Rochester Planning Board Chairman Arnold Johnson called a recent site visit to Covanta Energy’s planned Compressed Natural Gas refueling station on Cranberry Highway “pretty straightforward,” and members agreed that a public hearing on the project could take place as early as October 24.

Any concerns were “procedural as opposed to substantive,” said Johnson during an informal pre-submission meeting on Tuesday night, with the most notable being a “dip” in an access road that was pointed out by public safety officials.

Covanta engineer Larry Swartz said that the developers are addressing the road issue.

Elsewhere on the agenda, Jay Myrto of RGS Energy came before the Planning Board for an update on the Little Quittacas Solar Project on North Avenue. At issue was fencing for the facility, drainage basins, and a berm to obstruct visibility of solar arrays on the part of abutters.

“From the beginning, we knew they wouldn’t be 100 percent invisible from all angles,” Myrto said. “But, boy, we’re pretty close to that.”

Board members and Myrto were in concert on the project’s progress.

“At this point, I’m feeling pretty comfortable that you guys like what you see,” Myrto said.

“All in all, I think we’re in pretty good shape,” Johnson agreed. “I think we’re all on the same page.”

Myrto told the Planning Board that his company’s contract with Con Edison calls for the project to be completed in early 2014, with “substantial completion” in November.

The Planning Board is next scheduled to meet on October 24.

By Shawn Badgley

Mattapoisett has scored a triple “A” bond rating from Standard & Poor. This major achievement was announced during the regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen as part of Michael Gagne’s Administrator’s report. This rating is the highest cities and towns can attain and will make the upcoming bond sale much more attractive. Gagne said that S&P, along with similar institutions, has become vastly more stringent in their scoring practices since the stock market crash and banking irregularities the country recently experienced. As he continued to share with the board significant highpoints of the past few years that has allowed the town to reach this level, Gagne segued to the Annual Budget Review process and memorializing policies.

The Finance Committee and staff accountants have worked with Gagne to produce written documents or a memorializing of financial policies that were presented to the board for their review and adoption. The objectives detailed in the document that was presented include: Memorializing fiscal management goals, policy for use of town funds and associated reporting, goals for building proper reserves for unforeseen expenses and potential budget busters, long- and short-term capital planning strategies, long-term debt planning and management, practices for protecting credit rating, methods of developing an annual budgets, and methods to develop annual revenue projections.

Other information Gagne reported to the board was the necessity for a member of the Board of Selectmen or their delegate to conduct the Town’s perambulation (boundary walk). Harkening back to a time when maps were handcrafted documents, it was important for leaders of villages, towns, or counties to “walk” or perambulate the boundaries to insure that survey markers were consistent with records and hadn’t been breached or removed.

And completing his report, Gagne asked permission to contact safety officer Justin King to explore the possibility of adding some caution signage near bike path intersections. There was some discussion about the necessity of also putting additional cautionary signs on the bike paths due to the bikers not obeying cycling rules of the road. The board agreed that additional signs might be helpful and working with Officer King important to help both motorists and cyclists.

In other business, Marylou Armstrong came before the board for a brief interview of her qualifications to fill an empty seat on the Conservation Commission. She referred to her experience with wetland regulations and past positions in Stoughton on the Conservation Commission. The members of the board concurred that her impressive resume was well suited for the position she was seeking and her appointment was passed.

Judy Mooney and Horace Field both received Certificates of Appreciation. Mooney was lauded for her expertise in fiscal planning and work on the Finance Committee. Field was thanked and appreciated for his many years of dedicated service as the town’s harbormaster.

Upcoming events are: Board of Selectmen, Tuesday, October 22; Fall Special Town Meeting, Monday, November 18; Rabies Clinic, Sunday, October 20; Fire Department Annual Open House, Thursday, October 10, 6:00-8:00 pm.

