They have been diligently scrolling through spreadsheets and discussing cuts here, increases there, and reviewing copious amounts of data through the winter months. Now with the Spring Town Meeting right around the corner, the Mattapoisett Select Board has rounded the final corner on all things financial. With a budget topping out at $35,083,626, that’s no small task.
On March 25, the board met with Harbormaster Isaac Perry, Police Chief Jason King, and Town Administrator Mike Lorenco to finish one-on-one budget talks.
Before diving into those agenda items, the board met with Garrett Bauer. The discussion was regarding the nearly 50-percent increase in construction estimates for the Highway Department renovations. The estimate now rests at $4,000,000 which is several years old. Newer estimates raise the earlier number.
Discussions centered around funding and how best to address possible voter pushbacks at the Spring Town Meeting. Lorenco was confident that a substantial sum could be raised from stability finds and free cash. The free cash figure which has been certified is $2,700,000. When asked Lorenco confirmed that a bulk of financing will come from borrowing.
The Police Department’s budget held no surprises with increases being in line with higher costs overall. The department’s operating budget $2,711,928 and the ambulance budget is $560,612.
Of the body cameras which have been in use for over a year, King said that the officers find them beneficial. He said that his capital needs list includes on new cruiser, and that he is developing a fee structure for cruiser deployment to commercial and other non-municipal related details. Monies earned would go towards vehicle maintenance.
Perry, talking about the Waterfront Enterprise fund, said that the motor for the pump out boat was currently under repair and that materials for floating dock construction were in hand. The board also noted that the transition of the shellfish prorogation program will be transitioning to the Waterfront Enterprise in the future, no longer under the direction of the department of natural resources. The fund’s budget is up 1.73-percent.
The Town Hall budget was not extensively reviewed and was up a modest 1.27-percent. Lorenco said he anticipates the warrant will include 29 articles.
In other business, the board met with Disabilities Commission Chairman Joanna Ingham. Inram said the commission was seeking Select Board approval to apply for a grant to make improvements to several public locations to accommodate people with disabilities. In a letter submitted by the commission it reads, “The Mattapoisett Disability Commission has agreed on selected items for ADA accessibility at Shipyard Park for the proposed project for the Massachusetts Office on Disability Municipal ADA Improvement Grant for FY26.
Six areas were identified by the commission as needing modifications. They chose Shipyard Park with accessibility to the gazebo. The modifications sought include route to the gazebo stairs, path to the wayside, ramp to the gazebo, correct handrail, accessible route to accessible picnic table, and accessible route to a bench. The commission was thanked for their work and granted permission to pursue grant funding.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Select. Board was noted at adjournment.
Mattapoisett Select Board
By Marilou Newell