The Marion Select Board held a special meeting on Saturday, June 14 for various discussions regarding the Codification Committee. In attendance were Vice Chair John Hoagland, Member Norm Hills, and Chair of the Planning Board Andrew Daniel. Executive Assistant Dinna Hemphill was also present.

            Hills explained the Codification Committee was formed in 2017. Said committee is Select Board-appointed and tasked with codifying new bylaws as a response to changing local, state, and federal ordinances. Beginning to go through the list of approved changes, Daniel explained the changes are normally “minor in scope” with Hills adding “when we have a meeting we don’t necessarily address all of these; the next time we meet we’ll go through ‘em all and talk about them.” The meeting would serve as prep for Hoagland, being guided by Daniel and Hills on the committee’s practices behind the scenes of typical meetings.

            Hoagland would say “I’m learning!” He said at one point, “Is there a game plan to get some – younger, fresher people?” Daniel interjected, stating “I don’t know if I’m considered one of the young ones anymore.” He explained the difficulty the working class has at committing to meetings on top of their careers. “That’s very difficult for anyone that’s not retired.”

            Following the discussion of various issues put before the table, Hoagland would say “thank you very much Norm for the education.”

Marion Select Board Special Meeting

By Sam Bishop

            The June 16 meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board was brief. While there were a number of complex matters listed on the night’s agenda, Chair Tom Tucker opted to table most until member John Mathieu could be present.

            One item, however, discussed at length, was an informal discussion regarding a family compound planned off North Street at the end of Shady Oak Drive.

            As outlined by Matt Leone of Schneider, Davignon & Leone Inc., Dennis Mahoney, the property owner, will sell four residential lots off 182 North Street to Steven Cabral, whose plans include four homes at the end of Shady Oak Drive, a cul-de-sac.

            Leone said that the property qualifies for a Special Residential Development, given that it contains sufficient area for setbacks and frontage requirements. Discussions included possible waivers the board will need to rule on, including a planned, 20-foot-wide, 644-foot, private-entrance roadway located off an existing cul-de-sac.

            Stormwater drainage systems were touched on with Leone saying a detention basin is planned.

            Tucker noted that the only hitch in the plan as presented might be the length of the private roadway.

            Other matters tabled to a later date were discussions regarding the drafts for accessory dwellings and a new cottage house bylaw, as well as recommendations on the Roadway Acceptance Procedure.

            The board selected Nathan Ketchel as its representative on the Recreation and Open Space Committee.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board is scheduled for Wednesday, June 25.

Mattapoisett Planning Board

By Marilou Newell

            The Marion Affordable Housing Trust met on Tuesday, June 10, to go over the results of the Town Meeting’s votes on accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and short-term rentals (STRs). Select Board member and representative to the trust Norm Hills began the meeting by discussing his worry over the passed ADU bylaw. Sympathizing with this was Member Eileen J. Marum, saying “Airbnbs have full reign” when referring to problems with residentially zoned areas being used for business. To reverse this decision, and change what was voted upon, it was agreed by Hills and the trust members that it can only be changed/reversed at a future Town Meeting.

            The trust then discussed updating their website and increasing social media engagement. Associate Member Roberta “Robbie” Dunn Tracy stated “I’ve done my homework” before describing to the panel various community outreach capabilities they can engage with using both the town website as well as Facebook. Using Facebook, Tracy stated it would be beneficial to post quick updates or get instant feedback from the community, if required. Town of Marion Facebook page began posting in 2019 and currently post irregular updates, typically around twice per week, reminding residents of local events or posting pictures following an events completion. It was stated at the end of this discussion Robbie would be the person to speak to regarding website updates, as she would pass them on to the Executive Assistant to the Town Administrator Donna Hemphill, who is in charge of the town’s website and Facebook.

            The trust also discussed national and state-wide issues, with one member stating, “apparently HUD (US Department of Housing and Urban Development) is a disaster.” There are multiple states working on lawsuits with much uncertainty regarding changes in regulation and policy, as well as funding changes.

            The Marion Affordable Housing Trust moved on to discuss reorganization although without member Toby Ast present, it was stated they should possibly table discussions until the next meeting; especially considering he may desire to be Chair.

            The next meeting of the Marion Affordable Housing Trust is scheduled for Tuesday, July 8 at 6:00 pm in the Marion Police Station.

Marion Affordable Housing Trust

By Sam Bishop

            Rochester’s Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) appointed Donald Spirlet as its new Chair and re-appointed Davis Sullivan as Vice-Chair when it met June 12 on the occasion of veteran member David Arancio’s last time as Chair.

            Arancio has been ZBA Chair for 11 years. Spirlet has been a zoning panel member for 10 years, Sullivan a member for 22 years. But their nominations did not come quickly. First, veteran member Richard Cutler declined the nomination for Chair, saying he has one year to go on his current term “and then I’m out here.” Sullivan said the same when offered the Chair position, saying he also intends to exit the board after his own term is up. Spirlet said he would accept the nomination as Chair so long as no one else on the panel wanted it.

            The votes approving Spirlet and Sullivan for their new roles came after Cutler noted the problem is that many members have been on the board for a long time “and that can’t be sustainable.” Arancio agreed. “I’ve enjoyed my time on the board,” he said. “But it needs new blood and energy.”

            The board began the meeting by approving a variance to permit a 62×38-foot, 1,500-square-foot steel accessory structure on a six-acre residential lot at 364 Neck Road. Applicant and homeowner John Verentes said he needs the additional building because he fixes his own cars. He needs a car lift and storage for his equipment and tools and possibly a boat to avoid the expense of paying for storage and outside car repair. To that end, he is requesting a variance from the requirement that an accessory building be no larger than 1,000 square feet.

            The hearing’s only query came from neighbor Brian Porter of 369 Neck Road. He wanted to know the pitch of the new structure’s roof. “He’s a good, quiet neighbor,” Porter said. “I’m just curious.”

            The resulting approval vote included the following conditions: that no farm animals be housed, no commercial use, no second floor and no housing use without the board’s prior approval.

            In other action, board Administrative Assistant Andreia Lacerda reported no new petitions have been filed for the board’s review. As a result, pending any last-minute submissions, there will be no regular meetings on June 26 and July 20.

Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals

By Michael J. DeCicco