Tabor Students Offer Free Tech Help

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Tabor students will be reaching out to adult learners as part of their Service Day on April 28. From 9:00 – 11:30 am on April 28, students will be offering advice about the use of digital media and smart devices and computers. “The students are excited to share their knowledge of social media and the practical use of computers and smart devices, but unfortunately are not able to help with repairs,” shared Cheryl Moore, the faculty coordinator of Service Day.

Students will offer a number of useful topics to area residents including:

– Facebook 101

– Skype & Facetime 101: Learn how to video conference with friends and family

– Photo Management 101: Downloading, sharing and backing up to the cloud

– Smart Phone Orientation: Including privacy settings

– And “How do I?” Help Sessions: 1:1 help with your tech questions

Bring your tablet, laptop or smartphone to Tabor Academy on April 28 from 9:00 – 11:30 am and get your questions answered by Tabor’s digital natives.

The event takes place inside Tabor Academy’s Charles Hayden Library where there is free and accessible parking at 71 Spring Street, just across from the Fire Department in Marion.

Pickleball is Back

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Mattapoisett Recreation has equipment available for drop-in pickleball sessions. Spring days/times are Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5:00 pm – sundown and Saturday mornings from 9:00 – 11:00 am. There is no need to sign up; just come by and join others at the pickleball court on Hammond Street in Mattapoisett. There will be up to three courts set up, and players will be grouped by level. No experience is necessary. Come see what it is all about. Email Mattapoisett Recreation with any questions at mattrec@mattapoisett.net.

Putting the ‘Ability’ in Sustainability

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Sustainability experts now know the most effective actions we as individuals can take to mitigate the negative impact on the environment and reduce our individual carbon footprint, and it isn’t electric cars and recycling.

Scientists now say the highest-impact action one can take to reduce the carbon emissions contributing to climate change is actually an inaction – either don’t have children or have one fewer child than planned.

Having children isn’t exactly the same sort of lifestyle choice as, say, choosing to drive a Prius, but aside from bringing one less consumer of natural resources into the world, is there anything else that can match that degree of proactivity in reducing CO2 emissions into the atmosphere? Not really, but there are some less drastic ways to approach the issue.

The next high-impact practice is not switching to an electric car, but deciding to live car-free. Again, highly effective, but not as feasible to many of us.

With these top two options for saving the planet essentially being the top two non-options for many of us, it’s our responsibility and our duty to adopt as many of the other sustainable practices as possible, many of which can be reasonably practiced, every day, by even the busiest of us.

Recycling is a given. If you’re still throwing plastic water bottles into the trash instead of the recycle bin, you’re out of excuses. And if you have already accepted that recycling is now mandatory as we face a future of landfill closures and the equivalent of a garbage truck full of plastic being dumped into the ocean every minute, then it’s time to take the next step in carbon footprint reduction.

One action of moderate impact is to simply stop eating meat. It takes 2,400 gallons of water to produce just one pound of beef. The beef industry is the No. 1 consumer of freshwater in the world, and even giving up eating meat just one day per week reduces as much CO2 emissions as driving 1,600 miles in a combustible engine car. Further still, if you replaced all your beef meals with chicken, this would lead to a reduction of 882 pounds of carbon emissions.

And if you forewent just one round-trip trans-Atlantic flight this year, you would reduce carbon emissions by 1,571 pounds.

This month, the Fairhaven Sustainability Committee challenged the entire SouthCoast to join them in participating in the Drawdown EcoChallenge to take on the 100 most substantive solutions to global climate change at the individual level.

The Fairhaven Sustainability Committee formed an EcoChallenge team, appropriately called Team SouthCoast, and reached out to the entire region to join them in stretching ourselves to explore ways we can further reduce our CO2 emissions. They are proud to announce that they are currently ranked 26 out of 705 teams worldwide.

The Drawdown EcoChallenge introduces the participant to new and innovative ways to make an impact by providing tools and inspiration to turn intention into action in areas such as food, land use, transport, materials, women and girls, and buildings and cities. In other words, “Small, but not insignificant contributions,” said Sustainability Committee member and EcoChallenge participant Susan Spooner.

