Mattapoisett Landowner Terminates CVS Negotiations

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Mattapoisett property owner Wayne Walega confirmed on Tuesday that a deal to build a 13,000 square foot CVS pharmacy on the corner of Route 6 and North Street was terminated.

In a statement released from Walega Associates of 24 North Street, the deal termination was due to “development issues that could not be resolved… after a year of on and off discussions between the parties”.

Neighbor reaction to the proposal was largely negative, with some abutters sending letters to the Wanderer editor expressing concern about the impact a CVS could have on area traffic and Mattapoisett’s aesthetic.

At a November 21 meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board, Mr. Walega and CVS developer representative Paul Beck had presented preliminary plans showing the large building flush on the corner of Route 6 and North Street, with entrances and exits on North and Mechanic Streets. As a part of the construction at the Village Business-zoned site, three buildings, including a historic multi-unit home, a single-family residence and the former location of Seaport Village coffee shop would have been razed.

The planning board showed concern for the scope of the project, saying that 65 parking spaces and a large building would create a lot of traffic issues for the location, and would open the door to further chain development on the Route 6 corridor of Mattapoisett.

“If you’re coming into Mattapoisett, this CVS building is the first thing you’re going to see. I can imagine the public hearings we’re going to see,” said board member Robert McNamara said at the meeting. “You are picking a primo spot in Mattapoisett, and telling the people that they are going to triple the traffic there.”

The plans for a CVS had included a drive-thru for the pharmacy. Planning Board Chairman Thomas Tucker had informed Mr. Walega at the meeting that drive-thrus were prohibited by Mattapoisett bylaws, and could only be obtained through a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals. Mr. Beck had emphasized the importance of a drive-thru for CVS’s interest in proceeding with the new location.

Mr. Walega, a resident of North Street himself, said that he wanted to work with CVS to construct a building with dormers and architectural detail that would fit into a seaside community. According to Walega Associates, Mr. Walega “requested that CVS build a building that would be traditional in architectural design much like certain CVS sites located in similar towns on the Cape. Unfortunately, an acceptable design could not be agreed upon between the parties.”

A major issue in the agreement was the size of the proposed building, Mr. Walega said.
At this time, Mr. Walega said that he has no further development plans for the site and he “hopes to re-lease [the] units to businesses that will serve the greater Mattapoisett community.”

A call seeking comment from CVS developer firm Gershman, Brown, and Crowley was not returned before Wanderer deadline.

By Anne Kakley

Marion Thanks Board Members for Service

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Instead of looking at an agenda, those who serve on town boards socialized with one another at the annual Town House potluck holiday gathering held at the Marion Music Hall on Tuesday evening.

“We have this event, in the spirit of the season, to thank everyone who volunteers to come out, often in the evening, away from their families at the dinner hour, to serve on committees in our town,” said Paul Dawson, Town Administrator. “We appreciate their service.”

The venue was decorated in festive holiday decor by Steve Gonsalves, a member of the Marion Planning Board and the owner of a local landscape and garden business. Truman Terrell, a member of the Marion Music Hall Committee played the piano, providing an upbeat holiday feeling to the event.

Select Board Chairman Jonathan Henry spoke to the crowd and said that back in 1852, when the Marion Music Hall was built, it was a time of great discussion about taxation. “Taxation was an issue then and is still the issue… look at Congress,” said Selectman Henry.

“We have jobs to do, to deliver services to the citizens of Marion. But we have a higher purpose of what is behind what we do… to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless and instruct the ignorant,” he said.

Selectman Henry spoke about the past year and the retirement of Helene Craver and the memories he felt after looking at the photo taken on the Town House steps on her last day in office. “Let’s also think about those no longer with us, who served on the town’s behalf,” said Selectman Henry.

“We want to say thank you, from the Town of Marion, to all of you for your commitment and service to the town,” he said.

Over 60 people attended the event, including board members from the Council on Aging, Conservation Commission, Cultural Council, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Board of Selectmen, Board of Health, Marion School Committee, Alternative Energy, Recreation Board, Pathways Committee, Cemetery Commission, Elizabeth Taber Library Board members and many others.

Each year, an invitation is sent to the committee chair of each town committee, who then invites the board members who served on the committee during the prior year.

“It’s fun to gather in a non-working environment to socialize,” said Susan Schwager, Director of the Council on Aging, “usually we only see each other at board meetings where we work together to tackle the business issues of the COA.”

