Administrators, finance committee members, and selectmen from each of the three towns met for Round One of regional budget talks with the Old Rochester Regional School Committee and school administrators on February 1.

The driving forces behind the recommended 7.5% increase of the $18.3 million budget are health insurance, retirement assessments, and eight proposed new items, in addition to a $60,000 decrease in school choice revenue.

School Business Administrator Patrick Spencer introduced each of the eight items listed in order of importance on the regional’s “wish list”; however, after discussion, some looked more like ‘needs’ than ‘wants.’

At the top of the list is a special education teacher for a new cohort of five students about to turn 18, leading to the need to establish an age 18-22 adult transition program as mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Act.

As Director of Student Services Michael Nelson stated, without the program, it would cost the towns $90,000 to $120,000 per student to place these students out of district rather than $55,000 with the program. It would be less of a financial burden on the budget, explained Nelson, to keep the students in the district for their education and training … “Which I think would be ideal to provide in their own home communities,” he added.

Second on the list is a new social worker in addition to adding .2 to an existing social worker position to make it full-time to meet the regional school district’s social/emotion strategic goal of supporting the emotional wellbeing of an increasing number of at-risk students. One social worker would be designated to each of the two schools, at a budget increase of $69,800.

Five years ago, said ORRHS Principal Michael Devoll, there were nine students with significant social/emotional needs. That number has grown to 30.

“We’re really not able to meet the needs of our students,” said Devoll. “Right now, we’re really running around trying to put out fires instead of being proactive….”

Third on the list is a new special education coordinator to be split between the junior and senior high schools estimated at $92,000. Devoll and ORRJHS Principal Kevin Brogioli agreed that between teacher evaluations, student discipline, and special education meetings for 180 pupils on individualized education plans (IEPs), there is not enough time for the assistant principal of each school to effectively attend to everything.

You have 180 students with IEPs, and each has an annual meeting chaired by the assistant principal, Devoll explained. “Essentially, they’re in a meeting a day all year long,” said Devoll, adding that ORR’s caseload per assistant principal is “unheard of” in other districts.

The fourth request, $54,000, is for an art teacher to restore the one that was cut from the budget back in the mid-2000s. Devoll said state colleges require one year of art for admission, yet many students are unable to complete that requirement because there is not enough room in the limited classes.

“And we’re saying ‘no’ to them … while still telling them they have to take an art class,” said Devoll.

Fifth on the list is an extra late bus on Wednesdays at $20,000; sixth, a teacher leader coordinator at $24,000; seventh, a new part-time sign language teacher, a request denied last year, $35,000; and eighth, a new guidance counselor at $54,000.

Devoll said parents are looking for more facetime with their child’s guidance counselor, which often doesn’t happen until junior year for many parents.

“It would make a world of difference,” Devoll said. “I think our families are calling for it, and I think it’s appropriate.”

Mattapoisett Town Administrator Michael Gagne strongly advised School Superintendent Doug White to separate all capital project expenditures from the budget to look at funding them using money that was freed up last fiscal year when the committee voted for a debt reconfiguration to refinance a loan with a significant interest rate reduction.

With an annual $113,000 of freed-up debt, Gagne said the district could borrow on it to pay for capital expenses without a reduction in the original debt cost. Mattapoisett Selectman Paul Silva concurred, and Marion Finance Director Judith Mooney suggested looking into it.

“Let’s start by doing it now,” Mooney said. Offset the $383,000 in capital expenditures in the FY17 budget by borrowing against the $113,000. “That should take care of your capital plan,” said Mooney. It could be done at Town Meeting with a vote to create more debt, yet keeping the payments the same. No tax increases, no assessment spikes.

Gagne emphasized separating the capital from the budget, saying, “Then I can look at the budget for ORR … as I look at the budget for Mattapoisett local schools.” He suggested holding another meeting to compare apples to apples.

“I think it’s unfair for you to have capital in your budget,” Gagne told White.

During closing comments, Karen Kevelson of the Marion Finance Committee had this to say: “As parents and community members and teachers … we want to give our students everything they need … and some of the things they want.” But, just like a child’s Christmas list, “I think there are too many wants on this list for this year, given the financial restraints.”

Silva simply stated that, as it stands now, Mattapoisett could not support the proposed budget.

“Let’s take out the capital. Let’s see what the real numbers are and see what that looks like,” Silva said.

Another joint meeting of the three towns and the ORR school district is scheduled for Wednesday, February 17 at 4:30 pm in the superintendent’s office conference room.

By Jean Perry

Mattapoisett’s Conservation Commission caught an easy agenda for their January 28 meeting, which turned out to be beneficial since only three of the five commissioners were available to attend.

First up was a Notice of Intent to build a new septic system at 6 Aucoot Road, filed by MSMF Property Group, LLC. The leach pit located on the property where the home is being renovated failed when tested. The plan submitted by Collins Civil Engineering Group includes filling and crushing the failed system and construction of a membrane-lined leach pit.

Conservation Commission Chairman Bob Rogers pointed out that the property could be tied into the public sewer system versus building a new septic system, an option he called “better for the property and the environment.” He requested that the applicant provide more thorough documentation as to why his suggestion could not be acted upon. The applicant asked for a continuance until February 8.

Next up was another Notice of Intent filed by Norma Klein, 4 Indian Avenue. The application is for the demolition of an existing one-car garage and construction of a new two-car garage and various landscaping improvements. The commission approved a standard Order of Conditions.