Although the EcoChallenge ends April 25, another is slated for October 3-24, with registration beginning in August.

For more information about the upcoming 2018 EcoChallenge, visit www.ecochallenge.org.

What are some other small but important steps you can take? Skip the straw. The U.S. alone uses up about 500 million plastic single-use straws every single day. Straws literally suck because they never fully degrade; rather, they break down into bits and pieces and wind up in every level of the food chain.

You can also remember to bring your cloth bags with you to the market and keep a few reusable grocery bags in your trunk for those impromptu shopping stops. Plastic grocery bags are vile contributors to pollution on so many levels, from the disgusting sight of them stuck in tree branches and bushes to the 12 million barrels of oil it takes to make the nearly 100 billion bags we use each year. They also take at least 500 years to break down.

We also really need to reduce our use of Styrofoam and plastic disposable cups from the coffee shop. We use about 500 billion one-use disposable coffee cups every year.

Another good place to start is to take the EPA’s carbon footprint calculator at https://www3.epa.gov/carbon-footprint-calculator/ to see where you can better save on greenhouse gas emissions (and money) and reduce your household’s overall impact on the Earth.

Sometimes it helps to organize with others. There are a number of Earth Day events planned for the Tri-Town where you can get into the spirit of taking action to protect the environment and ultimately your health and the health of your children.

Saturday, April 21, is the Rochester Town-Wide Cleanup sponsored by the Rochester Land Trust and Rochester Women’s Club at 37 Marion Road from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Trash bags and gloves are provided, and the RLT will also take your old electronics and appliances for a small fee.

Saturday, April 28, is Marion’s Earth Day Trash Bash, the annual Scout-led town-wide cleanup in conjunction with the Marion Recreation Department, DPW, and Tabor Academy. The troops rally at Washburn Park starting at 8:30 am until 11:30 am, and yellow safety vests, trash bags, and gloves are provided. The litter collected will be brought back to Washburn Park for a “trash mountain,” a visual testament to both the amount of trash littering the streets of Marion and the efforts that morning of those who care.

By Jean Perry

 

FY19 School Budget Up 1.1%

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As the Mattapoisett Finance Committee works toward finalizing the Town’s fiscal year 2019 budget for the May 14 Annual Town Meeting, Town Administrator Michael Gagne along with members of the FinCom met with local school administrators on April 12.

Seated at the conference table to discuss and explain the working fiscal spreadsheets were Old Rochester Regional School District Superintendent Doug White, ORR Business Director Patrick Spencer, and Mattapoisett School Committee member James Muse. Also present was Principal Rose Bowman.

Gagne began by pointing out that all parties had been working diligently with Spencer to achieve a budget proposal saying, “We’ve worked on several budget variations … taking into consideration enrollments … and the need for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math).”

Spencer went on to say that two classes in the Mattapoisett School District would be eliminated based on declining enrollment. He said that average class sizes for kindergarten through Grade 6 would be between 16 and 21 students per class after eliminating the two classes. Total FY19 decreases from class consolidations equaled $53,726.

Bowman said the instrumental music instructor for Old Hammondtown School would not be returning in the fall, giving the administration an opportunity to hire a teacher with less time in grade for a lower salary equaling a decrease of $22,136. She also said the schools needed two nurses at all times throughout the day, increasing that line item by $30,606.

And there were other increases that nibbled away at proposed savings.

White said, “We’ve spent a lot of time on English and Math…. We now need a jump start on STEM exposure.” He said that a STEM coach “will work directly with the teachers and the students.”

Bowman added, “The new standards require spending more time developing units and there is an excessive amount of materials with labs…. This coach will co-teach Grades K-5 with a whole new focus which is critically important.”

Finance Committee Chairman Pat Donoghue interjected, “I’ve talked about reducing teachers; you’re adding STEM and nurses…. It seems like the reductions are at the lowest pay levels.”

