Independence Day

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On Friday, July 5, the Marion Concert Band will open its 2019 season with a program of patriotic music in celebration of Independence Day. The program is as follows:

National Anthem 

National Emblem March – E. E. Bagley 

Star Spangled Spectacular – G. M. Cohan 

American Pageant – T. Knox 

Our Glorious Land – J. Olivadoti 

Highlights from “Victory at Sea” – R. Rodgers 

The Homefront: Musical Memories from World War II – arr. J. Christensen 

The Stars and Stripes Forever – J. P. Sousa 

            The concert, under the direction of Tobias Monte, will be held at Silver Shell Beach and will start at 8:00 pm. The evening will conclude with the town’s fireworks display. 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.

Drainage Issues Plague Plans

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            A Notice of Intent filing by William Knight, 0 Oakdale Avenue, and represented by engineer David Davignon found Davignon in the position of educating abutters, while trying to get the Marion Department of Public Works (DPW) to respond to his inquiries.

            Knight’s plan for the undeveloped but disturbed lot includes the construction of a single-family home with driveway utilities and necessary filling and grading to level the lot.

            Davignon said that the lot was within a flood zone and included grandfathered setbacks. But the biggest problem the site plans have to deal with is stormwater flow from surrounding developed residential lots.

            “The challenge is to control everybody else’s water,” he said.

            Acting Conservation Chairman Shaun Walsh said that water historically flowed in an easterly direction across the Knight property and that neighbors in the area had taken to self-remedy by creating their own grass swales, which further diverted water across the lot in question.

            Davignon said the applicant was volunteering to make drainage improvements to an existing older municipal drainage system that includes a clay discharge pipe. He said the fact that the pipe is clay is proof of the age of the drainage plan. He said that Knight’s plans include complete replacement of the existing system, including installation of a larger up-to-date discharge pipe. He said that stormwater could be treated by way of check dams and trap rocks that would slow the flowage allowing for sediment to drop out before the water reaches the saltwater cove.

            Oakdale Avenue is situated between the confluence of Briggs Cove and Hammett’s Cove.

            When asked if the Marion DPW has been maintaining the drainage system, Thomas Webster, 34 Oakdale Avenue, voiced a resounding “No.” Davignon said that requests made for information regarding the system had gone unanswered by the DPW.

            Walsh asked Davignon to try and get a letter from the DPW confirming that they are in agreement with allowing the private party to make improvements to the municipal system.

            “We want to make sure we’re not impacting that small beach,” Walsh said.

            Webster was then asked to share his concerns. He said that the lot in question “has been an ecosystem for forever.”

            “The previous owner stripped the lot and brought in fill,” said Webster. “Where were you then?”

            Webster said those activities took place 10 or 15 years ago.

            He was then asked if he had contacted the Conservation Commission at that time. He said he didn’t know anything about the commission. Webster continued to try and explain that stormwater continuously drains onto his lot and became much worse with the development on Sarah Sherman Drive.

            “I believe we are trying to fix that,” said Davignon, adding that Knight’s plans would allow water to flow underground and discharge into the cove. Webster was invited to step up and look at the plans. He was also given a copy and told that updated plans are also available for public review in the conservation office.

            “I just want to keep water off my land!” Webster said, adding, “Everything looks good on paper.”

            Davignon said he’d like to educate the public about the process saying, “There will be an order of conditions linked to the deed.” He said that when construction is completed, the property owner needed to request a Certificate of Compliance, a document that required certification from an engineer that work was completed as planned to avoid a lien against the property.

            The hearing was continued until July 10.

            In other business, a Notice of Intent filed by 22 Cove Street LLC was continued until July 10, and three Requests for Determination of Applicability all received Negative determinations. Those filings were: Emmanuel de Costa, 163 Cross Neck Road, for the installation of a chain link fence; Town of Marion Conservation Commission for herbicide treatment on Planting Island Road for the eradication of Japanese Knotweed; and Tabor Academy – Daggett House, 275 Front Street, for the construction of an accessibility ramp.

            The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission is scheduled for July 10 at 7:00 pm and will be held in the Marion Music Hall front reading room.

