The Officers King: Brothers by Blood and by Service

On October 23, family and friends joined members of the Mattapoisett Police Department as officers Justin King and Jason King were appointed sergeant and interim captain, respectively, during the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen meeting.

Police Chief Mary Lyons said that after a promotional assessment process of the four candidates vying for promotion to sergeant, “Justin scored the highest.” Justin has been on the police force since 1997.

Speaking of Jason’s credentials, Lyons said, “He works with the detectives in the South Coast region and keeps the department running well.” Jason has been on the police force since 1994.

Town Clerk Catherine Hueberger performed the swearing-in ceremony while Sergeant King’s three children – Holden, Tristan, and Hadley – along with their cousins, Captain King’s children, Caitlin and Logan, beamed with pride.

Following the swearing-in ceremony, the children pinned their fathers’ uniforms with badges.

In other business, the selectmen considered a letter dated September 24 from Attorney Thomas Crotty in which he asks the board to designate him as counsel to the Mattapoisett River Valley Water Supply District (MRVWSD) as a special municipal employee.

In the letter, Crotty notes that the conflict of interest law would not strictly prohibit the designation, and that all member towns’ boards of selectmen would have to do likewise. The community members to the MRVWSD are Marion, Fairhaven, and Mattapoisett. Rochester is also represented in the water district as a non-voting member.

Crotty is currently representing Fairhaven in a lawsuit against Mattapoisett.

On this point, Selectman Paul Silva commented, “Attorney Crotty has been counsel for 11 years [to the MRVWSD)], I feel it is a conflict of interest. I do not feel comfortable with his representing the water district and a party in a lawsuit against Mattapoisett. That’s where I stand.” He concluded by asking that the request be denied.

Selectman Tyler Macallister concurred with Silva, and the requested was denied.

“Now he’ll have a decision to make,” said Macallister.

Silva said he would advise the other towns of Mattapoisett’s decision.

Town Administrator Michael Gagne reported that the Fire Station Committee chaired by Michael Hickey has been meeting weekly and will be evaluating bid proposals received for a project manager in the coming days. He also said the committee has toured fire houses in Paxton, Walpole, Carver, and Oak Bluffs so far with at least two more facility tours pending.

In other business, a planned meeting to discuss the PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) agreement for the Tinkham Hill II solar array was postponed until November 13.

The Veterans Day observance ceremony will take place at 11:00 am at the Old Hammondtown School on Monday, November 12.

November 6 is Election Day with polls open from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm at Old Hammondtown School. Earlier voting is now underway at Town Hall on Saturday, October 27, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Early voting will be open again on Monday, October 29, through Friday, November 2, from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm with extended hours on October 23 and 27 from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen in scheduled for November 13 at 6:30 pm in the Town Hall conference room.

Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen

By Marilou Newell

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