The Marion Board of Selectmen and Conservation Commission disputed the proper course of action for a project regarding the cleanup of Sprague Cove. The two boards met at the Selectmen’s regular meeting on Tuesday, August 7, at the Marion Police Department.

Conservation Commission member Sherman Briggs informed the Selectmen that the commission hired a tree service to clean up the cove and rid it of invasive plants species that are destroying the land. Briggs said the town had been discussing the maintenance of the land for four to five years.

“As everybody knows, it’s been neglected,” said Briggs. “It is in real need of bringing back.”

Briggs said the tree service was additionally brought in to assess any damages to the dikes on the land. He also said the project was privately funded and had a price tag of $12,000.

Town Administrator Paul Dawson said there was a major issue with procurement laws with the project and that the Commission did not take the proper steps to get the land cleaned up. The Commission, according to Dawson, did not submit an order of conditions prior to hiring the service for the project.

“I’m not questioning the need at all,” said Dawson. “But we can’t circumvent the need to adhere to law.”

In addition to not submitting an order of conditions, Dawson said the Commission did not sign any procurement documents or contracts. Because the land is public property, the project needed a signature from the selectmen, which the Commission did not get.

“The damage to this point is done,” said Dawson.

Briggs recommended that the town allocate $5,000 per year to go into the Commission’s fund so they could monitor the upkeep of the land.

“If a couple thousand dollars was allocated each year, we wouldn’t be here right now,” said Briggs.

The project has been completed, however the contractor has not been paid. Briggs said the project is privately funded, but Dawson said that no matter where the funds come from, the procurement laws need to be followed. As a result, the Commission will provide the Selectmen with the proper documents so the contractor can be paid.

“I don’t think there is any malicious intent on anyone’s side,” said Selectman Jody Dickerson. “We need to get back on track and move forward.”

In other Conservation Commission news, full-time member Wendy Carreau resigned and was voted in as an Associate member. The Selectmen voted to appoint Steve Gonsalves to the vacant full-time seat on the Commission.

‘Thank you for all your hard work as a full time member of the Conservation Commission,” said Selectman Jonathan Henry.

Dawson updated the Selectmen on the status of the Marion Natural History ceiling collapse. The cleanup process is complete and the building’s insurance company authorized the repairs. A local contractor offered to perform the repairs to the building at a discounted rate to the town of Marion as a generous donation. However, due to procurement laws, the town will be unable to move forward with the gift.

“Regrettably, I’m not able to take advantage of what seems like a very generous offer,” said Dawson.

Massachusetts State Law mandates that the only way the town could accept the gift is if the contractor offered to pay the entire amount of the repairs, which Dawson said would be unreasonable. As a result, Dawson must draft a formal RFP and put the project out to bid to other contractors. Because of the lack of funding, the Board will bring the repairs to the Special Town Meeting in September to get money for the project.

Due to the timeline of the repair process to the museum, the afterschool program is seeking an alternative location to hold their sessions.  Dickerson suggested the community room in the Sippican School to be the perfect location.

The Marion Board of Selectmen will meet again on Tuesday, August 21 at 7:00 pm in the conference room at the Marion Police Department.

By Katy Fitzpatrick

The first item of business for the Commission was a discussion regarding a Notice of Intent filed by Steven and Suzanne Melloni to build a three-season porch and deck onto their property at 40 Nathaniel’s Drive. The Commission quickly voted in favor of the project.

Next, the Commission had a hearing regarding another Notice of Intent, filed by Gregory and Karen Kamon, who were seeking after-the-fact approval for the illegal removal of vegetation, installation of steps on the banks of Snipatuit Pond, as well as for the maintenance of two private docks.

“Mr. Kamon is aware that any future cutting he may do requires the approval of the Commission,” said builder Rick Charon, who represented the Kamons at the meeting.

The Commission voted unanimously in favor of the Kamons.

They also held a continuation of a hearing from the June 19 meeting regarding a Certificate of Compliance filed by Betty Meyers DeJesus for property located on High Street. DeJesus was applying to build a cranberry bog and enlarge an existing reservoir on the property.

“The order of conditions was issued back in ’89,” said conservation agent Laurell Farinon. “At the time, there was the existing reservoir and they were looking to expand it in a northerly direction and construct these cranberry bogs.”

The Commission voted to issue the Certificate of Compliance.

In other business, the Commission voted to issue a Certificate of Compliance to Kathryn McGaffey for the removal of an old section of a dwelling at 405 County Road, followed by the construction of a new patio.

