Coming before the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission on July 9 was Brian Grady of G.A.F. Engineering, representing applicant Daniel McCarthy for a Notice of Intent filing. The continued public meeting brought out several property owners.

            The scope of the project located at 12, 14, 16 and 18 Ocean View Avenue is rather straightforward, to replace and repair 300 feet of a vertical, stone-and-mortar, sloped revetment damaged by seasonal storms. What was unclear was whether or not abutters and others in this Brandt Beach coastal neighborhood maintain easement rights.

            Two weeks prior when the NOI was first brought before the commission, member David Nicolosi wondered aloud if the residents in the area were onboard with the plans, calling the parcel part of an area once known as “The Reservation.”

            Grady had explained that Mattapoisett’s assessing office found no such place, nor did its records identify a property owner. The filing was continued pending determination not of this matter but comments from the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species office.

            On this night, several property owners explained their concerns that the planned repairs would cut off their beach access, access they say was noted in their property deeds at least as far back as the 1950s.

            Attending the meeting via Zoom, McCarthy said he had no intention of limiting the historical access but was primarily concerned with making the revetment safe.

            Commission Chairman Mike King suggested to the residents that they contact a land-court lawyer to untangle the easement issue, but that the commission has no jurisdiction in those matters.

            The filing was conditioned and will be granted plan of record modification if, in the future, McCarthy wishes to add stairs down to the water’s edge.

            In other business, conditions were issued to NOI filings by Livingstone Plymouth Nominee Trust and Michael Livingstone for two lots off Whalers Way.

            A new plan of record for 7 Shipyard Lane for repairs to an existing seawall was accepted.

            A Negative 2 decision was granted for a Request for Determination of Applicability filed by John and Ruthanne Igoe, 5 Avenue A, for a second-floor addition in a jurisdictional area.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission is scheduled for Monday, July 22, at 6:30 pm.

Mattapoisett Conservation Commission

By Marilou Newell

            In recognition of retiring Old Hammondtown School Principal Kevin Tavares, Mattapoisett School Committee Chairperson Carly Lavin prepared the following remarks publicly read during the June 13 meeting of the committee:

            “As you approach the culmination of what can only be described as an illustrious, three-decade journey in the Mattapoisett School District, I find myself reflecting on the impact that you had on our academic community, it’s with a mixture of joy for you and (loss) for us as I write to express our deepest gratitude for your unwavering dedication and your exceptional leadership.

            “Over 30 years, you’ve been a staple of Mattapoisett Schools, guiding both Center and OHS with both wisdom and integrity and a visionary outlook. Your commitment to excellence in education, your passion for nurturing young minds, and your tireless efforts to foster an environment where everyone can thrive are truly incredible.

            “Under your leadership, Mattapoisett not only has achieved academic excellence but has also cultivated a culture of kindness, inclusivity and a resilience … Through the years, your guidance has shaped the futures of countless students, inspiring them to reach their fullest potential.”

            Lavin went on to describe Tavares’ influence as “inspirational to all of us” and the mark he leaves on the committee as “indelible.”

            Visibly affected by Lavin’s comments and the passionate applause at the conclusion of her words, Tavares alluded to the old saying that, “You don’t choose education, education chooses you.”

            With that, he confessed that he had done all he could not to be a teacher after seeing his father put in 33 years.

            “I’ve worked with some amazing people, but it’s all about the kids,” said Tavares, emotionally expressing his appreciation for the support he received over the years, especially from committee member Jim Muse.

            Muse publicly identified Tavares with the Town of Mattapoisett and assured him he has a home in Mattapoisett.

            Old Rochester Regional Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson added his appreciation of Tavares and other retirees.

            Later in the meeting, Nelson would note that Stephanie Wells will be joining the ORR District as Old Hammondtown’s new principal.

