By Nicholas Barao, Neighb News Correspondent
At its meeting on 8/23/22, the Acushnet Selectboard made two board appointments and approved a storm water permit.
The board voted unanimously to appoint Randy Deterra to the Zoning Board of Appeals. He has been a resident of the town his whole life and has been working at Verizon for a long time.
“I’ve known Mr. Deterra for quite some time,” said Selectboard member Kevin Gaspar. “He’s an outstanding individual and I’m sure that he’ll do the taxpayers of Acushnet very well in the future.”
The board also discussed the building inspector vacancy.
Town Administrator James Kelley said he advertised to fill the vacancy and put it on the statewide bulletin.
“We won’t be able to attract one but we can grow our own,” suggested Mr. Kelley, meaning the board can appoint someone conditionally and give him 18 months to get certified.
Mr. Kelley also told the board that at least one potential candidate was making more in his current position, and another town had offered him more.
The board realized the $70,000 position may not be that appealing. They adjusted the salary range to $75,000–85,000.
The board also appointed former building commissioner James Marot, and Andrew Balboa as temporary building inspectors.
The board also discussed two finance vacancies.
Mr. Kelley told the board that interim Town Accountant Todd Hassett strongly believes that the assistant town accountant could fill one of the vacancies within a year as long as he passes the exams. Mr. Hassett would also mentor him.
Interim Treasurer/Collector Marilyn Thompson cannot take the full time position because she is retired, but she can keep the position until the fall town meeting.
In another matter, Joe Costelo addressed his need to open a water main and get a storm water permit for a 15-home subdivision. Mr. Costelo said he felt he has been getting the run-around for several months. He started the project in 2015.
He told the board that he thought the storm water permit was part of the subdivisions that were approved back in 2017. His main concern, he said, was how to obtain a storm water permit right now, but his line of questioning was never answered.
Mr. Kelley said he has been working on the issue with the town planner. He said the storm water permit was never approved.
The board approved the work on the main, but because the storm water permit has not been issued, Mr. Costelo will not get very far on his project.
Mr. Gaspar took the opportunity to address accusations on social media that he is trying to waive the stormwater permit for the project.
He denied the allegations calling them “the crap that is being thrown around social media.”
The board also approved road projects by the Department of Public Works. DPW Director Dan Menard received approval for road work including paving, guard rails, and line painting on Peckham Road, Gabriel Farms, Bow Drive, Mattapoisett Road, Nye’s Lane, and Middle Road.
The majority of the money comes from Chapter 90 WRAP funds and the town will cover any deficit.
The board approved the work unanimously.
The board also heard from Rick Trapilo, who is running for state representative in the Democratic primary on 9/6 against Rep. William Straus. Mr. Trapilo told the board he supports full funding of police departments, wants to reduce the gas tax, and wants to fix the state’s infrastructure problems.
In other business, the board:
• Appointed Jerome Smith to the Housing Authority.
• Met in executive session to discuss union contracts.
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Click here to download the entire 9/1/22 issue: 09-01-22 FireTruckFun
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