The Mattapoisett Board of Health held a public meeting on May 9 to determine which applicant would be selected for the role of public health nurse. The meeting was held with board members on-site in a conference room, and remote access was provided via conference call.

            The board began with the announcement that the final decision of who would fill the position was not arrived at with ease. “We would have no problem with any of these candidates,” said Board Member Russell Bailey. “They are all well-qualified.”

            The current crisis weighed heavily on the board’s decision. The challenges surrounding COVID-19 made it clear to the members that their choice on the matter was more pressing and salient than under normal circumstances. With those considerations noted, the discussion on the matter was closed when the board put forth a motion that applicant Emily Field be hired for the position. The motion was approved by the board with unanimous consent from the members.

            Field, a native of Marion, holds a Master’s degree in nursing from Boston College and attended Monash University to study community health. With over 20 years of experience in nursing and related roles, the board felt that Field would be the best fit for the position going forward.

            Field will take on the position as soon as possible. She will begin the role under the guidance of current Mattapoisett Public Health Nurse Amanda Stone. Field will shadow Stone until she is able to grasp a full understanding of the position and until Stone makes her transition out of the role.

            There is no question that Field inherits the position under trying circumstances. With the state set to reopen, public health officials will certainly face a unique set of challenges.

            The board transitioned to a discussion regarding COVID-19 and the impact of the first phase of reopening across the state. Stone noted that Mattapoisett currently has a total of 29 confirmed cases of the virus. That number is up from a total of 21 cases reported on May 9. The increase is slight, and Stone noted that, of the cases confirmed at this time, most are recovered and no longer active.

            With the reopening on the way, Stone expressed that there may be an increase in cases as people expand their social circle. “Even with measures like social distancing and masks, they will still be coming into contact with more people and increase the potential risks for infection,” Stone warned the board.

            Stone cautioned that an increase in people relocating for the summer could also result in a spike of cases. The recommendation is still that anyone arriving from out-of-state quarantine for 14 days. Despite the initial stage of reopening suggesting a relaxing of guidelines, Stone advised a strict adherence to the social distancing and mask regulations that are already in place.

            In terms of combatting potential spikes in infection, Stone also mentioned the importance of community tracing. “Community tracing is going to be very helpful,” said Stone. “There are particular cases that are high risk and require more significant care. It is hugely time-consuming checking to make sure that people in quarantine have the services they need to remain safely in isolation.”

            In addition to contact tracing, Stone also provided updates on the protocols for COVID-19 testing. “Everyone who has come in contact with someone with the virus is now recommended to go and get tested,” said Stone. Even if you come into contact and display no symptoms, Stone still recommended that a test take place.

            Stone continued by clarifying confusions surrounding the antibody testing for coronavirus. “Even with antibodies, the recommendation is that they also get tested for coronavirus,” Stone told the board members. “There have been many false positives, and having antibodies does not mean that you are no longer infectious.” 

            The board explained that the primary goal in this challenge is to promote awareness of the impact of coronavirus so that everyone understands the importance of social distancing and continuing to wear masks. For businesses reopening, the board hopes to act as a channel to address concerns and demonstrate why the community should continue to follow guidelines.

            “The better we do during Phase 1, the faster we will be able to move towards Phase 2. We need to communicate that this is where we are at, and this is where we are trying to move toward,” said Stone.

            Health Agent Kayla Davis applauded the community’s efforts and participation in adhering to guidelines. “I have gotten more praise than complaints, and the complaints are (coming from) people who want to make sure that people are following the guidelines correctly,” said Davis.

            With the matter settled, the board moved on to discuss the town’s capacity to receive funding through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. The CARES Act grants assistance to impacted communities through state funding that is provided by the federal government.

            Board members communicated an ongoing process with administrators to issue requests for reimbursement for costs associated with COVID-19. There were suggestions that, given the current circumstances, it would be advantageous if the funding could be used to support the new public health nurse. There is no exact figure for the amount of funding to be received through the CARES Act, but it is expected to be significant.

