Marion COA Information

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Tax Help: Income tax preparation for simple returns will be available by appointment only on Wednesday afternoons.

Drug Disposal: Drop off at the police station. No liquids.

Emergency Fund: For Marion residents in need of life sustaining services.

Transportation: Call as soon as you have an appointment.

Medical Appointments:

– Wareham area – Monday am & Thursday pm.

– Dartmouth & New Bedford – Monday pm & Thursday am.

– Plymouth on the 4th Tuesday of the month.

– Boston on the 1st & 3rd Tuesday of the month.

Shopping:

– Every Wednesday, Market Basket – pick up at 12:30 pm.

– Alternate Fridays to Shaw’s in Wareham and Fairhaven marts – pick up 12:30 pm.

Please arrange errands with the above schedule.

Donations are appreciated.

Outreach Worker: Outreach worker is available to meet in your home or at the COA office at Town House to assist with information, referrals, or assistance with applications. Call for appointment.

Mailbox Sticker: If you have not picked up your mail in three days, the post office will notify the COA so we may do a well check. Call the COA for more info.

Book Delivery: Free delivery of books to home-bound residents. Please call the library at 508-748-1252.

Legal Assistance: On February 12 beginning at 10:00 am. Simple wills, estate planning. Appointments are needed.

LGBT Supper Club: LGBT supper club, for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender seniors on the 4th Wednesday of each month from 5:00 – 7:00 pm. Suggested donation: $3. Call the Fairhaven Senior Center, 229 Huttleston Avenue, 508-979-4029, to sign up.

Telephone Reassurance: Daily check on people living alone. Call for more details.

Movies: It Happened One Night to be shown on February 6. All movies begin at 7:00 pm at the Music Hall. Free.

Health & Wellness:

YMCA: Tuesdays and Thursdays – pick up at 10:00 am and return at 12:30 pm. Scholarships are available.

Step & Stretch: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00 – 2:00 pm at the Rochester COA. Transportation provided.

Senior Stretch: Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays from 9:30 – 10:30 am at First Congregational Church hall. Sponsored by Friends of Marion visiting nurse. Ten-week sessions for $45. Sign up for one, two or three days.

Low-impact Dance Aerobics: Mondays from 9:30 – 10:40 am, Fridays from 9:00 – 10:00 am at Atlantis Drive. Donation: $4.

Public Health Nurse: Nurse is available for health consultation, blood pressure and glucose monitoring, wound assessment and routine adult vaccinations on Mondays at Town House from 9:30 – 11:30 am. The nurse is available by appointment Tuesday – Friday.

Meals on Wheels: Delivered daily to home-bound elders.

Podiatry Clinic: Call for appointment.

Social Day Program: Monday – Friday to the Fairhaven social day program. Pick up begins at 7:45 am and return is at 2:30 pm.

Medical Equipment: Walkers, bath seats, commodes, etc. Free loan.

Friendship Table: Free meal at St. Gabriel’s church in Marion, 1st and 3rd Thursdays at the Congregational Church Community Center at 5:00 pm.

SHINE Counselor (Serving Health Information Needs of Elders): Have a health insurance question? Ask our SHINE counselor. Call the COA for appointment.

Fuel Assistance: Applications are available at the office. Please call to make an appointment.

Classic Film Friday

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On Friday, February 6 at 7:00 pm, the public is invited to the Marion Music Hall for the month’s Classic Film Friday Presentation: It Happened One Night. The event is co-sponsored by the Sippican Historical Society and the Marion Council on Aging, and is offered to the public free of charge. Directed (and co-written) by Frank Capra, the 1934 film is considered one of the greatest romantic comedies in film history. Not only was it a box office sleeper hit, but it was a critical success, as well, garnering five Academy Award nominations and winning in all five categories: Best Picture, Best Actor (Clark Gable), Best Actress (Claudette Colbert), Best Director (Frank Capra), and Best Adaptation (Robert Riskin).

In a reversal of the classic Cinderella story, the film’s heiress heroine (Claudette Colbert) rejects her wealthy lifestyle and falls in company – and love – with a gruff, out-of-work reporter (Clark Gable). Class conflicts, socio-economic differences, and battles of wit are played out along a madcap road trip that contains some of the most memorable film scenes ever created. Running time for It Happened One Night is 105 minutes, and the film will be followed by a brief talk-back session by David Pierce. The Marion Music Hall is located at 164 Front Street, and ample parking is available across the street at Island Wharf. For more information, contact the SHS at 508-748-1116.

