Mattapoisett’s New Fire Station Planning Continues

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            On March 19 there was some good news coming out of at least one committee in Mattapoisett – the Fire Station Building Committee.

            Chaired by Mike Hickey, the committee was the first volunteer group to attempt virtual meetings via telephone conferencing. It went smoothly once everyone calling in found the mute button. Once the ambient noise was canceled, the committee met to discuss subcontract bids associated with the $9.275 million new fire station planned for County Road next to the police station.

            For municipal projects, Massachusetts allows 13 subcontract trades such as electrical, HVAC, plumbing and painting to submit their own bids for their respective areas rather than require their containment in the general contracting bid. Hickey said that the process could mean that a general contractor might select the lowest subcontracting bids for a given trade or that the subcontractor might elect to not work with a contractor. “Only in Massachusetts,” Hickey demurred.

            Helping to navigate these issues and others is the firm Vertex, a construction management company. Also on the call were architects Jeff Shaw and Chris Logan of Context. Mattapoisett’s committee was represented by Hickey, Fire Chief Andrew Murray, Director of Inspectional Services Andy Bobola, Selectman Jordan Collyer, Town Administrator Mike Lorenco, and consultant Mike Gagne.

            The group noted that subcontract bidding was coming in under budget by approximately $200,000. Hickey said if that sum held, it could be moved to contingency funding. There was further discussion regarding which subcontractors would work best not only with the selected general contractor but also which subcontractor would give the town its best effort. Those companies would be studied, Hickey said.

            The next step, according to Hickey, would be to “drill down” through the documents received by the subcontractors. He said that in two weeks they would have the general contracting bids for review and consideration.

            Directly impacted by the construction of a new fire station on property adjacent to the police station is the electrical service to that building. Hickey said that work would proceed on that project prior to commencement of the fire station groundbreaking. Gagne confirmed that the town administrator had the authority to authorize that work now.

            The committee also discussed Route 6 traffic lights and traffic controls. Gagne said that since the group last met the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) had requested additional studies and existing condition layouts for the state highway. He cautioned everyone that given the uncertainty created by COVID-19, transportation bond bills could be negatively impacted due to a slump in earnings. But Hickey said planning would continue. MassDOT’s request would be addressed with Hickey saying, “We’ll just have to ride this out.” The state agency also requested additional details on proposed curb-cuts that G.A.F. Engineering would respond to, Hickey said.

            Concerns over the type of materials to be used for the fire station aprons were also discussed. Murray reminded the teams that during the value engineering process the aprons were not included due to the importance of durability. Murray pointed out that fire apparatus was extremely heavy, thus the aprons needed to have specific mechanical properties and sub-surface structures. Hickey assured Murray that would be the case.

            Hickey said in a follow-up that they hope to have shovels in the ground by May. The next meeting of the Fire Station Building Committee was not scheduled but is expected to be held in the next two weeks.

By Marilou Newell

Rochester Women’s Club

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The Rochester Women’s Club is extending the deadline for scholarship applications to May 1. If any senior would like to email us the application, please do so to rwomenclub@aol.com.  Please send along your phone number so we can have another way to get in touch. We realize being a senior in high school is stressful enough. Adding in the scholarship process while we are under the coronavirus watch is just a lot for any of us to handle. The Women’s Club is very understanding of this stress and welcome phone calls or emails at any time. Contact Marsha Hartley at 508-322-0998.

Mattapoisett’s Industrial Drive Project Explained

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            And now for something completely different – let’s talk roadway improvement that is slated to bring economic development to Mattapoisett. That’s what was discussed and taped on March 18 when Highway Superintendent Barry Denham, Town Administrator Mike Lorenco, and former Town Administrator Mike Gagne gave their presentation at Town Hall, albeit to an empty room.

            Due to the necessity of closing Town Hall to the public, the team involved in spearheading improvements to Industrial Drive were videotaped in the Town Hall conference room. The presentation was another opportunity for Gagne to discuss a project he had been at the helm of for nearly two years. He once again took the spotlight to share with the townspeople the good news that the project would be moving forward and how it will progress.

