There is no doubt it is budget season. Just a glance at posted public meetings and one quickly finds Mattapoisett’s Capital Planning and Finance Committees pushing towards the goal of assisting in the development of the FY22 budget that will ultimately be presented at Town Meeting.

            But long before the committees began their work, Town Administrator Mike Lorenco was busy helping department heads with their individual budgets, expenses, and future needs, all data points that other boards and committees need for the final FY22 budget.

            Once again chaired by Chuck McCullough, the Capital Planning Committee will also be sitting down with department heads as their immediate FY22 needs and long-range, big-ticket projects and items are taken into consideration.

            On February 17, the committee members, which include Ellen Driscoll, Mike Dahill, Allan Apperson, Mike Rosa, and Robert Bergman, came together with McCullough for an overview discussion of the requests presented thus far by the department heads. New this year to the review process is the inclusion of proposed funding sources for each line item and additional line items previously not included on the committee’s spreadsheet.

            First up for discussion was the Police Department’s vehicle purchases, an annual expense covering two new cruisers financed from a combination of free cash and tax-levy funds, listed at $55,000 each. Rosa asked about the cost of the vehicles. Lorenco, who was also in attendance, explained that the basic vehicle cost was approximately $37,000 but, with the additional equipment required by a police department, the cost came in as listed.

            No other items were listed for FY22 from the Police Department. A quick look at subsequent years found $75,000 for the repaving of the parking lot in FY23 from free cash and solar panels for the station estimated at $20,000. A bit further out, pegged into FY24, was $100,000 for the repointing of the police station structure from the capital reserve fund.

            The Fire Department’s requests were next to be examined with some discussion surrounding the need for a fire inspector’s sport-utility vehicle estimated at $42,500 from free cash and listed for FY22. Lorenco said Fire Chief Andrew Murray would need the opportunity to justify the request, saying, “I’m not in favor of the inspector’s vehicle.… Can we use an older pickup?” He said, however, that it was important to allow the line item to “go through the process.”

            McCullough added to the discussion. “We’ve somewhat lost control of vehicles. We look at the sale of old vehicles to help defray costs and trim the fleet.” He wondered aloud at the values of retiring vehicles.

            The only other item listed for the Fire Department for FY22 was $14,500 from free cash for pontoons for the SAFE boat. New to the department’s list but not scheduled for the immediate future were radio upgrades, new fire helmets, thermal imaging cameras, new fire apparatuses, and extraction tools. Lorenco had noted previously the importance of capturing all possible expenses from all departments for planning and funding purposes and eliminating the element of surprise.

            The Highway Department’s need to replace a sidearm mower at an estimated cost of $85,000 funded by capital debit exclusion was considered. Highway Surveyor Barry Denham had explained during a recent meeting with the Finance Committee that it is a necessary piece of requirement. Also listed for the department in FY22 is a combination device for catch-basin cleaning and road sweeping for $249,000 from free cash. This line item was not discussed during the meeting but will be brought up at a later date. Four additional pieces of heavy equipment were listed for coming years as far out as 2031.

            When asked about the manner in which road-improvement projects are funded, Lorenco said that the bulk of those had been paid for from debt. He then explained that the solar array planned for the transfer station would help offset those expenses. “When the landfill solar comes online, those monies will be used for road improvements,” he explained. Lorenco said that revenue generated from the sale of power would be split between different funds to be determined by the selectmen.

            As the committee moved on to local schools, the subject of the Old Rochester Regional District school budget came up. Lorenco said that the towns would be receiving a list of capital needs from the district for the first time. McCullough said this was something all three towns had been requesting for some time. Lorenco added, “Capital items need to be part of the ORR assessment; as part of the regional agreement, we vote on one number.” Later in the meeting, McCullough suggested it might prove beneficial to hold a Tri-Town capital planning meeting with ORR to enact a 10-year plan. Lorenco said he would follow-up.

            The Sewer Department was briefly examined with one line item of particular importance: the Eel Pond sewer pipe’s replacement running across the breach. Lorenco said that Sewer Superintendent Henri Renauld was “chasing a grant,” with the town’s portion anticipated to be $750,000. Lorenco noted that an April announcement is expected for the awarding of the grant and, failing that, the project would be “pushed off to another year.”

            On the matter of what to do about the aging town hall and vacant classrooms, Lorenco said he has engaged UMass to do a school consolidation analysis, as well as an analysis on the operation of the transfer station. Dahill added, “At some point, we have to deal with the town hall, so the school study needs to get done.”

            The following day the Finance Committee took up its budget-review process in a meeting with Harbormaster Jamie MacIntosh.

