The December 16 meeting opened with action items before proceeding to scheduled public hearings.

            The Board voted unanimously to approve the FY2026 budget, and also a $2,400 to Field Engineering from the 78 Wareham Road Consulting Account.

            Minutes of the December 2, 2024 Planning Board Meeting and the October 7, 2024 Joint Meeting with the Select Board were approved unanimously with no discussion.

            There was a brief discussion on a project that is undergoing consideration at the Zoning Board of Appeals. Comments submitted to the ZBA on 17 Kabeyun Road had been circulated to Planning Board members, presumably to elicit their support for the project. The Board voted to provide no formal comment to the ZBA.

            There were two Continued Public Hearings on the agenda.

            Special Permit & Site Plan Review with FSJ Marion Realty, LLC, regarding 207-215 Wareham Street, Map 11, Lots 90,91,91A, 91B, zoned Residence E: the hearing was continued without discussion to January 6, 2025 at 7:05 pm.

            Special Permit & Major Site Plan Review, 78 Wareham Road, LLC Matthew Zukor. 78 Wareham Road, Map 7, Lots 24, 25, 27, 28C & 29, zoned Residence E.

            Mr. Zukor reported that he had met with Town Administrator G. Gorman to discuss infrastructure issues, ensuring water, sewer, water storage, river flow, and related matters are clarified and acceptable to both town and developer.  He noted that he had been waiting for a report from the town, when coincidentally it was released just before the meeting, and he would review it as soon as possible.  He also noted that the Environmental Assessment recently completed was very well done.

Zukor stated he will shortly develop a construction management plan that will include details on moving of any trees.

            The Board raised one question, on concerns about the added volume of traffic – estimated at 350 more cars once people are residing there. Zukor explained that while he has informed DOT and can update them periodically, they have their own procedures and policies when it comes to dealing with traffic flow, curb cuts, speed limits etc. He will continue to keep DOT apprised of the project.

Board Chair Daniel noted that the project is “approaching the finish line” and the Board is encouraged by the cooperation of both Zukor and K. Steen, developer of the neighboring Heron Cove project. The hearing was then continued to January 6, 2025 at 7:10 pm.

            The next meeting of the Planning Board will be January 6, 2025 at 7:00 pm at the Marion Police Department.

Marion Planning Board

By Mary McCann Fiske

On December 17 the Mattapoisett Select Board voted to place a moratorium on the use of the town’s properties by any entity other than recognized and duly appointed or elected boards and committees. Town administrator Mike Lorenco noted that presently, there aren’t firm rules or guidelines for such use of municipal properties, the absence of which may have created some issues in recent months.

            When asked for specifics board member Tyler Macallister said of the need to establish clear policies, “It’s the right thing to do.” Macallister declined to respond to a question regarding what issues had arisen to prompt the moratorium.

             Lorenco made clear that the moratorium did not include the library which falls under the jurisdiction of the library trustees. Member Jordan Collyer asked the board members to review any existing policies for updating and modifications to be voted on after the first of the year.

            In other business the board voted to approve ARPA funding use for the following equipment; $85,000 for Highway and Water/Sewer Departments radio equipment, $3,351 for computer equipment and IT upgrades, $109,109 for town server replacement, $2,835 for public nursing expenses not included in the annual budget, and $8,170 for AED supplies including pads for town owned defibrillators.

            Lorenco also advised that the 30-day review of the town’s electricity aggregation agreement is underway and can be viewed on the town’s website. Also in a 30-day review process is the town’s updated Hazard Mitigation Plan. The draft can be found on the town’s website.

            A liquor license transfer for management changes at Mattapoisett Liquors was approved.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Select Board was not set upon adjournment.

Mattapoisett Select Board

By Marilou Newell

Rochester’s Board of Selectmen Monday closed and signed the warrant for the January 27, 2025, Special Town Meeting after a preliminary review of its 17 articles. It agreed, however, to delay until a later date voting on whether to recommend or not recommend the articles.

            The first seven articles are spending proposals that the select board said need to be vetted by the Capital Planning Committee. Town administrator Cameron Durant agreed but noted the Capital Planning panel will not be able to fund all of these requests because it does not have the budget for them.

            The money articles voters will be asked to consider cover nearly every town department. The police department is asking for $120,000 for new police cell doors that roll rather swing open, a safer option. The Plumb Library requests $3,225 for the town’s share to purchase a new state-of-the-art library book depository that won’t damage books being dropped there; the Friends of the Library donated 50-percent of the $6,500 cost for this item.

            There also requests for: $175,000 to convert the police station attic into office space, $30,000 for Council On Aging senior center kitchen upgrades, $100,000 for a new or used Highway Department sander, $26,500 for landfill monitoring, and $55,000 for fire station construction site work.

            The remaining articles include proposals to change the Town Clerk to an appointed position; a bylaw codifying the duties of the Town Administrator; proposed changes to Large Scale Solar Photovoltaic Installation regulations that strengthen the conditions for adequate screening, new battery storage systems regulations, new regulations for accessory dwelling units and short-term rentals, and eliminating Use Variances from the zoning bylaw.

