Mattapoisett Woman’s Club

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The Mattapoisett Woman’s Club is having their November luncheon meeting in Reynard’s Hall of the Mattapoisett Congregational Church (27 Church Street) on November 15at 11:00 am. Our guest speaker is Mr. Robert Field, Principal, (W) Field Engineering Co., Inc. Field holds degrees in agriculture and civil engineering and will give a presentation about his oyster farming operation.

Anyone wishing to join us is welcome.  If you would like more information, you may visit our new website – www.mattapoisettwomansclub.org – or contact Christine Voss at 508-758-3348.

Elks Student of the Month

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The Elks of Wareham Lodge No. 1548 sponsors the Elks Student of the Month and Student of the Year Awards for students enrolled in local area high schools. The criteria used in nominating a student includes a student who excels in scholarship, citizenship, performing arts, fine arts, hobbies, athletics, church, school and community service, industry and farming.

We congratulate Junior Colby Alves of Rochester for being selected as Student of the Month for September by the Old Rochester Regional High School faculty and staff. Colby is one of the most polite, positive, and out-going students at OR. A good role model for all. Currently an ambassadOR and helping out a special needs student in the building. He also helped the boy’s basketball team last year by filming practices and games.

A New England Nutcracker

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New Bedford Ballet will perform its annual production of A New England Nutcracker December 1 through 9 at the NBB Community Theatre, located at 2343 Purchase Street in New Bedford. Journey back to the 1850s, as this favorite holiday story is reimagined through New Bedford’s historic whaling era, and prepare for the “City That Lit the World” to light up your holiday season.

Set to Tchaikovsky’s beloved score, the performance follows young Mary through a night of adventure. You’ll begin at the lavish home of Captain Ephraim Williams where many guests, including Herman Melville, arrive at a holiday party, and the family celebrates the homecoming of the Captain after years at sea. He shares tales of his travels and comes bearing gifts, including exotic dancing animals, and of course, a beautiful nutcracker for young Mary. After Mary drifts to sleep, the real adventures begin as the audience watches battling mice and soldiers, ending with the triumphant defeat of the Mouse Queen. The magical journey continues as Mary sails through dancing snowflakes to the Land of Sweets. The performance is filled with colorful and playful characters from around the globe, including those unique to the New England region. The audience is entertained by Chinese, Spanish, French, and Russian dancers, as well as whaling sailors and Native Americans. The performance brings a much-loved international holiday tale into our hometown.

This original adaptation of the traditional Nutcracker ballet, created by Rebecca Waskiel-Marchesseault, Director of the New Bedford Ballet, features choreography by Ms. Waskiel-Marchesseault, Erin Petitjean Allen, and Eugenia Zinovieva. The performance takes place in New Bedford Ballet’s studio, offering an intimate environment charged with the dancers’ energy. This simple version with narration is engaging for children, and the hour-long performance is perfect for anyone juggling the many events that fill the holiday season.

Ten performances will take place over two weekends:

Saturday,December 1at 1:30 pm and 3:00 pm

Sunday, December 2at 1:30 pm and 3:00 pm

Friday, December 7at 6:30 pm and 8:00 pm

Saturday,December 8at 1:30 pm and 3:00 pm

Sunday, December 9at 1:30 pm and 3:00 pm

Ticket prices are $12 for adults and $7 for seniors, students, and children. Group rates for non-profit organizations are available. All proceeds from the ballet support the New Bedford Ballet Foundation, a non-profit organization. For over twenty years, the Foundation has granted scholarships and given thousands of area school children and seniors the opportunity to witness the splendor and beauty of ballet. As a result of private and corporate contributions to the Foundation, the Youth Ballet will also be performing A New England Nutcracker for students from PACE Head Start, Early Learning Center, the Schwartz Center for Children, the Kennedy-Donovan Center, Hayden-McFadden Elementary School, and adults from Project Independence.

Celebrate the season with this classic holiday story that never gets old. Tickets are limited and sell quickly; reserve yours soon by contacting the New Bedford Ballet at 508-993-1387. For more information, visit our website, www.newbedfordballet.org.

