Long-time Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals member Davis Sullivan sat on the other side of the meeting room table on July 10 as he asked the panel to approve his variance request to allow the construction of a detached garage at 6 Union Church Terrace.

            The board granted Sullivan a variance of the 40-foot side setback requirement for his plan to build a 20×34-foot steel pole garage with a concrete floor at a 20-foot setback on his side yard. Sullivan said the two small sheds currently on his property are a terrible place to store his motorcycles and electronic tools. They don’t prevent the weather and moisture from potentially affecting this equipment.

            He said his plan is to demolish his wooden shed and garden shed to make room for larger garage storage. He noted his house sits in the middle of his lot, meaning that placing his garage on his rather small 6.7-acre lot is a financial hardship because of the excavation and driveway work that will be needed. He noted he needs to situate his driveway so as not to go over his septic system. He added that what he will be storing are “six motorcycles and a lawn mower.”

            The four voting members present for the hearing quickly endorsed the variance request after the lone abutter in attendance, Mark Wellington, said he supported the plan. “I have no objections,” Wellington said. “It’s a good use of the property. We are in favor of it.”

            The variance passed with the following conditions: that the garage does not house farm animals, that it not become a commercial use building, that it not be converted into housing, and that the existing sheds be completely demolished.

            In other business, the board’s new chairman Donald Spirlet announced that the Selevt Board recently elevated Zoning Board Associate Member Dennis McCarthy to full-time member and appointed Douglas Sims, a carpentry teacher at Old Colony Regional Vocational-Technical High School, as a new associate member.

            Spirlet said there will be no regular meeting on July 24 as no petitions have been filed for that date. The next Zoning Board of Appeals meeting is tentatively scheduled for August 14 at 7:15 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.

By Michael J. DeCicco

“That’s a wrap,” as they say, as Mattapoisett’s fiscal year came to an end. The total amount being shifted from saving realized when employee group health enjoyed a savings of $323,500. The transfers are in accordance with Chapter 44, Section 33B of the Massachusetts General laws.

            The transfers were as follows: $50,000 to cover temporary library director and building inspector. A sum of $30,000 was transferred to cover employee benefits for numerous employee retirements and year end buyouts that were more than anticipated.

            The sum of $23,000 was transferred to cover town building expenses for the repair and painting of Center school including the clock tower which was more than anticipated based on bids received.

            The sum of $750 was transferred for record management expenses for more files held in storage than anticipated.

            A sum of $27,100 was transferred to cover Planning Board salaries. The Town Planner’s salary is split between Acushnet and Mattapoisett. However, that arrangement requires that Mattapoisett pay the full salary and is later reimbursed by Acushnet.

            The sum of $3,000 was transferred to cover police expenses for the electric car charging station located at the Police Department which was unbudgeted for FY25.

            Also being transferred from employee group insurance was $10,000 for salaries for the natural resources department due to an extended absence of an animal control officer.

            $100 was transferred for the natural resources department for unanticipated expenses associated with a rabies shot which was necessary when an employee was bitten.

            $1,250 was transferred to the Bristol Aggie student tuition fund. The original numbers the department had received were lower than the actuals on the final billing.

            The sum of $40,000 was transferred to cover salaries at the fire department for unexpected costs to outfit a new ladder truck.

            $5,000 was transferred to the Council on Aging for vehicle repairs and maintenance costs more than anticipated on the department’s van.

            The sum of $7,000 was transferred to the veterans’ administration salaries for unexpected buyout when an employee left that department.

            $3,800 was transferred to the parks salaries for janitorial expenses that were unanticipated. The sum of $6,500 also went to the parks department expenses for building repairs and Portage John rentals that were more than anticipated.

            The sum of $31,000 was transferred to cover utility expenses due to a rate change and incorrect billing from Eversource for the fire station.

            $10,000 was transferred to the Medicare tax expense due to that expense being due for unexpected employee buyouts.

            And last but not least, $2,000 was needed for the tax collector’s department as billings were required to include seven different languages.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Finance Committee was not scheduled at adjournment.

Mattapoisett Finance Committee

By Marilou Newell