In the boating world, understanding navigational rules and regulations is paramount to safe enjoyment on the water. Boaters should fully understand best practices and – this is where it gets tricky –common courtesy. It seems that one issue that is currently troubling boats moored in Mattapoisett’s harbor: dangerous wakes thrown out by boats exceeding the speed limit.

            When the Marine Advisory Board met on July 25, Harbormaster Jill Simmons acknowledged that it is well known that boaters are responsible for their wakes. “But you won’t find any rule,” she said. She added that because the harbor channel is so wide, some boaters plow through the water creating wakes that can cause people on their moored boats to be thrown around or even injured. Furthermore, she said that an area near Shining Tides Beach, which the town had designated as a recreational area, was actually an area that the United States Coast Guard claims as anchorage.

            There is case law on the matter of boaters who don’t take responsibility for their wakes, but Simmons said proving a case in court can be difficult to impossible.

            Simmons said that she is currently in the process of narrowing the channel with the placement of new PTONS to replace the U.S.C.G. ATONS that were decommissioned. She expressed hope that by narrowing the opening, boaters would slow down.

            In other matters, Simmons reported that a new rule would be implemented for pump-out services. She said that a recent mishap had caused the spewing of black water onto the pump-out boat operators and a discharge into the harbor. This could have been prevented, she explained, if the boat owners had removed the cap on the black water tank, eliminating the chance for the suction hose to become over pressurized. She characterized it as a hazardous situation.

            Chairman Carlos DeSousa asked if boaters were calling for pump-out services including those at the Brandt Cove Marina, the site of the former Leisure Shores Marina. She said there had been about 35 calls over the two weeks the service had begun being offered by the town. 

            Simmons said she was also building a website so that in the future boaters can schedule pump-outs electronically. DeSousa asked about the condition of the pump-out equipment located at the end of Long Wharf. She replied she was awaiting new parts but with some coaxing the older equipment was operable, but extremely inefficient.

            Regarding the selection of the new full-time harbormaster, Jamie McIntosh, DeSousa said, “The selection went back and forth,” but that ultimately McIntosh had been chosen. He said the next step was an employment agreement, which the selectmen will negotiate. “The future looks bright,” he said.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Marine Advisory Board is scheduled for August 29 at 7:00 pm in the town hall conference room.

Mattapoisett Marine Advisory Board

By Marilou Newell

            Although the Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals wasn’t opposed to a tactical training and shooting range at Steven Morrell’s 0 County Road property, there would be no special permit for the operation until at least getting a written OK from the Rochester police chief.

            Morrell has an extensive background in the field, having served as a U.S. Marine sniper in the ‘90s, served 29 years in military law enforcement and counter terrorism, and has 15 years of experience as an instructor in firearms and tactical shooting among other certifications.

            Morrell said opening a shooting instruction and tactical instruction range to train local, state, and federal law enforcement, as well as the general public, especially on this property, has been his long-time dream. He grew up on County Road and was familiar with the former property owner. Morrell said he has been shooting at the site since he was 15 years old.

            The land is vacant with an existing relatively small-scale shooting range. Morrell wished to add a storage structure and construct an 8-foot backstop at the end of the range, where the overall grade at the spot is about 20 feet high.

            There are no abutting residences, with SEMASS and some area cranberry bogs along the property. Morrell said the nearest resident is over 3,000 feet away from the proposed range that is situated in a relatively remote area. Access will be documented via an easement granted by abutting cranberry bog owner, Brad Morse, who is also a Rochester selectman.

            Morrell’s operation will be no “soda can target” practice. What Morrell plans for is a more realistic approach with real targets and instruction in the dynamics of shooting, and plans to offer some diminished light tactical instructions during the winter month evenings. He proposed hours of operation from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.

            Morrell said he had at one time spoken to the retired former Rochester police chief, and said the current police chief is aware of the proposed operation but Morrell hadn’t heard any response with comments from him.

            “I think I’d like to hear from the chief,” said ZBA member Richard Cutler. It’s one thing to go out there and do a little (target practice) … but this is going to be a business.” Cutler said he wanted endorsement from the police chief.

            Morrell stated that his hours would be part-time at the range as his regular work schedule is often “erratic.” Also, activities at the site during classes would be mostly instruction rather than a constant firing of weapons.

