Following the April 7 meeting of the Mattapoisett Finance Committee, which included a financial presentation from Old Rochester Regional Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Howie Barber and Superintendent Mike Nelson, the April 14 meeting returned to the subject of school budgets.

            “The school numbers were very disturbing,” began FinCom Chairman Pat Donoghue, who once again questioned per-pupil costs, lack of transparency, and the practice of passing along the school budgets with annual 2.5-percent increases.

            Donoghue has repeatedly requested financial backstories that would help to support line items in the schools’ budgets. On April 14, she again questioned why the local elementary school numbers show a much larger per-pupil cost than the junior and senior high schools combined. “We are starving ORR and fattening up the elementary schools. This has to stop,” Donoghue stated.

            Turning to the costs associated with operating two elementary schools, Donoghue said, “There may be a lot of efficiencies if we consolidated the schools.”

            Former Selectman and current FinCom member Tyler Macallister said, “A lot has to do with ORR being [accountable to] three communities. It boils down to the school committee[s] and the Central Office being difficult to work with.” Macallister said that had been the case in the nine years he was a sitting selectman. He also said that employment contracts are not developed with input from the three towns. “The school committee is writing teachers’ contract[s] when we leave the room.” He said that the schools get the money without any oversight from the town administrators or selectmen on how those monies are spent.

            FinCom member Kevin Geraghty wondered what can be done, given that the school committees have the statutory right to conduct business as they have been doing. “If they don’t let us be part of the process, what can be done?” he asked.

            Town Administrator Mike Lorenco said the schools’ budgets were formulated before they were presented and had already been unanimously approved by the Mattapoisett and ORR School Committees. He said that next budget season he intends to get the town budget done early enough so that he will have time to drill down into the schools’ budgets.

            “We can’t pull a single line item out of the overall budget when we are at town meeting, you get the whole assessment. It really does come down to the towns working with their Central Office,” said Lorenco.

            A study scheduled to begin in the summer and intended to help Mattapoisett determine next steps for school buildings will hopefully yield solutions needed to address decreasing enrollments and associated expenses. He said it will produce data including per-pupil costs and comparisons to other cities and towns. Lorenco said that the report from the University of Massachusetts study will be in FinCom’s hands by the fall. Later in the meeting, he said that per-pupil costs at the local elementary schools in 2019 were $20,549, while ORR Junior and Senior high schools came in at $16,508.

            On the matter of new revenue sources, Lorenco said the voters will be asked to pass a Meals Tax article, which he said could bring in as much as $100,000 per year. Revenue from the planned solar array at the landfill will eventually put new money in the coffers, but Macallister, solar energy professional, said, “It may take three years.” He said that Eversource has no incentive to move projects forward and has basically shifted into low gear. “I’ve seen projects take eight years.”

            Later in the evening of April 14, the Capital Planning Committee met and continued its discussion regarding the necessity of obtaining data from department heads in a uniform process to better understand capital needs requests and to help in facilitating the town administrator in his capacity as the town’s financial advisor.

            Chairman Chuck McCullough said the committee is looking at three main areas: the municipal vehicle fleet, facilities, and infrastructure, including technology. He said the members need to determine what type of data is important and to define benchmarks as “good, fair, and poor” when rating a piece of equipment, ensuring consistency across departments.

            “We are not intending to assume the responsibilities of the department heads but to help them,” McCullough said in a follow-up. He spoke to a developing process whereby department heads will be asked to answer a series of questions; the answers will help drive further discussion and hopefully conclusions, he said.

            McCullough said Lorenco discussed the asset management software program with the committee during its April 7 meeting, and that the town administrator would be reviewing the program to determine its viability for town needs, as well as scheduling training for departments. McCullough said that several Capital Planning members would also delve into the program, adding another layer of detail believed necessary to make informed decisions.

            On a bright note, McCullough told The Wanderer that a 2010 report produced by Robert Field of Field Engineering on the condition of existing municipal structures has been reviewed by member Bob Burgmann, whose background is in municipal engineering. Burgmann met with Director of Inspectional Services Andy Bobola to discuss that earlier study and where recommendations made by Field currently stand. Burgmann reported to the committee that multiple items identified as needing critical attention have received attention.

            The list of facility improvements underway includes the construction of a new fire station, repairs, improvements and upgrades to the Highway Department Building, and the Water and Sewer Department will embark on conceptual drawings including cost estimates for a new all-inclusive headquarters building. Confirming those improvements, Bobola said in a follow-up that Town Hall repairs and improvements are pending the beforementioned UMass study.

