Chief of Police Richard Nighelli attended the June 15 meeting of the Marion School Committee to discuss the potential of a School Resource Officer (SRO) at Sippican School.

            Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson made sure to clarify for all listeners to the discussion that funds are not in the FY23 budget for such, so whatever progress is made in the matter will not have a financial pathway immediately set for the 2022-23 school year.

            “Our partnership is strong, and we constantly talk about school and school safety,” said Nighelli about his rapport with Nelson in addressing the committee. “I think a safe environment for the kids that they can thrive in, so I appreciate the partnership from Mike and from Pete (Crisafuli) and from Marla (Sirois.) I’m here to answer any questions …”

            Nighelli told the committee he had already been in discussions with Nelson. “Obviously, we’re not budgeted for it,” he said. “I have some personnel issues at the department right now that I would have to address to add more people on to the department to make sure that we have shift coverage, but I think that it’s something that we could put together before September. But we’d have to start working fairly quickly.”

            As April Nye explained in response to committee member Michelle Smith’s question, Marion has a person at Sippican who is certified as a SRO, but there is no SRO acting as such in the school building Monday-Friday.

            Nighelli explained that the Marion Police has a school liaison, Sergeant Alisha Crosby, who is assigned to the “midnight shift” as the result of collective bargaining. “Even though we don’t have a school liaison on day shift, it’s been a collective effort,” said Nighelli, taking the opportunity to thank the overnight officers for their extra work during the day shift.

            Nighelli explained there is an increased visibility of patrol officers at Sippican.

            The difference between a SRO and a liaison is the latter is just a point of contact, according to Nighelli. The SRO is at the school regularly and is part of the school community.

            “Our conversation tonight is whether we support having an SRO in the school, five days a week,” said April Nye.

            Nelson said the matter was on the agenda because the Marion Police Department was interested in the school committee’s feedback.

            Nelson said the committee’s discussion could serve as a starting point that would in next steps see him bring the matter to town officials to receive their feedback and any sense as to the potential to support a SRO.

            Nelson clarified that the SRO does not manage low-level behaviors or the classroom, which is still the responsibility of school administration.

            After further discussion, the committee voted to support ongoing discussion in bringing a SRO to Sippican School.

            Nelson said he will follow up with Nighelli and April Nye, determine next steps and report back to the committee.

            The committee voted to approve the renewal of the following leases: one year with Rochester-based Country Side Child Care at $2,000 per month; and the Southcoast YMCA’s lease of two rooms at Sippican at $7,200 per room (total $14,400 based on 10 months of usage.)

            The committee voted to approve the removal of a list of selected items from the school library.

            The committee voted to approve the following replacement-fee schedule proposed by Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Howie Barber, including the proposal of an insurance plan at the cost of $25.

            Proposed Replacement Fee Recommendation: Chromebook Complete Unit Replacement $300; Chromebook Screen $50; 45W Adapter with Power Cord (USB-C Connection) $50; Keyboard $50; iPad Complete Unit $325; Apple usb-c to lightning cable $25; Apple usb power adapter (block) $25; and Case $50.

            This policy does not apply to the iPads issued to the youngest learners.

            Sippican Principal Marla Sirois and Assistant Principal Peter Crisafulli presented a progress update on Year 1 of a two-year School Improvement Plan and its coordination with ORR’s Vision 2023.

            The report that required no vote highlighted project-based learning and “the four C’s,” along with 21st Century Learning skills, and social-emotional learning. Action steps focused on staff and student relationships and functions of the responsive classroom.

            In her Chairperson’s Report, April Nye talked about the happiness with which the students finished the 2021-22 school year and thanked the committee and the staff. Her sentiments were echoed by Nelson, who highlights all the behind-the-scenes work done by subcommittees and the extra effort put forth by the committee’s members.

            No corrective action was required in response to former Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Dr. Jannell Pearson-Campbell’s work on the audit. Pearson-Campbell has left the Old Rochester Regional District, and her work was highlighted by Nelson, who also thanked members of the hiring committee that helped select a finalist for Pearson-Campbell’s replacement.

            The Marion School Committee reorganized for the 2022-23 school year, the members voting April Nye to continue serving as chairperson, Nichole Daniel to continue serving as vice chairperson, and Diana Russo to continue serving as secretary with Toni Bailey continuing to serve as alternate secretary.

            The Joint School Committee representation will be different for 2022-23. Michelle Smith will continue to represent Marion on the ORR School Committee, and Mary Beauregard will represent Marion on the Joint School Committee.

            Open Comment brought out comments crediting the committee for addressing the matter of public interest in the addition of a School Resource Officer.

            At the start of the meeting, words of appreciation were shared by Nelson, Sirois and April Nye regarding the retirement of Sippican teacher Paula McKeen. The book “The Dictionary of Difficult Words” was added to the school library in honor of McKeen’s service.

            The first meeting of the Marion School Committee for the 2022-23 school year was not set at adjournment.

