On June 30 Lexington residents Carol and Ross Speer bought 6.03 acres of land at 66 Burgess Avenue, where daughter Katie Speer now lives and hopes to soon operate a business there, teaching children how to ride horses.

            Since the land is zoned according to residential and agricultural categories, raising, training, and boarding of horses on the property is “as by right” agricultural use, according to Rochester Town Counsel Blair Bailey. But giving lessons is an active business and therefore requires the Special Permit that the Speers seek.

            In their September 24 hybrid meeting, the Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals heard the case. Despite the applicants’ wishes to be awarded the Special Permit on the spot, substantial questions from abutters persuaded the ZBA to vote to continue the hearing to Thursday, October 8.

            Katie Speer, who owns 11 horses and operates as Darkhorse Training out of a facility in Berkley, wants to grow her business in Rochester. To that end, her parents created Five O’Clock Farm LLC for the purpose of buying the land in Rochester and to build facilities on the property.

            The plan as presented would a large outdoor ring, a new 140-by-70 foot indoor arena, a 80-by-36, 23-foot high, 10-stall barn, and a new septic system. There is fencing planned and, according to the applicants, plenty of trees to block the view from abutters.

            While the Speers indicated that efforts had been made to reach out to some abutting neighbors, others on the September 24 Zoom call said that they had not been contacted and were caught off guard by plans that would change a long-standing neighborhood treasured for its privacy.

            “We want to keep a low-key operation here,” said Katie Speer, who envisions 15-20 horses and would work on the property with business partner Caitlin Lewis. “Most shows are off property, but we would like to host some small horse shows for lesson clients so they can showcase their skills for family and friends, but nothing big enough to cause traffic issues.”

            Katie Speer said she wants to be able to give lessons in the evenings when necessary to meet a student’s schedule, and that would necessitate flood lights on the property. “We plan on maintaining the natural vegetation and keep some natural buffers so that we’re protecting everybody’s privacy,” said Ross Speer.

            Abutter Michael Kent described himself as a former ZBA member, and questioned the board’s purview since the purchase of the land is based on what he called “a commercial enterprise from start to finish.” Kent took up issue on varying matters, including hours of operation, the height, and nature of the floodlights to be installed, and suggested the Speers host interested abutters for a site visit were the many subjects on his mind and, he assumed, others’ minds could be addressed.

            A 10-by-15 foot dump trailer is planned for the site for weekly removal of manure. Katie Speer said the trailer is a two-away type and, especially being located at the center of the property, is very unlikely to transmit a smell beyond property limits.

            Bailey explained to Kent that Rochester’s bylaws include a catch-all empowering of the ZBA to grant the Special Permit.

            Chair David Arancio asked Bailey for clarification in distinguishing the lessons apart from anything else in the Speers’ plans. Bailey added onto Arancio’s question, noting that creating a nuisance is another reason why the ZBA might not grant the Special Permit.

            “In other words, if the smell (created a nuisance), the Board of Health would get involved and has gotten involved with manure piles in various places in the town when the smell has created a nuisance on abutting properties. You can have an allowed use all you want, but if it starts impacting neighboring properties, it’s going to bring town enforcement in,” said Bailey, who told the board it can require weekly dumping of manure.

            “We could put a tarp on if you want us to,” Katie Speer told Arancio. “If you leave them for months and months and months, they create a smell, but I don’t plan on doing anything like that.”

            Kent questioned if abutters were going to be able to freely live their lives without being concerned any noise might spook the horses. “I’m not opposed to horses, but I’m opposed to a lot of things I have heard tonight,” he said, informing the ZBA that a decision granting the Special Permit on the September 24 meeting would result in litigation.

            Several other abutters made their concerns known, not the least of which was needing time to digest the details in order to be able to come back an articulate those.

            They will get that chance now on October 8.

            Bailey suggested the applicant set up a meeting with the abutters during the two-week interim so they can better understand each other’s specific concerns and be better prepared to arrive for the continued hearing knowing where they stand. The board, said Bailey, needs more clarification and specificity on the lighting and traffic patterns.

