While representatives from Carver, Wareham, and Marion agreed to a “skeletal district” at a recent meeting, it will still be several more months before an agreement between the three towns can be finalized.

Representatives of the three towns approved “in principle” an agreement drawn up by the Carver Marion Wareham Regional Refuse Disposal District attorney Tom Crotty at the January 29 meeting. The agreement will leave a “skeleton” district, only operating to manage ongoing pensions and liabilities. Representatives from the member towns are planning to bring the agreement to each town’s Town Meeting, seeking the approval of town voters. 

There are still some points to work out before the agreement is formally finalized, however. One part of the draft that Crotty presented proposed returning to each town what it had paid into the district over the previous year. In 2019, Wareham paid $188,000 into the district, Wareham paid $121,000, and Marion paid $53,000. 

The idea of paying back contributions caused some concern, however, as the district’s full and ongoing liabilities are not yet entirely clear. Carver Town Administrator Mike Milanoski pitched the idea of holding on to a minimum reserve of funds, as did Marion Selectman John Waterman. 

            “Let’s say, for example, not less than $250,000, to plan for future liabilities,” Waterman suggested. 

            There was general agreement to this idea from all representatives. “Okay,” Crotty said. “Let’s just hold onto the cash, let it dwindle down to cover our expenses, and in another thirty years someone can take another look.”

            The topic turned to what to do with the distributions in 30 years – how should they be distributed once all expenses and liabilities are paid out in the future? 

            “I’m not sure why we’re spending time debating this,” Waterman pointed out. “I doubt that at that point there will even be very much left.”

            “Well, the potential is there that there could be money to return,” Crotty countered.

            “We’re fine with that (scenario), as long as all of the liabilities have been covered,” said Marion Town Administrator Jay McGrail. 

            With that, the members of the district approved the agreement documents in principle, with a finalized signing at a meeting on February 12, at the Marion Town House. Attorney Crotty noted that he would bring an updated copy of the agreement to the meeting for official approval and sign-offs from all town representatives on the district. 

Marion Carver Wareham Regional Refuse District

By Andrea Ray

The Marion Board of Health imposed a cap on the number of tobacco sales licenses at five during its meeting on Tuesday, February 4, at Town Hall.

“What we’re trying to do is decrease the number of cigarette sales, and… to discourage children from smoking,” said Marion Health Director Karen A. Walega shortly after the meeting had adjourned.

Permits were previously capped at six. Existing permits will also expire under a “soft cap”, meaning, if someone acquires a business that holds an existing permit, the new owner will have 60 days to apply for that permit. Another option would have been for the board to impose a hard cap on the number of existing licenses.

Mark Riley, owner of Top of the Hill Liquors on Route 6 in Marion and a town resident, considered it in his best interests to appear before the Board to discuss the matter with members and offer an experienced shop owner’s perspective. He said during the meeting that he had also addressed a public meeting in New Bedford and thinks all communities would be best served if the State of Massachusetts had a statewide law.

“We don’t want to see young people smoking,” said Riley, who fully expects pushback from his distributors. “Marion was one of the first places that went to (age) 21, and it was easy… I wish the state would make it easy… No one under 21 should be allowed to walk into your liquor store.”

There is no law prohibiting minors from entering a liquor store, but they are not allowed to purchase alcohol or tobacco in Massachusetts.

Before the measure was passed, discussion ensued regarding existing permits and if they could be passed when a store selling tobacco relocates within Marion or if a tobacco sales permit remains valid when a business is sold. Riley expressed appreciation for Marion’s stance on deferring to the state where it concerns tobacco.

“It’s upsetting to me if any of the towns that do make any regulation give me an unfair advantage over the town next door. To me, that’s something that needed to be settled on a state basis,” he said.

In other news, public hearings were held and variances granted to two homeowners, both on Point Road. Board of Health member Dot Brown led a detailed discussion in both cases, and Walega, Chairperson John B. Howard and Vice Chairman Edward P. Hoffer, MD all participated.

Brian Grady of GAF Engineering appeared on behalf of Pauline Field, who is preparing her home at 459 Point Road for sale and sought a variance on procedure.

“We couldn’t perform a [percolation] test because the water table was too high. So we took a soil sample to the lab for analysis,” said Grady.

In a second case, David Davignon, the owner of a home at 310 Point Road, argued that the leaching field on his property was an alternative system that saves water. He noted that the amount of water pumped is capped.

“No matter what happens during the day, it’ll only kick out 83 gallons,” he said.

The next meeting of the Marion Board of Health is scheduled for Tuesday, February 18, at 3:00 pm.

