On March 18, the Mattapoisett Planning Board met with one applicant seeking approval with waivers for the creation of a three-lot Definitive Subdivision off 112 Mattapoisett Neck Road filed by Gaynor and Phillip Frost. The applicants were represented on this night by Ken Motta of Field Engineering, pinch-hitting for the vacationing David Maddigan, Jr.

            Motta explained that all elevations for the planned development of Lot 2 would remain unchanged and that the lot would be serviced by a shared 350×24-foot private driveway. The driveway plan had been reviewed by the Police and Fire Departments and found to be acceptable as presented, Motta stated.

            Motta also confirmed that wetlands on the property are isolated wetlands, therefore rendering them nonjurisdictional. He said that the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission had reviewed a Request for Determination of Applicability, giving the RDA filing a negative determination.

            Waivers granted thus far were: no staking required, no drainage calculation, no soil survey, no concrete driveway, no sidewalks and no paved turnaround.

            The board ruled not to take any action at this time in the matter of a roadway trust. That matter will be determined at the next meeting. They also ruled that two permanent markers are required for the roadway located at the southwest corner and a second at the northeast corner.

            The filing was continued until May 6.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board is scheduled for Monday, April 1, at 7:00 pm.

Mattapoisett Planning Board

By Marilou Newell

            Getting down to the nitty-gritty of the FY25 budget season, Marion Town Administrator Geoff Gorman told the Select Board at its meeting Tuesday night that he asked Department of Public Works Director Becky Tilden to “reprioritize” the DPW’s capital-projects wish list with an eye on “what do they really want to get done.”

            While American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds don’t expire until December 31, Plymouth County, the administrator of those funds on an opt-in basis (Marion opted in as it had with CARES Act funding), required applications on a more immediate deadline.

            Citing the limit of money available in Water and Sewer Enterprise accounts ($388,000), Gorman had to innovate, and what he discovered was that ARPA funding can be appropriated to fund Water/Sewer capital projects. Better yet, he reported to the board that the county had approved his request to keep the ARPA-funding application general so long as it remains committed to Water/Sewer capital projects. With Infiltration/Inflow (I/I) funding in place in the amount of $200,000, Marion would get a $980,000 total boost toward its Water/Sewer capital projects for FY25.

            Other affected capital projects include $64,000 for the Creek Road pumping station, $675,000 for two generators and $100,000 for the Island Wharf water main. There is $750,000 available from Water Enterprise retained earnings.

            Gorman also discussed four items (with asterisks): Town House security, digital radios and a brush truck. In 1960, the Marion Fire Department bought a new brush truck that is no longer operational. Fire Chief Brian Jackvony has secured a $280,000 grant against a $349,000 replacement, leaving a total of $72,789 that would come out of capital expenditures to complete the purchase.

            The lingering question is how to fund a much-needed patrol boat for the Harbormaster. Gorman said that Marion can buy the boat using free cash but noted the townspeople’s expectation that it would be funded by the Waterways Enterprise Account. With the patrol boat in the FY25 budget and without including FY25 revenue, $450,000 will remain in the Waterways Account after FY25.

            Gorman said he was told by Finance Director Heather O’Brien that an $800,000 boat would come with a debt exclusion.

            Select Board member Randy Parker said he “doesn’t want to spend all that free cash” and would like to sit down to discuss the matter. “I want to leave a little cushion. The (Marine Resources Commission), I’d like them to have a look at this too.”

            Select Board Chairman Toby Burr abstained from participation in a public hearing in which Hills and Parker granted Island Wharf Road, LLC, an Amended License in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 148 of Massachusetts General Laws to store flammables, combustibles or explosives at Barden’s Boat Yard, 2 Island Wharf Road.

            Cheryl Souza, a member of the town’s MRC, represented Barden’s and told the board that nothing is changing at the site. The problem, she explained, was a long-expired license that had not been renewed since 1953 and became a sticking point to the current permitting effort. The above-ground tanks on the site were installed in 1996 and 2007.

            “There’s nothing new there that wasn’t there since I can remember,” said Parker, who visited the site.

            A continued public hearing for the installation of a utility pole by NSTAR Electric Company, doing business as Eversource Energy, was focused Tuesday on the installation of 44 feet of conduit and two handholes on Front Street.

