Village Road Project Reaches 10 Percent Point

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The Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen voted on July 10 to advance the large-scale road project slated for Main Street, Water Street, Beacon Street, and Marion Road to the 10 percent submittal review point after a presentation by VHB Engineering representatives Jamie Pisano and Geoffrey Morrison-Logan.

The two had met several times with various boards, committees, and residents of the affected neighborhoods over the past several months to discuss the facets – and concerns – of the reconstruction funded through the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).

Public input, Pisano said, was the first objective on ascertaining what was important to residents and how they use the roadways before designing the project that includes road paving, road adjustments such as widening and narrowing, and the addition of sidewalks – on both sides in some areas.

Residents were mostly concerned with keeping the character of the streets as they exist now, and safety improvements were requested, such as ways to curtail speeding. Drainage was another hot topic, as was parking.

Pisano said the goal is to complete this project with as few right-of-way land-takings as possible, and with as few tree-takings as possible.

The engineers showed computer-generated simulations of how the roadways and sidewalks would look once finished, which showed a cleared, more defined road and sidewalk lines, new striping (except for in some parts where striping was deemed to be a detriment to the character of the neighborhood), and a more uniform design throughout the village.

Highway Surveyor Barry Denham advocated for less striping wherever possible, citing maintenance and safety concerns.

“When you have lines, people tend to try to stay in the lane and when they’re passing people on bicycles … they tend to not want to go over that center line,” Denham said. “We find that it’s safe and it works out very well … so why don’t we just forget about the lines if we can get away with it?”

The selectmen had few questions, except about parking, especially in front of Shipyard Park where parking would be created on the south side of the street right in front of the park instead of where it currently is, in front if the Inn.

“Aesthetically it will look better with no parking in front of [Shipyard Park],” said Selectman Paul Silva.

This, Pisano said, would impact trees on that stretch because of the limited space available for road widening and sidewalks.

“The only way to make it line up is to put that parking in the south side,” said Denham. “We’re trying to put 21stcentury requirements on 18thcentury roads.”

Morrison-Logan said these are the tradeoffs one must make, “balancing a lot of competing demands.”

“And we’re trying to be careful as to the amount of real estate we’re taking,” added Morrison-Logan.

One aspect of the design that selectmen liked was the reconfiguring of the Route 6/Marion Road intersection, which is currently more like a merge rather than a full-stop intersection. The new configuration would cause traffic to slow down while exiting or entering Marion Road.

“People are gonna absolutely hate this until they get used to using it,” said Denham.

Denham continued, “This is a pretty good design,” as it manages to keep within the existing property boundaries, he explained, requiring less land taking and with as limited an impact on the surrounding properties as possible.

Before approving the 10 percent submittal review, Silva again addressed parking in front of Shipyard Park, lamenting the 13 additional spaces while questioning whether there was anywhere else parking could be arranged.

“Absolutely, it’s the only place it can go?” Silva asked.

“Absolutely,” replied Denham.

Silva said he still found it “a little troublesome,” adding, “I just want to make sure you’ve looked at everything.”

“It’s the view of Shipyard Park, the monuments there,” said Selectman Jordan Collyer, while adding, “I think the plan is very well done. You’re never going to please everybody, but you do a pretty good job appealing to the masses.”

“It’s gonna be a beautiful trip through there,” said Silva, wrapping up discussion.

Pisano anticipates reaching the 25 percent submittal review mark by December of this year, “And then the clock would tick,” he said.

The project’s draft estimate, including inflation, has reached $5,180,000.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen is scheduled for August 14 at 6:30 pm at the Mattapoisett Town Hall.

Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen

By Jean Perry

 

Try the Triathlon – There’s Still Time!

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The Triathlon has always been the official kickoff of the Harbor Days weeklong celebration of all that is quintessential about Mattapoisett: the bay, the arts, the local talent, summer fun, local business, the village – the community! – the Mattapoisett Lions and all the wonderful causes they help support.

