From the Files of the Rochester Historical Society

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In our Curator’s Show: Part1 exhibit that was on display from May – October of 2021, we displayed several journals kept by past residents. Some were logs of former road inspectors, while others were business records. In our collection, we also have a variety of “daybooks.” It seems that daybooks were a type of diary, often kept by farmers as a record of crops and weather. We are lucky to have two of these that belonged to C.W. Maxim. Inspired by his daybooks, I decided to look for more information about him. Unfortunately, for a while I was confusing C.W. with his brother, C.M. Maxim. In my mind, they were one person, but I soon realized my error.

            Charles Maurice Maxim and Clarence Wilbur Maxim were brothers who grew up in North Rochester in a home at 562 North Ave. Charles Maurice (CM) was the elder brother born in 1842. Clarence Wilbur (CW) was born in 1849. Charles, of whom we have several pictures in the museum, served in the Civil War. Upon returning, he built a home at 544 North Ave., married and he had “vast acreage” and became prosperous growing fruits and vegetables.

            C.W., the younger brother, married Lucy Fuller Clark. They lived at the family home (562 North Ave.) and he was also a farmer. Looking at area maps from 1936 and 1941, you can see the section marked CW Maxim farm. It continued as such until 1970, when the land was purchased to build the Old Colony Vocational School. The two daybooks of C.W. cover the years 1892 – 1902 and 1903 – 1912. They are written in faded cursive and somewhat hard to read, but they include records of the weather, the jobs he accomplished on his farm, crops cultivated and sold and some entries on how he spent his leisure time.

            C.W. died in 1931. The Rochester Town Reports list Trust Funds created from money left to the town by C.W. Maxim. The interest provides money for various town organizations, including the Red Cross, School Athletics, Library and Boy Scouts.

By Connie Eshbach

Experience Helps Applicant Navigate ZBA

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When Travis Andrade appeared before the Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals during the latter’s February 24 public meeting, he knew what he was doing. That’s because he grew up with both parents heavily involved in municipal government.

            In seeking a variance under Chapter 20.40, Section D.1 of the town’s Zoning Bylaws for the approval of the construction of a garage and mudroom addition less than 40 feet from the side-lot setback requirement at 9 Coombs Road, Andrade explained his case so succinctly that ZBA member Richard Cutler asked him if he had been “prepped” to make his presentation.

            “Did somebody prep me in this? Uh, my father was a building inspector for 42 years in the Town of Guilford (Connecticut), I’ve been living this stuff all my life,” said Andrade, adding a significant admission. “My mother was a town manager and, yes, I have a father-in-law who happens to be sitting on this board.”

            ZBA member Donald Spirlet had recused himself from Case No. 1174, leaving the board with four voting members. Chairman David Arancio instructed Andrade that the remaining four needed to vote in the affirmative for the variance to be granted.

            In summarizing details pertinent to the application, Andrade explained that he and his wife have five children and, living in an old house that predates the current zoning bylaws, need relief from the setback requirement so they can better store possessions and thereby improve the neighborhood.

            Cutler asked about the plan for above the garage. “It’s just going to be a (recreation) room,” said Andrade. The septic system, said Andrade, allows for three bedrooms so no consideration was given to adding a bedroom.

            After the public hearing was closed, Cutler noted that a variance had been sought for the same property in a prior case and asked for the decision to be read. Member Jeff Costa said there were no conditions attached to the prior decision.

            Cutler said it’s a small lot in a neighborhood accustomed to this sort of issue coming up due to the age of the property. He recommended granting the variance of no closer than 33 feet from the east side property line can be used to house farm animals.

            The board voted 4-0 in favor.

            Two other cases were continued from February 10, reopened and continued to March 10.

            In Case No. 1170, Industrial Tower & Wireless LLC seeks a Special Permit for the construction of a 190-foot monopole-style telecommunications facility on property located at 0 High Street. ZBA member Kirby Gilmore recused himself from the public hearing, leaving four members and necessitating a unanimous vote.

            Arancio said, seven hours ahead of the meeting, the ZBA received correspondence from the applicant’s attorney and, upon the board’s vote to reopen public comment, told the meeting that he had not had time to read the letter and does not consider the window of time adequate for a volunteer to review legal correspondence.

