The Rochester Select Board has chosen Cambridge-based The Galante Architecture Studio to study whether to renovate or replace the Police and/or Fire stations, and Monday night’s public meeting also delivered the appointment of a full, eight-member Feasibility Study Committee to oversee the process.

            The Select Board picked the firm, the members called “TGAS” for short, after recently interviewing three contenders for the contract worth approximately $10,000.

            Select Board member Brad Morse made the motion in favor of TGAS, noting it was the last of the three firms to present but the most impressive. Morse said he was especially impressed by the fact the company is devoted only to public-safety buildings, not schools or other municipal facilities. He said his view of who would be his number-one pick changed over the course of the interview process. “TGAS is now my number-one choice,” he said.

            The board also approved a number-two choice, RGB Architects. Providence-based RGB will be considered should contract negotiations with TGAS fail, board members said. The board then authorized Town Administrator Glenn Cannon to negotiate said contracts with the assistance of Town Counsel Blair Bailey.

            Along with Morse, who will represent the Select Board to the study committee as one of its eight members, the following were also appointed to review the results of the architect’s work: Chief of Police Robert Small, Fire Chief Scott Weigel, Planning Board member Arnold Johnson, Finance Committee member Kris Stoltenberg, Zoning Board of Appeals member Davis Sullivan, Brian Porter and Melissa Dougall.

            Before the appointment of the Feasibility Study Committee was made official by the Select Board’s vote, Selectman Paul Ciaburri had motioned to appoint Adam Murphy to the committee, but Morse urged the board to reverse the motion because the citizen members of the committee should not be connected to public safety. Murphy is the deputy harbormaster and shellfish officer for the Town of Marion.

            The board agreed and dropped the motion, even as Murphy complained that the stipulation was “unfair.” He said, if he had understood that as a stipulation, he would have asked for it to be changed.

            Prior to this important vote, the board met the new Plumb Library director, Kristen Cardoso, a New Bedford native with 17 years of library work experience.

            Her appointment by the Plumb Library Board of Trustees resolves the disruption created by the sudden resignation of former Library Director Jennifer Woodward in early August after only a month on the job.

            Cardoso elaborated in an interview after the introduction that she started as page at the New Bedford Public Library. After six years there, she left to earn her Masters’ Degree in Library Science at McGill University in Montreal. She then worked as an academic librarian in California before returning to New England as the branch manager at the Howland Green Library in New Bedford.

            In other action, the board approved appointments recommended by the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Conservation Commission. Alternate ZBA member Donald Spirlet will become a full member to fill the seat recently vacated by retired member Kirby Gilmore, and Michelle Upton will become a new alternate member. Conservation Commission full member Kevin Thompson will drop down to an associate member, and recently installed associate member Carl H. McDermott III will be promoted to full membership.

            In related action, the board issued a citation of appreciation to Gilmore, “for your enduring commitment to the Town of Rochester.” Select Board Chairman Woody Hartley noted that Gilmore has served on so many town boards for so many years that it would be too long a list to recite.

            The board then approved spending $3,700 of funds recently donated to the town by SEMASS for a safety-restraint chair for the Police Department. Decisions on spending the remainder of those were placed “on hold.”

            Cannon reported plans are in the works to hire a reserve officer for Old Colony Regional Vocational-Technical High School and organize a Veterans Day event at Town Hall.

            Under items for signature, the Select Board renewed the town’s $96,000 Ambulance BAN (Bond Anticipatory Note) for the current fiscal year and appointed two town police officers for Election Day duty: Elijah Vicente-Roberts and Brian Delmonte. Thirdly, the board signed an agreement to allow the producers of the AMC television series “Invitation to a Bonfire” to close Route 105 from Long Pond Road in Lakeville to North Avenue in Rochester for filming on Monday, October 17, from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

            The selectmen were unable to transact much business when the Park Commission joined the meeting at the Select Board’s request. Hartley said his board wanted the Park Commission to submit “more encompassing” budgets in the future. “We want a more realistic budget,” he said.

