Sippican Historical Society

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In 1998, the Sippican Historical Society commissioned an architectural survey of Marion’s historic homes and buildings. The survey was funded one-half by the Sippican Historical Society and one-half by the Massachusetts Historical Commission. Due to the limits of funding, not all of the historic buildings were surveyed, but over 100 were catalogued and photographed. The results of the survey are in digital form on the Massachusetts Historical Commission’s website and in four binders in the Sippican Historical Society’s office (and at the Marion Town Clerk’s office).

            Marion (Old Rochester) is one of the oldest towns in the United States, and the Sippican Historical Society maintains an extensive collection of documentation on its historic buildings. The Sippican Historical Society will preview one building a week so that the residents of Marion can understand more about its unique historical architecture.

            This installment features 173 Front Street. This Late Federal-style home was built c. 1830 for B.R. Keith. The cellar in this home was used in the mid-nineteenth century as a stop on the Underground Railroad to conceal runaway slaves.

Sun Shines on Egg Hunt Rain Date

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            It’s hunting season at Peirson Woods in Marion – Easter egg hunting season, that is – and on Sunday, April 14, nearly a dozen or so local children armed with their Easter baskets led a successful hunt indeed, managing to round up over 600 eggs left hidden by a benevolent Sippican Lands Trust.

            The annual hunt began with a whistle, signaling to the young hunters that it was time to hop to it. They scoured the forest floor for their prey, peeked behind rocks and fallen trees, foraged through the low-lying brush and branches, and searched inside the hollows of old tree trunks until every egg was found.

            From above, the abundant sunshine penetrated the still leafless trees all the way down to the daffodils that line the trail, as the ospreys kept a close watch on the commotion below. It felt like the first official day of spring as the sun warmed the decaying leaves and pine needles on the earth left damp from the day before, which rained out the original date for the annual event. Nonetheless, Sunday proved to be the better morning for the Easter festivities, and the perfect prelude for the celebrations to come next Sunday on Easter proper.

By Jean Perry

Converse Road Subdivision Must File NOI

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            With no public hearings on April 10, the Marion Conservation Commission took the opportunity to discuss other agenda items.

            The Zoning Board of Appeals sent a request for comment regarding a special permit application by 22 Cove Street LLC, which owns property located at 213 Converse Road, between Zora Road and Beach Street. The owners are seeking waivers from a number of requirements for the development of a subdivision.

            Administrative Assistant Lissa Magauran informed the commission that a Notice of Intent (NOI) had been filed for the parcel and will be heard at the next meeting on April 24, and this information will be passed on to the ZBA.

            In addition, there had been a complaint about unpermitted work occurring at the site, which ConCom member Marc Belanger investigated. Belanger noted that there was evidence of work on the site, which resulted from work that had occurred last summer. Vice Chairman Shaun Walsh reached out to engineer David Davignon, who has worked on plans for the site, and his opinion was that the owners or contractors would not work on the site without permission. This seemed to satisfy the commission.

            At their last meeting, the commission issued an enforcement order to M.P. O’Leary and K.J. Welch for their property at 82 West Avenue on Planting Island. The order pertained to work that had occurred at the site within resource areas under the commission’s jurisdiction. The entire site is within the V-zone, and includes other resource areas, including barrier beach and salt marsh.

            The commission received confirmation that the enforcement order was received by the owners on April 5, and the owners were ordered to cease and desist all work and install erosion control near any work that had occurred within three days of receipt of the letter.

            Chairman Jeff Doubrava, who was not at the meeting this evening and who lives near the property, had told Magauran he had not seen any work done on the site.

            The owners also must submit a Notice of Intent within 30 days of the issuance of the enforcement order.

            Walsh established that town counsel had not been copied on the letter, and suggested that if, after the commission’s site visit on April 20, it is clear the owners have not complied with the order, town counsel should be notified.

            In other business, the commission sent a reminder letter to The Cove, which has a longstanding enforcement order pursuant to a fence constructed by them within the conservation restriction held by the Town.

            At the last appearance before the commission back in January, Cove representative, Kathy Reed, had asked for time to allow for a member of the board to return from traveling. At that time, Walsh had suggested that The Cove determine by survey exactly where the fence was on the property, and come back before the commission with solutions to the violation. Magauran noted that she had been contacted by The Cove and had been asked for the commission’s personal email addresses. She did not comply, and told The Cove they should communicate with the commission through the commission office.

            The commission discussed an issue at the bottom of Ryder Street, where a culvert empties into the harbor adjacent to Burr Brothers and Tabor Academy. An accumulation of silt has developed to the degree that, at low tide, small boats moored in the location sit high and dry. Walsh remarked that, if it can be demonstrated that the Town is not adequately maintaining the catch basin, it could be argued the Town is responsible for the issue.

            The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission is scheduled for April 24 at 7:00 pm in the Marion Town House.

