The Marion Board of Health held a remote public hearing on June 16 to consider public comment on a proposed regulation that would require new construction to install a nitrogen-reducing septic system if access to the municipal sewer is unavailable. The regulation would also require failed septic systems to be replaced with the new nitrogen-reducing system.

            Board Clerk Dot Brown presented a slideshow that explained the background for the regulation and outlined the significant impact that septic systems would have on Marion’s coastal waters.

            Brown explained that the goal of the proposal is to protect the coastal water quality in Marion by significantly limiting the impact of nitrogen generated from on-site septic systems. According to the town’s research, the largest source of nitrogen pollution to Marion’s coastal waters is wastewater from the septic systems of individual homes. The nitrogen fuels the growth of algae which can cause aesthetic and environmental concerns.

            The rapid growth of this algae can brown the water, and form clumps that wash up during low tide, fouling beaches. In addition, the rapid spread of algae can block vital sunlight from penetrating and reaching plant life underwater. Without sunlight, the plants die, resulting in negative impacts on the young fish, crabs, and bay scallops that rely on the plants for their survival.

            According to Brown, this is a challenge that is being faced by communities across the country. Wareham also passed the same regulation seven years ago to combat nitrogen pollution in their community.

            With approximately 30 years of data collected surrounding the nitrogen in Marion’s coastal waters, it is evident that water pollution is getting worse. Aucoot Cove, Sippican Harbor and the Weweantic River fail to meet state water-quality standards and are listed on the federal EPA’s “Dirty Waters” list for being polluted with too much nitrogen.

            The introduction of the new systems will not address the nitrogen pollution that already exists in the coastal waters, but Brown argued that this would be the first of many steps to slow the increases in nitrogen in the water. “If every house was on a new system the nitrogen pollution would be far less significant,” Brown explained in the hearing.

            Nitrogen levels vary based on the way that each particular harbor flushes. The inner harbors face a much higher risk of pollution than outer harbors. Brown mentioned that the only factor the town has direct control over is the amount of nitrogen going into the water. The majority of nitrogen pollution comes from the ammonia in urine. The new nitrogen-reducing septic systems have the ability to convert that ammonia into nitrogen gas, which diffuses naturally and harmlessly into the atmosphere. The systems reduce the nitrogen output roughly 50 to 70 percent more compared to the conventional systems.

            Continuing her presentation, Brown noted that the best alternative would be to have homes connect directly to the town’s sewer systems, which results in a 95 percent reduction in nitrogen output. A third of the total houses in Marion is not connected to the sewer system and not running on these updated systems, meaning that they are still actively polluting coastal waters. Brown hopes that mandating the use of this technology on new homes will drive the price of the systems downward as they become more popular among builders.

            “We view this as a step in the right direction that will have immediate results,” Brown said. “Our hope is that many people will choose to update as well.

            Charts displayed in Brown’s presentation revealed that hundreds of pounds of nitrogen would have been prevented from going into coastal waters if this regulation had been enacted in 2018.

            Apart from the septic systems, the town’s wastewater treatment, cranberry bogs, fertilizers, stormwater, and atmospheric deposition can all contribute to the levels of nitrogen that appear in coastal waters. With that, Brown noted that the residents should avoid nitrogen fertilizers, but that they, and the other contributors, still make up only a small portion of the nitrogen polluting Marion’s waters.

            Community members joined the hearing via public phones and expressed general concerns relating to the cost and maintenance associated with the new systems.

            Brown moved to dispel many of the fears and concerns surrounding the regulation. “This regulation applies only to new home construction and those septic systems failing inspection at the time of real estate transfer,” she said. “This regulation does not apply to a properly functioning Title 5 septic system.”

            Brown also explained that constructing the updated systems in new homes would not accrue significant costs. The impact of the nitrogen septic systems would only result in a one percent increase in the total cost of building a new home.

            With her presentation concluded, Brown explained that the regulation is in the best interest of current homeowners and residents who hope to move to Marion. “The regulation supports the value of every property in Marion by guaranteeing the future of the town’s coastal waters and our future investments in wastewater treatment,” Brown explained.

            The proposed regulation will continue to be reviewed by the Marion Board of Health and is open to public comment until July 7.

Marion Board of Health

By Matthew Donato

            An admission that the Old Rochester Regional School District and the teachers’ union had both failed to carry out in-depth review and implementation of programs that would expose racism at its core came from Cary Humphrey, chairman of the district committee, as the joint meeting opened on June 15.

