The Water and Sewer Board at its December 18 meeting discussed its future, including capital improvements to water and sewer lines over the next five years.

            Water and Sewer Superintendent Henry Renaud mentioned around $1 million in debt coming off the books, which will leave room for some extensions of the water and sewer lines to other areas of town.

            Renaud said “unfunded mandates” from the state or federal government could complicate plans, which is why he did not outline plans beyond five years.

            For fiscal 2026, Renaud said he has earmarked $50,000 for water well repairs and $40,000 for a new truck, which should be financed from the self-sufficient enterprise account.

            For fiscal 2027, Renaud and his department hope to conduct water extensions along Mattapoisett Neck Road and Mattapoisett Village, as well as Bandt Island Cove. He said there are plans in fiscal 2028 to reline Prospects and Pine Island neighborhoods. He said that with some old, outdated piping, his department plans on re-piping approximately 1,000 feet per year – a plan endorsed by board members last week.

            For fiscal 2029, Renaud would like the department to extend new water mains through Main Street, Beacon, and Marion Roads. He said his department does many in-house projects and this extension would normally cost more than $1 million if the town hired an outsider but his staff can conduct such work for a fraction of that cost.

            “We are going after some water quality issues and seeing what we can do about it,” Renaud said.

            Renaud also said he would also like the department to hire an assistant superintendent to help him wade through the volumes of paperwork – an initiative also endorsed last week by the Water & Sewer Commission.

            In other business, Renaud reported that there are plans to replace water filters at the bypass treatment facility starting next month and ending in April. All impacted residents will receive a letter about the project and how services will be impacted.

            Renaud said his department met with the Planning Board and by February 3, he plans on finalizing a hazard mitigation plan, with both state and federal funding available.

            The Water and Sewer Commission discussed water and sewer extension plans on the Bay Club property, as well as Old Slough Road.

            Boards are collecting more data on The Bay Club development; a combination of golf courses and village housing.

            On Old Slough Road, there is one house lot, which receives water and sewer. Commissioners expressed concern that the road, a former ancient way, might not have the frontage or the infrastructure for sewer and water line extensions.

            The Commissioner advised Renaud to tell the developer he can obtain conditional approval or wait a few months as the commission revises its regulations.

            Once regulations are revised, it might be possible for water and sewer to be extended to three other proposed housing lots.

            The Water and Sewer Commission plans to meet again on January 15.

Mattapoisett Water and Sewer Commission

By Jeffery D. Wagner

In a hearing room crowded with residents, Rochester’s Park Commission opened and closed quickly a rare Monday morning meeting on December 23.

            The lone agenda item of note read “Review Open Meeting Law complaint filed by Charles Morgan on 11/12/24”. Commission chair David Hughes announced the purpose of this meeting was a request to the Attorney General to answer a complaint.

            Then, without further deliberations or comment, Hughes motioned to adjourn, and the meeting members dispersed, leaving attendees dissatisfied. Hughes further declined to elaborate to the Wanderer as he left the meeting room.

            At issue is an Open Meeting Law complaint Morgan filed regarding the Commission’s deliberations over the construction of a new children’s playground at Gifford Field using funds donated by the local, private non-profit group “Tri-Town For Protecting Children.” The basic claim is that the commission conducted these discussions without proper notifications to the public in meeting postings and minutes. “Agenda June 26, 2024, No mention of Playground,” Morgan’s complaint reads. “Yet minutes show discussion took place. Agenda July 2, 2024 ‘To Discuss Playground. Is this ‘New Business’ or ‘Old Business’. There are multiple playgrounds in town, which one will be discussed? Poor details, yet it is on the agenda.”

            The underlying concern here, as expressed by residents in previous Park Commission meetings, is that the playground plan quickly became a done deal without the chance for more than one private group to contribute toward the proposal or for the town to create a larger master plan for the park.

            Hughes had argued in past meetings that this plan to rehabilitate the playground is long overdue and the board can add more equipment with future donations. “We’ve wanted to do this for a long time,” he said. “We’ve been held back by funding. We are doing the best we can with what we have.”

On December 23, as unhappy attendees exited the meeting, Morgan said, “There should have been a resolution to this issue. Instead, there was no response to the matter at hand.” Morgan added he was unsure what he would do next.

            Town Administrator Cameron Durant clarified that the town is addressing the complaint. “Town Council will address it,” he said. “I don’t know why he (Hughes) did not discuss it further, literally. That’s not to disparage him. I haven’t spoken to him.”

Durant elaborated, “This issue needs to be addressed fairly and quickly. And I will assist with addressing this matter as best I can.”

            The 3,649 square-foot playground’s full cost will be $81,724.68. While half of that cost is being borne by the local non-profit “Tri-Town For Protecting Children”, the other half is being paid for with the town’s ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds.

Rochester Park Commission

By Michael J. DeCicco