A comprehensive permit to build a Habitat for Humanity home at 185 Wareham Street in Marion was approved by the Marion Zoning Board of Appeals on Thursday evening.

Habitat representatives Jack Beck and George McTurk applauded the decision, which will be reviewed by town counsel, Jon Witten, for a review of the wording of the Purchase and Sale Agreement before the final approval.

McTurk and Beck asked about when they could break ground on the home and were told that there was a fourteen day processing period and a twenty day appeal period, but after that, a foundation could be built.

ZBA account manager Anne Marie Tobia joked about an old town saying that there was no law against “digging a hole in your backyard”.  After much applause and laughter, Beck and McTurk told the board they were thankful for their support in their effort.

The collaborative effort included community involvement with architect Will Saltonstall donating his services and a local family donating a solar roof panel system, which will reduce the family electricity bill by approximately 30%.

Next on the agenda was a request for a special permit by William and Susan Heron under the zoning by-law to allow reconstruction, extension, alteration or change to a non-conforming single family structure on Aucoot Cove.

“The house isn’t square with the lot,” said Bill Heron.  “We plan to take the deck off and put it in the yard, make the renovations and put the deck back on,” said Heron.

Board member Betsy Dunn asked about the land to house percentage and the applicant responded that, after the proposed changes to the house, that 26 percent of the lot would be occupied by the home.

The issue in question was the sewage pump, which needs to be relocated.  The Heron family had seven letters from abutters agreeing to the proposed changes.

The ZBA agreed to take the proposal under advisement and report back to the applicants within ninety days, but probably sooner, according to Chairman Eric Pierce.

By Joan Hartnett-Barry

The Rochester Memorial School Committee meet for their regular monthly meeting on Thursday, March 7 at 6:30pm. The Chairperson, Michelle Cusolito, informed the committee that although the playground committee is not ready to come before the school at this time that the teachers and parents in the group are working hard and making progress.

Next the Food Service Director, Caitlin Meagher, reviewed her quarterly report. She informed the committee that she is still accepting applications for the three-hour cafeteria position. The position is Monday through Friday 10:30 to 1:30, 180 days a year.  Ms. Meagher was also excited to announce that produce is now being purchased from Sid Wainer & Son of New Bedford. They were able to match the prices and have good produce. The percentage of student’s purchasing food has stayed at 42%, same as last year, even with a cost increase. This past month there was a surplus of $1853 after cost was subtracted from sales.

The Superintendent, Douglas White, reviewed his report highlighting the federal funding cuts, which he feels will have little impact on Rochester. The development of the new strategic plan began with the Joint School Committee, whom recommends that the Strategic Plan Conference be scheduled for next fall verses this spring. This coming school year all districts will need to come up with a two means or measures of rating individual educator’s impact on student learning.

The Assistant Superintendent, Elise Frangos, discussed the grant obtained of $3,700 for the full day kindergarten to be spent on reading materials. Wednesday, March 13 will be a half-day of school for students as teachers attend professional development. There will be a presentation open to the community addressing fidgety behaviors in children on Wednesday, March 20 from 6-7pm at Center School in Mattapoisett. Parents and teachers are encouraged to attend. The district is now part of SmartPD, which allows teachers to have access to professional development in thirty-five other communities. It also allows this district to sell empty seats. This money then goes to future training.

The Director of Student Services, Teresa Hamm, report was given to the school committee but Ms. Hamm was not in attendance to review.

Dr. Moira Rodgers, Principal, presented her report. The new RMS School Council has been created. Their first meeting is scheduled for April 3, 2013 at Rochester Memorial from 4:15 to 5pm. Quarterly meetings have established between Old Colony Vocational Technical School, Police Chief Paul Magee and Dr. Rodgers to discuss crisis management.

The School Committee received quarterly written reports from the Facilities Director and Technology Director. The committee discussed the new website going public March 28, 2013. It is hoped that this will provide a more usable events calendar.

The School Committee approved the minutes of the regular meeting and executive session from February 7, 2013 with minimal corrections.

Next the Financial Report and Budget Transfer Request were reviewed. The committee approved transferring monies from one line item to another to correctly show expenditures.

The committee reviewed the 2014 fiscal year budget. The revised budget is $10,771 lower than this year. There is an increase in contractual staff salaries and contracted services. However, there is a decrease in special needs costs. Dr. Rodgers is proposing an assistant principals position. The cost associated with this could from a reduction in teaching staff. Due to lower enrollment in the upcoming third grade there would be one less teacher/classroom. She is also proposing moving a support teacher into a sixth grade classroom, replacing a current teacher. A public meeting for the budget will be held on April 4 at 6:30 during the School Committee’s regular meeting at the Rochester Town Hall.

