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  James Duggan of Dracut had withdrawn.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

Members of Marion’s Conservation Commission issued an Emergency Certification on January 14, Conservation Commission Chair Jeff Doubrava revealed at a January 22 meeting, after illegal dumping was reported by town residents.

            “We noted illegal dumping off of Point Road, almost immediately across from Blackmore Pond Road,” he explained, adding that the parcel is owned by the Town of Marion. “It’s been pretty well cleaned up now, but we did have to issue an emergency order to get the mess cleaned up as quickly as possible.”

            Doubrava added that the dumping was not immediately visible from the road; the mess was reported by a town resident walking through the property.

            It was unclear how long any dumping has been going on. Once the Emergency Certification was ordered, the site was cleaned and the soil tested for any contamination. Conservation Commission member Shaun Walsh made it clear that he wanted more action to be taken on illegal dumping at the site, as well as in general. The biggest culprit at this particular site, he added, is an unlocked town gate that provides easy access for people to drive in and dispose of unwanted material.

            “I’m concerned that there’s a gate on the town property that is wide open at all times,” Walsh said. “This is what happens when someone cleans out a house and dumps it back here. I would encourage the town to think about liability,” Walsh continued, “as well as the expense to the townspeople whenever the lot needs to be cleaned. The cost to the taxpayers is preventable, and so is any environmental contamination. I encourage that the gate be locked, and the keys given to the appropriate town officials.”

            Board members threw out a few ideas; Doubrava said he was willing to draft a letter to be sent to the town administrator requesting that the property be locked continuously.

            “We’ll look at the draft together at the next meeting, and hopefully officially sign it then,” he stated. 

            The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission is scheduled for February 12 at 7:00 pm at the Marion Town House.

Marion Conservation Commission

By Andrea Ray