Marion Affordable Housing Trust Chairperson Terri Santos encouraged attending members Nancy McFadden, Tangi Thomas and Minhtram Tran to take a spin on the housing page of Falmouth’s website for some ideas to consider as the Marion committee broke for the summer on Tuesday night.

            Santos acknowledged that the cape-side town has “different housing needs” but felt it beneficial to pour over the site, read Falmouth’s mission statement and display in order to perhaps incorporate some aspect into Marion’s website.

            The members received the advice favorably and even mused about a visit over the Bourne Bridge to look around the Town of Falmouth.

            Marion’s Affordable Housing Trust is very much under construction, having gone through significant changes in its membership and leadership over the past year, and a major portion of the effort has been in establishing a housing production plan.

            Santos had hoped that the trust would have received the final report on the plan from the Barrett Planning Group for Housing Community Engagement Services and Community Engagement Services Focus Group in time for Tuesday’s meeting, but the agenda was limited to housecleaning items.

            The trust voted to pay a $16,000 bill related to the report, along with $151.47 to the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD); Santos said there is still a contract balance for SRPEDD to finish out the plan.

            By September, she said, she hopes to have that information and know more about the Lockheed Martin property, which is integral to the long-range development plans in Marion.

            Due at its next meeting for reorganization, the Affordable Housing Trust scrapped its July 15 meeting in favor of reconvening on Tuesday, September 13, at 6:00 pm. The meeting will be held in person with a possible hybrid component.

Marion Affordable Housing Trust

By Mick Colageo

It’s been two weeks since the post-Memorial Day summer boating season started, and already the Marion harbormaster and staff are keeping very busy.

            “It’s just been super busy since the season began,” Assistant Harbormaster Dave Wilson reported to the Marine Resources Commission at its June 13 meeting in the police station conference room. “It’s been an absolute slam.”

            He told the board that at one point the department received seven telephone calls for assistance in a six-hour interval. “And we’ve had two mayday calls back to back,” he said. “But we are handling it.”

Commission Chairman Vin Malkoski asked if Marion Harbor’s fleet of fishing boats has diminished, considering the current rising cost of fuel.

            Wilson said no. He also said there were no reports of gas being stolen from a harbor boat or facility this season, at least not yet.

            The good news Wilson added is that Andrew Miller, a Massachusetts Maritime Academy graduate, has once again signed on to assist the department during the summer.

            The report highlighted a meeting shortened by the fact Harbormaster Isaac Perry and Deputy Harbormaster/Shellfish Officer Adam Murphy were unable to attend.

            “They usually run the meeting,” Malkoski remarked.

            The MRC set its next meeting for Monday, July 18, at 7:00 pm, changing its venue to the Music Hall.

Marion Marine Resources Commission

By Michael J. DeCicco

            The 44-minute, June 9 public hearing was held via Zoom video conferencing, but evident was the heaviness with which Marion Select Board Chairman Randy Parker sought a motion that board member Norm Hills would deliver and board member Toby Burr would second to order humane euthanization for a Marion dog named Stella.

            The subsequent vote was conditioned at the advice of Town Counsel Jon Witten to take place no sooner than 14 days after Tuesday’s ratification of the decision in another special meeting of the board.

            The “dangerous dog” hearing was the result of a complaint filed by local Animal Control Officer Susan Connor alleging a May 17 attack by a dog owned by David and Jennifer MacDonald on a small dog in Watertown, Connecticut, during a visit to the Taft School campus.

            Based on an October 16, 2018, order of the Marion Select Board following a prior incident resulting in the death of another dog, Stella was already deemed dangerous, and conditions for her being kept by the MacDonalds included the stipulation that she be muzzled when off their 40 Spring Street property.

            Hills’ motion and Burr’s second were based on their conclusion that the conditions set in 2018 were “not being followed,” that “the owner had a responsibility” and “failed to comply.”

            “I will say that none of us here on the board in all of our terms have had to deal with any of these decisions. It’s just not easy,” said Parker.

            Upon opening the public hearing, Witten laid out for the Select Board three basic options: 1. take no action; 2. “amplify conditions” (increase the insurance requirement, plant a microchip in the dog or other steps such as install an enclosure); 3. order the dog to be humanely euthanized.

            Testimony at the public hearing came from David MacDonald, Maura Quatrano of Watertown, Connecticut (owner of the dog injured on May 17), Quatrano’s attorney Robert W. Galvin and the Marion Police.

            Given the floor, David MacDonald expressed regret for the May 17 incident and noted that Jennifer MacDonald shares in that regret. He said she has cared for 10 animals in her life, having adopted several.

            Transitioning into the matter of the town’s complaint and the impounding of Stella on May 20, David MacDonald took issue with what he considered one-sided information in the police affidavit. He acknowledged that Stella bit Quatrano’s dog Milo but said comparing the incident to what happened in 2018 is “just inaccurate.” He said testimony of a witness to the 2018 incident indicated that Stella may not have been the aggressor.

