Acting Chair Heather Burke stood alone in objecting to the vote taken by the Old Rochester Regional School Committee on September 15 that will allow Old Rochester Youth Football two Sundays this fall to play its slate of games on ORR’s multi-purpose field.

            The high school football field has been the subject of debate in recent years, as several high schools elsewhere in the region have replaced natural grass in their stadiums with state-of-the-art synthetic surfaces. A proposal taken last year to Town Meeting floors to install turf at ORR failed to find support in all three towns.

            While the coronavirus pandemic effectively cancelled the wear and tear that high school athletic fields were scheduled to endure in the fall of 2020, a full slate of activities is back on ORR fields in 2021. With the September 15 vote, that will include the local Pop Warner program.

            Christine Medeiros represented Old Rochester Youth Football at the ORR School Committee meeting, her first year in charge of the 12-year-old, nonprofit organization. The Bulldogs compete in the Spirit Conference of the Rhode Island/Southeastern Massachusetts chapter of Pop Warner Football.

            “Without the support of the (ORR School) district, we truly feel our program will struggle to survive. … Playing on the main field means everything to our players,” said Medeiros, who told the committee that there have been no negative incidents and that the program has often left the field better than it was found. “I’ve often heard them saying, ‘Bulldog for life!’ Running around the field.”

            Committee member Frances Kearns asked Medeiros why ORYF has been unable to use the stadium field the past two years. In addition to the pandemic, Medeiros was unsure about the current season other than she learned late that the School Committee needs to vote on the matter per Policy 606-D of the Building Use Code and could not get ORYF on the August agenda. Medeiros said she is thankful ORYF has been able to use the fields for practices this season.

            As acting chair, Burke provided context, referencing the audit from a few years ago that discovered that the policy requiring a committee vote for outside use of school facilities had not been adhered to. An effort has been made to fix that to achieve consistent pricing policy and identify any lack of fairness in the process.

            “The fact our field never has a time to rest … gets compacted and can deteriorate quickly. That’s why this field comes to the committee when not all of the rental facilities do,” said Burke.

            ORR Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson said discussions with Medeiros began during the summer, and the rest of the committee strongly supported ORYF’s request, considering only two Sundays were requested.

            “Beyond the athletics, it’s the self-esteem…. I think we should do everything we can to keep them on that field,” said committee member Joe Pires, a former youth baseball coach.

            Qualifying his own remarks with his support, committee member Jim Muse asked if there are other considerations necessary including insurance and answers to other questions regarding provisions for inclement weather.

            “I absolutely support every bit of every youth program that we can have, but I want to hear from the administration, facilities, and the Athletic Department on is there an impediment? It was a very big deal when the field was so used on many, many occasions – we heard that it was unusable for our students,” said Muse.

            Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Howie Barber said the organizations carry their own insurance and advised the committee to be mindful of scheduling. “If you approve this request today, do it so that there is no conflict with eligibility days,” he said.

            Burke’s opposition came into focus after ORR High School Principal Mike Devoll said that neither he nor Athletic Director Bill Tilden believes that ORYF’s use of the ORR football field would pose a detrimental effect on ORR’s own athletic programs. “They’ve been good neighbors. … When we close our field due to conditions, they close their practice, no questions asked,” said Devoll.

            Harkening back to the failed push for synthetic turf, Burke said, “I just have to push back on that a little, Mike, because, as you know, a couple of years ago we had the support of the athletic director to try to put in a turf field because we felt that the overuse of the field had created unsafe playing conditions for our student-athletes. … What has changed since those previous conversations?”

            Burke acknowledged COVID’s cancellation has given the field time to regenerate, but now that a full slate of regular activities has resumed, she probed for the missing element to an equation that would now make a youth football game schedule a safe addition to the grass field.

            “I feel as though that the use by Pop Warner, this group that is making the request, is not going to impact the field. The rest needed is from high school use, bigger, stronger, faster players. We’re looking at a limited number of games here,” said Devoll.

