Rochester’s Conservation Commission Tuesday agreed to the much-debated proposed Conservation Restriction on 13 acres at Red Brick Farm East, contingent on the Mattapoisett Water Department abiding by the town’s requested conditions.

            The commission motioned that it would sign the CR upon receipt of a Letter of Intent stating that Mattapoisett will never develop a well on the 13 acres on Long Plain Road and the north side of Wolf Island Road in Rochester and will make every attempt to transfer the land to the Town of Rochester for $1.

            Brendan Annett of the Buzzards Bay Coalition said it was too late to put these conditions in the multitown Conservation Restriction on 241 acres of aquifer land from Acushnet to Mattapoisett that this parcel includes. The state legislature must release the funding for the CR by the end of the legislative session in June.

            Annett said the commission could sign the signature page that would only be released when the Letter of Intent regarding the concessions to Rochester is received. The commission agreed to this plan after board member Ben Bailey emphasized that the $1 purchase offer needed to be part of the letter’s language. He instructed Conservation Agent Merilee Kelly to release the signatures only when the Letter of Intent with Mattapoisett’s concessions is received, then reviewed by Rochester’s town counsel.

            When they first heard of the CR plan weeks ago, commission members complained that Rochester has lost the right to use its own water resources too many times over the decades.

            The regional agreement would give Mattapoisett the water rights to the Rochester parcel, including possibly digging up to four new wells, under a coownership agreement with the Mattapoisett Water and Sewer Authority. The commission was united in their refusal to sign the Red Brick Farms CR without more information, especially as to whether the CR can be rewritten to give Rochester rights to some of that water.

            Tuesday night, Mattapoisett Water Department representative Henri Renauld noted several points to ease Rochester’s concerns. He said none of these four wells mentioned in the agreement will be dug in Rochester, and the fact is Mattapoisett is only allowed to draw a limited amount of water from the aquifer. And it must receive the Rochester Conservation Commission’s permission to dig those wells.

            Renauld agreed to the commission’s response that these conditions be in writing. The board agreed to set a future, special, one-issue meeting to sign the signature page.

            Later in the evening, the commission approved the invoice that will give the Buzzards Bay Coalition the $70,000 grant funds the town received for the Red Brick Farm Conservation Restriction. But it voted to not release the check until the Letter of Intent from Mattapoisett is received.

            The commission began the meeting by approving the Certificate of Compliance for the completed plan to build a single-family home with septic system, well and lawn at 69 Paradise Lane, after Kelly reported no problems with inspection of the site.

            Lastly, the board received good news regarding the 89 Box Turtle Drive dispute over owner Doug Rose clearing land there too close to wetlands without a permit over a year ago.

            Rose’s attorney, Timothy Angley, told the board his client’s engineering consultant has been fired because he was dragging his feet on completing the plans the commission was seeking. A new engineer, Brad Holmes of ERC in Plymouth, has been hired and will deliver new plans to the board soon.

            The board asked that the owner’s no-trespassing order be lifted to allow a site visit. Angley agreed that these visits could happen as soon as Thursday, June 22.

            The commission set its summer-schedule meetings for Tuesday, July 18, and Tuesday, August 15, at 7:00 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.

Rochester Conservation Commission

By Michael J. DeCicco

            Marion Animal Control Officer Susan Connor appeared before the Board of Health during its June 15 public meeting to discuss a complaint she brought forward about a dog defecating at a retention-pond area near Silvershell Beach.

            As summarized by board Chairman Dr. Ed Hoffer, the location in the complaint was right next to the water, “and what can we do about it?” he asked. Hoffer’s immediate reaction was to place a sign identifying it as a “nitrogen-sensitive area” with a request to pick up after dogs, supply plastic bags at the site and “see what happens.”

            Seeking clarification and direction, Connor said it’s become difficult to enforce the bylaw stating the beach, the parking lot and the green space are all off limits to dogs during the summer months, despite the fact the regulation is posted in every area.

            “At some point, someone at the Town Hall – I don’t know who – decided to open the retention-pond area to dogs, which has always been included prior to in the off-limit area,” said Connor. “I’m happy to enforce whatever the town chooses to enforce, but it’s very difficult when people have to walk through the parking lot to access the retention-pond area. When they’re not allowed to be in the parking lot and I write a ticket, they’re very upset. I think we need to decide what area…

            “We have one of the least-restrictive leash laws in the area. I don’t know of any town that allows dogs on the beaches in the summertime, and I guess one thing would be to look at the chloroform and the counts that you’ve been taking and how they’ve changed in the past two years.”

