Coming before the Mattapoisett Finance Committee on March 11 was Fire Chief Andrew Murray to review and discuss his department’s FY22 budget. As he had when recently meeting with the Board of Selectmen and Capital Planning Committee, Murray pointed out that he wants to restore the full-time administration position that he said had been removed just before last spring’s Town Meeting.

            Murray said that there would be continuity in duties by having a dedicated administrative clerk, and the position would also cover dispatching responsibilities during weekdays. Murray said that if the full-time position was reestablished, he could reduce the on-call budget by $10,000. That line item currently stands at $14,000. All other budget items are level-funded, he said, with a roughly 2-percent step increase for personnel.

            One budget item that will grow due to the new fire station is one titled “buildings and grounds.” Murray said that while the staff takes care of such maintenance needs as painting and grass cutting, other areas require maintenance contracts such as the garage doors. He increased the budget for those areas of the new structure and grounds from $7,000 to $12,000.

            Touching on Capital Planning needs, Murray shared concerns that Engine 4 will need to be replaced in FY22, although it currently sits in the column for FY23. He explained the deterioration of the aging fire apparatus, saying, “It has outlived its life expectancy by 10 years,” and due to the care it had received throughout the years, it has lasted until now. “We take good care of our equipment.”

            Murray said, at the request of Capital Planning, he was in the process of establishing a committee to begin the research and cost-estimating process needed to advance the potential purchase during a Fall Town Meeting. Currently, he estimates a new engine at $525,000 and added, “Because our current station couldn’t fit a new engine, we had to wait this long.” It could take more than a year to bring a new fire engine to the department if voters approve the purchase, it was noted.

            The balance of the meeting focused on the overall FY22 operating budget draft presented by Town Administrator Mike Lorenco.

            Lorenco went department by department, nearly line by line, pointing out areas of increase or savings, line items new to the spreadsheet, and areas that could be removed or added to other areas, all in an effort to create a more thorough and comprehensive budget in step with the town’s growth.

            As discussions turned to schools, Lorenco again railed against an assessment being requested by Bristol County Agricultural High School for a new building. He said the towns had had no say in incurring the debt, were never notified, and that he planned to have a discussion with the county commissioners who oversee the school’s actions. He said that Mattapoisett is facing a $24,000 assessment based on four students at $6,000 each. But he said neighboring town Rochester was facing far more, a whopping $80,000. “I’m not budgeting that until I get answers,” he assured the committee.

            Other school line items on the draft budget are: local schools at $7,9l7,l70 versus FY21 at $7,667,725; Old Rochester Regional School District FY21 at $6,350,727 versus FY22 at $7,665,725; and Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School at $836,989 versus FY21 at $678,841. Lorenco commented that schools absorb more than 4 percent of the town’s total budget; therefore, looking at decreasing enrollment needs further study. He expressed concern about a greater tax burden on property owners.

            Regarding the upcoming election of a new highway surveyor, Lorenco said that Mattapoisett is one of a handful of towns in the commonwealth that still has an elected highway surveyor and that nearly all towns have departments of public works. Having said that, he feels that an incoming surveyor with less experience should also receive compensation commensurate to her or his degree of expertise. Lorenco suggested a starting salary of $75,000. He also said he would be reviewing salary guidelines after a review of other towns with elected surveyors.

            Lorenco touched on the Other Post-Employment Benefits category (OPEB) and said the town’s expected FY22 payout as mandated by the Plymouth County Retirement Board is $182,387 based on a total debt of $1,494,792 versus FY21 at $1,312,405. He said he is required to pay whatever the department assesses.

            On March 10, the Capital Planning Committee met with Harbormaster Jamie McIntosh, who reviewed such matters as grants received for improvements to Long Wharf totaling $216,000 with a required municipal match of $54,000 in FY22. He said that $75,000 was placed in FY23 for repairs and improvements to floating docks.

            McIntosh also discussed a $30,000 grant executed by Urban Harbors Institute that he wishes to pursue for a harbor-management plan. He confessed that the selectmen had not fully supported the study but believed such a document would help position the town when pursuing grants in the future. He also said it would help to establish gaps in regulatory compliance that could then be addressed. He said the town has never had a fully drafted harbor management plan and hopes to present this request at a Fall Town Meeting.

            McIntosh said that the selectmen were also not overly supportive of a new harbormaster’s office that he had plugged into a future column as far out as a decade from now. He said that, while the current building serves its purpose, it does not have restroom facilities or adequate heating for a full-time harbormaster.

