From the Rochester selectmen’s meeting Monday, June 1:
    Fred Underhill came before selectmen to discuss Rochester’s rights as members of the Assawompset Pond Complex (APC). The complex (4,000 acres of watershed) is made up of land which lies within six communities. Eight hundred acres lie within Rochester. A 2002 purchase of land for the Watershed area, done with the assistance of state funding, requires that the area be opened to the public for limited recreation. An oversight in the formal creation of the APC has left two of the APC communities (Rochester and Freetown) without the right to vote on issues brought before the APC. Selectmen approved the drafting of a letter to APC asking that Rochester be granted voting rights.
    Underhill also voiced concern about statements made by Antonio Sol during Rochester’s recent Town Meeting. He said Sol had taken full credit as a former selectman for bringing SEMASS to Rochester. Underhill said the SEMASS project had spanned years. Underhill estimated that at least a dozen selectmen had worked on bringing SEMASS to Rochester.
    Selectmen noted the resignation of Rosalind Braza from the Cultural Council. Braza is moving out of the area. Leslie Piper was appointed by selectmen to fill the vacancy.
    A building permit fee for the Sippican Rod and Gun Club was waived by selectmen. The Club is a non-profit and allows Rochester police to use the facility. Town Administrator Rich LaCamera said that it has been the practice of Rochester since 2002 to waive permit and license fees for non-profits. Inspectional fees are not waived for non-profits because inspections are done at a cost to the town.
    Permit fees were also waived for the annual Cole Brothers Circus, which will be June 24 and June 25. Proceeds from the circus help fund town organizations.
    Recent FEMA (Federal Emergency Agency) flood mapping was contested by Rochester because of perceived errors. The errors have been corrected, which will mean lower insurance rates than originally anticipated for some property owners.
     LaCamera told selectmen that the FOG Plant (food, oil and grease) proposed for SEMASS has received final approval and should be running by fall. The plant is expected to bring an additional $20,000 in annual income to the town.
     LaCamera noted that the FY09 budget has been “brought in line” by the payment of a $53,000 deficit with reserve funds. He also said he wants to thank everyone for their efforts in behalf of the FY10 budget.
    LaCamera also reported that he recently attended a meeting at U-MASS Dartmouth that offered an overview of internship programs available to municipalities. He will be meeting with department heads to see which of the programs would be beneficial to pursue.
    Selectmen voted send a letter to the Planning Board alerting them that a proposal will be forthcoming to rezone part of Marion Road and Mary’s Pond Road as limited commercial.
    Board chairman Rick Nunes noted the official opening of the new playground and basketball court at Dexter Field Sunday and said the board has received a letter of appreciation from the playground committee.
    Of special note: Former Rochester selectmen and town moderator Harry A. Brown Jr. will be honored in New Bedford this month with the flying of a U.S. Flag in his memory atop Old Glory Tower. Brown, a World War II army veteran, was assigned as staff sergeant to the 3rd Army Signal Corps. He served in Normandy and at the Battle of the Bulge. He received a Bronze Star for valor. He was a member of Benjamin D. Cushing VFW Post #2425, Marion, and a charter president of the Rochester Lions Club. Brown also served in Rochester as wiring inspector and on the Board of Health and the Council on Aging. 
   
From the Marion selectmen’s meeting Tuesday, June 2:
    Loretta Schaefer announced that the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) had received a $3,500 Community Preservation Award, presented to a town for having completed a key Community Preservation Act project. The award was given for the recent restoration work done at the Music Hall.
    DPW Superintendent Rob Zora received a signature on three contracts: a $5,000 one-year contract with Tata and Howard for consulting, an amended main contract with CDM (Camp Dresser and McKee) for Inflow and Infiltration  work due to begin in September and a general services contract.
    At the request of Town Clerk Ray Pickles, Michael Botelho of 111 Quail’s Crossing was appointed Assistant Warden of Election until June 2010.
    Town administrator Paul Dawson reported more than 100 bids had been received from trade contractors for the soon-to-be-built police station. The bids were opened by Dawson in the presence of selectmen Steve Cushing Tuesday and will be forwarded to the project contractor once he/she is chosen. Project contractor bids will be opened June 16.
    Dawson also reported that the donation by Tabor Academy of the land upon which the new police station will be built has been finalized and that Marion is now the owner of record.
    Dawson said two bids were received for the harbormaster’s new work boat: $61,856 from Connor Industry of Ontario and $108,645 from Munsen Boats of Washington. May’s Annual Town Meeting approved an appropriation of $65,000 for purchase of a work boat. Dawson said references for Connor Industry were very positive. Selectmen approved Dawson signing a contract with Connor Industry.
    At the request of Dawson selectmen approved the carryover of Dawson’s 10 unused vacation days into FY10.
    Selectmen voted to approve a $3,275.42 abatement request for sewer fees submitted by Judy Jones of 84 Converse Road. Jones is a summer resident. In her absence during the winter, despite a fairly new heating system and frequent monitoring by a neighbor, a pipe burst in Jones home and caused considerable damage. Jones understood that because the water that flooded her home was metered it had to be paid for, She asked if the sewer portion of her bill could be reduced in light of the fact that the water did not go into the sewer.
     A letter from resident Holly Ainslie requesting that the town’s current odd/even outside watering restriction schedule be reconsidered. She believes it puts those living in even numbered homes at a disadvantage (May 31 and June 1 gave odd-numbered homes two straight days of watering). The letter will be taken up at the June 16 select meeting.
    A letter from Police Chief Paul Magee said that the owner of a Wareham dog that inflicted bite wounds while on a Marion Playground was told the dog may not return to Marion. Magee indicated any effort to change regulations, which currently allow dogs on playgrounds, would require a by-law change.
    A recommendation from Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman Robert Wedge that William Jones be appointed to the board was held over until June 16 for consideration.
 
    From the Marion Planning Board:
    At their June 1 meeting the Planning Board reorganized as follows: Thomas Magauran, chairman; Joseph Napoli, vice-chairman and John Sweeney, clerk. In addition Magauran was appointed board representative to the CPC and Jay Ryder was appointed board representative to the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD).