The day after Town Administrator Jay McGrail presented Marion’s Fiscal Year 2022 budget to the Board of Selectman, he met with the Finance Committee on February 3 to do the same, and the message was consistent. Department heads were asked to present a level-services budget.

            “This is not where we started. A lot of departments came in with requests that didn’t make it to you guys,” said McGrail, noting that the town is starting to see the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic in FY21 in the recent form of staff furloughs and targeted hiring freezes.

            Finance Director Judy Mooney shared several graphics and excerpts from the budget line items with the committee.

            Projected revenues in Marion for FY22 are 80 percent based on the projected tax levy of $20,466,664.

            Schools are expected to take up over $12 million of the FY22 budget or 48 percent.

            While McGrail proposed an FY22 budget that projects a 3.55 percent increase with acknowledgment of a $170,000 deficit that must be worked through, he noted that the increase is 2.3 percent without adding the schools. If one were to remove the expenses associated with the Benson Brook Transfer Station and curbside trash collection, the overall increase for FY22 would be 1.6 percent.

            “I think that really speaks to where we are as a town,” said McGrail.

            The town hopes to balance the Benson Brook budget via the sale of stickers to Rochester residents.

            McGrail reported $630,000 in available funds, with schools taking up $572,000 or 91 percent. He said he met on February 1 with the school administration and was waiting while “they work on a new budget number as they help us balance the budget.”

            Finance Committee member Shay Assad opened the meeting in the absence of Chairman Peter Winters, who joined the Zoom call later. Assad said it was premature to discuss school budgets without revised figures.

            Marion has gone from dependence on $400,000 in free cash two years ago to $350,000 last year and is proposing $300,000 for FY22.

            Benson Brook transfer station is open two days a week now, and curbside collection is now in a five-year contract with SEMASS after Marion’s departure from the Carver Marion Wareham Regional Refuse Disposal District. The new cost has been absorbed into the tax levy without an override.

            In his overview, McGrail told FinCom he hopes to bring in department heads for meetings leading up to a March 3 joint meeting with the schools.

            The committee first heard from Capital Planning Improvements Committee Chairman Paul Naiman, who explained the workings of the CIPC and shared its rankings of the town’s 20 capital projects.

            Capital projects are defined by anything that costs $10,000 or more and has a life of five or more years. The CIPC does not approve projects but creates a ranked list for the consideration of McGrail, Mooney, FinCom, and the selectmen. CIPC’s 10-point rating scale is based on town priority, regulatory needs, public safety, lower costs, funding sources, and useful life. All committee members score each project.

            Naiman reported over 20 projects had been put before the CIPC totaling $1,400,000. Schools accounted for seven projects, including two at Old Rochester Regional senior or junior high schools and four at Sippican School. Naiman noted that the ORR track rehabilitation project did not make it onto the other Tri-Towns’ two Town Meeting warrants. This year, Naiman invited Mattapoisett and Rochester schools to go through the projects together. “This year, hopefully, we won’t see that again,” he said.

            Marion’s Department of Public Works accounts for five capital projects.

            FinCom member John Menzel offered a compliment to the CIPC for its effort.

            McGrail told the committee that department heads were requested only to bring projects forward that could be applied to this year. “So, these projects are critical this year and need to be addressed,” he said.

            New Chief of Police Richard Nighelli received credit from McGrail for limiting his requests to those he thought were most important. McGrail also noted that a number of staff positions in the DPW are unfilled at the present time. Marion is looking to fill a mechanic’s position. Winters suggested limiting the number of staff hires. McGrail said Recreation Department Director Jody Dickerson has been doing an outstanding job in helping the DPW staff.

            Outsourcing trash pickup with Waste Management has been met with resounding approval from budget and aesthetics standpoints.

            Mooney said pensions are a driving force, estimating it to account for one of the biggest pieces of the general fund other than the school.

            Water enterprise is projected to see a slight decrease in the overall budget for FY22, but sewer enterprise takes a big jump as the town has incurred new debt for the lagoon cleanup project. The town is recommending trying to control sewer rates with a $200,000 general-fund subsidy from free cash. Marion has certified $1.6 million in free cash to support the sewer enterprise fund and offset the increase.

            Selectman John Waterman cautioned against the idea, saying that once the town dips into free cash, “There’s no going back. We really have to think twice before we commit…. We stop doing it, and rates shoot way up,” he said. “Once we plug that into the budget this year, we have to do it every year.”

            McGrail said residents have formed lines outside of the Town House to complain about their bills. “We’ve heard it from the community,” he said. “If we don’t do this, we’re looking at another 20 percent (rate) increase.”