            MacIntosh described a department that has been and will continue to be level-funded in FY22 but reported that as an enterprise fund, it is struggling. He said that the budget simply does not have the cash for the growth of waterfront services or capital projects. He said that between expenses and indirect costs, most of the retained earnings had been spent. Lorenco added, “Jamie is at the crossroads of needing a subsidy.”

            MacIntosh then shared information he had previously brought to the attention of the Marine Advisory Board, saying that fees need to be raised across the board. Using Dartmouth as a comparison, MacIntosh said that fees charged to boaters are below surrounding towns. He said that while he appreciated that people on fixed incomes want to enjoy boating, fees are simply too low. “Wareham has a fully-funded department and fees,” he said.

            MacIntosh said that a 20 percent, across-the-board increase is warranted. He doesn’t believe the increase would be too much for the boating community to bear. Lorenco said that presently the waterfront enterprise fund retained earnings stand at $25,184. Despite COVID-19, MacIntosh said the department has been very busy. He shared his hope that grant funding would be secured for the repairs and improvements needed on Long Wharf. The replacement of timber pilings on another wharf was pending state permitting, he said.

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

Mattapoisett Capital Planning Committee and Finance Committee

By Marilou Newell

            Good financial news during very trying economic times is precious, but it was a good news kind of day on February 23 for the Marion Board of Selectmen as Town Administrator Jay McGrail was pleased to announce Marion has received $250,000 from the state for the lagoon cleanup project via the Environmental Bond Bill.

            McGrail publicly thanked Representative Bill Straus and the state Department of Environmental Protection.

            “This is a great relief. Literally from my first day on the job, this is something I’ve been working on with you guys,” he said, noting that while there is no formal commitment for 2022, the outlook remains positive. “At Town Meeting, we’ll be looking for more appropriation, but every penny will help us, that’s for sure.”

            McGrail and Marion Finance Director Judy Mooney also had a positive report after vast improvement on the preliminary budget figures they had received from the Old Rochester Regional School District. McGrail told the selectmen he met with ORR Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson and Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Howie Barber, sharing Marion’s $170,000 budget deficit with those numbers. “After listening to our concerns … I’m happy to say both ORR and Sippican School Committees both have a budget in front of them” that can work for both sides, said McGrail.

            ORR will increase its assessment number by 3.2 percent for FY22 and Sippican School just under 2.5 percent.

            “I thanked both for listening to our concerns,” said McGrail, who intended to present a balanced budget to the Marion Finance Committee during its February 24 meeting.

            The budget season outlook is for the selectmen to meet with FinCom and the Marion School Committee in a joint session on Wednesday, March 3, and McGrail said he would by then have a capital plan recommendation for the selectmen to consider.

            Noting the latest information indicating a trend toward lower enrollments, Selectman John Waterman referenced his 2019 suggestion for an analysis. “Their costs are fixed in the short run, (but) they’re not fixed in the long run,” he said. “They can’t assume school choice is good without looking at enrollment and capacity.” Waterman suggested a five-year outlook, noting that while FinCom is historically against school choice, “I am not.”

            McGrail is looking to see FinCom vote on the budget at its March 10 meeting.

            “Our overall growth is around 2.5 percent, the lowest it’s been in a long time,” said McGrail.

            Another way the town intends to recover costs in a way it hasn’t been is via a substantial hike that the selectmen approved in wastewater Infiltration/Inflow mitigation fees from 60 cents per gallon to $13.80 per gallon. McGrail said the new rate reflects Marion’s actual costs of I/I mitigation and that the former fee was antiquated and never updated.

            While the fees collected go to the Sewer Enterprise Fund, Waterman suggested strongly that they be tracked in a separate account to ensure they get used for I/I reduction. “If we could see it in the financials,” he said, also suggesting the $10,000 sewer hookup fee, “which technically isn’t just I/I should go in there, too.”

            Waterman stressed for those who might consider the hike unfair that $13.80 per gallon is the average price it costs the town. “Sometimes, it actually costs more,” he said.

            Marion hopes to exponentially increase its number of septic users via proposed developments in town, and the selectmen discussed a citizens’ petition for an annual Town Meeting warrant article seeking Zoning Classification for property owned by Matthew Zucker.

            McGrail, who met with Zucker and Board of Selectmen Chairman Randy Parker, reported that Zucker has indicated he is willing to have a pretty serious discussion with a density cap, “similar to where we are with Henry DeJesus.”

