Rosemary Leach See

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Rosemary Leach See “Posy” 88 of Marion died Wednesday June 26, 2019. Posy was a shining star giving grace and love to all with whom she came in contact.

            Rosemary See was born in Providence, Rhode Island, February 28, 1931. She was the daughter of the late Malcolm and Eleanor D. Leach. She was raised in Taunton, MA where she lived until she met and subsequently married Frederick P. See on February 17, 1951. Fred and Posy moved to Marion shortly after their marriage where they stayed happily for the rest of their lives.

            Rosemary’s love of people was unique. It showed in everything she did but was especially exemplified in the love lavished on Fred her husband of 60 years, her children Caroline S. Sheehan (Joseph Sheehan) Frederica See and Peter V. See (Mary Potter See); grandchildren Coleman Sheehan (Lauren Sheehan), Peter Sheehan (Courtney Sheehan) Nina See, Malcolm See (Taylor See) and great grandchildren Ford, Jack, Hudson and Cora Sheehan.

            Beyond her family she spent time with friends pursuing her gifts as a gardener, a teacher of needlepoint and a golfer.

            Posy was completely committed to St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church and The Kittansett Club. She contributed generously her time and talent to both organizations for over 65 years.

            She will be missed.

            A celebration of Posy’s life will be held at St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church in Marion on Monday July 22 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers a gift in Posy’s memory may be given to St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church PO Box 545, Marion MA 02738 or the Marion Art Center PO Box 602 Marion MA 02738.  rrangements by Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, Wareham.  For directions or to leave a message of condolence, visit: www.ccgfuneralhome.com

Marion 4th of July Parade

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The Annual Marion Fourth of July Parade is scheduled for Thursday,July 4at 9:00 am sharp.

            The Parade will form beginning at 8:00 am on the Fourth of July in the ball field behind the Marion Town House and adjacent to the Sippican School. Parade organizers will be onsite to check participants in and to line up the parade.

            Trophies will be awarded for First, Second, and Third place in each category listed on the application. There is also a Best in Parade award.

            Applications for participating in the parade are available at the Marion Town House or they can be submitted online at www.marionma.gov/fourth-july-parade-committee.

            Applications may be hand delivered to the Marion Town House until July 3, 2019. Online applications will also be accepted until July 3, 2019. Applications will be accepted on the morning of the parade until 8:30 am. However, preregistration is preferred and will make the check-in process more streamlined.

            For questions please contact the Parade Committee at 508-748-3515 or dhemphill@marionma.gov.

SLT “Helen A. Arthur Scholarship” Award

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Jackson St. Don from Marion is the 2019 recipient of Sippican Lands Trust’s “Helen A. Arthur” Scholarship. St. Don, a 2019 graduate of Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School (UCT) in Bourne, MA, will receive a $1,000 scholarship from the Sippican Lands Trust to pursue studies in Conservation Law Enforcement at Unity College in Unity, ME this fall.

            St. Don was recognized by the scholarship committee for his passion for the outdoors and dedication to the Boy Scouts achieving the highest rank of Eagle Scout. His strong academic achievement at UCT along with his leadership of one of the UCT student teams at a recent Skills USA Competition in Louisville, Kentucky were also commended by the committee.

            The “Helen A. Arthur” Scholarship is made available through the Sippican Lands Trust Scholarship Fund. This fund was created and named after Helen Adams Arthur (1940-2008). She was a beloved resident of Marion who had a deep interest in the preservation of the beautiful open spaces in town.

Upgrades Coming to Old Marina

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            On June 24 during the meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission, the public, along with the commissioners, heard about developing plans for improvements and repairs to the former Leisure Shore Marina on Brandt Island.  The marina is now called Brandt Island Marina and is currently owned by David Kaiser who also owns the Mattapoisett Boat Yard and Kaiser Yachts LLC. The filing was represented by Bob Field of Field Engineering.

            While the full scope of what needs to be fixed, removed, improved, completely demolished, and completely rebuilt is daunting, Kaiser believes the end result will be worth the effort. Field shared that Kaiser’s plans for the Notice of Intent (NOI) filing before the commissioners that night contained grading of parking and driveway areas, systems for water containment from washdown activities, wooden pier repairs, stone bulkhead repairs, seawall repairs, and decking.

            There was some discussion about the need to apply for a Chapter 91 waterways license especially for those renovations related to waterside structures. After further dialog with the Conservation Agent Liz Leidhold, Field put forth the following into the scope of the NOI: repairs and renovations to driveways and parking areas in previously disturbed areas, and repairs to a seawall, wooden pier, stone pier, decking, and water purification systems.