According to Deb Paiva, organizer of the annual event, planning starts in November with the date selected for the potluck supper. “It’s been a great evening for us all,” said Ms. Paiva.

By Joan Hartnett-Barry

Sperry Tents Parking Issue Discussed

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Resolution on the issue of whether Sperry Tents can park its company vehicles at its residential neighbor’s property was explored at the Rochester Planning Board’s meeting on Tuesday, December 13.

Earlier this fall, Marjorie Skrutski of 10 Marion Road received a cease and desist order after allowing Sperry Tents to park on her property without authorization. The Building Commissioner determined that she could not use her property for commercial purposes without undertaking proper permitting, as her home is zoned residential.

Ms. Skrutski had sought out a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals in late October for an accessory use to allow the parking – but the ZBA handed over the case to the Planning Board to determine appropriate next steps.

At its latest meeting, Planning Board members discussed a recent site visit to the property, and a review of the legal issues to allow the parking.

Chairman Arnie Johnson said many questions linger on how Ms. Skrutski can receive authorization, and whether any approval would affect future residential or business owners of the properties. He said he is waiting to hear from Town Counsel Blair Bailey for clarity on these legal issues.

Board member Gary Florindo floated the idea of Ms. Skrutski pursuing a variance to operate a parking lot. That way, he said Ms. Skrutski’s application would be separate from any site plans of Sperry Tents.

“It should be done individually, it should be kept separate,” he said.

“That’s a good idea,” weighed in Susan Teal. “If they did that, they could rent to everybody.”

The board acknowledged that Sperry Tents would still have to modify its plan to show changes that stemmed from its new access way to Ms. Skrutski’s property. Mr. Florindo also suggested that she change the route to the parking area so it remains on her property.

In other matters, Mr. Johnson reported that a neighbor had approached the Planning Board about new activity taking place at RF Morse. After an absence of use, greenhouses at the site are being used again to grow vegetables for the wholesale market, he said. The site of new equipment at the property spurred the neighbor’s “concern.”

Mr. Johnson said that the issue is not within the Planning Board’s purview, as RF Morse received proper approval from the Building Commissioner and Board of Health to proceed.
“I don’t think there will be retail,” he added.

Lastly, the board set aside a meeting on Monday, January 23 to work on the Village Center Overlay District, Agricultural Overlay District and Comprehensive Land Use Plan. The board is planning to propose related bylaws at Rochester’s next spring annual town meeting.
The next Planning Board meeting is scheduled for January 9, 2012.

By Laura Fedak Pedulli

Selectmen Promote Days to Captain

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Photo by Anne Kakley

The Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen promoted Sergeant Anthony Days to the officer rank of Captain at their meeting on December 13. The new appointment would furnish the town with a second-in-command to the police chief.

Police Chief Mary Lyons met with the Board to explain the process that resulted in the recommendation to promote Sergeant Days. Chief Lyons, along with Town Administrator Michael Gagne and three police chiefs from other Massachusetts municipalities, spent a day on an “Assessment Center Exercise”, grilling two finalists on their abilities to react to stressful emergency situations, personnel issues, budgeting, and the media.

An objective assessment determined that Sergeant Days came out as the stronger applicant, said Chief Lyons.

“I think the process was very fair. I think both of the candidates thought the process was very fair,” said Chief Lyons.

“You never know what is going to happen,” said Mr. Gagne, who said that the town would benefit from having a Captain in the Chief’s absence. “You have to have someone ready to take command of an event if the chief is [absent].”

As recommended, the Board approved the appointment, with Selectman Jordan Collyer recusing himself, citing a “close relationship” to one of the applicants.

In a second appointment, the Board learned that the Mattapoisett Heritage Days might not occur in 2012 if volunteers are not found soon. Volunteer Bobbi Gaspar said that, despite a banner year of interest, good press, and a profit, the annual event is in danger if the committee can’t get more help.

Heritage Days, which started in 2007 when the town celebrated its sesquicentennial, celebrates trades and industries native to Mattapoisett and the SouthCoast at large. Various themes have included farming, “Old Mattapoisett”, and whaling.

At the onset of Heritage Days, there was a volunteer pool of almost 20 people. That number is now down to four, and Ms. Gaspar said that the event could not go forward until they had at least 10 volunteers.

The committee meets once a month from January until August and commitment levels can vary, said Ms. Gaspar. “I would really like to see this happen again. It’s a great time for the town to get together… for the town to learn something about its history… I hate to see it go but it’s just not possible with what we have here,” she said.