The next meeting of the Rochester Conservation Commission will be on Tuesday, August 21, at 7:00 pm.

By Eric Tripoli

Designing a master plan for the town of Marion was the topic of discussion at the Marion Planning Board meeting on Monday evening. Southeastern Regional Planning & Economic Development District (SRPEDD) representative Sandy Conaty attended and asked the board how she could help.

“We have the Marion 2015 plan and a 1996 growth management plan … are these two documents your master plan?” asked Conaty. The Planning Board discussed the defeat at town meeting of the Neighborhood Overlay District a year ago and asked Conaty about the other 350 towns in Massachusetts and how they were dealing with growth issues and tax increases.

Conaty’s reply was to take the issues in small chunks and not be overwhelmed by the entire town.

“If you want to grow, how are you going to do that?” she asked.

After much discussion, the board agreed to spend time at each meeting discussing the topic and possibly surveying the public about growth and increased taxation issues and how to tackle them.

“We have many intelligent and wise people in Marion who we have to tap into via surveys and questionnaires. We need to get opinions and help on this topic,” said Chairman Jay Ryder.

A full board of all seven members plus secretary Terri Santos attended the meeting.

In other business, the board approved a correction of an ANR Plan for the Knott family of 56 Allen Street. Bill Madden, of GAF Engineering, represented the Knotts and said that a typographical error in a deed reference was caught by an attorney in the transaction and that he was there to request approval for the change in the plan.

“This is a change in plan only, just something to be struck from the deed,” said Madden. The board approved the request.

A pre-submission conference for Fieldstone Farms, 806 Mill Street (Route 6, former Frigate Restaurant) followed with owner Arne Johnson, represented by Kevin Forgue, engineer with GAF Engineering along with architect Anthi Frangiadis.

Johnson spoke to the board and said that the reason for the board appointment was to get a feeling for the process of making his business vision a success. Johnson plans to raze the building and build a new structure that adheres to current setback regulations, parking regulations, run off and landscaping requirements and get his new produce business in progress during 2013.

The new business will be known as Fieldstone Farms.

The board adjourned at 9:30 pm.

By Joan Hartnett-Barry

            The Mattapoisett Planning Board met on Monday, August 6, but had no public hearings on the agenda for the night. An informal discussion listed on the agenda with Daniel C. Perry was postponed to the next meeting as per Perry’s request.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board will be on Monday, August 20, at 7:00 pm.

By Eric Tripoli

Mattapoisett Police are investigating both a house break-in and an attempted break-in that occurred late yesterday morning, Thursday, August 2. The actual break-in occurred on Park Street, and Police Chief Mary Lyons said the suspect took jewelry and a laptop.  Today, the police are checking with local pawnshops to see if any of the stolen items have turned up. Additionally, investigators lifted the house for fingerprints.

The attempted break-in happened on Pocohontas Way, where Lyons said a neighbor saw a male suspect dressed in all black approach the back of his neighbor’s house.  When police arrived, the suspect had fled, but managed to break a window to try to get into the house.

These two incidences are only a fraction of the amount of robberies and attempted robberies all three police departments in the Tri-Town have faced this summer.

“This summer it seems we have had more than we usually do,” said Lyons.  “This is an easy time for people to break into homes because most people are leaving their windows open.”

Last week, Mattapoisett recorded three other robberies; one on North Street and two on Route 6.  In Marion, police responded to a breaking and entering on Ichabod Lane last Wednesday, July 25.

“We are out patrolling and doing the best we can looking for suspicious people in cars,” said Lyons.  “But the neighbors are our best defense.”

Lyons encourages residents to notify the police of potentially suspicious activity as it is happening and not waiting until hours after the fact; something Lyons said residents have been doing, making it harder for police to catch suspects.

Here are some other tips to help keep your home safe:

            •Keep car doors and house doors locked.

            •Don’t let mail or newspapers build up outside your home if you go on a trip.  Have a trusted neighbor take care of them for you if need be.

            •Keep your lawn looking somewhat neat.  If burglars see an overgrown yard, they may be more inclined to take a closer look at the house it belongs to.

            •If you see suspicious people or vehicles, call the police. Try to get a license plate number or description if you can.

            •When casing homes, many burglars will ring the doorbell and engage in a quick conversation if someone answers the door.  Don’t open your door to someone you don’t trust.

            •Use motion lights for night security.

            •Be vigilant and watch your neighbors’ homes.

By Katy Fitzpatrick & Eric Tripoli