Fluoride in the Water – Good or Bad?

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In April, Robert Kenedy Jr ordered the CDC to stop recommending fluoridation of the public water supply, contrary to the recommendation of the American Dental Association and most public health experts.

            Why the controversy? Is fluoridation a Communist plot to weaken our society as General Jack D Ripper thundered in Dr. Strangelove?

            The science behind fluoridation is solid. Fluoride helps remineralize tooth enamel and it prevents cavities. An experiment was done in Michigan beginning in 1945. Fluoride was added to the public water supply in Grand Rapids, and its citizens were carefully followed and compared to those in nearby Muskegon whose water was left alone.

            The experiment was to run for 15 years, but the results were so obvious within six years, with cavities plummeting in Grand Rapids, that the residents of Muskegon demanded their water be fluoridated. The American Dental Association endorsed fluoridation in 1950 and still does.

            In Utah, where Salt Lake City has fluoridated water while the rest of the state does not, dentists report about half the dental caries rate in children living in Salt Lake City. Despite this, the Utah state government recently banned fluoridation.

            Those opposed to fluoridation point to the dangers of high fluoride levels, which can result in discoloration of the developing teeth, brittle bones, and, at very high levels, neurologic defects in children. All of these occur at levels of fluoride much higher than that in public water. Almost anything that is safe in usual amounts can be dangerous in excess.

            Another argument revolves around choice. When the public water supply is fluoridated, parents who wish to avoid fluoride must buy bottled water.

            Finally, there are now other ways to get fluoride into children’s teeth. You can buy toothpaste with fluoride or have the dentist apply it. Use of toothpaste with fluoride is not as effective. Fluoride from toothpaste is applied topically and only a few times a day. It’s also often rinsed off, limiting its exposure time.

            The benefit of having the public water fluoridated is that this proven effective therapy is available to all, without regard to their income or ability to get regular dental care. It saves a lot of money. Estimates are that $1 spent on fluoridation saves $38 in dental expenses.

            The science is clear. Fluoridation at recommended levels of 0.7 mg/liter is safe and it dramatically reduces dental cavities. Do not let conspiracy theories or disinformation sway you.

            Edward Hoffer MD is Associate Professor of Medicine, part-time, at Harvard.

What Does The Doctor Say?

By Dr. Edward Hoffer

Rochester Historical Events

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It was great to share Rochester history with so many at the COA fair. Our next event for the Historical Society will be July 12 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at 139 Mattapoisett Road. Look for more info in upcoming editions of The Wanderers.

            The annual yard sale will be on August 2 & 3 with drop-off dates to be posted soon and available at event on July 12.

Donation Days

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The Friends of the Elizabeth Taber Library will be hosting “Donation Days” at the library at 8 Spring Street in Marion on Saturday, July 12, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm; Wednesday, July 16, 11:30 am to 1:30 pm; Saturday, July 19, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm; and Saturday, July 26, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.

            The “Donation Days” are in anticipation of the annual Summer Book Sale on Friday and Saturday, August 8 & 9, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Music Hall in Marion located at 164 Front Street.

            In addition to the July “Donation Days,” the Friends will accept donations on Thursday, August 7 and Friday, August 8 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Music Hall.

            Please do not bring donations to the Elizabeth Taber Library outside of the Friends’ hosted “Donation Days” as volunteers will not be available to accept and sort items.

            For the event, books in good condition (no textbooks) are requested, as well as items like DVDs, puzzles, games, and Legos. If you wouldn’t give it to a friend, please don’t donate it to the library. All proceeds support programming at the library.

            On the days of the Book Sale, please feel free to bring non-perishable food, the Friends will have a table at the event to accept these donations. Donated food and unsold items will be brought to Damien’s Food Pantry in Wareham.

Continued Opposition to Solar Array

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Rochester’s Planning Board began its meeting Tuesday with a project favored by Highway Surveyor and Tree Warden Jeffrey Eldridge.

            The panel granted a Special Permit for Eversource’s work to clear and prune street trees to improve electrical service and accommodate upgraded wires on a scenic highway on property along Rounsville, Cushman, Robinson, and Braley Hill Road as Eldridge attended the hearing to lend his support. Eversouce engineering representative Kyle Barry explained the company needs to be prune trees and cut down decaying trees around new utility wires. Eldridge said the cutting includes neighbors themselves requesting that trees be cut. Next, upon the petitioner’s request, the board extended to July 31 the Special Permit and Site Plan Review hearing for the proposal from Logging Swamp Solar dba ReWild Renewables to install a solar panel array on 49 acres in the area of 600 Snipatuit Road, located within a Residential-Agricultural District and partially within a Groundwater Protection District.
            Board Chair Arnold Johnson noted this date extends beyond its next two meetings and the hearing will probably be extended again.

