Town Administrator Michael Gagne said during the January 13 Board of Selectmen meeting that Mattapoisett’s pursuit to modify the FEMA flood plain mapping “won’t be the end all and save people from flood insurance costs…. We have a reprieve until 2017.” He said residents who saw their flood insurance rates skyrocket, followed by some temporary relief, would still see high deductibles and fewer subsidies in the future.

Gagne said the Town would be partnering with both the Coastal Coalition and a group in Woods Hole to mount a defense against the modeling FEMA used to establish new flood zone mapping. He also said a new town coalition consisting of Westport, Dartmouth, New Bedford and others is also possible.

He said that the west coast modeling that was applied throughout the country is being challenged with some success and that both the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and Massachusetts State Building Code are onboard in commissioning a new wave modeling study.

Selectman Paul Silva asked if the FEMA maps were now overlaid in the Town’s GIS system. Gagne said that Director of Inspectional Services Andy Bobola and Chief Assessor Kathy Costello were nearing completion on that project.

“There will be a disclaimer on the website stating ‘come in and review maps…’ for complete details,” said Gagne.

Time is now of the essence as the clock ticks towards 2017 when temporary stays by FEMA and the federal government will end. FEMA has asked groups to give them feedback. Gagne said that residents will be invited to send in their comments and ideas on the issue via the Town’s website and that those will be fed to the Coastal Coalition study group. (See The Wanderer article “Flood Maps and Insurance Update” in the January 8 issue for more information.)

Gagne also reported on the progress to repairs to the Town’s beach house, saying a contractor had been selected and work would begin shortly. Interior fixes to the restrooms at Ned’s Point are also finishing up, he said.

He said that the Facility Analysis Committee will be meeting twice monthly to review options for new town structures such as a fire station.

Earlier in the evening, Harbormaster Jill Simmons discussed repairs needed to the Town’s historic docks and wharves. Gagne also presented a study completed by Field Engineering that outlined three options for work on one dock called the ‘short wharf’.

Gagne has applied to the Community Preservation Committee in a quest to seek funding for this work. He will be meeting with the CPC on January 15 to assert the need for the funds.

Field Engineering’s report gave three options.

Option A: Fender System Replacement in kind with 12-inch diameter piles ($130,000); replacement of the entire fender system, and retaining existing steel sheeting and cement concrete façade.

Option B: Fender System Replacement with 6-inch by 6-inch treated timbers ($70,000); replacement of the entire timber fender system, timbers containing high impact thermoplastic fenders, and retaining existing steel sheeting and cement façade.

Option C: Fender System Replacement with 6-inch by 6-inch treated timber and new reinforced cement concrete wharf façade ($240,000); same as Option B, but with new fender system mounted to a new reinforced cement concrete wharf façade, and new steel sheeting.

Simmons said that short wharf ladders are unstable and that considerable damage had been done during the massive water leak that affected the wharf’s underpinning.

“If we are going to rebuild that wharf to last, we need to go with the more expensive option,” said Selectman Jordan Collyer.

Simmons also discussed using the wharf at Barstow to try and divert some traffic away from the busy town center wharves, with possible modifications to the wharf surface for parking.

Simmons also proposed seeking funds from the Clean Vessel Program to purchase a boat that could provide more pump out services in far-flung locations along the town’s coastline. She said that the program would pay for up to 75-percent of the cost of a vessel and for 75-percent of the cost of running the boat and personnel annually.

Gagne suggested that the Marine Advisory Board be brought into the conversation to secure their endorsement for the additional vessel when the question goes to Town Meeting in May.

Simmons also brought up the possibility of purchasing a limited use vehicle that would be used to get around the various landside locations under the harbormaster’s control and responsibility saying she could provide better customer service if she and her staff could move more quickly. She added that the use of personal vehicles for Town employees posed other issues, so that wasn’t a viable option. Gagne said that this item would be prioritized through the Capital Planning Committee.

Gagne said that the governor has signed the document allowing the Town to place 100-percent of all boat excise taxes collected into the Waterfront Enterprise Fund.

Silva asked when the Town’s new trash and recyclables process will go into effect. It is unclear at the present time when the new barrels will be distributed, but a meeting between the Town’s vendor, ABC Disposal Service, and Board of Health Agent Dale Barrows is scheduled for this week.

Suzanne Kennedy was selected to fill the unexpired term on the Mattapoisett Housing Authority as an interim member until the next town election.

Christmas trees will continue to be collected through January 23, and winter transfer station hours are Thursday and Friday 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, and Saturday 8:00 am through 3:00 pm.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen is scheduled for January 27 at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall conference room.

By Marilou Newell

The Town of Marion continues with its plan for the construction of the new one million-gallon water tank at 214 Delano Road. John Greggory of Tata & Howard, representing the Marion Department of Public Works, told the Marion Zoning Board of Appeals on January 8 that the project requires a variance for the construction of the fence that would surround the new water tank, which requires an eight-foot setback but only offers a six-foot setback.

Greggory said the old two million-gallon tank would need to properly function during the four to five month-long construction period of the new tank. The proposed footprint for the new tank – a smaller and more efficient tank for the people of Marion – would be a 200-foot by 200-foot area.

As for the construction plans for the project, ZBA Chairman Eric Pierce concluded, “[It] won’t be derogative to the law, [and] highly likely it will pass for the greater good.” Furthermore, the Board of Health had no comment and the Conservation Commission is not within jurisdiction for this plan.

In addition to the plans for the new water tower, several residential homes introduced their prospective renovations for the upcoming year. First to present was Legare Cuyler for Gerard and Elizabeth Devlin of 15 Hiller Street.

Cuyler’s proposal is to add a bump-out landing for a new door location, since there are no dormers on the house now, and to continue renovations on the present bedroom loft. This change would allow for them to put in a full bathroom on the second floor and reduce the first floor bathroom to a half bath.

With everyone on the board in agreement, and with no objections from the BOH and the Town Water and Sewer, the motion will be under the 90-day wait period and was continued for discussion on January 22.

Jon Delli Priscoli, 91 Water Street, proposed to add a 2-foot expansion to his home in order for it to become handicap accessible.

Delli Priscoli intends to keep the character of his quaint cottage home, which was built in 1932, to continue to suit the village traditional appearance with the expected designs.

Delli Priscoli said he has “no interest to make a mansion on it,” and is eager to accommodate the village concept. The ZBA decided, with no objections from the BOH and Town Water and Sewer, to finalize the decision after Delli Priscoli meets with a land surveyor while there is no snow on the ground, and continued the discussion until January 22.

Pamela Oliveira of 85 Dexter Road plans to make home renovations to lift her house for flood zone relief, which would allow the garage to be moved under the house.

Pierce said the ZBA will need to check the height regulations in order to “have some wiggle room,” since this plan seems to be looking toward the future of which many existing homes might consider to be able to better afford flood insurances.

With no objections from other Town departments, the ZBA motioned for this proposal to be under advisement for the 90-day wait period.

Although it has been nearly a 15 month-long project, the board granted the request from Tabor Academy to be continued until April.

Lastly, Marvin C. and Carol S. Bannon of 22 Wilson Road, and Bernard and Eileen Bowers of 14 Bayview Road, were approved to begin their home renovations.

The next meeting of the Marion Zoning Board of Appeals is scheduled for January 22 at 7:30 pm at the Marion Town House.

By Bethany Coito