            Before requesting a continuance, Chairman Mike King commented, “Anything you are doing there is an improvement to the resource area. … It’s going to be dramatically improved.” The hearing was continued until July 8.

            An NOI filed by Michael Ward, 26 Meadowbrook Lane, was also continued pending plans that could meet FEMA regulations. Field, also representing the Wards, said that the homeowners needed to construct a handicap lift to the elevated first floor living area. He pointed out that the preliminary plans called for the pouring of a solid concrete pad under the elevated residence. However, King said that concept would not meet FEMA regulations. The hearing was continued until July 8 pending plans that were in compliance with wetland regulations.

            Lisa Segalas, 11 Bay Road, was represented by David Davignon of Schneider, Davignon, and Leone. Davignon described the NOI filing saying the existing cottage was to be demolished and replaced with a home on pillars. He said the new footprint would be slightly smaller, while the elevated decks would be slightly larger and that more than 50-percent of the home would be in the coastal bank. Davignon also stated that the project needed to be approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals due to the setbacks being impacted.

            The project as presented received standard conditioning from the commission.

            A Request for Determination of Applicability filed by Thomas Jackivicz and Pamela Pierce, 17 Third Street, also included the removal of an existing structure, a garage. The new garage, as described by Davignon, would be more than 100-feet from the coastal zone and would meet all FEMA regulations for a flood zone. The project received a negative determination of applicability.

            Alexander Makkas’s request for a Certificate of Compliance (CofC) was continued pending a site visit by commissioner Trevor Francis to ascertain how sediments are migrating into wetlands near Makkas’ property at 16 Island View Avenue. Makkas claimed that the sediment problem began after the installation of public sewers in the beach community and that he was hesitant to try and continue with native plantings as those too would be washed away into the contiguous wetlands.

            Leidhold commented that she would ask for the plantings to be done in an effort to stabilize the disturbed soils. However it was determined that a site visit prior to any further activities was warranted.

            A CofC was issued to Paul Bourgeois, 10 Oakland Terrance, and to JC Engineering, Inc. for 6 Dupont Drive.

            The commission went into Executive Session to discuss ongoing litigation with Daniel Craig, 4 Seabreeze Lane. In a follow-up with Town Administrator Mike Gagne, he said, “This is an interesting case.” He said that an enforcement order issued by the Conservation Commission was appealed to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) by Craig. The enforcement order was upheld by the DEP. Craig has subsequently appealed the DEP ruling, sending the case back to Superior Court.

Mattapoisett Conservation Commission

By Marilou Newell

ORRHS Term 3 Honor Roll

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The following students have achieved honors for the third term at Old Rochester Regional High School:

            Highest Honors, Grade 9:Signe Gierhart, Edward Gonet, John Kassabian, Amaya McLeod, Victoria Perry, Marc Pothier, Emma Thorell, Autumn Tilley, Allison Ward, Cameran Weaver, Klara Whalley. Grade 10:Stephen Arne, Benjamin Austin, Curtis Briggi, Shelby Carmichael, Alexander Craig, Mariana Ditata, Rachael Fantoni, Sydney Feeney, Abigail Forcier, Rachel Foye, Maeve Geraghty, Meghan Horan, Stefan Hulsebosch, Molly Janicki, Jillian Langlais, Madisyn Leavitt, Katelyn Luong, Abigail McFadyen, Rebecca Milde, Christian Noble Shriver, Evan O’Brien-Nichols, Serena O’Connell, Faith Oliver, Jonathan Pereira, Bessie Pierre, Daphne Poirier, Evan Smith, Paige Sommers, Kathleen Tenerowicz, Jessica Vance, Emma Vivino, Emma Williamson. Grade 11:Cole Ashley, Michelina Ditata, Lilah Gendreau, Ian McCann, Ella McIntire, Allison Paim, Rachel Perry, Mackenzie Riley. Grade 12:Julia Cabral, Sophia Clingman, Marisa Cofone, Genevieve Grignetti, Madeline Hartley, Abigail Lacock, Nolan LaRochelle, Michaela Mattson, Samantha Nicolosi, Elisa Normand, Avery O’Brien-Nichols, Lauren Pina, Meghan Rebello, Janey Rego, Aidan Ridings, Ansley Rivera, Delaney Soucy, Taylor Swoish.

