The Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen gave the green light for a Launch Service program in Mattapoisett Harbor this summer. The approval was given at the board’s regular meeting on the evening of Tuesday, May 8.
“It’s something we need and we should try it,” said Marine Advisory Board member Alan Gillis.
For the past several months, the Marine Advisory Board has been working closely with Harbormaster Horace Field drafting an RFQ for the Launch Service Program, which would provide people transportation to their boats if they do not have a place in the boatyard.
The original RFQ was reviewed on April 17 and had two potential candidates, however, after careful consideration, it was deemed unfit. The Marine Advisory Board welcomed another candidate for their second RFQ on April 26. This candidate was the Mattapoisett Boat Yard.
The main concern from both the Board of Selectmen and Field was how many people would actually be using the service and whether or not it would be worth the money. According to Field, the majority of people coming into Barstow Wharf from the harbor already have dinghy boats they are using; therefore the service may not be as popular as originally hoped.
Still, the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to start the launch service under the Mattapoisett Boat Yard, but there were certain conditions on the approval.
First, the program will be good for one year. After the season, the status will be reevaluated. Second, the Mattapoisett Boat Yard must track on a fairly consistent basis the number of patrons using the service each week.
In other news, the Board of Selectman accepted the resignation of Bento Martin Jr. of the Council of Aging.
“I reluctantly accept the resignation of Bento S. Martin Jr.,” said Selectman Jordan Collyer.
Martin has been involved with the Council on Aging as the Outreach Specialist for many years. The Board of Selectmen presented him with two special plaques.
Selectman Chair Paul Silva gave a status update on the Aquaculture Legislation. Silva said the bill has been passed to the Senate and is awaiting approval from Governor Deval Patrick. The bill would allow the town to collect $200 per anchor in the harbor for aquacultures. Silva said he could hear an answer in the next week.
Town Administrator Michael Gagne gave a preliminary estimate of the funding the town of Mattapoisett would receive from Chapter 90 Highway Funding in fiscal year 2013. If approved, the state of Massachusetts would receive $200 million in funding for its highways, and Mattapoisett would see $228,701 of that figure. The decision will be made over the coming weeks.
“It certainly is good news,” said Gagne.
Gagne also informed residents that if they had been experiencing water discoloration earlier in the week, it is because a contracting company illegally opened a fire hydrant to fill their seeding truck. Gagne did not mention the company, but said that he estimated nearly 500,000 gallons of water were flushed out. The town is investigating the incident and Gagne said the contracting company will be billed appropriately.
In other business matters:
- The approval of the town’s annual Teen Wharf Dances, which will begin on June 21 and be held every Thursday from 7:30 to 10:30 pm through August 23.
- The board approved the resignation of Watie and Patricia Akins of the Recreation Committee.
- The board voted to appoint Catherine Heuberger and Donald Fleming to the Tax Relief Fund Committee.
- Programs and documents for both the Annual Town Election and Town Meeting are available at www.mattapoisett.net.
- Spring water main flushing will begin on Monday, May 14 from 8:00 pm to 3:00 am and will continue through June 22. Discoloration of water may be expected as well as low water pressure. The most affected areas will be south of Route 6 extending from Main Street east to Aucot Road including Crescent Beach, Point Connett, Hollywoods and Peases Point.
The Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen’s next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 22 in Town Hall at 7:00 pm.
By Katy Fitzpatrick
The Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen honored the resignation of Bento Martin Jr. from the Council on Aging Tuesday evening at their regular meeting. Photo by Katy FItzpatrick.