alice Binns of Boston, who ran the race with a time of 32:17.

The fastest Tri-Town resident participant was 48-year-old Brendan Loftus, a Mattapoisett resident who finished the race with a time of 29:04. Other impressive Tri-Town resident times went to Mattapoisett resident Rob Gammell (29:41), Marion resident Jared Dourdeville (29:48) and Mattapoisett resident Sal Corrao (30:50). The overall female Mattapoisett resident winner was Nancy Clarke with a time of 35:37.

Another exceptional Mattapoisett participant was Steven Bonney, who was the first person to ever complete the road race in a wheelchair. Mr. Bonney, who was injured in a construction accident in 2006, was not completely new to the race – he had participated on foot prior to becoming quadriplegic. Mr. Bonney completed the race in two hours and 11 minutes, with his wife Paula accompanying him. “I thought it would be quite an accomplishment if I could do it,” said Mr. Bonney, who noted that even though he was quadriplegic, he still had limited use of his arms to operate his wheelchair.

Runner 505, Mattapoisett seasonal resident Peter Hoye, was one of those who had run in the race before, but not for over a decade. Mr. Hoye, who last ran the race when he was 10-years-old, spent the last year working out and training, and intended on finishing the race within an hour. He almost reached his goal, with a final time of 1:04.

“I just wanted to do it to finish it,” said Mr. Hoye, who said that he was proud of his accomplishment.

1,002 runners turned out to the July 3 race, which was “an excellent turn-out”, according to race official Karen Manning, but it was not record-breaking. Still, it was a far cry from the first race, which only had 37 participants.

Road Race Committee Chairman Danny White traveled the race route in a large pick-up truck that was decorated with a red, white and blue banner reading: “40 Years and Still Running”. Officials all along the route evaluated the crowds for the most enthusiastic on-lookers, and presented a restaurant gift certificate to the “Most Spirited” group. The winner of this category were the Kassabian/Bragioli participants, located at 41 Church Street.

In a ceremony on the evening of July 2, after race participants were done registering for the day, longtime runner David Jenney was issued the honorary number of 35, and runner Dan Briand was given the number 40 to represent each year that he has run the race. Mr. Briand, who participated in the first race when he was a teenager, has never missed a single year.

The race was established in 1971 by Bob and Doris Gardner as a way to raise money for graduating Old Rochester Regional students. Over the years, the Road Race has been able to give over $100,000 in awards to Tri-Town students. The more race participants, the more scholarship money the Road Race Committee gets to issue. Last year, seven students from Marion and Mattapoisett were given $1,000 scholarships.

For the full 2010 race results, visit www.MattapoisettRoadRace.com.

By Anne O’Brien-Kakley

 

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11:52:39 pm Mattapoisett Firefighters Graduate, Bring Home Awards

Categories: Mattapoisett

The Mattapoisett Fire Department recently got a chance to show their stuff at a June 27 fire muster in Fairhaven. After a parade that travelled through Fairhaven village to Livesey Park, teams of firefighters from five different area districts competed in various categories to demonstrate their firefighting prowess. The participating districts included two Dartmouth districts, Fairhaven and Mattapoisett.

Mattapoisett took home first place in the Dry Hose event, third place in the Wet Hose event, third place in the Ladder event, third place in the Mystery event (which was an obstacle course) and second place in the overall muster. The event was organized by the Fairhaven Call Firefighters Association.

The fun event was just part of a busy week for the fire department, which celebrated the graduation of four of its members from the state firefighting academy. T.J. Henshaw, Kyle Martin, Joseph Gleason and Hunter Urion started the academy in January and enjoyed a graduation ceremony on June 28 at Case High School in Swansea, MA, where state fire marshall Stephen Coan addressed the group of 45 graduates.

By Anne O’Brien-Kakley

 

 

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11:52:35 pm Mural Unveiled at Museum Opening

Categories: Mattapoisett

About two-dozen local history buffs celebrated the grand opening for the Mattapoisett Museum and Carriage House Museum’s 52nd annual season on June 30.

On this opening day, attendees pored over a new addition recently acquired by the museum: a 6 by 16 feet mural painted by New Bedford artistic Clifford Ashley in 1919. Laid out over the pews, the painting essentially charts out the south coast from the Connecticut River to Cape Cod, including the islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. “We are very pleased to have it in our possession,” said Mattapoisett Historical Society President Seth Mendell at the event, noting that two other museums – the New Bedford Whaling Museum and the Mystic Seaport – rejected the offer for the painting.

The Museum obtained the large mural, entitled “A Chart of the Whale Coast of New England c.1810,” from Polly Duff Phipps of 20 Water Street, who decided to donate the artwork when she put her house on the market. Mr. Ashley painted the mural for his friend Gilbert Hinsdale and the chart had remained in the family’s home for 90 years, fixed to the ceiling of the sunroom.

“We told [Ms. Phipps] we’d be glad to have it, if we could get it off the ceiling,” Mr. Mendell said, who said its removal required help from Ben Rogers and Nate Bekemeier, two experts from a local gallery, in addition to sheer muscular power provided by seven men. “Those mavericks were able to get it off the ceiling,” he said.

Due to its lack of protection in the sunroom for so many decades, Mr. Mendell said the chart would require extensive renovation work. He said the painting would require cleaning, resurfacing, and a new backing so it can be hung in its designated location: over the pulpit in the museum’s church building. “When you walk in, it will be awesome to say the least,” he said.

After a thorough vetting process, Mr. Mendell said the museum settled on someone “who will do a crackerjack job” of restoring the artwork, but anticipates the initial price tag to range between $45,000 and $50,000. As such, Mr. Mendell said he would actively be seeking donations to get the job done.

Accompanying the mural on display, this summer the museum also is showcasing three additional paintings by Mr. Ashley on loan from the Friends Academy and the Mattapoisett Free Public Library. “We appreciate the loan of those to round out the exhibit,” he said. Additionally, the museum contains copies of Mr. Ashley’s popular Ashley Book on Knots, a volume that contains descriptions and drawings of 3,854 knots.

The grand opening also included the museum’s latest exhibit honoring Mattapoisett’s history as a famous whaleship building port in the world during that era. The exhibit includes implements common to a working waterfront, including tools, blocks, woodwork, ropes, sail lofts and photographs of little shops instrumental in finishing whaling ships.

Mr. Mendell noted that the Mattapoisett Historical Society would be present at the upcoming Harbor Days with a booth at Shipyard Park. Also, the museum will host an art show and sale in the back carriage house during the event.

For more information about the museum or to make a donation, call (508) 758-2844.

By Laura Pedulli

 

 

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11:52:31 pm Mattapoisett Heritage Days Coming Soon

Categories: Mattapoisett

A meeting of the Mattapoisett Historical Commission was called to order by Chairwoman Josephine Pannell on Thursday, July 1, 2010 at 7:10 at the Mattapoisett Town Hall. Also present were board members Bobbi Gaspar, Raymond Harrington and Dorothy Nunes.

The minutes of the prior meeting were accepted as presented. The first order of business was an update and discussion of the upcoming 2010 Heritage Days, which will be held Friday, August 7 through Sunday, August 9 at various points around Mattapoisett. Heritage Days Committee Chairwoman, Bobbi Gaspar, reported that there would be a booth at Harbor Days to sell tickets to the event and T-shirts with the Heritage Days logo imprinted on them. The Heritage Days event will include a guided bus tour of various historical sites, walking history tours, a bonfire, a play, picnic supper, treasure hunt, car show, lawn party, sea chanty concert, card and notepaper sale and the presence of the Fairhaven Militia depicting the Colonial era. The theme for Heritage Days is “Farming and Industry in Mattapoisett” and will include some of the “lost arts” such as chair-caning, blacksmithing, nautical knot tying, spinning, toy whittling and an herbalist. Gaspar noted that she is still recruiting additional artisans for the event. Volunteer assignments were discussed, with more manpower needed for cleaning tables, selling tickets, organizing costumes and manning the booth at Harbor Days.

The next order of business was a discussion of an application to the Community Preservation Commission (CPC) for approximately $1000 for an explanatory panel to be created and installed at the pathway area of Depot Street and Railroad Avenue to inform passersby of the historical significance of the location. The panel will be a historical display of how the railroad came through Mattapoisett, through marshes and over water and into the village area. Bicyclists and pedestrians can stop and view the panel to learn more about the history of the former railbed. There are currently three other similar panels in town located at the Herring Weir, Ned's Point and Town Wharf. The application to the CPC will state that the request for monies will result in a panel that is informative, historic, for the public benefit, and professionally created.

The next order of business was a discussion of the sale of 'Heritage Bricks’, which is a fundraiser for the Mattapoisett Historical Commission. The bricks can be purchased in memory or celebration of family and friends. The cost of each granite brick will be $50. Each brick may be inscribed with up to three lines each, with each line containing no more than 16 letters per line, including spaces and punctuation. The bricks will be laid around the park bench areas in Shipyard Park.