            Representing Eversource, Faye Sweatman was back before the board but again faced questions from Parker, who wanted to see the installation of two extra conduits, so in the event another upgrade is needed, the finished road can remain undisturbed.

            Gorman said he can work with Sweatman to coordinate with the contractor and electrician and reach out to Verizon regarding its interest. Parker was confident the contractor would be willing but noted that coordination can be difficult.

            “I don’t want to dig the road up again,” he said.

            Upon board member Norm Hills’ motion, NSTAR’s installation was approved on the condition that spare conduit be added for future needs.

            Under Acton Items, Harbormaster Adam Murphy and Animal Control Officer Susan Connors were reappointed as Inspectors of Animals.

            The Benson Brook Boutique Swap Shop Rules and Regulations was discussed following the board’s initial read. Gorman said he has already received some comments but looks forward to the Select Board’s comments at its next meeting. A second read will consist of a discussion and possible vote. Parker suggested posting the document on the town’s website to encourage public feedback.

            The board also conducted a first read on Music Hall fee increases, the main feature of which will make users of the facility responsible for cleaning and any damage. A two-hour fee, for instance, would see a $150 surcharge should the town determine a professional cleaning is necessary. Parker suggested a discount for Marion residents. Hills noted that nonprofit organizations receive a 50% discount on its rentals of the Music Hall.

            The board engaged in a second read over the brand-new Water & Sewer Abatement Policy. The next step will be a public discussion and feedback. The matter will also go to Town Counsel.

            Gorman sought to postpone the Harbormaster building’s easement with Eversource because the town is waiting on the engineering drawing. Parker noted that the ground-mounted transformer has been relocated from behind the pavilion up to within 25 feet of the road to get it out of the flood zone.

            Two road closures were approved.

            The Memorial Day Remembrances and Procession will be held on Monday, May 27. Beginning at 8:15 am, Cottage Street will be closed between School Street and Front Street, and Front Street from Island Wharf Road to Old Landing Veterans Park (8:30 am until the event has ended).

            The Marion Art Center’s Annual Arts in the Park event will be held on Saturday, July 6 (rain date July 7); Main Street will be closed between Spring Street and Pleasant Street from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

            In his Town Administrator’s Report, Gorman said the pillars are complete on the new Harbormaster building and that framing is getting underway this month and the building should be weather-tight sometime in April.

            Bid documents are completed for the new Department of Public Works operational center at Benson Brook. Subcontractor bids are to be reviewed on March 20, and Gorman is working with the town’s public-relations person to get information out to the community.

            Design on the Delano Road project in which the Buzzards Bay Coalition has received grant funding for wetland remediation, will focus on two culverts. One is a coastal culvert just north of Great Hill Drive and the other a culvert supporting Wings Cove. Gorman says the work will take approximately a month. Hills anticipates that a road closure will become necessary.

            The draft for the Annual Town Meeting on Monday, May 13, at 6:45 pm at Sippican Elementary School needs to be ready on March 25, said Gorman, so the Finance Committee can see it on March 27 and the Select Board can approve it at its April 2 meeting. An informational warrant meeting, in recent years billed as a Town Meeting rehearsal, will be held on April 25 at the Music Hall.

            Gorman told the board he is working on a response document to MassDEP’s consideration of regulations revisions and water-quality circulation. The state has extended the comment period to April 30. Gorman reported that other towns are similarly concerned.

            Gorman also summarized a highly successful list of four recommendations coming from the town’s Community Preservation Committee for several town-sponsored projects.

            CPA funds will be used for the engineering and design of a new parking lot at Silvershell Beach, a right-of-way easement for the shared-use (bike) path and for engineering and design of a renovation of the Bird Island Lighthouse. The lighthouse has not been fully renovated since 1997. It is listed on the National Historical Registry of Historic Places.

            Gorman also noted that while it was learned that CPA funding cannot be used for the digitization of town records, that project will be grant funded. After Watertown digitized its records, said Gorman, the city got rid of 20 tons of paper.

            The next meeting of the Marion Select Board is scheduled for Tuesday, April 2, at 6:00 pm at the Town House Annex building.