            “There’s quite a bit of down time built in to what we’re doing,” said Morrell.

            Morse commented on the lack of noise emitted from the site, saying, “You actually don’t hear it outside of it due to the shape of the property.”

            Letters of support for Morrell and his shooting range expressed an enthusiasm for the new business, including one from Sargent Daniel Henderson of the Wareham Police Department who has trained under Morrell before. Henderson called him “a dedicated professional and an asset to the community and a valuable resource.”

            Conceptually, Cutler found no problem with the proposal, “but it would be nice to get something from Rochester Police.”

            ZBA Chairman David Arancio agreed with Cutler, but insisted that Morrell also seek a range permit from the Board of Selectmen. ZBA member Davis Sullivan concurred.

            Although the site is secluded, Arancio said, it has a history of people using the property to ride ATVs. “It’s private, but – unfortunately, you know how that goes.” He suggested some “Live Fire” signs to accompany Morrell’s suggested “No Trespassing” signs.

            Arancio said he found no problem with the proposal, but he wanted to dot all his ‘i’s and ‘t’s. He and the board made some suggestions on conditions of approval, including that the police department make an annual visit to the range for an inspection.

            “Especially in this day and age where [there are] a lot of nuts out there with guns,” Cutler said.

            The hearing was continued until August 8 to allow time for the police chief to weigh in on the application.

            The next meeting of the Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals is scheduled for August 8 at 7:15 pm at the Rochester Town Hall.

Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals

By Jean Perry

            Now that the Marion Conservation Commission has jurisdiction over the maintenance of Sprague’s Cove, the commission’s administrative assistant, Lissa Magauran, told the ConCom on July 24 that she has had some visitors in the office inquiring about whether or not dogs are permitted there, given its proximity to Silvershell Beach where dogs are not allowed during the summer months.

            Since benches have been placed in the area presumably to provide elderly dog walkers with a place to rest, the question has come up about whether dogs are even allowed at Sprague’s Cove. One resident, said Magauran, reported that she had informed one person that dogs were not allowed.

            “She didn’t know what the rule was, and I just said I would ask ConCom if they were okay with dogs in the winter (same time span as beach),” Magauran said. “Her fear was that if dogs are in there pooping and whatever, it may somehow go into those little ponds and when they empty out, if the bacteria count is high, then the beach would be closed.”

            Doubrava pointed out that the commission manages the maintenance of the wetlands, including the eradication of invasive phragmites, but the overall management of Sprague’s Cove fell under the authority of the Board of Selectmen. He suggested asking the selectmen for clarification.

            Commission member Shaun Walsh, however, thought differently.

            “Of course dogs are allowed in that area year round,” said Walsh. “I guarantee there are not that many dogs defecating in that area and, that washing into those ponds – that is a stormwater treatment system. … It’s not pristine water to begin with.”

            Having said that, though, he continued, dog owners must be responsible for picking up after their dogs.

            According to Walsh, the main reasons for restricting dogs from Silvershell Beach is due to the public’s own enjoyment of the beach, and also the shorebirds feed and nest there and are vulnerable to being chased by dogs.

            “That doesn’t apply to that grassy area around that stormwater structure,” said Walsh. “I would personally say, yes, dogs are allowed in that area year-round.”

            Speaking of Sprague’s Cove, Doubrava mentioned that the commission needed to get moving on the invasive species treatment plan. The Notice of Intent for that is slated for the August 28 agenda to give enough time for approval before eradication begins in late September, the ideal time to treat phragmites.

            In other matters, the commission granted a Negative 2 determination for the Request for Determination of Applicability filed by Philip Stevenson, 50 Point Road, to remove rosa rugosa and other invasive vegetation between his lawn area and a seawall and other walls. Stevenson will plant grass in place of the vegetation he removes.

            Beginning in the fall, the commission will hold its regular meetings in the selectmen’s office at the Town House as it has recently become available as a meeting space, Doubrava said, mainly because it is air conditioned so relocating summer meetings to the Marion Music Hall would no longer be necessary. Furthermore, the space is handicap accessible and has a projector the commission could use for renderings during meetings.

            “That would stop us from having to move back and forth,” said Doubrava.

            The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission is scheduled for August 14 at 7:00 pm at the Marion Music Hall.

Marion Conservation Commission

By Jean Perry