The Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen took steps to fill two vacancies on the Marine Advisory Board (MAB) at their scheduled Selectmen meeting on January 10, 2012.
Some confusion surrounded the issue when members of the Board learned that MAB had actually completed one of the appointments without Selectmen authorization. The MAB had “appointed” member Walter Reid about six months ago, without following the proper protocol, which should have included a letter of interest and a Selectmen-made appointment.
As a result, the Board said that Mr. Reid would have to join three other applicants to compete for two openings on MAB.
The Board did note, however, that Mr. Reid was not to blame for the mistakes that led to the erroneous appointment. Mr. Reid said that he had submitted a letter of interest to the Selectmen in 2008.
“It’s not his fault this wasn’t followed through properly,” said Selectman Jordan Collyer. “Having a person serve without being appointed is a significant problem to the town and a fairly substantial risk if that person should vote on something controversial.”
“We have been elected by the people of Mattapoisett,” said Select Board Chairman Paul Silva. “I feel we should be involved in the interview process.”
“Two prospects did apply via the proper channels,” said Selectman Tyler Macallister. “In all fairness, all four should have the opportunity to present before the BOS.” Later in the meeting, Selectman Macallister noted that Mr. Reid’s time on the MAB and knowledge of Marine-related issues gave him a “leg-up” and made him a strong candidate, but that the Board should still interview all four candidates in the interest of being fair.
The MAB is a nine-member, three alternate board that serves as advisors to the Board of Selectmen in waterway issues. Chairman Silva said that, although not all current members of the MAB had been interviewed by Selectmen, it’s a practice that the Board should adopt to ensure that the MAB consists of members with a diverse views on water use.
The Board voted to schedule interviews with the four candidates – including Walter Reid – and make the two appointments at a subsequent meeting.
In an appointment with Public Health Nurse Amanda Stone, the Board read a letter of recognition from Kitty Mahoney, President of the Massachusetts Association of Public Health Nurses, lauding Ms. Stone’s work and “high level participation in health nursing conferences.”
“You do an exceptional job and I’m glad that we were able to bring you on full time,” said Selectman Collyer.
“Thank you for acknowledging my work,” Ms. Stone replied.
In his report, Town Administrator Michael Gagne updated the Board on progress that is being made in a regionalized Department of Marine Fisheries scallop restoration effort, which is partly funded by an $11 million Buzzard’s Bay Oil Spill Restoration Fund.
The scallop restoration effort includes the towns of Westport, Falmouth, Mattapoisett, Marion, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Wareham and Bourne. In each town, a five-acre area of water will be selected to receive juvenile hatchery-reared scallops. The area will be selected based on a history of recreational shellfishing use, its present scallop count, and its sustainability of habitat, among other factors.
Over the course of four years, scallop growth will be monitored and documented every two months from May through November, and services – such as vessel use and expertise from technicians and biologists – will be included in the regionalized effort.
In additional news, Administrative Assistant Melody Pacheco announced:
• The next Selectmen’s meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 24, at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall.
• The winter transfer station hours are Thursday and Friday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm and Saturday from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm.
By Anne Kakley