On Friday, August 10, 2012 at 11:27 am, detectives from the Marion Police Department were involved in executing a search warrant at a single family residence located at 50 Old Indian Trail.

During a search of the residence and property, detectives located several grams of heroin, packaged for distribution, along with several pills of the prescription medication Valium.

Arrested was Anthony Reynolds, age 47, of 50 Old Indian Trail in Marion.  Reynolds was charged with Possession of a Class A controlled substance, with intent to distribute and Possession of a Class C controlled substance. Reynolds was booked at the Marion Police Station and then transported to Wareham District Court for arraignment.

The investigation was the result of a cooperative effort with detectives of the Fairhaven Police Department, who led the initial investigation.

Also involved in the investigation were officers from the Bristol County Sheriff’s Department, and the Mattapoisett Police Department, along with a K-9 unit from the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department.

Rochester Police Chief Magee will join the ranks of the few prestigious officers to undergo formal FBI training this upcoming fall. Town Administrator Richard LaCamera made the announcement at the Rochester Board of Selectmen’s regular meeting on Monday, August 13 in Rochester Town Hall.

“This is quite an honor for him,” said LaCamera.

Chief Magee was one of 250 police officers selected in the country to attend the 8 – 10 week FBI Academy. The training will be held in Quantico, Virginia for an undisclosed time period in this autumn.

Magee will not be leaving the Rochester Police Department. He will return once his training is complete. LaCamera said there are several sergeants who will fill in for Magee in his absence.

In other news, the Selectmen heard from Tax Collector Beatrice Renauld, who wrote a letter of concern to the Board that in her first year of duty, she was worried she was giving the wrong impression because the town is over budget for fiscal year 2013 by $4,000.

“It just looks like I’m not doing a good job,” said Renauld.

Renauld explained that $3,171 of the budget overage is a result of interest mailed to Covanta SEMASS that should not have been sent. She also explained that she was not made aware that it was sent until after the fact and she has asked Covanta for it to be returned.

LaCamera gave a final update on the Rochester Country Fair, saying all of the final preparations have been made and the new venue on Pine Street is ready for the event.

“Everyone has worked really hard,” said LaCamera. “They’re getting a terrific response.”

LaCamera met with the Town Building Commissioner James Buckles to discuss possible repair to the Town Hall. The two were in agreement that the building’s roof, windows and siding need to be replaced, and they will draft plans to put out to bid soon.

“We are all on the same page with his,” he said.

The Rochester Council on Aging is looking for new members to serve on its Board of Directors in anticipation of a few retirements that could happen this year. All interested candidates should send a letter of interest stating qualifications to the Council of Aging Board of Directors for review.

The Rochester Board of Selectmen will meet again on Monday, August 27 at 7:00 pm in Rochester Town Hall.

By Katy Fitzpatrick

            The first hearing of the night was regarding a Notice of Intent filed by the Mattapoisett Board of Water and Sewer Commission, which is proposing the construction of a low-pressure sanitary sewer on Cove Street.

The sewer would serve almost 30 homes on the street and the project is slated to begin in a year.

“This project has been around for a while, but due to permitting issues, we needed to complete a draft and final environmental report,” said Patrick Sheridan of Tighe and Bond Engineering.

“We will put a pipeline down the center of the road. That pipeline will be upwards of 10 feet deep,” he said. The majority of the homes have pumps already installed that can be hooked up to the new sewer line.”

Conservation Commission member Ken Dawicki took issue with the installation of a manhole near the barrier beach, which would allow access to the underground pipeline.

“According to regulations, solid structures are not allowed in a barrier beach,” Dawicki said.

“You can’t have an operational system without access to the sewer,” said Sheridan. He argued that it may not be considered in conflict with the law because the manhole would not be powered in any way or attached to utilities, and therefore would not fall under the category of being a functional structure.

“It’s an essential component to this kind of system. You can’t go without it,” said Commission member Bob Rogers, who was acting as the chair of the meeting in the absence of Peter Newton.

While Rogers was supportive of the project, Dawicki and Commission member Michael King said that it was not in the purview of the Conservation Commission to grant a waiver for the manhole. That power is given only to the Department of Environmental Protection.

He noted that while they will be removing up to one foot of road during the construction, they will be using the existing pavement as fill with the original top layer back in place at the end of the project.

“The residents of Cove Street are in favor of this project, primarily from the environmental aspect,” Alice McGrath of Cove Street said.

The hearing will be continued until the August 27 meeting.

The other two hearings, both continued from previous meetings, were also continued until the meeting on August 27.

In other business, the Commission met with Becky Lockwood of Pine Island Road, who said that there have been a number of non-compliances with the work being done in her neighborhood.

“I looked at Miss Lockwood’s complaints and concerns and I met with [engineer] Doug Schneider after,” said Code Enforcement Officer Andrew Bobola. He said that the Conservation Commission has to allow the DEP to hear the issues.

“The concerns have to go through DEP and if the DEP would like our input, they will ask for it,” said Bobola.

“My intention here is to let you know this is happening in town,” Lockwood said.

She said there is not adequate silt fencing in the area and that there is an excavator parked in the wetland area of the project next to an intermittent stream. Lockwood also said that a turtle sweep may not have been performed and there is risk of negatively impacting native turtles.

Rogers noted that the Commission does retain cease and desist power and can temporarily halt the project if there is clear evidence of impropriety. Lockwood will be bringing her grievances to the DEP in an effort to rectify the situation.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission will be on Monday, August 27 at 6:30 pm at the Town Hall.

By Eric Tripoli