On March 24, the Mattapoisett Select Board revisited a case involving a dog that caused grievous damage to a neighboring dog. The case was first heard in January when the dog, named Roco, owners Stella and Mark Brogioli, and the injured pet’s owners, the Maniatises, met with the board to discuss, among other contributing issues, putting restrictions on Roco’s movements when leashed but in the public domain and when contained but loose in his yard.
At that time, all parties agreed to work together in an effort to find common ground and a solution that would be satisfactory for all concerned. The Brogiolis were not ready to accept all the terms of a drafted agreement.
Mark Brogioli took umbrage to having his dog labeled “dangerous” and read state regulations he believed supported his contention that the board could not make that determination given Roco’s generally nonaggressive behavior. Brogioli reiterated that Roco was in his own yard at the time of the incident, that the attack was an isolated incident, and that the condition that the dog be muzzled whenever off the property is not warranted.
Select Board member Tyler Macallister asked if the Brogiolis were in agreement with the terms of the draft agreement. It became apparent they were not when they agreed to postpone further discussion in this matter until April 2. Macallister had offered the postponement, saying he did not want to speak for the missing board member (Jordan Collier) and offered a continuance, at which time a full board would be in attendance.
In other business, the board met with members of the Bike Path Committee who sought the agreement of the board to change one of the Bike Path phases. It was explained by Steve Kelleher, chair of the committee, that the Town of Marion is likely to complete its end of the pathway that enters Mattapoisett sooner than Mattapoisett will be ready to receive the recreational traffic the path will attract. Thus, they asked if a small portion of Phase 2A could be placed on its own track to completion.
Kelleher said that grants would be sought to cover costs, which were not noted. The board agreed.
In other Bike Path news, the committee said that design of Phase 2A has reached 25%, that the project is on track and in place for FY2031 for Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) funding, and asked if they could work with the Harbormaster regarding parking space located at Railroad Avenue.
The board voted to sign agreements for a solar lease with Nexamp for a solar array located at the capped solid waste site. The 34-acre site will receive panels in early January and will include a PILOT program (payment in lieu of taxes).
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Select Board is planned for April 2.
Mattapoisett Select Board
By Marilou Newell