The board voted to adjourn at 8:10 pm.

By Joan Hartnett-Barry

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12:02:30 pm Operator Loses Control of Car at Mobil Station

Categories: News, Mattapoisett

Mattapoisett Fire and Police departments responded to a car accident at the Mattapoisett Mobil gas station on the corner of Route 6 and North Street Tuesday night, after a car drove into the cash attendant portion of the building at approximately 9:15 pm.

According to Police Chief Mary Lyons, the incident involved one car and was the result of an "operator error". The driver thought the car was in park, when it was actually in gear and it drove into the building. No injuries were reported, and no citation was issued.

The building's damage was "minimal in nature", said Mattapoisett building inspector Andy Bobola. Caution tape currently marks off the east side of the building, where a metal stud was struck and damaged in the wall. Mr. Bobola said that the metal structure prevented worse damage from occurring. An attendant inside the building was jarred slightly by the incident, but was not injured.

Mr. Bobola said that the town may ask the business owner to consider putting in barricades on the side of the building to prevent another incident.

By Anne O'Brien-Kakley

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07:10:00 pm Mattapoisett Says Goodbye to Beloved Librarian

Categories: Mattapoisett

Described by her colleagues as “beloved” and “soft-spoken”, Mattapoisett Adult Services librarian Jan Bolton is closing this chapter of her life and moving onto retirement after 18 years with the town.

Starting as the children’s librarian with a hire date of September 10, 1992, Ms. Bolton fostered a good rapport with both children and parents alike, and nurtured a love of reading and books in her young patrons over the years. Before Susan Pizzolato was hired as the library director, Ms. Bolton stepped in to assume some director duties and helped Ms. Pizzolato transition into the job seamlessly. “She is so unassuming,” said Ms. Pizzolato. “She has a wonderful understanding of library services for all ages… Jan made my first year so enjoyable and helped me ease into the staff.”

After Ms. Bolton moved from the children’s room to adult services in 2003, librarian Linda Burke came to the library to fill the vacancy in children’s services. “It was extremely difficult to follow Jan,” said Ms. Burke. “Those were tough shoes to fill… She is really going to be missed by everybody. She is a very special lady.”

Ms. Burke said that her transition into the children’s services was made easy because of Ms. Bolton, who showed Ms. Burke the ropes and introduced her to all the patrons.

“[Jan] is a very caring person – very dedicated,” said Anne Bernard, senior library technician, who worked with Ms. Bolton for 12 years and considers her a good friend. Library technician Lynn Haugen agreed with Ms. Bernard, saying that it was “a sad day” for patrons. Ms. Haugen developed a relationship with Ms. Bolton over the years, first as a Center School second-grade teacher taking her kids to the library for services, and later as a co-worker once she retired from her teaching position.

On the flip side, all of the library colleagues and patrons are happy for Ms. Bolton, and wish her all the best in her retirement. “Good for her that she will be able to enjoy her retirement and life,” said Ms. Burke, who hoped that Ms. Bolton would still come back to visit.

Ms. Bolton said that her parting was “bittersweet”, but that she was “looking forward to a new part of life. I have very happy memories of my time here at the library… seeing the children grow, love to read, love books… I loved working with the staff.” Ms. Bolton made sure she mentioned all the directors that she got the privilege to work with, including Sue Tweedy, Judy Wallace and Ms. Pizzolato.

Even on her second to last day, only minutes before her farewell party in the library reading room, Ms. Bolton had a stack of books and paperwork, and was trying to “tidy up” to make the next librarian’s transition into her job easier. She spoke of her time co-developing the youth advisory council and hoped that the library would continue its outreach to children who otherwise might not regularly visit libraries.

Colleagues and patrons held a farewell party for Ms. Bolton on June 29 in the reading room to celebrate her final day on June 30, where the Trustees of the library recognized her years of dedication.

By Anne O’Brien-Kakley

 

 

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07:07:03 pm Summer Reading Goes Green at the Library

Categories: Mattapoisett

The libraries in the Tri-Town are not left empty and forgotten in favor of the beach during the summer (as one particular reporter admittedly thought), but rather become the ultimate destination for families, tweens and teens. The three libraries in the Tri-Town have worked hard to entice these potential beach-goers with various events and reading programs and visiting authors in the “Go Green at Your Library” summer reading program.

Linda Burke, the director of the children’s program at the Mattapoisett library, explained that the state-wide “Go Green” theme encourages kids to learn about the environment and ways they can care for the earth.

The Mattapoisett summer reading program began this week and will continue for six weeks. Ms. Burke said that “children are encouraged to read over the summer” and that if children read for a total of six hours (which breaks down to one hour a week) they will then be invited to the “make your own ice-cream sundae party” complete with lawn games and fun activities at the end of the summer. Little kids can participate too; if they can’t read yet, they can count listening time. Regular check-ins are encouraged, and story times and craft days make it fun.

For older kids, a more challenging program is offered which consists of a bingo card with each square representing a different genre (mystery, biography, etc.) and kids are asked to get five in a row. Another option is to read a book and then write a review. Ms. Burke said there are already over 200 kids signed up, and those 200 kids will be visiting the library each week.

The Mattapoisett library has a particularly busy day planned for Tuesday, July 6. The first activity planned is the “discovery club” which is open to any children who have just completed grades 1,2, and 3. This group will “study flowers and plants, collect specimens, measure trees and look at bark and more.” At one o’clock that same day the “green team” will meet with author Lynne Cherry, who wrote “the Great Kapok Tree.” A DVD and brainstorming session will follow.

At the Rochester library, director Gail Roberts talked about the “read, return, repeat” policy they are using, as well as their reading program, which consists of three sections; the three to nine-year-olds count hours and receive a prize each week or a free book, the 10-17-year-olds get a raffle ticket for each hour read, and the 18 and over group can enter a prize drawing. Sign-up can be in person or on-line.

While Rochester does not get as busy as the two beach communities during the summer months, Ms. Roberts said, “we still start to jump [with activity.]”

Marion also has a number of events planned, and a reading program of their own. During the month of July they will have “Make an Extra Pocket Day,” “Big Ryan’s Tall Tales,” “Story and Song with Jackson” and in early August, there will be an ice-cream social.

Just as a friendly reminder, the libraries (and the activities held there) are all open to everyone, not just Tri-Town residents, and they continue to offer museum passes as well as parking passes for Massachusetts State Parks. So, stack up those beach reads and get ready for ice-cream, reading and fun!

By Sarah K. Taylor

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07:03:27 pm Resident Petitioning to Make Goodspeed a Dog Beach

Categories: Mattapoisett

If you ask the dog lovers in town, they’ll tell you: Goodspeed Island has always been a dog beach.

But as far as town bylaws are concerned, there is currently no official beach for dogs. Goodspeed has been accepted by most residents as an unofficial dog beach over the years, but at a recent Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen meeting, the issue came to a head when residents of Depot Street – which abuts the access road to Goodspeed Island – complained about people letting their dogs off their leashes and leaving dog waste in the area.

According to Mattapoisett resident and dog owner Amy Hardwick, town taxpayers deserve to have a place to take their dogs without being hassled.

“Most dog owners are responsible,” said Ms. Hardwick. “On oppressive days, dogs need to swim. You can walk them down [to Goodspeed], but you can’t let them swim… if the dogs can’t go there, where are they going to go?”

Ms. Hardwick, proud owner of two energetic dogs named Nailah and Daisy, said that since she moved to Mattapoisett in 1973, Goodspeed Island was always considered a dog beach. It wasn’t until recently that abutting neighbors started complaining, claiming a proliferation of dog waste and even land abuse from digging and rambunctious dogs.

There are 839 registered dogs in Mattapoisett, and registry fees for each spayed/neutered dog is $7 annually. The Town of Mattapoisett collects approximately $6,000 annually from dog owners in town, which Ms. Hardwick says is more than enough to help maintain one dog beach, keeping it supplied with pick-up bags and allowing the highway department to regularly empty the trash located there.

Ms. Hardwick said that she frequented the Goodspeed Island area until complaining neighbors made it difficult. “Every time I see people down there with dogs, they always have them on leashes until they reach the water,” she said. In her estimation, most dog owners in the area have been responsible, but the animal control officer is still called on her whenever she goes to Goodspeed. “I always see [Officer Kathy Massey] when I visit that beach. I know as I go in the entrance, by the time I reach the beach, the animal control truck will be pulling up.”

To avoid the “hassle”, Ms. Hardwick tried taking her dogs to Aucoot during the off-season, but the animal control officer was called on her there, too. Her only option is to take her dogs to town landing, but she said that sharp clamshells and hard pavement in the cramped area is no place for dogs to run and cool off in the water. With no other options in town – dogs are technically banned from the grass at Ned’s Point – Ms. Hardwick feels her only option is to go door-to-door and petition to make Goodspeed an official dog beach.

