Rochester Planning Board on May 11 held a public hearing for an Annual Town Meeting Warrant article pertaining to an amendment to the flood plain zoning bylaw, something Town Counsel Blair Bailey said the town must undergo every few years as the federal flood insurance regulations change every so often.

            Bailey said most people won’t notice anything resulting from the bylaw amendment, “But the ones who do pay [for flood insurance], they know.”

            The amendments, though, are positive in nature, Bailey said, as they do provide additional definitions and more clearly spell out specific situations and questions that have become common. The bylaw amendments will make having to dig through federal regulations to answer common questions of applicability less frequent for residents, he said.

            “Make no mistake … we don’t really have a choice,” said Bailey when it comes to adoption of this specific article. “This is what we’re told we have to pass in order for residents of the town to get coverage under the federal flood insurance program.” However, he added, it does not alter the program as it currently stands.

            With no questions from the board or the public, the board voted to recommend the article at Town Meeting on May 24.

            Before adjourning, Planning Board Chairman Arnie Johnson reminded the public that this was the final remotely held hybrid meeting of the Planning Board. All future meetings will be held at Old Colony in-person only; if the public has any questions about any current or future agenda items, he advised, “You must do it in person.”

            The public hearing for a Special Permit for Snipatuit Road Solar, LLC for a large-scale solar photovoltaic installation slated for 0 Snipatuit Road was continued until May 25 at the applicant’s request.

            The public hearing for a Definitive Subdivision Plan application, “Longbow Lane,” for Planning Board member Bendrix Bailey was also continued until May 25 at the applicant’s request.

            The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 25, at 7:00 pm and will be in-person only (no Zoom) at the Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School Library.

Rochester Planning Board

By Jean Perry

At the meetings of the Old Rochester Regional/Superintendency Union #55 Joint School Committee and the Mattapoisett School Committee, it was time to recognize those members whose terms are expiring in concert with this academic year.

            Region side Chairperson Cary Humphrey opened the May 5 JSC meeting by thanking outgoing member Tina Rood for her 15 years of service. Humphrey said he heard of Rood since moving to Rochester in April 2002 and met her during a subcommittee meeting shortly after he was elected to school committee in 2013.

            “I was just wowed with her unbelievable skillset of breaking down things and understanding things when it comes to the schools,” he said, telling Rood “We’re very, very, very thankful for your service.”

            “It has been a pleasure and super fulfilling for me and really an honor to serve our town,” said Rood, noting that she would speak more extensively at the next Rochester and ORR school committee meetings. “What a pleasure it is to work with all of you … and to work together in achieving great things for our students. Thanks for your kind words.”

            Union side Chairperson Shannon Finning recognized outgoing Mattapoisett and Union #55 School Committee member Carole Clifford, who was not able to attend the start of the JSC meeting because she is “devout to the very last moment” (and attending another subcommittee meeting).

            Finning discussed Clifford’s remarkable service to the Union side school committee for three years, alluding to her role in the superintendent’s search and return-to-school planning “and so many more efforts.” A former school administrator and teacher, Clifford will be taking “her real retirement,” according to Finning.

            Finning also thanked Humphrey, saying it’s been an “honor to co-chair these meetings with you the last two years,” focusing on the meeting with the leadership of Tri Town Against Racism and ORR’s resultant new anti-racism agenda, the superintendent search, and COVID-19 coordination. She called serving with Humphrey an “honor and a pleasure. You have demonstrated day in and day out … that public officials are accountable to the public they serve.”

            Humphrey’s final ORR School Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 12. He thanked his “Rochester peeps,” Robin Rounseville and Sharon Hartley, for their support.

            On May 3, Mattapoisett School Committee Chairman Jim Muse announced that a book, “The Perilous Voyage That Changed The World,” would be donated to the Old Hammondtown School library in Clifford’s name.

            “This has been a nice four years, working in this school committee,” said Clifford, who retired from her career as an educator in Connecticut and took up in Mattapoisett the very next day.

            Before that announcement, the Mattapoisett School Committee held its school-choice hearing.

            ORR Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson conducted the public hearing, saying that eight students are currently enrolled in Mattapoisett elementary schools on school choice.

            A vote was required to open slots to allow kindergarten-age students for 2021-22. Nelson told the Mattapoisett School Committee that they could set parameters and priorities with their votes. Muse instructed the members that two votes would be taken.

            Finning motioned that the eight existing school-choice students be maintained and that three kindergarten students be invited to join the schools. The motion was amended to add three students in grades K-2 with a priority on kindergarten and voted unanimously.

            Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Janell Pearson-Campbell reported to the May 5 JSC on a detailed survey of students and staff in all district schools. The data collected from many questions asked in several categories, a professional development plan is emerging with a calendar for the 2021-22 academic year.

            Frances Kearns asked about how technology is worked into the 2021-22 program, and Pearson-Campbell said technology will be imbedded throughout. Hartley requested an update so that new teachers would be able to use responsive classroom.

            Both the Region and Union sides voted unanimously to approve Pearson-Campbell’s Professional Development Plan.

            The JSC voted its approval of the 2021-22 academic calendar. Rood suggested a longer break in lieu of traditional February and April vacation weeks.

            Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Howie Barber discussed his budget approach for the 2021-22 academic year.

            In his report, ORR High School Principal Mike Devoll said the Senior Walk will not take place, but the Prom is scheduled and the Senior Parade will take place on June 4. The June 5 graduation will be held on the same basic format with a slightly relaxed standard from family pods to group seating.