            The applicant agreed on a continuance of the case to Thursday, March 10, at 7:00 pm.

            In Case No. 1172, Anthony and Mary-Patrice Ruocco seek a Special Permit under Chapter 20.40, Section F.6, to use property located at 308 New Bedford Road as a residence and also to establish a farm winery (A&M Winery) by importing grapes from another in-state location to the site. The wine is proposed to be prepared, fermented and bottled on site.

            The applicant proposes to specialize in providing specialty dessert wines for on-site wine tastings by appointment, and subsequently providing small batches for weddings and corporate functions conducted elsewhere.

            ZBA member Richard Cutler suggested the need for a site plan, and the board voted to continue the case to March 10.

            The next meeting of the Rochester ZBA is scheduled for Thursday, March 10, at 7:00 pm.

Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals

By Mick Colageo

Collins Center Study Sparks Concern

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            A downward trend in student enrollment in the Old Rochester Regional School District has tri-town finance committees seeking more information and they attempt to navigate long-range fiscal challenges, and Mattapoisett’s participation in a school-consolidation study had the local School Committee on high alert during its public meeting Monday night.

            In explaining the study being conducted by UMass Boston’s Edward J. Collins Jr. Center for Public Management, Mattapoisett Town Administrator Mike Lorenco said that the town took on the process by going through a state-funded, Community Compact Grant application on short money.

            Invited to apply, the town received the grant earmarked for investigation into a potential school-building consolidation and also to provide analysis of the town’s transfer station with the aim of bringing it into the 21st century. Mattapoisett’s transfer station has not been updated in at least 30 years, according to Lorenco.

            “The Collins Center came to us. The town isn’t involved,” said Lorenco. “They want to align with the Master Plan Committee. … The goal is to see what they see from the outside looking in.”

            Lorenco explained that when the state announces another round of Community Compact Grant applications, the state calls towns to advise them of the opportunity and the process. The Collins Center reached out with an email to Mattapoisett; the center’s operations depend on funding from the grants.

            School Committee members Carole Clifford, Karin Barrows, Carly Lavin and Tiffini Reedy all asked questions including how the study will be funded, what opportunities citizens will have to participate and if any town employees or stakeholders work for the Collins Center.

            Mattapoisett officials have not met with Collins Center representatives, and Lorenco told the committee he does not know Mike Edwards, the Collins Center’s Public Services manager and primary representative for the study. The only communication, Lorenco noted, is what ORR Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson had mentioned about the Collins Center’s tour of Mattapoisett school buildings.

            For school consolidation to transpire, it would be vetted by a public vote at Town Meeting, according to Lorenco. “It wouldn’t happen in haste,” he said. “This is only a study by an independent party. It does not force a decision either way.”

            “No doubt in my mind the School Committee and the community as a whole will be given ample opportunity to (contribute to the discussions,)” said Chairman Jim Muse. “The study is not going to determine how things are going to be done but give the town information. The School Committee will do their part to provide information and regardless of what may come up, we’ll still have a great education.”

            There will be a meeting in March and potentially a plan to move forward with a financial assessment. The Collins Center would deliver that report this summer.

            In an initial FY23 draft budget discussion, ORR Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Howie Barber reported a proposed Mattapoisett education budget of $7,639,144, a 2.23 percent overall increase (2.47 percent for Mattapoisett Schools per se.)

            With no additional staff positions and a zero-based method, $200,000 is accounting for by scheduled staff increases and along with $280,000 in building improvements. Barber said the proposed circuit breaker is $30,000 higher and includes student transportation.

            The town will save 8.6 percent on Bristol County Agricultural High School, falling from an overall FY22 budget of $127,000 to $111,000 for FY23.

            Muse said the budget work is close to ready for a public hearing, and Nelson has presented to Lorenco and a Finance Committee member. ORR will appear at the invitation of Mattapoisett’s Select Board before holding a public hearing.

            The committee voted to approve ORR’s setup of and request for $4,000,000 in a capital reserve fund to participate in the READS Collaborative Capital Plan. READS programs augment the public school with services addressing academic need among deaf and hard-of-hearing, teacher consultation, early intervention up to age three, risk diagnosis, speech language pathologists and counselors and professional development.

