It finally happened on January 26; the demolition of the iconic Bowlmor Lanes located in the heart of Mattapoisett. The sound of cracking, snapping, and crashing could be heard throughout the village as the soundwaves created by dismantling cranes reverberated off Center School. The end of an era has arrived.

            The members of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen all have deep roots in the community, and so it seemed fitting that they share their thoughts not only on what the former recreational hot spot meant to them as youngsters growing up in town but also the impact on vacant lots in a municipality seeking to expand business opportunities.

            Jordan Collyer grew up in Mattapoisett and spent plenty of time as a youth bowling inside the prominent green structure. But today, he said, “I’m upset! I’m upset that no one was able to restore that iconic building. Everyone knew it as a landmark in town. There were birthday parties, class events— it was a place to get together with your friends. It will be sorely missed.” After pausing for a moment to collect his thoughts, Collyer said, “I’m upset it declined, but I’m also upset my kids won’t be able to have the same kind of memories I do.”

            Paul Silva spent the summers of his youth on Mattapoisett Neck. “I didn’t have a car, so I spent all my time on the water,” he said. But Silva said his son grew up in Mattapoisett and that “he was always there,” at the Bowlmor. But Silva also expressed concern about the impact of such a large empty space in the middle of the community. “It’s always difficult to see a business leave the Route 6 belt.… I hope it doesn’t turn into a parking lot.” He said he is hopeful a business will come into the space, as was the case when the A&P closed at the site that is now a 7-Eleven store. “I hope it becomes a flourishing business.”

            John DeCosta’s memories of the bowling alley are much more personal. “That’s where my father and mother met!” he said, sharing the tender family story of six friends— three ladies and three gentlemen— who eventually would pair off into three couples who have remained lifelong friends. DeCosta’s parents were introduced in 1946; Gerry Francis would become Mrs. John DeCosta, her sister Edith would find love with DeCosta’s friend Warren Davis, and the third lady, now only remembered as Aunt Alice, would marry DeCosta’s other pal, Ken Wood.

            Selectman DeCosta said that he spent loads of time at the bowling alley, especially during school vacations and later when he had his own children, as they celebrated many birthdays there. Later on, when he needed to earn extra income to help support his growing family, DeCosta worked at the bowling alley. “It’s a very sad day for me,” DeCosta quietly shared. He said that it was like losing a family member.

            The current owners, Mike and Susan Penta, had tried to find a way to renovate the building and kickstart the business, but by February 2017, Bowlmor was condemned due to structural problems. The building opened its doors in 1945.

            But life goes on, and so do the running of the town’s business. After sharing their thoughts about the removal of the bowling alley earlier in the day, it was back to business as they focused on the agenda at hand at the evening meeting.

            A hot button was pushed when engineering firm VHB’s Jamie Pisano told the selectmen that less than 25 percent of the needed design work on Main, Water, and Beacon Streets had been completed to date. Pisano said, “We are midway through 25 percent,” and given that the project had been pushed out to the 2025 Massachusetts Department of Transportation Improvement Project, scheduling had been slowed down to save the town money. Pisano said that since the town’s project had been pushed to 2025, he was concerned that if 25 percent was completed now, the DOT might change policies that would send them back to the drawing board. “I didn’t want to go back to the town and ask for more money,” he said. “My intent was to have the best interest of the town; we were advancing the project through the process.”

            But that set off a frustrated reaction from Collyer, who stated, “I don’t like that answer.” Asked by Collyer, Town Administrator Mike Lorenco said that to date, the town had spent roughly $100,000. Lorenco confirmed that the overall contract with VHB was around $500,000.

            Collyer told Pisano, “We thought we were almost there.” He said that VHB had not informed the board of slowing down the project, adding, “I wasn’t in favor of you, to begin with.” Collyer reminded Pisano that he had aired concerns about VHB’s ability to deliver on time based on problems experienced during Phase 1 of the bike path.

            Pisano said that when the design got to 10 percent, it came to light that the project was pushed off from 2024 to 2025. Silva said, “But you didn’t tell anybody.”

            Pisano repeatedly apologized and promised to give the board regular updates while also restarting the design to achieve 25 percent by April so that the town could, with the aid of legislators, attempt to get back on the 2024 TIP.

            Collyer said, “Your communications need to be crystal clear.” He said that all parties needed to be diligent in getting the 25 percent completed and that status reports were expected one week before meetings with VHB moving forward.

            The project proposes to improve sidewalks, parking, and road surfaces along Main, Water, and Beacon Streets, as well as the reconfiguration of at least one major intersection at Marion Road and Route 6.

