Since the May Town Meeting when a home rule petition for the expansion of the Select Board from 3 to 5 members passed by a majority, many in the community have been holding their breath. Would the Select Board pass the petition on to the legislature for acceptance? Questions arose as to whether or not the Select Board’s involvement was required.
Nikki Demakis, the author of the home rule petition and prime mover to have the voters consider a larger Select Board, has contended that the town was not receiving accurate legal counsel from KP Law. Demakis researched case law and various legal venues to prove that the town meeting vote was legal and that the Select Board’s approval was not required.
On June 10 as the Select Board met for their regular meeting, the training room at the fire station was packed to capacity. People on both sides of whether or not the board should be expanded were in attendance. It was an item for discussion on the evening’s agenda. Everyone wanted to know if a larger battle was on the horizon or if clearer legal conclusion would be held
The board moved the “discussion and vote on article to increase to a five member Select Board” to an earlier slot. Rising to speak on behalf of the board was Jordan Collyer. Collyer intimated that legal advice had been incomplete after the Town Meeting vote. Now, weeks later, the board was prepared to let the process advance through the legislature.
“I stand by my position to uphold Town Meeting.” Collyer said there had been a great deal of town-wide speculation regarding what the board may or may not do, could or could not do but in the end whether or not the board’s participation in a home rule matter was needed was resolved – it was moving forward. Collyer stated, “The board will take no further action now or in the future.” The audience erupted with applause.
In other matters, the board voted to offer Sarah Landry the position of Director of the Council on Aging. They also accepted a draft by Town Administrator Mike Lorenco setting policies in place for production companies wishing to use the town in part or whole.
Safety concerns brought to the attention of the board with respect to parking in and around Railroad Avenue were discussed. All were in agreement that “No Parking” signs should be posted along the roadway while acknowledging this was not a final solution. Collyer said that everyone knew parking would be a problem in that area once the bike path was opened to the public. The board will continue to pursue more permanent solutions with the police department.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Select Board was not announced.
Mattapoisett Select Board
By Marilou Newell