The owner of the Cilantro restaurant faces a complex task should he choose to go through the vetting process for relocation at 325 Front Street.

            Bill Knight represented potential applicant Varut Phimolmas in a presubmission conference with the Marion Planning Board to explore the possibility of modifying a very old house at that location for the purpose of reopening the restaurant formerly located at 374 Front Street.

            During Monday night’s public meeting, Knight told the Planning Board that it is likely the former building will be razed. The plan for the new location is not to expand the footprint but offer a site plan that would satisfy the concerns of Marion’s vetting boards.

            Planning Board Chairman Will Saltonstall acknowledged that being in a marine-business zone, a restaurant is a by-right use at the proposed location and therefore would not require a special permit.

            Usable space would be under 2,000 square feet, and Knight has Dave Davignon working on a parking plan limited to 10 spaces, putting the facility short of the threshold that triggers a major site-plan review. But, as Saltonstall noted, even a minor site-plan review has teeth, beginning with the one-to-two ratio requirements of parking spaces to building occupancy including customers.

            Knight said that all demolition will be internal except for a modification to a chamfered corner in the back of the building to more efficiently fit kitchen appliances.

            Planning Board member Norm Hills pointed out that part of the proposed location is in the velocity zone. Knight said he is aware and has contacted the Woods Hole Group to discuss the matter. He also said he hopes the building can be designated as an historic structure to gain some leniency, but Marion Historical Commission Chair Meg Steinberg is viewing that from the opposite lens.

            Acknowledging that the proposed location does not qualify for an historic exemption because it is not located within a local historic district nor is it listed on a national register, Steinberg admitted concern.

            “(The proposed modifications) would greatly change the character of the whole area,” she said. “Raising this (building) up would change the height, it would change the massing. We’re not complaining about the use so much as that the building retains its integrity.”

            Bryan McSweeny, who also serves on the Historical Commission, said that Old Landing in general may soon be declared an historical area. He said that the building has been identified as having been built around 1810. “It could be one of the oldest houses in town,” he said, citing the saltbox roof. “We would like to see this house remain as a residential house.”

            Given the location, elevation of the structure was discussed. Knight indicated that the requirement to elevate the structure might be a dealbreaker for the applicant.

            “This is not an insignificant thing you’re trying to do,” said Saltonstall, reiterating the 50-percent rule. “You’ve got some real challenges to do this project for under $80,000. To change a designation like that can be a year-long process.” Hills cautioned that it could take longer.

            The board voted to waive a traffic-impact study. Member Jon Henry was the lone dissenting vote against that waiver. The board also voted to require the applicant to open a 53G account and make an initial down payment of $2,000 to spend as needed on peer review.

            Member Eileen Marum articulated concern with an increase in water on that property. “We need something in place … an environmental assessment to see that everything is done properly. We’re in the middle of climate change right now,” she said.

            Member Chris Collings pointed out on Page 12 of the packet showing a berm in the back and a catch basin. “I would advise them to ask for a waiver later. We’ve already given this guy a worksheet three pages long,” he said.

            Saltonstall told Knight that if after some homework the applicant feels like this plan still makes sense, he can choose either to engage the board in further informal discussion or file a Notice of Intent. The board issued Knight a Form B, acknowledging receipt of the presubmission conference. Saltonstall encouraged Knight to make the application comprehensive and make sure it answers to the bylaw.

            “I personally want to see these guys succeed and get back in operation as fast as possible,” said Saltonstall, who encouraged Knight to keep an open dialogue with Town Planner/Conservation Agent Doug Guey-Lee.

            McSweeny and Steinberg had their own item on the agenda, asking for a letter of support from the Planning Board for the work that the Historical Commission does in surveying Marion properties to determine historical value.

            The commission has asked the Community Preservation Committee for $35,000 in Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds for its ongoing architectural survey. “I would love to have a letter from the PB in support of our application,” said Steinberg.

            Saltonstall noted that the board wrote such a letter in support of the commission’s work last year and sent it to CPC Chairman Jeff Doubrava. The board voted again to send the letter this year.

            Under Old Business, Hills told the Planning Board that he had met with the Police and Fire departments in hopes of resolving recent changes to rules and regulations. Shortly after a regulation was amended to favor a hammerhead design instead of a circle, Department of Public Works Director Nathaniel Munafo said that the hammerhead design at the end of Fieldstone Lane was problematic for emergency access. Hills said he will bring the matter back to the board.

            Given the floor during the Community Outreach segment, Zoning Board of Appeals Chair Cynthia Callow told Planning Board members that the next training on bylaws is scheduled for March 14.