Marion School Committee

By Mick Colageo

            On July 12 members of the Mattapoisett Tree Committee met with the Select Board to give a 15-slide presentation on a variety of tree-related topics associated with the engineering and design work taking place for a project known as “Village Streets” (Main, Water and Beacon streets and Marion Road.)

            The roadway project since its inception in 2014 was always one that would necessitate the inclusion of those who serve the community in the role of tree advocates. Now, as the 25-percent design is being reviewed by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the town’s consultant VHB, the Tree Committee was ready to present their vision.

            Committee Chairman Sandy Hering said that they propose the planting of 36 trees and the protection of many others. It was noted by Select Board member Jordan Collyer that it will be necessary to remove some trees that simply cannot be left in place, such as the tree in front of St. Phillip’s Episcopal Church.

            Hering said that modern-day techniques for planting and protecting existing trees should be used to ensure the health of the trees. However, she acknowledged that some trees may not fare well over time after road construction takes place in their proximity. She hoped that the state would engage an arborist to assist.

            Two other members of the committee, Mike Immel and Barbara Pornysz, also shared their views. Pornysz said the committee was looking at various locations where trees may be successfully planted, that trees absorb as much as 95 percent of ultraviolet light from the sun and that the trees’ canopies reduce energy costs. She also said that trees increase property values and are good for business.

            Immel stated that trees add to the social scene of the village area, and he offered a conceptual drawing of what the area from Cannon Street to Barstow Street might look like. The drawing showed 18 trees gracing both sides of Water Street with at least one large bump out or plaza in front of the Inn on Shipyard Park, where trees would be planted in an expanded sidewalk. Immel also stated that trees help to reduce stress and add to the town’s character.

            Collyer responded that he would not support any plan that removed parking spaces that are already too few in number and in high demand.

            Hering said that the committee wanted inclusion to future meetings regarding the project including with VHB. She also believes it is important to continue engaging the public.

            Town Administrator Mike Lorenco said that presently the 25-percent design for the project was being reviewed by MassDOT, and VHB needs to respond to MassDOT’s comments. He said that next steps would be a utility layout and possibly receiving the 75-percent design from VHB in five months. Lorenco further stated that before any roadwork could begin, gas mains would be replaced as well as water and sewer lines. He said current estimates for the project rest around $10,000,000 and that the project has been placed on the TIP grant for 2026.

            The Select Board also heard from Jane Finnerty, a supervisor responsible for the management of safety staff for the town’s beaches, part of the Recreation Department. Finnerty was moved to meet with the board after the publication of a Letter to the Editor questioning why the raft had not been returned to the town beach on Water Street.

            Finnerty passionately urged the board to never again deploy such a raft. She quoted shocking statistics that spinal injuries due to shallow-water diving constituted 10 percent of all such injuries, especially for young males. She said that the harbormaster had taken a sounding where the raft was historically placed and recorded water as shallow as 4 feet.

            “It’s a lure for children,” said Finnerty, who warned that children can get trapped when trying to swim underneath the raft, that it is an insurance risk for the town, and given the town’s lack of enough qualified lifeguards, the raft is simply dangerous.

            “Our camps are full,” said Finnerty, referring to camps that require at least two lifeguards in attendance, leaving fewer to monitor the beach. Finnerty said that the beach usage is not the same as in bygone years. Collyer agreed, saying, “It’s probably not in the best interest of the town.” Finnerty was asked to let inquiring people know the raft will not return in 2022.

            The board also discussed the opening of Phase 1b of the Mattapoisett Bike Path with Select Board Chairman Tyler Macallister asking the cycling public to, “please stop before crossing Mattapoisett Neck and Brandt Island Roads.” He said there is no parking along Mattapoisett Neck Road, that parking is available at the landing and several spaces at the entrance to the path at Brandt Island Road.

It was also noted that there isn’t any parking at the Reservation Beach at the end of Reservation Road. Lorenco said, “It has always been private.”

Collyer volunteered to be the board’s representative working with the town’s Bike Path Committee and the Friends of the Mattapoisett Bike Path.

            The board met with William Morgan, who requested a permit for the use of a mobile trailer at 23 Cove Street. Citing medical issues, Morgan asked for use of the trailer for an indefinite period of time. The board referred to the bylaw governing such permits and found two weeks to be the standard unless there are “emergency or calamitous” issues. Morgan was granted the two weeks and asked to provide a follow-up request for an extension.

            Hunter Major was appointed to the Agriculture Commission, and Virginia Nelson was conditionally appointed pending a vacancy. Thomas Gomez was appointed as an Animal Control Officer.

            More events are planned for Shipyard Park with the approval of Sunday Band Concerts to be presented by Robert Williamson in August, and Line Dancing are being offered by the Friends of the Mattapoisett Council on Aging on Thursdays. Dates and times for the dancing to be announced.

            Also to be announced, the next meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen.

Mattapoisett Select Board

By Marilou Newell