John O’Rourke of Good Energy provided an update to the Marion Select Board regarding the town’s electricity aggregation program during the October 5 board meeting.

            Planning started for the aggregation in January 2014 when Ross Perry, then director of municipal services for SRPEDD, decided it was a good idea to get SRPEDD communities together to do an energy aggregation. This is the third renewal of the aggregation, the largest of its kind in the U.S., according to O’Rourke.

            Good Energy is a national company with 354 municipal clients, and Marion is part of the SRPEDD group.

            Having launched its community electricity aggregation program in 2016, Marion has 2,222 enrollments, and the number has remained stable over the past five years.

            O’Rourke shared a chart displaying how the electricity rates through the aggregation have remained comparatively level compared to Eversource rates and for the most part have remained lower as well.

            In mid-September, Marion learned that the proposed National Grid basic rate from fall into 2022 will be $0.14821 kWh (per kilowatt hour).

            Since April, natural gas prices have nearly doubled, according to O’Rourke, affecting the price of electricity, which tends to follow gas prices. The advantage of being in an aggregate, said O’Rourke, is timing the market.

            “We can go out to bid when the market is favorable,” he said, noting that the renewal started in January 2021. Analysts, he said, directed the SRPEDD group to go out to bid. “Utilities have to go out to bid at specific time of the year regardless of the market.”

            Select Board member John Waterman told the board that he received a letter stating that he is in the program unless he opts out. O’Rourke confirmed the arrangement and explained that the theory behind it is the best way to put the largest buying group together is via an opt-out rather than opt-in program.

            New Hampshire and Rhode Island, which had opt-in aggregation, learned that suppliers do not bid on their programs. In opt-out scenarios, consumers have a 30-day period in which to decide; 80-85 percent of eligible customers are in the launch in the beginning. In an opt-in program, a supplier doesn’t know what the percentage is so, in a limited time period, the opt-out program gives suppliers a better idea. Marion is now at 75 to 80-percent in the aggregation.

            O’Rourke said that rates will stay fixed until December 2023. He told the board he will email Town Administrator Jay McGrail his slide presentation so Marion can post it on the town website, marionma.gov.

            Among its actions on Tuesday, the Select Board voted to approve the joint plan of Verizon New England and Eversource to plant one new stub pole to facilitate the removal of a tree guide at Pleasant and South Streets.

            The board voted to name McGrail the town’s authorized approval agent for the distribution of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, and Finance Director Judy Mooney as the town’s authorized ARPA preparing agent.

            In contrast to CARES Act funding, ARPA deadlines range between three and four years, and the funds have broader usage, including infrastructure. McGrail told the members that he anticipates using the majority of the funds for Marion’s matching requirement for the grant to upgrade the Creek Road pumping station.

            McGrail estimates between $1 million to $1.2 million in ARPA funding will be coming Marion’s way either directly or via Plymouth County administration. The county administers CARES Act funding.

            In his Town Administrator’s report, McGrail said a meeting with Rochester representatives yielded a plan for Rochester to distribute up to 50 beach passes to its residents at $35 per pass.

            After years of buying day passes, Marion stopped selling them to mitigate overcrowding. The Town of Rochester funds one of the lifeguards at Silvershell Beach, while McGrail noted that Marion uses Rochester ball fields for youth sports.

            “At the end of the day, it’s fairly equitable,” he said. “They haven’t said no to us.” McGrail said it is expected that the 50 guest passes far outnumber the need, estimated to be a dozen.

            Given the large residential developments planned in both towns, McGrail cautioned the board that Marion could soon be at a tipping point where it concerns the use of recreational facilities like the beach.

            “We need to have a long-term game plan for Rochester,” said Waterman. “I don’t want our own residents getting crowded out of the beach. … We need to talk it through with Rochester now.”

            Hoping to put the 50 beach passes for Rochester in context, McGrail said that Marion sells approximately 350 guest passes in Marion.

            The Wastewater Treatment Plant lagoon on Benson Brook Road is nearing the end of sludge removal, according to McGrail, who told the Select Board that wall construction and finalizing the base for installation of the liner are next.