            High Honors, Grade 9:Amanda Armanetti, Isabella Correia, Matthew Curry, Emily DellaCioppa, Anna Dube, Isabel Friedrichs, Colby Gross, Mia Hemphill, Faith Humphrey, Isabella Hunt, Isabella Hunter, Jake Louden, Isabelle McCarthy, Ethan McElroy, Katherine Nilson, Maria Psichopaidas, Stephen Sauerbrey, Mackenzie Wilson. Grade 10:Isaiah Andrade, Emma Carroll, Davis Fox, Prosser Friedman, Isabelle Kelly, Brianna Machado, Aidan Milton, Lindsey O’Donnell, Quintin Palmer, Rachel Pina, Leah Scott, Kennedy Serpa, Reily Veilleux, Sophie Vigeant, Elizabeth Wiggin, Samantha Winters, Paige Zutaut, Rachel Zutaut. Grade 11:Gabrielle Bold, Tova Brickley, Dante Cusolito, Alanna Fitzpatrick, Emma Gabriel, Grace Greany, Nicholas Johnson, Noah Maxwell, Megan Nolan, Cecilia Prefontaine, Aiden Woods. Grade 12:Elsie Buckley, Nicole Fantoni, Ian Friedrichs, Kristina Hopkins, Abigail Horan, Kelsea Kidney, Victoria Kvilhaug, Rosemary Loer, Claire Noble Shriver, Kevin Ovian, Harrison Riley, Jonathan Riley, Brett Rood, Timothy Saunders, Ashley Soares.

            Honors, Grade 9:Jasmine Andrade, Jared Asiaf, William Baltz, Nathaniel Bangs, Claudie Bellanger, Erin Besancon, Brendan Burke, Sally Butler, Palmer Clingman, Evan Correia, Erin Craig, Quinn Davignon, Caleb DeVoe, Christopher Feeney, Jillian Ferreira, Hannah Furtado, Jenna Gamache, Keira Gleasure, Taylor Green, Ava Hall, Lila Hall, Mia Hall, Brooke Hammond, Aiden Harrington, Isabella Hedges, Lauren Higgins, Lauryn Lent, Sean Lund, Jamie MacKenzie, Harley MacMullen, Sofia Martins, Drew Mastovsky, Cole Meehan, Spencer Merolla, Lukas Michaelis, Steven Morrell, Elijah Motta, Emily Murphy, Olivia Mydlack, Maggie Nailor, Tavish Nunes, Ethan Perez-Dormitzer, Caitlyn Plummer, Benjamin Preece-Santos, Zachary Proffit, Charles Richards, Natalya Rivera, Chase Ryan, Robert Salit, Julia Sheridan, Desmond Sinnott, Callie Tavares, Gabrielle Theodore, Michael Tobin, Maxwell Tucker, Angelina Vaughan, Maxwell Vivino, Jennifer Williams, Madeline Wright, Emma Wyman, Nathan Yurof, Joseph Ziino. Grade 10: Taylor Amaral, Novalye Arruda, Maya Blouin, Marisa Braga, Isabella Carrillo, Margaret Carroll, Steven Carvalho, Mia Costa, Andrew Coucci, Sebastian Domal, Carly Drew, Jordan Duarte, Meaghan Dufresne, Joseph Dumas, Lindsy Durgin, Katherine Dwyer, Austin Fleming, Charles Hartley-Matteson, Lindsay Holick, Mia Hurley, Jacob Jensen, Sean Lally, Sierra Lanzoni, William Lecuyer, Eva Angeline McCann, Grace McCarthy, Luke Millette, Jason Motta, Samuel Noblet, Tucker Nugent, Caroline Owens, Raegan Rapoza, Eren Salta, Sophia Sousa, Jacob Spark, William Stark, Mason Tucker, Kayli Vieira, Tyler Wadman, Ryan Wilson. Grade 11:Felicia Aguiar, Erika Albert, Colby Alves, Jacqueline Barrett, Kate Beaulieu, Sarah Besancon, Peyton Blood, Jonathan Borsari, Camden Brezinski, Mary Butler, Jack Cadden, Charlotte Cole, Lucas Costa, Jackson Cote, Thomas Coucci, Tucker Guard, Hunter Hanks, Ruth Harris, Ryu Huynh-Aoyama, Patrick Igoe, Gabriel Jacobsen, Zoe Kelley, Kate Marsden, Stephen Marston, Alexa McLeod, John Meehan, Elise Mello, Aidan Michaud, Alexandra Moniz, Noah Motta, Luke Mullen, Natalie Nilson, Danielle Nutter, Lauryn Pallatroni, Ryan Peters, Mason Pina, Hannah Pires, Nathan Przybyszewski, Alyssa Quaintance, Amanda Rapoza, Dillon Romig, Alexi Smead, Nicholas Snow, Hannah Stallings, Sofia Sudofsky, Victoria Sullivan, Eric Tippins, Aiden Tremblay, Hadley Walsh, Emily Wilson, Kyah Woodland. Grade 12:Gabriella Amato, Maggie Arruda, Danya Bichsel, Zoe Bilodeau, Matthew Brogioli, Tyler Bungert, Sara Campopiano, Brielle Correia, Noah Cunningham, Maya Doonan, Alexandra Fluegel, Adrian Gleasure, Pavanne Gleiman, Chandler Goulart, Lily Govoni, Sydney Green, John Harrison Burke, Daniel Hartley, Mariana Hebert, Alex Henrie, Jordan Hoeg-Chick, Amelia Isabelle, Hanbyul Kang, Holden King, Logan King, Tyler Kulak, Jillian Kutash, Elsie Perry, Chelsea Peterson, Lily Poirier, Ana Poulin, Maria Ramsay, Leah Reed, Alexandria Sheehan, Sarah Sollauer, Lauren Surprenant, Robert Sylvester, Adam Sylvia, Gates Tenerowicz, Nicholas Thayer, Amber Tieu, Madison Welter, Mariyah Wright, Lily Youngberg, Lauren Ziino.