Spencer responded, “There are no retirements planned.… The reduction in teachers is coming from those with less then three years.”

Donoghue said, “I thought we’d save on salary … this is not what I expected to see.”

“This is a negotiation year,” said White. “You’ve got to give us leeway to negotiate.”

Gagne cautioned, “Once Town Meeting votes, they (the schools) are going to be locked in; everything will be set,” adding that he advised the school budget committee to build in a buffer for union salary negotiations.

Regarding early education funding, White said, “Betsy DeVos (U.S. Secretary of Education) is looking to move all those funds and send them to private education (charter schools).”

Circling back to the question of declining enrollment, Gagne said, “I’ve been given an initiative by the selectmen to look at space needs. We’ll set aside funding to look at enrollment trends and space needs.”

He said a drill-down on whether the town needed one school or two was necessary before consideration of building a new town hall.

“We need to definitively answer that question,” Gagne said, adding that it would be three or four years before the Town would be ready to make a final decision, and that retiring debts ending between 2024 to 2026 are needed for any conversation about construction needs, “So we can’t get too far ahead. It gives us time to look at enrollment trends and predications.”

The proposed local school budget shows a 1.1% or $76,785 increase over FY18 that stood at $6,917,439. FY19 is pegged at $6,994,224.

The FinCom also reviewed the FY19 Capital Items list that contains 19 possible expenditures, including new heavy equipment for the Highway Department and needs of the Fire Department.

No. 1 priority is $260,000 to design, engineer, and gather project estimates for a new fire station. No. 2 on the list is $27,000 for new bulletproof vests. Gagne said a matching state grant would allow the Police Department to buy these essential safety items.

Further down on the list is $91,000 for two new police cruises, $125,000 for improvements to the town barn, and $60,000 for technology upgrades to local schools.

The work of the Finance Committee rests now in tidying up the FY19 budget proposal for the May 14 Town Meeting.

The Mattapoisett Finance Committee will meet again on April 19 at 6:30 pm in the town hall conference room.

Mattapoisett Finance Committee

By Marilou Newell

 

Dear Citizens of Marion

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Dear Citizens of Marion:

It is time to give the town’s dedicated staff a better place to work. Seven long years ago a building study revealed how much work the Town House needed and what it would cost to simply repair it. The study triggered the appointment of a building committee that soon determined piecemeal repairs could never turn the building into a good Town Hall. The committee recognized that a full renovation of the building would be too expensive and looked into many alternative plans that would cost less. The present plan gradually evolved as the committee responded to comments from the citizens of Marion. The new proposal calls for reducing the size of the present building by demolishing the rear annex and renovating only the space needed for town offices. The extent of the renovated area was reduced to half the size of the present structure. The interior will be gutted to bare studs, brought up to code, and totally refurbished. The office layout will became more open and efficient and will require less than half the heating fuel of the present building. The building’s exterior will have new doors and windows while classic details of the historic structure are preserved. Yes, the work is expensive, but after years of neglect, this project respects Elizabeth Tabor’s incredible generosity to the Town and finally gives our municipal employees the fresh new office space they deserve. Please support this worthy project at Town Meeting on May 14.

Bill Saltonstall, Marion

 

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.

UCCRTS Honor Roll

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The following students achieved honors at Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School for the 3rd Quarter:

Grade 9 Honors: Bradford Arruda of Marion

Grade 10 High Honors: Bethany Davis of Marion

Grade 11 High Honors: Delaney Gosse of Marion

Grade 11 Honors: Christopher Rogers of Marion

Grade 12 Honors: Alshandra Areias of Marion

Grade 12 Honors: Christopher Parisi of Marion

Mattapoisett Lions Senior Dinner

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Mattapoisett Lions Club will once again hold its senior dinner on April 28at 12 o’clock at the Congregational church. Turkey dinners will be served at 12 o’clock with entertainment. Any individuals wishing a turkey dinner that cannot attend may call the Council on Aging for delivery of meals. Any questions regarding the event, please contact Dr. Swift at 508-758-3666.

