The Tuesday meeting of the newly-expanded Mattapoisett Select Board was an historic event for the town. On this night, the board was now comprised of Jodi Bauer, Jordan Collyer, Judy Mooney, Nicole Doyon, and Frances Kearns.
The overall mood of the evening was one of convivial exchanges amongst the members and a spoken desire to learn from one another. After spending time in a protracted Executive Session, the members got down to business.
They made numerous appointments to a wide variety of boards and committees. Everything from Viewer of Fences (a person who reviews issues related to fences) to fire and police appointments and, not be forgotten, the Measurer of Wood and Bark.
There was also great financial news shared on this night. By way of Highway Surveyor Garret Bauer, a letter was received from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation announcing a grant in the amount of $1,900,000 for the repair of the Water Street Culvert located at the Town Beach.
The board also met with members of the Disabilities Commission who requested and received authorization to file for a grant in the amount of $4,500. The grant will allow for the purchase of handicap-accessible picnic tables and mats that will give those using mobility equipment access to the beach.
In the matter of municipal health insurance, the board signed a Memo of Understanding with Gateway Insurance that will allow the town to pay a mutually agreed upon sum. The first payment of $171,940 was agreed upon at the Spring Town Meeting as well as the subsequent payment up to $734,000 was confirmed.
Further discussion regarding the need to change insurance carriers, included Collyer stating a new carrier, Mayflower, will become the health care insurer as of July 1. He reminded the attendees that the Spring Town Meeting had voted to pay outstanding sums and although there may have been red flags, the matter is now under investigation.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Select Board was not announced at adjournment.
Mattapoisett Select Board
By Marilou Newell