            Along with the capital building project fund established in June 2018, the combined balance is $1,180,000.

            Established in 1974, READS serves 18 school districts and is one of 25 collaboratives in Massachusetts. It meets six times per year or more often not including its subcommittees and advisory group.

            The Student Handbook has been updated for changes in COVID-19 protocols (masking,) and Principal Kevin Tavares says that Pokemon cards are back and students are bringing them to school and trading them. The handbook also addresses Bike Policy since the town Recreation Department has donated a bike rack.

            Nelson thanked Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Jannell Pearson-Campbell for her leadership in the arduous process of preparing ORR schools for the state’s Tiered Focused Monitoring Audit of English Language learners. All six schools recently received favorable audit results.

            In his Central Office Report, Nelson said that facemasks are optional upon since the students returned from the February vacation, that wearing masks is now an individual choice. He also noted that the federal order for masking on public transportation has been lifted so masking is optional on the school bus as well.

            Pearson-Campbell announced that Friday, March 18, will be a half-day for professional development, and over the next two weeks parents will receive a survey.

            Director of Student Services Craig Davidson reported that 70 students in Grades 3-10 attended the Math Academy that was held during the February vacation free of charge. The academy will be offered again during the April vacation week. Likewise, a community talk series on mental health for teens and “tweens” held on February 10 will see a Part 2 on March 10.

            In his Principal’s Report, Tavares talked about the new telephone system that has been installed in both of Mattapoisett’s elementary schools. He also announced that concerts are back in person and will be held on March 8 and 15. Spring pictures will be taken at Center School on April 18. After-school programs start next week with offerings of Math and English Language Arts.

            Barrows thanked Abington Bank for its $790 donation to the Tri-Town Education Foundation.

            The committee entered executive session for purposes No. 3 (collective bargaining) and No. 7 (provisions of federal law/regulations) and returned only to adjourn.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett School Committee is scheduled for Monday, April 4, and the Joint School Committee will next meet on April 28. School committee meetings are held at 6:30 pm.

Mattapoisett School Committee

By Mick Colageo

Shakespeare for Scaredy Cats

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Shakespeare isn’t as scary as you may think. In a few sessions, you’ll be able to read Shakespeare’s plays and learn about his period with the best of them. The group will chat about it, translate it to everyday speech and discover what the play might mean. There are no wrong interpretations.  So, how about giving Shakespeare one more chance? Best part, no homework!

            Instructor, Dr. Karrie Szatek, holds a Ph.D. in Shakespeare and is a retired English professor. She has published scholarly works on the bard, but describes herself a teacher first and one who, as her students would say, is fun, energetic and enthusiastic, especially about Shakespeare.

            “As You Like It” will be discussed each Thursday from March 10 through April 7, 6:30 pm to 8 pm at the Mattapoisett COA, 17 Barstow Street. Registration required by calling 508-758-4110.  

Clapp Road Residence Moving Forward

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David Davignon of Schneider, Davignon and Leone, Inc. met with the Rochester Conservation Commission on March 1 to discuss and address any further questions or comments regarding a Notice of Intent filing at 0 Clapp Road by William Clapp, Clapp Nominee Trust.

            The 6-acre parcel is proposed for development of a single-family home by Clapp. Plans include a swimming pool and use of a driveway with two legal easements. The commissioners were pleased to see that the applicant and his engineering team had taken previously made suggestions for limiting the impact on riverfront areas jurisdictional to the commission.

            Davignon explained that the driveway has been decreased and pulled farther away from the riverfront and that the easterly boundary of jurisdictional areas has been increased and is now 200 feet from the riverfront. He also indicated that more wetland buffer-zone space has been added. To ensure wetland areas remain undisturbed, Davignon said a border of boulders would be used.

            In a related NOI filing for the same property seeking approval for lot clearing and site work within the riverfront area, Davignon said only a 20-square-foot area of riverfront would be impacted with no activity taking place in the buffer zones.

            Both filings received orders of conditions.

            In other business, a septic repair for 166 Alley Road owned by Patrick Ryan received a negative determination of applicability. The project was represented by Peter Lyons of Collins Engineering.

