Coming before the Mattapoisett Board of Health on April 14, Public Health Nurse Emily Field provided an update on what has clearly changed our social culture – the COVID-19 pandemic.

            Field began her comments by saying that Mattapoisett is in the yellow zone, which translates to a 3-percent positivity rating over a 10-day period, adding that no in-school transmissions have been reported. On this day, Field said that as of April 14 there were six active cases. “But there are plenty of cases identified through contact tracing who are not in our community,” she said. Of school activities, Field said that both moderate-risk and high-risk sports are being managed effectively and precautions are being taken.

            Recent news of incidents of blood clots as a rare side effect and the resultant “pause” in the dispensing of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine amidst investigation has altered Field’s plan to use the vaccine for people unable to leave their homes. Of the two-dose vaccines that have been distributed, Field reported that she will receive second doses, but does not believe the state will continue to support community vaccine programs. “It’s unknown if Mattapoisett will receive more vaccine,” she said.

            “Everyone is sick of the virus, but the virus is not sick of us,” Field stated as she urged the public to continue to wear masks, maintain social distancing, practice diligent hand-washing hygiene, and stay the course for the foreseeable future.

            Field also addressed the importance of keeping a Board of Health eye on those establishments that might be reopening with concern expressed about ventilation systems and bacteria in standing water. Board of Health Agent Kayla Davis agreed. Field also noted the importance of taking precautions when outdoors, as there is a growing number of tick-borne diseases being reported.

            On the topic of COVID-19 variants, Field said that those are being researched and that the possibility exists that a booster vaccine will be needed to help guard against infection from one of the known variants. She said that investigatory results and recommendations may be forthcoming by the fall.

            In other business, earlier in the meeting the BOH held a hearing on a septic system upgrade application filed by Barry Sturgis, 34 Meadowbrook Lane, represented by Peter Lyons of Collins Engineering. Lyons explained that there were three variances being requested. The first variance requested was to grant the use of grain size analysis or sieve analysis versus what is Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection agency policy, a percolation rate test.

            The second variance asked for a decrease in the distance between a new sewer line and the property’s freshwater source from 100 feet to 75 feet. The third variance sought a decrease in the separation between the high groundwater elevation and the lower tank invert from 12 inches to 6 inches.

            The residence itself was also discussed. It was noted that the deed restricts the number of bedrooms to just one; however, the upgraded septic would be rated for two bedrooms. It was established that the deed would not be modified or amended to allow a two-bedroom residence on the property.

            Chairman Carmelo Nicolosi said he would have to review the sieve analysis, stating that Lyons should review the Title 5 requirements for guidance and that well water quality should be tested before and after the new installation.

            Member Ken Dawicki said, “I prefer a nitrogen removal system because this is so close to Brandt Island Cove.” Nicolosi said that that requirement is being enforced for new construction only, not for septic repairs or upgrades.

            In the end, the majority ruled as both Nicolosi and BOH member Russell Bailey voted to approve with the caveat that the deed restriction remain in place and certified freshwater well testing will be done according to the Title 5 standards. Dawicki voted no.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Health will be held on Wednesday, May 12, at 10:00 am.

Mattapoisett Board of Health

By Marilou Newell

            The warrant articles for the Rochester Annual Town Meeting got the seal of approval from both the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee during the former’s hybrid meeting held on April 20. Town Meeting will be held Monday, May 24, at 7:00 pm at Rochester Memorial School.

            After the public hearing was opened to review the draft Annual Town Meeting Warrant with representation from the Finance Committee and Capital Planning Committee, along with the town clerk and Town Meeting moderator, Town Administrator Suzanne Szyndlar noted that the Finance Committee still needs to vote on the Town’s proposed FY22 operating budget of $22,885,039 (a 2.91-percent increase over FY21).

            Joint committee review and vote of warrant articles began with Article 6, natural resource expenses to the tune of $300 for planting shellfish in Marion, and from there all but two of the remaining articles were voted by both the selectmen and FinCom for recommendation on Town Meeting floor.

            Two related articles were pushed to the Fall Special Town Meeting, both relating to the Old Rochester Regional School District agreement. One was the reinstatement of the agreement itself, the other to establish a stabilization fund to support ORR.

