After conducting a public hearing during its May 19 meeting, the Marion School Committee voted against School Choice for the 2021-22 academic year. Old Rochester Regional Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson noted prior to the vote that in recent years Sippican has chosen not to be a School Choice school.

            Asked by member Mary Beauregard during the public hearing, Nelson explained that for every student enrolled in a School Choice slot the school district receives $5,000 but that the per-pupil costs more than double that amount. If there are special services and/or an Individual Education Plan, there is also reimbursement for an additional claim to 100 percent.

            There is approximately $167,000 remaining in Sippican School’s overall $6,700,000 annual budget, according to Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Howie Barber.

            Nelson told the committee that the May 10 Marion and Mattapoisett town meetings not only voted approval for local school budgets but also for the ORR District budget, resulting in the passing of that budget as well.

            DESE has promised additional funding not only for next academic year but for the summer “as we bridge the gap,” said Nelson. “We’ll share more information as that rolls out.”

            Sippican School Principal Marla Sirois reported that Sippican has begun MCAS testing and that Grades 3-5 have completed their ELA test, Grades 3-4 have completed math, and Grades 3-5 were to complete math by the end of the May 17-21 school week.

            Grade 6-8, Sirois said, are on a separate timeline per the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). The result is Grade 6 is taking ELA this week and Grade 5 is taking science. Grade 6 will take math in June.

            “This week has been a big change for us,” said Sirois, calling the band’s resumption “a collective sigh of relief and an excitement at the same time. It’s great to be in that space for the rest of the school year.”

            Sirois also reported that the Sippican School Council mapped out all three two-year goals for school improvement and will meet one more time on June 15.

            Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Dr. Jannell Pearson-Campbell gave a progress update on professional development and curriculum, the finalizing of self-assessment for DESE, a K-12 literacy plan, and inclusion-focused curriculum.

            Noting that the Joint School Committee approved the Professional Development Plan, Pearson-Campbell explained it as a six-year plan that is in its early stages and will require committee involvement.

            Director of Student Services Craig Davidson announced a June 2-3 meet and greet with Sippican staff.

            At the conclusion of its public meeting, the Marion School Committee entered executive session.

            In its most recent meeting, the ORR School Committee recognized outgoing members Cary Humphrey and Tina Rood.

            The last meeting of the Marion School Committee for 2020-21 is scheduled for June 9, and the Joint School Committee is scheduled to meet June 17. All school committee meetings are scheduled to begin at 6:30 pm, but format has yet to be determined for future meetings.

Marion School Committee

By Mick Colageo

The Council on Aging is changing, as it always has, so when COA Chair Harry Norweb, COA Director Karen Gregory, and COA strategic planning leader Paul Naiman came before the Town of Marion with their two-part petition, Select Board Chair Norm Hills readily acknowledged that nowhere does it say a board is forever.

            Norweb said the COA has transitioned multiple times in the past and it is time to transition once again. Acknowledging the COA’s professional staff and home and ongoing opportunity for advocacy, Norweb told the Select Board that there has not been a single instance in his four years as chair where the advice of the Council on Aging’s Advisory Board has been sought.

            During the same period, he said, COA programs and services have expanded, requiring more volunteers.

            Fifty-one years after the mission of the Advisory Board was established, the focus has shifted, said Norweb, who believes the dissolution of the Advisory Board would allow COA volunteers to more effectively spend their time. “Volunteers don’t get paid – not because they’re worthless, but because they’re priceless,” he said, quoting author Sherry Anderson.

            Fourteen of the 18 COA members present at an April meeting unanimously voted their approval for the recommendation that the COA’s Advisory Board transitions from an appointed board to informal groups of volunteers. Norweb said the COA is now in the hands of a full-time director (Gregory) and a professional staff that reports to Town Administrator Jay McGrail.

            After hearing out Norweb, Gregory, and Naiman, and offering comments, the Select Board voted to approve the recommendation and the added motion that the Advisory Board suspend regular meetings until it is decided that this is, in fact, the right move.

            Select Board member John Waterman told Norweb it is important that any agreement leave open a pathway for the Advisory Board to revisit the matter.

            Attorney Mark Bobrowski appeared in an appointment representing developer Ken Steen in a petition for approval of an increase in his Heron Cove development. The Local Initiative Program (LIP) calls for an increase to a maximum of 120 residential units and 252 bedrooms. No fewer than 25 percent of construction is to be rentals.