November Flu Clinics

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The Marion Board of Health will offer two November 2018 seasonal flu clinics for all residents. The flu vaccine will be available in the injectable form for ages 2 years old and over, nasal mist for ages 2-18, and the high dose vaccine for ages 65 years and over.

Those attending the flu clinics are reminded to wear a short sleeve shirt and to bring all insurance and Medicare cards. Vaccinations will be given to all regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.

The clinics will be held at:

Monday,November 5from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm at the Marion Town House

Monday, November 19from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm at the Marion Town House

Transportation to the clinics can be arranged with the Marion Council on Aging at

508-748-3570.

Homebound residents may schedule an appointment for a home visit by calling the Marion Board of Health at 508-748-3530.

For more information, call the Marion Board of Health at 508-748-3530.

FinCom Considers Special Town Meeting Articles

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As Mattapoisett Town Administrator Michael Gagne and the members of the Finance Committee continue their review and preparation for the Fall Special Town Meeting on November 26, on November 1 they met with Kathleen Costello, administrator of assessing, so that she could present the taxes to be collected for the Town’s newest PILOT program for the Tinkham Hill II solar array.

The Payment In Lieu Of Taxes (PILOT) plan showed the first payment of $33,804 is planned for 2020, with payments increasing by 2.5% over 14 years for an eventual total sum of $606,070. Costello also said that another “larger” solar array project was in the early stages of planning, but “it would be inappropriate to comment” until the plans are finalized.

Finance Committee Chairman Pat Donoghue said she had heard from several residents of Crystal Spring Road that heavy truck traffic associated with the construction of solar projects in that location had caused damage to the roadway. “There are costs associated with solar,” said Donoghue. “[They’re] not quite as free as they sound.”

Costello defended the solar array developers, saying that she found them to be very responsive any time her office had informed them of construction problems. She said that abutters needed to make Town Hall aware of problems.

Gagne said that concerns over large trucks, possibly associated with construction on Crystal Springs Road, utilizing the one-way stone bridge on River Road had finally prompted action in the form of petitioning the Massachusetts Department of Transportation for a weight restriction.

“We are going to move forward to do what we have to for the DOT,” Gagne confirmed.

It had been reported by neighbors in the area of the bridge that large vehicles attempting to use it had struck it. Surface damage to the interior walls of the structure bore evidence to that fact, they said. If the MassDOT approves the application, the weight restriction would be for vehicles with a maximum weight of 2.5 tons.

Gagne also said that the municipal landfill would be considered for solar panels that might produce energy that could be used to offset electrical costs incurred by schools and municipal buildings. He plans to include an article asking for funds to hire an engineering firm to prepare engineering plans for such a project.

Coming before the committee members requesting a new ambulance was Police Chief Mary Lyons. The discussion circled around the most cost-effective manner to purchase a new ambulance with a price tag hovering around $300,000. Lyons said the plan would include trading in the diesel ambulance, a vehicle that she said was becoming increasingly problematic and out of service on occasion, for a value of $7,000. Gagne said an analysis of the revenue receipts generated by the ambulance service found that over a three-year period approximately $300,000 to $350,000 was billed annually.

Lyons also discussed the need to pay for Mattapoisett’s share of a new digital communications systems shared with Fairhaven and Acushnet in the amount of $150,000.

Regarding the balance of the warrant, Gagne said the selectmen would be reviewing the draft it in the coming days, at which time they would also consider engineering for new senior housing, dredging at the town wharves, sidewalk repairs, drainage improvements in certain neighborhoods, and Mattapoisett’s MS4 Storm Water Permit Compliance.

Other articles in the draft included: a new outboard motor for the Fire Department Boat ($21,000), paving of parking area owned by the Mattapoisett Congregational Church utilized by the Council on Aging ($16,000), supplemental funding for caution lights at the bike path crossing on Mattapoisett Neck and Brandt Island Roads ($35,000), and the purchase of a new pump-out boat ($25,000).

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Finance Committee is tentatively scheduled for November 12 at 6:30 pm in the Town Hall conference room. For confirmation of day and time visit www.mattapoisett.net.

