On July 29, the Mattapoisett Select Board met with members of local families who have donated land. Three parcels are to be given to the Mattapoisett Land Trust for the purpose of having those lands conserved in perpetuity.
Mike Huguenin, president of the Mattapoisett Land Trust, noted that the Lenk and Kenney properties being donated constitute 11.9 acres that will be conserved. The land lies along the east bank of the tidal river south of Route 6 and is predominantly salt marsh and a coastal adaptation area. He said roughly half of the mapped space is priority habitat. The conservation restriction will be held by the Buzzards Bay Coalition. There is no public access. The property owners will continue to occupy their homes at the site.
Other lands slated to be donated are located in the Strawberry Point area. This includes 26.1 acres. The conservation restriction will be held by the Buzzards Bay Coalition. The area is surrounded by salt marsh and cobble beach. All the area is mapped as priority habitat it was noted, and public access is by boat or via town land located at the end of Cove Street. The conservation restriction will be held by the Buzzards Bay Coalition.
The board moved to sign the conservation restrictions and await state approval on a third location.
In other business, the Recreation Director received Special Municipal Employee status as did the Tree Warden. This status grants the employees’ staff positions as well as other positions concurrently.
The board met with Eversource in a public meeting to approve the installation of 63 feet of underground conduit located at Lane. Electric service to new homes in that area will be provided. The request was approved.
A question regarding the possibility of erecting “NO PARKING” signs along Reservation Road prompted by a resident was discussed. The question will be further explored with the Public Safety Officer. Also to be reviewed is a request for parking at the Barstow Beach pier during yacht races. The board felt that weekdays would likely not be an issue whereas weekends would be problematic for beachgoers wishing to use the town beach.
The board welcomed Zachary Ribas as a civilian EMT/Paramedic via an appointment to the department.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Select Board is planned for August 12.
Mattapoisett Select Board
By Marilou Newell