            Selectman Brad Morse said the proposed agreement was received just last week and there has not been adequate time to thoroughly examine it.

            “The three towns should get together and talk about this important agreement,” said Board of Selectmen Chairman Paul Ciaburri.

            FinCom was represented by Peter Armanetti, Jim Austin, Chairman Kris Stoltenberg, and David Arancio, who also serves as chair of the Capital Planning Committee.

            Arancio abstained from voting on Article 12, recommendation of Capital Plan funding for $201,190 in total requests. The committee has $203,000 to handle those expenditures that will address a variety of Highway Department needs while also providing irrigation, an alarm system, and building and technical upgrades to Rochester Memorial School. Arancio also abstained in the other Capital Planning-related article, the proposed addition of $200,000 to replenish the committee’s funds.

            In addressing Szyndlar, the selectmen, and FinCom, Arancio was effusive in his praise for their support in helping the Capital Planning Committee grow from its start only a few years ago.

            Other funding articles approved for Town Meeting recommendation by the selectmen and FinCom addressed: $20,000 into the School Stabilization Fund (at $255,000 it would reach a goal set by the selectmen); $80,000 into a Public Stabilization Fund (would reach $211,000); $300,000 into the General Stabilization Fund (current balance $1,645,000); and $100,000 into the Road Stabilization Fund (current balance $303,000).

            Rochester School Committee Chairperson Sharon Hartley nominated Shirley Bourque to continue as the Old Colony School Committee representative from Rochester RMS Vice Chair Anne Fernandes seconded the motion, and they and Selectman Woody Hartley voted unanimously in favor of Bourque, who is the chairperson of the Old Colony School Committee.

            “It’s just another one of those gems that Rochester has along with Rochester Memorial School and ORR,” said Bourque of the vocational technical high school on the north end of town. “I appreciate everyone’s support.”

            Woody Hartley told the meeting he has spoken with Old Colony Superintendent Aaron Polansky, and Old Colony will soon serve as a home for Rochester Planning Board meetings.

            After a 6:10 pm public hearing, the selectmen voted to approve a license for applicants David and Jackie Eckert to store flammable fluid gas in excess of 2,000 gallons at 15 Briarwood Lane. “This is underground storage, so it’s protected” from the threat of traffic, said Rick Charon, noting that the setback is 25 feet from property lines and that corrosion protection will be on the tanks and the ability to monitor voltage.

            In a 6:00 pm appointment, the selectmen voted to approve Police Chief Robert Small’s recommendation that James Hightower, 21, be hired as a part-time officer. Hightower is currently a staff sergeant in the National Guard and is based on Cape Cod. His appointment is for a one-year period through April 30, 2022.

            Morse’s appointment to represent the selectmen in negotiations with the RMS teachers will begin with a meeting on April 28 at 3:30 pm.

            The town is mobilizing search committees to replace outgoing Conservation Agent Laurell Farinon and Town Planner Steve Starrett; Morse will represent the selectmen in the town planner search, and Ciaburri will represent the board in the conservation agent search.

            Morse commended the service of Barry Denham who in 20 years on the Tri-Town Veterans Council saw the organization grow from two towns to all three. Christopher Gerrier will replace Denham, who is retiring this year.

            With Gordon Hill’s and Jackie Demers’ retirements from the Council on Aging, Andrew Trevell and Mary Besse were appointed.

            Szyndlar reported that the Fire Department has been approved for a $12,500 fire safety equipment grant. She also reported that an external audit of the order of financial statements has been completed for FY20. Szyndlar said the process protects public assets and is valuable for credit ratings.

            Library Director Gail Roberts sent the selectmen an update. The library opened on April 12 for browsing only. Appointments have been discontinued except for use of a computer. Face masks are still required, and the book drop remains open 24 hours, seven days a week.

            Ciaburri told the board he has been invited to attend an Eagle Scout ceremony on Monday, May 10, at 7:00 pm. The selectmen decided to have a certificate of recognition for each scout from Rochester to make the grade.

            The selectmen voted to approve Rochester Boy Scout Troop 31’s request to use the Pine Street property to hold a yard sale on June 25-27.

            The selectmen voted to sign a proclamation designating April 30 as Arbor Day in the Town of Rochester.

