A raised island that dictates a right-turn only out of a new filling station on Cranberry Highway turned into a figurative speed bump in a discussion about safety during the July 22 Rochester Planning Board meeting.

Half the board favored altering the site plan for Rochester Crossroads, LLC to include a raised island to reinforce a no-left turn out of the proposed Seasons gas station and half were against it.

Chairman Arnold Johnson was adamantly in favor of the raised island, as were board members Gary Florindo and Ben Bailey, and neither were budging from their position despite a meeting the developer had with Police Chief Paul Magee. According to Rochester Crossroads’ attorney Richard Serkey, Chief Magee approved language for a condition to monitor the site if the developer stuck with the plan to only install scored concrete to reinforce the traffic flow. That condition would allow the chief to review any incidents regarding safety of the exit within the first year and, if the chief later deemed the scored concrete island inadequate, he would have sole discretion to report to the Planning Board to revisit the matter.

“And we advised him that we could live with it,” said Serkey.

Board member Susan Teal said she liked that option because it would give the board a chance to “see how it plays out in the field.”

Johnson, however, while admitting that even he disobeys left-turn only signs, said people would still make the illegal left turn unless a raised island is installed to stop them. He also took issue with the wording of the chief’s condition.

“The chief does not have the authority,” said Johnson, regarding the language granting the chief sole discretion. “First off … he can advise the board, but that stipulation cannot be written as is.” Besides, added Johnson, the chief told Johnson that he does not think the scored pavement is going to be effective.

Jim Kane, manager of ADM Management Corporation, said the developer’s main concern was snow removal, saying that a raised island would obstruct snow plowing.

Bailey asked Kane why he thinks that drivers will adhere to the left-hand turn sign.

Kane replied that if drivers do not follow the sign, the developer would “run right back out and do what we didn’t want to do” – install a raised island.

“Are you saying you want to wait for accidents to happen, or do you want to put up a camera?” asked Bailey. How would the developer monitor potential violations?

Teal had some ideas, such as visible tire tread on the grooved pavement and neighbors calling in complaints.

“Why do we want to put a burden on the neighbors to fix this thing?” said Johnson.

The only thing that will document problems, said Florindo, is an inevitable accident.

The main issue at hand, as board member Michael Murphy pointed out, was that “You can’t regulate stupidity.”

Things got a little tense between Bailey and Serkey before the discussion shifted back to monitoring the potential safety hazard.

“I’m a big proponent of landowner rights,” said Bailey. “However, we’re talking about the potential for someone to be killed in a car accident … I also know that’s a very dangerous corner.” Bailey said he understood that the developer wanted to try the grooved concrete first, but he for one would not approve that.

Florindo interjected and, during a heartfelt diatribe about the potential for a fatal accident as a result of sticking with just the scored concrete, managed to persuade Kane to agree to the raised island.

“These are small potatoes,” said Florindo. He said he was willing to go along with 99% of the rest of the plan, but Florindo wanted that safety issue addressed. “Let’s face the music,” said Florindo. He told Kane the only way the developer could realize the necessity of the raised island would be when the chief calls them up and tells them of a fatal accident.

Kane agreed, saying, “We have much bigger fish to fry.”

And just like that, the discussion moved forward to address drainage issues until the hearing was continued until August 12 to allow time for Field Engineering to generate a report to the board.

Also at the meeting, Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman Richard Cutler went over some proposed changes to the zoning bylaws a subcommittee had been studying.

A public hearing regarding amendments to the Town Subdivision Rules and Regulations was brief with little discussion, with board members flipping through the proposed changes handed to them by Town Planner Mary Crain.

The board approved a division of land for Michael Murphy of County Road. The board approved taking a section of Murphy’s Lot 3A and adding it to adjoining Lot 3C. Lot 3C remains an unbuildable lot, yet the land division creates a less non-conforming lot. As a relative to the petitioner, board member Michael Murphy recused himself from discussion.

Two public hearings for Harris Real Estate Boston, LLC have been continued until August 12 at the applicant’s request.

The next Rochester Planning Board meeting is August 12 at 7:00 pm at Town Hall.

