Massachusetts Maritime Academy

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Around mid-August, Orientation at Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA) begins. During this time, the Academy welcomes about 14-16 individuals, cadets, and staff, from the International Maritime University of Panama (UMIP) to join our Orientation programs. Their experience begins and ends on campus. The UMIP underclassmen fully immerse in orientation, while the upperclassmen receive hands-on deck and engine experience by working on the T.S. Kennedy, alongside exceptional MMA cadets and staff.

Out of the three-weeks activities and events that these UMIP cadets experience, all UMIP cadet participants have unanimously expressed that their time spent with the Mattapoisett Yacht Club is one of the highlight experiences while on this program. Massachusetts Maritime Academy’s Schoolship Repairman, Thomas Tucker, has volunteered his time since 2015 to take UMIP cadets to one of the Mattapoisett Yacht Club’s PHFR Races held every year. This year is no different; he will be taking 13 UMIP cadets and two staff members next Wednesday, August 22nd, 2018, to set sail and feel the rush of navigating sails on Cape Cod waters. The annual event and opportunity would not be possible without the help of incredible individuals such as Rich Gleason, Richard Joy, and the Yacht Club’s Commodore Ed Sargent. These individuals know how to show MMA’s international friends a fully immersive experience. After the sails drop, they end the day by taking the UMIP cadets to Nick’s Pizza for a well-deserved dinner.

Thank you Mattapoisett Yacht Club for embracing MMA’s international cadet participants.

Valentyna E. Bindas (“Val”)

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Valentyna E. Bindas (“Val”) passed away peacefully in the loving arms of her daughter Lisa Bindas and her “daughter” Jacilyn Barnett on Wednesday morning, August 15, 2018.

Valentyna was born on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1932 to Apolonia “Polly” Hodziewich (Wojtaszek) and Adolph Hodziewich.

Growing up in the South End of New Bedford Val was very involved in the Polish Community and enjoyed dancing the polka in her traditional Polish costume. She spent many happy times dancing at the Woodrow Wilson Hall.
Val loved her parents very much and grew up as a single child. Her only brother passed at a very young age. Her father, Adolph, taught her to drive and bought her first car – a Buick! He also instilled in her a strong work ethic. She learned how to “Do it yourself.” Val loved to shop for antiques with her “Pa” and later enjoyed furniture refinishing. Val was “Daddy’s Little Girl.”

Val’s mother, Polly, was a bit more traditional and protective of her daughter. As an avid gardener herself, Polly taught Val how to work in the garden – this became one of Val’s greatest passions!
Val graduated from Roosevelt Junior High School and New Bedford High School. Another of Val’s great accomplishments was attending and graduating from Framingham State College. Truly an accomplishment for women back then.

Upon graduation Val’s next accomplishment was getting married to John S. Bindas right after graduation! She even made her bridesmaids’ dresses as well as her own wedding dress.
Val began her professional career as the Home Economics teacher at New Bedford Vocational High School in the late 50’s. She then taught sewing and cooking at Dartmouth High School for MANY years before moving to the Dartmouth Middle School from which she retired in the mid 90’s to care for her first-born grandchild.

Val loved teaching and especially loved her students many of whom still share very fond memories of her. “Strain or Drain a Dishpan” and “Use some elbow grease” are sayings that her students still recall readily when they think of Val.

Val loved to sew and made many outfits including many for her daughter, Lisa. She also enjoyed needlepoint, furniture upholstery and floral design.

Starting a family found Val working alongside her husband John renovating their first home on Cottage Street in New Bedford. Val worked right beside her husband and her children painting the house up to the second floor on staging and ladders and painting ceilings and walls. She instilled in her own children a strong work ethic. She also had “eyes in the back of her head” so learning to be honest, well-behaved children was a must!

Val and John were able to take the children on many vacations and camping was a family favorite! Val and her husband looked forward to building a new home on land they had purchased in Dartmouth, but unfortunately the family lost their Dad in 1977.

Val continued to work hard and was the sole provider for her family. Due to her efforts she was able to pay for all three of her children to attend and graduate from college and begin successful careers for themselves
With coercing, Val eventually managed to have her “dream home” built on the land in Dartmouth. Her gardens were again her passion and keeping her home meticulously maintained was her “favorite job.”
Val was also able to enjoy her life and travel to places such as Hawaii, Spain, Africa, Poland, Bermuda, the Bahamas and more. She loved to shop! She loved to drive and especially loved going for rides with her daughters, Lisa and Jaci.

Val had a strong love of music. She took piano lessons as a child and would often sit and play alongside her daughter. Val would start tapping her feet and be up dancing every chance she got. Val was a great dancer and her secret dream was to become a “Ballerina.”