            The next meeting of the Rochester Conservation Commission is scheduled for Tuesday, April 5, at 7:00 pm.

Rochester Conservation Commission

By Marilou Newell

Greatest in Who’s Who of Night Sky

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            The Great Horned Owl is the largest master of the skies along the south-facing shore of Buzzards Bay, relying on both sight and sound for hunting prey, and is a modern living example of convergent evolution from fossils dating back some 50,000,000 years.

            It ranges in size equal to the snowy owl, 4½ feet tall with a wingspan of 8 feet in length. It is also equal in ferocity to the bald eagle, and when coming to grips with the other it might or might not come out on top in a fight to the finish.

            It is sometimes called a tiger owl with tufted ears and a bright yellow-eyed, ferocious stare taking on porcupines, snakes and coyotes with fatal results for both prey and predator. If you have recently heard deep hooting on freezing winter nights, they hold the seasonal record of being the first to start nesting in early February, as in my illustration with both parents and two or three young already hatched out.

            Both parents take part in selecting nesting sites frequently left vacant by other birds, 20 to 60 feet off the ground, sometimes on a cliff ledge or broken-off tree stump by adding a few sticks and branches as a roosting platform. Both parents provide small mammals such as mice, rats, rabbits, ground squirrels, lizards, frogs, and some birds, until they are ready to fly at two months to begin hunting on their own.

            Watching young owls being encouraged to fend for themselves is so entertaining that some avid bird watchers in your neighborhood may have considered putting up a nest box to attract a breeding pair of adults. Be sure to attach a guard across the entry to prevent predators from raiding eggs and vulnerable new hatchlings. In bright moonlight, the presence of even other species of owls on your property such as the saw-whet tiny owl add a quintessential, nocturnal, storybook ghostly spirit as in the Harry Potter superstition series.

            The first-hand realistic exposure in the study of owls like the great-horned variety and others will fascinate you and yours by the spiritual and scientific environmental awareness brought to your attention on silently feathered wings of the mysterious avian night nocturnal.

By George B. Emmons

Cultural Grants Awarded For Town Of Mattapoisett

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State Representative William M. Straus joins Mattapoisett Cultural Council in announcing the award of 22 grants totaling $11,200 for cultural programs in and around Mattapoisett.

            Grant recipients include Mattapoisett Free Public Library, Mattapoisett Historical Society, Mattapoisett Land Trust, Mattapoisett Lions Club, Mattapoisett PTA and Mattapoisett Recreation. A complete list of recipients can be found below.

            Mattapoisett Cultural Council is part of a network of Local Cultural Councils serving all 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth, the largest grassroots cultural funding network in the nation, supporting thousands of community-based projects in the arts, sciences and humanities every year.

            In 2022, Mattapoisett Cultural Council has once again received town financial support to supplement the state allocation and is fortunate to have both state and town funding. Creative arts, cultural and science program offerings in our local region are thriving. Funding needs and requests have increased – the council considered 30 grant applications totaling over $27,000 this year and was disappointed to have to decline or reduce support for several worthwhile projects. Mattapoisett residents are deserving of the rich cultural experiences that the applicants provide.

            Decisions about which projects and activities to support are made at the community level by council members Gary Brown, Carole Clifford, Kathleen Damaskos, Carol Dildine, Michael Eaton, Annemarie Fredericks, Joanna MacDonald Ingham, Barbara Poznysz, Bette-Jean Rocha, Gale Schultz, Sarah Thomas and Donna Wingate.

            “I continue to be a strong supporter of state funding for the arts and local cultural institutions, many of which depend on these grants, and I thank the Council members for their hard work in making sure these deserving organizations are supported,” said Rep. Bill Straus (D-Mattapoisett.)

            The Mattapoisett Cultural Council will seek applications again in the fall. Information will be available online at massculturalcouncil.org/communities/local-cultural-council-program/application-process/.

Author Skip Finley Lecture

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Lecture by author Skip Finley, co-sponsored by the Sippican Historical Society and the Mattapoisett Museum, March 24, 7:00 pm via Zoom.

            The Sippican Historical Society and the Mattapoisett Museum are pleased to announce a co-sponsored event to be held on Thursday, March 24 at 7:00 pm. Massachusetts author Skip Finley will speak via Zoom on his recently published book, Whaling Captains of Color: America’s First Meritocracy.