By Marilou Newell

Noting that the Planning Board has no power to change bylaws, only to suggest language changes that would improve the text for public consumption, Chairman Tom Tucker and the board began the line-by-line review. Starting with zoning bylaws that cover signs and parking, the full board worked through and discussed wording that would make the most sense. After some time spent discussing whether signs be lighted from within or the size and number of parking spaces, John Mathieu will tackle writing a draft for parking, while Mary Crain will take on signs. When the board reconvenes at the next meeting, a draft will be presented, further tweaks made, and a final draft prepared for public hearings.

During their discussions on the bylaws, members referred to the necessity for site plan review, noting that it would be better if the Zoning Board of Appeals after granting a waiver sent the applicant back to the planning board for site plan review. This they felt would help ensure that plans submitted to the town were followed.

Bonnie DeSousa asked if they board would be reviewing the bylaws for solar and wind farms. Mathieu said they would be doing so once they established their processes for bylaw review with smaller sections such as parking and signs. At the next meeting, they will dig into screening, common driveways, and trailers.

In other business, Peter Loyd of 65 Mattapoisett Neck Rd. came before the board requesting their review and advice on the best way to pursue preparing the sale of lots he owns in this neighborhood. All of the lots are presently non-conforming, with the exception of one that has been deemed by the Building Department as grandfathered and therefore buildable. The board suggested it would be appropriate for Loyd to return to the building department for further guidance.

Next up was Dan Daluz, representing the residents of the Village at Mattapoisett Condominium association. Recently, the association learned that possibly other “private” areas were receiving town services in the form of trash removal and questioned the board as to whether the association could, as well.

“We pay taxes like everyone else,” said Daluz, adding, “and it’s been 10 years.”

Tucker and Ron Merlo both explained to Daluz that certain beach communities that had previously been private, opened their roadways up for public use in order to receive town services such as trash removal and snow plowing. Daluz was not aware that the intelligence the association had received might not have been correct and appreciated the time the board took explaining the conditions previously decided when the developer approached the town for “special residential development.”

With that, the board approved last meeting’s minutes and adjourned.

By Marilou Newell

With everything so far going according to schedule, Rochester is set to move forward on Advanced Life Support (ALS) service starting November 1.

Town Administrator Richard LaCamera said that available paramedic positions have been filled, and revenues for the past few months have averaged over $27,000 per month, well above the $25,000 per month estimated to cover ALS service.

“We’re right on line,” said LaCamera, who noted that the estimated cost per year is $200,000. “If all goes as planned, we’ll be ready for November 1.“

“It’s big stuff,” added Board Chairperson Naida Parker, with Selectman Richard Nunes echoing her sentiments.

In other news, two new members were added to the Old Colony School Committee, including former Selectman David Hughes and former Greater New Bedford Vocational Principal Michael Gagliardi.

Gagliardi, who spent 36 years total at GNB Vocational, takes the place of Gus Costa, who recently passed away, and Hughes, who has also served on the Planning Board and who currently serves as Park Commissioner and Constable, takes over for Fred Underhill, who recently retired from his position.

“I think you’ve got some very big shoes to fill at the school,” Parker said. “It’s going to be a challenge for anyone coming in.”

Costa, who was Chairman of the Old Colony School Committee, recently passed away after a brief illness.

“He was very dedicated and hardworking at the job,” said Underhill, who was also on hand. Underhill said that he himself made the decision to retire per order of his doctors.

“I also will miss the school, but it’s one of those things I’ve had to do,” Underhill said.

LaCamera also discussed the “Right to Farm” signs proposed by David Smith of the Rochester Agricultural Commission. He said the original proposal Smith presented came out to $75 per sign (without post), and that recently, Highway Surveyor Jeff Eldridge said he could obtain the signs for $55 per sign (without post). In all, the signs would be $85.95 per sign, with a total of 13 signs proposed.

A decision has not yet been made as to when they will move forward ordering the signs. At the last meeting, Board members said they might have to wait until next year to come up with the money for the signs.

By Nick Walecka