            First and foremost, Gagne discussed why the project was necessary. He discussed drainage issues along Industrial Drive that impact downstream water quality. Regarding the economic opportunity the project will bring, Gagne explained that land currently segregated for septic systems could now be developed as usable space. The public sewer-system extension from the Bay Club subdivision would allow property owners to tie into the system, freeing up additional areas for business development and building expansions, he said.

            Returning to the issue of the roadway itself, Gagne and Denham discussed modest redesigns to the Industrial Drive layout that will make it safer for vehicles and pedestrians while also protecting some of the wetland features along the way.

            Gagne said that the $735,000 grant received from the U.S. Economic Administration will be matched by the town as agreed during the October town meeting and January special town meeting, bringing the total currently available for the project to $1.470-million.

            Denham and Gagne also discussed the shared-use path commonly known as the bike path. They said that preliminary plans are underway for Phase 2a of the bike path that would transverse Route 6 from Depot Street and end at North Street near the park-and-ride parking lot. They briefly shared conceptual designs for crossing North Street and entering the business park on Industrial Drive.

            Planned upgrades to Industrial Drive will not fund the shared-use path, Gagne said, but was quick to add that additional grants are being sought for that work. The design upgrades to the roadway, however, will make space for a dedicated pedestrian lane in the future, he said.

            Denham said he had originally become involved with the project as he worked with teams developing plans for the bike path. “I got involved because the bike path is going to add a lot to the town. Grant money will allow safe crossings and modern drainage, which is an important part of the project… it’s a coordinated effort to build the road once and build it to last.”

            Lorenco stated that he believed the project was an important part of the town’s economic growth, while providing new and additional recreation areas, that, “…improves life for all.”

            Although the presentation was not aired to a direct public, the team said comments and questions are encouraged. Visit the town’s website (www.mattapoisett.net) or call 508-758-4100 extension 4 to provide your input. Work is planned to commence on Industrial Drive this spring.

By Marilou Newell

Mattapoisett Congregational Church Suspends Services & Activities

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On Friday, March 13, Pastor Amy Lignitz Harken, and Phil Jackson, Chair of the Council at the Mattapoisett Congregational Church (MCC), jointly announced the suspension of all activities taking place at the Church until the beginning of April. Church leadership determined that the best course of action, at this time of great stress and anxiety surrounding the coronavirus, was to suspend all activities. This includes worship services, fellowship activities including Open Table, all classes as well as all the organizations that utilize the building. The situation will be reassessed on a weekly basis. Please watch for updates on the church’s website at mattapoisettcongregationalchurch.org as well as the church’s Facebook page. For questions or concerns, please contact the church at 508-758-2671 or mattcongchurch@gmail.com.

Ruffed Grouse Spring Drumming

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            Our own woodland Ruffed Grouse that drums in the spring is actually the very same bird as the celebrated Partridge in a pear tree of the Christmas carol. The Grouse gets its descriptive plumage title from the ruffed ring of dark feathers that rise up around its neck, lifted up by the air thrust of furtive wing beat drumming, as illustrated. It is a seasonal symphony to attract a receptive partner for reproduction, to be heard for up to a half a mile, once it is identified. It starts out slowly quiet at first, and then speeds up like the sound of starting a two-cycle engine. The drummer often mounts straight up on a low podium of a resonant hollow log, with its decorative tail proudly splayed out for effect. Then it cups its wings forward to trap the tattoo against its breast for loudest audible detonation.

            The Ruffed Grouse is classified in the Phasianidae family of birds, like the cock Pheasant at the edge of a farmland hedgerow to romantically beat wings and crow like a barnyard rooster at dawn, to attract a hen for reproduction. A distant western cousin is the greater Sage Grouse. Its mating display is to strut and rapidly inflate and deflate sacs in its breast, producing loud bubbling sounds, while displaying its tail, and raising ruff on its breast. It is the same historic ritual ceremony as written by Chaucer about his Chanticleer mythical rooster in his classic work The Canterbury Tales.

            The Ruffed Grouse as a ground-nesting bird is also very much an earth-bound species hatching out of an egg completely camouflaged in color and design for its new habitat. It is also capable of morphing its plumage to match the shades on northern grey conifers, or tones of southern rust brick-colored feathers. It spends most of its life within a short distance of its original birth and annually survives by timely adjusting to seasonal variations and requirements. Each performance for the circle-of-life ending winter is also justification for the spring renewal ritual here.