            Skip Finley is a former broadcasting executive who was responsible for over 40 U.S. radio stations and experienced success in all areas of radio. Attempting retirement since age 50, he keeps returning to communications, currently in marketing at the Vineyard Gazette Media Group on Martha’s Vineyard, where he has summered since 1955, deciding to become a writer. For five years, Finley wrote the weekly Oak Bluffs Town Column and is a contributor to several publications in the areas of whaling and history.

            To request the Zoom link for the March 24 presentation, please register online at info@sippicanhistoricalsociety.com or: bit.ly/captainsofcolor. Space for this presentation is limited to 100 participants.

            There is no charge for Speaker Series presentations, but donations are welcome to offset the speakers’ fees and to support the work of the society and museum. A secure donation may be made via PayPal to the Sippican Historical Society at www.sippicanhistoricalsociety/speaker-series-oral-histories or Mattapoisett Museum www.givebutter/MattapoisettMuseum.

            Copies of the book may be purchased in the Sippican Historical Society Shop.

            Contact Sippican Historical Society info@sippicanhistoricalsociety.org.

            Contact Mattapoisett Museum info@mattapoisettmuseum.org.

What is going on with the Rochester Select Board?

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To the Editor;

            What is going on with the Rochester Select Board?

            I ask this after reading in the Wanderer that two proposals to enhance public safety in front of Town Hall have been presented. I applauded this initiative presented by the Select Board in September 2021, but raised concerns. But let’s back up a little.

            The First Congregational Church of Rochester property borders Town Hall on three sides. In  2020, the Church made the painful decision to sell a house lot in order to pay for badly needed repairs. The lot was to be at the far end of the Church property furthest from the Church buildings. When the Select Board learned of this, they asked the Church to consider carving two acres out around town hall so the town could purchase for future expansion. The Church and Town Hall had always worked together for mutual benefit, so the Church agreed after much discussion. The Church paid for plans to meet the specifications presented by the Select Board, got Planning Board approval and obtained an appraisal, all at Church expense. An agreed upon price went before Town Meeting where the Select Board was authorized to proceed by an overwhelming vote. Behind closed doors, the Select Board decided not to buy the property leaving the Church body confused and with expenses, it certainly didn’t need.

            The Church now has to face a potential increased safety issue while the enhanced safety effort in front of Town Hall seems to be moving forward. The initial scheme was proposed diverting traffic from the front of Town Hall to behind Town Hall and then reconnecting with Constitution Way. Conveniently, the Town seems to have forgotten the Town has responsibility for all of Constitution Way and now claims it is the “Church driveway.” It was named Constitution Way when the Town took over the upkeep of the road so the Library would legally face a public way (before the new entrance on New Bedford Road.) Yes, the church owns the land, but the Town owns the right of way.

            The proposed diversion of the road from the front of Town Hall to the back will potentially create a greater public safety issue for the Church. In September, I sent a letter of concern to the Highway Surveyor (who was apparently placed in charge of the project) and Town Counsel along with an alternative plan. I made it clear in writing and in person I would work with whomever on behalf of the Church to enhance public safety for all. I have received nothing in return. No invitations to meetings, no plans, nothing. Even without my letter of concern, common courtesy would dictate communication with Town Hall’s only abutting neighbor.

            Town officials are supposed to work in the best interests of all Rochester citizens. The next-door neighbor to Town Hall is the Church attended by Rochester citizens. After centuries of cooperation seemingly ending between the Town and the Church, I have to ask again, “What is going on with the Rochester Select Board?”

Richard Cutler, Rochester

The views expressed in the “Letters to the Editor” column are not necessarily those of The Wanderer, its staff or advertisers. The Wanderer will gladly accept any and all correspondence relating to timely and pertinent issues in the great Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester area, provided they include the author’s name, address and phone number for verification. We cannot publish anonymous, unsigned or unconfirmed submissions. The Wanderer reserves the right to edit, condense and otherwise alter submissions for purposes of clarity and/or spacing considerations. The Wanderer may choose to not run letters that thank businesses, and The Wanderer has the right to edit letters to omit business names. The Wanderer also reserves the right to deny publication of any submitted correspondence.