            Lorenco pointed out the importance of having everything listed on the Capital Planning spreadsheet, not only for fiscal insights but also for Town Meeting voting purposes, “If it isn’t on the list, it would require a two-thirds majority to fund in the same year,” he said.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Capital Planning Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, March 24, at 6:00 pm, and the next meeting of the Mattapoisett Finance Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, March 17, at 4:00 pm.

Mattapoisett Finance and Capital Planning Committees

By Marilou Newell

            “Bravo!” exclaimed Planning Board member Chris Collings after seeing Tabor Academy’s latest plan to designate space for the eight parking spots necessary to achieve the minimum 58 required by the Town’s zoning bylaw for its proposed Campus Center at 85 Spring Street.

            “Bravo to the applicant and their team for finding a way to meet the needs of the town of Marion,” said Collings. “[I] mirror that comment,” said board member Norm Hills.

            Board member Eileen Marum said she is pleased that two spaces will be made available for electric vehicles, and member Joe Rocha said, “I like the fact that area is going to remain grass, be permeable.”

            The reactions and unanimous vote by Planning Board members in their March 15 Zoom meeting brought to a conclusion what had been a contentious examination of Tabor’s proposed replacement of the Hayden Library.

            “The building is going to be an improvement,” said Town Planner Gil Hilario, who called the Hayden Library building “antiquated.” Hilario said, “This will improve the village; the design is really good.”

            “I think we collectively all felt that way about the building,” said Planning Board Vice Chairman Andrew Daniel, acting as chair for the case in the absence of Planning Board Chairman Will Saltonstall, who recused himself from all discussions and public hearings on the application as the project’s architect.

            Daniel publicly apologized to Tabor Academy representatives for mishandling the March 1 public hearing that required a supermajority of five votes. Thinking the 4-1 vote on the parking matter was enough, he proceeded to move on to the next step addressing the vote for the overall project when he was informed the 4-1 vote was a denial, not approval. A second vote ended at 3-2, stalling the project’s approval.

            Adding his thanks to Town Administrator Jay McGrail for walking him through the denial of the special permit sought, Daniel promised he would never make that mistake again.

            On Monday night, the major site plan review was approved, and Tabor representative Tristan deBarros and acting Head of School Julie Salit thanked the board.

            Late in the meeting during the Public Outreach segment given to open comment, Daniel took a the opportunity to speak as a citizen and used the platform to issue an impassioned rebuttal to a letter that Selectman John Waterman had submitted in the local press criticizing the Planning Board’s handling of the Campus Center public hearing.

            Daniel stated that it is “not uncommon to meet multiple times.” He continued, “I don’t think we gave Tabor a hard time…. It was not a hardship and in no way was unfair treatment. To suggest otherwise was wrong.”

            Another continued public hearing ended with great relief and happiness when the Planning Board approved an Approval Not Required (ANR) plan filed by attorney Robert Perry on behalf of the Sears Family Trust, Denise Allard, and the Estate of Joan E. Botelho, to split the lots at 61 and 63 Oakdale Avenue into separate properties. Saltonstall said, “We found the [Zoning Board of Appeals] decision compelling; it’s a quirky situation but one that makes sense.”

            A second ANR plan was approved for 483 Point Road, where James and Elizabeth Kerns wish to expand their driveway area off Point Road.

            Developer Matthew Zuker appeared before the Planning Board to introduce himself and discuss his proposed zoning change at 78 Wareham Road to Residence E multi-family housing. He was joined by attorney Patricia McArdle, who represented then-owner Henry DeJesus a year ago regarding the development of the same parcel.

            A public hearing will be scheduled for April 5.

            “The big change is more single-family homes,” said Zuker, who lives in Falmouth and says there is a “real need in Marion for housing variety geared to 55 and over.” He envisions coastal cottages varying in size from 1,650 to 2,400 square feet that would start in price somewhere “in the mid-sixes.”

            Zuker said he has the same team that DeJesus had, including engineer Dave Davignon. “Architecturally speaking, what we’re going for: traditional Marion in the front, and a more modern take on the back side,” he said of his “very preliminary” designs.

            Zuker is requesting a zoning change from D to E to allow for more density but insists, with experience as a real-estate attorney having executed agreements before on use restriction, that he is “more than happy” to agree to spacing restrictions. He characterized his project as two and three-bedroom units, some single-family, and some townhouse-style out front on the 30 acres.

            The continued public hearing for a special permit and major site plan review filed by Sherman Briggs and Hamblin Homes Inc., proposing a 28-unit residential development on Spring Street, was again continued to Monday, April 5, at 7:05 pm at the applicant’s request.