            Planning Board member Alanna Nelson thanked Hills and Marum for their work on Marion’s Hazard Mitigation Plan.

            Having been asked by the ZBA for comment regarding MRF Nominee Trust c/o Patrick Fischoeder and Allison O’Neil at 498B Point Road, the Planning Board made no recommendation.

            The next meeting of the Marion Planning Board is scheduled for Tuesday, February 22, at 7:00 pm.

Marion Planning Board

By Mick Colageo

What do you get when a think tank invites a dollars-and-cents committee chairman to meet and discuss the future of a town? A marriage of necessity.

            On February 2, the Mattapoisett Master Plan Committee met with Chuck McCullough to hear about the work performed by a committee whose primary focus is plotting when and how town departments will fund expenses over $10,000 and project needs 10 years into the future.

            McCullough explained that in previous budget planning cycles the Capital Planning Committee accepted departmental fiscal information in less than an investigatory manner, asking questions including how a project would be funded but not necessarily scrutinizing the request itself as to how and why.

            The Master Plan Committee was informed about the Capital Planning Committee’s work in identifying infrastructural needs such as culvert replacements, roadway improvements and putting the bike path on Mattapoisett’s 10-year Capital Plan, something that had not been done in prior cycles, leaving the town vulnerable in terms of inadequate planning for major expenses. Now, McCullough explained, the fiscal responsibilities of each municipal department are being aided by more compelling conversations.

            McCullough also spent time explaining how decisions are made for new water and sewer lines and upcoming projects such as the replacement of the Eel Pond sewer line to Fairhaven.

            The Master Plan Committee members asked probing questions to better understand the implications of expanding sewer capacity, noting that sewer lines are not provided for the development of subdivision tracts. McCullough, who has been a town consultant to the Water and Sewer Department for a number of years, discussed the process of engaging neighbors, especially those in beach areas, when considering sewer-expansion projects geared towards decreasing nitrogen leaching into the bay from private septic systems. He said that a two-thirds vote from both the property owners and town meeting is needed before such major projects, funded exclusively from betterment fees, could take place.

            But the biggest take-away from the discussion with McCullough was the absolute need to identify major projects on the horizon for Mattapoisett and how they will be funded. For example, he said that the bike path should be considered as a major infrastructure project, one that is under the purview of a town department such as the Highway Department. But that is currently not the case – the bike path does not tie directly to any town department.

            “It hasn’t been on our radar,” said McCullough. “We view the bike path as another road; there will be repairs and maintenance. We ask, ‘who owns this?’ It can’t be (owned by) a committee, it has to be a town department.”

            The discussion was wide ranging, moving into such areas as the need for a new town hall, what will become of the retired fire station building, climate resiliency and drainage issues.

             In concluding the conversation, McCullough agreed that there is a “marriage” between the two committees and a need for the Master Plan to reflect what Capital Planning is seeing in the 10-year planning forecast. He said he would provide a fully executed plan in the coming weeks, as Capital Planning prepares to meet with the Finance Committee ahead of a meeting with the Select Board and Town Administrator – all steps towards achieving a FY23 budget to bring to voters at the Spring Town Meeting.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Master Plan is scheduled for Wednesday, March 2, at 7:00 pm.

Mattapoisett Master Plan Committee

By Marilou Newell

            It is without a doubt the budget-planning season. Engaging in the process of drafting a multimillion dollar municipal budget is no small task and requires both insight and foresight. Jumping into the deep end of the fiscal pool on February 3, Mattapoisett’s Finance Committee met with Library Director Jennifer Jones and Council on Aging Director Jackie Coucci.

            Jones discussed the need to fill a part-time position for a children’s librarian/assistant director and planned to begin interviews next week. Jones’ spreadsheet lists wages for full-time library paralegals in FY22 at $141,538 and for FY23 at $145,000. Part-time staff will have received $195,769 in FY22 and are projected to receive $201,000 in FY23. The director’s salary for FY22 was $72,000 and is projected at $74,909 for FY23.

            In her narrative, Jones said that during FY22, the demand for library services has remained high, including presentation and talks offered both live and virtually, reaching some 1,300 participants. She also noted that boiler and fire-suppression, system-maintenance agreements have risen by $500 from $12,500 to $13,000. Jones also stated that the historic parts of the library roof covered with 100-year-old slates need evaluation.

            Coucci spoke to the continuing demand for services offered by the COA. She said that in spite of being down an outreach worker, the center is assisting more than 300 people, including in-home visits, “and the myriad of issues people are facing is growing,” she added.

            Coucci reported that a grant in 2020 allowed the department to purchase a new van that is wheelchair accessible and that a matching-grant requirement of 20 percent has been waived. “We got the van scot-free,” she said.