            As explained by Center School Principal Laura Ashley, changes to the Student Handbook for the 2024-25 School Year will include changes to the section addressing Bullying Intervention and Prevention and a Discipline triangle chart in order to better align the individual school districts within the ORR District. The committee voted its approval.

            The committee’s approval of meeting dates for the 2024-25 school year was preceded by Lavin’s public appreciation to secretary Melissa Wilcox for her work. The dates: September 12, October 17, November 21, February 6, 2025, March 13, 2025, April 10, 2025 and June 5, 2025.

            The committee approved the leases of SMEC and Countryside Childcare for the 2024-25 school year. The committee approved a list of library materials to be disposed of and in a separate vote, the disposal of technology materials.

            Upon the completion of Year 1 of the School Improvement Plan, Nelson said it’s time to begin reflection work and prepare for Year 2.

            “We really accomplished a lot across the district,” said Ashley, referencing the plan’s emphasis on literacy.

            Lavin thanked Ashley and Tavares for the presentation and said it represented a lot of work.

            Nelson said the Strategic Plan’s ability to align the individual “sister districts” helps the overall health of the school system.

            Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning Dr. Shari Fedorowicz thanked the stakeholders for the teamwork it took to make Year 1 of ORR’s literacy initiative successful.

            Amanda Hastings volunteered to represent Mattapoisett on the union side of the Joint School Committee, and Muse will continue his service on the ORR District side.

            The Mattapoisett School Committee approved the following grants: a Vacation Acceleration Academies Grant of $30,500 (a grant Nelson said the district did not receive last year), High-Quality Instructional Materials Purchase Grant of $27,992 (support for sciences, especially STEM), from the Tri-Town Education Foundation Fund, $2,000 to Carolyn Pawlishen for Empowering, Engaging and Motivating Students with Learning Differences, $2,000 from The Feinstein Foundation to principal’s secretary Jennifer Janicki for a Japanese Silk Lilac tree and two wooden benches on school grounds, one in honor of the late Jenny Rusinoski and one in honor of the retiring Tavares.

            The committee entered executive session for bargaining and litigation preparation purposes.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett School Committee is scheduled for Thursday, September 12 at 6:30 pm.

Mattapoisett School Committee

By Mick Colageo

The July 9 meeting of the Mattapoisett Select Board was a bit bumpy, as discussion resumed in the matter of selecting residents to be seated on the new village roadway committee.

            When the agenda item was heard, Select Board member Jodi Bauer said that no more than three people should be appointed to the advisory committee, while member Jordan Collyer said he would agree to five.

            Member Tyler Macallister stated, “Forming this committee is a mistake.” He voiced his opinion that Mattapoisett may forfeit TIP monies by trying to control the project versus letting the state Department of Transportation do the job.

            Collyer and Bauer both stuck to their decision regarding the number of committee members, deciding instead to think on the matter further in an effort to reach a consensus, thus tabling the matter until the next Select Board meeting on July 23.

            Also speaking to the need for consensus was Bonne DaSousa, who defended the need for a roadway committee, saying it could help the town reach a consensus regarding various aspects of the proposed project.

            Tree Committee Chairman Sandy Hering said that she has learned just how much latitude the DOT had sufficient to, “…making a project that suits towns.” She stated that by showing the state agency the town has achieved a consensus, it would demonstrate, “…we want this project.”

            Other agenda items were heard before discussions once again returned to the village roads project.

            DaSousa questioned cost estimates for the placement of utilities underground. A survey intended to gather village residents’ appetite for a betterment of upwards of $50,000 had been mailed to property owners in the village. DaSousa, who was admittedly surprised to receive the survey, sought clarification of how the estimates were calculated and what data had been used.

            Macallister responded that DaSousa should not be surprised to have received the survey since it was what was requested by those supporting underground services. He explained that cost estimates were based on a project currently being installed and familiar to the town’s engineers, VHB. He also said that VHB’s figures were verified by Eversource and Verizon. He further stated that easements would have to be granted by property owners impacted by moving utilities underground and that, “… they don’t want to do that.”