            A public hearing to allow applicant Kristina Nelson to host a nutrition club with a reduction in parking at 3 Wells Road was discussed and continued to Monday, April 5, at 7:25 pm.

            The Planning Board also discussed bylaw codification articles to be brought to the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting on May 10.

            Hills presented the six different articles. The most controversial would allow the shutting-off of a resident’s water supply for delinquent water bills. Section 218 gives the town that option to try to obtain the payment; furthermore, unless a resident can prove a hardship case, it would require a homeowner to hook up to the town’s municipal water service.

            “We have the highest water rates in the state and to shut them off is not our best avenue with the people in town,” said Daniel.

            “It’s not saying we will; it’s saying we can,” said Hills.

            “But you shouldn’t; it’s kind of crazy,” said Daniel.

            The next meeting of the Marion Planning Board is scheduled for Monday, April 5, at 7:00 pm.

Marion Planning Board

By Mick Colageo

            On March 10, as the Mattapoisett Board of Health members held their monthly meeting chaired by Carmelo Nicolosi and attended by Russell Bailey and Ken Dawicki, Health Agent Kayla Davis discussed an upcoming study of the transfer station.

            Town Administrator Mike Lorenco recently announced that he had applied for two grants that were subsequently awarded from the Collins Center for Public Management UMass Boston. One grant will be used to study improvement opportunities at the financially strapped Transfer Station Enterprise Fund. The grant for the transfer station study is $22,000.

            Davis noted that, although the board was not required to accept the grant to fund the operational study of the transfer station, it was her belief it was for the good of the department. “[The grant] will be an operational and organizational review to assess opportunities for improvements.”

            Though the matter did not come to a vote, the board responded favorably, agreeing that the study is worthwhile. The other grant, not in the board’s purview, is for a study of school enrollment and consolidation, also under the Community Compact Program.

            Lorenco had shared during several meetings with the Finance Committee the need to review the enterprise’s operation considering that it should be self-supporting but required a subsidy from the municipal coffers. Lorenco has earmarked $50,000 in the FY22 budget for the subsidy.

            Davis said that presently the transfer station is fully staffed and that her office has been receiving compliments regarding the customer service that permit holders are now receiving. She said that stickers containing UPC codes could capture usage data, including use by commercial entities. When asked how the operation’s receipts have been recently, Davis said that business was slow but should be picking up soon. She also confirmed that funds paid by users have been reported weekly with daily deposits at the Town Hall. The transfer station is open year-round Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 8:00 am to 2:45 pm, she said.

            Nicolosi said the enterprise fund’s biggest expense is the cost of recycling, saying that litigation with ABC Disposal is ongoing. The referenced legal issues concern the disposal company’s attempt to pass along costs associated with the disposal versus recycling the material. ABC could not sell recycled materials from the town because the condition was too dirty for their trading partners, Nicolosi said in a follow-up. During the meeting, Nicolosi said of ABC, “It was circumstances beyond their control – costs shot up.”

            Earlier in the meeting, the board met briefly with Public Health Nurse Emily Field, who has confirmed another 100 vaccinations will be made available to senior citizens living at Village Court.

            In her report on the latest information on vaccine distribution, Field stated that a clinic was taking place that very day for both first and second-dose vaccinations. Field said homebound residents wishing to receive the vaccine would be contacted and scheduled by the end of March. She also confirmed that senior-housing residents would also receive vaccines. But with supplies low, Field said she had not received state approval to vaccinate educators working in the community. When asked, she also confirmed that the state was more inclined to supply medication to state-run sites versus local venues.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Health is scheduled for Wednesday, April 14, at 10:00 am.

Mattapoisett Board of Health

By Marilou Newell

            Marion’s roads are suffering to degrees that have been analyzed by contracted engineers and divided into proactive and reactive categories, the former 1.22 miles of roadway addressing the more urgent needs and prescribing more substantial measures.

            Department of Public Works Director David Willett and DPW Engineer Meghan Davis appeared in the March 16 meeting of the Marion Board of Selectmen to present a program to be implemented over the next six to eight months.

            Four roads fall into the prioritized proactive category: Water, Holmes, and School Streets, and Parlowtown Road; 1,057 feet of Parlowtown Road and 449 feet of School Street will receive a mill-and-overlay treatment, while 2,576 feet of Water Street and 2,345 feet of Holmes Street will receive a hot-mix overlay. The price tag is $117,946.33, with a 20-percent inflation contingency total of $141,535.60.

