It took about eight full hours for the review committee to get through the 48 applications the Town received for the part-time fire chief position. And the one thing Town Administrator Paul Dawson could say for certain to the Marion Board of Selectmen on May 5 was, “We have an extremely strong pool of very qualified applicants.”

The review committee, which included Dawson, Selectman Jody Dickerson, and two fire chiefs from neighboring towns, has formed some preliminary thoughts about which applicants will advance to round two of the application process. Dawson said he should have a list of finalists to share with the board within the next three weeks.

“The applicant pool is strong.” Dawson said again. “A lot of interest in this position and a lot of qualified people have applied.”

The two fire chiefs helping review applicants, said Dickerson, “[have] never seen a stronger pool of applicants.”

The question will no longer be which candidate should we pick, said Dawson. The question will be, how do we pick just one?

“It will be a difficult decision, but for good reason,” Dawson said.

In other matters during the May 5 meeting of the selectmen, the board approved the appointments of several new officers at the Beverly Yacht Club, located at 99 Water Street.

“Why do we approve the officers?” asked Selectman Stephen Cushing. That’s a really good question, Dawson told him, saying it is simply a regulation of the yacht club.

The board also voted to accept the Beverly Yacht Club’s choice for a new manager, Robert Wayne Shorter, after a brief conversation about his past life and experience.

Shorter will replace outgoing manager Dean Lavoie who has steered his career path toward Gloucester.

Also during the meeting, Dawson updated the board on the hiring process of candidates to fill the newly created position of coordinator at the Marion Music Hall. Nine applications were submitted before the deadline passed last Friday, May 1. Dawson said he would introduce the name of the applicant who will be recommended for the job at the next meeting.

The next meeting of the Marion Board of Selectmen is scheduled for May 19 at 7:00 pm at the Marion Town House.

By Jean Perry

Ron Merlo, who has been a member of the Mattapoisett Planning Board for two terms totaling 10 years, wrapped up his second five-year stint at the May 4 meeting. But he had one final to-do to pass along to the other members – ceasing the continuing efforts of The Village at Mattapoisett condominium association to get town-supplied trash collection.

The condominium association has been seeking this town-supplied service in spite of it being expressly not allowed in their subdivision permit or ownership covenant.

Merlo was part of the Planning Board at the time of the subdivision application. He said, “I am whole-heartedly against overturning a decision make by a prior board.” Merlo said, by doing so, the wrong signal would be sent and a precedent put in place that could have far-reaching ramifications.

Selectman Jordan Collyer tasked Merlo to follow-up with town counsel for guidance to ascertain what rights the condominium association may have, as well as the best steps for the Town. Merlo said that counsel advised a special permit could be granted to the association after the Planning Board holds a public hearing. The board members did not take any action on this matter on this night.

In closing out his years of service, Merlo shared, “It has been a pleasure to serve … I hope I did it honorably.”

In other business, a request by resident Paul Osenkowski to have the board issue a cease and desist order to the developers of Brandt Point Village was discussed.

Chairman Tom Tucker said, after discussing the matter with town counsel, the developer would be invited to meet with town counsel.

The meeting will focus on what the Planning Board has permitted thus far for the subdivision, and what work has actually taken place that may be causing conflict with residents in the neighborhood.

The original investors are no longer part of the project, Tucker said.

The Appaloosa Lane subdivision engineer, Brian Grady of G.A.F. Engineering, came before the board to ask what the next steps are now that the new stormwater management plan has received conditioning by the Conservation Commission after months of work with the Town’s engineering firm, Field Engineering.

Tucker asked Highway Superintendent Barry Denham if he was satisfied with the project to which he replied, “It is the best situation for everybody out there.” Grady will return during the next meeting of the board to have updated plans signed.

Also meeting with the board was Tree Warden Roland Cote to discuss the removal of several trees located at 84 North Street. Cote was granted permission to remove one of three in question.

Eversource will be required to be present to plead their case as to why the other two trees in question need to be removed, Tucker told him.

Continuing on the theme of tree removal, Denham sought permission to remove diseased and compromised trees in the Tinkham Dam area.

He said that the upcoming dam repairs will require that the diseased tree(s) be removed while several other trees will need to be removed because of the damage they will sustain during reconstruction of the roadway.