Harbor Days is one of, if not the biggest event of the year in Mattapoisett, which is why organizers of the annual Triathlon, now in its 37thyear, are concerned about a dwindle in the number of participants this year.

The event is only days away – Sunday, July 15 – the start of an entire week of hometown fun and only 53 people have registered for the triathlon.

That’s a drastic decline, says Debra Holden, one of three organizers of the triathlon who have, for three years now, been helping the Mattapoisett Lions Club pull together a successful triathlon. And they have indeed helped!

According to Holden, two years ago the trio helped bolster participation of the event, which saw double the number of triathletes sign up. Numbers stayed strong in 2017, too. But this year, Holden isn’t sure why such a popular event has seen a decline in registrants so close to the event.

“Triathlons have been popular in general in the area,” said Holden. But even in other triathlons held on the local level elsewhere in the state, Holden said, participation is dropping a bit. “And I don’t know why.”

Holden herself is a triathlete, and Mattapoisett’s Lions Club triathlon, she said, is an enjoyable, relatively easy triathlon with its short swim of a quarter mile inside a sheltered Buzzards Bay, a 10-mile flat bike ride through the scenic ways of Mattapoisett, and a 5k run through the traditional seaside village.

“And Mattapoisett’s is one of the oldest triathlons in New England,” said Holden. “It’s been going on a lot longer than a lot of triathlons.”

Holden describes it as “beginner-friendly” as far as triathlons go. It’s the kind of race that can ease one into the experience because it’s fun, it’s local, and – by gosh – it’s a tradition around here.

“And it’s in such a great area,” said Holden.

Even families can sign up for the challenge as a team and relay the three portions of the race. Award medals are given to the first, second, and third place winners from five different age groups, male and female, and participants will receive a t-shirt, water bottle, swim cap, and, of course, refreshments. “It’s a beautiful course,” said Holden. “It’s an easy course. It’s an easy swim … a short swim.”

The swim is from Town Beach and back, then the bikes leave from Town Beach and go left onto Water Street, up Main Street across Route 6; left onto Acushnet Road, over Route 195; left up Acushnet Road to Tinkham Town; right onto Long Plain Road to the turn around, and back over the course in reverse. The runners then head out from Town Beach and then around Ned’s Point lighthouse, down Beacon Street, up Oakland Street, then down Church to Main and on to Water Street to the finish line.

The triathlon is Sunday, July 15, beginning at 8:00 am at the Mattapoisett Town Beach on Water Street. Registration starts at 7:00 am, and registrations will still be taken up until the start of the race. Registrations will also be taken the night before on Saturday, July 14, from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm at the Town Beach. The cost is $75 in person and $80 online. Families who wish to do a relay will pay $130, and, of course, every dime of the proceeds goes to benefit the charity work of the Mattapoisett Lions Club.

So challenge your friends! Challenge your family! And if you aren’t up for the challenge, come out and cheer on the ones who were. And if you see The Wandererthere, smile for the camera. Happy Harbor Days, Mattapoisett!

By Jean Perry

Yvonne Margarite (Beadsworth) Jackson

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Yvonne Margarite (Beadsworth) Jackson, 83, of Marion, Massachusetts, passed away on June 28th in Glastonbury, Connecticut surrounded by family after a difficult battle with cancer. Yvonne was married to Richard Hills Jackson for 61 years. Yvonne was born August 10, 1934 in Calcutta India during the British Raj. Her parents, also born in India. Her father was a Captain in the British Army and her mother was a schoolteacher. Yvonne and her sisters Anita, Jean and Pat moved often in India through her father’s army assignments and had exciting adventures including tiger hunting, Indian monsoons, owning a pet monkey and other escapades. Yvonne was very close with her sisters. One of Yvonne’s most favorite parts of her history was her teacher and later principal at Saint Mary’s High School for Girls, Sister Teresa (later known as Mother Teresa). She grew up in Calcutta and became a stewardess with India Airlines where she met Richard Jackson through a blind date while he was in the Navy. Yvonne and Richard corresponded for two years until Richard proposed marriage via letter. Yvonne and Richard were married in 1957 on the US Navy Base in Yokosuka, Japan. They briefly lived on the Navy base in Sacramento, California before moving to Marion Massachusetts. Yvonne (and Richard) was a prominent member of the community, actively involved in many charities and clubs. She was one of the founding members of Marion’s first consignment store, Penny Pincher’s Exchange, which donated over $500,000 to the First Congregational Church of Marion. Yvonne was active with the Tobey Hospital Guild, Marion Women’s Club, Marion Mothers’ Club, Wareham Garden Club, Marion’s Council for Aging and First Congregational Church of Marion (holding the longest chair position of the White Elephant Table).

