The Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen again looked at the ongoing issues associated with recyclables when it met on June 5.
Town Administrator Michael Gagne said that he and several other communities, all currently in a dispute with ABC Disposal, Inc., have received confirmation from ABC that they would continue to fulfill their contracts with the municipalities and pick up recyclables as contract issues are worked out. He said that the municipalities are waiting for a decision to be rendered in Superior Court where a lawsuit filed by the City of New Bedford is pending. New Bedford asked the court to decide if ABC had the right to ask for a cost adjustment during an active contract.
Selectman Paul Silva said that he had been thinking about the possibility of a district or regionalized framework where towns would enter into an agreement to work together.
“I spoke with Representative Straus and he is interested in working with us to look at costs [of] putting together our own district.” Silva said that the success of the Mattapoisett River Valley Water District had inspired the concept.
“He could bring the DEP to the table,” Gagne added.
Selectmen and newly appointed Chairman Jordan Collyer thought that the Community Compact with the governor recently signed by the board might also give the Town leverage.
“The agreement puts us in the running for funding projects, especially those that require regional effort,” said Collyer.
The selectmen voted to have Gagne engage in further discussions with surrounding towns on this matter.
In other news, the selectmen met with retired Fire Chief Ronald Scott regarding Veterans’ Memorial Park, known to most as Ned’s Point. Collyer said a memorial had long been planned for the park but that now, with donations from benefactors, work could commence.
Scott presented a design that includes three flags, plaques, and lighting. He said that care of the flags, including rising and lowering them each day, would be handled by a group of volunteers.
“The goal is to provide a memorial at no cost to the town,” Collyer said.
Scott said that the American Legion members support the project. At that, the selectmen granted permission for the memorial to move forward.
In his report, Gagne said that bidding was about to begin for Phase 2B of the bike path and that work would begin soon on lower Pearl Street.
Regarding the bike share program, Gagne gave credit to Bonne DaSousa and Fairhaven Selectman Robert Espindola for reviewing vendors. He said that in Mattapoisett, bikes would be available to rent at the town wharves, Brandt Island Bike Path, public library, Ned’s Point, and Point Connet. There will be five bikes at each location. Bike usage is accessed through the use of a downloadable app on a personal electronic device. The fee is $1 per hour. Gagne also said that bikes could be ridden into Fairhaven and left there if the ride ended there.
Also during the meeting, Patrick Dawson was appointed as a board member to the Mattapoisett Council on Aging, and the selectmen accepted the resignation of long-time Historical Commission member and former chairman Josephine Pannell. Gagne said, “Jo was always a tremendous resource, an excellent member.” He asked and received agreement that the board will present Pannell with a citation for all her volunteer work throughout the years.
The selectmen set their summer meeting schedule as follows: July 10, August 14, and September 11. All meetings will commence at 6:30 pm in the Town Hall conference room.
Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen
By Marilou Newell