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11:12:24 pm Pine Island Division of Property Approved

Categories: Mattapoisett

A regular meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board was called to order by John P. Mathieu at 7:30 pm at the Mattapoisett Town Hall. Also present were board members Karen Field and Robert McNamara, Mattapoisett Highway Surveyor Barry Denham, and six town residents. Chairman Thomas M. Tucker did not attend the meeting.

The sole agenda item was the submission of a Form A application by Dave Davignon of Schneider and Associates on behalf of property owners Tim and Greta Fox. The parcel in question is located at 2 Pine Island Road.

“This is a continuation of a project that we presented to the Board as a preliminary [in December 2009]. We are here to cut out the two lots at the Pine Island residence,” Mr. Davignon said, and he then presented evidence that both lots have at least 150 feet of frontage and 30,000 square feet of lot area required to be cut up.

“This plan is basically a [division of property by right] plan when the applicant asks to cut lots up. If they meet those conditions with proper frontage and lot area, we have no choice but to approve,” Mr. Mathieu explained. “All we are doing today is cutting lots – not subdividing them.”

Mr. Matthieu then explained that if the owners would like to do anything with the back lot, they have to comply with the Subdivision Control Law. This law requires a hearing, during which public comments are weighed on the subdivision itself. During this process, the Board would set specific parameters the subdivision must meet, he said.

The board then approved a motion to accept the plan as submitted.

In addition, the Board accepted a letter from a neighbor abutting the Pine Island property. The neighbor, Richard Poznysz, hired an engineer to assess the property and the letter details concerns regarding sufficient storm water drainage and construction access. This letter will be included in the public dossier for later consideration.

In response to questions about the various plans presented in the past regarding this parcel, Mr. Matthieu explained that he does not comment on plans until a final one is submitted for review. He also stated that wetland conservation issues are under the Conservation Board’s purview; however, the Planning Board does review water drainage issues on a “case-by-case basis”.

The Board voted to adjourn at 8:00 pm.

 

By Laura Pedulli

 

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11:12:15 pm Mattapoisett Historian Talks Cuttyhunk

Categories: Mattapoisett

Trivia Question: What do the Forbes Family, pirates, and the Wampanoag tribe have in common? Answer: They all left indelible marks on the history of the SouthCoast and Cape Cod regions – in particular, the Cuttyhunk and Elizabeth Islands.

In the first of a two-part series, Mattapoisett Historical Society’s Seth Mendell delivered an elucidating lecture on all of the personalities that have shaped Cuttyhunk and the Elizabeth Islands – a string of islands that separates Buzzard’s Bay and Vineyard Sound. More than 80 eager history buffs attended the lecture, which took place on January 31 at 2:00 pm at the Mattapoisett Public Library.

Mr. Mendell began his story in 1602 – when Bartholomew Gosnold named the islands in honor of Queen Elizabeth of England. Following a 49-day journey from Falmouth, England, Gosnold made landfall at Nova Scotia and eventually meandered south to the Cape Cod region. Mr. Gosnold, mariner Gabriel Archer and a crew of 30 immediately set about establishing a trading post.

Three weeks later, however, the whole crew left. No one knows why, explained Mr. Mendell – but a few theories are circulating. The first theory is that the crew lacked adequate provisions to last six months because Mr. Archer clandestinely sold the provisions in England even before the journey began! The second theory is that the crew stole a canoe from the Wampanoag and feared revenge. The second explanation is generally considered implausible, as the Wampanoag were described in various accounts as friendly and open, Mr. Mendell said.

Next trivia question: What do Shakespeare and Cuttyhunk have in common? Answer: Some historians speculate that Mr. Gosnold and Shakespeare had met in England. During these exchanges, it is said that Gosnold’s tales of Cuttyhunk inspired Shakespeare’s The Tempest as the famous writer’s descriptions of an island in this work are a “carbon copy” of Cuttyhunk. “Whether it is true or not… we do not know,” conceded Mr. Mendel.

As European rulers continued to bankroll mariners in the hope of finding fortune in the New World, the European population continued to increase. The reality was quite the inverse for the Wampanoag, however. Due to contact with smallpox from a Dutch traveler, the tribe’s population plummeted from 40,000 to 4,000, well before the pilgrims set foot in Plymouth. The Wampanoag refer to this devastating part of its history as “The Great Sadness.”

Between 1630 and 1640, a whopping 75,000 English people arrived in the New World. 15,000 of these individuals established Boston. Around this time, King James I gave the islands to the Council of New England, which were shortly sold to the first of a series of owners: Thomas Meyhew and the Meyhew family. It is said that descendents of the Meyhew family still reside on the islands today.

Trivia Question: Which animal was essential to Naushon’s generation of wealth? Answer: Sheep. The first action the Meyhews took was to timber the island. The land then was sold for sheep grazing.

“You don’t have to go to the Caribbean to find pirates,” said Mr. Mendell as he recounted their trouble-making ways in the late 1600s.

According to Mr. Mendell, three pirates “preyed on local commerce” until the royal government of Boston stepped up to take action. Like scenes from a Hollywood movie, on October 4, 1669, mariners from Boston swooped down to Tarpaulin Cove and overpowered the pirates, who were later hung in Newport, Rhode Island. With pirates out of the scene, the oceans opened up for further development.

In 1730, the Meyhew family sold Naushon to the Bowdoin family, who owned the island for 130 years. The Bowdoin family organized 15-20 tenant sheep farmers who rented the land to raise 2,000 sheep as well as oxen, horses and pigs. During this time, the island experienced new growth. At this time, the general store (which still stands today), tavern, and inn were built and welcomed wary seafaring men who sought a little rest and relaxation.

“The tavern was a lively place in the evening. Men frolicked about and had wild times with local maidens,” Mr. Mendell said. It is interesting to note Tarpaulin is the home of one of the first lighthouses on the eastern seaboard. The lighthouse – built in 1759 – helped ships make it safely to shore. Cuttyhunk also has an old lighthouse that originally was built in 1823.

Cuttyhunk developed differently from Naushon, mainly because the island’s land was sold, not rented, to sheep farmers. In addition to farming, Cuttyhunk earned its wealth by piloting, or helping merchant vessels safely disembark. “The flipside of their wealth-earning enterprise was, of course, salvaging,” Mr. Mendell said. However, the Cuttyhunk Humane Society was established to lend a hand to lifesaving efforts. It wasn’t until 1915 that the U.S. Coast Guard formally took over this duty.

The good times did not last forever, though. The Revolutionary War devastated the islands, as the British swept in and confiscated thousands of sheep and other goods despite efforts to set up fortifications. According to Mr. Mendell, 500 Englishmen walked the entire islands “shoulder to shoulder” starting at the northern tip of Naushon to effectively pillage the land.

Years after the war played itself out, the Bowdoin family sold the land to the Swain family in 1809.

It was through this family the Forbes family entered the picture. Sarah Swain Hathaway, niece of owner William Swain, fell in love with none other than John Murray Forbes, a wealthy merchant prince of Boston. Mr. Forbes made his fortune by sailing the world and establishing trading routes through the Pacific Northwest regions to China. The prevalence of mariners in SouthCoast and Cape Cod is highlighted by the delicious fact that the first American to sail around the globe was John Kendrick in 1783 from our own Wareham, MA.

Next trivia question: Which commodity was essential to Mr. Forbes’ wealth? Answer: Sea otter pelts. Forbes and other traders would sell their iron goods to the Northwest Pacific coast, where they would acquire sea otter pelts to sell to the Chinese. “China went out of its mind for sea otter pelts,” Mr. Mendell said. Conversely, when these traders returned to Boston, the people loved Chinese silk, spices and tea.

Mr. Forbes not only fell in love with Sarah Swain Hathaway, but with Naushon and the islands. He leveraged his wealth to buy out his uncle and aunt in-law, and set about to drain the island’s swamps, build stone walls, add grass to the pastures, and plant thousands of seedling trees. This effort restored the land  closer to what it was in the past. Mr. Forbes himself moved to Cuttyhunk and resided in Gosnold.

In the 1880s, striped bass lured wealthy New York millionaires who arrived in “three-piece suits” and let the locals bait their hooks as they leisurely fished. Cuttyhunk also benefited from William Wood, a businessman who was its “sugar-daddy,” in the 1900s. With his wealth, Mr. Wood implemented infrastructure improvements, paved roads, built a sewer system, and introduced electricity.

A big celebration marked the 300^th anniversary of Gosnold’s original landing in 1902, which including the unveiling of the Gosnold monument – a massive stone structure that is 60 feet high.

The Forbes family still own Naushon; it is estimated that approximately 400 heirs of the Forbes family lay claim to the land today.

By Laura Pedulli

 

 

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02:06:55 pm The Caribbean Comes to Mattapoisett

Categories: Mattapoisett

If there was a nip in the air on January 28, the kids at Center and Old Hammondtown Schools were blissfully unaware.

Dressed in bright splashes of lake blue and papaya orange, decked out in tie-dye and leis, Mattapoisett grade schoolers enjoyed a summery presentation by Pan-Neubean Steel. The musical presentation included calypso, reggae, jazz and soul. In between songs, the bandleader and steel drum player, Jeff Clayton, educated the children on the music they were playing, and explained how steel drums are made.

This tropical treat was coordinated by the Mattapoisett PTA Arts and Humanities, and funded by a grant from the Mattapoisett Cultural Council. This was one of many school year supplemental activities that the PTA brings to Mattapoisett children each year.

PTA Arts and Humanities Chairperson, dressed in tie-dye and silver jellyfish earrings, was excited about the presentation. “We asked the kids to get in the mood on a cold, January day,” said Ms. Nettles, who smiled as she looked at the room full of brightly dressed, energetic children, with some of the girls swishing in grass skirts.

“It’s so great to see them get involved,” said Ms. Nettles, whose son was among the children in the audience. The kids also helped prepare for the event by decorating the stage with tropical sea creatures.

PanNeubean Steel is an Afro-Caribbean band that has been together for over ten years, and often plays private venues – they have even opened for Kenny Chesney, Bruce Hornsby, and Jimmy Buffet. It is clear that bandleader Jeff Clayton is a music teacher, since he had an instant rapport with the children and knew how to get them up and moving to the music.

The music selection included songs that are reassuring (Every little thing is gonna be alright!), and music about making good decisions.

Upcoming PTA Arts and Humanities events will include an EthNohTec storyteller in April. The EthNohTec storytime will combine Asian traditions with lyricism, dance and movement.

By Anne O’Brien-Kakley

 

 

 

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12:10:34 am Mattapoisett Adopts Silver Star Banner Day

Categories: Mattapoisett

A scheduled meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen was called to order by Chairman Jordan C. Collyer on January 26, 2010 at 7:00 pm. Also in attendance were Selectmen Paul Silva and George Randall, Town Administrator Michael Gagne’, and Assistant to the Selectmen Melody Pacheco.

The Board voted to approve the minutes of the January 12, 2010 meeting, both open and executive session.

Next in Action items, the Board voted to approve the annual “Change of Manager” at the Knights of Columbus, located at 57 Fairhaven Road in Mattaposiett.

In a final Action item, the Board voted to accept a proclamation for a Silver Star Banner Day on May 1. Silver Star Families of America is an organization that honors and provides support to wounded and ill men and women in the armed forces. Silver Star Families are recognized by the banners they display in their windows.

The first appointment of the evening was with Will Boutin, who was presented with the Veteran’s Council Certificate for 25 years of dedication to the Veteran’s Council. Veteran Agent Barry Denham was present to thank Mr. Boutin “for his untiring support of the Veteran’s Council.” Likewise, Mr. Boutin thanked Mr. Denham for all his work as the Veteran’s Agent.

In a following appointment, the Board met with the Mattapoisett Lions Club to discuss banners and the Harbor Days celebration. This was a continuation of a previous discussion where the Mattapoisett Lions requested the Board’s support in conducting a fundraiser by hanging banners on telephone poles throughout town. The 50 proposed banners, which would be endorsed by area businesses, would mostly hang on County Road (Route 6), Water Street, Main Street, and North Street, and would “tastefully” emphasize locations and events.

The Lions have received permission from Verizon to use the telephone poles, but the Board still hesitated at the quantity of proposed banners. “The public [needs] an idea of a maximum that will be allowed in a certain distance,” said Selectman Silva, who was afraid that the banners could become too crowded in some areas. The Board was more supportive of a move where the Lions would hang 10-15 banners and see the visual impact on town, and allow time for residents to provide feedback.

“It’s hard to go halfway on this,” said a representative from the Lions. The Lions receive a better price break by buying a larger quantity of banners, which makes their fundraiser more profitable.

“I have no qualms doing it,” said Selectman Silva. “I just want to make sure that the folks in the neighborhood don’t mind.”

Chairman Collyer said that he had seen similar banners done very tastefully in areas like Newport, RI, and that he had little concern with the banner placement on County Road, but was more concerned with village areas like Water, Main, and North Street.

Road Race Committee member Danny White spoke up in regards to the fundraiser. Mr. White expressed the opinion that a Lions Club banner fundraiser could take away from the Road Race fundraiser, which provides scholarship money to area students. A representative from the Lions Club said that their funds also stay in the community by providing handicap ramps, and other services to those in need.

The Board told the Lions to go forward with a smaller quantity of banners (25), preferably spaced out throughout the community, to get an idea of how the banners will look.

“A lot of older people [will] talk about it…” said Selectman Randall. “I think we should do a trial run.”

The Lions also presented the dates for 2010 Harbor Days, which will be July 16, 17, and 18. They plan on meeting with Police Chief Mary Lyons, Fire Chief Andrew Murray, and Building Inspector Andy Bobola to pull all the right permits.

“Status quo,” said Chairman Collyer. “Let’s try to maintain what we’ve been doing [in past years].”

“Just keep making that Strawberry Shortcake,” said Selectman Silva. “I look forward to it.”

Under Discussion items, Mr. Gagne’ informed the Board that he will be attending the Tri-Town Alliance Municipal Regionalization Workshop in Braintree on February 10, 2010, and was hoping that one of the selectmen would be interested in going with him. At the presentation will be information on the solid waste pick-up that has been regionalized between Weymouth, Braintree and Quincy.

The Board agreed that regionalization is a good move, but residents have to be diligent about separating trash from recycling as well, since less trash means less “tonnage”, which brings waste removal costs down.

“Education will be critical,” said Mr. Gagne’, who said that they would need an “aggressive recycling program” to keep costs down.

“No one wants to go to ‘pay as you throw’,” said Chairman Collyer, referring to the program some communities have resorted to, where residents must purchase special town bags for trash removal. This last-ditch effort usually results in more recycling efforts from citizens. While Mattapoisett wants to avoid this measure, they will need cooperation from residents in trash sorting to keep curbside pick-up in the operating budget.

In Notes and Announcements, Ms. Pacheco informed the Board that the next Selectmen’s meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 9, at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall Conference Room.

Under the Town Administrator’s report, Mr. Gagne’ updated the Board on the Massachusetts Agricultural Commission Conference on March 20 in Worcester. If enough Mattapoisett residents were interested, Mr. Gagne’ thinks that they could put together a carpool and use the COA van to attend the event, which starts at 9:00 am. Those interested should contact Mr. Gagne’ at the Town Hall.

Mr. Gagne’ also wished to remind the public that the lottery for the dingy list is on Saturday, January 30. If anyone is interested in being included should come to the Town Clerk’s office by Friday, January 29, 2010.

The Board received correspondence from Comcast on the scheduled network enhancement features. Since Comcast will be switching to digital service soon, the Board invited Comcast Senior Manager Mary O’Keefe to attend an upcoming meeting for public informational purposes.

There being no more open session items to attend to, the Board voted to go into executive session at 8:04 pm for the purpose of collective bargaining.

By Anne O’Brien-Kakley

 

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12:46:59 pm Pan Neubean Steel at Center and Old Hammondtown Schools

Categories: News, Mattapoisett

On January 28, the PTA Arts and Humanities will welcome PanNeubean Steel to both Center and Old Hammondtown Schools. PanNeubean Steel showcases the Steel Pan’s musical versatility – providing us with a sample of Caribbean (reggae, soca, calypso), Afro-Caribbean, Contemporary, Jazz, Soul, Fusion and Classical music styles. Their energetic, positive attitude and esteem-enhancing approach will delight as well as serve as a model for all children and adults. The Mattapoisett PTA looks forward to presenting the music of warmer climates during these cold winter days - making this an unforgettable fun and entertaining event! This program is supported in part by a grant from the Mattapoisett Cultural Council, a local agency, which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

This program will entertain Mattapoisett children at the Center School at 10:00 am and 1:15 pm at the Old Hammondtown School on January 28.

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11:01:33 am Homeland Security Trains over Tri-Town

Categories: News, Marion, Mattapoisett, Rochester

The air rumbled in Mattapoisett at 7:00 pm on Wednesday night, January 20, when F15s from Westfield-Barne airport trained an "intercept and divert" procedure for the purpose of Homeland Security training.

The loud noise that sounded like thunder to some residents, was actually the F15 aircrafts flying at about 2,000 feet. Ed DeWitt from the New England Regional Airport said that that was "the sound of freedom" as the pilots practiced an important procedure to intercept suspicious aircrafts and divert them to land at local airports.

Mr. DeWitt had "no comment" as to where and when further training exercises would take place, but he did confirm that there would be furthering training in the area.

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11:57:31 pm Mattapoisett Mystery Writer Dies at 77

Categories: News, Mattapoisett

Famed mystery writer and former Mattapoisett resident Robert B. Parker died at his desk in Cambridge, Ma. from natural causes, on January 18, 2010.

Mr. Parker was most well-known for creating the witty, no-nonsense Boston private eye named Spenser. The “Spenser” series of crime novels was later adapted into a popular ABC show named “Spenser: for Hire” from 1985 to 1988, starring Robert Urich.

Spanning thirty-eight novels, Spenser was one of Mr. Parker’s most popular series, but it was just one of many characters that he developed. Other character series included the Jesse Stone series, the Philip Marlowe series, and several other novels ranging from westerns to epic stories. Mr. Parker also created a character named Sunny Randall as a request from Hollywood actress Helen Hunt, who wanted to be able to play a role in a Parker mystery. Although the character never spun off into a movie, it still created another mystery popular series. In all, Mr. Parker produced over fifty novels in his lifetime, proving that he wasn’t just a popular writer, but a prolific one, too.

Although Mr. Parker was born in Springfield, Ma., he spent a great deal of time in Mattapoisett as a child, and attended Center School. His novels include details from the Tri-Town, showing that the six years he spent in Mattapoisett as a child had a deep impact on his creative process.

Mr. Parker visited Mattapoisett in 2005 for a book signing at the Mattapoisett Free Public Library and attended an assembly at the Center School, from which he graduated in 1947. When Kenneth Souza interviewed Mr. Parker for The Wanderer in 2005, Mr. Parker remarked on how little Mattapoisett had physically changed in the 50 years since he lived there. “Even though I only spent 6 of my seventy-two years [in Mattapoisett],” said Mr. Parker, “it always seemed to me the place where I grew up. I remember it well ... and I came back… for a reunion with the Center School group and the town has not changed much.”

Besides being a writer and professor during his career, Mr. Parker also formed a Boston-area independent film company named Pearl Productions with his wife Joan. Twice in his lifetime, Mr. Parker won the coveted Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America, and in 2008, received a Gumshoe Lifetime Achievement award from Mystery Ink magazine.

Mr. Parker is survived by his wife Joan Parker, and his sons Daniel and David Parker.

By Anne O’Brien-Kakley

 

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11:50:48 pm Coyotes Attack Mattapoisett Dog

Categories: Mattapoisett

A miniature Schnauzer named Stella is lucky to be alive after a pack of hungry coyotes attacked her on January 4, 2010, near Knollwood Drive in Mattapoisett.

Stella’s owners, Kristen and Christopher Querim, described the scene that nearly resulted in their family pet’s death as “absolutely horrific”. After letting Stella out to go to the bathroom at 8:00 pm, Ms. Querim said that they faintly heard crying coming from the yard. That’s when they realized that Stella was in trouble.

The family, including 11-year-old Matthew Querim, went outside saw that their dog was fighting with at least two coyotes at the edge of the woods. The Querim family stood in the cold dark and made a commotion in an attempt to intimidate the coyotes and get them to release Stella.

The screaming and yelling worked, and Stella came out of the woods, but she was badly injured. Lacerations on her hindquarters and injuries to her legs indicated that one coyote attempted to incapacitate her while the other coyote viciously attacked her, piercing her throat. Several puncture wounds on Stella’s neck just narrowly avoided her jugular vein, which spared the dog’s life.

While Ms. Querim stayed behind with her younger son, Matthew and his father took Stella to an emergency vet trip, where she was treated with sutures and a drainage tube. The veterinarian’s office confirmed that the dog was lucky to be alive.

Unfortunately, the chaotic scene left young Matthew covered in Stella’s blood and saliva, which means that he will have to undergo a month’s worth of painful rabies injections, just in case the animals were rabid. According to Ms. Querim, this is a preventative measure and the coyotes were likely not rabid, since they were acting exactly like hungry coyotes would.

Typically, a coyote will stay away from places where humans dwell, and they can be easily scared by loud noises. According to the Massachusetts Department of Wildlife website, coyotes are scavengers that will occasionally attack family pets. This is more likely to happen in winter when food is scarce. Coyotes are a protected species, and can only be removed when it can be proven that they are “habituated,” which means that they are more aggressive and no longer afraid of people. Even then, residents have to call the Animal Control Officer (ACO) to have threatening coyotes removed.

Mattapoisett ACO Kathy Massey was unaware of the attack until a week later. She was “appalled” that the vet’s office didn’t contact her in regards to the attack, since by law Stella was supposed to undergo quarantine and observation for a minimum of 45 days, even if she was up-to-date with her rabies shots. The only way a pet can legally return to their home after an attack is if the wild animal is caught and tests negative for rabies. Officer Massey said that coyotes will always be present and residents have to “learn to live with them.”

Marion ACO Susan Connor agreed with Officer Massey, and said that coyotes are a permanent threat to family pets, especially since leg-trapping has been banned.

For the Querims, they just want their ordeal to be a cautionary tale to Tri-Town residents. They encourage others to keep an eye out for coyotes and to never let pets or children out of sight, especially after sunset. They also warn residents to not leave dogs on “leads” out in the yard, because that makes the dog defenseless. The Massachusetts Department of Wildlife also encourages residents to make their garbage inaccessible, and to seal off crawl spaces around the yard where coyotes can roost.

Residents who do experience problems with coyotes should contact their ACO. In Mattapoisett: ACO Kathy Massey at 508-758-4100 ext. 202; in Marion, ACO Susan Connor at 508-748-1212; and in Rochester, ACO Anne Estabrook at 508-763-5112.

By Anne O’Brien-Kakley

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11:38:14 pm Mattapoisett Considers Agricultural Commission

Categories: Mattapoisett

A scheduled meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen was called to order by Chairman Jordan C. Collyer on January 12, 2010, at 7:00 pm. Also in attendance were Selectmen Paul A. Silva and George Randall, Town Administrator Michael Gagne’, and Assistant to the Town Administrator Melody Pacheco.

First on the agenda, the Board approved the minutes of the December 22, 2009 meeting.

Michele Bernier, a resident of Pearl Street, was appointed a member of the Historical Commission. Ms. Bernier will be filling the vacancy left by the resignation of Commission member Edith Milott.

The Board also voted to appoint three new members to the fire department: Kyle Martin, Hunter Urion, and Todd Henshaw.

In a special report from Mr. Gagne’, the Board was informed that due to “ambiguous” information made available to the public, the public will be able to sign-up for dingy space until January 19, 2010, at 3:30 pm at the Town Clerk’s office in the Town Hall. According to Town Clerk Barbara Sullivan, 19 people have signed up so far. Mr. Gagne’ thinks that if the application is posted clearly on the virtual Town Hall website (www.Mattapoisett.net), they will have completed the due posting process.

In Notes and Announcements, Ms. Pacheco informed the Board that:

• The next Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen meeting will be Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall Conference Room.

• The Tri-Town Selectmen’s meeting will be held on Thursday, January 21 at 7:00 pm in the ORR Media Room.

• Burning permits will be available from January 15 to April 30. Interested residents should call the Fire Department at 508-758-4150 for more information.

• The Town Hall will be closed to the public on Monday, January 18, in observance of Martin Luther King Day.

In the Town Administrator’s report, Mr. Gagne’ informed the Board that he and Ms. Pacheco would be attending the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association (MIIA) seminar in Plymouth on January 14. The subject of the presentation will be “Managing with Less”. Mr. Gagne’ said that MIIA seminars “work well. I have found them to be excellent… this will be a really good round table discussion with other communities.” Mr. Gagne’ hopes to learn more cost-saving measures for the Town from the seminar.

Mr. Gagne’ also gave an update on the Agricultural Commission. According to Mr. Gagne’, there are several people interested in the Commission, and he hopes that an informational meeting, along with collaboration with the Massachusetts Agricultural Commission, they can gather support for an AgCom from Mattapoisett residents, who would vote at Annual Town Meeting to form the Commission. The role of an AgCom is to promote agriculture, and support farmers. Mr. Gagne’ said that he worked with an AgCom in Dartmouth and that he “can’t say enough good things about it.” Mr. Gagne’ hopes that one of the results of an AgCom would be a thriving Mattapoisett Farmers’ Market this summer.

In an update on the proposed Geothermal heating system for the Town Hall, Mr. Gagne’ told the Board that technicians were scheduled to measure and evaluate the rooms on January 13. These technicians would put together a cost analysis and technical information for the Town to use in applying for a grant from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative. Efficient geothermal heating systems, which use earth elements as an energy source, have the best investment recapture of all HVAC systems.

Mr. Gagne’ informed the Board that by using a bidding process on everything from janitorial and office supplies to diesel and legal counsel, the Town has been saving money. They are looking into further savings with possible bidding on curbside trash pick-up.

In Correspondence, the Board received their annual notification from the Division of Marine Fisheries that the following areas are now open to shellfishing: Shining Tides, from January 1 to May 31; Town Landing from January 1 to March 31; and Hiller Cove Beach from January 1 to April 30. The Town Website has detailed maps of the areas that are currently open to shellfishing.

There being no more public business to attend to, the Board voted to go into executive session at 7:31 pm for the purpose of collective bargaining.

By Anne O’Brien-Kakley

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11:35:55 pm Mattapoisett Will Race to the Top

Categories: Mattapoisett

A regular meeting of the Mattapoisett School Committee was called to order by Chairman Grace Knox at 7:03 pm on Monday, January 11, 2010 at the Center School Cafeteria. Also in attendance were committee members Ginny Beams, Joyce LaVoie, Charles Motta, Vice Chairman Jerry Johnson, Old Hammondtown School Principal Matt D’Andrea, Center School Principal Rose Bowman and Superintendant Dr. Bill Cooper.

This meeting marked the last Mattapoisett School Committee meeting for Dr. Cooper, who will be retiring shortly. His replacement, Doug White, was on hand at the meeting observing. Chairman Knox thanked Dr. Cooper for his “tireless dedication to our schools and to our children.”

In the past few months, Dr. Cooper spoke several times at Mattapoisett School Committee Meetings of trying to get an H1N1 flu vaccine clinic at one of the schools. In the month of November, roughly sixteen percent of student population in the district was affected by the H1N1 flu. Dr. Cooper stated that on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 in the ORRJHS auditorium, “a clinic will finally be held,” for all Marion and Mattapoisett residents eighteen and older.

“A lot of people have said that they have been convinced the H1N1 threat has gone away,” said Dr. Cooper. “I haven’t been convinced of such and I think a clinic is still necessary.”

In the Principal’s Report, Principal D’Andrea spoke of the successful staff versus student basketball game that took place on Friday, December 11, 2009. The staff won with a last second jump shot and money was raised for the St. Vincent DePaul charity.

An Old Hammondtown Drama Club will be beginning soon with a performance scheduled for April and a Yearbook Club will be beginning soon as well. A yearbook was published last year by parents and hopefully more students will be involved this year. The school will be hosting activities during its “TV Turnoff Week,” which is scheduled for the week of April 12. April 13 will be an activities night and several other festivities will occur as well.

Nineteen ORRJHS tutors will be offering after-school help in the near future. The nineteen students are National Honor Society students and are fulfilling their volunteer requirement necessary to join the NHS.

Center School Principal Rose Bowman noted that the new art teacher, Greta Anderson, has been fitting in nicely at the school, as she began at the beginning of 2010. Ms. Anderson was a student teacher at Center School and Old Hammondtown in 2005. Principal Bowman also noted that on Monday, January 25, progress reports will be sent home. She said she was amazed at the nearly 600 people that showed up for the holiday concert that took place on Wednesday, December 23.

The Committee voted in favor of Chairman Knox signing the application for the Race to the Top Grant. In order for the application to go through, the superintendent, the teacher’s union leader, as well as the School Committee leader (Ms. Knox) all need to sign. Teacher Kevin Tavares said that a teacher’s union vote would be taken at 3:20 pm on Tuesday, January 12. The signatures were needed in two days time from the meeting on Wednesday, January 13, 2010.

If the grant is issued, the state of Massachusetts would get approximately $250 million over a period of four years. Half of that would go to schools using the Title 1 formula that applied for the grant. The other half would go to the state to develop resources, provide services directly and make targeted grants.

The meeting was adjourned by Chairman Knox at 8:25 pm. An executive session was held after the meeting. The next Mattapoisett School Committee Meeting will be held on Monday, February 8, 2010 at 7:00 pm at Center School. A Joint School Committee Meeting will take place on Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 7:00 pm at the School Committee Conference Room in the Superintendant’s Office at the high school.

By Adam T. Silva

 

 

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11:51:17 pm Mattapoisett Museum Receives Gift

Categories: Mattapoisett

A regular meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen was called to order by Chairman Jordan C. Collyer on December 22, 2009 at 7:00 pm. Also in attendance were Selectmen Paul A. Silva and George Randall, Town Administrator Michael Gagne’, and Assistant to the Town Administrator Melody Pacheco.

The Board approved the minutes of the December 8 meeting, both open and executive session.

The Board received a request from Town Treasurer/Collector Brenda Herbeck for account authorization at Bristol County Savings Bank. The request was approved.

A warrant for the State Election for January 19, 2010 was signed by the Board.

In a budget preparation update for FY11, Mr. Gagne’ informed the Board that they have received budgets from all the town agencies. He has been in touch with Dr. William Cooper, Superintendent of Old Rochester Regional schools, and will receive the school budget soon. Mr. Gagne’ said that the budget process was “going along [well]. Things are right on schedule.” Mr. Gagne’ said that there will be a “first glimpse” of the budget in the third week of January.

In the first appointment of the evening, the Board conducted a hearing for an “All-Alcohol” license transfer from Cathay Temple to Ying Dynasty II at 24 County Road. Selectman Silva read the legal notice as it appeared in The Wanderer. No one was present at the meeting to contest the transfer.

Mr. Ying, who has operated a South Dartmouth restaurant with a full liquor license for 9 years, was present with his lawyer to discuss his application for the license transfer.

“This Board takes very seriously the issue of underage drinking,” said Chairman Collyer, who wanted to make sure that the owner would train wait-staff to follow all laws in regards to illegal drinking and fraudulent IDs. He said that there was only one time that a Mattapoisett liquor license was revoked, and that was for a previous restaurant at the same location as the Ying Dynasty II. If any alcohol laws are violated, Chairman Collyer warned: “the Board will take firm action.”

Since there were no comments from the public, the transfer was approved and signed by the Board. Chairman Collyer welcomed Mr. Ying to town and said he looked forward to Ying Dynasty opening.

The next appointment of the evening was with Seth Mendell of the Mattapoisett Historical Society. Mr. Mendell said that he had an “exciting announcement,” not just for the Mattapoisett Museum and Carriage House, but for the entire Town of Mattapoisett. According to Mr. Mendell, Polly Phipps of 20 Water Street has donated a large 6 by 16 foot Clifford Ashley mural to the Museum.

Clifford Ashley was a renowned Southcoast artist at the turn of the 20^th Century and was known for his paintings that depicted the area’s rich maritime past. The mural, which hung on a sloped ceiling at 20 Water Street for 90 years, was carefully removed and will be restored. It depicts the “whaling coast of 1810,” and shows the Southcoast from Connecticut River to Cape Cod and the Islands. After restoration, it will hang in the Museum.

“The amazing thing is that is went through 3 hurricanes… it weathered all three storms,” said Mr. Mendell. “This is the largest single work that Clifford Ashley ever did.”

The restoration will cost some money, but Mr. Mendell said, “I think we can raise the necessary money to put it up…it’s gonna [sic] knock your socks off.”

Mr. Mendell expressed “many thanks” to Ms. Phipps, and the Board thanked Mr. Mendell for the presentation.

Susan Nilson gave the Board a 25 percent design presentation of the proposed Bike Path that will run from Mattapoisett Neck Road to Depot Street. Bike Path Committee Chairman Steve Kelliher, who has worked with Ms. Nilson and CLE engineering, was not present for the 25% design update.

Ms. Nilson said that they are still working on ways to build the bike path through a salt marsh in a way that won’t upset the wildlife, and that they are looking to use 2 by 12 foot roll-out mats for the Barrier Beach section of the path. Massachusetts Highway wants to make sure that the easements have all been fulfilled, and wants improvements on parking definition at the Reservation Road site.

“We have a complete submission as much as we can have,” said Ms. Nilson, who wants to let the Bike Path Committee look at the plans before officially submitting them in early January. Comments on the plan will be coordinated through Mr. Gagne’, and discussion with the Board will continue after the holiday.

Selectman Randall took a moment to remind residents that it is their responsibility to shovel out their mailboxes after snow storms if they want to receive their mail. Chairman Collyer thanked Highway Surveyor Barry Dunham for clearing the roads after the December 20 nor’easter. “Compared to a lot of towns around us, we looked pretty darn good,” said Chairman Collyer.

Mr. Denham, who was present at the meeting, took the opportunity to thank his staff and the water department for all their help in clearing the roads.

Selectman Silva said he hoped that “everyone has a wonderful holiday” and Chairman Collyer wished “Happy Holidays and a Prosperous New Year” to Mattapoisett residents before adjourning the meeting at 7:50 pm.

By Anne O’Brien-Kakley

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10:35:54 pm Pine Island Subdivision Proposed

Categories: Mattapoisett

A regular meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board was called to order on December 21 by Chairman Thomas Tucker at 7:32 pm. Also in attendance were Planning Board members John Mathieu, Robert McNamara, Karen Field, and Planning Board secretary Tammy Ferreira.

There were no scheduled hearings for the night, but the Board did receive a presentation on a proposed subdivision on a plot south of 2 Pine Island Road. Dave Davignon from Schneider and Associates represented Tim and Greta Fox, owners of the property, who hope to create 3 new lots from their 7-acre parcel of land. There is currently one existing structure that has enough frontage to allow a private roadway down to a common driveway for two buildable lots on a cul-de-sac. The plans did not include any building on the third subdivided lot. The existing home at the entrance of the easement, which is a two-family, would remain as is.

“We are here tonight preliminarily, to get the project going, [and] to discuss it,” said Mr. Davignon.

The new lots, which would be about 780 feet from the street, would have septic tanks further up the common driveway, and these tanks would be the required 100 feet from the wetlands. The septic system would be designed to allow for eventual tie-in to a sewer, if sewer lines are ever run down the street. The two new homes would receive town water.

The wetlands have been surveyed, and the sewer “perc” test has been passed. The proposed common driveway would pass over a small stream with a slight elevation in the road.

The Board was mainly concerned that the circumference of the proposed cul-de-sac may not be large enough for emergency vehicles. “As long as the fire department is okay with it,” said Mr. Mathieu in regards to the proposed roadway.

The roadway in front of the proposed homes would include gravel. “If it is gravel, who’s responsibility is it to maintain [it]?” asked Ms. Field.

Mr. Davignon said that the roadway upkeep would be shared among the owners of the two homes. The roadway maintenance could be drafted into the sale of the homes.