            Earlier promises made during the 2019 school year, promises made after Barbara Sullivan, a grandmother and founding member of the Tri-Town Against Racism organization, came forward with concerns that racism, bias, and deep-seeded discriminatory systems co-existed in the Tri-Town schools, were never fulfilled. Humphrey conceded that most staff and committee members believed the district had been following up with training and policy. That would later be confirmed by incoming Superintendent Mike Nelson. Humphrey said, “We are now all moving in the same direction with the same goals.”

            On this night Sullivan, along with two other founding members of the Tri-Town Against Racism organization, were invited to directly address the joint committee members. Accompanying Sullivan to the virtual podium were Alison Noyce and Tangi Thomas. In a three-part approach, historical, current and future issues around racism, the speakers addressed the committee and some 165 others who had logged into the virtual meeting.

            Sullivan spoke first. She said after bringing problems of racism to the attention of school officials, problems she said not only dealing with students but also with teachers, “They dropped the ball.” She told the story of a mother who received a call from her crying child who had locked himself in a restroom to escape being bullied. The mother’s urgent request for assistance had elicited a response of “…why does your child have a cell phone in school?”

            On a personal note, Sullivan shared her granddaughter’s attempts to get school officials to understand the breadth of racial bias within the walls of ORR, where she said name-calling was common, along with black jokes, and racists comments overheard between teachers. And, Sullivan said frequent use of the “n” word was something children of color were all to familiar with hearing. There was an incident shared by the granddaughter to her grandmother where a substitute teacher had told the child she should go to New Bedford to be with other brown people. Adding to the insults and innuendos that her granddaughter had chronicled, Sullivan said that after a poetry-slam event featuring black authors two teachers were overheard saying, “…we need an assembly on how not be offended by everything.”

            “What is needed is deep introspection,” Sullivan implored. She suggested a three-part strategy of self-exploration, a task force to examine problems, and a grant to fund and support programs for black students. She said of the Tri-Town Against Racism, “Here we are, stronger than ever; you have not earned the right to be trusted; you’ve only checked the boxes.”

            Noyce said of the group’s momentum, “White community members are showing up.” She stated, “I hope you have shown up to make change.” She referred to a culture of “casual racism”, like laughter that ensues after jokes are made against black students. She said it’s the kids that laugh and the kids that say nothing that help to perpetuate the problem.

            Noyce wanted more from the teachers now. She cited one proactive English teacher who had taken the murder of George Floyd and asked her students to find the parallels to The Crucible. But she also said that other teachers say, “I don’t see color,” and believe everything is okay. She said her own children had been called monkey and slave. One incident in the junior high school involved one of her sons. Noyce said that after being provoked, her son had engaged in a physical altercation. Shaken to be called to the school under these circumstances, she learned that her son had been told he should have taken a more passive approach to the situation, “like Martin Luther King.” She said she begged the administration, “What are you going to do to keep my son safe in this school?” She was told her son had thrown the first punch, and that he had chosen violence. “Racial slurs are a type of violence,” Noyce stated.

            Tangi Thomas spoke to the future. She said that in order to make the schools safer and to educate children on racial bias, school officials needed to “be bolder and clearer.” She wanted everyone involved to work actively towards a non-racist school with a new, robust plan. Thomas suggested that the way forward needed to include more than putting out fires and passing out reading lists. “Hire someone to help, find an appropriate role model, have peer-to-peer remediation. A firm speaking-to and suspension is not enough.”

            Thomas said that more effort is needed to bring teachers of color into the schools. But she believed this was only the beginning and offered assistance. “We are here to help you; let’s get to work.”

            Nelson followed-up saying that anti-racism work had begun but that, “We have to be better.” He then listed all the programs, lectures and professional-development days the school had initiated after Sullivan had met with the school last year. He noted such themes as self-exploration, diversity training, and bringing students in to talk and met with teachers. He also said that unconscious bias needed to be dismantled and that this is only the beginning. “We should have included more people from the community,” he noted and that he sought to have strong partnerships with all stakeholders.

            Nelson’s strongest statement came towards the end of his comments when said, “We acknowledge we’ve had our problems. Racism goes against our mission of having a safe, welcoming, supportive school. I know these are just words, but moving forward we will move away from a single white perspective.”