            The board then approved the Site Plan Review application to build a 20,000 square-foot commercial building for ten contractor bays with associated access drives, parking areas, utilities and storm water management system on the west side of Cranberry Highway. The project’s engineering consultant Bob Rogers noted the Conservation Commission granted the project a positive Order of Conditions last week and asked for a positive decision on the project from the Planning Board. Permit approval was granted without further discussion.

            Following this vote, the board advanced the Definitive Subdivision and Common Driveway Special Permit application for 34 Dr. Braley Road by motioning to craft a “draft decision” that will be reviewed by Town Counsel in time for approval at the board’s next meeting. The plan here is to create two house lots, one with a single-family home and another for a single-family home and agricultural building, specifically for cranberry farming, on a 14.4-acre parcel at 34 Dr. Braley Road. Preceding this vote, Johnson led the panel in approving the waivers the applicant Dawn Allen was requesting. Allen received approval to waive the requirement that such a road have underground electrical utilities because there are already overhead utilities and a waiver to the requirement the road be wider because it is an existing road. The board, however, also placed the condition that should this road be paved, the applicant would need to return to the panel for a permit modification.

            Lastly, the Special Permit and Site Plan Review application hearing for the construction of a floating and ground-mounted solar array with associated battery energy storage system at 53 Dexter Lane drew the most attention and time before ultimately being continued to the board’s July 22 meeting.

            The plan here is for three floating solar panels on bog lakes and three panels on upland that are all part of an existing cranberry farm known as “Great Bear Farm.” Project representative Stacey H. Minihane reported Tuesday that the three floating panels are on a “human-made” reservoir in the northern part of the 200-acre property. These will be bottom-anchored in the reservoir and all the panels will be fenced in. Planning panel member Ben Bailey repeated his objection from last week’s Conservation Commission meeting (of which he is a member). The DEP allows floating solar arrays only on man-made water, and the northern reservoir is an extension of a brook there. “Your plan is a violation of state law,” he said.

            Even stronger objections came from direct abutter Lena Finch of 70 Parlowtown Road, who read a letter stating her and her husband Robert’s opposition to the plan and their request to the board to deny the permit. She detailed their concerns about the project’s impact on their property values, the disruptive visual impact, including solar panel glare, the noise and construction disruption, and the environmental disruption. “This is not just a nuisance,” she said, reading from her letter. “It will directly interfere with how we live, work, and enjoy our home.”

            She later read aloud, “It’s a disruption to the ecological function of a sensitive and irreplaceable landscape… I respectfully urge the Planning Board to deny this proposal in its current form.”

            Johnson responded that the board cannot outright deny such a permit because solar projects are protected by state law. He then set required homework for the developer before the next hearing date. He said he wants to see stakes in the ground as tall as the height of the panels. He wants site lines to be measured from the project property to the abutters. He wants to see better aerial pictures of the site. Board member John DiMaggio said the developer should produce a landscape plan with screening rather than request a waiver of the landscaping plan requirement.

            In related action previous to the hearing, the board approved the contract for field engineering to start the project’s peer review.
            Rochester Planning Board’s next meeting will be Tuesday, July 8 at 7:00 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.

Rochester Planning Board

By Michael J. DeCicco

24th Marion to Bermuda Race

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The 2025 Marion to Bermuda race kicked off just after noon on Saturday, June 20. The ships practiced back and forth across Buzzards Bay until they began their multi-day journey. Coming across Penikese Island and making their way around the Elizabethan Islands, the ship Redwood with skipper Pike Severance (Oyster Bay, New York) took the lead, which it would maintain for nearly the entirety of the journey. This year there were 21 boats competing.

            The ships rocketed out of the bay, which had fairly choppy conditions and heavy winds. There were sustained winds of over 30 knots (35~ mph) and 5-foot swells. Skies were clear and blue, however.

            Three yacht clubs organize the event, The Beverly Yacht Club (BYC) of Marion, The Blue Water Sailing Club (BWSC) of Boston, and The Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club (RHADC) of Bermuda. The entry fee for competitors sits between $1,700 and $3,000 depending on size of yacht and time of entry.

            The Marion to Bermuda Race is nearing its 50th anniversary, with the first being held in 1977. The race is notorious for its difficulty and unpredictability, with weather and conditions on the Atlantic frequently turning fast. This has often led to dismastings and DNFs. The race is typically held on the off year of the biannual Newport to Bermuda Race, itself beginning in 1906 and having completed its 53rd race last year.