             In other matters, the Select Board will hold a public hearing for the placement of “No Parking” signs on Mattapoisett Neck Road near the entrance to the bike path. Other bike-path news shared by Town Administrator Mike Lorenco was that the 25% design on phase 2A is nearly complete.

            Lorenco also reported that a parking area off Mattapoisett Neck Road is being planned with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.

            Bauer announced her resignation from the Mattapoisett Tree Committee after more than 20 years. She was thanked for her years of service. A refreshed Commission on Disability was formed and appointments made.

            Lorenco said there are still open seats on several committees, most notably the Finance Committee. Interested parties should contact the Select Board’s office.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Select Board is scheduled for Tuesday, July 23 (time to be announced).

Mattapoisett Select Board

By Marilou Newell

            Rochester’s Planning Board Tuesday began reviewing Eversource’s proposal for an electrical substation on 6.26 acres at 297 Rounseville Road.

            The informal discussion of the plan started with Eversource representative Dan Hagen describing the project as an upgrade of electrical services in Rochester. Two larger transformers will quadruple power to the area, he said. Two new transformers will be included. Some tree clearing will be necessary, but the proposed landscaping will include additional screening from the road.

            Board member John DiMaggio asked if the new substation will increase noise in the neighborhood and how will it be lit.

            Eversource representative John Zicko responded that new substation transformers are so acoustically treated, “we’ve had to touch them to make sure they are live.” He added that the lighting that personnel will need for certain operations will normally be left off. “We will keep the lighting as reasonable as possible,” he said.

            Planning Board Chairman Arnold Johnson asked about the construction timeline. Hagen estimated that Eversource will start construction by the start of 2025, and the facility will open by the end of 2026.

            Johnson concluded by instructing the applicants to speak to Town Planner Nancy Durfee about the filing application and fees. Eversource representatives said they will seek a waiver of the site plan review’s traffic-study requirement. Johnson advised them to read the town’s site-plan-review requirements before they compile their waiver requests.

            In other action, the board again continued the three large projects on its agenda to its next (August 13) meeting. The modified site-plan-review application for Rochester Crossroads, 22 Cranberry Highway, which replaces a paved rear-access way to County Road with a gravel road, yielded discussion over whether to place a gate at the end of that road.

            The applicant’s engineering consultant, Philip Cordeiro, argued property owner Ken Steen wants that gate on the rear access road along County Road. Steen said, with the gate unauthorized, vehicles could use the road as a “cut-through” from the retail area to the residential parking lot.

            Highway Surveyor Jeff Eldridge said he has been “anti-gate” since the project began for safety reasons. What if the gate is not opening when an emergency exit by residents is required? Eldridge explained.

            Steen and Cordeiro said they could install gates that would open more easily than others. Johnson told them to bring in specifications on those kinds of gates on August 13.

            The board continued its hearing into the request to extend for one year the Special Permit for the Braley Hill North solar facility, Braley Hill Road, after discussing insurance coverage that would indemnify the town should a catastrophic failure affect the solar array. The applicant’s attorney, Gregory Sampson, was instructed to return on August 13 with the standard language for such an insurance contract. But, first, the board approved the bond amounts that the applicant must post: two-year landscaping bond, $6,500; five-year landscaping bond, $13,000, and the decommissioning bond, $600,000.

            The site-plan-review application hearing for a four-building, self-storage facility on County Road, which is part of the Rochester Crossroad project, was continued after Cordeiro asked the board for input as to whether the project could get a waiver of the requirement to include landscaping. All of the site’s abutters are industrial, Cordeiro explained. Board members said they agreed only minimal landscaping is required because of the site.

            In other business, the board signed the Certificate of Completion for Tree Talk Natives, LLC, the new tree nursery business on Vaughan Hill Road.

            The Rochester Planning Board’s next meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 13, at 7:00 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.

Rochester Planning Board

By Michael J. DeCicco