Since the proposal was only presented to the Board for informational purposes, Mr. Davignon plans to gain feedback from Fire Chief Andrew Murray, Police Chief Mary Lyons, Barry Denham and possibly the Conservation Commission before going forward with a formal hearing.

“I imagine you’ll get a lot of neighborhood interest,” said Mr. Mathieu. The hearing would most likely be in early March to allow proper time for a public hearing advertisement.

After approving the minutes of the December 7 meeting, the Board voted to adjourn at 8:10 pm.

By Anne O’Brien-Kakley

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10:31:14 pm Mattapoisett School Committee - December 14, 2009

Categories: Mattapoisett

A regular meeting of the Mattapoisett School Committee meeting was called to order by Chairperson Grace Knox on December 14, 2009 at 7:00 in the Center School cafeteria. Also in attendance were Committee members Gerald Johnson, Virginia Beams, Charles Motta, and Joyce Lavoie, Superintendent William Cooper, Director of Student Services Teresa Hamm, School Business Administrator Kathleen Isernio, and Principals Matt D’Andrea and Rosemary Bowman.

The Committee rearranged the agenda slightly to accommodate two representatives with fundraising proposals; the first was Lisa MacKenzie with a proposal for a 50/50 raffle for Project GROW’s upcoming Toe Jam Puppet Band event at the Center school, and the second was Sue Kvilhaug with the Parent/Teacher Association (PTA). Ms. Kvilhaug presented a fundraiser idea involving a “Calendar Raffle” where ticket-buyers have the chance to win donated prizes throughout the month of January, and a personalized notepad sale. Since all of these fundraisers were new to the schools, they sought the Committee’s approval to proceed. The Committee voted to approve the fundraisers.

In the Chairperson’s report, Chairperson Knox acknowledged the contributions of Steve Shiraka, who maintained the schools in the Old Rochester Regional district and passed away suddenly since the last Mattapoisett School Committee meeting. “He will surely be missed,” said Chairperson Knox.

Chairperson Knox also gave the official start date for Superintendent Douglas White, which will be February 1, but Mr. White will spend time getting to know the schools in the district throughout January.

In the Superintendent’s report, Dr. Cooper said that the flu was “in a lull,” and absenteeism was not as high as it has been. “I am told that this flu is not finished. The advice is to take advantage of clinics,” said Dr. Cooper, since winter may bring a resurgence of the H1N1.

Dr. Cooper also said that there was a scheduled meeting with the Department of Education called “Race to the Top” on December 16. The meeting concerned a federal initiative for state and qualified districts in the subject of curriculum and testing. “This is a challenging protocol that relies more on standardized tests, so it will be controversial, but there is a great deal of money attached to it,” Dr. Cooper said.

Dr. Cooper said that he had spent the day working on budgets for FY11, and was getting ready to send drafts of the budgets to the financial subcommittees. Two scenarios are being prepared: one, with no changes in services, which would have a projected 6% increase, and one with cuts, which would have a 2% increase. Since FY10 was largely dependant on ARRA money, FY11 will prove to be more difficult, financially speaking, since there is no relief from ARRA.

In the Principal’s Reports, Matt D’Andrea said that the Charity Basketball night at Old Hammondtown School (OHS) went well, and 450 non-perishable items went to St. Vincent DePaul’s, along with some monetary donations.

Teachers had “Study Island” which was an online training program for a Math and ELA (English, Language, Arts) initiative. Enrichment classes are over, but a new round of enrichment classes will be starting after the holiday break. Student Council is up and running, and starting to implement the ideas they got from the “Rachel’s Challenge” presentation.

Rosemary Bowman, Principal of the Center School, said that December 7 report cards went home and symbolized the year being one-third over.

Students at the Center School will be performing “Melton, the Warm-Hearted Snowman” on Wednesday, December 23, at 9:30 am in the Center School Gymnasium. “Mrs. Dowling has been working very hard on that,” Ms. Bowman said.

Ms. Bowman announced the new art teacher, Greta Anderson, a teacher who also completed some student teaching in Mattapoisett. “We’re delighted,” Ms. Bowman said.

Ms. Bowman is also looking into the cost of installing some swings at the Center School playground with money raised and donated by the Gannon family. She said that she is looking at prices and taking into consideration the ongoing need for woodchips if they install swings, but she thinks the addition would benefit the whole community.

The Committee approved the minutes of the November 9, 2009 meeting.

In her Financial Report, Ms. Isernio remarked that “everyone has been really conservative” with their spending, which is important with the financial crunch facing the schools. A “catastrophe was averted” at OHS, according to Ms. Isernio. A septic pump at the school failed and the alarm to alert the failure didn’t sound. The tank filled up, and was caught just in time, and the school is working on just one pump until a more permanent solution is sought.

Ms. Isernio needed one transfer of $90 from general supply to music so the piano could be tuned for the school holiday concert. The transfer was approved.

Teresa Hamm presented a Therapeutic In-School Program proposal, where 3 students with “very high needs” from Mattapoisett, Marion, and Rochester would benefit from an in-district program with the Walker Partnership. This could make the district appealing to other districts to “tuition-in” students with similar needs, and would keep down the cost of transporting Tri-Town students to other schools. Dr. Cooper supported the measure, saying that the program “in time will be a cost-saving measure for the Tri-Town.”

Since some members of the Committee were just hearing about the In-School idea for the first time, and since Chairperson Knox suggested that they needed more financial and action plan information before approving, the item was tabled and will be discussed at the Joint Committee meeting on January 28.

Chairperson Knox then recused herself as Chairperson from the meeting while the Committee discussed HVAC issues, since her husband works in the HVAC industry. Vice-Chairperson Johnson assumed the role of Chairperson.

After a brief discussion on the need for someone to resume Mr. Shiraka’s work, the Committee approved $7,200 to hire a subcontractor, with Ms. LaVoie volunteering as a liaison in the subcontractor’s hire.

Chairperson Knox assumed her role again. In the Subcommittee updates, Ms. Beams informed the Committee that the ORR School Committee heard a School Improvement Plan and came up with the difference needed in the budget for FY10 by digging through line items, and Mr. Motta said that the Tri-Town Educational Committee has set goals, and plans on another “Taste of the Town” fundraiser.

The Committee voted to go into executive session at 8:50 pm for the purpose of negotiation strategy.

By Anne O’Brien-Kakley

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10:47:50 pm Road Race Committee Plans Anniversary

Categories: Mattapoisett

The 40^th annual Mattapoisett Road Race will be held this summer, 2010. The race has traditionally been held on the fourth of July, though this year the road race is planned for July 3 so it won’t interfere with church services. Every year, the racers gather in Mattapoisett and run for five miles through the Town.

 

Originally, the founders of this race, Bob and Doris Gardner, wanted to create an opportunity to raise money for the high school students at Old Rochester Regional High to pursue a college education. The idea to raise money while also revving up the locals to become physically fit appealed to the couple, as well as the Town.

Karen Manning, a long-time runner and one of the race’s representatives, explained, “a lot of people have dedicated their lives to this. I have been involved the last 7 or 8 years.” Ms. Manning, a Mattapoisett resident, said also that the race is a “positive way to give back to the community. It has been a really rewarding experience.”

Ms. Manning described the experience of running, and how important the spectators are since, “some people finish the race in thirty minutes and others in two hours. The people on the side lines clapping and cheering, and the kids with water make all the difference.”

Local merchants also have been incredibly involved in the race, and have generously made donations and become sponsors. The Town hosts a number of people from around the world during the race, and there is a general buzz while everyone gets ready for the day.

This past summer, the Mattapoisett Road Race donated all of its proceeds to the Old Rochester Regional High School as scholarships for the students. Runners from around the world joined in with the local runners to total one hundred and three participants. This number matches that of the 1980 race’s participants almost exactly (they had one hundred and four.)

In 1978, the eighth annual race, the previous record was beaten, and the winner was Brad Hurst, who came in at 25 minutes 41 seconds. He broke the record set before by Bill Mansulla, who finished with a time of 27 minutes and 37 seconds.

2009’s male winner, Patrick Callahan, age thirty-six from Needham, MA, had a time of 27 minutes and 32 seconds. Last year’s female winner Joann Mathews, age forty-three, from North Dartmouth, MA completed the race in 31 minutes, 34 seconds. Back in 1980, the male winner, Doug Olney of Mattapoisett (who began the race by dropping his keys ­– but continued on, nonetheless) had a similar time, which was 26 minutes and 51 seconds. Kelley Mc Sweeny won with a time of 30 minutes and 46 seconds the same year.

This year’s race promises to be an event worth attending-either as a runner and participant or as a spectator. This race has a full forty years worth of training, racing, and caring for the young generation. The ORR seniors it supports are about to take steps into the world, and this is a community-centered way to show that we care about their future.

In order to celebrate this anniversary properly, the Road Race committee is asking for past participants and friends to dig up any memorabilia, such as photographs, newspaper clippings and more to submit to Karen Manning. Ms. Manning can be reached at 508-758-9419. The Mattapoisett Road Race committee works hard all year, and anyone interested in volunteering is also encouraged to get in touch.

By Sarah K. Taylor

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12:07:22 am Mattapoisett Selectmen Meeting - November 24, 2009

Categories: Mattapoisett

A regular meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen was called to order by Chairman Jordan C. Collyer on November 24, 2009 at 7:00 pm. Also in attendance were Selectmen Paul A. Silva and George Randall, Town Administrator Michael Gagne', and Assistant to the Town Administrator Melody Pacheco.

The minutes of the November 10 meeting, both open and executive session, were approved.

The Board voted to appoint Jeffrey P. Sanders of 12 Fairview Drive as a new member to the Mattapoisett Housing Partnership. Mr. Sanders is a graduate of the ORR school system, and after law school, returned to Mattapoisett and currently practices law in New Bedford.

The Board then voted to increase the Town's liquor license filing fee from $50 to $100, and voted to make the applicant responsible for the cost of legal advertisement of liquor hearings.

The first appointment of the evening was with Randall Kunz, retired Rochester Town Planner. Mr. Kunz wished to introduce himself to the Board formally. Mr. Kunz will be the town's Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD) representative and will also take over the role as representative at SouthCoast Rail.

"I want to make sure that I am representing the town," said Mr. Kunz. "I am happy to serve."

In the next scheduled meeting, Alan Decker represented the Coalition for Buzzard's Bay seeking the Board's support in written consent for the conservation restriction of 84 Long Plain Rd. The 21-acre parcel contains one property and only has about 1.5 acres in Mattapoisett, with the rest of the land being in Rochester. The property belongs to Linda and John Gurney, who are willing to forgo the possibilities of subdividing the property into 4 parcels in favor of donating a restriction to the Coalition and the Rochester Land Trust. Since the property has a sliver of frontage in Mattapoisett, they require permission from both Mattapoisett and Rochester before proceeding.

The land is desirable to the Coalition and the Rochester Land Trust because it abuts the Mattapoisett River Valley and watershed. The current owner may still have room to create one more buildable lot, but the rest will be conserved.

The Board voted to support this effort and signed the necessary paperwork. "On behalf of the Coalition for Buzzard's Bay, the Rochester Land Trust, and our sister group the Mattapoisett Land Trust, we thank you," said Mr. Decker.

Commander Michael Lamoureux came before the Board to read a letter of thanks from the Florence Eastman Post 280 American Legion to the Mattapoisett Police Department Color Guard at the November 11 Veteran's Day event at Old Hammondtown School.

Commander Lamoureux further expressed his appreciation of Officers Justin King and Scott LeBlanc's "high degree of professionalism" at the commencement of the program when a student holding a flag at the program suffered a medical emergency. The officers handled the situation swiftly and calmly, getting the medical assistance necessary, while still remaining at the event to complete their Color Guard duties. In his letter, Commander Lamoureux said, "We want you and all the town to be aware of the type of officers we are blessed to have watching out for us every day."

The Board then met with Highway Surveyor Barry Denham, who requested support from the Board in his Chapter 90 request for the purchase of new equipment. Chapter 90 funds are typically used to pave roads, but Mr. Denham was coming before the Board to request the use of Chapter 90 to purchase a machine coal planer. The requested equipment would be able to double as a mower with a different attachment in the warm season. "It will do a number of things besides planing," said Mr. Denham, who said that there is currently no machine in the Highway Department that can fit a coal planer attachment.

"We need to be as fiscally responsible as possible when we don't get that much Chapter 9 to start with," said Chairman Collyer. The Board wanted to know the benefit of purchasing equipment over renting. Mr. Denham said that renting fees were "astronomical" and that purchasing the equipment would actually be more cost-effective in the long run since it would lower paving costs per foot.

After running numbers, the Board determined that the town would actually save money, even in the short term, with the purchase of the equipment versus renting. Selectmen Silva said that his approval of the purchase would be contingent upon Mr. Denham's confirmation that the equipment wouldn't result in need for more manpower. Mr. Denham said that he would be able to run the equipment without extra hours.

The Board voted to approve the Chapter 90 request.

In Selectmen discussion items, the Board received a letter from Attorney Jan Dabrowski stating that the current owner of the land in the area of Mattapoisett Neck Road will not consent to letting the town use the property for bike path parking. Mr. Gagne' suggested putting the item under old business and asking Mr. Kunz for his opinion in ways that they could seeking parking elsewhere.

In Notes and Announcements, Ms. Pacheco informed the Board that:

* The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen will take place on Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall.

* The Town of Mattapoisett will be sponsoring their 4th annual "Village Stroll and Holiday in the Park" on Saturday, December 5 from 11:00 to 1:00 pm at Shipyard Park. Santa will arrive with his friends at around 11:30 am and the Town will collect gifts to help the needy children of Mattapoisett that day.

* New winter hours for the transfer station will begin on the week of November 30. The new hours are: Thursday and Friday from 9:00 to 3:00 pm and Saturdays from 8:00 to 3:00 pm.

* The Town Hall will be closed on Thanksgiving and Friday, November 27.

In the Town Administrator's report, Mr. Gagne' informed the Board that the Annual Town Meeting will take place on Monday, May 10, and if necessary, will continue on May 11 and 12. The deadline for submission of articles is February 1 for proper review.

Mr. Gagne' also presented the Board with a snow closure/delay policy, which was developed with town department heads. In the event of snow a "calling tree" will be used to inform town employees of closure. The Board voted to approve this policy.

Chairman Collyer wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and encouraged safe travels.

There being no more business, the Board voted to adjourn at 8:30 pm.

By Anne O'Brien-Kakley

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12:03:21 am Mattapoisett Planning Board - November 16, 2009

Categories: Mattapoisett

A regular meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board was called to order by Chairman Thomas Tucker on November 16, 2009 at 7:30 pm. Also in attendance were Planning Board members John Mathieu, Robert McNamara, and Karen Field, and Secretary Tammy Ferreira.

The minutes of the October 19 meeting were approved.

The only hearing of the evening was scheduled to be with Joseph Battistelli of 4 Tallman Street. Since Mr. Battistelli passed away suddenly last week, a representative from Thompson Farland Engineering, Marinus Vanderpol, presented the Battistelli case.

Mr. Battistelli planned to add square footage from a different lot that he owned on Tallman Street to create a new, buildable lot for selling. Mr. Vanderpol went forward with presenting to the Board a map of what the new lot will look like, showing that it would comply with the frontage rule of 150 feet.

The Board’s only concern was the wording of the street in the map, which referred to it as “Tallman Road” instead of “Tallman Street”. Mr. Vanderpol said that this would be changed in the necessary paperwork.

The Board voted to approve the addition of square feet and will await paperwork from Thompson Farland and the Battistelli attorneys.

David McIntyre Jr. came before the Board with a map of the North Woods subdivision of North Street. He presented a 35-acre lot behind a group of houses in the subdivision at the end of a cul-de-sac in the area of Deer Run Road.

Mr. McIntyre is interested in building one house on a non-conforming 80,000 sq. ft. lot with the rest of the land being preserved by the Coalition for Buzzard’s Bay. According to Mr. McIntyre, the Coalition is “aggressively” seeking the terrain because it is close to a prime river in Mattapoisett.

Although the lot would not meet the “new” frontage rule, it would be grandfathered in to the prior frontage rule, thereby allowing the development of one house on the lot.

“I don’t see a problem with it whatsoever,” Chairman Tucker said, “as long as the 80,000 square feet stays one lot.”

There being no more business to attend to, the Board voted to adjourn at 7:45 pm.

By Anne O’Brien-Kakley

 

 

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12:03:16 am Antique Chest Returns to Mattapoisett

Categories: Mattapoisett

Recently, Historical Society President, Seth Mendell and his wife Alice, drove to State College, PA in a pick-up truck to get a large nine-drawer chest that had been made in Mattapoisett nearly a century ago. Beth Mills, for whom the chest was made, passed away a year ago and it was her wish that the chest be placed in the Mattapoisett museum.

The Story Behind the Chest:

Charles Johnson was a cabinet-maker and undertaker in Mattapoisett in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. These two trades often went hand-in-hand as many undertakers made the coffins they used in their business. He was married to Ellen Elizabeth Nelson and in 1881, they welcomed the birth of a son, Charles Jr. The boy followed in the footsteps of his father and studied to be a licensed undertaker. He also received certification as a manual arts teacher from Columbia University.

Charles Jr. married Louise Loughlin in 1907 and the two Johnson families lived together in Mattapoisett on South Main Street in #12, a two-story house across the street from Eel Pond. In the early 1800’s, the ground floor opened to the street as it does today, and housed a tavern. Charles Jr. worked with his father in the undertaking business. In August, 1908, Louise gave birth to a daughter, Elizabeth (Beth). For the first eight years of her life, Beth lived with her parents and grandparents in the house on Main Street. She remembers practicing piano in the downstairs room. which served as a common room for the two families. In the winters, they would sit around the fireplace and her grandfather, Charles Sr., would tell stories about his experiences as an undertaker. One time, the bottom fell out of the casket as it was being carried down the church aisle. Grandfather had a very thick beard and when he had it trimmed, Beth would say, “Grandpa got his mouth cut out.”

In 1916, her parents moved into a home of their own in the center of the village (possibly on either Mechanic or Barstow Streets). Beth’s bedroom in the new home was sparsely furnished and her grandfather, Charles Johnson Sr., made her a very special large chest of drawers out of pine and mahogany. It was beautiful and stood taller than she was. Beth kept the chest with her throughout her life. For a period of time, the chest resided in a mobile home as she and her first husband lived in Florida, dividing their time between a trailer and a boat. The hot and humid Florida weather destroyed the original finish. However, when Beth married her second husband Bill Mills in 1984, and settled in State College, PA, an Amish furniture restorer made her beloved chest look as good as new.

Beth was ninety-nine when she passed away in 2008 and her good friends John and Caroline Belloti contacted the Mattapoisett Historical Society. Three years earlier, the Belloti’s had brought Beth to Mattapoisett and after talking with Curator Bette Roberts, decided the museum would be just the place for the chest, just around the corner from where it had been built nearly 100 years ago.

Elizabeth (Beth) Mills’ life was interesting. She attended Center School in Mattapoisett and after graduating from high school, earned a degree in Home Economics at Simmons College in 1930. She interned at Mass. General Hospital in Boston as a hospital dietician and then worked in that capacity at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford.

Beth married Edward Hines in 1936 and until 1945, the couple lived in Mattapoisett. Ed Hines worked in Providence, RI, and Beth was in charge of the kitchen and house-keeping at Tabor Academy in Marion for nine years. Following WWII, she and Ed lived in Virginia, Maryland, Alabama and Florida. Beth worked as a hospital dietician wherever Ed’s work took them. In Huntsville, AL, Beth learned to read Braille so she could teach the blind patients. Edward Hines died in 1982.

Beth married for a second time two years later to Wilford (Bill) Mills in Palmetto, Florida. Bill was a long-time resident of State College, PA and they split their time between the two homes. In State College, Beth joined the University Baptist and Brethren Church where Bill was a member. It was through the church that Beth met the Belloti’s, who watched over her in the final years of her life following the death of Bill Mills in 2002.

By Seth Mendell

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11:46:07 pm Mattapoisett Selectmen Meeting - November 10, 2009

Categories: Mattapoisett

 

A regular meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen was called to order by Chairman Jordan C. Collyer on November 10, 2009 at 7:00 pm. Also in attendance were Selectmen George Randall and Paul A. Silva, Town Administrator Michael Gagne', and Assistant to the Town Administrator Melody Pacheco.

In the first of the action items, the minutes of the October 27 meeting were approved.

The Board voted to sign all liquor and miscellaneous licenses. The new fee schedule can be found on the Town of Mattapoisett website, the "Virtual Town Hall", under the "fee schedule" heading. The Board also voted to change the manager for the Reservation Golf Club.

Randall H. Kunz of 45 Water Street was appointed as the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD) alternate and as the Town's representative to the South Coast Rail Economic Development  and Land Use Corridor Plan. Mr. Kunz retired from his position as Town Planner in Rochester in October.

The Board voted to sign a primary Warrant for the Town Clerk, for the December 8 Massachusetts Primary.

A new paving agreement was approved and signed by the Board. The paving will take place in the area of the Town Wharf from the Public Access Board. This work will come from an already existing waterfront fund and could possibly "solve ponding and draining issues", according to Chairman Collyer. Harbormaster Steven Mach was present to emphasize the importance of this project. If further funds are needed beyond the money already budgeted, then the Board will take the request for additional funding to Annual Town Meeting.

The Board received correspondence from Edith Milott, who is retiring from her position on the Mattapoisett Historical Commission. "She has been a very vocal member for twelve years. She should be recognized," Chairman Collyer noted, and Ms. Pacheco said that she would send a letter of thanks to Ms. Milott.

The first appointment of the evening was with the Marine Advisory Board, who presented the Board of Selectmen was a list of new short wharf rules and regulations. Mr. Gagne' noted that the new rules and regulations had been posted for "quite some time". The Board voted to approve the new rules and regulations. According to Mr. Mach, "if you currently have a dingy in a skiff space, you have until July 1 to get a skiff or transfer to the skiff list." The minimum size for the skiff space is a boat thirty feet in length with a beam of ten feet, not to exceed 12 feet.

While the Marine Advisory Board was present, Selectman Randall took the opportunity to praise them for the new pier. "I walked that pier this morning. You guys should be congratulated. It's nice," said Selectman Randall.

Mr. Mach also brought a letter from Assistant Harbormaster Milton Heuberger requesting an unpaid leave of absence until April 15. The Board approved this request.

In a second appointment, Cindy Johnson came before the Board to discuss using the Town of Mattapoisett's Flag for the day of funerals for town officials and employees. Ms. Johnson had called Town Hall looking for the Town Flag to be lowered in honor of teacher Bill Spark who recently passed away, and found out that there is currently no protocol for lowering the flag to half-staff in recognition of town officials and employees. "I think it's very important to honor those who have served our town," Ms. Johnson said. Chairman Collyer confirmed that the Board had spoken about this back in April, and Mr. Gagne' confirmed that this is regular practice in some towns. The Board agreed that lowering the Town Flag, particularly in a visible place like the police department on Route 6, would be a positive protocol to instate. No vote was needed, and the necessary departments will be informed of the new policy. Selectman Silva wanted to clarify that it would be up to the family and friends of the deceased to inform the Board of Selectman and Ms. Pacheco of the passing of a former town employee or official.

Upon suggestion from Ms. Pacheco, the Board then recognized the passing of Reuben Wood, roadside produce vendor in Mattapoisett for years, with a moment of silence.

The Board voted to make Council on Aging van driver Richard Langhoff a "special municipal employee" in order to be fully in compliance with the Ethics Commission. Mr. Langhoff is a part-time driver for the COA, and his hours vary weekly between 2-13 hours.

In Notes and Announcements, Ms. Pacheco informed the Board that:

* The next Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall.

* The Town Hall would be closed on Wednesday, November 11, in celebration of Veteran's Day.

* Veteran's Day Exercises would be held at Old Hammondtown School on Wednesday, November 11 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.

* The next meeting of the Plymouth County Advisory Board will be Thursday, November 19 at the Duxbury Council on Aging in the Ellison Room at 7:00 pm. The Duxbury Council on Aging is located at 10 Mayflower Street in Duxbury.

* The flu vaccine is still in limited supply, but with the help of Public Health Nurse Amanda Stone and the Board of Health, the town will try to keep the public informed via the town website and ORCTV when the vaccine is available.

In the Town Administrator's report, Mr. Gagne' updated the Board on an energy grant for the Mattapoisett Police Station and the Town Hall. This energy grant would deal with Geo-thermal energy, which has a high energy-to-cost ratio and is looked favorably upon by the Department of Energy. Mr. Gagne' will keep the Board informed on the grant's progress.

Mr. Gagne' also suggested that the Board allow him to compile, based on a set of accepted standards, a goal-setting and performance evaluation policy manual for the review of all employees and departments under the Board of Selectmen, the Board of Health and the Board of Assessors. If the evaluation policy is approved by the BOS, it will be put on public display and necessary employees will be trained in the application of the policy. The Board met this initiative favorably. "If you don't tell a person what you expect of them, you can't review them," said Selectman Silva.

The tax cuts that Governor Devall presented to Massachusetts was "not good", according to Mr. Gagne'. The budget for Old Rochester Regional transportation will be cut 44%, and Old Colony Regional Technical Vocational High School will be similarly affected, in addition to other local cuts. "The general feeling is, unless revenue improves, we could be looking at additional cuts in January," Mr. Gagne' said.

Mr. Gagne showed pictures of the two signs that that Mattapoisett Police Brotherhood donated to the town. The attractive carved signs are similar in design to the Fairhaven town limits sign that recently went up, and these two new signs will be placed on the west and east sides of Mattapoisett Route 6. The Board expressed appreciation for the donation.

In the first correspondence, the Board heard from Larry Jarvis, a Mattapoisett resident who is "dissatisfied with the deterioration of service being provided by Comcast." Chairman Collyer agreed with Mr. Jarvis' assessment of Comcast service issues, saying: "We have the ability to contact Mary O'Keefe (Comcast Manager of Government and Community Relations) if we get enough complaints." Selectman Silva said that he has had no problem with his service. Mr. Gagne' suggested including Ms. O'Keefe in a BOS agenda after January 1 to discuss the matter in person with her.

There being no more public business, the Board voted to go into executive session at 8:37 pm to discuss the preparations for upcoming labor negotiations.

By Anne O'Brien-Kakley

 

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11:45:45 pm Mattapoisett School Committee - November 9, 2009

Categories: Mattapoisett

A regular meeting of the Mattapoisett School Committee was called to order at 7:06 pm by Chairman Grace Knox on Monday, November 9, 2009 at the Center School Cafeteria. Also in attendance were committee members Ginny Beams, Joyce LaVoie, Charles Motta, Vice Chairman Jerry Johnson, Old Hammondtown Principal Matt DiAndrea, Center School Principal Rose Bowman and Superintendent Dr. William Cooper.

The meeting began with a presentation by Mike Walsh from Ad Tech Technologies. Mr. Walsh presented multi-purpose white boards called Eno Boards that serve not only as the writing tool they are commonly used for in classrooms, but as a new form of technology that allows a computer screen to be displayed on it as well. The boards, which contain no wires and are made out of porcelain, allow the teacher or student to use an interactive pen to serve as the mouse. The teacher would also have the ability to access the board from anywhere in the room by using the pen on a mini-slate version of the board.

How the board works deals with its relationship with the interactive pen. The board basically has baked-in Braille that the pen reads. A magnetic toolbar which allows the user to erase, change fonts and colors and hundreds of other applications can be placed anywhere on the board or even off of it, as long as it is being touched by the pen. If the toolbar is missing, the user can pull up one on the screen.

Mr. Walsh lit a lighter and held it to the board to show that no harm could come to it. The boards have a lifetime warranty, including the guarantee that markers will not stain the board, a common problem with white boards. The interactive pen has a two-year warranty, which covers everything including physical damage. The Eno Boards come in two sizes; a six-foot diagonal board is $1,400 and an eight-foot diagonal board is $1,735.

Chairman Knox thanked Mattapoisett Police Officer Mitch Suzan for personally escorting the two lead candidates for the Superintendent's position to the school and giving them a personal tour of Mattapoisett. Mr. White, who will be the next Superintendent, is still negotiating a contract with the school and waiting on a start date. The latest he will begin the position will be mid-January.

Three financial matters came before the Board. $2,300 that was issued to OHS in an insurance settlement will be able to go to technology after it was originally supposed to be going towards replacing desks, and $50,000 will be going to Center School as a result of the rain leak. From the $750,000 that OHS received from insurance because of sprinklers going off last school year, $62,744.43 went to the legal fees from the settlement; Further, subtract $490,676.46 for the funds that the Town provided from the General Fund to get the School open and operational, which includes both work and legal costs, a total of $196,579.11 is left.

Superintendent Cooper brought up the issue of H1N1 and the massive amount of absent students, especially in the high school. He stated that the seasonal flu has not affected this area much at all and that "anyone with flu-like symptoms probably has some form of H1N1." He said the highest one day amount of absent students at the high school was 120 out of the roughly 700 students, although only 83 were absent on the Monday the meeting took place. He stated that the only real threat of schools being closed was if large numbers of the faculty were absent due to illness. Dr. Cooper said he is still hopeful that an early December H1N1 Flu Shot Clinic will take place.

OHS Principal Matthew DiAndrea announced that three teachers from Thailand had visited students in all three grades and it was a great learning experience. He also stated that the Rachel's Challenge Kickoff Program began, which tries to implement kindness and compassion in how students interact with each other. Center School Principal Rose Bowman also commented on the teachers from Thailand, as they taught the third graders to dance in their native style. Most impressively, she noted, was the fact that the boys had to partner up with the girls.

Principal DiAndrea asked the Board when he would be able to disperse the 19 computers that had been bought with the insurance money from the sprinkler incident. He was informed that he would be able to do so soon, and that most likely Special Ed teachers would be the first to receive them.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:08 pm. No Executive Session was held.

By Adam T. Silva

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01:16:51 pm Fire in Mattapoisett Destroys Camper

Categories: Mattapoisett

The Mattapoisett Fire Department responded to a fire involving a camper at 110 Marion Road at 5:30 pm on Wednesday, November 4. A shed and a truck on the scene were also damaged in the fire.

According to Chief Murray, the structures and vehicle were all clustered closely together in a remote area on the property and were fully involved on arrival, with the camper being completely consumed. Upon responding to the scene, Chief Murray removed two small propane tanks from the edge of the camper to prevent an explosion.

An electric heater in the camper is being looked into as the cause. The owner of the property had just purchased the camper three weeks ago. The Fairhaven Fire Department provided station coverage for Mattapoisett during the incident.

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12:22:45 pm House Arrives at Brant Beach

Categories: Marion, Mattapoisett

A 25-ton house, gifted from Rochester resident Greg Kamon to soon-to-be Mattapoisett resident Deborah Francoeur, sits on a barge at the end of Brant Beach on November 5, 2009 while workers from New England Harbor Services and Mike Reed Building Movers wait for 1:00 pm low tide to unload the house.

The house was moved from Wilbur’s Point in Fairhaven to a Fairhaven marina before being floated at high tide to the end of Brant Beach on November 5. From there, it will travel a short distance to its final destination on Brant Beach Ave.

Once N-Star arrives on the scene to ensure safety of utility lines, the house will then be hauled via truck to the 8,000 square foot lot that Ms. Francoeur purchased for $15,000. Ms. Francoeur followed the right avenues to have the plot deemed “buildable” after it was considered wetlands for years.

Photo by Paul Lopes

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11:43:34 pm Special Mattapoisett Town Meeting - November 2, 2009

Categories: Mattapoisett

The Special Mattapoisett Town Meeting was called to order by Town Moderator Jack Eklund at 7:00 pm on Monday, November 2, 2009. Also in attendance were Selectmen Jordan C. Collyer, Paul A. Silva, and George Randall, Town Administrator Michael Gagne', Town Clerk Barbara Sullivan, Town Accountant Suzanne Szyndlar, and Finance Committee members Gary Johnson, Pat Donahue, Dennis Perry, Richard Gamache, Judith Mooney, Donald Carlstorm, and John Clifford, and 194 Mattapoisett voters.

After the Pledge of Allegiance, Mr. Eklund asked all present to give a moment of silence to those Town Meeting members who have passed, particularly Blanche Perry who passed away recently. Mr. Eklund welcomed all present and introduced new Town Administrator Michael Gagne' to the Town.

Before delving into the first article, Mr. Eklund asked the voters to "please avoid personalities. All opinions deserve respect."

Article 1 on the Warrant was submitted by the Board of Selectmen and the Highway Surveyor, and asked voters for the maintenance of private roadways by the Highway Department with several restrictions. Among those restrictions are: roads repaired by the Town would remain private in ownership but be open in the future for public use, that the Town is released from any liability in property damage resulting from the repairs of these roads, and that grading work on the roads would be limited to twice annually.

The first article was the greatest source of debate for the evening, and despite confidence that Mr. Eklund could remain impartial on the topic, since he is a resident of a private road, he requested that former Town Moderator Don Fleming moderate the private roads article.

The first question came from Shirley Pearson, who was concerned that the article could allow the Town to make repairs to a private road without the request of the road residents, thereby making a road public without a request for road work. Chairman Selectman Collyer assured Ms. Pearson that the Highway Department would only make repairs if so requested by the road residents, and that private roads owners could still make repairs privately to maintain their complete private status if they chose. "We believe that what we are putting forward is the most vanilla bylaw as spelled out by Mass General Law," Chairman Collyer said.

Michael Jolliffe, a resident of a public road, asked what the bylaw's implications would be for snow removal. Chairman Collyer informed him that issues concerning snow removal would be placed on the April annual ballot. Snow removal was not to be addressed at the Special Town Meeting since the bylaw proposed by the Board of Selectmen and Highway Surveyor Barry Denham was really addressing the issue of grading and the legal use of private roads for school buses, ambulances, and other necessary services for residents.

"The issue many of you have, as I understand it, is the language of it," said Mr. Fleming. "It doesn't mean you can park on the road, it doesn't mean you can use the private beach. In many ways, it won't change anything."

Jeff Riley, a public road resident, was concerned about who was going to pay for the fuel needed to operate the town equipment, the town equipment upkeep, and the labor. He felt that the issue was being rushed and wanted a study committee to examine the full ramifications of allowing the Town to maintain private roads. Chairman Collyer told him that the proposed bylaw wasn't rushed, and that it's been on the table for 10 or 11 months, but that some of the roads need work in order to be plowable, and that is why there is a push to pass the bylaw, which can be addressed annually, at the Special Town Meeting.

"I think the citizens of this town always want to take care of their neighbor," Mr. Fleming said.

"I don't cherish to pit neighbor against neighbor," Mr. Riley responded. "But I knowingly bought my house on a public road. People on private roads knew what they were buying."

Patricia Aleks brought before Town Meeting an amendment to the article, to continue the status quo of maintenance on private roads, with the town maintenance ending on October 31 to give the private roads residents and associations time to decide what they would do about repairs and snow removal. Ms. Aleks' amendment was seconded, but ultimately thrown out because the amendment was not authorized by a statute and Mr. Fleming said that it would possibly bind further town meetings.

As the debate continued, several points of concern were addressed: private roads, although made public by town maintenance, would remain private in ownership and certain features, like speed bumps, would still be allowed. Private road residents would not be forced to buy materials from the town, but could purchase their own materials for grading as long as the materials were considered acceptable by the Highway Surveyor. The town would not be responsible for any damages made to private property in the road upkeep, and if a person were injured, such as a walker or cyclist, as the result of the road, the town would also not be liable.

Barry Denham spoke to the voters, and gave them an overview of his perspective as Highway Surveyor. There are 75 miles of road in Mattapoisett; 44 miles of those roads are public, and 30.5 are private. "If you decide tonight that you want me to work on private roads, then that is your order, but work on private roads takes from public [road work]," Mr. Denham said.

Jeff Riley stood again and motioned to table the article. The motion to table was voted down.