The Spring Play procedure and process was discussed. Up to now there had been no contractual position to compensate the teacher who organizes this event or to cover costs, therefore money has been spent from other areas in the budget and not been transparent. Superintendent White would like to see it be financially self-sufficient. The committee wants this program to continue so has asked the Superintendent to reach out to the P.T.A. to help find answers to these concerns.

On behalf of the Student Council Dr. Rodgers brought forth the request to have a fundraiser to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society called Pennies for Patients. Students would collect change for three weeks during March. The School Committee unanimously approved the fundraiser.

For Committee reports, the Chairperson informed the group that at the Early Childhood Council’s last meeting the Girls Scoots came to discuss what they are about to increase awareness and interest. The council also discussed the possibility of setting locations and times for play dates for incoming kindergartens to ease the transition.

At 8:20pm the School Committee went into executive session for the purposes of exception number 3, to discuss collective bargaining.  After the executive session the Committee voted to accept the contract with the custodians union and then adjourned.

The next Joint School Committee meeting will be March 21 beginning at 6pm at the ORR Superintendent’s Office. The next Rochester School Committee meeting will be April 4 beginning at 6:30pm at the Rochester Town Hall.

By Beth Redman

It’s déjà vu in the tri-town as the third nor’easter of the season coated the area with more snow. Although this storm hasn’t created the chaos of past storms it’s still had its moments. Schools in the tri-town are closed this morning due to the weather so students there will have a three-day weekend. Power in Marion is out for almost 300 customers with Nstar on the way for repairs. The good news is the forecast is for warmer temperatures starting Sunday with highs into the 50s for early next week.

Just over thirty people braved the latest nor’easter to attend a public meeting on Thursday night regarding the Marion Village improvement plan. Representatives Shawn Syde and Mike Guidice from CDM Smith reviewed information that outlined the need for improvements as well as a plan to get the area up to par. The study was tasked to answer the question, “how can the most cost effective project be developed that meets the Towns needs and objectives based on prior and future planning efforts?”

The information that was compiled to form the plan included a sewer study dating back to 2003, a village area sewer study, water and sewer improvements, building inspections, a drainage study, storm water sampling, a pavement study, and work group meetings. All the data collected showed that the area suffered from poor drainage, aging and damaged pipes and sub standard water run off.

A plan has been put together to address infrastructure issues in the village. Included in the project are water pipe repairs, which have already been completed, repairing broken sewers, repairing the drainage system, and repairing roadways including sidewalks and curbing to assure Americans with Disabilities Act compliance. The design has been broken down into five phases to make the project more manageable for the town. This would allow the town to complete a phase and then decide if they wish to move forward to the next phase. Phase 1A includes Ryder Lane and South Street. Phase 1B, the core village area includes parts of Main, Front, Cottage, Hiller and Water Streets. Phase 2 includes Pleasant Street, part of Main, School and Clark Streets. Phase 3 includes the rest of Front Street and Holmes Lane. Phase 4 includes Spring Street and some work on drainage on Allen Street. The plan includes a ten-year window to complete construction of all five phases.

To help lower the projected cost the elements of the project has been reduced to concrete sidewalks with granite curbing and new lighting throughout the village.

The estimated project costs were broken down to Phase 1A $5.2 million, with an end cost to the town of $3.88 million, Phase 1B $4.6 million, Phase 2 $3.9 million, Phase 3 $3.2 million, and Phase 4 $3.5 million. The total cost to the town of the entire project would be $18.4 million after the use of a MassWorks Infrastructure Grant of $1 million and approximately $1 million in Chapter 90 roadway funds. The town has also qualified for a DEP State Revolving Fund Loan Program which is a low interest loan at 2% for up to $19.3 million to be paid back over twenty years.

When the floor was opened for questions many people had concerns about the cost, increased sewer rates, and the unknown of how taxes would increase. Finance Director Judith Mooney said that there would be a cost breakdown brought forward by town meeting.

Many in attendance wanted to include a broad scope of work needed on all roads in Marion. Public Works Supervisor Robert Zora stated that there is a plan in the works that would use the chapter 90 funds, approximately $140,000 annually, plus other budgeted funds to address all road needs in the town in upcoming years.

One theme that kept arising from the citizens was a need for a big picture on all proposed improvements and projects the town sees need for in the immediate future.

The next step for the plan is to put Phase 1A out to bid so that actual construction costs will be known. There will be another meeting held on April 25 to focus on Phase 1A. Additionally there are two articles being proposed for the Annual Town Meeting, the first being a request for $3,882,000 to complete Phase 1A. The second article would request $297,000 to fund the design of phase 1B.

By Paul Lopes

The following maps show the phases of construction and the roadways affected.