            Regarding the May 17 incident at Taft School, David MacDonald argued that since Connecticut does not have a dangerous dog statute and because the incident occurred there, it is out of any Massachusetts town’s jurisdiction.

            Describing the parking lot where the incident occurred as “nearly vacant” and maybe twice the size of that at the Tabor Academy hockey rink, David MacDonald did not consider Jennifer MacDonald letting Stella sit under a tree without a muzzle to be a reckless much less defiant act.

            He said that upon the attack of Quatrano’s dog that was walking by where Stella was sitting, Jennifer MacDonald immediately tried to restrain Stella and jumped on Milo in an effort to protect the smaller dog from further harm. He said Jennifer MacDonald reached out to Quatrano afterward and arranged to pay half of the veterinary bills.

            David MacDonald further stated that in the aftermath, he and Jennifer MacDonald had been looking into solutions at their home and at the possibility of moving the dog out of state to other family members.

            “We were trying to come up with a solution, but it seemed like decisions were already made,” he said. “We ask you to reconsider … we’re comfortable with very strict conditions.”

            Witten assured David MacDonald that no decision had been made prior to the “first substantive hearing” and that this was the Select Board’s first time addressing the May 17 incident.

            Witten also clarified that no Marion representative is claiming jurisdiction in Connecticut but that the conditions established in 2018 were that Stella remain muzzled when off the premises of the MacDonalds’ Marion residence. Therefore, he advised the Select Board that it could accept the police report emanating from Watertown, Connecticut.

            David MacDonald did not dispute the facts of the case that Stella was not muzzled at the time of the incident, but he reiterated his jurisdictional argument. He also stressed that a veterinarian’s written statement indicates that Stella is of no danger to people. Witten instructed him to submit that statement to the Select Board’s office. As of last week, Stella remained impounded in Dartmouth.

            Given the floor, Quatrano told the board that her dog will never be same after the attack that nearly took his life and emotionally asked Jennifer MacDonald why she ignored the restrictions placed on Stella.

            Galvin told the board that Quatrano by the time of the public hearing had accumulated $2,800 in veterinary bills with more still due and that his client has documentation of $2,600 in lost wages.

            David MacDonald said that he would provide proof that he acquired the insurance required of the 2018 order.

            It was not known on Tuesday if the MacDonalds planned to appeal the Select Board’s decision.

Marion Select Board

By Mick Colageo

            The June 13 meeting of the Mattapoisett School Committee started off bittersweet, marking the end of Rose Bowman’s long and illustrious tenure as the town’s principal overseeing Center and Old Hammondtown elementary schools.

            Having gotten her start as a second-grade teacher in 1971, then in New Bedford Public Schools, Bowman first shifted into the Tri-Town area in 1986 when she started teaching preschoolers at The Music Room in Mattapoisett. But she didn’t stop there. Old Hammondtown School welcomed her as its principal in 1998, before Bowman shifting to Center School in 2008 and finally taking a joint role at both schools in 2014.

            The School Committee recognized her contributions to Mattapoisett Schools, noting her dedication and kindness. One committee member noted that calling her a hard worker was the “biggest understatement of the century.”

            Several members of the committee gave impassioned speeches reminiscing on their first interactions with Bowman, as well as the subsequent years they worked together. One fondly recalled earning the nickname “Batman and Robin” from how often the pair were seen side by side. Each declamation was met with hearty agreement and applause from the room.

            Bowman was obviously touched by the outpouring of affection, her reaction only strengthened by the revelation that there will be a mural painted in the school in her honor. The planned mural will take the form of the words “Be Kind,” a sentiment Bowman herself carried above all during her time as an educator.

            The dot over the “i” in “Be Kind” (officially referred to as a tittle) will be used to showcase students who exemplified kindness. If a student goes above and beyond in the ways of kindness, their photo will be placed in the “i” to recognize them for their efforts.

            This round of praise ended with Bowman delivering her Principal’s Report. She detailed how each year it was a pleasure to see the students in their graduation outfits, ready to move on to new challenges and great things. Finally, she ended by thanking the Mattapoisett School Committee members for their “leadership and support” during her time as principal. She stated that it was an “honor and privilege” to work with not just the committee but the Old Rochester School District Administration team and other staff, as well as families and “most of all the extraordinary students.” Bowman summed up her feelings with “my deepest thanks to all of the wonderful people with whom I have had the pleasure of sharing these years.”

            The committee reviewed the SMEC Lease for the 2022-23 school year, received an update from administration about the School Improvement plan which is moving slowly but on schedule and discussed an update to the Student Handbook that includes fees for damaged or lost electronics, as well as a $25 annual insurance plan that would negate fees for students that opt in. The committee discussed fee waivers for students and families that may need them.

            A more somber note was struck when discussing crisis plans for the schools. As each school building’s layout is different, the individual crisis plans will differ as well, being tailored to the individual schools. However, the core of the plans will follow the same protocols.