By George B. Emmons

School Closure – Alternative Learning Opportunities

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Good afternoon Students, Parents, Guardians, and Staff. I am hoping everyone is safe, healthy and doing well. 

            This notice will provide you with an update on resources as well as an overview of the alternative learning opportunities we will be offering our students in the coming weeks. We are well aware that all of our families are handling this unprecedented situation in different ways and have a variety of means.

            As a school community, we are here to assist and provide support. We are currently offering a breakfast and lunch program for those in need, Monday through Friday from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm at our elementary schools and our high school. We are able to offer technology support to any family in need. Please check previous communications or call the Superintendent’s Office at 508-758-2772 ext. 1956, if you have questions on either of these two programs.

            In addition to these two programs, starting today, the district educators have created a webpage on the district and school websites sites.google.com/oldrochester.org/orrsdextlearn/home filled with an extensive list of age-appropriate alternative learning resources that families can use to support learning for their students.

            Starting the week of March 23, 2020 teachers and related service providers will begin to communicate regularly with their students. Educators will be adding resources and materials to the alternative learning website page, as well as providing other learning opportunities on their website or learning platform for their students. These alternative learning opportunities will provide students with a chance to practice and reinforce their current skillsets. At this time, lessons will not address new content materials. During this three-week closure, teachers will be expected to interact with their students through a variety of mediums (i.e, email, videos, phone calls, etc.) to provide feedback on their educational efforts, but will not assign grades. 

            Students – we are expecting that you check in on your teacher’s learning platform (i.e. google classroom, schoology, teacher website, etc.) on a daily basis. We expect that you will utilize the alternative learning resources and participate in our alternative learning opportunities, so you are ready to continue your learning when you return to school. If your student is unable to access materials online, we ask that you contact your building principal, who will make arrangements for you to receive these resources in a different format.

            We hope that you find our alternative learning plan useful and beneficial during these very difficult times. If you have specific questions, please reach out to your building principal. We are receiving guidance and support from the Department Elementary and Secondary Education daily, which may change how we deliver academic support in the coming weeks. 

            I will keep you informed and share new information as it develops. Staying safe is our number one priority – please take all COVID-19 precautions and recommendations seriously.

Douglas R. White, Jr. Superintendent of Schools

Local Support

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To the Editor:

            I patronized a Rochester restaurant that advertises in your paper that is now reduced to take-out only. I would ask your readers to do this to help them out, and to remember also to tip the waitstaff as if it was a sit-down dinner. Your server is affected by this too.

Stay safe,

Richard Bumpus, 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.

John A. Santangelo

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John A. Santangelo, 78 of Rochester, passed away on Monday, March 23, 2020 after a brief illness. He was the loving husband of Ann E. (Jehnke) Santangelo. To whom he shared 53 years of marriage

            Born in Plainfield, NJ, a son of the late Louis F. and Pauline D. (Russo) Santangelo, he was a long time resident of Southcoast. John was a St. Peter’s High School and received his Master’s degree from New Jersey Institute Technology. He was employed as Director of Process Development for Johnson and Johnson for 30 years, retiring in 1996.

            John enjoyed woodworking, cribbage, research and technology; he was an avid reader and loved to share his knowledge to help others.

            In addition to his loving wife, he is survived by three sons, Rev. Christopher Santangelo of CA, Michael Santangelo of East Freetown and Scott Santangelo and his wife Kristen of Assonet; two daughters, Marybeth Bellefeville of East Freetown and Kathleen Allen and her husband Scott of Bridgewater; seven grandchildren, Jacob, Heather, Alexander, Charles, Emily, Daniel and Kora; a sister, Rosemarie Bersch of New Jersey and many nieces and nephews.

            Arrangements are in the care of Rock Funeral Home, 1285 Ashley Blvd., New Bedford, MA. “Due to current restrictions on public gatherings, John’s services will be private for immediate family.” To leave a note of condolence: www.rock-funeralhome.com

Atlantis Drive Property Bid Approved

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            The March 24 emergency meeting of the Marion Board of Selectmen served to update the March 19 meeting with new developments and information. It was the second straight Marion Board of Selectmen meeting held via live video-conferencing using the Go to Meeting web program.