Yvonne and Richard’s passion for travel brought them to all corners of the world including Asia, Africa, North and South America, Australia, Europe and Antarctica. Yvonne was always looking forward to the next trip. Yvonne is survived by her three sisters Anita (Beadsworth) Gifford of Alicante, Spain, Jean (Beadsworth) Osborne of Barry, Wales and Patricia (Beadsworth) Bean of Bath, England, her daughters Jo Ann Watson and her husband Douglas Watson of Marion, Karen Jackson Milne and her husband Robert Milne of Sudbury, Massachusetts and Amy Jackson-Grove and her husband Wesley (Chopper) Grove of Glastonbury, Connecticut. Also surviving are her five loving grandchildren Alex Boonstra, Jackson Boonstra, Sonia Boonstra, Lucas Grove, Sarah Grove and a Brazilian Exchange student/son Cesar Zimmer.

A service to celebrate Yvonne’s life will be on August 10, 2018 at the Marion Music Hall, 164 Front Street, Marion, MA at 10am, reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Penny Pinchers Exchange, Inc. 3 Wells Rd, Marion, MA 02738.

 

John Gilbride McManus

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John Gilbride McManus, 83, of Marion, MA and Vero Beach, FL, died unexpectedly during surgery on July 6, 2018 at Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA. The son of the late John Francis and Helen Rose Gilbride, Gil is survived by his wife of 53 years, Barbara Rohrbach McManus; his son, John Gilbride McManus, Jr., and his wife Melissa of Walpole; his daughter, Anne Hurlbut, and her husband Matthew of Marion; 5 grandchildren, Barbara, William, Lila, Natalie, and Teddy.  Gil was born in Boston and lived in Milton, MA before moving to Marion, MA and Vero Beach, FL.

Mr. McManus graduated from Portsmouth Priory School in Portsmouth, Rhode Island in 1952, and from Harvard University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1956. While at Harvard he was a member of the A.D. Club, and he had many fond memories of his time playing freshman football and hockey there as well.  He served in the United States Army from 1956 to 1958. Beginning in 1959, Gil worked for R.M. Bradley and Company, specializing in industrial and commercial real estate, land development, brokerage, and real estate counseling, and was promoted to president in 1983. He was a member of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board and the National Association of Real Estate Boards.  While at R.M. Bradley, he consulted with United Fruit, United Brands, Prudential, Gillette, and First National Bank of Boston. He was also a member of the Urban Land Institute.

A man who was well known for his dogged work ethic, Gil also knew how to have fun; he found joy in every nook and cranny of life. He had a deep appreciation for the outdoors, and he enjoyed many a round of golf at the clubs that were near and dear to his heart, especially at The Country Club, Brookline, MA, The Kittansett Club, Marion, MA, The Ekwanok Country Club, Manchester, VT, The Dorset Field Club, Dorset, VT, and The Riomar Country Club and The Moorings Club, Vero Beach, FL.  Gil shared many laughs with dear friends on those greens, and he also enjoyed many years of sailing at The Beverly Yacht Club.

