Marion officials hear the clock ticking as they try to rewrite a backstory of inherited water/sewer problems that collectively sound like the fumbles, lateral passes and other desperate improvisations typical of the final play of a football game – maneuvers that go in many directions, but rarely to the end zone.

            The town’s Water and Sewer Commissioners held their first quarterly meeting on September 24 at the Music Hall. The commissioners are also the Board of Selectmen: Chairperson Randy Parker, Vice Chairman John Waterman, and Clerk Norm Hills.

            Waterman explained his reasoning for initiating the meeting: “It was my feeling that as sewer and water commissioners we were not really getting regular updates on what was happening,” he said. “Also, I think it’s good for the public to hear how those projects are going so we’re going to give this a try for a year.”

            Approving bills and passing judgment on meter readings still left the selectmen lacking a platform to focus on major infrastructural projects, such as the wastewater treatment plant and planned upgrades to key stretches of water-main piping. So the commissioners, along with Town Administrator Jay McGrail, Department of Public Works Director David Willett, DPW engineer Meghan Davis, T.J. Walker from the Marion Board of Assessors, Rochester Water Commission member and longtime associate Fred Underhill, and interested citizens including local builder Sherman Briggs batted around a number of topics.

            McGrail acknowledged the former Water Committee including Underhill and the recently retired David Pierce.

            In an update, Davis reported that the new water main on Mill Street has been installed and is in the process of chlorination and yielding samples. Davis said the water main will come online in four sections beginning in November and should be completed in the spring of 2021. Paving will occur in patches over the work. McGrail said the project came in under budget.

            Davis reported on progress with a new, 12-inch water main designed by engineering firm Tata & Howard for Delano and Point roads. The existing water main (6 and 8 inches) will be abandoned in place, and the Conservation Commission has issued an Order of Conditions for the project.

            Waterman said the timing of the projects will be key for the town’s financial activities. McGrail said the Capital Improvement Planning Committee (CIPC) schedule will come out in a month, and the town can more effectively decide on how to move forward with the projects.

            Davis addressed planned upgrades to a combined pump station at the Mary’s Pond well field, in which a new building will replace an existing one that will be demolished.

            Waterman asked Davis what happens if a well goes down and how much reserve capacity would the town have, especially in peak summer months. Davis said she and Willett are evaluating different scenarios. They are also identifying hydrants needing maintenance and prioritizing work according to need. Work is expected to commence in the spring. Davis is also working with the Mattapoisett River Valley Water District Commission, taking over Willett’s treasurer role that will see her review monthly invoicing and prepare a year-end budget.

            When the floor was opened for public comment, Briggs asked Davis if she knows why it took so long to get satisfactory tests on the sections of water-main pipe that were installed on Mill Street. Davis said means and methods are left up to the contractor so a number of factors could be in play.

            Briggs then delved into a number of matters related to water production, along with his own take on a history of mismanagement. “These … mistakes that were made is why we’re all here today, and I’m concerned about we don’t keep making the same mistake,” he said, referencing miles of pipe from Benson Brook out to Mattapoisett only to fall 8 feet short of a connection.

            Briggs asked if Marion’s lone remaining well has the potential to be worth a rebuild. Davis confirmed that the well is running but not performing up to its capability. “The well field … it needs to be rehabbed again for it to reach its maximum capacity,” she said.

            Willett added to that conversation, referencing a Tata & Howard report that shows the well to be permitted for 280,000 gallons per day. Meantime, Marion is producing close to 900,000 gallons per day from other sources, an amount Willett estimates will almost double at the completion of planned facility upgrades. “We have plenty of producing power and we can also borrow from MRV if we need to,” he said. “It’s certainly something I can ask Tata & Howard about.”

            Underhill discussed Rochester’s ongoing withdrawal from a water association with the City of New Bedford, which uses at least half of its 20,000,000 gallon, per-day limit. He said Rochester is “upset” that New Bedford will see its permit renewed “pretty much intact.” Rochester has also negotiated a 5,000 gallon-per-day increase in its association with Wareham to accommodate the large development planned for the intersection of routes 28 and 58.

            Recognizing the potential end of his representation in meetings with Marion, Underhill said, “I think we’ve worked very well together and kind of stemmed some of the misunderstandings that have gone on in the past between the two towns.” Marion’s commissioners returned his sentiments, and Underhill exited the meeting.

            In his Water and Sewer Update, McGrail said residents are unhappy with recent rate increases.

            “I think it’s important for us to explain to the public where those increases came from,” he said, referencing Marion’s two enterprise funds. “If we have a negative amount in the enterprise funds (at the end of the year), we need to subsidize it through the tax rate.”

