Mattapoisett Town Administrator Michael Gagne on January 30 introduced a new survey for Mattapoisett residents to take online to gather public input as the Town works with a citizen’s group to suggest revisions of the National Flood Insurance Law to Congress.

Mainly, said Gagne, the biggest concern residents have over the National Flood Insurance Program is the high cost of the premiums.

The Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Act of 2012 passed by Congress extended the NFIP another five years until 2017 before higher premiums would come into effect, while calling for reform.

In addition to the high rates of flood insurance, said Gagne, citizens are also concerned about the methodology used in determining subjectability to FEMA-determined flood plains – specifically, height, fetch, and velocity.

“Input is sought on what residents’ thoughts are regarding [what] current federal subsidy of flood insurance should look like,” said Gagne in an email. How should the insurance address historical high frequency of damage claims, and how does the flood insurance address long-term enrollees in the plan with no real loss experience? Gagne wants to know what Mattapoisett residents think about these issues.

Gagne also poses the question, should flood insurance operate in a similar fashion as current home insurance in a free market environment? Gagne said this online survey is residents’ chance to note their concerns, make comments, and offer suggestions as the Town works with the Massachusetts Coastal Coalition to make revisions to the law.

You can fill out the online survey by visiting the town website at www.mattapoisett.net, and scrolling down to “Town News” and clicking on the link to the survey.

By Jean Perry

Rochester residents need not worry about the ‘trash police.’ They aren’t coming to your house just yet.

As Rochester makes the switch to the new trash and recycling pick-up system on February 2, Rochester Town Administrator Michael McCue responded to residents’ concerns with a public service announcement to be aired on cable access to answer questions that go beyond what was sent to households in the form of an informational letter.

McCue stressed that inquiries should be directed to ABC Disposal and not to Town Hall. ABC Disposal will work with the Town, he said, to alleviate any further problems once the new system begins.

“The Town will, on a case-by-case basis,” said McCue, “consider the provision of an additional trash cart at no charge given the resident’s particular circumstance.” Again, McCue emphasized that inquiries should be made directly to ABC Disposal, who will inform the Town of the situation and allow the Town to decide if an individual resident should receive an additional cart free of charge or a larger 95-gallon cart in lieu of two 65-gallon carts.

“Regardless of this,” said McCue, “residents may purchase an additional 65-gallon trash cart at the cost of $65 each by contacting ABC directly.”

McCue said residents who live on roads that are not accessible to the ABC trucks should continue, as they do now, to place the trash and recyclables collectively at the end of the road. The Town website also has a link to a website where accessories can be purchased that are helpful in moving the new larger bins.

Residents concerned that they may occasionally have a larger item or extra trash that will not fit into the bin may, said McCue, place the extra trash alongside the trash cart “in extreme circumstances.” McCue added, though, that the trash must be bagged. “All trash must be bagged,” he emphasized.

Residents concerned about extra recyclables may use their old bins alongside the new 95-gallon recycling carts, leaving the recyclables loose and un-bagged.

“If capacity of a bin becomes an ongoing issue, an extra recycling bin (cart) will be provided for free by ABC,” said McCue. “Please call them directly.” McCue continued, “Those that wish to downsize a recycling cart from 95 gallons to 65 gallons may do so by calling ABC.”

“I hope this answers the majority of questions that still remain,” said McCue. “However, if your concerns have not been addressed, please call ABC at 508-999-2619 and we will work as best as we can to tackle them.”

McCue said after the filming of the PSA that he hopes residents will allow the system to begin and be firmly put into place before deciding what is or is not going to work for them.

As for fines for not following the regulations, McCue said that ABC is not authorized to issue fines directly, and the Town has not yet established a fee system at this time, nor is it in a rush to do so.

“We’re not going to send the rubbish police out to check on them,” said McCue.

By Jean Perry