            Hartley explained after the meeting that the commission has approached the town numerous times to request funding for extra items that he says should already be in its annual budget.

            During the public meeting, Park Commission Chairman David Hughes responded that his board is working out the “fluctuations” in its budget on its own. “We are an elected board and are not answerable to the Board of Selectmen,” Hughes said.

            Switching hats to speak as chairman of the Finance Committee, Stoltenberg headed off further discussion by noting the next fiscal year’s Park Commission budget has not yet been presented to the Finance Committee and that budget questions should wait until then.

            The Select Board’s next scheduled meeting will be held on Monday, October 17, at 6:00 pm at Town Hall, also accessible via Zoom.

Rochester Select Board

By Michael J. DeCicco

            During Monday night’s meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board, Bay Club representative David Andrews said that more than 20 years ago when the residential subdivision was first being planned and permitted, it was decided that the Planning Board would oversee site plans and any and all associated covenants and sureties. After announcing that the original subdivision was nearing final build-out, Andrews said a smaller plan for additional units was being proposed.

            Andrews said that two lots currently zoned “light industrial” needed to be rezoned to “residential” lots. This change would give the necessary 5 acres needed for a special residential district in which up to 12 additional two- and three-bedroom units could be built. He said that preliminary concepts included units of approximately 2,600 square feet.

            Planning Board member Karen Field asked if these would be affordable-housing units. Andrews replied, “affordable for Mattapoisett.” The units will be priced at market value, he clarified. The proposed subdivision will also require vetting by the Zoning Board of Appeals to change its status to residential.

            The project will be located approximately 1,000 feet from Industrial Drive and be accessible from the back entrance, Andrews noted.

            Regarding roadway completion on existing roads in the private subdivision, Andrews said that plans call for completion in October.

            Roland Cote met with the Planning Board to receive authorization to remove seven trees in the public way along Randall Road. He said that new construction in that area has exposed damaged trees now listing or otherwise diseased. He said, “We’ve got plenty of trees in Mattapoisett; I wouldn’t worry about a few trees (being removed.)” Cote said it is not a scenic roadway. He said that the developer might be willing to plant some trees.

            Sandra Hering, chairman of the Tree Committee, said that the group does not favor spending limited funds on trees along a dead-end road, instead being more selective of planting locations. She said the committee has plans that they could share with the Planning Board for reference. Hering also expressed her concern that the board was rather quick in approving tree removal but sought common ground moving forward.

            A request for an Approval Not Required was approved for property located at 35 Mattapoisett Neck Road. Engineer David Davignon of Schneider, Davignon & Leone, Inc. confirmed that the Zoning Board of Appeals has granted a variance and that subsequent appeals by abutters were denied.

            A Form C application for a Definitive Plan submitted by JBL Fairhaven Road, LLC for property located on the northside of Fairhaven Road was continued until November 7 pending peer-review report from Field Engineering.

            Also continued was a Site Plan Review for 156 Acushnet Road, the location planned for a solar array. The property owner plans to keep sheep nearby. An existing 5-foot fence will remain in place to separate the animals from the ground-mounted solar panels. Sun Partners Solar is working with the owners, and Outback Engineering is the engineer of record. An application has been sent to the state, it was disclosed, and Field Engineering will be the peer-review consultants. The filing was continued until November 7.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board is scheduled for Monday, October 17, at 7:00 pm.

Mattapoisett Planning Board

By Marilou Newell

            Once again the Mattapoisett Select Board found it necessary to share difficult news about the Mattapoisett elevated pathway, the much anticipated, full opening of the Mattapoisett Bike Path between Depot Street and Reservation Road.

            It had been hoped that replacement planking would find the final piece of the elevated pathway nearing completion by now. A previous hiccup that stalled the completion, defective planking, was to have been replaced. It was. However, the Select Board did not believe the replacement planking would stand the test of time. Now, with all planking removed on the Phase 1b span, the project is once again stalled.

