Mattapoisett’s Tree Warden Chris Nadeau came before the Mattapoisett Planning Board on Tuesday, October 20 in a public hearing for the removal of 160 trees in the town’s easement. The trees are located in various locations from deep in the heart of the village to along forested areas including those designated as scenic byways. All the trees that were noted in his removal application were deemed storm damaged, diseased, or victims of boring insects. Nadeau cautioned all 160 trees were in danger of crashing to the ground causing havoc, property damage, and possible injuries to passersby.

            Chair Tom Tucker was a bit miffed that no one representing Eversource, a partner in the application, was present to speak on behalf of the utility. Nadeau stated he had inspected all 160 trees and agreed removal was needed. Since all parties were in agreement Eversource did not need to be present. It was further noted by Nadeau that of many trees marked for removal were threatening power lines in many locations.

            During the public hearing, several residents spoke to the need for the trees to be removed including outspoken tree advocate Sandra Hering. Also speaking to the danger the trees in question were Margaret DeMello, Mike Daigle, Anne Fenton, Chrysal Walsh, and Nancy Souza, Chair of the Mattapoisett Tree Committee.

            Nadeau was asked by board member Karen Field if replanting was part of the plan. Nadeau responded that a number of the trees were in forested easements and would hardly be noticed come spring.

            There was no debate as all parties in attendance including the board members agreed to have the trees removed.

            In other business the board once again delved into the writing of a new bylaw for “cottage” style developments which they plan on presenting to voters during the Spring Town Meeting.

            The draft bylaw describes the structures as “…a cottage style housing development, an alternate form of detached housing. It further states “…it is a crucial component of the town’s comprehensive housing strategy.”

            The draft goes on to say, “To provide housing styles and types that are responsive to changing household demographics, sizes, ages, and interests. To encourage the creation of more usable open space and promote the efficient layout of dwelling units to reduce the development footprint and infrastructure costs. Also to ensure that the overall size bulk and mass of cottage styles of cottage structures and developments remain smaller causing less visual impact than standard single style family dwellings.”

            Particulars such as the square footage of these dwelling units were also discussed. Gross floorplans could be 975 square feet, with a main floor measuring 900 square feet. Minimum distance between units may be proposed to be 25 feet in the front, 10 feet on the sides, and 15 feet in the rear. Minimum distance separating structures will be 10 feet minimum, and private open space 200 square feet per unit.

            Tucker said that two yet-to-be-scheduled public hearings will be held to vet the new proposed bylaw with the public. In the meantime, the public may get a draft copy from the Planning Board office.

            Earlier in the evening Tucker announced that the hearing for a site plan review for 92 County Road, property owned by Krishi Krishan Corp for the expansion of the existing motel, that would include two rows of 12 units each, was continued to November 17 at the petitioner’s request. Tucker pointed out that the Zoning Board of Appeals hearing for a Special Permit on October 16 had been continued, thus the Planning Board could not be heard. Tucker said the hearing was continued to a date to be announced in November. Tucker said that without a zoning board decision on the Special Permit being pursued a site plan review was not possible.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board is scheduled for November 3.

Mattapoisett Planning Board

By Marilou Newell

Affordable Housing Trust Clerk Susan Miller proposed a novel idea for spending affordable housing trust funds – improved security cameras for homes within Sippican Woods, where there recently has been some car break-ins.

            Miller at the October 14 meeting at the Police Station conference room said that some alleged burglars have learned to conceal activity on ring cameras. She said maybe the AHT could finance improved security and stop some break-ins.

            The AHT made no decision on that idea but indicated it might be a conversation for a future meeting.

            Prior to Miller’s proposal, AHT Chair Terri Santos said the 78 Wareham Road condominium development has decided not to develop affordable housing there but will pay the town in lieu of affordable units. The project is still in the permitting phase and is proposing 40 detached units.

            Santos, citing her conversation with Town Administrator Geoffrey Gorman, said that estimates reveal the town could receive as much as $150,000 from the developer.

            Trust members asked what the Affordable Housing Trust should do with the money. 

