Town Administrator Michael Gagne said during the January 13 Board of Selectmen meeting that Mattapoisett’s pursuit to modify the FEMA flood plain mapping “won’t be the end all and save people from flood insurance costs…. We have a reprieve until 2017.” He said residents who saw their flood insurance rates skyrocket, followed by some temporary relief, would still see high deductibles and fewer subsidies in the future.
Gagne said the Town would be partnering with both the Coastal Coalition and a group in Woods Hole to mount a defense against the modeling FEMA used to establish new flood zone mapping. He also said a new town coalition consisting of Westport, Dartmouth, New Bedford and others is also possible.
He said that the west coast modeling that was applied throughout the country is being challenged with some success and that both the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and Massachusetts State Building Code are onboard in commissioning a new wave modeling study.
Selectman Paul Silva asked if the FEMA maps were now overlaid in the Town’s GIS system. Gagne said that Director of Inspectional Services Andy Bobola and Chief Assessor Kathy Costello were nearing completion on that project.
“There will be a disclaimer on the website stating ‘come in and review maps…’ for complete details,” said Gagne.
Time is now of the essence as the clock ticks towards 2017 when temporary stays by FEMA and the federal government will end. FEMA has asked groups to give them feedback. Gagne said that residents will be invited to send in their comments and ideas on the issue via the Town’s website and that those will be fed to the Coastal Coalition study group. (See The Wanderer article “Flood Maps and Insurance Update” in the January 8 issue for more information.)
Gagne also reported on the progress to repairs to the Town’s beach house, saying a contractor had been selected and work would begin shortly. Interior fixes to the restrooms at Ned’s Point are also finishing up, he said.
He said that the Facility Analysis Committee will be meeting twice monthly to review options for new town structures such as a fire station.
Earlier in the evening, Harbormaster Jill Simmons discussed repairs needed to the Town’s historic docks and wharves. Gagne also presented a study completed by Field Engineering that outlined three options for work on one dock called the ‘short wharf’.
Gagne has applied to the Community Preservation Committee in a quest to seek funding for this work. He will be meeting with the CPC on January 15 to assert the need for the funds.
Field Engineering’s report gave three options.
Option A: Fender System Replacement in kind with 12-inch diameter piles ($130,000); replacement of the entire fender system, and retaining existing steel sheeting and cement concrete façade.
Option B: Fender System Replacement with 6-inch by 6-inch treated timbers ($70,000); replacement of the entire timber fender system, timbers containing high impact thermoplastic fenders, and retaining existing steel sheeting and cement façade.
Option C: Fender System Replacement with 6-inch by 6-inch treated timber and new reinforced cement concrete wharf façade ($240,000); same as Option B, but with new fender system mounted to a new reinforced cement concrete wharf façade, and new steel sheeting.
Simmons said that short wharf ladders are unstable and that considerable damage had been done during the massive water leak that affected the wharf’s underpinning.
“If we are going to rebuild that wharf to last, we need to go with the more expensive option,” said Selectman Jordan Collyer.
Simmons also discussed using the wharf at Barstow to try and divert some traffic away from the busy town center wharves, with possible modifications to the wharf surface for parking.
Simmons also proposed seeking funds from the Clean Vessel Program to purchase a boat that could provide more pump out services in far-flung locations along the town’s coastline. She said that the program would pay for up to 75-percent of the cost of a vessel and for 75-percent of the cost of running the boat and personnel annually.
Gagne suggested that the Marine Advisory Board be brought into the conversation to secure their endorsement for the additional vessel when the question goes to Town Meeting in May.
Simmons also brought up the possibility of purchasing a limited use vehicle that would be used to get around the various landside locations under the harbormaster’s control and responsibility saying she could provide better customer service if she and her staff could move more quickly. She added that the use of personal vehicles for Town employees posed other issues, so that wasn’t a viable option. Gagne said that this item would be prioritized through the Capital Planning Committee.
Gagne said that the governor has signed the document allowing the Town to place 100-percent of all boat excise taxes collected into the Waterfront Enterprise Fund.
Silva asked when the Town’s new trash and recyclables process will go into effect. It is unclear at the present time when the new barrels will be distributed, but a meeting between the Town’s vendor, ABC Disposal Service, and Board of Health Agent Dale Barrows is scheduled for this week.
Suzanne Kennedy was selected to fill the unexpired term on the Mattapoisett Housing Authority as an interim member until the next town election.
Christmas trees will continue to be collected through January 23, and winter transfer station hours are Thursday and Friday 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, and Saturday 8:00 am through 3:00 pm.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen is scheduled for January 27 at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall conference room.
By Marilou Newell
