Kristine Medeiros was back before the Old Rochester Regional School Committee on June 22, seeking approval to double the number of home dates that Old Rochester Youth Football was allowed last year to use the high school’s multi-use, stadium field for home games.

            The request had been tabled while ORR Principal Mike Devoll got a chance to see how the spring season played out, how the boys and girls lacrosse teams fared on the natural field and if, in his estimation, it could withstand up to four appearances for ORYF this fall.

            Having had that time, Devoll made a statement.

            “I am in support of them using the field for their home games provided weather conditions allow for their play,” he said, noting that the weather on last year’s ORYF home dates was optimal.

            Devoll alluded to varsity coaches’ meetings and the reported support for youth football at the high school.

            “We feel as though being on campus helps kids see themselves as future Bulldogs. … There was no coach in the room who was against these efforts,” he said.

            Committee member Jason Chisholm called it “an easy support for me,” noting that those most impacted by usage of the field are not concerned.

            Committee member Jim Muse recalled prior discussion determining that ORYF would not have a long-term solution at the ORR stadium field. “This is a real band-aid,” he said.

            Committee Chairperson Heather Burke cautioned the group to maintain accuracy for the record in using the language of “games” versus “days” when discussing field usage. Medeiros confirmed that each usage date includes four to six youth football games.

            The School Committee’s vote was nearly unanimous, approving the ORYF Association’s use of the multipurpose field for up to four dates this fall, subject to an agreeable user fee and the principal’s authority to cancel any date based on changing conditions. Burke’s was the lone dissenting vote.

            “It means so much to the youth to play on that field,” said Medeiros. “Even more than that, it’s really vital to the longevity of the program so I would just like to say thank you all so much. It means more than you guys know.”

            Devoll also introduced a disc-golf proposal for the high school, seeking feedback from the committee. He said meetings with ORR teachers Andy Apperson and Nathan Kane and Athletic Director Bill Tilden, then with Assistant Superintendent Howie Barber and Facilities Director Gene Jones led to the June 22 presentation made by Apperson and Kane.

            Committee members expressed support for disc golf at the high school. Muse praised the thoroughness of the proposal and encouraged the group to consider partial coverage should the entire layout not be financially or feasible for any other reason. Joe Pires said the game is extremely popular.

            No vote was taken on disc golf.

            The committee voted to approve Memorandums of Agreement with the Old Rochester Instructional Assistants Association dated September 1, 2022, through August 31, 2025, and with the Old Rochester Secretarial Association dated July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2025, with the United Electrical Radio Machine Workers of America Local 248 Union dated July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2025, and with the Old Rochester Educators Associated dated July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2025.

            The ORR School Committee also voted to meet on the following dates: September 7, October 19, December 14, January 25, March 15, April 26, May 31 and June 21.

            The committee voted to approve classroom leases for $9,160 and $3,783, as set by SMEC.

The committee voted to approve ORR’s volunteer insurance option on student usage of school electronics such as Chromebooks with coverage based on a $25 flat fee.

            Three Student Handbook revisions were also approved that according to Devoll, would more accurately reflect practices. Assistant Principal Vanessa Harvey said Minimum Student Requirements will now be tied to class credit.

            The revision will state that students are required to be enrolled in seven credit-earning courses (students taking an Advanced Placement course are required to take six credit-earning courses.) Other tweaked areas involve school enrollment being tied to grade-point average and school transcripts. Attendance requirements were also tweaked.

            Muse expressed concern with what he considered an “overly broad” mandate with potential ramifications minus a caveat of review by administration or exceptions. Devoll said the flexibility piece is equivalent programs. Muse voted against the revisions, but the motion carried.

            The committee needed less time to approve the disposal of equipment and the completion of summer warrants until September 7 by Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Howie Barber.

            Devoll told the committee that ORR is committed to hiring a Guidance director and has identified a candidate.

            The committee’s May 18 vote that rejected the Fair Share Amendment was recounted, based on new information that a two-thirds vote was not needed due to the lack of fiscal impact. The June 22 vote to recount the May 18 votes resulted in approval of the Fair Share Amendment based on a simple majority.

            ORR multi-sport athlete Maggie Brogioli received public recognition for her Pentathlon performance resulting in her being named a New Balance All-American.

District staff retirees Donna Perry, Nancy Cowen, Nancy Juvinall, Maureen Barrett, Lynne Velozo, Matt             McGraw and Donna Kirk were recognized, and books apropos of their specialties were donated           to their respective school libraries in their names.

Burke was also honored by Nelson at the meeting, and former Chairman (and Rochester resident) Cary Humphrey made a special appearance to add words of appreciation.

            Burke gave her final chairperson’s report, thanking Paul Naiman, Shay Assad, Woody Hartley and Jay McGrail for their work streamlining communications between the ORR School District and the          

            Nelson introduced Kelly Chouinard, the new assistant principal at the junior high school.

            The committee entered executive session to discuss negotiations and to comply with state laws.

            During Open Comment, Rochester resident Karen Thomas asked if executive session could be scheduled at the end of meetings to incentive greater public participation. Burke directed her to contact the Central Office for an explanation.

            With Burke’s retirement from the committee, Michelle Smith will henceforth act as chairperson. The next meeting of the ORR School Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, September 7, at 6:30 pm.

ORR School Committee

By Mick Colageo

State Representative William Straus announced on Monday night that the Town of Mattapoisett has been awarded a state grant in the amount of $120,000 for further engineering study of the bike path’s Phase 2a planning.

