The Marion Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) really doesn’t want to televise its meetings, and on May 2, despite the Board of Selectmen’s insistence on it, continued searching for viable excuses to support keeping meetings as they are – as they historically have been, the chairman pointed out – untelevised.

            “The selectmen are still pushing the envelope with us,” said ZBA Chairman Marc LeBlanc as he opened the conversation Thursday night. “The concern (of the selectmen) is that the public is not getting appropriate information … – Actually, I’m not 100 percent sure of what their concern is.”

            “Transparency, and our meetings being consistent,” said ZBA member Michelle Smith, which she argued are already consistent and properly posted.

            “If people have an interest in seeing it and being here, they’d be here to watch it,” said ZBA member Tad Wollenhaupt.

            The board wondered how the reason behind televising meetings could be consistency when other meetings of other Town boards aren’t, such as the Board of Assessors and Board of Health.

            According to LeBlanc, he invited the selectmen to attend the ZBA meeting that night, but they declined. Instead, they asked LeBlanc to attend the Board of Selectmen meeting on May 7.

            “I’m looking for people to go with me,” said LeBlanc. “I don’t think a three-against-one is fair.”

            Wollenhaupt volunteered first saying, “I’m willing to go to tell them –  because I don’t want to go to a televised meeting.” He recalled prior ZBA meetings when the board discussed the reasons why they oppose televising, saying, “We didn’t sign up to be on a televised board.”

            What is lacking, Wollenhaupt said, is an “open discussion” with the Board of Selectmen, and the ZBA should be more persuasive in its argument.

            “To say our meetings are regular; they are advertised; they are open to anybody,” Wollenhaupt stated.

            Smith compared the ZBA’s consistent meeting schedule to “other boards” that often hold special meetings on different times on different days of the week, meetings she referred to as “secret squirrel.”

            “Those secret meetings … aren’t televised,” Smith said. “If you’re gonna be consistent …”

            ZBA associate member Louise Nadler said, what the ZBA needs is “to come back with a specific compelling reason, period.”

            “I taught persuasive writing and I stress that it’s important not to say too much,” said Nadler, arguing against criticizing another board to make their point.

            “There’s nothing anywhere that says these meetings need to be televised,” said LeBlanc, “and now it’s gonna be a tug of war between the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Board of Selectmen.” He said that even town counsel was unable to find anything that would compel the ZBA to televise.

            So, what can the selectmen do if the ZBA refuses, the board pondered?

            “They cannot fire us, but they can [decide to] not renew our reappointments,” said LeBlanc. “If they wanted to, they could remove people from this board and put on people that they want to.”

            “We’re a voluntary board,” said Wolenhaupt. “We’re volunteers.”

            “I think that’s a very valid reason (not to televise),” said ZBA member David Bramley. “It’s not an elected board.”

            So, why should the ZBA televise, “Because everybody else is doing it?” asked LeBlanc.

            “It’s a ‘because we said so,’” said LeBlanc. “It’s a ‘because we said so.’”

            Also during the meeting, the board opened the public hearing for Elizabeth Houghton Weinberg’s application to renovate a non-conforming two-story Cape Cod style house at 14 Main Street, built in 1790 according to the Assessors’ records. An accessory building in the rear that is also non-conforming was identified as “the old schoolhouse,” built in 1815.

            Weinberg wants to tear down the rear wing of the building and increase the footprint slightly, and raise the roof height of the front portion of the house.

            Some neighbors came to view the plans, finding no major concerns other than Sandra Parsons, whose concern was for the preservation of a historical mural inside the dining room.

            “Unfortunately, that has nothing to do with us,” LeBlanc stated. “Unfortunately, in this town there is nothing you can do about it.”

            My mom lived in that house, and that’s how I know about,” said Parsons. “It should be photographed.”

            The hearing was continued until May 16 so that Davignon could provide the board with the exact locations of the air-conditioning unit and the outdoor shower.

            Also during the meeting, the board continued the public hearing for Theresa and Samuel Barrington, 37 Holmes Street, in the hopes that the applicants will reconsider shifting the location of their proposed “guesthouse” to meet zoning setbacks instead of razing an existing non-compliant shed and rebuilding it slightly larger than the original footprint.

            The plan is to rebuild the structure with a bedroom, living room, and bathroom.

            Abutter Kevin Oliveria worried about the size and proximity to his yard and water runoff into an already wet corner. He said he would prefer the Barringtons move it farther away, which the ZBA determined would be possible, given the size of the Barringtons’ property.

            The board urged the Barringtons’ engineer, Dave Davignon, to ask the building commissioner what the owners’ by-right setbacks would be and go from there.

            The board accepted the withdrawal request from Jessica and John Peters, 20 South Street, for a special permit for side and rear setbacks. According to architect Anthi Frangiadis, the property owners have decided to work within the parameters of what they are allowed by right. The application was withdrawn without prejudice.

            In other business, the board entertained the letter of interest submitted by Margie Baldwin seeking to be appointed as an alternate member.