            Mooney said that Marion looks at a five-year average on usage. “Those dry years tend to spike it,” she said.

            Winters asked if the Sewer Department’s estimated budget includes an estimated increase for borrowing the extra $2 million for removing the extra sludge from the lagoon, but McGrail said the town does not have a hard number on that expense. Mooney said the town would assume debt in FY23. McGrail said that debt would not be the only solution, calling it “just one piece of the puzzle.”

            The budget schedule tentatively includes a February 24 FinCom meeting with CIPC, a March 3 FinCom meeting with the schools, and an April 13 submission of the warrant to the printer.

            Assad said, “Jay and Judy have both done a great job. It was a lot of work and a lot of preparation.” Winters and member Charlie Larkin added their thanks, and Winters also noted the DPW did a great job with snow removal.

            The next meeting of the Marion Finance Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, February 24, at 7:00 pm.

Marion Finance Committee

By Mick Colageo

            Now that the preliminary meetings have concluded and with eight separate sections of the outdated 2000 Master Plan to review, study and update, Mattapoisett’s Master Plan Committee began the real work of identifying issues and making recommendations on Land Use, Housing, Economic Development, and Climate Resiliency during its February 3 meeting.

            The members had previously selected their areas of interest to work on, but all attendees remained in the same virtual meeting room. This process granted each subcommittee the opportunity to share information and better inform their specific areas of interest. As Planning Board Chairman Tom Tucker pointed out, all the chapters affected one another and the final document.

            Land Use was the first chapter discussed. Committee member Shirley Haley talked about modifying zoning bylaws, changes that might grant property owners the latitude to rent rooms in a shared living structure. While not specific to the Land Use Chapter, Haley’s comments were aired and added. She also reported that, according to the Assessor’s Office, there are 28 dwelling units with attached family-related apartments and 62 multi-family units. She also suggested looking at smaller lot sizes to construct smaller homes to ease senior housing needs.

            Planning Board member Janice Robbins said that she had spoken to Water and Sewer Superintendent Henri Renauld, whose feedback was that current sewer capacity was rather limited. She also said that, while zoning changes were difficult, “denser housing units” might work. It was also commented that it would be important to ensure that any new rental units not be used as short-term vacation rentals. Mary Dermody asked that specific water and sewer data be secured to understand capacity issues better.

            Tucker added to the discussion by saying that zoning setbacks had been changed to allow “zero-lot lines” needed for such housing units as condominiums.

            Other areas discussed under Land Use included possible impact from the commuter rail expansion taking place now and increasing the number of mixed-use structures along Route 6.

            Next up came the Housing chapter, during which Kate Haley (no relation to Shirley Haley) said that Mattapoisett has an aging population that would be looking to downsize affordably. She also said that it is important to consider how to attract young families to Mattapoisett, including 40B housing and lot-size modification for the construction of smaller, affordable family homes. Chrystal Walsh commented, “It’s troubling to see a decrease in the number of households with children,” making the point that housing is too expensive for many working families.

            Kate Haley added to that sentiment, providing census data that showed a 44 percent decline in households with children and a population that is 52 percent over the age of 60.

            Economic Development was explored next with Donna Shea asking the rhetorical question, “Why would a business come here?” as a stepping-off point. She said it might prove essential to promote the area’s waterfront location, possibly drawing in more marine-based commerce. Shea also tossed out the idea of “entrepreneurial centers” where businesses could share space. Continuing with her brainstorming, Shea also thought that given the bike path’s extension, Mattapoisett might become a destination with shops and eateries geared to the visitor. “Redevelop Route 6 with small shops like a Falmouth kind of place,” she suggested.

            Member Paul Criscuolo said he is currently using a shared workspace in New Bedford and concurred the concept could work in Mattapoisett. Dermody added, “People are leaving city centers to places like Mattapoisett, working remotely. Maybe a small conference center or business center would be a draw.”

            The last but certainly not least chapter discussed on this night was Climate Resiliency.

            Robbins said that in materials she had read, Mattapoisett could lose up to 25 percent of its tax base, and Mattapoisett ranked number 7 in the commonwealth for its vulnerability to flooding. Stressing the point, Kate Haley said, “Every single thing could be impacted.” Robin Lepore commented, “Eighty percent of our revenue comes from property taxes. A storm could impact the revenue stream. The town should be going after some serious grant monies to elevate walkways, for instance.”

            Carlos DeSousa said that one approach might be looking at short-term impacts from climate change, then long term impact. He used the example of groundwater rise and its effect on hydrostatic pressure below ground level.