            Arancio suggested Speer review the narrative presented with the application and incorporate some of the talking points from the September 24 meeting into a revised presentation on October 8. He also encouraged abutters with suggestions for conditions of a special permit to submit those to the ZBA ahead of the next meeting.

            In the only other hearing before the ZBA on September 24, Anita and William Milka presented a revised plan that they had submitted on September 21 as they seek variances for relief under Chapter 20.40 Section D.1 for approval for a lot with reduced frontage, reduction in buildable area and reduction in lot shape at 246 and 268 New Bedford Road.

            In revisiting the continued case (No. 1149), ZBA member Richard Cutler said, “I like this new plan layout a whole lot better than what we had in the past … I’m prepared to vote.”

            In two votes, the ZBA approved two variances: as to the hardship as it relates to the frontage is the preexisting condition of the lot, and as to the hardship as it relates to the buildable area hardship being the wetland.

            The next meeting of the Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals is scheduled for Thursday, October 8.

Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals

By Mick Colageo

            The possibility that Freetown will join the Old Colony Regional Vocational-Technical School district was discussed by the Rochester Board of Selectmen during its October 5 hybrid meeting.

            All three selectmen, Chairman Paul Ciaburri, Vice Chairman Brad Morse, and Clerk Woody Hartley attended a meeting held at Old Colony’s Rochester campus, along with Finance Committee Chairman Kristian Stoltenberg was also present.

            Freetown’s formal request to join the five-town Old Colony district may not be its only option. Since 1986, students could pay tuition to attend Old Colony, but Hartley pointed out in Monday night’s meeting that this is the first academic year in 30 years that Old Colony has had no students from Freetown.

            Joining requires buy-in by the joining town and a unanimous Town Meeting vote in all member towns including Freetown, something that will not appear on any town meeting warrant for a vote this year. Old Colony is looking to expand its Rochester campus and has talked about a medical technician program.

            While the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) would award more grant money for an expansion project to accommodate six towns rather than five, a no vote in any member town shoots down the possibility of Freetown becoming an Old Colony member.

            The selectmen reviewed the draft warrant for the Special Town Meeting to be held on Monday, November 16. “It’s just a draft right now,” said Town Administrator Suzanne Szyndlar, noting that the selectmen’s next meeting (Monday, October 19) will include representation from the Planning Board, the town moderator, town clerk, etc., at which points recommendations can be made.

            The warrant also includes an article on sidewalk snow clearing.

            “We’re going to need to think about it as far as cleaning the sidewalk in front of private properties,” said Town Counsel Blair Bailey, noting the amount of manpower that it would take to accomplish.

            Rochester residents are required within 24 hours from the end of precipitation to clear in front of their properties. Bailey said it’s the town’s responsibility to plow the snow off of those sidewalks not in front of private homes.

            Morse pointed out that three-quarters of Rochester’s sidewalks are not in front of private properties and extend miles. As an abutter to the Connet Woods development, Morse would not vote on the matter but he did say, “I think the cost is going to be prohibitive.” Meantime, he cautioned that plowing stretches of sidewalk and steering around those in front of homes makes hitting sprinkler heads likely.

            Hartley advised his colleagues to bring the matter to the public at Town Meeting and settle it there.

            In other business, the Board of Selectmen voted against using its right of first refusal on Neck Road where Decas Cranberry Inc. applied to create one buildable lot out of three smaller properties. The Planning Board (against) and Conservation Commission (for) made conflicting recommendations to the selectmen where it concerns exercising right of first refusal in the case of Bendrix Bailey at Gerrish Road and Snipatuit Pond. The selectmen voted not to exercise its right of first refusal.

            The selectmen signed off on a borrowing anticipation note renewal for an ambulance and also on the State Election Warrant.

            Rochester’s Department of Public Utilities is scheduled to meet on Thursday, October 29, at 2:00 pm and has invited Representative William M. Straus and State Senator Michael J. Rodrigues to join a Zoom call to support the Utility Aggregation Plan, Rochester’s first as a part of the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD).

            Szyndlar reported that Rochester will soon receive its first CARES Act reimbursement check in the amount of $33,602.

