Photo by Anne Kakley
Police Chief Mary Lyons met with the Board to explain the process that resulted in the recommendation to promote Sergeant Days. Chief Lyons, along with Town Administrator Michael Gagne and three police chiefs from other Massachusetts municipalities, spent a day on an “Assessment Center Exercise”, grilling two finalists on their abilities to react to stressful emergency situations, personnel issues, budgeting, and the media.
An objective assessment determined that Sergeant Days came out as the stronger applicant, said Chief Lyons.
“I think the process was very fair. I think both of the candidates thought the process was very fair,” said Chief Lyons.
“You never know what is going to happen,” said Mr. Gagne, who said that the town would benefit from having a Captain in the Chief’s absence. “You have to have someone ready to take command of an event if the chief is [absent].”
As recommended, the Board approved the appointment, with Selectman Jordan Collyer recusing himself, citing a “close relationship” to one of the applicants.
In a second appointment, the Board learned that the Mattapoisett Heritage Days might not occur in 2012 if volunteers are not found soon. Volunteer Bobbi Gaspar said that, despite a banner year of interest, good press, and a profit, the annual event is in danger if the committee can’t get more help.
Heritage Days, which started in 2007 when the town celebrated its sesquicentennial, celebrates trades and industries native to Mattapoisett and the SouthCoast at large. Various themes have included farming, “Old Mattapoisett”, and whaling.
At the onset of Heritage Days, there was a volunteer pool of almost 20 people. That number is now down to four, and Ms. Gaspar said that the event could not go forward until they had at least 10 volunteers.
The committee meets once a month from January until August and commitment levels can vary, said Ms. Gaspar. “I would really like to see this happen again. It’s a great time for the town to get together… for the town to learn something about its history… I hate to see it go but it’s just not possible with what we have here,” she said.
An informational meeting for people interested in volunteering will take place on January 17, 2012 at the Mattapoisett library at 6:30 pm. Those willing to lend their talents should attend the meeting or contact Ms. Gaspar for more information: theseamstress@Verizon.net.
In the Town Administrator’s report, Mr. Gagne informed the Board that he was taking steps to bring additional senior housing to the town.
About a year ago, the Mattapoisett Affordable Housing Strategy plan was approved at the state level, and Mr. Gagne said that it was time to make housing a reality for seniors who might otherwise have to move out of their hometown.
“I really think that’s a sad sort of scenario,” said Mr. Gagne, who said that the number of seniors in Mattapoisett is growing, and the number of seniors living at the poverty level is also growing.
The first stage of the process will involve a study to determine needs and feasibility, said Mr. Gagne. After that, funding options, locations and designs will be considered. The whole process will take at least a year, he said.
$25,000 in funding from the Community Preservation Committee has been approved to get the research process started, Mr. Gagne said, with that total needing approval at annual town meeting. Once the housing plan is “documented and well-prepared”, the town will approach Mass Development for advice on how to fund the project.
Even with the project proposal, “It’s going to be a while before we’re at the magic 10 percent number,” Mr. Gagne said.
In action items, the Board:
• Voted to appoint Ann Briggs to the Town’s Tree Committee.
• Voted to cancel the December 27 meeting.
• Voted to approve all remaining 2012 license renewals.
• Voted to approve a 2:00 am New Year’s Eve closing for on premise liquor establishments.
• Voted to send a letter of support to the Division of Marine Fisheries for Mattapoisett to engage in a regionalized scallop restoration effort with other local municipalities included in a $11 million Buzzard’s Bay Oil Spill Restoration Fund.
By Anne Kakley