OC’s Team Rocket Turns On Technology

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“In a galaxy far, far away….” No wait, it was at Plumb Library in Rochester on May 17 where a group of very enthusiastic fourth- through sixth-grade students got a chance to try out robots designed and built by the Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School’s Team Rocket.

In the three years since the program began, about 14 students from every shop in the school have joined in the opportunity to learn how to build a robot from hundreds of bits and pieces. They’ve learned that creative problem solving and technical applications of engineering and math can come together by involving all the minds in a team, and the tangible manifestation of that learning experience is something nearly every kid on the planet loves – robots.

Educator Dan Brush has been the lead instructor for Team Rocket these last three years.

“The program has ramped up over the years,” said Brush. “We get kids from every shop, not just electrical or mechanical.”

Brush said the students use materials sourced from Vex, a company started by two American engineers who saw a need to enhance STEM education through building robots with school-age children. Now the internationally recognized organization of students, including those from Old Colony, have been competing in robot games that allow the students to demonstrate their skills and maybe even return with a trophy. And although the program is still developing, Brush said the students have competed well and earned some rewards.

“Give everyone a chance to drive,” Brush calls out over the chorus of young voices rising from the library floor as the high school students show the younger kids how to operate the robots. There’s even one that looks like and rather sounds like a guitar, and another that swiftly solves the Rubik’s Cube.

Brush is working towards getting varsity letters for the students who participate in the program for all four years, “…Just like a sport,” Brush said.

The program does require financial backing, and to secure some of those funds Brush seeks out grants and the students do fundraising, said Mattapoisett resident Ryan Pickwick.

Pickwick is set to become the most experienced student on the team when the seniors graduate. He is currently a sophomore.

Jasper Tan of Lakeville has been with the program since it began. He’ll graduate this June and is heading to UMass Dartmouth in the fall to begin his education in mechanical engineering.

“There is a lot of process in making a robot,” said Tan. “It really is a team effort. We all learn the same things but everyone doesn’t think the same. With experience we can solve things with everyone’s fullest effort.”

According to Tan, it takes many hundreds of hours to craft a robot, from writing specifications to actually screwing pieces together and the associated computer programing.     Brush pointed out that the computer programming in one of the Lego robots zipping across the floor had “more brains than the Apollo spaceship.”

Of the younger students on hand, on this night most were planning to start their high school years at Old Colony and wanted to find out about this program now.

Siblings Joshua and Ellie Lima of Freetown are both planning on entering Old Colony’s electrical shop in the next couple of years. Pat Flaherty showed them how a robot picks up a target and carries it forward saying, “This year (in competition) we shot balls and flipped discs.”

Brush also handed out a quote from the I-Robot series penned by the late engineer and sci-fi writer Isaac Asimov. Asimov, Brush said, is also credited with being the inspiration behind some of the Star Warsrobots.

So, what was Asimov’s vision for robots? Simply put, a robot should never injure a human, must obey orders as long as those orders don’t hurt humans, and must protect its own existence as long as it doesn’t hurt a human or disobey orders that hurt humans.

Hmmm … I wonder how the robots feel about that.

To learn more about the Vex programs and how your child may engage in a greater STEM experience, visit www.vexrobotics.com or contact Dan Brush at Old Colony, 508-763-8011. He says he’s “there all the time.”

By Marilou Newell

 

“Frogs at The Bogs” with the BBC

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Explore the wetlands and vernal pools at The Bogs (138 Acushnet Road, Mattapoisett) to find frogs on a fun, family-friendly evening walk with the Buzzards Bay Coalition on Friday, May 25at 6:00 pm.

During the walk, we’ll listen for the melodic sounds of frogs and use nets and buckets to safely catch a few amphibian friends to see up-close. Participants will also learn fun facts about frogs and other special species that live in the Mattapoisett River valley.

This walk is free and open to all. Pre-registration is required. To RSVP or to get more information, visit www.savebuzzardsbay.org/events/frogs-at-the-bogs-may-25-2018/ or contact the Buzzards Bay Coalition at 508-999-6363 ext. 219 or bayadventures@savebuzzardsbay.org.