            Nelson brought the JSC up to date on the district’s negotiation for an amended agreement with the three member towns and then state approval. Nelson reported that all three towns have indicated that they will bring the agreement to their respective summer or fall town meetings.

            In referencing the failed attempt to fund the ORR track rehabilitation, Rood said the establishment of a stabilization fund is a document whose time has come.

            The Mattapoisett School Committee also voted to authorize the school nurses to delegate other school personnel to dispense medication as necessary.

            Finning and Muse both opened their respective school committee meetings by remembering 27-year bus driver Brian Dean, who recently passed away.

            The ORR School Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, May 12, at 6:30 pm. The next Mattapoisett School Committee meeting will be held on Monday, June 7, at 6:30 pm. The Marion School Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, May 19, at 6:30 pm. The Rochester School Committee will meet on Wednesday, June 2, at 6:30 pm.

School Committees

By Mick Colageo

            It became a bit more of a debate versus brainstorming when the Master Plan Committee reconvened on May 5 to discuss schools, municipal building needs, and what the future might look like for those critical community structures.

            Coming out strongly on the side of “Our children should remain in Center School” was committee member Yamin Flefleh, saying, “It’s silly to move our kids on that side of Route 6,” referring to Old Hammondtown School. She expressed impassioned concern over discussions she said had taken place on the topic of a municipal complex at the Center School location. Flefleh said that moving all students to Old Hammondtown School would “change the culture of the community” and that Mattapoisett would lose an important social asset. “I don’t want to see young kids bused away from the village.”

            There was a palpable silence before committee member Shirley Haley asked, “Does she think Old Hammondtown School is a horrible place?” Flefleh said she does not think that, that Old Hammondtown School is a good place but that, “Maybe that’s where Town Hall should go.”

            Another member offered a different angle on where a new town hall might work, at the property now being used by the police and fire departments. Carlos DeSousa said, “It makes sense to put the Town Hall there.” He went on to say that buildings generally have a 30-year lifespan and that the Police Department is nearing that now but that, “People like a campus (style) for convenience; it makes sense to group them there.” DeSousa went on to say that it is necessary to look at sustainability and new technologies using LEED standards. LEEDS stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Standards, developed in 1994 by the U.S. Green Building Council to encourage more sustainable design practices.

            DeSousa went on to say that a facilities master plan committee should be deployed to study all options for new municipal buildings and/or repurposing. He also said that both elementary schools are about halfway through their life expectancies.

            Planning Board Administrator Mike Gagne said that about seven years ago the town acquired the Gomes property on Church Street in order to have the option of building a new town hall next to the police station. Conceptual drawings were executed by Field Engineering, he said.

            Outgoing Mattapoisett School Committee and Master Plan member Carole Clifford said it is an emotional point to keep Center School functioning as a school, but that declining enrollment with associated decreases in professional staffing is a reality.

            Moving away from this simmering topic, Gagne introduced Library Director Jennifer Jones, who shared the current level of services being offered within the pandemic restrictions and her hopes moving forward. Jones said that technology would replace some familiar items such as compact discs and some printed materials over time. She said she wants the library to partner with more local organizations bringing new programing to the community.

            Later in the meeting, the committee returned to the subject of Center School when Clifford brought up her opinion that the senior center deserves its own location, not limited to being part of Center School, and wondered aloud at what uses are intended for the now town-owned former Holy Ghost grounds. “Nothing is being done there; it’s not being used,” she said.

            Chrystal Walsh asked who makes the ultimate decisions regarding Center School. Gagne said the Board of Selectmen, but also the School Committee because they “have control and custody of the building.” He also reminded the group that a study by UMass would start soon with two goals, one of which is to study school building needs and usage, the possibilities and consequences of school consolidation, and a second study involving the transfer station.

            Swinging wildly from those village-related themes, the group spoke with outgoing Highway Surveyor Barry Denham, who reported that of all the public buildings in Mattapoisett, the highway barn located on Mendell Road is the oldest after Town Hall. He assured the committee, however, that he was not proposing a new building for the department but said ongoing upgrades need to include a sprinkler system and other safety improvements.

            On the subject of roadway conditions brought up by Planning Board and committee member Janice Robbins, Denham said most roads are in pretty good shape, but he reiterated his often spoken statement that there is never enough money to do everything. Denham speculated that, if he received not only the annual sum of $250,000 from Chapter 90 funding but an additional sum of $300,000 from the town, then, “We’d be able to space out projects [and] bounce between large and small projects.”

            Gagne took the roads discussion in another direction when he said that there is an impact on the personality of a community, in Mattapoisett’s case its “quaintness,” when new roads intersect with old country roads. He asked the group, “How do we address this in the Master Plan?” Gagne said that narrow old roads are impacted by new home construction and that Route 6 and rural roads are not built to absorb the increase of traffic from new roads. Denham stated of the older roads, “They’ll have to be widened.” Gagne responded, “Wider roads are not the answer.… Vehicles will only go faster. Maybe you limit density in some locations. The Master Plan committee needs to think about that.”

            Also visiting the committee on this night were Police Chief Mary Lyons and Fire Chief Andrew Murray.

            Murray reported that a grant has been secured for new traffic lights and signals at the new fire station. Lyons reported that she recently met with Capital Planning members to discuss the department’s needs and associated recordkeeping and that the police station’s current condition is “good.”

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Master Plan Committee is scheduled for June 2 at 7:00 pm, at which time schools will be revisited as well as the topic of open space and recreation.

Mattapoisett Master Plan Committee

By Marilou Newell