Kimberly Ward responded to comments made by Mr. Denham, and asked, since the town maintenance has ceased on private roads, what Mr. Denham has done with the extra man-hours. Ms. Ward has been an ongoing advocate for keeping status quo in the town's maintenance of private roads.

Joyce Almeida used Mr. Denham's information to advocate for Article 1. She thought if there are that many private road residents in Mattapoisett, then the appropriation of money for private road maintenance would be using tax payer money in a way that is beneficial to a large segment of the town.

Mr. Fleming ended discussion on the matter and asked for a vote to accept Article 1, which needed a simple majority vote. Article 1 passed 174 to 20.

After Article 1 was resolved, Mr. Eklund resumed his role as Town Moderator.

Article 2 was submitted by the Mattapoisett School Committee and asked voters for the appropriation of $2,313.45 from an insurance settlement to be used to replace damaged equipment at the Old Hammondtown School. This article required a simple majority vote and passed 120 to 0.

Article 3 was submitted by the Mattapoisett School Committee and asked voters for the appropriation of funds from a lawsuit settlement in the sum of $196,579 for deficiencies in the work at the Old Hammondtown School. The appropriated funds would pay for work on the "List of Outstanding Work at the Old Hammondtown School Project" and would authorize the School Department to use these funds as needed. Article 3 required a simple majority vote and passed 120 to 0.

Article 4 was submitted by the Board of Selectmen and the Town Administrator, and asked voters for supplemental funding in fiscal year 2010. The Town voted to appropriate the sum of $33,247 from available funds for the purpose of supplementing the funding at the May 11 Annual Town Meeting under Article 2. Under the Elections line item, $7,500 was to be appropriated; under the Veterans Benefits line item, $25,747 was to be appropriated. The elections line item is necessary to update voting equipment since the Town will have an election to replace Senator Kennedy. Article 4 required a simple majority vote and passed 119 to 1.

Article 5 was submitted by the Town Administrator and asked voters for the appropriation of $8,403 from available revenues to pay various Town department expenses during the previous fiscal year and gave authorization to the Town Administrator to pay outstanding invoices. Among other projects, the money will be used to pay for a handicap ramp at Town Hall. A nine-tenths majority vote was needed. Article 5 passed 120 to 0.

Article 6 was submitted by the Board of Selectmen, the Fire Chief, and Town Administrator, and asked voters for the appropriation of $13,500 from available revenues to fund the replacement of the heating system inside the Fire Station, and to authorize the Fire Chief to enter into contracts for materials and labor in the heating system's replacement. The current furnace had to be serviced four times last year and once already in September 2009. The Article passed 120 to 0.

Article 7 was submitted by the Bike Path Committee and asked voters to authorize the Board of Selectmen to accept a gifted easement or interest in fee from the YMCA on Reservation Road for the bike path route. The Board of Selectmen can take the stretch of land as either an easement or under ownership. A two-thirds majority was needed for Article 7, which passed 120 to 0.

Article 8 was submitted by the Bike Path Committee and asked voters to authorize the Board of Selectmen to accept a gifted easement from the Mattapoisett Housing Authority for the bike path route. A two-thirds majority was needed to accept this easement, which is adjacent to Acushnet Road near the Railroad right-of-way. Article 8 passed 120-0.

Article 9 was submitted by the Board of Selectmen and the Town Administrator and asked voters for a transfer between line items for fiscal year 2010 on appropriations made at the May 2 Annual Town Meeting. The transfers were $5,000 from full-time highway wages to road repairs and maintenance, and $5,000 from full-time highway wages to part-time personnel. Article 9 needed a simple majority and passed 109 to 1.

Article 10 was submitted by the Board of Selectmen and asked voters for the appropriation of a sum of $200,000 from available revenue to the Stabilization Fund. Article 10 passed 105 to 0.

Article 11 was submitted by the Town Administrator and asked voters for the appropriation of a sum of money to determining the cause and responsibility for the Center School's leaking roof, with the ultimate goal of fixing the leak. Both in the historic and new section of the Center School, there is leaking that is believed to be the result of bad materials and faulty workmanship. In order to proceed with a case against the contractor, $50,000 is needed for third party analysis. If a lawsuit is filed, the $50,000 will be part of the claim against the contractor. Article 11 needed a simple majority and passed 100 to 0.

Article 12 was submitted by the Town Administrator and asked voters for the appropriation of $5,000 to design a new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system at the Town Hall, and that the Town would apply for consideration in funding the project with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Green Communities Energy Conservation Improvement Fund. This sum of money is only for the design of a system so the Town can apply for grants to improve the carbon footprint of the Town Hall. Article 12 required a simple majority and passed 100 to 0.

Article 13 was submitted by the Board of Selectmen and asked voters for the appropriation of $25,000 from available revenue to supplement the Reserve Fund line item, as voted at the May 2 Annual Town Meeting under Article 2. Article 13 required a simple majority and passed 98 to 0.

Article 14 was submitted by the Board of Selectmen and asked voters for the appropriations of $50,000 from available funds to the Town's Capital Stabilization Fund. A two-thirds majority was required for Article 14, which passed 98 to 0.

Article 15 was submitted by the Town Administrator and asked voters for a transfer from the reserves of: Sewer Enterprise Fund Interest Expense in the amount of $1,893.57; and the Waterfront Enterprise Fund Principal and Interest Expense in the amount of $3,686.50. The Article further authorized the Town Accountant to make necessary disbursements to various accounts. A simple majority was needed for Article 15, which passed 98 to 0.

Moderator Eklund thanked the voters for attending the Special Town Meeting and adjourned the Special Town Meeting at 9:00 pm.

By Anne O'Brien-Kakley

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11:43:13 pm Mattapoisett Police Halloween Parade Winners

Categories: Mattapoisett

Preschool and Kindergarten

H.M. Jenna Lynch, age 3

3rd Lilly Menezes, age 2

2nd Sibley Cassi, age 21 months

1st Morgan age 1, Mckenzie, age 2 and Jillian age 4, Leblanc

Grades 1 and 2

H.M. Riley Branagan, age 7 "PEZ"

3rd Colby Carreiro, age 8 "R2 D2"

2nd Audrey Knox, age 7, "Gerbil"

1st Bryan Querim, age 6, "Space Shuttle"

Grades 3 and 4

H.M. Freeman Bauer, age 10, "Gargoyle"

3rd Tyler Bungert, age 9, "Gangster"

2nd Jordan Hanson, "Rubik's Cube"

1st Ryan Miller, age 10, "Toilet"

Grades 5 and 6

H.M. Charlotte Van Voorhis, age 12 "Mr. Potato Head"

3rd Jane Kassabian, age 11, "Christmas Tree"

2nd Olivia Pellegrino

1st Eliza Van Voorhis and Kate Dowd, "American Gothic"

Scariest

H.M. Ben Preece-Santos, age 5

3rd Landon Goguen, age 10, "Meat Cutter"

2nd Jodie Bauer, "Grave Digger"

1st Amanda Massey, age 11, "Head in a Box"

Junior High and High School

H.M. Brandon Marvelle, age 13, "Michael Jackson"

3rd Ashia Duff, age 12, and Kerri Duff

2nd Seth Hiller, age 17, "Fisherman"

1st Amanda Carreiro, age 13, "Flying Magic Carpet"

Adults

H.M. Mark Mooney - "Trauma Man"

3rd Scott Chase & Rebecca Longworth - "King and Queen"

2nd Jason & Kyle Cameron - "Tall Man" and "Curious George"

1st Bob & Jill Simcox and family - "Bloodmobile and Mosquitoes"

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10:57:59 pm Mattapoisett Selectmen Meeting - October 27, 2009

Categories: Mattapoisett

A regular meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen was called to order by Chairman Jordan C. Collyer on October 27, 2009 at 7:00 pm. Also in attendance were Selectmen Paul A. Silva and George Randall, Town Administrator Michael Gagne', and Assistant to the Town Administrator Melody Pacheco.

The minutes of the October 13 Board of Selectmen meeting were approved.

The Board then voted to set all liquor fees. Since the fee schedule was slightly outdated, Selectman Silva suggested that the Board raise the fees to be in line with the going rate of other towns. The annual fee increases for various businesses - from wine and malt licenses to inn licenses - ranged from $250 to $500.

The first appointment was with Natalie Hemingway, Gerry DeCosta and Beryl Sullivan, who presented the Board with a copy of a book that Ms. Hemingway co-authored with the deceased Anthony DeCosta, titled The Early Portuguese Settlers in Mattapoisett. Ms. DeCosta and Ms. Sullivan, children of co-author Mr. DeCosta, helped Ms. Hemingway present the book to the Board. The book is a compilation of pictures and documents that detail the Portuguese immigrants and first-generation children who helped settle Mattapoisett. Ms. Hemingway said that Betty Robert and the Mattapoisett Historical Society were especially helpful in the book's completion. Copies of the book are available from www.lulu.com. Chairman Collyer thanked Ms. Hemingway for her work. "It's not work," Ms. Hemingway responded. "It's a work of love and it's fun."

The next appointment was with Susan Lamarre, who came before the Board requesting to purchase a portion of town-owned land for the purpose of adding square footage to her plot in the area of Brandt Island Beach. Ms. Lamarre's family purchased approximately 8 parcels of land in the area when Ms. Lamarre was a teenager, and Ms. Lamarre herself saved her money and bought an irregularly shaped plot when she was 19. In 2001, Ms. Lamarre and her husband decided that they would like to build a home on the lot and moved from their current Florida home back to Mattapoisett. Ms. Lamarre has considered Mattapoisett home for the past 58 years, and has a lot of family in town. The problem with building a home on the plot is that there is not enough clearance for a septic system, as the abutter built a well on the property line and will not move it, even at Ms. Lamarre's expense. Ms. Lamarre, who said that she brought this topic to former Town Administrator Michael Botelho but the matter didn't get resolved, said that she hoped the Board would consider her hardship and consider selling her the 1,300 square feet of land that she needs for a septic leach field. She hoped that the item could be placed on the warrant for the November 2 Town Meeting.

Chairman Collyer explained that his hands were tied - if the Town chose to sell a portion of the town-owned lot abutting the Lamarre property, it would have to be voted on by the Town, publicly posted, and be sold to the highest bidder, who could end up being someone other than the Lamarres. "We have to do our due diligence," Chairman Collyer explained. Ms. Lamarres expressed frustration over the fact that she has paid over $40,000 in taxes to the town over the years and that she might wind up having a "worthless lot" because of an abutter's well.

Mr. and Ms. Lamarre cited the case of another resident on their street who purchased town land in 1989 for $5,500 for building. She said that some of her frontage was lost in the early 1970's for roads.

Selectman Silva was concerned with the devaluation of the entire abutting town lot if a portion were sold and deeded to the Lamarres. "It certainly isn't going to cost $5,000," Selectman Silva said, citing the 1989 figure.

Since the warrant for the November 2 meeting has already been posted, the Lamarres will not be able to have the town vote on the topic until the annual Town Meeting, and Chairman Collyer suggested having their defense planned and all questions answered prior to bringing the topic before the town, since a lot of questions would be raised by the proposed sale. The Lamarres will need 200 signatures from townspeople to have an article placed on a Town Meeting warrant in spring, if the matter progresses further.

"I don't know all the politics," Ms. Lamarre said. "I've come here time and time and time again and I've been misinformed over and over." Extending the sewer line is out of the question, since the sewer line is 350 feet away. The Board said that Ms. Lamarre might want to conduct another percolation ("perc") test to confirm that water tables will support a septic system before even going forward. If the perc test is approved by the Board of Health, the Lamarres may then progress to requesting an appeal for a non-conforming lot, or they may continue with the request for town land sale. Either way, an assessment of the portion of town land required for the septic system will be required.

In Selectmen Discussion items, the Board announced that there will be a Marine Advisory Board meeting on November 10. There will also be a retirement party for Dr. William Cooper on December 4 from 3:30 to 5:30 pm at the Old Rochester Regional cafeteria. Those interested should RSVP by November 2 to Diana Russo at the superintendent's office: (508) 758-2772 ext. 1956. Contributions are $15 per person. For more information, contact Ms. Russo.

In Notes and Announcements, Ms. Pacheco announced:

* The next Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen meeting will be Tuesday, November 10 at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall.

* There is a reminder to the public to attend the town's Annual Veteran's Day exercises on November 11 at 11:00 am at the Old Hammondtown School. The Town Hall will be closed in celebration of Veteran's Day on Wednesday, November 11.

* The Mattapoisett Police Halloween Parade is scheduled for Saturday, October 31 at 6:00 pm. The parade route will be assembled on Church Street, and will continue west toward Main Street, then south on Water, north onto Barstow and then back to Center School. Whether the costume judging takes place indoors or outdoors will depend on the weather.

* The Board received notification from the Mattapoisett Board of Health that the scheduled flu clinics have been canceled due to overwhelming turn-out at the October 21 flu clinic that exhausted the town supply. The next flu clinic will be announced as soon as the vaccine is available from the Massachusetts Board of Health. Once the flu clinic is rescheduled, residents can receive a ride to the clinic from the Mattapoisett Council on Aging (508) 758-4110, and home-bound residents can receive a visit by appointment from a public health nurse if they call (508) 758-4118.

* The procedures for town meeting will be aired on Comcast 95 and Verizon 38. This program on town meetings started on October 26 and will continue until October 31. The Mattapoisett Special Town Meeting is scheduled to occur on November 2, and will be held in the Old Rochester Regional Auditorium at 7:00 pm.

* The Board received correspondence from the Plymouth County Commissioners introducing a new program titled "Recovery Bond Program", which will provide American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding to towns in the Plymouth County who are in need of funds to complete current projects. Chairman Collyer asked if this included sewer projects, and Mr. Gagne' said that he would look into it.

* Ms. Pacheco read a notice of the 10th Annual Legislative Breakfast, which will occur on November 13 at White's in Westport. Mr. Gagne' may attend.

* The Board received the SouthCoast Rail Economic Development and Land Use Corridor Plan. Chairman Collyer, who represents the Board at SCRED meetings, has repeatedly had difficulty making the meetings since they are held during the work-day. Mr. Gagne' said that Rochester Town Planner Randall Kunz, who recently announced that he would be retiring from his position in Rochester, might be interested in being the town's SCRED representative.

In the Town Administrator's report, Mr. Gagne' said that he has not received word on the full scope of state budget cuts, but he has a feeling that the outlook is "not good".

Mr. Gagne' presented the Board with the current Town Vehicle policy, which is slightly outdated. He said that he wanted to bring the policies before the Capital Improvements Committee to make changes, especially since one department vehicle isn't currently listed and multi-use provisions need to be adjusted. Selectman Silva also wanted to make sure that personal use tax issue are in full compliance with the IRS. The Board voted to approve these policies pending changes.

In Outgoing Correspondence, the Board sent a letter to the Mattapoisett Police Brotherhood, thanking them for donating a new town sign at the Industrial Park entrance.

Highway Surveyor Barry Denham came before the Board and requested an amendment of a Chapter 90 request to include a portion of Ocean Drive. Monies acquired for the Crystal Springs Road project have left "more than enough" money to repair the Ocean Drive roadway, which is in bad shape and hasn't been paved in 20 years. If the repairs aren't made now, Mr. Denham suspects that the whole road will have to be redone in spring. The Board voted to approve the reallocation of funds.

There being no more business to attend to, Chairman Collyer adjourned the meeting at 9:08 pm.

By Anne O'Brien-Kakley

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10:24:39 pm Joint Committee Makes Choice for Superintendent

Categories: News, Marion, Mattapoisett, Rochester

The Joint Committee representing Old Rochester Regional schools and the Massachusetts Superintendency Union #55 voted to appoint Douglas White as the new superintendent of the ORR district, pending contract negotiations, on Monday, October 19, 2009.

There were two candidates before the Committee for consideration. One, Dr. Mary Canole, served as a superintendent to the Newport, RI school system, and was particularly strong in the field of curriculum, leadership, and grant-writing. Mr. Douglas White of the Henniker, NH was well-versed in the challenges that ORR faces, since he currently works in a regionalized district and has experience in working with multiple communities and school boards.

Committee members Grace Knox and Jane McCarthy, Moderator Sharon Hartley and ORRJHS principal Kevin Bragioli conducted site visits of the two candidates, traveling to Henniker, NH and Newport, RI, to speak with former co-workers, community members, and elected officials who had worked with Mr. White and Dr. Canole. After visiting each district, the Committee members described a sense of elation at the idea that either highly-qualified candidate could be the next superintendent of ORR schools.

The decision was a close-call. After two hours of occasionally tense debate among the 18 joint committee members, it appeared that the Committee was divided on a decision. Selectman and Committee member Paul Silva and ORR School District Chairperson Dr. Peter Bangs were among those strongly in favor of Douglas White, whereas the Union Committee was mostly in favor of Dr. Canole.

A motion was made by Brad Gordon to appoint Douglas White as the new superintendent. The motion was voted down by the Union Committee 5 to 3, with Christine Winters abstaining from a vote because a family emergency kept her from the interviews; the ORR School Committee also entertained the same motion, and passed it 5 to 3, with Nick Decas abstaining because he also missed the interviews.

The Committee was at a standstill with two different camps supporting two different, very capable, candidates. Paula Meere of the ORR School Committee suggested inviting the two candidates back for another interview. This suggestion was met favorably by the Joint Committee, who hoped to gain more information from the candidates about their thoughts on regionalizing the lower grades, providing consistency to grade school curriculum, and addressing the needs of all children, including high-achieving children.

As the candidates were informed of the Committee’s decision, the Committee reconvened to find another date to conduct further interviews with Dr. Canole and Mr. White. In a surprising twist, a mediator informed the Committee that Dr. Canole officially withdrew her application for the position, as she did not want to accept the job unless the Committee voted unanimously in her favor.

The Committee voted to offer the Superintendent position to Douglas White, pending negotiations, and passed the motion unanimously. Despite the divided group, all of the Committee members were happy to appoint Mr. White, since he was regarded as a very qualified candidate.

“Never a dull moment,” Mr. Gordon joked, as the Committee disbanded.

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03:19:45 pm Salty's Moonlight Soiree Postponed

Categories: Mattapoisett

Salty's Moonlight Soiree, originally scheduled to occur on Saturday, October 17, has been canceled due to inclement weather. The event has been rescheduled for November 7 from 5:30 until 8:00 pm. For more details, call (508) 758-7849.

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01:44:45 pm Old Rochester Regional District School Committee Meeting

Categories: News, Marion, Mattapoisett, Rochester

A scheduled meeting of the Old Rochester Regional District School Committee was called to order by Chairperson Peter Bangs at 6:01 pm on October 14, 2009. Also in attendance were 8 of the 9 Committee members, and Superintendent William Cooper. Virginia Beams was absent from the meeting.

In the Chairperson’s report, Dr. Bangs briefly updated the Committee on the superintendent search. He said that the search was down to two candidates: Dr. Mary Canole of Newport, RI, and Douglas White of Henniker, NH. Members of the Search and Screen Committee had completed site visits of the candidates’ districts, and spoke with the candidates’ co-workers. “They are two very strong candidates. Any hopes that this would’ve been an easy choice has been dashed,” said Dr. Bangs. “I’m delighted to say that it’s going to be a very difficult decision.”

In his Superintendent’s report, Dr. Cooper updated the Committee on the status of flu clinics for the school, both seasonal flu and H1N1. There will be a seasonal flu “family clinic” in the afternoon of October 28 at Old Rochester Regional High School. Students, siblings, and parents are welcome to attend. There is still not a date set for an ORR H1N1 clinic.

Dr. Cooper mentioned that there were 30 reported cases of flu among Tabor Academy students, which may indicate that the threat of H1N1 has reached the Tri-Town area. “We will push as hard as we can to get an H1N1 shot,” Dr. Cooper said.

Another issue that Dr. Cooper addressed in his report was possible state aid cuts coming for Fiscal Year 2010. In his communication with Rochester Town Administrator Richard LaCamera, Dr. Cooper heard that news concerning cuts and its effect on the region would be reported by Governor Deval Patrick within days of the meeting.

In the Principal’s Report, ORR High School Principal Devoll praised his staff for all their work in making sure that the beginning of the school year went so well. Field Hockey, Golf and Girls’ Soccer are all in first place right now, with many other ORR sports teams also doing well. Principal Devoll is hoping for a great turnout at the October 29 Open House at ORR.

On September 25, the high school launched online grade books for student and parent access. Both the school and parents are in support of this feature, and Mr. Devoll said, “it’s holding students more accountable. There’s no guesswork.” Student and parent access to the grade-books can be tracked, so the school knows if students are watching their grades.

The high school is also pod-casting a weekly show called “The Paul and Devoll Show” that reviews handbook issues in a humorous way. Principal Devoll thought that this was a fun and useful way to enforce handbook rules. One of those rules is the cell phone policy, to which the students have recommitted. This cell phone policy strictly prohibits cell phone use during the school day.

The National Honor Society will be holding a Sock and Underwear Drive to benefit Gifts to Give. New packages of socks and underwear are being collected in the school homerooms for children in need.

In Kevin Bragioli’s Principal’s Report, he informed the Committee that the Internet Safety Presentation at the ORR Junior High School was a success, and that there will be a curriculum day for structured professional development soon.

ORRJHS had testing on the summer reading book Warriors Don’t Cry, by Melba Pattillo Beals, a memoir of the author’s experiences as one of the nine black teenagers who integrated the Central High School in Little Rock, AZ. Principal Bragioli said that this book has opened a great dialogue among students, and they are scheduling a presentation with 1960s civil rights workers in November.

15 parents attended a “Coffee with the Principal”, which was an informal coffee social where parents had the opportunity to sit and chat with Mr. Bragioli.

Magazine fundraisers have concluded at the junior high school, and the school received approximately $5,000 from the fundraiser, which will benefit things like presentations and assemblies for the students.

Before the principals concluded their reports, Committee member Paul Silva asked them about the global warming assembly that the ORR students recently attended. He said he was concerned that some of the children were frightened by the nature of the assembly, which correlated human activity with global warming. Mr. Devoll said that there had been one call from a parent prior to the assembly, concerned with the agenda of the presentation, but he had not heard any negative feedback from parents or children who had been in attendance. “This presentation was morally driven, not politically driven… Climate education is part of the curriculum,” Mr. Devoll said in defense of the presentation.

Senior Class President Annie Saucier gave a proposal to the Committee for the 2010 Senior Prom. Ms. Saucier said that the Senior class was hoping to hold the prom at Lake Pearl Luciano’s in Wrentham, which is about 45 minutes from the Tri-Town. “It’s really nice. It’s not a Newport mansion, but it’s got gorgeous landscaping,” Ms. Saucier said. 2 Wrentham police will be needed at the prom, and the ratio should be 1 chaperone to fifty students. Breathalyzers will be a mandatory part of attending the prom, and the tickets will cost $49 per person as opposed to the $80 per ticket cost of the 2009 prom. This price cut is solely the result of holding the prom at a more affordable location. No other prom will occur at Lake Pearl at the same time as the ORR prom. The Committee took a vote and passed the proposed prom location. “You are welcome to stay for the rest of the meeting,” Dr. Bangs said to Ms. Saucier. “I have a lot of AP Biology homework,” Ms. Saucier said. “Good answer,” Dr. Bangs responded, and thanked Ms. Saucier for her time.

The Committee approved the minutes of the September 22 meeting.

In the Financial Report, School Business Administrator Kathleen Isernio said that “everyone is being conservative in their spending as usual.” The Committee approved 11 staff-related budget transfers totaling approximately $8,000 for longevity and degree-changes in the staff.

Ms. Isernio informed the Committee that they would have to complete a state-mandatory ethics test by April. This test is being administered to Massachusetts residents serving in some municipal capacity.

The old copiers have been replaced at ORR with new, leased copiers. The old copiers were sent to locations that made very few copies each year, and Ms. Isernio assured the Committee that the old copiers, one of which had been sent to District Facilities Manager Steve Shiraka’s office, will not be included in budgeted maintenance.

The focus of the Committee’s meeting was the MCAS presentation from Mr. Bragioli and Mr. Devoll with the results of 2009 testing for ORRJHS and ORRHS. According to the reports, ORRJHS did not achieve AYP (adequate yearly progress) in Math, and subcategories of Special Education. It is especially important for the school to achieve AYPs in these categories for the 2009/2010 school year, since two consecutive years of not achieving AYP places the school in a “needs to improve” category.

Since AYP is partially calculated by daily attendance, and since more class time is needed for low-performing students, the junior high school may need to implement a stricter attendance policy to improve 2010 MCAS scores. “If a student is failing English or Math, I question whether he should be in foreign languages,” Mr. Bragioli said. He hopes they will be able to adjust class schedules to make time for reinforcing English and Math basics.

The ORRHS fared better in their 2009 AYP results. According to the reports, the high school achieved AYP in all categories. “Pretty soon we will hit the ceiling and we won’t be able to progress any further,” said Mr. Devoll, in regards to the goals set by the state requirements. Mr. Devoll admitted achieving AYPs in Grade 10 was generally regarded as being easier than achieving AYPs in Grade 8, hence the discrepancy between the junior high and the high school AYP ratings.

Mr. Silva was interested in comparing MCAS scores to the 2009 SAT scores. Mr. Devoll said that this was something that they were working on, and would probably be available at the October 29 Open House.

After voting to sign an educational report from the Department of Education (DOE) vowing to follow the law in regards to student confidentiality and rights, the Committee then voted to approve 2 gifts to ORR. The Rochester Lions Club offered the first gift, which was a $600 donation to go to the purchase of a defibrillator at the high school. They are hoping to get a monetary donation from the Mattapoisett Lions Club to complete the defibrillator purchase. The second gift was from Joe Corrazzini, for nineteen laptops in good working condition from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). FEMA was disposing of the laptops, but the technology department determined that the PCs were more than adequate for ORR art and yearbook usage. The Committee voted to approve the gifts, both of which had been facilitated by school nurse Kim Corrazzini.

After a brief reorganization of subcommittees, Vice Chairperson Jim O’Brien added an item to the agenda. He expressed concern over the fact that the ORR football team had played in torrential downpours during a recent game and had to evacuate the field when thunder was heard. He thought perhaps the game should’ve been canceled like Field Hockey and some of the other sports that were canceled that weekend. Dr. Cooper said that he was at the game and that everyone acted quickly to move somewhere safe with the referee’s guidance. After speaking with the Committee, Mr. O’Brien’s fears that safe protocol had not been followed were put to rest.

There being no more business, the Committee voted to go into executive session for the purpose of collective bargaining at 8:51 pm

By Anne O’Brien-Kakley

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11:54:58 pm Mattapoisett Selectmen Meeting - October 13, 2009

Categories: Mattapoisett

A regular meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen was called to order on October 13, 2009 by Chairman Jordan C. Collyer. Also in attendance were Selectmen Paul A. Silva and George Randall, Town Administrator Michael Gagne', and Assistant to the Town Administrator Melody Pacheco.

The minutes of the September 22, 2009 Board of Selectmen meeting, both open and executive session, were approved.

The Board was then briefed on the bonding report received on the town's Standard and Poors rating by town treasurer Brenda Herbeck. The town received a rating that was just above a triple A scale, just below a double A. The town's rating was partially attributed to the conservative fiscal policies, including the building of stabilization funds and the fact that all capital needs over $10,000 go in front of the Capital Needs Committee.

The Board voted to appoint two members to the Finance Committee (FinCom). Mattapoisett School Chairperson Grace Knox was in attendance with Town Moderator Jack Ecklund to nominate Gary Johnson of 5 Cannon Street, and Patricia Donahue of 30 Mechanic Street, to FinCom. The Board passed this motion.

After appointing the new members, the Board then voted to reappoint Dennis Perry and Richard Gamache to FinCom with terms ending in 2012, and voted to reappoint Carmelo Nicolosi and Jim O'Dowd to the Conservation Commission with terms ending in 2012. "And now, FinCom is fully staffed, and just in time," said Chairman Collyer, referring to the upcoming special town meeting on November 2.

Mr. Ecklund then took the opportunity to speak before the Board about an article that will be included in the special town meeting. His main concern was that, as town moderator, and as a resident of a private road, that residents may question his impartiality in the private roads article. He reassured the public that he would be neutral in the presentation at town meeting, and that he wasn't even going to vote on the issue. But, if a resident still has a concern with his moderating at the special town meeting, he is more than willing to consider another moderator covering the event, or covering the individual article. If anyone does have a concern, they should voice this concern to him personally or to Town Clerk Barbara Sullivan by the end of the day on October 26.

Mr. Ecklund also said that he would like anyone with a PowerPoint presentation (or any presentation) to contact him at his publicly listed phone number before the town meeting, for the sake of length and clarity. Chairman Collyer suggested that they might consider playing a program on ORCTV produced by the Massachusetts Moderators Association for the week leading up to the town meeting. The program gives detail on the background and history of the town meeting process. Mr. Ecklund agreed. "If you don't routinely come to town meetings, please come," said Mr. Ecklund. "Come and speak up."

The Board then had an appointment to meet with the Marine Advisory Board. After reviewing a guide on dingy and skiff regulations that the Marine Advisory Board had revised, which included the definition of a "skiff" being a 10-16 feet in length and a maximum of 65 inches wide, and a "dingy" being under 10 feet, the Board accepted the new list of regulations with minimal revisions. It is hoped that these regulations will address issues of dock spacing, free up space for residents on a skiff mooring waiting list, address problems with dry-docking, and will address the issue of boats mooring for more than 2 weeks without paying for a rental fee.

In the Selectmen Discussion Items, Mr. Gagne' said that comments from the private roads meeting that was held on October 6 were incorporated into the article that will be presented at the November 2 town meeting.

In Notes and Announcements, Ms. Pacheco announced that the next Board of Selectmen meeting will be on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall. There will be a Cats and Dogs Rabies Clinic on Sunday, October 18, 2009 from 10:00 until noon at the Mattapoisett Fire Station. The price is $10 per animal, and cats should be in carriers, dogs on leashes.

The Board received their annual invitation from the Florence Eastman Post 280 American Legion in conjunction with the Mattapoisett Veterans Service Office to attend the Veteran's Day Ceremony, which will be held on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 11:00 am in the Old Hammondtown School. Mr. Silva and Mr. Randall will likely attend.

Ms. Pacheco offered the seasonal flu clinics schedule, which is available on the town website. She also informed the Board that the Mattapoisett Fire Department is holding an Open House at the fire station on Thursday, October 15, from 6:00 until 8:30 pm.

In his Town Administrator's report, Mr. Gagne' gave an update on the possible state aid cuts in the current fiscal year. "It's that time again, and the picture is not looking any better," he said. "There will be cuts; to what degree, we do not know at this point." According to Mr. Gagne', some rumors were indicating that Governor Deval Patrick would give details on cuts in an October 15 televised speech. Mr. Gagne' advised telling department heads to watch budgets carefully.

Mr. Gagne' then reviewed articles that will be presented at the November 2 special town meeting, which will be held at the Old Rochester Regional School Auditorium at 7:00 pm. (Please note that this was changed from the original article, printed in the October 15 issue of The Wanderer, to correct an error.) The 13 articles in the warrant include the private roads issue, an article to replace the fire department heating system with a natural gas heating unit, acceptance of easements from the YMCA for the bike path, and a possible article proposing the replacement/repair of two heating units at the Town Hall. The full warrant will be available October 16 on the town website.

The final item in the Town Administrator's report was an update on the Community Development Block Grant that Mattapoisett is interesting in applying for with Marion and Rochester. According to Mr. Gagne', both Marion and Rochester were very interested, since the "topic of housing rehab really resonated" with all three towns. Mr. Gagne' will be setting up a meeting with Sharon Gay, Community Development Consultant for the Block Grant program.

In Correspondence, the Board received notification from Comcast that there will be a price adjustment for the expanded basic service effective in November. The Board also read a letter Mr. Gagne' sent to Representative Straus concerning the funding schedule extension for full funding on outstanding pension liability. Mattapoisett is looking at a 12% increase for 2011 over the past year assessment. Mr. Gagne' is hoping to meet with Mr. Straus soon to discuss this issue.

There being no more business to address, the Board voted to adjourn at 9:55 pm.

By Anne O'Brien-Kakley

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11:54:00 pm Margot Livesey to Speak at Mattapoisett Library

Categories: Mattapoisett

Author Margot Livesey will be the featured speaker at the Friends of the Mattapoisett Library's annual meeting, Sunday, October 18, 3:00 pm, at the library, 7 Barstow Street. The public is invited, books will be available for purchase, and refreshments will be served.

Ms. Livesey is the author of six novels: Homework, Criminals, The Missing World, Eva Moves the Furniture, and Banishing Verona, Her latest, The House on Fortune Street, is the winner of the L.L. Winship/PEN New England award. Of the book, Ms. Livesey wrote: "The House on Fortune Street began when a depressed ghost writer moved into the house next door in London. Something about this young man's struggles -- eventually his parents had to come and take him home -- made me think again about questions of luck and love and damage. Growing up, I was convinced that being an adult would solve all my problems. I was shocked to discover that early misfortune was no guarantee of later good luck. Yet some people do seem mysteriously lucky, or mysteriously unscathed. It made me think: What happens if two women, each with a difficult childhood, become friends and how will that friendship accommodate the ups and downs of romantic love?"

Martin Rubin of the Los Angeles Times wrote of the book: "It is, in the best sense of the term, a literary novel: Livesey invokes particular writers and even particular works to add resonance to her characters and their situations. Each of the novel's four sections has its own leitmotif: the poems of the great English Romantic John Keats, the life of Lewis Carroll, Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre and Dickens' Great Expectations...Even if a reader is unfamiliar with those texts, their significance is made perfectly clear. And for the vast majority of her readers, who will indeed know them well, they add a great deal -- all the more so in the hands of a writer as skilled as Livesey."

Library Director Susan Pizzolato first met Ms. Livesey when the author came to read at the Wareham Free Library. Ms. Pizzolato said, "She's a wonderful speaker. Afterward, she attended a dinner party held in her honor, and she was so gracious to all. She fit right in, laughing at the stories guests told, asking questions, and appreciating the lovely food. Margot's genuine interest in those around her impressed me...she has such a busy schedule with writing and teaching, and must meet so many new people with each adventure. She never seemed rushed or gave the impression she wanted to leave us. What more could we have asked of an honored guest?" At the library's first book discussion group on Saturday, the small group discussed the novel, and the author's upcoming visit. Betty Jeanne Nooth, a member of the Friends, expressed her regret at not being able to attend the meeting: "I've met Margot Livesey on a couple of occasions and she's a wonderful speaker with a lovely Scottish lilt."

Ms. Livesey grew up on the campus of a boys' private school in the Scottish Highlands, where her father taught and her mother was the school nurse. She took her B.A. in English and Philosophy at the University of York in England, and spent most of her twenties working in shops and restaurants while learning to write.

Ms. Livesey has taught at Boston University, Bowdoin College, Brandeis University, Carnegie Mellon, Cleveland State, Tufts, the University of California, Williams Colllege, the Warren Wilson College M.F.A. program,and the Iowa Writers' Workshop. Ms. Livesey is currently a distinguished writer-in-residence at Emerson College, and lives in Cambridge with her husband, a painter.

When asked what brings her to town, Ms. Livesey said, "I am coming to Mattapoisett because Susan kindly invited me, and I have the highest regard for her literary taste. Also Mattapoisett is such a wonderful name. Being a writer in residence at Emerson definitely means that I teach -- in my case two graduate fiction workshops. I am currently working on a new novel which is in that middle stage when I have nothing much to say. I have a pile of pages but at any moment they might shrink dramatically like a t-shirt in the dryer -- it might disappear at any moment."

By Elizabeth East

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03:16:58 pm Mattapoisett Seasonal Flu Clinics

Categories: Mattapoisett

The Mattapoisett Board of Health will be providing seasonal flu clinics on:

* Wednesday, October 21 from 3:00 to 6:00 pm at Old Rochester Regional Senior High School, 135 Marion Road, in Mattapoisett.

