While several governing groups including the Board of Health, Marine Resources Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals gained new members at Monday’s public meeting of the Marion Select Board, George T.J. Walker announced a terrible loss for the Board of Assessors.

            Walker, the chairman of the Assessors, reported the passing of Catherine A. Gibbs on September 28 at age 92.

            Gibbs, explained Walker, was a treasure for the Town of Marion, having served in different capacities for over 50 years. She passed away while in elected office, her latest three-year term not to expire until 2025.

            Born in Wareham, her history of service to the Town of Marion began in what was then known as the superintendent’s office, then the registrar’s office, then the Department of Public Works, all before beginning 44 years of work in the Assessor’s office.

            “She had her own special way of welcoming taxpayers into the Assessor’s office,” said Walker, noting that while technology wasn’t anywhere near what it is today, Marion homeowners “always walked out with the information.”

            Walkers said that Gibbs worked for the taxpayer first. Following her retirement from full-time employment in 2001, Gibbs ran for elected office in 2003 and served as an elected member for 17 years. Her wealth of knowledge made her a valuable asset to the town, he said.

            “Catherine was a very humble person,” Walker said, noting that she would not have wanted any attention for herself but at the same time, he told the Select Board that “Pat (DeCosta) and I and the rest of the office appreciated” the opportunity to bring this loss to the town’s attention.

            As anticipated following his September 27 interview, Board of Health Chairman Dr. John Howard recommended Albin R. Johnson III for appointment to fill the vacancy left by Dot Brown until the May 2023 Town Election.

            Citing Johnson’s vast experience, the Select Board agreed and voted unanimously to make the appointment.

            The Board of Health is further stressed by medical issues that are sidelining Dr. Ed Hoffer, but Town Administrator Jay McGrail told the Select Board that he spoke with Hoffer earlier in the day and relayed Hoffer’s support.

            Howard said that both Johnson and Tina McMichael are qualified. He said he had worked with Johnson before and is well aware of the new member’s expertise on septic regulations.

            Following interviews on candidates in attendance, the Select Board voted to approve the following appointments: Sarah Tiago to the Fireworks Committee; Abigail Anderson, Gloria Monte and Sandra Smith to the Scholarship Committee; Ray Cullum and Tad Wollenhaupt to the MRC and Joan Gardner to the ZBA.

            In his Town Administrator’s Report, McGrail told the board that water restrictions in place are due to expire on Friday, October 7. McGrail recommended letting the restrictions expire and revisiting the matter next year.

            Select Board member Norm Hills expressed concern that while recent rain cuts down on the fire threat, it doesn’t do anything for the aquifer. McGrail said that the water district has a sufficient supply.

            The board took no action, which will result in the expiration of the restriction.

            The Lagoon Project is dealing with a snag, as a support structure has apparently connected to the liner in the smaller forebay. The matter has received attention from different points, including Methuen Construction and designer CDM Smith as they analyze potential solutions.

            As a result, the lagoon has not reached “substantial completion” so the clock has not yet started ticking on the liner warranty. The state Department of Environmental Protection had Marion working to meet a completion date of September 15.

            Local developer and longtime Marion resident Sherman Briggs has donated sections of pink granite that it is hoped will solve what McGrail is calling “a public-safety issue.”

            The granite will lay atop the existing seawall at Old Landing and prevent vehicles from driving off the edge of the boat ramp. Marion Fence was consulted on the project. The DPW will install the pieces that Select Board Chairman Randy Parker estimates are 6- to 7-feet long and 17.5-inches wide. “They look really nice,” he said. The Conservation Commission made a site visit earlier Tuesday.

            The Select Board voted to approve the installation of a new utility pole on Spring Street that will help move along the construction of Tabor Academy’s new Travis Roy student center. Tristan deBarros of Saltonstall Architects presented the project and offered some detail on the installation.

            In other business, the Select Board approved a one-day liquor license for the Marion Social Club for a November 19 birthday party from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm, along with two water/sewer commitments: $284.08 (credit memo September 28) and $3,636.43 (quarterly billing September 29.)

            The next meeting of the Marion Select Board is scheduled for Tuesday, October 18, at 6:00 pm at the Marion Police Station on Route 6.

Marion Select Board

By Mick Colageo

            In May 2022 the Mattapoisett Marine Advisory Board met and spent considerable time reviewing four options presented by Childs Engineering Corporation for repairs and reconstruction of the town’s historic Long Wharf.

            The wharf, also known as the Freddie Brownell wharf, was originally built in the 1800s. Time and tides, storms and use have taken their toll on whatever name you give to the wharf. For many years, the town has recognized the need to make repairs and improvements. Now it is preparing to find ways to control costs, while ensuring the refurbished wharf will also stand the test of time.

            Childs’ study of the wharf produced four options. Option 1 ($4,700,000) would consist of precast concrete with steel reinforcing modular block used to encapsulate the existing wharf; Option 2 would include using reinforced concrete wall installed in front of the existing wharf blocks to act as a retaining wall that would support the wharf and lock all blocks in place; Option 3 would use a steel sheet pile wall (Childs noted in the report, “The advantage of this option is that it is typically more cost-effective, the installation is less time consuming; however, it also has the least natural appearance.”); Option 4 would combine the use of concrete blocks and granite.

            During their September 29 meeting, the MAB again discussed the options while they awaited word from the Select Board as to the acceptability of a hybrid combination of construction styles that would give a more appealing outward appearance employing concrete and granite blocks. Harbormaster Jamie McIntosh reminded the group that Childs had also recommended preparing for sea-level rise in the coming years by constructing the wharf in a manner that it could be heightened at a later date. This combination conceptual plan, which as yet has not been fully scripted by Childs, has an estimated $10,700,000 price tag, MAB Chairman Carlos DeSousa stated.

