The Marion Zoning Board of Appeals met Thursday, December 12 to discuss plans to construct on two lots and permit requests for those. The first is 56 West Ave. where seawall repairs are needed as well as a kitchen renovation and expansion. The current architect’s equipment is too large to approach the seawall on the property, therefore the house’s garage is to be demolished to make way for the equipment to travel to the wall from the street.

            After the wall is repaired, work would then begin on kitchen renovation where the room would be expanded in two directions, towards the street and in the direction of the seawall. A garage would also be rebuilt, though smaller and only big enough for one car on the north side of the property. Due to these additions adding to the property’s area non-conformity as well as the general increase in housing square footage, a special permit is requested. The project was approved by the board unanimously.

            While waiting for paperwork to be assembled, the board approved the minutes from their last regular meeting on July 11.

            The next special permit request was for 70 Water Street and the demolition of a detached guest cottage. In its place would be a 10x15ft utility shed in the corner of the property. Abutter Bill Vrattos says great care is necessary due to the area’s historic instances of flooding during rainstorms during the winter and spring. This is in order to not exacerbate the issue, Vrattos said in a note to the board. To the Zoning Board of Appeals, the Board of Health requested cleaning the guest house of asbestos before demolition.

            For the two special permits, Board Member Dana Nilson requested the one for demolishing the cottage be approved but the one for the shed was continued to a later date. He also requested a setback survey be done. This was approved unanimously with the hopes that the survey is complete in time for the next meeting.

            Next meeting of the Marion Zoning Board of Appeals is set for January 9 at the Marion Police Station.

Marion Zoning Board of Appeals

By Sam Bishop

The December 16 meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board included an in-depth report from Gabrielle Belfit of Tighe and Bond, an engineering and environmental consulting firm who has assisted the town with a number of technically challenging projects over the years. On this night, the topic was the recently completed Hazard Mitigation Plan update. She urged the public to review the draft now available on the town’s website to voice their comments, concerns, or ideas during the 30-day public comment period which has now begun.

            Belfit explained that after receiving public comments, which must be received by January 9, 2025, the draft will head for state review and then ultimately federal review before final acceptance is achieved.

            Updating the existing mitigation plan required inter-departmental participation that included the Highway Department, Water and Sewer Department, Police and Fire Departments, and members of the municipal staff including the Board of Health, Council on Aging, Building Inspector’s office, Assessor’s office, and the Conservation Commission.

            Belfit said that types of hazards were identified such as wind and rising sea levels along with the assets that would be impacted during severe weather. Included in the review of possible hazard damages were the associated monetary losses, private properties as well as losses in the business sectors, losses would be in the billions of dollars she suggested.

            The updated draft now includes elements not previously required including expanded community outreach to target venerable populations, climate change, and what are termed as FEMA Community Lifelines (environmental, societal, economic, and infrastructure).

            Addressing what might have been an unspoken question in the minds of some “…why do this planning…” the Tighe and Bond team noted the town needed to build on its existing emergency management capabilities, needed to plan for more frequent and intense weather events, engage multiple stakeholders in the planning process, and not to be forgotten, gain access to funding.

            Water and Sewer Superintendent Henri Renault reminded the community that because the town had a hazard mitigation plan it received an MVP award, one of the first towns to receive such recognition. He said what followed were grant opportunities, opportunities that resulted in the town receiving $750,000 for water main replacements, new wells, and grants that helped both the fire department and police departments with grants funding. Renault said, “it’s important to move forward with this plan.”

            The full draft is now available for public review on the town’s website.

            In other business Ray Hanks chairman of the cemetery and monuments committee gave the board an overview of upcoming tree removal at Hammond Cemetery and stone wall repairs.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board is scheduled for January 6, 2025.

Mattapoisett Planning Board

By Marilou Newell