Returning for another informal discussion with the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission was Ronald Sylvia, an abutter to 16 Cove Street, which was deemed an unbuildable lot in 1997 by the Mattapoisett Building Department.

Sylvia had previously brought to the attention of the Conservation Commission a questionable sewer stub at that location that caused him to wonder if the lot would be designated buildable in the future. His main concern was that the area was a barrier beach, and as such, no new housing units could be permitted.

Sylvia returned on December 22 to share his conversation with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and to once again point out that the plan of record, which the ConCom conditioned for sewer installation, did not include number 16. Sylvia said the DEP told him that since the 10-day hearing process at the state level had passed, the local Conservation Commission was the correct authority to which he should address his concerns.

Janice Brockman of 14 Cove Street was also in attendance to lend support to Sylvia and to hear how the apparent conflicting documentation might have happened.

“I want you to have your 15 minutes with us, Ronny,” said Conservation Commission Chairman Bob Rogers. “I don’t want to spin you around, but if you haven’t been to a Sewer Commission meeting, that would suit you better.” Rogers went on to impress upon Sylvia that he was not willing to speak about specific properties or make any decisions without the other landowner being given sufficient notice of a public hearing. This was simply an informal meeting, Rogers reminded Sylvia.

“It’s probably an honest mistake, it’s an easy mistake to make,” said Rogers. “We are going to figure out what needs to be done with the help of the Sewer Commission.” He then told Sylvia to get on the agenda with that commission so they could hear his concerns and look into the matter.

Rogers also said that maybe the owners simply wanted to use the sewer connection for their trailer during the summer season and that he did not believe anything underhanded was taking place. Historically, the lot in question has been used as a seasonal campsite with the placement of a travel trailer that is not permanently in place.

Sylvia had hoped the Conservation Commission would find the Cove Street sewer project in violation of its permit by placing a sewer stub on a lot that was not on the plan of record. That did not happen.

The commission members, with Rogers in the lead, had reviewed all available documents prior to the meeting. Rogers said that he had spoken to Water and Sewer Superintendent Nick Nicholson, who informed him that it was their policy to allow a sewer stub wherever there was a water service – 16 Cove Street has public water service.

Satisfied that Rogers would be in contact with the Sewer Commission and armed with the knowledge that such a commission existed and controlled public sewer service, Sylvia thanked the commission.

In other business, Patricia Cunniff, 9 Avenue “A”, received approval with an Order of Conditions for the installation of a new septic tank, pump chamber, and leaching area to be a mounded system in a coastal flow zone.

Highway Superintendent Barry Denham, with the Town’s engineer John Connell of Field Engineering, was present to discuss the Acushnet Road culvert reconstruction.

They plan to shore up the headwalls of the damaged culvert for the season in an effort to try and minimize potential storm water damage. They will also remove the roadway expansion over the culvert. The culvert is in imminent danger of completely collapsing, Connell said, if this stopgap work is not done.

Connell said that they would have a complete plan ready for state review in January with work to begin in spring 2015.

Denham said the area would be clearly fenced off and marked for safety, but warned, “People will be curious.”

Denham received the permit he sought to perform the emergency work – once a few good weather days are forecasted – with an Order of Conditions to install silk filtration curtains and compost wattles.

Rick Charon came before the commission regarding the continued request to receive an amended Order of Conditions for the Crystal Spring solar field, necessitated by changes to the plan of record from mandates by the DEP.

Noting that this solar facility will be the first one required to count the area where the solar panels are installed as non-permeable, Charon said, “No other solar facility has been designed to these standards yet … it is very conservative.”

The new required plan calls for a larger drainage system that will minimize erosion concerns. Charon received the amended Order of Conditions.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission is scheduled for January 12 at 6:30 pm in the Town Hall conference room.

By Marilou Newell

The Marion, Mattapoisett, and Rochester Boards of Selectmen, during a joint meeting of the Tri-Town selectmen on December 15, rejected the renewal of the three towns’ contract with Comcast with a unanimous vote.

Marion was represented by Town Administrator Paul Dawson and Selectmen Jonathan Henry and Jody Dickerson. Town Administrator Michael McCue and Selectmen Richard Nunes and Brad Morse were present from Rochester, and in Mattapoisett’s corner were Town Administrator Michael Gagne and Selectmen Tyler Macallister and Paul Silva.

Gagne right away made it clear to the viewing audience and those of the media who were in attendance that the vote they were about to cast was in no way an end to cable service in the area. On the contrary, the vote would allow the communities and Comcast more time to reach an amicable agreement.

Massachusetts General Laws that govern such contractual agreements between cable providers and communities, however, require that when the expiration of a contract is nearing and an agreement cannot be reached before its expiration, the communities must vote not to renew. Negotiations have been taking place for a number of weeks.

“…Proposals are being exchanged back and forth and we’ll continue to negotiate,” stated Gagne. “I don’t want it to be construed we are done and finished – quite to the contrary … TV will not end.” He continued, “This is a formal process and cable will continue as it has been provided to you.”

Dawson called it a “friendly denial,” saying that relations between the cable giant and the Tri-Town “are not acrimonious.” McCue echoed the sentiments of his fellow town administrators.

Also present during the brief public meeting was Mary O’Keeffe, Comcast senior manager of government and regulatory affairs of government relations. Although her area of expertise is governmental contracts, she was asked about the closing of local Comcast offices in Marion and Fairhaven. Town offices were hearing from residents that the closing of these customer service centers would cause a hardship when trying to do business with Comcast.

O’Keeffe said that although she understood that change was difficult, Comcast has found that customers are using more online services than vis-à-vis services. She said customers have become more proficient using self-help tools on the website and overall could do more for themselves. She also said that people can still go to a Comcast office in New Bedford, Middleboro, or Sandwich if they choose to do so.

Furthering the theme of self-help tools, O’Keeffe said that seasonal users of Comcast services could turn their service off and on from their desktops without having to move equipment back and forth between a Comcast office and their homes in what she termed a “sleeper service.”

O’Keeffe said she had information for residents, which prompted Gagne to ask if she could send it to each town hall so self-help information could be posted on the towns’ websites. She concurred that might be helpful and agreed to do so.

With business concluded, the meeting was closed. For more information on the current status of Comcast contract negotiations, you may contact your local town administrator.

By Marilou Newell