It was the liveliest of all of the candidate’s forums so far, said emcee Sharon Lally at the annual COA candidates’ forum, but as one candidate for selectman said as he exited the building, “I’d rather schedule a colonoscopy.”

Sparks started to fly between Richard Nunes, Greenwood “Woody” Hartley, and Bendrix Bailey, the candidates for Board of Selectmen, once they took to the podium on March 23 to address voters and each other.

Selectman Nunes, the incumbent of 15 years in the race for Rochester Board of Selectmen, said his interest is to keep taxes affordable, maintain fiscal responsibility, and to keep the town’s rural character. He touted board accomplishments, such as the 2016 Community Compact with the governor, the regionalization of the 911 dispatch which will save taxpayers $150,000 a year, and the initiation of a 2009 investigation into non-resident students attending Rochester Memorial School.

Nunes said he also supported the new gas station/convenience store location at Routes 28 and 58, and opposed the solar farm once proposed for the center of town.

“I am only a taxpayer in Rochester,” said Nunes. “I don’t conduct business in town or have family members who do,” said Nunes, whose speech then turned to focus on Hartley and some conflicts of interest alleged by Nunes. “Mr. Hartley has a couple conflicts of interest,” he said. Hartley’s wife, Sharon Hartley, is on the Rochester School Committee “and a staunch advocate for schools.” Nunes also said Hartley’s sister is a member of the Rochester Women’s Club, owners of the building that the Town leases for the town hall annex at $30,000 a year.

“It is my understanding that Mr. Hartley will be representing the Women’s Club tomorrow regarding the Town and its leasing arrangement,” said Nunes.

Nunes also said it was Hartley’s town meeting article that voters approved, making the town meeting minimum quorum go from 75 to 100, the reason Nunes said the 2015 Annual Town Meeting was almost null and void due to it proceeding without a quorum.

“This was perplexing given the fact that less and less registered voters are showing up at Town Meeting,” said Nunes.

In closing, Nunes said, “An affordable Rochester is a constant battle and can only be sustainable if all residents speak up, and that is why I am asking for your vote on April 12.”

Next up was Bailey, saying, “I’m running for selectman because I love Rochester.”

Bailey has been on the Planning Board for five years.

Bailey later added that he would forfeit his selectman’s salary of $4,100 annually to put towards a line item to upgrade the town website, which he deems outdated.

“I must think there are some things that need to be changed, and I do,” Bailey said. The top two things, he said: leadership and transparency.

His first example of poor leadership is the offensive color of the mandated trash barrels.

“We have big blue and orange barrels in this town,” said Bailey, and on every Friday, he said, the town looks like one big construction site. Middleboro received “prettier barrels, red like cranberries,” with green or yellow tops. “And they just look a little bit better,” he said, adding that no one had the opportunity to have any say on the colors of the barrels.

And the 911 dispatch regionalization, said Bailey, while he is unsure if it will save money for the town, what interests him is the lack of transparency the Board of Selectmen took in adopting the measure. “How was it handled?” he asked. Were workers consulted? Was the fire chief consulted? “The answer is ‘no,’” he said.

“None of those people were engaged in that process,” said Bailey. “It was just something the selectmen did on their own … and that’s not transparent.”

Bailey gave a hands-on demonstration of the town budget, having constructed a three-dimensional bar graph from a wooden block and different colored rods representing the town departments. The one depicting the school budget, of metal, towered above the others. Bailey has been very vocal about his opinion on the ORR school budget, agreeing with Tri-Town officials that the School Committee has created its financial burden through bad contract negotiations.

Bailey also griped about only having a part-time fire chief instead of a full-time one, and the police department not having Tasers.

“That’s one of the first things I’m gonna do,” said Bailey. “Vote for some change in town government,” he urged voters.

When Hartley approached the podium, he let out a “Wow.”

“Wow. I really don’t know where to begin,” Hartley said. “I’m a little shocked, disappointed,” he said, that the election had “degraded itself to national politics,” referring to Nunes’ attack.

“I think it’s pretty sad,” Hartley said, while defending his wife and sister for their volunteer work and how all the money collected by the Women’s Club nonprofit goes back to the community. “No one takes a dime,” said Hartley.

Hartley defended the quorum increase, saying the town was growing and so should Town Meeting. Nunes, he added, supported the article at the time, although Nunes later stated that he supported it “as a courtesy” to the then town moderator, Hartley.

Hartley said he has served the Town of Rochester for 45 years – from Cub Scout capacity, to town moderator, to now when he cooks breakfast for the seniors at the COA.

“I have a little business experience,” said Hartley, a cranberry grower in town. “A lot of us work in town – Thank God we do – it’s not a conflict of interest, that’s called community.”

Hartley said he sees opportunity where people see problems. “I have the ability to bring people together for a common goal.”

“We do need to start planning,” said Hartley. “We need to let data give us direction, not emotion.” He continued, “We need to get all the people who need the money together, including the schools.” Hartley said open communication and transparent government were key, criticizing the Board of Selectmen for holding executive sessions before roughly 30 meetings, 70 percent of meetings, according to Hartley.