An informational meeting for people interested in volunteering will take place on January 17, 2012 at the Mattapoisett library at 6:30 pm. Those willing to lend their talents should attend the meeting or contact Ms. Gaspar for more information: theseamstress@Verizon.net.
In the Town Administrator’s report, Mr. Gagne informed the Board that he was taking steps to bring additional senior housing to the town.

About a year ago, the Mattapoisett Affordable Housing Strategy plan was approved at the state level, and Mr. Gagne said that it was time to make housing a reality for seniors who might otherwise have to move out of their hometown.

“I really think that’s a sad sort of scenario,” said Mr. Gagne, who said that the number of seniors in Mattapoisett is growing, and the number of seniors living at the poverty level is also growing.

The first stage of the process will involve a study to determine needs and feasibility, said Mr. Gagne. After that, funding options, locations and designs will be considered. The whole process will take at least a year, he said.

$25,000 in funding from the Community Preservation Committee has been approved to get the research process started, Mr. Gagne said, with that total needing approval at annual town meeting. Once the housing plan is “documented and well-prepared”, the town will approach Mass Development for advice on how to fund the project.

Even with the project proposal, “It’s going to be a while before we’re at the magic 10 percent number,” Mr. Gagne said.

In action items, the Board:
• Voted to appoint Ann Briggs to the Town’s Tree Committee.
• Voted to cancel the December 27 meeting.
• Voted to approve all remaining 2012 license renewals.
• Voted to approve a 2:00 am New Year’s Eve closing for on premise liquor establishments.
• Voted to send a letter of support to the Division of Marine Fisheries for Mattapoisett to engage in a regionalized scallop restoration effort with other local municipalities included in a $11 million Buzzard’s Bay Oil Spill Restoration Fund.

By Anne Kakley

ORR Hall of Fame Applications Sought

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Applications are now being accepted for the Old Rochester Regional Athletic Hall of Fame. Applications will be accepted until January 1, 2012.

The ORR Athletic Hall of Fame was established in 2011 to celebrate 50 years of athletic excellence at ORRHS and to honor alumni and coaches who represented the school with class, dignity, sportsmanship and distinction. There are a minimum of three and a maximum of five inductees each year.

To be eligible, athletes must have attended ORRHS for a minimum of two years and must have graduated 10 years ago or more. Coaches, faculty and administrators are eligible five years after their leaving their rank.

The application, which contains all requirements for nominations, is available at www.OldRochester.org. For more information, e-mail halloffame@ORRathletics.com.

Letters to the Editor

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To the Editor:
Thank you to all who supported Girl Scouts at the Plumb Corner’s Holiday Celebration. Be on the lookout for more Girl Scout events in near future. Girl Scouts will be in Rochester at Plumb Corner on December 17 from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm and December 31 from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Everybody likes cookies – they taste great – but remember these cookies also do good. Cookies are $4 a box and help support Girl Scout programs, as well as teach girls to set goals, learn money management and develop marketing skills. Every Girl Scout cookie has a mission: To help girls do great things. Girls Scouts builds girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. During the Girl Scout cookie sale, girls set cookie sales goals to support their chosen activities for the year, to fund community service, leadership projects, and much more. Would you like to support Girl Scouts? Buy a box of Girl Scout cookies. Don’t like cookies? Buy a box, and we’ll send it to our military troops overseas! Thanks again for supporting Girl Scouts.
Lisa Clapp
Rochester

Board Orders Resident to Stabilize Fill

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A Mattapoisett resident who dumped unauthorized fill on town-owned land for better beach access was ordered by the Conservation Commission at its December 12 meeting to stabilize the pile. The stabilization is a stopgap measure as the resident pursues necessary permitting so town officials can determine whether the fill will stay or go.

Through his representative Steve Gioiosa of Sitec Engineering, Paul St. Pierre of 25 Main Street apologized for placing the fill, saying that he was not aware of the town’s requirements triggered by taking such an action. Mr. Gioiosa said his client placed the dirt to create a more gradual incline on old steps leading to a public walkway behind his property.

In the discussion with the Conservation Commission, Mr. Gioiosa said that his client is hoping to work with the town to allow the fill. He said conversations already have taken place with Town Administrator Michael Gagne, who suggested that the applicant review bike path plans – which would incorporate the walkway – from CLE Engineering to ensure his plans are in harmony with the path.

Now Mr. Gioiosa said his client is trying to get the proper permitting as the fill is within the coastal zone and 100-foot wetlands barrier. Currently he is surveying area wetlands and preparing to submit a related Notice of Intent to the commission on the matter.