Marion Conservation Commission

By Marilou Newell

Mattapoisett Museum – History as Art By Marilou Newell

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            How does a museum filled with materials from days gone by stay vital in a world where Internet connections span the globe, information sought is instantly found via a search engine, and historical relics can be viewed in 3-D on a digital screen?

            That question is just one of many that challenge 21stcentury museum boards. Thankfully for the Southcoast there exists a place whose size belies its expanding vitality – the Mattapoisett Museum.       Located at the corner of Baptist and Church Streets, the museum has been the home to a vast collection of historical memorabilia for decades. Under the leadership of Director Dr. Jeff Miller, President Jennifer McIntire, the board of directors, and an exhibit committee focused on keeping the museum as a center of learning and human expression, the museum is fast becoming a true cultural center.

            The Summer 2019 exhibit titled “Inspiration: Time & Texture” has achieved new heights in bridging history to art. The exhibit is the brainchild of the exhibit committee and builds off the success the organization has earned with guest speakers, educational presentations, and concerts over the last two years.

            McIntire explained that the genesis of the exhibit’s theme came from the exhibit committee.

            “They brainstormed and then presented ideas to the board of directors,” she said. “They thought the traction built off talks by artists that we held here made sense.”

            McIntire took no credit for the idea itself, but she did become the point person for inviting artists. Twelve artists accepted the challenge. They were to create a work of art inspired by something in the museum collections.

             Katherine Staelin, who hails from Harlem but has local ties, presented a three-part installation titled “With?” The work employs three creative avenues to tell her story – a painting on linen, digital graphics, and teacups positioned by a teapot from the museum.

            “The objects are positioned as if at a tea party, but the owners aren’t there any longer,” said Staelin.

            Retired police officer Anthony Days has always enjoyed the arts. His own capabilities and interest began at a young age and were fostered by the art instructors in the local schools who saw his talent. Today he is becoming a renaissance man with his own space in the Hatch Studios building in New Bedford.

            Days’ inspiration for his painting of the stone bridge across River Road was an old black and white photograph of the iconic bridge, a bridge he has seen all his life and of which he never tires. He said that he hoped preservation of the bridge was a high priority for the town.

            “It’s near and dear to my heart,” he said.

            Days used water-based oil paints to get rich color and movement.

            Hoyt Hottel’s fire scene is a dense acrylic on canvas painting, rather petite in size, but it makes up for that in thickly applied vibrant color. The scene of a fire leaves the observer to make their own decisions about what is happening while inspired by antique fire equipment in the museum collection. Hottel holds a B.A. in graphic design and works in a variety of mediums and techniques.

            Dick Morgado’s oil on canvas of the E.A. Walsh General Store asks the viewer to remember Mattapoisett at a time when the general store was the hub of the community. He says he keeps returning to the 1950s and ‘60s when he was a boy in town. Morgado holds a B.A. in fine arts and a masters in education. Now retired, he is enjoying painting and writing for his personal entertainment. This version of the general store shares with the observer Morgado’s childhood Mattapoisett, “… when life was simple and real life was someplace else.”

            Kent McCormack’s photograph titled “A Night At The Museum” is the photographer’s use of the medium to “freeze moments in time.” He has been a photographer for over 30 years capturing the ordinary and the extraordinary. His creativity runs the gambit, as McCormack is also a chef.

            “Evaporation”, a series of three prints by Anna Van Voorhis, was inspired by the saltworks industry that once thrived along the shores of Mattapoisett. The blue tones represent the ocean waters used to extract the salt crystals. Van Voorhis grew up in town and later earned an M.F.A. in sculpture and ceramics from the University of Minnesota. 

            And what would a New England museum be without a whale? Ryan McFee’s black whale is a tour de force, a large wooden sculpture that glows with back lighting – a piece he described as both “realism and surrealism.”

            It is fitting that Peter Michael Martin’s piece, “Prevailing Southwesterly”, a white line woodcut, is hung below the nautical map made by Clifford Ashley, the inspiration for Martin’s submission. Martin, a well-known local educator and artist, is currently enjoying rave reviews of his installation work titled “Moby Dick” at the Cape Cod Museum of Art in Dennis. Martin’s theme of souls struggling against all odds and against the might and savagery of the seas is handled with precision and control.