Reading and Writing Programs at MPL

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Some children love to read and write – and so do we! We’ve created some wonderful, fun programs just for older children who love to read and write at the Mattapoisett Public Library. 

            Starting Wednesday, June 26at 3:00 pm, join us for our Imagination Nation Writer’s Workshop. If you are 8-12 years old with an ability to visualize what the future will bring, this is the place for you. Bring your imagination, we will provide pencils and paper, and be prepared to create science fiction stories that are out of this world! There are three additional sessions of this program on July 3, 17, and 24 and participants are encouraged to come to as many as possible.

            Starting on Tuesday, July 9at 1:00 pm our “Out of this World” Book Club begins for children ages 7 to 10. The first session will be an introduction to the book “Galaxy Zack: Hello, Nebulon”. Then participants will watch a cartoon about The Jetsons. Tuesday, July 23readers will watch a second cartoon about The Jetsons and discuss the book, focusing on how the futuristic worlds of this and the cartoons are the same and different. Finally, on July 30we’ll create pictures or 3D models of your space home or vehicle to share.

            Also starting Tuesday, July 9at 3:00 pm is our Sci-Fi Graphic Novel Book Club. In our first Sci-Fi Graphic Novel Club, we will be discussing “Zita the Spacegirl” by Ben Hatke and her epic space adventures to save her friends. Recommended for children ages 7 and up. There will be snacks and a craft.

            The next session is on July 23with Nathan Hale’s “One Trick Pony”, where strange creatures have a hunger for technology. Recommended for ages 9 and up. There will be a craft and snacks included.

            Our final session is on July 30, where we’ll be discussing the first issue of “Ms. Marvel” by G. Willow Wilson. Meet 16-year-old Kamala, an exciting new superhero who gains super powers. Read about how she becomes the protector of New Jersey. For children ages 9 and up.

            All programs are free and open to the public. If special accommodations are needed, please contact the library at 508-758-4171 or email the children’s librarian, Miss Chris at cmatos@sailsinc.org. For more information on up-coming children’s programs, please visit our website at www.mattapoisettlibrary.org/childrens.

Community Sailing Program in Marion

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Marion Recreation Department is launching a Community sailing program this July. Come join MRCS racing one design Bullseye class sail boats on Saturdays! Registration on-line is required and we welcome people with their own boats in our BYOB program (bring your own boat).

            Racing is weather permitting beginning on July 13 – each Saturday from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. We will also include a post race debrief to learn more about techniques and tactics.

Mattapoisett Land Trust Receives MVP Grant

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            The Mattapoisett Land Trust (MLT) scored when they applied for and received a Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness grant. The $960,000 grant is one of the largest distributed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. 

            The department’s website notes that, “The Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness grant program (MVP) provides support for cities and towns in Massachusetts to begin the process of planning for climate change resiliency and implementing priority projects. The state awards communities with funding to complete vulnerability assessments and develop action-oriented resiliency plans. Communities who complete the MVP program become certified as an MVP community and are eligible for MVP Action grant funding and other opportunities.”

            Locally, no one was happier than the president of the MLT, Mike Huguenin. Huguenin has been banging the gong on the importance of preserving the 120 acre site for nearly two years. Along with MLT members Gary Johnson, Alice McGarth, Joanna Dresser, and Peter Davies, Huguenin worked long and hard to make the townspeople appreciate the importance of protecting these tender resource lands while negotiating with the landowners.

