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

 

Academic Achievements

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Anneliese Schipper of Mattapoisett from the Class of 2021 was named to the Winter 2017-2018 Honors List at Pomfret School. To achieve this level of distinction, Anneliese earned a grade point average of at least 3.330 and received no grade lower than a B-.

            Massachusetts Maritime Academyhas recently named Cadet Davis Mathieu of Mattapoisett to the President’s List during the fall 2017 semester.

The President’s List is the highest academic achievement that a cadet can earn at the Academy. To be named to the list, a cadet must maintain a grade-point average of over 3.6 or over during the semester.

Marion Art Center Opening

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The Marion Art Center will hold an opening reception with the artists for its next art exhibit this Friday, April 20from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. The show, which will run through Saturday, June 2, features oil and watercolor paintings from Barbara Edlund Healy and Sharlie Sudduth, both of whom are known locally for their landscape, seascape and garden scenes.

Mattapoisett Recreation Spring Programs

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KidFit on Tuesday afternoons at Center School for Grades K-3. This program starts May 1. Tennis on Tuesday evenings for ages 5-13 years old. Golf lessons for ages 8 and up starting on April 26 at the Bay Club. The 3:30 pm session for juniors that have had lessons or have played before still has a few openings.

See our website at www.mnattrec.net to register for all programs including our summer camps and other summer offerings.

Getting Into Genealogy

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On Wednesday, April 25, local genealogist Kathleen Rubano will present “Getting into Genealogy” from 6:30 to 7:30 pm at the Mattapoisett Free Public Library. The program is free and open to the public.

The program is designed for those beginning their genealogy research. Participants will learn where to look for information, how to organize information, as well as ways to display and store research. Also covered will be pedigree charts, family trees, and DNA. There will be helpful handouts and a raffle for a “Family Tree” suitable for framing.

Registration is appreciated by walk-ins are welcome. Please register by signing up at the circulation desk or by calling the library at 508-758-4171, or by emailing rsmith@sailsinc.org. The library is located at 7 Barstow Street and is handicapped accessible.

Marion Garden Group Plant Sale

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The Marion Garden Group has been hard at work dividing our most beloved perennials, starting flower and vegetable seeds, bottling honey from our own hives, and crafting special gifts.

All of this is in preparation for our 3rd annual Plant Sale to be held on Saturday, May 12from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon at Bicentennial Park Marion.

There will be a new selection of items – some as low as $1 – perfect for children shopping for Mom. Painted lady bug rocks for the garden and teacup gardens are just a few examples.

If you want to add something new or unusual to your garden, spark ideas for a new portion of your yard, or find something special for Mother’s Day, you won’t want to miss this.

Marion Garden Group is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. We gratefully accept donations toward our ongoing initiatives including village beautification, nursing home programs, local library outreach, school programs, pollinator habitat maintenance and education.

Ellen M. Ogilvie (Hanlon)

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Ellen M. Ogilvie (Hanlon), 83, died April 11 at her home in Marion, MA. She was preceded in death by her husband, William “Bill” F. Ogilvie in 2004.

Ellen was born in 1934 to Joseph and Catherine Hanlon in Brooklyn, NY.  She was an only child and enjoyed the friendship of many cousins.

With her strong interest in education of all kinds, Ellen earned a degree in Education from College of Mount St. Vincent. She promptly went to work as a math teacher at Washington Irving High School in New York, NY in 1955.

Ellen took a hiatus from teaching shortly after marrying her husband, Bill, in July 1958. They were married in New York, and enjoyed living and raising their family in many different parts of the country, including New Jersey, Colorado, Ohio and Oklahoma.

As Ellen and her family moved around the United States, she was often “the new kid in town.” Consequently, she developed a knack for establishing friendships such that she and her family always had a supportive network that allowed them all to grow and thrive. Acquaintances from all periods of Ellen’s life fondly recall her as a good friend who consistently made them feel welcome and special.

Ellen was a loving and attentive mother, ready to help her children overcome challenges and embrace opportunities. Her son Joe recalls her as instrumental in helping him conquer dyslexia, as well as being an enthusiastic supporter of his passion for table tennis. As her children grew and left home, Ellen resumed teaching math in Bartlesville, OK and Lorain, OH.

Ellen was an energetic participant in the life of every community in which she lived. She was a champion of education and a strong supporter of women’s rights. She was an active member of American Association of University Women, as well as the League of Women Voters. Always interested in sharpening her mind, she was an avid bridge player and member of multiple book clubs throughout her life.

Ellen is survived by a vast and loving family, including daughter Catherine Ogilvie and her husband Bruce Yarnall, grandchildren Elizabeth Yarnall and Izadora Yarnall of Stonington, CT; son Joseph “Joe” Ogilvie, his wife Fiona Lally-Ogilvie, grandchildren Francesca Lally, John Jude Ogilvie, Liam Ogilvie and Josephine Ogilvie of New Lebanon, NY; son William “Bill” F. Ogilvie, Jr, of Austin, TX; and daughter Margaret Ogilvie Gee and her husband Clark Gee of Marion, MA.

She is also survived by sister-in-law Marguerite Christe, of Juno Beach, FL; and cousins Arthur Baxter, of Warwick, NY; Doris (Baxter) Grzelak, of Colonia, NJ;  and Christopher Kenneth Baxter of Asheville, NC.

A Catholic Mass will be held June 8, at St. Rita’s of Cascia church in Marion, MA. A celebration will follow at the home of her daughter.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests charitable contributions to Friends of Marion Council on Aging (FMCOA) – www.fmcoa.org, or American Association of University Women – AAUW – www.aauw.org

John J. Lopes

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John J. Lopes, 83, of Marion, died April 16, 2018 in St. Luke’s Hospital, New Bedford. He was the husband of Joanne A. (Rezendes) Lopes and the son of the late George and Minnie (Lopes) Lopes.

He was born in New Bedford and lived in Marion for many years.

Mr. Lopes worked as a Machine Operator in the area before retiring.

He was an amateur boxer.

Survivors include his wife, Joanne A. (Rezendes) Lopes of Marion; his son, John Lopes of Dartmouth; his granddaughter, Ashley M. Melita of Acushnet; his former daughter-in-law, Sandra Lopes of Westport. He was the grandfather of the late John Lopes.

His graveside service was held on Saturday, April 21, 2018 in Evergreen Cemetery, Converse Road & Rte. 6, Marion.