            Select Board member Jordan Collyer said the town did not have to accept the portion of the pathway if it was unsatisfied with construction and/or materials. He said that MassDOT officials had said that there could be dual ownership but that no such agreement was ever forwarded to the town. Collyer presented a letter drafted to Jonathan Gulliver of MassDOT that spoke frankly to the problem and asked for a remedy by November 15. He asked Select Board Chairman Tyler Macallister and member Jodi Bauer to approve sending the letter.

            The letter reads in part, “When the glulam panels started failing, the Town advised the project team and attempted to seek resolution before the matter became catastrophic to the project’s completion. Much to our displeasure, nothing was resolved on or after that meeting date, and construction continued until cupping of the panels reached an unacceptable level. … The Town is not in favor of the glulam panel replacements. … The Select Board has no confidence that a similar panel will last even a meaningful measure of time.” (Glulam is an engineered product comprised of wood laminations bonded together by adhesives.)

            The letter goes on to say that shared ownership for a 20-year period had been discussed with the town, and promises were made that the town would hear back from the state office by July. That did not happen. Now the town requests, “A resolution to this matter before November 15 so we can properly move this project towards completion.” The board moved to have the letter sent.

            Earlier in the meeting, the Select Board met with Highway Surveyor Garrett Bauer to briefly review roadway projects. Bauer said that Pearl Street construction estimates are $817,000 and that $120,000 grant dollars from Complete Streets would cover a planned sidewalk from Route 6 to Hammond Street.

            Bauer said he would like to secure funding for Baptist Street ahead of the village streets’ reconstruction currently planned for TIP funding in 2026. More immediate work is needed for Oakland Street where sewer work recently began. Bauer said that water and gas service needs updating with water lines from the 1950s. He estimated those repairs at $616,000, but funding has not been planned.

            Town Administrator Mike Lorenco said that ARPA funds could be used for a project of this scope. The over $1,000,000 the town has received from the federal program has not to date been used.

            Bauer said that state Chapter 90 funds could finance the needed asphalt overlay for Crystal Springs Road and crack and sealing needed on Long Plain Road and Hitching Post Road.

            The Water Street culvert repair engineering and design costs were $150,000 but most likely will not be added to the larger village street project being designed by VHB. Lorenco said the engineering firm GPI was used for that culvert. That repair project alone is estimated at $8,000,000. Bauer said of the culvert work, “There’s no way around it, it has to be done.”

            Another culvert repair on the near horizon is located on Pine Island Road. Bauer said, given the amount of wildlife in that area, grant opportunities are likely.

            Fall Town Meeting was tentatively scheduled for Monday, November 14.

            Don Cuddy had hoped that his request for a warrant article banning alcohol nips would go before Town Meeting this fall. However, the board thought it prudent to give liquor-store owners the right to weigh in on economic impact first. Macallister also felt that by having Cuddy secure the necessary signatures to have a bylaw placed in the warrant would also carry the impact of exposing the problem of littering along roadways and clogging of catch basins.

            The board concurred that a remedy should be sought but that even if a ban of the sale of nips in Mattapoisett was passed, it might not reduce the littering. It was noted that the nips would most likely be purchased in a neighboring town. Cuddy said he will secure the 10 signatures needed, and the matter will go before the fall 2023 Town Meeting.

            Lorenco said that end-of-year transfers amounting to $169,770 were planned. As he noted to the Finance Committee, part of the budgetary reckoning is a result of being unaware of three additional contracts for trash and recyclables collection in the amount of $110,400. As Bay Club, The Villages and Mattapoisett Landing received approval to have their covenants modified, new contracts were signed versus the original being modified. Lorenco has assured the Finance Committee that would be rectified.

            Ned’s Point Lighthouse could become owned by the town if the public approves. Collyer said that given the prominence and importance of the historic lighthouse to Mattapoisett, the town should take it over. He said that because the light remains a navigational aid, the Coast Guard would maintain that functional role, while the town would be responsible to maintain the structure.

            The consensus of the board was positive with Bauer wondering about maintenance costs. But Collyer said, given that the Coast Guard has no interest in keeping the structure in good appearance, it behooves the town to do something.

