The Mattapoisett Select Board meeting held on Tuesday, January 13 adjourned on a happy note. It was announced by Select Board Chairman Tyler Macallister that the town has received a federal grant of $3,500,000 for environmental work needed at Molly’s Cove. A culvert at that location has been failing for years, causing the marsh system to be ineffective, unable to flush water adequately, and hindering the nutritional needs of tidewaters and the ecosystem.
A statement received from Town Administrator Mike Lorenco said, “…Mattapoisett received $3,653,381 from the Massachusetts Executive office of Energy and Environmental Affairs for the Mattapoisett Neck Tidal Restoration.” Lorenco also noted that the efforts of the Mattapoisett Land Trust, Buzzards Bay Coalition, the Woods Hole Group and the town made filing the grant request possible. He said that the grant was “pass through” funds from NOAA’s office of Coastal Management.
The board met briefly to accept final edits to the updated Waterfront Management Plan that the Marine Advisory Board has been working on for many months. The board thanked the MAB for their work, which in no small part included the efforts of the MAB Chairman Carlos DeSousa.
A public hearing with Eversource representative Jessica Elder was held. The hearing was a request from the utility to install a new utility pole on Crystal Springs Road. Abutter David Lawrence of 32 Crystal Spring Road once again brought to the attention of Eversource the need for portable toilets at the construction site being discussed on this night. He stated that each time construction at this site resumed he had brought up the need for sanitary facilities. He said he lives next door to the site and will be vocal should this basic human need continue to be overlooked by the utility. Elder said she would contact the utility’s construction division and pass along the request. The Select Board also added a condition to their approval requiring portable toilets.
The board also met with Roberta Gaspar, who is spearheading a 250th celebration for the town. She expressed that with only six volunteers it is difficult but proceeded to share fun and interesting activities that the small but mighty group has been working on. Such activities may include tours of historic locations throughout the town, a community picnic at Neds Point, a field of flags at Dunseith Park, and possibly a bonfire.
If you are interested in helping the town organize the event, contact the Select Board office.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Select Board will be held on January 27.
Mattapoisett Select Board
By Marilou Newell