Val was a very strong and active woman. She would put many young people to shame. She even helped her daughter deliver furniture, in a pinch, at her business, Gotta Have It, while she was in her 80’s.

What eventually slowed Val down was her diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. With the help of Lisa and Jaci, Val was able to enjoy many of her favorite things: Going dancing, working in the yard, visiting the animal shelter, shopping, hiking, going for rides, going on adventures and going out to eat.

Unfortunately Val succumbed to her illness, but she still tapped her feet and moved her hands to the sound of her daughter playing the piano for her in bed. The sound of music still meant the world to her.
Val was an intelligent, hard-working, talented, energetic, dedicated mother, friend, relative, co-worker and teacher who touched the lives of many. She will truly be missed.

Val was a member of the Polish Women’s Business and Professional Club, the Polish National Alliance, Massachusetts Retired Teachers Association and Delta Kappa Gamma ETA Chapter. She was predeceased by her husband John S. Bindas. Val had three children: Son Jan Bindas, Son Randy Bindas and his wife Kate, daughter Lisa Bindas and “daughter” Jacilyn Barnett (Jaci). Her grandchildren: Bradford Bindas, Mary Kate Bindas, Deirdre Bindas and Anya Bindas. Val will be missed by her cat “Sweetie” and her cat grandchildren “Pogo”, “Piper”, “Stella” and “Pepina.”

Val’s family is very grateful to the people at Fairhaven Social Day for providing Val with music, dancing and entertainment that kept her moving and happy for several years.

Although Lisa and Jaci were Val’s loving caretakers until the end, the Staff at Community Nurse made the last few days a loving, compassionate and memorable experience that meant the world to her family.

An extra big hug goes out to Val’s caretakers who helped allow Val to stay in her own home until the last day. Special thanks to Barbara and Linda – you will be “FAMILY” forever.

Visitation will be at the Saunders Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park Street, New Bedford on Tuesday, August 21, 2018 from 4:00pm to 7:00 pm with a Memorial Service starting at 6:30pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Val’s Memory to Fairhaven Social Day, 229 Huttleston Avenue, Fairhaven, MA 02719. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

 

Cranston Clarke “Whitey” Lynch

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Cranston Clarke “Whitey” Lynch, 89, of New Bedford died Thursday August 9, 2018.
He was born February 26, 1929 as Edward Russell Hearson, Jr. to Edward Russell and Lois Mae (Minkler) Hearson in Newport, RI, and adopted and raised by Ms. Frances Lynch in North Kingstown, RI where he attended public school. He joined the U.S. Coast Guard in 1947 stationed at Cuttyhunk Island, MA where he met and married Joan Grant Jenkins of Cuttyhunk and Rochester, MA.

He settled in Rochester after his Coast Guard service, where he built a home, raised his family and resided for over 40 years. He was a surveyor, employed by Samuel H. Coarse, now Tibbets Engineering. He was a drilling technician, environmental sampler and heavy equipment operator for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for over thirty years working from Maine to West Virginia on several flood control, dams, missile sites, dredging projects and other capital infrastructure improvements. He had worked in almost every river and harbor along the New England coastline involved in environmental sampling long before it was fashionable.

After retirement he was more known locally as Whitey Lynch for his firewood, logging, and various equipment businesses. He was a true outdoorsman. In his early years he enjoyed hunting and fishing, and in his later years tinkering with old farm tractors, small engines and horse-trading. He loved animals and particularly his many dogs.

His is survived by his wife, Lauren Winslow Lynch of New Bedford; a brother, Brenton Lynch of Palm Harbor, FL; his four children from his first marriage, Donald C. Lynch of Cuttyhunk, Pamela G. Tripp of Acushnet, Dale C. Lynch of Cuttyhunk and South Dartmouth, and Dennis W. Lynch of Fairhaven and Marion; and several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements are private. He will be interred at a later date at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Marion Awarded $93K Grant

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A study proposed by the Town of Marion to assess the vulnerability of its wastewater infrastructure was one of nineteen projects to have been awarded a Coastal Resilience Grant from the Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM). The Town received $93,660 to assess the risks from coastal flooding and storm surge to its pumping stations, and to identify what improvements are needed to reduce their vulnerability.

The Coastal Resilience Grant Program supports local efforts to increase awareness and understanding of climate impacts, and to plan for changing conditions related to coastal storms, flooding, and erosion. All eight of Marion’s pumping stations are located in a flood zone, and two are in the zone designated as most vulnerable. Analyses funded by this grant will compare the existing flood-level with future flood-level projections at each pump station to identify necessary upgrades to address storm surge and a heightened flood risk. Recommended upgrades may include elevating the pump station, raising its electrical components, waterproofing the structure, and modifying piping networks.