            Before closing out the meeting for the evening, Nathan Ketchel gave a brief report on the study taking place now on Mattapoisett Neck Road’s resiliency, which will include recommendations for roadway improvements and culvert repairs. He said that one study demonstrated that the culverts are failing along the marshland stretch. He said the consultants would provide conceptual drawings on the types of improvements from which Mattapoisett Neck Road might benefit, including elevated spans.

             To learn more about the development of the Mattapoisett Master Plan, visit srpedd.org/comprehensive-planning/community-master-plans/Mattapoisett-master-plan.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Master Plan Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, February 24, at 6:30 pm; other chapters will be opened for discussion.

Mattapoisett Master Plan Committee

By Marilou Newell

            The news that cars were pulling into the recently improved parking area at Grassi Bog was inspiring to Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission Chairman John Rockwell, who shook off Vice Chairman Alan Harris’s report that the area “is getting a little muddy and dug up.”

            Harris told MOSAC members during their February 4 Zoom meeting that he had called up Jonathan Cote with National Resource Conservation Service, the inspector for the Wetland Reserve Program, and “wanted to make sure we had permission to do things. He was not wild about putting gravel there.” The obvious concern is that sediment doesn’t wash down into the bog, but Harris said the gravel had hardened up.

            To lend the story some context, Rockwell shared a brief history of Grassi Bog with the story of how MOSAC was just starting out when Betsy Grassi went to the commission about planting a bog on Route 6. According to Rockwell, the land had been appraised at $200,000 and sold to MOSAC for $72,000.

            Things got better as they got worse, as nine water-control structures on the property began to fail within a few years, all of them needing repair. But MOSAC had no full-time employee to do the work of adjusting water levels or making the necessary repairs. MOSAC reached out to the National Resource Conservation Service, an arm of the US Department of Agriculture. The agency gave MOSAC $60,000 to turn the bog into a wildlife area.

            “The deed restriction said anything we did there has to go through them and be compatible with what that $60,000 was all about,” recalled Rockwell. “It lowered our cost from $72,000 to $12,000 – pretty good deal for 30-plus acres, and the property hadn’t been properly surveyed or marked.”

            The federal government did those chores and drew up a plan to fix the water-control structures to maintain the bog as an emergent marsh. When the plan failed, NRCS came back at its own cost to draw up more plans. “Our out of pocket is still $12,000,” said Rockwell. “It’s a great walk and a great financial deal for the town.”

            Harris called the land “quite diverse” with “a lot of birds there in the winter.”

            Unfinished business relating to Grassi Bog includes an unwanted culvert made up of a black tube measuring 42 inches in diameter and 26 feet long. “We want someone to take it off our hands,” said Rockwell, who thought he had an arrangement several years ago with the Marion Department of Public Works. “Five years later, we offered it to neighboring wetland projects – still there.”

            The Hoff Property Conservation Restriction was sent by Marion’s Board of Selectmen to Allen Decker at the Buzzards Bay Coalition, which technically owns the property. Rockwell said he was not clear if MOSAC signatures were on the CR. Jim Bride of the Sippican Lands Trust made an amendment to the baseline survey. Rockwell said he does not consider that to be a holdup.

            Rockwell reported on a visit to Little Neck Village, where rocks and a sign needed to be moved to comply with the National Heritage & Endangered Species Program that requires all bounds of the Conservation Restriction to be permanently marked. Harris noted that some residents think the sign is too large. Rockwell explained that the CR was required in return for a permit to build Little Neck Village.

            In a brief Point Road Path Update, Rockwell said he and MOSAC member Jeff Oakes made a list of items that the DPW wanted checked out. Rockwell appealed to the public for help if there are any engineers and surveyors who can donate an hour or two of their time. MOSAC Vice Chairman Alan Harris asked if MOSAC can advertise for such assistance, and Rockwell said he would look into it.

            MOSAC broke into an executive session to discuss a land acquisition and did not return to open session.

            The next meeting of the Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission is scheduled for Thursday, March 4.

Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission

By Mick Colageo

            On February 4, during the meeting of the Mattapoisett Finance Committee, Highway Surveyor Barry Denham announced he would not be running for reelection.

            Denham has been the go-to-person at the Highway Department for the last 15 years. Prior to his current position at the Highway Department, Denham was a selectman for six years (1997-2003) and a member of the Planning Board for eight years.