According to former selectman Ray Andrews, the beach was deemed a dog beach at a 1990s town meeting, but the vote was never recorded. That means the vote doesn’t count, and the town would have to vote again at the next town meeting if Ms. Hardwick collects 100 signatures on her petition.

Officer Massey said that she would “absolutely” support this petition, and said, “There are an awful lot of responsible dog owners out there… the dogs have to go somewhere. It’s just a handful [of dog owners] that don’t care.” As far as dog clean-up goes, the town has made sure that a receptacle near the Railroad Ave parking lot is kept stocked with doggie disposal bags, making no excuses for irresponsible pet owners.

Officer Massey is not sure that an official declaration of Goodspeed Island as a dog beach would cut down on calls, but she does think that it would be a fair move for the responsible dog owners in town, and she hopes that some kind of truce could be made between complaining neighbors and dog owners. “There are 23 miles of coastline to cover [in Mattapoisett],” Ms. Massey said. “I can’t be everywhere at once. One place is not more important than another.”

Ms. Hardwick said that anyone interested in signing the petition is welcome to call her at 508-758-3080.

By Anne O’Brien-Kakley

 

 

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12:01:15 pm Blown Transformer Leaves Mattapoisett and Marion in the Dark

Categories: News, Marion, Mattapoisett

All power for Mattapoisett, Marion and parts of Fairhaven went out at approximately 11:30 am this morning.

An NStar representative said that the source of the outage was a blown transformer and that the company was working on restoring electricity to the customers affected. The company estimated that electricity would be restored by 1:30 pm.

Residents were urged to use caution at intersections, especially along Route 6, since the traffic lights were out.

By Anne O'Brien-Kakley

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12:10:41 pm Accident Closes Pine Island Road

Categories: News, Mattapoisett

An accident involving a vehicle crashing into a telephone pole at 12:00 pm closed Pine Island Road to traffic. Airbags were deployed and the operator of the vehicle was transported to the hospital with injuries.

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09:39:27 pm Front Yard Delivery

Categories: Mattapoisett

In an exciting turn of events, a Mattapoisett woman gave birth this evening on her front lawn. After calling 911, Chrystal Walsh was not able to make it further than the front yard on Acushnet Road before her new daughter was born. The baby girl weighed in at 7 pounds 3 ounces and is Chrystal's second child. Ms. Walsh and her newborn daughter were transported to Tobey Hospital and are reportedly doing well. Congratulations!

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11:50:14 pm Board Receives Strategic Housing Plan Draft

Categories: Mattapoisett

A regular meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen was called to order by Chairman Jordan Collyer on June 22, 2010 at 7:00 pm in the Mattapoisett Town Hall conference room. Also in attendance were Selectmen Paul Silva and George Randall, Town Administrator Michael Gagne and Assistant to the Selectmen Melody Pacheco.

After the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence for those who have served and those currently in the service, the Board discussed a concession bid for the town beach. The only bidder was Louise Vandal of the Seaport Coffee Shop. The proposed concession stand will offer simple, cold items like sandwiches and beverages and will be open from 10:30 to 3:30 daily. The Board approved this bid.

In their first appointment, the Board met with Allen Decker, who requested a conservation restriction for a 24-acre plot of land with frontage on Acushnet Road. The land, which has Tripps Mill Brook at its northern border, was purchased by the Coalition for Buzzard’s Bay from Dennis Mahoney and Sons. An $85,000 conservation partnership grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will help the Coalition keep the area free from development, with the exception of a small parking area. The Coalition has worked with, and received approval from, the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission, and the parcel of land has been state approved for several uses, including: habitat restoration, passive public access for flora and fauna observation, and general conservation. Mr. Decker sought the Board of Selectmen’s approval of the conservation restriction as well. The Board approved this request and signed the necessary paperwork.

In a second appointment, the Board opened a public hearing with general manager Jim Neville to discuss an increase in the above-ground storage tank capacity at the Sea Gas facility, located at 8 Industrial Drive. The increase would provide an additional 20,000 gallons of tank storage at the facility, making their aggregate total 80,000 gallons on site. “We are not asking for additional ‘true gallons’,” said Mr. Neville. “We are not asking for anything new.” Mr. Neville said that this request has been worked on for some time, initially with former Town Administrator Michael Botelho, now Mr. Gagne, former Fire Chief Scott, the state fire marshal, and has been approved by current Fire Chief Andrew Murray. The request was made by Sea Gas so the company could meet new codes and restrictions “for licensing purposes”, according to Mr. Neville, who also said that the tanks “won’t sit in the yard filled”.

With no one present to object to, or comment on, the proposed gallon increase, the Board voted to approve the request and Chairman Collyer closed the hearing.

At this point in the meeting, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the June 8 meeting, both open and executive session.

In a third appointment, the Board met with building inspector Andy Bobola, who presented a list of suggested building, plumbing and wire town permits that he had drafted with Administrative Assistant Maria Cananzey. The list of increases was based on the current rates that other area municipalities with a population of under 10,000 people currently employ. The proposed fee schedule would include shed permit fees ranging from $50-75, deck permit fees starting at $75, and buildable lot inquiries at $100. Mr. Bobola’s list was given to the Board for informational purposes; the Board agreed to review the list and act on it formally at the July 13 meeting.

In a final appointment, the Mattapoisett Housing Partnership (MHP) met with the Board to discuss the town’s strategic housing plan. MHP had a rough draft of the strategic shousing plan available for the Board, and member Ray Andrews said that there were approximately 50 copies available in the Selectmen office for town boards and committees to review. Mr. Andrews said that the strategic housing plan was an attempt to address the “critically short” supply of affordable housing in town. The housing plan, which aims to make Mattapoisett accessible to young couples and retiring citizens who wish to remain in their town, includes suggestions from SRPEDD (Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District); MHP member Randall Kunz is currently the Chairperson of the SRPEDD commission.

Mr. Andrews said that the housing plan “is a long, document with a tremendous amount of information”, providing a “guideline for the next step.” The members of MHP hope the town departments will review the housing plan draft and provide feedback by September 22 so a finalized version can be produced in time for the 2011 Annual Town Meeting.

The Board voiced support for the housing plan, with Selectman Silva saying it was “a shame” when residents of the town have to leave to find affordable housing elsewhere. Mr. Andrews pointed out that the town has limited owned land, therefore, a private/public partnership, like the one employed in Marion at the Little Neck Village for senior housing, would be necessary.

“And there’s nothing wrong with that,” said Selectman Silva.

“No, not at all,” agreed Mr. Andrews.

Mr. Kunz referred to the housing plan as a “Friendly 40B” that would not be as contentious as some 40B projects can be since it will be scaled down. The Board agreed to make this drafted housing plan available for review, and would discuss the plan in-depth at a later meeting.

Under Notes and Announcements, Ms. Pacheco read:

• The next Board of Selectmen meeting will be on Tuesday, July 13 at 7:00 pm in the Mattapoisett Town Hall conference room. There will not be a second Selectmen meeting in the month of July.

Under his Town Administrator’s report, Mr. Gagne gave the Board a report on what an ad-hoc Aquaculture Committee would look like and what it would discuss. The ad-hoc committee will ideally consist of seven members, including: a representative of the commercial shell-fishing community, a non-commercial residential shell-fisherman, a waterfront property owner, the shellfish officer, the harbormaster (or a member of the Marine Advisory Committee), a Selectman, and a citizen at-large. The topics that the ad-hoc committee will tackle include:

• How does the community balance the interests of commercial shell-fishermen, recreational water users, abutting land owners and recreational shell-fishermen?

• Should the community set aside specific areas for aquaculture, or should all waters be open for consideration?

• How should the town approach the issue of license-transfers?

• Upon Selectman Silva’s request, the committee may also consider having the town remain the holder of all permits to be auctioned out its discretion.

Mr. Gagne also said he was seeking members for the Agricultural Commission (AgCom), which was approved at the 2010 Annual Town Meeting and officially accepted into Mattapoisett’s bylaws. Anyone interested in the AgCom, particularly residents with an interest in agricultural matters, should contact Mr. Gagne at the town hall: 508-758-4100, ext. 4.

In his final administrator report item, Mr. Gagne informed the Board and the public that the Tri-Town Farmers’ Market would begin on Tuesday, June 29 and would be located on the lawn in front of the Old Rochester Regional Junior High School. The farmers’ market, which will take place every Tuesday until mid-October, will be from 4:00 to 7:00 pm.

There being no more public business, the Board voted to go into executive session at 8:10 pm for the purpose of collective bargaining.

By Anne O’Brien-Kakley

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11:49:57 pm Board Allows Sheds, Denies Trucking Operation

Categories: Mattapoisett

A meeting of the Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals was called to order by Mary Anne Brogan on June 17, 2010 at 6:00 pm at the Mattapoisett Town Hall. Also present were committee members Norman Lyonnais, Paul Milott, Gene Deslandes, Susan Akin, and Mattapoisett Building Inspector Andrew Bobola.