MLT Annual Meeting and Volunteer Reception

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Please join us on Sunday, April 29at 4:00 pm at the Inn on Shipyard Park for the Mattapoisett Land Trust 2018 Annual Meeting and a Volunteer Appreciation Reception. The event will begin with a social hour with hors d’oeuvres and drinks, and then we will honor MLT volunteers and conduct a brief Annual Meeting to elect Directors and Officers for the coming year. All MLT members, guests and the public are cordially invited, but we ask that you let us know if you plan to attend. For more information or to RSVP, please email us at info@mattlandtrust.org. See you on April 29.

Race Renews River Fever Another Year

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It has been said that runners run because the act of running is intoxicating, addicting … something they simply must do.

But those who have committed their time, financial resources, and their very bodies to the act of maneuvering a homemade boat down a narrow, shallow river way in sometimes hateful spring weather year after year, well, what would we say about those people? My guess is that we would say “river fever” coupled with tradition.

Gary Stopka, a man who has been participating in the annual 12-mile Rochester Memorial Day Boat Race for four decades, knows the thrill and the challenges of navigating the Mattapoisett River from Rochester to Route 6 in Mattapoisett.

“When you’re in a culvert, you have to lay down and push against the roof,” said Stopka, his eyes alight at the memory and his voice filled with excitement.

Stopka explained that about 17 years ago the race committee held a seminar and only two people showed up. But with declining participation, once as high as 150 entries but more recently down to 50, the committee decided to invite the public to the Rochester Fire Station on April 14 to see just what it takes to build a boat. The result was a very decent turnout and palpable excitement that seemed to infect the children and the adults who came to talk about the race. River fever!

Stopka said that years ago all the boats were wooden and rather heavy, but today with modern materials such as foam and fiberglass, they are quite light and handle more easily. Of the race he said, “What with X-box and cell phones, it’s a different world today.” Yet for those in attendance – many who will be first-time participants – the idea of building a boat and testing one’s mettle in the race is a tradition they want to be part of.

Rochester resident and member of the Conservation Commission Daniel Gagne was there to learn about building a boat with two very enthusiastic chums, his son Blake, 10, and his young pal Corielle Wilkinson, age 9.

“I’ve made boats in Cub Scouts and I saw a video in school that showed the entire race,” Blake said. He’ll be building a boat with the help of his dad and grandfather, David Gagne of Plainville. Grandfather and grandson will partner up in one boat. Wilkinson, who will be working with Daniel Gagne, said, “I’m a little nervous,” but after watching the racers as they came into the finish line in previous years, she’s ready to try her luck.

And that is one of the major draws of this annual event – the teams.

Many teams will be comprised of a parent and child, brothers and sisters, cousins, or friends. It is that human connection that makes this race so special. It’s tradition.

Kelsey Collasius is a returning racer who began her career at the water’s edge with her dad.

“When I was little, we actually stopped along the way and had a picnic before going on,” she said laughing at the memory. Now she takes the race rather seriously. “The goal is to reach the end of the race before all the hot dogs are gone!”

Collasius said it takes a good racer about three to three-and-a-half hours to complete the timed event. She’ll be returning to the race this year with her dad after several years of racing with a female friend.

Collasius said that practicing is a huge and “super important” part to completing the race. “You’re taking a long boat down a narrow little river…. When you get swamped, you lose time.”

Stopka said that constructing a boat takes about 25 hours, and the boat averages between 16 to 18 feet long and only a mere 9 inches high, making them easy to handle but subject to swamping.

Tom Richardson of Mattapoisett attended the open house with his daughter, Summer, age 12.

“I’ve always loved boating and I built a 16-foot skiff before … I wanted to do this race myself!” The father and daughter team will practice, and with Summer’s ballet background, the strength of her core coupled with her dad’s strong arms will surely prove a righteous pairing.

Art Benner knows a thing or two about the race; he’s been involved since the 1950s, is the committee chairman, and a holder of the title “Old Man of the River.”

“My parents took me to see the race when I was a kid,” Benner said.