This event is part of Discover Buzzards Bay, an initiative to help people across the Buzzards Bay region find unique and exciting ways to explore the outdoors, get some exercise, and connect with nature. Local residents can use Discover Buzzards Bay to get outside and discover woods, wetlands and waterways from Fall River to Falmouth. To learn more, visit savebuzzardsbay.org/discover. Discover Buzzards Bay is sponsored by Southcoast Health.

Academic Achievements

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Allegra Horstmann of Marion graduated from Gettysburg Collegeon May 20, 2018. Horstmann received a Bachelor of Arts.

Jessica Baum, granddaughter of Howard and Nancy Tinkham of Mattapoisett, attained her Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, in education and math from Lake Forest College. She is the daughter of David and Cheryl Tinkham Baum.

Curry Collegeis pleased to announce that Julie Blezard of Mattapoisett received a Bachelor of Science degree and Meghan Desrochers of Rochester received a Bachelor of Science degree on Sunday, May 20, 2018.

Kathleen Gifford, a Rochester resident, was recently recognized for excellent academic performance this past fall 2017 semester at Wheelock Collegein Boston and placed on the Dean’s List. Gifford is studying child life.

Bethany Spangler of Mattapoisett has been named to Southern New Hampshire University’s winter 2018 President’s List. Eligibility for the President’s List requires that a student accumulate an academic grade point average (GPA) of 3.7-4.0 and earn 12 credits for the semester.

Cristiana Maria Elena Pineda, ORR Class of 2008, Holy Cross Class of 2012, was awarded her PhD in Molecular Genetics from Yale Universityon May 21, 2018. Pineda was a biochemistry major at Holy Cross followed by two years of research at Massachusetts General Hospital in Molecular Biology. She was accepted into the PhD program at Yale in the department of Biomedical Sciences genetics division and published three research papers in major scientific journals. She will begin medical school at Georgetown University in August.

Waterman, Walker are Election Winners

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Marion voters chose John Waterman to fill the one-year seat on the Board of Selectmen on Friday, May 18, in a decisive vote garnering over half the total votes in a four-way race.

Waterman will resume the remaining one year term of former selectman Steve Gonsalves, who resigned on February 22 from the board after a brief period of open contention with the other two selectmen.

When asked why he thought he won the election, Waterman said, “Because I did my homework and I took a clean position on what I wanted to do.”

“But the hard work starts now,” said Waterman. “It’s a lot easier to talk about it than to get the work done.”

Waterman received 551 votes, Michelle Ouellette Smith 221, Joseph Zora 113, and Dale Jones 106.

Randy Parker, with 807 votes, won the uncontested three-year term left vacant by Jody Dickerson who chose not to run for reelection this year.

George “T.J.” Walker beat incumbent Ray Pickles for Assessor in another decisive vote, 658-268.

“I’m very pleased with the results,” said Walker, “and I look forward to working with my fellow assessors in an open and transparent fashion representing the entire town.”

For the other uncontested races: Moderator, Brad Gordon, 814 votes; Board of Health, John Howard, 784 votes; Planning Board (two seats), 597 votes for Andrew Daniel, 550 votes for Kristen Saint Don-Campbell; Marion School Committee (two seats), 585 for Michelle Ouellette Smith, 549 for April Rios; Open Space Acquisition Commission, Alan Harris, 774 votes.

Voter turnout was 25.5% with 1,023 of the 4,016 registered Marion voters casting ballots.