            The plan, said Willett, is to advertise for construction bids in mid-April and award the contract in May with a target date of mid-summer construction.

            The bidding process for the longer list of 15 roads (4.12 miles) requiring a total of $26,577.99 ($31,893,59 with a 20-percent inflation contingency) in routine crack-seal maintenance will be separately handled, according to Willett. Converse Road is on that list, but not its full length.

            Davis told the selectmen that routine maintenance will not require road closures and that the work on any one area “should only take a few days.” She intends to visit the work on Converse Road to ensure that the right repairs are being performed in the right locations.

            According to Willett, the purchase of a crack-seal trailer would provide the town the best value to keep its roads in shape long-term, and he envisions that, at some point, the work can be done in-house. “In the future, I hope to bring several programs to the board so the board can choose which (roads) are treated first,” he said.

            Selectman John Waterman noted that Marion has $1.2 million in Chapter 90 funds to draw from to cover the cost.

            Selectman Norm Hills addressed paint traps on Route 6, saying there are “some pretty bad holes out there.” Willett said he would reach out to the state Department of Transportation on the matter.

            Town Administrator Jay McGrail told the selectmen that the warrant for the May 10 Town Meeting would be closed on Tuesday, April 6.

            After fielding Waterman’s questions about the article related to dog owners, McGrail said he would work with Police Chief Richard Nighelli and new Police Lieutenant Jeff Habicht on coming up with a user guide that can be accessed at marionma.gov, the town’s website. Waterman suggested mailing out a paper copy with dog license renewal forms. Habicht’s contract as a police lieutenant was approved during Tuesday’s meeting.

            The Town Meeting warrant was discussed, and the article presenting the water bylaw will not include the shut-off policy that remains in the town’s rules and regulations. Chairman Randy Parker suggested detailing the two new trucks that will appear on the warrant.

            In his Town Administrator’s Report, McGrail said a piling up of classroom equipment has taken the gymnasium out of play for Town Meeting at Sippican School. The library is substantially smaller, but McGrail said a room dedicated solely to COVID-vaccinated residents at 3 feet of social distancing would create adequate space.

            Sippican School has a new 60-by-30-foot tent for an outdoor learning space, mask breaks, and recess in subpar weather. The tent was paid for by state funds.

            The Cushing Community Center will begin hosting Council on Aging programs in its heated tent on April 1. COVID-vaccination certificates are not required but are “highly recommended.”

            Citing Marion’s gray-community status, McGrail is looking to reopen the Town House to the public on Monday, May 5, and in-person public meetings may come back in April pending continued success against the coronavirus.

            Scott Tavares, a teacher at Old Rochester Regional High School, was introduced as the town’s new recreation director, as Jody Dickerson has been transitioned to DPW. Tavares is working 19.5 hours per week for the town. “Scott’s got heavy lifting to do,” said McGrail, noting that both positions are being transitioned on a trial basis for the employees’ sake as well as the town’s.

            Adam Lambert, a six-year ORR teacher, will fill the part-time role as assistant director of the Recreation Department. Nate Vaughn stepped away from the position after “nine great years to the department,” said Tavares.

            McGrail planned to post an advertisement for a new DPW director on Wednesday with an April 16 application deadline. Willett plans to stay part-time until June 30 and continue into the fall as a consultant. McGrail reported that Brewster and Randolph are also currently seeking a new DPW director.

            Open Space Acquisition Commission Chairman John Rockwell was on hand to explain a Conservation Restriction on Little Neck Village to protect endangered species.

            The matter, said Rockwell, dates back to 2008, but various quirks in the law and twists, turns and dormant periods extended the matter to 2021. Rockwell credited the Sippican Lands Trust for a very reasonable fee to act as the third party required to hold the Conservation Restriction.

            Parker abstained from a vote, but Hills and Waterman voted to approve the Conservation Restriction. The board thanked Rockwell for his persistence in seeing the matter through.

            In other business, the selectmen approved the nomination of Sue Connor and Adam Murphy as inspectors of animals under Animal Control. The board approved the Marion Art Center’s request for street closures on July 10 between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm for its annual Arts in the Park event. The rain date is July 11. The board also approved Margie Baldwin’s request to declare April 30 Arbor Day in Marion.             The selectmen will next meet as Water & Sewer Commissioners on Thursday, March 25, at 4:00 pm. The next meeting of the Marion Board of Selectmen is scheduled for Tuesday, April 6, at 4:00 pm.

Marion Board of Selectmen

By Mick Colageo