            There is an opening cut in the fence that had never been there before, and a sitting bench has been placed.

            Connor pointed out that the retention pond is also a nesting area for many federally protected migratory birds and Terrapin turtles.

            “We have to at least meet the state guidelines and the federal guidelines,” she said. “If people are in there and their dogs are harassing endangered or migratory birds, they’re subject to those fines, which are quite hefty.”

            Board member Dr. John Howard stated, “In the interest of nitrogen, which we talk about so much now – and people say, well, I live way up in North Marion, is that really going to affect me – but if it’s a pond right down by the ocean, that fence needs to be fixed.”

            Deputy Harbormaster Adam Murphy noted that a bad reading on chloroform levels could result in closure of the beach and advised the board to take that possibility into consideration.

            “We can only police it so much,” he said.

            Board member Albie Johnson traced the interest in the retention-pond area to the cutting back of invasive plant species.

            Qualifying his statement with the disclaimer that the Board of Health may have no jurisdiction in the matter, Hoffer said the board could send the town administrator a letter strongly urging that the area and the beach property at large be declared off limits to dogs.

            Progress at 28 Pitcher Street was at a standstill as of the June 15 meeting, prompting new steps on the part of the board. The owner was to appear at the meeting but sent word he was not available and would be happy to appear at the board’s next meeting.

            “Mr. Balboni has politely been doing nothing,” said Hoffer, who suggested reinstituting the plan to issue fines. More specifically, he suggested another letter, this one stating that no progress has been made on repeated requests to move on the project and make it a habitable house, adding that unless the board sees progress, it will be instituting fines.

            “The neighbors have been going on the fact that we have been trying to do something. Unless we see visible progress prior to our next meeting, not only is he to appear, we expect to impose daily fines. … I don’t know of any statute that limits them,” said Hoffer. “We’re getting tired of sweet nothings.”

            Howard suggested finding the official order that went out via certified mail.

            In her Health Agent update, Shallyn Rodriguez discussed the monthly I/A data report.

            Johnson stated his interest in doing away with the bylaw requiring denitrification technology in any new septic installation and going back to Title 5 regulations.

            In her Health Director update, Lori Desmarais reported two cases of Lyme disease halfway through June after 14 cases in May, along with one case of anaplasmosis. She said a state-issued Summer Safety Guidance presentation would be sent out to residents in an email blast.

            Desmarais said the town has the funds in its revolving account to support a COVID-19 booster clinic but has not heard from the state as to a protocol for future vaccine distribution.

            The Marion Board of Health did not schedule its next meeting upon adjournment.

Marion Board of Health

By Mick Colageo

            It was with a unanimous vote and an enthusiastic round of applause that the Mattapoisett School Committee received a report from Old Rochester Regional Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Dr. Shari Fedorowicz on ORR’s literacy program curriculum for the 2023-24 academic year.

            Noting he has spent almost 30 years at Old Hammondtown Elementary School, Principal Kevin Tavares assigned a superlative to the job Fedorowicz did in leading the ORR District’s search for a program to implement across the district.

            “I can say that Dr. Fedorowicz’s leadership has been the most comprehensive … it’s the first time in my recollection all three towns (agreed). This is a good thing for the district,” said Tavares, referring to the Tri-Towns’ preference for IntoReading over CKLA and Wonders, two other programs being seriously considered.

            Consultation with the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and with other school districts corroborated ORR’s findings. The committee also approved the choice of DIBELS 8th Edition as the district’s early literacy screener.

            “We are beyond grateful that we are at this point,” said Mattapoisett School Committee Chairperson Carly Lavin during the committee’s final public meeting of the academic year on Tuesday night at Center School.

            As summarized by Fedorowicz, the district worked with HILL for Literacy, beginning in the fall with a needs assessment before narrowing down to three potential programs based on established needs, followed by a comprehensive rubric for quantitative and qualitative analysis.

            Teachers reviewed publishers’ samples and demonstrations for each grade level and offered feedback before a final round of Q&A with vendors. A monthly review of programs ensued and in June, data was reviewed and discussed.

            An initial training will begin on June 27.

            Fedorowicz thanked the teachers for the “hours and hours” of time it took to make effective decisions.