Marion Select Board

By Mick Colageo

            Old Rochester Regional Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson presented the Rochester Select Board during its meeting Monday night a plan for a Town Meeting borrowing article to fund safety-related upgrades to ORR School District facilities.

            The plan would be to upgrade the HVAC system and the water and heating systems, replace the entry doors and align the public-address systems in all the campus buildings so they can communicate to faculty and students as one.

            Nelson noted after the presentation that the school district is looking for an approximate $20,000,000 borrowing bond to last 20 to 22 years at a cost that would be spread between all three ORR district towns. During the presentation, Nelson explained the school district’s current debt is expiring next year, but it needs to start the process for taking on any new debt now.

            The preliminary results of a recently completed facilities study revealed the district’s facilities needs that have been whittled down to the few items that are the most important to address. ORR Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Howie Barber said all the items being proposed will address the students’ and the faculty’s safety needs.

            “We are not looking for a major renovation,” Nelson said. “These are items that have reached the end of their expiration date.”

            Select Board member Adam Murphy asked if the public will be able to read the draft report. Nelson said yes, when the executive summary is ready. “That will be important at Town Meeting to explain all this to them,” Murphy said.

            Nelson and Barber said the mandated process for this type of proposal means final language won’t be ready until late March. The Select Board concluded the discussion by asking the pair “to keep them informed.”

            In other action, the board referred several zoning articles proposed for the May 13 Annual Town Meeting to the Planning Board for it to review. These include regulation changes to the Agricultural-Residential District, the Ground-Mounted Solar Installation District and solar-facility battery storage.

            The Select Board revealed that Police Chief Robert Small, Jr. announced in a recent letter that he is retiring effective June 28 at 4:00 pm. According to the Rochester Police Department webpage, Small has been a member of the town’s police force since 1988.

            The board received Personnel Board Chairperson Kristine Nash’s update on her panel’s proposed new Classification and Compensation Plan. Nash explained that one of the main goals of the Personnel Board’s review was to line up job classifications for noncontract employees with Personnel Bylaw contract employees.

            The first goal was to develop job descriptions for the 21, noncontract, town employees not covered by the Personnel Bylaw, which have been completed. The next step will be the Personnel Board’s proposal for a new FY25 Classification and Compensation Plan, which will become an article on the Town Meeting warrant.

            The board approved the Annual Tour de Creme Bike Race’s use of town roads on May 19 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

            The board signed the proposed Transfer Station’s Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection permit application.

            The board noted the resignation of Dale Barrows from the Board of Health and agreed to send him a letter thanking him for his years of service.

            Town Administrator Glenn Cannon reported that SEMASS’s PILOT program payment to the town in January was $409,726. In February, the payment was $359,010. Cannon also reported the town recently received a Chapter 90 payment of $308,386. Cannon also announced that the Request for Proposals for the salt shed has been posted.

            During a March 14 special meeting, the Select Board voted to transfer the wine and malt license from Matt’s Blackboard to Costa’s Kitchen located at 565 Rounseville Road. Michael Costa is the new manager. The board also voted a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for town employees for the FY25 Budget in response to the Finance Committee’s recommendation.

            The Rochester Select Board scheduled its next two meetings for Monday, April 1, and Tuesday, April 16, both to be held at 6:00 pm at the Senior Center, 67 Dexter Lane.

Rochester Select Board

By Michael J. DeCicco

            The days of no longer needing an all-terrain vehicle to navigate the Silvershell Beach parking lot are being imagined on a scale that saw the Marion Community Preservation Committee unanimously vote during its annual public hearing to recommend a $77,000 investment in an engineering study.

            “For years and years and years, we’ve been trying to do something with Silvershell Beach,” said Select Board representative Randy Parker, citing the “opportunity to set up a transit … get some elevations … get a plan. … We don’t have to implement the plan right away, (but this measure would) get some of that money in return back to the taxpayers.”

            “If any of you have been around the parking lot over the past three storms since November,” said Town Administrator Geoff Gorman, pointing to “puddles and significant erosion damage. … We’ve had a lot of internal discussion … the entire parking lot needs to be regraded.”

            The reason the project does not fall under basic operational-budget commitments is because the state’s Community Preservation Act takes 2% on the town tax roll after a project’s first $100,000. Parker says under the CPA funding scenario, a vote at the May 13 Annual Town Meeting “saves the Marion taxpayer a bundle of money to enjoy the beach.”