Marion Board of Health

By Mick Colageo

            On February 4 the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen made their announcement – who would be the finalist selected to fill the town administrator’s position created by the upcoming retirement of longtime administrator Mike Gagne. Selectmen Paul Silva and Jordan Collyer agreed that Michael Lorenco was the best choice.

            Public interviews had been conducted on January 28 with three finalists selected by the search committee. Those interviews were followed by one-on-one meetings on January 31 with each selectman interviewing the remaining two candidates: Lorenco and John Bugbee, formerly of Tisbury.  James Duggan of Dracut had withdrawn. 

            Silva said that after days of thoughtful consideration, days that included speaking with people in Eastham where Lorenco currently holds the position of assistant town administrator, “…he would be the best fit for Mattapoisett.”

            Collyer said that during the one-on-one interviews, he had been able to “tease out” areas where strengths and weaknesses were more deeply explored. He said that while Lorenco did not possess all the management experience necessary for the job, that could be developed over time.

            What Lorenco did possess, both selectmen agreed, was a very strong municipal finance background, something that Collyer said, “…was difficult to learn on the job.”

            Silva said he spoken to department heads while Collyer said he had spoken to nearly all. Collyer said all department heads had come to the same conclusion – Lorenco.

            The selectmen said it hadn’t been an easy decision with both of the finalists bringing pros and cons had required serious consideration. In the end, Lorenco’s energy coupled with finance experience earned him the position.

            Lorenco lives in Harwich, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bentley College in corporate finance, and a Master in Public Administration from Suffolk University. His current position is listed as Assistant Town Administrator and Finance Director for the Town of Eastham.

            Lorenco wrote in his letter of introduction that his experiences in Eastman include municipal budgets, state public procurement regulations, organization and personnel management, as well as union negotiation and grievance processes. He said that the town administrator was, “…a natural progression and opportunity for professional growth.” He also noted, “…I have vast personal knowledge of Mattapoisett as it is my hometown for most of my life. For over 30 years my family called Mattapoisett home.” He wrote that his father is a business owner in town and that his brother is a former police officer in the community. 

            Bernard Lynch of Community Paradigm Associates, LLC the consultant firm assisting the town will notify both finalists of the decision. 

            In other business, members of the Complete Street Committee, Bonne DeSousa, Barry Denham, Highway Surveyor, and Police Chief Mary Lyons presented their report. After a series of neighborhood meetings that were geared towards listening to the concerns of residents in various neighborhoods regarding sidewalks and bike paths, the team had developed a list of 21 projects.

            DeSousa said that the state’s Complete Street Program requires communities to identify a list of at least 15 projects that would benefit from funding provided by the program. She said towns could receive as much as $400,000 for their projects.

            Denham said that having a Complete Street Program was a requirement at the state and federal level when applying for roadway improvement grants.

            The project list includes crossing improvement on Brandt Island Road and Mattapoisett Neck Road where the bike path intersects with heavily traveled roads, and pedestrian and bicycling paths for North Street, Crystal Spring Road, Acushnet Road, and River Road along with other rural locations.

            DeSousa said that securing grants was very competitive, “We might get nothing.” But Collyer said the governor’s office was been talking about the need for more paths for pedestrians and bicyclist for the last several years and had increased spending in this area. 

            The committee received permission from the selectmen to submit the report for state review. If the state accepts the report it will be returned to the town for prioritization of projects and future local review and development, DeSousa said.           

            On the matter of health insurance, Gagne said that after reviewing data it was time to consider new options for the town’s group insurance carrier. He said he had been working with the town’s finance team reviewing health insurance groups. 

            One group insurance provider rose above the rest he said – Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association (MIIA). For other types of insurance coverage, Gagne said of MIIA, “Since 1981 the town has had a good experience with the group.” 

            Gagne said the town, employees, and retirees will benefit from about a 4.5-percent savings in premium coverage. Collyer said, “This is a win, win for the town and the employees.” Notifications and letters will be sent to all insured parties with a rollout of the new plan by the end of the fiscal year Gagne explained.

            Gagne also reported that eight bids had been received for solar developers interested in the capped landfill located at the end of Tinkham Hill Road. He said that technical studies of the site had been completed and now financial review of the bidders could take place.

            Over at the transfer station, Gagne stated that he had been working with Carmelo Nicolosi of the Board of Health and the newly hired Board of Health Agent, Kayla Davis for the purchase of scales. Davis was previously employed by the Town of Bourne and hold a degree in public health.

            Rounding out his comments, Gagne said that early voting for the Presidential Primary will begin at Town Hall between February 24 and 28 with ample parking in the rear vacant lot. He also noted that voter registration end on February 14.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen is scheduled for February 24 at 5:00 pm in the town hall conference room.

Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen

By Marilou Newell