            McGrail told the Select Board that the town has been negotiating with Steen over the past six months. Conditions include a clause that the agreement cannot be used to bypass the Zoning Board of Appeals; an October 1, 2021 project-approval deadline; substantial financial agreements including a $590,000 payment to the town to support the treatment of wastewater; a $410,000 sewer connection fee; installation of a sewer line on the northern part of Route 6 to Hill Street; payment of a 10-percent bid cost to up to $110,000 relating to the pump station; and compliance with all town requirements.

            Town Counsel John Witten attended the meeting along with Steen’s engineer Phil Cordeiro and developer Sherman Briggs, who would address the board before its adjournment. With 41 buildings, Heron Cove is expected to be back before the ZBA in July. Briggs’ discussion centered around sewer hookups.

            Tucker Burr was appointed as an alternate member to the ZBA and will fulfill Louise Nadler’s term scheduled to expire in June 2022. Nadler resigned the post. McGrail said he is working on a training program with Witten designed to prepare potential candidates for Planning Board and ZBA.

            Action Items included the Select Board’s approval of a reduced grease interceptor at Brew Fish with the condition of inspection every two months instead of quarterly.

            The Select Board voted to approve Fire Chief Brian Jackvony’s new five-year contract. Jackvony’s term was up at the end of July. “He’s done a super job,” said McGrail.

            The board reappointed member Randy Parker as the Select Board’s delegate to the Mattapoisett River Valley Water District Commission (three years) and Water Protection Advisory Committee (one year). Marion is also represented on the MRV by DPW Director Nathaniel Munafo and DPW Engineer Meghan Davis.

            McGrail announced Employee Handbook revisions designed to give recent non-union personnel maneuvering proper administration. Former Recreation Director Jody Dickerson, transitioned to the DPW in January, now has the title Highway & Parks supervisor, a Grade E position equal to his former position. McGrail is equally happy with the performances of Health Nurse Lori Desmarais and DPW Office Manager Becky Tilden. The Select Board approved all of the reclassifications proposed. The board also approved several staff reappointments, Water/Sewer commitments, and Recreation Department user fees.

            In his Town Administrator’s Report, McGrail told the Select Board that completion of the lagoon cleanup project is targeted for December 3, 2021. The next operation is to remove sludge from Lagoon 1. Concrete walls are in production, and the town is exploring ways to save money on the floor, citing the high cost of sand.

            McGrail was disappointed to report that air-conditioning on the first floor of the Town House, a goal of his since last year, is unlikely to be completed in time for the hot summer months. Nonetheless, the beautification of the main entrance is almost complete, and the interior is within two weeks of being finished.

            After two straight cancellations, in 2019 by the EEE virus and in 2020 by COVID-19, Marion will hold a Town Party on August 28.

            The next Water/Sewer Commissioners meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 24, and the next regular meeting of the Select Board is scheduled for Tuesday, June 22, at 6:00 pm at the Music Hall.

Marion Select Board

By Mick Colageo

            With the Baker administration set to lift all manner of pandemic-related restrictions, the brief May 26 meeting of Public Health Nurse Emily Field and the Board of Health was a classic case of no news is good news.

            Regarding the upcoming Lions Club fundraiser known as Harbor Days, Field said that while information from the CDC and the state remains “fluid,” it appeared that many if not all previous restrictions on gatherings outdoors were about to be lifted. “No more face masks outside after May 29,” she announced.

            Field reported that confirmed COVID-19 cases remain low and that she has been working with the Tri-Town boards to set up vaccine clinics in the coming days. The clinics will offer vaccines to anyone 12 years of age and older. She said that plans include a clinic at the Rochester Fire Station and possibly at Old Rochester Regional High School. Dates were not mentioned.

            In other business, septic systems, both repairs and new construction, took up the lion’s share of the nearly two-hour long public meeting.

            A hearing to vet variances or waivers requested by Robert Malm, Lot 88 on Aucoot Road and represented by David Davignon of Schneider, Davignon, & Leone, Inc., received impassioned pushback from abutters. As detailed by Davignon, the property owner wishes to develop the southern portion of the nearly 7-acre site, leaving the northern section open to future development. Davignon said that a denitrification F.A.S.T. septic system would be installed and thus would be permitted for installation within 50 feet of wetlands delineated on the property. Such construction would require a variance from the Board of Health.

