Alan Minard of the Marion Finance Committee presented a draft of the 2014 budget at the Board of Selectmen meeting on Tuesday evening. The proposed budget has a projected 2.46 percent increase over the existing budget.

“This is pretty much a balanced budget, which is fairly flat from last year,” Minard said. The Finance Committee will continue to work with the budget and present a final proposal within the coming weeks.

A review of the proposed budget shows the addition of a town facilities position, which would fund an experienced individual who could keep ahead of maintenance issues with town-owned buildings. The Board, along with Town Administrator Paul Dawson, agreed that Marion has to anticipate capital needs before they arise.

The 2013 fiscal year appropriation is $18,797,635. The 2014 fiscal year proposed appropriation is $19,260,256.

Pamela Marean, a grant writer hired by the town in 2012, reported on the research and work she has completed during her tenure.

Marean has addressed the majority of the boards in town, along with the library and other town departments, in a search to match needs with grants. Marean said that there are local, state and federal grants that are available which Marion could seek for funding.

A priority is a Geographical Information System digital mapping system, which would benefit multiple town departments, including the emergency medical technicians, police and housing departments, assessors’ office and the historical landmarking in town.

“The purpose of my report is to show how I’ve spent my time,” Marean said. A highlight of her success is a $1 million grant awarded by MassWorks.

Selectman John Henry congratulated Marean on her success, and noted that she grew up in Marion.

“Let’s give credit where credit is due,” Henry said. “Former Selectman Roger Blanchette pushed us to hire a grant writer, and here we are.”

In other business, the Board approved a contract with Tata & Howard for engineering services for the preparation of specifications, bidding, and contract award services for the replacement of a roof at the Perry Hill Station in the amount of $12,500. Dawson noted that the funding was approved last year.

The Board approved a $45,014.14 contract to Integration Partners of Lexington for a new phone system at the Town House. The new system will tie into the new system installed at the police station.

“When we lost power, it really affected our ability to operate, and that’s the time when people are really looking to us,” Dawson said. “This is the very product we’ve been looking for. With a few keystrokes during an outage, we’ll have the components necessary to run a seamless system.” He noted that the bid will save the town at least $4,500 from the one previously considered.

Town resident Carol Sanz spoke to the Board and expressed her disappointment at the newly-installed lighting system outside the Marion Music Hall.

“It’s too modern and takes away from the facade,” Sanz said. Selectman Henry said that outdoor lighting codes have changed, including issues with light pollution. Dawson responded that the lighting was handled by the Music Hall Committee, which came up with the design and put it out to bid. The project cost approximately $77,000.

“I just feel that it could have been done much simpler for much less,” Sanz said.

The Board held off approving the warrant for Town Meeting and is awaiting a final approval of the article wording from Town Counsel Jon Witten.

Other items approved included a one-day all alcohol license for the Marion Social Club for a chicken barbecue from 12:00 to 4:00 pm on April 21; Susan Connor was approved as the Inspector of Animals for the town.

By Joan Hartnett-Barry

A site review has been planned for April 2 on a property owned by Shawmut Associates, LLC of 1245 Cranberry Highway, on which construction of a recycling and processing facility for municipal solid waste and other materials is scheduled to take place. The plan is to expand the pre-existing structure, and the facility would be the first of its kind in Massachusetts, according to testimony at the Rochester Conservation Commission meeting on Tuesday night.

The Commission also approved a request for a Certificate of Compliance for Steven Grenier on his property at 57 Old Schoolhouse Road. The applicant submitted the request because he was issued an Order of Conditions for work that was done by the previous owner on the garage and breezeway in 2001.

“We’ve been contacting that particular owner to let them know that there was a lien on the property,” said Laurell Farinon, the town’s Conservation Agent. She said that she had visited the property and that “everything looked great.”

In other news, Commissioner John Teal’s term has expired, but the Commission nominated him to return for another term, and he will serve another. Farinon said that she would send a letter to the Board of Selectmen announcing the decision.

Finally, Rosemary Smith of the Commission added that the town of Rochester and the Commission could utilize a free workshop from the Massachusetts Audubon Society. According to Smith, the workshops discuss things like protecting water resources, saving money and promoting agriculture. She said that they have assisted various towns with community preservation and open space plans.

“It seems like it’s a great asset that we could bring here,” Smith said. “We could have it be an open town meeting, or we could include other commissions. I’d like you guys to think about it and see if there are things you’d like.”