A continuance was heard from a previous public hearing for the NOI filed by Jeffrey and Lauren Jordan, 4 North Street, for the construction of a 400-square foot patio, a new 580-square foot covered patio, and new dormers for the roof of the house. Representing Charon and Associates, Carmelo Nicolosi provided the commission with an updated plan of record that detailed the limits of work and stormwater runoff management. A standard Order of Conditions was approved.

Nicolosi also represented Blue Wave LLC for the solar array project scheduled for construction on Crystal Spring Road. He presented the commission with a revised plan of record that included a grass strip through the center of the array to allow for emergency vehicle assess.

Environmental Agent Liz Leidhold reported that the Buzzards Bay Coalition was seeking the support of the commission for a land acquisition from Howard Tinkham and family.

The 114-acre land acquisition would be a joint partnership between the Towns of Mattapoisett and Fairhaven in the heart of the Mattapoisett River watershed with 3,700 feet of frontage on the river itself. The parcel also abuts town well No. 3.

Leidhold explained that Mattapoisett’s Water and Sewer Department would own the land. The commissioners agreed to support the project, with Rogers noting, “This is another nice piece of land for watershed protection – that is our role.”

Regarding Phase 1B of the bike and pedestrian path, Rogers said the Department of Environmental Protection would be holding a public meeting at the site on Goodspeed Island on February 4 at 10:00 am to review the appeal of a Request for Determination of Applicability approved by the Conservation Commission. The appeal was filed by abutters Daniel DaRosa and Tony Campbell.

CLE Engineering will represent the town as it defends its Negative 3 (Notice of Intent not required) decision of December 14 that would have allowed test borings as mandated by the Department of Transportation, part of a long list of requirements the town has been working through over the past several years.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission is scheduled for February 8 at 6:30 pm in the Mattapoisett Town Hall conference room.

By Marilou Newell

“We’ve got to do something about that,” said Marion Finance Committee member Karen Kevelson on January 28 with a draft of the FY2017 Sippican School budget in hand. “They’re out of control.”

Kevelson, frank in her thoughts on the school’s various proposed line items, took control of the discussion and addressed a number of new requests above a level-funded budget, which accounted for an increase of $212,990, or 10 percent, Kevelson said. The Finance Department issued department heads a memorandum requesting a level-service budget as the town faces an approximate $1 million deficit.

New requests include three new aides, an additional first grade teacher, a new kindergarten teacher, and part-time health and part-time computer teachers. “What I want to do is call Doug [Superintendent White] tomorrow and tell him that he has got to get this down.”

Kevelson was skeptical of the request for three aides, presumably to staff the new breakfast program at the school as part of their duties.

“[And] they want to use them for recess because I guess teachers don’t want to do that anymore,” Kevelson said. She then criticized the breakfast program.

“I wouldn’t have thought we’d need it financially,” said Kevelson about the breakfast program. “And, if kids have breakfast at home and then they’re going to go to school and have another breakfast, if they don’t exercise then they’re going to start to gain weight.”

She added that she does not support last year’s hire of a full-time assistant principal, saying the school’s student body of 459 did not merit the position.

“I think a part-time was fine,” said Kevelson. She acknowledged the increased data collection resulting from new state accountability requirements, however, “These are normal kids. I mean, this is Marion,” continued Kevelson. “You don’t have kids pulling out knives and threatening bringing guns to school and threatening teachers.”

As for a part-time health teacher, Kevelson said she thinks a basic health class taught by the physical education teacher would suffice.

“I believe in Health and all that, but I think Health [class] is more important in seventh grade through twelfth.”

Kevelson shared comments from a recent phone call she had with someone who was considering moving to Marion who was “not impressed” with the school system. She went on about how, of course, Marion could not compete with a school system like Lexington, adding, “If you have a child with special needs, then this is the town to be in then. I didn’t just say that,” she said without pausing.

“We have to make some more cuts before we go forward,” said acting Chairman Peter Winters.

“I think the budget should come down ten percent,” said Kevelson.

The committee turned to the regional school budget.

“I haven’t even looked at the regional budget yet because that just scares me,” Kevelson said.

Like during a prior meeting, the topic of a possible request for a second assistant principal for the high school came up.

“You can want all you want,” said Kevelson. “Does he want it? Yes. Does he need it? No.”

Also during the meeting, the committee sat down with Harbormaster Isaac Perry and Police Chief Lincoln Miller to go through their departments’ budgets.

The committee was pleased that both budgets were aligned with the request to keep them level service, with mostly contractual employee salaries accounting for the slight increases.

Perry requested $55,000 for the replacement of two control boat motors that he said would come out of the Waterways Account. Other than that, he said he did not foresee any significant capital projects for the next five years.

Miller presented his budget, which is up 1.96 percent from last year’s budget, he said, mostly because of contractual salary increases.

Although he did not request it in this year’s budget, Miller asked if at some point the committee would consider granting him funding for an administrative assistant.

“There’s never been an administrative assistant. I do my own paperwork. I do my own everything,” said Miller modestly. “I didn’t put it in here, but I did want to bring it up.” He said he often takes paperwork home with him at night – “a lot of paperwork.”

“Keep us reminded of that over the year,” Kevelson told him. “For next year’s budget, put in a part-time ‘AA’ and we’ll see how it goes.”

The next meeting of the Marion Finance Committee is scheduled for February 3 at 7:00 pm at the Recreation Center on Atlantis Drive.

By Jean Perry