            Medeiros explained that, traditionally, youth football plays four games on a Sunday.

            “At the time we were looking to turf – I would always be looking to turf because I believe it is the right surface for us – we have worked tirelessly to figure out other ways to use other fields to have less use on the fields,” said Tilden. “We have given it much more of a break, not just due to Covid, but by limiting the usage.”

            Tilden reported that Facilities Director Gene Jones found a new fertilization program that has strengthened the multi-purpose field and that the youth football organization has been open to listening to scenarios that would limit the number of games played on the field.

            “Do we still need turf? Yes, because all of the other fields are not where they need to be. But we are playing on those other fields to spread [the wear and tear] out,” said Tilden, crediting ORR Boosters Club president and boys lacrosse coach Justin Shay for his support. “We are in a better position, and I think this is the perfect opportunity to give [ORYF] a couple of chances to play. … This group from ORYF has been phenomenal to work with.”

            Bryce Guilbeault, the ORR head football coach, said the relationship with ORYF is more like a partnership and that roughly 50 percent of the high school’s practice equipment was purchased by ORYF, which also used some of the high school’s equipment.

            “Just from a financial standpoint, if Pop Warner decided to go to use another field somewhere, there would be some financial stress on the (high school) football program to buy thousands of dollars’ worth of pads and equipment,” said Guilbeault.

            Buttressing her support for ORYF, ORR School Committee member Margaret McSweeny referenced Appendix A of the policy, saying that Old Rochester organizations are an integral part of the community and should not be forced to look to other towns for venues to hold their activities.

            Committee member Jason Chisholm asked Medeiros to confirm the stress involved in playing a fully away schedule and asked her how ORYF has been impacted.

            “After last season … many people came back saying, ‘Are we going to have to be traveling all season? Are we going to have to go to Rhode Island?’ We were worried about the beginning,” said Medeiros, who thanked Nelson for ensuring ORYF can at least practice locally.

            Qualifying her opposition to allowing ORYF to play games on ORR’s football field by noting her son had a great experience playing for ORYF, Burke called ORYF a “great organization” and, her opinion in the matter, “no reflection” of her feelings about Pop Warner or ORYF.

            “It’s just that the health of ORYF is not our responsibility; the health and safety of ORR student-athletes are. And I learned too much a few years ago to believe that, if the field has miraculously recovered, it’s now at a point where it can be used heavily by all types of groups,” she said. “In terms of setting a precedent, no, this doesn’t set a precedent. But I don’t know that there’s other community groups out there that don’t have equally strong arguments for why they would want to use it and why could we not just allow it to them.

            “In terms of students not enrolling at ORR, I believe that part of the reason is they look at our fields and say, ‘That’s not where I want to be playing, that’s not safe.’ It’s a ripped-up field and it only takes one rain game to rip up that field.”

            Burke said that if the committee were to approve ORYF’s request, a condition should be added that cancels games in the event of rain or snow. Burke said the field must be preserved for ORR football and lacrosse players and other student-athletes’ usage. She suggested ORYF meet with the Tri-Towns’ recreation departments and try to find a long-term solution at another location.

            Medeiros interjected to note that the families she has spoken to in the ORYF organization are 100-percent in support of a turf field at ORR. “Many of them donated money (and time) towards the turf project; so, for me, with all due respect, it seems as though we are punishing a group of children for an adult decision,” she said.

            Burke told Medeiros she appreciates her feelings and position, acknowledging that ORYF was the leader on the turf project. “It unfortunately didn’t work out, and we’re all dealing with the outfall from that,” she said, noting that ORYF is not being selected as the lone casualty. “The ORR students deal with the disappointment of that vote every day.”

            Muse concurred with Burke that ORR is not the long-term solution for ORYF but said he is not opposed to the two game days requested. “It can be viewed as a small ask, but eight hours of kids on the field, there’s going to be wear and tear.”

            The ORR School Committee voted to approve the Memorandum of Understanding for the ORR School District Agreement that completed its rounds of approval from all three of the Tri-Towns’ select boards. Special town meetings are scheduled in Rochester for October 18, Marion for October 19, and Mattapoisett for November 8.

