House Fire on Meadowbrook Lane

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At approximately 06:47, the Mattapoisett Dispatch Center received a 911 call reporting a structure fire at 28 Meadowbrook Lane. The Mattapoisett Fire department was dispatched with a working fire assignment. The Chief Andrew Murray arrived on scene and reported heavy fire showing from the residence. The Chief immediately called for a second alarm fire assignment bringing in mutual aid companies from Fairhaven, Marion, and Rochester to the scene. Acushnet Fire was called in to cover the station and remainder of the town during the fire. The fire took four engine companies and thirty firefighters from four communities to get under control in approximately thirty minutes. Water had to be shuttled in from the closest hydrant which was over two miles away. Extensive overhaul was completed to assure there wasn’t any fire extension. Fire crews remained on scene for the majority of the day assisting the homeowner and investigating the cause. The fire is under investigation at this time. No injuries were reported. Damages are estimated to be around three hundred thousand dollars. The Red Cross was called in to help the two displaced residents.

Mattapoisett Fire Depatment Press Release

Photos Courtesy Fairhaven Fire Depatment

Robert E. Wenstrom

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Robert E. Wenstrom, 89, of Mattapoisett died November 13, 2017 at St. Luke’s Hospital surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with kidney disease.

He was the husband of the late Martha D. (Delano) Wenstrom, with whom he shared 61 years of marriage.

Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Harold E. and Helen E. (Tinkham) Wenstrom, he lived in Mattapoisett most of his life.

Mr. Wenstrom began his forestry career with the Massachusetts Division of Forests and Parks, Department of Natural Resources in 1954 when he was assigned to Myles Standish Forest. He then worked at Shawme-Crowell State Forest before retiring as senior supervisor from Massasoit State Park. Mr. Wenstrom was also a volunteer fire fighter with the Mattapoisett Fire Department.

He was a member of the Machaucum Club.

In retirement, he enjoyed vacationing in Maine with his wife. He enjoyed spending time with friends on the Mattapoisett town wharf. Mr. Wenstrom also enjoyed spending time with his family, fishing, biking and walking.
He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was a member of the Florence Eastman American Legion in Mattapoisett.

Survivors include his 2 daughters, Laurie Niemiec of Mattapoisett and Pamela Archambault and her husband Paul of Fairhaven; 3 grandchildren, Nichole Sullivan, Heather Beaulieu and Kellie Archambault; and 2 great-grandchildren, Kaia and Bria.

He was the brother of the late Richard Wenstrom and Olive Groves.

His visiting hours will be held on Saturday, November 18th from 1-4 PM with a prayer service at 3:15 PM in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516 Topeka, KS 66675. For directions and guestbook. please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Richard J. Mello

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Richard J. Mello, age 76 of New Bedford, passed away on Wednesday, June 28, 2017 at Massachusetts General Hospital. He was the beloved husband of Patricia (Arruda) and son of the late Evangeline (Prenda) and Joseph Mello.

Mr. Mello was born in New Bedford, MA. He graduated from New Bedford High School as well as Southeastern Massachusetts University where he obtained a degree in education. He was an art teacher at the Rochester, Marion and Mattapoisett Elementary Schools for 10 years and also taught art at ORR Jr. High School for 30 years.

He is survived by his wife Patricia; son, Jason and his wife, Nicole; daughter, Sara; 2 granddaughters, Alexis and Brooke; a sister, Beverly and her husband, Larry Fields; 3 nephews, Jeff Fields, Rick Fields and Adam Mello. He was also the brother of the late Elizabeth Mello.

According to his wishes, he was cremated. A memorial service will be held in the ORR auditorium on Sunday, Dec 3rd from 1-3pm.

An Inconvenient Sequel Screening

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National Public Radio reported last week that human activities are the dominant causes of global warming based on the Climate Science Special Report recently submitted to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. This report is congressionally mandated and is considered to be the nation’s most authoritative climate science assessment compiled by academic and governmental science experts. These findings have far-reaching implication on environmental and economic policy, human rights, quality of life, and health of the planet going forward.

This recent news is a timely backdrop for the upcoming Falmouth Academy Community Series screening of the film An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power followed by an expert panel of climate scientists on Thursday, November 30 at 6:00 pm in the Simon Center for the Arts at Falmouth Academy. There is a brief reception before the show starting at 5:30 pm.

An Inconvenient Sequel shows the tireless efforts around the globe of environmental stewards led by former Vice President Al Gore as they work to implement and advocate for sustainability and international climate policy reform. This sequel comes ten years after the release of the Oscar-winning ground-breaking film, An Inconvenient Truth.

Woods Hole Research Center is ranked the #1 climate change think tank, and Falmouth Academy is pleased to welcome its President and Executive Director Dr. Phil Duffy and Deputy Director and Senior Scientist Dr. Robert Max Holmes to a panel discussion with Dr. Heather Goldstone, WGBH science editor following the film. They will answer questions about the causes and effects of climate change.

The event is co-sponsored by the Woods Hole Research Center and partially funded by the Woods Hole Foundation. Admission is free, but reservations are required. For reservations or more information, please call 508-457-9696 or reserve online at falmouthacademy.org.