            The next meeting of the Rochester Board of Selectmen is scheduled for Monday, May 3, at 6:00 pm.

Rochester Board of Selectmen

By Mick Colageo

            The April 20 meeting of the Marion Planning Board could have been a long night’s journey into day. It was, however, a rather short meeting with all cases except one continued.

            The case being opened and acted upon was the public hearing for the Proposed Bylaw Codification. The board members unanimously voted to send the bylaws along to the May 10 Town Meeting. The warrant will contain changes to Section 7 Community Preservation Committee, Section 109 Animal Control, Section 218 Water Main Installation, Section 230-5.3 Multifamily Residential Housing, and Section 230-8.1 Flood Hazard District.

            A request from the Zoning Board of Appeals for the Planning Board’s comments to a case they will be hearing on April 21 was discussed. At the ZBA’s request the Planning Board reviewed plans for a new residential construction project planned for 8 Kabeyun Road. While comments were forthcoming such as those shared by member Norm Hills regarding the lack of elevation details on the plan and his overall impression that what was submitted for review was a “poor presentation,” ultimately the board decided to make no formal comments at all.

            The continued public hearing for a Special Permit and Major Site Plan Review for property located on Spring and Mill Street was reopened. Petitioner Sherman Briggs said he now understood that waivers to subdivision bylaws could be requested. He also offered to give the town’s peer-review consultant Beals and Thomas a tour of the site, along with one or two Planning Board members. Briggs also inquired what will happen if the currently seated board ends up with two new members after the local elections take place. Town Planner Gil Hilario said he would discuss the matter with the town administrator and possibly town counsel.

            Planning Board Chairman Will Saltonstall noted the applicant’s team had not had sufficient time prior to Tuesday’s meeting to review comments from Beals and Thomas, comments that primarily dealt with stormwater and associated drainage systems. He also said that the planned height of retaining walls may be impactful. The filing was continued until May 3 at 7:15 pm.

            Also continued was a Definitive Subdivision Plan for County Road filed by Todd Zell. The case will be reopened on May 3 at 7:05 pm.

            Continued until May 3 at 7:20 pm was the continued public hearing for a Special Permit for Proposed Zoning Change to Residence E (currently listed as Residence D), for property located on Bournhurst Road and represented by Patricia McArdle, Esq.

            Saltonstall said that it appears the applicant may be pulling back from the original plan to have the Zoning Bylaw change brought before the May 10 Town Meeting. He said the applicant has reached out to the Board of Selectmen on the matter of a sewer connection for the property. The hearing was continued until May 3 at 7:20 pm.

            Earlier in the meeting, the board members discussed a request from Luis Bettencourt for property located at 450 Wareham Street, Dunkin’ Donuts. Saltonstall told the members that a letter requesting minor alterations to the building color and number of signs had been received. He said that the Dunkin’ corporation was going through a “rebranding” process and thus the changes were requested.

            Hills pointed to the bylaws that govern the number and types of signs on places of business. He said that there are currently two, which is permissible, but that Bettencourt was seeking to add two more. “They want to put signs on the side of the building, and the drawings are inconsistent, it’s a mess,” said Hills. All other Planning Board members in attendance agreed.

            Member Andrew Daniel added that trash barrels, which were originally part of the agreement, were no longer visible and that he had taken some 25 photographs of trash on the grounds of the business.

            Hills asked that the original Planning Board decision be circulated to the members to refresh their memory of what was approved before any further consideration of the request.

            The next meeting of the Marion Planning Board is scheduled for Monday, May 3, at 7:00 pm.

Marion Planning Board

By Marilou Newell

            The residential development being vetted for Spring Street at Mill Street could result in stormwater runoff affecting bicyclists, according to Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission Chairman John Rockwell.

            “This project’s been going ahead, I guess full steam for a while, and I figured, well, we’d be notified about it when it was time to make some real decisions, and we weren’t, so I found out about this project and asked for some plans,” Rockwell told MOSAC members at their April 1 Zoom meeting.

            His concern stems from the condition of the land where Sherman Briggs and Hamblin Homes intend to construct 28 residential units near the bike path.