            Mattapoisett School Committee member John Muse said, “This is a simple acknowledgement that there is a lot of education necessary… We don’t do enough; every individual can do something. When we see or hear racism we should not accept it.” He admitted that he was guilty of not speaking up instead of sending a message that racism is not appropriate. “Silence increases the problem.”

            Many of the other committee members spoke up in support of the Tri-Town Against Racism organization, offering to help, to support, and to do the hard work before them.

            Suzanne Tseki, a member of the ORR school committee and Mattapoisett resident, said that things had been swept under the carpet and that, “We can teach right from wrong, but how do we reach people’s hearts?”

            Michele Cusolito of Rochester asked that the joint committee meetings maintain an agenda line item for this very topic and that monthly reports on the school’s plans and progress against racial bias be provided.

            Mattapoisett Town Administrator Mike Lorenco introduced himself, saying that he was new in his position but as a person who grew up in town and went to ORR he had a vested interest and wanted to “…listen, hear the stories,” and support the schools and the entire Tri-Town area with proactive approaches to help.

            After the meeting was adjourned, Sullivan added that she was pleased to see town administrators on the call.

By Marilou Newell

            The Rochester Board of Selectmen agreed to release Simple Recycling from its payment obligations through September 1 during the board’s June 15, remote access meeting.

            In her Town Administrator’s report, Suzanne Szyndlar told the selectmen that Simple Recycling, citing the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, told the town it will no longer be able to provide the monthly, per-pound payment to the municipalities it serves. The company, Szyndlar said, requested a release from its obligation to pay rebates from March, April, and May. Service and contract terms will stay intact otherwise, and Simple Recycling will provide monthly diversion collection totals.

            Szyndlar estimated the effect to amount to a few hundred dollars a year in fees. “We receive recycling points offering this service, which equates more to grant funds for the town,” she said.

            Selectman Woody Hartley asked if service would continue; Szyndlar confirmed that it will, after which Hartley asked if the company had a plan in place to communicate with Rochester once its financial crisis is brought under control. Szyndlar said no such indication was given regarding the future.

            “There should be a deadline. There should be a ‘We’ll release you for six months, then we’ll come back to the table’” agreement, Town Counsel Blair Bailey said.

            Szyndlar said she will relay that message to the company.

            Vice Chairman Brad Morse made a motion that Rochester releases Simple Recycling from its financial obligations for six months to September 1, then revisits the matter, authorizing the company to hold payment through the six months. The board voted to approve.

            The board also voted to lay out Forbes Road and Douglas Corner Road. As a direct abutter, Morse abstained from discussion and vote. Bailey instructed the meeting that the vote puts the recommendation onto the June 22 Town Meeting warrant; once Town Meeting votes to accept, the town would then proceed to deed for the street.

            In her report, Szyndlar also discussed the June 22 Town Meeting and the plan to conduct a walk-through on June 16, noting the plan for seating 6 feet apart with the exception of immediate households. All attendees will enter through the main, front entrance of Rochester Memorial School and exit through other doors. Tables will be marked by the letter starting people’s last names (A-L and K-Z), and walking lanes will be marked. Face masks will be required except in the case of special needs.

            Szyndlar also noted that, while Town Hall remains closed except by appointment, services are in full swing and a frequently asked questions list applying to all four town buildings (Town Hall, the Annex, Public Library, and Council on Aging) is available on the town’s website.

            Building inspections and issuance of permits have not ceased, and none have been refused due to the coronavirus pandemic. Inspection procedures may alter for safety, but there is no delay in service.

            Town Meeting will start at 7:00 pm on Monday, June 22, with doors opening at 6:00 pm to avoid a crowded entrance.

            The town election was held on June 17 at the Council on Aging building.

            Chairman Paul Ciaburri reported that a ceremony will be held for Rochester Memorial School graduates on Thursday, June 18, at noon. Hartley noted that the high school seniors will conduct a celebratory motorcade to the various elementary schools on Friday, June 19, meeting back at ORR.

            David Arancio, a citizen and member of three boards, addressed the selectmen about concerns brought to his attention regarding public safety especially as it applies to compliance and dispatch operations with the Police Department. “If this is accurate, I want to start to work with my colleagues and members so (I can help) the town in coming up with a plan in regards to correcting those (issues),” he said.