            A key development on Tuesday, March 24, was the board’s approval of the sale of the town’s Atlantis Drive property to Marion Antiques, subject to successful negotiations.

            Town Administrator Jay McGrail credited Alan Minard with the in-depth work it took to put together the request for proposal (RFP) and preparation for the Board of Selectmen to consider.

            The evaluation team made of the Board of Selectmen, McGrail and Minard determined that Marion Antiques met the minimum requirements of the RFP. Although there were a couple of “advantageous” responses to the question of the town’s rating of such a deal, the majority according to McGrail felt that all requirements were met by the “highly advantageous” evaluation.

            “Our game plan is to move this forward pretty quickly,” said McGrail, suggesting a goal for before the end of the fiscal year (early June).

            Selectman John Waterman said the town now needs to establish a timeline for a new Department of Public Works facility, one that cannot be directly tied into the proceeds of the Atlantis Drive property sale – he said that money goes to the town’s “free cash” account – but Marion ought to have a goal that by the fall town meeting it will have a price tag for a new DPW to take to the town for approval.

            The first step in that process, said Waterman and McGrail, is to seek approval at spring town meeting for the $150,000 in funding to move the project forward.

            On March 19, the town declared a shutdown of all municipal buildings through March 30. On March 24, McGrail recommended an extension of that timeline to April 7 in keeping with the order signed on March 23 by Governor Baker.

            Waterman recommended the matter remain subject to review so Marion can reserve the right to alter its plan. The motion passed.

            The town hall staffing plan remains for non-essential employees to stay at home. Some functions of government are critical so McGrail is asking staff to continue checking emails and voicemails on an hourly basis. “Some staff are coming into town hall to keep the critical functions of government moving,” he said.

            Having noticed a person knocking on the door to the Town House, Waterman suggested notes be taped on the door. McGrail said there are two notices already outside the door, one addressing the closure with the town’s email address and the other for delivery companies with McGrail’s cell phone.

            The outside mailbox is being emptied hourly, and McGrail reported an email blast on March 23 letting residents know how they could access information. The town has waived fees associated with tax bills until April 10.

            A bill has passed, although the governor had not signed it at press time, giving towns the authority to postpone town meeting and local elections.

            “We’re behind the eight ball already,” said McGrail. “We’re not in a position to do anything (March 24), but we’re looking at pushing the town meeting and election out by 30 days if this continues.”

            McGrail’s main concern in advance of town meeting is Articles 2, 3 and 4 that deal with the town budget and two enterprise funds.

            The matter of public hearings remains unresolved, but according to McGrail they can be held anytime up until town meeting including the day of. He and Selectman Norm Hills were working together on bylaw-related changes, and McGrail said the town will make a decision on town meeting by April 7.

            Selectman Chairperson Randy Parker said, “We have to make a decision on how we’re going to run the town if we’re not going to have a town meeting,” citing the new situation yet to be defined.

            Waterman suggested that, although normal meetings may be back in early June, the town needs some mechanism whereby residents of age 70 with preexisting health conditions making them more vulnerable to coronavirus can meet remotely.

            “It’s not going to be a flip a switch and we go back to normal,” said Waterman, suggesting that Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals meetings could be held in a place like Sippican School auditorium, where attendees can be physically spaced out those vulnerable or sick could attend remotely.

            Parker suggested a scenario in which limitations on the town could circumvent legal limits on room capacity by holding town meeting on one room at Sippican School and divide attendees up among the classrooms with live video screens. Those making public comment could walk to the main room of the meeting to do so, then return to their classroom.

            “We have to think about a scenario,” he said, “to keep the town moving forward.”

            McGrail reported having participated on March 24 in the first of weekly conference calls with Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito and several key state departments and organizations.

            A significant takeaway for McGrail was public hearings and deadlines with applications filed prior to the March 10 declaration of a state of emergency, all related statutory deadlines have been paused until the state of emergency is lifted. Then there will be a 45-day reprieve.

            The Foodbank at the Community Center continues to thrive. McGrail reported 80 cars on March 24. The method was altered so that food bags for families of four and two were lined up on a table and the people got out of their cars and picked it up off of a table.

            Marion is still seeking donations, but has been able to bring back 4,000 pounds of food per week from outside sources.

            “I can’t speak to whether it’s people who have financial issues… it may be people who are scared to go to the supermarket. I’ve heard from some people that are not financially challenged but are nervous,” said McGrail.