            Waterman suggested representatives put it right out there that the town needs assistance from developers in upgrading undersized water mains, so he is “not blindsided with it.” McGrail told the selectmen that he encouraged Zucker to come before the Planning Board to share his ideas.

            Attorney Patricia McArdle attended the Zoom meeting and indicated that Zucker reported to her a very positive meeting with Marion’s representative and has also talked with developer Ken Steen.

            In a 4:15 pm appointment, Chief of Police Richard Nighelli recommended the appointment of two new full-time officers, Stephen Dawson and Randy Jacob, to fill two of the department’s vacancies. The selectmen approved both recommendations and welcomed Dawson and Jacob to the town.

            From New Jersey with family connections in Massachusetts, Dawson is a graduate of the police academy in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and has worked for the Broward County Sheriff’s Department. He met Massachusetts’ Municipal Training requirements through his work in Florida and brings experience as a therapist and a degree in psychology that Nighelli said would help the town on a regular basis and especially with individuals amidst mental health crisis.

            Jacob, a Westport native living in Fall River, graduated in 2019 from the MPTA in Randolph and has been working for the Fall River Police Department in its Environmental Division patrolling the city’s watershed and forest area, focusing on illegal dumping, regular service, domestics, and alarms.

            Both officers are appointed effective February 28 to one-year probationary periods.

            The Board of Selectmen holds a special meeting on Thursday, February 25, at 6:00 pm via Zoom to review concepts and receive feedback on the strained parking situation on Hiller Street. The selectmen resume their regular schedule next week, meeting on Tuesday, March 2, at 4:00 pm, and will also join the Finance and School Committees for a joint session on Wednesday, March 3, at 7:00 pm.

Marion Board of Selectmen

By Mick Colageo

Darren C. Moran, 27, the suspect in a February 20 single-car crash near 144 North Avenue in Rochester that critically injured a pedestrian, was arraigned on Monday afternoon at Wareham District Court and was being held in custody pending $10,000 bail.

            Charges include leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash resulting in injury and for assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon.

            According to the police report, the operator of the vehicle that struck the female pedestrian went off the road and crashed. The operator fled the scene by foot. Rochester Police were searching on Monday for Moran after further investigation yielded an arrest warrant.

            The Rochester Fire Department reported having been dispatched to the area at approximately 1:30 pm on Saturday, February 20. Paramedic Josh Anacki and Firefighter/EMT Andy Weigel were the first to arrive in Ambulance 207. They learned from the injured patient that she had been struck by the vehicle, not ejected as had been originally considered, then the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed before fleeing on foot.

            A Medflight was requested. Rochester Fire reported that the helicopter happened to be within five minutes of Rochester’s landing zone. The paramedics stabilized the patient, who had suffered severe injuries to her lower extremities and pelvic areas before being flown to Rhode Island Hospital.

            The Medflight is estimated to have cut the transport time to Rhode Island Hospital from 45 minutes down to 20 minutes or less.

            Rochester Police publicly credited officers Jason D. Denham and Robert Nordahl, Sergeant Shaun Peterson, and Detective Donald Kemmett for their effort in conducting a detailed investigation, and also thanked Plymouth County BCI, K-9 and Acushnet Police as well as Rochester residents who assisted investigating officers.

By Mick Colageo

            In an introductory tour of applications that will become the subject of more decisive scrutiny on February 26, the Marion Community Preservation Committee met on February 12 via Zoom to run through 10 Fiscal Year 2022 funding applications.

            “The real discussion will be two weeks from now. Bring a lunch; it’s likely to be a two-and-a-half, three-hour meeting,” CPC Chairman Jeff Doubrava told the members.

            With $456,000 in its account, Doubrava reported that $473,892 had been requested among 10 projects. The CPC would be able to fund $334,000. He said two projects had money to be returned: a Habitat for Humanity balance, and basement waterproofing at $65,000 that the Music Hall cannot spend until next year.

            “A lot of things funded last year weren’t spent due to COVID,” said Doubrava.

            Cushing Community Park Committee requested $30,000 to install a paved walking path on the grounds of the Benjamin D. Cushing Community Center on Route 6.

            The selectmen have allowed work out front where a 1/8-mile walking track will hopefully someday be complemented by a pavilion. The committee is working with the Council on Aging and the Recreation Department, and the COA and Friends of Marion Recreation have donated to the effort.

            Discussion ensued regarding the surface. While asphalt is planned, Board of Selectman Chairman Randy Parker suggested pouring concrete where possible. “It’s a good project, but I would like to see what concrete would cost,” said Parker.

