Travis and Dustin Lalle came before the Rochester Conservation Commission again on October 7 to hear the commission’s disposition after conducting a site visit on the heels of issuing a ‘notice of violation’ to the brothers.

Chairman Rosemary Smith said, “We have to treat everyone the same … you need a plan … you need to fix the stuff you’ve already done.” Dustin Lalle had previously told the commission that he and Travis have invested all their available funds into buying the land with an eye towards one day farming it. He told the commission when they first received the notice that they had asked an engineer to give them an estimate on services to help them develop a plan to submit to the commission, but were stunned by the cost.

The Lalles acknowledged that they had dug ditches in an effort to divert storm water run-off and repair their driveway, which had been damaged by NSTAR trucks. But in doing so, they violated jurisdictional areas.

They said that numerous calls to NSTAR went unanswered and that NSTAR had employed many sub-contractors whose headquarters were out of state. Travis said, “They never called us back.” Taking matters into their own hands, they made modifications that the commission felt were violations. Commission member Kevin Cassidy said, “There has been a tremendous amount of site disturbance and there are resource areas…” emphasizing the need for a site plan that would include all wetland delineations.

The Lalles questioned the need for a farmer performing agricultural activities to meet the wetlands protection act. Environmental Agent Laurell Farinon countered that they would have to prove they were actually involved in agriculture commerce to be exempted from ConCom oversight, noting that boarding horses did not fall into that category.

In the end, the commission felt that in fairness to the Lalles and in keeping with the town’s overall culture and character that fully embraces farming, the Lalles were given an additional 90 days to prepare a plan with the condition that they give the commission monthly updates on their progress. They were also advised to seek the assistance of the USDA and NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Services) in developing their plan. Farinon also said her office would provide them with a copy of a 1998 map produced by G.A.F. Engineering for a previous owner, saying it would be a great starting point for their new plan. Cassidy said that the commission wanted to work with them and that wetlands delineation was necessary.

An additional concern came up during their meeting with the Lalles. The farmers told the commission that NSTAR could not use easements to perform work near their property because the easement went through a swamp. NSTAR, therefore, had an informal arrangement with the Lalles to use their road if the utility also promised to repair it. That sent red flags flying with Farinon, who said she would check with legal counsel to ascertain if a utility could go off easement and encroach upon wetlands without coming before ConCom.

Earlier in the evening, Michael and Ann Cambra received a positive order of conditions for their property located at 157 Clapp Road for the purposes of building an addition within a 100-foot buffer zone. Gloria Doviak received a continuation for her notice of intent hearing until October 21, and the Town of Rochester received an emergency certification for after-the-fact repairs to a culvert located on Hartley Road across from Lloyd’s Market.

The next meeting of the Rochester Conservation Commission is scheduled for October 21 at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall conference room.

By Marilou Newell

It has been talked about before, but the possibility of a breakfast program at Rochester Memorial School could be established sometime after the Thanksgiving holiday break – pending feasibility.

RMS Principal Derek Medeiros said October 2 that he is actively exploring the possibility of bringing a breakfast program to the school. The only elementary school in the Tri-Town region that serves breakfast to students is Old Hammondtown in Mattapoisett.

Medeiros said he is looking to see if logistics will allow the breakfast service before school, considering specific details like bus arrival times and if there was enough time in the morning for kids to eat breakfast. Medeiros said he is also looking into whether the breakfast program could offer a “grab and go” type of meal, and if there is a significant enough need for the program.

“I think that’s huge,” said School Committee member Robin Rounseville. “It’s that one need a day. I hope it works out.”

School Committee member Jennifer Kulak wanted to know if breakfast would be offered to every student at RMS like it is in New Bedford. Business Manager Patrick Spencer replied that the idea is to provide lunch to students who want to participate in the program and purchase breakfast, but breakfast would not be automatically provided to all students.

Students who receive free or reduced lunch would also be able to eat breakfast for free or at a reduced cost.

Medeiros said he would weigh the options and the obstacles and report back to the committee.

Also during the meeting, Assistant Superintendent Elise Frangos reported that the Old Rochester Regional School District is having a difficult time finding a webmaster to manage all of the schools’ websites. She said the online posting received over 200 hits, but no candidates have submitted applications.

White briefly described his recent efforts exploring opportunities to implement some “one-to-one environment” technology classes. White said he has visited other schools with classrooms in which students each have their own device such as an iPad or tablet to use in their lessons, in research, and during “digital citizenship” endeavors.

Other schools in the state are ahead of the ORR district, said White, with classrooms that have already integrated technology into their classrooms. “And we want to have that happen with our students, too,” said White.

In other matters, Medeiros said the school is continuing this year with its partnership with the Buzzards Bay Coalition and its hands-on educational program for fourth graders. The BBC educators will work with students beginning October 8 at the wetlands behind the school, and students will learn about weather and food chains.

The next scheduled meeting of the Rochester School Committee is November 6 at 6:30 pm at the Rochester Town Hall.

By Jean Perry