* Thursday, October 29 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at the Mattapoisett Social and Wellness Center, at Center School, 17 Barstow Street, in Mattapoisett.

The Council on Aging (COA) will coordinate transportation to the flu clinics for residents in need of a ride. For more information, or to schedule a ride, please call the COA at (508) 758-4110. This service is sponsored by the Board of Health and is free of charge.

Home visits for residents who are homebound may be scheduled by appointment. To schedule a home visit, please call Amanda Stone, R.N., Public Health Nurse at (508) 758-4118.

Please note: Medicare covers the cost of the flu vaccination. A $5.00 suggested donation is encouraged for all residents not covered by Medicare. This donation helps toward the cost of clinic supplies and administration.

Please wear a short-sleeved shirt to the clinic, and if applicable, bring your Medicare card with you.

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12:31:15 am Mattapoisett Selectmen's Meeting - October 6, 2009

Categories: Mattapoisett

A meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen was called to order by Chairman Jordan C. Collyer on October 6, 2009, at 7:00 pm. Also attending were Selectmen Paul A. Silva and George Randall, Town Administrator Michael Gagne, Highway Surveyor Barry Denham, and 53 residents of the town.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss and clarify the purpose for which the town may appropriate money for private ways, temporary repairs, ordinances or by-laws with regard to private roads in order to come into compliance with Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40, Section 6; and to discuss a working draft of a proposed General By-Law for the town, Article 24, "Repair of Private Ways," the initial language of which is being reviewed by the Attorney General's office.

In the past, some private roads have been maintained by town equipment using materials purchased by the abutting homeowners, be they individuals or associations, which may have been contrary to the letter of the law. Traditionally, the Highway Department grades roads twice annually, barring extraordinary repair. For the purpose of this meeting, snow-plowing for this year is to be maintained as the status-quo; that is, as Barry Denham explained, the public roads are plowed first, then the side roads, then the private roads, unless there is an emergency, where the crews would be directed by radio to a neighborhood in need. Chairman Collyer explained that precedent for plowing has been set, and the Highway Department will continue with this policy and protocol for this year. There are some private roads in town that have not been maintained by homeowners that put maintenance and emergency vehicles at risk for damage.

Residents were concerned with the language of the proposed by-laws, and its definitions. A public road is one that is accepted by the town, and there is a process through which a road can become an accepted public road. A private road is, essentially, one that has in the past been considered private, that is traditionally maintained by its abutters through the Highway Department or private contractors.

Some individuals and associations contribute to and maintain their roads as private ways; some do not. As Chairman Collyer cited from Massachusetts Law, "If the ways shall have been opened to the public use for a term of years . . . . " He stressed that if a resident's road has been private, it will continue to be so, and that "no one is telling you that you have to do something different."

Selectman Silva said, "The Selectmen are trying to come into compliance with the law, and make it as easy as possible for the townspeople... we need to find a way for Barry Denham to get his job done."

Some residents expressed concern that these proposed changes to the by-laws, coming up at town meeting November 2, might exclude the many summer residents of the town who have houses on the private roads, and that the process felt rushed. Chairman Collyer and Mr. Gagne reassured those present that they would post all pertinent information to the town's website, which is accessible to all. The town meeting article, in its finished state, will be posted, and the

The Town Meeting Warrant will be done two weeks in advance of the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 9:00 pm.

By Elizabeth East

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12:30:28 am Mattapoisett School Committee - October 5, 2009

Categories: Mattapoisett

A regular meeting of the Mattapoisett School Committee was called to order by Chairperson Gracinda Knox on October 5, 2009 at 7:00 pm in the Center School cafeteria. Also in attendance were Committee members Gerald Johnson, Virginia Beams, Charles Motta, and Joyce Lavoie, Superintendent Dr. William Cooper, Center School Principal Rosemary Bowman, and Old Hammondtown School Principal Matthew D'Andrea.

Before starting business, Chairperson Knox requested a moment of silence for William Spark, a longtime Old Hammondtown teacher who passed away recently.

Chairperson Knox gave an update in the superintendent search, informing the Committee that ORRJHS Principal Bragioli will accompany three search committee members on the first site visit on October 6. They will first visit Henniker, NH, then Newport, RI, and finally Scituate, MA, to see the three different school districts of the three ORR superintendent finalists. In the week following site visits, the three candidates will visit the schools in the ORR district.

Dr. Cooper yielded time from his Superintendent Report to Director of Food Service Suzanne Souza, who sought opinions on how to expand and improve school lunch purchasing. The Committee thought that the current selection of food and services was good, and that there was little to improve upon. "We try to offer healthy things, like wraps and salads," Ms. Souza said.

After taking a survey, Ms. Souza determined last year that 33% of K-3 students buy hot lunch, as opposed to 75% of 4-6 students. Principal Bowman said that the younger students are more particular about what they eat. "We still have pretty good participation," said Principal Bowman. "The food is what they want - they like pizza, they like pasta. I don't know what else you can do to encourage participation."

In the Principal's Report, Principal D'Andrea said that there were 234 students currently enrolled at Old Hammondtown School - 81 in Grade 4, 78 in Grade 5, and 75 in Grade 6. Principal Bowman said that the enrollment for Center School is 285 students, with 63 in kindergarten, 71 in Grade 1, 66 in Grade 2, and 58 in Grade 3. For the most part, enrollment is holding steady.

The minutes from the September 24 Mattapoisett School Committee meeting were reviewed and accepted by the Committee.

The Committee heard an MCAS report from Principal Bowman and Principal D'Andrea. For the most part, Mattapoisett grade school students were above the state standard, but both principals wanted the margin to be even higher than it was. The principals discussed the schools strengths, with both schools performing well in English/Language/Arts, particularly fiction and grammar, and both schools needing improvement in some Math areas, including geometry and number sense.

As far as district-wide improvement goes with MCAS, the principals were both confident that Marcia Kessler's work with the ARRA grant will help students prepare for MCAS testing in spring. "The program the students are working on with Marcia Kessler is very positive," said Principal Bowman. "The work that Marcia is doing will have a direct impact on MCAS in the future... Motivation is the key word. We don't want them to give up."

Principal D'Andrea pointed out that it's more critical to compare MCAS scores to the state average instead of past year scores, since the tests do change year to year, and sometimes present more challenging questions. Mattapoisett schools are above average in MCAS scores, compared to the state standard.

Dr. Cooper presented an update on the kiln that they hope will be built at the Old Hammondtown School. The plans for the kiln, which include "kiln furniture" to keep art pieces separate in the firing process, safety computer alerts and fans, will have to go to the Board of Selectmen for approval, and then be voted on at Town Meeting.

Vice Chairperson Johnson said that he was concerned that President Obama's speech had not been shown to a lot of grade school students in Mattapoisett. Only Old Hammondtown School had the speech presented to their Grade 6 students. Dr. Cooper said that he had left the decision to the individual schools and teachers, so they could make the decision that best fit with their time and curriculum. He also pointed out that the time of the speech - noon - was awkward and interfered with lunches and recesses. The classrooms that did watch the speech, watched a recorded version, and the speech was replayed for some students via ORCTV. "It was a terrific speech, and it was a timeless message," said Dr. Cooper. "We were not scared off by parents who objected to it. It was not a political issue."

"If the President of the United States prepares a speech, it should be shown," said Mr. Johnson, who thought all of the schools should have seen the speech.

There being no more business, Chairperson Knox accepted a vote to adjourn at 8:40 pm.

By Anne O'Brien-Kakley

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10:54:19 pm Wanderer Pictures Donated to Historical Society

Categories: Mattapoisett

A treasure trove of early photographs of and related to the whaling bark Wanderer has been gifted to the Mattapoisett Historical Society. The 42 photographs of different sizes were purchased in August at an auction conducted by Gustave J.S. White Company in Portsmouth, R.I. They were originally part of a collection of several thousand whaling related photos assembled by Augustine Gonet of South Dartmouth.

The Wanderer was the last whaleship built in Mattapoisett. She was launched from the Jonathan Holmes Shipyard into Mattapoisett Harbor in 1878. She was also the last whaler to sail from New Bedford. She left that port in August 1924, and was lost on the rocks at Cuttyhunk in a violent storm.

Many of the photos show the ship at full length. There are also views from one of the masts, the eagle figurehead, drying her sails, deck scenes, removing oil from the ship and from casks on shore.

One photo showing oil pumped from the Wanderer to casks on a New Bedford wharf is entitled "Tales of the Cruise". A notation on the back of the photo states it was a Second Place winner in 1920 for the camera magazine Silver Button. It also won a Second Place ribbon in the Swain Camera Club's semi-annual exhibit in 1923.

Several shots show the vessel on the rocks at Cuttyhunk and one shows the "bones" of the ship some years later. Finally, there is a photo of the Wanderer Memorial at Colonel Edward E.R. Green's Round Hill Estate in South Dartmouth, where the whaleship Charles W. Morgan was also enshrined before leaving for Mystic, Connecticut.

Donors Brad and Priscilla Hathaway presented the package of photos to the Society in appreciation for Bette Robert's 20 years of distinguished service to the Society as museum curator.

Editor's note: The Wanderer thanks Mr. and Mrs. Hathaway for their generosity in allowing us to scan the photos for our reader's enjoyment.

By Brad Hathaway

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10:54:04 pm Mattapoisett Police Remind You to Lock Up

Categories: Mattapoisett

Mattapoisett Police Chief Mary Lyons is reminding town residents to keep cars locked and expensive items secure after a rash of thefts in the areas of North Street, North Woods, and the Hollywoods. There were eight separate car break-ins reported on Sunday, September 27. Police believe the break-ins took place late at night on Saturday. All of the vehicles involved were in private driveways, and none had been locked.

"People leave a lot of stuff in their cars," says Chief Lyons, who encourages residents to lock up their cars and keep expensive items indoors. Among the items stolen were GPS devices, loose change, wallets, an iPod, and a Sirius radio. Since there were no theft attempts made on the actual car or automobile parts, the best initiative for residents to take is to simply lock their cars, even if their cars are parked in a private driveway.

The car break-ins are still under investigation.

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10:53:14 pm Mattapoisett School Committee Meeting - September 24, 2009

Categories: Mattapoisett

A regular meeting of the Mattapoisett School Committee was called to order by Chairman Grace Knox on Thursday, August 24, 2009, at 7:05 pm in the Center School Cafeteria. Also in attendance were committee members Ginny Beams, Joyce LaVoie, Charles Motta, Vice Chairman Jerry Johnson, Old Hammondtown Principal Matt DiAndrea, Center School Principal Rose Bowman and Superintendant Dr. Bill Cooper.

In an unorthodox style, the meeting began with Chairman Knox calling for a fifteen-minute Executive Session to take place in a room outside of the cafeteria. The sessions usually take place after the meetings are adjourned and this one was held for pending litigation. This was the first meeting of the Mattapoisett School Committee of the school year.

Dr. Cooper expressed concern early in the meeting about whether or not "the H1N1 flu will get to us before the vaccine will." An October 15 flu shot clinic is expected to take place with an H1N1 clinic hopefully following two weeks later, but Dr. Cooper noted that this was not definite and the availability of the shot was still a large part of the issue.

Principal DiAndrea announced that the open house went well and the after school enrichment program, which includes activities such as football, chess, tumbling, and cooking, has been going extremely well. He also noted the six student-teachers that began this year have been a great asset to the school as well.

Principal Bowman was pleased to announce the 63 Kindergarten students have already become very acclimated to the daily routine and several parents and teachers have made comments to her about the ease of the transition. Work has been done on reducing the number of students per bus and time spent on the bus, according to Principal Bowman. Seventy-seven students per bus is the largest amount allowed by law and 67 is the largest amount on any Mattapoisett bus. The longest time a student is on a bus is 48 minutes.

Old Hammondtown School Art teacher Diane Perry came before the Committee asking permission to begin a fundraising campaign to raise money to complete a project that was left unresolved at the last renovation of Old Hammondtown. A pottery kiln was left in the boiler room and was supposed to be finished as part of the renovation. Ms. Perry has done prior fundraisers in the past to try to get the kiln operational, but has not in recent years.

Earlier estimations had the project costing approximately $10,000, but Ms. Perry believes that an additional $2,300 will be necessary. She had heard other estimates that would bring the project to $20,000, but she believes that is unrealistic. The money will be made through donations and artwork made by the students that will be sold.

Marcia Kessler presented a slide-slow presentation of a program entitled Common Assessment. The program is a way of going "beyond the MCAs," as it was described. She began the presentation with a statistic, that with 10th Grade Students that receive "Needs Improvement" remarks, less than 20 percent of them will complete college. Ms. Kessler stated that Common Assessment's goal is to "correct things mid-stream by creating benchmarks."

What the program will essentially do is be a year-round assessment based on district-wide standards, not what is based out of the book's standards. For example, while their students are being tested, Mattapoisett 3rd Grade teachers will be meeting with Marion and Rochester teachers to review upcoming material, previous test results, and to consult with each other.

Ms. Kessler brought up the idea that using a half day for the teachers to meet would seem like a logical choice, but explained that the teacher's union rules prohibit them from being at work past 3:00 pm and if the meeting was held in Mattapoisett for example, teachers from the other two towns would not be able to get there until 1:45 pm most likely.

The Committee voted 4-1 in favor of implementing Common Assessment into the School System, which will cost roughly $36,000. Nothing will be added to the calendar for another two weeks, so "the principal can get the best substitutes possible," said Vice Chairman Johnson. The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 pm by Chairman Knox.

By Adam T. Silva

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04:16:18 pm Rash of Car Break-ins in Mattapoisett

Categories: News, Mattapoisett

Mattapoisett Police Chief Mary Lyons is reminding town residents to keep cars locked and expensive items secure after a rash of thefts in the areas of North Street, North Woods, and the Hollywoods. There were eight separate car break-ins reported on Sunday, September 27. Police believe the break-ins took place late night on Saturday. All of the vehicles involved were in private driveways, and none had been locked.

“People leave a lot of stuff in their cars,” says Chief Lyons, who encourages residents to lock up their cars and keep expensive items indoors. Among the items stolen were GPS devices, loose change, wallets, an iPod, and a Sirius radio. Since there were no theft attempts made on the actual car or automobile parts, the best initiative for residents to take is to simply lock their cars, even if their cars are parked in a private driveway.

The car break-ins are still under investigation.

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12:24:41 am Mattapoisett Selectmen Meeting - September 22, 2009

Categories: Mattapoisett

A regular meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen was called to order by Chairman Jordan C. Collyer on September 22 at 7:00 pm. Also in attendance were Selectmen Paul A. Silva and George Randall, Town Administrator Michael Gagne', and Town Administrator Assistant Melody Pacheco.

First on the action items, were the minutes of the September 8 meeting. The Board voted to approve these minutes.

A vote was then made to appoint Barbara Gaspar of 4 Ridgewood Road, Mattapoisett, as a member of the Historical Commission. Ms. Gaspar will be replacing Betty Smith on the Historical Commission, to complete Ms. Smith's unexpired term.

The Board then voted to proclaim October 24, 2009 "United Nations Day".

A vote was made by the Board to give authorization to Mr. Gagne' to sign all grants, and procurement documents on behalf of the town.

The final action item on the list was the donation of a Brinks truck to the town. After an upgrade of larger trucks, Brinks has donated their older vehicles to municipalities to assist with regionalized SWAT services. Chief Mary Lyons came before the Board with Officer Scott LeBlanc to voice support for this donation, and hoped that the Board would accept the donation. The only cost that the town will incur will be related to registration and insurance - otherwise, the vehicle and its upkeep will be no cost to the town. Selectman Silva was concerned about the legal implications of having the vehicle on the town's insurance, especially in the event of an accident. "We have liability for our personnel wherever they go," Chief Lyons stated. Chief Lyons also noted that only Mattapoisett personnel would operate the truck. The Board voted in favor of the donation. "Scott did all the work," Chief Lyons said, nodding to Officer LeBlanc. "I just want to make sure that he gets recognized for that." Chairman Collyer thanked Officer LeBlanc for his work and research.

There were three scheduled meetings for the Board. The first meeting was at 7:05 pm with an NStar representative who sought permission from NStar to place two new utility poles on Hemlock Lane for a new property. Since no abutters were present, the Board approved the request without opposition from the audience.

Chairman Collyer then asked for a moment of silence to recognize the passing of town resident Paul Hubbard.

The next meeting was at 7:15 pm and was for the purpose of discussing commercial scalloping licenses, fees, and openings. The town hall conference room was filled with over 25 shellfishing professionals, with more standing in the doorway. Mr. Gagne' handed out a proposed fee chart that he and Town Clerk Barbara Sullivan drafted based on other coastal town data. Chairman Collyer made it clear that fees were not as much of an issue for the evenings discussion since there were still several people to consult before altering fees and fines, but that the meeting was for the purpose of getting feedback from commercial fishermen while the Board addressed shellfishing rules and regulations. Mattapoisett Natural Wildlife Officer Kathy Massey and Harbormaster Steven Mach were available to address concerns and questions.

The main concerns presented to the Board from the fishermen present were: the continued illegal shellfishing from non-licensed fishermen, the issue of boat ownership in shellfishing, a license application deadline, the abuse of shellfish license application in past years, docking, and unloading space.

One commercial fisherman in the audience expressed concern over the ability for town residents to currently buy a shellfishing license for non-residents to use. The issue of licensing was the keystone in the discussion - something has to be done about the potential abuse and misuse of town licensing, but there were several different opinions on what should be done.

"This is the first time we have looked at this in a while," Chairman Collyer said, referencing the Shellfish Rules and Regulations guidebook that was last revised in 1988. The Board considered the possibility of limiting the amount of licenses issued. 27 commercial shellfishing licenses were issued in Mattapoisett for the 2008/2009 year. There are some municipalities in the SouthCoast and Cape Cod area that restrict the licenses to a specific number to not be exceeded after the cut-off date. One fisherman in the audience presented the method currently employed by Marion, where licenses are issued past the deadline, but at a significantly higher price.

The overall consensus from fisherman present was that limiting the amount of shellfishing licenses, especially for this year, would not be fair or profitable for the town. However, the proposal for increasing the cost of a license after the October 31 deadline was favorably met.

Mr. Mach presented a couple issues concerning the docking of boats in the town wharf, specifically the use of shell-fishermen using yearly-leased spaced and damaging the space reserved for summer renters. He was also concerned with the location of off-loading. "I wouldn't want people off-loading on that new wooden pier," he said. He was also concerned with the illegal dumping of shells coming from a commercial boat in the area of Mello wharf. Selectman Silva said that anyone caught illegally dumping shells should have their fishing license revoked.

Winter docking space can only be obtained by contacting the year-round renter of the space. One fisherman at the back of the room complained that Mr. Mach didn't give him the names of the people who leased the space, but Chairman Collyer quickly defended Mr. Mach, saying that docking information was readily available at town hall with Ms. Sullivan.

The Board resolved to make several changes to the current shellfishing rules and regulations. They will instate a deadline for application, and that deadline will be October 31 for a $200 license fee, with the fee increasing to $400 after the October 31 deadline. The fee schedule will remain in effect until October 31.

The Board made a motion to open the 2009/2010 shellfishing season on October 1 in the outer harbor, October 15 for the inner harbor (recreational only), and November 1 to the public. This is the same policy that was used in the 2008/2009 shellfishing season. The Board also motioned to accept the new licensing fee and deadline, a requirement for commercial fishers to use the Mattapoisett town wharf for landing and unloading, a maximum of 2 licenses per boat, with a five bushel limit, and the promise to look into the current law on shellfishing boats being Mattapoisett owner and operated. If this is the current law, the Board motioned to uphold it. These motions were passed by the Board. An open forum on rules and regulations will occur in early October, and will be advertised on the town website.

The Board then heard an update on the Bike Path engineering and design from Susan Nilson and CLE Engineering Inc. The Bike Path engineering appears to be making good progress, and is pending an easement from the Mattapoisett YMCA.

Ms. Nilson also presented the topic of Eel Pond progress. Several members of the Conservation Commission (ConCom) were also present to discuss issues with Eel Pond. The Eel Pond story began 4 years ago, when the two channels, east and west, appeared to be constricting and expanding, respectively. Within the west entrance, there is a sewer line that was installed in 1971. This line is designed to survive 50 years under ideal circumstances. The fear of the engineering firm is that a particularly heavy storm, like a hurricane or tropical storm, will completely close off the east entrance, making it prone to algae blooms. More importantly, the sewer line, which passes over 200,000 gallons of raw sewerage daily, could burst in a storm and release its contents into Buzzard's Bay. CLE made the suggestion of closing off the west entrance and opening up the older east entrance. They also suggested replacing the pipe or finding another long-term solution to the sewerage problem.

Several members of ConCom expressed opposition to closing off the west entrance of Eel Pond, saying that the threat has not proven imminent, and that nature might just be making the solution by expanding the west entrance and shrinking the east.

All present agreed that something needed to be done to address the sewerage pipe in the west entrance. Selectman Silva suggested a meeting with the Sewer and Water Commission to discuss the matter further, and the rest of the Board agreed. They also requested that Ms. Nilson prepare a detailed budget for CLE's proposal, and the cost of a ground-penetrating survey.

The Board then discussed the Private Roads Policy in their discussion items. They set a date of October 6 at the Center School gymnasium to have a public informational meeting on the topic of public roads policies.

Since there was no Mattapoisett River update, and since Mr. Gagne' is still waiting for correspondence in the Bike Path parking issue, the Board moved on to notes and announcements.

The Highway Department will be attending the MIIA chainsaw training seminar on September 24 and September 25 from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm at the Rochester Public Works Department.

Mr. Gagne' will be attending the SRPEDD Regional Economic Strategy Committee meeting on the second Tuesday of each month for scheduled meeting from 3:00 pm to 4:0 pm at SRPEDD or host communities.

The Board received notification that ConCom requests one more member. Notice of this vacancy will be available on the town website and ORCTV.

In the Town Administrator's report, Mr. Gagne' announced that he would be attending the September 23 Joint Transportation Planning Group, the Finance Committee meeting, and the October 7 Gateway Health meeting in Carver. He requested the Board's support in pursuing the Peer to Peer grant for the purpose of improving the town hall, and for the Board to consider a tri-town approach in a Community Development Block grant for improving handicap accessibility and elderly housing in the area. Mr. Gagne' will be approaching the subject of this grant with the other tri-town town administrators with the Board's approval.

There being no more matters to discuss, the Board went into executive session at 10:00 pm to discuss the contract of a non-union employee. The next Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen meeting will take place on October 13, 2009, at the town hall.

By Anne O'Brien-Kakley

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12:24:33 am House Move from Sconticut to Brant Beach

Categories: Mattapoisett

Moving is one of life's most difficult challenges. There is no greater hassle than finding boxes, packing them full of all your treasured possessions, and then hauling it all to your new home. Moving a household of items is stressful enough - now imagine moving the whole house as well.

This is what Rochester resident (soon to be Mattapoisett resident) Deborah Francoeur is doing. After responding to a classified ad posted by Frederick and Joyce Roach in The Wanderer for "unbuildable" land, Ms. Francoeur purchased the 8000 square foot lot on Brant Beach Ave. for an incredibly low figure of $15,000 in June of 2008. Since Mr. Roach had been told that the lot was tied into wetlands, he had to part with it for such a low amount, because it was seemingly unusable.

According to Ms. Francoeur, she had the soil on the lot sampled and tested. The results of the soil testing showed that the lot was indeed near wetlands, but it was isolated and therefore not part of a larger network of aquifers. Based on soil testing, the lot was found to be "buildable," and Ms. Francoeur's quest to live on Brant Beach began.

But Ms. Francoeur's luck doesn't stop there. Thanks to the generosity of Greg Kamon, she will also have a house to put on her Brant Beach property. Mr. Kamon, a Rochester resident, has a house at the end of Sconticut Neck in Fairhaven. Since he wanted to build a new home on the site, he had the choice of tearing down the existing structure, or donating it. In the ultimate spirit of recycling, the house was gifted to Ms. Francoeur with the agreement that she would pay to have the house moved to its new location at Brant Beach Ave.

The house, which is a classic beach cottage style, was built in 1996. In order to move the house across the stretch of ocean between Sconticut Neck and Brandt Island Road, the house will be rolled onto a barge and shipped out to sea at high tide. From there, Ms. Francoeur hopes that the house would only have to remain anchored at sea for 24 hours until the next high tide, when work crews can bring the house to its new location on Brant Beach. The house, which was originally elevated on stilts, will have a first floor built beneath it in the new location.

The site of the house's old location is very close to the summer home of Richard Trethewey, the cheerful master plumber who has been an integral part of This Old House since 1979. Ms. Francoeur says that This Old House was interested in documenting the house move, but was unable to do so, since the move coincided with their already-scheduled project in Florida.

This new home will become Ms. Francoeur's permanent residence, and one that she is likely eager to get into. Since winds and tides must be ideal to safely traverse the house over the water, the project has been repeatedly scheduled and rescheduled. The ultimate benefit of this house move, aside from the money savings, is ecological. Ms. Francoeur proudly displayed a t-shirt that says "Ride the Wave: Recycle, Re-use, Relocate" - perhaps this is an ecological trend that will continue to gain momentum.

The move from Fairhaven was scheduled to occur on September 23, with the barge landing in Mattapoisett on September 24. Please check The Wanderer photo gallery for updated pictures as the house move progresses.

By Anne O'Brien-Kakley

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12:24:28 am Mattapoisett Historical Society Annual Meeting

Categories: Mattapoisett

On Sunday, September 20, 2009, while the sun shone and the Sox and the Patriots played, the annual meeting of the Mattapoisett Historical Society was called to order by President Seth Mendell at 2:00 pm.

The first order of business was a moment of silence to honor those who are no longer with us.

Next the minutes of the last annual meeting in 2008 were reviewed by Jennifer McIntire. Last year was the fiftieth anniversary of the Mattapoisett Historical Society, and many events, such as the annual ice-cream social, and various lectures on topics from ice-cutting to organic gardening were remembered. A large thanks to all the volunteers was given.

These minutes from the 2008 meeting were approved, and the meeting moved forward to the Treasurer's Report.

Mr. Mendell reviewed the annual income and expenses, and stated that "we exist on goodwill, faith and charity from those who support us financially. We seem to do all right." He also noted that "this past year we haven't had to spend a dime on maintenance," since recent work to the carriage house has already been completed, including a fire alarm system and new windows.

This year however, a "sparkling, white fence" now surrounds the property, thanks to the local Scout troop and its parents. A motion was made to accept the Treasurer's Report, and it was accepted.

The next order of business was the Nominating Committee Report, election of Officers and Recognition. Eloise Ricciadelli, a board member for many years who is resigning from her position this year was asked to come forward. Mr. Mendell spoke about the many ways in which Ms. Ricciadelli has helped the board and stated that "I want to express our thanks to Eloise." Ms. Ricciadelli accepted the flowers given to her at this time and also expressed her thanks to Mr. Mendell and the other Society members.

A quick description of some past exhibits were then given, some of which were old Mattapoisett schools, men's and women's work, old clothes, a military exhibit, a quilt exhibit, Maritime craftsmanship, and old toys. This year's exhibit is called "treasures from the past."

The Curator's report came next, and Ms. Bette Roberts took the stand. She began with a lighthearted introduction of herself and her job description; "I sweep the floor, take out the trash..." She was applauded when she shared that this is her twentieth year working for the Mattapoisett Historical Society.

Ms. Roberts spoke about this year's visitors, which at just fewer than three hundred are down from past years. There were no foreign visitors, either.

Briefly, Ms. Roberts talked about some of the latest additions to the museum, some of which are several articles made out of whalebone, a box compass made in New Bedford in the late 1800's, a new photo collection, and more clothing to add to the collection they already have.

The Curator's report ended with a letter written by a fifth grader after visiting the museum with his class, and part of that letter read; "I enjoyed everything."

The President's report came last, and Mr. Mendell added to the earlier comment about fewer visitors this year than past by pointing out the full houses when the "glass lantern slides" were shown. These slides were shown twice, once in May and again in August. These slides were so popular that a sixteen month calendar was made of them, which can be purchased for $8.00.

Mr. Mendell talked about the Society's involvement with the most recent section of the bike path, since it runs right through many historically rich sections of Mattapoisett.

The twelfth edition of "The Crows Nest", the Society's newsletter is now out. For upcoming events, two children's programs are coming up: an apple and pumpkin event on Oct. 4, and on Dec. 13 there will be caroling.

After many more words of appreciation for all of the members and volunteers, the meeting was adjourned at 2:51 pm.

By Sarah K. Taylor

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12:40:47 am Mattapoisett Selectmen Meeting - September 8, 2009

Categories: Mattapoisett, Rochester

A scheduled meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen was called to order by Chairman Jordan C. Collyer on September 8, 2009, at 7:00 pm. Also in attendance were Selectmen Paul A. Silva and George Randall, town administrator Michael Gagne', and administrative assistant Melody Pacheco.

First on the order of business were the minutes of the August 25 meeting. These minutes were approved by the Board.

The Board voted to approve Mr. Gagne' appointment to the following committees: Joint Transportation, Affirmative Action Officer, SRTA, Procurement Officer, and Town Administrator. Chairman Collyer officially welcomed Mr. Gagne' to his post, and introduced him to the public.

The meeting then shifted to the first discussion item on the agenda, which was the town's policy on private roads. The town hall meeting room was well attended by residents of various private roads who were concerned with the current state of town involvement in their road maintenance. Under the current guidelines, residents of private roads have been paying for the materials needed in grading streets and repairing potholes. David Jenkins drafted a letter to the Board of Selectmen suggesting a revision of the current by-laws to adopt the Wellfleet model of private road policy, which limits the amounts of repairs that the town highway department can make on private roads. Since the Chapter 90 budget is limited, the highway department has also been limited in the amount of repairs to private roads that can be made. The new Wellfleet model of repairs would allow for the town to only make repairs that were temporary and necessary for public safety, with the bulk of maintenance falling on the individual homeowners.

Highway Surveyor Barry Denham was present to defend the current methodology in addressing private road repairs, and to answer questions from the audience of concerned residents. "As far as I'm concerned, it's your equipment and you pay the bills," Mr. Denham said to the Board. "It's the materials. We've ended up hauling materials on our own trucks, which isn't a problem, but the billing gets difficult, keeping up with who owes what [money]."

The only way some of these private roads will be able to get unlimited town maintenance will be if they are made public. "There are some communities that don't want their roads to be used by the public," Selectman Silva said. Selectman Silva then went on to describe two different types of "private roads" - those that are somewhat private (but often still used by the public) and those that are strictly private.

Chairman Collyer defined the difference through two different private roads - the area of Assawompsett and the Bay Club road. While Assawompsett is technically private, it is commonly used by the public. Chairman Collyer pointed out that no one uses the Bay Club road unless they live there or have flashing lights on their vehicle.

"There must be a way to strike a happy medium," Chairman Collyer said.

Mr. Gagne' pointed out that Massachusetts General Law indicates that public funds are for public benefit. Mr. Gagne' presented the Wellfleet model of private road maintenance as a reasonable resolution to the topic.

"It's easy to see why I've had so many problems in the past six months," Mr. Denham said. "We have to make parameters clear. You've got an awful lot of people living on private roads now. You have to make we are providing a service we need to provide, but that we aren't overburdening the highway department."

Resident Geoffrey King was present to represent some of the private road residents in the audience. He said that private roads in his area have been maintained without incident for the past few decades. He objected to the suggestion that they were "burdening" the highway department when he felt his high taxes justified some level of maintenance.

Mr. Denham said that the private road issue has slowly grown over the years. As more and more private roads are made, there are more and more people relying on a service for a street that isn't open to the public, yet relies on public funds for upkeep. "We can't go down every time for every little road. [Sometimes] when you go down, it's not even a road - it's basically a driveway."

Selectman Randall said that if they revised by-laws, all streets would have to be treated the same regardless of size.

Meadow Plain resident Kimberly Ward spoke. "What we are looking for is status quo under the law," she said. "Nothing more. I don't think the town should have to give us dirt. We don't want to adopt a standard from another town that has nothing to do with Mattapoisett," she said in reference to Mr. Gagne' presentation of the Wellfleet standard. "If road repairs are opening a can of worms, then snow removal will get really dicey," Ms. Ward added.

Private roads, through a process of upgrading, assessment and approval through various boards, could become public for town mainentance. Although more public roads would mean more Chapter 90 funding, Selectman Silva pointed out that it could still mean more taxes for Mattapoisett residents, and suggested that status quo really could be the most reasonable accommodation.

The Board concluded to plan a public informational meeting to be posted on Channel 38, on the "virtual town hall" town website, and the meeting will be properly advertised in media sources. Any questions concerning the meeting should be forwarded to town hall.

The Board then heard from Jan E. Dabrowski, an attorney representing a Mattapoisett Neck resident, who says that the proposed site for Rail Trail parking is not NStar's property, but is actually privately owned property that has granted an easement to NStar. Any parking lot construction will have to be approved by the owner of the land, since the easement does not permit third party use. Mr. Gagne' hopes to meet with this owner and discuss the matter further.

George Randall presented to the Board an old picture of three selectmen from the earlier part of the 20th century. The picture was donated by Richard Walker and depicts three selectmen: Lester Crampton, who served from 1925 to 1963, George White, and Manuel Linhares. The picture will be cleaned up, given a plaque, and will be posted in the town hall.

Further discussions on recreational and commercial shellfishing guidelines will be discussed at the September 22 BOS meeting.

Chairman Collyer adjourned the meeting at 8:59 pm.

By Anne O'Brien-Kakley

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12:40:36 am Mattapoisett Sustainability Club Seeks Members

Categories: Mattapoisett

Sustainability and eco-living are more than just fads; they are becoming more and more accepted by the general public, who recognize that sustainability is vital to the planet's well-being. More and more products are being made with bamboo, cork, and other renewable materials. Items made from recycled post-consumer waste have increased in popularity, and consumers widely participate in recycling programs.

The Mattapoisett Sustainability Club (MSC) was started in August 2008, in an effort to harness this enthusiasm for ecological living. According to organizer Bonne DeSousa, the group started when she ran a press release in The Wanderer. Twelve people, interested in the subject of sustainability, showed up to that first meeting. "Some of them were my dog walking friends," Ms. DeSousa laughs, "but they were all interested in sustainability for their homes and town."

According to Ms. DeSousa, sustainability "is living in a way that avoids excessive waste and ensures that the wonderful resources currently available to us will be available to the next generations. It means conservation, environmentalism, relying on more local economies, and implementing clean and efficient technologies and products that will replace harmful, un-renewable technologies."

MSC has "Q&A" (question and answer) sessions to inform the public on a wide variety of sustainability issues, and how those issues are addressed by town infrastructure. The first Q&A session took place in November 2008, and citizens had a chance to ask questions about the current state of sustainability in Mattapoisett. The second Q&A session took place in April 2009. The MSC got the chance to educate a lot of people about the current state of recycling in Mattapoisett, water absorption and run-off, and has even worked with the Center School on an Earth Day program. The MSC has worked with the water department and representatives of ABC disposal to answer many of the public's questions about sustainability.

Ms. DeSousa says that the club consists of a wide range of people. Although everyone is busy in their personal lives, the club consists of people, both working and retired, who are committed to improving the town's ecology and carbon footprint. The common thread among these diverse MSC members is that they are all interested in finding a way to live in harmony with the environment.

In the next year, Ms. DeSousa hopes to have another open session so the public can continue to ask questions and receive answers about their trash disposal and water concerns. Many MSC members are also interested in a community garden for next year, and possibly a Mattapoisett farmers' market.

For anyone interested in learning more about the Mattapoisett Sustainability Club, there will be an informational meeting on Tuesday, September 15 at the Mattapoisett Library from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. The MSC will discuss the agenda for the upcoming year, and will exchange ideas for the future of sustainability in town, and in the schools.