            Marion, says McGrail, has struggled the past few years to maintain a balanced budget and that the increases made during that time have been just enough to balance the water/sewer budget. Of the 2,500 homes in Marion, 1,700 receive sewer bills.

            That does not, however, address $10,000,000 in debt taken on by homeowners over a one-year period that McGrail said came with an enforcement order to line the lagoon. “That’s absolutely staggering,” he said. “We went over $8,000,000 in sewer debt and over $2,000,000 in water debt in one year. We haven’t fully funded that yet; the projects are both underway and are moving forward.

            “The water project’s close to completion by the end of this calendar year, and it looks like the sewer project will be to completion. But people really need to understand – you talk about, you just do the math – I mean you’re spreading $10,000,000 over 2,500 people. … That impact is tough, that’s a really tough thing to manage.”

            Upgrading the wastewater treatment plant and getting the town’s water production operating up to its potential add to the expense, but they would be necessary for the town to accommodate the large developments proposed by area builders that would ultimately add the ratepayers that would ultimately contribute to the water/sewer’s financial solvency.

            McGrail says Marion’s water enterprise fund (savings account) is healthier than its sewer counterpart. “What happened over the last few years is the town got in a position where we were taking some of our retained earnings and utilizing them to subsidize the rates, to lower the impact on the ratepayers. And, by doing that, we eliminated on the sewer side all of our retained earnings. So now we have no cushion, we have no way of being able to deal with a capital project other than putting it on the ratepayers and raising rates.

            “So, on the sewer side … if I have a $300,000 capital project, I need to raise rates to be able to fund that because I’m not going to borrow $300,000 for that. That’s not a great strategy, the better strategy would be to build up enough retained earnings that you can fund smaller capital projects with retained earnings and not have to raise rates consistently to do those smaller projects.”

            The water side, McGrail says, has some retained earnings. “But you look at the debt in the water operation, our fixed costs are the debt and the supplies and the services,” he said. McGrail said Marion needs to look at other measures to avoid paying 50 percent of incoming revenue to debt service. Staffing counts for 14 percent of the operating cost. McGrail blames debt for rising rates.

            “For a small town, it’s got significant infrastructure issues. It’s a really hard situation for us to be in,” said McGrail. “I wish there was a magic bullet, and what we’re looking at, trying to figure out a way to bring in more ratepayers, is really the only solution that I can come up with. Otherwise, we just have to bond more projects, and it just gets worse. … And if we don’t, if we just stick our heads in the sand, then what are we doing there?”

            Waterman agreed that projects like the Heron Cove residential development can add more users but also noted that the sewer system “with only 1,700 ratepayers” becomes more costly to accommodate more users.

            Walker doesn’t think increasing the number of ratepayers will make the required dent. “If you put in a thousand condominiums and charge them the highest rate, it’s not going to bail us out so I think we really have to quickly move because other folks around us are moving and, if we wait for all these studies, I think we’re in a pickle,” he said. “We have some residents that their water and sewer bill is more than their real-estate taxes, and it’s growing incrementally.

            “For those folks, they’re not really interested in hearing we’re going to sort of turn down the spigot or we’re going to adjust some rates, they want to know when relief is coming. And, I think if you boil down to it, we’re going to have to look into bringing in some outside water. It’s cheaper, it’s more effective, and I don’t understand why we’re not having that discussion.”

            Walker said Wareham has millions of gallons of water that Marion could access at lower rates, but Willett insists Marion has enough water, and what is failing is the means of getting it to the customers. “That infrastructure is so old and so antiquated, that’s what these capital costs are going for,” he said.

            Waterman said the town needs to make the infrastructural upgrades regardless because they have been neglected. “Once (facilities at) east and west are up and Mary’s Pond are up, we have the existing capacity to meet that need,” he said. “Regardless of whether we get the water out of Wareham or the wells, we’re still going to have to spend that money to upgrades the mains because we didn’t keep up on it.”

            According to Waterman, the water main on Route 6 in the Heron Cove area is undersized as well as the aforementioned locations. Perhaps more importantly in the long term, he said that the town’s newest water mains date back to 1970, are asbestos-lined and have a life expectancy of 50-70 years so the town needs to replace water mains all over town, not in just a few urgent locations.

            Waterman says Marion has been relying the past few years on two wells – two to three others are down – and the town is studying a potential emergency hookup into Wareham that would cost $700,000 to $1,000,000. Norm Hills cautioned that such an enormous investment would result in Wareham wanting water from Marion as well. Waterman said Underhill advised him to clear any such arrangement with Rochester because that is Marion’s water source.

            McGrail said that, without the Mill Street project, Marion’s water-rate increase would have remained in single digits. Meantime, by spring 2021 the town will have repaired 15 hydrants inside of a year.