            The longest discussion came with the board’s review of the accessory dwelling unit regulations. Bylaw Review Committee member Mark Wellington said the Planning Board, particularly chair Arnold Johnson, are not in favor of recommending that this measure be proposed at this town meeting. The town, Wellington elaborated, is reacting to new state regulations stating property owners have a right to establish accessory dwelling units. But the state is currently in the process of changing the regulations that will go into effect on February 2, 2025. Johnson wants the town to wait until the new regs are final. But town regulations need to be in place to protect the town’s interests, Wellington noted. The Select Board responded that it will ‘move forward’ with this zoning article and keep it on the warrant.

            Durant said there will be a joint meeting between the select board and the Finance Committee on these articles on December 30.

            In other action, the board confirmed police chief Michael A. Assad Jr.’s appointment of Roshawn Groce as a new part-time Rochester police officer. Assad noted Groce’s experience includes serving on the Provincetown, Aquinnah, Wellfleet and Tisbury police departments and the Curry College public safety force.

            The board endorsed chief Assad’s promotion of police officers Zachary Dupere and Conner Leddin to Patrol Sergeant. Assad said Dupere comes to Rochester with 13 years of experience in the Fall River Police Department. The highlight of Leddin’s experience is eight years as Barnstable Correctional Facility officer.

            The board approved Assad’s recommendation to change the job title of Rochester Police Lieutenant and department veteran Don Kemmett to Captain, after Assad praised Kemmet for guiding him through his first year as Rochester’s chief.

            The board approved a new Rochester Police towing policy that would regulate the towing companies the town uses. Driver must look and act the part, Assad said. The policy requires proper licensing and insurance and bars use of any controlled substance, cannabis or alcohol on the job.

            The board approved the Class II license renewal of Murphy’s Auto Salvage, Inc.

            The board appointed Donald Spirlet as a member of the new Events Committee.

            The next meeting of the Rochester Select Board is scheduled for Monday, December 30 at 6:00 pm at 1 Constitution Way.

Rochester Select Board

By Michael J. DeCicco

            At the December 9 meeting of the Mattapoisett Capital Planning Committee town administrator Mike Lorenco gave a status report on a variety of multi-phase multi-dollar projects.

            Topping the list was the Main Street (village streets) construction project. Lorenco said that design currently stands at 20-percent and that an arborist has been hired to assist with planting and tree removal planning. During a June information session public comments were received and various traffic flow issues and ideas were floated such as one way travel on Water Street. The town has been working with the state on utilities design.

            Lorenco shared that long before any work can be scheduled some 120 easements would have to be granted for things like material storage and equipment. Also the culvert at the town beach on Water Street had to be replaced. Water lines with an estimated price tag of $20 million need to be considered.

            Regarding the Pearl Street project, Lorenco said that project which the town had approved along with Oakland Street at an estimated cost of $1.4 million, will go out to bid in the coming weeks with a spring start date and that Oakland Street underground services (gas, sewer, and water) were complete. He said an asphalt overlay is planned. However, he cautioned that the $1.4 million will not be enough given current pricing.

            Long Wharf reconstruction project is at a bit of a stall presently. Additional borings confirmed site conditions as amenable to repairs but that materials for the project had yet to be decided.

            Improvements to the Highway Department Building are moving along and the floor drains have been completed. But the discovery of asbestos required extra work. He forecasted that this project should com in close to budget at $350,000. Lorenco also noted that exhaust fans have been installed.

            Student work on the Holy Ghost Grounds building which included flooring, electrical with new panel and fixtures is ongoing with the students from Old Colony “plugging along.”

            Library repairs with the exception of the slate roof are funded up to $45,000 for carpet replacement yet to be done. Also pending is a full feasibility study for Town Hall Lorenco noted. In May 2023 $35,000 was appropriated for the study he said. Regarding repairs to Town Hall he said that holes in the roof had been patched, exterior trim and painting was complete, “…the animals can’t get in.”

            On the topic of vehicles he reminded the committee of the year or more wait times for new vehicle deliveries. Both the Highway Department and the Police Department (a new ambulance) are waiting for deliveries.

            The bike path’s next phase was mentioned at a possible cost of $3 million. Lorenco said that funding was a “big question mark” but that grants would be sought, “…it may have to go through the TIP process.”

            Lorenco also touched on debt saying that while the library and local schools are rolling off the payment schedule, the new fire station is rolling on.

            Recently completed projects include a new generator for the housing authority, Old Slough Road, Mattapoisett Neck Road sidewalk, car charging stations at Mattapoisett Police and Depot Street, dredging of the inner harbor, municipal fiber optic loop, ADA transition plan, Legion Hall repairs and ADA upgrades and relocation of town server to the fire station.

            Next meeting of the Mattapoisett Capital Planning Committee to be announced.

Mattapoisett Capital Planning Committee

By Marilou Newell