After his next-door neighbor decided to file for approval for a new pier, William Mansulla took a look at his old dilapidated ‘pier’ and thought, “Maybe I should see what I need to do in order to have a nice pier, too.”

On February 28, the Marion Conservation Commission gave Mansulla some guidance on the process of filing an application for a pier, which ultimately led Mansulla to one conclusion: “I think it’s gonna be a pretty costly project either way.”

Mansulla, who has owned 287 A Delano Road since 1965, said there was always an old pier-like structure on the water, but over time it crumbled and crumbled some more. Since Mansulla and his family had never been active water recreationalists, he never sought to have the pier repaired. Now, however, summer tenants have been enjoying the water and have been using whatever is left of the pier for water sports. Mansulla thought it would make the experience nicer for his tenants if he pursued a pier repair or reconstruction.

The problem, however, is that the solid fill-type dock that is there is no longer allowed and was never properly licensed. The commission agreed that Mansulla could probably work around the existing pier or pick a new spot for it, but he would have to go through the rigorous process with the help of a qualified engineer.

Conservation Commission member Shaun Walsh advised Mansulla that he would require a Chapter 91 license and other subsequent approvals along the way, making an engineer essential.

“I knew it was nothing simple,” said Mansulla.

Unsure of whether he would proceed or not, and whether he would even receive approval, Conservation Commission member Jeff Doubrava told him that during the years he has served on the commission, “I don’t think I’ve heard of a dock that was proposed that was not allowed eventually,” adding, however, that people have had “hoops to jump through to get it.”

Before Mansulla left, the commission reminded him that before he were to do any work, including any repairs to an existing seawall, he would have to appear before the commission.

In other matters, the commission anticipates a request to withdraw without prejudice the Notice of Intent for pipe repair and invasive removal/mitigation at Great Hill. The commission had given the applicant’s initial Request for Determination a positive determination, requiring the filing of a NOI because the proposed work would later affect the wetlands in some way. The representative for Cathy Stone, on behalf of Great Hill–Marion, LLC, said, because of the requirement to file a NOI, along with a letter from the Department of Environmental Protection expressing some concerns, the project has ballooned outside the scope originally intended.

Also during the meeting, the commission issued an Order of Conditions for the Notice of Intent to construct a timber pier with a gangway and float to provide deep water access at 282 Delano Road. The hearing for applicant Carolyn Martin was continued from February 14, and on February 28 the commission granted approval for the 175-foot long pier with a gangway at the end with a 10- by 20-foot float to be installed upon four pilings, one at each corner to allow for easier seasonal removal and replacement. The project had already received approval from the harbormaster, the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, the Division of Marine Fisheries, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The MassDEP Waterways Program was waiting for an Order of Conditions and Planning Board approval before issuing its permit; the Planning Board agreed it would approve the application once the Conservation Commission issued the OOC.

The commission granted a Negative Determination (no Notice of Intent required) for an RDA filed by the Estate of Marie L. Ahearn for an upgrade to a Title 5 compliant 1,500-gallon septic tank and 1,000-gallon pump chamber and raised leaching area at 534A Point Road.

The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission is scheduled for March 14 at 7:00 pm at the Marion Town House.

Marion Conservation Commission

By Jean Perry

The Town of Mattapoisett on February 26 received a citizens’ petition containing 47 verified signatures proposing an all-out ban on registered marijuana dispensaries in Mattapoisett.

When a citizens’ petition is filed with the Town Clerk’s Office and at least ten of the signatures of registered voters are verified, an article can be placed on the next Annual Town Meeting warrant.

After the February 12 Special Town Meeting adoption of a moratorium for commercial and recreational adult-use marijuana dispensaries and establishments, Mattapoisett’s Planning Board was set to begin the process of addressing what sort of language zoning bylaws might contain while also soliciting public input through their regularly scheduled public meetings. But as Planning Board Administrator Mary Crain told The Wanderer on March 5, “We’ve suspended any further work until our April 2 public meeting.”

Crain said that with the submission of the citizens’ petition, undertaken by resident George Randall, the Planning Board will present that for public discourse at the April 2 meeting. She said if the public appears to support a town-wide ban on registered marijuana dispensaries, the Planning Board would not, at this time, craft bylaws. Crain said the board would still craft bylaws for medical marijuana establishments and that would be brought up during the meeting.

Town Administrator Michael Gagne said on March 5, “We’ll gauge public opinion.… There was no point in the Planning Board doing a lot of work [on bylaws] if they didn’t have to.”