            Lorenco said that as a federal structure, anyone could buy the lighthouse. That prompted the board to rally around presenting it to Town Meeting for a vote. It was unclear if the question will go before Town Meeting in the fall or spring.

            Long Wharf repair cost estimates were once again discussed with Macallister saying it is time to get all invested parties in one room to decide what option would work the best for the town. Estimates for a hybrid using both concrete blocks and stone stand at $20,800,000. “Every year we wait, it goes up another million dollars,” Macallister said. Public meetings will be planned ahead of the Fall Town Meeting.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Select Board is planned for Tuesday, October 18, at 6:30 pm.

Mattapoisett Select Board

By Marilou Newell

            Marion’s resolution to the failed proposal to replace the traditional hammerhead shape as an approved dead end for town roads with a “Hybrid-Y” shape has come in the form of two options: a larger hammerhead or a cul-de-sac.

            The hammerhead had been a hot topic in town ever since Fieldstone Lane residents failed in a bid at Town Meeting to get their dead-end street absorbed by the town so it could become eligible for town services such as snowplowing.

            At the time, the Department of Public Works recommended against accepting Fieldstone Lane, citing safety concerns with the hammerhead shape and a sudden slope in the grade around the dead end.

            Monday night’s public meeting of the Marion Planning Board did not produce an official end to the public hearing on changes to Section 300-2.1 through 300-6.1 of the town’s Subdivision Rules and Regulations, but it was readily apparent that a resolution has been achieved.

            “After many back-and-forth’s between DPW and the Fire Department,” said Planning Board Chairman Norm Hills, the new plan comes with “dimensions so that there is enough room for the DPW drivers.”

            “This is much better than what was proposed,” said Planning Board member Andrew Daniel, who debated the former proposal of a Hybrid-Y in place of the traditional hammerhead in the Rules and Regulations and researched other New England municipalities for feedback.

            Under the revised hammerhead, road width will be set according to Subdivision Regulations, but a 50-foot-wide (outer) layout will be required on the main road with a 30-foot roadway radius onto the hammerhead, the roadway of which will be at least 30-feet wide and extend a minimum of 60 feet in each direction from the center line of the perpendicular main roadway.

            The cul-de-sac design will have the same requirements on the main roadway and a 30-foot radius onto the cul-de-sac. The paved circle will be a minimum of 108 feet in diameter and 130 feet in diameter to the edge of the road layout (65-foot radius to property lines.)

            Hills still has clerical work to do, writing the revised proposal into the changes (including diagrams of both approved models with required minimal dimensions), after which the board at its next meeting will presumably vote to accept as presented. Hills told the board he will change the language to “Figure 1 and Figure 2” and take out the words.

            Parking will not be allowed on these configurations.

            At the suggestion of Town Planner Doug Guey-Lee, the board voted to continue the public hearing to October 17 at 7:15 pm.

            On the advice of Guey-Lee’s review and Building Commissioner Bob Grillo, the Planning Board was ready to determine that an amendment to the site plan for expanded parking at the Captain Hadley House (corner Front Street and Route 6) does not rise to a level requiring site-plan review.

            Enter T.J. Walker, former owner of the property (and contractor) who took the floor in the public-comment session to challenge the decision. Walker articulated concerns over the history of the property, asserted that more than five parking spaces are being added, while the amount of open space is “substantially decreased” and no plan to address drainage.

            “This plan violates the spirit of everything you folks do. There’s more parking in this proposal than the drug store that was wildly unpopular,” said Walker, alluding to four iterations of the site plan. “There have been violations of the stop-work order. … I don’t see why we would waiver parking along Route 6. It just seems incomplete at this time. To sweep it under the carpet and say it’s a miscommunication between the Conservation Commission and the Planning Board is missing the mark.”

            Marion’s previous building commissioner had issued a Cease and Desist order because the site plan was not updated. “It was stopped because of things happening that were not on the plan,” said Daniel.

            On behalf of the property owner, Lou Kruger said, “This whole thing was put on hold because of COVID. It wasn’t to delay anything. It’s what the owner decided to do. There was an application made.”

