Sippican School students scored lower than expected on the new PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers) online exam, Superintendent of Schools Doug White told the Marion School Committee on October 7, adding that the Massachusetts Teachers Association is lobbying for a three-year moratorium on all standardized testing.

The low scores on the PARCC exam – a newly employed testing system that is part of the Massachusetts Common Core objectives – seemed to surprise the School Committee members. White assured them that lower scores were not completely unanticipated, since the testing format was new to the students.

White said the developers of the PARCC testing system and schools using the product were aware of scoring inconsistencies and will continue to debug the program moving forward.

However, the future of this testing method in terms of the ability of all school districts to employ it was still in doubt, he said. Explaining the problem, White said some school districts simply didn’t have the funds to implement the program and had to use “paper” versus online systems to conduct the testing.

And there are concerns throughout school districts and teacher associations nationwide as to the validity of the Common Core program. White said some opposition seemed to originate from those who felt the program had been developed from the “top down” versus from educators. He assured the committee members that teachers, and specifically those from Massachusetts, had been essential in the development of the program. He said schools had been given 15 percent involvement in the shaping of programs to suit their districts to the Common Core requirements.

Still, White said there are petitions “floating around” in opposition to Common Core. He gave a brief history of how Common Core came into existence, noting that it did start with business leaders expressing concerns that graduates seemed to lack basic reading and writing skills. Not all states have embraced the Common Core philosophy, White shared, noting that Texas had opted-out completely.

As for Massachusetts, White told the committee that the Board of Education was continuing to evaluate PARCC and would be making a decision in the coming months as to whether it would continue to use PARCC or adopt another exam. He also said the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents was looking for improvements in testing programs that complimented local assessments, measured students growth and readiness for college and careers, and more funding overall.

White said parents would have the PARCC testing results sometime in December.

In other business, PTO Co-Chairman Dana Martin presented the committee with a fund-raising plan aimed at increasing the organization’s coffers. She explained that helping to pay for some large projects last year had depleted funds. The new fundraiser could generate as much as $10,000, Martin said. The hope was the fundraiser would stem the need to cut back on money given to the school for musical programs and equipment. The committee approved the plan.

Regarding budgets, White said he wanted to meet sooner rather than later with subcommittees so that needs could be determined.

“We need to know what the needs are at the local level,” said White. “Everything from salaries to materials, then build off of that.”

White also said that a parents’ night was planned for October 21 at the library to discuss special needs programs and that playgroups for toddlers had begun at Old Hammondtown School.

The next meeting of the Marion School Committee is scheduled for November 12 at 6:30 pm at the Marion Town House.

By Marilou Newell

The Marion Board of Health is hoping to recover the almost $5,000 in damages caused by the failure of a vaccine refrigerator that resulted in the loss of at least 18 different vaccine doses.

Marion Health Director Karen Walega in a September 15 memorandum to Town Administrator Paul Dawson listed the different vaccines lost and the exact cost to replace them, and in a memorandum to the Board of Health dated October 8, Walega listed the additional expenses incurred in the replacement of the broken refrigerator.

The incident, which occurred on August 17, involved the failure of the special vaccine refrigerator temperature control mechanism. Once the malfunction was discovered, the vaccines inside the refrigerator were transported to the police station for storage in a different refrigerator until the town was notified by the state that the vaccines could not be used.

Lost were ten doses of Prevnar 13 (pneumonia) at a cost of $1,795, two vials of Tuberculin (used to test for Tuberculosis) at a cost of $130, six doses of Zoster vax (shingles) costing $1,140, and an undisclosed amount of Adacol (Tdap) at a cost of about $150, for a total loss of about $3,200.

The new refrigerator compliant with CDC regulations costs $1,500 with wiring costing another $240.

“We are still waiting on the insurance,” said Walega on October 13 during a meeting of the Board of Health. “I don’t understand why they (the town’s insurance company) haven’t gotten in touch with Paul [Dawson].”

Walega said there are enough supplies for the two subsequent flu clinics scheduled for October 26 and November 9 from 2:00 to 6:30 pm at the Marion Town House. However, the majority of the vaccines lost have not yet been replaced.

