The evening’s meeting started out quickly with a fast turnaround for Brian Porter, Vice President of Brophy & Phillips Co. Real Estate regarding Mattapoisett Landing Units 6, 7, 8, and 102 situated on Fairhaven Road. Porter was before the board to explain plan changes for one unit from triplex to a duplex. With no concerns, the board approved the changes as submitted.

The balance of the night was then given over to Grant King, Principal Comprehensive Planner for SRPEDD for a public hearing on the draft of Mattapoisett’s future in terms of re-zoning, land protection, property protection, and growth.

King prefaced his presentation by stating for the assembled, “This is not SRPEDD’s work; this is your work.” He also made it clear that is was an informal conversation of the draft work that had been done with a coalition of townspeople from Mattapoisett. He then explained the necessity of this work for Mattapoisett’s future.

Putting the material in context, he said that in 2008, as part of the Southcoast Rail Project, an original plan was prepared. Via a PowerPoint presentation, he overlaid the 2012 plan to demonstrate some differences for the group’s consideration.

He then explained that a 2010 state executive order (EO 525) required cities and towns in the corridor region to establish fully fleshed out plans. The directive doesn’t tell municipalities what they must do or develop, plan or build, but that those plans have merit. Throughout his presentation, King emphasized that the draft was the town’s plan, not SRPEDD’s.

He explained the priority development areas were where the group thought types of light commercial or other construction might be reasonable to help revenue sources for the town. One example is a site off Crystal Springs Road that is an old gravel pit; it might be considered for rezoning for low impact development

The meeting was then turned over for public comment.

Bonnie DeSouza said the “landfill area was recently approved for solar farm –  it’s a perfectly good area for that.” She added that “another old gravel pit behind the Knights of Columbus might be a good spot for commercial development” and “the entire length of Route 6 should be more business friendly.” She went on to say “We don’t want to change laws that might affect the use of the boatyard areas, for the important work it does for our water recreation.”

Mary Crain asked, “Can the same be said about the boat yard at Brandt Island?”

King said the same logic would apply and swiftly made the changes to the draft.

Paul Osenkowski asked, “What is low impact development?”

King said it is “mostly associated with storm water runoff … so rather than a CVS coming in, rather than just building a parking lot, we could make them build in swales to divert rain water runoff.”

Osenkowski said, “It seems because of an executive order we are being asked to increase the number of homes and businesses so that we can increase revenue into the town and pack more people into cluster development.”

Again King said, “This is not SRPEDD’s work, this is not the state’s work, this is your fellow citizen’s work.” He said, “this is a basic plan use exercise which is taking place across the 27 communities in SRPEDD coverage.” He continued, “where do the towns want growth, where to the towns want protection … the state is providing grants for towns that have made statements about growth … there is some incentive [to the town] by making money available.”

The state is offering two types of grants. One is for Massworks projects such as sewer extensions, bike paths, roadwork, and the other is for economic development studies that may include residential expansion studies. But King also said, “The state is not trying to influence behavior with funding.”

Brad Hathaway spoke, saying, “25 years ago they tried to extend the business along route 6, the same town meeting they turned the same business area back to residential. … I think this is a very poor turnout by the town on something that is so important to the town,” noting that there were approximately 15 people present.

Hathaway then reminded the group, “We can not protect the wetlands in this town without a wetlands protection bylaws, mostly because of the action of the Conservation Commission. Until we get wetlands protection bylaws, this is ridiculous.”

King responded, “But we are not talking about zoning now … that would have to go to town meeting for public vote before any of these suggestions, before any zoning changes can be implemented.”

Gary Johnson asked, “Can you compare Mattapoisett to Marion,” indicating that he wished to see how the latter had zoned its part of Route 6. He said, “We can’t have non-discriminatory plans for Route 6 from border to border.”

Bob Rogers wanted to clarify that, “business development doesn’t mean it has to be commercial development … it could be medical offices, or senior housing.”

Board member Karen Fields asked King, “What do you see in the future for villages to stay a village?” King replied, “Good planning and good zoning work.”

King went on to say that SRPEDD will review the plans to find the things that are most important for the town. He encouraged everyone to participate in regional meetings and to visit the SRPEDD website at www.srpedd.org/scr-update.asp.