            The committee was reorganized during the September 15 meeting. Heather Burke was voted as the chairperson; Burke had acted as interim chair since Cary Humphrey’s retirement. Vice chair is Michelle Smith. Burke and Muse will be joined on the Budget Subcommittee by Chisholm and Matthew Monteiro.

            The committee also voted to approve a non-AFS exchange student who was not named.

            Devoll introduced new teachers for the high school and junior high including Caroline Cervera in world languages (Latin and Spanish) and Mary Caine, Crystal Gendreau, and Victoria Tutino in special education. He also introduced new paraprofessionals Kylie Faison, Mary Beth Mathieu, Collin Melo, Jessica Teixeira, Zachary Tilden, and Jessica Trombly, long-term substitute teacher Sertac Osdogru, cafeteria staff Paula Searles, Catrina Skapik, and Smith, and Athletic Department administrative assistant Lynette Lord.

            “It’s really great to be back…. It’s been a great return to school,” said Devoll, who noted that the high school hosted its new senior class for a semi-formal event to kick off the year.

            ORR Junior High Principal Silas Coehlner said the junior high held events prior to the year to orient families and students and credited Toni Bailey for her assistance.

            Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Jannell Pearson-Campbell updated the committee on ORR’s new teacher induction program and onboarding process as nine new members were welcomed to the ORR School District on August 26. “One of the things we want to do is make sure our teachers are supported,” she said.

            Katie Gray and Karen-Marie Harrington presented a Guidance Department evaluation of ORR. In addressing the committee, Gray said the traditional model for school counseling ends up serving students at both ends but tends to leave out the students in the middle. Their Comprehensive Developmental School Counseling Programs model strives to serve all students by using data and taking a more active role in collaborating with administrators and teachers to achieve a programmatic approach.

            ORR’s counselors received rave reviews in several areas including academic support, students who are struggling, resources, college and career lessons for each level, continued involvement during the pivot to hybrid and remote learning models, a strong advance-placement program, and they were not involved in “inappropriate activities.”

            Recommendations included hiring a guidance director, developing a comprehensive college, career, and civic readiness program, transitioning to a programmatic approach, strengthening counselors’ advocacy and leadership skills, and increasing the use of technology.

            Burke said her “one big takeaway” is that the guidance director role is crucial in implementation of the program changes recommended in the evaluation.

            ORR’s Open House will be held on Thursday, September 30, from 6:30 pm to 8:15 pm with one parent with student; masks are required.

            Student representative Eddie Gonet told the committee a COVID-safe Homecoming will be held. Senior Sunrise was held at Silvershell Beach with approximately 75 students; a senior class visit to Ned’s Point is scheduled for October 1.

            The next meeting of the ORR School Committee was not scheduled at adjournment.

ORR School Committee

By Mick Colageo

            Rochester Town Administrator Suzanne Szyndlar told the Board of Selectmen during its September 20 meeting that she will not be renewing her contract when it expires on June 30, 2022.

            “This decision for me was extremely hard,” said Szyndlar, who said it has been an honor to serve the Town of Rochester in the lead administration capacity the past six years. Noting it is time to move onto the next chapter in her life, Szyndlar acknowledged the emotion and said, “Working with a great team of professionals to serve in our community has been a pleasure.”

            Acknowledging Szyndlar’s professionalism in giving the selectmen “plenty of time to search,” Chairman Brad Morse led the selectmen in publicly thanking her for her service.

            “I feel like we’ve accomplished a real lot in the last five years, financially and structurally,” said Szyndlar. “I have loved my job, but it’s time…. It’s bittersweet for me.”

            It was on Monday night’s September 20 agenda for the selectmen to sign the warrant for the October 18 Special Town Meeting, but Selectman Woody Hartley stopped short on making the board’s recommendation of Articles 2 and 3 official because the Finance Committee had not yet made its recommendation.

