To the Editor:
As I turn back the pages of my diary to early January 2019 – when Article “26” Recreational Marijuana Establishment By-Law became official. – Great News – Beware – Beware there is news of a By-Law change. Slow Down. A close watch needs to take place. We need to know who, what, when, where, and why!!!
Mattapoisett is home to many good people. Mattapoisett is a very special place. She needs to be protected at all costs.
Respectfully,
George Randall, Mattapoisett
Robert Small, Rochester’s newly appointed Police Chief, will be the speaker at the April 17Speakers Night at the Rochester Historical Society at 7:00 pm at the museum located at 355 County Road. Chief Small has been on the police force for thirty years and will be speaking on the changes during that time period and about the future of the department. Any and all are welcome. There is no charge. Come early and browse through the museum. Refreshments will follow.
The second annual Boat Building Seminar took place under clear skies on Saturday, April 4, a perfect spring day in the lot next to the Rochester Fire Department. Art Benner, chairman of the Boat Race Committee, greeted each visitor and got them started with registration, a map of the Mattapoisett River course, race rules, and boat-building tips.
“The race was founded in 1934 by Jim Hartley,” Benner recounted. “I got involved with the boat-building when I was a kid in 4H. … There is no charge to enter the race, so the raffles really help. Even road races have registration fees … but we’ve been doing it this way all along.”
Many visitors were quietly purchasing $5 raffle tickets – sometimes one ticket, sometimes 20. The sunlit array of boats, paddles, great info, and the nearby RMS playground drew people to visit the Rochester Fire Station to learn more.
The race is legendary in the Tri-Town, and a point of pride for Rochester, with close ties to the Rochester Fire & Rescue Department. Among the boats on display was a well-worn craft from 1978, which was much wider and more flexible than the ones built in more recent years. Paddles have also changed and carbon fiber paddles are now favored for being extremely strong and lightweight. Two different types of these paddles were on display to be raffled.
“These paddles are the best. I made these and I make several different kinds which are similar,” said Rochester Firefighter Bill Watling, III, as he held his son David while his daughter, Katelyn, hugged his leg.
Long-time participants like Gary Stopka of Rochester spent years paddling with their kids, and then handed the paddles off when their teens were eager to pair off and set their own records.
“Yes, they’ll be back this year to defend their record,” said Stopka of his daughter Caitlin who is from Rochester, and her race partner, Emma Knox of Mattapoisett. Both are college freshmen and living in different states.
There is always a great party at the finish with food and beverage concessions provided by the RFD. Proceeds benefit Rochester Fire & Rescue.
Important dates for this year’s race include the following: Registration dates are Friday, May 10, and Friday, May 17, 6:30 pm at the Rochester Senior Center. Starting position drawing is Friday, May 17, 8:00 pm at the Rochester Senior Center. Ham and Bean Supper is Saturday, May 25, 5:00 pm at the Rochester Senior Center. Race date is Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, 8:30 am. The Awards Ceremony is Monday, May 27, 7:30 pm at Rochester Memorial School.
Submitted by Erin Bednarczyk
Rochester Planning Board member Mike Murphy stepped up his game on April 9, clearly exceeding the expectations of the board with a sugar-shocking supply of candy straight out of a grown boy’s dreams.
Murphy, the apparent candy man to the board, is depended upon every meeting to deliver an assortment of the favorite candies enjoyed by members predominantly seated on the west end of the conference room table. This week, Murphy slid two plastic tubs of various colored and mixed candies across the conference table like it was a Candy Land game board and Murphy was challenging them to a game.
Meanwhile, representatives for the Site Plan Review and Groundwater Protection District Special Permit request for Attorney Patricia McArdle on behalf of Sofia Darras presented the board with two plan change proposals. The first was the elimination of a swale left of the lot at 565 Rounseville Road, Plumb Corner, with that being replaced with two catch basins. The second was the removal of a section of pipe at the stormwater discharge into the wetlands and the introduction of some riprap and concrete there to improve the conditions.
The representatives said that their client would next prepare a draft Approval Not Required as a result of the plan changes and subsequently complete a land conveyance to swap equal amounts of land between the abutting properties affected by the project, including the proposed 22-duplex age-restricted residential development slated for next door.
Easements will also be granted for septic and infiltration and construction.
The hearing was continued, however, because McArdle wanted further time to communicate with Darras over the latest plan proposal.
