On May 18, the Mattapoisett School Committee voted in favor of a full-time substitute teaching position at Center School where projected kindergarten and first-grade enrollments have committee members concerned about swelling class sizes.

“We anticipate 54 [students] coming into kindergarten,” Principal Rosemary Bowman said. This figure accounts for the typical fluctuations due to prospective students moving out of town, as well as the movement of students into the district from out of town or from private schools.

Committee members noted, however, that it would not take that many additional students—a mere increase of two per cohort—to boost class sizes to 19, which is too many for what the committee feels are the most critical years of a student’s education.

“You always look to the youngest,” Bowman said about adjusting class sizes with the addition of faculty members. “The debate has been between kindergarten and first grade.”

Bowman added, in discussing the current and projected enrollments of the different cohorts with Assistant Principal Kevin Tavares, “it makes the most sense to have [smaller classes] in kindergarten.”

In a creative solution, Superintendent Doug White suggested that the committee consider hiring a certified teacher for a one-year substitute teaching position.

“That has been the biggest problem,” White said. “Securing highly qualified substitutes.”

Bowman explained to the committee that the school would benefit from having a substitute who reports to the building every day, but who could also be appointed to lead a class section when class sizes are too large for the current staffing.

Having a certified teacher already working in the school would help make hiring more efficient because the candidate would be selected from a pool that an interview committee had previously screened.

“I think it’s a pretty good hybrid mix,” Chairman James Higgins said before motioning for a vote. The committee unanimously voted to move forward with the full-time substitute teaching position.

In other business, the School Committee voted to increase the cost of the school lunches by 25 cents. Students will now be able to purchase a school lunch for $2.75 instead of $2.50.

“We’re seeing increased food and labor costs each year,” Food Service Director Caitlin Meagher said. She explained that increasing the cost of lunch would not only help defray these costs, but help the school replace many of its appliances that are swiftly aging.

Assistant Superintendent Elise Frangos reviewed the professional development calendar for the next school year, which the committee approved. The calendar features a first kick-off event in September. A subsequent professional development event will “bring together teachers from Grades 6, 7, and 8 for some vertical teaming,” Frangos said.

“That was a very detailed layout of professional development for the next year,” Higgins praised.

In her principal’s report, Bowman announced that for the first time, Center School and Old Hammondtown School will have a joint Flag Day celebration. Students will attend Flag Day dressed as an American hero whom they have researched in preparation for the event.

Finally, prior to the adjournment of the Mattapoisett School Committee, many members expressed thanks to the Town.

“Support from the Town, greatly appreciated, will support the learning of our students,” White said. “I want to thank the sub-committee, as well as the full School Committee for the budget,” he added.

Higgins echoed White’s words.

“We were lucky with the support of our town to pass a very good budget,” Higgins said.

After reviewing minor scheduling conflicts, the Mattapoisett School Committee confirmed that the next meeting will be Tuesday, June 9 at 7:00 pm at Center School.

By Anne Smith

During an otherwise routine night of hearings, the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission on May 14 heard from two neighbors on two different issues in tones that left no doubt they were angry.

First to voice discontent was Becky Lockwood, 2 Mulberry Drive, regarding an application by Elizabeth Chin, 22 Holly Lane, for the construction of a breezeway with an attached garage.

Lockwood spoke up when it appeared as if the commission was going to take a vote in favor of conditioning the application before asking for public comment. Chairman Bob Rogers acknowledged her request.

Lockwood began by saying that earlier attempts by the Chins to build this structure had been denied by previous commissions. Lockwood said, at those hearings, the commission members at that time felt the structure was too close to the wetlands boarding the property.

“I’m wondering what is different this time,” said Lockwood. She claimed that construction would negatively affect her property by increasing stormwater runoff, which she asserted is already a problem.

Rogers said the plans did not indicate any contour changes that would increase the amount of runoff currently handled by a catch basin near the property, and the structure would be 54 feet from the wetlands, adding that the application was a reasonable request.

Lockwood continued, however, that it didn’t make sense that a project previously denied could now be acceptable, saying, “But it’s okay now?”

Rogers said anyone could file a Notice of Intent, and prior hearings were not pertinent.

