If Rochester is to make significant progress toward the creation of affordable housing, the town will first need to determine what parcels of land are needed for already established projects.

Rochester Affordable Housing Inc., a 501c3, not-for-profit organization, is seeking land from the town for that purpose, but Gianno Letteri, the organization’s president, and vice president Paul Wellington seem no closer to starting a project after appearing before the town’s Board of Selectmen at its February 3 meeting.

Citing only four to eight units of so-called affordable housing in the town, Wellington appealed for the land to build more targeted at people over age 60 and veterans.

“We’re definitely looking to increase that at this point,” he said. “If you folks turn (the necessary land) over to us, we’re going to own it, we’re going to manage it.”

Wellington said he had over 40 years of experience in real estate, and is working with Richard Cutler to establish plans based on what land can be obtained.

The snag with his proposal was two-fold in that it wasn’t specific enough, and the competition for land is steep in Rochester.

“I couldn’t let a piece of property go for less than fair-market value because we may have to buy other properties,” said Board of Selectmen Vice Chairman Brad Morse, acknowledging the proposal as a “valid concept.”

Given discussion of a new fire station (see below) and a potential transfer station among other things, town land is at a premium.

“We have some needs with some of these parcels of land, and I don’t know if we’re at the point where we can decide… If we respond… what does the Town of Rochester have afterwards?” said Board of Selectmen chairman Paul Ciaburri, asking Letteri and Wellington if they had considered establishing a partnership with Annie Maxim House Inc., a charity for senior housing. 

Rochester Selectman Greenwood “Woody” Hartley III estimated there are 50 501c3 organizations in Rochester, including sports programs and groups, that would expect the same land charity that RAHI seeks. While the responsibility would not lie with the taxpayer, he argued, it would be a dangerous precedent not to seek fair market value for a parcel of land.

Wellington asked the board if it would consider leasing the land, but the board was hesitant to entertain any transfer of property without specific plans in writing.

“If you were coming in here as a Rochester board, we would be having a different conversation,” said Hartley, noting that some surrounding towns have housing authorities. Rochester does not. “We need a master plan. We have some big projects coming down the road. Plans like that change in five years because things change so fast. We support the concept, but we need it to be more developed.”

Wellington said Cutler would produce a Request for Proposal (RFP).

“We’re trying to fill a hole that does not exist.  We continue to look for any opportunities that we can,” said Wellington. “We’re not doing this for anyone other than town residents or vets that are in town.” 

In a much briefer discussion, Rochester Fire Chief Scott Weigel addressed the Board of Selectmen to initiate discussion and seek ideas regarding the need for a new fire station in town.

Hartley suggested more boards be involved in establishing a building committee. 

“I’d like you to give a little summary of where we keep our equipment now,” said Hartley, noting the need for specifics on the value of equipment needing protection. “People need to understand where we are right now, if you think that’s a good idea.”

Weigel said he would like to see a building project underway within a couple of years and agreed to send a letter to all the town’s boards seeking potential committee members. Weigel also noted that Rochester is owed close to $200,000 in ambulance fees that he is looking to collect.

It was agreed to table the subject until more information was obtained.

Rochester resident Paul Dawson addressed the Board of Selectmen and gained unanimous approval as the new Interim Town Clerk. 

He will work from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm Monday-Thursday and 4-6 pm Monday afternoons and fill the position until the next election when it’s determined whether the position will be elected or appointed.

“The goal,” said Dawson, “is to have a town clerk’s office that is readily available or is open when the town hall is.”

Dawson brings a wealth of experience to the position, having recently retired as Marion’s town administrator while also having held comparable positions in Winthrop and Stoughton.

The board also issued a citation of gratitude for retiring town clerk Naida Parker.

In other news, Emmanuel Matias has been appointed a part-time police officer in Rochester. Matias, a Dartmouth High School graduate who worked as a deputy sheriff in Bristol County, was proposed by Chief of Police Robert Small.  

Town Administrator Suzanne Szyndlar gave a preliminary financial report featuring progress toward the town’s financial goals. 

Also at the meeting, Hartley noted that the Old Rochester school district search committee sent three names to the school committee for consideration for superintendent. The committee accepted those and will conduct interviews and make selections. The process is expected to be completed by March 1.

The next meeting of the Rochester Board of Selectman is scheduled for Tuesday, February 18.

Rochester Board of Selectmen

By Mick Colageo

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