“We don’t have that kind of money to replace it and we need it replaced,” said Walega.

Walega’s memo to the Board of Health questioned if the board would like to seek a reserve fund transfer at a future town meeting, but the board chose to hold off until Dawson hears back from the insurance company.

Also during the meeting, the board briefly discussed a letter Walega sent to Robert Thompson of Rochester regarding the proposed e-cigarette retail store he would like to open in Marion. Walega attached a copy of the town’s current tobacco and nicotine product regulations in her letter to Thompson, reminding him that he will need to contact the Health Office once a location is selected.

Thompson was also reminded that the Board of Health is in the process of amending its tobacco and nicotine regulations to increase the minimum age for tobacco and nicotine products sales to age 21, as well as some changes to the sale of specific tobacco items, such as single cigars and “blunts.”

An attorney for the board has drafted part of the amended bylaw regarding the age minimum, but work is still being done on the remaining language. No date has yet been set for a public hearing on the new tobacco and nicotine regulations.

The next meeting of the Marion Board of Health is scheduled for October 27 at 4:30 pm at the Marion Town House.

By Jean Perry

Applications for two more licenses to operate automobile businesses in Mattapoisett brings the total to four – four new businesses for the sale of new and/or the sale and repair of used cars.

During the October 13 meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen, Talor Rocha, 3 Church Street, requested a Class II Auto Dealer License.

His business model is similar to the two other retail auto sales businesses recently licensed; the business will operate via the Internet, no cars will be stored or repaired at his residence, and cars awaiting sale will be warehoused at the self-storage units located in the business park on Industrial Drive.

Rocha will purchase vehicles at car auction and “resale for the purpose of making a profit,” he told the board. The application was approved.

Also requesting a positive vote to operate an automobile sale and repair business were Kevin and David Ducharme of 508 Sports & Luxury Inc., 408 High Hill Road, Dartmouth. The father and son partnership owns and operates an established automobile business in New Bedford and came before the board seeking a Class II Auto Dealer license for property located at 79 Marion Road. The property is owned by Robert Gingras.

The Ducharmes proposed having up to 25 vehicles for sale on the property, with other space for the parking of cars waiting to be serviced in one of the two bays in the building.

The younger Ducharme said, “I’m not flying by the seat of my pants,” and provided the selectmen with a layout of the property to demonstrate the feasibility of having 25 vehicles on the site.

But Selectmen Paul Silva and Tyler Macallister voiced concern over the number of cars. Their primary issue was adequate clearance for cars entering and exiting the property.

“We need someone to tell us what the right number is,” said Silva.

Town Administrator Michael Gagne told the selectmen that other towns had also given thought to restricting the use of banners, flags, and lighting. The selectmen agreed that was a good point.

However, it was the issue of traffic safety on busy Route 6 that prompted the board to request a continuance so that police safety officer Justin King could be consulted regarding the appropriate number of cars to allow in the license.

The Ducharmes were asked to return on October 27 to complete discussions and, in the meantime, provide Officer King with a diagram of the parking plans.

The selectmen also met with two residents vying for the one remaining open seat on the Conservation Commission. Coming before them were Mike Dubuc and Diane Tsitsos.

Dubuc, currently a member of the Agricultural Commission, was first up saying that in his daily business activities as a cranberry grower in 12 towns, he is familiar with the Wetlands Protection Act. He said he would be available to attend most scheduled meetings.

Diane Tsitsos, a retired diplomat, told the selectmen that she wanted her skills to be used in a “substantive way,” and felt she was well suited for the Conservation Commission given her negotiating skills. She said she had experience in interpreting regulations and that her residence was situated in the middle of a wetlands area giving her intimate understanding of the importance of protecting natural resources.

After consideration of the two candidates towards the end of the meeting, Dubuc received the nod based on his basic understanding of the Wetlands Protection Act and that with his knowledge, he would be useful to the commission “right out of the gate,” as Macallister said it.

Mark Langevin requested and received permission to construct a horseshoe pit at the town landing located on Mattapoisett Neck Road. He was asked to coordinate with Harbormaster Jill Simmons and Highway Superintendent Barry Denham to ensure the location was correct for other activities at the site. Langevin was also told that Gagne would apply for a Request for Determination of Applicability with the Conservation Commission so that construction would meet regulations of the Wetlands Protection Act.

