In 1959, OPEB programs were first established, unfortunately without benefit of any foresight as to how these lifetime benefits would ever be paid for. Mattapoisett truly is “special” for funding its OPEB obligation.

“Mattapoisett is only the third town in over 300 communities that has stepped up with a funding schedule,” Town Administrator Michael Gagne told the board. “Residents aren’t going to kick [funding OPEB] down the road for future generations to have to deal with.”

The Board of Selectmen voted affirmatively to establish an irrevocable trust that will be funded by investing approximately $295,000 per year over the next 30 years, ensuring that contractual post employment benefits won’t bankrupt the town. The trust cannot be used for any other purpose, thus protecting it. The Finance Committee with Gagne and the Selectmen have been working on this important issue since 2010.

The press release reads in part: “May 13, 2013: During Town Meeting, the town voted to adopt a 30-year funding schedule; under this schedule, $297,720 per year for 30 years with the goal of plan assets equaling or exceeding the accrued postretirement benefits obligation (APBO) at that time; the purpose of this approach attempts to ensure generational and taxpayer equity whereby today’s taxpayers are paying the expenses incurred today and not pushing them off to future taxpayers.”

The full press release is available at the Town Hall and includes actuarial projections.

In other updates from Gagne to the Board, he cited necessary repairs for the bathhouse at town beach, the restrooms at Ned’s Point Park, and sidewalk repairs that are not part of the current sidewalk master plan. He told the Board members that he is working with an architect on plans for the bathhouse that will include cost estimates. He hoped to be able to present a request for funding at the Fall Town Meeting so the project can go out to bid and be completed before the summer of ’14. Regarding the sidewalks, he has received complaints from resident about trip hazards on streets outside the current waterfront plan. He suggested that he and the Highway Department could come up with some cost estimates for their review. He’ll move forward working with Barry Denham, Highway Department Superintendent.

Sidewalks came up again when Gagne said he received correspondence regarding “Inclusion of Active Streets Program In Transportation Bond Bill.” This bill was written to “establishing an active streets certification program within the Department of Transportation to encourage walking, cycling, and the use of public transportation in municipalities.”

It is also hoped that by providing better roads and sidewalks residents will be encouraged to leave their cars at home helping to curb green house gases.

On the theme of keeping the streets and sidewalks clean, the town has purchased six new dog waste stations, giving the two-legged animals walking their four legged animals more opportunities to keep the town clean. Those stations will be set up at the end of Good Speed, Center School, bike path, Ned’s Point, and the Land Trust space beside the town piers.

At the regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen, several town residents were recognized for exceptional service to the town. First up was Grace Knox, whose many years of service on the School Committee was acknowledged, she received a plaque in appreciation.

Jeffrey McMahon received a Citation of Honor for valor in action. While working he assisted a resident with first aid, which resulted in saving the person’s life.

Seth Mendell, whose many years of dedicated service as historian of the town and a member of the Historical Commission, was recognized. He, too, received a plaque but noted for those in attendance, “This doesn’t mean I’m done. I have several books coming.”

Finally, the Highway Department received hearty thanks for the Board for their outstanding work on many levels throughout the summer months, of which the town can be very proud.

Other announcements included that shellfish season will begin on October 1st if the town receives permission from Department of Marine Fisheries, and the Fall Town Meeting will be on November 18th at ORR starting at 6:30 p.m.

The next Selectmen’s Meeting is Oct 8 at 7pm.

By Marilou Newell

In an eventful evening at the Planning Board in Rochester, there were several issues discussed, including zoning bylaw amendments to be voted on at November 25 fall Town Meeting, the approval to schedule two separate site plan reviews, and the approval of a subdivision plan at 293 Hartley Rd.

The Board voted favorably to approve the six different amendments to be voted upon at Town Meeting. Those include amendments for the regulation and implementation of zoning bylaws involving medicinal marijuana facilities, accessory structures, roadside stands, farm stands, site plan reviews, site plan review application filing procedures, and flood plains.

The Board also approved site plan pre-submissions from Covanta Energy for a CNG fueling station on Cranberry Highway and from NSTAR for an electric transfer station on Hartley Road.

As for Covanta, the Board’s main concern for the fueling station would be its impact on traffic on the busy road where the building is proposed. Town Planner Arnold Johnson said that they’d also like to eventually see a “master plan” of sorts from Covanta, who has recently grown quite a bit construction-wise in the area.

Covanta engineer Larry Swartz assured the Board that a traffic impact analysis as well as the presentation of an overall plan would take place in the future. The site plan review is scheduled for Monday, September 30.

And for NSTAR, the Board approved of the pre-submission without any major concerns.

“It’s rather simple, but it does trigger our site plan review from a square footage standpoint,” said Johnson, who noted that a construction date for the project would now be dictated by NSTAR following the site plan review, which is also planned for Monday. “It’s kind of back in your court, so to speak, as to how the time frame goes.”

