Now that the preliminary meetings have concluded and with eight separate sections of the outdated 2000 Master Plan to review, study and update, Mattapoisett’s Master Plan Committee began the real work of identifying issues and making recommendations on Land Use, Housing, Economic Development, and Climate Resiliency during its February 3 meeting.
The members had previously selected their areas of interest to work on, but all attendees remained in the same virtual meeting room. This process granted each subcommittee the opportunity to share information and better inform their specific areas of interest. As Planning Board Chairman Tom Tucker pointed out, all the chapters affected one another and the final document.
Land Use was the first chapter discussed. Committee member Shirley Haley talked about modifying zoning bylaws, changes that might grant property owners the latitude to rent rooms in a shared living structure. While not specific to the Land Use Chapter, Haley’s comments were aired and added. She also reported that, according to the Assessor’s Office, there are 28 dwelling units with attached family-related apartments and 62 multi-family units. She also suggested looking at smaller lot sizes to construct smaller homes to ease senior housing needs.
Planning Board member Janice Robbins said that she had spoken to Water and Sewer Superintendent Henri Renauld, whose feedback was that current sewer capacity was rather limited. She also said that, while zoning changes were difficult, “denser housing units” might work. It was also commented that it would be important to ensure that any new rental units not be used as short-term vacation rentals. Mary Dermody asked that specific water and sewer data be secured to understand capacity issues better.
Tucker added to the discussion by saying that zoning setbacks had been changed to allow “zero-lot lines” needed for such housing units as condominiums.
Other areas discussed under Land Use included possible impact from the commuter rail expansion taking place now and increasing the number of mixed-use structures along Route 6.
Next up came the Housing chapter, during which Kate Haley (no relation to Shirley Haley) said that Mattapoisett has an aging population that would be looking to downsize affordably. She also said that it is important to consider how to attract young families to Mattapoisett, including 40B housing and lot-size modification for the construction of smaller, affordable family homes. Chrystal Walsh commented, “It’s troubling to see a decrease in the number of households with children,” making the point that housing is too expensive for many working families.
Kate Haley added to that sentiment, providing census data that showed a 44 percent decline in households with children and a population that is 52 percent over the age of 60.
Economic Development was explored next with Donna Shea asking the rhetorical question, “Why would a business come here?” as a stepping-off point. She said it might prove essential to promote the area’s waterfront location, possibly drawing in more marine-based commerce. Shea also tossed out the idea of “entrepreneurial centers” where businesses could share space. Continuing with her brainstorming, Shea also thought that given the bike path’s extension, Mattapoisett might become a destination with shops and eateries geared to the visitor. “Redevelop Route 6 with small shops like a Falmouth kind of place,” she suggested.
Member Paul Criscuolo said he is currently using a shared workspace in New Bedford and concurred the concept could work in Mattapoisett. Dermody added, “People are leaving city centers to places like Mattapoisett, working remotely. Maybe a small conference center or business center would be a draw.”
The last but certainly not least chapter discussed on this night was Climate Resiliency.
Robbins said that in materials she had read, Mattapoisett could lose up to 25 percent of its tax base, and Mattapoisett ranked number 7 in the commonwealth for its vulnerability to flooding. Stressing the point, Kate Haley said, “Every single thing could be impacted.” Robin Lepore commented, “Eighty percent of our revenue comes from property taxes. A storm could impact the revenue stream. The town should be going after some serious grant monies to elevate walkways, for instance.”
Carlos DeSousa said that one approach might be looking at short-term impacts from climate change, then long term impact. He used the example of groundwater rise and its effect on hydrostatic pressure below ground level.
Before closing out the meeting for the evening, Nathan Ketchel gave a brief report on the study taking place now on Mattapoisett Neck Road’s resiliency, which will include recommendations for roadway improvements and culvert repairs. He said that one study demonstrated that the culverts are failing along the marshland stretch. He said the consultants would provide conceptual drawings on the types of improvements from which Mattapoisett Neck Road might benefit, including elevated spans.
To learn more about the development of the Mattapoisett Master Plan, visit srpedd.org/comprehensive-planning/community-master-plans/Mattapoisett-master-plan.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Master Plan Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, February 24, at 6:30 pm; other chapters will be opened for discussion.
Mattapoisett Master Plan Committee
By Marilou Newell
Gee housing is in affordable in Mattapoisett..news flash it has been for many years. This is what happens when you really have no “tax” base other than homeowners property taxes. If 52 percent of your population is over the age of 60 what does one expect. Perhaps the industrial park should be used for industry instead of a short cut to the Bay Club.