In other matters, the board granted an Approval Not Required request for Muriel and Joseph Dvorski, 349 High Street. The board members to the west of the table didn’t comment much as they chewed and then rolled their tongues around and between their teeth and gums, hands clasped as if quietly waiting for an appropriate amount of time to pass before reaching for another candy.
Planning Board member to the east, John DeMaggio, gave in to the urge to get up and reach long for a flawless candy grab 48 minutes into the meeting. After, as he looked west, his face expressed an obvious regret over not having grabbed a bigger handful.
The next Planning Board meeting will feature the public hearing for the Smart Growth Overlay District Zoning Bylaw slated for the Annual Town Meeting Warrant. Johnson said he hopes for a good turnout of residents who still have questions “in order to make a proper and good decisions on the night of Town Meeting.”
The next meeting of the Rochester Planning Board is scheduled for April 23 at 7:00 pm at the Rochester Senior Center.
Rochester Planning Board
By Jean Perry
Mattapoisett Congregational Church, UCC, wraps up its Monday evening study series with a showing of the original 1973 film, Jesus Christ, Superstar, at 6:30 pm on April 15.
Not only is the music terrific, the film is an excellent cinematic interpretation of scripture, showing the emotional and theological nuances of the final earthly days of Jesus.
Casual dinner is provided. For planning purposes only, please call the church office at 508-758-2671. The film is part of the church’s Lenten Series, “Sacrament, Social Justice, Scripture, & the Silver Screen.” All events are held in the church’s basement media room at 6:30 pm. Please park in the church’s Barstow Street lot and enter through the Barstow St. door.
The last speaker in the Science@Work series at Tabor Academy this year is Rhonda Moniz, an underwater forensics specialist, filmmaker, journalist, and ROV pilot/supervisor.
Moniz is also a diving safety officer, and specializes in the use of marine technology in underwater search and recovery, and aquatic crime scene investigation. She has also worked over the past twenty years, as a lead science diver and diving instructor. Moniz is the founder and Director of Operations for Underwater Investigative Group, a company specializing in underwater forensics, and marine technology. She has been involved in a number of expeditions around the globe including several as the first female ROV pilot for Dr. Robert Ballard, who found the Titanic and discovered the presence of hydrothermal vents. During those expeditions, they discovered countless ancient shipwrecks, some that predated the time of Christ, at depths exceeding 10,000 feet.
Moniz is Chairman of the Board for the New England chapter of the Marine Technology Society as well as President of the Marine Oceanographic Technology Network. She is a published author and has acted as a subject matter expert for a number of television productions including a new series on Oxygen Channel. Her work as a dive leader, explorer, filmmaker, and journalist has taken her around the world.
Participate in an engaging evening as Rhonda Moniz shares information and photos from her underwater explorations. Her lecture is free and open to the public on April 15at 6:30 pm at Tabor Academy in the Lyndon South Auditorium at 242 Front Street, Marion.
Tap your feet to lively songs from a variety of Broadway Musicals. The Occasion Singers, under the direction of Cassandra Morgan, bring their unique talents and harmonies to concert goers during this special concert.
Songs from favorite Broadway musicals such as Gypsy, Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, Cabaret, Wizard of Oz, Sound of Music, The Wiz, Anything Goes, West Side Story, and so many more will fill the afternoon with music, laughter and song!
The concert will be held on Sunday, May 5at 2:00 pm at The First Congregational Church of Marion Community Center, 144 Front Street (rear of parking lot). Profits from the concert go to support the programs and missions of The First Congregational Church of Marion.
With cabaret seating, concert goers may bring their own appetizers, picnic lunch, and beverages. “Adult” beverages are allowed, if drinking responsibly. Light snacks are also included in the ticket price of $25.00 per person.
Advance tickets may be purchased by credit card through the church website at: marionfirstchurch.org and clicking on the Broadway Tunes Concert link. If you have questions or need any more information, call the church office at 508-748-1053 (Tuesday from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm and Wednesday – Friday from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm).
Purchase your tickets early because this will be the concert of the spring season! If not sold out, tickets will be available at the door by credit card, check, or cash.
Come to the Broadway Tunes Concert on Sunday, May 5 at 2:00 pm on the second floor of The First Congregational Church Community Center, 144 Front Street, Marion. No wheelchair access. This building is located at the rear of the Marion General Store parking lot. See you there.
