A Town Meeting vote on May 11 will determine whether or not a plan to restore the habitat of Bird Island in Marion will move forward. What is required is Town Meeting approval of an easement granting the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game access to the town-owned land for the restoration of the decimated nesting habitat of the Roseate Tern, a state and federally-listed endangered species, and the Common Tern.

Bird Island is home to 30 percent of the North American Roseate Tern colony. The island, owned by the Town of Marion and managed by the Conservation Commission, is about four acres of conservation land that rises up to ten feet above sea level.

On April 28, Carolyn Mostello, a biologist from Mass Fish & Game, gave an overview of the project to the Marion Board of Selectmen, as well as to Harbormaster Michael Cormier, ConCom Chairman Norman Hills, and other interested parties such as Vin Malkowski of the Marion Marine Resources Commission.

Mostello said a problem that needs fixing is a combination of seawall deterioration and sea level rise due to climate change that is eroding the island at a faster rate.

“Former Common Tern nesting areas adjacent to the seawall have turned into salt marsh and salt pane, which is not suitable for nesting,” said Mostello. “The Common Terns have moved into interior nesting areas, forcing Roseate Terns out.”

The objective is to rebuild the revetment to reduce erosion from wave energy, nourish the eroded areas to raise the elevation with fill, and re-vegetate the island to enhance the terns’ nesting habitat.

Mass Fish & Game is partnering with the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers on the project, and hopefully with the Town of Marion for the access and permission to develop and maintain the finished project.

At no foreseeable cost to the Town, a concern at first for selectmen and the Finance Committee, the federal share of the project would be $2.7 million, and the Commonwealth share would be $1.5 million, for a total of $4.2 million.

There were concerns about the language in the easement, which general counsel for Mass Fish & Game Richard Lehan addressed over the course of the evening.

Selectman Stephen Cushing said his main concern was the town’s ability to continue to use the property as it always has, while granting the easement “without significantly losing the historic rights of the town.”

“I don’t want the rug, so to speak, pulled out beneath us,” said Cushing.

The only restricted access, he was told, would be the same restrictions that are currently placed during tern nesting season.

“The terns restrict what happens on the island,” said Mostello. “We do feel we’ll greatly extend the longevity of the island.”

And that is what is important, replied Cushing.

Selectmen and Cormier wanted reassurance that the Town of Marion would not be responsible for the maintenance of the project once it is completed, nor would the Town assume any responsibility for damage or neglect of the island. The State would assume all responsibility thereafter.

“We would say we’re enhancing [the island],” said Lehan. “We’re making it better. Because Bird Island has always been conservation land, this project is going to enhance it.”

Lehan said the State is on the hook, not the town. The restoration of Marion’s natural resources, as Lehan pointed out, is part of the town’s Master Plan.

“It’s great that you are stepping up to the table,” said Lehan. “What’s good is that you don’t have a legal obligation…”

Cushing said the easement would be an insignificant act, in a sense, to ensure the restoration of the island.

“It’s the least we can do,” said Cushing. “It’s going to pay us back, I think.”

If granted the easement, the project would begin in November and be completed by spring of 2017.

Board of Selectmen Chairman Jonathan Henry called the project exciting.

“For a small patch of ground there sure is a lot of work,” he said. “But it shows you the complexity in maintaining this environment.”

The next meeting of the Marion Board of Selectmen should be scheduled for May 5 at 7:00 pm at the Marion Town House.

By Jean Perry

On April 28, the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen signed the Annual Town Meeting Warrant. With over 40 articles facing the voters on May 11, Selectman Tyler Macallister stated, “It will be a two night town meeting…”

Articles assured to garner time and attention will be bylaws authored by the Conservation Commission and the Agricultural Committee.

Resident Paul Osenkowski asked if he could speak to the board about the conservation bylaw. He said he wanted to see a bylaw, but would be unable to support the one authored by the commission. He asked if a subcommittee could be created to bring in all interested parties to craft a document that would be acceptable to a wide group of community members and business interests.

“I want more control by the town versus Boston,” said Osenkowski. “We need local government taking care of this.”

Macallister said, whether the bylaw passes or not, significant interest had been generated, thus making it a good possibility that a bylaw could be written for the next town meeting – in a year.

Town Administrator Michael Gagne reported that anyone wishing to write a letter to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection regarding the proposed private pier off Goodspeed Island should do so before Monday, May 6.

Gagne also said letters are being collected at Town Hall and will be sent as a packet to the DEP office in Lakeville. All residents wishing to sent a letter directly to the DEP or drop one off at town hall were instructed to include the DEP File number: WW14-4226. More information is available on the Town’s website, www.mattapoisett.net, he told the public.

Gagne also read into the record a letter from the Friends of Mattapoisett Harbor, a group of 255 residents who oppose the construction of the pier.

In other business, Margaret DeMello, on behalf of the American Cancer Society, came before the board seeking and receiving support to display purple bows and other decorative materials on Town Hall and other town properties to heighten public awareness of the 10th Annual Relay for Life Campaign.

“We want to paint the town purple,” said DeMello. Bows will be available at Town Hall for residents who want to participate, and should be displayed between May 23 and June 14.

The board awarded certificates of appreciation to members of FISH and SHINE programs for decades of service. Those recipients were Lois Murray, Ken Stickney, William Harrop and Bob Walter.

The last winter Farmer’s Market will be held at ORRJHS on May 9, and the first summer market begins on June 2.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen will be held on May 26 at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall conference room.

By Marilou Newell