            Kathleen Costello, administrator of assessing, and Attorney Matthew Thomas met with the selectmen with the news that a Home Rule Petition had been granted to the town. Costello said that Mattapoisett was the only town in the Commonwealth with the authority to impose Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) programs on solar developers. She said that a law written in 1975 geared towards providing tax relief to homeowners opting to install residential solar arrays had also been used by some commercial producers.

            Costello said that the companies entering Mattapoisett with solar projects had thus far been amenable to engaging in PILOT programs, but that could change at any time. Costello said that Mattapoisett was a prime location for solar arrays and that this legislation will continue to allow the town and its residents to benefit financially.

            Thomas said, “This ensures that the way Mattapoisett has been doing things can continue.… It codifies what Mattapoisett has done in the past.”

            In his report to the board, Lorenco touched on the FY22 budget process that he has been working on with the Capital Planning Committee. He said that he has been meeting with department heads and that meetings with the Finance Committee were scheduled, but that “2022 will be a difficult year.… We might have to do some trimming.” He made those comments, he said, in light of healthcare costs and other expenses.

            Lorenco also mentioned that FEMA mapping changes would need to go before Town Meeting in the spring and pointed out that COVID-19 guidelines include lifting some restrictions. However, he said of the latter topic that complaints had been received about businesses not complying with capacity rules. “We are watching capacity limits, but hope the businesses do it, so we don’t have to be the bad guys,” he said.

            Lorenco’s last comments of the meeting were that Emergency Management plans were ready for review. The board elected to send those directly to the stakeholders for their review before coming before them for comment and approval.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen is scheduled for Tuesday, February 9, at 6:30 pm.

Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen

By Marilou Newell

            The Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals voted on January 14 to permit Plumb Corner, LLC to display a temporary sign bigger than what the bylaw allows, but not quite as big as the developer had hoped.

            The original request was for an 8- by 4- foot sign, exceeding the bylaw’s 9 square-foot maximum by 23 square feet, but the developer settled on an 18 square-foot, 6- by 3-foot sign displaying the realtor’s name, contact info, rendering of a sample unit, and layout of the 55+ residential development. The sign will be 17 feet from the road next to the proposed entrance, up Rounseville Road from the Town Hall facing some woods.

            ZBA member Richard Cutler recused himself from the agenda item, but he spoke on behalf of the First Congregational Church of Rochester. He said the matter would have to go before the Rochester Historic District Commission, which Town Counsel Blair Bailey confirmed.

            The size wasn’t an issue for ZBA member Davis Sullivan, who said, “It doesn’t seem unreasonable.” However, Cutler maintained that the sign was “out of place for that area,” then added, “But it’s the ZBA’s decision.”

            ZBA member Kirby Gilmore wondered how much of a reduction in size the developer might accept, which was ultimately an 18 square-foot sign.

            “I like that, okay,” said Gilmore.

            Arancio still thought the sign would be “a little out of place with size,” while Davis considered it “a good compromise.”

            The special permit for the oversized sign was approved, but the board placed conditions on approval, such as no other realty signs may be displayed at the site, the size is limited to 3 by 6 feet, and the sign must be removed by March 1, 2024, with final approval pending Historic District Commission approval.

            The vote was unanimous, 5-0.

            The next meeting of the Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals is scheduled for January 28 at 7:00 pm.

Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals

By Jean Perry

            The Marion School Committee has not yet followed in the Mattapoisett School Committee’s footsteps, which on January 11 unanimously voted to bring back Grades K-2 to school on a full-time basis beginning January 19. But significant steps have been taken so that Marion can decide to follow suit.

            Sippican School Principal Marla Sirois presented a plan during the Marion School Committee’s January 19 meeting that outlined what would take place for Grades K-2 to return to school on a full-time basis. Sirois said she was able to navigate the plan with school nurse Meg Allen to accommodate Grades K, 1, and 2 without disturbing Grades 3-6.

            With 32 children in Kindergarten, 43 first-graders, and 50 second-graders, a phased program can be implemented by moving children to other rooms, including access to part of the library. The 43 first-graders would move to the band room and the library, while 50 second-grade students would relocate as follows: Those in Room 118 would move to Room 107, those in Room 121 would move to Rooms 123 and 122, which would be combined via a removable dividing wall, and likewise, those in Room 120 would move to Rooms 126 and 128.

            “The library is a large move and one I was hoping not to make,” said Sirois, explaining that the mobile book cart keeps all books accessible.

            The phased approach began with assessing needs, including space, moves, tech, and staffing. Subsequent phases would include moving lab space and YMCA before- and after-school care, converting the library, moving partitions, relocating the Title 1 room, preparing the band room, adding desks to Kindergarten classes, moving teacher/student spaces to larger spaces, and removing tables in favor of desks in the cafeteria.

