Rochester’s Select Board Monday postponed the Special Town Meeting, previously scheduled for October 21, to January 6, 2025, because of the interim town administrator’s workload.

            Suzanne Szyndlar, who is also the town’s finance director, noted that because of her dual role for the town, she hasn’t had adequate time to put to together a Town Meeting. “I’ve been behind the eight ball of late,” she said.

            Cameron Durant, the human resources director for the Town of Fairhaven, was unanimously chosen last week by the Select Board after he and two other finalists conducted final interviews for the job of town administrator. As of Monday night, Durant’s contract had not yet been finalized.

            The Select Board granted Szyndlar’s request to postpone the Special Town Meeting and also extended the deadline for submitting warrant articles to November 1.

            “Luckily, there’s not a lot of warrant articles yet,” said Select Board Chairman Brad Morse.

            Next, the board eliminated the need for one of the articles already proposed for the Special Town Meeting by using the town’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.

            To build a new children’s playground at Gifford Park, the town’s Park Commission had planned to ask voters in October that the town contribute $40,940.85 to the town’s share of the $81,881.70 construction cost. The other half of that price tag will be borne by the local nonprofit Tri-Town for Protecting Children.

            On Monday, the board approved spending $60,803 of the town’s ARPA funds to include the $40,940 for the playground. The rest of that money will go toward an Assessors Department mapping and imaging project ($7,500) and Police Station HVAC upgrades ($12,362).

            Park Commission Chairman David Hughes thanked the board for spending ARPA funds for the playground, eliminating the need for Town Meeting action.

            The board’s other important move was to officially sign the contract for new Police Chief Michael A. Assad Jr., whose contract will be valid until June 30, 2027.

            “I’ve been waiting for this for a while,” Select Board member Paul Ciaburri said with a smile, as Assad shook the board members’ hands. Assad will be the full-time replacement for Robert Small, who retired as chief on June 28.

            In other action, the board continued until September 9 its public hearing into plans for 29 new Eversource and Verizon utility poles in the area of 280 North Avenue and on Snipatuit Road between numbers 722 and 865, 655 and 694, 500 and 610. The Eversource representative attending the meeting said he has not yet spoken to Highway Surveyor Jeff Eldridge about the plan.

            The Select Board instructed him to do so before the next meeting.

            The board announced the resignation of Mary Bessey as a member of the Council on Aging and accepted the COA Board of Directors’ recommendation to appoint Johann Forand as her replacement.

            The next meeting of the Rochester Select Board will be held on Monday, September 9, at 6:00 pm at the Rochester Council on Aging, 67 Dexter Lane.

Rochester Select Board

By Michael J. DeCicco

            Several days before Tuesday’s announcement that a mosquito in Marion had tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (prompting cancellation of the August 24 Town Party), the Marion Board of Health was already recommending precautions in light of a prior discovery that a Marion mosquito tested positive for West Nile Virus.

            Publicly thanking Marion Health Director/Nurse Lori Desmarais and Health Agent Shallyn Rodriguez for their work, Marion Board of Health Chairman Dr. John Howard opened the board’s August 15 meeting by introducing discussion of the positive testing that had occurred to that point in town and in “most of the other towns” around Marion.

            “First and foremost, there are no patients that have the disease. It is a disease that you don’t want to get, especially if you are older. There is really no treatment for it,” said Howard. “The way to avoid getting it is avoiding mosquitoes, and the simplest answer to that is don’t go out after dusk unless you are very heavily protected against the mosquito bite.”

            Given the floor, Desmarais noted that the local Health Department was notified of the single positive mosquito for West Nile Virus and subsequently contacted the board members and Plymouth County Mosquito Control. As a direct result, the county conducted a spraying in Marion on August 15 between 2:00 am and sunrise.

            Desmarais sought the board’s recommendation or comment.

            Dr. Ed Hoffer, a board member, recommended warning signs for the Town Party and “an ample supply of DEET,” the active ingredient in mosquito repellent. “I don’t think it’s at a level where we want to cancel it. If it was Triple-E, I’d be a little more proactive. West Nile is nasty. People are adult, they can make up their own minds the level of risk – it’s a risk to them, it’s not a risk to others.”

            Member Albin Johnson asked where the infected mosquito was trapped.

            “They won’t tell us,” said Desmarais. “You can ask them, (but) they won’t tell you where the traps are. So there’s traps strategically located around the town, but they won’t give you the location. They’ll give you … a section but not exactly where those are because I think they’re trying to protect where the traps are. No one knows where they are in their towns.”

            Desmarais reported that one Marion homeowner used the “opt-out” to decline spraying of property.

            Desmarais said the Health Department has a few cans of mosquito repellent available to the public, along with treated bracelets that children can wear for the same purpose.

            Given the August 20 revelation of the positive test for EEE, another spray was scheduled for August 21 between 2:00 am and sunrise.

            In her Public Health Director Update, Desmarais reported that flu vaccine has been ordered and that the state supply has arrived. The tent used for drive-through vaccination clinics will be going up during the second week of September and will be up through the end of October. The UMass Dartmouth School of Nursing has indicated it is eager to once again assist in Marion’s drive-through clinics.

