The Town of Rochester welcomed new Police Chief Michael A. Assad, Jr. in grand fashion Tuesday night with warm wishes, a large crowd and a march to bagpipes.

            Boston Police Pipe and Drums Corps musician and retired Marion Police Sergeant Derryl Lawrence played the Marine Corps anthem on the bagpipes, as Assad and other members of the Rochester Police and Fire departments and local Boy Scout Troop 31 marched behind him into the Rochester Memorial School cafetorium and onto the stage.

            Town residents and officials filling the seats in the audience watched as Cape Cod Miss Teen and Old Rochester Regional High School student Bree LaFavor sang “The Star Spangled Banner,” scout Zack Gagne led the attendees in the “Pledge of Allegiance” and scoutmaster Kevin Thompson read a prayer for police officers.

            Steven Sylvia of Representative William Straus’ staff extended congratulations to Assad with a citation from the state house offering its own best wishes. Town Clerk Margie Barrows then stepped onto the stage and officially swore in Assad as the new Rochester Police Chief, and his wife Karen Assad ceremonially pinned his chief’s badge onto his chest.

            Select Board member Adam Murphy praised Assad’s background, which features 23 years as a police officer in Mashpee, including in detective services and his work for the Barnstable Street Crime unit.

            “Chief, we are confident that your leadership will guide our police force, fostering a strong partnership between law enforcement and the community,” Murphy said. “Your dedication to uphold the law while building trust and understanding is exactly what Rochester needs.

            “Remember that the badge you now wear is not just a symbol of authority but a beacon of hope and justice. May your leadership be guided by wisdom, your actions by integrity, and your service by unwavering dedication to our community.”

            Assad’s words after officially becoming the new chief were just as gracious.

            “I am filled with a profound sense of gratitude, responsibility and determination to serve this community with integrity, compassion and dedication,” he said.

            Assad thanked his family – his wife Karen, son and daughter – for their unwavering support throughout the highs and lows of his career. He then expressed gratitude to the community for their trust in him to lead the Rochester department.

            “I fully understand the weight and responsibility that comes with this position,” he said. “And I pledge to uphold the values of justice, fairness and service to all members of our community. I remain committed to fostering a culture of transparency, accountability and community engagement within the department.”

            Lastly, he turned to his fellow officers standing behind him on the stage.

            “I want to express my gratitude to all of you for your dedication and hard work for this community,” he said, before concluding, “I am proud to serve as your chief of police and look forward to the journey ahead.”

By Michael J. DeCicco

            Just when it seemed as though things were coming together for the Marion Harbormaster Department, the recent loss of two key staff members has Harbormaster Adam Murphy once again improvising during an extremely busy season.

            Carl MacDermott, retired from his job as a captain in the Bridgewater Police Department, is working 40-plus hours a week to help Marion mitigate the departures of Dave Wilson and Andrew Miller from key positions in the Harbormaster Department.

            Murphy has been so impressed with MacDermott’s assistance that he assured the Marion Marine Resources Commission during its meeting Monday night that MacDermott can speak for the department.

            “If I’m not around, just please find Carl. Publicly, I want to thank Carl MacDermott for that. He’s been pretty motivational to me to keep us charging in the right direction,” said Murphy.

            Wilson took a job with the Army Corps of Engineers, and Miller left to work for Homeland Security. The loss of the experienced Wilson especially stings because of his willingness to perform rescue missions in difficult conditions, something Murphy said is hard to find.

            “I’m confident, we’ve got a good group of guys,” said Murphy, noting that Nick Favroski is splitting his time working for the Harbormaster Department and Barden’s Boat Yard.

            The personnel changes come at an otherwise-triumphant time for the Harbormaster Department, its shiny new office rising high and overlooking Sippican Harbor from Island Wharf. Murphy estimates that the new building will become operational in October.

            “I want to get it right, do it right,” he said, noting that furniture delivery is estimated to be five weeks out.

            Meantime, the much smaller, existing office was recently taken down from its elevated underpinnings and has been relocated at the end of Island Wharf where it remains powered up and fully operational.

            There has been lively discussion as to the destiny the 43-years “staple of the harbor.” Murphy is interested in possibly relocated the building at Old Landing, but the one thing all stakeholders agree on is its capacity to continue serving the town.

            Other changes at Island Wharf include the removal of one of the two bathrooms at the site and the opening up of the area now furnished with picnic tables.

            “Next step, bar-height bar stools,” said Murphy, admittedly concerned about their security but noting that “the Facilities Department is doing a fantastic job.” There is no longer a roof at the old Harbormaster site, but MRC member Greg Houdelette has received positive feedback about the umbrellas now present.