Mattapoisett Finance Committee

By Marilou Newell

Lions International Peace Poster Contest

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Caroline Brogioli, a 6th grade student at Old Hammondtown School has taken the first step to becoming an internationally recognized artist by winning the local competition sponsored by the Mattapoisett Lions Club. Brogioli’s poster is among more than 600,000 entries submitted worldwide in the 31st Annual Lions International Peace Poster Contest. Lions Club International is sponsoring the contest to emphasize the importance of promoting Kindness to young people everywhere.

“Making someone’s rainy day feel like a sunny day, “ Brogioli said is what kindness means to her. The poster was selected for its originality, artistic merit, and portrayal of the contest theme – ”Kindness Matters”.

Helene Rose, project chairperson, said she was “impressed by the expressive creativity of the students at Old Hammondtown, and grateful for the support that this project receives from the school administration, staff, and students yearly. It is obvious that these young people have strong ideas what kindness means to them. I’m so proud that we were able to provide them with the opportunity to share their vision.”

Brogioli’s poster will advance to face stiff competition through the district with multiple district and international rounds of competition if she is to be declared the international grand prize winner. One grand prize and 23 merit winners will be selected. The grand prize includes a cash award of $5,000 plus a trip for the winner and two family members to an award ceremony. The 23 merit winners will each receive a certificate and a cash award of $500.

“Our club is cheering for Caroline as her poster advances in the competition and we hope that her vision will be shared internationally with others around the world,” Club President James Nadeau stated.

Locally, Brogioli and the other participants were honored for their participation at the morning assembly at Old Hammondtown School on Friday, November 2.

Caitlin O’Donnell was awarded second place and third place was awarded to Taylor Walsh. Each of these three participants were awarded gift certificates to Just Kidding Toy Store in Mattapoisett.

Lions Club International is the world’s largest service club organization with 1.4 million members in more than 47,000 clubs in 200 countries and geographic areas. In addition to its effort towards conquering blindness, the organization has made strong commitments to community service and helping youth throughout the world. Our motto is “We Serve.” For more information, please contact us at mattlionsclub@gmail.com.

Marion Recreation Public Skating

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The Marion Recreation Department, in conjunction with Tabor Academy, will be offering public skating on the following dates and times:

-Sunday(s),November 18, 25

-Sunday(s),December 9, 16, 23, 30

-Sunday(s),January 6, 13, 20, 27

-Sunday(s),February 3, 10, 17, 24

The fee is $5.00 per skater from 12:00 pm to 1:50 pm. Hats and Gloves are required per skater. No skate rentals available.

Tolling the Bells on November 11

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To the Editor:

The cover of your September 20th Wanderer featured a mural at ORR painted by Amber Jones in honor of her childhood friend, Beckett Kiernan, who tragically died after completing basic training. Ms. Jones’s mural is significant not only for Mr. Kiernan, but also for every veteran who answered the call of duty and gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country. The reference of Flanders Field and the poem, In Flander’s Fields by John McCrae, brings to mind that this year’s Veteran’s Day, November 11th, is the 100th anniversary of the World War I armistice.

Last year Mary O’Keefe, a Mattapoisett resident, spearheaded an effort, Bells of Remembrance, to bring back the custom of tolling the bells on November 11 and her project was adopted by the Mattapoisett Woman’s Club. Local churches and municipalities from Mattapoisett, Wareham, Fairhaven, and Marion were contacted and participated in the tolling of bells. Now in the second year, many other churches and municipalities have been called throughout the Southcoast as well as Boston and the Cape and are joining the tradition not only this year, but also in future years.

The United States World War One Centennial Commission has a participation app for Smartphones that may be downloaded to our individual phones by going to the computer website YourACE or ww1cc.org/bells and following the directions. The app has a built-in countdown timer that will sound at 11:00 am on November 11, if you’ve chosen to participate.

Let’s all honor our Veterans and our men and women who are serving now with the Commission’s app and ring our bells. I hope you will join in: I have.

Sincerely,

Karen Gardner, Mattapoisett Woman’s Club

 

The views expressed in the “Letters to the Editor” column are not necessarily those of The Wanderer, its staff or advertisers. The Wandererwill 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 Wandererreserves the right to edit, condense and otherwise alter submissions for purposes of clarity and/or spacing considerations. The Wanderermay choose to not run letters that thank businesses, and The Wandererhas the right to edit letters to omit business names. The Wandereralso reserves the right to deny publication of any submitted correspondence.