By Jean Perry

 

Tri-County Music Association Raffle

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Raffle tickets (with a Grand Prize of $1,000) are now on sale for the Tri-County Symphonic Band’s 16th Annual Benefit Pops Concert “British Invasion.” This raffle raises funds annually for the Tri-County Music Association’s Scholarship Fund. Raffle tickets are $20 each and can be purchased at The Bookstall in Marion and The Symphony Music Shop in Dartmouth. The drawing will be held at the end of the Pops Concert on Sunday, June 10 at 2:00 pm. Ticket holders need not be present to win. GRAND PRIZE: $1000; 2nd Prize: “Out and About” Quilt, 70 x 87, ($750 value); 3rd Prize: Four (4) Premium Boston Red Sox Tickets for June 26 vs. LA Angels ($528 value); 4th Prize: Two (2) Season Tickets to the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra ($440 value); 5th Prize: Trustee Wine Selection ($150 value); 6th Prize: Two (2) Tickets to a Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra Concert ($94 value). Please visit http://tricountysymphonicband.org for more detailed information.

Nasketucket Bird Club

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There will be a Nasketucket Bird Club meeting on Thursday, May 24at 7:00 pm

Kathleen Shepherd, a Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences student, will give a program on the piping plover. The presentation will start with an introduction to piping plover identification, behaviors, and habitat. She will then explore why they are a species of concern, and what has led them to be listed as an endangered species both federally and statewide. Kathleen will also talk about methods of management and conservation, including what we can do as private citizens to increase their chances of survival.

The meetings, open to the public and handicapped accessible, are held at the Mattapoisett Free Public Library, located at the south door entrance on Barstow Street in Mattapoisett.

Check our website at http://massbird.org/Nasketucket/ or email our President Justin Barrett at jmbarrett426@gmail.com.

Rochester Communications Center

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Dear Editor:

I am writing this post with mixed emotions. As of tomorrow, the dedicated dispatchers of the Rochester Communications Center will no longer handle your public safety calls for service. The Regional Old Colony Communications Center in Duxbury will take over the handling of your routine and emergency calls for service.

I would personally like to thank those that have served this community selflessly for many years. While I cannot speak to the last year and a half since I left the center, I can speak to the 20 years I was there and what I want the residents of Rochester to know is these folks gave the citizens and first responders a huge part of themselves. Not only did they work around the clock, spent years of holidays away from their families and extensively trained to be able to save the many lives they had, they took your tragedies home with them, and on occasion cared enough to cry for you or pray for you when the responders arrived. Many of those calls still affect many of us today!

For years that voice that you heard on the other end of the phone kept you calm, assured you help was on the way, and may have saved the life of you or your family member. I took pride in MY staff and their ability to multitask like a boss and support each other when the “Squid hit the sand.” I hired and trained the majority of folks that will leave the center this week; some will leave with jobs and some without. However, when they do walk out the door for the last time, I want them to know that they all kicked a** at what they did and know that many lives could have been very different today if were not for their diligence and perseverance to save lives and protect property.

No one had to stay until the end and they did, THEY ALL DID, and I could not be more proud of them! While no one knows what the future holds, I can assure you that the new folks that will be handling your calls will be the best they can to deliver the same professional level of service you had for many decades. Please take a moment and read the poem I wrote during my years at the Rochester Communications Center. Please consider stopping in and saying thanks – they will be there for the rest of the week and I am sure would appreciate knowing that made a difference. Thank you Patty Knight (24 years of service), Samantha Gomes (14), Jon Weedal (14), Deb Morrell (13), Ashley(Daniel) Mason (6), Dan Blizzard (2)!

Just a Voice

By Tracy Eldridge, Rochester

You don’t know who I am, to you I am just a voice.

It was me who took your frantic call when you had no other choice.

I spend many hours waiting to help when you’re in need.

“Send help to me, please get them here!” is often what you plead.

To do my job is complex, but only a few tools are a must.

Put your faith in me, I am the one you can trust.

My ears are a necessity, my mouth a mighty sword.

I must use my ears to listen, and then choreograph every word.

I am the protector of this land; I take pride in what I do.

I am here to listen and do what is best for you.

The day you place a call to me might be the worst day you ever had.

At least today you know I too was feeling sad.

I take your problems home with me, I know that’s not so good,

But as you felt your tragedy it was by your side I stood.

I walked with you to the door to let them in to help,

I guided you to safety when all alone you felt.