            “We’ve never done this without the Finance Committee being here,” said Hartley. Morse suggested the selectmen hold their vote on the articles in question and make their recommendation no later than on Town Meeting floor.

            Articles 2 and 3 address the Assessor’s office, No. 2 a $10,000 commitment to install a camera for the ongoing valuation of property, and No. 3 a $3,000 commitment toward the Assessor’s supplemental budget for software and support.

            Szyndlar told the selectmen that the Finance Committee has a meeting scheduled for Monday, October 4.

            Otherwise, the selectmen voted line by line in the affirmative for the warrant, making the recommendation to town voters that the Old Rochester Regional School District Agreement and a stabilization fund for the district be accepted. ORR’s capital stabilization fund will presumably address smaller capital items that cannot be budgeted via maintenance.

            Other big-ticket items include Article 12, which proposes the transfer of $200,000 to the Road Improvement Stabilization Fund, Article 13, which proposes the transfer of $300,000 to the town’s regular Stabilization Fund, and Article 11, which paves the way for negotiations for solar-canopy construction over town-owned parking lots based on a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) model.

            The selectmen also voted to support renaming the Board of Selectmen the Select Board.

            In a continued public hearing, the selectmen approved SEMASS’s application to modify a Flammable Fluid License to store fuel oil in excess of 2,000 gallons pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 148, Section 13 and 527 CMR 1.12.8.50.4 on property located at 141 Cranberry Highway. Fire Chief Scott Weigel recommended approval.

            In her Town Administrator’s Report, Szyndlar announced more funding has come to Rochester in Green Communities grant funding: $102,000 for energy conservation measures, weatherization and LED lighting for Rochester Memorial School, and SRPEDD-related plans for Town Hall. Altogether, Rochester will have received over $308,000 in grant funding, $135,000 in 2020 and $172,000 in 2021.

            Szyndlar also said the soft recycling program has gone digital. Collections are no longer being made on a set schedule, but residents can schedule an appointment online with Simple Recycling and deliver clothing, jewelry, shoes, sleeping bags, tools, dishes, pots, pans, and backpacks.

            “Anything under 50 pounds (is acceptable), it does not have to fit in the pink bag,” said Szyndlar.

            Conservation Commission Chairman Chris Gerrior came before the selectmen to report the resignation of Lena Bourque and to recommend Bill Milka for appointment. Bourque expressed an interest in remaining with the ConCom in the advisory role of associate member per appointment by the commission. The selectmen voted to approve Gerrior’s requests and to publicly thank Bourque for her longtime service to the town.

            In other business, the selectmen voted to sign the appointment of new Town Treasurer Kory Lydon, who starts on Monday, September 27. The board also voted to approve the Rochester Historical Commission’s request to post a plaque at Town Hall.

            In a special meeting with the Public Safety Committee and the Emergency Planning Committee held on September 15, the selectmen presided over the first official Constitution Way Safety Discussion.

            For many years, Constitution Way has given Rochester village a stately presence as Town Hall, the meeting house, and First Congregational Church sit on the same parallel, but the emerging danger of eastbound traffic speeding down Rounseville Road and using Constitution Way as an exit ramp is endangering people exiting the buildings because there is no buffer between the last step and the roadway.

            “No one’s gotten hit, but there have been some close ones,” said Morse. “I was one of the close ones,” said Selectman Paul Ciaburri.

            According to Szyndlar, Highway Surveyor Jeffrey Eldridge will spearhead the effort to determine, design, and secure funding to construct a long-term solution. The initial concept is to divert vehicular traffic flow around back of the public buildings and maintain Constitution Way for pedestrian traffic.

            In other business from the September 15 meeting, seven new COVID-19 cases were reported last week, and a vaccination clinic will be held on September 29 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. On October 12, the Board of Health will host a flu vaccination clinic.

            Police Chief Robert Small has grant funding pending on the purchase of 41 cameras and has also been told the town will be awarded grant funding to round out its fleet of police cruisers with high-end laptop computers.