            “Basically, it was a basin that held water…. The property used to be at a minimum 2 feet lower than what the bike path location is; now it will be higher than the bike path location,” said Rockwell. “Water would stay on the lot. Runoff now will be flowing off the lot.

            “They’re not in the final design phase, so (I intend) to relate my concerns to the Planning Board, who’s gotten an engineer involved, and we’ll continue to look at this. If we have to take a legal position on it other than we’re concerned about flooding onto town property – that’s all I said…. We’ll be back for a more detailed discussion.”

            Rockwell said MOSAC would write a letter if necessary.

            “The traffic flow around there is already fairly complicated,” said MOSAC Vice Chairman Alan Harris.

            Rockwell stated that the ongoing discussion over a potentially revised design for traffic flow through that area of Spring Street bears no influence on the bike path design.

            “It’s not going to be decided by us or the Bike Path Committee,” said Rockwell, who also sits on the town’s Pathway Committee. “There’s a lot of things to consider…. I think the problems there really are coming down (Route) 105 to Marion. That turn onto Spring Street is more direct than to turn down 105…. People take that turn onto Spring Street fast.”

            Rockwell further pointed out the difficult sightline for drivers exiting Spring Street and turning left onto Front Street while looking over their right shoulder back at oncoming traffic. “You really have to crank your head to do that,” he said.

            A couple of years ago, three designs for the intersection were entertained by Marion residents, and Rockwell identified a consensus favoring more of a right angle that was shared by a meeting and the Marion Facebook page. Now the project is down to 75 percent design, he said, leaving only easements for construction and permitting. Feedback, said Rockwell, was due until a delay to April 20 was sought.

            The Hoff property Conservation Restriction is complete. The commission tackled one outstanding matter, a $28.36 reimbursement of the Buzzards Bay Coalition for the FedEx delivery of the paperwork associated with the conservation restriction.

            Harris said people are not cleaning up after their dogs. “If you’re walking around Grassi (Bog), you can’t go birdwatching around there too carefully,” he said. “You’ve got to keep your eyes on the trail.”

            Harris said the problem extends to Sippican Lands Trust properties.

            “The dogs get out and walk across Goldavitz, and that’s where they let go, and people are not taking care of their pets’ waste. Grassi, in particular, is a minefield,” he said. “I’m not trying to be negative. You know, we didn’t spend a lot of time and effort and the town’s money to get these properties to be latrines for dogs. That’s not helping our water quality, etcetera.”

            “That’s another reason to consider a leash rule,” said MOSAC member Amanda Chace. “If people can’t be responsible enough to follow where their animals are going and relieving themselves that, if they’re on a leash, it’s easier to know.”

            Harris emphasized, “The properties are useful, people are using them, and we want them to be used without easily avoidable conflicts.”

            When the commission began to discuss open space maintenance, as listed on its April 1 agenda, the subject turned to fire roads on appropriate existing trails. Harris took the opportunity to mention the recent fire in a 10 by 4-foot area of his Point Road property that he said was extinguished by a man passing by with his child.

            Rockwell said he met with Marion Fire Chief Brian Jackvony to discuss access in the area. “The trail maps are basically old fire roads…. He’s going to look at them, and we’ll see where we go from there,” said Rockwell. “None of these are big projects; they just need a little attention.

            “We wouldn’t want people driving … into the private property, but I think signage would take care of that.”

            Chace said she would make a sign.

            Harris also said there are marks that indicate a truck has gone back into the Grassi Bog area. It was speculated that favorable fishing conditions there are the reason.

            If someone has a pickup truck, the MOSAC can use their help, as sheet metal has been found at Grassi Bog.

            “In the past, we had recycled that to some profit,” noted Harris. “I also believe there’s some metal at Goldavitz Bog in the middle there, metal waste that could be recycled.”

            Rockwell suggested that the pumping of water behind the dike at Goldavitz Bog into an irrigation pond. “You can probably find them for the next couple of weeks, they’re visible now,” he said.

            Harris said he no longer has a working trailer, and Rockwell added that there are also some pipes at Goldavitz and also at the nearby White Eagle parcel.

            MOSAC is seeking a volunteer to haul out the metal.

            The next meeting of the Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission is scheduled for Thursday, May 6, at 7:00 pm.

Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission

By Mick Colageo