By Marilou Newell

Rochester residents voted during Monday night’s quick Town Meeting to retain their current tax billing system and to remain a part of the Marion Rochester Regional Health District, ending months of infighting on both issues.

Article 9 would have switched Rochester from its current annual tax billing system to a “Semi-Annual Preliminary Tax Payment System,” as proposed by the Board of Selectmen.

But members of the Board of Assessors, who came out against the initiative earlier this year, wasted no time making their feelings known on Monday night: Chair John Mello told voters that the Board prefers a quarterly system and would prepare a proposal in time for the next Town Meeting. The Article had met with little debate before resident Kirby Gilmore moved to table it. The motion passed overwhelmingly.

If voters dealt the Selectmen a glancing blow by tabling Article 9, they connected squarely soon after by resoundingly defeating Article 10. It proposed withdrawal of Rochester from the joint Marion Rochester Regional Health District.

“We have concerns about some of the costs,” Naida Parker said, going on to explain potential liability issues that the Selectmen and Town Counsel see as risky, at best.

But Rochester Board of Health Chair Dale Barrows blasted this line of reasoning, while other members and residents expressed how well the District has functioned under the direction of Karen Walega, whose services the town could have lost if Article 10 passed.

“It’s difficult to find someone of her caliber,” Board of Health member Sandra Keese said. ”This is a silly idea.”

Rochester voters agreed to the tune of 125-2.

One major health-related change that Rochester did approve was the upgrade of EMT services from Basic Life Support to Advanced Life Support. Though it boosted the EMT budget from $191,878 to $321,675, officials argued successfully that the enhanced capabilities would save lives as well as recoup costs with increased call volume and billing reimbursements.

The EMT item was part of the Fiscal Year 2014 Operating Budget of $18,413,066 – aka Article 5, which passed.

As did all other articles elsewhere on the Warrant (and Special Warrant). They included:

Article 2, Elected Officials Salaries: To see if the Town will vote to fix the salaries of the elected officials of the Town for the Fiscal Year 2014 as follows or take any other action thereon.

Article 3, Personnel By-Law Amendment – Classification And Compensation Plan

Article 4, Longevity Pay: To see if the Town will vote to amend PART Vi-Rate increases of the Town Personnel By-laws by adding the following as the second paragraph: “Regular, non-union, employees are entitled to receive longevity incentive pay at the completion of 10, 20 and 25 years of service as a benefitted employee. Longevity incentive pay shall be paid out at the following rate increase schedule. The percentage increase reflects a percentage of the employee’s base pay for each longevity step increase. 10 years (2%) 20 years (1%) 25 years (1%). Employees shall receive the pay increases reflected above be- ginning the next fiscal year after they reach the required length of service.”

Article 6, Departmental Revolving Funds Authorization: To see if the Town will vote to authorize revolving funds for certain Town departments under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 44 Section 53E 1/2 for the Fiscal Year 2014 or take any other action thereon.

            Article 7, Natural Resource Expenses: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate and/or transfer from available funds a sufficient sum of money to fund the following recurring Environmental and Natural Resources Expenses or take any other action thereon. Fund 2014 Natural Resource Expenses Department Item/Project: Selectmen Planting of Shellfish (Marion) $300; Total Assessment $300.       

            Article 8, Chapter 90 Funds Appropriation: To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum a of money from the proceeds due to the Town under the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90; for the purposes of repair, construction, maintenance and preservation of the Town roads and bridges and other related costs which qualify under the State Aid Highway Guidelines adopted by the Massachusetts Highway Authority.

            Article 11, Fingerprinting By-Law: To see if the Town will vote, as authorized by Chapter 256 of the Acts of 2010, and incorporated into the Massachusetts General Laws as Chapter 6, Section 172 B 1/2, to create a by-law enabling the Police Department to conduct State and Federal Fingerprint Based Criminal History checks for individuals applying for the following licenses:
Hawking and Peddling or other Door-to-Door Salespeople, Owner or Operator of Public Conveyance, Dealer of Second-hand Articles, Pawn Dealers, Hackney Drivers, and, Ice Cream Truck Vendors and to adopt appropriate policies and procedures to effectuate the purposes of this by-law, or take any other action relative thereto.
Article 12, Rescinding of Previous Borrowing Authorizations: To see if the Town will vote to rescind the following previously approved borrowing authorizations as approved by previous Town Meeting or take any other action thereto. Rochester Memorial School Renovation/Addition Article 1 – STM – 10/26/09 – Unissued Amount – $14,812,000 RMS Feasibility And Schematic Design Phase Article 6 – STM – 10/20/08 – Unissued Amount – $211,481 Carr Family Bogs Land Preservation Project Article 13 – ATM – 05/17/10 – Unissued Amount – $300,000