According to the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ Statewide and Major Basin Climate Projections, sea levels will likely rise between two and four feet by the year 2100. Over the same period, experts say there is a higher chance for extreme weather, including heavy precipitation events (which are already occurring 70% more often since the 1950s), and total winter precipitation could increase by as much as 34 percent.

The proposed study is part of the Climate Resiliency element in the 2017 Marion Master Plan. Addressing the vulnerability of the Town’s wastewater infrastructure was also identified as a high priority in the state’s Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program (MVP) assessment for Marion. Participants at the MVP workshops in May 2018 identified key hazards, vulnerabilities, and actions that the Town of Marion should take to reduce risks and build resilience.

For further information, please contact the Town Planner, Gil Hilario at 508-748-3513 or email, ghilario@marionma.gov.

King Philip: Son of Massasoit

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King Philip was the second oldest son of the Wampanoag Sachem Massasoit who welcomed the pilgrims to Plymouth and helped them survive. The earthly relationship bore fruition the following fall by a feast of mutual friendship called Thanksgiving to which Massasoit brought 90 others from his Pokanoket village near today’s Bristol, Rhode Island.

In 1656, Massasoit had the Indian names of both his sons changed by the royal court at Plymouth to more prestigious English titles; the older boy, Wamsutta, became Alexander, and Metacomet became Philip.

When Massasoit died in 1661, Alexander became Sachem (leader), but died soon after from suspicious food poisoning while in English custody waiting to be questioned about rumors of an impending Indian uprising. When Philip became king, colonial population had grown to more than 40,000, creating a crowded conflict over land purchases. Philip said he did not want to start a war, and my illustration shows him with a peace pipe in one hand and his war club in the other, drawn from the actual weapon in a museum in Concord.

In June of 1675, the inevitable war started near the Pokanoket village, a location now known as the Town of Swansea, which was burned to the ground. Hostilities spread like wildfire all along the south shore settlements, destroying homes in today’s townships of Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Mattapoisett, Marion, Wareham, and Middletown.

Settler Hugh Cole had purchased most of the land in Mattapoisett from Philip, and Cole’s two sons were among the first to be captured; however, Philip released them, instructing them to tell their father to leave the area before his house was burned. In Fairhaven, John Cooke, who had come across the pond on the Mayflower, had built a fortified garrison at the head of Sconticut Neck for protection, but that also was burned. In what is now Wareham, blacksmith Uriah Leonard had supplied iron works and repaired guns for Philip, and when Indians came to burn his house, he was allowed to escape with his life.

All these settlements were joined by roads of old Indian trails, and natives were skilled at ambushes of frontier skirmishes that eventually expanded to 1,200 homes in 50 settlements all over New England. Indians intended to drive the English back into the sea. Fortunately for the early settlers – and ultimately us – some friendly Indian tribes like the Mohegans joined the English cause of survival.

Philip eventually fled to the Mohawks in New York for help, but they were already friends of the British. They attacked and killed almost all of Philip’s warriors, leaving him to limp back here, only to be shot by another Indian. Philip’s wife, seven-year-old son, as well as Philip’s sister, Amie, were all sold into West Indies slavery, a fate for many Indian survivors, with the proceeds helping to pay for the war. Soldiers that had fought in the war were granted parcels of Indian land to reward their service.

Although peace then came to residents of the south shore, the conflict continued into Maine and New Hampshire. This classic clash between old world and new world cultures actually began in the seventeenth century against Montezuma in Central America by Spanish conquistadores. And then it was followed by the invasion of New York by the Dutch and then English colonists, and finally the more conducive French missionaries. Casualties of both sides continued in battles more like massacres to darken American history, like Tippecanoe, the Cherokee trail of tears, Custer’s last stand at the Little Big Horn, and the Sioux Wounded Knee massacre.

With this trail of perspective by historians, Philip has come to be reconsidered as a patriot attached to his native soil, and compared to military leaders such as Macedon, Napoleon, and Washington. His redemption today may be our environmental awareness that mirrors his Native American belief of land value. And when we bow our heads for a bountiful Earthly harvest at the next Thanksgiving, let us do so in remembrance of his father, Massasoit, as well.

By George B. Emmons

Sippican Historical Society

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In 1998, the Sippican Historical Society commissioned an architectural survey of Marion’s historic homes and buildings. The survey was funded one-half by the Sippican Historical Society and one-half by the Massachusetts Historical Commission. Due to the limits of funding, not all of the historic buildings were surveyed, but over 100 were catalogued and photographed. The results of the survey are in digital form on the Massachusetts Historical Commission’s website and in four binders in the Sippican Historical Society’s office (and at the Marion Town Clerk’s office).

