Once a decision was made, the Town of Rochester wasted no time in getting its future ducks in a row. On Monday night, the Select Board voted to approve an interim arrangement that will enable Glenn Cannon to take office as new town administrator on Monday, March 28.

            Cannon was scheduled to replace current Town Administrator Suzanne Szyndlar effective July 1, but this improvisation will allow Szyndlar to officially relinquish her title three months ahead of schedule and serve as an interim assistant town administrator until her own contract expires on June 30. Having served as the town accountant prior to and in conjunction with her role as town administrator, Szyndlar will stay with Rochester and on July 1 assume a newly created title of Finance director on a three-year contract.

            The opportunity to use April, May and June to smooth the leadership transition was attractive to all stakeholders.

            “I am excited to start work. I thank Suzanne for taking the (assistant’s) role … the years and knowledge will be extremely helpful as I start work,” said Cannon, who had been serving in the assistant’s role for the Town of Bourne and most recently has been Bourne’s acting town administrator, an interim role while the town awaited the arrival of its own new hire.

            Cannon has agreed with Rochester on a contract based on $130,000 in annual base salary, the term of which is three years and three additional months tacked onto the front of his service. He will earn $130,000 the first year, $135,000 the second year and $140,000 the third.

            Allen Decker, director of Land Protection for the Buzzards Bay Coalition, appeared before the Select Board seeking approval for two conservation restrictions that will pave the way for new farming operations at Doggett Brook Farm. “We’re interested in seeing it stay in agricultural use, and we’ve found a buyer,” said Decker.

            The 58-acre property site sits on the south side of Marion Road (Route 105) east of Rochester’s village area. Doggett Brook provides a southern boundary to the land, which at its southeast corner kisses the Marion town line.

            The conservation restrictions are to be co-held by the Buzzards Bay Coalition and the Rochester Land Trust. As Decker explained, one is a principal (farm) CR that encourages and allows for 37 acres of agricultural use. The other is a “buffer CR” that will avoid agricultural use down to the brook.

            “We are going to encourage vegetation restoration and habitat restoration to the brook … we are going to allow agricultural use north of that area,” said Decker. “This area will have public access to explore the brook. We have interests with landowners to place a small parking area for ease of access, and we’ll establish a trail that will not interfere with the farming area.”

            The land is a Massachusetts Wildlife’s Natural Heritage and Endangered Species registered area, and Decker told the Select Board that the Rochester Conservation Commission has already given its support for the plan. Houses have been removed, and only a small shed presently stands on the property.

            When Select Board member Paul Ciaburri asked if the land will be exclusively used for farming, Decker said, “We’re not forcing them to farm, we’re encouraging them. That’s their interest, why we’re selling to them. There’s no future development. There will be no additional subdivision.”

            A unanimous vote followed both conservation-restriction requests, and with Select Board Chairman Brad Morse away from the area only Ciaburri’s and Vice Chairman Woody Hartley’s signatures were needed.

            Under Correspondence, Xfinity’s annual resolved complaint notice was discussed, as Town Counsel Blair Bailey explained to attendees that the cable/internet company must notify Rochester officials of complaints received. Hartley pointed out that Rochester has 946 “very understanding customers in Rochester. “They got two complaints,” he said.

            In her Town Administrator’s Report, Szyndlar told the board that Joanne O’Rourke of Good Energy will appear before the board to discuss a Community Electricity aggregation plan. Hartley will serve as the town’s designated bid representative, and Cannon will be the alternative bid representative.

            Szyndlar reported that Simple Recycling wants to move from curbside to scheduled pickup, citing the rapidly rising costs of labor and fuel and their impact to the supply chains. The company is looking to transition as soon as possible, according to Szyndlar, who suggested phasing the change over a 30-day period. Szyndlar said she will post the resultant plan on the town website effective May 1.

            Morse suggested another tri-town Select Board meeting with Marion and Mattapoisett counterparts to discuss part of the capital expenditure material in the Old Rochester Regional School District agreement. The current arrangement, said Bailey, allows ORR to set aside up to 5 percent per year of the total assessment ($800,000 a year).

            “There has to be (a capital account),” said Bailey, noting that the more crucial question is the amount in the account. “If you look at their capital plan, none of the projects … most only come up to 3 percent. Not that I don’t trust you, but I’m not paid to trust people.”

            With Morse away from home and attending the meeting remotely, Hartley presided over Monday’s Select Board meeting.

            Ciaburri told the board he intends to attend a March 23 meeting with the Plymouth County Advisory Committee about ARPA funding.

            The next meeting of the Rochester Select Board is scheduled for Monday, March 21, at 6:00 pm.

Rochester Select Board

By Mick Colageo

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

            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