By Nick Walecka

With a full quorum on hand, Mattapoisett’s Planning Board confronted a few weighty items on their March 19 agenda.

First up was the issue of whether the Board would or could allow an easement through lots situated on 88 Aucoot Road. GAF Engineering submitted site plans which gave members the opportunity to visually review the matter. Property owners were requesting that an easement through lot 80A be permitted so that surrounding lots would have permanent access to the cove area. This easement request is in anticipation of the lot being sold. The current owner wants assurance that new owners would be legally bound to the easement rights in the future. GAF Engineering pointed out that throughout the area, other “common easements” were in place and this request should, therefore, be similarly acceptable. However, it became apparent during the dialogue that such an easement had the potential for creating a nonconforming lot at 80B. Chairman Tom Tucker expressed concern about the Board creating a nonconforming lot by allowing the easement as requested.

“I think we need to consult our legal counsel,” Tucker said. The Board agreed, and the request was tabled until the April 1 meeting, giving the Board sufficient time to prepare their response.

Next, the Board engaged in an informal discussion with Rick Charon of Charon Associates representing Blue Wave Capital, LLC. The development company’s website notes: “BlueWave Capital, LLC is a renewable energy project development and management company with a focus on solar photovoltaic development in New England, South Africa and the Caribbean.”

They proposed a solar installation at Tinkham Hill Road on property owned by the Mahoney family that would cover approximately 22 acres. Construction of the photovoltaic array would require tree removal, land grading and other environmental changes, noted Charon. Such changes are within the scope of work allowed on such property without Planning Board oversight. Charon said that the developers would be going through local Zoning Board of Appeals requirements, as well as state guidelines that oversee alternative energy generation projects.

Some discussion about increased water runoff once natural woodlands are modified took place. Charon said all of those issues and considerations would be addressed, including the planting of new grasses.

Board member Karen Field questioned Charon about who would benefit from the energy once it is produced and how it will help the town. Charon was not prepared to fully respond to this question. Regarding the users of the power, Charon said the arrangement is to be determined.

Other issues raised by the Board included the town’s responsibility to provide emergency response in case of a fire; the necessity, if any, for special fire suppression materials; and whether the power generation system would disrupt the peaceful environment which the abutters now enjoy. Charon responded that solar installations were innately resident-friendly projects not unlike overhead electrical power transmission and transformers presently used by the community. Access roads would allow fire trucks free movement around the site.

Charon will next go before the Zoning Board of Appeals, which has jurisdiction over the project. Board member Ron Merlo was in favor of the project, and the general consensus of the Board was favorable.

A final informal discussion involved the issue of a private roadway at the Appaloosa Lane development area. Brian Grady of GAF Engineering came before the Board to discuss the road in its current and future state plans. Also on hand was Barry Denham to share his expert insights.

The road is currently a “mud hole. It doesn’t work,” Denham said. Unfortunately for the two residences originally built there, the absence of further development work over the years means that the road has languished and is now in total disrepair.

Board member John Mathieu said that it is a private road and not the town’s responsibility. He insisted that the developers be required to state in their contracts with new buyers that the road will not be public.

“If the owner is going to fix it, let him fix it,” Mathieu said. “The town isn’t going to plow it or maintain it — it is a private road.”

Grady said it is the intent of the owner and developer to fix the road. Such repairs would make the remaining lots more attractive to potential buyers. Denham said he needed to be kept informed as work progressed on the road to insure it met basic standards and would work well for the current and future residents.

Merlo said that a letter would be drafted to the owner and developer mandating oversight of the road redesign and construction. The Board will prepare the letter stipulating various necessities clearly to Appaloosa’s owner and developer.

Minutes from previous meeting were approved, and Merlo wrapped up the evening by reminding the Board about the Open Space Committee meeting and public hearing on Wednesday, March 27.

By Marilou Newell

The Mattapoisett School Committee passed its $6.09 million budget for 2014 with little discussion after presentations from Old Rochester Regional School District Superintendent Doug White, Center School Principal Rose Bowman and Old Hammondtown Principal Matt D’Andrea on Monday night.

The $6,092,177 budget projection exceeds Mattapoisett’s 2013 spending on education by $339,452, or 5.9 percent, which White attributed to contractual obligations, staffing shifts and a spike in special education service needs. He also said the increased cost to the district could be nullified by state funding depending on the fate of Governor Deval Patrick’s budget in the Legislature and additional Chapter 70 aid.