Gagne said the Planning Board will still have to look at the medical marijuana issue. He also said that during the upcoming Annual Town Meeting in May, town counsel will be present to address any specific questions that may arise around the discussion of marijuana as a whole.

It is important to note that because Mattapoisett in November 2016 voted against Question 4 to legalize recreational marijuana use, the Town has the option of banning recreational marijuana establishments in town via a Town Meeting majority vote.

It is also important to note that the personal adult recreational use would not be affected by a ban on commercial sales, and the private home cultivation of marijuana (six plants per adult in the residence) would also likely not be affected.

The Cannabis Control Commission will approve and release its final recreational marijuana regulations by March 15 and begin accepting applications for licenses of recreational use registered marijuana dispensaries on April 1.

By Marilou Newell and Jean Perry

It’s no small task to keep the roadways of a community in good working order and to do so with an eye on the bottom line. Any highway surveyor can attest to that reality. But couple that with a population willing to invest in their roads and you’ve got a winning combination.

So said Town Administrator Michael Gagne during the February 28 meeting of the Finance Committee, who sat down with Barry Denham, Mattapoisett Highway Surveyor.

“We’ve had eight debt exclusions for road work,” Gagne. “…A lot of credit has to go to the community for having the foresight to invest in their roads.… Other towns are putting that issue to the side.”

Denham said that spending money on maintenance rather than rebuilding badly damaged roadways makes fiscal sense because it costs less.

Gagne said each year about $500,000 is set aside for roadwork, much of which comes from retiring debt. Added to that sum for specific projects are Chapter 90 funds, as well as funds raised from the sale of tax title properties. Collectively that sum stands at $6.1 million.

Denham discussed what’s on his department’s radar for road projects in the coming months, as well as some longer range planning. One project slated for spring 2018 is a repair to the drainage system located in the LeBaron Estates subdivision.

While the streets in the neighborhood have long been public ways, the drainage system servicing the area is located on private property. Easements had been planned for the Town’s access to the drainage system, but somehow since 1964 those easements had never been transferred to the Town.

“At the last town meeting we approved that,” Denham said. “It didn’t cost us anything…. The upgrades will eliminate the flooding issues in there.”

Larger, more involved projects were also discussed for the FY19 construction season.

Denham said asphalt overlays to a section of Acushnet Road were needed at an estimated cost of $310,000. Engineering and design plans for Main, Water, and Beacon Streets would cost about $150,000 he said, with engineering for the Randall Bridge coming in at $100,000. Other projects discussed were repairs to lower Pearl Street and repairs to a bridge at Tinkham Pond. Overall estimates bring the price tag just north of $900,000.

Denham also took a look at projects scoped out for the FY20 construction season: construction of the Randall Bridge, $650,000; overlay to River Road and Crystal Spring Road, $500,000; and continued planning for Main, Water and Beacon Streets, $50,000.

The good news for the town on this group of projects is that Denham has already secured a $500,000 grant for the bridge work, with another $228,000 of Chapter 90 funding in the waiting.

Denham said it was important to take care of what he termed “our long roads” – River, Crystal Spring, and Acushnet Roads, for instance – with the application of asphalt overlays for “short money.” He said, by comparison, the village streets were expensive to upgrade.

“My goal is to do two miles of road a year for short money,” said Denham, “[While] picking away at the more expensive roads.”

On the Highway Department five-year plan for capital equipment needs, Denham included a new road grader on the list. The equipment currently in service was purchased in 1948. He estimated a new one would come in around $185,000.

“We have 6.5 miles of unpaved roadways and parking lots,” Denham told the committee members, which require attention twice annually.

Denham is also asking the Capital Planning Committee to consider a surf rake for beach cleaning, a tool much needed on the public beach located adjacent to the YMCA camp. Also needed, Denham said, are a sidewalk plow, a street sweeper/catch basin cleaner, a five-ton roller, and a drain cleaner. The estimated total for all items on the vehicle and equipment list is $671,113.

Other Highway Department needs and expenses Denham discussed were the repairs and upgrades to the town barn and office. He noted the need to upgrade bathroom facilities, insulate exterior walls, replace windows, and make improvements to the storage shed totaling $344,500. He noted there are some funds that have already been appropriated towards building repairs.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Finance Committee is scheduled for March 8 at 6:30 pm in the Town Hall conference room at which time Dale Barrows, Board of Health Agent, is scheduled to attend to discuss the transfer station and community nurse. The Finance Committee will also meet again on March 14 and 22 for continued talks with department heads.

Mattapoisett Finance Committee

By Marilou Newell