In other news, the Board approved a subdivision for Robert Lawrence of the aforementioned 239 Hartley Rd., with the board also voting to grant waivers on certain aspects that did not pertain to this project in particular.

By Nick Walecka

No fewer than nine public hearings came before the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission on Monday evening, making for a meeting that approached four hours in duration and a series of decisions on complex applications. N. Douglas Schneider & Associates engineer David Davignon was front and center for six of them, as his company was representing a majority of the applicants.

Davignon had a mostly good night, with four of his projects receiving the green light from the Conservation Commission, including the Notices of Intent put forth by Timothy and Greta Fox. The Foxes are currently building in the Pine Island Estates on Pine Island Road, and the two houses under construction have been criticized by neighbors for what they have perceived as an erratic timetable and less than forthright dealings with aspects of the plans, including a proposed paved road.

Mattapoisett Dick Poznysz submitted a letter to the town expressing concern that the bulldozed swale leading to the project is haphazard and could prove troublesome for nearby trees, some of which could reach his house if they fell.

“Construction has been under way for a year,” Poznysz said. “It’s common sense and prudent to ascertain whether it’s being conducted properly.”

Other neighbors, including abutter Becky Lockwood, agreed, saying that runoff onto her property had increased dramatically, while adding that a fence of hers had been impacted by construction.

But acting chairman Bob Rogers told the assembled that the decision was effectively out of the Conservation Commission’s hands, pointing out that the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection had OK’d the project and is currently monitoring it. A denial of the Foxes’ request for approval on features would likely result in a protracted appeal process with the same result, Rogers said.

“We have no leverage or means to hold this up,” Rogers said. “We have a process. We cannot arbitrarily or legally tell him he can’t [move forward].”

The Conservation Commission also approved Davignon for the repair of a stone/concrete seawall at 11 Shore View Ave., and a more extensive project at 8 Deep Woods Dr., where Long Built Homes proposes the construction of a four-bedroom house and attached garage. The property would include a septic system, as Mattapoisett has heretofore denied tie-in to the sewer line because of “over-capacity,” according to Davignon, while also adding an in-ground pool that will require some removal of trees.

While some abutters wondered whether the pool would increase runoff to their properties, as well as to the surrounding wetlands, because of the increase in impervious cover, none outright opposed the plan.

However, flooding concerns did stall another of Davignon’s projects: The addition of a shed, porch, and patio at 24 Pine Island Rd. The hearing – as well as that for another swimming pool project at 20 Water Street – was continued until the Commission’s next meeting on October 16.

Elsewhere on the agenda, the Conservation Commission gave the go-ahead to:

Construction of a 30-by-80-foot hoop building at 4 Fairhaven Rd.;

Revised plans for a private dock in Hiller’s Cover at 48A Shore Dr., with conditions for plan language and the treatment of rebar before construction gets under way;

A proposed wetland and intermittent stream crossing, road construction, and four-point source discharges at David Nicolosi’s property on Fairhaven Road.

By Shawn Badgley

Several past complaints of incessant and late-night dog barking at 368 North Ave. led to a public hearing at Monday’s Board of Selectmen meeting, with the Board ultimately deciding to continue the hearing to a future date as the barking has subsided in more recent months.

Liberal Teixeira, the property owner, was on hand to defend himself among the Selectmen, several neighbors, abutters, and Anne Estabrook, the town’s Animal Control Officer, but the overall consensus among those in attendance was that the barking was not a major issue in recent months.

Teixeira is licensed to have 16 kennels on his property, and he said that the noise was mainly from five beagles that he recently found homes for.

“I’m gong to continue to try to do things to improve the situation,” said Teixeira. “I want to be a good neighbor, too. If there’s a problem, please tell me, and I’ll address the issue.”

Town Counsel Blair Bailey suggested that the hearing be continued to a future meeting unless there weren’t any more complaints regarding the noise from Teixeira’s dogs.

“We would only have you in here if it continues to be a problem,” said Bailey.

In other news, David Smith of the town’s Agricultural Commission was on hand to request the Board’s permission to move forward with 11 “Right to Farm Community” signs to be erected on town roads in several locations. The signs are in correlation with community supported farming, which is promoted by the Agricultural Commission.

“It just furthers our acceptance of farming in the town,” Smith said.

Smith requested funding from the town on behalf of the Commission, but Selectmen said that currently, there was no funding available in the budget for the signs, though there could be in fiscal year 2014 if they could not come up with their own funding through fundraising or donations.

“We don’t have any money for this,” Town Administrator Richard LaCamera said. “It’s going to be a couple thousand dollars by [the time the signs and posts are done being built and erected].”

Board Chairwoman Naida Parker recommended waiting until next year to see if they can budget it.

Smith added that he would get a couple more quotes on prices for the signs and seek funding elsewhere if necessary.

The Board approved a motion to allow Mr. Smith to go forward with the project.

Lastly, the Board announced that Fred Underhill has resigned from Old Colony School Committee, and that anyone interested should contact the town regarding the position.

By Nick Walecka