            “The people I’ve talked to say it’s a wonderful move,” he said.

            Member Ray Cullum said the feedback he has received is always about public access.

            “The vision’s starting to come together,” said Murphy, who hopes to see another major project at Island Wharf completed.

            The Harbormaster Department is trying to procure grant funding to replace the seawall and is scheduled to appear before the town’s Conservation Commission this month.

            Murphy’s request will be to peel back 3 feet from the seawall and slow down the process of erosion by supporting the wall with a riprap construction atop the wall. The plan would include a 3-foot retainer of stone adjacent to the seawall. If his method is not approved, he’s concerned that the finish grades at the site will wind up in the water.

            Regarding the parking situation at Island Wharf, Murphy has requested the Select Board schedule the Marine Resources Commission for a conference to achieve a mutual understanding of the competing uses of the parking lot.

            Amidst the construction projects, the department removed the upweller. Where it concerns aquaculture, the buck still stops with Murphy, but he is hoping to delegate those duties going forward. MRC member Scott Cowell said he is willing to help manage the town’s shellfish program.

            Another major topic of discussion on Monday night was mooring management. As of Monday, Marion had 118 uninspected moorings. Of the 118, 60 are located in inner harbor.

            Murphy was shell-shocked at the response he has received since taking orange violation stickers purchased a half-dozen years ago and applying them this summer to inform boat owners who are overdue for their required mooring inspections.

            “My email blew up. Then I had people ratting themselves out,” he said. “It’s cleaning up a lot of the issues. If you get any complaints, that’s what’s driving it. Some inspections have been done, but the divers aren’t getting their paperwork done.”

            Within the next week, a new database will allow inspectors to electronically update information, something Murphy wants to see happen within 10 days of an inspection. “Once the online system is up and running, there’s no excuse for it,” he said.

            MRC member Cheryl Souza is assisting the town with implementation of the new database.

            Murphy also noted that Marion’s inner harbor has 12 open moorings among 200. “That’s a lot of revenue,” he said. There are 280 people on the waiting list for a mooring in Marion.

            The members engaged in a lively discussion regarding the regulations governing the use of winter sticks (in place of moorings) and harbor safety.

            Murphy shared with the commissioners that Marion performed 146 pump-out operations last week, compared to eight he said that were performed in Mattapoisett.

            The estimated delivery date of the town’s new patrol boat is May 5, 2025.

            The next meeting of the Marion Marine Resources Commission is scheduled for Tuesday, September 24, at 7:00 pm at the Police Station.

Marion Marine Resources Commission

By Mick Colageo

            Concerns over negative impacts from possible future expansion of the Crystal Springs Road solar array operated by New Leaf Energy were aired during the August 12 meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission.

            Coming before the commission were members of the New Leaf team headed by Brandon Smith, who represented the ANRAD (Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation) request.

            As noted in the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, “The Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation, WPA Form 4A, (ANRAD) serves two purposes under the Wetland Protection Act. First, the ANRAD provides a procedure for an applicant to confirm the delineation of a Bordering Vegetated Wetlands (BVW). If an ANRAD is filed for a BVW delineation, confirmation of other resource areas may also be requested provided the other resource area boundaries are identified on the plans which accompany the BVW boundary delineation. The second purpose of the ANRAD is to serve as the application for Simplified Review for projects in the Buffer Zone.”

            Several residents questioned what the developer’s future plans might include. However, Chairman Mike King reminded the attendees that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the ANRAD, not a construction project.

            Others in attendance and via Zoom expressed concerns over impacts on wildlife, which were described as abundant. But in the absence of a fully vetted construction plan, the matter could go no further on this night.

            Member David Nicolosi said that gaps in the wetland flagging as noted on plans seemed incomplete, and that would need to be corrected if they “want my vote.” Smith said they would look toward satisfying the commission’s questions, including remediation options. The request was continued to September 9.

            In other business, the commission continued a Notice of Intent filed by Michael Harrington, 9 Shore View Avenue, for the construction of a new, single-family home in a velocity (VE) zone. Demolition of an existing structure is also planned.

            An NOI filed by Allyson Bradford and the Weglowski Family Trust, 10 Oakland Terrace, for the construction of a family addition and the removal of invasive vegetation was conditioned.

            Lot clearing was approved via a Request for Determination of Applicability filed by Shore Drive LLC, 0 Shore Drive.

            An NOI filed by Lawrence and Charlotte Oliveira, 0 Starboard Way, was conditioned for the construction of a new, single-family home.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission is scheduled for Monday, September 9, at 6:30 pm.

Mattapoisett Conservation Commission

By Marilou Newell