            A lifelong resident of Mattapoisett, Denham, long before he tossed his hat in the ring for the various committee and board positions, owned and operated a construction business with his father. He told The Wanderer, “I’m not a porch sitter, and I don’t play golf,” indicating that he’ll continue to turn his hand in the family business. Denham is also the veteran’s agent for the Tri-Town, another position from which he will be stepping away.

            Denham has for many years been a dedicated member of the American Legion. He said he was drafted into the Army in 1969 during the Vietnam War, where he served honorably. His comment on that period of his life was characteristically understated: “I saw as much war as I wanted to.”

            In considering the years he served as the highway surveyor, Denham said he is especially proud of the “crew” at the department and the numerous contributions the department has made. While acknowledging that the past year has been difficult and “depressing,” with many projects temporarily shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic, an avalanche of work awaits on the horizon.

            Beyond the day-to-day responsibilities of municipal landscaping, trash pick-up, beach care, snow plowing, road grading, and even the laying of commemorative bricks, Denham said that grants amounting to more than $1.7 million have been secured for a variety of projects, some waiting in the wings and some moving forward in the near term. Those presently moving forward include a study of Mattapoisett Neck Road’s climate resiliency and culvert improvements and repairs, installation of flashing traffic signage along North Street, Acushnet Road bridge repairs, a sidewalk from the bike path to Route 6 along Mattapoisett Neck Road, and improvements near the bike path at Brandt Island Road such as parking. Other projects the Highway Department will be involved with include improvements to Industrial Drive and sidewalks along upper Pearl Street. “I’ll be leaving behind lots of work,” Denham said.

            When asked if he had any parting comments for his successor, Denham said, “I hope they have as much success as I did and enjoy it as much as I have.”

            Regarding the presentation of his 14th budget for fiscal year 2022, Denham will have to return to the Finance Committee. He said that the coming year would be challenging before saying that the part-time secretarial position allotted to the department is insufficient for the tasks at hand. “We need a full-time secretary,” he said. Denham also suggested changes to the department’s work crew that included “elevating someone to work as foreman.” This latter position, he said, would help a new surveyor manage projects.

            Finance Committee Chairman Pat Donoghue asked how the renovations were going at the town barn. Denham responded that not much had taken place thus far. Donoghue said, “This has been going on for six years. You beg for the money, we give it to you, and nothing happens.” Denham said that architectural drawings had not yet been received. Town Administrator Mike Lorenco interjected, saying, “This is on me; we have bid documents, so you’ll see movement in the next few weeks. Lorenco said that construction would be phased. Donoghue said her primary concern is the safety of the employees.

            Rounding out his comments, Denham said that a new sidearm mower was listed on the Capital Planning spreadsheet to replace one that had broken. The estimated cost is $84,000.

            Denham also reported, when Donoghue asked, that the Highway Department is responsible for maintenance of the bike path, including mowing, snow removal, brush trimming, and rubbish collection. He said that the current mile-long span costs the town 346 employee hours per year. He told Donoghue, “Do the math,” when asked how much the newer portion would add once opened, an additional 1.5 miles. Donoghue noted that those costs did not appear on the budget.

            Donoghue also asked about licensures for those crew members operating equipment that requires special certification. “No one is operating equipment without a license,” Denham began. He said that due to the pandemic, some classes were not held; thus, employees could not take necessary courses toward obtaining licenses. He said that the town pays for certification courses. It was noted that those costs also did not appear on the budget. Donoghue said that Denham should plan on returning to the committee with more details. The Highway Department’s six-month actuals for FY21 are $334,364 with a preliminary FY22 budget of $765,250.

            Meeting with the committee for the first time was Library Director Jennifer Jones, who said her budget projection was level-funded to 2.3 percent and noted several Capital Planning line items such as carpet replacement, telephone systems, roof restorations, and window replacement. The library’s FY21 six-month actuals are $254,791, with a preliminary FY22 budget request of $549,248.

            Regarding the pandemic’s impact on circulation numbers, Jones said that there had been a substantial drop by as much as 50 percent. She said it was difficult to get the word out to people that most library services were still available, even though the building itself was closed to the public. “We are providing side-door service,” she said with a chuckle.

            Since July 2020, Jones said the library had served 3,729 of 5,253 cardholders with 3,396 followers on Facebook. She also said that the library was still loaning out enrichment items such as baking pans, fishing poles, sewing machines, hot pots, and snowshoes. A full list of all materials available can be found on the library’s website, she said. Jones also assured the committee that all loaned items, including books and tapes, are decontaminated per guidelines.

