Mattapoisett Police Chief Mary R. Lyons pleaded not guilty to the charge of Operating Under the Influence during an arraignment held on Monday, July 19, in Falmouth District Court.

            The charge stems from a weekend incident in which Lyons was driving northbound on Route 28 in Bourne and was pulled over by Massachusetts State Police. It was determined on the scene that Lyons was operating her vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

            In response to the incident, Mattapoisett Town Administrator Mike Lorenco released a statement on Monday afternoon: “The Town is continuing to investigate the incident involving our Chief of Police, Mary Lyons. At this time, the Chief has been placed on paid administrative leave effective immediately. The Police Department will be under the direction of Captain [Jason] King until further notice. The Town at this time cannot comment more on the matter as we must protect the integrity of the investigation and the ongoing legal proceedings.”

            Lorenco had told The Wanderer earlier on Monday that after the arraignment he planned to meet personally with Lyons and the Select Board, Jordan Collyer and Jodi Lynn Bauer, and then determine an immediate course of action. He released a statement in the morning, saying, “The Town is taking the matter very seriously and is thoroughly examining the details of the case. Citizens can expect appropriate and swift action following our investigation.”

            At Tuesday night’s Mattapoisett Select Board meeting, Vice Chair Jordan Collyer reiterated Lorenco’s comments and asked for the public’s patience while town officials continue their investigation into the matter.

            Also facing a marked lanes violation, Lyons, 61, was released on her own personal recognizance with the promise to appear back in court on August 31 for a pre-trial hearing. A message seeking comment from Lyons’ attorney, Robert Nolan, was not returned in time for this edition.

            State Trooper Patrick Bosworth reported an arrest at 10:52 pm on July 17, having observed Lyons’ 2014 Lexus GX460 SUV moving part way into the left lane and back into the right lane on Route 28 northbound in Falmouth and Bourne. The arrest report alleges an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, bloodshot and glassy eyes, and swayed body movement on the part of Lyons. It also says that she failed a visual-acuity test at the scene.

            The report states that Lyons denied having anything to drink that night and told the officer that her hips and knees would prevent her from being able to complete the physical tests that the officer had told her were needed to determine whether she was OK to drive. The report further states that Lyons pretended to blow into the Preliminary Breath Test equipment, and it was determined on the scene that she was intoxicated.

            When the police cruiser arrived at the State Police Bourne Barracks, Lyons had already freed herself of the handcuffs that had been placed on her at the scene. The report said the handcuffs were placed in front of rather than behind Lyons to assist her mobility.

            Lyons, who had told the arresting officer that she was coming from a golf course, was the sole occupant in the vehicle, which contained golf clubs, according to the report.

            Lyons has served as Mattapoisett chief of police since January 1, 2001. She joined the town’s Police Department as an officer on June 25, 1985.

By Mick Colageo

            With so much to consider from every corner of the community, the Mattapoisett Master Plan Committee, a body of some 20 volunteers, has discussed a wide variety of topics since the beginning of the year. From the needs of senior citizens to the needs of school-age children, from street improvement projects to climate resiliency issues, from the future of municipal buildings to playgrounds and recreational opportunities and the use and care of coastal assets; simply put, it is a great deal to consider.

            But, moreover, once the committee has completed its work, how do identified wants and needs get funded and shepherded to reality? That was the big question asked during the group’s July 9 meeting.

            About midway through the hour-long meeting, member Yamin Flefeh asked the most compelling question set before any municipal committee: “Where does the money come from for all these good ideas … this never-ending wish list?”

            Planning Board Administrator Mike Gagne responded, saying that a list of wants and needs would have to be prioritized and presented to the Select Board and the Finance Committee. But who or what entity would have ownership for completion of projects identified in a Master Plan fell into a gray area. Gagne suggested that it could possibly be the role of the Planning Board to bring the Master Plan document from the shelf to the conference table in an annual effort to use the document to its fullest potential.

            Member Nathan Ketchel, who is also on the Planning Board, asked, “Should we bring it up with Capital Planning, should we invite them to attend our September meeting?”

            Member Bob Bergman, who also sits on the Capital Planning Committee, said that in its research the CPC found there were projects and areas in the community that seemed to have no oversight from any municipal entity. “Some things are not governed by anyone at Town Hall,” said Bergman, who went on to say that the CPC is trying to identify and tie down such matters in order to present more comprehensive information to taxpayers. He also expressed caution, saying, “But there are limitations to funding, so prioritization has to happen.”

            Some of the ideas floated out by the committee on this night included construction of a playground at the Holy Ghost grounds, a town-owned property that this group and the Recreation Department have identified as underutilized, along with an outdoor stage for live performances and events, and a possible repurposing of the soon-to-be-decommissioned fire station.