            “We need to understand what makes the most sense for Town Hall, a new location or repairs,” said Bobola, who added that a quick look at the outside of the building reveals windows and paint in disrepair. He said that Lorenco may need to create a committee to further review and study the matter of school consolidation, Town Hall relocation, or other recommendations.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Finance Committee is scheduled for Tuesday, April 27, at 4:00 pm; the next meeting of the Mattapoisett Capital Planning Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, April 21, at 6:00 pm.

Mattapoisett Finance and Capital Planning Committees

By Marilou Newell

            According to the Marion Board of Health on April 20, Animal Control Officer Sue Connor has received a record number of resident phone calls reporting wild animal sightings.

            The discussion over the impending annual oral rabies vaccine distribution kicked off the conversation.

            Public Health Nurse Lori Desmarais said that during this spring season, two raccoons had been captured and euthanized, ultimately yielding negative results for rabies, although residents reported their behavior as atypical or suspicious. She said there had been several sightings of “quite a few sick raccoons” around Marion, including a call about a raccoon spotted at Silvershell Beach over the weekend.

            According to Desmarais, Connor says she had received more calls this season than she in any other season “in the last 20 to 30 years.”

            Desmarais suggested disseminating a “wildlife tips for spring” flyer to residents via email and on the town’s Facebook page and website. She also said Connor is willing to come to speak to the BOH and the public at the board’s next meeting.

            The oral rabies vaccine distribution will occur throughout the region between May 3 to June 4 via low-flying aircraft.

            Also during the meeting, Recreation Director Scott Tavares spoke about guidelines concerning coastal and inland beach COVID-19 safety and commented that he is confident he and Desmarais can work together to meet all the guidelines as the pandemic continues into summer.

            Those guidelines will include at least 12 feet between towels along the sand, hand sanitizer stations, lidless trash receptacles, and one-way entry and exit into restroom facilities.

            The food concession will be run by Fieldstone Farm Market and will be a grab-and-go service with no dining tables available for seating.

            Beachgoers will be handed a list of rules for visiting the beach, and guidelines will also be posted at the property. Face masks will be required, but someone other than the lifeguards will be tasked with mask enforcement.

            On the COVID-19 front, Marion has 11 active cases; Sippican School reports eight people in quarantine with one positive case currently in isolation.

            Tabor Academy has reported “a few positives in isolations,” said Desmarais, with an unstated number of others in quarantine awaiting test results. On-campus testing of staff and students is ongoing.

            Sippican Healthcare Center reports no new COVID-19 cases and has gone 72 days since its last confirmed positive.

            The Town held its final COVID-19 vaccine clinic on April 15, completing two rounds of doses for 1,200 recipients.

            The town first began Phase 1 vaccination of first responders before it served the age 75-plus population of Marion, of which is now 90 percent vaccinated, Desmarais stated. She said 60 percent of Marionites have been fully vaccinated so far.

            In other business, Eileen and J. Thomas Bowler of 17 Moorings Road formally withdrew their request for a septic system upgrade variance after the board expressed its disinclination to grant the variance during its April 6 meeting.

            As the Bowlers seek permission to tie into Marion’s municipal sewer system, they had hoped the board would waive the town’s new regulation calling for a denitrification septic system and allow the older system to stand in order to gain the proper building permits to start construction. Board member Dot Brown opposed deviating from the regulation so soon after its adoption, especially without a “Plan B” of sorts if the town denies the sewer hookup.

            The board accepted the withdrawal but was not inclined to approve the proposed 2,000-gallon denitrification septic system because none of the board members had seen it, although engineer David Davignon stated that he submitted the plan last week.

            The next meeting of the Marion Board of Health will be on held on Tuesday, May 4, at 4:00 pm.

Marion Board of Health

By Jean Perry

            Flanked by engineer Bob Collucio and installer Troy Phillips, applicant Dena Xifaras presented a well-organized proposal on April 20 before the Marion Board of Selectmen that is meant to eventually yield a special permit to operate a propane storage business at Luce Avenue.

            But Xifaras’ application was met with stern opposition from abutter Shawn Brice, 525 Mill Street. A self-described engineer, Brice augmented questions posed by the selectmen with some pointed concerns of his own and stated his intention to argue against the proposal.