According to Benner, one of the most critical parts of the entire event is the work done by the timekeepers and spotters, who call in the race number and time as each boat comes across the line.

“It’s a combination of computers and manual records,” said Benner. “We double check everything.”

It is a timed race with boats advancing into the water at the start located at Snipatuit Road at the abutment at Grandma Hartley’s reservoir, with one launched every minute.

David Watling, whose great-uncle James Hartley started the race back in 1934, said that Hartley had been overseeing a 4-H project that required the children to build boats. After the boats were completed, he decided to test them on the river; hence, the race was born. Watling said that there are four portages along the course – two where bogs interrupt the river’s flow, another at Rounseville Road, and a final slog at Wolf Island Road. Then it’s downstream into Mattapoisett.

But Watling said that this year might prove extra challenging with the number of trees that have blown down from winter storms.

“We’ve had to be careful in the past about cutting down trees in the wetlands,” he said. But with 70 trees needing to be removed before race day, the committee has its work cut out for it.

Adding to the flavor of this all-American event is the ham and bean supper a couple of nights before the race. Watling said that in recent years, the Fire Department has lost money on the supper so he was eager to get the word out.

“Come and support the race,” said Watling.

The proceeds from the supper are used to offset race expenses. The ham and bean supper will take place at the Rochester Council on Aging at 5:00 pm on May 26.

There is also a raffle this year. The committee is raffling off two 20-ounce paddles. Compared to standard paddles that weigh in at around 3 pounds, these beauties will certainly make someone’s river race experience much easier.

If you want more information on the Rochester Memorial Day Boat Race, you may contact Art Benner at 508-763-2024 or artbenner@comcast.net. Maybe this is the year you get infected with river-fever!

By Marilou Newell

Board Majority Sides With 324 Front Street Abutter

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Not everyone on the Marion Planning Board was ready on April 17 to interfere with the 324 Front Street appeal that resident Peter Douglas lodged with the Zoning Board of Appeals, but the majority of the board felt that a response to the ZBA’s request for comment should be a strong recommendation to review the volume calculations of Christian Loranger’s condominium project, which Douglas presented as being egregiously deflated by Loranger.

The argument is the interpretation of the zoning bylaw pertaining to the footprint of a replacement non-conforming structure, which cannot exceed the footprint of the prior non-conforming structure. Furthermore, Douglas – and now most board members – insists the intent of the bylaw precludes the use of basement and attic space as additional living space if it was not used as living space in the original structure; however, they recognize that bylaw does not distinguish between “volume” and “sub-surface volume.”

According to Douglas, Loranger is using basement and attic space as additional living space within the four-unit condo development.

Douglas (and most of the board) also feel that the terms “basement” and “cellar” are not well-defined in the bylaw when it comes to usable living space.

When Douglas announced that his scheduled appeal hearing with the ZBA for that Thursday was to be postponed until May 24 at the request of two ZBA members, the Planning Board responded with a couple gasps and ‘wows.’

“Must not be important,” commented board member Norm Hills, who had drafted a response to the ZBA to revisit the volume calculations Loranger submitted.

Douglas said he had theories as to why the hearing was postponed, and he offered up a bit of speculation, but Planning Board member Andrew Daniel hesitated to entertain it further.

“I don’t think we should hear about speculation,” Daniel said, “I think that would be inappropriate.”

Douglas was still allowed to make further comment on his case, and he insisted it wouldn’t be out of place for the Planning Board to take the position that the bylaw should be interpreted as above-grade volume as the only allowable volume – barring a special permit – which Loranger did not require under the application he submitted.

But Douglas and the board acknowledged the two possible interpretations of that bylaw.

“There are many, many issues like that that need clarification [in the existing bylaws],” said Planning Board member Steve Kokkins.

Planning Board member Will Saltonstall pointed to the bylaw codification subcommittee that is currently reviewing such bylaws that are considered subjective in language and interpretation, saying, “The bylaw codification committee did specifically look at these issues … that are questions that came about as a result of some of the interpretations of this case…”

“They are actively looking at those.… They’re a priority for sure,” said Saltonstall.