            “It was so efficient the amount of time that you all put in. It was a great opportunity for the leadership team … they put in a lot of time and effort, I’m really impressed,” said Mattapoisett School Committee member Tiffani Reedy.

            In attendance with Lavin and Reedy were members James Muse and Cristin Cowles. Amanda Hastings was not present.

            Late in the meeting, the committee voted to keep Lavin in the chair and Muse as vice-chairperson. There were no other nominations or dissenting votes. Melissa Wilcox was voted to remain secretary for the committee.

            In a School Improvement Plan update, Tavares reviewed 21st Century Learning projects at Old Hammondtown involving the Mattapoisett Fire and Police departments, the recent Grade 6 field trip with the Mattapoisett Land Trust to Cuttyhunk, a Grade 5 project on writing alternate endings to fairytales, the process of publishing a book and reading to Kindergarten children.

            Center School Principal Dr. Linda Ashley reported on Social-Emotional Learning, noting that all students at both elementary schools have identified two trusted adults. Learning walks were taken at each school, and they timed out well with the district’s literacy and strategic plan initiatives.

            Grateful to the Parent-Teacher Association through a “crazy May and June,” Ashley said the education the students received during field trips “doesn’t end there. They read about where they’re going and write about where they’re going,” she said.

            Student Handbooks were developed last summer to be made more consistent across the Tri-Towns. There are now walkie-talkies in every single school office. Center School will expand on Heritage Month. The MLT visited Grade 2 to teach about a plant’s lifecycle, and Mattapoisett Woman’s Club was also involved.

            “They did a great job, took it very seriously,” said Ashley, happy with the establishment of community partnerships.

            Tavares also reported on Global Citizenship-based projects, including Facetime with teachers, talking with scientists based in Colorado and weaving a theme of kindness throughout the school day. Town Administrator Mike Lorenco and ORCTV worked with a group of students on videos and projects and will expand on that work next year.

            Later in the meeting, Tavares told the committee that Old Hammondtown will receive a mural that will encompass the whole cafeteria under the theme of “think, learn and care.”

            In recognizing the work at the elementary schools, ORR Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson considered the nonvoting item an important update for the committee. He alluded to the strategic alignment of ORR’s strategic plan to coincide with each elementary school’s two-year plan. “I think we made a good decision on how to tie in the six (district) schools,” he said.

            In her Chairperson’s report, Lavin recognized ORR Director of Student Services Craig Davidson, who was attending his last district meeting.

            “I’m very excited for him. This has been a wild ride for a few years. One of the things that separates us from other districts is we put the person ahead of the job,” said Lavin, telling Davidson, “It was an amazing opportunity for me to learn from you.”

            Lavin also gave a general note of appreciation to the administration and faculty “for what you bring to our families.”

            Davidson notified ORR it can run its Enrichment programming on top of SAIL from 12:00 pm to 3:30 pm daily. Facilities Director Gene Jones will staff the building. Davidson said ORR has hired 12 high school students as “camp counselors” and some spots are still available.

            Nelson said Davidson came to “a complex district at a complex time, and he hit the ground running” as the ORR District had to fill all three Central Office positions. “It’s tough to see you go this early on, but it makes sense. We wish you nothing but the best,” he told Davidson.

            Nelson also reported on seven full-team planning sessions for the district’s Vision 2028, most recently four public forums/town halls soliciting feedback.

            “We feel fortunate to have such a supportive board here … please know we are just as appreciative … to have you behind us, it means the world,” he told the committee.

            The School Committee voted to approve the lease of the Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative (SMEC) for the 2023-24 School Year.

            “It’s been a terrific partnership in this school … we are better as an OHS family,” said Tavares. “The space that they utilize is one corridor … we have students that visit the other students, they come to our events.”

            The School Committee voted to accept the donation of a dogwood tree from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation in honor of fifth-grade student Emma Lowe winning the statewide Arbor Day Poster Contest. The tree is being planted near the flagpole at Old Hammondtown. Tavares said the new dogwood matches the mature dogwood tree on the grounds.

            Colleen Johns is leaving as Library Media specialist after 15 years. The book “Somewhere in the Bayou” is being dedicated in the honor of Johns’ service.

            The committee approved the disposal of surplus equipment.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett School Committee is scheduled for Thursday, September 21, at 6:30 pm.

Mattapoisett School Committee

By Mick Colageo