Once again the Mattapoisett Select Board found it necessary to share difficult news about the Mattapoisett elevated pathway, the much anticipated, full opening of the Mattapoisett Bike Path between Depot Street and Reservation Road.
It had been hoped that replacement planking would find the final piece of the elevated pathway nearing completion by now. A previous hiccup that stalled the completion, defective planking, was to have been replaced. It was. However, the Select Board did not believe the replacement planking would stand the test of time. Now, with all planking removed on the Phase 1b span, the project is once again stalled.
Select Board member Jordan Collyer said the town did not have to accept the portion of the pathway if it was unsatisfied with construction and/or materials. He said that MassDOT officials had said that there could be dual ownership but that no such agreement was ever forwarded to the town. Collyer presented a letter drafted to Jonathan Gulliver of MassDOT that spoke frankly to the problem and asked for a remedy by November 15. He asked Select Board Chairman Tyler Macallister and member Jodi Bauer to approve sending the letter.
The letter reads in part, “When the glulam panels started failing, the Town advised the project team and attempted to seek resolution before the matter became catastrophic to the project’s completion. Much to our displeasure, nothing was resolved on or after that meeting date, and construction continued until cupping of the panels reached an unacceptable level. … The Town is not in favor of the glulam panel replacements. … The Select Board has no confidence that a similar panel will last even a meaningful measure of time.” (Glulam is an engineered product comprised of wood laminations bonded together by adhesives.)
The letter goes on to say that shared ownership for a 20-year period had been discussed with the town, and promises were made that the town would hear back from the state office by July. That did not happen. Now the town requests, “A resolution to this matter before November 15 so we can properly move this project towards completion.” The board moved to have the letter sent.
Earlier in the meeting, the Select Board met with Highway Surveyor Garrett Bauer to briefly review roadway projects. Bauer said that Pearl Street construction estimates are $817,000 and that $120,000 grant dollars from Complete Streets would cover a planned sidewalk from Route 6 to Hammond Street.
Bauer said he would like to secure funding for Baptist Street ahead of the village streets’ reconstruction currently planned for TIP funding in 2026. More immediate work is needed for Oakland Street where sewer work recently began. Bauer said that water and gas service needs updating with water lines from the 1950s. He estimated those repairs at $616,000, but funding has not been planned.
Town Administrator Mike Lorenco said that ARPA funds could be used for a project of this scope. The over $1,000,000 the town has received from the federal program has not to date been used.
Bauer said that state Chapter 90 funds could finance the needed asphalt overlay for Crystal Springs Road and crack and sealing needed on Long Plain Road and Hitching Post Road.
The Water Street culvert repair engineering and design costs were $150,000 but most likely will not be added to the larger village street project being designed by VHB. Lorenco said the engineering firm GPI was used for that culvert. That repair project alone is estimated at $8,000,000. Bauer said of the culvert work, “There’s no way around it, it has to be done.”
Another culvert repair on the near horizon is located on Pine Island Road. Bauer said, given the amount of wildlife in that area, grant opportunities are likely.
Fall Town Meeting was tentatively scheduled for Monday, November 14.
Don Cuddy had hoped that his request for a warrant article banning alcohol nips would go before Town Meeting this fall. However, the board thought it prudent to give liquor-store owners the right to weigh in on economic impact first. Macallister also felt that by having Cuddy secure the necessary signatures to have a bylaw placed in the warrant would also carry the impact of exposing the problem of littering along roadways and clogging of catch basins.
The board concurred that a remedy should be sought but that even if a ban of the sale of nips in Mattapoisett was passed, it might not reduce the littering. It was noted that the nips would most likely be purchased in a neighboring town. Cuddy said he will secure the 10 signatures needed, and the matter will go before the fall 2023 Town Meeting.
Lorenco said that end-of-year transfers amounting to $169,770 were planned. As he noted to the Finance Committee, part of the budgetary reckoning is a result of being unaware of three additional contracts for trash and recyclables collection in the amount of $110,400. As Bay Club, The Villages and Mattapoisett Landing received approval to have their covenants modified, new contracts were signed versus the original being modified. Lorenco has assured the Finance Committee that would be rectified.
Ned’s Point Lighthouse could become owned by the town if the public approves. Collyer said that given the prominence and importance of the historic lighthouse to Mattapoisett, the town should take it over. He said that because the light remains a navigational aid, the Coast Guard would maintain that functional role, while the town would be responsible to maintain the structure.
The consensus of the board was positive with Bauer wondering about maintenance costs. But Collyer said, given that the Coast Guard has no interest in keeping the structure in good appearance, it behooves the town to do something.
Lorenco said that as a federal structure, anyone could buy the lighthouse. That prompted the board to rally around presenting it to Town Meeting for a vote. It was unclear if the question will go before Town Meeting in the fall or spring.
Long Wharf repair cost estimates were once again discussed with Macallister saying it is time to get all invested parties in one room to decide what option would work the best for the town. Estimates for a hybrid using both concrete blocks and stone stand at $20,800,000. “Every year we wait, it goes up another million dollars,” Macallister said. Public meetings will be planned ahead of the Fall Town Meeting.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Select Board is planned for Tuesday, October 18, at 6:30 pm.
Mattapoisett Select Board
By Marilou Newell