Gil served on the Board of Trustees at Faulkner Hospital, R.M. Bradley and Company, Inc., Noble and Greenough School, The United States Senior Golf Association, and the Board of Investment at The Merchants Cooperative Bank. At The Kittansett Club and The Riomar Country Club, Gil also served on the Board of Governors.  Gil also organized the Harvard Club of Vero Beach in 2004.

Gil always enjoyed skiing, golfing, sailing, a good game of backgammon, Haribo gummy bears, and iced decaf coffee. He had a keen eye for genuine people, befriending them immediately and with great joy. Gil’s booming and welcoming voice was unmistakable, and heads always turned with a smile to know that he was in a room.  He was fiercely devoted to his family and friends, and was endlessly selfless in his relations with them; he thought never of himself, and always of others. Above all, Gil is remembered for his fantastic sense of humor and for his uncanny ability to make each person around him feel uniquely and undeniably special.  Gil was charming, affable, funny, and ceaselessly kind; he lived his life to give to others, whether he was supporting his own mother in old age, providing a loving home and a wonderful education for his children, showering his “bride Barbara” with love, or sharing a laugh with his loyal, one-of-a-kind friends.  Gil was as full of life as they come, and to say that he will be missed is one heck of an understatement.

In life and now in death, Gil was the gentlest of men, and the model of a gentleman. That sentiment has been echoed time and again by all of those who knew him in the days since his passing. The world is a little less bright without him in it, but he would encourage us all to keep smiling and to compensate for the darkness. Keep a twinkle in your eye in his honor, and make the world a better place with kindness, positivity, and oh so much laughter. To borrow one of his common phrases about others, Gil McManus was “one of the great ones.”

There will be a memorial service for Gil on Monday, August 13th at 11:00 am at Saint Gabriel’s Church in Marion, MA with a reception to follow at The Kittansett Club in Marion.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation, if you desire, to St. Gabriel’s Church, P.O. Box 545, Marion, MA 02738 or to Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Development Office, 116 Huntington Ave., 3rd floor, Boston, MA 02116.

Arrangements are by the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, Wareham. For more info and online guestbook, visit: www.ccgfuneralhome.com

Elizabeth Louise “Betty” Cooney

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Elizabeth Louise “Betty” Cooney, 84, died at home in Marion, MA surrounded by the love of family and friends on July 9, 2018. She was born to the late John and Wilhelmena Donlan on June 13, 1934. Betty’s generosity of spirit was powerfully felt by the people and communities she touched. She had a genius for friendship and an incandescent smile that lit up the journey of her well-lived life.

Betty grew up in Framingham and graduated from Lesley University. In 1958 she married blue-eyed Ed Cooney, the love of her life and partner in countless adventures for 58 years. Betty and Ed knew they had found a very special place when they moved to Marion in 1968. With their four children in tow, they explored every corner of Buzzards Bay with whatever sailboat Ed brought home that year until the WHITE WHALE, a 42-foot wooden Grand Banks, joined the family.

In 1973, sitting at Silvershell Beach, Betty informed her friends that she was “just going to see about a teaching job in Mattapoisett”. It was a visit that defined her life as much as anything else and two generations of Center School first-graders were wrapped in her warmth, laughter and teaching guidance for 28 years.

She loved her students and all her colleagues, including fellow teachers, administrators, cafeteria and janitorial staff. At the end of each summer, she produced epicly welcoming bulletin boards designed to calm and delight anxious kids, new to school. In the winter, students learned to read while sipping hot chocolate. Her family often wondered where all the mugs had gone. Betty gave more than just her heart to teaching and she earned a Masters in Education from Lesley when she was 61.

Betty, also known as “Nana”, was the world’s greatest grandmother to five grandchildren she adored. Hallmark would blush at her enthusiasm for holidays and grandchildren would receive cards and presents on Flag Day. Betty never said “no” to a grandchild’s request that would result in soap suds covering her kitchen floor or a project that might leave a glitter and glue legacy for months.