“Those funds would allow us to continue providing education at the level we are at currently, with the impact to the budget being minimal,” White said.

According to figures provided by White, the allotment for professional staff salaries will increase by 171,488, or 5.42 percent, while expenditures on transportation for special education students will bump up the budget by another $80,980.

“When you think about the budget, you have to keep in mind that we’re not only providing for services for students at Center School and Old Hammondtown, but we’re also providing for any student in Mattapoisett who is outside the district but who might need support,” White said. “Everything they need to be successful, that’s in the budget, and we have to keep that in mind when considering these figures.”

White added that 2014 will be the last year of the district’s extended bussing contract, and Chairman James Higgins pointed out that the district will have to bid out services starting in 2015, as the maximum three-year agreement plus two-year extension will have been reached. Mattapoisett’s current deal maintains a Fiscal Year 2011 rate, offsetting higher costs elsewhere and meaning “tremendous savings” for local schools.

“It has allowed us to keep our resources inside the classroom,” White said.

Marion is scheduled to vote on its $5.58 million budget on April 3, while Rochester’s public hearing on its $5.56 million budget takes place on April 4. Meanwhile, White informed the Mattapoisett School Committee that Strategic Plan discussions involving all stakeholders in the Old Rochester Regional School District will be postponed from this spring to the autumn in the hopes of attracting more community participation.

Monday’s agenda also included recognition of outgoing Center School Adjustment Counselor Susan Bellevue, who served on the district’s Anti-Bullying Committee. Higgins praised Bellevue’s “dedicated years of service to the children of Mattapoisett.” Kathleen McManamon succeeded Bellevue in late February.

During his Chairman’s report, Higgins highlighted the Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser taking place on Friday, March 22 at 4:30 pm at the Knights of Columbus Hall. The fundraiser benefits the Mooney family, who lost their home to a fire during the February blizzard. For ticket information, contact Suzanne DeCosta-Barrows at 508-758-4035 or Teresa Choquette at 508-758-8318.

By Shawn Badgley

The Rochester Board of Selectmen met Monday evening and among several issues discussed was the issue of how the town will collect tax bills in the future.

The Selectmen and members of the Board of Assessors discussed potential changes in the way tax bills are collected. As of now, tax bills usually go out 30 days prior to when they are due and are collected semiannually.

The Selectmen discussed the potential option of switching to quarterly payments, as well as the option of going to semiannual preliminary bills, wherein bills would be sent out April 1 for an October 1 due date, and on October 1 for an April 1 due date.

Issuing a preliminary tax bill could potentially help taxpayers plan for their bills because it would allow more time to plan for their payments. According to John Mello, Chairman of the Board of Assessors, seven Massachusetts municipalities issue semiannual preliminary tax bills, 70 use the semiannual option that Rochester currently uses, and all of the remaining others collect quarterly.

“We think it’s a good idea to make a change, but how it needs to be done needs to be researched thoroughly,” Mello said.

The boards decided to meet at a later date to get any questions that the Board of Assessors has answered, with the issue to be decided on April 8 at the next Board of Selectmen meeting.

In other news, Town Administrator Richard LaCamera stressed to town residents that the town is not responsible for disposing of broken trees and limbs from the recent snowstorm. He noted that burning the debris and bringing it to the Mattapoisett landfill are two options that residents should explore.

Selectmen Richard Nunes spoke and said that he received a package of reports and invoices from the Old Rochester Regional School District on the repairs at Rochester Memorial School that were recently done. He had spoken at past meetings about several complaints from people regarding repairs that needed to be done there.

“There were a lot of repairs and a lot of things being done, but some stand out,” Nunes said.

Nunes said that the controller on one of the two water pumps at Rochester Memorial School had broken in September but was not repaired until January 2. He also noted several other issues that had taken months to repair.

“The school was running on one water pump from September to January,” Nunes said. “The defective part of fire pump took several months to be fixed. I don’t know why it took so long. These aren’t items that are minor. We’re not talking about the soap dispenser in the boy’s room. We’re talking about something to put out a fire. Some people are going to think that we’re being kind of picky, but I want to go back to the fact that the town spent $25 million on renovations. We have a duty to the taxpayers to make sure that these issues are promptly addressed.”

He suggested a possible future meeting with Superintendent Doug White and Gene Jones, the Facilities Manager.

The next Board of Selectmen meeting will take place April 8.

By Nick Walecka