For the first public hearing, John Menezes of 3 Church Street Extension requested a special permit to allow the display of three retail sheds (six-by-eight feet) on his property in addition to the ability to use two parking spaces for U-Haul vehicles. Mr. Menezes introduced himself as a hardworking business owner who serves more than 3,000 people per year. He said despite some success with his business, Mattapoisett Power Equipment, he still is in the red and thus wishes to “increase income to see the light of day.” His ventures to sell sheds and lease out U-Haul trucks or trailers are a means of staying financially afloat, he said.

Abutter Sandy Dawson – representing approximately eight to ten additional neighbors who attended the meeting – presented a list of concerns related to Mr. Menezes’s application. Foremost, she said customers and residents of the business frequently park on the road, creating a safety hazard. She said that the parked vehicles create visibility concerns when maneuvering on and off Route 6.

Mr. Menezes currently has nine parking spaces on his property, and Ms. Dawson maintained that these spaces are inadequate and that too many cars park on the road. Mr. Bobola clarified that the spots at his business are separate from Mr. Menezes’s residential parking and that two off-street spots legally are permitted for each residence. Ms. Dawson showed a recent photo of six vehicles at Mr. Menezes’ business, but Ms. Akin pointed out that six occupied spots were acceptable under the bylaws.

Ms. Dawson also submitted an engineer’s map showing that Mr. Menezes’ fence is on the street line – not the property line – and some disagreement arose to the accuracy of the map. Mr. Menezes contended that the fence indeed is properly erected and argued that the map was drawn incorrectly. Ms. Dawson said that if the map indeed was accurate, Mr. Menezes would be required to move his fence back 7.5 to 11.25 feet.

On the topic of U-Hauls, Ms. Dawson and abutters expressed concerns about their size and the odd times of day they enter the property. She showed a variety of photos of U-Hauls as taken from neighbors’ windows of the property in question. “I feel it imposes upon our peace and serenity to see something commercial like that,” said abutter Tom Silvia. Another neighbor recalled visibility issues when Mr. Menezes sold Christmas trees on his lot last winter. Mr. Menezes replied that the proposed sheds would be placed further back on his property than the trees.

However, Mr. Menezes did say that due to the neighbor opposition of the U-Hauls, he would accept removing that request from his application.

One neighbor – Paul Riley – spoke in support of Mr. Menezes. “He is a good man trying to take care of his family; it is his neighbors who are a problem … he is a blessing to this town,” he said.

Another abutter said in general he is concerned about the “incremental degradation of peace and quiet” and that the business is slowly going beyond the bounds of what is appropriate for its location. Abutter Brandon Perry cited problems with increased traffic due to elevated business at Mr. Menezes. “When is it going to end?” he asked.

During deliberation on the hearing, Mr. Lyonnais said he felt the size of the sheds presented safety concerns and that Mr. Menezes was taking his business “to another level of occupancy” that was inappropriate. Mr. Deslandes agreed that the sheds would impede motorists’ view of traffic of cars coming from Marion.

Ms. Akin stated that she personally never had trouble with traffic at that location and did not feel that new sheds would cause any safety issues. She noted that Mr. Menezes was just having trouble surviving and should be entitled to his business. Ms. Brogran concurred: “If [the property] is zoned general business, he should be allowed to have a business.” However, both members had issues with the U-Haul proposal and recommended denying that part of the application.

In his comments, Mr. Milott said he personally visited the site and believed there would be no safety concerns with the sheds due to their proposed location. He agreed that the U-Haul request should be denied. “If you are in the U-Haul business, you are either in all the way or not at all,” he said.

In the end, the board voted 4-1 – with Mr. Lyonnais the sole member in opposition – to approve the sheds but deny the U-Haul operation with the conditions that the sheds be no more than ten feet high, that off-street parking issues be addressed, and that a new engineer’s map be completed to ensure proper fencing.

In the second public hearing, attorney Daniel Perry represented James Kay – manager at 6 Water Street – in a special permit request to allow two commercial occupants on the first floor. Mr. Perry said the 1840 building has a long history of multiuse, including retail, and requested that his client be allowed to use the space for professional services and retail. Currently, the only acceptable uses of the building are residential and for office uses, he said. He said Mr. Kay is looking to rent the space to tenants who want to offer yoga classes.

After a brief deliberation, the board approved to special permit request unanimously to allow Mr. Kay an additional occupant and to expand the allowed uses for his property to professional services and retail.

The board voted to adjourn at 7:45 pm.

By Laura Pedulli

 

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12:16:26 am Celebrating 40 Years… and Still Running

Categories: Mattapoisett

Who would have imagined in 1971 that a local July 4 road race with approximately 35 runners would have mushroomed into the South Coast’s premier Independence Day race in 2010? On Saturday, July 3, the Mattapoisett Road Race will celebrate its 40th race, beginning at 9:00 am at Shipyard Park with an expected field of over 1,000 participants.

The idea of holding a road race initially stemmed from a desire to add to the local holiday celebration and to raise scholarship money for Old Rochester Regional High School runners. From 1971 through 1981, runners gathered at Mattapoisett’s town beach and were motored to a nearby beach community, Point Connett, for the 4:30 pm start. The route would wind through the town and ended at Shipyard Park with runners often coping with temperatures over 90 degrees diving into the ocean as their finale. The numbers grew to 140 by 1981. Age groups/divisions had been formed and winning trophies were awarded solely to runners from the Tri-Town area. Scholarship criteria were developed and awards were given.

The face and character of today’s race took on its current appearance beginning in 1982. The starting location changed to Shipyard Park with a morning commencement and the field of prizewinners was “opened” to everyone regardless of residency. The popularity of these changes and the personality of the race are reflected by growth from 431 runners in 1982, to 600 in 1993, 800 in 2001, and over 1,000 in 2009.

From elite runners to exercise runners, to holiday cookout runners, to family runners, the race appeals to people from all age groups. Competitive runners hail from throughout New England and beyond. The five-mile course records of 25:02 for men and 29:32 for women attest to the quality of the competition. For others, the race is a yearly accomplishment with personal pride as the yardstick of their success. The spirit is reflected in the increasing number of people who have participated for over a decade or more. Note that Dan Briand, a Mattapoisett resident who has run in every race will wear this year’s number 40!

The picturesque setting of Mattapoisett on Buzzard’s Bay and the quaintness of the town are only exceeded by the cheers and color provided by the enthusiastic spectators all along the race route. They are a true part of the event. Volunteers carry out the myriad of tasks necessary to orchestrate the race and contribute substantially, through their time, to the ultimate goal of raising award money. Area sponsors continue to be generous and grow in number as reflected on the popular road race t-shirts, past and present that are worn throughout the summer season. This collective generosity over the past four decades has contributed approximately $200,000 to ORRHS seniors in awards.

Early directors Robert and Doris Gardener, and current directors Dan and Holly White, as well as the many race committee members who have served, look back at these past 40 years with pride at the success of the Road Race and the Tri-Town community spirit that it has evoked.

If anyone has photos or memorabilia of previous Road Races that they would like to share for the 40th race, please contact Karen Manning at kdmanning1@yahoo.com.

By Karen Manning

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12:14:16 am Retiring Teacher Recognized by Board

Categories: Mattapoisett

A regular meeting of the Mattapoisett School Committee was called to order by Chairperson Grace Knox at 7:05 pm on Monday, June 14, 2010. Also present were Gerald Johnson, Virginia Beams, Charles Motta, Joyce Lavoie, Superintendent Douglas R. White Jr., Director of Student Services Teresa Hamm, School Business Administrator Kathleen Isernio, Principal Rosemary Bowman and new facilities director Steve Murphy.

The first order of business was the recognition of Mr. Stanley Ellis for his twenty-nine years as a dedicated teacher of the music program at Old Hammondtown School. Many of his fans, including both parents and students, were present to show their support for his masterful skills as a music teacher. He received a standing ovation.

Next, four sixth-grade teachers presented to the Committee a “two-team teaching” approach for the upcoming year, which they claimed would provide a more flexible schedule and would better balance skill sets among teachers. When asked what a typical day would look like, the teachers responded that “the schedule isn’t concrete yet; it will depend on the student body and what the needs are.” According to the presentation, the goal is to keep it interesting and allow time for projects to be completed, as well as building a better rapport between teachers and students.

Chairperson Knox responded, “it would be nice to have you back at the end of the [2010/2011] year to see what works and what doesn’t.”

Under the Superintendent’s report, Mr. White shared some notes on his recent correspondence with ORCTV and the desire to showcase some work from the schools to be aired. Mr. White also spoke about the June 5 grade school graduation which he said was a “great celebration, and the students deserved everything they received.”

Center School Principal Rosemary Bowman then gave her report, which she began by conveying the “earth shattering” news that the preliminary MCAS scores were already available to administrators. These scores have never been available this early on, and it means that the school can begin utilizing the information over the summer.

