After several hours of discussion, Leisure Shores remains at an impasse with the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission. Previously the applicant, Robert Ringuette, through his representatives reached a consensus on what he needed to do to bring the business into compliance. The two main areas of concern are: 1) replacement of syrofoam floats that have been fouling the wetlands for decades, and 2) clean-up of wetlands that have been negatively impacted as well as cleaning upland spaces that were used to store boats, or as parking areas or as dumping grounds.

On this night Ringuette had hoped to secure an order of conditions from the commission. But that request was not granted as the committee members felt  he was not sufficiently committed to getting environmental issues resolved sooner rather than later, specifically replacement of the problematic syrofoam floats.

Chairman Newton said that the offer to replace all syrofoam floats within five years wasn’t aggressive enough. He requested that Ringuette agree to replace at least 50% of floats by the end of two years. The floats need to be replaced using the more environmental sound encapsulated pvc or concrete style now readily available.

Ringuette’s representative Attroney Shephard Johnson told the board that he could not agree to that commitment without first discussing it with his client. Johnson said that his client felt a five year plan was, in fact, aggressive given the magnitude of the work that needed to take place and the costs. He also noted that the lack of state regulations for float materials meant there wasn’t any enforceable mechanism ConCom could use to force Ringuette to replace any floats. With the vast amount of documentation ConCom has collected that clearly indicates damage to the wetlands from the eroding floats, they disagreed with Johnson’s fine point. They also could umbrage to a proposed masterplan for overall clean up which included financial implications for Ringuette.

Earlier in the discussion Johnson had shared Ringuette’s prepared scope of work in the form of a masterplan that included business plan assumptions. These assumptions would need to transpire before Ringuette would be able to invest in the long anticipated work at hand. The board felt that such business planning did not belong in a restoration and clean-up plan. They felt he was responsible to get the work done regardless of the manner in which his business model operated. Commission member Bob Rogers said that most businesses would go to a bank and get a loan. Johnson said that at this point in time Ringuette’s financial situation was quite dire.

In attendance once again was Korrin Petersen, Senior Attorney for the Buzzards Bay Coalition, accompanied this time by Elinor Tanow, environmental attorney with the Havard Law Group. Petersen said that the coalition supported the commission’s request for a more fast-paced wetlands clean up than that offered by the applicant. She also said that monthly sweeps of the wetlands for clean up and compensation for damage that has occurred were paramount. The compensation she added could be in the form of supplemental clean up, or a supplemental environmental program to offset permanent damage that has occurred to the fragile wetlands.

Horce Field, former harbormaster spoke about his attempts several years ago to get Ringuette to replace the degrading floats. He became emotional when trying to describe how difficult that challenge had been and failing to get compliance that he knew was so important for the protection of the wetlands.

For his part, Ringuette has begun monthly clean up of surrounding wetlands using various heretofore untried methods to remove not only large pieces of syrofoam but also the tiny beads the material breaks into. Petersen was concerned that ‘vacuuming’ might only do further damage to the fragile eco-system including sucking up bird eggs and disturbing nesting areas. Clearly science hasn’t been developed to handle the massive clean up needed as she noted “no one” knew the best course of action.

“If we can get float replacement going that is what we are trying to achieve,” said Newton. But in the end all that happened was another two week extension to give Ringuette time to prepare a plan the commission might accept and to give Johnson time to try and convince his client to a shorter float replacement timeframe. What they were able to agree upon was that when Leisure Shores returns on March 24 they will return with a clean-up plan that does not include business financials. Johnson was also told that there isn’t any reason why Ringuette can’t start replacing floats immediately.

In other business at the beginning of the evening Jay and Julie Duker of 112 Aucoot Road came before the board to show their plans for a new home and swimming pool they wish to build on the property. Due to the placement of the septic system they were told they needed to review the project with the Board of Health first before the conservation commission could approve their request. They will return on March 24.

Timothy Ray of 1 Pine Wood Way received approval of his plans to replace a septic system, while Richard Warren of 7 Pico Beach Road received approval of his plan to raze the current structures on that site and build a new home.

Daniel DaRosa of 3 Goodspeed applied to the commission for an amended order of conditions so that the as built plans would include a semi-permanent kayak raking system situated in an area that has been planted with beach grasses. In previous hearings the commission had struggled with the homeowners over massive construction work including the movement of sand and stones in areas designated as ‘no touch’ spaces. Circumventing the ConCom, DaRosa eventually received DEP approval for that work. With hesitation that was very apparent from some of the commission members, the applicant’s request was approved.