            Xifaras’ twofold request seeks a special permit to house two 30,000-gallon propane tanks behind barriers at the location and create a tasteful landscaping. She told the selectmen she needs the permit because the parcel is part of the Water Protection District. Collucio noted in a letter with the application that propane does not affect groundwater; it is stored in liquid form but comes out as a vapor. Xifaras noted that propane is also allowed in aquifer protection areas, so it does not pose a risk or hazard to the water supply. The second part of the request is to run a business on that location.

            Selectman Norm Hills said his site visit left the impression that it is a private road and “not in the best of shape…. Tanker trucks are large and heavy.” Hills said Xifaras needs to give some consideration to the road and investigate to what extent she has the power to improve it.

            Selectman John Waterman was impressed with the presentation, but said, “We need someone independently to tell us about the groundwater,” citing it as a regulated business. Town Administrator Jay McGrail said he will discuss the matter with Town Counsel Jon Witten.

            After Phillips said that the propane would emit such a small amount of odor that neighbors should not smell it, Brice asked for a guarantee. He also questioned the applicant’s and associates’ experience handling propane.

            Xifaras said her husband has for 10 years owned and operated a heating oil business and said her team is committed to the educational and certification process required by the state.

            She told Brice that, while they do not currently own the land, it is under agreement. Brice asked for detailed plans, and Xifaras told him plans have not advanced to more specialized drawings because the project is too early in the feedback process.

            Brice said people who live on the road maintain it. “The road is in very difficult shape,” he said, noting potholes. “I don’t understand the financial considerations with that.” Hills told him that Xifaras has to work out those aspects with the ownership or association.

            Fire Chief Brian Jackvony has yet to make his recommendation to the selectmen. The case was continued to May 4 at 4:30 pm and will be heard prior to the warrant presentation.

            Also continued to May 4 (at 4:45 pm) was Stone Rooster Hospitality’s application for a special permit for an all-purpose, all-alcohol license at 27 Wareham Street.

            The former Gilda’s establishment is under the new management of John Mello, who, like Xifaras, is a life-long Tri-Town resident. In business 11 years, Mello is involved in a partnership at the Gateway Tavern and was behind the Rose Alley Pub in New Bedford.

            His goal is to clean up the site, improve it aesthetically, and look at long-view upgrades after the site comes back as a “summer fried clam type of thing” and perhaps “pub pizzas” in the winter.

            The building sits in a flood zone at the mouth of River Road at the Wareham town line.

            Shippey said the kitchen has not been used in years and must be revamped with smoke detector upgrades, especially considering there is office space on the second floor. Several issues relating to the flood zone, inspections, egress, grease, fire, etc., will come into play, said Shippey.

            The bone of contention for River Road resident Chris Collings, a member of Marion’s Planning Board, is the parking lot cannot handle the kind of traffic he expects Mello’s plan to generate. The occupancy load is set at 89 people for Gilda’s, and a sprinkler requirement kicks in at 100 or more. Gilda’s frontage faces Route 6, and according to Collings, is not a corner lot.

            After 38 years of service to the Marion Police Department, Sergeant Marshall Sadek is retiring on May 1, and Chief of Police Richard Nighelli requested that Sadek be appointed as a part-time officer to stay on a few details.

            The selectmen enthusiastically approved the appointment, as well as two part-time appointments to one-year probationary periods effective April 25 for Gregory Miller and Thomas Bilodeau.

            The selectmen agreed to sign an agreement, which they will share with Mattapoisett and KP Law as Town Counsel, in its review of the agreement with the Old Rochester Regional School District.

            Having lifted its moratorium on sewer hookup requests, the selectmen approved a new process in which the Public Works Department enacts a 30-day review period, after which it either recommends the installation or cites information needed to achieve approval.

            The selectmen are writing a letter of support regarding the Weweantic Bridge upgrade project, and Waterman asked that conduits under the bridge that could support water/sewer infrastructure be included.

            To alleviate confusion with boards and committees, the selectmen approved a cleanup of policy regarding their role when attending committees and subcommittees to which they were neither appointed nor elected. Selectmen do not speak for the board, vote, or factor in a quorum.

            In a public hearing, the selectmen approved the move of a 35-foot guide pole across Converse Road to the west side per application from Verizon New England, Inc. and Eversource Energy.

            The selectmen approved, subject to Board of Health approval, a common victualer license for Jill Pittman of Sea Dips, the ice cream shop next to Serendipity.

            The next meeting of the Marion Board of Selectmen is scheduled for Tuesday, May 4, at 3:30 pm.

Marion Board of Selectmen

By Mick Colageo