The Marion Zoning Board of Appeals held its first meeting of the new year on January 9. Two special permits were requested.

            Susan Billings of 17 Kabeyun Road sought a special permit to allow for the reconstruction of a non-conforming single-family dwelling. The building has a 7.8-foot deviation towards the property line. The owner will see to the demolition of the home and the garage, and a new, FEMA-compliant home be built with 15-foot setbacks from the property line. The new home will be raised above the new garage with a 728 square foot footprint compared to the existing 670 square-feet. The special permit allows for the addition of a deck on the back and around the sides.

            The primary owners are three sisters in a joint-trust who would take turns vacationing at the property. They did not rule out using the property as a rental, citing the financial benefits.

            A continuance was put in place for January 23 to allow time for clarification of the property’s setback, addressing possible inconsistencies between architect drawings and site plans, possible deck alterations, and to answer other questions.

            The next item was that of Giblin Ludes & Ludes, Trustees of 11 Hiller Street for a special permit for reconstruction and expansion of the properties rear deck. The current covered porch would be enclosed with a 14-foot extension of the deck. The current setbacks are non-conforming, though the work would address this. The special permit was approved by the board unanimously.

            The previous hearing for 70 Water Street was continued from the last meeting on the construction of a 10-by-15 shed. It was stated the board’s request to attain average setbacks for dwelling units and sheds was unfeasible as it would require a large-scale ground field survey. Board Member Dana Nilson said he disagreed with the assertion that the survey would be “impossible” saying it “is a very regular request that comes up and we are asking other folks to do exactly the same thing.” It was added that the Conservation Commission met the night before and approved the shed’s current placement on the plans. Through this, the board unanimously approved the request.

            The next meeting of the Marion Zoning Board of Appeals will take place January 23 at 6:30 pm in the Marion Police Department Conference room.

Marion Zoning Board of Appeals

By Sam Bishop

Rochester’s Zoning Board of Appeals on January 9 granted a Special Permit for multiple signage at the ExtraSpace Self-Storage facility proposed for 667 County Road.

            Project representative Joseph Sanda told the board last month that the developer is seeking a special permit to allow the erecting of six signs on the property. The biggest of these will be a 37-feet-long by four-feet-high sign proclaiming the company name that will face the Route 495 south-bound exit approaching Exit 2 to Rochester. The first sign will be placed at the beginning of the property. Four others will direct customers who have entered the five-story facility. The only proposed sign above the 50 square-foot size limit allowed in town bylaw is the 164-square-foot sign that will face Route 495 in order to draw customers to the facility.

            Zoning Board Chair David Arancio led the response that the panel wanted to see exactly what those signs and the building lighting will look like before approving the special permit. The January 9 meeting satisfied the board on these points. Project Representative Joseph Sanda presented drawings of the different faces of the building and explained where each sign will be placed. He said there will be a ground-mounted sign on County Road, another at the northeast corner of the building facing toward Route 495, another on the east along the length of the property naming the property owner, a sign on the eastern side denoting the drive-through and loading area, another directional sign donating the office, and a directional sign donating the entrance to the complex’s smaller building.

            Board members focused their questions on the brightness of those signs. Chair David Arnacio said he had used a light meter to measure the light intensity of the signs at the company’s similar location in Dedham. The result was a measurement of three-foot light candles. The developer’s Highland Development Managing Partner Adam Hird said the light company’s report is that the sign emits zero light candles perpendicular to the side of the building, no immeasurable illumination.

            Arancio seemed convinced the difference was negligible. But before pressing for the approval vote, he noted this is the town’s only chance to get the limits of this permit correct. “We get one bite of the apple here,” he said. “It will be hard to criticize down the line to satisfy a complaint.”

            He added that the board takes the rural appearance of Rochester very seriously. “Keep that in mind going forward,” he said.

            In other action, administrator Andreia Lacerda reported no new petitions have been filed for the board’s next meeting. No new meeting date was set by adjournment.

Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals

By: Michael J. DeCicco

In the run-up to the spring town meeting, Mattapoisett’s Finance Committee has begun the intensive work of studying all aspects of the town’s revenues and expenses. Members Paul Amoruso, Brian Connelly, Kathleen Costello, Aaron Goldberg, Gary Johnson, Karen Keenan, and Colby Rottler met with town administrator Mike Lorenco on January 9 to jump-start what will be meetings taking place every two weeks until a Fiscal 2026 budget is ready for the Select Board.