And finally Blue Wave LLC’s request to amend their commercial solar farm plans presently underway on Tinkham Hill Road was explained by the commission agent, Elizabeth Leidhold. The updated plans now include a two-phase project covering a slightly larger percentage of the available acreage and a gravel roadway that is greater in width then originally proposed. The commission felt and the agent concurred that the plan changes were minor. The amended plans were approved by the commission.

The Mattapoisett Conservation Commission will meet again on March 24 at 6:30 p.m.

By Marilou Newell

Mattapoisett School Committee members took action on March 10 to prevent further school lunch accounts from accruing overdue balances by adopting a new policy that limits delinquent lunch accounts from charging more than a total of five lunches. After that, the account will be frozen and the child will be offered an alternative lunch of either a cold cheese sandwich or peanut butter sandwich and milk until the account is paid off.

Food Service Director Caitlin Meagher told the committee that a similar policy has been in place at the junior high and high school, but with a maximum allowance of three charged lunches.

“Really, Mattapoisett is pretty good with the negative lunch accounts,” said Meagher.

Presently, at the Center School, there are 44 accounts overdue, totaling just under $500. At Old Hammontown, 12 accounts are delinquent, totaling $42.

Meagher stated during a follow-up interview, “In our district it’s not a huge problem, but in other districts it has become an issue.”

Meagher explained that the alternative lunch of either a cheese or peanut butter sandwich is preferred because the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) donates cheese and peanut butter to the federal school lunch program, which will help mitigate the cost to the district for providing the lunches.

When asked if there is any concern over social consequences to some students receiving the alternative lunch, and whether they might appear singled out, Meagher replied, “It’s tricky with the little ones. We obviously don’t want to upset them.” She said the older students at the junior and high school do not seem bothered by the alternative lunch, but it has not yet been tried at the elementary school level.

“Obviously we’ll be sensitive to the kids,” said Meagher. “And I’m hoping it doesn’t become obvious, because peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are always a choice … It’s not that their eating something completely different.”

Committee Chairman James Higgins called it “a reasonable procedure,” in addition to the fair notification Meagher sends out weekly to parents to inform them about the status of delinquent accounts.

“And I think it’s good they have an option with the alternative lunch,” said Higgins.

Parents were reminded that they can apply for free or reduced lunch at any time throughout the year, and Meagher will soon begin including information about applying for the free/reduced lunch program along with the account delinquency notices she sends to parents.

In other matters, the committee approved the $6, 092, 177 fiscal year 2015 budget, up $109,770 from FY14.

The first draft of the FY15 budget initially called for an increase in spending of $423,787 above the FY14 budget, but two teaching positions for which the committee strongly advocated ultimately had to be removed from the budget.

“As we moved through the [budget] process,” said Superintendent Doug White, “we’re pretty much stable with our current staff.”

We had to be realistic, though, said Higgins.

“It’s a very reasonable amount and a very good budget,” said Higgins. He later added, “Things can change as time goes by, and more [state funding] could become available.” He continued, “My hope for advocating for a second second-grade teacher is not all lost…but we have to move forward with what we have now.”

“It’s a budget that…a lot of hard work has gone into,” said White. He added that this number is what it will take to “maintain and increase the level of educational services to our students.”

Also at the meeting, the committee accepted the donation of a wooden shed no longer needed by the Police Department, which will be moved to Old Hammondtown.

The committee also accepted a $3,000 donation from the League of Women Voters for sixth-graders to participate in a water steward project, an educational program that teaches students about water, water consumption, and water resources.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Elise Frangos, a member of the League of Women Voters, highly praised the year-long project, which will have students taking field trips to attend presentations, and also producing public service announcements on water consumption, interacting with local town government figures, and writing short stories.

The next Mattapoisett School Committee meeting will be on April 14, at 7:00 pm at the Center School.

By Jean Perry

The fiscal year 2015 budget that Superintendent Doug White presented to the committee and to the public on March 5 has come a long way since its first draft back in January, which initially sought a half million-dollar increase from FY14.

With the budget now at $5,068,265 – a mere $25,926 above FY14 – the Marion School Committee showed little concern and asked no questions about the final draft budget after White’s presentation. The committee will likely vote to approve the budget next month during its April 2 meeting.

“So, what drives the budget?” White posed the question.

For starters, salary increases, contractual obligations, and one retirement will account for some of the increase in spending. There is also a rise in students attending Bristol County Agricultural High School, which has increased its tuition.

There is also a need for additional paraprofessional staff in the kindergarten and for special education support, something for which grant funding is steadily shrinking.