            Nonetheless, a major task revised change order addressing the flow system has the town seeking a short-term extension to the project deadline of December 31.

            Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito is looking to tour the harbormaster facility at Island Wharf where Marion has recently been approved for a grant exceeding $300,000 in its bid to construct a new Maritime Center. The Marine Resources Commission has scheduled another open house for Saturday, November 6, and Waterman suggested the event would be an opportune time for Polito to visit and meet many citizens.

            The Select Board decided to wait on approving scheduled appointments to the Marion Cultural Council pending some fact-finding on term limits. Kristen Saint Don-Campbell is the chair of the MCC, which, according to McGrail, has a mission to promote the arts, humanities, and interpretive sciences in order to improve quality of life for Marion residents via the distribution of state grant funds.

            The board approved a credit of $747.64 for an overestimated water bill, along with water/sewer commitments of $1,974.95, $1,710.67, and $611.05.

            The board approved street closures for the Halloween Parade scheduled for Sunday, October 31, at 4:00 pm, and for a noontime closing of town offices on Wednesday, November 24.

            Early in the meeting, McGrail introduced Doug Guey-Lee, the town’s new conservation agent and town planner, to the board. Guey-Lee comes to Marion from Wellfleet where he was the assistant conservation agent.

            The next meeting of the Marion Select Board is scheduled for Monday, October 18, at the Music Hall at a time to be determined. Marion’s Special Town Meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 19, at 6:45 pm at Sippican Elementary School.

Marion Select Board

By Mick Colageo

            Having received news of the Finance Committee’s vote to approve two money-related articles for the Special Town Meeting, the Rochester Board of Selectmen was eager to add its endorsement of the warrant that will be put before the town’s voters on Monday, October 18, at Rochester Memorial School.

            Article 2 asks voters to appropriate $10,000 to replace the Assessors’ computerized system (CAMA) with a new and improved version from another vendor. Town Administrator Suzanne Szyndlar told the selectmen she anticipates $3,000 per year in savings and maintenance costs as a result. Article 3, which is related, asks voters to make a $3,000 commitment toward the Assessors’ supplemental budget for software and support.

            Previously, recommendations were made supporting Article 12 ($200,000 transfer to the Road Improvement Stabilization Fund) and Article 13 ($300,000 transfer to Rochester’s regular Stabilization Fund).

            In her Town Administrator’s Report, Szyndlar told the board that $1,415,268 in free cash has been certified in time for the Special Town Meeting. Acknowledging typical “turn-backs” adding up to between $100,000 and $200,000, Szyndlar said, “The trend won’t continue much longer.” Taking from free cash has been used to fund the Stabilization account.

            Rochester has received $78,000 more in federal CARES Act funding, bringing the town’s total to $904,000.

            “We spent the first allotment, so this will come in handy,” said Szyndlar, who told the selectmen that she has reached out to department heads, schools, the Fire Department, and the Council on Aging. “We’ll use all the money [within a] short period of time, so it’s going to be shovel-ready [projects].”

            In describing the website for new ARPA funding, Szyndlar said the requests potentially resulting in the release of $267,000 would fall into six categories and that the town, as has been the case with CARES Act funding, will continue to work through Plymouth County. The allocations will be based on population.

            The selectmen voted to designate access for two portals. Normally, the town administrator signs off on the grant, but in her dual role, including that of finance director, Szyndlar was approved to act as Rochester’s authorized representative and preparer for ARPA funding purposes.

            The selectmen announced their agreement to contract Community Paradigm Associates, LLC as a search firm to find a replacement for Szyndlar and agreed to sign the agreement subject to a vote of support at Town Meeting.

            The selectmen voted to recognize Cynthia Mello, the former town treasurer, with a citation thanking her for her 14 years of service to the town.

            The selectmen voted to accept a SEMASS PILOT payment of $363,956 for September.

            Selectman Paul Ciaburri acknowledged a $2,700 grant from Massachusetts Emergency Management that will be used to purchase a trailer to store hazmat suits and equipment. Ciaburri indicated that hazmat equipment is distributed in various places and this measure will locate it in one place.