            The town has pre-ordered 50 doses of Moderna Covid-19 vaccine.

            An oral rabies-bait distribution will be going out on Monday, September 9.

            Marion Animal Control Officer Sue Connor reported a bat in a house with people and pets. The captured bat tested negative for rabies. Residents are urged in the case of a bat in the house not just to let them out but to call Animal Control and get them captured so they can be tested.

            All is going well with Beach testing, which will have two more weeks before ending around Labor Day.

            Marion has conducted 142 Community EMS visits in 2024 (up from 111 in 2023), and the state Department of Public Health has granted the program its approval through 2026. That does not include financial support.

            Citing only seasonal usage of a home in Marion, the homeowner wants testing for its I/A septic system to be conducted once a year instead of the minimum twice as required by town regulations.

            It was noted during discussion that seasonal residents shutting down denitrification systems while away from Marion come back to encounter complications, as a blower having been shut off causes odor and sometimes does not come back online right away.

            Johnson noted that this problem has been common in I/A systems and once again recommended the board revisit the town bylaw requiring a septic upgrade to include denitrification technology with any new construction.

            Desmarais said Marion requires that maintenance and testing for nitrogen is conducted twice per year. Howard said he’s not opposed to cutting the requirement to once a year, but he advised that homeowners keep the blowers running to avoid problems with the system.

            The board voted to allow the testing on an annual basis.

            Septic updates were approved at 66 Piney Point Road, where engineer Rick Charon said multiple pipes in the crawl space were “ganged up” to achieve compliance without the need for variance requests.

            Following a Public Hearing for a Variance at 3 Tucker Lane, the board voted to approve relief from Title 5 of the state Environmental Code where it concerns depth to groundwater from the required 5 feet to 4.2 feet.

            Brian Grady of G.A.F. Engineering, the applicant’s representative, explained that a recently purchased home’s leaching pits failed a March inspection. Grady said septic consultant George Heufelder considers the variance an acceptable solution.

            Howard, who lives near the project, recused himself from the discussion and vote.

            Allure Lash & Beauty Artistry, 119 Wareham Road Unit 101B, is looking to downsize from two workspaces to one, but the result will reduce the business’s two practitioners (lashes and microblading) to within 62 square feet of floor space. The town requires 80 square feet for new establishments, but the business was established when the town’s regulation was 45 square feet.

            Health Agent Shallyn Rodriguez told the board there will be just two beds for the practice and that clients waiting for their appointments can wait outside. She suggested the board set as a condition that privacy is ensured via partitions and a limit of two clients inside the building.

            The board voted to approve.

            In her Health Agent Update, Rodriguez discussed a collaborative effort to address an issue at Cumberland Farms. An additional inspection required at the store will result in a $50 charge. Rodriguez said the corporate office responded with a check and also sent a representative work with the store in making corrections.

            Marion conducted two housing inspections relating to mold exposure. Rodriguez said the occupants of the properties emailed the town. One of the situations has been corrected, and its HVAC system has been serviced. The other Rodriguez said the owner has been making corrections.

            The next meeting of the Marion Board of Health is scheduled for Thursday, September 12, at the Town House.

Marion Board of Health

By Mick Colageo

            A presentation by the Marion Department of Public Works at Tuesday night’s Select Board meeting celebrated the news that most of the town’s previously dormant wells are now up and running. Then it came time to tackle the subject of Creek Road.

            Accompanied by Tata & Howard engineer Jon Gregory, DPW Director Becky Tilden and engineer Meghan Davis presented a plan to install 600 feet of new water main pipe under Creek Road.

            “There are a lot of obstacles for the new water main … the thought is a contractor can get in there with a small excavator. … We’re hoping in the end it’s going to provide a pretty good finish product without disturbing some of the other utilities,” said Gregory.

            Select Board member Randy Parker challenged the methodology, citing the crowded location tightly surrounded by pressure-treated fence, granite curb and wooden guardrail. Parker also asserted that the uneven grade in some areas could pose complications. It was agreed that the 5-foot dig will require drawing out ground water.

            Town Meeting appropriated $122,000 total that includes the water main project. Gregory said there is also a contingency.

            Select Board member Toby Burr expressed concern about the timing. “My concern is rebuilding the road later … why not just do it all at once?” he asked.

            Holding off on the project as planned would require reengineering, and Town Administrator Geoff Gorman said, “If it’s reengineered, it’ll cost money.”

            Parker is concerned there won’t be enough money dedicated to the project to complete it and suggested that if that becomes the fact of the matter, then the town should reevaluate the whole road project and how to go about it.

            Davis said that the project will not shut down the entire road. Tata & Howard is not involved on the wastewater side of the project. According to the DPW, the project will also provide opportunity for the town to get some infiltration-and-inflow (I/I) work done.

            “I’m certainly not willing to go back to the taxpayers and ask for more (money); I am willing to go back to the taxpayers and ask if they want to look at the whole thing,” said Parker.

            As Water/Sewer Commissioners, the Select Board members were thrilled to hear from the DPW about some of the town’s wells coming back online after a long wait.