Ms. Bowman also discussed the recent Field Day at Center School, and said that it was a “very positive event.” Also, the third grade recently had a musical event and a slide show with pictures from this past year for parents as well as certificates for the students for their accomplishments.

Ms. Bowman said that, “the parents have done a remarkable job supporting every grade level,” as well as saying that the school runs so well because of the “team effort between school and home.”

The minutes from the May 3 meeting were then accepted with minor amendments to the language.

Mr. Steve Murphy, the recently hired District Facilities Manager was welcomed by the Committee, and he gave a brief background on himself.

Mr. Motta then brought up a long-standing issue which has never been resolved – the lack of a traffic sign or light on Route 6 for Old Hammondtown School. His said that it is a “hazardous area” and he is “fearful there will be an issue down the line.” His suggestion was to resolve the issue for the upcoming school year.

At 9:15 pm, the school committee adjourned from open session and entered executive session.

By Sarah K. Taylor

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12:04:47 am Board Addresses Goodspeed Island Dog Problems

Categories: Mattapoisett

A regular meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen was called to order by Chairman Jordan Collyer on June 8, 2010 at 7:00 pm in the Mattapoisett town hall conference room. Also in attendance were Selectmen Paul Silva and George Randall, Town Administrator Michael Gagne and Assistant to the Selectmen Melody Pacheco.

After the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment for silence for those who have served the country, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the May 25 meeting, both open and executive session.

Under Action items, the Board also voted to approve the “Temporary Road Repair Agreement” for Dyar Road and at Pease’s Point.

The Board also voted to allow Mr. Gagne to sign off on temporary road agreements from this point on, since there will be more of them in light of the recent road maintenance changes.

In a first appointment, the Board met with owners of the SouthCoast Local, formerly The Nest Diner, for a public hearing on a transfer of a wine and malt liquor license. This license transfer was approved with a couple reminders from the Board for the owners to strictly abide to the serving laws.

The Board then met with Sharon and John Spector in regards to uses at Goodspeed Island. The Spectors are Depot Street residents who have made repeated complaints to the town regarding unleashed dogs on the Goodspeed Island beach, shellfishing violations in the area and littering.

Ms. Spector said that unleashed dogs have been a particular nuisance and hazard, and had noted the same people allowing their dogs to run along the beach without leashes or tags. Despite a town sign that clearly states leash laws, Ms. Spector said, “There are still people who are not leashing their dogs… I think it’s a hazard and a liability to the town.” Ms. Spector said that the beach has become known as a dog beach, and claimed that the animal control department was not monitoring the area closely enough.

The Spectors also felt that there was unlicensed shellfishing taking place in the area unchecked. “Not everyone has their badge showing,” said Ms. Spector. “I feel it should be monitored more closely. There are repeating offenders. They are out there.”

To this, Natural Resources Officer Kathy Massey said, “We can’t catch them all, but we’ll catch them eventually.” Officer Massey, who is also the animal control officer, said that she couldn’t spend all her time waiting in one area for dog and shellfish violations. She said that she, or the police station, would respond to calls of violations. So far, the Spectors are the only family that has complained of problems in the Goodspeed Island area.

After some discussion, the Board clarified that, despite a sign forbidding dogs, the beach area was likely designated a dog beach at a town meeting in the 1990s, but the vote was rendered unofficial due to the fact that it was not recorded in the town meeting minutes. Since dogs are forbidden from most town beaches – including the wharf and town beach – dog owners have been limited to areas like Goodspeed Island, which has a rocky beach that is unsuitable for swimming. Dog owner Raymond Andrews defended the beach’s use for dogs, saying, “We are taxpayers and we have a right to bring our dogs to the water.”

The issue became more the problem of policing dog owners, to make sure that they clean up after their dogs and keep them controlled on a leash. The Board agreed that fines needed to be increased – a violation for not cleaning up dog waste is currently $10 and unleashed dogs carry a $25 ticket.

“I have no sympathy for people who let their dogs loose and don’t clean up after them,” said Selectman Silva. “People need to take responsibility for their pets.”

Officer Massey said that there have been tickets written, but upon Selectman Silva’s suggestion, both Officer Massey and Chief Mary Lyons agreed to increase a presence in the area during peak offender hours. Those hours, according to the Spectors, are 8:15 to 10:00 am, 4:00 to 6:00 pm (for dog offenses) and low tide (for shellfishing offenses). The Board also said that the town will have to make more of an effort to assure that the dog refuse bag container is kept fully stocked on a regular basis to encourage owners to clean up after their pets.

Barry Denham then met with the Board to discuss a snow removal plan, ensuring that the town will be properly prepared for the winter season in light of the May election, when town voters decided to keep the practice of the town removing snow from private roads. Mr. Denham also presented the Board with a plan to eliminate surplus town equipment with an upcoming auction, including an auction for the town’s 1948 Adams road grader that has transmission problems. The auction will generate income and make room in the storage area for the highway department.

The Board then read a letter of appreciation and thanks from Fire Chief Andrew Murray, addressed to Mr. Denham and the Highway Department for their work in front of the fire station.

In an update, Chief Lyons informed the Board that, to stay current with the rates of surrounding towns, Mattapoisett would be increasing their ambulance fees incrementally over the next three years. While surrounding towns are up to 40 percent over Medicare rates, Mattapoisett is only 11 percent over Medicare, and Chief Lyons said it was time for the town to increase their rates.

Chief Lyons also gave an update on the police station, which sustained serious water damage when a second floor pipe burst on May 28, flooding the first floor and damaging first floor equipment. Emergency workers spent that entire night, into the morning hours, removing wet carpet and ceiling tiles, and Chief Lyons called it “a real disaster”. Since the incident, the building has been emptied out and all regular business and communication is being conducted from a Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office van in the parking lot. According to Chief Lyons, 911 calls are being dispatched from Fairhaven, but all other services are being conducted from the white van in the parking lot. Contractors have been out to assess the damage, and building inspectors, including Mattapoisett inspector Andy Bobola, have been through the building.

Chief Lyons praised all town workers who responded to the emergency call, and Chairman Collyer echoed her praise. “You did a tremendous job,” he said to Chief Lyons. “We owe you a tremendous thank you… it speaks volumes to the caliber of employees we have in this town.”

Chief Lyons said that any firearms that town residents had relinquished to the police station to be destroyed have been turned over to Village Vaults, a bonded storage service for firearms. The station turned the firearms over to Village Vaults to avoid rusting and damage to the firearms. If a town resident is contacted by Village Vaults, they should work with the company to have the firearms properly disposed of.

Under the Town Administrator’s report, Mr. Gagne encouraged the Board to vote to allow him to address dog nuisance cases instead of having to go through the Board of Selectmen every time. The Board agreed, and voted to allow Mr. Gagne to facilitate dog nuisance issues, with serious cases being brought to a public hearing in front of the Board.

Under notes and announcements, Ms. Pacheco announced:

• The next Selectmen’s meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 22 at 7:00 pm at the town hall.

• Applications for the annual Road Race, held this year on July 3, are available at the town hall.

There being no more public business, the Board voted to go into executive session at 9:30 pm for the purpose of discussing ongoing labor negotiations.

By Anne O’Brien-Kakley

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12:04:10 am Pine Island Subdivision Hearing Continued

Categories: Mattapoisett

A scheduled meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board was called to order by Chairman Thomas Tucker on June 7, 2010 at 7:00 pm. Also present were Board members John Mathieu, Robert B. McNamara, Karen Field, recently elected member Ron Mello, and Secretary Tammy Ferreira.

The first order of business for the evening was a public hearing regarding a subdivision of a property on Brant Beach Ave, Highland Ave and Pinehurst Ave belonging to Demetrios T. Kalkanis. Mr. William F. Madden of G.A.F. Engineering, Inc, the engineer for Mr. Kalkanis, explained that there is currently one parcel of land with two houses on it, and Mr. Kalkanis is seeking to separate into two separate lots.

In 1967, a zoning law went into effect which would determine whether the houses could be grandfathered for subdivision. Mr. Mello asked to have the date when the houses were built verified before a decision would be made.

The public hearing regarding a 5.62-acre vacant parcel of land off Pine Island Road in Mattapoisett with applicants Timothy M. and Greta C. Fox was reopened. Engineer Dave Davignon from N. Douglas Schneider and Associations, Inc. represented the applicants.

Chairman Tucker explained that the Board had not yet received the peer evaluation from Field Engineers (the engineers hired to give a third-party assessment) and would therefore not be making a decision during the meeting, but that any comments or questions about the property could be addressed during the continued hearing. Chairman Tucker said also that new member Mr. Mello could participate in the hearing, but must recuse himself from voting, since he had not participated all along.

Mr. Davignon wanted a chance to update the Board on the revisions he has made to the plans since the last public hearing. He presented a cover letter to the board outlining these revisions which included: underground electric, (changed from overhead in response to a request made), dry detention ponds, a large culvert and a second culvert being replaced by two large pipes, and a stone water drainage analysis which has been completed and submitted to Field Engineers.