Gagne updated the board on the repairs on Acushnet Road. He said everything was on schedule and that Eversource had been very accommodating with the relocation of a utility pole.

Regarding the power aggregation program, Gagne said the Department of Public Utilities had approved the plan and was preparing bid specifications. He explained that public education would be ongoing with a brochure mailed to residents, the release of a video that is currently in production, and a series of public meetings to ensure that the residents would be fully informed.

“I’m amazed by the number of participants,” Gagne told the selectmen, noting that over 300,000 customers were in the aggregation group that included Mattapoisett.

On the matter of sewer rates, Gagne said, “It’s that time of the year.” He asked for approval from the selectmen to apply for state funding to help alleviate the debt service costs that currently stand at approximately $572,000. The application to the Consumer Sewer Rate Relief Fund was approved.

Shellfishing beds were also discussed. Gagne announced that due to extreme stormwater runoff from recent storms, Mattapoisett’s inner and outer harbor, Aucoot Cove, Crescent Beach, and Peases Point were closed until further notice. Water west of Mattapoisett Neck Road remains open. Further updates can be found on the town’s website.

Regarding fire safety, Gagne advised the selectmen that the Fire Department would be hosting a Village Safety Training program. He urged residents living in village neighborhoods to attend.

“I strongly urge anyone in the village to attend…. Old construction that is densely spaced can be a problem.” The event will take place on October 24 between 5:00 and 6:00 pm at the fire station.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen is scheduled for October 27 at 6:30 pm in the Mattapoisett Town Hall conference room.

By Marilou Newell

Armed with maps of the town showing “collector roads” in bold relief and “Route 6” even bolder, Bonne DeSousa began the October 8 public meeting with an explanation.

DeSousa said the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen had approved the public meeting to begin the process of developing a “complete street” plan for Mattapoisett.

The state has $50 million in grant money earmarked for cities and towns whose planning included a focus on improving streets and sidewalks for the purpose of allowing safer freedom of movement. Plans needed to incorporate a full spectrum of transportation including bicycling and walking.

The planning process began, she said, with a survey posted on the Town website. The survey asked residents to share how they used the roadways for movement other than driving cars, whether they rode bicycles to do errands or walked to church or the library, with what frequency and other pertinent aspects of moving about the town sans vehicle. Eighty surveys have been completed, DeSousa said.

This meeting, arranged in partnership with the Mattapoisett Bike Path and the Friends of the Mattapoisett Bike Path, would add another layer of information – information necessary in developing a plan that the state would deem worthy of consideration.

DeSousa also explained that a fully-fleshed plan would be one that the town would adopt as a directive by town departments such as police, fire, and highway. With the implementation of a complete street plan by the town, certification at the state level would open the door to grant applications.

Throughout the hour and a half meeting, a small but earnest group used the maps to illustrate favored walking and cycling routes and where residents felt safety was a problem, such as crossing points along Route 6.

DeSousa also gave the group an update on the current status of the bike path. She said that Phase 1B was awaiting another Massachusetts DOT review on a technical issue that she felt would be cleared up in the next couple of weeks.

During previous meetings with the selectmen, DeSousa had pointed out a $30,000 shortfall for this phase of the project and a crowd funding effort had begun. On this night, she said $13,000 had been raised and hoped that asking the townspeople for more money during the fall town meeting could be avoided.

During a review of the maps and the issue of safety, several attendees shared their fear of riding or walking on such much-beloved roadways as Ned’s Point Road, Acushnet Road, Long Plain Road, Brandt Island Road, and North Street. They said the speeding cars and narrow streets – most without sidewalks – made it dangerous.

Police Chief Mary Lyons said speed-sensing signs on trailers that could alert people to how fast they were going would help, but the one Mattapoisett owns is very old and does not function well. She hoped to receive a positive response from the community when asking for funds to purchase one or two in the future. Lyons also said people could notify the Police Department of traffic or speeding problems via email by simply going to the department’s webpage. To DeSousa, Lyons said they could post bicycling safety rules on the Police Department website.