            In attendance were two persons whose backgrounds in construction and in aggregate materials lent some gravity to the discussion. Both Brian Crowley and Leonard Sollitto offered cautionary notes, saying that construction materials must be carefully inspected to ensure quality is maintained throughout the construction, and that thorough preconstruction study of existing conditions is necessary to get a finished product worthy of the costs.

            The MAB also met with representatives of the Mattapoisett Boatyard to discuss waiving the necessity of removing mooring balls and placement of winter sticks. The August 19 boatyard fire is responsible for the lack of sticks for the coming winter season. Securing replacements has failed, as no supplier could be found. The board approved the request.

            McIntosh reported that shellfish seeding of Shining Tides Beach has taken place and that the area will be closed to fishing until at least September 2023 to allow for a spawning cycle. He also said that Chapter 91 waterways permitting has been received for dredging between wharfs where dinghies are placed but that the work was still pending a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Marine Advisory Board is scheduled for Thursday, October 27, at 7:00 pm.

Mattapoisett Marine Advisory Board

By Marilou Newell

            Three residents attending the September 29 public meeting of the Old Rochester Regional Joint School Committee/Superintendents Union #55 in person at the Media Room of the Junior High School participated in the Open Comment session.

            Addressing the high school’s library, the residents aired concerns about books available with “graphic behavior” and “sexual content,” though none of the speakers identified any specific book.

            One of those who spoke said that as community members, they should be included in approving or rejecting library books, “included but not limited to sexual education and sexual narratives, gender resources, gender narratives and political resources.” They suggested there be a committee for approving public library books where members of the community could be involved.

            “Say there is a student who says, ‘I’m having some difficulty with gender dysphoria.’ Is that a phone call? Is there a policy? How is that handled?” a resident asked the committee.

            Open Comment policy dictates that the committee hear from the public but does not respond to or interact with the topics introduced beyond facilitating and managing the session, which has rules for total duration and time for individual speakers given the floor.

            Updated substitute-teacher eligibility requirements and compensation rates were presented for the ongoing academic year in order to remain competitive in the current environment. Applicants must have a Bachelor’s Degree or comparable two years of study from an accredited college or university, as well as passing a CORI and National Fingerprint background check.

            Compensation rates are daily and vary depending on the specific role, starting at $100 for Instructional assistants, up to $140 for nurses. Cafeteria, clerical and custodial workers will be paid per hour at the Massachusetts minimum wage. Long-term substitutes, when pertaining to vacancies longer than 20 consecutive days in the same position, will have a separate pay rate and are eligible for full benefits after 60 consecutive days.

            After a unanimous vote to approve the pay rates, the committee moved on to the updated student discipline and dress code, with minimal updates to both.

            “The responsibility for the dress and appearance of the students will rest with individual students and parents/guardians,” read the statement posted on the committee website. “They have the right to determine how the student will dress, providing that attire is not destructive to school property, complies with requirements for health and safety and does not cause disorder or disruption.”

            The committee then discussed the updated, non-discrimination policies, including procedures for responding to harassment and retaliation, followed by the policies for equal-opportunity education, hiring and the School Choice policy.

            School Choice, a random selection of nonresident children seeking to fill a limited number of vacancies in the ORR student body, awards priority to students with siblings already enrolled. After a brief revision of language used in the document, which can also be found on the ORR Joint School Committee webpage, the document was approved.

            The administration presented a Strategic Plan Update for the 2022-23 school year, outlining goals.

            “As a reminder, we are in the final year of our approved strategic plan,” ORR Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson began. “Certainly, since this plan’s adoption approximately four years ago, the pandemic has impacted our thinking from when we first started out and certainly our priorities. During the presentation tonight, the administrative group… will provide an overview of where we have been and where we are going. … We aim to inspire all students to think, to learn and to care.”

            A PowerPoint presentation shared on screen began with the chairperson of the 21st Century Learning Team, ORR Junior High Principal Silas Coellner, who welcomed the new members of the team before diving into the presentation.

            “If we provide all students with life and career skills… by integrating these skills into a rigorous and relevant curriculum and create a school-district environment that broadens our students’ leadership skills, understanding and appreciation of multiculturalism, diversity and global awareness by building relationships to establish a broader worldwide network, then we will have provided our Tri-Town students with 21st-century academic skills, strengthened their social and emotional competencies and prepared them to be engaged global citizens,” Coellner read.

            Strategic initiatives included core subjects, life and career skills, learning and innovation and technology. Coellner explained the expected outcomes from each category and how they are integrated into the curriculum, followed by a more in-depth breakdown. This included discussion of classroom and one-on-one devices such as display boards and laptops, as well as behavior-reporting systems and updated security measures, including cameras, alarms and ALICE (active-shooter response) training.

            The committee then opened the floor for nominations of this year’s chairperson. Sharon Hartley was nominated and reelected unanimously as union-side chair. Cristin Cowles was nominated for the position of vice chair and also elected unanimously.

            The committee moved into executive session, after which it returned only to adjourn.

            The next meeting of the Old Rochester Regional Joint School Committee/Superintendents Union #55 is scheduled for Thursday, January 19, 2023, in person at the Media Room of the Junior High School and accessible via Zoom.

ORR Joint School Committee/Superintendents Union #55

By Jack MC Staier