It seemed apropos that “Shark Week” on TV should end with the announcement that Mattapoisett will be the recipient of a shark-tracking buoy.

During the July 27 meeting of the Mattapoisett Marine Advisory Board, Harbormaster Jill Simmons said it was a gift to the town.

Simmons explained that Sue McGowan, a business partner of Gilman Corporation, a manufacturer of navigation aids, is also a lifelong summer visitor. Simmons wrote in her report, “She is funding the project and made it a requirement that one (shark buoy) come to our town.”

Simmons said with the USCG disestablishment of navigation buoy No. 2 slated for November and located off Angelica Point, the shark buoy would be placed there to serve two purposes.

Simmons wrote, “…people are used to seeing something there and they can also use it as a mark when Number Two goes.” Simmons also noted that Mattapoisett is the only place in Massachusetts that had ever suffered a fatal shark attack – July 25, 1936. She said the placement of the shark buoy in this location will, “give it a clear shot of all of Buzzards Bay…” where the sharks are traveling. The buoy, Simmons said, will be placed in the coming week.

In other business, the MAB has just completed a monumental task – the writing of updated waterways rules and regulations. That project took the group nearly two years to complete, but now that all the fine print has been debated and vetted, the final draft is before the Board of Selectmen for their seal of approval.

Chairman Carlos DaSousa said, “We spent a ton of hours on it, most especially Bob Moore.” Moore, who was not present, was lauded for volunteering his time and talent to editing the electronic document in preparation for submittal to the selectmen.

DaSousa said that once the selectmen approve the final version, which should take place at their first meeting in August, it will be uploaded to the Town’s website and will also be available at the town clerk’s office.

DaSousa said the selectmen also asked the MAB to begin writing a new waterfront management plan. He noted that during previous meetings, Town Administrator Michael Gagne had met with the board to discuss such plans, but the project had sputtered out. Now with the completion of the rules and regulation, the group could return their focus to this document.

Back in 2015, Gagne had approached the MAB about just such a plan. At that time he brought in David Janik, South Coastal Regional Coordinator for Massachusetts’ Coastal Zone Management Office, a branch of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. During the November 2015 meeting of the MAB, Janik told the group to be “very specific” on the point of private docks and piers, a very hot topic for the town at that time.

Again in April 2015, Gagne told the Board of Selectmen that the MAB would need to coordinate with the Planning Board and SRPEDD to undertake this task. He said that SRPEDD had the personnel to assist the Town. At that time, Gagne said, “A harbor plan would allow the Town to develop their own language for Chapter 91 projects,” such as private docks and piers.

There was some discussion on this night amongst MAB members as to whether or not the Town could write such policy without first seeking the State’s permission to do so.

DaSousa said he would follow-up with Gagne for clarity regarding the matter and that they would invite Janik to attend a meeting in the future. DaSousa also said that next month he’d be looking for volunteers to form a sub-committee to undertake the drafting of a waterfront plan.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Marine Advisory Board is scheduled for August 31 at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall conference room.

Mattapoisett Marine Advisory Board

By Marilou Newell

Water damage to multiple levels of the Marion Music Hall that happened over the past weekend is estimated at around $17,000 to $20,000, Town Administrator Paul Dawson told the Marion Board of Selectmen on August 1.

The origin of the water that caused the damage was in the second floor ladies restroom. Dawson said either a busted or loosened main supply to the toilet caused water to leak out and seep through the floor onto the main level and then basement of the building located at 164 Front Street.

The main pipe was likely broken, Dawson suspected, possibly by a person cleaning the bathroom with a mop. However, it may have just come loose, he said.

The water likely leaked throughout the weekend until Sunday when it finally activated the smoke alarm. The Fire Department responded and the water main to the Music Hall was shut off.

The Town’s insurance company will likely cover the cost of the damages ranging from damaged linoleum in the bathroom to damaged wide plank pine floor boards in the reading room of the first floor, and some carpeting, along with some ceiling damage. Dehumidification of the basement is already underway.

“The number one concern is mold,” said Dawson.

The Facilities Department is pricing out the repair work now. Dawson said the Town has a $1,000 insurance deductible.