            Rochester’s Verizon contract cable deal expires on May 6, 2023. It was suggested negotiations start early. Morse will represent the selectmen in negotiations with Chief of Police Robert Small, whose contract is up next year. Szyndlar reported to the selectmen that Andrew Daniel needs to be appointed as ADA coordinator through June 30, 2023.

            The town clerk has ordered an official ballot box that will be clearly marked and placed safely in front of Town Hall.

            The board has put Christmas tree lighting on hold. As for Halloween, the selectmen recommend people follow the CDC guideline.

            The next meeting of the Board of Selectmen is scheduled for Monday, October 19.

Rochester Board of Selectmen

By Mick Colageo

            The amount of detail it has taken public schools to safely open to hundreds of students, to educate and feed them, and find time and energy for professional development is staggering so it’s no wonder those attending the Rochester School Committee’s October 1 hybrid meeting either in person or via Zoom were brimming with optimism at a successful opening.

            “The classroom community has really done a nice job adapting to what they’ve been seeing every day, and I really think that has a lot to do with why we’ve had such a great opening,” said Rochester Memorial School Principal Derek Medeiros. “I also think that the modeling piece has been huge. We opened up the recess, very basic, very simple, a walking track. They have an opportunity to go to two fresh-air stations, two areas that are no-brainers, easy for kids to follow things they’re used to.

            “We did open the soccer game up again, but we did some modeling there before the games actually started. And then each recess, each day the kids have been in school, not only in the classroom but out at recess there’s actually been some modeling going on at different games.”

            Member of the RMS staff attended a Playworks training session. “Our social workers and paraprofessionals that attended that have really done a nice job modeling some of those games and participating in those games in a safe way,” Medeiros, who added that modeling extends into the hallways with videos shown while students are in the cafeteria. September’s theme was cooperation, and October’s is assertiveness. Medeiros says RMS is building up its video pool.

            “I couldn’t be more proud, great start,” he said of the return to school.

            Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Dr. Jannell Pearson-Campbell organized professional development for RMS faculty with help from Dr. Christopher Clinton of UMass Dartmouth.

            “Teachers know that we care by the professional development that we put together,” said Pearson-Campbell, who began keeping office hours to meet face to face with faculty at RMS with a plan to also be available at Old Hammondtown in Mattapoisett and Sippican School in Marion.

            School Committee Chairperson Sharon Hartley asked Medeiros about progress with the new bus arrival and drop-off patterns.

            “We definitely changed quite a bit back there,” said Medeiros, alluding to the internal practice administration got when school was shut down on March 13. He reported that parents have been patient and cooperative with the protocol to stay in the car and thanked the Rochester Police for their assistance.

            “For sure, the two drop-off areas have been crucial,” he said. “We certainly have more parent vehicles than students on the bus, but our buses have been fantastic. Our bus drivers are smiling, greeting the kids every day, being that first face they see, being very cooperative with families, helping and assisting and answering questions. And, if they don’t have the answers, they’re certainly guiding them to us.”

            Medeiros said Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Business Operations Howie Barber has gotten every single student on the waiting list onto the school bus. Medeiros said the buses have run a lot more smoothly with assigned seating.

            “We are very fortunate to have a dedicated staff. I’ve talked a lot about being flexible problem solvers … I feel that our staff has really adopted that model,” said Old Rochester Regional School District Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson. “I have to say the students and the families have just truly been amazing (with the whole adjustment). … Most important, the kids are just truly resilient, in terms of compliance and being able to adjust on the fly.”

            Nelson reported receiving support for the hybrid learning model from both the Rochester health agent and health nurse. He’s been putting together a dashboard that helps faculty structure how well the schools are faring with their learning model and what that might mean down the road. “We continue with metrics and data points on learning model … not trying to rush that conversation, but … important to let people know that conversation is taking place,” he said.

            Last year nine children slated to attend Rochester Memorial School were home-schooled; that number is up to 27 this school year. There are 417 ORR district students in the hybrid learning model with 64 full-remote learners.