Hannah Guard of Marion, Massachusetts, was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. Guard is pursuing degrees in Biochemistry and Psychology at University of Massachusetts.
Lillian McIntire of Mattapoisett, Elise Parker of Mattapoisett, and Emily Josephson, Rochester were named to the 2018 fall semester dean’s list at Simmons Universityin Boston. To qualify for dean’s list status, undergraduate students must obtain a grade point average of 3.5 or higher, based on 12 or more credit hours of work in classes using the letter grade system.
After months of deliberation and numerous public hearings, the Marion Zoning Board of Appeals issued a special permit Thursday night to Mark Ross and Margot Mims for their project at 195c Converse Road.
The applicants proposed to elevate an existing house to make it FEMA compliant, using the same footprint of the prior house, except for an extension of a deck off the south side of the building.
The existing non-conformity is the 14-foot setback to the northern property line.
The applicants’ attorney, John Markey, stated that there had been no change to the proposal since the February meeting, but cautioned the board to reference only the correspondence they had received pertaining to the current plan, dated January 29. He argued that the proposal does not increase the non-conformity, since the structure is not moving closer to the property line, only moving laterally along it.
At a previous hearing, both the Planning Board and an abutter, Caroline Elkins of 195a Converse Road, suggested the board should consider the zoning bylaw section that governs the Flood Hazard District when considering this proposal, since the existing structure is located partially within the V zone.
The board spent considerable time grappling with the bylaw section that states, “In the case of lots created before the date of enactment of this bylaw and with areas both in the Velocity Zone and outside the Velocity Zone, all structures built after the enactment of this bylaw shall be located in the area outside the Velocity Zone. If this area is not sufficient to allow for the required zoning setbacks, the applicant may apply for a variance to allow lesser setbacks. The only exceptions are seawalls, piers, groins, wharves, weirs and similar structures.”
The board wasn’t sure if the raising and extension of the structure should be considered new construction under this bylaw, and Elkins’ attorney, Marc Deshaies, argued because the property is located within the Flood Hazard District, and because the applicant has the ability to build outside the V zone, that section does apply. Elkins, through her attorney, provided a letter to the board, which stated in part that the bylaw states “no new construction of any sort may be built in the Marion Velocity Zone.”
[T]he only available option is to build outside the Velocity zone,” wrote Elkins.” This option is available to [Ross and Mims], as their property includes ample area for construction fully outside the Velocity zone.”
Markey asserted, “[The existing house is] lawfully in existence … therefore not a structure being built, but modified.” He added that the setbacks already are nonconforming, but will not become more nonconforming.
Nonconforming structures in existence before the 1999 zoning bylaw may be governed by the old setback requirements.
“Arguably, you could be [increasing the nonconformity] if you are extending the structure, increasing the size of the nonconformity,” said Carboni. “Anytime you increase the size of a nonconforming structure on a nonconforming lot, [you are] increasing the nonconformity.” She urged the board to first examine the applicability of the bylaw, and underscored that, since the lot has area both in and out of the V zone, that section 203-8.1E2 (no new construction in a V zone) applied, but that the board could look at other sections to inform their decision and to understand the intent of the bylaws.
ZBA member Tad Wollenhaupt reiterated that section 230-8.1E1 states “no new construction of any sort” in the Marion Velocity zone.
Carboni remarked that this was for lots entirely within the V zone, and could be used to “shed light” on the decision, but does not apply directly to the current application.
Building Commissioner Scott Shippey, Carboni stated, has said that a property owner is allowed, by right, to raise a structure to make it FEMA compliant.
The board discussed the applicability and merits of the different sections of the bylaw, but Carboni steered them back to 8.1E2, and advised them to “come to consensus” about the question of whether the construction was “new” or not, in order to move on to section 230-6.1, which allows construction within the V zone only when impossible to build outside of it. Carboni allowed that, if the board was trying to understand if the intent of the bylaw was to not allow any structure in the V zone, another section, 8.1E4, seemed to say construction is allowed.
Carboni said she found section 8.1E2 as “ambiguous” and that it could be interpreted either way. Section 8.1E4 contemplates construction in the V zone, including improvements, and it could be defensible to interpret 8.1E2 in a similar way.
“If the board finds it permissible,” Carboni said, “then you go to 6.1 for expansion of a nonconforming structure.”