Mr. Davignon requested that a waiver be granted regarding the change of the proposed road from paved to a sixteen-foot gravel road. The Conservation Commission has asked Mr. Davignon not to come back to them until all waivers have been resolved, and will not provide information to the Planning Board until that time. Chairman Tucker again stressed that a decision would not be made at the June 7 hearing.

Some questions were raised by the public, including more concern about the drainage issue. One resident said, “It’s already a bad situation. Any addition or change could be really serious for the rest of us.”

Chairman Tucker responded, “We can’t ask them to change a pre-existing problem. They can control their property.” Mr. Mathieu later added, “It sounds like a drainage problem is there already. We’re beating a dead horse.”

A motion was made to continue the hearing on June 21, 2010, at which point the peer evaluation from Field Engineers will be complete. The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 pm.

By Sarah K. Taylor

 

 

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03:21:53 pm Mattapoisett Police Station Work to Begin

Categories: Mattapoisett

The Mattapoisett police department is still dealing with the burst water pipe that significantly damaged the building and contents on the evening of May 28. Over Memorial Day weekend, the police station building remained closed while the department worked out of a mobile unit provided by the Plymouth County Sheriff’s office.

The cause of the burst pipe is yet unknown. According to Chief Mary Lyons, “there are many speculations, including the age of the pipe, a possible water surge, [or] corrosion.”

According to Chief Lyons, “Business is as usual at the police department. Citizens coming to the police department for records or service should walk to the Plymouth Country Sheriff’s truck and knock on the door.”

There is a Mattapoisett dispatcher manning the sheriff’s van for business calls (508-758-4141), but all 911 calls will be answered by the Fairhaven dispatch officer, who will immediately dispatch to the Mattapoisett officers over the radio, since Mattapoisett and Fairhaven share a frequency.

Although some filing cabinets were water damaged, no court records were damaged. Most of the affected office furniture was left outside to dry out in the week following the pipe burst. Over the past week, the water damage has been assessed and damaged items, including furniture, filing cabinets and drywall, have been removed. Repairs to the interior of the building will begin during the week of June 7. Currently, there is no estimated timeline as to when the repairs will be complete.

By Anne O’Brien-Kakley

 

 

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01:25:04 pm Mattapoisett Restaurant Open After Grease Fire

Categories: News, Mattapoisett

The Mattapoisett fire department responded to a grease fire at the Tokyo Restaurant on Route 6 in Mattapoisett yesterday afternoon. After some clean-up, Tokyo's opened today as usual.

According to Chief Andrew Murray, a flare-up at the fryolator ignited the grease and set off the Ansul hood system, which promptly extinguished the flames. When the fire department responded, they turned off the gas to the restaurant and put out some smoldering in the duct work. Following the grease fire, firefighters ventilated the restaurant for about 15 minutes.

"There really wasn't too much damage," said Chief Murray, who noted that the fire damage was limited to a couple melted light fixtures.

By Anne O'Brien-Kakley

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11:44:34 am Mattapoisett Police Station Work Begins Next Week

Categories: News, Mattapoisett

The Mattapoisett police department is still dealing with the burst water pipe that significantly damaged the building and contents on the evening of May 28. Over Memorial Day weekend, the police station building remained closed while the department worked out of a mobile unit provided by the Plymouth County Sheriff’s office.

The cause of the burst pipe is yet unknown. According to Chief Mary Lyons, “there are many speculations, including the age of the pipe, a possible water surge, [or] corrosion.”

According to Chief Lyons, “Business is as usual at the police department. Citizens coming to the police department for records or service should walk to the Plymouth Country Sheriff’s truck and knock on the door.”

There is a Mattapoisett dispatcher manning the sheriff’s van for business calls (508-758-4141), but all 911 calls will be answered by the Fairhaven dispatch officer, who will immediately dispatch to the Mattapoisett officers over the radio, since Mattapoisett and Fairhaven share a frequency.

Although some filing cabinets were water damaged, no court records were damaged. Most of the affected office furniture was left outside to dry out in the week following the pipe burst. Over the past week, the water damaged has been assessed and damaged items, including furniture, filing cabinets and drywall, have been removed. Repairs to the interior of the building will begin during the week of June 7.

By Anne O’Brien-Kakley

 

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12:13:10 am Mattapoisett Freshman Pitches to World Series

Categories: Mattapoisett

Don’t call it a Cinderella story, and don’t call the UMass Boston baseball team, the Beacons, the underdog. It was their determination and scrappy nature that brought them to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III College World Series, and Mattapoisett pitcher Tom Cole helped get them there.

It is the seemingly impossible story of a seventh-seed college team – the UMass Beacons – sweeping the NCAA New England Regional Tournament and defeating the 12th nationally-ranked and first-seed Tufts University Jumbos 12 to 6 at a May 22 game.

Mattapoisett resident Jean Cole, mother to Tom, described the team as “good kids who just like to play ball,” and Coach Brendan Eygabroat laughed at a May 22 conference saying that he would have to kick the team out of the batting cages late at night. “We believed in ourselves all year,” said the coach. “Hard work pays off.” To that, Coach Eygabroat added, “Tom Cole did a heck of a job.”

The announcer at the May 22 game marveled over the unlikely winners and the pitcher that helped get them there, saying, “Could you ever have imagined that in the championship game, Tom Cole, a freshman out of Mattapoisett, Massachusetts, who was pitching for Old Rochester Regional high school at this time last year would be the winning pitcher of the championship game?” The announcer described the Beacons’ continued victories at the Little East Conference and the New England Regional as, “the unfathomable [happening] nightly here.”

Mr. Cole came into the May 22 game in the fourth inning, when his team was in a losing spot. With the help of a double-play, from the fourth to seventh inning, he managed to turn it around, helping his team defeat the favored Yale team. This is hardly the first pitching feat for Mr. Cole, who pitched a perfect game two years ago when he played for Wareham Region Post 220, and who excelled as a pitcher with the ORR Bulldogs.

There are 402 colleges in Division III, and only eight make the World Series. “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Ms. Cole. But her son’s role in this achievement hasn’t gone to his head. “He was chomping at the bit, wanting to contribute to his team,” she said. “Tommy did a good job. The whole team did a good job… they are scrappers and fighters… [they are] just so humble.”

After two back-to-back losses on May 28 and May 29, the UMass Beacons were eliminated from the Division III World Series, but the feat of getting to the NCAA championship is still something that this modest team of hard-working players is always going to remember.

And what did Tom Cole have to say about his contribution to the team’s success? “I came in and I did my work,” he said at a post-game conference. And based on the proud signs and posters hanging outside Mr. Cole’s home in Mattapoisett, he is in for a great homecoming.

By Anne O’Brien-Kakley

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10:15:43 am Accident Snags Mattapoisett Village Traffic

Categories: News, Mattapoisett

A Mattapoisett village accident closed off a section of North Street from the corner of North and Church to the corner of North and Water Streets just a couple hours before Memorial Day activities today. A large chunk of a silver door part was lying in the middle of the intersection of North and Church, evidence of the accident that took place there.

There are no reports of serious injuries, despite the fact that one of the automobiles – a crossover vehicle – might have been carrying as many as ten people.

As reported on the police radio, it appears that all occupants of the crowded crossover SUV involved in the accident are immigrants without proper identification. Immigrant Custom Enforcement (ICE) was called to investigate.

By Anne O'Brien-Kakley

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10:15:31 am Canadian Wildfires Explain Tri-Town Haze

Categories: News, Mattapoisett

It's hard to believe, but the haze that is clinging to the air in the Tri-Town is a little gift from our northern neighbors.

As Canada battles wildfires in Central Quebec, reports of a haze and smell of wood smoke have been rolling in to the fire station in Mattapoisett. The fire department at this time is attributing the haze and smell to the wildfires that are over 250 miles away.

Fire watchers from a Plymouth county tower reported very heavy smoke in the area. Areas of northern New England have reported an inundation of fire department calls because of the smoke, and now the fire departments on the Massachusetts South Coast and Cape Cod are also being flooded with calls because of the smoke.

According to the National Weather Service, a northerly wind is bringing the smoke down throughout New England, making conditions hazardous for those with asthma and breathing problems. According to Canadian officials, there are currently 50 different fires blazing, with some of them burning out of control.

By Anne O'Brien-Kakley

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02:43:19 pm The Wanderer Announces the 2010 Keel Award Winners

Categories: News, Marion, Mattapoisett, Rochester

The Wanderer is once again pleased to announce the 2010 recipients of our seventeenth annual "Wanderer Keel Awards." This annual community service honor is presented to one resident from Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester each. It is given to those who have contributed in some way to the overall benefit of the community, either directly to town residents, or indirectly through efforts in promoting town activities, or working to keep the wheels of local government well-oiled.