            Originally, The Friends of the Mattapoisett Bike Path in partnership with the town’s Bike Path Committee had applied for a Community Preservation Act grant in the amount of $120,000, the estimated costs for preplanning and an engineering study required for the recreational path’s Phase 2a.

            Phase 2a includes bringing the path from Goodspeed Island Road across Route 6 and weaving through residential areas along the railroad easement to the entrance of Industrial Drive. Here, it is proposed the Mattapoisett path would link up to Marion’s extension thereof near the Bay Club. The CPA committee reviewed and accepted their grant application.

            But at the 11th hour prior to the Spring Town Meeting, that group asked to have the request withdrawn as state funding would be sought. That decision proved prudent. On June 27, the Select Board, during its regularly scheduled meeting, acknowledged the state grant, and it was confirmed that the town’s match will be $30,000.

            In his press release, Straus wrote, “… Mattapoisett will receive planning and design assistance for the final connection link in town for the bike path (Phase 2A) which will allow for the ultimate extension of the bike path from the center of town north from Route 6 and across North Street toward the Town of Marion. Known as a Mass Trails Grant from the state, this funding in the amount of $120,000 will be used for the design and right of way work for the path which closely follows the former railroad right of way through town.”

            In other business on this night, Town Administrator Mike Lorenco said that he met with representatives for VHB, the town’s engineering consultant, regarding the village-streets project. He said that the group was gathering additional information and data relevant to sidewalks, tree removal, water lines and culverts for impacted areas.

            Lorenco said that he recently learned the town’s street(s) improvement project was placed on the 2026 TIP schedule, the state Department of Transportation’s transportation improvement program. Lorenco also said that the project is now estimated at $10,000,000 and may be separated into two projects.

            The next steps, according to Lorenco, were a planned site walk with VHB and representatives from various utilities in preparation for the needed 75-percent design planned for completion by January 2023.

            Other large infrastructural projects discussed included the July start date for improvements to Industrial Drive and work funded by a Complete Streets grant for Mattapoisett Neck Road.

            Regarding the former fire station, Lorenco said an environmental study has been completed and that he anticipated receiving a report in the next few days.

            Lorenco said that employment postings for the Highway Department are available to view on the town’s website, mattapoisett.net. Seasonal positions and at least one full-time position are available.

            Where’s the front door? Lorenco said that people are attempting to enter the new fire station via the Route 6 door intended to be used by staff only. He said that Route 6 door is adjacent to the overhead apparatus doors and thusly is not intended for use by the general public. He said signage will be needed so that the public knows which door to access.

            The Transfer Station’s new hours of operation are Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 8:00 am to 2:45 pm.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Select Board is scheduled for Tuesday, July 12, at 6:30 pm.

Mattapoisett Select Board

By Marilou Newell

The Rochester Select Board Monday night unanimously approved a new member of Police Chief Robert Smalls’ administrative team.

The board endorsed chief Small’s recommendation that Donald Kemmet be appointed a new Rochester Police Department lieutenant. Small noted a professional interview panel whittled four candidates for the job down to Kemmet, who comes to the new position with 25 years of experience in Rochester police work.

It was only the first action of a jam-packed meeting agenda.

Representative William Straus and Senator Michael Rodrigues were in attendance to discuss the state’s new housing regulations that could require the town to build multi-family housing because of the town’s proximity to South Middleboro’s MBTA facilities.

The Select Board members said they were worried about what this regulation would require of a small town like Rochester. “We don’t have any idea how this would go and how we would deal with it,” Select Board Chairman Woody Hartley said.

Town Planner Nancy Durfee asked how the town will find the right location for such a multi-family housing development, “with the kind of road infrastructure we have, the water resources we have to protect? … How do we make that kind of housing work here?”

Straus assured the Select Board that the town should not yet worry about a new regulation that he and Rodrigues know is ambiguous and in the long run may not even apply to Rochester.

He explained the focus of the regulation is for “transit-oriented” development. The goal is to prepare towns for population increases due to new transit-system infrastructure from a zoning standpoint. It asks for a certain density of housing with a half-mile of a new MBTA Commuter Rail station “if applicable.”

Town Administrator Glen Cannon said an increase in building/housing density would “crush” the Town of Rochester.

Straus said these are the kinds of questions and concerns that have yet to be answered but said state officials are listening to the input they have received so far. He said the specific guidelines for the new regulation will not be released until September.

In other action, retiring Plumb Library Director Gail Roberts introduced the Select Board to her replacement, Jennifer Woodward. A resident of Bourne, Woodward last worked as assistant director of the Falmouth Library District. Woodward has been a librarian for 30 years. She will become Rochester’s new library director at the end of this week. Roberts is retiring after 15 years in the Rochester position.

The board also approved a schedule change for the Rochester Country Fair. The fair will be held this year for one day only, on Saturday, October 1, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

The board also reviewed two water-related proposals. A Rochester facility that repairs and rebuilds MBTA train cars needs 914 gallons a day from the town’s Wareham water reserve, which is 100,000 gallons per day. The board concluded that MBTA spokesperson Jody Ray needs to work with the town Water Commission and the Wareham Water Department officials to work out the details before the Select Board will approve such a plan.

Old Colony Regional Vocational-Technical High School wants to plan a connection to public water, specifically the Annie Maxim House connection to Middleboro water as part of its proposed renovation plans. Old Colony District Superintendent Aaron Polansky said the school will be entering the MSBA Eligibility Period on October 3 for 270 days. At the end of the 270-day period, Old Colony will find out if the school will be invited into feasibility.

The Rochester Select Board scheduled its next meeting for Monday, July 18, at 6:00 p.m.

Rochester Select Board

By Michael J. DeCicco