            Medeiros reported that cohort sizes average around nine, reaching in one case up to 12 with several cohorts at 11 students. RMS’s 64 students in the full-remote learning model break down as follows: 2 in Project Grow (preschool), 11 in K-1, 24 in Grades 2-3, 23 in Grades 4-5, and five students in Grade 6.

            RMS has divided its hybrid student body alphabetically according to last name, and it so works out that Cohort A (A-K) has 244 students and Cohort B (L-Z) has 246.

            In Kindergarten, Cohort A is in three groups of 8, 6 and 7; Cohort B numbers 9, 10 and 8. In Grade 1, Cohort A has 9, 10 and 9 and Cohort B has 8, 8 and 9. In Grade 2, Cohort A has 9, 10 and 11 and Cohort B has 8, 8 and 8. In Grade 3, Cohort A has 7, 6, 6 and 7 and Cohort B has 9, 10, 11 and 9. In Grade 4, Cohort A has 9, 8 and 10 and Cohort B has 8, 8 and 9. In Grade 5, Cohort A has 12, 11 and 13 and Cohort B has 11, 11 and 11. In Grade 6, Cohort A has 11, 7 and 10, and Cohort B has 12, 11 and 11.

            Nelson thanked school nurse Ellie Murphy for her leadership, expertise and professional approach. “Knock on wood, at this point Rochester Memorial does not have a positive COVID-19 (test) scenario with the students or staff members,” he said.

            Mondays have been kept as similar as possible to a normal school day (approximating a traditional 8:40 am to 3:00 pm schedule) with check-ins by the teachers and synchronous and asynchronous learning opportunities for students. Professional development opportunities occur from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Specialists are taking carts around campus.

            The Rochester School Committee approved as an addendum to its Student Handbook several changes, including the ORR District’s Anti-Racism Resolution as approved by the Joint School Committee, facemask policies, information on remote learning including arrivals and dismissals, attendance in hybrid and full-remote models, lunch menus, COVID-19 health guidance, and the responsive classroom. The Student Handbook is entirely digital.

            In his Financial Report, Barber reported that, of the entire $6,300,000 budget (90 percent of which is for academic instruction), $940,000 has yet to be encumbered.

            Monday meal pickups are happening in the afternoon for full-remote students and hybrid-out students. The USDA is proposing free meals through December 2021. Free meals are set to expire in December, but Barber is hopeful that the program will be extended to the next school year (2021-22).

            Chromebook distribution went well. ORR was hoping to have the iPads for Grades K-1 in September.

            Barber said that Facilities Manager Gene Jones has been doing phenomenal work and that personal protective equipment needs have been coming in.

            Barber also reported that three buses are operating at full capacity, usually 77 students but now 25 (32 percent of capacity). “I believe we still have a little bit of room (to add students),” said Barber, who hesitated to suggest Rochester Memorial School could add 20 students to its buses.

            RMS has added two new substitute teachers.

            In other business, the RMS School Committee voted to approve two donations, one for classwork supplies from the Rochester Lions including single-subject notebooks, student scissors, wooden rulers, pens, filler paper, and pencil cases, all to be used at the discretion of the school. The other donation is a bulk box of tissues from student parent Kelley Medeiros.

            Nelson reported two staffing changes to Rochester School Committee.

            Michael Forns is now in the building for six hours per day in a combined role as a lunch para and supporting bathroom breaks. “His energy is tremendous, his attitude is always positive, and he’s everywhere that you need him at the right time,” said Nelson.

            Lisa Mazzuca, a paraprofessional involved in reading, has moved into a remote-learning teacher position.

            Craig Davidson, ORR’s director of Student Services, reported on the district’s para-professionals taking a training course on the master-teacher e-learning platform. Davidson and Pearson-Campbell attended an October 1 meeting with 20 district leaders geared toward aspiring superintendents.

            Nelson said he is participating in a statewide professional-development program with a mentor, a retired superintendent. The program is geared toward a superintendent’s first few years.

            The committee went to Executive Session and only returned to adjourn. The next meeting of Rochester School Committee is scheduled for November 5. The next meeting of the Joint School Committee is scheduled for November 19.

Rochester School Committee

By Mick Colageo