            That task has fallen largely on the Department of Public Works on a Band-Aid basis.

            “There would be no parking lot at all if not for the DPW,” said Gorman, calling the new effort a “once-in-a-generation improvement for the beach. Because it’s owned by the Recreation Department, it’s a good ask.”

            The 100-car parking lot is surrounded by jurisdictional waterways. There is “a lot more red tape,” said Gorman, presenting on behalf of the Recreation Department. The goal, he said, is to “get the cost of the entire upgrade and figure out how to pay for it.”

            The $77,000 engineering project would come out of the open space reserve, and the remaining approved CPA projects would come from the undesignated CPC balance ($652,000). As in the case of most of the CPA projects recommended by the committee, the completion date will be no later than June 30, 2025.

            A notable exception to the 2025 timeline is the $120,000 that the CPC voted to recommend for right-of-way easements to the Marion Shared Use (bike) Path. Because of the nature of how municipal easements work, Parker recommended the committee stipulate that the funding deadline be extended out to June 30, 2026.

            The town-designed bike path is at a 100% design stage and was submitted to MassDOT last November. The state agency has made comments, and the town is presently working off of those comments. The next big step after the 100% design is acquisition of the temporary and permanent easements. There are six temporary and multiple permanent easements not yet acquired that must be appraised and either purchased or received by donation from the owners.

            The committee chaired by Jeff Doubrava and including Parker, Ellen Bruzelius, Alanna Nelson, Debbie Ewing, Toby Ast, Brian McSweeny and Andrew Daniel voted to recommend six other CPA-funded projects, all with a June 30, 2025, spending deadline.

            The smallest CPA request, $5,470 for installation of an irrigation system for the children’s garden next to Sippican Elementary School, happened to be the one identified by the committee as a model project for CPA funding. “I think this is a great example of CPA funding,” said Doubrava, and Ewing called it a “no-brainer.”

            “We hope to get this done this summer,” said project representative Margie Baldwin, describing an “old, antiquated system there” in an “area enjoyed by the public.”

            The Marion Shared Use Bike Path Engineering Update was voted a $75,000 boost in CPA funding that combined with a $47,000 payment would make whole the engineering group for completed engineering work based on an original bid of $349,000 in 2016.

            State-related delays out of the engineers’ control cost them $224,000 in excess expenditures. Nonetheless, Gorman said the town anticipates no more requests from the outside. Gorman also noted that he requested a Mass Trails grant that, if awarded, would cut the CPC grant-match request down to $15,000.

            The Boatyard Park Boundary Survey and Sign Posting will be recommending $11,750 in CPA funding, the amended pitch made by Marion Conservation Commission member Shaun Walsh, who explained the bump from the original $7,100 request based on the need for more permanent boundary markers. An engineering firm provided a revised estimate.

            The goal of the project is to protect visitors from unintentionally trespassing on private properties bordering the Boatyard Park property off Point Road.

            The committee voted to recommend $28,925 to the Bird Island Lighthouse Engineering project. The lighthouse has not been restored since 1997 and situated amidst harsh elements is in need of a professional assessment. The landmark is on the National Historic Registry and contains much in the way of custom work. The town hopes to realize some of that funding via private donations.

            DPW Cemetery Records Management Software was recommended $16,744.

            The one project voted a recommendation that did not come from a town agency was $30,000 from the Sippican Historical Society for “blue plaque” historical markers on sites, all on public property. The original $45,000 request, explained SHS representative Alanna Nelson, was revised to not include curriculum development.

            No vote was needed for the CPC to accept the withdrawal of a previous town request for the digitization of town records, a project that Gorman reported will be grant funded. During the process, Doubrava learned that digitization of town records is categorically ineligible for CPA funding. Gorman noted that the town can designate historic files and apply on that basis but not in general.

            Doubrava reported that Open Space Acquisition Commission Chairman John Rockwell requested an extension of another year of previously approved funding, but since the March 8 agenda had already been posted, CPC action would require an additional public meeting.

            The next meeting of the Marion Community Preservation Committee is scheduled remotely for Friday, March 15, at 5:00 pm via Microsoft Teams.

Marion Community Preservation Committee

By Mick Colageo