            “That’s what we have to figure out,” Santos said. She said the earmarked money is not as restrictive as Community Preservation Committee money.

            Santos said money can be funneled toward mortgage assistance programs and funding toward first-time homebuyer programs. The AHT will investigate MIller’s idea of whether it can help homeowners with better security measures.

            In other business, the AHT mentioned a makeover to the web site and is mulling over whether it should hire a professional or look for a college intern.

            Santos at first resisted the Chair position, saying she will be out of town for some meetings, but AHT members agreed to help run meetings when needed. Toby Ast volunteered and was voted in as the Vice-Chair, and he will also continue to serve as the Community Preservation Act representative for the AHT.

            Associate Member Roberta Dunn Tracy was elevated to full member status so now the board is seeking an additional associate member. Members said that applications have come in so they should fill that role soon.

            The next meeting of the Marion Affordable Housing Trust is scheduled for Tuesday, November 11 at 6:00 pm in the Marion Police Station.

Marion Affordable Housing Trust

By Jeffrey D. Wagner

            Rochester’s Select Board Monday questioned Old Colony Vocational-Technical High School officials on the $288 million plan to construct a new state-of-the-art facility on the North Avenue campus that could require a debt exclusion override to fund.

            Town Administrator Cameron Durant began the discussion with Principal Aaron Polansky, school Business Manager Sarah Griffith, and technical consultant Walter Hartley, Jr. by summarizing the two questions being asked by the community. What is the rationale behind repair versus new building? And what will new operational costs be for a new building?

            The state School Building Authority’s reimbursement for the new school’s price tag is projected to be $129M. But the share of the remaining costs among district members (Acushnet, Carver, Lakeville, Mattapoisett, and Rochester) is approximately $159M. As a result, in Rochester, two warrants will be up for a vote at the November 18 Special Town Election that will also be district-wide. One warrant will ask all district voters to approve the new building plan. The other will be the town’s question seeking approval of a debt exclusion override to fund its share of the new construction.

            Hartley responded to Durant by pointing out any renovations costing 30-percent or more of a municipal building’s assessed value will require the entire facility be reconstructed to meet expensive full accessibility standards, and this will lead to the requirement that it meet all other modern building and safety codes. Old Colony’s assessed property value of $17,029,600 would trigger that. These upgrades would still be complicated and expensive.

            Select Board Chair Adam Murphy then asked what he considered his most important concern. What if the district-wide question to build a new school doesn’t pass? Is there an alternative plan to address serious building deficiencies? Will the current building have to lock its doors?

            Hartley said the school will not have to close its doors, but the building doesn’t have another 20-year life span. He said on November 19, a new planner for a new design will have to be found. Polansky agreed that district officials will have to figure out renovation and upgrade costs on November 19 if the building plan is voted down. There is no alternative plan, he said. He added that his first priority would be replacing the school’s deteriorating water tank. Both men said this type of planning would be long, complicated, and just as expensive. Griffith described such planning as a matter of a lot of what-ifs and unknowns. Polansky said that while operational costs will certainly go up with a new facility, the school will be very ‘collaborative’ with district members over how these new plans will be made.

            Murphy then emphasized that Rochester voters need more information to make an informed decision on November 18. He strongly recommended that in time for the district-wide election official prepare a visual presentation of the timeline for a new building and/or necessary renovations, and the costs to the town and the taxpayer. Polansky said he could do that. He noted Old Colony will host a presentation of the plan at the school on October 27 and has visited area senior centers with that presentation.

            In other action, the board approved the contract to repair the Highway Barn to Lepage and Sons Roofing for $128,750. Durant noted this is good news because the annual town meeting appropriation for this use was $200,000.

            Durant announced the SEMASS PILOT payment for September 2025 is $423,634.

            Durant’s noted his FY27 Budget Letter to department heads will ask a deadline to receive all budget proposals of December 5.

            The next meeting of the Rochester Select Board is scheduled for Monday, November 3 at 6:00 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.

Rochester Select Board

By Michael J. DeCicco