April 29, 2008

By Kenneth J. Souza

A regular meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen was called to order on Tuesday, April 29 at 7:00 pm by Chairman Raymond H. Andrews. Also present were Selectman Stephen J. Lombard, Town Administrator Michael J. Botelho, and Assistant to the Town Administrator Melody Pacheco. Selectman Jordan C. Collyer was not present for the meeting.

The board first approved the minutes of the April 8 and April 18 meetings, then noted that the Water/Sewer Department will be conducting a long-term sewer study for the community and a meeting will take place on May 7 at 7:00 pm in the Center School Auditorium to discuss the details. Written comments and questions can also be submitted to the Board of Water/Sewer Commissioners, 19 County Road, P.O. Box 474, Mattapoisett, MA 02739.

The board also made their intent known to layout Hitching Post Road as a "public way" for Town Meeting approval, but added that it wouldn't be ready for the upcoming May 12 Town Meeting warrant as planned. They also voted to appoint Robert J. Randall Jr. and Jonathan M. Villa as "Student Officers" with the Mattapoisett Police Department while attending the Police Academy.

At 7:05 pm the board met with Mark Mooney, Treasurer of the Mattapoisett Youth Baseball Association (MYBA), to discuss a request to hold a Family Fun Fair at the Seth Martin Field adjacent to Old Hammondtown School from Friday, May 16 through Sunday, May 18 as a first-time MYBA Fundraiser. They are seeking to have 10 amusement devices set up on Friday from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm; Saturday from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm; and on Sunday from 12:00 noon to 7:00 pm.

In conjunction with the Fair, the MYBA will also hold their Opening Day Ceremonies on Saturday morning, May 17 beginning at 9:00 am.

"We're gearing it as a Family Fun Weekend with a tilt toward baseball," Mr. Mooney said. "We're hoping to raise funds to support field maintenance ... at no cost to the town."

Among the long-term projects the MYBA also hopes to fund: a rotation of the existing John Haley Field; the installation of lights on Lambo Field; and the creation of a "Mini Fenway Park" at the John Haley Field.

Some abutters to Seth Martin Field and Old Hammondtown School were present and expressed some concerns over the weekend-long event and potential safety issues related to both parking and overnight security at the site.

"Parking down there is limited," Selectman Lombard agreed. "We need to make sure the ingress and egress are as open as possible. The other issue I have is ... people are going to try to traverse over other people's property. I want to make sure that people respect other people's property and aren't jumping over fences or walking over people's property at night to get to the fair."

As such, Selectman Lombard suggested limiting parking to one side of Shaw Street during the event and maybe even having an officer on duty helping with the incoming and outgoing traffic flow. Chairman Andrews also recommended that Tallman Street be used strictly an an entrance to the event and Shaw Street be used as the exit.

Mr. Mooney said they will certainly work with the Police Department and Town Administrator Mike Botelho to make sure that all these concerns are addressed before the event.

With that, the board unanimously approved the MYBA's request to hold the Family Fun Fair as requested on the weekend of May 16-18, 2008.

"I thank you for your fundraising efforts and for supporting (baseball) in Mattapoisett," Selectman Lombard added.

At 7:30 pm the board met with the Old Colony Regional School Committee appointing authority consisting of representatives of the Mattapoisett School Committee, the Board of Selectmen, the Town Moderator, and the Old Colony Regional School Committee to consider the reappointment of Dana Barrows as Mattapoisett's representative to the Old Colony committee. Town Moderator Jack Eklund called for a vote and the committee unanimously voted to reappoint Mr. Barrows to another term with the Old Colony Regional School Committee.

At 7:35 pm the board met with Town Moderator Jack Eklund to discuss plans for the Annual Town Meeting which starts on Monday night, May 12 beginning at 7:00 pm in the Old Rochester Regional High School Auditorium. Copies of the warrant are now available at the town's website at www.mattapoisett.net, and can also be obtained at the Mattapoisett Town Hall and the Mattapoisett Public Library.

With 27 articles on the Annual Town Meeting warrant and another six articles on the Special Town Meeting warrant, Mr. Eklund hopes to conclude all Town Meeting business within three days or less.

"We should be able to wrap things up in three nights ... if we move quickly, I'm hoping we can do it in two nights," Mr. Eklund said.

Mr. Eklund said if anyone is planning to make an audio-visual presentation during Town Meeting, they will be limited to 10 minutes and must notify him before Tuesday, May 6 to make an appointment to do a dry-run of their presentation to assure it meets the time constraints. These dry-runs will be done on Wednesday, May 7 between 7:00 and 9:00 pm at Town Hall. Those wishing to contact Mr. Eklund should call him at home (508-758-7829) or his office (508-230-2500, extension 220).

"Hopefully it will be a smooth (Town Meeting) and we've addressed all the issues and concerns of voters," Chairman Andrews said.

In other matters, the board:

* Announced there is a Recreation Subcommittee looking into finding more athletic field space in town. Those interested in serving on this subcommittee should contact Jeremy Collier at jercollier@comcast.net.

* Noted the next regular Selectmen's meeting will be held Wednesday, May 21 at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall Conference Room.

* Noted the Annual Town Election will be held on Tuesday, May 20 with polls open from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm at Old Hammondtown School.

* Announced that Boston's Fox 25 News will be broadcasting their "Zip Trip" morning show from Shipyard Park in Mattapoisett on Friday, June 6 from 5:00 am to 9:00 am.

Under the Town Administrator's report, Mr. Botelho noted the second year of the Billy Mee Sailing Program is about to get underway and this summer there will be three sessions held. The non-profit group now owns a fleet of eight boats which are being used to instruct Mattapoisett youth in sailing during the summer months.

Mr. Botelho also advised that the paving of lower Brandt Island Road has been approved and will begin soon as part of a Chapter 90 upgrade project.

Lastly, Mr. Botelho noted the next phase of the Mattapoisett Bike Path project is slated to begin this summer with an eye toward completing the entire project in the spring of 2009.

There being no further matters to come before the board, they unanimously voted to adjourn for the evening at 8:00 pm.

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