“You will have a choice,” said Hartley. “Your choice was made quite clear tonight … Ask yourself, who has been working for this town for 45 years already?”

You can view the entire program on ORCTV online by visiting www.orctv.org.

Election Day is Wednesday, April 12.

By Jean Perry

On March 28, Mattapoisett Town Administrator Mike Gagne asked the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen to support a sum of $10,000 – a sum that will need to be approved during the upcoming spring town meeting – to hire an outside consultant to study expenditures and revenues for the past several years at the ORR School District.

Concerned that a recent accrual report and study completed by KMS Actuaries declared the OPEB liability for the school district at $21 million this year, and with no plan on the part of the school district to fund OPEB, Gagne believes that time is of the essence.

Gagne said, “I feel strongly after seven years and budget cycles we need to step back and look at finances, funding, revenues of the school district.”

“This is the greatest, most significant issue to address for the next eight to ten years,” he told the board.

Gagne reminded the selectmen that several years ago, the town had set up budget line items to set aside money in trust accounts for the local school and town employee retirement plans. “We now have after six years $1.6 million towards that liability,” he said.

But Gagne stressed the need for OPEB to be a budgetary line item at the school district as well.

“This [liability] is only going to get bigger and bigger,” Gagne said.

Selectman Tyler Macallister said, “I think it’s necessary … we need to take a look at getting the business of the school healthy.”

Selectman Paul Silva asked how the OPEB liability was split between the Tri-Towns. Gagne wasn’t sure how that would work, but thought the study would help to ferret that piece out.

Silva said, “We need to know what that number is … what if Mattapoisett puts money away but the other towns don’t … we need to answer those questions.”

Continuing on, Silva said, “It’s not rocket science … when you have a $6 million budget, when you have salaries going up four percent per year – you are behind the eight ball.”

Gagne said, “They went to school choice … it’s a safety net this year … but what about next year?” He called it a severe deficit situation.

When asked why the school committee members repeated that salaries only went up two percent but the towns say it was more, Silva responded, “Step increases … they only talk about the contractual increase … when you put the two together the raises are four percent.”

Regarding the OPEB obligations, Silva asked, “What about Old Colony?” Gagne indicated that should be part of the larger conversation.

Macallister said, “Even without the other towns, we need to get ready.”

Gagne stated, “It’s paramount to know how we got into this, and we need to plan and stick to the plan.”

All three selectmen supported an article to appropriate money for a study. Gagne will discuss Mattapoisett’s plan with Marion and Rochester to try and gain their support as well.

In other bleak budget news, Library Director Susan Pizzolato reported that the FY18 federal budget draft cuts $3.2 million dollars from library funding.

Pizzolato said in a prepared statement, “The current draft of the federal Fiscal FY 2018 budget eliminates funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services, known as IMLS. The IMLS, along with appropriations made available through the Library Services and Technology Act, supports libraries across the country. This year, the Mass. Board of Library Commissioners received approximately 3.2 million dollars through the Library Services and Technology Act, from IMLS, to operate and to pass funding onto libraries directly through grants, and indirectly through services and products. IMLS ensures equitable access to quality library services. Eliminating the IMLS would mean significant staffing cuts to the Mass. Board of Library Commissioners, greatly reducing their capacity to function. Their ability to administer the programs and services that we benefit from, here in Mattapoisett, would be impacted negatively.”

Pizzolato said that since 2003, Mattapoisett had received $43,200 from the fund that had been used in a variety of ways such as supporting the “tweens and teens” program and science programs such as Backyard STEM ‘Science is Everywhere’ backpacks. She said that if this federal cut is approved, the impact will be profound on services throughout the Commonwealth.

Gagne said that letters should be sent to Senator Elizabeth Warren and state Representative William Keating informing them of the town’s concerns and asking for their support.

The meeting was not all bad news. Jodi Bauer came before the board asking that they grant use of the town’s transfer station for the annual Pilgrim Sands Trail Rider events planned for August and September. She said that funds generated from these races go to various local needs such as equipment for the police and fire departments and nonprofit organizations such as Helping Hands and Hooves.

Bauer also asked permission to hold a second Doggie-Walk-A-Thon on Saturday, August 26, an activity sponsored by Mattapoisett Boy Scout Troop 53 with Eagle Scout Freemin Bauer as coordinator. The event will raise money towards a local dog park. The selectmen approved the event.

Tree Committee Chairman Sandy Hering discussed a plaque for the tree planted at the town hall by the Mattapoisett Women’s Club in commemoration of their Diamond Jubilee. Gagne said that usually a flat granite marker is used, but in this case they deserved something more to honor all that the organization has done for the town and its residents. Hering and Gagne will work together to find a suitable signage.

Police Chief Mary Lyons introduced the selectmen to Ross Lacasse, a new reserve officer and EMT. Lyons said Lacasse was a graduate of Bishop Stang High School and University of New Hampshire with a degree in sociology. Lyons said another new hire, Nathan Rock, who could not be present, was now onboard and performing in “flying colors.”