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. The Sippican Historical Society will preview one building a week so that the residents of Marion can understand more about its unique historical architecture.

This installment features 368 Front Street. The home at 368 Front Street may represent the only surviving building from the 18th- and early 19th-century cluster of residences called “Parlowtown.” Parlowtown Road was originally a Native American trail that ran northwest to Rochester. It fell into disuse in the mid-19th century, when the rugged, swampy nature of the terrain made its maintenance difficult. This Federal-style cottage was built c. 1800 by the Parlow family.

Japanese Floral Design

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On Thursday, August 23at 11:00 am, join Ellen Flynn as she demonstrates the 500 year-old ancient art of Japanese floral design in the Ikenobo Ikebana, Shoka style. Watch as Ms. Flynn’s creativity evolves into unique floral arrangements made in a low vase or bowl.

Ms. Flynn took her first Ikebana class at Vassar College, where she worked in the library’s acquisitions department. Since then, she was invited to become a lifelong member of the Japanese society and has been certified in the first two of Ikebana’s four levels.

Free demonstration at Mattapoisett COA, 17 Barstow Street. RSVP by August 22 to 508-758-4110 or coadirector@mattapoisett.net.

Conservation Office Fears Abutter Fallout

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Common, average, ordinary, routine, standard, cut-and-dried – all synonyms for “normal,” which was what Mattapoisett Conservation Commission Chairman Mike King pondered as he considered allowing the 30 Holly Woods project to add another access road post-approval, an access road not noted on the plan of record.

William Frederickson of 30 Holly Woods Road returned to the commission on August 13 asking if he could construct an access road wide enough for forestry equipment to enter a section of forest slated for timbering to convert into an agricultural field for cow farming.

King immediately voiced his opinion that Frederickson would be exempt from the Wetlands Protection Act with an updated forestry plan in hand. Conservation Agent Elizabeth Leidhold, however, wanted to discuss another angle relative to Frederickson’s forestry cutting plan and missing details before moving forward, and waited as King led the discussion.

According to King, the addition of another access road – “cart path”, “cow path”, or “skid path”, said King – would be exempt from the Wetlands Protection Act, as long as the change was minor enough to not require a new plan submission. If deemed a significant change, an additional filing would be required, initiating a new public hearing notice.

As King pointed out, agricultural maintenance or improvements may be exempt from the Wetlands Protection Act, as long as the alteration would be considered “normal” agricultural practice by a “reasonable” person.

“Would it be considered normal?” asked King.

Leidhold listened and continued to wait for a chance to give her recommendation to the commission as King continued. Similarly, Conservation Secretary Teresa Austin kept to herself as she wondered what she would tell abutters.

King maintained that the new access road was within the scope of the original Notice of Intent and an amendment would suffice; however, as Leidhold pointed out, an amendment would still trigger a public hearing notice, which Frederickson said he was hoping to avoid in order to keep the project moving forward.

“I didn’t realize that an amendment would still require a formal hearing, but that makes sense, I guess,” said King. So, instead, King stated, “Based on his [Notice of Intent] filing, with the principal activity being tree cutting, he’s exempted and he’s allowed to do this and we really require no further action,” with the purpose of the original NOI being to create a farm.

“Is it considered normal?” King again asked. “As a farmer myself, in 1800, would it have been normal for a farmer to create a path to get his cows back to pasture if there was a problem?”

“Yes,” King and some commission members agreed.

King said the proposed widened path intended to provide access for equipment to cut timber “could be called a ‘skid trail’, or a ‘landing’, or both.

“But I don’t see anything that precludes him from doing it,” said King. “It’s an allowable activity because it’s considered normal.”

“It’s a normal activity under a forestry cutting plan,” specified Leidhold. “That plan doesn’t show the access road, the new and proposed access road.”

“The majority of activity approved doesn’t change, just the access point,” King said. “I kind of look at is as ‘much ado about nothing.’”

But with this new information, said Leidhold, she called the DEP to confirm if this action was allowed, to which King replied, “I think this is more of a forestry question than a DEP question. But I default back to, is it considered normal? And I think the answer to that is yes,” said King.

The commission’s secretary spoke out: “I get what you’re saying, that it’s a normal process, but if an abutter comes in and wants to see that access road [on the plan], I have nothing to show them.” Austin continued, “When Holly Woods [abutters] see that, they’re going to be at our door.”