            The dispute continued, and Kruger indicated that the gravel on site is not indicative of an intention to use it for parking (Kruger asserted that the property now has 36-car parking capacity). Guey-Lee, also Marion’s Conservation agent, clarified that while the rear of the lot falls under the Conservation Commission’s purview, the side facing Wareham Street (Route 6) does not.

            Planning Board member Chris Collings was convinced that Walker had presented more than enough credible argument to cause the board to call for site-plan review. He was openly dissatisfied with the clarity in the plan as presented and the lack of accessible comprehensive history of the case.

            “I want site-plan review,” said Collings. “I don’t like all the loose ends and incomplete answers. It just bothers me that this isn’t easy. When we have people with strong opinions and (make arguments that) we’re opposed to, I would like to see the owner come in and present.”

            Daniel said he saw Walkers’ point, but based on the board’s purview said the application does not rise to a level requiring site-plan review.

            The board voted 5-1 to accept the amendment as “minor” (not requiring site-plan review) with Collings’ the lone dissenting vote.

            During the Community Outreach (open comment) session, local developer Sherman Briggs asked if board members were up to date on the Marion Village Overlay District. Hills said the matter has not yet been brought to the board and that Briggs got a look at the draft as a courtesy.

            Hills said the Marion Village Overlay District was drafted by the Codification Committee, which is part of the Planning Board and will therefore be brought to the Planning Board for review. “Everything that goes through the Codification Committee goes through the Planning Board, everything,” agreed board member Eileen Marum.

            Daniel joined Briggs in asserting that the writing of new bylaws should be done by the Planning Board and that the job of the Codification Committee is “basically supposed to be cleaning up the bylaws.”

            Hills indicated approximately 200 were recently “straightened out. … After looking at them, the Codification Committee tried to generate a different one that replaced all of those,” he explained, noting that the committee is still trying to resolve all the feedback comments. “It all has to come to the Planning Board.” (Two board members serve on the Codification Committee.)

            Daniel said the board needs more time than it has had in some cases with important bylaw changes being introduced right before Town Meeting.

            Member Alanna Nelson said there are different tasks that the board should be doing on that subject, including policy and planning.

            Member Tucker Burr cautioned that considering the length of Codification Committee meetings, the Planning Board should not try to absorb that time into its meetings. He also agreed that “you don’t want to make changes last minute before Town Meeting.”

            Hills reminded the board that any bylaw changes require a public hearing and said that the real goal is to make the bylaws simple enough that the building commissioner can enforce them without complication. “I’m at the point where I send it to the Town Counsel to review,” he said.

            Briggs also addressed the long-standing issue of the 40B statute (affordable-housing requirement) and the anticipation that Heron Cove Estates will push the town well over that requirement. He has long argued that Marion’s density requirement incentivizes developers to build low-income housing instead of the market-rate housing that would generate tax revenue.

            “Our bylaw is wide open to it. I would like somebody to come up with an answer to it sooner rather than later,” said Briggs.

            “Once we meet the state requirement, that bylaw needs to go away,” agreed Daniel. “Why would we make more trouble for ourselves than we already get from the state?”

            In other action, the Planning Board voted to approve up to $800 to contract the transfer and setup of GIS (zoning map) files from Marion resident and Open Space Acquisition Commission Chairman John Rockwell. The cost is estimated to be at least $500 but not to exceed $800 for the current fiscal year.

            According to Town Planner Doug Guey-Lee, Marion’s last official zoning map dates back to 2014 and that having this GIS data in-house will allow Marion to transfer to a digital format with a public interface.

            “There’s really no working zoning map for someone to do their due diligence about their prospective piece of property,” Guey-Lee said, noting that this data transfer will set the stage for the town to achieve that future step.

            In a related action, the board agreed to sign the updated Zoning Map. Hills qualified that the update from 2014 does not include updates to the Aquifer Protection District, which will hopefully happen at the next town meeting.

            The next meeting of the Marion Planning Board is scheduled for Monday, October 17, at 7:00 pm at the Police Station, also accessible via Zoom.

Marion Planning Board

By Mick Colageo