Mattapoisett Select Board discusses future goals, priorities

MATTAPOISETT — The Select Board discussed and prioritized future goals and the current projects going on in town. 

At a meeting on Tuesday, July 28 the Select Board members identified four common goals they will work towards together. 

The Select Board identified the board’s top priority as clarifying communication between the town and residents. Jacob Collyer said he wanted to introduce more consistent update meetings with department heads. 

“Transparency and communication are a big thing, obviously,” Collyer said. 

The board hopes that the clearer communication and use of the website and social media will increase the transparency and operations of the government. 

They also hope to recruit and attract more volunteers to municipal positions with clear announcements, postings and explanations of available positions. 

The three other goals include the Select Board focusing on housing, infrastructure and update bylaws.  

Nicole Doyon Lynch also said she wanted to create a longer term town plan. 

“I think towns that are gonna get ahead of tomorrow have to start today,” Lynch said. 

Collyer pushed back on formalizing an official long term plan. He said he wanted the board to meet with other members of the government and department heads to understand where Mattapoisett stands right now before making strict future plans. 

“Let's talk to [the department heads] about where they see potential gaps and synergies, and then from there we do the deeper dive,” Collyer said. “We need to trust that they know their process and they know their charge.”

The Select Board also discussed the current infrastructure projects and each project's timeline. 

The biggest projects still in process are fixing Main Street, finishing the bike path, building culverts and replacing old pipes.