Another resource on sustainability that Ms. DeSousa avidly supports is the website: www.CouncilonSustainability.org. This site is organized by UMass Dartmouth, with support from Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD), and promotes sustainable living to all of southeastern Massachusetts through education and working group meetings. Marion resident Susan Jennings is also a member of the Council on Sustainability.

In the future, Ms. DeSousa hopes that people will see sustainability as an important facet to everyday life. "It's not climate change," she says. "That's controversial. Our group is about commonsense ways of saving our resources. That is what we are most interested in."

By Anne O'Brien-Kakley

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10:30:09 am Shores Open to Shell-fishing Again

Categories: Marion, Mattapoisett

After the Department of Marine Fisheries closed all shell-fishing areas in Mattapoisett and Marion on Thursday, September 3, the Department announced on Saturday, September 5, that shores are safe for shell-fishing again.

Septic and street drainage from the storm led to unsafe bacteria levels in shell-fishing areas. According to the Mattapoisett harbormaster’s office, the shell-fishing areas were tested daily for safety.

By Anne O'Brien-Kakley

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03:15:47 pm EEE Found in Mattapoisett Mosquito Sample

Categories: News, Marion, Mattapoisett, Rochester

The Mattapoisett Board of Health announced today that EEE virus has been detected in mosquitoes collected from Mattapoisett. In 2008, 4,575 mosquito samples were tested for EEE virus, and 13 positive samples were identified in Massachusetts. Mattapoisett had two EEE virus positive mosquito samples identified in 2009.

EEE is a rare, but serious, illness spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. While EEE can infect people of all ages, people under the age of 15 or over the age of 50 are at the greatest risk for serious illness.

By taking a few commonsense precautions, people can help to protect themselves and their loved ones.

Avoid Mosquito Bites

Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours - The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning. Otherwise, take extra precautions to use repellent and wear protective clothing.

Mosquito-Proof Your Home

Remove Standing Water- Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or getting rid of items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools, and change water in birdbaths frequently.

Repair Screens - To avoid mosquitoes coming indoors, keep tightly-fitting screens on all of your doors and windows.

Information about EEE and reports of EEE virus activity in Massachusetts during 2009 can be found on the MDPH website at www.mass.gov/dph under A for arbovirus in the Health Topics A to Z index. Recorded information about EEE is also available by calling the MDPH Public Health Information Line at 1-866-627-7968.

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06:41:51 pm Parker Named Interim Assistant Principal at ORR

Categories: Mattapoisett

Mr. Michael Parker of E. Falmouth, MA has accepted the position of Interim Assistant Principal at Old Rochester Regional Senior High School for the 2009-2010 school term. Mr. Parker served as a history and social science teacher and department head at Sandwich, MA High School from 1993 until the present. At Sandwich, Mr. Parker at various points was the varsity baseball coach, freshman basketball coach, NHS advisor and department chair. Before going to Sandwich in 1993, Mr. Parker held teaching assignments in Wareham and Mansfield.

A graduate of Boston College ('83), Mr. Parker holds an M.Ed. from Fitchburg State.

The ORR search for a new assistant principal during the spring did not result in a permanent appointment. The position will be re-advertised in advance of a search early in 2010 for a permanent appointment. Mr. Parker, who in 2009-2010 will be on a leave of absence from the Sandwich District, may elect to become a candidate for the permanent assignment. Such appointment will begin in the summer of 2010.

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12:01:32 am Mattapoisett Selectmen's Meeting - August 25, 2009

Categories: Mattapoisett

A regular meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen met on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 at 7:00 pm. Chairman Jordan C. Collyer and Selectman George Randall, town administrator Michael Botelho and assistant to the town administrator, Melody Pacheco, were all in attendance. Paul A. Silva was absent from the meeting.

After approving the minutes of the August 6 and August 11 meetings, including executive session minutes from the August 11 meeting, the Board then voted to approve a land request from David and Katharine McIntire. The McIntires wish to convert approximately 20,000 square feet of agricultural land to residential for the intent of selling the plot of land. Although Mattapoisett maintains the right to deny this request, the Board voted to allow the conversion.

Next, the Board granted permission to Kathryn Dinneen, who requested a permit to use the parking lot adjacent to the Cannonville Beach for her daughter's wedding on September 12. The Board voted to approve this request.

The Board read an invitation to attend a regional summit at the Dartmouth town hall. The summit will explore opportunities for regionalization in Southeastern Massachusetts, and will take place on September 10. Chairman Collyer said that he would be tentatively attending.

The Heritage Days Committee sent a thank you to all town departments for continued help and support throughout the weekend of August 7-9. The Heritage Days Committee was especially grateful to the Highway department for helping to close off streets and for clean-up, and the Fire and Police departments for keeping the event safe. "Everyone had a great time," said Chairman Collyer. "I know I did."

The Board received a request from the Coalition for Buzzard's Bay to repeat their annual Watershed Ride though the town. The cycling event will span 75 miles, from Westport to Wood's Hole. The Board accepted the request to pass through Mattapoisett.

The issue of parking on the bike path is still pending on correspondence with NStar, who needs to grant permission to the town to use NStar-owned land for parking use. The town is hoping that NStar will grant easement, so the town can clean the area and prepare it for use.

An application from Richard Winterbottom was presented to the Board. Mr. Winterbottom submitted an application to the Board for permission to sell corn in front of Sea Gas on Route 6. The Board approved the application.

Chairman Collyer acknowledged that a long-time resident of Mattapoisett, Dick Chase, had died on August 21, 2009. Mr. Chase had been on the Mattapoisett Planning Board for 50 years. Chairman Collyer asked for a moment of silence for Mr. Chase. After the moment of silence, Ms. Pacheco offered her deepest condolences to the family, and said that everyone was "very grateful" for Mr. Chase's years of dedication to the town.

The August 23 Board of Selectmen meeting was the final meeting for town administrator Michael Botelho, who will be retiring on August 28. Chairman Collyer took a moment to express his appreciation for Mr. Botelho, saying: "Mike has been an integral part of this town... he stepped up when necessary, and even as aggravating as we can be, [he showed] a tremendous amount of patience. Without your leadership and innovation, we wouldn't be here today, and I wish you the best."

Mr. Botelho thanked Chairman Collyer for his "kind words", and said that he had a statement, but he had two orders of business to conclude before speaking about his retirement. Mr. Botelho said that he had applied for and received a town grant for the Pico Beach salt marsh, where flushing of the marsh has been problematic. The town will receive approximately $10,000 to engineer changes to the salt marsh.

Mr. Botelho also said that he has been in close contact with Michael Gagne, who will be taking his place as the new Mattapoisett town administrator. "He's certainly enthusiastic and the town is in good shape. Mattapoisett is going to do well," Mr. Botelho, said as he transitioned into his goodbye. "I got my first job in 1956 on a paper route. Since then, I haven't had many days off," he said. He thanked his wife, for being "solid as a rock"; Melody Pacheco for being his "steady right hand"; the current Board of Selectmen and the Board that appointed him in 2003; all of the town volunteers, elected officials, and town employees; and he thanked the people of Mattapoisett. "It's been an honor to have this job. [Mattapoisett] is a marvelous place."

"We know where to find you," Chairman Collyer laughed. "We know your mooring number."

There being no more business, the Board dismissed at 7:30 pm, after Chairman Collyer wished a happy birthday to his son William, who just turned one.

The next scheduled meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen is scheduled for Tuesday, September 8, at 7:00 pm in the town hall.

By Anne O'Brien-Kakley

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11:26:43 am Mattapoisett Man Arrested in Dartmouth

Categories: Mattapoisett

Dartmouth officers responded to a call at 351 Highland Ave in Dartmouth, Ma on Sunday, August 23 around 6:45 pm. A 20-year old Marshfield woman was screaming for help when officers arrived to find her being held against her will by Jeffrey Bradley, 26, of 42 Main Street in Mattapoisett.

Bradley was arraigned in New Bedford District Court on several charges, including kidnapping, domestic assault, indecent assault and battery, and assault with intent to commit a felony.

By Anne O'Brien-Kakley

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03:01:12 pm Mattapoisett Planning Board - August 17, 2009

Categories: Mattapoisett

A regular meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board was called to order by John Mathieu on Monday, August 17, 2009 at 7:35 pm at the Mattapoisett Town Hall. Also in attendance were Board Members Robert McNamara and Karen Field and Mattapoisett Tree Warden Roland Cote. Planning Board Chairman Tom Tucker and Secretary Tammy Ferreira were not in attendance.

Brad and Susan Drake, of 140 North St., Mattapoisett, came before the Board with a request to be allowed to remove a dilapidated tree on their property. The tree is on a scenic road and part of the town's "scenic layout," and therefore needs Board approval to be removed. The Drakes estimate that the tree is 40 to 45 feet high and has to be at least over 50 years old, since it was quite large when they moved to Mattapoisett 48 years ago.

Ms. Field asked if a tree would be planted somewhere in town, not necessarily in the same place, in lieu of the tree and Mr. Drake said he would be more than happy to plant one himself and would work with the Mattapoisett Tree Committee on doing so. Mr. Mathieu motioned that permission be granted for the tree to be removed and was seconded by Ms. Field.

Mr. Cote asked the Board who was responsible for the destruction of the tree, since it was on private property, but needed town permission to decide upon its fate. Since the Chairman and Secretary of the Board were not in attendance, no definitive answer could be given until the matter was brought up to Chairman Tucker.

An informal question and answer session was held for Mattapoisett residents Steve Johansen and Bill Caton as to the possibility of adding another driveway to the vacant lot at 99 Brandt Island Road. If the lot is developed, the gentlemen were in a discussion if the lot could be split off for two houses to be built upon it and have a driveway added. The Board stated that common driveways are not allowed in the Town's By-laws.

Mr. Cote suggested to the Board that they should accompany him on trips to several parts of the town to view potential small projects, such as trimming the forests on the windy sections of Crystal Spring Road near North Street. He also suggested putting a grate surrounding the large tree next to the tennis courts on Hammond Street. He jokingly suggested it would be a "Ride to beautify Mattapoisett."

The Meeting was adjourned at 8:15pm by Mr. Mathieu. The Planning Board meets every first and third Monday of the month at 7:30 pm at the Mattapoisett Town Hall.

By Adam Silva

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12:57:21 am Mattapoisett BOS Vote Gagne for Town Administrator

Categories: Mattapoisett

Mattapoisett Selectmen's Meeting - August 11, 2009

A regular Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen meeting was called to order by Chairman Jordan C. Collyer on August 11 at 7:00 pm. Also in attendance were Selectmen Paul A. Silva and George Randall, town administrator Michael Botelho, and town administrator assistant Melody Pacheco. The Board started the meeting by approving the minutes of the July 28 meeting.

The Board then unanimously voted in favor of appointing Marie A. Bacon to the Board of Appeals as an "Associate Member" with a term ending in 2011. The Board also approved the appointment of Brett J. Osetkowski as Reserve Police Officer.

Mattapoisett Congregational Church sought permission to hold their annual "Homecoming Worship Event" on Sunday, September 13 at Ned's Point starting at 10:00 with a cookout to follow. Since no alcohol will be consumed at the event, the Board unanimously passed to grant permission.

The Board's first appointment came from Bill Hannon from Verizon, who came before the board to give an update on telephone pole replacements. All but three poles are completed, and transfer work is mostly done. The telephone company just needs to come out and remove the old poles. Ms. Pacheco personally thanked Mr. Hannon for all of his hard work and communication. The Board also thanked Mr. Hannon for his update.

The next appointment of the evening went to Don Bamberger of the Lions Club. Mr. Bamberger said that he came before the Board as a representative of the Lions Club, a group that provides financial support to a variety of sources, like the Mattapoisett Council on Aging, school sports, and girl and boy scouts. Mr. Bamberger came before the Board to present an idea that he thinks will beautify the town and provide revenue for the Lions Club. The Lions Club hopes to hang flags on as many as 50 town telephone poles. These flags would be seasonally changed, or would designate historical areas, and could promote local events. According to Mr. Bamberger, the flags would "help to give the town identity and... will raise money that will go right back into the community". Mr. Bamberger recognizes that there will be a lot of paperwork to complete, since the town doesn't have complete jurisdiction on the telephone poles, and that Verizon and NStar will have to be contacted. Before going ahead with this legwork, Mr. Bamberger wanted to make sure that he had the Board's blessings, since they would have an ultimate say in the final product. Selectman Silva wanted to make sure that further discussions would address maintenance and tasteful distribution.

Mr. Bamberger said that the flags could heighten awareness for groups like the Mattapoisett Land Trust and historical groups. The revenue is created by small business advertisements that appear at the bottom of the flag.

Both Selectman Silva and Police Chief Mary Lyons, who was present in the audience, suggested that residents on the proposed route have time to hear and decide on the flags. Chairman Collyer said that the Board would need a comprehensive plan for the future of the project. Pending these contingencies, the Board voted in favor of supporting the Lions Club flag effort, which the Lions Club hopes can start at holiday time.

The Board then turned its attention to the Wine and Malt Package Store License request made by A Mattapoisett Florist. The proprietor of A Mattapoisett Florist is requesting permission to sell wine baskets; in order to do this, a Wine and Malt License is required. Since Mattapoisett only has one license to grant, and since there are other "more beneficial places" to grant this license, the Board did not vote to approve the request. "No action will be taken until we have a suitable applicant," stated Mr. Botelho. No motion was made.

The vote that the Board has previously made to lower the speed limit on Mattapoisett Neck Road will likely not be upheld according to town by-laws, according to Chief Lyons. The by-laws state that the stretch of Mattapoisett Neck Road that intersects the bike path is 40 miles per hour and will have to stay that way. Chief Lyons suggested discussing this matter with Attorney Jenkins on how to proceed with addressing the by-law.

The major decision came at the end of the night with the Board's decision to offer the position of Town Administrator to applicant Michael Gagne.

"I think we have two good people," Selectman Randall stated. "I'm thinking that Mr. Gagne has perhaps more administration experience in a small town than Mr. Andrews."

Selectman Silva agreed. "I spent an awful lot of time on the phone. I ended up coming up with Mr. Gagne, though I think Mr. Andrews could do a wonderful job... but [Mr. Gagne] could jump in and there wouldn't be a blip at all." Selectman Silva reflected a concern of the entire board when he brought up the topic of salary and benefits. The Board was concerned with Mr. Gagne taking lower pay than he received in Dartmouth, where he served for 23 years as town administrator. But, as Chairman Collyer pointed out, the benefits are less expensive in Mattapoisett, making the package a little more appealing.

Chairman Collyer favored Mr. Andrews at first, but after "candid" phone referrals, the decision became more difficult. Although the mayor of Lawrence had "glowing" remarks for Mr. Andrews, Mr. Gagne's references were equally impressive. The salary and benefits were also a concern to Chairman Collyer, who noted that Mr. Gagne would be taking a significant pay-cut from his previous position if he accepted the $89,000 salary they were offering.

After hearing Selectmen Silva and Randall favor Mr. Gagne, Chairman Collyer said that he would support Mr. Gagne, who would likely "hit the ground running". Selectman Silva motioned to offer the position to Mr. Gagne pending negotiations on benefits and salary. The motion was unanimously approved. Another meeting on the topic of negotiations is scheduled for August 14 at 4:00 pm.

The meeting went into executive session at 8:00 pm to discuss pending litigation.

By Anne O'Brien-Kakley

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12:57:17 am Mattapoisett Selectmen Address Shellfish Program

Categories: Mattapoisett

The Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen met on August 11 at 6:00 pm to discuss the current state of Shellfish Management in Mattapoisett. The current program manual was compiled in 1988 and contains some dated rules and fines.

The Board met with the Natural Resources Officer, Kathy Massey, Deputy Shellfish Officer Rob Hocking, and shell-fishermen Chapman "Chappy" Vickers, and Sammy Nicolosi.

The Board was interested in hearing the suggestions of local fishermen on how the town can strengthen the shellfish management program, since some of the rules are out-of-date. Recent years have been good for shell-fishing, and the Board thought it was important to tend to the rules to keep them relevant.

Officer Massey thought it was most important to "raise the fines" and the Board agreed.

Other suggestions made from the fishermen in attendance were to limit licenses, rotate shell-fishing areas, and find a way to strictly enforce the laws. A major concern of those present was the problem with non-residents illegally fishing. Chairman Collyer said that "we need a center console work boat" to help police illegal fishing.

Based on suggestions from the fishermen, the Board was ultimately interested in limiting the amount of licenses granted, increasing license fees for non-residents, and increasing fines. Fees and fines have not been increased in a while, and are no longer in proportion to the cost of quahogs.

Chairman Collyer hoped to leave this topic open to discussion for a week or two, and especially hoped to gage public interest in aquaculture grants and permits. Any fee increases that are voted on in the future will be appropriately posted in advance.

By Anne O'Brien-Kakley

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12:57:12 am Playground Dedication at Dunseith Park

Categories: Mattapoisett

Dunseith Gardens will now be the home of a new children's playground, courtesy of the Mattapoisett Land Trust. The grassy play area on the corner of Route 6 and North Street will provide a pleasant, sheltered field for children to play in, along with several playground features made out of recycled and repurposed materials.

The Dunseith playground was the idea of Elizabeth Richardson, a member of the board of directors for the MLT. Since school playgrounds are closed during school hours, she wanted a nature-inspired playground for parents to take their pre-school children, any time of the day.

Another MLT director, Paul Osenkowski (Ozzie), worked with the board to create a playground that feels organic, by using naturally-derived materials whenever possible. Mr. Osenkowski worked closely with several Mattapoisett residents to create the playful oasis. Barry Denham of the Highway Department dropped off extra loam and grass seed to create the climbing hill, and the crawling tunnels are made of repurposed brick from Tom and Terry Simonson. Although the "Bridge to Nowhere" is constructed of Trex, it is bolstered on four corners with leftover wooden logs. The only item that Mr. Osenkowski had to go out and purchase is the green plastic slide that is set into the side of the climbing hill.

In addition to the "Bridge to Nowhere" and the "Squirt Tunnels," a large buoy will provide endless entertainment to children, who will enjoy climbing inside and ringing the bell. The buoy has belonged to the Dunseith property for years, but was in "deplorable condition" when Mr. Osenkowski started the project. Thanks to the restorative efforts of Mr. Osenkowski's uncle, Robert Nichols, the bell and buoy shine in bright shades of red, white, and blue.

Parents can feel secure watching their children from the three comfortable park benches that separate the play area from the street. The benches were donated by the MLT, and are made of recycled plastic bottles. The benches provide a nice shady spot for parents to watch their kids run. "That's something that children don't do enough of," Mr. Osenkowski says. Clearly proud of his role in creating the playground, Mr. Osenkowski hopes that the playground will provide hours of exercise for children, and maybe a little break for mom and dad.

Mr. Osenkowski says: "Since we are a land trust and not a recreational organization, we didn't want to have the typical 'swing set and see-saw' that are at all the other parks. We wanted to promote the idea of 'open space' and natural environment for kids [to] just run around." And that's exactly what the MLT has created. On a beautiful day, kids will hardly notice the traffic from Route 6. With beautiful gardens and birds constantly a-twitter, the Dunseith playground will be a fun picnic spot for parents and kids alike.

Mr. Osenkowski says that the playground was the result of many efforts. Among the volunteers were: Dan Sullivan, Mr. Randall of Acushnet Road, Gary Parker, John and Linda Clifford, Marty Hudis, and Peter Kraus. Mr. Osenkowski and the Mattapoisett Land Trust also wishes to thank the Garden Club of Buzzard's Bay for the grant, which paid for the plants at the entrance of Dunseith Park.

The MLT will host a grand opening for the playground on August 15 from noon to 2:00 pm. "Big Ryan" from Ryan's Tall Tales will entertain the children with exciting stories and puppets. Be sure to pack a picnic lunch; cookies and drinks will be provided by the Mattapoisett Land Trust.

The rain date for the event is Sunday, August 16. For more information, call (508) 758-2638, or e-mail info@mattlandtrust.org.

By Anne O'Brien-Kakley

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12:57:05 am Mattapoisett TA Finalists Interviewed

Categories: Mattapoisett

A special meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen was brought to order by Chairman Jordan C. Collyer on August 6, 2009 at 5:00 pm; also in attendance were Selectman Paul Silva, and Selectman George Randall. The Board held a special meeting to interview the final two town administrator candidates for the vacancy that will be left with current town administrator Michael Bothelo's retirement.

The BOS had several key issues to discuss with the finalists, particularly renewing an expiring trash contract, regionalization of various services, and tending to the Mattapoisett industrial and commercial zones.

In addition to the BOS, the open interview was attended by media, concerned citizens, and members of the screening committee. Chairman Collyer started the meeting by clarifying a point that he thought was misrepresented by previous news reports: the Board had constructed a screening committee and not a search committee to find the next Mattapoisett town administrator. The position was posted in several different outlets, and 34 applications were received. Near the end of this solicitation process, the Board formed a screening committee made up of seven town employees and residents. This screening committee assisted the BOS in narrowing the applicant pool down to three candidates. One of the three candidates backed out of the interview process, leaving two candidates: Mark J. Andrews, and Michael J. Gagne.

Mr. Andrews currently serves as the city budget and finance director in Lawrence, Ma. He is a Lawrence native and has been the city's chief financial director since 2007. Mr. Andrews' status as a finalist was subject to some scrutiny when it was revealed that he had been arrested on two different occasions for alleged drunk driving. His first drunk driving arrest occurred in January 2006, and his second arrest was in April 2007. After his second arrest, Mr. Andrews resigned from his position as Vice President of Administration at Northern Essex Community College.

At the beginning of Mr. Andrews' interview, he voluntarily addressed these concerns in an opening statement. Mr. Andrews stated that he was found not guilty in his first DUI arrest, and his second DUI arrest was continued without finding, and ultimately dismissed. He pointed out that he was always forthright with both the screening committee and the media, and never tried to hide his past.

Although Mr. Andrews comes from a large city municipal setting, he expressed interest in the "comfortable and inviting" environment that the small town of Mattapoisett provides. In addition to his work as a city financial director, his qualifications include years of teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses at Suffolk University and the U Mass Medical Center.

Mr. Andrews stated that his strengths included the ability to have "honest and sincere relationships with working departments" and the ability to ask for legislative help when necessary. Mr. Andrews is willing to relocate to the town of Mattapoisett, and has even been in contact with area realtors.

A main concern of the board was Mr. Andrews' ability to adapt to a small town budget from a city as large as Lawrence, Ma. The budget of Lawrence is $250 million annually, compared to Mattapoisett's budget of $19 million. To that question, Mr. Andrews answered: "the percentages are all the same", and that all municipalities have the same obstacles with healthcare costs and state cuts.

When asked by Chairman Collyer where Mr. Andrews sees himself in five to seven years, Mr. Andrews answered "in Mattapoisett", and admitted that if he were offered the job, it would be his "final stop" before retirement.

The second interview of the night went to the second finalist, Michael Gagne of Dartmouth. Mr. Gagne has spent 28 years in town government; 23 of those years were spent as a chief administrator in Dartmouth. Mr. Gagne's contract was not renewed in Dartmouth in November of 2008. Since the town could not offer a reason for the contract non-renewal or proof of "malfeasance," Mr. Gagne subsequently sued the town, and ended up settling for $56,831.

Among Mr. Gagne's accomplishments as a chief administrator were procuring grants for additions on the Dartmouth Council on Aging and Friends of the Elderly buildings, securing $1.2 million for the Little River Bay Bridge, $1 million for the Padanaram bridge repairs, and community/block grants that help senior citizen home-owners make general improvements to their house.

Dartmouth has recently struggled with some serious financial difficulties. When questioned on this point, Mr. Gagne said that the budget problem was partly the result of a 2005 car accident that left a police officer a quadriplegic. Dartmouth's insurance couldn't properly cover the necessary medical care. This combined with the increasing cost of department and fuel costs led to a budget crisis.

When asked by Selectman Silva to sum up his strength in one word, Mr. Gagne said "versatile." Mr. Gagne enjoys having a lot on his plate: "I like a very busy day. There's nothing worse than the clock ticking away." Much like Mr. Andrews, Mr. Gagne would intend on finishing his career with the Mattapoisett town administrator position, if offered. He supplied each of the BOS members with a folder that included the name and number of all 14 selectmen he has ever worked with.

The Board convened briefly after the interviews, agreeing to do reference checks in the next few days. Chairman Collyer noted that he "expected that we were going to have a difficult decision... [The candidates are on] very different ends of the spectrum. It's not apples to apples." Chairman Collyer also stated that they may require further interviewing of the candidates, with no obligation to either finalist. If the BOS chooses to start the application process over, they may, in the interest of obtaining the best person for the position.

By Anne O'Brien-Kakley

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12:56:51 am Heritage Days - 152 Years and Counting

Categories: Mattapoisett

Mattapoisett went back in time as American Revolutionary re-enactors camped out next to the Mattapoisett River on Friday, August 7 into Saturday as part of Mattapoisett's Heritage Days celebration. Although this is only their third summer demonstrating New England Colonial life in Mattapoisett, the militia can be found throughout the summer, spring and fall in the Greater-New Bedford area in various ways.

"We can be found at Fort Phoenix three days a week June through September," said Chuck Cromwell, dressed to the nines in a historically accurate vest, field hat, knickerbockers, buckled shoes and pocket watch. "We light off cannons, fire off rifles, give demonstrations about life in the time period, give information about the Revolutionary and French and Indian War and just a whole bunch of things. We're all from this area, either from Fairhaven or Acushnet. We also are at the UMass Dartmouth home football games with two cannons at one of the end zones that get fired whenever UMass scores. We do a lot of demonstrations at Fort Taber in New Bedford as well."

The re-enactors gave several demonstrations on rifle firing and proper military procedure for doing so in the time period, which falls between 1772 to 1782. The cannons that they fire, which shoot only powder, are specified by law to be instant fire/fuse. The reason behind this is that when the fuse is lit, it is to be assumed that the entire area in front of the cannon would be clear of people and animals, thus creating no margin of error.

"We do a lot of work with local Fifth-Grade students," explained Cromwell in a tutorial tone. "We try to explain to them that we are, in fact, 'Minutemen,' even though we aren't from Boston or Concord. These were people from all over the state and did all types of jobs. There were cobblers, carpenters, famers, just everyone. They were men that had to be ready at a minute's notice."

The men and women that were at the Mattapoisett River were Chuck Cromwell, Scott Smith, his son Tim Smith, Chris Richard, Frank Matthew, Wayne Oliveira, Laurie Richard, Emily Richard and Amy Smith.

Also on Friday night at Heritage Days was The Great American Cookout and Classic Car Show at Shipyard Park, which started at 6:00 pm. Hamburgers, hot dogs, salad, chips, watermelon and soda were served. Tickets were $8 for adults and $5 for children. Vintage cruising music was played with the classic cars on display.

The Mattapoisett Treasure Hunt, which took place on Saturday, August 8 at 1:00 pm and began at the Town Wharf, was won by the team of Ray and Kathy Briggs, Beverly Harris, Laurie Nunes, Linda Nunes and Nancy Souza, all of Mattapoisett.

"We owe it all to our angel up in heaven, Tommy Borges," said Kathy Briggs. "He was the secret to our success. We won second place the other two years it has taken place. We really have a great knowledge of the town. Although we did a lot of additional research, everything we did extra didn't seem to help us any."

The event was hosted by Selectman Jordan Collyer. There were six clues/spots that the nine teams visited across the town. Mr. Collyer stated that the event was very successful and it was slightly different than the years past and they had bigger and better changes for the upcoming year. The prize for First Place was a $100 gift certificate for Turks Restaurant. Second Place was a $50 gift certificate for On the Go. Third Place was a $25 gift certificate for Oxford Creamery.

The spots were the skate park next to the police station, the Episcopal Church next to the Town Beach, the salt pond on Depot Street, the old peanut factory on Pearl Street, the seahorse and back to the Town Wharf, where the team would have to correctly name all three wharves from west to east. This year's winning team set the record with a time of 21 minutes.

The other events that took place at Heritage Days on Saturday were a Community Lawn Party at Center School from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, a concert at Shipyard Park at 6:00 pm and a bonfire at Barstow Wharf, which was supposed to begin at 8:00 pm, but did not begin until 8:30 pm.

On Sunday, August 9, a walking tour of the town began at 1:00 pm and was sponsored by the Mattapoisett Historical Society. The New Bedford Harbor Sea Chanty Chorus began at 1:00 pm at the Gazebo and had songs about the whaling era. On a similar topic, from 12:00 to 3:00 pm, James Broadwater taught the art of knot tying at Shipyard Park.

Revels Repertory Company presented A Celebration of the Sea at ORRHS at 4:00 pm. The play was "An original dramatized interpretation of a New England whaling voyage set to music." It featured nine Mattapoisett children.

By Adam Silva

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09:37:00 pm Mattapoisett Town Administrator Finalists Interviewed

Categories: News, Mattapoisett

A special meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen was brought to order by Chairman Jordan C. Collyer on August 6, 2009 at 5:00 pm; also in attendance were Selectman Paul Silva, and Selectman George Randall. The Board held a special meeting to interview the final two town administrator candidates for the vacancy that will be left with current town administrator Michael Bothelo's retirement.

The BOS had several key issues to discuss with the finalists, particularly renewing an expiring trash contract, regionalization of various services, and tending to the Mattapoisett industrial and commercial zones.

In addition to the BOS, the open interview was attended by media, concerned citizens, and members of the screening committee. Chairman Collyer started the meeting by clarifying a point that he thought was misrepresented by previous news reports: the Board had constructed a screening committee and not a search committee to find the next Mattapoisett town administrator. The position was posted in several different outlets, and 34 applications were received. Near the end of this solicitation process, the Board formed a screening committee made up of seven town employees and residents. This screening committee assisted the BOS in narrowing down the applicant pool down to three candidates. One of the three candidates backed out of the interview process, leaving two candidates: Mark J. Andrews, and Michael J. Gagne.

Mr. Andrews currently serves as the city budget and finance director in Lawrence, Ma. He is a Lawrence native and has been the city's chief financial director since 2007. Mr. Andrews' status as a finalist was subject to some scrutiny when it was revealed that he had been arrested on two different occasions for alleged drunk driving. His first drunk driving arrest occurred in January 2006, and his second arrest was in April 2007. After his second arrest, Mr. Andrews resigned from his position as Vice President of Administration at Northern Essex Community College.

At the beginning of Mr. Andrews' interview, he voluntarily addressed these concerns in an opening statement. Mr. Andrews stated that he was found not guilty in his first DUI arrest, and his second DUI arrest was continued without finding, and ultimately dismissed. He pointed out that he was always forthright with both the screening committee and the media, and never tried to hide his past.

Although Mr. Andrews comes from a large city municipal setting, he expressed interest in the "comfortable and inviting" environment that the small town of Mattapoisett provides. In addition to his work as a city financial director, his qualifications include years of teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses at Suffolk University and the U Mass Medical Center.

Mr. Andrews stated that his strengths included the ability to have "honest and sincere relationships with working departments" and the ability to ask for legislative help when necessary. Mr. Andrews is willing to relocate to the town of Mattapoisett, and has even been in contact with area realtors.

A main concern of the board was Mr. Andrews' ability to adapt to a small town budget from a city as large as Lawrence, Ma. The budget of Lawrence is $250 million annually, compared to Mattapoisett's budget of $19 million. To that question, Mr. Andrews answered: "the percentages are all the same", and that all municipalities have the same obstacles with healthcare costs and state cuts.

When asked by Chairman Collyer where Mr. Andrews sees himself in five to seven years, Mr. Andrews answered "in Mattapoisett", and admitted that if he were offered the job, it would be his "final stop" before retirement.

The second interview of the night went to the second finalist, Michael Gagne of Dartmouth. Mr. Gagne has spent 28 years in town government; 23 of those years were spent as a chief administrator in Dartmouth. Mr. Gagne's contract was not renewed in Dartmouth in November of 2008. Since the town could not offer a reason for the contract non-renewal or proof of "malfeasance", Mr. Gagne subsequently sued the town, and ended up settling for $56,831.

Among Mr. Gagne's accomplishments as a chief administrator was procuring grants for additions on the Dartmouth Council on Aging and Friends of the Elderly buildings, securing $1.2 million for the Little River Bay Bridge, $1 million for the Padanaram bridge repairs, and community/block grants that help senior citizen home-owners make general improvements to their house.

Dartmouth has recently struggled with some serious financial difficulties. When questioned on this point, Mr. Gagne said that the budget problem was partly the result of a 2005 car accident that left a police officer a quadriplegic. Dartmouth's insurance couldn't properly cover the necessary medical care. This combined with the increasing cost of department and fuel costs led to a budget crisis.

When asked by Selectman Silva to sum up his strength in one word, Mr. Gagne said "versatile." Mr. Gagne enjoys having a lot on his plate: "I like a very busy day. There's nothing worse than the clock ticking away." Much like Mr. Andrews, Mr. Gagne would intend on finishing his career with the Mattapoisett town administrator position, if offered. He supplied each of the BOS members with a folder that included the name and number of all 14 selectmen he has ever worked with.

The Board convened briefly after the interviews, agreeing to do reference checks in the next few days. Chairman Collyer noted that he "expected that we were going to have a difficult decision... [The candidates are on] very different ends of the spectrum. It's not apples to apples." Chairman Collyer also stated that they may require further interviewing of the candidates, with no obligation to either finalist. If the BOS chooses to start the application process over, they may, in the interest of obtaining the best person for the position.

The BOS will air the interviews on ORCTV at 7:00 pm every evening until the next BOS meeting, which is scheduled for August 11.

By Anne O'Brien-Kakley

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02:34:32 pm Fire Call to Mattapoisett Chowder House

Categories: Mattapoisett

A clogged flue pipe led to a fire call at the Mattapoisett Chowder House on Saturday evening, August 1.
Fire chief Andrew Murray said that the fire was contained to the brick kiln oven chimney, and that the restaurant did not suffer any fire or smoke damage. The brick hearth oven used by the restaurant to cook pizza cannot be used per order of the fire department until the restaurant has the flue cleaned.
According to Mr. Murray, the fire did not reach the restaurant, but the chimney “made the restaurant smell like smoke”.
Mr. Murray said that the evening of August 1 was busy with the fire department responding to four calls between 11:00 pm and 2:00 am. In addition to the Mattapoisett Chowder House call, there was a rollover crash on Aucoot Road, a car accident on the corner of North Street and Crystal Spring, and another minor fire call.
The owner of the Mattapoisett Chowder House was not available for comment.

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12:58:00 pm Fire Call to Mattapoisett Chowder House

Categories: News, Mattapoisett

A clogged flue pipe led to a fire call at the Mattapoisett Chowder House on Saturday evening, August 1.
Fire chief Andrew Murray said that the fire was contained to the brick kiln oven chimney, and that the restaurant did not suffer any fire or smoke damage. The brick hearth oven used by the restaurant to cook pizza cannot be used per order of the fire department until the restaurant has the flue cleaned.
According to Mr. Murray, the fire did not reach the restaurant, but the chimney “made the restaurant smell like smoke”.
Mr. Murray said that the evening of August 1 was busy with the fire department responding to four calls between 11:00 pm and 2:00 am. In addition to the Mattapoisett Chowder House call, there was a rollover crash on Aucoot Road, a car accident on the corner of North Street and Crystal Spring, and another minor fire call.
The owner of the Mattapoisett Chowder House was not available for comment.

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07:38:06 am Selectmen Name Finalists for Administrator Position

Categories: Mattapoisett

July 28, 2009

A regular meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen was called to order by Chairman Jordan Collyer at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, July 28, 2009. Also in attendance were Selectmen Paul Silva and George Randall, Town Administrator Michael Botelho, Assistant Town Administrator Melody Pacheco.

The minutes of the July 14, 209 Board of Selectmen Meeting were approved. The Board next approved the appointment of Board of Appeals Associate Member Colby Rottler, 23 Channel Street, Mattapoisett.