Marion Conservation Commission

By Sarah French Storer

Calling All Poets and Musicians

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ArtWeek is coming to the Marion Art Center, and the MAC is seeking participant submissions for two upcoming events. The MAC is calling for original poems for the second half of our “Poetry Knockout” event on Friday, May 3from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Subjects to be addressed should have the same themes we’ll hear from the actors: Nature, Love, Society, Immortality, or Religion. Poets should feel free to use their creativity in writing the poems they want to present. For example, the subject of love need not necessarily address romantic love, but it should impart the sense of a pure and positive emotion toward the subject of the poem. All pre-approved poets may attend the event for free, while audience tickets are just $10 each. Additionally, the MAC is seeking musicians, high school-aged and up, for the “Jazz Jam” on Saturday, May 4from 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm (audience tickets $12). Original poems for the Knockout, or interest in jamming with the house band during the Jam, should be submitted to marionartcenter@verizon.net. 

            More Workshops Coming to the MAC:

            The Marion Art Center is pleased to announce new adult programs for the spring season. The MAC will run a second round of the three-day workshop, “Dare to Decorate” with Diane Kelley, where students will be guided step-by-step on a creative journey to discover their own personal decorating style. Classes run Wednesdays from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm on May 1, 8, 15in the MAC studio. Cost: $110 for MAC members/$120 for non-members. For an additional $20, students may attend a guided field trip to the Boston Design Center on Wednesday, May 22. (Transportation not provided – attendees may carpool.) Individuals who want to join the field trip without signing up for the workshop may register for $30.

            Featured artists from the MAC’s current exhibition will each offer a one-day workshop in the MAC Studio. Cost: $30 for MAC members/$35 for non-members. John Irwin will teach Expressive Painting with Acrylics on Saturday, April 27, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm. Lori Bradley will teach Paint Your Pet (or Other Animals) on Saturday, May 11, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm.

            The MAC will also host Margaret Laine’s Vision Board Workshop on Saturday, May 18, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm in the MAC Theater. Come out for an evening of creative collage-creation & manifestation. In this two-hour workshop, students will learn the power behind vision boards and “the law of attraction” manifested in everyday life. Materials will be provided to make one’s own vision board, and students will receive step-by-step instructions on how to activate their intentions and make their vision boards into reality. Cost: $30 for MAC members/$35 for non-members

            For more information, or to register online for classes and workshops, please visit www.marionartcenter.org/art-classes.

Marion Candidates’ Night

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On May 2, all Marion voters will have an opportunity to meet candidates, both opposed or uncontested, at this year’s Candidates’ Night at 7:00 pm at the Music Hall. This annual event is sponsored by the League of Women Voters. There will be presentations by candidates for all elected offices as well as an opportunity to familiarize yourself with the views of all who chose to run for office this year.

            There are two town committees with contests. Four candidates are running for the Planning Board: Barry Gaffey, William do Carmo, Joseph Rocha, and incumbent Will Saltonstall. Two candidates have filed papers for the Board of Assessors, Barry Gaffey and Catherine Gibbs.

Candidates for office who are uncontested include John Waterman for Selectman, Brad Gordon for Moderator, Edward Hoffer for Board of Health, Lee Gunschel for Tree Warden, Nicole Daniel for Marion School Committee, Heather Burke for ORR School Committee, and for two openings on Open Space Acquisition Commission, Casey Gunschel and incumbent John Rockwell. 

All candidates have been invited to make presentations and to answer questions. Here is your chance to become more knowledgeable about the views of those who are stepping up to help make Marion run efficiently and effectively. All voters in Marion are encouraged to mark calendars now and plan to attend. Town Election Day in Marion is on Friday, May 17.

Mattapoisett Town Scholarship

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The town of Mattapoisett will be offering a one thousand dollar scholarship to a resident high school senior who is planning to attend an accredited college in the fall of 2019. All applications are due by May 10.

            The following will be required information, in order of importance:

1. Financial need

2. Official high school transcript

3. Professional letter of reference (teacher or counselor)

4. Extra curricular activities

5. Community service

Applications are available in the guidance office of all the local high schools. Send application to: Mattapoisett Town Hall, attn. Catherine Heuberger, 16 Main Street, Mattapoisett, MA 02739

Rochester Farms Solar Project Enters the Ring

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            It isn’t often that the Rochester Conservation Commission has a light, uncomplicated agenda. But as sweet and easy as a spring breeze, that was the case when the commission met on April 16.

            Coming before the commission with an Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation was SWEB Development USA, LLC for property located at 0 Marion Road, owned by Rochester Farms, LLC – Craig Canning.

            Canning was represented by Mathew Morrow, the environmental consulting engineer for the solar developer, seeking to have some 3,850 linear feet confirmed from wetlands flags placed by Morrow.

            Future plans for the site include a ground-mounted solar array – the largest one in Rochester if approved.

            Conservation Agent Laurell Farinon said that she needed time to review the flags, and requested that a peer review consultant evaluate soils in ditch areas near the proposed site.

            After reaching an agreement of $3,000 for an initial peer-review consultant fee, the hearing was continued until June 18.

In other business, the public hearing for a very large and very complicated application that has been wending its way through wetlands regulations and Planning Board review for months was again continued.