            Skippers from the Tri-Town in this year’s bout include R. Davis Webb of Marion on the Ardent, Ronald Wisner of Marion on the Hotspur II, Mark Lindquist of Marion on the Raptor, and Michael Malone of Marion on the Rossaveal.

            Following the 645 nautical mile race, an award ceremony/gala is scheduled for Saturday, June 28 at The Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club’s Boat House in Hamilton.

By Sam Bishop

Marion Art Center

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Artists Lisa Goren and Heather Stivison are featured in a new exhibition opening on July 11 with a reception from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. The artists, who are long-time friends, bring to life an appreciation of the natural world, and the need to protect our fragile home. The luminous quality of the work reflects a fascination with water, with ice, and with observed patterns on earth. The MAC will be hosting a gallery talk on Saturday, August 2 at 11:00 am with both artists.

            Heather Stivison is a visual artist whose work has been exhibited in museums, universities, and galleries across the United States and in juried shows in Europe and Asia. Influenced by her mother, who was an art teacher, and her father, who was a research scientist, much of Stivison’s work stands at the intersection of the two fields of art and science. She frequently translates philosophical or scientific concepts into color, line, and form.

            Lisa Goren was born in California and raised in NYC. And yet she has dreamed of Polar landscapes since she was in her teens. Her first trip to Antarctica inspired her to capture this world. Travels to Iceland and Alaska followed. Her watercolors examine this unfamiliar landscape and create questions about the nature of abstraction and our planet with her representations of unfamiliar, threatened terrains.

            The exhibition is open through August 15. The MAC Galleries are located at 80 Pleasant St., Marion. Gallery hours through July 25 are Wed-Fri 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm, Saturdays 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The MAC is closed to visitors on Sundays and Mondays. Regular gallery hours resume on July 31, Thurs-Sat 10:00 am to 2:00 pm daily. For more information visit www.marionartcenter.org/on-exhibit.

Creek Road Water Main Project

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The Marion Department of Public Works, through the Contractor Primetime Development, Inc., will begin construction of the Creek Road Water Main project on Monday, June 23, 2025. The duration of construction (including installation of temporary pavement) is approximately four weeks. Installation of permanent pavement will occur in the fall of 2025. Please note the Contractor will not work the week of June 30 to July 4.

            The extent of the project spans the length of Creek Road. Although limited public access to the roadway will be maintained, motorists can expect delays while traveling through the construction area and should seek alternate routes. Every effort will be made to minimize inconvenience to motorists.

            Please note that in addition to limited access to Creek Road, the Creek Road bike path will be closed to the public starting Monday, June 23 and will reopen at the completion of construction. Please be advised that public access to the construction area, materials, and equipment is prohibited.

            Advanced notice of planned water main/water service shutdowns will be provided to residents/businesses in the area. However, unannounced disruptions in water service due to the construction activities may occur. Therefore, it is not uncommon to experience low water pressure or discolored water during construction. If you experience discolored water, please run the cold water tap until it clears. The Water Department will make a best effort to restore water service as soon as possible.

            Your patience and cooperation are greatly appreciated. Please contact the Department of Public Works should you have any questions: 508-748-3540.

Tutorial On the Codification Committee

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The Marion Select Board held a special meeting on Saturday, June 14 for various discussions regarding the Codification Committee. In attendance were Vice Chair John Hoagland, Member Norm Hills, and Chair of the Planning Board Andrew Daniel. Executive Assistant Dinna Hemphill was also present.

            Hills explained the Codification Committee was formed in 2017. Said committee is Select Board-appointed and tasked with codifying new bylaws as a response to changing local, state, and federal ordinances. Beginning to go through the list of approved changes, Daniel explained the changes are normally “minor in scope” with Hills adding “when we have a meeting we don’t necessarily address all of these; the next time we meet we’ll go through ‘em all and talk about them.” The meeting would serve as prep for Hoagland, being guided by Daniel and Hills on the committee’s practices behind the scenes of typical meetings.

            Hoagland would say “I’m learning!” He said at one point, “Is there a game plan to get some – younger, fresher people?” Daniel interjected, stating “I don’t know if I’m considered one of the young ones anymore.” He explained the difficulty the working class has at committing to meetings on top of their careers. “That’s very difficult for anyone that’s not retired.”

            Following the discussion of various issues put before the table, Hoagland would say “thank you very much Norm for the education.”