            COA Chairman Harry Norweb said the selectmen approved the walking path phase last year. “Marion’s older adults will be users of the facility, but we anticipate all ages of the community,” he said.

            Chris Collings may find $30,000 in funding to buy more boats, kayaks, and equipment for Marion’s community sailing program, but he readily accepted the likelihood that very little of it will come from the CPC.

            As first pointed out by Parker, the roadblock is in the basic stipulation that CPC money can only fund permanent fixtures. That would include a basketball hoop, for instance, but not a bicycle and definitely not boats and kayaks.

            “I’m happy Randy was the bad guy because I was going to be the bad guy. Love the idea, but CPC funding cannot be used to buy boats,” said Doubrava, calling the answer “a hard no.” He asked, “Is there some other way we can fund this? Because it looks like a great idea.”

            While the town’s Recreation Department hires the staff, Collings works as a volunteer in the program. He founded it during a long rehab from a shoulder-replacement surgery.

            “This is really my favorite application,” said CPC member John Rockwell, calling the bay “our greatest open space.” Rockwell asked who would own the boats, noting the absence in the request of the Recreation Department, and said endorsement letters would be needed from the Friends of Marion Recreation. Collings said he could return in two weeks and satisfy some of those questions.

            Facilities Director Shaun Cormier has made numerous repairs to the steps at the Main Street entrance of the Town House, but the steps need a complete overhaul. A $221,000 project would include new entry doors, saving the old granite steps, and using them in the new construction in the same style. The plan is to remove the two side bulkheads that once served the former school building as an entryway to its woodshop. The bulkheads were not part of the original design and have no future purpose.

            Noting railings from the 1860s, Rockwell asked about outsourcing a reproduction of the design. Cormier said the architect would specify railings like the Taber Library entrance so that all three railings will match and be historically correct.

            Meg Steinberg, the chairperson of the Marion Historical Commission, said that the entrance is not historically accurate and has been modified many times. Steinberg asked about plans for the doors. Cormier said he has old photos from the early 1900s and plans to match all of the railings. The plan calls for a solid mahogany wood door with double glass that will match the originals. The current aluminum storefront doors will be removed.

            CPC member Will Tifft said to anticipate overages.

            Steinberg was present to speak about and answer questions about the Historical Commission’s $30,000 request to continue the town’s historical inventory.

            Doubrava asked Steinberg about the $125,000 previously awarded that has not yet been spent. Steinberg said the money has been “committed,” including a $12,000 consultant’s fee. Steinberg told the CPC that the Historical Commission was advised to use the other $15,000 in the request as the required local commitment in a state grant application meant to net much more in funding.

            Steinberg further explained that in assembling more funding through grant applications and CPC requests, it would be “probable four to five years down the road before we have it all done, but we have no other sources.” Steinberg said she learned that it is “very common” for towns to use CPC funding for such a project.

            Doubrava cautioned that such a lengthy project could become an ongoing activity, so hiring staff would be a problem.

            The Town House Annex received private funding to replace its windows and is now seeking $90,000 to finish the job, including trim. “There’s a lot of labor in that, and it’s good to have it redone, I think,” said Rockwell. The CPC voted to have the Board of Selectmen file a conservation restriction to protect the building.

            The Elizabeth Taber Library has requested $4,867 to complete funding for a $7,300 project that would add the stone carvings of four more books under the benches outside the building. The titles would represent the works of authors of diverse backgrounds. The rest of the project has been privately funded, including a donation from Tri-Town Against Racism. Steinberg indicated that the original contractor would donate some of the cost of installation.

            Sippican Historical Society has requested $25,000 to continue its archival catalog. SHS Executive Director Leslie Thayer Piper said the prior award of $125,000 has been allocated and will be spent by July on documents and artifacts before being digitized, putting collections online to make them accessible by students and the community. Thayer Piper said people around the world are looking to SHS to provide information, including German descendants of one of the crewmembers of the abandoned ship Mary Celeste.

            CPC members were not confident about Sippican Women’s Club’s request to fund an upstairs apartment because the funds target maintenance costs that do not qualify. Rockwell said the CPC had funded the building before. “Some components aren’t eligible for funding, but the ones that are (eligible) have dollar value, so we can look at that,” he said.

            Citing 550 total gravesites, CPC member Margie Baldwin noted that a project to update veterans’ grave markers calls for 500 sites. The project would use $228 unspent from 2020.

            Other projects include a $10,000 project to maintain split rail fencing at Silvershell Beach.

            The next meeting of the Marion Community Preservation Committee is scheduled for Friday, February 26.

Marion Community Preservation Committee

By Mick Colageo