MLT Showing of “A Plastic Ocean”

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The Mattapoisett Land Trust Education Committee is sponsoring a free showing of the environmental movie, A Plastic Ocean, on Wednesday, March 11 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Mattapoisett Free Public Library. The documentary is directed by the Australian journalist Craig Leeson. It dives into and investigates the devastating impacts that plastic has caused to our environment, especially our marine life; and offers various strategies that can be implemented to reduce the impact of plastics. Light refreshments will be served. The Mattapoisett Land Trust Education Program promotes access to and excellence in the environmental sciences in order to improve the quality of life for all area residents and to contribute to the vitality of our community.

46 Water Street a Home of National Distinction

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            Marion’s village neighborhood is known for its quaint seaside qualities, residences maintained to impeccable standards, gardens designed to frame landscapes, and many properties with a backdrop of Sippican Harbor. Among the numerous examples of architectural elegance, one has added to its storied history with recognition by the US Department of the Interior – 46 Water Street.

            Robert and Judith Rosbe have worked hard to preserve the grandeur that is their home.

            Purchased in 1986, the couple has continuously renewed the interior to more closely resemble its original colors and themes. Judith said when they acquired the home, “The house had not been decorated since the mid-1960s.” She said the colors were all wrong for a home built in 1893.

            Yet the exterior of the structure was intact with its unique shingle-style, a favored style choice for expansive summer homes of the era. The architect was James Templeton Kelley who designed the unifying shingle covering with a front façade distinguished by a large gambrel roof and three dormer windows across the second story.

            Judith has always had a strong interest in history and over more than two decades has been an active member of the Sippican Historical Society. The society attempted to help preserve old homes in the community via adoption of a bylaw.

            Several failed attempts to have Town Meeting adopt such bylaw measures, measures that would give old homes slated for demolition one last chance, still troubles Judith. “We just wanted to slow down the demolition long enough to maybe find another option for the property and the seller,” she said.

            Turning her focus to her own home, Rosbe began the long process of having the home recognized by the Massachusetts Historical Commission, which was no small task. “It is a long and complicated process,” Rosbe said. On the advice of the MHC, the couple hired a specialist with knowledge of the process and the research required.

            Judith said of the MHC advice, “They gave me a list of people who do this type of work.” She explained that the very first step, however, was having the town surveyed for historical purposes. Marion had already completed that process some years prior. All that was left was to hire the right expert and two more years.

            It worked. The home was recognized for its shingled architecture and one special summer visitor, President Grover Cleveland. Cleveland was an avid fisherman whose friend encouraged him to visit Marion for the fishing. The Clevelands spent two summer seasons in the Water Street home. There was talk that they were interested in buying the property. Failure to reach an agreement with the owner resulted in the first family selecting a summer retreat in Bourne that would be known as Gray Gables.

            The MHC, Rosbe said, forwarded on the completed application to the Department of the Interior.

            After review and acceptance of the documentation, the National Register of Historic Places sign is now affixed to the wall next to the front door. A true accomplishment and, while such recognition does not guarantee perpetual protection, Rosbe said with conviction, “This home will never be torn down.”

            To learn more about historic recognition of buildings, visit www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc/.

By Marilou Newell

Potential Route 6 Solutions Considered

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            Jed Cornock, principal and comprehensive planner with Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD), presented the organization’s Route 6 Corridor Study Results and offered the Marion Board of Selectmen options for the town to consider during its March 3 meeting at the Town House.

            Route 6 has been discussed frequently as a sore subject in desperate need of repair.

            Cornock’s main question to the board was broken down into four options, two with four-lane scenarios and two with two lanes. 

            Route 6 is a four-lane highway through its Marion stretch, unlike part of the route that reduces to two lanes in the commercial districts of Wareham and Mattapoisett.

            Cornock identified main areas of concern including the nearby intersections of Route 6 with Spring and Front streets, the “S-curve area,” and the angular entries from Creek and Converse roads.

            Recommendations included a light signal or rotary at Spring Street, protected lanes from Front Street for left turns onto Route 105 in both directions, and geometric improvements for the turning forks at Creek and Converse. Illustrated plans showed proposals to fill in around those roads and made them into 90-degree turns to curb speed leaving Route 6, and for improving visibility turning onto Route 6.

            Two-lane scenarios would widen sidewalks and give the option of having bicycles share the sidewalk or have their own lane either on the same elevation as the sidewalk or level with the traffic lanes.

            Other improvements proposed include: retroreflective signage; LED lighting; “continental” and “ladder” style crosswalks; reconstructed drains; the removal of telephone poles to achieve ADA compliance; and (if the road is left in its current configuration) the addition of bicycle signage. “In Massachusetts, bicycles are considered to be a vehicle,” said Cornock.

