Proposals for two Marion homes to be demolished and replaced by new homes were considered by the Conservation Commission on Wednesday evening.

Dr. Henning Gaissert of 28 Front Street discussed a Notice of Intent to demolish the existing dwelling at 28 Front Street and construct a new dwelling and driveway. At issue was an isolated wet area on the boundary line at Gaissert’s property and the abutter. Fred and Betty Danhauser, the abutters, addressed the board with their concerns regarding the proposed driveway being in the wet area on the boundary between the two properties.

After much discussion, it was agreed that the applicant would mark the boundary of the property and present plans that show the wet area in relation to the boundary line. The commission will revisit the property after the boundaries are marked and discuss their findings at the next meeting to be held on April 10.

Next up was Paul Murphy of 14 Doran Way discussing a Notice of Intent to demolish the existing dwelling and construct a new dwelling and deck. John Churchill of JC Engineering Inc. represented the applicant. The proposal was required due to a wetland that runs behind all the lots in the area. The commission reviewed the plans and noted that a stream near the wetland was not shown on the drawings. The board asked Churchill to rework the drawings to show the stream and determine whether a shed on the property, near the wetland, would be relocated or removed. The hearing was continued until April 10.

In other business, Diane Bondi-Pickles addressed the board with a request for Determination of Applicability to add and grade approximately 155 cubic yards of fill in a low area of the site at 29 Cove Street. Ray Pickles said that the fire hydrant on the property was substantially above the surrounding property, showing the need for fill to have proper grading. The Pickles’ plan to return the area to a state where water will not constantly puddle.

“We’ll use non-structural fill, seed it, and get it back to it’s natural state,” Pickles said.

A discussion of the Town of Marion’s Sprague’s Cove project on Front Street, near Silvershell Beach was discussed. Susannah Davis of Davis Land Design Inc. addressed the board and presented plans for plantings and a possible fence repair to be initiated prior to the beach opening in the summer.

Davis volunteered her time and effort to assist the town in tackling the multiple issues surrounding the Sprague’s Cove project. “We need a good mowing strip and plantings that will be easily maintained by the town,” Davis said. The board thanked Davis for her initial plans and will work with her to improve the area.

The board also had an appointment with Frank Cerkovitz regarding his Chapter 61A land conversion update. Cerkovitz has agricultural land with a water flow he plans to divert to another area. “We’re trying to move the water in another direction,” Cerkovitz said. The board told the applicant that they weren’t familiar with the details of the Chapter 61A requirements and filing needs and would contact the individuals Cerkovitz worked with to learn more about the project. “We haven’t seen something like this before,” Board Member Norman Hills said. “We want to learn more about what the requirements are for this project.”

By Joan Hartnett-Barry

A small but vocal group of homeowners in the Connet Woods subdivision protested the planned location of a mail kiosk at Tuesday’s Rochester Planning Board meeting, expressing frustration with the developer’s perceived lack of transparency and dissatisfaction with the Board’s proposed placement of the structure.

An at times heated discussion on the item dominated the evening’s proceedings, lasting upward of 90 minutes. Traffic congestion, safety, aesthetics, zoning requirements, the wishes of the postmaster, and other considerations had member Susan Teal “trying to build a matrix in my poor head.” She was not alone, as members pored over documents and photographs while keeping up with public comment.

Since the postal service will not deliver to individual mailboxes in the subdivision, its residents must use a kiosk, currently drawn up for Lot 107 on Box Turtle Drive. Abutters voiced concerns about noise pollution, privacy, accident risk, and interrupted sight lines if the common box were to be moved there.

“I wouldn’t have purchased the property had I known about this,” said one resident. “We chose this area specifically for the features of the neighborhood. These designs and the footprint have to be reconsidered.” Another described herself as “furious” at not having been notified by Edgewood Development Company, adding that “there has been a lot of wasted time. Here we are, and nobody’s happy, and it’s not fair.”

While the kiosk would currently have to accommodate only 20 residents, the proposed design anticipates future phases, and could ultimately handle mail for 52 Connet Woods lots. It would measure approximately 8 feet high, according to Tim Higgins of Edgewood. A subsequent companion kiosk in a different spot would add capacity for the remaining 65 lots in the development, which is located off of Ryder Road.

According to Chair Arnold Johnson, the post office “prefers” that there be two structures, and that they be located near the ingress points in the community.