In doing this each year, we hope to applaud those who are rarely recognized for their countless hours of service and focus on the many people "behind the scenes" who remain otherwise anonymous but provide crucial support to many town functions. Like the keel of a ship, which keeps the vessel from capsizing, the recipients of the Annual Wanderer Keel Award are recognized for their stalwart efforts in keeping their respective community on an "even keel." We hope you will join us in congratulating this year's recipients and celebrate their contributions to the tri-town communities.

• Mattapoisett Keel Award 2010 – Stephen L. Kelleher, Reservation Road

The Mattapoisett Bike Path has been an epic undertaking, and will continue to be one of the greatest recreational infrastructure projects this area has ever seen. The bike path’s completion to the Marion town line has a planned finish date of 2016. This project has required foresight, coordination and profound diligence on behalf of a select group of Mattapoisett residents.

One of these residents is our 2010 Keel Award winner Stephen Kelleher. Mr. Kelleher has been in integral part of “staying the course” with the bike path project from its inception in 1997. As chairman of the Bike Path Committee, Mr. Kelleher has always kept hope when funding seemed impossible, and kept the price tag on the Mattapoisett Bike Path as low as possible – at a 2009 meeting, Mr. Kelleher estimated that, with Community Preservation Grants and private donations, Mattapoisett taxpayers will end up footing less than 10 percent of total project costs. This was all the result of Mr. Kelleher’s tireless lobbying of state and federal representatives.

On a pleasant, sunny day, you can be sure that the Mattapoisett bike path will be bustling with activity. Walkers, bikers, roller-bladers and dog-walkers all reap the benefit of a trail dedicated to beauty, peace and fitness. In the years to come, this will be a legacy for all our children to enjoy, thanks to the vision of the Mr. Kelleher and Bike Path Committee.

Mr. Kelleher joins other past Mattapoisett Keel Award Winners: Maurice “Mudgie” Tavares (1994); Priscilla Alden Hathaway (1995); Norma Holt (1996); Gale Hudson (1997); Kenneth Stickney (1998); Clara Morgan (1999); Betty and Bert Theriault (2000); John N. “Jack” DeCosta (2001); Jo Pannell (2002); Stan Ellis (2003); Evelyn Pursley (2004); Luice Moncevitch (2005); Seth Mendell (2006); Bradford A. Hathaway (2007); Kim Field (2008), Dr. David Spencer Jenny (2009).

• Marion Keel Award 2010 ­– Dr. John Russell, Stoney Run Lane

After eight years of dedicated work on the Old Rochester Regional School Committee, one would think that Dr. John Russell would have liked to take a break. Instead, Dr. Russell filled a vacant term when Robert Nectow retired, which helped guide the Committee through a time of transition.

Over the years, Dr. Russell has been a leader in the efforts to improve student performance in MCAS testing, and has been described as an advocate for ongoing professional development for teachers, superior resources for students in the face of difficult budgets, and consistency in the skill-set of the three towns. In the past year, Dr. Russell’s expertise has been instrumental to the Tri-Town’s K-6 regionalization efforts.

As a three-time graduate of MIT (for his Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD), and as a former head of the Physics department at U Mass Dartmouth, Dr. Russell was always a uniquely-gifted and valued asset to Marion schools, and the district schools at large. His colleagues describe him as “gifted”, “passionate” and a “true gentleman”. Truly, his soft voice and eloquent contributions to school committee meetings will be greatly missed. For these reasons, Dr. Russell is the recipient of the 2010 Wanderer Keel Award.

Dr. Russell joins other past Marion Keel Award Winners: Claire Russell (1994); Ralph and Phyllis Washburn (1995); Annie Giberti (1996); Jay Crowley (1997); Tyler Blethen (1998); Olive E. Harris (1999, posthumously); Kathleen P. “Kay” Reis (2000); Loretta B. “Lori” Schaefer (2001); Ann and Warren Washburn (2002); Andrew Santos Sr. (2003); Eunice Manduca (2004); Annie Giberti (2005); A. Lee Hayes (2006); Horace “Hod” Kenney (2007); Margie Baldwin (2008), Jack Beck (2009).

• Rochester Keel Award – Kate Tarleton, Snipatuit Road

Beneath the sleepy, bucolic exterior of Rochester – beyond the rolling, rhythmic rows of corn, beyond the farm stands and sunflowers is a tight-knit community that thrives on many things – Rochester Memorial School being one of them. RMS – which will soon be upgraded to a much larger school to accommodate a burgeoning population – runs like a well-oiled machine thanks to faculty, staff, and exceptional parent volunteers. One of those volunteers is this year’s Wanderer Keel Award recipient.

Kate Tarleton, mother to three children, has been a dedicated volunteer to the school and the community over the years. She is always ready with a helping hand, has supported the Great Books program, and helped hang art for the recent Art Show. She is an active Parent-Teacher Organization member, and has assumed roles as co-president of the PTO and co-director of the Cultural Enrichment Committee. A tireless advocate of the arts and culture, Ms. Tarleton has been a conduit for making sure that children’s learning experiences are fully enriched.

Most recently, she used her restoration and sewing skills to create the amazing costumes that were used in the fifth and sixth grade presentation of Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice. These period pieces contributed to the overall drama of the production.

In addition to all these roles, Ms. Tarleton has also been a member of the RMS Building Committee, which has been integral to the ongoing construction of the bigger and better building coming next year.

Ms. Tarleton joins other past Rochester Keel Award Winners: Joseph McCarthy (1994); Jean Fennell (1995); Katherine Hartley Church (1996); Chris Byron (1997); Albert Alderson (1998); Arthur and Aline Lionberger (1999); Kenneth E. Daggett (2000); Georgia D. Chamberlain (2001); Mary P. Wynne (2002); Evelyn F. Benner (2003); Mike Meunier Sr. (2004); Arthur F. Benner (2005); Pamela J. Robinson (2006); Anna E. White (2007); John E. Lafreniere (2008), Cathy Mendoza (2009).

Edited by Anne O'Brien-Kakley

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01:47:32 pm Board to Create Ad-Hoc Aquaculture Committee

Categories: Mattapoisett

A regular meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen was called to order by Chairman Jordan C. Collyer on May 25, 2010 at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall Conference Room. Also in attendance were Selectmen Paul A. Silva and George Randall and Assistant to the Selectmen Melody Pacheco.

After the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence for those who have served the country, the Board voted to maintain their current positions, with Jordan Collyer remaining Chairman, Paul Silva remaining Vice Chairman and George Randall remaining Clerk. Chairman Collyer welcomed the summer attire of no suit jackets and flip-flops.

The Board then voted to approve the minutes of the April 26 minutes, both open and executive session, and the Board also approved the executive minutes of a May 11 meeting.

After approving and signing all town appointments, the Board voted to approve teen dances on Holmes Wharf every Thursday night from June 17 to August 26. The dances will take place from 7:30 to 10:30 pm.

In the first appointment of the evening, the Board discussed the results of an aquaculture research and fact-finding mission that they had had been conducting since the last meeting. This mission was conducted as a result of the very recent influx of aquaculture – particularly oyster aquaculture – applications. At a most recent public hearing for Jim O’Dowd, and then Chapman Dickerson, the Board had voted to place a brief moratorium on aquaculture grant approvals until they could construct a firm protocol for proceeding with such applications.

Some of the concerns of the townspeople at previous meetings was the limited amount of suitable aquaculture locations in Mattapoisett, the science of it, the impact on a community’s water frontage, and the liabilities involved in permitting oyster farms throughout the town’s small water bodies – Brant Island Cove being one of the most sought-after locations.

Town Administrator Michael Gagne had put together a “crib sheet” of information on how other towns have addressed some of these issues, including Duxbury and Wellfleet, who have experienced an increase in aquaculture permit applications recently. But if abutters and applicants were hoping for a quick list of regulations from the Board, they may be disappointed, since the Board expressed the need for a lot of research and conversations before they could go forward with application approvals.

“We have a lot of homework ahead of us before we wind up like Duxbury,” said Selectman Silva. The Board thought it would be best to construct a non-appointment, ad-hoc committee of applicants, abutters and interested individuals to proceed with regulations, acreage limits, and possibly a bylaw. Two applications are currently pending – the one from Mr. Dickerson is being continued and Mr. O’Dowd will be reapplying with a modified aquaculture plan.

Selectman Silva also wanted to get a feel for what the income of a successful oyster farm could be. When he asked Mr. O’Dowd and Mr. Dickerson what their projected earnings would be, Mr. Dickerson responded, “No idea. I’d like to get started so I can find out.”

“I don’t think a lot of businessmen put that number out there to discuss,” added Mr. O’Dowd.

However, Selectman Silva thought that this was an important figure to consider in the licensing process, since the application fee is relatively small compared to the potential profit margin. Selectman Silva said that, in his research, he found that Duxbury oyster farms are making $800,000 a year based on their gross aquaculture revenue divided by applicants. “That seems like an awful lot,” said Selectman Silva, who thought that this large profit margin should be considered in the town’s review of aquaculture licensing costs. “I want to know the answer before we start giving out permits,” he said.