            Marion resident Mike Tracy spoke in opposition to the two-lane option. “I sit in Boston traffic every day, and I feel like reducing to two lanes will cause traffic congestion. The other concern I have is, God forbid, we have a hurricane,” he said.

            Selectboard Vice Chairman John Waterman assured Tracy that nothing has been decided, but that it is time for the town to start considering different options, including varying solutions for different parts of Route 6 in Marion.

            The Board also approved Marion Board of Health’s February 18 vote to withdraw from the Tri-Town Health District effective June 2021. The town is examining options for a potential future association or to go it alone.

            “We have time to do a good job and do it right,” said Health Board member Dot Brown.

            Police Chief John B. Garcia appeared to take questions on his upcoming retirement and the process of selecting his replacement. The procedure used when Garcia was selected in 2017 will invite sergeants and lieutenants to apply with letters due on April 24, setting the table for interviews to be conducted during the May 18 week, which falls after Town Meeting.

            Town Administrator Jay McGrail recommended that Garcia sit in on the interview process.

            Garcia said, “We’re not only preparing people for the positions they’re in but for the positions above them. I might be biased, but I think it worked out pretty well (in my case).”

            The board approved adjusted hours of operation for Town Hall from May 26 through Tuesday, September 28. The “summer” hours will be Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 am to 5:30 pm, and from 8:00 am to noon on Fridays. The approval was given on a one-year basis for 2020.

            McGrail’s report included a board update on the town’s preparation for a potential outbreak of COVID-19 (aka Coronavirus). “We’ve been as proactive as we can,” he told the board. “I think we have a pretty good team.” A meeting was scheduled for March 4 with the command team of department leaders.

            The board indicated it will write a letter on behalf of the Kittansett Club regarding its application for an alcohol license.

            Citing some 60 articles, McGrail has scheduled a “pre-town meeting” briefing for Monday, April 27, at 6:00 pm at the Music Hall.

            There will also be a Massachusetts principals’ legislative breakfast from 8:00 to 10:00 am on Friday, March 6, in Carver.

Marion Board of Selectmen and Water/Sewer Commissioners

By Mick Colageo

Old Colony to Compete in Titan Business Challenge

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Junior Achievement of Southern Massachusetts (JA) and Title Sponsor, Bristol County Savings Bank, announces that Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School in Rochester, Massachusetts will participate in the 7th Annual Junior Achievement Titan Business Challenge to take place on the campus of UMass Dartmouth on Tuesday, March 10. The Junior Achievement Titan Business Challenge is a business strategy competition in which high school students compete against other schools in teams using an online, interactive business simulation game that provides students with essential business knowledge. The school will compete against an estimated 200 students from 13 other schools.

            “We are excited to have Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School competing in JA’s Titan Business Challenge this year,” said Jeffrey Pelletier, JA President.  “Thanks to the support of the Bank and our other community partners, more than 1,000 students over the past six years have had the opportunity to participate in this hands-on, dynamic learning experience while gaining knowledge from some of the region’s top business leaders and competing for scholarship awards that can help make a higher education possible.”

            During the event, the students will compete for scholarships while gaining insight into the world of business, at no cost to the students or their high schools. In addition to developing budgets and interpreting financial reports, students can expect to increase their knowledge of pricing, production, capital investment, R&D, marketing and charitable giving.

Alumni Hoops Classic

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The Old Rochester Regional Athletic Hall of Fame would like your support again this year at their annual “Alumni Hoops Classic“ basketball event to be held in the ORRHS gymnasium on Sunday, March 22 starting at 2:00 pm. The featured two basketball games are between the High School boys’ and girls’ basketball teams vs. returning ORR alumni stalwarts. The fun begins with the girls’ game at 2:00 pm and followed by the boys’ event at 3:30 pm. 

            Now in our 10th year, the ORRHOF committee will also announce the names of the 2020 chosen candidates to be inducted into the ORR Athletic Hall of Fame this June during the June 13 and 14 HOF Induction Weekend. Our list of inductees this year features a 50-0 undefeated in singles match tennis player, a Shriner’s chosen football standout, a girls track high jump and hurdle record holder, a basketball champion point guard, a boys baseball pitcher who threw the only “perfect game” for ORR, a retired 30-year pioneer coach, and a “significant contributor” well-respected administrator who fought to keep all high school sports during trying financial times. Stay tuned for our announcement.