            St. George Tucker Aufranc’s “Dream of the Artic Circle” in teak is a clean form with a complex meaning. The work hangs high on the wall where its full scale can be most appreciated. It was inspired by local whaling ships built in Mattapoisett and sailed over to the Artic. This piece of wooden sculpture is his homage to the brave sailors who made those trips.

            Photography was the medium used by Peter Mello to share his deep love and concern for our children and the impact of global warming. The photographs of his daughter, Joy, and her friends include the children’s answers to issues likely to be significant to their lives in 2100. The answers are as haunting as they are insightful. Mello has studied photography at Connecticut College.

            A large work from the hand of artist Joanne Mogilnicki, titled “Cogs and Gears”, is an impressive acrylic on watercolor paper. She used 19thcentury machine and handmade tooling native to Mattapoisett’s earliest industries as her inspiration. It is, as she described it, a work that blends ingenuity, art, and engineering as “lodestars” for progress and innovation. Mogilnicki is a faculty member at Old Rochester Regional High School.

            The wooden wall sculpture by John Middleton titled “Tidal Clocks” repeats a box-like pattern with changing color themes like weathered wood or driftwood that gives each of the four square pieces their own personality while rhythmically maintaining the structural integrity. The work is reminiscent of wooden boxes from local sawmills, an industry that once flourished in Mattapoisett.

            And last, but not least, standing in the carriage house of the museum complex is a tall tower crafted from cardboard, paper, and crayon created by Center School third-graders depicting the clock tower at Mattapoisett’s Center School.

            Inspiration: Time & Texture will be open throughout July. Visit www.mattapoisettmuseum.org for days and time.

By Marilou Newell

Daniel A. Cronin

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Daniel A. Cronin, 71, of Marion, died Sunday, June 30, 2019 at the Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis. He was the husband of Dianne P. (Rouhow) Cronin.

            Born in Salem, he was the son of the late Mary C. (Shea) and Daniel A. Cronin, Sr. Mr. Cronin was graduated from Salem State University and owned and operated Phoenix Investigations. He previously lived in Rehoboth and Bourne before moving to Marion in 2017.

            Mr. Cronin enjoyed fishing, reading and shooting and firearms.

            Besides his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Christina Cronin of Falmouth; his step-daughter, Samantha Miller of Plainville; his sister, Judith Cronin Flaherty of Peabody; and his grandchildren, Lola Rhyme Minahan, Michael Miller and Taylor Miller.

            A memorial prayer service will be held on Thursday, July 11, 2019 at the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Hwy. (Rt. 28), Wareham at 7 pm. Relatives and friends may visit from 6 – 7 pm prior to the service.

            Donations in his memory may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516.  For directions and on-line guestbook visit: www.ccgfuneralhome.com

Mattapoisett Historical Commission Commemorative Bricks

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The Mattapoisett Historical Commission wishes to advise all persons who have purchased commemorative bricks, that all inscribed bricks will be installed before Labor Day 2019. Due to unforeseen issues in the supply-chain, delays were experienced. The commission wishes to thank everyone who has purchased bricks and also to thank you for your understanding in this matter. We further extend our appreciation to the Mattapoisett Highway Department without whom the project could not be undertaken. If you have questions, please contact marilounewellmattapoisett@gmail.com.

Rochester Close to Electricity Aggregation Agreement

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            An agreement is in the works for Rochester’s participation in the Southeastern Regional Planning & Economic Development (SRPEDD) Community Aggregation, a multi-municipality “bulk-buying” Costco-of-sorts’ way of locking-in the lowest electricity rates for citizens of the now 20 towns in the group.

            Rochester Town Meeting voted on May 20 to join the community electricity aggregation (CEA).

            Rochester Town Administrator Suzanne Szyndlar told the Rochester Board of Selectmen on July 1 that she and town counsel are reviewing a draft service agreement provided by Good Energy, the consultant in charge of what Good Energy employee John O’Rourke once said does all the “heavy lifting” in setting Rochester up in the CEA and ultimately putting bids out on behalf of Rochester and the other 19 towns to lock-in the lowest electricity rate.

            Szyndlar said she anticipates having the agreement ready for selectmen’s signatures at the next regularly scheduled meeting.

