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

            Coming before the Mattapoisett Board of Health on April 14, Public Health Nurse Emily Field provided an update on what has clearly changed our social culture – the COVID-19 pandemic.

            Field began her comments by saying that Mattapoisett is in the yellow zone, which translates to a 3-percent positivity rating over a 10-day period, adding that no in-school transmissions have been reported. On this day, Field said that as of April 14 there were six active cases. “But there are plenty of cases identified through contact tracing who are not in our community,” she said. Of school activities, Field said that both moderate-risk and high-risk sports are being managed effectively and precautions are being taken.

            Recent news of incidents of blood clots as a rare side effect and the resultant “pause” in the dispensing of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine amidst investigation has altered Field’s plan to use the vaccine for people unable to leave their homes. Of the two-dose vaccines that have been distributed, Field reported that she will receive second doses, but does not believe the state will continue to support community vaccine programs. “It’s unknown if Mattapoisett will receive more vaccine,” she said.

            “Everyone is sick of the virus, but the virus is not sick of us,” Field stated as she urged the public to continue to wear masks, maintain social distancing, practice diligent hand-washing hygiene, and stay the course for the foreseeable future.

            Field also addressed the importance of keeping a Board of Health eye on those establishments that might be reopening with concern expressed about ventilation systems and bacteria in standing water. Board of Health Agent Kayla Davis agreed. Field also noted the importance of taking precautions when outdoors, as there is a growing number of tick-borne diseases being reported.

            On the topic of COVID-19 variants, Field said that those are being researched and that the possibility exists that a booster vaccine will be needed to help guard against infection from one of the known variants. She said that investigatory results and recommendations may be forthcoming by the fall.

            In other business, earlier in the meeting the BOH held a hearing on a septic system upgrade application filed by Barry Sturgis, 34 Meadowbrook Lane, represented by Peter Lyons of Collins Engineering. Lyons explained that there were three variances being requested. The first variance requested was to grant the use of grain size analysis or sieve analysis versus what is Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection agency policy, a percolation rate test.

            The second variance asked for a decrease in the distance between a new sewer line and the property’s freshwater source from 100 feet to 75 feet. The third variance sought a decrease in the separation between the high groundwater elevation and the lower tank invert from 12 inches to 6 inches.

            The residence itself was also discussed. It was noted that the deed restricts the number of bedrooms to just one; however, the upgraded septic would be rated for two bedrooms. It was established that the deed would not be modified or amended to allow a two-bedroom residence on the property.

            Chairman Carmelo Nicolosi said he would have to review the sieve analysis, stating that Lyons should review the Title 5 requirements for guidance and that well water quality should be tested before and after the new installation.

            Member Ken Dawicki said, “I prefer a nitrogen removal system because this is so close to Brandt Island Cove.” Nicolosi said that that requirement is being enforced for new construction only, not for septic repairs or upgrades.

            In the end, the majority ruled as both Nicolosi and BOH member Russell Bailey voted to approve with the caveat that the deed restriction remain in place and certified freshwater well testing will be done according to the Title 5 standards. Dawicki voted no.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Health will be held on Wednesday, May 12, at 10:00 am.

Mattapoisett Board of Health

By Marilou Newell

            The warrant articles for the Rochester Annual Town Meeting got the seal of approval from both the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee during the former’s hybrid meeting held on April 20. Town Meeting will be held Monday, May 24, at 7:00 pm at Rochester Memorial School.

            After the public hearing was opened to review the draft Annual Town Meeting Warrant with representation from the Finance Committee and Capital Planning Committee, along with the town clerk and Town Meeting moderator, Town Administrator Suzanne Szyndlar noted that the Finance Committee still needs to vote on the Town’s proposed FY22 operating budget of $22,885,039 (a 2.91-percent increase over FY21).

            Joint committee review and vote of warrant articles began with Article 6, natural resource expenses to the tune of $300 for planting shellfish in Marion, and from there all but two of the remaining articles were voted by both the selectmen and FinCom for recommendation on Town Meeting floor.

            Two related articles were pushed to the Fall Special Town Meeting, both relating to the Old Rochester Regional School District agreement. One was the reinstatement of the agreement itself, the other to establish a stabilization fund to support ORR.

            Selectman Brad Morse said the proposed agreement was received just last week and there has not been adequate time to thoroughly examine it.