            The board ended with a clear declaration that its members are available to answer any questions or concerns put forth by community members.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Health was not scheduled at press time.

Mattapoisett Board of Health

By Matthew Donato

            In a case of ‘my way or the highway’, the final public hearing of the Rochester Planning Board’s remote access meeting on Tuesday night took on the atmospheric swings of professional sports labor impasse, as cordial remarks gave way to a complicated problem and, from there, to conflict and rising temperatures, the drawing of lines in the sand, talk of potential legal action and, finally, the cooler priority on the big picture and the plan for a phone call.

            At conflict was how the access road for a new development planned by the Cranberry Highway Smart Growth Overlay District and filed by Steen Realty and Development that will consist of 208 residential units and commercial space will affect the existing Seasons Corner Market and gas station.

            The case continued from April 28, addressed several matters, but as representative Phil Cordeiro from Allen & Major Associates described, “the other elephant in the room” is the discussion of the connection of the site driveway interconnection to the ring road and roadway.

            “We’ve not reached a conclusion, have not reached an agreement so, while both the owner and Seasons can elaborate, we’d like the board to consider, we know it wouldn’t please Seasons,” said Cordeiro.

            The project’s relocated ring road led to discussions with Seasons representatives over the past few months. Proposals went back and forth, the latest of which from Seasons proposal that Steen found to be unacceptable.

            Cordeiro reminded the Planning Board that the road was relocated at the board’s request “so we hope the board will approve it in its current location. It would make Seasons happy if the road doesn’t get relocated and we leave the road untouched.”

            While Planning Board Chairman Arnie Johnson acknowledged the overall progress in keeping with the board’s requests, he indicated that Ken Motta will have a peer-review report before the board’s next meeting, giving the board time to address other matters pertaining to the project “while we’re trying to figure out how to access Route 58.” A site visit will be scheduled after Motta’s first peer review.

            Johnson estimated that the access road plan “is better than what is there now. It certainly can accommodate traffic from the 40R (affordable housing)” and addresses his problem with drivers making illegal left turns. “I do have a concern with Seasons losing an access and having that traffic converging in one spot,” he said.

            John Russell, representing Colbea Enterprises LLC, the owner of Seasons at 8 Cranberry Highway, addressed Steen’s plan to relocate the access road.

            “The line of sight is very important to our business,” he said, adding that the proposed relocation would adversely affect the mobility and safety of the trucks that feed the underground storage tanks at Seasons. “If we can’t come to some sort of an agreement, Colbea would have to exercise its rights and file an official appeal.”

            Ken Steen countered, saying, “We’re well within our rights to relocate that road as it is proposed.… we will defend that any day of the week.”

            Russell answered, “We will defend our right potentially in court. I hope we don’t have to go that route.”

            Johnson encouraged more discussion.

            Town Counsel Blair Bailey suggested that the board to “be prepared for the conversation coming down the road is if either of the traffic people have weighed in as to if the road stayed where it is.”

            Steen said his group can look into that.

            Bailey urged more dialogue.

            After an impassioned speech on the Seasons’ side by Mr. Carpini, Steen indicated his group can certainly get on a phone call and talk about it.

            A motion to continue the hearing to Tuesday, June 9, presumably at 7:00 pm, was accepted.

            The shortest hearing was arguably most important, as the board voted to pass the Flood Plain District Amendment, Section 21.10, Section 2 (formerly Section VII.2), approving new flood maps in time for Rochester’s June 22 town meeting.

            Blair Bailey explained that flood-plain maps are amended either by the agency or by a landowner appeal. FEMA puts the changes together and, any time FEMA amends the maps, Rochester must amend its local bylaw. The information is particularly important to landowners appealing the process from an insurance standpoint.