“Their biggest issues are safety and access,” Johnson said, repeatedly rejecting suggested alternatives from residents as unsafe or impractical. “It’s a dilemma.”

One idea that did gain traction late in the meeting was from resident Justin Gear, who said that a pull-up lane could be built at the front of the subdivision – and adjacent to his property – necessitating the clearing of “only a few trees” and not endangering pedestrians. The Board’s response was positive, and Johnson encouraged the residents and the developer to reconvene and come up with a solution.

“We’ve heard a lot of great testimony tonight, and I hope you don’t think we’ve taken your concerns lightly,” he said. “You guys need to get together and come back to us. I’m putting it back in your lap. Stake out the options, and we’ll come out and take a look. I think we’re heading in the right direction here.”

The Board will revisit the item at its next meeting on April 9.

Meanwhile, the Board postponed discussion on Shawmut Associates’ recycling facility, and undertook informal talks about whether to present their zoning articles to Rochester voters at the annual Town Meeting on May 20 or at a special Town Meeting in the fall, when their issues might be less likely overshadowed by budgetary matters, and quorum requirements would be lower. The consensus was to wait until the fall.

By Shawn Badgley

Mattapoisett’s Board of Selectmen moved quickly through a short agenda that was long on good wishes, aspirations and creative marketing opportunities.

First up was the distribution of Certificates of Appreciation to Judy Anthony and Kathy DeMello for their dedication and good works with the Council on Aging.

Next came Paul Wildnauer from Greatscapes with a proposal from the Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association for the town’s participation in a statewide campaign titled “Don’t Just Stand There … Plant Something,” slated for May 15. This program, which is a joint initiative with the Massachusetts Flower Growers Association, is to help nurseries partner more closely with their communities, providing professional services and plants for public beautification projects. The Board was delighted at the opportunity to have a public location of the town’s choosing freshened up with new plantings. It was suggested that the sign near the industrial park would be an ideal location. The Selectmen’s office will publicize the volunteer opportunity to the citizens and also reach out to local organizations that are looking for these types of projects.

Town Administrator Mike Gagne then gave his report. Gagne said that the town had been approached by a television production company to produce a 30-minute show about Mattapoisett. The final product would air over several cable stations for approximately 20 time slots. After some discussion about the benefits such marketing programs could generate for Mattapoisett, Chairman Jordan Collyer noted that the $20,000 commitment required by the town was difficult to accept.

This led to a lively discussion about what could be done in-town versus using outside services to help market the virtues of Mattapoisett and the harbor resource to a wider audience. Such diverse ideas as producing mobile applications, a website for Mattapoisett Harbor, and video clips for websites were all inspired thoughts. Collyer also said that although the town had previously contacted the producers of “Chronicle” about using the Tri-Town area would prove more attractive than just one community. The Fox program “Zip Trip” had been a big success in the past and maybe they could be invited to return. Several of the ideas will be taken up for greater exploration. The Board held that it is necessary to help promote the use of the harbor as a destination point not unlike Martha’s Vineyard.

Gagne then addressed his second item: an article for Town Meeting regarding analysis of future facility needs. With a capital needs assessment and master plan done, Gagne offered that the possibility of soliciting expert and professional volunteers from town to help craft the use assessment for the public’s review might work well. It was noted that the voters might feel more comfortable with ideas fully fleshed out by fellow townspeople whose knowledge in construction, building materials, engineering and facility use could be key to moving needed projects closer to real development. All agreed that getting experts on board to suggest ways that projects can be done — such as a new Town Hall or Fire Department — is a different approach than what has previously been used.

Collyer commented that a “full vetting of ideas” was necessary.

“It is critical to get the right people involved,” Selectman Paul Silva said.

The Board then heard from Kathleen LeClair and Kelly Weglowski of Healing Little Hearts for an upcoming road race proposed in town. LeClair and Weglowski said that the group organizes fundraising activities for research done at Boston Children’s Hospital on congenital heart defects.

Mattapoisett Police Chief Mary Lyons explained the necessity of the race taking place in October due to the number of activities planned between May and September. The race will be scheduled sometime between October 12 and 14 to coincide with Columbus Day. The Selectmen’s office will assist the planners with coordinating Department of Public Works and insurance paperwork. This will be the first time the group has brought this activity to Mattapoisett, where they trust participation will be strong. Their request was approved.

The Selectmen then went into Executive Session. Their next meeting is slated for April 9 at 7:00 pm.

By Marilou Newell