            The scheduled restructuring of the committee for the 2022-23 academic year resulted in no changes, as James Muse will continue as the committee chairperson with Carly Lavin in the vice-chair role per committee vote. Diana Russo of the ORR Central Office will continue as secretary, and she and Toni Bailey will split the duties of recording secretary.

            The Mattapoisett School Committee will not meet until the 2022-23 school year. The next meeting of the Joint School Committee will take place on Monday, June 27, at 6:30 pm in a hybrid format.

Mattapoisett School Committee

By Jack MC Staier

            The June 14 meeting of the Mattapoisett Select Board was truly inspirational, as young people demonstrated their interest, understanding, and ideas on a variety of timely topics that adults are struggling to handle.

            First, however, was the board’s heartfelt acknowledgement of Paige Mailloux, this year’s winner of the Tree Committee’s poster contest. The fifth grader stood proudly before the board to have her picture taken and to receive a certificate for her third-place standing in the statewide Arbor Day Poster Contest. The poster theme was Be A Cool Community, Plant Trees! This theme tied in nicely with a theme in another format.

            Old Rochester Regional students, as a school project, selected timely themes and conducted research and came up with ideas on how to manage and improve environmental issues, animal rights, infrastructure needs and other issues not only facing Mattapoisett but facing the world.

            The school project, titled Civic Action Programs, asked the students to select a theme and then expound upon it in a formalized presentation for the Select Board.

            Madison Dos Santos selected, “Global Warming, An Idea about Planting Trees in our Community.” Grace Custadio and Giada Gandolfi’s project was on the theme of “Littering Prevention.” Amanda, Emma and Delilah (whose last names were not made available to the board) developed a GoFundMe page for donations to animal shelters in the tri-town area with a goal of raising $5,000. Fixing roads and sidewalks was the topic worked on by Kent Spooner and Linden White. Taking on pollution were Nolan Blanchette and Blake Moreau. Bennett Goodwin selected water quality. And last, but far from least, was “Bad Sidewalks” by Andrew Oliveira.

            Select Board members spent time reviewing the submitted presentations and expressed their pleasure with the students’ work. It was determined that each student would receive a response from the board. Member Jodi Bauer said she would facilitate networking the students with the relevant town departments for further exploration of their theme.

            The board met with Andrew Nilson of Childs Engineering for a brief overview of the firm’s report on the current state of Long Wharf and options for repairs.

            Nilson said that a site visit was conducted in March, at which time it was noted that voids in the foundation and below-water structures required they list the wharf in “poor” condition.

            To summarize the project report, it stated in part, “…it was constructed in its current form in 1992 following a portion being damaged by Hurricane Bob. The current form … includes a dry stacked rock seawall supporting the fill that comprises the wharf interior. It is assumed that behind the masonry seawall the wharf is constructed of a combination of rock, soil, and concrete fill. With an asphalt deck.”

            The report stated that storms could impact the wharf to the point of making it completely unstable. “The structure as a whole remains stable…but lacked resiliency and is susceptible to overstressing or breakage during a storm event,” the report stated.

            Nilson noted that anticipated sea-level rise has to be one of the primary considerations when planning wharf repairs and improvements. Childs recommended “precast concrete with steel reinforcing modular block wall to encapsulate the existing wharf. The existing wharf behind the new concrete block wall will need to be excavated and backfilled to eliminate voids, and the utilities replaced.” That option the Marine Advisory Board, had been told in May, comes with price tag of $4,700,000.

            But board member Jordan Collyer said there were concerns over removing historic stone features and asked Nilson to try and come up with a cost estimate that would allow the stones to be removed temporarily while the interior is repaired and then reestablished to their original locations. Collyer was referring to rose granite that had been quarried and used for wharf construction possibly in the mid-1800s.

            Nilson reiterated what the report stated that the current condition of the wharf could remain stable for as long as the next 10 years but that any large weather event could cause damage to the deteriorating structure.

            In terms of long-term use of the wharf, Collyer said he couldn’t see any change in how the wharf in currently used for decades to come. He said industry simply couldn’t be supported and that recreational use was the primary function of the wharf.

            The board voted to establish seven boat-trailer parking spots at the Barstow Wharf parking next to the town beach as compensation for the loss of trailer parking at Railroad and Depot Streets due to the bike path contractor’s need to store materials and equipment at that location.

            Seasonal employees were appointed by the board to work as Deputy Harbormasters and Shellfish Constables. Those appointed are Luke Mello, Samuel Horsfall and Sydney Haskell.

            The board also met with members of the Mattapoisett Historical Commission Alex Murphy and Robert Spooner. The commissioners discussed designs for two new commemorative brick locations, possibly two at Ned’s Point. Information is available on the town’s website, Mattapoisett.net.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Select Board was not scheduled.

Mattapoisett Select Board

By Marilou Newell