A Capacity Assessment Results Toolkit (CART) was discussed by the Marion Board of Health during its April 20 public meeting.

            The CART is one of many pieces of information anticipated by Marion as a member of a six-town, state-sponsored Southcoast Public Health Collaborative. Marion has used initial funds to purchase software to help process information related to inspections.

            “As time goes on, they’re going to see what we need, and they’re going to help us with our needs. At this point, I don’t think we have a lot of needs. I think we look very good,” said Dr. John Howard, who estimated Marion is at 86% of the state standard.

            Marion Health Director Lori Desmarais explained that the town has participated in an involved, three-part survey requiring many documents on various subjects under the board’s purview. The state developed CART by breaking down recommendations, which includes hiring shared staff such as a shared-services coordinator and an inspector.

            CART is trying to generate more than the $300,000 at its disposal, and one of the hires will seek grant funding for the collaborative.

            Through the collaborative, Marion purchased Relevant software that is being used for inspections of restaurants, camps and housing. “It kind of brings everything together,” said Desmarais.

            The Select Board has signed off on the Intermunicipal Agreement (IMA), and legal counsel is reviewing the contract. (KP Law, Marion’s Town Counsel, also represents Westport, according to Howard.)

            In referencing the Public Health Excellent Grant, Howard noted that some towns and small cities lack full-time personnel for health services. “Hence, the EPA said they’d try to help … we’re in very good shape, I think, especially for a small town,” he said.

            Dr. Ed Hoffer attended the meeting via Zoom from France. “They said things were going global and now I know it,” said Howard, noting that the Board of Health is Marion’s first to hold an international public meeting.

            Regarding the permit issued the owner of 406 Point Road, the Board of Health had granted a variance on May 26, 2022, regarding the distance that septic was from the tank. Since then, the house has been completely demolished, and they had to redo certain parts of the foundation,” explained Desmarais. “The board may consider rescinding the variance request.”

            Board member Albin Johnson sought to clarify if there had been a Title 5 approval, but Desmarais said that was not part of the application. Under a new construction even with the same number of bedrooms, the guidelines have changed as new construction means new requirements including a nitrogen-reducing septic system. The board sent a letter to the homeowner and to engineer Rick Charon, who intends to submit a revised plan.

            The board discussed the matter and voted unanimously to rescind the original variance.

            In other septic updates, the board is waiting to hear back from Dave Davignon regarding 4 North Drive. The board voted to approve in concert with George Heufelder’s conditioned approval of work at 88 Indian Cove Road. The board is waiting on Heufelder regarding 1 West Drive.

            In her Health Agent Update to the board, Shallyn Rodriguez told the board that eight food inspections were conducted, including three new establishments and some special events. Rodriguez said the inspections “did well.”

            In regards to Chapter 2 housing inspections and complaint updates, the owner of 28 Pitcher Street indicated that the vendor hired to perform work at the property has fallen ill but was expected to begin within eight to 10 days, Rodriguez reported. “We need to stay on top of that one,” said Howard.

            A house in disrepair at 165 County Road was seen by Rodriguez and Marion Building Commissioner Bob Grillo, who reportedly found the property to be a hazard with its basement area open in several areas with windows missing.

            The town reached out to the owner with an ultimatum to repair or demolish. Johnson noted that local developer Sherman Briggs has a sand pit abutting the property. Desmarais was awaiting an email from the other stating intentions.

            In her Public Health Director update, Desmarais updated the board on disease, and Plymouth County’s plans to spray for mosquito control. She said she has updated the website and would send an email blast. The public can contact Plymouth County to perform a standing-water check. Last year, Marion found one infected mosquito. As of May 22, the town will be taking requests for spraying private property (marionma.gov.)

            Marion will be among several towns to receive rabies vaccination distribution done May 9-12 by air and from May 7 to June 3 by station.

            As of April 18 per the CDC, the COVID-19 vaccine is no longer available to the general public, but ages 65-and-over remain eligible to receive another booster shot. Desmarais said she was waiting on state recommendations.

