At the December 9 meeting of the Mattapoisett Capital Planning Committee town administrator Mike Lorenco gave a status report on a variety of multi-phase multi-dollar projects.

            Topping the list was the Main Street (village streets) construction project. Lorenco said that design currently stands at 20-percent and that an arborist has been hired to assist with planting and tree removal planning. During a June information session public comments were received and various traffic flow issues and ideas were floated such as one way travel on Water Street. The town has been working with the state on utilities design.

            Lorenco shared that long before any work can be scheduled some 120 easements would have to be granted for things like material storage and equipment. Also the culvert at the town beach on Water Street had to be replaced. Water lines with an estimated price tag of $20 million need to be considered.

            Regarding the Pearl Street project, Lorenco said that project which the town had approved along with Oakland Street at an estimated cost of $1.4 million, will go out to bid in the coming weeks with a spring start date and that Oakland Street underground services (gas, sewer, and water) were complete. He said an asphalt overlay is planned. However, he cautioned that the $1.4 million will not be enough given current pricing.

            Long Wharf reconstruction project is at a bit of a stall presently. Additional borings confirmed site conditions as amenable to repairs but that materials for the project had yet to be decided.

            Improvements to the Highway Department Building are moving along and the floor drains have been completed. But the discovery of asbestos required extra work. He forecasted that this project should com in close to budget at $350,000. Lorenco also noted that exhaust fans have been installed.

            Student work on the Holy Ghost Grounds building which included flooring, electrical with new panel and fixtures is ongoing with the students from Old Colony “plugging along.”

            Library repairs with the exception of the slate roof are funded up to $45,000 for carpet replacement yet to be done. Also pending is a full feasibility study for Town Hall Lorenco noted. In May 2023 $35,000 was appropriated for the study he said. Regarding repairs to Town Hall he said that holes in the roof had been patched, exterior trim and painting was complete, “…the animals can’t get in.”

            On the topic of vehicles he reminded the committee of the year or more wait times for new vehicle deliveries. Both the Highway Department and the Police Department (a new ambulance) are waiting for deliveries.

            The bike path’s next phase was mentioned at a possible cost of $3 million. Lorenco said that funding was a “big question mark” but that grants would be sought, “…it may have to go through the TIP process.”

            Lorenco also touched on debt saying that while the library and local schools are rolling off the payment schedule, the new fire station is rolling on.

            Recently completed projects include a new generator for the housing authority, Old Slough Road, Mattapoisett Neck Road sidewalk, car charging stations at Mattapoisett Police and Depot Street, dredging of the inner harbor, municipal fiber optic loop, ADA transition plan, Legion Hall repairs and ADA upgrades and relocation of town server to the fire station.

            Next meeting of the Mattapoisett Capital Planning Committee to be announced.

Mattapoisett Capital Planning Committee

By Marilou Newell

Rochester’s Planning Board Tuesday endorsed one Approval Not Required application for a proposed house lot at 0 High St. but extended the hearing for three other lots that are part of the same project after the developer’s representative refused to accept the condition the panel wanted to place on those parcels.

            For lots six, seven, and eight along Forbes Road, the board wanted to add the condition that these parcels be stamped ‘non-buildable’ because they lay too close to the Connet Woods housing development and might need to adhere to covenants and rules of that development’s Homeowners Association. This, board members said, would require discussion and a meeting of the minds between the two projects.

Project engineer Brian Wallace, who attended the meeting via Zoom, said he disagreed with adding this condition. He said the design of these house lots will not change from what is being presented.

            David Arancio, a trustee of the Connet Woods Homeowners Association, started the conversation by noting these lots are so close to Connet Woods that it would become part of the Connet development without having to adhere to its special rules and restrictions. Board member Ben Bailey advised Wallace that it would be easier for him and the board to accept the condition. Wallace said he preferred a continuance to the next meeting instead but also that “more discussion needs to happen.”

Arancio said he was disheartened to hear push back from Wallace rather than allowing the attorneys for the project and the town to get together and find common ground.

            The hearing for the three single-family dwellings with attached garage on two-acre lots that will utilize pieces of neighboring cranberry bogs was continued to January 14, 2025.