It is not often we hear praise or even simple thanks,

But the cookies and cards are plenty through police and fire ranks.

The day you placed your call and I picked up the phone.

I hope I made you feel safe and showed you you’re not alone.

Remember who I am, I am not just a voice.

I am the 911 dispatcher you called when you had no other choice.

 

The views expressed in the “Letters to the Editor” column are not necessarily those of The Wanderer, its staff or advertisers. The Wanderer will gladly accept any and all correspondence relating to timely and pertinent issues in the great Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester area, provided they include the author’s name, address and phone number for verification. We cannot publish anonymous, unsigned or unconfirmed submissions. The Wanderer reserves the right to edit, condense and otherwise alter submissions for purposes of clarity and/or spacing considerations. The Wanderer may choose to not run letters that thank businesses, and The Wanderer has the right to edit letters to omit business names. The Wanderer also reserves the right to deny publication of any submitted correspondence.

Deadly Fire Claims Life in Rochester

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A major house fire in Rochester claimed the life of Richard Cutcliffe, 62, along with the family dog, and left one other resident injured on Sunday morning, May 20.

The fire was reported just after 9:00 am, and Rochester Fire arrived at 1008 Walnut Plain Road where a house was engulfed in flames with only one of the two occupants outside.

The owner of the house, Jeanne Cutcliffe, 90, survived the fire, but her brother was pronounced deceased at Tobey Hospital in Wareham. Ms. Cutcliffe was also treated at Tobey Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Rochester called for assistance from Mattapoisett, Marion, Middleboro, Acushnet, and Freetown. Marion and Mattapoisett both assisted with water supply and pumping.

At 9:48 am, it was reported over the scanner that the victims were being removed from the house, and at 9:51 am Rochester requested a second alarm, reporting that the fire was in the basement and first floor and CPR was being administered to one of the victims, saying, “Doubtful will hold.”

After the request for a third alarm, the fire was brought under control just before 11:00 am.

Rochester Fire Chief Scott Weigel stated on May 21 that the incident is now under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office as well as the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office because a fatality resulted.

Weigel stated, however, that the fire is being ruled an accident.

The community has responded to the tragedy in kindness, as the Rochester Council on Aging has called on residents to make donations to assist Ms. Cutcliffe with clothing, toiletries, and monetary donations. A fundraiser for Ms. Cutcliffe is in the works, but no further details were available before press time.

By Jean Perry

 

Lucien F. Pires, Jr.

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Lucien F. Pires, Jr. passed away peacefully on May 18, 2018 at Mass General Hospital in Boston, MA surrounded by his loving family and friends. He was born in Wareham, MA on April 7, 1955 to Beatrice (Pina) Pires and the late Lucien F. Pires, Sr. He was a graduate of Upper Cape Cod Regional Vocational Technical School.

Lucien worked at Stop & Shop in Dartmouth and the Southcoast Cancer Center in Fairhaven. He was also a manager at Ronney’s Café in New Bedford. He enjoyed bowling, listening to music, dancing and going to the casino. He was also a Red Sox and Celtics fan. He loved being around his family and friends.

He is survived by his mother, Beatrice (Pina) Pires of Marion; siblings, 4 sisters, Glenda (Penny) Alves and her husband, Domingo (Bobby) Alves of Marion, Mary Lou Rose of New Bedford, Lynne A. Silva of Marion and Wendy L. Barnes of Wolcott, CT; 2 brothers, Donald L. (Woody) Pires of Marion and Melvin Pina of Mattapoisett; many nieces and nephews; as well as, his good friend, Gail Russel of New Bedford. He was also the longtime friend of the late Ronald Dextraduer.

A memorial will be held at the Dudley L. Brown VFW Post at 4 Gibbs Ball Park Road in Onset, MA on Thursday, May 24th from 12:00 pm. – 4:00 pm.

Arrangements are placed in the care of Perry Funeral Home 111 Dartmouth St. New Bedford, MA 02740.

 

“Groundwater is not stormwater.”

