The May 27 meeting of the Mattapoisett Select found the members being questioned, at times in a growing heated fashion. The issue being discussed was the passage by simple majority of a Citizen Petition for a warrant article that would increase the Select Board by two. The standing room only audience were nearly all in support of moving the petition forward to the state legislature for final acceptance. But the board held back.
Noting that the Clerk’s office had not yet certified the recent town elections, the board, after about an hour of open discussion with the public, tabled the matter until the next meeting.
The board gave ample time to all in attendance to air their concerns which ranged from whether or not a count or simple majority was taken during Town Meeting, whether or not it might be more democratic to place the question before voters at the next election, and Lauren Rosa saying more people should attend Select Board meetings to better understand all manner of issues brought before the board. Another attendee, Dennis McLaughlin, wondered aloud, “…if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.”
But clearly the people wanted to be heard. Select Board Member Tyler Macallister voiced his opinion that a five-member board wasn’t needed. The other two members did not express an opinion deferring comment until the certification was in hand.
Town Administrator Mike Lorenco noted that the certification is in process at the Town Clerk’s office, an office that has mounds of work it is plowing through post-town meeting and local elections.
But things turned a bit testy as questions continued to be pressed causing Macallister at one point to threaten “I’ll shut this down.” The question was why and how a simple town meeting majority was decided for the Citizen’s petition, “…the town moderator decided a simple majority was needed,” Macallister said.
In other business, the board heard from Charlene Dextraze with ongoing concerns regarding the amount of traffic and lack of privacy near her Railroad Avenue home since the bike path is open. The popularity of this unique recreational feature has caused Dextraze to feel unsafe in her home. She said she was never consulted about possible impacts to her quiet enjoyment of her home and asked to be included moving forward. Macallister expressed empathy and said he would look into the matter.
Coincidentally, Bonne DaSouza, long-time member of the Friends of the Bike Path, was in attendance and offered to reach out to Dextraze. DaSouza had attended to inquire about the engineering for the North Street Crossing, Phase 2A. Lorenco said that the 25-percent drawings had been submitted to the Department of transportation.
Two candidates for the position of Council on Aging Director were interviewed. Joann Avilla of South Dartmouth presented her experience which includes years of experience working in long-term care facilities. She is a graduate South University Georgia and holds a nursing home administrator license.
Sarah Lake Landry is currently employed by the Town of Mattapoisett as the administrative coordinator. She is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island. The board will announce their decision at the next meeting.
Also handled earlier in the evening the board discussed the creation of an open space/recreation committee. Members will be selected from several boards along with four volunteers from the general public. Interested parties may contact the Select Board office in the coming days to express their interest.
Appointments were also made. Daniel Sylvia to the Tree Committee, Deborah Ward to the Council on Aging board of directors, change of appointment of Tyler Hathaway to full-time Commissioner on the Conservation Commission, and John Jacobsen Alternate Commissioner on the Conservation Commission.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Select Bord is planned for June 10.
Mattapoisett Select Board
By Marilou Newell