            Desmarais also told the board that Marion Finance Director Judy Mooney and Board of Health administrator Maureen Murphy visited Westport to get a better handle on the Betterment program that is not part of the collaborative.

            Desmarais is preparing an updated schedule of fees to address food establishments that currently do not have seasonal inspections.

            Johnson noted that permitting funds go into the town’s general budget and do not directly strengthen the Board of Health budget. “I’d like to keep the fees as low as possible. It’s kind of double taxation,” he said.

            Hoffer said the whole idea is, “if you have to keep going back and back, it should hurt a little bit.” Howard and Johnson agreed.

            The next meeting of the Marion Board of Health was not scheduled upon adjournment.

Marion Board of Health

By Mick Colageo

Rochester Fire Chief Scott Weigel liked what he saw in the Master Plan-type development presented by Cambridge-based architect Ted Galante during Tuesday’s public meeting of the Rochester Public Safety Facility Feasibility Study Committee.

            “That’s pretty good, pretty much what we talked about on the Fire Department side,” said Weigel.

            The last version seen by Rochester Chief of Police Robert Small had been different, but he, too, eagerly looked forward to digesting a print version of Tuesday’s presentation and giving Galante the feedback he requests.

            Public-safety-building-specific construction costs, according to two independent estimators, said Galante, rose $40 within a week’s time from $820 per square foot to $860.

            The conceptual design was divided into three categories: modifications to the existing Police Station, a new Fire Station proposed for the Fairgrounds near the Acushnet town line and a potential substation off High Street.

            Hard construction costs are estimated to be $24,131,000 for a new, 28,000 square-foot fire station, $7,300,000 for a renovated, expanded police station and $8,182,040 for a substation.

            Soft costs, which were not discussed, are believed by committee members to reach one third of the hard construction costs.

            Achieving a conceptual design is but a baby step in what is expected to be a lengthy process that may not make it to Town Meeting floor until 2024.

            Galante, who appeared live via Zoom to a hybrid meeting evenly divided between remote participants and those in the Town Hall meeting room, said he will send the committee members digital and print versions aimed at developing a conceptual design reflecting conversations with respective Fire and Police personnel.

            With Rochester population expected to significantly increase via east-side projects such as Steen Realty’s approved but not yet built residential/commercial development at the junction of Routes 28 and 58, services will be needed and response time to emergencies significantly shortened. A High Street substation would cut in half the current response time to the Route 28 area.

            Meantime, the existing Police Station is being targeted for a makeover that would replace the existing sallyport and small meeting room with site modifications and the addition of a new, expanded sallyport and a one-story extension.

            Galante plans to expand the 2,300 square-foot building to use existing attic space. Noting that the upstairs is limited by lower ceilings in some areas, he suggested only some of the space is usable for items such as the evidence office, records and armory. Washrooms and locker rooms would remain in place, but renovation of a portion of the building would attempt to capture all of the programming.

            “There’s not a ton of expansion up in that area, but it makes sense to use some of that attic space,” he said.

            Expansion would result in 5,400 square feet of new building area. The reconstruction would bring about an expanded bay and processing, booking, holding and cells all in one, secured area. Administrative offices and interrogation would be adjacent. Revisions would include an IT room and placeholders for different existing elements.

            Work would also be done to get the HVAC equipment off the ground.

            The proposed ground floor of the new Fire Station combines a 118×96-foot apparatus bay attached to a 99×105-foot operations center.

            On the second floor would be two sets of stairs, one earmarked for egress and another designed to operate in both directions. There would be a retreat area, bunk rooms with windows to the outside, each room using gender-nonspecific restrooms. Fitness and laundry would also be located upstairs, and the fitness room located strategically placed to avoid bringing noise into the downstairs training room.

            The 80×90-foot substation is based on a 9.514 square-foot space aimed solely at function and proximity to an emerging need.