            “After that agreement is all set, I’m going to schedule a hearing … at a future [Board of Selectmen] meeting as one of the requirements,” said Szyndlar.

            The agreement will then be made available for the public to view during a mandated two-week period to review the plan.

            All residents are automatically entered into the CEA and will not notice a difference in their electric service, aside from the lower electricity rate and will still receive just one bill from Eversource. The only information that would be different on the bill would be the name of the electricity provider. Eversource will remain the distributor and still be in charge of metering, billing, and maintenance of the power lines.

            The CEA is an “opt-out” program, meaning residents who do not wish to participate are allowed to withdraw without any penalties at any time simply by calling Eversource to inform them.

            O’Rourke told the selectmen back in March that the other 19 municipalities of the CEA comprised of 434,461 residences have cumulatively saved about $14 million between 2016-2019.

            In other matters, Selectman Greenwood “Woody” Hartley gave vague reference to a recent resignation of an Old Rochester Regional School District employee and after the meeting identified that employee as the district’s business administrator, Paul Kitchen.

            Hartley said the circumstances surrounding the resignation, which he would not elaborate on, are “very disturbing at the district level,” considering an unspecified situation as being “incredibly incompetent business management.”

            “He’s gone?” Selectmen Chairman Paul Ciaburri asked Hartley surprisingly.

            “I’m very concerned where that leaves us and I’m very concerned why, and I think we all should be,” Hartley said.

            In that follow-up with The Wanderer after the meeting, Hartley would only say that he heard about the news from people speaking about it at a local Tri-Town coffee shop.

            The Wanderer was unable to reach a representative from the Old Rochester Regional School District to confirm the resignation and for further details before this week’s early Monday night deadline due to the July 4 holiday.

            The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Rochester Board of Selectmen is scheduled for July 15 at 6:00 pm at the Rochester Town Hall.

Rochester Board of Selectmen

By Jean Perry

Elizabeth Taber Library in July

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Books at the Beach! Join the library at Silvershell Beach to buy or borrow some summer reading materials every Tuesday from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm. 

            Docu-Tuesdays. Beat the heat and learn something new with Docu-Tuesdays. Each Docu-Tuesday will feature a documentary film screening through IndieFlix with light refreshments. Tuesdays: July 9, July 23,August 6, and August 20from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm. 

            Outdoor yoga with Heather Hobler. Heather Hobler will lead outdoor yoga sessions. These sessions will coincide with our Thursday Lunch Bunch sessions and parents are welcome to attend. Sign up at the library. Please bring your yoga mat. Thursdays: July 11, July 18, July 25,August 1from 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm. 

            3D Print Camp. Learn how to design and print unique creations with our Ultimaker 3 3D printer. Open to ages 10 and up, participants must attend all three sessions. Sign up at the library July 11, July 18,July 25from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm.

            The Annual Summer Book Sale! Add to your library with our giant sale of pre-loved books, audiobooks, puzzles, CDs, DVDs, and more. Fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books available. Friday, July 26from 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm, Saturday from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, Sunday from 9:00 am – 11:00 am at the Marion Music Hall. Donations of gently used materials are still welcome at the library.

            Art for Your Mind – Discover what’s special about famous works of art by artists such as Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Velasquez, Picasso, Monet, O’Keeffe, Warhol, and others. Jill Sandford from Art for Your Mind takes us through time and around the world to see how art and its meanings have evolved. Sign up at the Library. Tuesday, July 30at 6:00 pm.

            Mad Science Show “Don’t Try This at Home!” at the Music Hall on Wednesday, July 3at 2:00 pm. All are welcome to this free show!

            “Flying Deep”, a presentation by author Michelle Cusolito. Learn about ALVIN, the deep sea submersible at the Music Hall on Wednesday, July 24at 2:00 pm. Book signing available!

Marion Receives Age-Friendly Designation

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Thanks to the efforts of the Marion COA and the Friends of the Marion COA, Marion has been designated an Age-Friendly community by AARP and enrolled in its network of similarly-named towns and cities. In Massachusetts, only 48 other communities are enrolled in the AARP network so far.