In other matters, Dawson recommended that the selectmen consider looking within the current police department for a candidate to replace Police Chief Lincoln Miller who will retire at the year’s end.

“I think that it might behoove the board to at least consider exploring the possibility of looking within the department itself to see if there is A: interest, and B: leadership qualities,” Dawson recommended, before the board seeks to advertise for the position.

Dawson invited current command staff including sergeants and the lieutenant to consider if they might be interested in pursuing the chief of police position. The board would welcome a letter of interest and a resume and would meet one-on-one to discuss applicants’ qualifications, “…And determine if [the selectmen] feel they have a satisfactory candidate or go outside and broaden the search,” said Dawson.

Board of Selectmen Chairman Jody Dickerson concurred.

“I think this is a good opportunity … to kick the tires,” said Dickerson. “Let’s see what we got within the department. Let’s sit down with them … and have a general conversation with them … and see where they go.” Dickerson continued, “If we don’t feel comfortable, then we can look somewhere else.”

Selectman Norm Hills also preferred to “move someone up” before seeking to widen the search.

Dickerson commented that Chief Miller was promoted from within 18 years ago, and so was the prior police chief.

“It makes sense,” said Dawson. “There’s a real benefit to having somebody who knows the town and understands the culture of the department and can provide that continuity of leadership.”

At the end of the day, Dawson added, there’s no commitment.

The next meeting of the Marion Board of Selectmen is scheduled for August 15 at 7:00 pm in the Marion police station conference room located at 550 Mill Street.

Marion Board of Selectmen

By Jean Perry

In spite of the fact that an applicant had submitted a letter to the Rochester Planning Board that was read into the meeting minutes by Chairman Arnold Johnson requesting his filing be withdrawn without prejudice, the project was still discussed – and discussed with great simmering emotion – during the July 25 meeting.

The project and topic of discussion was a filing by Craig Canning, Progressive Growers, for a site plan review for the construction of a 7,200-square foot steel farm building with a farmer’s porch. Canning’s plan, which sailed through the zoning board of appeals special permit process, would allow for the retail sale of organic farm goods on property he owns off Marion Road. But when he appeared at the first hearing of the project on July 11, public outcry from a few abutters and neighbors was loud. The project was continued until July 25.

On this night after the reading of the letter, Johnson said in light of not having a full board present, they should continue the hearing. That was moved and seconded.

As the board members began wrapping up the meeting, an innocent question from Roberta Rivera, a new resident in town, opened the flood-gates. Rivera asked about zoning bylaws and planning board responsibilities in respect to the Canning project.

After Johnson explained in simple terms the process, Casey Cutler, a native son presently not residing in the area but visiting his parents who live on Marion Road, spoke against the project and what type of image it gave the town.

Ginnette Castro, 269 Marion Road, also spoke saying she wanted to support people who lived close to the proposed project, although she was in favor of farming.

Gary Florindo, long-time member of the planning and soil boards, then gave his opinion with both barrels.

“The subject is choice; people can choose what they want to do. He (Canning) can choose what he wants to do. It’s his little world. When the public takes away the element of choice, that’s not fair. This is America! Let’s not take Mr. Canning’s right away.” He continued, “The building might not be the Taj Mahal, but it’s a farm building.

“This is crazy,” he asserted. Of the project’s aesthetics, Florindo said, “…That’s Rochester, that farm, that store, that’s Rochester.” In a final moment of frustration, he told the audience, “I’ll get up and give you my seat. You can have it.”

Rochester’s town counselor Blair Bailey stepped in saying, “We’ve had a lengthy discussion about a hearing without the applicant being here. You continued the hearing; it’s closed. This is reaching the boundaries.” Johnson suspended further discussion.

Earlier in the evening, Wellspring Farms received a continuance as James and Holly Vogel, represented by engineer Joe Webby and attorney George Boerger, presented a nearly final site plan for their experiential learning farm located off Hiller and Walnut Plain Roads.

The next meeting of the Rochester Planning Board is scheduled for Monday, August 7 at 7:30 pm. The second August meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 22 at 7:00 pm.

Rochester Planning Board

By Marilou Newell