The Mattapoisett Select Board held its April 9 meeting, which included informal discussion full of historic undertones.
The agenda listed “cleanup” of town-owned Hammond Cemetery. In an email generated by the Cemetery and Monuments Committee, Chairman Ray Hanks wrote that the committee is aiming to begin cleanup on Saturday, May 4, with tree pruning part of the clearing work needed at the historic site.
“This is in preparation for a formal dedication of our Revolutionary War dead in both Hammond and Barlow Cemeteries by the organization the Sons of the American Revolution,” Hanks explained.
Hanks wrote that the committee wishes to complete cleanup work before the 250th anniversary of the war, with a dedication service planned for 2026. Anyone interested in lending a hand is asked to contact Hanks directly at 508-789-7200.
Select Board member Jordan Collyer thought it might be prudent to have the Cemetery and Monuments Committee work with the Historical Commission in identifying historic burial sites.
Collyer also brought up that there are those in the community who were looking into the process for the possible inclusion of Center School to the National Register. However, he said, “…that’s a slippery slope we’ve been down before.”
Collyer said that such recognition could mean that restrictions would be placed on use of the school building. He said that the Massachusetts School Building Administration might frown on loans and grants given to a school building with federal, historical restrictions. Collyer wondered aloud if the building could simply be declared a structure of historic value.
In other business, the Select Board appointed Brent Lydon as town accountant and Elizabeth Carreiro to the Cultural Council.
On April 26, the Town of Mattapoisett will celebrate Arbor Day with the raising of the Arbor Day flag at Town Hall. Mattapoisett has been designated a Tree City by the Arbor Day Association for 16 years, board member Jodi Bauer stated. Collyer read the Arbor Day proclamation that encouraged people to participate in planting activities.
Town Administrator Mike Lorenco said that the Select Board would be meeting with the Finance Committee on April 26 to review budget items planned for the Town Meeting warrant. Presently there are 22 articles for Town Meeting to consider, but what those articles are was not fully addressed, as Collyer said he had not yet seen the warrant draft and needs about a week to review the document.
Regarding the Finance Committee, Lorenco said there are open seats on that committee and asked interested parties with a background in finance to contact his office and send a resume for consideration.
Lorenco said that there is approximately $4,600,000 in stabilization accounts currently, while also cautioning that trash-removal services have risen considerably as have school bus fees.
Bauer congratulated Lilly Grace, who holds the honor of reaching 103 years of age, the oldest person in Mattapoisett.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Select Board is scheduled for Thursday, April 25, at 6:00 pm.
Mattapoisett Select Board
By Marilou Newell