            Alternate members are allowed to deliberate and discuss, but may not vote unless they are appointed to vote to complete a quorum.

            ZBA member Betsy Dunn, in a letter she submitted in her absence, recommended Baldwin be appointed, while two others submitted letters of interest in joining the ZBA to LeBlanc.

            The Board of Selectmen will make the final appointment, but may consider the ZBA’s recommendation.

            Before Baldwin left, Bramley, who was just promoted to full member status that night, said to her, “I hope you don’t think we are closed-minded people.” Bramley was referring to something Baldwin wrote in her letter referring to the board’s need for “open-minded” members.

            Baldwin assured Bramley that she was not inferring anyone was closed-minded. He also asked her if she sat on any other boards or committee that might conflict with her schedule.

            Baldwin does serve on the Finance Committee and the Tree committee, but stated that her schedule would not be an issue.

            “I don’t have an agenda,” said Baldwin. “I don’t have any vested interest – I think I’ve come before the board once.”

            LeBlanc was personally surprised that the board received three letters, which he said was rather rare. Baldwin said perhaps the interest was due to the increasing complexity of the applications residents are filing with the ZBA.

            “What’s happening,” LeBlanc said, “is the public is getting more savvy and they’re finding that with more cases before us and finding us voting in new ways (different than prior boards). There are a lot of loopholes in our bylaws and they’re trying to find those loopholes to do what they want, and that’s what we’re finding.”

            The next meeting of the Marion Zoning Board of Appeals is scheduled for May 16 at 6:30 pm at the Marion Town House.

Marion Zoning Board of Appeals

By Jean Perry

            Gathering in the small office of Town Administrator Mike Gagne on May 2, the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen met for a final review of the Annual Town Meeting Warrant before signing it.

            The warrant contains 26 articles that include the annual budget and appropriations for the five stabilization funds, but there are also a couple of big ticket items as well as zoning bylaw amendments that are sure to elicit questions, at the least, and debate, at the most.

            Gagne presented a printed financial retrospective that will also be handed out at Town Meeting, intended to explain the Town’s current debt and its ability to carry the proposed new fire station construction. 

            It reads, in part, “Mattapoisett’s indebtedness has declined as a portion of the Annual Town Budget from 6.9-percent to 4.6-percent. Within the next five years debt will decline by 79.3-percent…”

            The handout states that the decline represents a payoff of $11.5 million in previously approved capital projects.

            Road improvement projects would continue to represent another $3 million to be paid off, which Gagne projected would be done by year five.

            “This fiscal position would put Mattapoisett in a very solid position to sell bonds,” said Gagne.

            He closes the comments by writing, “For a small increase of $13.38 on a tax bill for a home valued at $440,000 (the anticipated tax increase if town meeting moves to build a new Fire Station), and, the town can reserve funds for other future capital needs that are prioritized in the ten-year Capital Plan.”

            The selectmen were in agreement with asking voters to fund a new fire station, and to amendment zoning bylaws that would allow greater lot coverage at the Limited Industrial District if the property owners connect to public sewer.

            Another article will ask voters to spend $39,000 on sewer infrastructure that would allow businesses along Industrial Drive to connect to the system.

            The selectmen also agreed to advance an article that asks voters to amend zoning bylaws that would allow medical marijuana to be cultivated within that zone, with a portion of that crop allowed to be supplied to adult-use marijuana retail outlets outside Mattapoisett.

            But when it came time to look at the article for improvements to the Old Rochester High School athletic fields and auditorium, the board continued to express deep concern.

            “I just want to make a statement that this was done in disrespect for the Capital Planning process,” Selectman Paul Silva said. In his opinion, the planning process was specifically intended to evaluate capital expenditures in a pragmatic manner “to afford groups coming in with their wants and needs impacting the tax rate.”

            Gagne commented that one of the criteria for receiving an AAA bond rating was that the town did, in fact, have a capital needs process to rank projects based on the long-term financial impact on the community. 

            “I’m not saying it (the project) isn’t necessary,” Silva clarified, “but the manner in which they went about it was wrong.”

            Gagne shared that both the Capital Planning and Finance Committees wanted to see the $2.5 million request processed through the 10-year planning schedule.

            “We asked them to present their 10-year plan – they never did it!” Selectman Tyler Macallister said. “We told them there are ways to do this.”

            Selectman Jordan Collyer added, “We asked them for a revenue plan – we still don’t know what needs to be done or when. We know there are major issues and we asked for the plan; doing it piecemeal

is not the way Mattapoisett has been doing it.”

            “It all comes back to a plan. There are significant unknowns,” Gagne stated.

            “The request is valid,” said Collyer. “The timing – not good.”

            Gagne emphasized that, with retiring debt, which was planned for in order to take on large-scale improvements such as a new fire station, property owners wouldn’t experience large increases in tax bills. He explained that there is $310,000 available for the fire station pre-construction needs that would cover design, engineering, bid documents, and contractor selection, allowing the town to put off securing a bond to cover the estimated $9.7 million for the total project until March 2020 with the first payment due in March 2021, “… putting us further down the road in terms of retiring debt.”