Betty was an active volunteer, often powerfully, in the background, in many civic organizations including the Marion Garden Club, Sippican School, Community Nurse Home Care of Fairhaven, Alma Del Mar Charter School, The Max Warburg Courage Curriculum, Beverly Yacht Club, No Dow Chow, Buzzards Bay Musicfest and Marion-Bermuda Race. It gave her great joy to sing with the Sippican Choral Society for many years.

All of these activities accomplished good for others and provided a delivery system for constant engagement and shared laughter with friends she loved. Her empathetic ear, actress-like facial expressions, sense of humor and boundless generosity and kindness combined to create the ideal friend. It was her gift and she gave it away with joy. Those same qualities created a special and enduring bond with her siblings.

She was predeceased by her husband, Ed. She is survived by her four children, Beth Cooney and her husband Rob Sargent and their children Michaela and Rory, Ted Cooney and his wife Claire and their daughter Elle, Dan Cooney and his wife Kate and their children Henry and Owen and Sarah Garabedian and her husband Mike; and her three siblings Jack, Kathy and Carol and many great nieces and nephews.

A celebration of her life will be held on Monday, August 20 at 10 am at Tabor Academy’s Wickenden Chapel in Marion, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Betty’s memory to (the amazing) Community Nurse Home Care at 62 Center Street, PO Box 751, Fairhaven, 02719. www.communitynurse.com. Arrangements are with Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd. Route 6, Mattapoisett. For online guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com

Peter A. Cusick

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Peter A. Cusick, 68, of Dartmouth, died Sunday, July 8, 2018 at his home unexpectedly. He was the husband of the late Sandra (Freienbergs) Cusick.

Born in Boston, he was the son of the late Gerard F. and Jacqueline (Saunders) Cusick. A graduate of Old Rochester Regional High School in 1969, he previously lived in Marion and Rochester before moving to Dartmouth. He was a U.S. Army veteran and honorably discharged in 1972.

Mr. Cusick worked as a chemical processor for The Polaroid Corp. in New Bedford.

Survivors include his daughter, Laura Harris and her husband David of E. Providence, RI; his siblings, Philip P. Cusick of S. Dartmouth, Michael J. Cusick of Fairhaven, Jacqueline A. Avery, and Regina Halpern both of Kennesaw, GA, and Judith Niemi of Wareham; and his grandchildren, Josh, and Kayla Harris. He was predeceased by his daughter, the late Bonnie Lee Cusick, and his brother the late Gerard F. Cusick, Jr.

Funeral services and burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Cape & Islands Veterans Outreach Center of Hyannis, MA.

Rochester Country Fair

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The 19th Annual Rochester Country Fair will take place Thursday, August 16through Sunday, August 19at 65 Pine Street, Rochester.

We are excited to welcome back 4-H demonstrations and Live Stock. There will be various musicians for you to relax to while you enjoy a bit to eat from our many food vendors. Once your belly is full, you can take browse through our amazing craft vendor area for some specialty items.

The most exciting addition is a beer & wine garden, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights from 5 – 9 pm, being hosted by the Acushnet Lions Club.

We have decided to bring Thursday night back with a 50’s sock-hop with DJ Howie and are welcoming New England Truck Pulling Association!

We’re thrilled that the Woodsman Show will be coming back on Friday evening in the main arena & Antique Transfer Tractor pulls down in the back.

Saturday will give you many options for entertainment with plenty of fun activities for all ages and the return of the Wrestling and Antique Tractor Pulls – joining us this year is Connecticut State Tractor Pulleres. We will also be adding some exciting new activities in the children’s arena. Just a sneak peek – come and see the Princesses of New Bedford!

On Sunday, we will be hosting the popular Slab & Garden Tractors pulls and Mass Mini Tractor Pulleres in the tractor area, and a few surprises up top. The Live Action will take place under the Main Tent. Grab your cowboy boots and hats and join us for Line Dancing lessons and open dancing!