            The board heard discussion and continued the following cases to June 9: 

            Featherbed Lane South Solar LLC’s special permit application for a large-scale, south-facing, ground-mounted solar array; Clean Energy’s 1 megawatt, community solar project at 139 Sarah Sherman Road; and a 9.5 megawatt, ground-mounted solar array off of Braley Hill Road.

            The Planning Board also scheduled a site visit at Connet Woods for Thursday, June 4, at 4:00 pm.

Rochester Planning Board

By Mick Colageo

            A brief but far-reaching agenda during the May 26 meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen included two items, a letter that will be sent to business license holders and the planned reopening of some town buildings.

            Selectman Paul Silva, who was on this night solo, said the meeting could move forward without a quorum since there were no actionable items, only follow-ups to previous decisions debated and voted on with a quorum.

            First was the letter which the selectmen had asked Town Administrator Mike Lorenco to write during the previous meeting. The letter will be sent to all licensed and permitted business in the community and outlines the town’s role in protecting residents during the pandemic while allowing businesses to reopen. Lorenco confirmed with legal counsel the town’s rights and responsibilities regarding business licenses in the event that measures are needed for violators of safety guidelines.

            Lorenco read the letter into the meeting minutes. The letter noted the governor’s May 18 phased reopening plan. Lorenco read, “We too want to see businesses reopened, but we recognize the benefits of a deliberate and phased approach. We support the reopening plan and we ask that you all do your part to comply with the portions of those orders and guidance that apply to your type of business.”

            The letter goes on to say, “Although we fully expect the business community’s cooperation in complying with these requirements, you are reminded that the Town has the responsibility to take enforcement action when any violations are found to exist. The Town has the authority to assess fines and to seek court orders to take corrective action against non-compliant businesses. This action can be levied on any license holder in violation of local regulations. We will continue to emphasize education and voluntary compliance through written and verbal warnings, but, due to the serious consequences that may flow from failing to follow appropriate COVID-19 safety protocols, we will pursue enforcement when necessary for the health and wellbeing of all our residents.”

            Lorenco also confirmed prior to the opening of the meeting that people from out of state entering Mattapoisett for the season are required by the state to self-quarantine for 14-days.

            Silva and Lorenco also discussed the plans for reopening town buildings. “As of today, May 26, the town hall is open,” Lorenco said. But he stressed full and free access to the building is not possible. Instead, he asked the public to call and make an appointment if direct contact is needed with such departments as the Building Department, Planning Board, Conservation Commission or Board of Health. He assured the public that town hall is fully staffed but that limited public hours, Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, is a necessity to ensure that sanitation of high-touch areas can be performed.

            “There are two walk-up windows offering the services of the town clerk and tax office,” Lorenco said. Anyone approaching the windows will be required to wear a face covering as well as waiting at the marked locations outside the building. “We want to make sure our employees are also safe.”

            If a member of the public needs immediate access to a specific office in the town hall, Lorenco said that the front reception desk will be staffed and someone will be there to assist. Again, anyone coming to a service window or entering the building will be expected to wear a face covering, he said.

            The library does not currently have a schedule for reopening, Lorenco said. He said that the installation of safety windows and other measures need to take place first. He said that library staff has provided some free materials in bags outside the library building and that in the near future curbside pick-up would begin. “We need to make sure that staff have all the (personal, protective equipment) and other materials before we can open up the library and the (Council on Aging).”

            On the subject of the upcoming election presently scheduled for June 16, Silva asked that the town clerk, Catherine Heuberger, attend the next meeting of the board to discuss how the election will be handled to maintain distancing and sanitation of surfaces.

            Lorenco asked that voters contact the clerk’s office and request an absentee ballot as a safe and easy way to cast their votes.

            Regarding town meeting, Silva said that he wants to wait a couple of more weeks to monitor how COVID-19 reacts before moving forward with plans for this annual meeting. “We need a little more time behind us,” he said.

