On February 23, the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen met with Liz DiCarlo of the Friends of the Mattapoisett Bike Path to discuss possible amenities for Phase 1b and the Industrial Drive section that will one day link Mattapoisett to Marion via a continuous bike path.
DiCarlo said the group had been working alongside Selectman John DeCosta to consider such matters as benches, fresh water, signage, bike racks, wayfarer’s kiosks, sanitary facilities, and rubbish containers. She described signs as those that might inform recreators about historical points of interest or environmental features such as salt marshes.
The FOBP also wants to approach Old Rochester Regional High School for a possible art contest whereby the students could submit their creative takes on a compass rose that might one day become the model for a permanent piece of art imbedded into the bridge at Goodspeed Island Road. Selectman Jordan Collyer suggested opening the competition up to Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School also, given their “great graphics department,” he said.
But Selectman Paul Silva, while agreeing amenities were important, said, “We have to talk about the two most dangerous spots along the bike path, Brandt Island Road and Mattapoisett Neck Road.… Until we know that those are going to be done, I don’t want to spend any money.”
Silva was referring to the long-held concern that the intersections along the aforementioned roadways where the bike path is located must be made safer for both the bicyclists and motorists. Collyer agreed, saying, “I’m not in favor of doing anything until safety issues are addressed.”
When Town Administrator Mike Lorenco said that funds would be needed to design the intersection and survey the area, both Silva and Collyer responded that that work had already been done. DeCosta said that any documents regarding such had not been found at Town Hall. “We’ve talked about placement of lights and identified all that,” said Collyer, who suggested that retired Town Administrator Mike Gagne be contacted to help clarify the matter. Silva quipped, “I don’t know why we need that much equipment – just get the bikers off the bikes (at the intersections), problem solved.”
Collyer also suggested the group explore the concept of having residents purchase commemorative benches. The board agreed that the FOBP should move forward pricing such items as benches, bike rakes, and signage and return once figures are secured. The selectmen also concurred it was necessary to fast-track safety improvements at the intersections discussed.
Coming before the board with an overview of the Waterfront Enterprise FY22 budget was Harbormaster Jamie MacIntosh. He explained that retained earnings were low and shared, as he had with the Finance Committee, his belief that a 20 percent, across-the-board increase was necessary for the department’s financial viability.
“Dartmouth charges $205 for a 30-foot vessel, Mattapoisett charges $120,” McIntosh stated. He said the Towns of Wareham and Marion both support their harborside operations in combination with fees collected. He said a survey of the south coast and Cape Cod found Mattapoisett waterfront fees low by comparison. A meeting with the Marine Advisory Board in the coming days is planned to discuss fees in greater detail, he told the board.
Silva asked what his retained earnings were, and Lorenco said that figure was $36,000. Lorenco added that some waterfront funds had been used to balance out the budget. MacIntosh said projects had been done; however, more harborside work was needed but not currently funded. “We’ll have to find some unique ways to pay for projects,” he said.
Regarding one line item in the budget, indirect costs, Silva expressed dismay at the $76,000 noted. Lorenco said part of why that figure was so large was due to pension funds for the harbormaster position. Collyer said, “Paul, I’m with you; I firmly believe indirect costs are not correct for this department.”
Silva and Collyer were also not altogether on board with the amount of increase MacIntosh was suggesting. Silva noted there had been a substantial increase in 2017. Collyer said increases should be incremental year over year. “Things cost more every year,” he said. Silva also didn’t consider Mattapoisett and Dartmouth to be comparable. “Our harbor is not as protected,” he said.
MacIntosh also briefed the board on upcoming Capital projects such as the repairs to Long Wharf, but when he brought up using a $120,000 grant secured from the Seaport Economic Council for a harbor management study, Collyer questioned its importance. MacIntosh said such a study could put the town in a good position for securing new grant funding for such things as a new harbormaster building, but Collyer said, “What is a harbor management plan going to tell us that we don’t already know?” He asked MacIntosh to drill down and bring to light the benefits of such a study.
Mike Huguenin of the Mattapoisett Land Trust came before the board to discuss the organization’s plans to submit “an expression of interest” letter for a future Massachusetts Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness grant application in the amount of $30,000 and another $10,000 match from the community. The money would be earmarked for survey work needed on Old Slough Road, an old town road previously identified as critical for emergency travel to and from Angelica Point in times of natural disasters. Huguenin said of funds needed for the match that the area’s residents would willingly donate based on many expressing the need for the emergency exit.
On the good-news front, Lorenco said that the town had received $60,000 for two analyses that the University of Massachusetts will perform. One study will evaluate local school consolidation feasibility and the other the transfer station operation.
The Board of Selectmen will meet on Tuesday, March 2, at 6:30 pm to continue its budget review and again on March 9 for its regular meeting, also at 6:30 pm.
Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen
By Marilou Newell