The July 11 meeting of the Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals featured the news that its administrative assistant, Andreia Lacerda, is also the new executive assistant to the town administrator and the Select Board.

            Lacerda started at her new job on July 5, replacing long-time Select Board administrative assistant Amanda Baptiste who resigned on June 21. Lacerda told the Zoning panel members that the Select Board is letting her work both her new position and assisting the ZBA “for now” despite the heavier workload. “We’ll see how it goes,” she said.

            The ZBA’s next significant personnel news came when it recommended elevating associate member Jeffrey Costa to full member for a five-year term. Board member Richard Cutler agreed, seeing it as an appropriate move as Costa has been its longest-serving associate member. ZBA Chairman David Arancio noted this is a recommendation that must be approved by the Select Board.

            Costa will be replacing retired ZBA member Thomas Flynn, whom the board awarded a certificate of thanks for his 13 years of service to the board on July 11. The board also welcomed new associate member Dennis McCarthy.

            In other action, the board continued its Use Variance hearing for a project at 48 Pierce Street until its next (August 8) meeting after alerting applicant Nicholas Carnazza that he may have sought the wrong type of permit.

            The request is to allow an accessory dwelling, an in-law apartment, above the attached garage of the home at that address. Carnazza explained he is looking to take care of his father after the passing of his mother by having him live in the apartment.

            Cutler said the application should be for a Special Permit instead because a Use Variance needs a lot more proof to gain board approval. “The burden on you is to meet three requirements,” Arancio said, “three hardships.”

            Specifically, the conditions to be met are: a unique circumstance, shape or character of the site; that a substantial hardship would be borne by the applicant with a denial and that the plan would not be detrimental to the public good.

            Carnazza, clearly frustrated, said he is new to doing something like this and his application picked Use Variance on the advice of the building commissioner. Cutler suggested Carnazza withdraw his application “without prejudice” and reapply under the correction section of town’s zoning bylaw.

            Carnazza followed member Donald Spirlet’s advice to request the continuance to give him time to rethink his plans.

            The Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals’ next regular meeting will be held on Thursday, August 8, at 7:15 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.

Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals

By Michael J. DeCicco

            The Elizabeth Taber Library is getting more than an interior facelift, it’s getting a five-year improvement plan after the Marion Select Board enthusiastically endorsed the effort of the Spatial Planning Project Committee as presented by its chair, Kyle Pardo.

            As Pardo explained by reading a prepared statement, the committee formed in 2020 and comprised of library trustees, staff and citizens at large presented what they believe will function as a five-year road map to the future for the library with a directive to “create a more accessible, comfortable and inviting library for our community.”

            Based on the design by architect David King and John Sabbag, the library’s consultant and project manager, internal structural changes will feature wider aisles between the library stacks to accommodate wheelchairs. All changes will be ADA compliant.

            Pardo’s statement said that the renovation has the full support of the Board of Trustees chaired by David Finn-Clarke and Library Director Elizabeth Sherry. A remodeled front desk will accommodate different height-related needs, and the meeting space will be expanded and feature a portable separation wall.

            It’s expected the work can be completed over an eight-week span from November to January at a total cost ranging from $600,000 to $700,000, to be paid entirely with donations.

            Pardo said that Sabbag and King met with town officials including Facilities Manager Shaun Cormier, Building Commissioner Bob Grillo, Fire Chief Brian Jackvony and Town Administrator Geoff Gorman.

            Within a confined shell, Select Board Chairman Norm Hills wanted to know if there will be a decrease in volumes; Pardo said no.

            A break room in the basement will require some plumbing work.

            Pardo told the board that the funding has been secured.

            Gorman told the board, with its approval, a Memorandum of Understanding between the town and the committee would be produced, and the board voted unanimously to support the project as presented.

            During the course of the meeting, the Select Board addressed two distinct cases in which both households are dissatisfied with their water/sewer bills.

            Resident Fred Mock, an attorney and a member of the Finance Committee, told the board he considers it unfair that water he uses for irrigation should be charged to his sewer bill (in accordance with the town’s billing system).

            “I’m arbitrarily being charged to fund the DPW … that’s the way I feel, and I’m not the only citizen that feels this way,” Mock said. “I’m not subtracting the water – I should pay that water bill … (but) charging me for a service that I’m not using …”

            Citing the fact that the citizens make up the legislative branch of the town, Mock said he would be happy to serve on a committee to solve the problem. He also noted he has not given up on an irrigation well.

            “There’s no magic wand that solves the problem. As it stands right now, this is the system we have, and it’s working for us,” said Hills, who asserted that Mock uses an “amazing amount of water.”

            Board member Randy Parker recommended delving back into former Finance Director Judy Mooney’s records, suggested that Mooney “had some of those answers, because this is not a new question.”

            “Quite honestly, we have no wiggle room in sewer and water, none,” added Parker, noting the town’s hardships in trying to increase the number of ratepayers and the projects the town has had to tackle including clean-up and lining of the lagoon at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. He credited Representative Bill Straus for helping Marion fund the project.

            Gorman illustrated the complexity of trying to count the cost of water saved by 128 irrigation wells, noting they differ in size and in each homeowner’s set of tailor-made restrictions.

            The other case was a Water/Sewer Abatement request from Matthew Christopher, 159 Spring Street, who was charged $9,122.34 for one quarter. The case had been discussed before.

            After more discussion, Gorman explained that it is not known when the water was used, therefore the board realized it unjust to charge the Christophers according to the current rate. Therefore, the board voted to abate $1,596.46 from the total, leaving the household with a bill for $7,525.88 (absent of fees or interest) and were instructed to work with Gorman on a payment plan.

Marion Select Board

By Mick Colageo