The commission, which already voted to allow Building Inspector Andrew Bobola to take any enforcement action if required, ordered the applicant to stabilize the fill within seven days. Mr. Gioiosa said the client would oblige, and that silt fencing and straw will be utilized to prevent erosion.

ConCom Chairman Peter Newton stressed, however, “I need to be clear that filing an NOI doesn’t guarantee we’ll approve it.”

“I tell my clients that all the time… There are no assurances in the permitting process,” replied Mr. Gioiosa.

In other business, the board continued a hearing until January 9, 2012 regarding a Request for Determination of Applicability application for Main Brook Realty Trust – which sought to replace a corrugated steel culvert at 38 Hollywoods Road.

Representing the client, Mr. Gioiosa explained that a contractor would replace the “rotting out” culvert with reinforced concrete in about a week’s time. He said the collapsed culvert in the long term poses a safety hazard, especially to navigation, and needs to be replaced soon to avoid future problems.

The Conservation Commission, however, would not give Main Brook Realty Trust a negative two determination, which essentially would allow the applicant to move forward, until more information is provided.

“I’m concerned by the lack of detail. It’s fine to come in and save it, but if it is going to be a complete replacement, we will need to know if there is any additional impact on the resource area,” said ConCom member Bob Rogers, prompting the board to postpone the matter until January.

In other business, the board:

• Approved a Notice of Intent from Henry and Lisa Segalas to raze the garage, breezeway and concrete patio to construct additions at 9 Bay Road.

• Approved the razing and rebuilding of a dwelling, and the construction of a new driveway, at 7 Cedar Road with applicant Cedar Realty Trust.

The next ConCom meeting is scheduled for January 9, 2012.

By Laura Fedak Pedulli

Mattapoisett Prepares for FY 2013 Budget

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The funding of a new position for a technology director topped the wish list in a discussion of the fiscal year school budget for 2013, which geared up when the Mattapoisett School Committee met on Monday at Center School.

Chairman Grace Knox asked each of the principals to prepare a list of weighted priorities for the school board to use during budget crunch time.

Superintendent Doug White said that he had recently met with town managers and they wanted to look at two scenarios: a level services budget (same services as FY 2012) and a level funded budget (same dollars as FY 2012).

“The towns want to see both budgets and would like to continue with level service, if fiscally possible,” said Mr. White. In the discussion, it was noted that the towns fund approximately 90% of the school budget, while the state funds the difference through Chapter 70 monies.

In other business, Ms. Knox reported that a recent ORCTV program focused on a discussion by the librarians from Center School and Old Rochester Regional Junior High School on the various services offered to students. Ms. Knox publicly thanked community member Kate Brown who e-mailed Ms. Knox with a link to a study which showed a direct connection between student library spending and student success.

In her Principal’s Report, Ms. Bowman reported that all students in grade three will participate in an English Language Arts/Reading assessment on January 5, 2012, using an assessment tool, known as Galileo. The assessment will help identify students’ weakness and proficiencies in performance levels prior to the Spring 2012 MCAS assessment. A Math assessment will be given to all grade three students on March 13, 2012.

Students and staff at Center School participated in a Lockdown Drill and an Evacuation Drill on Monday, December 5. All students, staff and people from the Council on Aging walked to the Congregational Church Hall as part of the drills. Two Mattapoisett police officers were on duty throughout the drill and closed Barstow Street to traffic during the drill. Principal Bowman reported that all went well, with directions followed by students and staff.

Old Hammondtown principal Matt D’Andrea presented next and said that the recent Staff vs. Sixth Grade Basketball game, which was held at ORRHS last Friday was a hit, with the students winning the game. The event raised $145 for St. Vincent dePaul Charities. “The Pep Band and Cheerleaders helped make the event fun for everyone,” said Mr. D’Andrea.

Mr. D’Andrea reported that on Tuesday, December 20, all OHS students will attend the Center School Holiday Show at 1:45. All OHS students will be dismissed from Center School.

Curriculum Director Elise Frangos presented her report and commented on a recent talk on Brain Dominance which sparked discussion among the board members. Committee member Charles Motta said he was intrigued by some of the information and casual tests and role playing in the session. “Learning more about this topic can eliminate a mismatch between your gift and career,” said Ms. Frangos.