            Foodbank hours are from 1:00 to 3:00 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with delivery on off-days. Food donations can be delivered to the Police Station, Fire Station No. 1 and the Community Center. For more information, call 508-748-3570.

            Waterman suggested a preliminary phone call with the Wastewater Management team for to establish a backup plan should staff become ill and licensing requirements. Hills reported a successful scenario when he worked for the town of Sandwich.

            On March 19, the Board of Selectmen held its first online-only meeting, at which McGrail reported having met for 60-90 minutes daily with Hills, Assistant Town Administrator Judy Mooney and Town Counsel Jon Witten, as the town navigates its way through the constantly changing COVID-19-related challenges.

            The meeting yielded news of a policy authored by McGrail and Town Counsel Jon Whitten and approved by the Board of Selectman and to be continued “until such time as deemed appropriate by the  Board of Selectmen” that states any current paid or volunteer member of Marion’s Police, Fire, Health or Building departments who contracts COVID-19 virus due to exposure while working for the town and is ordered by a licensed physician to quarantine her or himself will be entitled to a paid leave without accrual for the period of time of said quarantine as ordered by a licensed physician.

            Before the motion passed, Waterman asked how the policy applies to on-call firemen, suggested the policy be subject to review in 90 days, and also asked how the town can verify the facts of any such case.

            McGrail said an average of an on-call fireman’s pay over six months would form the basis of the coverage. He also noted that Marion has quarantine insurance for first responders.

            To ensure review, Parker suggested that discussion of the new policy be put on the Board of Selectman agenda every 90 days.

            “I think it should be subject to review over 90 days because this virus is going to be around for years,” said Waterman.

            The daily and sometimes hourly reevaluation that has become the new normal of town government reached a new level with the closure of Marion facilities on March 20.

            The status of the Town House was discussed, and Waterman said, should the town be able to resume something closer to normal operations after the 15-day schedule of rotating essential employees, it will be important to get up and running, albeit while maintaining social distancing practices.

            “Some towns have all their employees coming in… we’re trying to practice what we preach,” said McGrail, alluding to the concept of rotating staff so that people alternate based on managing certain tasks, be it the Building Department, clerks, Zoning, payroll. “The demand for a lot of things is going to slow down.”

            It was agreed that McGrail will reach out to Marion’s three regulatory boards and see if there is a compelling case to work with their chairpersons to set them up to live-stream public meetings. Public hearings are considered too complicated at the present time.

            “We need public participation in the hearings, otherwise it doesn’t make a lot of sense,” said Parker. “It doesn’t make sense to hold two meetings if you’re not going to go anywhere with the first one.”

            Waterman alluded to the memo from Governor Baker, who wants a chairman and administrative assistant present for public meetings and rest participating via remote access including citizens calling in.

            McGrail said it was “doable” on the town’s end and a matter of ORCTV’s capability to televise live.

            Parker cautioned that there be some clearinghouse to establish real citizens versus party crashers. “It’s going to take a little more work, but it would work,” he said, asking McGrail to check with town counsel to see if public participation by phone is legal.

            The Town of Marion deferred to Governor Baker’s declaration of a state of emergency and did not call its own, in contrast to Mattapoisett’s and Rochester’s respective decisions this week.

            McGrail drafted such a declaration for Marion, but said town counsel had advised him that there is no material advantage so the selectmen did not move to call a state of emergency for the town.

Marion Board of Selectmen

By Mick Colageo

New Pastor Reaches Out via Facebook Live

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            Colby Olson was on his way to Lakeville on June 4 to watch his son Troy play a tennis match for Monomoy Regional High School against Apponequet in the MIAA Division 3 South team tournament when he detoured off of the highway and found himself driving on Route 105 through Rochester center.

            Olson spotted a white church building off the road and felt compelled to ask God to strengthen its people whom he had never met.

            “Then I drove on, and then my phone took me a completely different way and I went home,” he recalled.

            Little did Olson know several months later, he would become the new pastor at First Congregational Church.

            The email came last year while he was pastoring at South Chatham Community Church, a non-denominational Protestant Christian church he had been serving since 2011.

            “It was revitalization work. I felt that it was in a real healthy place,” said Olson.