            The Age-Friendly initiative is a project of AARP and the World Health Organization that launched in 2006 and has since expanded to 20 nations. The effort aims to prepare cities and towns for rapid population aging and urbanization.

            According to the AARP, an Age-Friendly community is one that is safe, secure, has affordable housing, transportation options, and offers support services. As part of achieving the Age-Friendly designation from AARP, the Town of Marion was required to submit a letter of intent, accompanied by the Town’s demographic profile, and a perceived action plan outlining steps to be taken to become a more livable community for everyone.

            Marion’s Age-Friendly Committee is currently preparing a survey which will be sent to Marion residents 55 and older this Fall. Responses to the survey will inform the Committee of areas that should be addressed to make the Town of Marion more accommodating to current and future senior citizens.

Easy Night for ZBA

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            Town boards often have very long agendas with complicated petitions and applications, but every now and then they catch a break.

            Such was the case on the evening of June 20 when the Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) met. Sitting at the conference table on this night was Susan Akin, chairman; Ken Pacheco; Colby Rottler; Maryanne Brogan; Tony Tranfaglia; and Administrative Assistant to the Director of Inspectional Services, Robin Shufelt.

            The meeting kicked off promptly at 6:00 pm.

            Coming before the ZBA was William Mitchell, 5 Depot Street, who sought a Special Permit as provided in the bylaws to construct a covered porch. Mitchell explained that rotting boards around an existing side entranceway was the impetus to making more comprehensive exterior improvements. He explained that existing non-conforming set-backs would be significantly impacted by the porch. The porch addition would only mean an additional 24-inches.

            By 6:10 pm the board members had concurred that the renovations would be an improvement to the structure and maybe more importantly, as Rottler stated, “it makes sense.” The Special Permit was approved.

            Next up was another request for a Special Permit filed by Thomas Jackivicz and Pamela Pierce, 50 Holly Woods Road. Their request included demolition of an existing garage and the construction of a new garage. The board members were satisfied that the new structure would not impact set-backs and, given that this was part of a much larger renovation taking place on the lot to the 1959 home, was in keeping with the neighborhood and the homeowners’ needs. A second floor in the garage was planned for storage only.

            At 6:18 pm the board moved to approve. At 6:20 pm the meeting was adjourned.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett ZBA is scheduled for July 18 at 6:00 pm in the Town Hall conference room.

Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals

By Marilou Newell

Rochester Council on Aging

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The full monthly newsletter and calendar are available on our website www.rochestermaseniorcenter.com. Like us on Facebook. www.facebook.com/rochestercouncilonaging

            The Rochester Senior Center would like to welcome the incoming Director, Cheryl Randall-Mach. Randall-Mach will be co-directing with Sharon Lally for the month of August. Lally’s retirement date is August 31, at which time Randall-Mach will step into her new role as Director. Best wishes to them both!

            The Senior Center will be closed on July 4th in observance of Independence Day. The Center will also be closed on July 9th and 10th for cleaning and maintenance.

            July 1st is the beginning of the new fiscal year for the Town of Rochester. Senior Property Tax Work-Off Abatement Program Applications are now available at the Senior Center. This program offers a $1,000.00 property tax credit per year. To qualify, you must be 62 years of age or older, reside in a Rochester property that you own, and have an annual income of $47,000.00 or less. Program participants will work for a total of 83 hours per year in a town department at minimum wage ($12.00) to earn the property tax credit. The first 20 qualifying residents are accepted into the program.

            The Rochester Senior Center Fitness Room is open 5 days a week for 4 hours a day: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday is from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm, and Tuesday from 10:00 am -2:00 pm. The monthly membership is $10.00. The Fitness Room is well-equipped with one stationary bicycle, free weights, and various weight machines. Stop by to pick-up your application.

            There is a day trip on Friday, July 5to Pilgrim Hall Museum and lunch at Woods on the Pier in Plymouth. The van leaves at 9:00 am and will return at approximately 3:00 pm. Reservations are required to save your seat on the van.

            We provide free transportation for Rochester residents. Please call for a ride with one of our friendly drivers at least 24 hours in advance so we can schedule a driver.

Please contact the Senior Center at 508-763-8723 for more information or to make reservations for rides and/or events.