Board Stuck on Regulations Definition

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The November 1 Marion Zoning Board of Appeals meeting centered on the question raised by an application for 8 Pie Alley: what is the definition of reconstruction?

Thomas Ryan of TRSK Law, representing property owner Brian Keane at 8 Pie Alley, presented to the board the proposal to raze an existing garage and reconstruct a “carriage house” in the same location. The current structure has a height of 10.1 feet, with a proposed new height of 25.1 feet. The proposed use of the structure would be a home office for the applicant as well as recreational space for his family “to keep the kids close.” The current garage is an existing non-conforming structure, located just 4 feet from the property line.

The sticking point for board member Tad Wallenhaupt was his contention that the project would not be considered a reconstruction under the zoning regulations. Wallenhaupt cited regulations 230.6.1G: “Any nonconforming structure may be reconstructed after a fire, explosion or other catastrophe or after demolition…”, emphasizing that the regulation referred to demolition after a catastrophe.

Associate member David Bramley took issue with Wallenhaupt’s interpretation, saying that project could be considered despite not being a result of a catastrophe.

Attorney Ryan was noticeably frustrated, disagreeing with Wallenhaupt’s interpretation.

Board Chairman Marc Leblanc weighed in, saying that once the applicant demolished the garage he lost his ability to have a nonconforming structure, to which member Michelle Smith added, “So wouldn’t [he] have to conform?”

Ryan’s response was to suggest that, with regards to the issue of a hardship requirement, that the architectural design created a hardship – moving the structure to conform with setbacks would block the walkway to the house. Wallenhaupt replied, “Walkways can be moved.”

The applicant’s proposal to transform an unheated garage to a heated and plumbed structure underscored Wallenhaupt’s belief that the project was new construction, not the reconstruction of a nonconforming structure.

The board voted to continue the hearing in order to gather more information from Building Commissioner Scott Shippey and from town counsel.

In other business, the board granted a Special Permit to Peter and Lorraine Sowden at 297 Converse Road to convert an in-law apartment to an unrestricted apartment. Member Betsy Dunn, who is friends with the applicant, noted that the apartment was on the applicant’s property and assured the board they would not rent to a “flaming drunk.” Wallenhaupt observed that the town needed more affordable housing, speaking in favor of “taking something that exists and [re-using] it.”

The board also finalized the letter denying the Special Permit to Tabor Academy for the light poles proposed for its athletic fields.

The next meeting of the Marion Zoning Board of Appeals is scheduled for November 15 at 7:30 pm in the Marion Town House.

Marion Zoning Board of Appeals

By Sarah French Storer

Tri-Town Observes Veterans Day 2018

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The bells of churches and halls and the sirens of police and fire vehicles will sound on Sunday, November 11, at 11:00 am – the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month – in recognition of the 100thanniversary of the end to World War I.

In addition to this solemn remembrance, Marion and Mattapoisett will each host their own Veterans Day observances on Sunday and Monday, respectively.

On Sunday, November 11, the Town of Marion will hold its annual Veterans Day ceremony in the Sippican School multipurpose room, 16 Spring Street at 11:00 am. Guests may enter the building though the bus loop on Park Street. The Sippican School Band led by Mrs. Hannah Moore will perform selections of patriotic music, and the guest speaker this year will be Marion resident Col. Jonathan F. Henry, retired U.S. Army. The community is invited to join the Town of Marion as it honors our veterans.

In Mattapoisett, the members of the Florence Eastman Post 280 of the American Legion invites everyone to join them at their annual Veterans Day ceremony on Monday, November 12, at 11:00 am at the Old Hammondtown School. This year Post 280 is honored to have Col. Michael Mendenhall of the Newport War College its guest speaker, as well as a wide variety of Mattapoisett talent.

Providing entertainment will be Mattapoisett’s very own, Jillian Zucco, Miss Massachusetts 2017, along with the Showstoppers, the Old Hammondtown Band, and the Center School Chorus. Come one, come all, and show your support for those who have proudly served our country.