Mattapoisett residents will be asked to return to Town Meeting on Monday, November 9, as the town prepares a short warrant expected to focus largely on project funding and transfers rather than new taxpayer spending.
Town Administrator Mike Lorenco told the Select Board Tuesday that the highway department building is expected to cost more than the amount previously approved by Town Meeting, citing tariffs, other rising costs and delays in the design process. The project is currently out to bid, and officials expect to have a firm price before the Special Town Meeting.
The town may be able to cover at least some of the additional cost without seeking new tax dollars. A $2 million state grant is now expected to cover the Water Street culvert project, freeing money previously appropriated by Town Meeting that could potentially be transferred to the highway building project.
Lorenco said the goal is to use available funds from projects that came in under budget rather than ask taxpayers for additional money. Cooper’s Way and a possible Water and Sewer Department building article could also appear on the warrant, depending on final costs and project status.
The warrant is expected to open at the next Select Board meeting and close at the first meeting in October. Lorenco said officials anticipate only a few articles. The November 9 date was selected in part to allow time for building bids to come in and also to meet the town’s timetable for setting the tax rate.
Earlier in the meeting, Community Preservation Committee (CPC) Chair Chuck McCullough gave the board an overview of Mattapoisett’s Community Preservation Act program and its finances.
Mattapoisett adopted the Community Preservation Act (CPA) 17 years ago. Since then, 57 projects have received funding. McCullough emphasized that the CPC does not approve projects; it reviews applications to determine whether they meet the requirements of the town’s Community Preservation plan and recommends qualifying projects to Town Meeting, which makes the final funding decisions.
McCullough said CPA funds have supported recreation, historic preservation, open space and housing projects. The discussion turned to housing, which the Select Board has identified as a priority.
McCullough explained that CPA money can also be used in conjunction with a housing trust. Unlike the annual CPA process, which ultimately requires Town Meeting approval, a housing trust can make money available during the year when opportunities arise and can help communities leverage other grants and private investment.
A couple of years ago, Town Meeting approved transferring $250,000 from the CPA undesignated account into housing funds to provide additional resources for future housing initiatives.
McCullough also pointed to approximately $10,000 remaining from an earlier senior housing study. He suggested the money might potentially be available if the board needs funding for another housing-related study, depending on the terms of the original appropriation.
The board expects to continue its housing discussion in October, when a representative from Barrett Planning Group is expected to present on affordable housing. Other town boards and committees will be invited to participate. Board members said the subject is highly technical and that the presentation could help establish a common understanding as the town considers its next steps.
Residents will also begin seeing the effects of several major town construction projects this fall.
Construction on the Water Street culvert is expected to begin September 26 and will require closing Water Street at the work site, with traffic detoured around the area. Oakland Street reconstruction is expected to begin in early October, putting the two projects on nearly overlapping schedules.
During the discussion, board members realized that the construction will extend into the Halloween season, when the Village draws large numbers of trick-or-treaters. While the annual Halloween parade does not travel down Water Street, members expressed concern about how the road closures will affect families and neighborhood traffic.
The town plans to use electronic message boards, its notification system, the town website and ORCTV to keep residents informed about closures and detours. Residents in the immediate Water Street construction area are also expected to receive direct information about the project.
The Molly’s Cove culvert project has reached approximately 90 percent design following some delays related to water-flow and scouring concerns. A future public presentation is planned before the Select Board.
The Main Street, Water Street, Beacon Street and Marion Road Transportation Improvement Program project is moving through its 75 percent design stage. Lorenco said one of the next major steps will be securing temporary easements along the corridor to give contractors room to work outside the public right-of-way.
Those easements are expected to require conversations with numerous property owners because of the narrow roadway. Landscaping and tree locations remain in draft form, and the Select Board will ultimately make decisions on the final plan.
The board also heard from Herring Inspector Jonathan Wilbur, who said final figures for this year’s herring run were not yet available, although he understood the count had approximately doubled from last year.
Wilbur suggested creating an annual guessing contest for children, modeled on a program in Harwich, in which youngsters would try to predict the final herring count. He said it could help introduce a younger generation to a Mattapoisett tradition that was a much more visible part of growing up in town years ago.
The meeting concluded with discussion of the town’s Revolutionary War burial site recognition at Hammond Cemetery on River Road, scheduled for Saturday, September 19, at 10:00 am. Because parking at the historic cemetery is limited, organizers are arranging shuttle transportation from Old Hammondtown School. The Council on Aging is also expected to assist with transportation for senior residents. Organizers said they are preparing seating for about 100 people, although Historical Commission member Bob Spooner noted that a similar recognition ceremony in Yarmouth drew approximately 300 attendees.
Mattapoisett Select Board
By Jeanne Hopkins