At 7:05 pm, the Board's first appointment of the evening was the Spring Update of the Marine Advisory Board. Present were Harbormaster Steve Mach and Advisory Board members Carlos DeSousa and John Cornish. They reported recently completed projects: Float at Barstow Wharf; 2 new 40ft floats at Town Wharf and updated miscellaneous piles to be used for "fendering" at Town Wharf. They have the following projects under construction at this time: new dinghy dock at Town Wharf (permits expected July 29). The completion of the new dinghy dock is expected to be October 2009; resurface pavement at Short Wharf/Ramp access to minimize ponding and correct parking layout; update piles to be used for "fendering" at Long Wharf and remove lattice system. The Marine Advisory Board is reviewing the layout of the slip spaces at Town Wharf to optimize spacing. Lastly, the Marine Advisory Board is developing updated Rules and Regulations to include new slips and dinghy dock rules. Selectmen Collyer requested that a draft be ready for review by the Board of Selectmen by the second meeting in October. This would allow people to prepare for changes that may occur and prepare over the winter for their boating needs.

Next on the agenda was the continuation of the Anderson/Rosbe Dog Hearing of July 14, 2009. Animal Control Officers Kathy Masse and Anne Estabrook reported to the Board that the dog owned by Mr. Anderson has not been seen in town, nor have they been able to locate Mr. Anderson. Town Administrator Mike Botelho stated that the first notice of the July 14 hearing sent to Mr. Anderson was accepted and signed. He has not accepted and signed for the notice of this meeting nor the order issued banning his dog Colby from Mattapoisett. Town Administrator Botelho states that the order is enforceable whether the order is picked up the owner or not.

The Board will determine a disposition of the animal if it should reappear in Town. Animal Control will pick the dog up and the Board will reconvene this hearing to decide the dog's fate.

At 7:45 the Town Administrator Search Committee presented its finalists for consideration by the Board. Chairperson Mary Lyons along with Grace Knox, Steve Lombard, and Suzanne Szyndlar were present. Chairperson Lyons stated that there were 34 applicants for the position. All committee members reviewed the 34 resumes, all then met and culled out those that did not meet the requirements, were not qualified, did not have the education, or did not seem to be a good fit for Mattapoisett. From that they came up with three finalists. At the last minute one person withdrew, leaving two finalists: Mark J. Andrews is currently the Budget and Finance Director for the City of Lawrence, MA. He has 28 years of administrative experience and holds a Master's Degree in Pubic Administration from Suffolk University. Michaela J. Gagne has 28 years of experience in municipal government - 23 of those years he served as Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Dartmouth. Mr. Gagne has a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Business Administration and has completed numerous graduate level courses at Suffolk University specializing in municipal government management.

The Board of Selectmen will conduct interviews of these candidate tentatively scheduled for Thursday August 6 at 6:00 pm. The interviews are open to the public, will be televised, and all are welcome to attend.

A private road policy is in the works with the Highway Surveyor and is to be completed by Fall Town Meeting per Selectman Collyer. He would like "to have policy and procedures in place but would like to have a public comment period" Selectman Collyer "wants to hear what the residents have to say, have a sit down." The Board is still awaiting a final decision from legal counsel regarding the snow removal by the Town on private roads. Mr. Botelho will request that decision be made within three weeks.

A Licensing request has been made to N-Star for parking on Mattapoisett Neck Road in the area of the bike path. At this time to assist the parking problem, signs will be installed that say "No Parking Between Signs". The Board feels this may help reduce the parking problem that currently exists.

The next regular Board of Selectmen's Meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 11 at 6:00 pm at the Town Hall. The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 pm.

By Patricia Aleks

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04:08:28 pm Mattapoisett Players Help Swansea Team

Categories: Mattapoisett

Two Mattapoisett residents are members of the "11-and-Under" travel-team of the Swansea Independent Baseball League, which is competing this week in the first-ever Bronco League-11 World Series of PONY Baseball in Chesterfield, Virginia.

Mitchell Midwood and Cameron Coelho are both integral members of the SIBL squad, which captured the North Region Tournament championship and the East Zone Tournament title last weekend in Davidson, N.C. Swansea finished with 3-1 records in both four-team, double-elimination tournaments sponsored by PONY Baseball/Softball of Washington, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Midwood and Mr. Coelho are both in their second seasons as SIBL players and compete in the league's regular-season and AAU baseball programs. They were members of Swansea's "10-and-Under" travel-team a year ago which clinched the Massachusetts State Tournament crown of the Willie Mays League of the American Amateur Baseball Congress and later placed third in the North Atlantic Regional Tournament in Waldwick, N.J.

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09:01:22 am ORR School Committee Chairman to Step Down

Categories: News, Marion, Mattapoisett, Rochester

At the July 13, 2009 meeting of the Old Rochester School Committee, the School Committee Chairman, Robert Nectow of Marion, announced to the School Committee members and the school’s administrative staffers that he was submitting his resignation from the School Committee effective September 30. Citing increasing pressures from his professional commitments, Mr. Nectow indicated that it has become increasingly difficult to devote the time required to fulfill his School Committee responsibilities.
“It has been an honor to represent the Town of Marion for the past five and a half years on the School Committee. For the past four, I have been given the great honor of being the Chair and working with eight professionals who have been focused on providing the best educational experience available within our means. It has been through our collaborative approach with all three towns that we have improved the overall experience for all who have entered the doors at the Junior and Senior High Schools.
I have selected this date so the Committee can plan appropriately during its annual re-organization and so the Town of Marion can start a search for a new representative.”
ORR Superintendent, Bill Cooper, thanked Mr. Nectow for his outstanding leadership of the School District during the past four years and for his generous contribution of civic service to the Tri Town region.

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09:35:54 pm Board of Appeals Approves Tower

Categories: Mattapoisett

The Mattapoisett Board of Appeals approved the construction of a new water tower that will replace the outdated water tower on North Street. The new tank will have a 1 million gallon capacity to allow for town growth and will be located on a parcel of land abutting Industrial Drive.

The board was pleasantly surprised by the lack of opposition in the audience to the proposed water tower. When this issue was last discussed in March, there was some debate over relocating the water tower. Members of the Bay Club did not want the new tower to be placed within their view, whereas the town didn't want to incur the costs of moving the site. The proposed site change was ultimately accepted because the town did not want to engage in lawsuits and appeals for the next 18 to 24 months.

Water department superintendent, Mr. William T. "Nick" Nicholson, presented the plans for a new tower that would need a variance for height, which is not going to exceed 99.5 feet. Mr. Nicholson said that, after the construction of the new tower, the older 1913 tower would be dismantled. There were no abutters in the audience to express opposition.

The public participation phase ended at 7:00 pm, and the board deliberated shortly thereafter. Board chairman Mr. Jeffrey T. Chase expressed relief at the lack of opposition, saying that this topic had been "hashed over" many times. The board hoped that the town would be able to sell the old water tower plot to help offset the money lost over the course of the long debate.

The board motioned to accept this proposal at 8:00, and unanimously voted in favor.

Another application of note belonged to Ms. Janice Weber and Mr. John Newton of 3 Tupola Lane who were looking to build a carriage house that would serve as a garage and woodworking studio. The board had many questions concerning the proposed two-story carriage house, because it would exceed allowed square footage under zoning and would have a bathroom with a shower. Since the board was particularly concerned with the structure being used as a rental property in the future, they drafted several conditions before approving the application. Among the conditions was that the carriage house was not to be lived in at night.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:02 by Chairman Chase.

By Anne O'Brien-Kakley

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12:28:42 pm Harbor Days: Rain or Shine

Categories: Mattapoisett

On a sunny, beautiful Friday morning in Shipyard Park, the members of the Lion Club gather around the town gazebo and draw chalk grids on the grass for the 110 booths that will be setting up the next morning, July 18. However, rain is included in the weekend forecast, leading many Harbor Days enthusiasts to wonder if the annual festival will be affected.

According to Donald Correia, one of the organizers of Harbor Days, the event will take place "rain or shine". Michael Lamoureux, another organizer, holds onto the hope that the rain will break early on Saturday morning, as some forecasters are predicting. Either way, it's likely that the vendors will be setting up in the rain.

The large tent will provide shelter and a place to sit and eat. Harbor Days has always been held despite the rain and heat - this year will be no different. Plan on some fun, come see the vendors, and bring an umbrella if the weather doesn't cooperate.

By Anne O'Brien-Kakley

Click here for a complete schedule of events

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12:34:32 am Mattapoisett Selectmen's Meeting - June 16, 2009

Categories: Mattapoisett

A regular meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen was called to order by Chairman Jordan Collyer at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, July 14, 2009. Also in attendance were Selectmen Paul Silva and George Randall, Town Administrator Michael Botelho, Assistant Town Administrator Melody Pacheco and Town Clerk Barbara Sullivan. The minutes of the June 23 Board of Selectmen Meeting were approved at 7:02 pm.

The Board has officially accepted the name of the Freddie Brownell Wharf. The Board approved the decision to name the Town Wharf after him several months ago, but asked his family what name they wanted to use. The Public Access Board has approved the Boat Ramp sign for the David "Bi" Todd, Jr. Boat Ramp. Barry Denham, Head of the Highway Department, will be ordering these signs with the new budget.

The Board has appointed Susan Pizzolato as the new Mattapoisett Library Director. The Board also approved the one day special liquor license to the Mattapoisett Community Sailing Program for their 3rd Annual Non-Profit Fundraiser on Saturday, August 1 at 5 Shipyard Lane from 6:00 to 11:00 pm.

At 7:15 pm, the Board presented Andrea Smith with a Certificate of Appreciation for her two and a half years of writing for the Tri-Town Observer. Ms. Smith announced her retirement last month. The Board has asked the Marine Advisory Board to be present for the discussion of the Short Wharf Project, as an appointment was scheduled for that night's meeting. Selectman Collyer announced that the Town Administrator Screening Committee received 34 applicants for the position and is scheduling interviews with roughly 1/3 of them.

Robert and Judith Roseby of Marion met with the Board at 7:30 pm. Mr. Roseby has filed a claim that on June 7, 2009 at 3:00 pm, a dog belonging to Mattapoisett resident Bruce Anderson bit him viciously twice on each leg at Aucoot Boatyard. Mr. Roseby went home and could not stop bleeding, then went by the Marion Historical Society to tell his wife that he was going to Tobey Hospital. Although Mr. and Mrs. Roseby are residents of Marion, the claim falls under the jurisdiction of the dog's owner. Mr. Roseby submitted photographs to the Board of his legs after the accident.

The Roseby's say that this is the fourth attack the dog has made on humans, although only one has been reported. Mattapoisett Animal Control Officer Kathy Masse contacted Mr. Anderson, who said that he did not want to take his dog to the vet, for he fears the dog would attack the vet. Officer Masse is currently on family leave. Town Administrator Michael Botelho said that Mr. Anderson has given the Town Hall two addresses, one being 140 Aucoot Road, which does not exist, and a valid P.O. Box in town.

"We feel very strongly that the dog should not continue to live," said Mrs. Roseby. "We ask for the town to dispose of the dog."

The Board did agree that the dog does pose a large danger and agreed that the dog is not allowed in town, which had been mandated by Officer Masse. The Board did not make any final decisions as to the future of the dog other than banning it from the town and the hearing is still open. It will be brought up again at the next Selectman's Meeting.

The next Board of Selectmen's Meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 28 at 7:00 pm at the Town Hall. The Board received a note from Mattapoisett resident Pat Holden, the Deaconess of the New Baptist Church in New Bedford, asking for permission to hold a picnic at Ned's Point on Sunday, September 20 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm for approximately 35 people. The Board also received a letter from the Veteran's Executive Council asking that a Selectman be present for their next meeting to discuss the Veteran's Agent salary.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:02 pm by Selectman Collyer.

By Adam Silva

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12:34:28 am Triathlon 2009 - Three Times the Fun

Categories: Mattapoisett

Over and over again athletes participating in this past weekend's Mattapoisett Triathlon asked one another, "How's the water?" With a steady wind blowing under dark, cloud filled gray skies the waters of the harbor were choppy and looked as though they might be a bit on the cold side. "Not too bad actually", came one of the first answers from the shallows as a tattoo covered man wearing only a speedo yelled back to another in a wet suit moments before the start of the race. As the speedo clad swimmer disappeared into the next wave the man on the shore stuck a toe in the water and said to a group of race participants, "Not great, but not bad. We should be okay."

That was the scene over and over again on Sunday, July 12 as over 200 tri-athletes prepared to compete in the annual Mattapoisett Triathlon, an event which traditionally marks the beginning of the organization's Harbor Days Celebration. The athletes, competing in groups divided by age and gender, as individuals and in groups, were about to test themselves against the clock and a course divided into three unique endurance challenges combining swimming, bicycling, and long distance running into a single event.

In spite of the less than perfect conditions the 2009 edition of the Mattapoisett Triathlon ended with some rather fast overall times. Over two hundred athletes participated in this year's event with most completing the course in fewer than one and a half hours. Mattapoisett's race is a sprint triathlon and while it is much shorter than a full triathlon, it is no less challenging than the famous Ironman series. Sunday's race consisted of a quarter-mile swim followed by a ten-mile bike ride and three and three quarter-mile run.

Brockton's Dave Sousa was the race's overall winner on the men's side as he completed the three legs of the event in 52:14. Colman Ryan of Westwood, MA came in second with a time of 52:46 with Marion's Tom Gelson placing third at 53:02. Leading the women was Kimberly Shattuck of Bridgewater, MA pacing the field with a time of 55:56 followed by Veronica Boyle of Stoughton whose second place time was a brisk 59:13. Third among the women and first in her age group was fourteen year old Emily Curley of Mattapoisett who finished the race with a time of 1:00:18. Mattapoisett's Paul Curley was the top finisher among the fifty and over men's age group with a time of 55:43.

Mattapoisett's village will see a host of activities associated with the Lions Club's Harbor Days this weekend, most of which will center around the town's Shipyard Park. Many of the weekend's events and activities will offer many challenges of endurance that are more gastronomical than they are athletic in nature as the Lions roll out one feast after another throughout the celebration.

Full results for the 2009 Mattapoisett Triathlon can be found at www.coolrunning.com. For further information about this year's Harbor Day celebration you can go to www.wanderer.com and look at our calendar of events or you can visit the Lions Club on the web at www.mattapoisettlionsclub.org.

By Robert Chiarito

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12:34:23 am Gus Casassa Scup Cup - A Real Fish Story

Categories: Mattapoisett

A bumper sticker on the back of a rather well worn vehicle sitting in the parking lot of the Mattapoisett wharves captured the sentiment of the day perfectly this past Saturday, July 11 stating, "A bad day fishing is better than a good day at work." For the young anglers participating in the Buzzards Bay Anglers Club's First Annual Gus Casassa Scup Cup a day of fishing under the bright summer's sun was about as good as it gets.

The Angler's Club's fishing tournament which is open to all area children ages twelve and under brought a field of about twenty youngsters to the docks of Mattapoisett for a day of good natured competition as parents and members of the Club schooled the aspiring fisherman on some of the finer points of the sport. Jim O'Dowd the club's secretary said, "A donation was recently made to our club in Gus's memory and knowing how he loved to teach kids how to fish we felt that it would a perfect fit to name the kids' tournament in his memory. We used some of the money that was donated to buy the rods and reels for the kids, a dealer in Wareham gave us a really good price, so each kid got a nice new fishing rod with their entry and hopefully we are helping to bring along and give something back to a new generation of fishermen."

As he spoke at the end of the tournament, Mr. O'Dowd smiled widely noting, "This is actually the second year of the tournament. It is just the first year that it was named for Gus. Last year we had twelve kids enter and this year the field was about double that number and with any luck we will have a bigger number again next year. Look at this", he said pulling out a small camera with a picture a of a little boy in the viewing window, "This four year old boy just got so jazzed catching four baby dog fish. That just makes the whole day worthwhile, you know? It's just a scream to watch their faces when they catch something."

Each of the twenty children who entered the tournament received, along with their brand new rod and reel, plenty of advice on how their new tackle should be cared for and tips on where the big fish might be hiding along the Mattapoisett shore line. Sarah Heiskell-Mann was the winner of the day's event as she reeled in a fish weighing 1.765 kilograms. Second place was taken by Jillian Holt with a catch of 1.156 kg while Brady Dias took third with a fish weighing in at 1.144 kg.

The Club's next big event is their Annual Boat and Shore Tournament to be held from September 25 through September 27. The Buzzards Bay Anglers Club meets on the second Thursday of each month at the Mattapoisett Chowder House. If you would like more information about the club, you are encouraged to attend one of their monthly meetings or you may visit them on line at www.buzzardsbayanglersclub.com.

By Robert Chiarito

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12:24:11 am Preservation Works - Two New Land Preservation Projects

Categories: Mattapoisett

With assistance from the Coalition for Buzzards Bay, thirty acres of forested land within the Mattapoisett River Valley have been permanently protected through acquisition by the Town of Mattapoisett. Keeping this land undeveloped is expected to prevent pollution to the Mattapoisett River and to Buzzards Bay, benefit drinking water, and help maintain open space and important wildlife habitat. The former landowners, the Rounseville family of Rochester, have a history of working with local conservation organizations to protect family lands.

The land will be managed by the Town's Water Department. It will remain undeveloped and serve as a buffer for the drinking water supply and the Mattapoisett River, and will help to filter pollutants before they reach Buzzards Bay.

"This property was at risk of being developed," said Allen Decker, Coalition Director of Watershed Protection. "Through this acquisition, we've reduced the impacts from development on the Mattapoisett River, which is a major tributary of Buzzards Bay and the primary source of drinking water for several area communities.

The Coalition assisted the town with securing funding from sources including the Department of Environmental Protection's Drinking Water Protection Program and the Mattapoisett River Valley Water Supply Protection Advisory Committee.

In other local environmental news, The Mattapoisett Land Trust (MLT) is pleased to announce that it completed the acquisition of the 40-acre Dunn Preserve from Edna and Charles Dunn on Tuesday, June 30. The property lies north of Angelica Avenue along Old Slough Road in southeastern Mattapoisett and has been owned by the Dunn family for well over 100 years.

This additional woodland gives the MLT over 220 acres of preserved land open to passive recreation use by the public between Angelica Avenue and the recently dedicated Sullivan Preserve on Route 6 near the Friends' Meeting House. A series of trails connecting the properties is planned for the future.

The acquisition was made possible entirely through private contributions and the organization is still seeking additional funds to offset the acquisition expenses. A formal dedication ceremony for the property is contemplated for the fall.

The protection of natural lands in the watershed is critical to protecting water quality in Buzzards Bay. Healthy forests, wetlands and stream buffers serve a vital function as pollutant filters, absorbing as much as 90 percent of the nitrogen and other pollution generated by human activities before it reaches the bay. Land conservation also benefits our communities by protecting drinking water, wildlife, aesthetic vistas, open space, rural character, recreational opportunities and the special places that people treasure.

The Mattapoisett Land Trust is an all-volunteer environmental organization founded in 1974 with the mission of preserving open space for the enjoyment of current and future residents of Mattapoisett, as well as educating the public about the sound use of natural resources, and working with other organizations having similar goals. With this acquisition, the MLT owns approximately 500 acres in Mattapoisett, all of which is available to the public for passive recreational purposes in all seasons of the year.

By Adam Silva

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12:23:38 am Boy Scouts In Action - Historical Museum Fence Fix

Categories: Mattapoisett

If you passed by the Mattapoisett Historical Museum on a weekend in June, you may have noticed a large group of boys hard at work. Callum McLaughlin, who will be a freshman at Old Rochester Regional High School, spearheaded the project to repair and paint the Museum's fence at 5 Church Street. Callum and the other boys are members of Boy Scout Troop 53. The Boy Scouts of America provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develops personal fitness. Callum, already a patrol leader for the Swordfish and a troop guide, organized this community service project as part of his Eagle Scout efforts. Many members of the Troop have contributed to other worthwhile community service projects that helped individuals earn their Eagle Scout status. They cleaned a town cemetery on River Road, organized packages for the U.S. Troops abroad, and cleaned a vernal pool on Old Sloth Road for the Mattapoisett Land Trust.

Once the Boy Scouts got to work, they realized the Museum's fence project was more involved than anticipated. They pruned plants, replaced rotting posts and pickets, power-washed, scraped, sanded, primed, and painted. In addition to Callum, Scouts that participated in this project are: Kyle Boyle, Brian Buckley, Alex Buckley, Sam Dorothy, Adam Estes, Lee Estes, Walker Fuchs, William Lynch, Haakon Perkins, Drew Roberts, and Evan Roznoy. Several of Callum's friends who are not Scouts also pitched-in: Alex McCabe, Josh Powers, and Tanner Studley.

Scouts interact with adult leaders who act as role models and mentors, but the Scouts are expected to plan their own activities within the troop and to participate in community service. Fathers and other adult volunteers were: Matt Buckley, Dennis McLaughlin, Donald Nahigyen, Dave Roberts, and Brian Roznoy.

Callum certainly demonstrated his leadership skills in coordinating and following through on the Museum's fence project. The Scouts were efficient and thorough in their approach to this, at-times daunting, project. The Historical Society's Board members are thrilled with the tidy and well-kept appearance of the repaired fence. Take some time to visit the Museum this summer (now open for the season) and as you pass through the gate don't forget to take a good look at the well-maintained fence!

By Jennifer McIntire

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12:23:09 am Mattapoisett Road Race Results

Categories: Mattapoisett

The thirty-ninth annual Mattapoisett Road Race began on the morning of the fourth of July. The race began on Water St. in front of Shipyard Park and followed Water St. through the Village to Church St., Pearl St., Hammond St. to Ned's Point Lighthouse and back again.

The first Road Race began in 1971 and was started by the Assistant Principal at the Old Rochester Regional High School, Bob Gardner, and his wife, Doris. The purpose of the race was to allow high school students the opportunity to reach an athletic goal, and to provide money to help fund college educations.

The 2009 five-mile race donated all its proceeds to the ORR High School as scholarships for the students running in the Road Race. This year 1103 runners competed in the race, many from Mattapoisett, Marion and Rochester, but also from around the world.

The Road Race's mission statement reads as follows; "It shall be the mission of the Mattapoisett Road Race Committee to provide as many monetary awards as can be realized annually through the proceeds of the Mattapoisett Road Race for deserving graduate students of the Old Rochester Regional High School. Student awards shall be given to those who have been participants in the school's running programs and who have been selected by the Race Award Committee, based on their descriptive letters of application and credentials. It is our intent to develop and maintain a prestigious New England running event, which will engender widespread local support and enthusiasm."

The final results list can be found at the Wanderer website, which is www.wanderer.com. More detailed information and photos can be found at the Road Race's website; www.mattapoisettroadrace.com. Patrick Callahan, age thirty-six, from Needham, MA came in first place this year with a time of 27 minutes 32 seconds. Not far behind, female winner Joann Mathews, age forty-three, from North Dartmouth, MA completed the race in 31 minutes, 34 seconds. Eric Hill, age twenty-one, from Burlington, VT, came in second place, with a time of 27 minutes and 58 seconds. Jeremy Francisco, age seventeen, from North Dartmouth, MA came in third place with a time of 28 minutes, 26 seconds.

Many other racers, of various ages and abilities crossed the finish line as well. As the years go by and this Road Race continues, more and more awareness and support are gained for Mattapoisett and the students at the high school. It is important to see how our local community supports a healthy lifestyle and proper beginning for our youth.

A large number of businesses sponsor this event and Stop and Shop and the Mattapoisett Chowder House donated water.

By Sarah K. Taylor

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08:59:57 pm Hope and Inspiration - The Best at Braille

Categories: Mattapoisett

Mattapoisett resident and Old Rochester Regional Junior High student Marisa Parker has won the 2009 Volunteer Award given by the National Braille Press. Ms. Parker, 15, was born with an eye disease that caused her eyes never to develop correctly, resulting in total blindness. The event took place on Tuesday, June 16 in the Back Bay section of Boston.

"We gave this award to Marissa because she has been dedicated to prove that Braille is not an outdated technology," said Kimberly Ballard, a member of the National Braille Press. "There are very few books out there printed in Braille in comparison to how many books are published. Braille is basically the only way for blind people to read and write. We are just exploring a whole new world of possibilities of how Braille can be used."

Braille has been expanding to other forms of technology as of late. Like all students, Marissa uses a computer, although one that's specifically designed for the vision-impaired. Not only are there Braille computer keyboards, but Marisa has a specially designed PDA with metal keys on a refreshable screen that allows her to feel what is on the computer screen, enabling her to surf the internet like anyone else. Ms. Ballard stated, "Advances in Braille complement technology, proving that they can coexist."

In October 2008, actress/writer/activist Lilly Tomlin hosted an event on the subject of Braille. Marissa demonstrated for Ms. Tomlin the new advances in technology, including her PDA. Ms. Ballard said that although Lilly is new to the Braille organization, she has become large in supporting it and has become immersed in the world of it.

On Saturday, June 20, Marissa represented the state of Massachusetts in an academic competition for Braille students, the 9th Annual National Braille Challenge, where she placed third in her age group. Along with 60 other blind students, ages 6 to 19, she competed in categories that required them to transcibe, type and read Braille using a Perkins Brailler device. Each category tested their Braille skills in reading comprehension, Braille spelling, chart and graph reading, proofreading and Braille speed and accuracy.

Every participant in the Challenge received a trophy, but the first though third place winners in each age group received a savings bond ranging in value from $500 for the youngest group and $5,000 for the oldest. Along with the prizes, Freedom Scientific Corporation donated the latest adaptive equipment for those who read Braille, a portable device called a PacMate. A PacMate is the first accessible pocket PC with a Braille display.

For more information about the National Braille Press, go to nbp.com. For more information about the Braille Institute and the National Braille Challenge, go to brailleinstitute.org.

By Adam Silva

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03:16:31 pm Route 6 Crash Sends Two to Hospital

Categories: Mattapoisett

Just before 3pm June 29, 2009 the Mattapoisett Police and Fire Departments responded to a motor vehicle crash at Route 6 and Main Street, which slowed down the already heavy summer traffic. Multiple injuries were reported in the two-vehicle crash to which two ambulances responded. One of the victims was immobilized on a backboard as a precautionary measure while transported to St. Luke’s Hospital for evaluation. The Fairhaven and Marion Police Departments also responded to assist at the scene.

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02:22:10 pm Single Vehicle Crash on Route 6

Categories: Mattapoisett

At 1:01pm the Mattapoisett Police and Fire Departments were called out to a one vehicle crash on Route 6 at the Marion town line. The driver of the vehicle reportedly lost control of the vehicle and hit a telephone pole splitting off the bottom of the pole. The driver later refused medical treatment. The Police and Fire Department had to stand by while waiting for NSTAR to secure the power lines which were still energized and causing smoldering fires in the adjacent trees.

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12:21:20 am Mattapoisett Selectmen's Meeting - June 23, 2009

Categories: Mattapoisett

A regular meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen was called to order by Chairman Jordan Collyer at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at the Mattapoisett Town Hall. Also in attendance were Selectmen Paul Silva and George Randall, Assistant Town Administrator Melody Pacheco and Town Clerk Barbara Sullivan. Town Administrator Michael Botelho was not in attendance.

The Board first approved the minutes of the previous meeting. The Board selected Connie Coleman and former Mattapoisett Selectmen Steve Lombard out of five candidates for positions on the Town Administrator's Search Committee. Selectman Collyer stated that Mr. Lombard "knows the position of Town Administrator inside and out," after having served that position for many years in other towns.

The Board accepted "with great regret" the resignation of Deputy Harbormaster Ken Pacheco. Selectman Collyer stated that Mr. Pacheco has worked for the town in one way or another for 22 years, many of which as a Harbormaster. The Board also accepted the resignation of John McGill, of 8 Pearl St., as a member of the Board of Appeals. Joseph Gleason, of 10 Martin Ave., and Carl Leidhold IV, of 7 Driscoll Lane, have been appointed as Probationary Firefighters for the Mattapoisett Fire Department.

The Board met with Barbara Ketchel, who has proposed for the town to hold farmer's markets. All three board members were vocally in favor of holding the markets, but decided that it is far too late in the season for Mattapoisett to organize any for this year. Selectman Collyer strongly suggested that Ms. Ketchel continue to find others who are interested in the markets and the markets could possibly begin in the spring of next year.

The town is still looking for applicants for the position of Town Administrator, as current Administrator Michael Botelho will be retiring at the end of the summer. Applicants have until Tuesday, June 30 to apply. The Board has had 17 submissions to date. Selectman Collyer said that he expected 15 to 20 applicants, so things are going exactly as planned. The Board approved of $20,000 to be transferred from Building Inspection Services to police salaries.

Selectman Collyer will be attending the Plymouth County Selectmen's Meeting on Thursday, June 25 at 7:00 pm at the Whitman Town Hall. The next Mattapoisett Board of Selectman's Meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 14 at 7:00 pm at the Mattapoisett Town Hall. The Mattapoisett Town Hall will be closed on Friday, July 3 due to the holiday.

The Board received a thank you letter from the Women's Fund Tiara Classic Road Race thanking the Board for their full support. The Board received a reorganization letter from the Board of Assessors, which is as follows: Don Fleming, Chairman; Lynn Sylvia, Clerk; and Rebecca McCullough, Member at Large. A copy of a letter of thank you to the Highway Department was received from the Tree Committee thanking them for all their help with putting up the Tree City USA signs and helping them to achieve their award. No executive session was held. The meeting was adjourned at 7:32 pm.

By Adam Silva

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12:20:20 am Mattapoisett Library Director Named

Categories: Mattapoisett

Susan J. Pizzolato has been chosen as the next Director of the Mattapoisett Free Public Library.

Susan is a graduate of S.U.N.Y College at Plattsburgh, NY; she has a Master of Fine Arts in Writing from Vermont College, Montpelier, VT, and a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI. She substitute taught in the Wareham Public Schools, where she also taught creative writing, and was adjunct English Instructor at Bristol Community College before becoming the Director of the Plumb Memorial Library, Rochester, MA.

While at the Plumb Library, Susan joined the staff of the Wareham Free Library in 1992 and has been there in many capacities since including Family Literacy Coordinator, Reference Librarian, Assistant Director, and most recently as Acting Library Director.

A press release from the Mattapoisett Library Trustees stated that, "Susan has proven experience in implementing programs of both specific and broad interest into the Library; she is familiar with the community and will work closely with staff and patrons in serving their needs."

Mary Magee, Trustee Chairman, said that the Search Committee, the Trustees, the staff and Selectmen all feel confident that Susan's broad experience and energy will bring new excitement to the Library and the entire Mattapoisett community.

Susan Pizzolato will be starting at the Library on July 15, 2009. A formal, festive introduction to the community is planned for later that month.

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10:33:03 am Susan Pizzolato to be Mattapoisett Library Director

Categories: Mattapoisett

Susan J. Pizzolato has been chosen as the next Director of the Mattapoisett Free Public Library.

Susan is a graduate of S.U.N.Y College at Plattsburgh, NY; she has a Master of Fine Arts in Writing from Vermont College, Montpelier, VT, and a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI. She substitute taught in the Wareham Public Schools, where she also taught creative writing, and was adjunct English Instructor at Bristol Community College before becoming the Director of the Plumb Memorial Library, Rochester, MA.

While at the Plumb Library, Susan joined the staff of the Wareham Free Library in 1992 and has been there in many capacities since including Family Literacy Coordinator, Reference Librarian, Assistant Director, most recently as Acting Library Director.

A press release from the Mattapoisett Library Trustees stated that, "Susan has proven experience in implementing programs of both specific and broad interest into the Library; she is familiar with the community and will work closely with staff and patrons in serving their needs."

Mary Magee, Trustee Chairman, said that the Search Committee, the Trustees, the staff and Selectmen all feel confident that Susan's broad experience and energy will bring new excitement to the Library and the entire Mattapoisett community.

Susan Pizzolato will be starting at the Library on July 15, 2009. A formal, festive introduction to the community is planned for later that month.

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12:21:06 am Mattapoisett Selectmen's Meeting - June 9, 2009

Categories: Mattapoisett

A regular meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen was called to order by Chairman Jordan Collyer at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, June 09, 2009. Also in attendance were Selectmen Paul Silva and George Randall, Town Administrator Michael Botelho, Assistant Town Administrator Melody Pacheco, Police Chief Mary Lyons and Head of the Highway Department Barry Denham.

Selectman Silva motioned to approve the minutes of the May 26 Board of Selectmen Meeting, which was accepted. The Board accepted the resignation of Ruth Bates, of 6 Abby Lane, as a member of the Tree Committee. Selectman Collyer stated that they accept the resignation with regret and that she has been an integral part of the Tree Committee since its inception and that she had a big part in getting Mattapoisett becoming part of Tree City USA. There were no appointments, hearings or reports scheduled on the agenda.

Matthew Arguin, of 7 Snowfield Road, Mattapoisett, wrote a letter to the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game Office of Fishing and Boating Access in Boston asking for the state boat launch ramp to be named after David "Bi" Todd, Jr. and also submitted that letter to the Board for their approval as well. The Board thoroughly agreed, as Selectman Collyer said "I had a lot of good conversations with him. He was a great guy and no one deserves it more than him."

The Board met with Police Chief Lyons and Highway Department Head Barry Denham to discuss safety matters for the Mattapoisett Bike Path. Ms. Lenore Everett, of 99 Mattapoisett Neck Road, wrote a letter to the Board asking them "to consider ways for raising cyclists' awareness of pedestrians on the path so that all Mattapoisett residents can continue to enjoy this lovely public path. They agreed that two signs will be added reminding bike riders of the pedestrian's right of way and other safety precautions. A crosswalk will be painted as well on the path as well.

Funding for the signs and crosswalk will come from the Friends of the Bike Path. Chief Lyons stated "I'm not trying to defer anyone from using the path; I just want to see it safer. People just need to be cautious of everyone on the path."

Also on the agenda once again was the private road's policy, which has been discussed at several meetings in the past. "We need to do two things about it, both of which need to get brought up at a Town Meeting," said Town Administrator Michael Botelho. "The first is to create a town by-law that will deal with work on private roads where we authorize the Highway Surveyor to take the work. The second is the acceptance of the statute that would allow us to do that in the first place. This could be handled at a Special Town Meeting that could be set up in the fall. If not, we would have to wait to do this at the Annual Town Meeting. There is still an issue over how we are going to deal with snow on private roads in the winter. If we fail to organize a Special Town Meeting, the Board is going to have to come to a decision over what we are going to have to do."

Selectman Collyer said that there hasn't been a Special Town Meeting in the fall in at least three to four years and there are a number of other "housekeeping issues" that need to get resolved at a Special Town Meeting. He said that we will most likely see a Special Town Meeting in either the first or second week of November.

The Town is still in the search for a new Town Administrator, as Michael Botelho will be leaving the position at the end of August. Currently, ten applicants have submitted interest in the position, although the Board is hoping at least five more will apply before they can narrow their decision down to two or three. There currently is a five-person committee for the hiring of a new Town Administrator, but the Town is looking for two other members from the community to join. Those interested in being on the committee should send a letter to the Board of Selectmen. The Committee will also be looking at the potential Town Administrator's "soft skills," as Selectman Collyer put it. Skills such as union negotiations and how big a staff they have worked with.

The next Selectman's Meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 23 at 7:00 pm at the Mattapoisett Town Hall. Mattapoisett's Annual Fourth of July Road Race applications are available at the Town Hall and at Nick's Pizza in Mattapoisett. The Board received notification from the Division o Marine Fisheries stating that the area of Shining Tides from the end of Reservation Road to the "No Shellfishing" sign at 3 Port Way and east of a line drawn from the "No Shellfishing "sign at the northern mouth of the Mattapoisett River to the "No Shellfishing" sign at the northeastern end of Ryecroft Point.

Selectman Collyer adjourned the meeting at 8:15 pm. An Executive Session was held after the meeting.