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It was nearing closing time at the May 15 meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission; that is to say, all public hearings had been heard and the commission was on to “walk-ins” when Charles Motta of 26 Holly Lane asked to speak.

Motta complained bitterly that a two-lot development being constructed by Greta Fox adjacent to his property was wreaking water havoc throughout the neighborhood. He said that he and several of his neighbors never had water issues on their parcels until construction began on the Fox property.

Motta said that wetlands on Fox’s property were draining into his cellar keeping his sump pump working.

Conservation Commission Chairman Mike King told Motta that when he walked the site with a state official from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, “…All the engineered structures had been installed and were operating as designed.” King suggested that stormwater was migrating to Motta’s location from Marion Road versus the Fox construction site.

Motta remained flummoxed and asked King what actions he might be able to take to get some help in this matter, saying he had spoken to the state and to the town administrator and the commission – what was left?

King said, “The buck for us left when the DEP issued a superseding Order of Conditions.” But Motta pleaded, “I don’t know where to go.”

King said he wished there was something he could do.

“Groundwater is vastly different from stormwater,” King said, “and the house was designed to meet the resource area. We have no control over the project; it is the DEP.”

Motta said he felt compelled to contact state representatives for assistance. King said, “The squeaky wheel gets the grease.”

In other business, Blue Wave Solar represented by Richard Riccio of Field Engineering, sought a Request for Determination of Applicability for Phase II of a previously approved and permitted solar farm located on Tinkham Hill Road, abutting both North Street and Shady Oak Drive.

Riccio said the project had not changed in scope since it was first before the commission in 2013, at which time wetlands delineation had been accepted and a negative determination was rendered for Phase I.

Abutter Sylvia Ouimet of 196 North Street asked how far away from her rear property line the fencing would be. Riccio said 275 feet. She also inquired about screening and was told that plantings would be dense and fencing would be higher than Phase I.

Pat Alex, 2 Tinkham Hill Road, asked why screening had never been planted along the boundary line of property across the street from her residence. Riccio said that the project had not been completed, but that with the completion of Phase II, those plantings would be done.

Mike Flynn, 6 Shady Oak Drive, asked about the public notification he had received that indicated the Order of Conditions had expired. King responded that that was why the project was back before the commission to receive new orders.

There were several other questions about setbacks and whether or not the solar array would be visible from North Street. Riccio said the solar field would be situated some 300 feet away from North Street and that other issues would be addressed on May 17 when the applicant would have a public hearing for a Special Permit at the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting.

Blue Wave received a Negative Determination of Applicability (no Notice of Intent required) and must notify the conservation office when work begins.

Other matters included a RDA filing by Christopher Riley for the construction of a shed at 3 Goodspeed Island. The request was continued pending clarification of construction methods from the Building Department.

James Faughnan, 21 Fieldstone Drive, received a Negative Determination for a RDA to plant lawn and remove several trees in jurisdictional areas.

Stacie Hess, 1 Spruce Avenue, sought and received a Negative Determination for a RDA filing for the construction of a shed.

James Hurd, 19 Centre Drive, also received a Negative Determination for his RDA filing to extend an existing deck.

Mark Julien, 30 Ocean Drive, represented by David Davignon of N. Douglas Schneider & Associates, Inc. sought and received an Order of Conditions for a NOI filing to provide beach nourishment to a coastal beach some two acres in size. Davignon said his client intended to keep the permit actively open for three years to assess the effectiveness of the coastal restoration.

Bob Rego of River Hawk Environmental, LLC returned to the commission with updated plans for property located on Marion Road, owned by Rahim Aghai who plans to build a three-lot subdivision. During his first meeting with the commission, several issues were addressed and suggestions made prompting Rego to return with those changes.

The commission was satisfied with stormwater management systems that included rain gardens and sub-filtration for roof run-off. Both commission members Trevor Francis and King praised Rego for his work.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission is scheduled for June 11at 6:30 pm in the town hall conference room.

Mattapoisett Conservation Commission

By Marilou Newell