Marion Select Board Special Meeting

By Sam Bishop

Juneteenth Celebration at Ned’s

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Juneteenth 2025 found celebrants enjoying the gift of being in community with like-minded people and exchanging greetings and joy through the recognition of this special day.

            Guest speaker to the celebration was Marcus Coward, Human Rights Commissioner, host of Wake Up New Bedford, and a candidate for the New Bedford School Committee, speaking on his message of the importance of positivity and diversity in all communities.

            “I’m a politician and an activist in New Bedford leading the next generation by spreading positive messages of civic engagement.” He said he wants to lead by example and be a role model for all ages.

            Coward said that inspiring the youth is his mission, “…to help youth in being creative and productive with their time.”

            Coward’s message was held in front of the Tri-Town Against Racism (TTAR) Little Diverse Library located at Ned’s Point. Several years ago, shortly after the library was installed, vandals attempted to destroy it and the precious diverse reading materials. The community and the town of Mattapoisett rallied around TTAR assisting with the repair and beefed-up security of the little library. On this bright sunny day, hope for the future was expressed.

            To learn more about TTAR, visit tritownagainstracism.org.

By Marilou Newell

Ruth-Ann (Kirby) Flynn

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Ruth-Ann (Kirby) Flynn, 83, of Wilton CT, passed away peacefully, surrounded by loving family, on June 17, 2025, at The Greens at Cannondale.

            Born in New Bedford, MA, and raised in nearby Rochester, Ruth-Ann was the daughter of the late George Arthur Kirby II and Ruth Sylvia Hartley. She attended Rochester’s Waterman School and New Bedford High School, and received a B.A. in Government from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority.

            After graduation, Ruth-Ann moved to Washington, D.C., where she was employed by the Republican National Committee. It was there that she met her husband-to-be, Charles P. Flynn (Charlie). The couple would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this August.

            From Washington, Ruth-Ann moved to New York City, where she worked as a legal assistant at a Wall Street law firm until her 1965 wedding, at which time she moved to Wilton, CT. It has been her home ever since.

            At the time the Flynns moved to Connecticut, the state was experiencing a teacher shortage and had implemented a program offering teaching permits to liberal arts graduates who completed a summer training course. Ruth-Ann jumped at the opportunity, marking the beginning of what would become a 48-year-long career in education. She later earned a Master’s degree in Education from Fairfield University, further deepening her commitment to teaching and learning.

            Known to generations of students as “Mrs. Flynn,” Ruth-Ann taught both second grade and kindergarten at Ridgebury and Scotland Elementary Schools in Ridgefield. She was active in the Ridgebury and Connecticut Education Associations and participated in contract negotiations for the teachers’ union. She was also a member of the Ridgefield Teachers Association, where she was involved at both the state and national levels. Her legacy continues through an annual college scholarship she established for Ridgefield High School students.

            Ruth-Ann loved downhill skiing, whitewater and sea kayaking, and, more recently, pickleball. She was a member of the Wilton Garden Club and the Wilton Congregational Church, where she served as an usher and was active on the Mission and Service Committee.

            A lifelong dog lover, Ruth-Ann and Charlie shared their home with a series of beloved bloodhounds, and in more recent years, with a basset hound named Maxi.

            Though Connecticut was her home, Ruth-Ann maintained lasting ties to friends and family in Massachusetts. She and Charlie traveled north frequently for family gatherings, especially at Christmas and on Memorial Day, to cheer on relatives in Rochester’s annual river boat race. She remained a proud promoter of the family business, the George Kirby Jr. Paint Company in New Bedford. Even in later years, she rarely missed her cherished summer visit to Snows Pond, where she swam, paddled, and sang around the campfire with her nieces and nephews.

            Ruth-Ann will be remembered for her kindness, her quick wit, and her sweet spirit.

            She is survived by her husband, Charlie; her sister, Meryden Kirby; nephews Mark Hartley, Matthew Hartley, George Kirby IV, and Adam Kirby; nieces Kathy Brady, Shawn Ann Schafler, Dana-Lyn Hartley, and Michelle Kirby; as well as many great-nieces and -nephews, and several great-greats. She was predeceased by her parents and her brother, George A. Kirby III.

            A graveside service will be held for Ruth-Ann on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at 1:00 pm at the Sherman Cemetery, Pine Street, Rochester, MA. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall of the First Congregational Church, 11 Constitution Way, Rochester. A Celebration of Life will take place at the Wilton Congregational Church on Saturday, July 26, at 2:00 pm at Pilgrim Hall.

            To offer online condolences, please visit www.boutonfuneralhome.com.

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