“We don’t have to honor prior denials,” Rogers told Lockwood.

Again, she said a tremendous amount of water flowed over the property, prompting commission member Tom Copps to voice his position by saying, “It is a reasonable application.”

Lockwood stated for the record, “I am extremely discouraged because people are building closer and closer to the wetlands.” She felt such construction diminished the value of her home, but more importantly, constricted the movement and habitat of the endangered Eastern box turtles in her neighborhood.

The Chins were represented by Brad Bertolo of JC Engineering of Wareham. Bertolo said that turtle barriers could and would be installed prior to construction and that a stormwater catch basin noted by Highway Superintendent Barry Denham would be delineated.

The commission approved the application.

Later in the meeting, Ron Silvia of 15 Cove Street met informally to once again bring up the issue of an additional sewer stub being added to the Cove Street water and sewer project.

He had met with the commission last winter on the same topic, but eventually was pointed in the direction of public hearings held by the Water and Sewer Commission as the right place to air his concerns.

On this night, he was back before the Conservation Commission for the same stub location – a violation of the commission’s Order of Conditions, in his opinion.

Rogers made it clear he wasn’t going to spend much time on the topic because the commission did not have an application before them and therefore it was not their jurisdiction to hear his concerns.

“I can’t help you, Ron,” Rogers said. Rogers told Silvia, without an application, there was nothing to discuss with the commission.

Engineer Rich Charon, who was in attendance for other matters, was asked by Rogers to speak on behalf of his Cove Street clients, where the suspect stub would allegedly be installed.

Charon said that his clients did approach the Water and Sewer Commission on the possibility of receiving permission to install a connection to the yet-to-be constructed sewer system, post completion. He said that if the Water and Sewer Commission granted that application, the clients would assume all financial responsibilities associated with the tie-in. Charon also confirmed that the clients may seek a variance to build a home on the lot, but said nothing was being advanced by the property owners at this time.

That did not sit well with Silvia who said, if such construction was allowed on the barrier beach, other property owners with beach frontage might do the same thing. He was clearly angered by Charon’s comments.

Rogers shut down any further conversation on the subject and directed Silvia to the Water and Sewer Commission.

Other business conducted included the filing of two Notices of Intent approved for The Preserve at the Bay Club on Fieldstone Drive, as well as the issuance of three Certificates of Compliance also along Fieldstone Drive.

An Order of Conditions was issued to Christopher and Veronica Brockwell, 13 Randall Road, for the purpose of clearing two acres of wooded land for pastures and the construction of a new barn.

A negative determination was issued to Audrey Andrews, 4 Parker Street, for septic system repairs.

Earlier in the evening, commission member Copps announced he would not be seeking a second term on the commission and invited the public to come forward should anyone wish to fill his vacancy. Both current Chairman Rogers and former Chairman Peter Newton thanked Copps for his public service and “good representation on behalf of the Town.”

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission is scheduled for Tuesday, May 26 at 6:30 pm in the Mattapoisett Town Hall conference room.

By Marilou Newell

Marion Conservation Commission Chairman Norm Hills updated the commissioners on plans to restore Bird Island, an important nesting location for endangered sea birds. Hills reported that during a recent meeting with Mass DEP, Marion Harbormaster, and the town’s administrator, he was debriefed on the scope of restoration work to take place.

The project will be led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in concert with input from the DEP and Department of Fish and Game. Large stones will be placed around the perimeter of the land mass and then backfilled with soils, followed by planting of native species to help hold the earth in place during storms.

The multi-million dollar project is scheduled to begin in the fall, once the migrating birds have departed the nesting grounds. Hills said that the commission can anticipate a Notice of Intent Application from the Corps in the coming months.

In other business, three negative findings were issued to three applicants: Tom Quinlan, 208 Wareham Road, for the construction of a second story porch; Kevin Oliveira, 28 Pawkechatt Way, for the construction of a replacement deck; and Jonathan Howland, address not given, to build a barn.

Certificates of Compliance were issued to A & J Boats, and to Nominee Trust, 96 Mooring Road.

The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission is scheduled for May 27 at 7:00 pm in the Town House conference room.

By Marilou Newell