            Before closing the meeting Lorenco paid tribute to Josephine Pannell and Robert Gingras. These Mattapoisett residents were hailed as being vital members of the community as volunteers and board members over many decades. Pannell passed away on May 21 and Gingras passed away on May 19.

            To contact any municipal department, call 508-758-4100 or visit mattapoisett.net for both telephone extensions and email addresses.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen has yet to be announced.

Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen

By Marilou Newell

            “There is no clear-cut guidance…” began Rochester Town Administrator Suzanne Szyndlar as she explained FY21 operating budget reductions to the Finance Committee. During the May 18 remote meeting, Szyndlar stated several times that guidance on what state aid to cities and towns might be was unclear at this time, but she added that Rochester’s conservative revenue projections as well as a keen eye on expenses gave her confidence. “I believe we’re going to be okay.”

            Rochester, like its Tri-Town neighbors, had already spent months preparing FY21 budgets for annual spring town meetings. Those budgets have been sent back to municipal department heads who were asked to trim wherever possible. On this night those cuts were reviewed.

            “We have to look at everything,” Szyndlar had explained to The Wanderer during a telephone discussion a week previously. “Local receipts primarily from SEMASS, excise taxes, permits, investment income… that is what we plan for,” she had said. “We always plan conservatively… but it’s challenging, unknown times.”

            Going department by department, the board members and Szyndlar with the cooperation of department heads found approximately $138,000 in cuts that would not impede the town from operating with fiscal prudency through FY21.

            A part-time, town-clerk position will be removed, representing $15,000 in savings and a new projected department budget of $142,000.

            Facilities expenses including new flooring in town hall will be pushed off at least until the fall town meeting, reducing that line item by $15,500 with a new total of $397,000.

            Rochester’s Fire Department found $8,251 from various equipment purchases that can be trimmed for now, leaving a departmental budget of $326,640.

            The Building Department and Zoning Board of Appeals, which is currently only meeting to handle emergency hearings, will be cut by $3,000, leaving $128,115.

            Rochester’s Highway Department reduced its budget by $25,000 with a newly adjusted budget of $557,921 and snow removal cut to $4,000.

            Rochester’s Council on Aging was able to reduce its budget by $4,868, primarily from staffing for a new budget total of $261,929.

            A modest $900 was offered up by the Library director, leaving $232,930.

            Another $9,000 in savings generated by cutting back on accumulated sick-leave benefits, leaving the balance at $5,000.

            The biggest cut came from the Rochester Memorial School, whose planners agreed to reduce their overall budget by $52,270, leaving an operating budget of $6,011,697. This cut Szyndlar stated was from a supplies and programs line item.

            Member David Arancio asked if those departments with budgets over the 2.5-percent levy were ready to defend them on town meeting floor. Szyndlar responded that they were but that most were under that number, bringing the total town budget to a 1.97 percent increase.

            Regarding unrestricted state aid, Szyndlar said that she anticipates an approximately $112,000 reduction and state aid to schools decreasing by $40,000. She said that by the fall the state should have a better handle on revenue losses and that by being fiscally conservative now and in the coming years, “…we’re going to be covered.” But she also cautioned, “the state can’t run at a deficit… it may be late fall before we know anything.”

            Everyone agreed that the next few years would be financially difficult given the amount of money swallowed up by COVID-19. Arancio suggested that the Finance Committee begin its FY22 budget process sooner than later to give the committee ample time to study revenues and expenses.

            Presently a June 22 town meeting is planned, but where and how remains unclear. Selectman Woody Hartley said he had been to Rochester Memorial School, had taken measurements and that planning was underway that included non-family members having ample distancing. “I think we can get 100 people in there,” he said.

            Hartley was asked by member Peter Armanetti if the town would be following state guidelines on re-opening and other state regulations associated with the pandemic. “That’s up to the Board of Health,” Hartley responded.

            The next meeting of the Rochester Finance Committee will be posted once scheduled.

Rochester Finance Committee

By Marilou Newell