Denham said he had met with the Tree Committee, which will be planting new trees after the work is completed and are in agreement with Denham’s plan.

The removal and replanting project will become part of an application by the Tree Committee for the town’s Tree City USA status with the state. The Planning Board approved the plan.

Board member Mary Crain distributed a draft handout she wrote intended to help voters understand the bylaw changes on the warrant.

After some discussion, they agreed that language needed to be added to each of the bylaws being proposed that clearly indicated the Planning Board’s support versus sponsorship.

Resident Bonne DeSousa asked for clarification on the difference between support and sponsorship. She was told that support meant the board agreed with the changes. Tucker made it clear however, that Brad Saunders, managing partner of D + E Management LLC who authored the changes and additions to zoning bylaws, will be presenting them on the floor of Town Meeting.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board is scheduled for May 18 at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall conference room.

By Marilou Newell

The Mattapoisett Agricultural Commission is populated by members whose families reach far back into the history of local farming, as well as newer business owners whose livelihoods depend on healthy farm animals and good growing seasons. They are an active group of volunteers whose interests in farming go beyond hobby, and whose commitment to keeping agricultural activities vital cannot be overstated.

Now they are stepping forward into the public arena – Town Meeting – with Article 35: Adoption of Right to Farm Bylaw.

Agricultural Commission Chairman Bob Spooner and members Jess Collyer, Dorothy Nunes, Mike Dubuc, Mike King, Shiloah Major, and Gerald Randall believe that with the passage of a Right to Farm bylaw, the town will be better prepared to compete with other cities and towns throughout the state vying for grant monies that can be essential in keeping farmlands and open spaces available for agricultural activities now and in the coming decades.

Having well-written clear rules and regulations at the local level, the commission asserts, is one key to being viewed as a community committed to supporting local farmers.

            During the April 29 meeting, they were working on a handout for the Annual Town Meeting on May 11. The handout is aimed at educating the public about the importance of bylaws to protect this traditional way of life. Topics such as why a Right to Farm bylaw is needed, why state laws aren’t sufficient, and why the bylaw benefits the town’s economy are discussed in the handout.

“The right to farm bylaw doesn’t change anything that’s already on the books (state regulations),” said Spooner, “but with local bylaws and farmers’ markets, it helps us locally when applying for state grants … it tells everyone ‘we are here.’”

Mattapoisett currently has zoning bylaws governing some aspects of farming. Building Inspector Andy Bobola said, “You are required to have two acres to be exempt from zoning bylaws (and therefore able to use property for farming activities).” He continued, “Such activities as agriculture, horticulture, and floral cultivation are some of the activities that are allowed.” He said the number of horses or other livestock per acre is regulated, as are the boundary line setbacks required for barns and stalls.

Bobola shared that, several years ago, the state changed the acreage required for farming from five acres to two in an effort to encourage people to think about farming options rather than subdivision development.

Bobola pointed out that there are occasions when neighbors may be in conflict. Occasions, he said, might be due to farming activities that one neighbor finds “obnoxious,” while the farmer believes they are normal sounds, smells, and property conditions. He said that in those instances, the Agriculture Commission could be useful in providing mediation.

There is also something called “Chapter Lands.” Chief Assessor Kathleen Costello explained, “Chapter Lands is a state program, 61A. You need five acres and to be actively involved in agriculture. The land then receives a reduced value for taxes, locks the property up for five years and puts a lien on it.” There are consequences to the landowner if land is sold off or subdivided before the end of the five-year period. She said there are chapter lands in Mattapoisett.

“In my opinion, it’s a great program,” Costello said. “It maintains the rural nature of the town, helps farmlands, and preserves the beauty of the uplands.” She pointed out that, unlike farms, a subdivision ends up actually costing the town money with less economic value due to increased populations requiring town services. Of chapter land status she concluded, “It’s a fabulous program that benefits the town.”

Spooner said the commission is hoping voters in town will come out and support the Right to Farm bylaw, becoming more aware that farming is alive and well in Mattapoisett and an important part of what the town has to offer its residents.

If you want more information about agricultural opportunities in Mattapoisett or the work of the commission, meetings are held on the first Wednesday each month at 6:00 pm in Town Hall. The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Agricultural Commission is scheduled for May 6 at 6:00 pm.

By Marilou Newell