Lorenco provided the members with information regarding the Plymouth County retirement necessary contributions and a host of other data points for their consideration moving forward.

In a prequel to the meeting Lorenco shared with us the following commentary that was presented at the meeting, “…the Plymouth county retirement contribution page which displays the amount the Town must contribute for FY26 & FY27 ($2,140,125 and $2,297,048 respectively). The FY26 required contribution is up 9.88% from the prior year.

The budget template which will be briefly discussed has no solidified numbers in it, just estimates. I would provide it to you, but I think it’s best to wait for a week or two until some department figures come in and are placed in the template. I would just share that the Town’s current Levy Limit for FY26 is $28,850,497. There will be challenges like every budget year but the Town hopes to continue to not use the entire prop 2 1/2 allowance if we don’t have too. This year will be more of a challenge than in years prior with accelerating costs.”

The members were told that union contracts would need to be negotiated and that budget numbers from the schools were pending. The committee members asked to hear directly from the schools this cycle. Lorenco responded that they had been advised that Fincom will wish to speak with their representatives.

Regarding revenue, Rottler wondered aloud if the town should consider a short-term rental tax thinking that could be a new and additional source of income. Lorenco told the committee members that the state was late in certifying free cash numbers.

In talking about Police Department funding, Lorenco noted that a new contract might show an increase of 5 to 8-percent over FY24, “…we are low compared to some other towns, “ he said regarding pay scale and that it might proof difficult for retaining officers in a competitive employment environment, “…they can go someplace else for more money.”

Health insurance costs, “Are the biggest they’ve been in four years,” Lorenco stated. Also increasing will be special education costs, the need to continue to put dollars aside for OPEB expenses and the continued subsidization of the Transfer Station now at $65,000.

On the bright side, Lorenco said that “rainy day funds,” aka stabilization funds, stand at $4.5-million.

The 2021 American Rescue Plan Act (federal funding) to assist cities and towns with major infrastructure and other needs such as computers and advanced technology equipment is now exhausted. Lorenco said most town departments benefited from the fund which the federal government monitored in ensure funds were spent in approved ways. In the list of disbursements’ of ARPA funds were digital radios updated computer technology for the conference room, water department projects and Oakland Street infrastructure.

Mattapoisett Finance Committee

By Marilou Newell

At its January 7 meeting, the Board began by approving a petition from Eversource Energy to install a utility pole for underground cable and conduit at 305 Road.

            It then moved on to Action Items, approving minutes for five meetings held from November through December 17, 2024; a Common Victualer’s License for Santoro’s Pizza and More; appointment of Lisa MacLean to Scholarship Education Committee and four payments of Water/Sewer commitments.

            An Action Item generating lengthy discussion was on proposed revisions to town waterways regulations. This was a “First Read,” meaning the revisions, as drafted by Harbormaster Adam Murphy were under initial review by the Board and likely to be modified as needed following discussion.

            The revisions call for modifying the regulations in order to hold almost all boats, regardless of size, ownership, or location in the harbor accountable for registering with the Harbormaster. This would entail paying a harbor fee and a per-foot fee of not less than twenty-five feet.

            Murphy explained that the change is needed to better align the services provided with the standing of the vessels. Currently there are many boats that are not holding permits but may require the services the Harbormaster has no choice but to provide, such as retrieving vessels detached from a mooring or blown off a dock or other situation. Lacking owner contact information provided by a permit, harbor staff spend a great deal of time not only capturing and securing the vessels but tracking down owners.

            Vin Malkoski of the Marine Resources Committee was present and strongly supported the proposal.

            Given the number of community members and other owners that could be affected by the proposed policy, the board felt it called for a public hearing and is the process of scheduling one by late-January or early-February.

            Other items discussed in the early stages and not voted on included draft goals for the Board in 2025, potential Town Meeting warrant articles for this year and proposed Intermunicipal Agreements with Rochester.

            Town Administrator Gorman reported that work on the public works building is proceeding well, with plumbing installation now complete, and that the harbor master’s building elevator is installed and ready for inspection, after which the office will open to the public. IT connections are also nearing completion but will not delay opening.

            Gorman noted that 2025 resident stickers, whether for beach parking, refuse, or shell fishing, will be available at the Harbormaster’s office beginning February 3. The landfill will continue to accept 2024 stickers through February 22. 

            The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 pm.  

            The next regular meeting of the Select Board will be on Tuesday, January 21, at 6:00 pm at the Marion Town House.

Marion Select Board

By Mary McCann Fiske