ZBA: ‘Common Sense Over Bureaucracy’

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The Marion Planning Board majority wanted the building permit for the Briggs’ solar farm on County Road revoked so the board could conduct a site plan review of the project it claims it is entitled to. But on January 22, the Marion Zoning Board of Appeals decided it would uphold the building permit, citing “common sense over bureaucracy.”

ZBA Chairman Eric Peirce acknowledged Planning Board member Robert Lane’s argument that Chapter 9 of the Zoning Bylaws requires a site plan review was “really well put together.” Lane emphasized that the Planning Board did not seek to thwart the project any further, but to simply avoid setting a dangerous precedent for future projects similar in nature.

“It is not about the variance … and it is not about the solar farm,” said Lane. “What it’s about is the Planning Board’s authority to conduct a site plan review in the bylaws.”

Lane and fellow board members Chairman Stephen Kokkins and Rico Ferrari, both in attendance, maintained that the building permit should be revoked until the Planning Board exercised its right to a site plan review. Lane cited various reasons such as ambiguity in the bylaws relative to the definition of “structure” and “gross floor area,” as well as the part of Section 9 that mentions triggering a site plan review before the Planning Board.

“I’m sure the entire Planning Board would expedite any sort of approval,” said Lane, “… and a precedent would be placed.”

Peirce said the ZBA has to be especially careful to stay away from establishing any sort of precedent, and the board looks at each application on a case-by-case basis, saying otherwise the board would face a slippery slope.

Dale and Laura Briggs sat quietly and made no comments when invited to speak.

Building Commissioner Scott Shippey, who issued the building permit subsequent to the ZBA granting the variance, also declined comment, but later told the board he had “broad shoulders” and could handle it should the board not uphold the permit.

After the public hearing was closed and Planning Board members left, Peirce told Shippey, “You were doing what we told you to do.”

With all due respect, stated Peirce, “We’ve seen [the project before us] so many times we respectively have done the site plan review.”

Peirce questioned the Planning Board’s right to challenge the building permit addressing some key issues.

“Are they aggrieved?” asked Peirce. “Other than philosophically, they aren’t pained.”

Although the Planning Board could virtually streamline the site plan review approval process and follow “the letter of the law,” Peirce said he felt the intent of the bylaw was more important in this case.

“My opinion is not to overturn the building inspector,” said Peirce. “I don’t think we’re doing the Town a disservice.” He added that the ZBA does not make a practice of “competing with other boards.”

“And I don’t intend to,” said Peirce. “But there’s common sense, and there’s bureaucracy.”

The ZBA will wait to take a formal vote until its next meeting, but the board voiced its support for upholding the building permit. Peirce said he would run the issue by town counsel before taking action.

“It’s meant with no disrespect, but let’s move on,” Peirce said.

Also during the meeting, the board approved the special permit application for Jon Delli Priscoli of 91 Water Street to build an addition onto the historic cottage.

The next meeting of the Marion Zoning Board of Appeals is scheduled for February 26 at 7:30 pm at the Marion Town House.

By Jean Perry

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Bill Harley to Visit Sippican

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We would like to remind you that next week, Sippican School is proud to host Grammy award winning singer/songwriter/storyteller, Bill Harley, for a special engagement. Bill will conduct three days of workshops and assemblies of storytelling and song with students and teachers. As part of his visit, we invite families and all members of the Sippican School community to a free Bill Harley concert on Thursday evening, January 29 at 6:30 pm in the multi-purpose room. This is going to be a fun event and hope to see you there.

Marion COA Trips

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The Marion Council on Aging has the following trips scheduled for 2015. Call to reserve your spot on the van. These trips fill up quickly.

February 23 – IKEA

March 23 – Outdoor World

April 20 – JFK Memorial, Hyannis

May 18 – Wrentham Mall

June 15 – Glass Museum in Sandwich

July 20 – Butterflies of Cape Cod, Bourne

August 17 – Canal Boat trip

September 21 – Isaacs Plymouth

October 19 – Fall River Maritime Museum

Curb Your Dog

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To the Editor:

To whoever let their dog deposit the mini mountain of poop in the middle of the sidewalk on Water Street in Marion on Sunday morning, pick up your dog’s “pinch” for Pete’s sake!!!!