Saturday and Sunday, we are featuring miniature golf to entertain the youngsters. We have expanded the Children’s Play Area up top and a volleyball & corn hole area for the teenagers down below. We will be posting new events on our website as we finalize our plans.

We still have a few Food and Craft Vendor spots available. If you are interested joining us, give us a shout at: rochestercountryfair@comcast.net.

We will continue to update you as we finalize the remaining events. See you all in August.

A Night at the Movies

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On Friday, July 13, the Marion Concert Band continues its Friday evening concert series with a program featuring soundtrack music from some major motion pictures and a variety of TV shows. The program, under the direction of guest conductor Sandra Medeiros, is as follows:

Tenth Regiment March – R. B. Hall

Rhapsodic Celebration – R. Sheldon

The Sounds of Hollywood – J. Higgins

Jurassic Park Soundtrack Highlights – J. Williams

Star Trek Through the Years – J. Moss

Bond … James Bond – arr. S. Bulla

Ben-Hur – M. Rózsa

Hooray for Hollywood – arr. W. Barker

Prime Time Toon Revue – arr. T. Ricketts

Raiders of the Lost Ark Medley – J. Williams

De Molay Commandery March – R. B. Hall

Guest conductor Sandra Medeiros is an active music educator, flutist, and guest conductor in the southcoast area. She teaches middle school concert band, high school marching band, beginning instrumental lessons, and is also the music coordinator in the Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School District. Sandra holds a masters of music education from Gordon College.

The concert will be held at the Robert Broomhead Bandstand, Island Wharf off Front Street in Marion. The program will begin at 7:00 pm. All concerts are free and open to the public. “Like” us on Facebook at “Marion Town Band” for up-to-date announcements and rain cancellation notices.

Free Car Wash

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Come to the First Congregational Church of Rochester, 11 Constitution Way, on Wednesday, July 18from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm to get your car washed for free. That’s right, free. The youth in our Free To Be Me Camp, the church’s annual summer camp for youth in Grades 7-12, will be happy to wash your car as a way of blessing our neighbors and showing a bit of God’s love to the community.

Academic Achievements

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Sienna Wurl of Mattapoisett has been named to the president’s list at Western New England Universityfor the Spring 2018 semester. Wurl is working toward a degree in Pre-Pharmacy.

Anneliese Schipper of Mattapoisett, from the Class of 2021, was named to the Spring 2018 Honors List at Pomfret School. To achieve this level of distinction, Schipper earned a grade point average of at least 3.330 and received no grade lower than a B-.

The following students have been named to the dean’s list at the University of New Hampshirefor the spring 2018 semester.

– Samantha Barrett of Marion with Highest Honors

– Amanda D’Amico of Marion with High Honors

– Jessica Lowe of Marion with High Honors

– Carli Rita of Mattapoisett with Highest Honors

– Alexandra Nicolosi of Mattapoisett with Honors

– Kyle Wasylow of Rochester with Highest Honors

– Amanda Colwell of Rochester with High Honors

– Amy Bichajian of Rochester with Honors

– Emily Ziino of Rochester with Highest Honors

Students named to the dean’s list at the University of New Hampshire are students who have earned recognition through their superior scholastic performance during a semester enrolled in a full-time course load (12 or more graded credits). Highest honors are awarded to students who earn a semester grade point average of 3.85 or better out of a possible 4.0. Students with a 3.65 to 3.84 average are awarded high honors and students whose grade point average is 3.5 through 3.64 are awarded honors.

Mia Quinlan, 16, of Marion, a student at Old Rochester Regional High School received a full scholarship to attend Ocean Exploration Navy Science and Technology camp. Mia is 1 of 20 students who will participate in this program being held at the University of Rhode Island. Funding for this scholarship is provided from the U.S. Office of Naval Research. This week-long camp, in August, will focus on exploring the ocean using marine technologies. Students will be building and testing a variety of oceanographic tools and instruments, such as remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and ocean sensors, and engaging with scientists, who are involved in active missions to explore the otherwise “unknown ocean”.