Article 13, Establishment Of Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School District “Stabilization Fund”

Article 14, Appropriate For OPEB Liabilities: To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the total sum of $5,000 to meet the Town’s obligations under the Government Accounting Standards Boards Statement 45 to fund the Town’s future obligations for the cost of other post employment benefits identified by GASB 45 Report; and as funding therefore, to raise $5,000 from the Tax Levy, or take any action relative thereto.

Article 15, Stabilization Fund: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate and/or transfer from available funds a sum of money to be added to the Stabilization Fund, or take any other action thereon.

Special Article 1: FY 13 Unanticipated Costs

Special Article 2: Establishment of a Special Education Costs Stabilization Fund

Special Article 3: Transfer to Special Education Stabilization Fund

By Shawn Badgley

A changing of the guards happened at the Monday meeting of the Marion Planning Board, resulting from the Friday election. Incoming members included Jerry Ferrari and Norm Hills, who were welcomed as new members. Outgoing members included Tom Magauran and Sherman Briggs Jr.

Chair Jay Ryder, who later turned over the reins to new Chair Pat McArdle, opened with a heartfelt thank you to outgoing member Sherman Briggs. “We want to thank Sherman Briggs for his many, many years of service. The number of your volunteer hours is unmatched. He has a will to the town that is true dedication. We support you,” Ryder said. Both the board and the audience applauded.

“Also, we want to thank Tom Magauran, for his nine years of service on the Planning Board. By voice and by letter, Tom has told us that he is available as a consultant on issues ongoing and upcoming,” Ryder said. Again, the board and audience applauded.

The reorganization had Jay Ryder stepping down and appointing Pat McArdle as the new Chair. Steve Kokkins was appointed as Vice Chair, and newly elected Norm Hills as Clerk.

In joking mode, outgoing Chair Jay Ryder said that the Planning Board was like the “’Hotel California’ … you can check out, but you can never leave,” with the board and audience in laughter.

The board approved past minutes and determined that no comment would be made on issues regarding ZBA issues at 40 Dexter Road or at 5 Spinnaker Lane.

Next up was a Continued Public Hearing of a Site Plan Review, Johnson Family Investments, 806 Mill Street c/o GAF Engineering/Anthi Frangiadis Associates. The property is the location of the former Frigate Restaurant on Route 6.

Four abutters to the property spoke about the impact of the proposed local produce market and ice cream window. The property, in the rear, abuts the back of the Old Knoll area.

The proposal is waiting for comments from the Town of Marion’s engineering firm, Field Engineering, a Mattapoisett firm, regarding the project.

Owner Arnie Johnson spoke and addressed the board.

“Last week I met with four abutters and walked the property,” Johnson said. “We want to be a good neighbor and do the right thing. We have addressed all points in the Massachusetts Highway permit process and want to be right with our neighbors.”

Several abutters attended the meeting and spoke about concerns. The property just behind the property is Old Sheepfield Road, part of the Old Knoll neighborhood.

Abutter Christine Dole addressed the board and said that she and her family worried about the ice cream window proposed at the site. “What about loud music and children running around the area?” she asked.

Johnson responded by saying that he will only be selling fruit smoothies and ice cream and not burgers and clams from the window. “This will not be Kool Kone,” Johnson said.

“I want to work with the abutters on this,” he added. At issue is the ice cream window, which would be close to one of the abutters’ property. Marlene and John Sousa, of Mill Street attended, and asked about the buffer of trees and brush from the business. Johnson said he would be willing to meet with any and all abutters to address issues.

Hours of the new establishment will end at 7:00 pm for the produce market and at 9:00 pm for the ice cream window.

The Public Hearing was continued to June 3 at 7:10 pm.

By Joan Hartnett-Barry