            The Notice of Intent filing by Repurpose Properties LLC, Buzzards Bay for a 22-duplex age-restricted subdivision proposed for Rounseville Road near Plumb Corner was continued until May 21 at the request of the applicant. In their missive to the commission, the request was made to allow for the preparation of the final engineering documents.

            Coming before the commission, after recusing herself, that is, was one of the commission’s own, Maggie Payne, for property located at 555 Walnut Plain Road.

            Payne and her husband, Justin, sought a Negative Determination of Applicability for a Request for their Determination of Applicability for the removal of eight pine trees on the property that were either severely damaged, diseased, or threatening their home. The request received a Negative Determination of Applicability.

            The next meeting of the Rochester Conservation Commission is scheduled for May 7 at 7:00 pm in the Rochester Town Hall meeting room.

Rochester Conservation Commission

By Marilou Newell

ORR Tennis Rides Winning Streak to Start Season

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            Both Old Rochester Regional (ORR) boys and girls tennis have started the 2019 season on a hot streak with both winning their first three respective matches.

            On the girls’ team, first singles Delaney Pothierwas dominant in the Bulldogs most recent matchup against Barnstable. She took the first set 6-2 and went on to win the second 6-0. This performance came on the heels of a win against Somerset Berkley where she faced some adversity, losing her first set 6-0. She would go on to win the next set 6-3 and took the final set 6-1.

            ORR won the matches against Barnstable and Somerset Berkley by the same 5-0 score.

            Danielle Nutterhas been lights out at second singles, winning her match against Barnstable 6-1, 6-0, and took both sets against Somerset Berkley 6-0. It’s been much of the same for Ella MacIntyreat third singles. She also swept her Somerset Berkley match 6-0, 6-0. She took the Barnstable match 6-2, 6-0.

            For the boys, ORR first singles Ray Williamswas able to grind out a win against one of the top tennis players in the state, Barnstable’s Trevor Blaze. After dominating the first set 6-1, Williams lost the second set 6-4. He would go on to rally to a 10-6 finish, securing the win against Blaze.

            Williams’ match against Somerset Berkley went more smoothly as he cruised to a 6-1, 6-0 win. Like the girls, the boys’ tennis team knocked off Somerset Berkley and Barnstable by the same score, 5-0.

            The Bulldogs have not surrendered a point from second singles over the last two matches, despite relying on two different players in each. Marc Pothierwon 6-0, 6-0 against Somerset Berkley, and Geoff Noonandid the same against Barnstable.

            Old Rochester Regional alum Will Hopkinscontinues to make strides with Suffolk University’ baseball team. The sophomore outfielder is hitting a whopping .381 with a .451 on-base percentage through the first 29 games of the season. He has nearly tied his 2018 RBI total (27) knocking in 20. He also has four triples (two more than last year) five doubles, a home run, and 18 stolen bases (seven more than last year).

Old Colony

            Old Colony baseball’s pitching staff has been dominant through the first four games of the season, putting together a collective 2.07 ERA between Jacob Worden, Matt Bumpus, and Nick Hedlund.

            Worden is the only one who has made two starts, posting a 1.62 ERA with 19 strikeouts over 13 innings of work. Bumpus has a 2.21 ERA and struck out seven over 6 1/3. Bumpus also has one save. Hedlund has also made one start and a relief appearance, logging a 2.74 ERA with eight strikeouts over 7 2/3 innings.

Tabor Academy

            Marion native and Tabor Academy alum PJ Poulincontinues to represent the Tri-Town area on the baseball diamond, now in his first full season of professional baseball after being drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 11th round of the 2018 Major League Baseball Draft.

            While with short-season Boise in 2018, Poulin had a 1.96 ERA while working as the team’s closer. He struck out 33 and walked 10 in his 23 innings while saving all seven of his save opportunities.

            Poulin remains in the bullpen with Single-A Asheville, though there has only been one save opportunity for the Tourists this year and he was not the one thrown into the situation. However, in his five appearances, he’s logged 7 1/3 innings with one walk and eight strikeouts, churning out a 2.45 ERA and an impressive 0.82 WHIP.

High School Sports Update

By Nick Friar

Mattapoisett Area Artists

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The Mattapoisett Area Artists (MAA) are looking for people to display their artwork for an upcoming show at the Falmouth Hospital for the months of May & June. The fee is $20.00 and the deadline is April 27. If you have questions or are interested please email MAA.artclub@gmail.com. 

Author Talk: Jana Milbocker

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Do you enjoy touring beautiful gardens? Come join Jana Milbocker, garden designer, lecturer, garden writer, owner of Enchanted Gardens, and author of “The Garden Tourist,” and take an armchair tour of the best public gardens in the Northeast. The program, free and open to the public, will be held at the Mattapoisett Free Public Library on Sunday, May 5from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm. Signed copies of Milbocker’s book will be available for purchase.

            Please register for this event by calling the Library at 508-758-4171. The Library is located at 7 Barstow Street and is handicapped accessible.