            The selectmen signed the warrant hoping that Mattapoisett voters would once again conduct business in an expeditious manner with Collyer quipping, “Let’s get this done in one night.”

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen is scheduled for May 13 at 6:00 pm in the ORR auditorium before the start of Town Meeting.

Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen

By Marilou Newell

            The four candidates vying for the two open seats on the Marion Planning Board answered to the voters on May 2 at the Marion Music Hall during the annual League of Women Voters’ Candidates’ Night, a forum for a discussion of all things Marion ahead of the May 17 Annual Election.

            “Here comes trouble,” said William do Carmo introducing himself at the podium. “That’s me.”

            It’s not do Carmo’s first Planning Board race, having run unsuccessfully three years ago, but this time he hopes his extensive background in planning and economic development will get him ahead in the race against Barry Gaffey, Joseph Rocha, and now incumbent Will Saltonstall.

            “My reason for running for Planning Board is that I feel like I can contribute some leadership in advancing some of the events … that have developed,” do Carmo said. He said there’s a lack of leadership and a “complacency among people” in the local government. “… They don’t seem to be energized. Being that way, you don’t really get things done as expeditiously as you can.”

            For do Carmo, his experience is in housing development and has degrees in law, education, and architecture, he said.

            “I’m not afraid to move things along and get things moving,” do Carmo said. “Marion has many, many problems … but a lot of people have their heads in the sand; they don’t want to deal with them … and that’s not the way to grow a town.”

            His biggest concern in town, do Carmo says: “perpetual debt syndrome.”

            Marion has to reach out and bring in more revenue, he said, but there is “no leadership.”

            “This, I think, has to change,” do Carmo said. “[Marion needs] people that will spearhead this type of opportunity, because the money is out there and you have to know where to get it and how to get it.”

            Barry Gaffey says he is “progressive” and all for smart growth to get new businesses into Marion.

            “We need to look for business – and good businesses, not the 15,000 square-foot CVSes. … I’m looking and hoping to help solve some of the zoning issues … and to make it a little easier for applicants and speed it up,” said Gaffey.

            “I love Marion,” said Gaffey. But since the mid-1990s, Gaffey says Marion has changed. “It’s going to continue to change,” he said. “We have to adapt to the change and we have to bring business in.”

            Rocha said he’s the “new guy,” having moved to Marion in 2015. Rocha has spent 15 years as an IT systems analyst and, if elected, hopes to “preserve Marion” and its “attractive characteristics” that drew him and his family here.

            “I vow to approach each decision with an open mind,” said Rocha, “but I will always ask, is this right for Marion?”

            Rocha said he believes in the processes, saying, “What comes out has to be put back in to perfect it, and data is what is needed to make smart and educated decisions,” along with an open mind, he added, asking, “How can we build income in this town without compromising the character of Marion?”

            Saltonstall said he’s represented the town’s interests during these last three years on the board, which, he said, have been “very challenging, very frustrating, but, as a whole, very rewarding.”

            Saltonstall said he’s been proactive on the board doing “visionary and long-term work,” such as with implementation of the Master Plan, and reactive by “protecting the interest of the town and its citizens as new development is proposed.”

            The Planning Board has made “solid decisions,” said Saltonstall, “given the tools we have to work with.” He said he’s brought “strong leadership skills to the table” as chairman “… and created an atmosphere where everyone’s opinion is respected and heard.”

            Saltonstall said he’s optimistic about the Town’s current leadership in its selectmen and new town administrator and DPW director, especially with sewer infrastructure; “and good leadership is the key to keeping Marion a beautiful, vibrant place to live.”

            Barry Gaffey is also running against Catherine Gibbs in the only other contested race for Board of Assessors. Gibbs was away traveling that night, and Gaffey said of his campaign, “I think we have a lot of issues before us and I’m hoping we can overcome them through leadership and some new blood, some new ideas.” When asked, Gaffey said he currently is not certified as an assessor.

            Selectman John Waterman is running uncontested for a full three-year term after having served the final one year of former selectman Steve Gonsalves term after he resigned in February 2018, but even if he were running opposed it appears as though voters are pleased with Waterman’s performance this past year.

            “Keep up the good work!” shouted someone from the audience.

            Finance Committee member Alan Minard said he’s been on the FinCom for 14 years, “and I’ve seen a lot of selectmen come and go. You have gotten more things started in your one-year term than any other selectman I can remember in 14 years.”

            Also running uncontested: Edward Hoffer for Board of Health, Nicole Daniel for Marion School Committee, incumbent Heather Burke for Old Rochester Regional School Committee, Casey Gunschel and John Rockwell for Open Space Acquisition Committee (two seats), Russell Gunschel for Tree Warden, and incumbent Brad Gordon for Town Moderator.

            Marion’s Annual Town Meeting is on Monday, May 13, at 6:45 pm at Sippican School.

            The Annual Election is on Friday, May 17; polls are open 8:00 am to 8:00 pm at the Benjamin D. Cushing Community Center.

By Jean Perry