The Mattapoisett Select Board met on August 3 primarily to go into executive session for the purpose of conducting “strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non-union personnel or to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with non-union personnel” pursuant to Massachusetts General Law Chapter 30A section 21 (a)(2) as noted on the meeting’s posted agenda.
The meeting also gave the members the opportunity to discuss two pressing matters.
First up was a trifecta of problems brought to the board’s attention by residents. They alerted the Select Board that Ned’s Point Road is becoming impassable due to contractors and landscapers parking large vehicles on both the north and south sides of the roadway. Added to that are the number of people and cyclists using the road. And, last but not least, the presences of landscape stakes being placed along grassed areas where the grass tapers into the paved roadway. This last issue was presented as an effort on the part of some property owners to stop vehicles from parking there. Board member Jordan Collyer said, “… And it’s town property.”
All board members, including returning Select Board member Tyler Macallister, had recently driven down the beleaguered roadway to see for themselves. All agreed there are problems.
After discussion of the types of issues being brought to their attention, Collyer commented that they had to do something or “be as culpable as the people” creating the problems.
It was determined that the Police Department safety officer, along with members of the Building and Highway Department, would be dispatched to study the matter. Collyer thought perhaps “no parking” signs along one side of the road is in order. Macallister suggested no parking at least during the busier months of May through October.
Board member Jodi Bauer questioned how the “no parking” signs would be enforced. Collyer said police patrols would need to enforce the rule. It was also determined that the public would be informed of the new no parking policy and signs using various media outlets.
Town Administrator Mike Lorenco said he was concerned about pedestrians walking along areas where stakes have been placed, saying some of the stakes could present a fall hazard. Collyer said the Highway Department should remove them wherever they are found to be on town property.
The matter of pedestrians and cyclists not following the rules of the road was also discussed. Collyer suggested the town produce a safety video to help educate the public.
In conclusion, the board decided that the Building Department would handle removal of any stakes from town property, the police would study parking, and that a public safety video for cyclists would be produced.
Lorenco also updated the board on the open conservation agent position. He said that interest in the part-time job is “limited,” with one application currently being reviewed for qualifications. He said he had also posted a contracted consulting agent position, but all agreed that is a stopgap measure that would quickly become cost prohibitive.
Macallister said that the agent’s position had been a point of discussion when he was on the Conservation Commission. Those discussions included whether or not the position should cover more than one department. He said that large-scale projects requiring vast amounts of an agent’s time should be paid for by the applicant. He said that, previously, the standard had been that if a property required more than 20 wetland flags, a consultant would be hired.
In other matters, Lorenco apologized to residents whose public water supply had been tainted recently when water lines were relocated as part of construction taking place on Acushnet Road. “We’ll do a much better job in the future alerting people,” he said. Email, text, and other forms of communication will be used in the future to prepare residents for potential water-related problems.
Regarding the latest updates from the Centers of Disease Control for the use of masks, Lorenco said anyone with compromised health or of a certain age and all those unvaccinated should wear masks indoors in public settings. For full details, visit Mattapoisett.net.
It was also noted that a dog-walkathon is planned for Saturday, August 28, from 8:00 am to noon stepping off at Center School. The donation requested is $20, and all proceeds go towards a proposed dog park.
The 2021 Mattapoisett Road Race will take place on Saturday, August 21, at 9:00 am. Road Race Committee member Dan White said registration will take place under the tent behind Center School, and the starting line will be at the corner of Church and Barstow Streets.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Select Board is scheduled for Tuesday, August 10, at 6:30 pm.
Mattapoisett Select Board
By Marilou Newell