The first motion of the Mattapoisett 2026 Spring Town Meeting came from the moderator, Liz Anne Campbell, who asked the voters to declare her decisions on whether or not a simple majority or a two-thirds majority had been decisively achieved, versus declaring the actual hand count or, motion to allow the moderator to call the vote. Her request was swiftly moved with no comments from the people.
The evening found nearly all articles moved with little articulated pushback or questioning until nearly the end and Article 27, Cottage Cluster housing was announced.
The Mattapoisett Planning Board labored for over a year drafting the proposed new bylaw that would have seen a new type of residential construction along the Route 6 corridor. Public hearings were held, and debate and comments were welcomed during a series of public hearings held by the board as it worked through myriad issues including new zoning setbacks, possible architectural styles and whether or not this housing option would be accepted or wanted by the community. The community said “no.”
Stepping up to the podium to speak most vocally against the addition of this new bylaw was Donald Fleming, who said that the board failed to provide sufficient details necessary to make an informed decision. He believed that the board had not held enough hearings, and that voters did not know what the vote meant, and that it didn’t meet the looming question, “what about affordable housing?”
Planning Board member and proponent of the new bylaw, William Wennerberg, defended the board, pointing out that the new bylaw was studied thoroughly. He said it was a way for people to downsize and stay in Mattapoisett by owning a small, manageable lot, presumably for less than a conventional housing lot.
Wennerberg said the new bylaw in question was not intended to be counted toward affordable housing as mandated by state regulations. He said it was simply giving people another option for living in the town. He said it was not intended to replace affordable housing.
Speaking on behalf of affordable housing was Liz DeCarlo, who said she has long held there is a need for affordable housing in Mattapoisett, which currently has less than 2% falling into the affordable category (the state’s prescribed target for towns is 10%). DeCarlo asked that the matter be tabled to a later date to give the community more time to gather information.
Article 26 ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Bylaw reinforced the state mandated by-right regulations and did not solicit much in the way of questions or concerns, with the exception of Board of Health member Michelle Bernier asking for and receiving additional language to Article 26 that would bolster existing Board of Health regulations for ADU construction.
A brief overview of the town’s financial profile was given by Finance Committee member Colby Rottler, in which he pointed to the town’s robust financial standing and how the Capital Plan is achieved. Article 13 asked the voters for $1,754,000 in capital expenses covering requests from the Police and Fire departments, elementary schools, and Highway Department.
Article 14 requested $725,000 for the relining of the Pine Island watermain. Article 15 listed various projects requiring funding such as Fire and Police Department maintenance ($31,000 for Fire Station and $75,000 for Police building), Harbormaster building upgrades ($20,000,) America Celebrates 250 Celebration ($7,500), Main Street TIP project ($175,000), and Highway Department building ongoing renovations ($215,000).
The voters also welcomed the opportunity to support veterans by passing the Hero Act that will grant veterans greater exemptions starting in Fiscal Year 2027. A full list of all articles passed is available at Mattapoisett.gov.
Mattapoisett 2026 Spring Town Meeting Results:
Articles 1-26: Passed
Article 27: Failed
Articles 28-29: Passed
Mattapoisett Spring Town Meeting
By Marilou Newell