            “The three towns should get together and talk about this important agreement,” said Board of Selectmen Chairman Paul Ciaburri.

            FinCom was represented by Peter Armanetti, Jim Austin, Chairman Kris Stoltenberg, and David Arancio, who also serves as chair of the Capital Planning Committee.

            Arancio abstained from voting on Article 12, recommendation of Capital Plan funding for $201,190 in total requests. The committee has $203,000 to handle those expenditures that will address a variety of Highway Department needs while also providing irrigation, an alarm system, and building and technical upgrades to Rochester Memorial School. Arancio also abstained in the other Capital Planning-related article, the proposed addition of $200,000 to replenish the committee’s funds.

            In addressing Szyndlar, the selectmen, and FinCom, Arancio was effusive in his praise for their support in helping the Capital Planning Committee grow from its start only a few years ago.

            Other funding articles approved for Town Meeting recommendation by the selectmen and FinCom addressed: $20,000 into the School Stabilization Fund (at $255,000 it would reach a goal set by the selectmen); $80,000 into a Public Stabilization Fund (would reach $211,000); $300,000 into the General Stabilization Fund (current balance $1,645,000); and $100,000 into the Road Stabilization Fund (current balance $303,000).

            Rochester School Committee Chairperson Sharon Hartley nominated Shirley Bourque to continue as the Old Colony School Committee representative from Rochester RMS Vice Chair Anne Fernandes seconded the motion, and they and Selectman Woody Hartley voted unanimously in favor of Bourque, who is the chairperson of the Old Colony School Committee.

            “It’s just another one of those gems that Rochester has along with Rochester Memorial School and ORR,” said Bourque of the vocational technical high school on the north end of town. “I appreciate everyone’s support.”

            Woody Hartley told the meeting he has spoken with Old Colony Superintendent Aaron Polansky, and Old Colony will soon serve as a home for Rochester Planning Board meetings.

            After a 6:10 pm public hearing, the selectmen voted to approve a license for applicants David and Jackie Eckert to store flammable fluid gas in excess of 2,000 gallons at 15 Briarwood Lane. “This is underground storage, so it’s protected” from the threat of traffic, said Rick Charon, noting that the setback is 25 feet from property lines and that corrosion protection will be on the tanks and the ability to monitor voltage.

            In a 6:00 pm appointment, the selectmen voted to approve Police Chief Robert Small’s recommendation that James Hightower, 21, be hired as a part-time officer. Hightower is currently a staff sergeant in the National Guard and is based on Cape Cod. His appointment is for a one-year period through April 30, 2022.

            Morse’s appointment to represent the selectmen in negotiations with the RMS teachers will begin with a meeting on April 28 at 3:30 pm.

            The town is mobilizing search committees to replace outgoing Conservation Agent Laurell Farinon and Town Planner Steve Starrett; Morse will represent the selectmen in the town planner search, and Ciaburri will represent the board in the conservation agent search.

            Morse commended the service of Barry Denham who in 20 years on the Tri-Town Veterans Council saw the organization grow from two towns to all three. Christopher Gerrier will replace Denham, who is retiring this year.

            With Gordon Hill’s and Jackie Demers’ retirements from the Council on Aging, Andrew Trevell and Mary Besse were appointed.

            Szyndlar reported that the Fire Department has been approved for a $12,500 fire safety equipment grant. She also reported that an external audit of the order of financial statements has been completed for FY20. Szyndlar said the process protects public assets and is valuable for credit ratings.

            Library Director Gail Roberts sent the selectmen an update. The library opened on April 12 for browsing only. Appointments have been discontinued except for use of a computer. Face masks are still required, and the book drop remains open 24 hours, seven days a week.

            Ciaburri told the board he has been invited to attend an Eagle Scout ceremony on Monday, May 10, at 7:00 pm. The selectmen decided to have a certificate of recognition for each scout from Rochester to make the grade.

            The selectmen voted to approve Rochester Boy Scout Troop 31’s request to use the Pine Street property to hold a yard sale on June 25-27.

            The selectmen voted to sign a proclamation designating April 30 as Arbor Day in the Town of Rochester.

            The next meeting of the Rochester Board of Selectmen is scheduled for Monday, May 3, at 6:00 pm.

Rochester Board of Selectmen

By Mick Colageo