The Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals met Thursday, December 19 to go over their three cases.

            The first, Case 1552, was the request for a Special Permit for the construction of a 14×20 deck on 32 Barstow Street. Both residents have hip problems and would like a deck that is level so they can go outside more easily. They are third-generation owners of the house and would like to maintain ownership while not adding excess difficulties to their lives as there is a slope on the property. The case was accepted unanimously and the permit granted.

            Case 1553 was for a 9’ 17”x16 post-supported deck on 7 Nashawena Road on Plot 15A, Lot 140. A Special Permit is requested for the deck and to make the front steps compliant as currently they are too steep. Much work has been done to renovate the property over the last four years though abutters have denied requests for a deck thus far. The request for a permit was accepted unanimously.

            Case 1554 was to convert an existing garage to living space. The hearing for this case was postponed to January as no one was present to give a presentation on the request.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Appeals will be held January 16 at 6:00 pm at the Mattapoisett Town Hall.

Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals

By Sam Bishop

            The Marion Conservation Commission met Wednesday, December 18 in the Marion Police Department’s conference room. They first approved meeting minutes from December 4’s meeting before moving on to their agenda and action items.

            The first hearing was for 63 Oakdale Ave. for the construction of a residential pier facility. The proposed pier will start parallel to the existing sea wall and run approximately 136 feet out into Briggs Cove. This length was chosen to give about 20 inches of water at low tide. The pier would function as an “association pier” for adjacent 61 Oakdale, though it is being filed solely under owner Derek Maksy’s name. 

            For wildlife safety, four conditions were requested by National Heritage. The first being a time-of-year restriction on construction between November 15 to June 30. This is to protect the Northern Diamondback Terrapin. The second is to supply a compliance report within 30 days of completion of work. Third is to contact the division with a written response regarding any possible impacts to the habitats or resource areas. The fourth and final request is for authorization duration where authorization is valid for five years where insurance work can be completed.

            It was also stated the impact of the pier would affect shellfish, oysters, coho, and clam habitats and breeding/spawning. This is especially prevalent due to the increased boat and dredge usage needed in the area for construction. It was stated that this heavy machinery is not being proposed for construction.

            Concern emerged from abutters and those who are often on the water as to the effect on the narrow waterway in the bay. It was stated the channel has roughly 400 feet of clearance during high tide. The hearing was concluded with most in attendance seemingly okay with the pier, so long as some more questions are answered, and guidelines are followed. Later in the meeting, it was said 63 Oakdale should have a house inspection as permits granted by the commission in the past may not have been followed to the present.

            The next hearing was for the removal and replacement of a front porch at 28 Pinewood Drive. The house used to be handicap accessible with a ramp on the porch. The plan would be to rebuild the porch using the same skeleton/framework while adding steps in place of the bottom of the ramp. That hearing was ended without question for the commission or the public. A motion was later passed to issue a negative Determination of Applicability as a notice of intent was not found to be needed.

            The commission went on to discussion, where they touched on the 694C Mill Street revised restoration plan and requested some deadlines be put in to know the estimated time of completion for the work, as there is no date estimate currently. They then discussed Phase 2 of work on Boatyard Park where surveying has been done. The commission wants to add signage and to make the park more accessible to the public. The property is also a habitat for the Diamondback Terrapin and their egg laying, which would be affected by increased traffic.

            The commission stressed they needed to “stay on top of” active permits, as in, they will follow through when granted and make sure their guidelines are being followed and enforce them more readily.

            The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission will be held on January 8 at 7:00 pm at the Marion Police Department.

Marion Conservation Commission

By Sam Bishop

A primary topic of discussion at the Select Board/Water and Sewer Commissioners December 17 meeting was the draft language for the Historic District Bylaw expected to be on the town Warrant in the Spring.

            Historical Commission members Ben and Meg Steinberg were present to answer board members’ questions and concerns. Some of these dealt with understanding or clarifying requirements on new construction and additions to existing homes. Others focused on how the site will accommodate longstanding maritime and commercial entities within its bounds, and the importance of gaining community support prior to the ballot question.

            The Commission plans to reach out to the 300 or more homeowners in the proposed district with a mailing on January 2, announcing a targeted informational forum on January 15.

            On February 18, they will hold a public meeting for the entire community at the Council on Aging. This is intended to familiarize residents and others with the project and its benefits, answer questions and address any concerns.

            The Board supported these and other outreach efforts on the part of the Commission.

Action Items addressed at the meeting included:

            Approving an easement on Benson Brook Road allowing Eversource and Verizon to install a utility pole; declining a request for a water/sewer abatement at 44 Rock Nook Road; approving Vice-Chair C. Burr to serve as delegate to the Mass Municipal Association upcoming meeting; and approval of a water/sewer commitment of $697.18 based on final readings on December 12.

            The approval of water/sewer lines was approved while raising discussion on current policies in this area. It was noted that there appears to be a pattern of recurring liens for some residents, and that the current policy that allows residents to convert water/sewer liens to their real estate tax obligation serves to benefit the homeowner and diminish needed revenue to the commission. The Board and Gorman agreed that this policy needs to be researched and addressed to determine if there are other options.

            Administrator Gorman, in his report, said that the Holiday Stroll was a huge success that got enormously positive feedback, personally and online, such as “amazing,” “beautiful,” “a Hallmark movie!” He added that it was recorded in its entirety and can be viewed on the TVs in the Town House.

Gorman then noted that 2025 resident stickers – whether for beach parking, refuse, or shell fishing will be moving from the Town House to the new Harbormaster’s office once it is open for activity.

            He closed with an update on holiday office hours. Town offices will close at noon on Tuesday, December 24 and reopen on Friday, the 26 at the usual hour. Likewise for New Year, closing at noon on December 31 and reopening on January 2.

            The meeting adjourned at 6:50 pm.

            The next regular meeting of the Select Board will be on Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at 6:00 pm at the Marion Town House.

Marion Select Board

By Mary McCann Fiske

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