            Abutter Jeffrey Humphrey spoke strongly against the project, including his direct question to the BOH: “If most of the people are against the project, is that relevant to your decision making?” BOH Chair Carmelo Nicolosi responded, “If it relates to the regulations.” Humphrey said of the proposal, “If there is a reasonable alternative (to the proposed septic location), then this matter should not be granted.”

            Abutters Julie and Jonathan Craig stated that, given that the northern acres are outside the 100-foot wetlands delineation, Malm does not have a hardship requiring a variance; he simply needs to use the northern area of the property for his septic system. The Craigs also said that an appeal has been filed with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection against the conditions issued to Malm for development of the southern portion by the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission.

            Malm explained that, while nothing is planned for the immediate future of the northern acreage, he wants to save that land for his children and grandchildren’s future use. In order to develop the northern acreage, Malm said, the southern acreage would need to have a septic system located as designed – within 50 feet of wetlands.

            Nicolosi told Malm, “You are able to meet the regulations.… You’ve created your own hardship.”

The other board members agreed that no hardship exists outside that being created by Malm’s proposal to separate the lots in the future. The application was denied.

            Nicolosi told The Wanderer in a follow-up that revised Board of Health regulations that would put local requirements more in line with the state requirements are pending full implementation. He said that the board and town administration want to ensure that changes put in place in March 2020 receive full public vetting since those meetings were held during the early stages of remote-access platforms. If it is found that “all the ‘I’s were not dotted or ‘T’s crossed, we’ll take care of that in an advertised public meeting,” he said.

            The two applications needing to be continued pending clear confirmation that the BOH’s updated regulations had been legally vetted last March are located on Brandt Island Road lots 56 and 57 respectively owned by Stephen Napolitano and Ralph Cotellesso. Their hearings were continued until June 23.

            Representing 7 Acorn Lane, owned by Michael Florio in what was deemed a “straight up” request for variances that fall within current regulations, was Richard Charon of Charon Associates. The request was approved.

            Also approved was Charles Tate’s request for waivers for an upgrade to an existing septic system. The project is located at 218 North Street and was represented by Bob Field of Field Engineering.

            In a final piece of business, Nicolosi said that letters of understanding with several Board of Health inspections have been signed. The need to outsource inspectional services came on the heels of the departure of the town’s health agent. He also said that Town Administrator Mike Lorenco would soon post the opening and review other resumes received about a year ago.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Health is scheduled for Wednesday, June 23, at 10:00 am.

Mattapoisett Board of Health

By Marilou Newell

            On May 27, the Mattapoisett Marine Advisory Board invited Kristin Uiterwyk of UMass Boston’s Urban Harbors Institute to present an outline of the process and the benefits of having a harbor management plan.

            First championed by Mattapoisett Harbormaster Jamie McIntosh to map out immediate and long-range planning for the harbor and its various compounds, McIntosh believes a harbor management plan is an important tool for establishing achievable goals in an integrated manner that would help to position the town for future grants.

            Uiterwyk shared an outline of what the process for developing a plan could include and the associated benefits. The Wanderer received a copy of that document.

            Listed as part of the process under the title “Social Benefits” were engagement of impacted businesses, industries, and community members involved in environmental issues, historical oversight, and tourism. The process would achieve “consensus on harbor issues among stakeholders,” Uiterwyk had written.

            The section “Environmental Benefits” noted a harbor management plan could inventory and characterize environmental resources, establish efficient and safe patterns of use, and promote understanding of current harbor conditions.

            A third section of the plan titled “Intergovernmental Coordination Benefits” listed the following: assists in identifying gaps and improving the effectiveness of existing local land and water use regulations and coordinating with state and federal programs; provides guidance to state and federal government for their regulatory decisions – if the plan is state approved; and lastly provides opportunity to incorporate harbor planning into climate resiliency planning.

            A harbor management plan can also identify areas of concern or deficiencies such as navigation and dredging, recreational boating infrastructure, public safety, shell fishing, beach management, public access, water quality, and natural resource protection.

            Uiterwyk said that a harbor management plan looking to receive municipal approval takes between 18 and 24 months to complete, while a program prepared for state certification could take upwards of 36 months. “It’s a process,” she said.