            Master Plan Committee and Planning Board member Janice Robbins thought that exploration of “the good things we already have” would be beneficial, and that a new cultural committee might take charge of such matters.

            Committee member Carole Clifford said that the town does have a Cultural Council funded in part by the state and the town whose role is to evaluate grant applications and distribute the funds based on their direct or close impact on the community. She also pointed out that different groups such as the Mattapoisett Land Trust and Mattapoisett Museum are actively coordinating programing in joint ventures.

            The lack of public access to stretches of coastline was once again discussed with no resolution. And, once again, the repairs and improvements needed on several of the town’s cherished wharves were noted.

            Sandy Hering of the Tree Committee brought up the possibility of community gardens with Clifford suggesting the Holy Ghost grounds as a worthy location to consider.

            Many potential projects were discussed, but the burning question of how to complete even one remained open as the committee adjourned.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Master Plan is scheduled for Wednesday, August 4, at 7:00 pm.

Mattapoisett Master Plan Committee

By Marilou Newell

            Although he spoke respectfully of abutters’ concerns over stormwater flooding on two undeveloped adjoining lots on Starboard Way near Molly’s Cove, Mattapoisett Conservation Commission Chairman Mike King was also very clear: “You should engage an engineer to help you with drainage issues on your property,” he told the abutters, invoking that comment five times during the public hearing.

            Throughout the July 12 Notice of Intent hearings presented by Bill Madden of G.A.F. Engineering for the construction of single-family homes, King punctuated Madden’s comments with the point that the stormwater drainage issues currently experienced in the neighborhood are addressed in the engineering, with roof runoff diverted to underground recharge systems and topographical aspects moving water to the center of the properties. Concerns expressed by several abutters, most notably Nicole Balthazar, were around current conditions where stormwater ponds on the lots. But Madden pointed out that the soil testing confirmed the adequacy of sandy soils for drainage into the ground.

            King also noted that roadways in the beach neighborhood have become, in effect, dams holding stormwater on residential lots rather than granting flow away from homes. He said that if the proposed construction included septic systems, other considerations would cause the projects much more difficulty. However, the two new homes will be serviced by public sewer and water, he said.

            “This project, as proposed, will not add water to the neighborhood,” King assured the abutters. He said, “I’m sympathetic to the neighbor; the reality is that this won’t add water on the ground.”

            Madden called it a “cut and dried” flood zone project with the two homes being built in compliance to FEMA standards and of the occasional stormwater ponding. “It does dissipate,” he said.

            King also pointed to mounting evidence of sea-level rise in the seaside community, including at the Reservation Golf Club, but again said, “This design meets all performance standards, including all drainage issues.”

            Also present for the hearings was Attorney Jamy Madeja, who stated she was representing several other residents of the neighborhood and that her clients wished to join others in requesting the town’s assistance in correcting roadway drainage issues, including their damming impact.

            King advised the abutters that they could appeal the decisions made by the local commission to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, but that in cases such as this, the agency would most likely uphold the local commission’s acceptance of the project as designed. In the end, the commission unanimously approved the two projects with conditions.

            Other matters handled on this night: Requests for Determination of Applicability filed by Peter Annunziato, 11 Rock Road, for the construction of a shed; Mike and Elaine Botelho, 9 Crestfield Street, for an addition to an existing patio; Tom Grondski and Catherine Jackie for septic system upgrades; and Bartholomew O’Brien, lots 25 and 26 Prince Snow Drive, for removal of trees in a buffer zone. All received negative determinations of applicability.

            A Notice of Intent filed by the Howley Trust for 1 Waterman Street for the razing of an existing home and construction of a new residence was conditioned as designed.

            Also receiving orders of conditions were NOIs filed by Fred Danforth, 2 Brandt Island Shores,

and Good Speed, LLC, 1 Brandt Island Shores, both for beach nourishment and boulder placement to repair erosion of beach areas.

            Before adjourning, the commission again discussed the vacancy created by the retirement of Conservation Agent Liz Leildhold. King said that one application had been received for a freelance licensed agent.

            King said that the lack of a conservation agent as a town employee will shift a large burden to the applicants primarily in the form of increased fees. He said an RDA would now cost $450 to file.

            Commissioner David Lawrence confirmed his willingness to help the town with site visits for filed RDAs but said the time commitment was upwards of five hours per day. Commissioner Chapman Dickerson said, “That’s a lot of free labor to the town.”

            Commissioner John Jacobsen said, “This is a result of the town dragging its feet.”

            King said, “We’ll do what we can,” and thanked Leidhold for her service, saying, “You will be missed.”

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission is scheduled for Monday, July 26, at 6:30 pm.