            “We think they’re at a pretty good design place for feedback from the departments,” said Galante. “We’re not trying to do anything fancy here…”

            Committee member Andrew Daniel suggested copying plans for the Fire Department’s exercise room in the renovated Police Station if possible. Galante agreed.

            Once Small has had ample opportunity to inspect the conceptual design presented Tuesday, he will meet with Galante to offer specific feedback.

            “We’ll probably have a good amount of this wrapped up in the next two to three weeks,” said Galante.

            Due to problems with audio transmission of the Zoom call during comments attempted from the Town Hall meeting room, the call was switched to speaker phone. Galante asked for follow-up comments.

            The next meeting of the Rochester Public Safety Facility Feasibility Study Committee has not been scheduled.

Rochester Public Safety Facility Feasibility Study Committee

By Mick Colageo

The April 20 Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals meeting issued a Variance and Special Permit to David Halle, 23 Grand View Avenue, for the construction of a detached 28×32-foot garage but not before hearing from abutters regarding flooding issues since construction of two homes on the adjacent lots.

            Representing Halle was Bob Field of Field Engineering, who listened intently to neighbors’ concerns. Field explained in detail plans to tie drainage piping to a detention area and the construction of a swale that would provide a barrier to adjoining lots. The board members were unanimous in their approval.

            Also heard were requests from Chase Wingate, 42 River Road, seeking a Special Permit for the construction of a family-related apartment for Debra Martin. The parcel is a 3.85 acre site allowing for setbacks as required by zoning regulations. Member Jordan Rodrigues commented, “We regularly allow these.” The Special Permit was unanimously approved.

            Also unanimously approved were Special Permits for Andrew Perkins, 10 Pinehurst Avenue, for the construction of a 12×24-foot addition, and Mark Hall for the construction of a single-family home on Laurel Street. This project has also been conditioned by the Conservation Commission.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals has been scheduled for Thursday, May 18, at 6:00 pm if there are cases to be heard.

Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals

By Marilou Newell

            The April 24 meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission included a request by the commission that the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection take over a case, given the local commission has heretofore not received property-owner compliance.

            The issues stem from disturbances on a coastal bank located at 41 Cove Street owned by William Sylvia. The commission received notification that beach sand that would have required soil analysis was being added to the barrier beach on the property without permission. Chairman Mike King said the DEP would review the Order of Conditions originally issued to Sylvia and work towards compliance.

            Another case that included noncompliance became part of a Notice of Intent filing by Earl Miranda, to whom the commission has reached out over the past several years regarding activities on his 28 Meadowbrook Lane property.

            After the commission was alerted by the Assessor’s Office that possible, unpermitted activities were taking place on property owned by Miranda, the commission contacted him so he might explain his plan for the property. On April 24, David Davignon of Schneider, Davignon & Leone, Inc., represented Miranda and rolled out his plan. That NOI filing was for the construction of a 24×24-foot detached garage.

            The Assessor’s Office had reported to the commission that changes to the property and building were valued at more than $25,000 but had not been reported or permitted. Wishing to bring matters to an amicable closure, King asked Davignon to set up a preconstruction meeting that would grant the commission the opportunity to make a site visit and advise Miranda on what he could and could not do on the property pursuant to the Wetlands Protection Act. Davignon agreed that would be beneficial.

            In other business, a Request for Determination of Applicability filed by Michael Esposito for improvements to his drainage system received a Negative Determination of Applicability. A NOI filed by Dennis Arsenault, Brandt Island Road, for the construction of a single-family home was conditioned.

            A NOI filed by Stephen Cook Family Realty Trust, 7 Holly Street, for the installation of a new septic system was conditioned but not before Conservation Agent Brandon Faneuf voiced his concerns that part of the groundwater drainage system might “squeeze” the groundwater, causing it to push up and possibly flood neighboring yards. King said he had confidence in the design Davignon presented. The NOI was conditioned.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission is scheduled for Monday, May 22, at 6:30 pm.

Mattapoisett Conservation Commission

By Marilou Newell