            Marine Advisory Board member Bob Moore asked Uiterwyk how much a harbor plan would focus on sea level rise. She responded that it varies from town to town and that such data could be in a dedicated section. Chairman Carlos DeSousa said that the Master Plan Committee is currently focusing on sea level rise. Moore also wondered about the potential of federal funding for concerns relating to sea level rise. Uiterwyk said, “There is a lot of potential for federal funding.”

            In other business, McIntosh reported that the navigation aids have been placed in the channel and that 82 floating cages of shellfish are now in Pine Island Pond. He applauded the volunteers whose efforts are critical in making the shellfish program possible and singled out Bill Mansfield. Seed shellfish will be arriving soon, he said, but no specific date was announced at the meeting.

            McIntosh also noted the coordinated efforts of the Lions Club, Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School, and his department in repainting the Shipyard Park gazebo.

            Grant monies earmarked for repairs and improvements to Long Wharf were briefly noted. A grant from the Seaport Economic Council in the amount of $216,000 combined with a 25-percent matching from the town’s coffers were mentioned.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Marine Advisory Board is scheduled for Thursday, June 24, at 7:00 pm.

Mattapoisett Marine Advisory Board

By Marilou Newell

            In its May 26 special, remote-access meeting, the Marion Select Board passed new water and sewer rates for Fiscal Year 2022, and the new rates will include higher cost for larger consumers.

            According to Town Administrator Jay McGrail, the town took on new debt last year due to the drought and the global pandemic, so more water was used and at a higher price. Marion approved a $220,000 subsidy from free cash last year, a first for the town.

            Consumption during the 2020 summer months saw a 31 percent increase, and overall usage went up 15 percent over 2019, according to McGrail, who said residents saw “extraordinarily large bills…. Our main focus in FY22 is to keep rates as low as possible.”

            In order to accomplish that for the majority of residents, he and Finance Director Judy Mooney proposed a fourth tier to the rate system. Even so, McGrail said managing water usage is the best way to keep bills in check and urged residents to stay alert for breaks and leaks.

            Marion surveyed surrounding towns and, despite billing on a quarterly basis (other area towns bill biannually), maintains rates that McGrail says approximate surrounding communities.

            In making her presentation to the Select Board, Mooney showed that a continuance of FY21 rates under the preexisting three-tier system would leave debt at the end of FY22. She recommended keeping the lower tiers (i.e. fixed income) as low as possible and adding a fourth tier.

            The proposal was for a 3-percent increase on the first, second, and third tiers, and a new fourth tier with a 15-percent increase. The end game, explained Mooney, is trying to establish a $100,000 surplus.

            “We’re hitting the larger users, not the fixed income,” said Mooney, who recommended breaking up the preexisting third tier from its 494 ratepayers into 345 in the third tier and 149 in a new fourth tier. “We’re trying not to hit those lower tiers (fixed-income people).”

            Both Mooney and Select Board member John Waterman acknowledged there are moving parts going forward with substantial ramifications.

            Citing $200,000 of retained earnings to subsidize rates, resulting in a budget sheet showing a surplus, not because of rate increases but because of the subsidy, Waterman noted “a lot of uncertainty in this budget.”

            “We need to be as conservative as possible here,” agreed Mooney, pointing out that a dry FY22 would throw off the numbers.

            In a slightly more conservative scenario, the new sewer rates include a 2-percent increase on the base rate, a 2.5-percent increase on tiers 2 and 3 and a higher increase for the fourth tier.

            A $147,000 budget surplus is projected, but Mooney said the town needs the surplus more on the sewer side and targeted $150,000. Like water, the new rates will be based on consumption and usage. “We hope that we’re very conservative with our numbers; I think we are,” said Mooney.

            Sewer debt increased by $250,000 (15 percent) over last year.

            “We added a fourth tier, but it’s a $140 difference between the first and second tiers, but only a $22 difference between the third and fourth tiers,” said McGrail.

            Waterman said that the FY22 budget is being subsidized by $150,000 in retained earnings from the sewer enterprise fund. “Some of the debt is tied to the lagoon project, which is something none of us have control over,” he said, thanking McGrail, Mooney, and Meghan Davis and Becky Tilden of the Department of Public Works for their time spent in three-hour meetings and what Select Board Chair Norm Hills called “many iterations” of the proposal.