In response, King commented, “I am just a lowly Mass licensed timber harvester,” what does he know?

“If you look at the book, it’s not shown on the plan, sir,” said Austin. “I have nothing to show them (abutters). Obviously, it’s your vote,” continued Austin. “The real thing is about what’s on that plan for anyone in this town to look at if they see a bunch of equipment coming down Holly Woods Road, that’s what we’re really talking about. … He’s asking for changes. Period.”

“He doesn’t really have to ask,” said King. Not just on the forestry side, he added, “It goes back to what’s normal.”

“When the abutters come in … I’m gonna give them your phone number,” said Austin.

Then Leidhold pointed out that Frederickson’s forestry plan still needs final state approval, and until it is approved and final, it is not exempt from the Wetlands Protection Act.

“Until it’s accepted, we don’t have a plan that shows access. … Abutters will come in,” said Leidhold.

King took another angle, saying perhaps Frederickson should wait until his forestry plan is accepted, although Frederickson doubted he could get the forestry plan approved so quickly, saying one key person from the pertinent office was on vacation.

King ultimately suggested that Frederickson submit an updated copy of the cutting plan and attach it to the original plan on record and wait for final approval.

“I’m getting the sense from staff and [commission] members that everyone would feel better once that cutting plan is accepted,” King said. “Nothing’s easy anymore, especially if you’re a farmer,” he lamented.

Frederickson’s original filing to convert forestry land to agricultural land was approved last year.

According to the state’s Farming in Wetland Resource Areas: A Guide to Agriculture and the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, a conservation commission cannot require a farmer to submit an RDA for something agriculturally exempt from the Wetlands Protection Act; however, an assertion that an exemption applies when it does not is a violation. The guide recommends farmers file an RDA “as a means of establishing with certainty the permitting requirements (if any) for such activity.” It also recommends that filing an RDA “can be in the farmer’s best interest.”The guide also states that commissions, as well as any member of the public, may also file an RDA for a project, either proposed or underway, “as a means of establishing with certainty the permitting requirements (if any) for such activity.”

Also during the meeting, Ken Motta, on behalf of Donald and Millicent Carlstrom of 6 Ripple Street, presented a plan to raze and rebuild a house and shed, with some of the work slated for land subject to flooding. Motta said the new house would remain inside the existing house’s footprint, a requirement from the Zoning Board of Appeals, and the floor elevation of the house would be built at 15 feet high, as per flood zone requirements. The Notice of Intent received approval in the form of an Order of Conditions.

The commission issued a Negative 3 determination for the Request for Determination of Applicability filed by Sarah and Nigel Hitchings, 28 Holly Lane, for the replacement and expansion by 8 feet of an existing deck. King noted that the work would take place within 40 feet of a bordering vegetated wetlands; however, he added that the building area is over an existing lawn, saying, “It doesn’t appear that there would be any issue,” and no siltation controls would be required.

The Notice of Intent for Ratcliffe and Ann Williams of 31 Shore Drive received approval and an Order of Conditions to construct a garage.

The public hearing for the Request for Determination of Applicability filed by the Mattapoisett Land trust was continued until September 24 as the MLT awaits a response from MassWildlife’s Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, and the public hearing for John and Roger Gibbons to pave 658 feet of Foster Street was continued until August 27.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission is scheduled for August 27 at 6:30 pm at the Mattapoisett Town Hall.

Mattapoisett Conservation Commission

By Jean Perry

 

St. Philip’s Episcopal Church

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St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, next to the Town Beach in Mattapoisett, continues their 134 year tradition of visiting clergy from Massachusetts and beyond.

Services using the 1928 Book of Common Prayer are conducted at 8:00 am and 10:00 am each Sunday through Labor Day weekend.

The Rev. Philip C. Jacobs III, Rector, Trinity Church, Canton, MA, will officiate services on August 19.

Come visit our historic chapel by the sea in Mattapoisett! All are welcome.

Tree Health Program

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Join the Plymouth County Conservation District August 23 for a program about Tree Health at the Carver Public Library, 2 Meadowbrook Way, from 6 pm to 7:30 pm.

The Plymouth County Conservation District is a local environmental agency dedicated to wise land use and conservation of natural resources.

The winter storms of 2018 created major damage for homeowners around the region. Join us to learn about tree health, preventative care, as well as the resources that are available to you. We want to help you keep your landscaping beautiful and safe!

We have entomologist Blake Dinius of Plymouth County Extension, as well as Bill Stendrup, Regional Project Developer for Davey Resource Group, Inc., coming to lead the discussion. This event is free and open to the public. Please contact Kelsey at plymouthccd.office@gmail.com with any questions.