            The next meeting of the Rochester Board of Selectmen will be held on Monday, October 4, at 6:00 pm.

Rochester Board of Selectmen

By Mick Colageo

            Despite a vetting process lasting several months, applicant Robert Pereira told the September 9 meeting of the Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals that he considers his case “cut and dried.”

            The ZBA, acting with just four members present, made sure to ask every question before attaching carefully crafted conditions to the amendment of a Special Permit sought by Pereira for property located at 92 Pine Street.

            ILC Development, LLC, applied for the amendment to Special Permit Appeal No. 995 issued on April 28 under Chapter 20.40, Section F.6 of the Rochester Zoning By-Laws for the conversion of a repair bay to offices and an addition to an existing repair bay.

            Pereira’s plan is to extend the front bay by roughly 8 feet by 28 feet, which will expand the area from 3,928 square feet to a proposed 4,808. The 1.26-acre lot is zoned as agricultural/residential.

            Citing company growth and the challenges presented by COVID-19, Pereira said his goal is to expand office space to achieve a safe environment. He said he is not looking to change his number of employees or any other conditions in the permit as originally approved.

            Pereira, the 10-year owner of Infinity Landscape Construction and Automatic Pool Covers, Inc. (a division of Infinity Landscape), told the ZBA that the proposed use of the property has not changed. ILC is the applicant’s real estate holding company.

            Pereira told the ZBA he had previously rented out a portion of the building to a motor repair business.

            At the time Pereira originally acquired the special permit, the building had served as an autobody shop, an auto dealership, and repair business. Those activities have ceased at the site and will not be brought back by the applicant.

            While Pereira did not seek to remove those opportunities from the special permit, he said it would not be a problem to waiver those aspects of the permit. Asked about those activities, Pereira explained that the prior permitted activities were listed in the interest of full disclosure. “I didn’t want to hide anything,” he said, noting that the only value in those activities being permitted is in raising the potential resale value of the property.

            In reviewing the Special Permit, ZBA member Davis Sullivan said “it’s a big ask” to approve an amendment that continues to allow all of the business activities listed.

            ZBA Chairman David Arancio echoed Sullivan’s sentiments in the more general sense that the lot is technically too small for the landscape construction and pool construction activities that Pereira intends to continue.

            Having grown up at the site, Pereira summarized all the businesses there since 1973. The house on the lot is a rental property, he clarified.

            With only four members on hand, Arancio informed the applicant that all four would need to vote in the affirmative for the amendment to the Special Permit to pass. Asked if he wished to move forward or to continue the case, Pereira told the board he wanted resolution.

            “We’re not asking for any type of variance. The special permit that we already have, in effect for the past 10 years, we’re not looking to alter in any way, shape or form,” he said.

            Arancio interjected that the conditions of the permit are subject to the amendments based on the public hearing.

            “I’m willing to go forward, and I can always appeal it if necessary,” said Pereira. “Let’s do it in Land Court if we have to.”

            Arancio wanted it on the record that Pereira had been notified of his options.

            An abutters list was read at the opening of the hearing, but only one member of the public spoke before the hearing was closed and only to clarify that no further expansion will take place on the property.

            Once it was known that Pereira agreed to no further expansion of the building, the ZBA focused on closing on the public hearing and establishing a set of conditions to grant the amendment allowing for the expansion.

            The auto body, auto repair, and auto sales activities previously permitted were struck from the Special Permit.

            Stipulations also include proper restoration of areas disturbed by the building expansion and that Dark Sky Lighting be used outside the building. Hours of operation will be limited to 7:00 am to 7:00 pm on Monday-Friday and 8:00 am to 6:00 pm on Saturday; no hours of operation will be allowed on Sunday, and no deliveries will be allowed on any day before 8:00 am or after 8:00 pm.

            Furthermore, the permit as amended will allow no more than eight employees at any time.

            The next meeting of the Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals is scheduled to be held on Thursday, September 23, at 7:00 pm.

Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals

By Mick Colageo