            In other action, the board reviewed a Site Plan Review application filed by Eversource for a new substation interconnecting generation facilities at 214 Rounsville Road. Eversource representative Heather Sykes said this is an upgrade that will help meet the town’s future energy goals and improve utility service. The board continued this hearing until January 14 to give the town’s consulting engineer, Ken Motta, time to review and comment on the plan.

            The board conducted public hearings on the bylaw amendments proposed for the January 28 Special Town Meeting.

            The board recommended approval of proposed changes to Large Scale Solar Photovoltaic Installation regulations that strengthen the conditions for adequate screening and a proposal for new battery storage systems regulations.

            The board added language to the bylaw amendment proposal adding rules for short-term rentals. The Planning Board will be charged with granting a Special Permit for any property owners who wish to operate a short-term rental.

            The board also considered favorably proposals to eliminate use variances and add a new section to the Agricultural Land Residential District to address the state’s new accessory dwelling unit regulations.

            The Rochester Planning Board’s next meeting will be Tuesday, January 14 at 7:00 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.

Rochester Planning Board

By Michael J. DeCicco

From meeting the new school service dog, strong MCAS scores, and celebrating the district’s first Feinstein Foundation Golden ticket award, the Marion School Committee on December 5 was filled with good news.

            Sippican Elementary School third-grader Rose O’Brien, a Feinstein school for her good deeds, won a random drawing that helped garner $5,000 for the school and $500 for a charity of O’Brien’s choice.

            O’Brien, who says she helps take care of her grandmother, chose to donate the $500 to the town’s Council on Aging.

            At first, I didn’t even know I was winning and later in the day they told me I was a winner,” O’Brien told the School Committee, adding that she wants to help “the old people of the community.”

            “It was a perfect fit, and we are so excited,” Sippican Principal Lynn Dessert said at last Thursday’s meeting. “I am really excited about Rose’s choice, and I had a conversation with Rose about what she thought was important.”

            “Our youngest generation here at Suppican will be helping our older generation at the Council on Aging,” School Superintendent Michael Nelson said.

            Sippican Assistant Principal Gregory Thomas also reported on some positive charitable work of students. He said $2,000 was donated by the Feinstein Foundation to the food pantry. Another $2,000 was donated for the school’s giving tree on which students conduct good deeds, write about it and it goes on a tree.

            Along with charitable acts, Marion students were touted for their solid work on last year’s MCAS tests.

            Dessert and Sharlene Fedorowicz, assistant superintendent of teaching and learning, reported that most students in grades 3 through 6 surpassed the state average in English, Mathematics, and Science.

            Only Grade 4 did not experience strong growth, but Federowicz stressed that those students started kindergarten remotely and spent Grade 1 learning through masks worn by both teachers and staff.

            She and other school leaders credited extra learning programs and a revamped curriculum toward the town surpassing the state average.

            On that note, the School Committee later that evening voted to approve a $3,900 grant it has received from the state for professional development – something that also will harness growth in teaching and learning.

            In other news, the School Committee was introduced to Sippican’s new, most popular staff member: Norman the service dog.

            School Resource Officer Jonathan Tracy said Norman, an 8-month-old golden labrador retriever, has walked students to class and has greeted many visitors at the SRO office.

            His presence in the school has helped brighten the day of many students, some of whom have had bad days lifted up by the school’s new furry friend.

            “The benefits of it – I have seen every single day,” Tracy said, adding that kids having tough days have been escorted to class by Norman.

            “He is very well behaved and loves the kids,” Tracy said.

            School officials said they plan on making “Norman” stuffed animals and awarding hard-working students – aptly calling it the Norman Award.

            The School Committee also introduced new art teacher Joanne Smith, a longtime art teacher who started in the district in 1997.

            Smith said she was happy to rejoin the tri-town family, where she started as an educator.

            Nelson said he visited her art class and was happy to see the great art experiences of the students.

            The School Committee voted to dispose of old and some old and outdated math and science textbooks. Nelson said, citing his conversation with Dessert, that the advent of online learning has made some of these books obsolete. He said disposing of them will free up classroom and storage spaces.

            The School Committee will meet again on January 30 at the Sippican Elementary School.

Marion School Committee

By Jeffrey D. Wagner