After months of waiting for financial explanations for the Waterfront Enterprise Fund, Selectman Paul Silva and Town Administrator Michael Gagne were ready to present the board details on how the fund has historically been financed and how it will be funded moving forward. Two significant changes were noted in Gagne’s presentation.

First, the Town will now request state approval via special legislation that will allow 100-percent of all boat excise taxes collected to be fully accrued to the Waterfront Enterprise Fund. Second, Gagne has changed the percentage charged to the Waterfront Enterprise Fund for clerical work performed by the treasurer, tax collector, accountant and town administrator.

In previous years, the Waterfront Enterprise Fund had received only 50-percent of the collected boat excise taxes and had paid a slightly higher percentage for fixed clerical costs. Fixed clerical costs will now be scaled back to reflect a more accurate figure, Gagne said. Those changes equate to: excise taxes from approximately $23,000 annually to $30,000. As for fixed costs, those changes are: town administrator from 5-percent to 3-percent (approximately $5,000 to $3,000); accountant 5-percent to 3-percent (approximately $3,500 to $2,000); accounting clerical from 5-percent to 3-percent (approximately $2,200 to $1,330); and treasurer/collector from 5-percent to 4-percent (approximately $3,000 to $2,400). Tax clerical services and Board of Selectmen costs remain at 3-percent or approximately $309.

Once the state signs off on the change of excise taxes collected, the Waterfront Enterprise Fund will receive 100-percent.

Silva explained the details with spreadsheets and other documents on how the Waterfront Enterprise account is funded and the associated expenses. When all was said and done, the board had a clear picture moving forward on how funds are received and expended to their satisfaction as was Harbormaster Jill Simmons, whose task it is to manage the Waterfront Enterprise Fund.

The changes mean that the fund should have approximately $11,000 in reserve at the end of fiscal year 2015.

In conclusion, Silva asked the MAB to look towards fee increases that take inflation into consideration. He also asked the board to look forward and determine the types of projects the waterfront may need in the coming years, including projects that should come before the Capital Finance Committee.

Simmons’ report to the MAB noted the hiring of James Sullivan as assistant harbormaster, calling him “a talented addition to the department with excellent job skills.” She also said that new dinghy docks have been completed, adding 16 new slots.

A new Eagle Scout project is about to begin, Simmons shared, as local Boy Scout Adam Perkins, 16, of Troop 0053 has asked permission to build new kayak racks at the Town Wharf for his Eagle requirement. Perkins and his parents are accepting donations in material or cash to offset costs associated with the project. Contact Simmons at harbormaster@mattapoisett.net for more details.

Simmons said that the Town’s public restrooms are now closed for the season. Docks will be removed in the coming week, and people will be informed that dinghies need to be removed.

Regarding the updating of Rules and Regulations, a process nearing completion for the MAB, Simmons asked for an addition that would read:

“7.3.2.1. If a mooring is found to be off station the Harbormaster shall notify the permit holder of the situation and instruct same to have the mooring placed back on station within seven days. If the mooring is not place back on station within the seven-day period, the Harbormaster may have the mooring either removed or placed back on station at the permit holder’s expense. Notwithstanding the previous, if the Harbormaster deems the off-station mooring to present an immediate danger the Harbormaster may, without notifying the permit holder, have the mooring either immediately removed or immediately placed back on station at the permit holder’s expense.”

The MAB voted to insert this addition into the working document.

MAB Chairman Allen Gillis asked Silva and Gagne for an update on environmental issues related to Leisure Shores Marina. Silva and Gagne reported that the DEP had recently conducted a site visit to review waterside related activities, but nothing on the landside, which have been contested for some years. Gagne said that issues regarding boats stored on the land were zoning problems yet to be resolved. He said that he was in dialog with the State fire marshal with respect to flammable liquids stored onboard boats being hauled out of the water and stored on Ringuette’s property.

Gagne impressed upon the MAB that it was paramount for the Town to follow “the letter of the law” in a case that he typified as “very complicated.”

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Marine Advisory Board is scheduled for November 20 at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall conference room.

By Marilou Newell

The Marion Board of Selectmen on November 4 decided not to take any action on a proposed Formula Business Regulated District Bylaw for the Town of Marion, submitted to the board by Planning Board member Eileen Marum.

Selectmen appeared confused by the correspondence, and looked to Town Administrator Paul Dawson to explain what sort of action the board could take that evening.

Dawson said the board could treat the proposal as if it was a citizens’ petition, although only Marum herself submitted it, and they could vote to add the proposed bylaw as an article for the next Town Meeting warrant – but they did not have to.

Selectman Stephen Cushing wondered if the board could force the Planning Board to address this matter, or simply pass it on. He asked why Marum did not simply bring the matter to the Planning Board.

“This just strikes me as odd,” stated Cushing.

It is a little unusual, said Dawson, but it could be addressed by the selectmen, again, as a citizens’ petition.

“I’ve been in this office a long time,” said Chairman Jon Henry. “I don’t think we’ve done this before.”

Marum proposes adopting a Formula Business Bylaw sooner rather than later, in light of the proposed CVS project that Marum and many other Marion residents openly oppose.

“The purpose and intent of the proposed Formula Business Regulated District would be to help protect Marion from the intrusions of chain stores and franchises … and the potential negative impact they would have on Marion’s special character, local business-based economy, economic vitality, and historical relevance and experience,” wrote Marum in her letter to the board.

Although none of the selectmen opposed the idea, none wanted to take any action, deferring to the Planning Board.

Also during the meeting, Health Agent for Marion and Rochester Karen Walega gave the selectmen the same presentation she gave Rochester selectmen the night before.

The Marion-Rochester Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is seeking volunteers to support efforts during emergencies, as there is a significant shortage of both medical and non-medical professionals within the network.

“We need people who might be leaders, or have strong organizational skills, or have an interest in logistics or communication,” said Walega. “We need people who can assist with security, traffic flow, and parking.” She continued, “We also need people who can assist with child care.”

The MRC is looking for individuals with abilities, skills, or interests in any of the following areas: leadership, organization, logistics, communication, social media, technology, people skills, clerical duties, financial duties, security, traffic flow, and child care.

The MRC will hold a meeting on November 13 at The Rochester Senior Center at 66 Dexter Lane from 7:00 to 9:00 pm, and Walega asks prospective volunteers to join them. For questions, call the Marion Board of Health at 508-748-3530.

In other matters, the board approved a Polar Plunge at Silvershell Beach on January 1 to benefit needy families.

Two candidates for the two open alternate member seats on the Zoning Board of Appeals were looked over for the time being, with selectmen hoping that more candidates might come forward. The concern was that there is not enough variety of candidates among the boards and committees in town.

The next meeting of the Marion Board of Selectmen is scheduled for November 18 at 7:00 pm at the Marion Town House.

By Jean Perry