Earlier in the evening, the selectmen voted to accept a settlement in the amount of $130,000 from Tamko Roof for the defective roofing materials that failed at the library expansion the first winter after installation. Gagne said the full repair was being offered in the settlement. The selectmen moved to accept the offer.

Michael Ward received approval to move to the next stages of securing an aquaculture permit for oyster growing in Nasketucket Bay.

Gagne reported that April was Autism Awareness month. In recognition of those with autism and their families, blue light bulbs may be displayed in outside lighting. Mattapoisett Town Hall will install a blue light on Friday.

Mel Pacheco, administrative assistant to the selectmen, said that a fundraiser for Rob Daener will be held at the Knight of Columbus Hall sponsored in partnership with the Lions Club on April 8 at 5:30 pm. The event will include dinner and live music. Money raised from the event will help fund a wheelchair that will allow Daener to experience standing.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen is scheduled for April 11 at 7:00 pm at the town hall.

By Marilou Newell

The Rochester Conservation Commission held its March 21 meeting at the Council on Aging to accommodate the larger crowd that was expected for the continued public hearing on the permit violation of the Decas Cranberry Co. project. While the public hearing did provide new information regarding the impacts of the project on the adjacent ponds, Decas also submitted a request for an amended order of conditions to attempt to address the issues arising from the violation.

Brian Grady, an engineer from G.A.F. Engineering representing Decas, stated that they had completed an as-built plan of the tailings pond as requested by the commission. Their surveying indicated that approximately 50,000 yards of material were removed from the site in excess of what had been permitted. Another 35,000 yards of material was stockpiled on-site.

G.A.F. used United States Geologic Survey data to compare historical surface elevations of Long, Snipatuit, and Snows Ponds with current elevations. The data showed that Snows Pond surface elevation was approximately 2 feet below average, Snipatuit Pond was 1 foot below average, and Long Pond was roughly at its average elevation.

Grady concluded from the data that Snows Pond water levels were low due to the moderate to severe drought conditions the region has experienced recently.

As suggested during the previous hearing on March 7, the commission hired a hydrogeological consultant to investigate the question as to whether the tailings pond, dug 8 feet deeper by Decas than their permit allowed, and the concurrent dewatering during the project had an impact on the historically low water levels at Snows Pond.

Peter Newton of Bristol Engineering Advisors discussed at length the geological history of the area and its influence on groundwater movement. He stated that the dewatering is likely pulling a lot of water from Long Pond. However, due to local geology with regard to Snows Pond, he stated, “I can’t quantify the impact the excavation is having on Snows Pond … the drought conditions are likely having the lion’s share of the impact.”

Newton noted that, based on a monitoring well in Lakeville, the regional water table is down 4 feet below average. Snows Pond, which relies solely on groundwater, has a 30- to 50-acre watershed; therefore, its water recharge area is small and its recovery from drought is slow and entirely dependent on rainfall.

Once the dewatering wells are shut off, Snows Pond will return to a steady state, but it will not recover fully until it rains. Newton addressed the idea of returning the excavated material to the tailings pond to raise the bottom elevation. He stated that there was a greater risk to hydrogeology from moving the dirt rather than doing nothing, due to the possibility of equipment failure.

Newton did see value in installing two monitoring wells between the tailings pond and Snows Pond. The wells would be installed prior to shutting off the dewatering pumps to gather baseline data during dewatering, and for two months subsequent to the pumps being shut off.

If the commission were to issue an amended order of conditions, Newton stressed that “if the grades were to be restored, that there be tight protocols on types of material used – the material should ideally be from on-site, and should be free of fines and organic matter.”

The residents attending the meeting expressed their concern over the low water levels of Snows Pond and dismay and disbelief that Decas was unaware of their error in over-digging the pond.

One resident, Rich Charon, who is also a member of the town’s Soil Board, raised a broader point, which was echoed by Town Counsel Blair Bailey and Conservation Agent Laurell Farinon. Charon stated, “We can speculate about the water level in the pond and if a twenty-four foot cut is the same as a sixteen foot cut. But what we can’t speculate about is that this violation is breaking the integrity of our permitting process.”

Bailey suggested that future projects will need to be monitored much more closely, and perhaps a bond will need to be issued for such projects. Farinon stated that this violation was discovered expressly because she was monitoring the project; however, Chairman Michael Conway noted that there are more projects happening at the same time than staff can effectively monitor.

Commission member Dan Gagne suggested that a full-time engineer be required to be at the Decas site during any further work that occurs on this project.

Despite numerous attempts by the commission to come to a consensus over the amended order of conditions or violation remedy, Decas attorney Adam Brodsky requested that the hearing be continued so that his client could further study possible solutions. The commission requested that any submission be accompanied by an engineered site plan.

The next Rochester Conservation Commission hearing is scheduled for April 4 at 7:00 pm at the Rochester Council on Aging.

By Sarah French Storer