In other business, the board approved the addition of the town of Norton as a member of the Regional Educational Assessment and Diagnostic Services (READS) in the regional collaborative. At the last meeting, the Town of Acushnet was also approved as a READS member. “The more towns included in the program, the better it is for the children in it,” said Terri Hamm, Director of Student Services.

In other business, the committee heard from Food Services Director Caitlyn Meagher who reported that Center School had a lunch participation of 51% in November and Old Hammondtown was at 53 percent. Ms. Meagher said that she recently attended a seminar on how to boost students participation in purchasing school lunch and has visited other school district’s food service facilities to meet with food directors to get ideas on how to make the lunch offerings more appealing. “Giving out free samples and making the food presentation more appealing is helping,” said Ms. Meagher.

In other news:

Members of the OHS Knitting Club will present three blankets to Beacon Hospice this Thursday. The ceremony will be held at the Mattapoisett Public Library.

Old Hammondtown School will offer after school foreign language classes starting in January. Latin and Spanish classes will be taught to 4, 5 and 6 graders by high school students.

The minutes from the regular session on November 21, 2011 were approved.

By Joan Hartnett-Barry

Brass Quintet Hopes to Start Tradition

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The audience may have been small, but the live holiday music of the Quahog Brass Quintet brought many smiles to those who attended their concert on Friday, December 9 at St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church in Marion.

The musical group – which played instruments including two trumpets, a French horn, a trombone and a tuba – offered its first winter holiday performance in the hope of bringing people back to the simpler joys of this time of year.

“I get really disgusted with the commercialism of the season, and I have yearning for something that is not that way,” explained Bob Katcher – a member of the Quintet. “We want people to just come and sing, and enjoy it as something to do with your family.”
In addition to singing traditional favorites – which the quintet played by audience request throughout the night – the group shared their favorite holiday memories.

“[The audience was] talking about Christmases when they were kids and what their traditions were. Before a song about a Christmas tree – we asked them ‘How do you get your tree?’, ‘How did you decorate it ‘ and what was going on for them at that time. We got some interesting stories,” Mr. Katcher said. He said these stories should be shared more often, especially with children.

Mr. Katcher expressed some disappointment in the size of the audience and in the lack of children participants – but said he hopes to reschedule the event for a different time next year – perhaps early Sunday afternoon – to help draw in more families.

“We’d love to come back, learn from our experience, and do a better job,” he said. St. Gabriel Church’s Director of Music, Leslie Piper, said in time it is a hope that the event will become better known and anticipated by locals.

For the church’s reverend, Jeffrey Piper, he said the tradition of singing fits in well with the church’s mission.

“From my oar in the water, there are things that raise our souls and spirit, and music is one of those,” Rev. Piper said. “To any degree that our parish can increase joy, that is part of the larger mission. Music is one of our ways to do that.”

By Laura Fedak Pedulli

Center School Seth Thomas Clock Funding Approved

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Photo courtesy of Ray Andrews

The Mattapoisett Community Preservation Committee reviewed several applications for Community Preservation Act funds and voted to approve four community projects for funding. Under the Community Preservation Act, communities elect to use a portion of their property taxes to fund open space, recreational, historical and housing initiatives.

Applications that were approved to be placed for recommendation on the annual Town Meeting warrant were:

• $25,000 for an affordable housing trust to study the need and potential locations for senior housing for Mattapoisett residents.

• $51,500, as requested by Ray Andrews, to be combined with private funding to remove, repair, and reinstall the Seth Thomas clock at the Center School. The 1898 weight pendulum clock was recently removed by Balzer Family Clock Works, of Freeport, ME, for restoration.

“For the first time in 113 years, the clock [will] be viewable by the public,” Mr. Andrews had said on October 20, 2011, in a presentation to the CPC. “It’s the town’s jewel. It’s a historical artifact.”

• $25,000, as requested by Barry Denham of the Cushing cemetery corporation, to repair a 19th century wrought iron fence alongside the cemetery, abutting Acushnet and Mendell Roads.

• $37,000 as requested by Bonne DeSousa and Stephen Kelleher of the Mattapoisett Bike Path Committee, for engineering and legal work needed on a YMCA/Reservation Golf Course easement. The easement would help achieve Phase 1B of the project, which would connect the bike path to Depot Street.

A $300,000 request from the Coalition for Buzzard’s Bay to purchase land in the Brandt Island/Nasketucket Bay area was not approved by the CPC for placement on the annual Town Meeting warrant.

Mattapoisett’s next annual Town Meeting will take place in May 2012.

By Anne Kakley