Planning Board Chairman Eileen Marum, who is also on that bylaw codification subcommittee, gave her interpretation that volume applied only to what was in existence in the prior structure before reconstruction, “unless … a different footprint is authorized by a special permit by the ZBA.”

As the discussion continued, Daniel questioned why the board was involving itself with this particular case as opposed to other recommendation requests from the ZBA.

“Why would we dive this deep into this particular case? We have a ZBA and a zoning official.… What is really the role of the Planning Board to insert itself into this particular case?”

Hills simply stated, because the ZBA asked for their opinion.

Marum said, “You drive down the street and you look at that structure, I mean, it towers above all the houses.… You have people gazing down in your backyard … this is a quality of life issue.”

Saltonstall said it would behoove the board, “To at least say something…. A potential misalignment of the volume calculations that the Zoning Board should look at carefully, and take action swiftly…. I think we need to make an official response and it could just be, Zoning Board, do your job.…”

Marum said alleged miscalculations could have put the project 33% over the allowed volume.

“I’m afraid that by doing this we’re stepping on a bunch of different toes,” said Daniel.

Planning Board member Jennifer Francis voiced her own concerns about the project.

“This is a case where there are some major issues,” she stated, saying the board should make its feelings known to the ZBA, “…and not just a wishy-washy recommendation. There appear to be some serious errors that have been brought into the project and we need to do something. It concerns me that we’re waiting until May.… In the meantime, construction is going to continue and I’d like to raise the question, what can we do to stop construction until this is resolved?”

Not much, said Hills.

“This could be setting a precedent,” said Marum. “If this … development slips through, there may be others in the future and other neighborhoods could be impacted. I don’t think there’s anyone in this town that hasn’t gone by this site.”

Marum wondered if the Planning Board could somehow find a way to stop further construction until the ZBA hearing in May, although the board conceded it could not.

“They’re asking for a recommendation … so we have to make a substantial recommendation … to please review,” said Marum, adding, “You can’t use a basement and you can’t use an attic.”

A number of residents had words of opposition about Loranger’s project, including Judith Rosbe who said, “People in town are really just outraged at this structure….”

Bill Saltonstall said, “This is kind of a bad dream for me because I’ve seen all this happen before under the same provision … at Cottage Street where the same developer built the condominium at the corner of School Street.…”

Continuing, Saltonstall stated, “I think ‘basement’ and ‘cellar’ in the past were two different things. A cellar was below grade…. A basement was a different kind of a thing – high enough to have windows, to have a doorway, and to be used as a living space. We lost track of that difference, there’s just no reason … an old cellar without any living space in it … should be used as a basis for the area and the volume of the replacement structure. That’s just crazy and it shouldn’t happen – We’ve got to get on top of this bylaw and improve it – This is the second time around and it shouldn’t happen again…”

Resident Hans Ziegler asked what remedies are available should Loranger complete his project before the ZBA reviews the appeal.

“Whatever the Zoning Board or town counsel or a judge decides,” said Will Saltonstall. “It just makes it tougher as the building continues to be constructed…. On another level, they could rule … [to] take the top floor off it.”

But time is of the essence, added Saltonstall, adding that he was surprised to hear the ZBA delayed its hearing.

Either way, said Douglas, he would be there on Thursday to express the urgency of the matter and argue that Loranger’s volume data “is completely inaccurate,” and cautioned all Town boards: “You leave yourselves to being open for being seen as responsible for … yet another Cottage Street,” adding that anyone who doesn’t “fight tooth and nail” against the project is “a badge that they will wear for a very long time to come.”

Marum, as a member of that bylaw codification subcommittee, reassured everyone, “I am concerned … about this particular development and I will be at the meeting on Thursday … and I will be making a comment because I don’t think you can allow a building like this … to continue. This is the second one and we need to get a handle on this. It’s just gone too far.”

The next meeting of the Marion Planning Board is scheduled for April 30 at 7:00 pm at the Marion Town House.

Marion Planning Board

By Jean Perry