            Also briefly meeting with the FinCom was Police Chief Mary Lyons. The Police Department FY21 six-month actuals were reported as $1,061,362 with a preliminary FY22 budget request of $2,345,028. Lyons said that a cruiser is on the FY22 budget plan and another on the Capital Planning spreadsheet. A third cruiser will also be replaced after an accident rendered it inoperable. She said insurance would cover approximately $52,000 for the replacement.

            In other business, Donoghue said she had recently met with the Mattapoisett School Committee, and while everything was at a preliminary stage, she was surprised to learn they had removed Bristol County Agricultural High School costs from the budget. She said she could not pinpoint the reasoning behind such a move, one that would place those costs in a separate warrant article versus part of an overall school budget. Committee member Paul Amoruso declared, “No! It doesn’t make any sense.”

            Lorenco said of Bristol Aggie expenses, “They are also trying to charge us $1,000 per student for their building debt,” a move he believed was inappropriate given that Mattapoisett had no say in the decision to take on the debt.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Finance Committee is scheduled for Thursday, February 11, at 4:00 pm.

Mattapoisett Finance Committee

By Marilou Newell

            The Mattapoisett River Valley Water District Commission faces a $1 million decision on how to update its water-treatment facility, and the increasing sense is that its members have already decided it makes no sense to save that million knowing it will likely lead to much greater spending later.

            Koch Separation Systems can either replace the nearly obsolete Targa II water-treating system presently operating in the MRV plant with a brand new, state-of-the-art Puron MP system or, for a limited time, provide the parts that would allow the MRV to kick the Targa II can down the road for as long as those parts shall last.

            During the commission’s February 9 Zoom meeting, MRV member Paul Silva asked Tata & Howard’s Jon Gregory what numbers the MRV is looking to take to Unibank for financing purposes. Gregory said that the report has been drafted and is undergoing quality control. The total project cost for a Targus (existing-system) upgrade is $3,310,000, and the total project cost for a Puron MP (new-system) upgrade is $4,410,000.

            Meantime, the MRV voted to approve a plan to proceed toward a new municipal advisory agreement with Unibank. Rochester Town Counsel Blair Bailey said he wants to read the agreement before MRV signs off on a deal expected to cost $3,500 per year.

            Gregory will likewise review the Department of Environmental Protection-required PILOT-test proposal that Koch is putting together for the site.

            In her Treasurer’s Report to the commission, Marion DPW engineer Meghan Davis noted that January 2021 showed no invoices from Eversource, regularly one of the heavier billers to the MRV. Total invoices for the month were $32,018.72, including total chemicals at $12,971, maintenance and repair charges at $8,712.46, and other invoices at $9,181.16. Three invoices came from Tata & Howard for filter evaluation and replacement.

            Beyond the Koch update, Gregory said that Tata & Howard is working on a Risk and Resilience Assessment including countermeasure costs and expects to have the draft report to the MRV in March. “These requirements are federal requirements,” said Gregory.

            Member Laurell Farinon relayed a report from Henri Renauld that said the Fairhaven Tinkham Lane plant is back online after the installation of a heater following a water leak in the Fairhaven well.

            In the Water Protection Advisory Committee meeting that preceded the District Commission’s, Chairman Vinnie Furtado read Jeff Furtado’s Treasurer’s Report, giving a February 1 ending balance of $24,817.03.

            The committee voted to authorize Furtado to write a letter approving Walter Hartley’s proposed construction on Neck Road, subject to the approval of the Rochester Planning Board. Farinon noted that the lot bisects a cranberry bog. Member Rick Charon said, “The viability of these bogs is gone,” and Bailey added, “You’re going to see a lot more of these. I’m extremely surprised that we haven’t seen people abandoning a lot of upland bogs.”

            After the committee authorized Tata & Howard to purchase a Levelogger not to exceed $1,200, Gregory learned that the old model of Leveloggers was being discontinued. Citing the report of a new $900 probe, the committee approved a plan to spend not over $1,000 for the new model.

            Under new business, Gregory displayed 2020 data graphs illustrating a seasonal commonality of drought across the region. Water levels in Marion’s wells on New Bedford Road fell below the 25th elevation percentile for low-median groundwater levels as affected by the late-summer drought. But the level bounced back to the normal reference point by December. Other area wells showed similar progression. A corresponding chart displayed higher water-pumping activity during the late-summer months. Gregory intends to display the information quarterly.

            The next meeting of the MRV Water Supply Protection Advisory Committee/District Commission is scheduled for Tuesday, March 9, at 3:30 pm and 4:00 pm.

MRV Water Supply Protection Advisory Committee/District Commission

By Mick Colageo