            A devout, 45-year-old family man whose kids play sports and at times have been coached in baseball and/or soccer by their father, Olson built his ministry up and down the eastern seaboard by revitalizing and starting churches. When he was asked to interview for the job by First Congregational’s search committee, Olson requested to interview in person. Upon driving to the church, he realized it was the very one he had recently prayed for.

            The lengthy selection process culminated with a “candidating” weekend in which the congregation asked for 90 minutes to grill him with questions, personal and theological. His wife Joyce participated, he preached a sermon, and finally on January 4, he was voted in.

            South Chatham wanted Olson to stay longer and First Congregational “wanted me to not rush,” he recalled. Olson’s uncommonly smooth transition was made even smoother when his colleague, Adam Miller, took over the pastoral role at South Chatham.

            Olson’s career roadmap reads like that of a minor-league baseball coach.

            Before spending the last eight-plus years in South Chatham, he was in downtown Providence (where his car was totaled). Before that, he ministered to two churches in Gainesville, Florida, one of which he started, resulting in a documentary that led to outside interest in his services. In New York, he revitalized an existing ministry and, before that, had worked in Kentucky and Georgia.

            A native of nearby Halifax, Olson graduated from Silver Lake Regional High School and split his undergraduate studies between Becker College in Worcester and Asbury University, a Christian college in Kentucky where he studied applied communications. He did graduate study in Nyack, New York, at Alliance Theological Seminary, an evangelical institution affiliated with Nyack College and the Christian and Missionary Alliance. In 2003, he was ordained and commissioned under that banner.

            Freshly out of school, he participated in missions in El Salvador and Mexico, helping construct buildings for ministry and to clothe and feed the poor.

            Now Olson brings his own path of history to a church steeped in it.

            First Congregational is an independent church affiliated with the 65-year-old National Association of Congregational Christian Churches (NACCC) and, locally, the MACCC.

            Congregational churches overall date back to the 17th century, and a drive through any of New England’s rural areas discovers these churches and their white steeples against the scenic melding of fog and foliage. But each church has its own story, and Olson says he and First Congregational “hit it off” in their first introduction.

            Olson is aligned with the church’s conservative brand of orthodox Protestant Christian doctrine that is focused on daily reading of the Bible and his belief in personal salvation and transformation through the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Though his specialty is revitalization, Olson believes his work at First Congregational will stand on the shoulders of those who came beforehand.

            “I think the church is at a great place,” he said. “They had an interim pastor who did some good work and set a good course. The church set a vision prior to my arrival.”

            Olson is eager to set that vision in motion.

            What COVID-19 aka coronavirus hasn’t allowed him to do in person he is doing with his computer and his telephone. Olson was supposed to deliver his first sermon on March 15, but wound up streaming his message via Facebook Live. He wasn’t looking for laughs when he said in his sermon, “If you have extra toilet paper, knock on a neighbor’s door and ask them if they need toilet paper,” but he is a person who seems to embrace a good laugh on himself.

            “I’m no better than anybody else. God’s working in my life,” he said.

            Olson’s immediate goals are to get his parishioners to know each other better and to enable them to share their testimony of what God has done in their lives.

            “We want to reach as many people as possible with the gospel and love on as many as we can,” he said.

            Estimating over 100 attendees on the average Sunday, he said, “We’re not a megachurch,” but the Olsons are loving on one more these past few weeks after welcoming Tate, a newborn boy, into the family.

            “It was amazing. I pulled his head out and caught him. A midwife allowed me to do that. It was the most moving, powerful and spiritual (moment) of my life,” said Olson, making sure to include the birth of his other children, 20-year-old Cecilia, 18-year-old Kelsey, and 16-year-old Troy.

            Joyce Olson is a licensed clinical social worker. After growing up on a farm in Mount Blanchard, Ohio, she attended The Ohio State University and Boston College. Now she has her own practice, Metamorphosis Counseling Services, in Dennis, specializing in trauma work and also offering Nouthetic-style (Christian-based) counseling.

            First Congregational’s website (rochestercongregational.com) has been updated with a more visitor-friendly look, and the church is hoping to get Olson’s sermons onto ORCTV. 

            Until then, he can be seen on Facebook Live at 10:00 am on Sundays.

By Mick Colageo