Police Reform Leverages Staffing Request

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The Marion Finance Committee’s February 9 public meeting saw Police Chief Richard Nighelli and Fire Chief Brian Jackvony present respective FY23 department budgets.

In explaining his proposed budget increase for FY23, Nighelli pointed to 129 pages of legislation on police reform including 23 action items with delivery dates and policy changes, training requirements, and increase in required public records, and the introduction of a board that certifies and decertifies police officers.

“One of the biggest changes for us is we’ve operated over the years with special police officers, and our special police officers have all been (compensated on a) per-diem (basis),” said Nighelli, noting that the special officers account for four to five shifts per week. “What’s happening with police reform is now they’re bringing everyone up to the same (training) standard. Because of that, our farm team, as we say here, effectively has really been eliminated.”

With all officers on even keel, Marion is being leveraged into either absorbing them as full-time staff or is bound to lose them to another town. To account for the loss of special-officer shifts, the department proposes adding an additional full-time officer to the staff. Nighelli said doing so will help control overtime costs which, heretofore, have risen with every absence and vacation due to the department’s minimal staffing.

The training cost is $4,000 per officer. Six special officers work for Marion with four that Nighelli is training.

Nighelli spoke of how five years ago the Police Department started migrating from analog toward a digital communications system. He said FCC-level changes have compromised communications, making reception vulnerable to atmospheric changes.

“Years ago, the FCC made the department go from broadband to narrow band so five years ago we started to have radios go to digital, which will make communications more seamless,” explained Nighelli. “There were dead spots in town. The sound quality had atmospheric issues on the frequency when others were talking. … And so going to digital takes it to the finish line, which started five years ago. It will be better communications. We’re excited about it.”

The microwave repeater site gives dispatchers the priority in communications so they can transmit any important messages they need to convey.

The next topic turned to a new police cruiser. Nighelli informed the Finance Committee that one cruiser with capital occurs every third year.

“It’s the same maintenance as a typical vehicle. However, the 120,000 miles is our typical threshold because of idling and other driving demands the cruisers are put through, it’s not the same as your ordinary vehicle,” he said.

A question for the chief concerned staffing. He replied, “We have 14 full-time officers and six specials. We have the specials as a budget saver. Now we’re not going to be able to utilize them.

“In Massachusetts, police reform has really become a big thing. The George Floyd event is what’s driving it. And now people are realizing the financial impact of all that these reforms entail. With police reform, there are a lot of unknowns. What we do know is that we’re going to lose our ‘farm team’ within three years, that is, our specials. We lost two last year.”

Next, the increase of public-records requests was addressed.

Nighelli informed, “It’s necessary now for us to maintain a D.A. portal when officers need to testify. We never had to inform them in the past. And secondly, mandatory body cams are coming, which will increase public-record requests. A committee of 25 is going to be reviewing this.”

When asked if there were any retirements on the horizon this year, he replied one, then informed that he has lots of young officers.

            On the topic of officer retention in general, he replied how across the country in law enforcement these issues of new candidates are a point of concern.

“With the emergence of many departments offering signing bonuses these days, particularly with contributions for health insurance, the new generation is wary of working for a department that doesn’t offer them. And also it’s challenging in that they tend to be looking for more time off and preferring not to work nights or overnights. It’s different these days (from) when I came up. I would work overnights and overtime. … So, with regard to that change of outlook on young officer’s careers now, I’m not so sure it’s a good thing.”

The chief’s time was punctuated to a rousing round of thankfulness for his department’s job.

“I appreciate that. We are proud to have professionalism, integrity, and empathy,” he said.

Next up was Fire Chief Brian Jackvony.

After welcoming the chief, Town Administrator Jay McGrail stated how only a part-time administrative assistant position which had increased the budget by 2.92 percent would actually be funded by the Fire Department’s budget.

Jackvony said that Emily Fillman’s 20 hours per week would as confidential administrative assistant enable people who enter the fire station to be greeted by her. He then accounted for a not-filled slot of a Safety Department Office had resulted in a $2,000 reduction, and how also expenses were cut through employing the new voice service.