By Adam Silva

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09:21:48 am Home Invasion Foiled in Mattapoisett

Categories: Mattapoisett

Friday June 5, 2009 at 1:09pm a 911 call was received from a female resident of North Street south of park and ride reporting that someone was in her house. The dispatch Officer Andrew Dasilva asked the female where she was. She replied that she was hiding in a closet. Officer Dasilva kept the caller on the telephone while he dispatched officers to North Street. Upon arrival at the home, Officers Craig Leblanc and Matthew Mcgraw encountered a male outside of the home. The male stated he was the landscaper.

The owner of the home arrived and told officers that she did not know the man. The man was arrested. Officers went into the home, determined that no other suspect was in the home. They then located the reporting party in a closet. To her credit, the reporting party remained calm throughout the ordeal and her call to police, assisted in the apprehension of Tyler R. Fournier of 1163 North Hixville Road Dartmouth.

A second suspect may have fled the area through the woods. Plymouth County K-9 assisted in the search for a second suspect.

It appears that a cellar window was kicked in to gain access to the home. Fournier is charged with Home Invasion, B&E in the daytime, using a motor vehicle in the commission of a crime, larceny of property value over $250, malicious destruction of property.

Fournier is being held on $5,000.00 bail in the Plymouth County House of Correction. He will be arraigned on Monday in the Wareham District Court on the above charges. Mattapoisett Police was assisted by the Plymouth County Sheriffs department K-9, Fairhaven and Rochester Police.

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12:36:45 am Paul Silva's First Meeting in Mattapoisett

Categories: Mattapoisett

Mattapoisett Selectmen's Meeting - May 26, 2009

A regular meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen was called to order by Selectman Jordan Collyer at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, May 26, 2009. Also in attendance were Selectman George Randall, newly appointed Selectman Paul Silva, Town Clerk Barbara Sullivan, Town Administrator Michael Botelho and Assistant Town Administrator Melody Pacheco.

Selectman Randall voted to approve the minutes of the April 28, 2009 meeting. At 7:02 pm, a vote was cast to reorganize the Board. Selectman Jordan Collyer moved into the Chairman position, as he has the most seniority of the three Selectmen. Selectman Paul Silva moved to Vice-Chairman, which normally would go to the Selectman with the second highest seniority, as Selectman Randall chose to stay at the Clerk, or third position.

Although not on the Meeting's Agenda, the Board agreed to alter their dress-code for the summer season, allowing them not to be required to wear sport coats. The Board approved the motion to allow summer teen dances at the Town Wharf. They also approved the Common Victuallers License for the Seaport Slip at the Town Wharf.

Barbara Gaspar spoke on behalf of Mattapoisett Heritage Days. Mattapoisett Heritage Days will take place from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on Saturday, August 8. Ms. Gaspar spoke of the possibility that the Heritage Days Lawn Party would take place at Center School and has already spoken to Police Chief Mary Lyons about possibly closing down Barstow Street between Hammond Street and Church Street for the four hours that the Lawn Party would take place.

Ms. Gaspar said that music and inter-generational games were being planned for Heritage Days. Selectman Collyer stated that he has no problem closing down the streets for that time. The next meeting for Heritage Days is Tuesday, June 16.

Lynn Botelho spoke on behalf of the Mattapoisett Tree Committee who received recognition from Tree City USA. Tree City USA is a tree planting and care program sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation for cities and towns across the country. Ms. Botelho thanked her fellow Committee Members who helped submit the necessary paperwork to be eligible. The Committee is hoping to place signs signifying their Tree City USA status on the Mattapoisett/Marion border on Route 6 and coming into Mattapoisett off of Exit 19A from 195.

As Mattapoisett Fire Chief Ronnie Scott has yet to be officially retired, Acting Fire Chief Andrew Murray has been officially named Interim Fire Chief, said Town Administrator Michael Botelho. Once Mr. Murray is named Chief officially, a Deputy Fire Chief will eventually be named.

Selectman Collyer stated his disapproval of the state of the restrooms at the Town Wharf. He noted that the building is in dire need of a paint job, many of the doors do not close properly and new fixtures are needed. He said that there is available money for said project.

The Mattapoisett Town Hall will be closed to the public on June 4 from 12:00 to 1:30 pm due to the retirement luncheon for three retiring town employees James Nunes, Ronnie Scott and Gerry Normandin and former Selectman Steve Lombard. The next Selectman's Meeting will take place on Tuesday, June 9 at 7:00 pm at the Town Hall. The date is scheduled to change. Applications are available at the Mattapoisett Town Hall for Mattapoisett's Annual Fourth of July Road Race.

The Annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon will be held at 12:00 pm on Tuesday, June 25 at Center School. The event will be catered by the Pasta House. A notification was received from the Heritage Days Committee that they will be having a Community Lawn Party on Saturday, August 8 and permission was granted to use the Center School Grounds.

The Board was invited to attend the ORR Commencement Exercises on Saturday, June 6 and the Old Colony Commencement Exercises on Sunday, June 7. Selectman Collyer will be attending ORR's and Selectman Randall will be attending Old Colony's on behalf of the Selectmen.

Mattapoisett resident William Cantor, who is a member of the Advisory Board of the Salvation Army of Greater New Bedford, was granted permission by the Board to use Shipyard Park on June 1 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm for a board meeting and spring picnic. The Division of Marine Fisheries sent notification that the Leisure Shores Marina is closed to shellfishing from May 1 to October 31.

Selectman Collyer adjourned the meeting at 8:03 pm. No executive session was held.

By Adam Silva

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12:36:04 am Off to New Orleans - Helping Rebuild

Categories: Mattapoisett

On April 18, 2009, eight members of the Mattapoisett Congregational Church; Rev. Kathy Henry, Dennis Desrosiers, Darlene Wheeler, Laura Toland, Maggie Toland, Laura Eklund, Jack Eklund and Sam Hill, arrived in New Orleans, Louisiana.

This mission trip lasted for a week, and the Church members volunteered their time to help rebuild the city. They quickly realized that although it has been a few years since hurricane Katrina, there is still a need for help. Jack Eklund said "I had never been before, but the need is as great now as it was after the storm. There is much more that people without special construction skills can do now, than right after hurricane Katrina."

The youngest participant, Sam Hill, who recently turned fifteen, but was fourteen at the time of the trip, had a lot to say about the experience; "I thought going there I would see water everywhere, collapsed buildings, and people sleeping in tents. I was completely wrong. From the air it looked like a normal city. On the ground it looked mostly the same, but for all the trash and an under-construction house here and there. The people though, were looking sad and lost. It affected the adults a whole lot, but the kids were kids. Some sat around and goofed off and some were more mature."

The group worked both on rebuilding houses and visiting elementary schools to talk to the students about how to deal with bullying. When not working hard to help, the group was able to walk through the streets and explore the city. The French Quarter was not as damaged in the hurricane and offered a true sense of New Orleans culture and history.

While busy repairing and exploring, the eight members also had time to observe the impact their time and effort had on the people of New Orleans. "People we met were so grateful; they told us how important it was that people had come and were continuing to come" said Mr. Eklund. "The love they felt gave them hope."

The Church worked through the Saint Bernard Program, an organization just south of New Orleans. Liz McCartney, co-founder of the project along with Zack Rosenburg, won the CNN Hero of the Year Award. Their organization is always looking for volunteers, and information about the program can be found at their website; www.stbernardproject.org.

In the end, it seemed that the Church members who volunteered on this trip had an amazing and life-changing experience, and would not hesitate to embark on this journey again. One message they would like to give is that the people of New Orleans have greatly appreciated all the help, and more than anything, they continue to need the help of volunteers.

By Sarah K. Taylor

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04:26:49 pm Mattapoisett Firefighters Auxiliary Cookbook

Categories: Mattapoisett

The Mattapoisett Firefighters' Auxiliary has collected the best recipes from group members, family and friends and compiled them into an attractive keepsake cookbook. Their one-of-a-kind cookbooks are on sale now for $10.

They may be purchased from any member of the organization. They are also available at the Mattapoisett Town Hall and the Mattapoisett Fire Station. The cookbook contains 161 well-loved recipes including appetizers, main dishes, desserts and many others. Recipes include the contributor's name, enabling you to find the recipes of family and friends. For more information email them at mffa@gmail.com.

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09:49:05 pm Sylvia & Jaskolka Win in Mattapoisett

Categories: Mattapoisett

Mattapoisett Annual Election - May 19, 2009

Mattapoisett annual election took place on May 19, 2009. At 8:00 pm when the polls closed, 677 voters had turned out in an election that had only two contested races, Assessor and Water/Sewer Commissioner.

Lynn M. Sylvia received the majority for the Assessor seat with 346 votes against Raymond H. Andrews' 303 votes. The Water/Sewer Commissioner seat was won by Christopher Jaskolka with 407 votes against James Huntoon with 226 votes.

Although uncontested, the election puts a new selectmen in place, Paul A. Silva with 549 votes. Mr. Silva was at the polls at closing time and wished to thank "everyone who came out and recognized their right to vote. I will do my best". Mr. Silva added he will work to have the town continue along the financial road as in the past few years. Also, "the town has won a $800,000 suit related to Old Hammandtown School and will benefit by receiving over $600,000. Mr. Silva stated he will see that "what is spent is spent wisely, and the majority go to the stabilization fund".

The uncontested races on the ballot were Mattapoisett School Committee, 2 seats, Virginia Callery Beams 497 votes, Grancinda M. Knox 462; Trustee of Public Library, 2 seats, Rachel W. Deery 479 votes, Jennifer N.McIntire 528; Moderator John A. Eklund 521 votes; Highway Surveyor Barry J. Denham 518 votes; Board of Health, Russell L. Baily 504 votes; Planning Board, Thomas Matthew Tucker 512 votes; Mattapoisett Housing Authority, Deborah M. Bailey 504 votes and Community Preservation Committee, William O. Hall 524 votes.

By Patricia Aleks

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12:55:19 am Everything but the Sewer

Categories: Mattapoisett

Mattapoisett Annual Town Meeting - May 11-12, 2009

The Annual Mattapoisett Town Meeting was called to order by Town Moderator Jack Ecklund at 7:05 pm on Monday, May 11, 2009. Also in attendance were Selectmen Jordan Collyer, Steve Lombard and George Randall, Town Clerk Barbara Sullivan, Town Administrator Michael Botelho, Town Accountant Suzanne Szyndlar, and Finance Committee Members Cornelius Coleman, Dennis Perry, Richard Gamache, Judith Mooney, Donald Carlstorm and John Clifford.

The first Article of the Annual Town Meeting was to fix the salaries of the elected officers of the Town of Mattapoisett. The positions were Town Moderator, The Board of Selectmen, Assessors, Town Clerk, The Board of Health Members, Highway Surveyor, Mattapoisett School Committee Members, Water/Sewer Commissioners, Tree Warden and Herring Inspector. The eleven elected positions' salaries could not be increased from the amount listed on the Warrant, but could be decreased. They were voted in 340-0 and did not change. A simple majority was needed for the Article to pass.

A Special Town Meeting was called to order at 7:35 by Mr. Ecklund. Law dictates that the Special Town Meeting must take place a half hour after the start of the Town Meeting if the Special Meeting is necessary. The need for the Special Town Meeting is for articles dealing with money from the previous fiscal year that have yet to be resolved. All Articles were motioned by the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee recommended approval of all seven Articles.

Article 1 of the Special Warrant would appropriate $2,500 for the purpose of paying for refurbishing and maintaining plantings, gardens and related landscape features for Mattapoisett Town Property. The $2,500 would be transferred from the Fiscal Year's (FY) 2009 Free Cash. It passed 350-0 in favor. A simple majority was needed for the Article to pass.

Article 2 would appropriate $2,250 to paying the town's share to improve tidal drainage in the Pico Beach area. The $2,250 will be transferred from the FY 2009's Free Cash. It passed 350-0. A simple majority was needed for the Article to pass.

Article 3 would appropriate $2,000 to paying the town's share of costs of engineering for the restoration of Eel Pond. The $2, 000 will be transferred from the FY 2009's Free Cash. It passed 350-0. A simple majority was needed for the Article to pass.

Article 4 would appropriate $60,000 to pay the legal expenses associated with the litigation and labor matters of the town. The $60,000 will be transferred from the FY 2009's Free Cash. It passed 360-0. A 9/10th vote was needed for the Article to pass.

Article 5 would appropriate $615 for the purpose of paying expenses associated with a claim for Veterans's Benefits arising from a prior year. The $615 will be transferred from the FY 2009's Free Cash. It passed 360-0. A 9/10th vote was needed for the Article to pass.

"This is in regards to a veteran who died prior to last budget year," said Head of Veteran Affairs and Highway Department Head Barry Denham. "We didn't get all of the bills that he was owed and due to the change in the 2009 budget, we couldn't pay all of those bills. This would allow us to do so."

Article 6 would appropriate $600 for the purpose of paying the prior year's costs to repair a damaged boiler. The $600 will be transferred from the FY 2009's Free Cash. It passed 360-0. A 9/10th vote was needed for the Article to pass.

Article 7 would appropriate $27,548.26 to make repairs and replacing equipment damaged by sprinkler water at Old Hammondtown School. The $27,548.26 would be transferred from insurance proceeds that are reserved for appropriation. Since the amount was over $20,000, it needed to be brought up at the Annual Town Meeting. It passed 360-0. A simple majority was needed for the Article to pass.

The Special Town Meeting was adjourned at 7:50 pm and the Annual Town Meeting resumed immediately.

Article 2 of the Annual Town Meeting determined the General Operating Budget of the Town, including debt and interest, money to be raised by taxation, borrowing or transfer from available funds, or take any other action relating thereto. The Article passed 375-0. A simple majority was needed and the motion was submitted by the Finance Committee.

According to Selectman Jordan Collyer, at the Special Selectman's Meeting that took place on Thursday, May 7, "Mattapoisett tax payers will only see a 1.3 percent increase in their taxes, which is lower than the normal 2.5 percent annual increase we have seen in most recent years."

Article 3 was approved 375-0 and allowed for the Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan that was presented by the Capital Planning Committee. The Committee submitted the motion as well. A simple majority was needed.

Article 4 dealt with funds from the Capital Stabilization Fund, Free Cash and Article Transfers being used for a brush truck for the Fire Department, replacing the emergency generator at Town Hall, a new Police cruiser and the replacing of doors and windows at the Fire Station.

Interim Fire Chief Andrew Murray spoke on behalf of the Fire Department, saying that many of the doors and windows at the Fire House have not been replaced since the building of the Fire House in 1955.

The Article would transfer $102,820 from the Capital Stabilization Fund, $24,407.26 from Fiscal Year 2009's Free Cash, $1,823.52 from the Article 16 Special Town Meeting October 25, 2004 (Fire Department Vehicle,) $2,950 Article 5 Special Town Meeting from March 14, 2005 (Fire Department Building Design) and $499.22 from Artcle 4 from the Annual Town Meeting of May 2007 (Fire Department Vehicle) for replacing these items.

The brush truck will cost $40,000, the generator will cost $37,500, the Police Cruiser will cost $30,000 ,and replacing the doors and windows will cost $25,000. The Article passed 375-0. A 2/3 majority was needed to pass.

Article 5 would appropriate $100,000 to replace a portion of the water main at Bayside Meadows. The money would be provided by transfer from retained earnings of the Water Enterprise Fund. It was motioned by the Board of Water/Sewer Commissioners. It passed 375-0 and needed a 2/3 vote to pass.

Article 6 would authorize the Board of Water and Sewer Commsisioners to acquire by purchase, for passive recreation, conservation and water supply protection purposes 29.75 acres of land located east of Long Plain Road for $460,000. The Commissioners shall hold the land for water protection purposes. The motioned was submitted by the Board of Water Commissioners. It passed 375-0 and needed a 2/3 majority to pass.

Article 7 was the only article defeated of the night. It would have appropriated $4,200,000 for the purpose of financing the construction of a Sewer Extension Construction Project for the following streets in Mattapoisett: Antassawomack Road, Sagamore Road, Mattakiset Road, Nashawena Road, Anawan Road, Massasoit Road, Camanset Road, Shawmut Road, Samoset Road, King Philip Road, Quansett East, Seaconet Road, Shoreview Avenue, Port Way, Leeward Way, Windward Way, Starboard Way and Marshmere Road. It needed a 2/3 majority to pass and 166 were in favor and 102 were opposed. 179 votes were needed to carry the Article.

Article 8 would appropriate $150,000 for the purpose of paying the cost of conducting a sewer environmental study as required by the Massachusetts Department of Enviornmental Protection (DEP) and the Massachusetts Enviornmental Policy Act Office (MEPA.) The $150,000 will be transferred from retained earnings of the Sewer Enterprise Fund. It passed 150-1 and was motioned by the Board of Water/Sewer Commissioners. A 2/3 majority was needed in order to pass.

Article 9 would appropriate $250,000 for the purpose of designing, permitting and constructing a dinghy dock at Mello Wharf. The Article was passed 145-1 and needed a 2/3 majority to pass. The motion was submitted by the Harbormaster. The Finance Committee recommended approval.

Article 10 would appropriate $20,000 to maintain wharves, floats and related facilities. The $20,000 would be transferred from Retained Earnings of the Waterfront Enterprise. The Article passed 140-0 and needed a simple majority to pass. The motion was submitted by the Harbormaster and the Finance Committee recommended the approval.

The Annual Town Meeting was adjourned at 10:20 pm by Moderator Jack Ecklund and continued over until Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at 7:00 pm.

The second night of the Annual Mattapoisett Town Meeting was called to order by Town Moderator Jack Eckland at 7:02 pm on Tuesday, May 12, 2009.

Mr. Eckland began the meeting by apologizing for forgetting to announce his thanks on behalf of the town to now-retired Fire Chief Ronnie Scott.

Article 11, the first one dealt with that night, would appropriate $35,000 to pay the cost of cyclical inspections and revaluation. The $35,000 would be transferred from excess Overlay Reserve. The motion was submitted by the Board of Assessors and was recommended for approval by the Finance Committee. Article 11 passed 96-4. The Article needed a simple majority to pass.

According to Selectman Jordan Collyer at the Special Selectman's Meeting that took place on Thursday, May 7, 2009, the events of Article 11 are done every three years.

Article 12 would appropriate $10,000 to pay for the cost of retirement/post retirement benefits to eligible employees. The $10,000 would be transferred from the Fiscal Year 2009's Free Cash. The motion was submitted by the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee recommended approval. Article 12 passed 102-0 in favor. The Article needed a simple majority to pass.

Article 13 would appropriate $40,000 for the cost of engineering, design, permitting and/or related expenses for the Mattapoisett Bike Path Phase 1B, which would extend from Mattapoisett Neck Road to Depot Street, generally following the former New York New Haven Railroad Right of Way and Railroad Avenue. The $40,000 would be transferred from Fiscal Year 2009's Free Cash. The motion was submitted by the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee recommended approval. Article 13 passed 133-1 in favor. The Article needed a simple majority to pass.

Article 14 would appropriate $620 to pay for the cost of the BBAC (Buzzards Bay Action Committee) assessment for the Fiscal Year 2010. The $620 would be transferred from the Fiscal Year 2009's Free Cash. The motion was submitted by the Board of Selectmen and was recommended approval by the Finance Committee. Article 14 passed 134-0. The Article needed a simple majority to pass.

Article 15 would appropriate $2,000 for the funding of domestic violence and sexual assault programs pursuant to a grant agreement between the Town of Mattapoisett and the New Bedford Women's Center for Fiscal Year 2010. The $2,000 would be transferred from Fiscal Year 2009's Free Cash. The motion was submitted by the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee recommended approval. Article 15 passed 134-0 in favor. The Article needed a simple majority to pass.

Article 16 would appropriate or reserve from the Community Preservation annual revenues in the amounts recommended by the Community Preservation Committee for administrative expenses, community preservation projects and other expenses in the Fiscal Year 2010, with each item to be considered a separate appropriation, as follows:

Appropriations:

From Fiscal Year 2010, estimated revenues for Committee administrative expense $1,000.

Reserves:

From Fiscal Year 2010, estimated revenues for Historic Resources Reserve $12,825.82.

From Fiscal Year 2010, estimated revenues for Community Housing Reserve $12,825.82.

From Fiscal Year 2010, estimated revenues for Open Space Reserve

$12,825.82.

From Fiscal Year 2010, estimated revenues for Budgeted Reserve

$88,780.79

The motion was submitted by the Preservation Committee and the Finance Committee recommended approval. Article 16 passed 140-0 in favor. The Article needed a simple majority to pass.

Article 17 would appropriate $10,000 to pay the cost of preserving historic Town Records in the custody of the Town Clerk. The $10,000 would be transferred from the Community Preservation Fund Historic Resources Reserve. The motion was submitted by the Community Preservation Committee and the Finance Committee recommended approval. Article 17 passed 140-0 in favor. The Article needed a simple majority to pass.

Article 18 would appropriate $35,000 to pay the cost of engineering, design, permitting and/or related expenses for the creation of the Mattapoisett Bike Path Phase 1B, which would extend from Mattapoisett Neck Road to Depot Street, generally following the former New York New Haven Railroad Right of Way and Railroad Avenue. The $35,000 would be transferred from the Community Preservation Funds Budgeted Reserve. Article 13, which is similar to Article 18, differs in that Article 13 would be using Free Cash, as opposed to 18's use of the Budgeted Reserve. The motion was submitted by the Community Preservation Committee and the Finance Committee recommended approval. Article 18 passed 138-2 in favor. The Article needed a simple majority to pass.

Article 19 would amend the acceptance of the Community Preservation Act by accepting the Provision for low income and senior exemption. The provisions of Massachusetts General Law Chapter (MGL) 44B, sections 3-7 inclusive, by accepting the provisions of MGL Chapter 44B, Section 3 (e) (1) to exempt from the Community Preservation Act Surcharge property owned and occupied as a domicile by a person who would qualify for low income housing or low or moderate income senior housing n the Town, provided, however, that such change shall not take effect until approved by the voters of the 2010 Annual Town Election. The motion was submitted by the Community Preservation Committee. Article 19 passed 138-2 in favor. The Article needed a simple majority to pass.

Article 20 would have the Town vote to amend the Town's Community Preservation By-Law by increasing the voting membership of the Community Preservation Committee from seven members to nine members, and by increasing the number of elected members from two members to our members, provided, however, that initially, one new member shall be elected for a one-year term, and one for a two-year term. The motion was submitted by the Community Preservation Committee and needed a simple majority to pass. Article 20 passed 140-0 in favor.

Article 21 was submitted by the Finance Committee to see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds a sum of money for appropriation to the Capital Stabilization Fund or take any other action relating thereto. Essentially, it would be from Free Cash. The Article needed a 2/3 vote to pass. Article 21 passed 140-0 in favor.

Article 22 was submitted by the Board of Water/Sewer Commissioners to see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of $10,000 from Water Enterprise Retained Earnings to the Fiscal Year 2010 Water Enterprise Reserve Fund or take any other action relating thereto. The Finance Committee recommended approval. Article 22 passed 140-0 in favor. The Article needed a simple majority to pass.

Article 23 was submitted by the Board o Water/Sewer Commissioners to see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of $10,000 from Sewer Enterprise Retained Earnings to the Fiscal Year 2010 Sewer Enterprise Reserve Fund or take any other action relating thereto. The Finance Committee recommends approval. Article 23 passed 140-0 in favor. The Article needed a simple majority to pass.

Article 24 was submitted by the Board of Health to see if the Town will vote to establish a Wood Waste Recycling Revolving Account pursuant to MGL entitled "Wood Waste Recycling" for the purpose of receiving payments of tipping fees generated from wood waste, with a $30,000 spending limit, said funds to be expended by the Board of Health to cover the cost of contractual services related to wood waste recycling, or take any other action relating thereto. No funding would be required. Article 24 passed 140-0 in favor. The Article needed a simple majority to pass.

Article 25 was submitted by the Board of Selectmen to see if the Town would vote to accept Hitching Post Road, as laid out by the Board of Selectmen, as an accepted public way under the provisions of MGL c. 81 sections 17-32, or take any other action relating thereto. No funding would be required. Article 25 passed 139-1 in favor. The Article needed a simple majority to pass.

Article 26 was submitted to see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to file a home rule petition with the General Court in the form set forth below; provided, however that the General Court may make clerical or editorial changes of form only to the bill, unless the board of Selectmen approves amendments to the bill enactment by the General Court; and further, to authorize the Board of Selectmen to approve amendments which shall be within the scope of the general public objectives of the petition: "An act relative to the interest rate to be charged upon apportioned betterment assessments for water and sewer projects in the Town of Mattapoisett."

Section 1: Notwithstanding the provisions o any general or special law to the Contrary, the Town of Mattapoisett shall assess interest on apportionments of sewer and water betterments at the actual rate of interest chargeable to the Town for the betterment project to which said assessment relates.

Section 2: If upon the effective date of this act assessments have already been apportioned for Mattapoisett River Basin Sewer Project Phases I and II, Route Six, Brandt Beach and one or more portions with interest at the rates allowed under section 13 of chapter 80 of the general laws have been added to the annual tax assessed with respect to the assessed properties, then from the first day of October after the effective date of this act, such apportioned assessments shall bear interest at the rate authorized by Section I of this act.

Section 3: This act shall take effect upon its passage.

The motion was submitted by the Board of Water/Sewer Commissioners. Article 26 passed 140-0. The article needed a simple majority to pass.

Article 27 was submitted by the Board of Selectmen for the Town to amend the Personnel By-Law by exempting the positions of Building Inspector and Library Director from the Wage and Salary schedule. According to Selectman Jordan Collyer at the Special Selectman's Meeting that took place on Thursday, May 7, 2009, this is done so the town can offer a competitive rate. By doing this, they would also be allowed to negotiate with applicants. Article 27 passed 140-0 in favor. The Article needed a simple majority to pass.

Article 28 was submitted by the Board of Selectmen on behalf of the Treasurer/Collector to increase the Demand Fee charged for each written demand issued by the Collector of Taxes for unpaid and/or delinquent taxes to be added to and collected as part of the tax, as authorized by MGL Chapter 60, Section 15, effective as of July 1, 2009. The price would go from $5 up to $15. The price has been $5 since the mid-1980's, estimated Town Administrator Michael Botelho.

Mattapoisett resident Dan Goodman proposed an amendment, which would abolish the fee entirely. Mr. Botelho stated that if the fee was abolished, the fee would be entered into the tax system in some other way and those who did not fail to make tax payments would end up paying for the fee in their taxes. A vote was taken to add the amendment to the Article, but was voted down 130-2 against the amendment. The vote on Article 28 was 120-5 in favor of the $10 increase. The Article needed a simple majority to pass.

Mr. Eckland adjourned the meeting at 8:50 pm.

By Adam Silva

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12:54:59 am Running for Mom and the Women's Fund

Categories: Mattapoisett

With the third annual running of the Tiara Classic Mother's Day 5K Race it can now be said that this event has become a tradition. The race, which winds its way through the streets of Mattapoisett, has attracted a larger field in each of its successive years as it benefits local women's groups as well as marking the beginning of the local road race season.

A sunny, yet blustery, morning met runners as they made their way to the Oxford Creamery staging area in Mattapoisett on Sunday morning, May 10. Over 400 runners, joggers and walkers came out this Mother's Day to participate in the race. As in past years, many of the mothers and fathers in the race could be seen toting or running side by side with their children helping to make this race something more than a race. Before the main event, several hundred children took part in a half mile fun run. Children ages 3 to 12 ran a shortened version of the course with each of the young runners receiving a medal at the end of the race for their efforts, many from the reigning Miss New Bedford, Ashley Bendiksen.

The race's principal beneficiary is the Women's Fund of Southeastern Massachusetts. The fund is a local charitable organization and advocacy group that seeks to improve the lives of women and girls throughout the region with programs devoted to education, the arts, health, violence prevention, career and leadership training and economic stability, among other causes. This fundraising event is aimed at helping the group reach its stated goal of creating a permanent endowment of one million dollars as a resource for the women of the region.

While many of the runners were serious, competitive runners, others were there to show their support for the cause and to honor their mothers. The names of the honored moms were recorded on a board that was displayed in the hub of the events' registration and activities area. The area also included a section devoted to children with activities including face painting and the signing of t-shirts that were shared by participants and a large buffet of fruit and other food for the runners to help them recover at the end of the race. Racers were also treated to a short concert by the Showstoppers as they awaited the awards ceremony.

The overall race winner was Mattapoisett's Andrew McIntire who finished the race with a time of 18 minutes and 23 seconds. It was the second year in a row that McIntire has won the race. In winning the race he edged out Patrick DeBortoli, the winner of the inaugural Tiara 5K, by 16 seconds. Kerry Peroni of Lakeville was the first woman across the finish line as she broke the tape with a time of 22 minutes and 10 seconds, three seconds ahead of Mattapoisett's Tina Marie Varzeas who finished second among the women. Next across the line was Hunter Parker of Mattapoisett who completed the course in 22 minutes and 21 seconds. Hunter was running in the male twelve years of age and under category. Another impressive finish was posted by young Lindsey Kloc of Barrington, RI who came in forty-first place with a time just under 25 minute. Miss Kloc was the first twelve or under female to cross the finish line placing ahead of nearly four hundred other runners. If you would like to see the complete race results you can go to www.coolrunning.com/results/09/ma/May10_TiaraC_set1.shtml. If you would like more information about the Women's Fund you can find them on the web at www.cfsema.or/womensfund.

By Robert Chiarito

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12:07:51 am Mattapoisett Town Meeting Warrant Review

Categories: Mattapoisett

The Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen and Town Moderator Jack Eklund have announced a special meeting to review the Warrant for the upcoming Town Meeting on Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 6:00 pm in the Town Hall Conference Room at the Mattapoisett Town Hall. The Annual Town Meeting will take place on Monday, May 11 through Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at 7:00 pm at the Old Rochester Regional High School Auditorium.

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11:50:53 pm Private Road Standards Discussed

Categories: Mattapoisett

Mattapoisett Selectmen's Meeting - April 28, 2009

A regular meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen was called to order by Chairman Steve Lombard at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, April 28, 2009. Also in attendance were Selectman Jordan Collyer, Selectman George Randall, Town Administrator Michael Botelho and Assistant Town Administrator Melody Pacheco.

The minutes for the April 14, 18 and 23 2009 Selectman's Meetings were approved by Selectmen Collyer and Randall, but Selectman Lombard had to abstain from voting due to his absence from those meetings. The vote for a common victuallers license for the Rochester Firefighter's Association for the Memorial Day Boat Race was approved.

At 7:05 pm, Margie Baldwin, owner of the How on Earth health food store and restaurant, stood before the Board and was approved for a wine and liquor license. The store has expanded to be a restaurant that sits 16 people. The restaurant will be expanding again and will be able to hopefully seat 24 to 28 people. The Mattapoisett Boat Yard, who is an abutter to How on Earth, wrote a letter praising the store and hoped the Board would grant Ms. Baldwin the license.

The Board began discussing how to set up a memorial at the Mattapoisett Wharf for Freddie Brownell, who died on April 16. Chairman Lombard suggested the long wharf be named after him and be called either Freddie Brownell Wharf or a name his family suggests, as his real name was David. Selectman Randall suggested that the streets next to the dry dock be named after him, as Brownell boats go by there daily. A final decision has yet to be made, although the Board was in agreement that a memorial explaining why each of the Town Wharfs are named after selected people is fitting and something that each Board Member supports.

For the past eight months, the Board has been working with Highway Department Head Barry Denham on matters regarding to private roads and the possibility of making a uniformed private road policy. Four Mattapoisett residents were in attendance at the meeting to discuss the potholes that have arisen on their street. They also voiced concerns over their streets not being able to be accessed by police, fire departments, EMS and other workers tending to their safety when weather conditions arise. Selectman Collyer noted that he has worked on the fire department longer than Mr. Denham has been Head of the Highway Department and there has never been an issue with regards to accessing a private street. Mr. Denham stated that whenever the fire and police departments and EMS are called to a private road when it is snowing, he is alerted and plows are sent to the street.

Mattapoisett resident Barbara Ketchel sent an email to the Town Hall in regards to setting up farmer's markets in Mattapoisett at the Wednesday Night Band Concerts. She suggested that the markets take place in the wharf parking lot and people can set up tables or sell from the backs of their cars. They would be allowed to sell vegetables and locally made items only. She has suggested that no fee will be charged to those selling.

Selectman Collyer stated that having farmer's markets is "long overdue" in Mattapoisett and referenced how popular and successful Rochester's markets have been. The Board suggested that a meeting with Ms. Ketchel will take place in the future.

The warrant for the upcoming Town Meeting is available at the Town Hall, the library, the Council on Aging and at Mattapoisett.net. Also available is the Glossary of Town Meeting Terms. The next Selectman's Meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall Conference Room. The Mattapoisett Annual Town Meeting will be held at the Old Rochester Regional High School Auditorium on May 11, 2009 at 7:00 pm. The Town Election will be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2009 from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm at Old Hammondtown School. The landfill summer hours are now in effect and the schedule is Tuesday through Saturday, 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. "A Morning of Wellness" at the Mattapoisett Social and Wellness Center will be held on Wednesday, June 3 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm with breakfast refreshments, a concert and much more. Mattapoisett Highway Department worker Jimmy Nunes will be retiring as of May 29. Mr. Nunes has worked for over 30 years for the town.

Chairman Lombard will not be running for reelection in the upcoming Town Election, making this Selectman's Meeting his last. He thanked his fellow Selectmen at the end of the meeting and said that he enjoyed working with them and wished them and the town the best. The Selectman's Meeting was adjourned at 9:02 pm by Chairman Lombard.

By adam Silva

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12:26:57 am Mattapoisett Rail Trail - Riders and Walkers Unite

Categories: Mattapoisett

By Sarah K. Taylor

On Friday, April 17, 2009 at 3:15 pm, the inauguration of the "Old Colony Mile" of the Mattapoisett Rail Trail began. The trail is part of a tri-town project to expand the current bike path to connect with Fairhaven's 3.5 mile bike path and eventually continue through Mattapoisett, Marion and Wareham.

State Rep. Bill Straus has been involved in this project since 1993. Mr. Straus described the next phase for the bike trail, which will be to build it around the edge of the YMCA camp and through the center of town. He says that the goal is to have the bike trail run from the edge of Fairhaven to Cape Cod. Mr. Straus hopes that this will be a healthy transportation alternative for community members. How would he describe the bike path? He replied, "It's a long, narrow park."

Steve Kelleher, Chairman of the Bike Path Committee, after commenting on the perfect day, expressed his joy at the momentum this project finally has going for it. He described the years and years, twelve to be precise, of hard work and meetings which have led up to all of the progress that's being made now.

Mr. Kelleher never lost sight of the goal, even when the initial funds for the project were nowhere near enough. He said, "It took about eight years to get grant moneys to match up with our design." According to their brochure, "1.9 Million in federal construction funds is allocated and scheduled for 2011. This money will be lost unless we can pay for the first stage of design in 2009 ($25,000, Community Preservation Grant) and have money available (up to $65,000 of Town and Friends' money) in 2010 to complete the design." A friendly little reminder is given as well "that Mattapoisett residents will pay less than 10% of the costs."

The speeches at the end of the trail were begun by Bonne DeSousa, president of the Mattapoisett Rail Trail, followed by Steve Kelleher, and lastly Bill Straus. Many thanks and acknowledgments for participation and support were received by a very responsive crowd.

Mr. Straus reminded us of how easy it could have been not to have had this happen. He spoke about the public's engagement with the project and gave a big thank you to the people who went to town meetings where a single vote of "no" could have ended the project.

This section of the new bike trail, the " Old Colony Mile," will be dedicated to Mattapoisett's public safety professionals. The police officers, fire officials and veterans present for this ceremony were then acknowledged.

The plan is to dedicate the four miles to four different categories of community members. The next phase of the bike trial will be the "Shining Tides Mile," and it will be dedicated to historical figures and to nature. Next will come a mile for community leaders and public service people, and finally a mile will be designated to our educators.

