Mattapoisett candidates address challenges at forum

MATTAPOISETT — As the Mattapoisett Town Election nears, candidates for two contested races are facing off to discuss how they would address the concerns facing the Board of Health and the Old Rochester Regional School Committee.

On Wednesday, April 30 the League of Women Voters SouthCoast hosted a Candidates Night where candidates shared their ideas and qualifications.

The Town Election will take place on Tuesday, May 20 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the Old Hammondtown School.

Board of Health

Board of Health incumbent Michele Bernier is running for her second term against newcomer Douglas Schneider, a civil engineer who has been involved in developmental business for 40 years.

Bernier said she’s running for reelection because she has “a few irons in the fire that we’ve started the last three years, and I’d like to continue to work on them and see them to fruition.”

Schneider chose to run because he believes it’s time for him to give back to the community, and with his experiences working in civil engineering, he felt that the Board of Health was the best place for him.

“I’ve had the opportunity to read almost every single regulation the town has, not because I wanted to, but because of needs for clients and projects that are going on,” he said.

Key issues the Board of Health is facing include new Title V regulations issued by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection regarding denitrification septic systems and waste bans in addition to the need to hire a new health nurse.

The new regulations for denitrification systems would include updating septic systems, which Schneider and Bernier said they are knowledgeable about.

“I bring to the table my experience in the development world, of understanding septics, of understanding some of the aspects of a transfer station,” Schneider said.

Bernier said that her time on the Board of Health for the past three years has taught her a “great deal” about septic systems.

According to Bernier, when the waste ban goes into effect in about a year, the town will need to switch to composting. This is a challenge Board members will need to address, which Bernier said the town doesn’t currently have the resources to handle.

Both Bernier and Schneider said training a new health nurse would be a challenge they could handle.

Old Rochester Regional School Committee

Newcomers Betsy Stewart and Nina Datschkovsky-Ennis are running against each other for one seat on the Old Rochester Regional School Committee.

Datschkovsky-Ennis explained she chose to run because she wants to help “ensure our school supports every child’s potential — academically, physically and emotionally.”

Her agenda includes investing in strengthening civics education, addressing students’ mental and physical health needs and to “ensure that our schools reflect the values of this community and prepare our children for real world success.”

“We must raise students to be informed, engaged citizens with respect for diverse perspectives and a commitment to the democratic process,” Datschkovksy-Ennis said.

Datschkovksy-Ennis said she is also running because she would like to see stronger communication between parents and administrators, especially in regards to curriculum content and how the budget is being used.

“You shouldn’t need to be an insider to know where your money is going,” she said.

Datschkovksy-Ennis said she would “dive deep” to determine how taxpayer dollars are being spent, specifically what percentage is reaching classrooms and how much is getting lost in “layers of administration or programs with no measurable results.”

Stewart said she’s running for the Old Rochester Regional School Committee seat because she believes in the value of public education.

“Our public school system must prepare students for tomorrow’s opportunities and challenges,” Stewart said.

This would include ensuring all students have the resources they need to succeed so “we’re not losing children in the gaps,” Stewart said.

Stewart said that her priorities for the School Committee include “accelerating learning growth, lowering the town’s burden from budget reform, investing in civics education, ensuring student safety and increasing civil discourse.”

When it comes to safety, Stewart said one priority of the budget should be maintaining the building so children are in a safe environment all day.

Stewart referenced a current safety concern regarding heating and cooling in the buildings.

“Doors are being opened and safety protocols are being compromised,” she said.

According to Stewart, staff salaries and healthcare are “always” going to be a big part of the school budget.

“Maintaining and keeping a great staff is always going to be a priority for the School Committee and should be,” she said.