Leblanc also wanted the January 29 plan to go back before the Conservation Commission.
Ultimately, the ZBA found that the proposed construction does not violate any provision of section 230-8.1 of the bylaw, and approved the special permit under section 6.1, stating that the proposed expansion is not substantially more detrimental than the existing structure.
Also during the meeting, the board denied a variance for Wayne and Bonnie Camara, 222 Point Road, to build a two-car attached garage with less than the required setbacks. David Davignon, of N. Douglas Schneider & Associates, submitted the “shape of lot” criteria as the evidence for a hardship, as required for a variance. The board responded to this assertion by suggesting that the Camaras could relieve the hardship by simply building a smaller garage.
John and Jessica Peters, 20 South Street, were a no-show for their proposal for a special permit for setback relief for a gazebo and swimming pool; their abutters, however, asked questions and viewed the plans.
Leblanc asked what the options were for the board if the applicant didn’t show up again. Carboni noted that the board could close the hearing, but acknowledged that it was “uncharacteristic of this professional (Anthi Frangiadis) to not show up.” The hearing was continued to May 2.
The next meeting of the Marion Zoning Board of Appeals is scheduled for April 18 at 6:30 pm in the Marion Town House.
Marion Zoning Board of Appeals
By Sarah French Storer
In May of 2018 during a Bulldog Block in Señora Carreira’s Spanish classroom, Lily Govoni, Class of 2019 at Old Rochester Regional High School, expressed her desire to create a knitting club to teach other students how to knit. Lily is a very kind and talented student, and Señora Carreira did not hesitate to say, “Let’s do it!” The idea was to have a group of students share patterns and spend time in a calming activity to help reduce the stress that many students experience in high school.
Together, they gathered ideas and yarn from their own old projects, and formalized their thoughts. By the end of September, they had already spoken with many students and came up with the perfect name: “Knit OR Crochet Club.”
The first idea that came to Lily’s mind was to use the club to help others. Next, the club was approved to be a community service opportunity,and they began to work on the logo and advertisement of the club. During the ORRHSClubs Fairin the fall of 2019, many students expressed excitement about joining the “Knit OR Crochet Club.” The first meeting was held October 3, 2018, with 24 students. Currently, there are 12 regular knitters and many other students who come when the academic load allows. The club has met every Friday during Bulldog Block.
“It is amazing how well the kids work together,” said Carreira. “They arrive with a lot of enthusiasm and love to knit. Many students have taken projects to complete at home and many have come up with different ideas. We all have learned from each other. Everyone is welcome!”
After the club was established and began to grow, they were in need of more materials, including crochet and knitting needles, to keep on working. Some students began knitting with pencils and needed more yarn to keep working.
The knitting club presented the idea to the Student Council at ORR, hoping to be awarded some money to buy what they desperately needed. Student Council opened a spot in its meeting agenda and, after the students finished their presentation, the Student Council voted “yes” with a unanimous consent, allotting $200 for the club to buy more supplies.
With the materials, and after four months of work, students were able to complete 44 hats, 13 scarves, 12 headbands, and three pairs of mittens.
On Wednesday, March 20, some of the students brought the handmade donations to the Extreme Weather Overflow Shelter at Sister Rose House in New Bedford, where residents and volunteers received them with a very warm welcome. Shelter Volunteer Coordinator Robin Muise had the students introduce themselves, and then everyone gathered to pick their handmade items. It was a very special moment for all of them, filled with lots of compliments and appreciation for the students’ handiwork.
“The Knit OR Crochethas amazing kids with big hearts,” Carreira said. “I am very fortunate to be the person supporting their great ideas and I am very proud of them! I believe this is only the beginning. We plan on keep on knitting so we can make another donation in November of 2019 before the weather gets extremely cold. Now, we want to learn how to make gloves.”
But the club needs the community’s help with acquiring some more yarn and supplies to continue the community service.
“We appreciate all donations of yarn you may find at home [or on sale while you’re shopping] so we can continue fulfilling our goal of helping those who experience the uncomfortable feeling of being cold in the winter months,” said Carreira on behalf of the entire club.
Please contact Diana Carreira, or bring the donations to the Main Office at ORRHS. Any knitting and croqueting materials are welcome, and the students will make more beautiful projects with your help.Thank you very much in advance for your support.
Submitted by ORRHS Staff