            In his update on town sewer, Willett said the wastewater treatment plant is on schedule and off-budget only by $59,000 in change orders so far. The INI project mainly in the village area is also on schedule. Willett reported a $225,000 grant for Creek Road lift station. Other area projects are increasing in budget costs.

            Parker said he and McGrail have discussed issuing a pamphlet explaining the big water/sewer picture to the townspeople.

            The commissioners agreed with McGrail to maintain the agenda structure, but the schedule for the next quarterly meeting was not set.

Marion Water and Sewer Commissioners

By Mick Colageo

            Substitute teachers will earn more money in Old Rochester Regional district schools after the Joint School Committee / Superintendents Union No. 55 approved a pay raise during its September 24 Zoom meeting.

            “This is just making sure that we’re comparable (with surrounding school districts),” said Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Howie Barber, stressing that the committee’s approval does not lock ORR into a particular rate schedule in every case. “These increases are only for the fiscal year 20-21.”

            Citing the uncertainties that accompany the COVID-19 pandemic, Barber noted that FY22 could see ORR under more normal circumstances go back to its former rates. ORR’s last rate increase for substitute teachers took place on September 28, 2018. Barber cited Fairhaven as a comparable district in direct competition. Fairhaven posted in August $165 and $115 for various positions. ORR plans to use rates according to different positions.

            After inquiring with Benefits/Human Resources Coordinator Susana Cunningham, Barber reported that 26 substitute teachers committed to coming back to ORR, while 39 for various reasons cannot and approximately 28 remain questionable for the 2020-21 academic year.

            “We would hate to lose out on those in a competitive market,” said Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson. “We have a pretty good sense to this point where we stand with our staffing… pretty close right now… but we don’t know what tomorrow brings.”

            Nelson says that ORR has been aggressive and will need intensify that effort. “We don’t want to wait too long before we get more aggressive in increasing our pool,” he said, citing the potential for school becoming fully reopened.

            Region-side committee member Heather Burke asked why the per-diem is so substantial for certified substitute teachers. Barber responded by pointing to the 45 days of service that premium or certified substitutes complete and ORR’s dependence on their ability to teach Honors or Advanced Placement courses. Barber noted that the hybrid plan is saving ORR money overall and that the district is trying to be mindful not to overspend. “But top subs (are) one of those areas,” he said.

            Union-side Chairperson Shannon Finning asked Nelson if he can “include how much (substitute teachers) are being used so we can understand the budget implications?” Nelson said he would do so and that Finning’s request makes sense.

            Nelson had hoped by Friday, September 25, to advertise ORR’s new rates. Finning suggested reaching out to Bridgewater State University, UMass Dartmouth, and area colleges. Region-side member Frances Kearns suggested statewide or area teachers associations and the National Society of Black Engineers. “It’s a great opportunity to reach out to that group as well,” she said.

            Both sides voted unanimously to approved the increase in the rate schedule for substitute teachers for the 2020-21 academic year.

            Early numbers are in: As the ORR School District opened to students on September 16 on a hybrid basis, families retained the option of choosing a remote-only return to school for 2020-21. Remote-only students accounted for: Center School 17, Old Hammondtown 7, Sippican 60, Rochester Memorial 65, ORRJH 44, and ORRHS 77. Nelson reported an increase in homeschooling with some district schools up 30 percent.

            Devoll reported that, since September 16 (opening day), five high school students have opted from hybrid to remote, while 12 have opted to go from full remote to hybrid. The changes are immediate. Devoll said some schools around the state have a three-week waiting period. “We want families to be able to make a decision immediately,” he said.

            Policy was a hot topic in the September 24 meeting, and while Nelson told the committee, “We’re in a great place from a (personal protective equipment) standpoint… The students have been remarkable as far as compliance… I know that was a big concern for many people when school opened,” the policy around face coverings bears continued attention.

            In reviewing the facemask policy, region-side committee member Tina Rood cited the section in which “expressive language” is prohibited and asked if the facemask policy is the same as the existing dress code. Nelson said he is working on an addendum for the next meeting’s consideration.

            Region-side member Margaret McSweeny asked for an explanation on the removal of face shields from the policy. Nelson said school nurses have been clear on the subject: “A face shield or physical barrier is not an appropriate substitution for a mask unless there is an exemption in place,” said Nelson, noting that Grade 3 and down is not a zero-tolerance policy.

            McSweeny pointed out the broad language in the facemask policy lacking definition of approved masks. “I know it’s a slippery slope and we want to enforce,” she said. Nelson said, “We wanted to make it more of a living document because things change with the (Center for Disease Control).” Nelson said that a living document would allow ORR to adjust to the most recent guidance.