On the issue of safe crossing, Safety Officer Justin King explained that automobile drivers do not have to stop and let pedestrians cross if they are on the sidewalk. And even more alarming to those in attendance was the following: “Cars on the other side of the road don’t have to stop and let you cross.…” King said. He said cited state law.

DeSousa told the group that the town had received the funds to purchase new flashing pedestrian lights, which would be installed at Route 6 crossings as early as November. It was hoped that the new lights would make drivers more aware when people were attempting to cross Route 6.

The National Complete Street Coalition was initiated in 2004 and has been gaining momentum ever since. Their website states, “A nationwide movement launched by the National Complete Streets Coalition in 2004, Complete Streets integrates people and place in the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of our transportation networks.”

For more information, visit www.smartgrowthamerica.org.

No date was set for another public meeting for ‘complete street’ planning but DeSousa felt this meeting was a good start, “It has been recognized that biking and walking are good for health reasons … that’s why I do this.”

By Marilou Newell

The Town of Rochester took action in opposition to the requests of the Cities of New Bedford and Taunton for increased water withdrawals from Little Quitticas Pond, saying in a letter addressed to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection that the current permitted withdrawals are already excessive and must be reduced.

The letter, signed by all three selectmen and the Rochester Water Commission, states concerns over New Bedford’s and Taunton’s Water Management Act (WMA) permit renewal requests to increase the maximum millions of gallons per day allowance (MGD), with New Bedford seeking an increase from 20.79 MGD to 22.53 MGD. Combined, the two cities currently withdraw a total of 28.08 MGD, an amount the Town of Rochester says already exceeds the DEP’s own safe yield of 27.5 MGD for Little Quitticas.

As the host community to the New Bedford Water Works and filtration plant, Rochester is required to take certain actions for the benefit of New Bedford, says the letter, providing a bit of background into the increasingly contentious matter. These actions include zoning bylaw changes to accommodate the filtration plant as well as fire and police protection to the facility and surrounding 800 acres of land that New Bedford owns.

All of this service, says Rochester, comes at a cost to the town.

For example, New Bedford makes payments in lieu of taxes that are considerably lower than if the land were taxed at applicable rates. For fiscal year 2015, the city paid $26,763.17 instead of a tax liability of $283,600.55.

“There is little, if any, benefit to Rochester in having the New Bedford facility in town,” the letter sates. “In fact, when asked a few years ago about providing water to portions of Rochester for municipal services, New Bedford has stated that it would provide the water but only at the same rate it charges to any other purchaser.”

Rochester says language in the legislature specifically limits MGD withdrawal to the use of the city “resident,” but the subsequent DEP permit did not contain that limitation. As the letter states, this led to New Bedford and Taunton removing water and treating it as a for-profit business.

The combined 60 percent increase of the two cities, the letter asserts, comes at a time when the DEP has mandated that other communities be held to withdrawals based on stream flow, and that said withdrawal would be limited to the withdrawal levels of 2003 to 2005. New Bedford’s withdrawal during that time was only 12.94 MGD, yet it now asks for 22.53 MGD.

“New Bedford is making money selling water and wants to make even more money,” states the letter. “DEP should not be in the business of enabling the cities to withdraw in excess of the safe yield of the pond complex merely because cities want to generate revenue.”

Rochester believes that, not only are the withdrawal rates excessive and should be reduced, but a portion of the safe yield of Little Quitticas should be reserved for the potential use of surrounding communities.

“New Bedford and Taunton are permitted to withdraw … in excess of what any expert will tell you is a flawed safe yield that [the DEP has stated] ‘does not sufficiently protect water reliability or the environment,’” says the letter. “Now both of the cities have request {sic} significant increases in water withdrawal with no … explanation as to the need for the increase.”

Rochester Town Administrator Michael McCue said the Town of Rochester has recently received a response to the letter that was forwarded to state legislators in support of Rochester’s position. Selectmen are hopeful for a positive outcome.

“There appears to be a double standard in place here for what smaller communities are expected to live with and what larger cities are being granted as their right,” said Selectman Naida Parker.

The letter, said McCue, has “lit a fire” towards a positive outcome with the assistance of state legislators.

By Jean Perry