Alexandra Heavey, Marion

 

The views expressed in the “Letters to the Editor” column are not necessarily those of The Wanderer, its staff or advertisers. The Wanderer will gladly accept any and all correspondence relating to timely and pertinent issues in the great Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester area, provided they include the author’s name, address and phone number for verification. We cannot publish anonymous, unsigned or unconfirmed submissions. The Wanderer reserves the right to edit, condense and otherwise alter submissions for purposes of clarity and/or spacing considerations. The Wanderer may choose to not run letters that thank businesses, and The Wanderer has the right to edit letters to omit business names. The Wanderer also reserves the right to deny publication of any submitted correspondence.

Winter Sports Tournaments

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Over winter break, many Tabor athletes were still busy working hard while competing in holiday tournaments. The Boys’ and Girls’ Varsity Basketball Teams and the Boys’ and Girls’ Varsity Hockey Teams had great results in their tournaments overall.

The Girls’ Varsity Basketball Team won the Nickerson Tournament over break, beating three impressive teams and most notably, ending the Noble and Greenough School’s 70-game winning streak.

The Boys’ Varsity Basketball Team lost at the start of their tournament but rebounded to beat The Roxbury Latin School and St. Sebastian’s School.

Although the Girls’ Hockey Team lost to Choate and Andover in close games, they rallied and beat the Taft School 6-1.

At the Avon Old Farms Tournament, Boys’ Varsity Hockey lost to the Loomis School but defeated Trinity-Pawling School, Berkshire School, and Avon Old Farms.

By Julia O’Rourke

 

Snow Daze

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Dateline: Midnight, January 27 – wind is howling, the flying snow frosts windows and collects in the sills and exterior doorways. No one is out on the roadways. Earlier in the evening, as I headed to Town Hall to cover a Conservation Commission meeting, the eeriness of closed businesses and people-less sidewalks caused me to question my wisdom in leaving the cozy confines of my home to sit in a meeting. I would learn later why the meeting had not been re-scheduled, but that is information for another page.

Back home now and hunkered in for the night, even the dog knows not to expect much and has curled himself into a tight ball of fluff. Hibernation – dogs do it.

As the hours float by on snowflakes, my thoughts return again and again to my childhood when ample snowfalls simply meant fun.

We didn’t have all the fancy sub-zero clothing and boots available today. We rarely stayed home from school because of snow. Snow was nothing to fear. Our dads all had chains on their car tires. No siree, Bob! We were tough back in the day. You’ve heard the stories, right? We walked for miles to school in blizzards then forged our way back home again through hip-deep snow and never complained. (Okay, so the school was only a short walk from the house).

And insulated boots? Nope. We had rubber boots or galoshes. If you are of a certain age, you’ll remember the agony of trying to pull on a rubber boot over your shoes. My mother’s method was to place my father’s long argyle socks over our shoes then up over the quilted snow pants and then slip the foot into the toe of the rubber boot. With lots of yanking and grunting on her part, the rubber would finally be snugged into place. After closing up the unforgiving metal buckles on the front of the rubbers, we were finally ready to head into the winter wonderland.

Mittens knitted by our mothers were frequently exchanged on the doorstep for a dry pair. We weren’t about to let wet mittens stop the fun. But oftentimes, it was the feet that failed us long before our frozen fingertips did.

The lack of insulation around the foot, the feeble ability of the galoshes to protect our toes from cold, and the intrusion of snow inside the boot itself put the double whammy on us. Begrudgingly, we eventually dragged our tiny bodies into the house.

The process of dismantling our carefully attired forms was nearly as tiresome for a small child as the process of gearing up to go out. But then we were stuck inside the house until all that wet wool could dry and that took hours. Every cast iron radiator was decorated in wet coats, hats, scarves, socks, and mittens.

Years later, when our grandchildren came along, I’d return to the joy of playing in the snow with a small army of little girls in the backyard making snowmen or slinging snowballs at one another. By then, though, we could stay outside much longer and more comfortably with new types of fabric and insulation materials. Though I often run nostalgically over many of my childhood memories, I readily admit that I love today’s modern coats and boots and proudly own my fair share. (“You bought another coat, Marilou!” That would be my husband talking).

Today, I still go outside in the snow, but I am now aided by snowshoes and poles, coats with artic temperature ratings, and boots for all seasons and weather conditions. Oh yeah, I forgot – I also stick on one or more of those self-adhesive heating pads for good measure.