            Although sitting on Rochester property, Marion’s East and West wells across the street from the Mary’s Pond are online, as is the south well served by Perry Hill pumping station.

            Last week, the Rochester Conservation Commission approved Marion’s plan to make a temporary access road through the wetlands to get equipment to the site. The pipe and trap rock required to construct the temporary access will stay, but the rest of the construction will end with the project. Marion is under contract with Tata & Howard to design a permanent access road.

            The DPW reports no issues with the Wolf Island well, but the Main pumping station is currently offline. Tata & Howard is presently evaluating the station as a whole (the building, site, generator, well) to determine a recommended course of action.

            Select Board Chairman Norm Hills pointed out that the Main pumping station does not produce a lot of water, and Parker noted it’s been offline for years. Gregory confirmed that the generator at the station is not very old but needs service beyond regular maintenance. Much of the data and communications run out of the site so it’s critical to keep it going, according to the DPW.

            Tilden reported that the Cross Neck Road hydrant has been fixed and the one near the Kittansett Club is scheduled for repair this week.

            Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission Chairman John Rockwell gave the board a progress report on the Point Road bike path and sought advice and volunteers looking to help complete the path’s construction.

            “We’re at the stage now where we need to ask what exactly needs to be done,” said Rockwell after offering a historical sketch of bike-path efforts in Marion going back 30 years.

            While water in some areas flows down the middle of the path and can be diverted by crowning the path, other water coming off Point Road crosses the path, so running a pipe underneath the path is being considered.

            “The biggest challenge right now is the path has intercepted some of that flow that comes off Point Road and concentrated it. What was over 4, 500 feet is now all in one place,” said Rockwell, noting that some of the flow has settled into “someone’s backyard and they’re unhappy.”

            He wants to offer the neighborhood an opportunity to walk the path and agree on the proper treatment. “We need to agree on what the problem is,” he said.

            Rockwell would like to put 3 or 4 inches of densely packed, ¾-inch crushed stone on top of the path.

            He recognized an Eversource driver who helped clear trees, saving the project substantial money. He also recognized residents Carol Molander and Shaun Walsh for their assistance with the project.

            In his Town Administrator’s Report, Gorman was disappointed to report that the Marion Town Party scheduled for Saturday, August 24, at Silvershell Beach has been canceled after a mosquito in Marion tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). Donors to the party can request back their funds or have them held to support the party next year.

            Marion’s pedestrian safety effort has resulted in a massive increase in traffic stops, according to Gorman. Since July 21, the Police Department has issued 161 stops, including 116 for speeding, resulting in 105 verbal warnings and 56 citations issued. Compared to the period from January 1 to July 20, the statistics represent a 190% increase in traffic stops. Gorman reminded pedestrians to please walk against traffic and bike riders to go with traffic.

            The Harbormaster Building construction is on schedule for substantial completion in September and use in October. He also noted positive feedback the town has received from the work done to beautify and improve access in the area around the old Harbormaster office location.

            After a successful summer program filled with activities, the last day for lifeguards at Silvershell Beach is Sunday, August 25.

            The State Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, September 3, from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm at Cushing Community Center; all ballots must be received by 8:00 pm that day regardless of the method of voting.

            Citing the governor’s new accessory apartment bylaw, Parker is suggesting a regional workshop with affected boards and committees.

            In other action, the board approved the appointment of Alexandra Glew as a student officer in the Marion Police Department per the request of Police Chief Richard Nighelli. Glew has worked as a dispatcher with the Duxbury regional 911 center that serves Rochester. Her graduation from the state police academy is projected for June 2025.

            A continued pole hearing for an Eversource petition covering installation of a new utility pole on Main Street for an electric-vehicle charging station was accepted without a vote from the board. The hearing was closed.

            The board issued Tri Town Market, 428 Wareham Road, a Common Victualler License, appointed Stephen Gonsalves as tree warden, approved contracts for the police chief (five years ending June 2029) and police lieutenant (three years ending June 2027), approved the Election Warrant for the September 3. State Primary, reappointed Linda Schuessler as election warden and also reappointed and approximately 20 appointed poll workers for the 2024 elections.

            Burr abstained from the poll-worker vote, noting that his wife is on the list.

            The board also approved the schedule and deadline for 2025 license renewals: September 9 is the deadline to contact the town for Fire Department and Building inspections, October 31 is the deadline for inspection completion, and all paperwork must be turned in by November 29.

            The board approved a Special One Day Alcohol Beverage License for ICJ Corporation for a wedding reception at the Marion Music Hall, 164 Front Street, on September 7, from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

            The board approved closures on Front, Main, Spring and Cottage streets for the Marion Art Center’s Halloween Parade on Thursday, October 31, at 4 pm. The board also approved closures on Front, Main and Cottage streets and Island Wharf except for parking for the 30th Annual Marion Christmas Stroll on Sunday, December 8, at 3:00 pm.

            The board approved the proclamation of September as Suicide Prevention Month.

            The next meeting of the Marion Select Board is scheduled for Wednesday, September 4, at 6:00 pm.

Marion Select Board

By Mick Colageo