The school also needs to purchase a new reading curriculum to align itself with the Commonwealth’s new Common Core of Standards.

The cost of offsetting these increases will be reductions to FTEs (full time equivalent) for professional staff, including a reduction in force of 0.5 FTE in Enrichment, and a slight decrease of 0.1 FTE in physical education. Other positions, such as psychological services and the building technology position, will be restructured to further offset costs.

There is also a significant reduction in special education services for students, both in the district and with out-of-district placements, to the tune of $76,000.

In other news, as for the FY14 budget, White said during his financial report to the committee, “Overall, the budget is healthy and in good shape.”

Two areas of concern mentioned were Bristol Aggie tuition, which currently has a negative balance of $19,860, and Paraprofessional Services, which has a deficit of about $4000. White stated that a couple of budget transfers would cover the two line items in the foreseeable future.

Also during the meeting, Director of Food Services Caitlin Meagher updated committee members on the status of delinquent accounts, prompting committee members to wonder what to do after hearing that just four students accounted for over $400 of the $641 in delinquent accounts, split among 64 students.

Meagher referred to Sippican School as “the tricky school” when it came down to collecting money from parents with delinquent accounts.

“It’s getting rather excessive,” said Meagher. She said she sends an email every Tuesday to the parents with overdue balances, which brings in a slight influx of money on Wednesdays, but not by much.

The Marion School Committee, although it had discussed and drafted a policy in the past to deal with delinquent accounts, never officially adopted a lunch account policy.

To avoid excessive debts from incurring, Committee Member Christine Winters suggested the school provide a smaller, alternate lunch for students with delinquent accounts, “Because no child will go hungry,” she stated.

When asked if the parents of the four significantly higher account balances have applied for free or reduced lunch, Meagher replied, “They have not, and they will not.”

The next Marion School Committee meeting is April 2 at 6:30pm at the Marion Town House.

By Jean Perry

A full board attended Monday’s meeting of the Marion Planning Board to discuss the issue of where a medical marijuana facility might be located. The Planning Board also solicited the advice of Town Counsel Jon Whitten on the issue.

“We agreed to limit the area to eligible locations,” said Chairman Pat McArdle. “Also, the issue of the 500 foot clearance should be discussed,” said McArdle.

Since the town has such a mixed area of commercial and residential zoning along Route 6, the board agreed to go along with Whitten’s recommendation to not have any marijuana dispensary located within 300 feet of a residentially-zoned area or within 500 feet of a school or playground. The board also agreed that the zoning area for a marijuana dispensary would be considered ‘light industrial’ use.

The board will make a recommendation and hold a public hearing where town residents can weigh in on the discussion.

Next up, the board reviewed and discussed the ongoing revised zoning map of the town presented by John Rockwell, a former Planning Board member.

“This is a draft copy,” said Rockwell. As Rockwell spread out the map, he noted that there were a few issues that required more detail. “The Sippican Overlay District needs to be corrected and a few other details, so I am asking for input on this,” said Rockwell.

The plan is to finalize the map, have it approved at town meeting in the spring, and submit it to the state as the official map of the town. The map includes flood zoning for the town.

“You’ve done an excellent job, and we’d like to move this forward,” said board member Ted North.

The hiring of a part-time Town Planner was next on the agenda. Since the board works with a fiscal year running from July 1 to June 30, the issue of a publicized contract amount was discussed. “We don’t want to discourage someone who can help us, but might be put off by our fiscal year budget payment,” said Steve Kokkins.

The board agreed that a sub-committee should review applicants for the position and make recommendations. One board member asked about the applicants who applied for the position in Rochester, but it was noted that due to privacy issues, information on applicants for that position was not available.

Next, the board discussed a solar installation that came before the board prior to the enactment of the Solar By-Law in 2013. At issue were comments, requested by the Zoning Board of Appeals, on the case of Dale and Laura Briggs of Lot 17, Map 21 in Marion. The plot is located in a residential area. The applicants applied for approval for a solar farm in 2012, prior to the town meeting of 2013 that enacted a Solar By-Law with conditions.

In the end, the Marion Planning Board – as a result of efforts with the Land Court – voted to note in their comments to the Zoning Board of Appeals that they do not agree that a commercial enterprise (i.e., solar energy generation) be located in a residential area and that a solar generation operation be considered ‘light manufacturing’.

Lastly, the board approved minutes of prior meetings. The next meeting of the Marion Planning Board will be held on March 17. The public is invited and welcome to attend. Citizenship is an invitation.

By Joan Hartnett-Barry