            Sirois laid out two options, one that would put Grades K-2 back in school five days per week at the cost of recording classes for students in quarantine, the other bringing them back four days per week with the ability to serve those 60 quarantined students.

            “I think it’s important for us to acknowledge families that have chosen other learning models for whatever those reasons might be,” she said.

            Old Rochester Regional Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson told the committee that the plan would need time. Its initial support would result in making a calendar off of the outlined phases, so, at the right time, with support from key stakeholders, the decision to approve such a plan ultimately remains the committee’s decision to implement.

            Doing so will require after-school and weekend work to move pieces. Nelson recommended making the preparations while maintaining the hybrid learning model, then pivoting to increase in-person learning time with the School Committee’s support.

            “This is an initial conversation,” said Nelson, thanking Sirois for creating the proposal.

            Marion School Committee Chairperson Michelle Smith said, “Looking at the plan actually gave me a little more ease.”

            Committee member Nichole Daniel asked if a return would result in a faster learning pace. Sirois said no. “I see the ability to be with more practice for a given skill like we would have done in a normal year. The practice that parents are working with kids on hybrid out days will now be done by teachers on hybrid-in days.”

            More review, more practice, longer time spent on the same material is what Sirois envisions.

            “We’re going to be able to provide consistency for them. Not that the parent can’t, but let’s be realistic,” said Sirois, noting that students cannot engage in partner-reading during a hybrid-out day. “We would be able to put that curriculum of depth back in place.”

            Member April Rios asked if plans are underway to address those who will wish to go from hybrid to full remote due to the change. “I have thought about that.… There might have to be a shift in our remote teachers,” said Sirois, who has resisted larger class sizes but admitted it might have to be on the table.

            The committee voted to support moving forward so that the school can position itself. Nelson said he hopes to have essential health officials to join the next meeting to discuss further.

            The committee voted to approve Sirois’ plans to address literacy in compliance with the Student Opportunity Act. The three-year plan meant to close academic gaps and create action plans to monitor progress was temporarily shelved by COVID-19 until the late fall.

            The committee discussed DESE’s new regulations on structured time for learning; indications are more specific guidance will follow in the coming weeks. “I think it’s important not to make changes so that we’re not implementing things that are going to change,” said Sirois. “It makes the most sense for me to wait a couple of weeks. I think we have to get the first graders up and running before we make any big changes…. I think we need to wait for that guidance because every time they say that it’s big.”

            Smith reported that input and feedback had been received regarding the FY22 draft budget. “We were happy with what we presented to the town…. I’m pretty pleased with the process at this point,” she said.

            Committee member Jody Dickerson asked that the documentation be forwarded to the Finance Committee. “This is the most detailed budget I have seen from the School Committee in a lot of years, so I want to commend you on the job that you have done,” said Dickerson.

            Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Howie Barber said that ORR is waiting on news about state aid to know how to assess its budget.

            The committee approved the Student Handbook revision outlining the fee schedule to support device maintenance. Sirois said she prefaced that addition with language for the parents to better understand the intention behind the new fees.

            In his Financial Report, Barber said that through December 31, 2020, the ORR School District used 86 percent of its operating budget for student learning and $383,000 remains unencumbered. He said that the second half of the school year money is typically needed to cover facility-related costs. He also thanked Food Service Director Jill Hennessy for doing a great job despite the loss of staff. ORR has lost two cooks to retirement and a speech pathologist.

            In the Central Office Administrator’s Report, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Dr. Janell Pearson-Campbell reported on a January 11 professional development day and thanked her assistant Kim Reed.

            Director of Student Services Craig Davidson said Kindergarten report cards are expected February 4-5. There will be a 6:00 pm information session for elementary school parents focusing on online learning. Preschool assessment is scheduled for January 27 at Sippican School and on March 10 at Rochester Memorial. There will be a Childhood Learning Council meeting from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Tuesday, January 26.

            Nelson reported on the Anti-Racism Subcommittee, noting that it had been divided into two subgroups, one looking at a survey design for student feedback and the other developing a common language. The subcommittee also heard from a consultant and is in a negotiation phase for that person’s services.

            Nelson offered heartfelt condolences to Facilities Director Gene Jones on the recent loss of his wife, Peggy.

            In her Principal’s Report, Sirois thanked ORCTV for its Christmas Wishes presentation and welcomed back music teacher Hannah Moore. She also thanked everyone who made it possible for Sippican School to help 18 families and 45 children in Marion during the holidays.

            The School Committee went into executive session, only coming out to adjourn.

            The next meeting of the Marion School Committee is scheduled for February 24. The ORR School Committee was to meet on January 20, and the Joint School Committee will meet on March 11.

Marion School Committee

By Mick Colageo