            Morse said that, regarding 9-1-1 usage, nothing was reported in the last two Board of Selectmen meetings. “Any time there is a discrepancy, we talk to the (Duxbury). According to the last two meetings we had, we’ve had no problems.”

            Hartley said that Rochester most often works in conjunction with Bristol County House of Corrections and receives no charge for their service and that the same holds true when working in conjunction with the town of Marion.

            The next meeting of the Rochester Board of Selectmen was not announced.

Rochester Board of Selectmen

By Mick Colageo

            In the June 16 conclusion of a continued public hearing, the Marion Board of Selectmen voted to award Fieldstone Farm Market one of the town’s five licenses with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission (ABCC) for the retail sale of beer and wine. There was no feedback from last week’s discussion in public hearing. The owner, Arnie Johnson, attended the public hearing, received congratulations from the selectmen, and thanked the town.

            In the event that, for any reason, Town Meeting cannot be held as scheduled (on Monday, June 22), the Board of Selectmen approved a 1/12 budget of $5,259,238 for July 2020, which will be submitted to the state Department of Revenue as soon as possible.

            Chief of Police John Garcia attended the meeting to request approval of student officer Peter Bourgeault to a one-year probationary period as a full-time police officer. 

            Bourgeault is almost finished with his work at the academy. He would have attended the meeting but was attending class, explained Garcia. Graduation at the academy, originally scheduled for June 5, was delayed by COVID-19 to June 19 so Garcia’s request officially asked that Bourgeault be appointed effective June 19. The board approved the appointment, and Selectman Norm Hills asked the chief to convey the board’s congratulations.

            Garcia said that, because Bourgeault will be deprived the regular graduation ceremony with the academy, Marion will hold a private ceremony of its own, limited in number by COVID-19-related restrictions. At 2:30 pm Friday, June 19, a small, private ceremony will include a formal swearing-in of Bourgeault complete with the ceremonial pinning of his badge.

            In his Town Administrator’s report, McGrail with assistance from Town Planner Gil Hilario, procured a $25,000 state grant with no matching funds required for the purpose of an overview of the town’s human resources practices.

            As of Monday, Marion has reopened all municipal buildings except the Public Library, Natural History Museum, and Community Center. McGrail reported no issues. “Everyone’s done a nice job with the masks,” he said. “I appreciate the public’s support… It took us a long time to get to where we are today.”

            The town was ready to sign a purchase-and-sale agreement to sell its property at Atlantis Drive in a transaction scheduled for June 17. McGrail said he was waiting to hear back from the only leased tenant, citing a termination clause in the lease that he needs to follow. Once Marion hits the $500,000 threshold, the town has the right to walk away from the sale. Three other existing tenants have no lease agreements.

            With help from Selectman Norm Hills, McGrail reported having applied for a $300,000 Coastal Zone Management grant – Marion would fund $75,000 from its own coffers – for the design work on a new pumping station at Creek Road. “I’m very optimistic that we will be successful with this grant opportunity,” said McGrail.

            The Town Meeting dry run held on Monday was attended by over 60 people, and McGrail reported having received productive follow-ups from citizens. He said that 250 people will fit comfortably at Sippican School, where Town Meeting is scheduled to be held on Monday night, June 22, using two rooms with single chairs and one room with doubles.

            This Friday, June 19, the town plans to set up an audio-visual system, then hold a dry run to test out all the technology it is planning to use. “Hopefully we’ll be a in a good place by Monday afternoon and we’ll have a successful town meeting,” said McGrail.

            He reported that Town House is 90-something percent complete with its new exterior front. “All that’s really left are the windows,” he said of the project that is expected to take a month to complete. He reported that the Sippican Historical Society’s philanthropy has been a key element in the success of the project.

            McGrail, in a second action item, requested the board to extend committee member appointments to July 15, the date of the selectmen’s next scheduled meeting. “I fully recommend these re-appointments,” he said, noting a year having worked with all affected appointees. The board approved extending the appointments from June 30 to July 15.

            The board also approved the Council on Aging’s request to appoint Helenka Hopkins Nolan to a three-year term, filling an existing vacancy.

            The board voted to accept a $1,000 donation from Cathy and Jim Feeney to the Marion Fire and EMS.

            The next meeting of the Marion Board of Selectmen is scheduled for July 15, when it is anticipated that the board may be able by then to resume meeting in person.

Marion Board of Selectmen

By Mick Colageo