They have met monthly for many months, discussing all aspects of the Town of Mattapoisett from speculation over potential future uses for the Town Hall building, including school consolidation that might free up sufficient space to relocate offices, to roadway improvements, climate resiliency, historic and cultural elements and economic development.
A Master Plan document is intended not to be an exercise in simply discussing one’s favored cause or topic but to develop a living map with attainable goals in over 10 areas that guides all aspects of town government and residents’ needs over the next decade. No small task.
On September 7 at 7:00 pm, the committee was scheduled to hold another public meeting at the Mattapoisett Library (also accessible remotely via Zoom) with Nathan Ketchel standing in for Planning Board Chairman Tom Tucker.
On the agenda is review and editing of the Phase 3 draft covering expansion of Harbormaster capacity and resources to match increased responsibilities and demands, including providing shelter and communications during emergencies, cultural needs by pursuing funding and creation of new events, open-air markets, community-performance venues and inventory of historic sites and buildings and updating the Visitor Guide.
It is important to note here that the Mattapoisett Historical Commission secured Community Preservation Act grant funding for Phase 1 of a townwide, historic inventory at the Fall Town Meeting.
Also included in the draft is the pursuit of Green Communities designation, although a deeper understanding of what impact adoption of the building Stretch Code might have is being weighed by the Building Department Director David Riquinha and Select Board members.
The committee has discussed and debated the importance of fully understanding just how vulnerable the town is to sea-level rise, especially any and all impact to freshwater supplies. Sewer expansion for future growth and water-quality improvements are also in the draft. The stated goal reads, “Prioritize sewer access to potential development areas that are on uplands in ecologically sensitive and flood-prone areas.”
Continued work on recreational paths with parking at trailheads with improved signage at existing trails, along with better overall access, was noted early on in the draft-writing process as important to the livability of Mattapoisett. This seems to be well on the way with some engineering funding in place for Phase 2a of the bike path in the form of a $500,000 Transportation Bond Bill. The town will need to pony up the other 50 percent that was approved by Town Meeting vote.
Looking back to last February, the committee had completed months of brainstorming meetings where committee members threw everything possible into a funnel, out of which targeted topics and associated strategic goals poured. Those topics or chapters were Land Use, Housing, Economic Development and Climate Resiliency.
Committee members lent their opinions and ideas in a free-flowing manner, but as Chairman Tucker pointed out at that time, “… all the chapters impacted one another and the final document.”
Aging population growth and decrease in school enrollment popped up throughout the discussion period with concerns such as insufficient affordable housing for seniors.
On this point, member Kate Haley shared, “Census data shows a 44-percent decline in households with children and a population that is 52 percent over the age of 60.” Shirley Haley (no relation) commented, “… modifying zoning bylaws, changes that might grant property owners the latitude to rent rooms in a shared living structure,” should be considered. Shirley Haley stated that according to the Assessor’s office, there are 28 dwelling units with attached, family-related apartments and 62 multifamily units. She also suggested looking at smaller lot sizes for the construction of smaller homes to ease senior-housing needs.
Sea-level rise was frequently on the tip of many members’ tongues, given Mattapoisett’s coastal location and massive river valley. Committee member Janice Robbins, a former Planning Board member, said in materials she has researched that Mattapoisett ranks seventh in the commonwealth for its vulnerability to flooding.
Stressing the point, Haley said, “Every single thing could be impacted.”
Member Robin Lepore commented, “Eighty-percent of our revenue comes from property taxes. A storm could impact the revenue stream. The town should be going after some serious grant monies to elevate walkways, for instance.”
Carlos DeSousa said that one approach might be looking at short-term impacts from climate change rather than long-term impact. He used the example of groundwater rise and its effect on hydrostatic pressure below ground level.
By the end of the year, the Master Plan Committee’s work will most likely have rounded the corner and headed for the finish line, a public-comment period.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Master Plan Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, September 7, at 7:00 pm in the Mattapoisett Library conference room.
Mattapoisett Master Plan Committee
By Marilou Newell