            Unless it becomes necessary, the selectmen do not plan to meet prior to the October 18, 7:00 pm Special Town Meeting at Rochester Memorial School.

Rochester Board of Selectmen

By Mick Colageo

Superintendent Michael S. Nelson reports that the Towns of Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester are under a drinking water warning, which also affects five of the six district schools.

The drinking water warning is effective immediately for everyone in the Tri-Town who utilizes public water and it is advised that water is boiled before it is used. Old Rochester Regional High School, Old Rochester Regional Junior High School, Center School, Old Hammondtown School and Sippican School are affected by the warning. The drinking water warning remains in place until further notice.

The Rochester Memorial School is the only district school not affected by the drinking water warning because it uses well water rather than public water.

“Water used at the Rochester Memorial School is not public water, and instead is supplied through a well,” Facilities Director Gene Jones said. “This well water is tested independently and regularly, and is not affected by the drinking water warning issued today. We would like to assure Rochester Memorial School families that the water being used in the building is safe.”

The five affected schools will follow all directives of town, state and public health officials relating to the warning in regards to facilities work and food operations. Bottled water and hand sanitizer is being made available for students at the affected schools. All water that will be used for cooking or drinking will be boiled before use. Additionally, drinking fountains and water refill stations will also be closed at the affected schools until the drinking water warning is lifted.

“Our food services staff will follow the guidance provided by town officials including discarding food or beverage items in accordance with their directives, as well as boiling public water used in our day-to-day food services operations,” Director of Food Services Jill Henesey said.

The drinking water warning was issued as a result of water samples testing positive for E. coli. The towns are collecting repeat samples and working with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The DEP offers additional information and guidance regarding drinking water and public health orders here.

“We will follow all directives of the officials in each town, and will ensure students and staff have the necessary resources to continue their school days with as little disruption and inconvenience as possible while this drinking water warning remains in place,” Superintendent Nelson said. “We will continue to monitor the situation and keep the school community updated regarding any additional impact to the schools.”

Town Administrator James McGrail and the Marion Public Works Department report that the Town of Marion is currently under a boil water order.

In addition to Marion, the towns of Fairhaven, Mattapoisett and Rochester are also under boil water orders. The order was issued after routine town water samples collected on Tuesday, Oct. 5 tested positive for E. coli. Immediately after identifying the positive samples, officials engaged the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and a boil water order was issued. The cause of the contamination remains unknown at this time.

The boil water order remains in effect town-wide for all those who utilize public water, and will continue until further notice. All water that will be used for cooking, drinking, brushing teeth, washing dishes or food preparation should be boiled for at least one minute prior to use, or bottled water should be used as an alternative.

Any ice, beverages, formula or uncooked foods that were prepared with water from the public water system on or after Oct. 5 should also be discarded.

The same precautions to protect humans also apply to pets. Pets should be given bottled water or boiled water that has cooled. Water from any appliance connected to your water line, such as ice and water from a refrigerator, should not be used for pets while under a boil water order. Fish or other aquatic pets should not be exposed to water containing elevated bacteria levels, and appropriately boiled or bottled water should be used instead.

The towns will be collecting additional water samples on Thursday, Oct. 7. The towns have also started temporary chlorination of the distribution systems and will be flushing the system over the next several days to draw the chlorinated water into the distribution systems.

Residents will be notified when they no longer need to boil their water.

“We are working closely with the DEP and our partners in Fairhaven, Mattapoisett and Rochester to resolve this issue,” Town Administrator McGrail said. “We appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation and will be providing updates to our residents as soon as they are available.”

E. coli is a sub-group of the fecal coliform bacteria group. There are many strains of E. coli, most of which are harmless, but some strains can cause illness. Symptoms of E. coli sickness can include diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches or other symptoms. These symptoms may pose a greater health risk for infants, young children, the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems. These symptoms, however, are not just associated with water-borne illness; they may also come from other diseases. If you are ill with these symptoms, please contact your health care provider.

Residents with questions can contact Director of Public Works Nathaniel Munafo at 508-748-3540.

Additional information regarding drinking water boil orders and other public health orders can be found on the DEP’s website.