He stated aside from himself there are two other full-time employees, while assuring they always strive to have ALS staffed being available 24 hours a day.

Highly lauded for his staffing efforts in not only making sure trucks were staffed but other miscellaneous duties performed in exemplary fashion was Lyle McKay, paramedic and EMS coordinator who was hired shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic took hold. “He’s a godsend, a huge asset to the team,” said Jackvony.

Another appreciated welcome to the department had come in the form of a 2018 grant from FEMA to utilize for recruitment of unpaid firefighters.

“So far we’ve recruited 13, but most don’t live in Marion,” said Jackvony, who then shared about the department’s recruiting. “We put out promotional videos every spring, which will begin in April. So with that we hope to move from 13 to 20.”

The topic then turned toward a trend that could potentially impact staffing negatively. Jackvony informed, “Nationwide there’s a crisis amongst the graduation rate of EMT’s and paramedics. Both are down by about 30 percent. … Due to our part-time paramedics often being called into their other jobs, this hurts us more and more.”

This information prompted Select Board member John Waterman to say, “We need to look at the potential of hiring more full-time since (the dropoff) is an issue.” Board members concurred.

Alternate FinCom member Ann Iannuzzi mentioned a possible solution how in Brewster there’s a program through their health care systems which uses an at-home program geared toward keeping people out of returning to the emergency room due to the pressure that comes with that action. The program uses paramedics to take calls who can then bill for services. “That could be a revenue stream,” Iannuzzi suggested.

In Massachusetts, there is the Mobile Integrated program where a person who is discharged from the hospital and the next step is for the paramedic the very next day to assist him or her so they don’t have to return to the ER.

“We sent a Community EMS program to the Board of Health, and they embraced it,” said Jackvony. The chief also shared when he was in the Fire Academy there was a four-year program called Community Risk Reduction that he’d been skeptical of but after attending came to love it. “These are baby steps. I can’t wait to keep advancing such programs in our community because it’s a perfect fit for the community — our elderly like to stay at home.”

After the committee thanked the chief for his professionalism and that of his staff, he became a bit emotional and shared a same-day story of how there’d been a violent car crash.

“It was incredible what I witnessed of this paramedic who’d been in a highly challenging situation, two peopled involved in the crash, one fatality. But to the survivor the kind of compassion and empathy he offered was amazing,” said Jackvony.

The February 9 meeting opened with McGrail’s overview of the town’s proposed free cash allocations for FY23 that include: $931,007 for capital projects as ranked by the Capital Improvements Planning Committee (CIPC); $221,000 for the Sewer Enterprise Subsidy; $300,000 for budget support; $1,500,000 towards the Department of Public Works construction project; $300,000 for tax relief; and $130,000 to be allocated OPEB funding and/or snow-and-ice removal.

“Right now, we’re not deficit-spending yet so that’s a good sign,” said McGrail, who noted that the announced proposals maximize the town’s ability to spend free cash for FY23.

After the Police and Fire department budgets were discussed, Mooney shared two charts pertaining to ARPA funding and the CARES Act.

Firstly, ARPA (American Rescue Plan), a federal program of $2,050,000,000: McGrail commented how it has a broader reach (funds to be spent over five years) compared to the CARES program that allowed the board to spend $950,000 (in two years), which through Mooney pursuing all submissions, did accomplish it effectively. “Probably the first use of ARPA funds will be to fund the design of force main,” McGrail said.

Turning to the education portion of the CARES graph where $225,000 per student had been surpassed to $272,000, mention was then made of the tent outdoors which enabled classes to occur during Covid.

Waterman brought up another issue to do with the education component. “It’ll be interesting to know how many ‘school choice’ students are requiring special education help, as it costs families of non-special-needs students $5,000.” Mooney answered that 123 was the number.

Chair Shay Assad interjected, “ORR Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Howie Barber told a board member about bus costs where consolidation of bus routes can be analogous to the special-(education) budgetary, consolidation challenge.”

The meeting adjourned with tentative scheduling of the ORR School District contract, which is up for negotiation. Sippican Elementary School was scheduled to present on Wednesday, and DPW is scheduled for Wednesday, March 9, at 7:00 pm.

Marion Finance Committee

By Rob Grant