“It would be nice to have that money in town, wouldn’t it?” asked Mr. Dickerson.

Both Mr. Dickerson and Mr. O’Dowd expressed frustration with the Board over the process that Mattapoisett is employing to establish these aquaculture rules. “All these questions you keep asking – you are keeping people from being productive,” said Mr. Dickerson. “I’m all go-go-go and you guys are all slow-slow-slow.”

“We want to go forward with this,” said Chairman Collyer. “I have no problem moving forward. We just need answers to these questions.” One of those questions included the issue of acreage. “Where is enough, enough?” asked Chairman Collyer in regards to how much acreage they would permit. Another question involved how the town would address license transfers.

With the help of an ad-hoc committee, experts in the field, and possibly even a conversation with Marion Selectmen (who have also been dealing with increased aquaculture license applications as well), the Board will have a more defined course of action for the June 8 meeting.

In a second appointment, the Board conducted a public hearing for Tokyo Restaurant for an all-alcohol liquor license transfer. The owners of the Tokyo Restaurant building are buying the business from the current owner, who is sick. Since they have operated the restaurant before and are well-versed in the requirements of a liquor license with no past violations, the Board approved this transfer.

In another public hearing, the Board reviewed an all-alcohol liquor license application for a new restaurant called Tastebuds Bistro, which will be opening on the corner of Route 6 and Main Street. This was a reapplication by proprietor Carol Lareau under a corporation name for liability reasons. Since the original application had already been approved, the Board quickly approved this revised application.

In a third public hearing, the Board considered a new wine and malt license for The Village Chef, located at 20 County Road. Since the applicants are the original owners of Nick’s Pizza across the street, and have held a wine and malt license before, the application was approved. Chairman Collyer said that at least two more wine and malt licenses would still be available with the approval.

In a final appointment, the Board met with Harbormaster Steve Mach to discuss the 2010 Boating Season. Mr. Mach detailed dock repair plans, the dingy waiting list, current projects underway, and plans for an old dingy dock/observation pier. The pier can no longer be maintained in the budget, so Mr. Mach got permission from the Board to partially remove it until something more permanent can be done. “We don’t use it. It’s expensive to maintain,” he said.

Under Notes and Announcements, Ms. Pacheco announced:

• The Town Hall will be closed on Monday, May 31, 2010 in recognition of Memorial Day.

• The next Board of Selectmen meeting will be held at the Mattapoisett Town Hall on June 8, 2010, at 7:00 pm.

• Applications for the July 3, 2010 Mattapoisett Road Race are available at the Town Hall.

• Memorial Day exercises will be held on Monday, May 31, 2010 at the Mattapoisett Library, starting at 1:30 pm. Chairman Collyer will speak at the service.

Since there was no Town Administrator’s report, the Board heard a letter regarding Old Colony’s Commencement Exercises, scheduled to take place on June 7 at 1:00 pm. Selectman Randall will be present at this event.

There being no more business cover, the Board voted to go into executive session at 8:47 pm to discuss on-going collective bargaining.

By Anne O’Brien-Kakley

 

 

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01:44:15 pm Board Upholds Building Commissioner’s Authority

Categories: Mattapoisett

A meeting of the Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals was called to order by Chairperson Jeffrey Chase on May 20, 2010 at 6:00 pm at the Mattapoisett Town Hall. Also present were committee members Paul Milott, Steve Vaitses, Mary Ann Brogan, Susan Akin, and Mattapoisett Building Inspector Andrew Bobola.

To a packed room, attorney Jonathan Witten represented a group appealing the issuance of the building permit to property owners Thomas and Terry Simonson at 8 Ocean View Avenue. In a lengthy presentation, Mr. Witten claimed that Mr. Bobola was not authorized to approve the Simonson’s home expansion project because the Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) ruled that the expansion of a pre-existing structure on a nonconforming lot requires a special permit. He also cited various cases that upheld the necessary issuance of a special permit.

Although a 1999 Mattapoisett bylaw establishes Mr. Bobola’s right to approve permits for construction on pre-1973 lots, he argued that the bylaw is illegal under current case law. “You cannot write a bylaw that violates the SJC’s decisions,” he said, arguing that all structural changes for nonconforming lots must go through the Zoning Board of Appeals as a special permit.

Attorney Daniel Perry responded to Mr. Witten’s argument with the statement that Mr. Witten and company failed to appeal the building permit within the required 30 days. Mr. Witten responded that the appellants have 30 days to file an appeal from when they were aware of the project, not from when the commissioner approved the permit. “I’m at sixes and sevens; the argument is narrow and different from [what Mr. Witten] presented before,” Mr. Hicks said, adding that all of the cases Mr. Witten cited involved towns lacking a local bylaw, unlike Mattapoisett. Mr. Witten refuted that claim.

In other comments, Mr. Perry said that if the nonconforming, grandfathered structure meets the pre-1973 setback requirements, “you can do it without the permission of the Board of Appeals.”

“These people are complaining about exactly what they did themselves… I do not think that should be honored,” he said, referring to abutters of the Simonson property, who also expanded their homes in the past.

In commenting on the 1999 Mattapoisett bylaw, Mr. Bobola said, “The bylaw is the direct result of every beachfront community and the village because it gives people the right to build on grandfathered setbacks without the Zoning Board of Appeals. I’m not sure what we are doing here.”

Among other comments, Jonathan Silverstein of the Mattapoisett Town Counsel said that “it is clear that towns are more generous than state law” and that the aforementioned Mattapoisett bylaw is not ambiguous about Mr. Bobola’s authority to issue permits for nonconforming lots.

One abutter attending the meeting expressed disapproval of the Simonson’s plans to expand their home. “This structure is not a cottage; it is a McMansion that significantly alters the character of the neighborhood. It is the smallest lot with the largest house. Everyone directly around the house is against it,” he said.

In a lengthy deliberation process, the board agreed that Mr. Bobola had the right to issue the permit. “I have an issue whether we have the right to be involved in the first place. It is not within our jurisdiction; it was the building commissioner’s decision,” said Ms. Brogan. In constructing an official response to Mr. Witten’s appeal, the board worked with Mr. Silverstein of the Town Counsel. In the end, the board unanimously rejected the appeal stating that:

• It was not filed within the 30-day deadline.

• The building commissioner has authority to issue the permit.

• The Mattapoisett bylaw in place is clear.

• The building commissioner has used the bylaw consistently for ten years.

In the second public hearing, applicant Christian McCullough of 25 Cedarcrest Road asked the zoning board to approve a special permit allowing him to elevate his dwelling by three feet and add decks and stairs that do not meet the required setbacks. “We need more storage,” Mr. McCullough explained. In his comments on the case, Mr. Bobola said, “This is a very simple project that is well done and well thought-out. The deck and stairs are modest in size,” he said.

Calling the request “straightforward,” the board unanimously approved the request with little deliberation.

In the third public hearing, Mr. McCullough represented Robin Govonlu of 12 Silver Shell Ave. Ms. Govonlu asked the board to approve a special permit to allow the construction of a single car garage that does not meet setback requirements. In comments, Mr. Bobola said, “They did a good job. The garage door is only 8 feet wide; I hope they have a small car… They did the right thing and put a one-car garage with minimum encroachment.” He added that the lot is difficult to work with and the applicants did their best. After a short deliberation, the board approved the special permit unanimously.

In the fourth public hearing, Dave Davignon of Schneider and Associates represented Donald and Ellen Ross of 116 Willow Ave. Mr. Davignon formally changed the applicants’ request from a variance to a special permit that would allow the demolition of their home to construct a new dwelling in the same general location. The new structure would be elevated to adhere to FEMA requirements and the lot coverage would expand from 4.9 percent to 6.8 percent. The board agreed that the applicants met the pre-1973 setbacks – for which they are eligible – and would maintain a “similar footprint” as the previous structure. The board approved the request unanimously.

In the fifth hearing, Charles Van Voorhis represented Stephen Clapp of 19 Pearl St. for a special permit request to abolish an existing garage and construct a new garage within existing setbacks. Essentially, Mr. Voorhis would elevate the garage from 23 feet 9 inches to 25 feet 6 inches. “It is very straightforward and nicely designed. I hope you look favorably on it,” said Mr. Bobola. With little deliberation, the board approved the request unanimously.

In the sixth and last public hearing, Rick Sharon represented Andrea Shanley of 14 Silver Shell Ave. The applicant requested a variance to elevate an existing dwelling to 36 feet 7 inches, which exceeds the allowable setback requirements by 1 foot 7 inches. “We are primarily changing the height to meet the floodzone requirement,” Mr. Sharon said. In comments during deliberation, Mr. Bobola said, “It is a reasonable hardship moving above the floodplain.” The board approved the request unanimously.

The board voted to adjourn at 8:35 pm.

By Laura Pedulli

 

 

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