The hours have sailed by and the gales are still blowing this midday Tuesday, January 27. Here’s hoping I can find a few kids outside, cavorting as I once did – and if I do, I sure hope they let me try out their sleds.

By Marilou Newell

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Water Street Home Spared Demolition

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An old cottage sitting by the sea was viewed by many as a knock-down-start-over property, given its age and condition. But then it found a savior, whose love of old homes and talent in seeing the beauty within, came along and bought 91 Water Street in Marion.

Jon Delli Priscoli, who has a background in historic preservation and home restoration, thought the little cottage was exactly what he and his family were looking for. So with an eye towards keeping the basic footprint and exterior façades of the structure intact, Delli Priscoli began renovations.

Most of what he has undertaken and wishes to do to the house will make it a more reasonable and comfortable home for his six-foot three-inch frame, while providing the needs of modern living. He also wishes to widen doorways and some hallways to accommodate easy movement, especially on the first floor.

On January 14, he met with the Marion Conservation Commission to lay out his plans that fall under the commission’s purview.

Delli Priscoli’s application was a Request for Determination of Applicability for a 15-foot lateral extension on the north side that would add 250-square feet, and the addition of a farmer’s porch across the front of the cottage.

“I’m trying to work with what I have,” said Delli Priscoli. “We wanted a cottage and village lifestyle so we don’t plan on changing much.”

After explaining his professional background, it was clear that the commission was pleased this homeowner was keeping the structure aesthetically in tune with the heart of Marion. He received a Negative 2 decision, having no impact on the resource area with no need to file a Notice of Intent, with the condition to use wattles and/or silt screening where needed.

Joseph Sheehan of 17 Nokomis Road came before the commission with a NOI to remove phragmites over a three- to six-year cycle. This was approved.

Susan Wright of 25 River Road, represented by sewer contractor Gill Russell, received approval for her NOI to move forward with the installation of a new septic system.

David Nielsen of 203 Front Street, represented by David Davignon of N. Douglas Schneider & Associates, presented an application for a RDA to repair an existing vertical stone and cement seawall. This was approved and received standard conditions.

Tabor Academy of 215 Front Street, also represented by Davignon for the exact same type of seawall repair, was also approved and was conditioned.

The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission is scheduled for January 28 at 7:00 pm at the Marion Town House.

By Marilou Newell

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Thomas E. Zipoli

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Thomas E. Zipoli, M.D., 84, of Rochester passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday January 25, 2015.

He was born on April 20, 1930, in New Haven, CT, to Mary and Thomas A. Zipoli.

Dr. Zipoli received his undergraduate degree from Boston College in 1952 and his medical degree from the Georgetown University School of Medicine in 1956. He served his internship at St. Luke’s Hospital and completed a residency in internal medicine at New England Deaconess Hospital in Boston. He received advanced training in hematology and oncology at New England Deaconess Hospital and the Lahey Clinic. He was awarded the James L. Tullis Lectureship Prize by the New England Deaconess Hospital-Harvard Medical for original study and research by an alumnus.

Dr. Zipoli joined the staff at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford in 1962. He was also an assistant in medicine at New England Deaconess Hospital and a clinical instructor in medicine at Harvard Medical School. In 1968, he co-founded Hawthorn Medical Associates, located in Dartmouth, where he practiced internal medicine and clinical oncology for nearly 35 years.

He served his country as a medic in the United States Air Force.

He is survived by his wife, Svanhild (Bendiksen) Zipoli, son Tom Zipoli and his wife, Jane, of Reston VA, and their son, Thomas Joseph, son Matthew Zipoli of Harvard, MA and his three children, Julia, Laurel and Zachary, daughter Paula Zipoli and her significant other Michael Ormiston of Beverly, MA and her two children Benjamin Contois of Philadelphia, PA and Jonathan Contois of New Britain, CT; daughter Cara Zipoli of Boston, step-daughter Shana Schoener and her husband Andrew of Sudbury, and their three children Johan, Caden and Deren, and step-daughter Greta Bouley and her husband Nathan of Sudbury and their two children Hayden and Addison.

His Memorial Service will be held on Friday January 30, 2015 at 10 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church, 16 Temple Place, Fairhaven. Visiting hours will be on Thursday January 29, 2015 from 4-8 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the National MS Society New England Chapter, in memory of Dr.Thomas E. Zipoli, P.O. Box 845945, Boston, MA 02284-5945. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.