Shellfish growers came before the Mattapoisett Select Board on August 13 with a plan that may help to ensure their harvests are safe and consistently available.
Dale Leavitt, Bob Field, Mike Ward and Mat Loo asked to have their licenses amended in order to avail their product of a safe, clean space, given the number of closures they have experienced this season.
Leavitt explained that buyers need supply consistency, which has been difficult with multiple closures. Leavitt holds 50 acres near West Island. He proposed keeping 5 acres for his own farm and lending 1 acre each to the other growers for their product in an area that may provide cleaner waters. This, he believed, would accomplish clean shellfish ready to market and consistency in the supply chain that buyers demand.
Each farm’s documents will be amended to record the change in operator for the length of the agreement.
Select Board members Tyler Macallister and Jori Bauer agreed wholeheartedly to the request with Macallister assuring the growers, “…whatever you need.”
In other matters, the board approved the installation of “no parking” signs on Mattapoisett Neck Road near the intersection with the bike path. Macallister stated he still would like the area to be a tow zone but hopes that these signs would help to stem parking along the roadway.
The board also met briefly with Robert Chiarito, executive director of ORCTV, for their annual check-in. Noting everything was going well, the board thanked Chiarito. ORCTV provides community programing and access that covers government, schools, community events and more.
Town Administrator Mike Lorenco gave his update on a high note, saying construction of Old Slough Road has been completed. He reminded the public that this roadway may be used for walking and is not open to vehicles, except as declared by the Police Department during emergencies, primarily from storms.
Continuing with more good news, Lorenco said that the generator at the Mattapoisett Housing Authority has been installed.
Lorenco also gave a sneak peek at the town’s intention to seek a Coastal Zone Management grant in the amount of $3,000,000 for the repair of Molly’s Cove culvert.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Select Board was not announced upon adjournment.
Mattapoisett Select Board
By Marilou Newell