            When asked by Chairman Pat Donoghue if COA vehicles went through Capital Planning, Town Administrator Mike Lorenco explained that because COA vehicles do not hit the tax levy (usually recycled vehicles from other departments,) they don’t show up as a capital expense.

            Coucci’s spreadsheet listed her salary for FY23 at $63,869, up $1,275 from $62,594 in FY22. Full-time staffing wages for FY22 were $43,136 versus a plan for $44,000 in FY23; part-time FY22 will be $49,945 and FY23 is planned at $50,935; drivers will come in for FY22 at $19,140 with a modest uptick to $19,523 for FY23.

            Vehicle maintenance is estimated to remain the same year over year at $4,000.

            Meeting on February 6 were both the Capital Planning Committee with Police Chief Jason King and the Select Board with the directors of the Library and the Council on Aging.

            In a follow up with Capital Planning Committee Chairman Chuck McCullough, he said that the committee was impressed by the presentation from King, calling it “refreshing” in both the quality and quantity of data provided.

            King’s Capital Planning requests for FY23 presently include two cruisers, both listed at $55,000 with one financed via free cash and the other from the department’s operating budget. Other line items for FY23 include $110,000 for parking lot repaving, $25,000 for new office equipment, $50,000 for a new radio system, $40,000 for new tasers and $25,000 for a new police motorcycle.

            Regarding the motorcycle, McCullough reported that King noted the age and diminishing life span of the current motorcycle that he plans to trade in for a potential $6,000 that would be put toward funding for the new piece.

            In their working session with Coucci and Jones, the Select Board reviewed their FY23 budget projections and touched on capital needs.

            As they had during the meeting with the Finance Committee, both directors pointed to a level-funded FY23 budget with modest upticks in wages as negotiated through contracts.

            Coucci said that with the temporary hiatus of the FISH medical ride program, the COA has been filling the gap. Also filling the gap, Coucci herself has been in the field providing in-home services due to a vacant outreach-worker position. When asked by Mattapoisett Select Board Chairman Jordan Collyer if the board could grant her two wishes for her department, Coucci responded, “Nothing, I’m good. I don’t need any additional funding at this time.”

            Jones responded to the same question with more books and more office supplies on her wish list. She also discussed the need for better outdoor light, more security cameras and the filling of an open position for a children’s librarian/assistant director. On that point, she said she is actively interviewing candidates.

            Regarding the need to study the historic roof tiles, Collyer asked Lorenco to find reports that were previously produced speaking to the issue. “Those tiles may be 100 years old but may not need replacement. He gave Jones several company names from which to seek out guidance in the matter.

            The board also met with Henri Renauld, Superintendent of the Water and Sewer Department.

Renauld discussed major renovation projects, including one at the Oakland Street pump station. He described the deterioration of five manholes and the need for immediate action. The cost estimate has been set at $680,000 in FY23.

            Regarding the department’s plans for a new headquarters building situated adjacent to the Bay Club off Industrial Drive, Renauld said that while the sale of property owned by the town on Church Street would be moving forward, conceptual and schematic designs were yet to be drawn. “I’m not quite ready yet,” he said. The board and Renauld also discussed the sale of lots in the Bay Club that are presently owned by the town, lots that could be sold to offset new building costs for the Water and Sewer Department. Debut of this capital expense is planned for FY24.

            The Water Department’s FY23 budget is estimated at $1,600,000 and the Sewer Department at $1,900,000.

            Highway Surveyor Garret Bauer also met with the Select Board, and Select Board member Jodi Bauer, mother of the younger Bauer, asked Collyer if she should recuse herself. While it was agreed that no conflict of interest would manifest itself during this meeting, the senior Bauer elected to err on the side of caution and listened without participating.

            In a follow-up with Collyer, it was learned that discussion about the much-delayed repairs and renovations to the town’s Highway Barn located on Mendell Road took place. Collyer and Jodi Bauer concurred that earlier cost estimates for phased repairs were no longer feasible and that the plan now was to complete everything needed in one complete project.

            On the Highway Department’s Capital Plan spreadsheet, Garret Bauer listed $230,000 for building design and engineering work, $250,000 (an annual sum allocated for roadway repairs,) and a hook/lift truck at $160,000 for a total of $640,000 for FY23.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Finance Committee is scheduled for Thursday, February 10, at 4:30 pm.; the next meeting of the Capital Planning Committee is scheduled for Monday, February 14, at 6:00 pm. and the next meeting of the Select Board is scheduled for Tuesday, February 15, at 6:30 pm.

Mattapoisett Finance Committee, Capital Planning Committee, Select Board

By Marilou Newell