            “I think it has enough teeth in it,” he said.

            The phrase “expressive language” in the definition of what would make a mask inappropriate drew several questions. Nelson said he interpreted it as offensive language.

            “’Expressive’ says to me to step on free speech,” said Rood. “We’re not saying there is a limit to free speech, but there is a decorum when we’re in a school building.” McSweeny agreed with Rood. “If someone wears a face covering that says ‘black lives matter,’ that’s expressive and we don’t want them not to be able to say that,” she said.

            ORR High School Principal Mike Devoll referenced the ORR Student Handbook and said that obscene, profane language or pictures promoting drug use or illegal activity should not be worn to school. Region-side member Jim Muse said the school has an option to rule against any speech, saying the mask is “for safety… not a billboard.”

            Citing the bias against gator-style masks, region-side member Michelle Smith said that some of them have appropriate linings.

            “We’re trying to make it as easy as possible for the adults,” said Devoll, estimating anywhere from 300 to 400 students in the school building. “I don’t want to be in the business of debating with the kids… ‘Here’s a mask that we know works and let’s do that.’”

            Both sides approved the policy change with the language amended in accordance with the ORR Student Handbook as read by Devoll.

            Both sides of the Joint School Committee approved ORR’s commitment to policies on Educational Opportunities for military children (those that move based on the opportunity to serve) and Educational Opportunities for children in foster care.

            Nelson thanked Joint School Committee members no longer serving on the Policy Subcommittee.

            ORR also made an addendum to its remote-learning policy to address trauma.

            Nelson said the intent of the addendum is to take the existing policies and take into account how COVID-19 may change things. “I feel that we’re not in the planning stages but are taking action,” he said, noting that students are meeting counselors via Zoom and individually. “I feel like we’re trying to meet each family where they’re at.”

            In her report, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Jannell Pearson-Campbell referenced 10 days focused on social-emotional learning with a shift for this week onto an emphasis on remote learning.

            In his report, Director of Student Services Craig Davidson said, “Our staff is doing an amazing job at meeting students and families where they’re at.”

            Calling September 16 “a monumental day,” Nelson said, “seeing our students back in our schools was extremely rewarding for ourselves.”

            He reported design work on a dashboard for the four school committees in deciding what model works best for their school, and plans at the Joint School Committee’s next meeting to share local and state data and that from universities.

            Nelson says HVAC and air-quality systems have been assessed with new vendors. currently meeting standards. cleaning protocols are in place, meals for all students regardless of what learning model they are in. “I have to say the students have been truly resilient in embracing how school is different this year,” he said.

            In reading Barber’s report, Rood questioned ORR’s custodial wage of $12.25 per hour being below Massachusetts minimum wage ($12.75). Barber explained that not being a private business, ORR is not subject to the state minimum-wage requirements but answers to federal standards.

            Principals Rose Bowman (Mattapoisett), Marla Sirois (Sippican), and Derek Medeiros (Rochester Memorial) all gave positive reports on the reopening of elementary schools in the district.

            Bowman reported that September 24 was the first full day for the incoming Kindergartners in Mattapoisett. “They just came out of the car and walked in like they’d always been there… What we do for them at that point lives in their heart forever,” she said, crediting Mattapoisett Police for its support and suggestions for pickup/dropoff time. “Now it’s so smooth parents are like, ‘Let’s not go back to the old way.’ When people come together, we’re so much stronger than we were before.”

            Sirois told how families decorated bulletin boards and “made it great for kids” at Sippican, and Medeiros said Rochester Memorial students “brought a sense of calm to our building (and) reminded us why we came together this summer to really plan.”

            Junior High Principal Silas Coellner and Devoll also reported on reopening.

            “A lot of angst and all of a sudden we’re into it. There’s all these smiles and it’s working,” said Coellner, noting that cooperation and collaboration “has been mind-boggling.”

            “It’s been OK,” joked Devoll, who was elated to have students back at the high school. “I could shout it from the top of the school, it’s been awesome. I thank the kids at every lunch,” he said. “We will never forget the class of 2020; these kids know they’re fortunate. In order for this to work, it has to feel like school… First step let’s prove to the community we can do this. When we keep doing it, we can look at the whole school experience.”

            Finning received five votes to four for April Rios and will remain the union-side chairperson. Rios was voted vice-chairperson.

            ORR’s Anti-Racism Subcommittee will meet on Monday, October 5, at 5:00 pm.

            The next meeting of the Joint School Committee is scheduled for Thursday, November 19, at 6:30 pm via Zoom.

ORR Joint School Committee / Superintendents Union No. 55

By Mick Colageo