The Mattapoisett Rail Trail would like to thank Mass Highway, SRPEDD, Past and Present Mattapoisett Selectmen, Rep. Bill Straus, Stephen Kelleher, the members of the Mattapoisett Bike Path Committee, VHB Engineering, and Green Acres Landscaping.

Donations will be accepted at Friends of Matt. Bike and Rec. Path "Design Fund" P.O. Box 1336, Mattapoisett MA 02739. Their website is: www.MattapoisettRailTrail.com.

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12:26:52 am Sailing Program Launch Party

Categories: Mattapoisett

The Third Annual Launch Party for the William E. Mee Youth Sailing Program will take place at the Reservation Golf Club in Mattapoisett from 6:00 to 10:00 pm on Saturday, April 25.

"Billy (William) was the unofficial 'Mayor of the Wharf,'" said Mattapoisett Harbor Master Steve Mach in a lighthearted fashion. "We thought of the idea for a youth sailing program a while before Billy's unfortunate passing. We thought it was really appropriate to name the program after him. He really liked the idea of getting kids on the water; he loved kids. He knew everyone on the water all over this area."

The program consists of three sessions: June 29 through July 10, July 13 through July 24 and July 27 through August 7. A summer gala is scheduled for August 1. Children ages 6 through 14 are eligible to take part in the program and scholarships will be offered. Last year, over 70 children entered the program. A smaller adult program was offered last year and six adults took part in the piloting program.

According to Mach, the most important parts of the lessons are teaching kids how to sail, the points of sailing and how to tie knots. Last year, boats were borrowed and some were even donated to the program. Boats are available to charter through the program as well.

"A lot of people suggested that a plaque be put up at the Mattapoisett Town Wharf or a bench be dedicated to him, but Billy was too dynamic for that. We wanted to do something bigger and more meaningful to remember him," said Mach.

Tickets for the Launch Party, which is also a fundraiser for the program, are $50 per ticket and tickets are limited. Music will be played by Kenny Richards, hors d'oeuvres will be served and a cash bar will be available. A Chinese Auction will take place as well. For more information about the Launch Party and about the Program, visit mattsail.org.

By Adam Silva

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12:26:48 am Going Green at Center School

Categories: Mattapoisett

Center School Students showed that everyone needs to do their part to save the environment as they celebrated their First Annual Earth Day Celebration Wednesday night throughout the entire school. Different parts of the school had different groups of students and teachers displaying the environmentally-friendly events they have been taking part in. Kindergarten through the Third Grade had their own booths set up in the corners of the gymnasium to display what they had done.

Project Grow combined their Third Annual Art Show with the Earth Day Celebration. The students learned about different artists and their different techniques to producing art. To learn and emulate Michelangelo painting the Sistine Chapel while on his back, students lay on their backs beneath their desks with paper taped to the bottom of the desk and drew. They also created hats out of recycled materials.

Kindergarteners erected clotheslines in a corner of the gymnasium where they displayed the reusable cloth bags that they had decorated with art and lettering about the three R's (reduce, reuse and recycle.)

First Graders collected over 60 pounds of litter on the Center School grounds. A video was shown that displayed what was accomplished.

The Second Graders ventured out to the New Bedford Water Treatment Plant to learn how clean water is processed. Charts and graphs covered the walls of their corner stating how the Earth is 97% salt water and how waste water treatment plants work.

The Third Grade Chorus performed songs about the environment and made acrostic poems about the three R's. They also made posters about "going green" and Earth Day, and wrote essays about asking their families on what they do to help the environment.

"Each grade, from Project Grow to the Third Grade, took a different way of looking at how we can help the Earth and they each chose a different topic on how to do it," said Center School Principal Rose Bowman. "It's been a school-wide effort; from the art to the music, and each class read books on the environment. It's been a great night, with everyone working together towards a common goal. I will look forward to this event every year."

Many students, parents and teachers were seen holding "newborn trees." Charlie Duponte, of Duponte Landscape and Design, handed out 250 small River Birch trees with instructions of the care each will need and how to plant it. The Mattapoisett Land Trust, also located in the cafeteria, handed out 280 small Douglas Fir trees with soil that were wrapped in recycled newspaper. Jenny Mello, from the Land Trust, said that the best thing about giving kids the trees to plant is: "This will encourage them to go outside and experience nature."

Also in the cafeteria were the How on Earth store and the Mattapoisett Sustainability Club. In keeping with the theme, the ORR High School AFS club had a booth selling gourmet scented pencils made from recycled newspaper.

By Adam Silva

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12:26:38 am Town Hall Renovations Underway

Categories: Mattapoisett

Though not visible from either Main Street or Church Street in Mattapoisett, there are big renovations and improvements underway at the Mattapoisett Town Hall. Under the supervision and instruction of Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School teacher Stuart Norton, a group of carpentry students from the school's House and Mill Carpentry Department have been rebuilding the rear porch and handicapped access ramp to the building, using modern materials that are designed to withstand decades of weather and heavy use.

The work on the handicapped access ramp and rear porch is nearly complete, and Mattapoisett Building Inspector Andrew Bobola could not be more pleased with the work. "The Town has saved approximately $20,000 in labor costs, and has provided the students with a great learning experience and given them a sense of civic pride that can't be beat," stated Mr. Bobola.

The work will end with the school year in the next few weeks, but Mr. Norton and his team of student carpenters will return when school reopens in September to begin work on reconstruction of the fire stairs at the rear of the building, which connect the second floor conference room to the ground level.

By Ricky A. Pursley

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12:26:32 am Scallop Season Extended

Categories: Mattapoisett

Mattapoisett Selectmen's Meeting - pril 18, 2009

By Adam Silva

A special Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen Meeting was held on Saturday morning at 10:00 am at the Mattapoisett Town Hall in regards to the scalloping season. In attendance at the meeting were Selectman Jordan Collyer and Selectman Steve Lombard.

At the Tuesday, April 14 Selectmen's Meeting, Mr. Collyer announced that the season would end on Wednesday, April 15, as it had been extended an additional two weeks from its previous end date. Due to what Mr. Collyer called "the town's best scallop year since the late-70's," the end date has been extended to April 30.

J. Michael Hickey of The South Coast Marine Fisheries Station, located at 1213 Purchase St., Floor 3, New Bedford, sent the following letter to the Mattapoisett Town Administrator, Michael Botelho:

"Under authority of Chapter 130, Section 73 of MGL, the Director of Marine Fisheries has granted the March 27, 2009 request of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen to extend the Bay Scallop season through April 30, 2009 in all waters under the jurisdiction to the Town. Marine Fisheries also agrees with increasing the commercial limit to ten bushels per day per permit and the recreational catch to two bushels per week.

This authorization is granted based upon the large number of adult Bay Scallops remaining and the concurrence of the Division's Shellfish Program; and may be rescinded at any time if deemed appropriate by Marine Fisheries. All activities and catch so authorized may be inspected by Shellfish Program personnel at any reasonable time."

The Selectmen voted unanimously in favor of extending the season to the end of the month. The meeting was adjourned at 10:02 am.

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11:16:08 pm Saving the Bay: A Sea of Understanding at ORR Junior High

Categories: Marion, Mattapoisett, Rochester

The enrichment coordinator at the Old Rochester Junior High School, Jane Tougas, was thrilled to present five of her 38 eighth grade students who have been working on a project to help save Buzzards Bay. These students had spent four weeks researching problems that exist in Buzzards Bay and solutions to help address these problems. Each student collected one fact about Buzzards Bay, which they put on display in the front of their school. They also wrote skits, which will be aired on the local TV stations.

The idea to help save the bay came from one student in particular, thirteen year old Max Medina, who's family has been involved in a fundraising swim event out of New Bedford for years now. Max brought his two medals to school for completing a 1.2 mile swim two years in a row, and convinced his classmates to take an interest in this environmental dilemma.

Max explained how he and his two sisters have been swimming for this cause and how he "brought it to our class because I wanted to let people know what's been going on in our bay." The main message he wants to get across is that, "people need to stop polluting." Max strongly believes in this endeavor, which he feels he can contribute to, along with others. "We are the people that are going to make a difference. This will start a chain reaction for the good."

Thirteen year old, Michaela Riggi offered some of the ways she has contributed to the cause, "We would look through the packet Mrs. Tougas gave us to gather up facts about how to save the bay." One example is "not to flush old medicine down the drain."

Max gave another example about how to help, which asks that bay front property owners not use harsh chemicals and fertilizers on their lawns. This will limit the amount of chemicals directly draining into the bay.

David Dalton, another student, said people shouldn't "put toxic things down the drain to clean it." Instead, grab that bucket and get ready to face some interesting smells as you manually de-clog drains. Think of this as a necessary effort for a bigger cause.

Andrew Cardwell reminded us of the animal life that requires a clean environment to thrive and Evan Botello said, "We should use healthier products instead of bleach."

These students have obviously worked hard and are truly concerned with the wonderful bay they have the good fortune to live so close to. They understand that it is not someone else's responsibility to keep the bay beautiful, but in fact their responsibility as young members of this community. Having this knowledge will serve them in their lives wherever they find themselves.

Michaela spoke again about the skits they wrote and performed. These skits inform the community about becoming involved in keeping the bay clean. It was exciting for the students to have the experience of going to a TV studio and showing their skills as actors and screenwriters on this subject.

The displays will be up at the entrance to the Junior High School for another two weeks and the school welcomes the community in to have a look. Many more, well researched ways to save the bay and help the environment are offered and should be seen.

By Sarah K. Taylor

Photos available in our Gallery, click here.

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11:15:16 pm ORR Junior High Students Court 'March Madness Junior'

Categories: Marion, Mattapoisett, Rochester

A different kind of education occurred this past week, as the staff of Old Rochester Regional Junior High schooled their students 47-45 in Friday's March Madness Jr.'s basketball game. The game, which was originally scheduled two weeks earlier, took place at the ORR high school gymnasium from 6:30 to 9:00 pm.

All of the proceeds from the event went to the Hands for Maddie Charity. Madison Moura is a Fairhaven 3-year-old who is living with hemiplegia and cerebral palsy after having a stroke while in-utero. She also has Volkmann's Contracture to her left forearm, rendering her left hand deformed with minimal use. They are raising money for a surgery that is not covered by their health insurance as well as other health costs.

"Almost every day for the past few years, she has been going through some sort of therapy," explained Jason Moura, Madison's father. "Almost all of the money we've raised is towards an experimental procedure at Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence. The foundation has been running for three months now and we're in the process of getting tax-exempt status from the state. Eventually, I'm sure we are going to hit an insurance ceiling, where they won't continue to cover what she needs, so we are trying to brace ourselves for that and we're trying to put aside as much as we can [for] when that happens."

To determine which eighth-grade students got to play in the game, the names of everyone that signed up were put into a lottery. A basketball knockout competition took place before the game and a half-court shot chance occurred at half-time, with no one managing to sink one in. Junior High students organized a raffle and refreshments were sold, all benefiting the charity.

The students that played were; Aaron Rivera, Nick Mathieu, Peter Krause, Abby Offringa, Chris Marchisio, Katie Wilbur, Louis Pina, Katelyn Cummings, Kyle Green, Hannah Bouvette, Sophie Harding, Luke Mattar, Xavier Rose, Amanda Frey and Aaron Holick.

"Hopefully the foundation will continue to grow," said an optimistic Mr. Moura, who held Madison's brother in his arms during the game. "We could eventually help other kids who are in a similar situation. Maddie's an amazing and strong kid but she has a lot of challenges ahead of her. Events like this really help us and we couldn't be more appreciative."

The ORRJHS staff that took part were; Matt Cavanaugh, Therese Valente, Beth Martin, Andrea Shaw, Rick Regan, Julie DeSousa, Erin Sullivan, Kevin Brogoli, Corey Phillips, Dan McEvoy, Judy D'Olympia, Chuck Jancaterino, Sue Modlowski, Greg Andree and Mike Ailes.

"The real big feature of the event is the students and the faculty working together for a common cause," said Kathy Gauvin, one of the organizers of the event. "Everyone is excited about it. They are really great kids that are concerned with the cause and are doing everything they can to try and contribute. It really shows a lot of character."

Visit handsformaddie.org to read about the Hands for Maddie Foundation. There is a direct link on the school's website, oldrochester.org/jhs.

By Adam Silva

Photos available in our Gallery, click here.

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11:12:17 pm Ms. Ball Goes to Washington: OHS Student Makes the Grade

Categories: Mattapoisett

Old Hammondtown sixth-grade student Catherine Ball was selected to attend the Junior National Young Leaders Conference in Washington D.C. The six-day conference took place from March 15-20. OHS music teacher Stan Ellis, who conducts her in the OHS Orchestra and Jazz Band, nominated Ms. Ball, who plays the alto saxophone.

"Some of my friends were also nominated, but I was the only Old Hammondtown student to go," said the eleven-year-old Ball. "In the program, we did a lot of chores in D.C., but we also saw a lot of monuments, museums and memorials."

The sites that the students visited were the Vietnam War Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial and the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. Only students in grades 5 and 6 are eligible to attend the conference.

"I don't nominate someone every year, but Catherine deserved it," explained Ellis. "Catherine is a very studious girl and I know she would get so much out of going to the Conference. She's a quiet girl, but she's a great sax player. She's worked really hard in her studies and for the band and it's really paying off."

According to the Conference's website, cylc.org, "Each session of the Junior National Young Leaders Conference is designed to educate, inspire, and motivate students by giving them the confidence and leadership skills that will take them through high school and beyond. Attending students receive personal guidance and direction from dedicated and experienced faculty advisors and are also provided with materials designed to foster self-directed experiential learning."

The JNYLC is part of the Congressional Youth Leadership Council, which holds conferences for American and foreign high school students. An optional alumni conference is held every year in Boston for those who participated in the program the previous year. At the beginning of the week, Catherine and her group worked together to set goals for the week and wrote a group constitution.

"They were trying to teach us to be leaders by following the six leadership traits: goal-setting, communication, character, respect, teamwork and problem-solving," explained Catherine. "Respect and teamwork were emphasized the most. We did exercises in these traits; for respect, we had a piece of tape on the floor and one of our faculty advisors would ask if a certain something ever happened to you. For those of us that had that happen, we would step over the tape to show that we aren't alone.

For teamwork, we sat in a circle and had our picture in the center on the floor. We had to get the picture around the circle without using our hands. We had to work as a team to figure out how to do it. We ended up putting the picture between our feet and moved it around the circle. It was really tough at first, but we worked together and got it done."

Catherine will be attending Old Rochester Regional Junior High in the fall and when asked about her future aspirations, she said, "My mother is an engineer, so I have always been fascinated by that line of work and everything she's done. I could see myself doing something like that in the future."

By Adam Silva

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11:10:54 pm Friends of the Mattapoisett Library Jazz Up Poetry Reading

Categories: Mattapoisett

Franklin D. Reeve, who returned to Mattapoisett this past Sunday afternoon to help the Friends of the Mattapoisett Library celebrate National Poetry Month once again, seems to be a man who has rolled up at least as many lives as his creation The Blue Cat. The poet and scholar, who taught at Wesleyan University for more than four decades, is a man who seems to have been blessed with a curious soul and a traveler's heart, and judging by the ever-present gleam in his eyes, he is also not above a little mischief.

Last year Mr. Reeve was one of three poets, along with Diana Der-Hoavanessian and Margot Wizansky, who helped christen the Mattapoisett Library's conference room as they celebrated National Poetry Month in the newly remodeled building. This year the event moved to the Kinsale Inn with Reeves and musicians Joe Deleault and Don Davis performing Mr. Reeve's piece, The Blue Cat Walks the Earth. The performance was dedicated to the late Judy Wallace, the former director of the Mattapoisett library who started the tradition of celebrating National Poetry Month in Mattapoisett.

This poetry reading was not a buttoned down, polite afternoon of verses were travelers might come in to tell the tales of their adventures. It was akin to the early days of our nation when the rabble-rousers of the day shared the thoughts and information in places like the Kinsale Inn leading up to the Revolution. Mr. Reeve and his compatriots led the audience through the world of The Blue Cat for the better part of ninety minutes, transporting the listener to the war torn streets of Iraq via an aural soundscape provided by Mr. Davis and Mr. Deleault. The two musicians accompaniment of Mr. Reeve's words was like a magic carpet ride that helped to set the scene as the poet moved between straight readings of his work to hip-hop like cadences to barn dance caller staccato all while never losing site that this journey was meant not to amuse the audience, though there was plenty of humor, but to provoke deep seated emotions to rise to the surface. Mr. Reeve has made it his mission to use The Blue Cat's voice as one who speaks for society's underdogs and forgotten people.

Davis and Deleault's improvisational skills were tested to the fullest in this piece of work as they set the required mood for each section of the book-long piece with just the right accents moving easily from Mancini like Pink Panther crawl, to Indonesian Gamalon cacophony, to spare Tibetan prayer as the piece progressed. Mr. Deleault seems to possess the ability to play every wind instrument know to man while adding such sound effects as mouth harp and train whistle to create the needed atmosphere. Mr. Davis used his keyboard as a platform from which Mr. Reeve delivered the Cat's stories of the disappearing middle class and lives wasted in nonsensical wars.

A true voice of the people Mr. Reeve did not simply take the easy road and rail against the failings of the past eight, or more, years, he also used a section of his work to remind all of us that it is our duty to hold the new administration to task if we really want, "change that we can believe in". Mr. Reeves often moved his words from English to Arabic as he brought stark images of war back to the home front. He asked how many lives of innocent civilians have been wasted just because they spoke the wrong language or had the wrong color skin or were standing in the wrong place when the bombs began to fall. An academic himself, Mr. Reeves also put a mirror up to the face of the halls of academia as he ended the piece by having the Cat engage in a verbal sparing match with a professor in a New York City pub. It would seem that we are all fair game for The Blue Cat as we should be. In a free society no one can be above reproach and Mr. Reeves has created the perfect voice to remind us all of the responsibility inherent in that freedom.

By Robert Chiarito

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11:05:59 pm ORR's 2009 Winter Blues Film Festival

Categories: Marion, Mattapoisett, Rochester

Old Rochester Regional High School's 7th annual Winter Blues Film Festival was held on Friday, April 3rd in the cafeteria. The event had been planned to take place in March but was postponed due to a lack of film submissions. This may have also been the reason that the show did not collect as large of a crowd as it usually does.

Nonetheless, those videos that were presented did not fail to show off great talent and dedication of the producers and actors involved. Two of the most memorable films of the night had been made for the Who Am I, English project. The Who Am I project is assigned each year to those in the senior class and is a requirement for graduation. The task is for students to figure out, to the best of their ability, who they are and what their place in the universe really is. Many kids tackled the assignment by creating videos that bring their audience upon the journey to finding their true purpose in life.

"The Travis Lowery Story" was filmed and edited by Alex Goodman, Mike Clancy, Sam Asci and Travis Lowery. This fabricated documentary took Alex Goodman, a news reporter, upon the search to find out what happened to Travis Lowery, a once notorious ORR football star, who fell into the hands of drugs and homelessness after the conclusion of high school. All of the group members' commitment to the film was shown strongly, making their results that much more entertaining.

Sam, who had apparently become a cross dresser after high school, wore a black sparkling dress and made a very memorable (and feminine) strut after finishing his interview with Alex. Travis, who was eventually found living under the football field bleachers, had white powder and black bags painted upon his face. His acting made for a very believable, disturbed junkie who was dealing with the mistakes that had turned his once flawless life into a perfect disaster. As for Alex and Mike, they found it necessary to make their old appearances a bit more realistic by gluing pieces of Travis' shaved head upon their faces to resemble facial hair. Though the storyline was a sad one, the moments of comedic relief made for a real riot and had the whole audience laughing.

"Who Am I: The Movie" took home this year's Best Entertainment Long. It was made by Aren Johansen, Jim Kelley, Anthony Pettinato and Taylor Maak and told the story of a young man's quest to find himself. Taylor searches the lands far and wide, speaking to a number of peculiar characters. Anthony plays Taylor's angry boss at work, and is the one who makes him feel like a nobody and sets his off upon his journey. Aren plays a scientist who tries to give the mathematic explanation of what humans are, explaining they are made primarily of H2O. Jim plays a laid back hippy, who tells Taylor he needs to sit back, relax and stop thinking so deeply. In the end, Taylor discovers that the real solution lies within himself.

Best Commercial went to "Wonder Gloves," by Alyssa Ray, and told of all the wonderful things her gloves could do, including warding off your bullies. This film was amongst a couple of others including "How to Lose a Guy" and "Little Genius," which was produced in collaboration with Lauren Pettinato and Hannah O'Day.

Best Animated/Special Effects award went to "Nerf Short" by Margie Pullo, a quick film about a girl and her little brother who are engaged in an intense Nerf gun war. It had fitting music and great, original effects that made the film look like cartoon drawings. Best Music Video was given to "Do You Know? (The Ping Pong Song)" which was filmed and edited by Laura Sullivan and Ann Marie Kassabian. It featured Chris Wright, the senior class clown, doing a fabulous impression of the dramatic Enrique Iglesias. The film had great shots and a hilarious actor, leading it to also win this year's Audience Choice Award.

Best Trailer was a tie between two of Chris Gonsalves films, "Sublime Entropy" and "Snow Day." Both trailers were action packed and full of suspense. "Snow Day" was about a killer who comes out when the kids come out, on snow days, of course, while "Sublime Entropy" was about the revenge of two parents upon the man who killed their baby. Chris also submitted the film "How to be a Secret Agent." Finally Best Entertainment Short went to Ian Vincent for his film "Why I Hate Cats," which told the story of "a man, a woman and the cat that comes between them." Another submission made by Ian was called "Also Sprach Die Tennis-Ball."

"Mr. Martin Revealed," "Kicks," "Dream Girl," "How to Make Your Teacher Quit," "Freedom of Speech," and "Biggie Hypnotize" were amongst the rest of the memorable films presented that night. A special thanks goes to Mr. Ashley, the members of the band who entertained during intermission, as well as the panel of judges; Randy Allain, Judy Johnson, Colin Everett, Paul Sardinha and Kate Ribiero. Without all of these people, including those students who entered their films, the Film Festival would not have been possible.

By Olivia Mello

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12:05:48 am Mattapoisett Residents Meet to Review Proposed Wetlands By-Law

Categories: Mattapoisett

An informational meeting was held on Tuesday, March 31, for the proposed Mattapoisett Wetlands Protection Bylaw, which has been submitted by Mattapoisett resident Brad Hathaway. The event took place at the Center School cafeteria and began at 6:50 pm in front of roughly 50 people.

In attendance were Selectmen Jordan Collyer, who also served as moderator, and George Randall, Building Inspector Andy Bobola, Town Clerk Barbara Sullivan and Highway Department Head Barry Denham. Selectman Steve Lombard was not in attendance. Kerry Murphy, a representative from the Coalition for Buzzard's Bay, was also in attendance and helped decipher the changes the bylaw would bring forth.

The bylaw, which will go to vote at the next town meeting, would mandate that all new development projects must be set back from protected wetland areas by 50 feet. In order for the bylaw to pass, it would need a simple majority, not a two-thirds majority like several other propositions.

According to the information sheet given out by Mr. Hathaway, "This 50-foot buffer zone is an area of natural vegetation that protects water quality by filtering out pollutants from storm-water and groundwater before that water enters a wetland or water body."

After a short introduction by Selectman Collyer, Mr. Hathaway stated his objectives for the informative meeting. Selectman Collyer reminded the crowd that it was an informational meeting only, and its purpose was to educate and inform and was not a place to argue whether or not the town should or should not adopt the bylaw. Mr. Hathaway stated early on in his speech that "If we don't care about the wetlands, we are all in for trouble. Not just us, but our children and our children's children."

He also proposed that the town hire a full-time conservation agent and reaffirmed that the bylaw would not negate the state's Wetland Protection Act, it would just make the town's more affirmative and specific.

Four activities exist that would be exempt from the requirement of the proposed bylaw: Existing structures and uses, normal maintenance or improvement of agricultural and aquacultural land, maintaining, repairing or replacing existing public service structures or facilities and emergency projects, authorized by the state or the town, necessary for the protection of the health and safety of the public.

Several people in attendance brought up the financial matters that the bylaw would bring about. Mattapoisett resident Steve Kelleher stated that the town could lose an estimated $2 million in property taxes.

"Although I applaud Mr. Hathaway's efforts, I really think that this could have a devastating effect on the town," said Town Building Inspector Andy Bobola. "With the Town Meeting only five weeks away, I really feel that everyone needs more time to try to understand everything. I think an additional Town Meeting just for the bylaw would be best. What people don't understand is that not only do you have the 50-foot buffer zone, but there are times when the Building Department has to establish a 50-foot zoning setback on some projects. This would make a lot of projects impossible to build. If this passes, long gone are the days of sheds, gazebos, deck extensions and freestanding garages. Builders in this town are going to suffer."

According to Mr. Hathaway's informational sheet, more than half of the 351 towns and cities in Massachusetts have adopted local wetlands ordinances or bylaws. Mattapoisett will decide if they will be one of them at the next Town Meeting. The meeting adjourned at 9:40 pm.

By Adam Silva

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11:20:42 pm Mattapoisett Has Few Contested Races on Annual Election Ballot

Categories: Mattapoisett

Mattapoisett won't see too many new faces, as only two races will be opposed in the upcoming Town Election on May 19, 2009. Former Mattapoisett Selectman Ray Andrews is running against Lynn M. Sylvia for a seat on the Board of Assessors. Mr. Andrews was a selectman until 2008. David Kiernan's term ends this year and is not seeking reelection.

"I plan on bringing as fair and equitable application of Massachusetts General Law as possible," said Mr. Andrews about his plans if he is elected to the Board. "What most people don't realize is how little leeway Assessors really have within the Massachusetts General Law. I have a very intimate knowledge of this town, which I feel can help me in the position."

When asked about what she plans to bring to the seat, Sylvia replied "Common sense most of all. As a taxpayer, I am very concerned about my tax bills and for others in town. I feel that I can bring knowledge and intuition to the position."

When elected to the Board of Assessors, members must be state-certified within one year of being elected. UMASS Amherst offers a five-day course and several other satellite branches offer courses as well.

The other two-way race in Mattapoisett is for the Water and Sewer Commissioner, as incumbent Christopher Jaskolka, of 23 Tinkham Lane, is running against James F. Huntoon, of 3 Jane Lane.

The rest of the May 19 Mattapoisett Ballot is as follows:

* Board of Selectmen (3 years) - Paul A. Silva

* Mattapoisett School Committee (3 years, 2 seats) -Virginia Callery Beams (Incumbent); Gracinda M. Knox (I)

* Trustee of Public Library (3 years, 2 seats) - Jennifer N. McIntire; Rachel W. Deery

* Moderator (1 year) - John A. Eklund (I)

* Highway Surveyor (3 years) - Barry J. Denham (I)

* Board of Health (3 years) - Russell L. Bailey (I)

* Planning Board (5 years) - Thomas Matthew Tucker (I)

* Mattapoisett Housing Authority (5 years) - Deborah M. Bailey

* Community Preservation Committee (2 years) - William O. Hall (I)

By Adam Silva

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11:19:32 pm A Boston Breaker Comes to Town for Mariner Youth Soccer

Categories: Marion, Mattapoisett, Rochester

Over the past twenty-five years youth soccer programs across the United States have yielded some pretty impressive bounties. Soccer helped to shift the paradigm of the sporting landscape from a myopic boys club built around the big three of American sports, baseball, football and basketball, into a world where many college athletic programs support more teams for their female athletes than they do for their male counterparts. Beginning in the 1980's and then exploding in the 1990's, youth soccer is a place where many aspiring female athletes gain their initial experience with team sports.

This past Saturday, March 28, the Mariner Youth Soccer Organization hosted a pre-season tournament in Fairhaven for under-twelve years of age girls soccer teams from throughout South Eastern Massachusetts. The games gave coaches an opportunity to field their teams against some very good sides from Barnstable, Halifax, Sandwich, Rockland, Westport, and Norton. An added attraction for the young female footballers was the presence of Stacey Bishop who will be playing for the newly christened Boston Breakers of the WPS or Women's Professional Soccer league. The league began play for their inaugural season this past Sunday as the Los Angeles Sol defeated the Washington Freedom 2-0 in the opening contest.

Ms. Bishop's Fairhaven appearance was arranged by representatives of the Mariner Youth Soccer organization, along with the front office of the Boston Breakers. The first year midfielder, who played college soccer for the University of Florida, graciously signed autographs and posed for pictures for over an hour. Assisting Ms. Bishop from the Breakers front office was Heather Pease who hails from one of the hotbeds of women's soccer, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Ms. Pease also played soccer on the college level at the University of Kentucky. As she watched the young girls swarm Ms. Bishop, Ms. Pease related the scene to her own childhood saying, "When I was twelve I went to my first University of North Carolina soccer camp and Tiffany Roberts was my coach. After that she went on to win two NCAA championships, a World Cup and an Olympic Gold Medal. Looking up to her it became a path for me to follow as it was never a question of if I was going to play college soccer, it was just where I was going to play college soccer. That is what I see the Breakers being for these girls."

John Browning, of Mariners Youth Soccer said that the organization is arranging at least two trips to Boston to see the Breakers in action this season. Ms. Pease said, "We are trying to make a connection with our target audience which is families will young children. We hope that a Breakers game will become an outing. We are playing our home games in Harvard Stadium so it will give people a chance to tailgate before games and we'll be just a five minute walk from Harvard Square so people from out of town, like the people here, can make a day of it. The games are also attractive because they are so affordable. Coming to a WPS game will not cost any more than it costs to see a movie."

If the Breakers were hoping to bring some excitement and enthusiasm for their new team home from the South Coast, Saturday's appearance went a long ways towards fulfilling that goal. The young women of the Mariner Youth Soccer scooped up bumper stickers, brochures and anything else with the Breakers team logo by the handful. With this area's commitment to youth soccer perhaps the next Stacey Bishop is in our midst.

Mariner Youth Soccer represents the towns of Acushnet, Fairhaven, Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester. The league is open to girls and boys between the ages of four and fifteen. The league's main season is in the fall. Some of the league's more competitive players also represent Mariner Youth Soccer during the spring as the organization fields teams in the SCSL or Spring South Coast Soccer League. If you would like to find out more about the league you can go the organization's website at www.marineryouthsoccer.org.

The Boston Breaker will play their first game this coming weekend in Santa Clara, California where they will take on the FC Gold Pride on Sunday, April 5 at 6:00 PM. The game will be televised on the Fox Soccer Channel. The Breakers will make their home debut on Saturday, April 11 against Saint Louis Athletica. The WPS will feature the top players in women's soccer from around the globe. The schedule for the first season will be played through August and will feature seven teams. In addition to Ms. Bishop the Boston roster will include all-time international appearances leader Kristine Lilly, as well as three members of the 2008 gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic Team, Heather Mitts Angela Hucles,, and Amy Rodriguez. If you would like more information about the Boston Breakers and the WPS you can log onto www.womensprosoccer.com/boston .

By Robert Chiarito

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11:18:38 pm Old Colony Voke Approves $8.8 Million 2009-2010 Budget

Categories: Mattapoisett, Rochester

The Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School District School Committee met on Wednesday, March 25 for its regular monthly meeting in the Cafetorium of the High School, as well as a Public Hearing on the District's 2009-2010 Operating and Maintenance Budget and School Choice. The meeting, which had been scheduled to begin at 6:30 pm, did not begin until 7:00 pm due to a lack of a quorum.

The Committee approved unanimously the minutes of the March 10, 2009 Performance Contracting Subcommittee meeting, the minutes of the March 11, 2009 Committee meeting, and the minutes of the March 16, 2009 Performance Contracting Subcommittee meeting. The Committee also signed pending warrants.

A motion was made, seconded and carried unanimously to open the Public Hearing. Mr. Ryan asked if Mr. Barrows, of the Budget Subcommittee, had any comments on the budget. Mr. Barrows said "We continue to lose programs and personnel. This year, there will be an impact on students. Still, it is a great school." A motion was made, seconded and carried unanimously "To approve the Fiscal Year 2010 Final Operating and Capital Budget of $8,838,843.00 with total dollars assessed to member towns of $3,984,262.00."

The budget includes $740,504.00 for Administration, $4,587,578.00 for Instruction, $317,528.00 for Health/Student Activities/Athletics, $1,250,569.00 for Operation & Maintenance of Plant, and $1,127,850.00 for Fixed Charges, for a total of Net School Spending of $8,024,029.00. Pupil Transportation is set at $498,684.00, Retiree Insurance at $259,000.000, and Site, Building and Equipment at $57,130.00, for a total of Other Spending of $814,814.00. Net School Spending and Other Spending combine to Total All Costs of $8,838,843.00.

Funds Applied include $3,383,947.00 in Chapter 70 School Aid, $341,426.00 in Transportation Aid, $944,208.00 in Tuition Income, $35,000.00 in Shop Productivity, and $150,000.00 in E & D, for a Total Funds Applied of $4,854,581.00.

The five towns' share of Net School Spending totals $3,510,874.00, and the five towns' share of Other Spending totals $473,388.00, for a Total Assessed to Members of $3,984,262.00. Individual town assessments, along with the enrollment from each town, are as follows: Acushnet, $1,681,235, (231 students); Lakeville, $659,109, (76 students); Carver, $646,252, (95 students); Rochester, $637,045, (70 students); and Mattapoisett, $360,621, (28 students).

A motion was made, "To adopt a resolution withdrawing Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School District from the obligation to enroll non-resident students under the provisions of School Choice for the 2009-2010 school year as allowed under the Education Reform Act of 1993. Said resolution being adopted due to the maximum choice tuition being less than the assessed pupil cost of our member towns. The Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School District will continue to accept Chapter 74 Non-Resident students as allowed under M.G.L. Chapter 74, Section 7C, as amended by Section 129 of Chapter 110 of the Acts of 1993."

Mr. Ryan then asked for a motion to close the Public Hearing, the business of the Public Hearing having been completed. Such a motion was made, seconded and carried unanimously, and the Public Hearing was closed at 7:10 pm.

A motion was then made, seconded and carried unanimously "To approve the continued participation of Old Colony students on a Co-Operative Swim Team with Apponequet High School for the 2009-2010 season subject to continued approval by athletic league officials and the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association." One Old Colony student participated on the team in 2008-2009.

A motion was then made, seconded and carried unanimously "To approve the continued participation of Old Colony students on a Co-Operative Boys Ice Hockey Team with Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational High School for the 2009-2010 season subject to continued approval by athletic league officials and the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association." Six Old Colony students participated on the team in 2008-2009.

The Performance Contracting Subcommittee recommended to the Committee that the Committee approve the selection of Trane U.S., Inc. as the Energy Service Company for Old Colony in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 25S, Section 111, to complete a final technical audit of the school facilities, which audit should be completed by May 1, 2009. A motion was then made, seconded and carried unanimously to approve the Subcommittee's recommendation of the selection of Trane U.S., Inc. as the Energy Service Company for Old Colony.

A motion was then made, seconded and carried unanimously "To approve the requested senior class trip to Patriot Place in Foxboro, Massachusetts on June 1, 2009." Students and their chaperones will depart the school at 8:30 am and will return at 4:00 pm. The trip will be open to all seniors at the school.

A motion was then made, seconded and carried unanimously "To approve the implementation of a night school Cosmetology Program, which meets the guidelines set forth by the Board of Cosmetology." The program will be open to students who meet the guidelines set forth by the Board of Cosmetology.

Mr. Brown reported to the Committee than an additional $71,000 in IDEA funds will be received by the school from the federal government. These funds may only be used for special education services, but such use may include the purchase of technology for use in the delivery of such services.

Mr. Brown also informed the Committee that the Old Colony chapter of the National Honor Society has scheduled its annual dinner and Induction Ceremony for May 6, 2009 at 6:00 pm.

The Superintendent also announced that Old Colony's final Program Advisory Committees and SPED Parent Advisory Council meetings for the 2008-2009 school year will be held on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at 6:30 pm. A dinner will be served by the