By Jean Perry

Tri-Town tranquility has been interrupted recently by a string of home and vehicle break-ins, but the teamwork of local authorities is making progress towards bringing the thieves to justice.

After their town experienced multiple break-ins of houses and vehicles, the Rochester Police Department announced Friday, July 18 that they made an arrest in one of the break-ins, and that they believe the suspect could possibly be linked to other crimes in their town.

Rochester Officer Kevin Flynn, in conjunction with the Freetown Police Department, obtained an arrest warrant for 24-year old Kelly F. Sorelle of Dr. Braley Road in Freetown as a result of his investigation with a break-in on Benson Road in Rochester.

Police allege that Sorelle tripped the alarm at the Benson Road home after gaining entry through a window, and she fled out the front door prior to police arrival. Nothing was taken from the home.

Sorelle was taken into custody on Thursday, July 17. Police are investigating whether Sorelle could be connected to some of the other break-ins that have recently occurred in the town. She is being charged with breaking and entering in the daytime, trespassing, and destruction of property.

Rochester Chief of Police Paul Magee praised the work of his officers on this case in a press release dated July 18, saying, “The patrol staff has been working hard to solve these cases. They are committed to catching the people responsible.”

The chief also praised the cooperation between departments.

“Because Rochester, Freetown and the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department worked together so well, cases like these get solved.”

The Mattapoisett Police Department is also working with area towns to solve two car break-ins. The first one occurred at Crescent Beach at night in the first week of July when a car window was broken and some loose change was stolen. Another car window was broken at the parking lot of Turk’s Restaurant on 83 Marion Road at approximately 5:00 pm.

Mattapoisett Police Chief Mary Lyons said during a phone interview on July 21 that the two break-ins might be related.

“If you see something suspicious, call us immediately,” said Lyons. “Always remember to lock up your cars and remove your valuables.”

Marion has experienced two break-ins and a stolen vehicle, beginning with a car being broken into on the evening of Friday, July 11. The passenger side window was smashed and a pocketbook was stolen from the front seat.

Two crimes took place on Tuesday, July 15 when a truck was stolen after 11:00 pm on Briggs Lane and the owner’s debit card was used some hours later in Fall River. On the morning of July 16, a neighbor discovered that their license plate had been stolen the night before. That same night, a car was broken into on Inland Road when a window was smashed and a wallet was taken.

As of press time, no additional break-ins have been reported in any of the three towns.

By Sean McCarthy

As a result of a joint investigation with the Marion, Fall River, Mattapoisett and Plymouth Police departments, arrests of two suspects were made for their involvement in the theft of a motor vehicle, that occurred in Marion on July 15, 2014.

Information obtained from the Plymouth Police Department helped identify one of the suspects, who was caught on video at a Fall River convenience store using a stolen credit card from the thefts. Warrants were obtained by the Marion and Fall River Police Departments for two suspects.

On Tuesday July 22, 2014, Fall River Police arrested the two suspects on those warrants which included charges related to two stolen motor vehicles and the use of stolen credit cards. Subsequently during the continued investigation in Fall River, Detective Scott Smith and Officer Anthony DiCarlo from the Marion Police department recovered another motor vehicle that had been reported stolen out of Mattapoisett.

Fall River Police were also able to recover the truck and license plate stolen out of Marion on July 15^th. The suspects have been connected to five vehicles stolen from Marion, Mattapoisett, Sandwich, Scituate, RI and Tiverton, RI. Four vehicles were recovered in Fall River; the fifth was recovered in Plymouth. Other items reported stolen from within the vehicles were recovered as well.

The suspects arrested are identified as:

Marcus Junior Hierrezuelo, 21 year old male resident of Fall River.

Ronnie Sulyma, 31 year old male resident of Fall River.

This investigation is still on-going by Detective Smith, Officer DiCarlo and Officer Craig LeBlanc of the Mattapoisett Police Department.

Police are reminding residents to lock their vehicles and to not leave valuables or keys in them. Citizens should also immediately report any suspicious activity to their local police department.

Marion Police Department Press Release