News

News Articles

12:07:22 am Mattapoisett Selectmen Meeting - November 24, 2009

Categories: Mattapoisett

A regular meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen was called to order by Chairman Jordan C. Collyer on November 24, 2009 at 7:00 pm. Also in attendance were Selectmen Paul A. Silva and George Randall, Town Administrator Michael Gagne', and Assistant to the Town Administrator Melody Pacheco.

The minutes of the November 10 meeting, both open and executive session, were approved.

The Board voted to appoint Jeffrey P. Sanders of 12 Fairview Drive as a new member to the Mattapoisett Housing Partnership. Mr. Sanders is a graduate of the ORR school system, and after law school, returned to Mattapoisett and currently practices law in New Bedford.

The Board then voted to increase the Town's liquor license filing fee from $50 to $100, and voted to make the applicant responsible for the cost of legal advertisement of liquor hearings.

The first appointment of the evening was with Randall Kunz, retired Rochester Town Planner. Mr. Kunz wished to introduce himself to the Board formally. Mr. Kunz will be the town's Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD) representative and will also take over the role as representative at SouthCoast Rail.

"I want to make sure that I am representing the town," said Mr. Kunz. "I am happy to serve."

In the next scheduled meeting, Alan Decker represented the Coalition for Buzzard's Bay seeking the Board's support in written consent for the conservation restriction of 84 Long Plain Rd. The 21-acre parcel contains one property and only has about 1.5 acres in Mattapoisett, with the rest of the land being in Rochester. The property belongs to Linda and John Gurney, who are willing to forgo the possibilities of subdividing the property into 4 parcels in favor of donating a restriction to the Coalition and the Rochester Land Trust. Since the property has a sliver of frontage in Mattapoisett, they require permission from both Mattapoisett and Rochester before proceeding.

The land is desirable to the Coalition and the Rochester Land Trust because it abuts the Mattapoisett River Valley and watershed. The current owner may still have room to create one more buildable lot, but the rest will be conserved.

The Board voted to support this effort and signed the necessary paperwork. "On behalf of the Coalition for Buzzard's Bay, the Rochester Land Trust, and our sister group the Mattapoisett Land Trust, we thank you," said Mr. Decker.

Commander Michael Lamoureux came before the Board to read a letter of thanks from the Florence Eastman Post 280 American Legion to the Mattapoisett Police Department Color Guard at the November 11 Veteran's Day event at Old Hammondtown School.

Commander Lamoureux further expressed his appreciation of Officers Justin King and Scott LeBlanc's "high degree of professionalism" at the commencement of the program when a student holding a flag at the program suffered a medical emergency. The officers handled the situation swiftly and calmly, getting the medical assistance necessary, while still remaining at the event to complete their Color Guard duties. In his letter, Commander Lamoureux said, "We want you and all the town to be aware of the type of officers we are blessed to have watching out for us every day."

The Board then met with Highway Surveyor Barry Denham, who requested support from the Board in his Chapter 90 request for the purchase of new equipment. Chapter 90 funds are typically used to pave roads, but Mr. Denham was coming before the Board to request the use of Chapter 90 to purchase a machine coal planer. The requested equipment would be able to double as a mower with a different attachment in the warm season. "It will do a number of things besides planing," said Mr. Denham, who said that there is currently no machine in the Highway Department that can fit a coal planer attachment.

"We need to be as fiscally responsible as possible when we don't get that much Chapter 9 to start with," said Chairman Collyer. The Board wanted to know the benefit of purchasing equipment over renting. Mr. Denham said that renting fees were "astronomical" and that purchasing the equipment would actually be more cost-effective in the long run since it would lower paving costs per foot.

After running numbers, the Board determined that the town would actually save money, even in the short term, with the purchase of the equipment versus renting. Selectmen Silva said that his approval of the purchase would be contingent upon Mr. Denham's confirmation that the equipment wouldn't result in need for more manpower. Mr. Denham said that he would be able to run the equipment without extra hours.

The Board voted to approve the Chapter 90 request.

In Selectmen discussion items, the Board received a letter from Attorney Jan Dabrowski stating that the current owner of the land in the area of Mattapoisett Neck Road will not consent to letting the town use the property for bike path parking. Mr. Gagne' suggested putting the item under old business and asking Mr. Kunz for his opinion in ways that they could seeking parking elsewhere.

In Notes and Announcements, Ms. Pacheco informed the Board that:

* The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen will take place on Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall.

* The Town of Mattapoisett will be sponsoring their 4th annual "Village Stroll and Holiday in the Park" on Saturday, December 5 from 11:00 to 1:00 pm at Shipyard Park. Santa will arrive with his friends at around 11:30 am and the Town will collect gifts to help the needy children of Mattapoisett that day.

* New winter hours for the transfer station will begin on the week of November 30. The new hours are: Thursday and Friday from 9:00 to 3:00 pm and Saturdays from 8:00 to 3:00 pm.

* The Town Hall will be closed on Thanksgiving and Friday, November 27.

In the Town Administrator's report, Mr. Gagne' informed the Board that the Annual Town Meeting will take place on Monday, May 10, and if necessary, will continue on May 11 and 12. The deadline for submission of articles is February 1 for proper review.

Mr. Gagne' also presented the Board with a snow closure/delay policy, which was developed with town department heads. In the event of snow a "calling tree" will be used to inform town employees of closure. The Board voted to approve this policy.

Chairman Collyer wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and encouraged safe travels.

There being no more business, the Board voted to adjourn at 8:30 pm.

By Anne O'Brien-Kakley

Send feedback » • Permalink

Comments:

No Comments for this post yet...

Leave a comment:

[Contact] [Log in] [Admin]