            When town administrator Mike Gagne became aware of the MLT’s plans to try and purchase the acreage for permanent conservation, he was all in. Gagne is well-known for his work in assisting organizations with environmental issues from preserving lands for passive recreation, to preserving fresh water sources, to engaging the necessary legal assets to ensure conservation commission conditions are upheld. He was recognized this past May by the Buzzards Bay Coalition when they awarded him with a Guardian Award for his work on behalf of land conservation, wetlands protection, and regional environmental cooperation. Given his experience, Gagne rolled up his sleeves and jumped into the Pine Island Watershed project noting the importance of protecting the acreage from development due to its potential as a way for residents of the coastal neighborhood to evacuate the area in the event of a major storm and in recognition of raising sea levels that will one day eliminate existing roadways to homes in that area. 

            Gagne, along with the MLT, also believed in the importance of giving the public better access to Pine Island Pond, an area for shellfish harvesting and non-motorized watercraft recreating. With this acquisition there would be a nearly unbroken natural corridor from Route 6 to the shore.

            But its not quite time for celebrating as Huguenin is well aware. When The Wanderercaught up with him, he was still breathless from the good news, but cognizant of the work ahead. “It’s really great news … and the project is just so great …” but there is still another $150,000 that needs to be secured, he quickly added. To try and accomplish this, Huguenin will be attending the annual meetings of beach communities that will be positively impacted by having an alternate evacuation route through uplands along the watershed parcels. “The challenge now is to raise private funds,” he shared. He said that even small donations add up, and he believes those small contributions give the MLT a morale boost because “it shows the community is behind this.”

            Gagne told The Wanderer, “I’m delighted, this is a tremendous achievement; just fantastic!” He said that by granting such a large amount to the MLT for this acquisition, it demonstrated the Commonwealth’s understanding of the importance of the acreage. “They saw how vulnerable the area is especially given sea level rise,” he said.

            The MLT Facebook page also contained this notification:“The town and state have given the Pine Island Watershed project a tremendous vote of confidence, and provided over $1.2 million of the $1.5 million needed to complete the acquisition. Now private citizens need to finish the job, and I’m happy to report that Mattapoisett Land Trust already has raised approximately half of the final $300,000 needed. We will continue our outreach to everyone who loves the Pine Island area, and hope to complete final fundraising this summer.”

By Marilou Newell

Aurisia C. (Cruz) Gomes

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Aurisia C. (Cruz) Gomes, 88, of Mattapoisett passed away Sunday June 23, 2019 surrounded by her family after a brief illness. She was the wife of the late Firmino M. Gomes.

            Born in Montalegre, Portugal, the daughter of the late Joao Pires daCruz and Teresa Pereira, she lived in Mattapoisett for the past 50 years.

            Mrs. Gomes enjoyed gardening and spending time with her granddaughters.

            She is survived by her son, Edward C. Gomes and his wife Sarah; her sister, Maria Amelia; her granddaughters, Paige and Hannah Gomes; and her nephews, Joao Carlos Quelha and Leonel Afonso.

            She was predeceased by her siblings, Artur, Joao, Manuel, and Isilda.

            Her Funeral will be held on Thursday June 27, 2019 at 9 am from the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett, followed by her Funeral Mass at St. Anthony’s Church at 10 am. Burial will be in St. Anthony’s Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Wednesday June 26, 2019 from 4-7 pm. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Muriel R. (Gagnier) Foster

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Muriel R. (Gagnier) Foster, 72, of New Bedford succumbed to heart failure Thursday June 20, 2019 ending her courageous eleven-year battle with cancer. Muriel was an inspiration to all who knew and loved her.

            Born in New Bedford, the daughter of the late Adelard and Lucinda (Pelletier) Gagnier, she lived in New Bedford and Fairhaven for most of her life.

            Muriel was employed for 22 years at the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office.

            She was a graduate of New Bedford Vocational High School.

            Muriel was strong, witty, charming, kind, caring, sensitive, funny and always willing to help someone in need. She had been an active volunteer for the American Cancer Society, and had served on the Daffodil Committee for many years. She enjoyed gardening and cooking.

            She is survived by her loving sister and best friend, Terri C. Nowell; her companion, Stanley Jasinski; her cousin, Yvette Poirier Gracie; and her many friends including her colleagues from the District Attorney’s Office.

            Her Funeral will be held on Saturday June 29, 2019 at 8 am from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, followed by her Funeral Mass at St. Anthony of Padua Church at 9 am. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Fairhaven. Visiting hours will be on Friday June 28, 2019 from 4-7 pm. Flowers are acceptable or remembrances may be made to St. Anthony Church Fuel Fund or the Handicap Access Fund, 1359 Acushnet Ave., New Bedford, MA 02746. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.