Sippican Historical Society

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Marion (Old Rochester) is one of the oldest towns in the United States, and the Sippican Historical Society maintains an extensive collection of documentation on its historic buildings. In 1998, the Sippican Historical Society commissioned an architectural survey of Marion’s historic homes and buildings. Over 100 were cataloged and photographed. SHS will feature one building a week so that the residents of Marion can understand more about its unique historical architecture.

            This installment features 9 Main Street. The cape at 9 Main Street was built in 1780. The narrow front yard is enclosed by a granite block border, picket fence, and shrubbery. This home was Richard Harding Davis’s workshop at one time and Admiral Byrd is known to have summered here. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt stayed in this house when he visited his friend, Dr. William McDonald of 99 Water Street, who treated the president for polio.

George B. Bassett Jr

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George B. Bassett Jr, 55 of Marion passed after a brief illness on February 17, 2020 surrounded by loved ones at Morton hospital in Taunton. He was born May 16, 1964. He was the son of Janice L. (Valle) Bassett and the late George B. Bassett Sr.

            The father of Glenn and Dean Bassett. Grandfather of Jayden and Gavin. Brother of Mary (Bassett) Melanson and her husband Scott. Uncle of Kassandra Noble and her son Mason. He also leaves behind a special friend, Lori.

            He was a graduate of Old Colony regional Vocational High school and worked as a machinist at Louis M. Gerson company for more than 26 years. He enjoyed music and was always testing his family to see if they knew who sang it. He also loved Boats, Fishing and Clamming. He was a kind hearted man who will be missed by Family and Friends.

            A celebration of life will be held on March 21, 2020 11am-3pm at Fireside Grill in Middleboro.

Mattapoisett Fire Closes Route 6

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Just after 10am on Friday the Mattapoisett Fire Department responded to a house fire on Route 6 near the Mattapoisett Line. Upon arrive the first police officers reported the fire as being well involved and that all occupants of the building are safe. The fire appeared to have started near the rear of the building and extended inward. The Fairhaven and Marion Fire Departments as well as the Mattapoisett Police and Ambulance assisted Mattapoisett. Route 6 was closed down for a period of time while the fire was nocked down.

By Paul Lopes, Photos by Mick Colagio

Albert P. Costa

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Albert P. Costa (Al), 85 years, passed peacefully February 27, 2020 after a brief illness. He leaves his loving wife Pauline (Bonneau) Costa with whom he shared over 61 wonderful years of marriage. Born in New Bedford, MA he was the son of Antonio and Carolina (Avila) Costa. Al lived in Dartmouth before moving to Marion in 1992. A graduate of N.B.V.H.S., he served his country in the Armed Forces stationed at Fort Bliss, TX in their missile program. He was a member of I.B.E.W. local 223 since 1955. Al was also the owner of the former “Wave” restaurant in Marion for over 25 years. In addition to his wife he is survived by his daughter Rhonda Ackerman and husband Gary of Carver, MA, his son Mark and wife Kim of Dartmouth, MA, six grandchildren-Carolina Viveiros (Dave), Chad Ackerman (Heather), and Katherine Shipps-Kelly (David), Braeden, Owen and Lilah Costa, four great grandchildren-Jeannette, Logan and Kaden Viveiros, and Cole Ackerman, two-siblings-Antone Costa (Jean) of Naples, FLA and Carol Dagenais of Dartmouth, many nieces and nephews all of whom he dearly loved and many dear friends. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TENN, 38105 in his memory. His services were private.

Nelson Chosen as next ORR superintendent

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Old Rochester Regional Assistant Superintendent Mike Nelson was selected as the next ORR superintendent of schools in a vote taken by the combined school committees on Thursday night at Old Rochester Junior High School in Mattapoisett.

ORR’s 10-year Superintendent of Schools, Doug White, will retire from the position at the expiration of his contract on June 30.

The vote culminated a meeting lasting nearly two hours in which nine seats representing the region side and eight seats representing the union side were required to decide between the three finalists, Nelson, Westport Superintendent Dr. Gary Reese and Dartmouth Assistant Superintendent Michelle Roy.

After a spirited debate pitting Reese’s overall experience against what Nelson has shown in his six years at ORR, the committee decided the school district’s immediate future in one round of voting with Nelson garnering a 6-3 edge in votes on the region side and a 5-3 edge on the union side.
The decision was met with roars of approval from a full auditorium made up of many of Nelson’s faculty supporters.

After a short recess, Shannon Finning, chairperson of the union side, announced that pending negotiations Nelson had accepted the committee’s offer. Finning and Cary Humphrey, the chairman of the region side, will be joined with one other committee member to negotiate a contract with Nelson that will, if successful, be brought before the ORR School Committee at its next scheduled meeting on Monday, March 23, at 6:30 pm at the ORR Junior High School.

by Mick Colageo