The reality that Mattapoisett will soon be facing a vacancy in the Conservation Department was a main topic of discussion when the Select Board met on June 29 with Conservation Commission Chairman Mike King and commissioner David Lawrence. Conservation Agent Liz Leidhold’s impending retirement will leave a critical element, implementation of the Wetlands Protection Act, without an in-field agent.
“We are at a crossroads,” began Select Board Chair Jordan Collyer. He said that a part-time conservation agent position that Town Administrator Mike Lorenco said had been advertised on municipal employment platforms had not stirred interest.
King confessed that the commission as a whole had not fully appreciated the depth of work Leidhold had been handling alone since the departure of the clerk many months prior. Leidhold had single-handedly been conducting all field work and all Conservation Department paperwork.
“We’ve been in our COVID bubble and never realized how much work she was doing,” King said, evaluating that between clerical duties and field work, a full-time position should be considered as a possibility. He said the Wetlands Protection Act imposes strict regulations on cities and towns, regulations from which he does not want to run afoul.
King shared three scenarios for the board to consider: Expand the search for a new agent; make the position full time; and/or hire an agent as a short-term contractor.
“I’m in favor of a full-time agent … if we can live with a combined position,” Collyer said, acknowledging the challenge of hiring any new staff at this point in time. “We’d need to make the dollars work.”
Select Board member Jodi Bauer said of a full-time position, “We have to consider the (employee) benefits and where that’s going to put that person at.”
Collyer said the board needs all the details in terms of compensation for a full-time agent and if the position could in fact be a combination of clerical and field duties. Leidhold had been working as a part-time agent for a number of years before assuming the clerical duties as well approximately two years ago. Some intermittent clerical assistance had also helped to keep the Conservation Department office moving forward.
Collyer said the next step is to approach Leidhold to ascertain her interest in applying for the full-time position. Barring that, then asking her if she would be willing to work as a consultant after her retirement date of July 20. The board and commission also agreed that a hard look at the commission’s fee structure is warranted. The matter will be brought before the board again at the next meeting.
In other personnel matters, Lorenco said he has begun the department head review process, a process not previously part of the town’s human resources guidelines. He said a nine-page employment review booklet covered job-related aspects such as knowledge of the position held, leadership, goals, and professional development. Collyer said that the department head review process should be incorporated into the human resources policy book.
The board also considered a request made by the proprietors of the Captain and Walrus restaurant for permission to have a mobile alcohol bar for outdoor service. The matter was tabled until the next meeting pending consideration of details such as patron safety, impacts on zoned parking requirements, and issues related to crowds congregating outdoors. Collyer said the request would have to be reviewed by the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission. Both board members agreed that the restaurant is an asset in the community. “They’ve done a good job,” Bauer said.
Lorenco reminded the public that repair work will begin on July 12 on Acushnet Road, lasting for approximately 30 days. He also said that Phase 1 repairs to the Highway Department Building on Mendell Road have been put out to bid. Also announced was a meeting with ORCTV on July 13.
Although not listed on the agenda for this night, Collyer brought up the possible future sale of the soon-to-be-retired fire station. “We need to consider the best course of action,” he said. Lorenco said he had been in discussion with Town Counsel, whom he said advised deed restrictions before any future sale to ensure that the property is utilized by new owners in a manner acceptable to the town. Collyer asked Lorenco to prepare a request for quotation for real estate services as well as details on public auctions.
Lorenco also reported that members of the Collins Institute team, engaged via a Community Compact grant to study various municipal buildings and the transfer station operations, had visited the town. The full study including more in-depth field work will commence in July, he said.
Earlier in the meeting, the board appointed Andrew McGraw and Luis Dasilva as reserve police officers and dissolved the Declaration of Emergency that had been imposed due to the pandemic.
The board approved a request by the Mattapoisett Land Trust for a one-day malt only and entertainment license for its annual Great Community Picnic to be held on August 5.
On a humorous note, after announcing that the Lion’s Club at 7:30 pm on Saturday, July 17, will be opening a 50-year time capsule that was laid under the gazebo, assistant to the board Mel Pacheco said, “If we can find the key!” Everyone had a good chuckle on that point, concluding that a hammer might be needed.
It was noted by Lorenco that town boards will continue to use Zoom for public meetings, although in-person attendance at Town Hall or other public spaces will remain available. He said the state has voted to allow public meetings to continue on remote platforms until April 1, 2022.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Select Board is scheduled for Wednesday, July 14, at 6:30 pm.
Mattapoisett Select Board
By Marilou Newell
The old fire station should be turned over to the water department. Renovations would be cheaper than a new building for them.