Marion Keeps Fire Station Open House Tradition

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A fire station open house is like walking into a child’s world of wonder, powering on his imagination, plugging into his curiosity, and downloading a dream.

Welcome to the Marion Fire Department’s Open House on the night of November 6.

So much to see, so much to learn and do – there were swirling lights, rows of fire engines to climb aboard and firefighter suits to touch.

Table after table was filled with fun games and activities, and don’t forget the plastic fire fighter hats, along with lines waiting for face painting, fire hose target practice, and cookies and pizza – all implements of imagination expansion for the boys and girls who are our future firefighters-to-be.

Marion Fire Chief Brian Jackvony presided over it all, no doubt perceived by some of the little ones as the most important man in town. Jackvony stopped by to check in with his wife, Linda, who was passing out slices of pizza to the hefty crowd of open house-goers.

Many of the spouses of the Marion firefighters assisted with the event at coloring stations, the cookie table, and the always popular face painting station.

Firefighter Joel Waters gave a tour of the souped-up doll house outfitted with fire safety simulators – a working fire alarm managed via remote control, working lights and electric outlets that flashed and buzzed to teach about fire hazards, real smoke, and even the odors of electrical fire and smoke to familiarize people with the smells of danger.

But inside the walls of this facility are more than just the standard features of a fire station. Plastered all over the corkboard of the inner hallway are handwritten thank you cards addressed to the firefighters, thanking them for their bravery or for their vital help in assisting them during some of the worst moments of their lives.

These genuine messages of gratitude outnumber the flyers advertising for safety courses and upcoming events, and although these firefighters would say that they were just doing their jobs, some of the residents they helped maintain that these men and women are special – seeing in them exactly what the kids climbing into the front seats of those engines hope to be when they grow up.

By Jean Perry

Elizabeth Taber Library Teen Drop-in Activities

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Elizabeth Taber Library will be hosting Teen Drop-in Activities. Enjoy our complimentary cookies while you create. Event dates are:

Tuesday, November 21 from 3:00 to 4:30 pm, Make Beaded Jewelry

Tuesday, December 5 from 3:00 to 4:30 pm, Make Duct Tape Wallets

Tuesday, December 19 from 3:00 to 4:30 pm, Make Origami Gift Boxes

Wareham Street Lots Clear First Hurdle

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With few items to discuss on Monday evening, the Marion Planning Board on November 6 efficiently dispensed with its business. The board approved an Approval Not Required proposal and took the opportunity of a light agenda to discuss, among other things, the process with which they hire consulting engineers.

Engineer David Davignon of N. Douglas Schneider & Associates represented Henry and Judith Dejesus in a proposed ANR plan.

The land, located off of Wareham Street (Route 6) at Marion’s boundary with Wareham, is a large parcel that currently has on it what Davignon described as a “dilapidated house.”

The applicants want to divide the parcel into four buildable lots, all with 250 feet of frontage on Route 6, and ranging in size from 2.67 acres to 11.95 acres. Currently, the intent is to market three of the four lots, setting the parcel with the house aside for sale at a later date.

The address for the entire parcel is 3 Bournhurst Road, further described as a paper street by Davignon. The wetlands have been flagged, but the applicant has not gone before the Conservation Commission as of yet. Board member Steve Kokkins asked what flood zone designation the land was in, to which Davignon replied that all the lots are out of the floodplain except Lot 1. Part of Lot 1 is in the velocity zone, but the house is built in the “A” zone due to the significant amount of saltmarsh in front of it.

Kokkins also asked about the driveway access to the lots and the need for additional curb cuts. Davignon said the intent is to use the current curb cut, which is wide and eminently useable, either as a common drive for all lots or in another configuration to be determined at a later date.

Board member Norm Hills asked if the lots would be serviced by sewer or septic. Davignon assured the board that the perc tests were excellent and all lots would be served by septic systems.

Davignon has also spoken with the fire chief about bringing a hydrant to serve the site.

The ANR plan was approved unanimously, including board member Jennifer Francis calling in from California.

At a previous meeting, the board had appointed members Will Saltonstall and Steve Kokkins as the point people for the site plan review for 111 Wareham Road. Saltonstall reported that they had received the plans and would like to recommend hiring Tibbetts Engineering as the consulting engineer for the board. Saltonstall reviewed for the board its process for hiring consulting engineers, noting that a few years ago the board sent out a Request for Proposals and G.A.F. Engineering, Tibbetts, JC Engineering, and Beals & Thomas responded. He added that if the cost of the consulting was under $5,000 then it didn’t have to go out to bid.

In his town planner report, Gil Hilario briefed the board on a new effort by the Marion Historical Commission, with encouragement from the Plymouth County Registry of Deeds, to create deed summaries of the ‘historic’ buildings in the town. This summary would include not only structures of historical age and significance, but also homes of important historic figures. This summary would be recorded at the registry to be accessible for researchers so that vital facts regarding important properties would be less likely to be lost over time.

In other business, Chairman Eileen Marum reported on her attendance at the Office of Technical Assistance and the Massachusetts Chemical Safety and Climate Change Preparedness Seminar. In light of the catastrophe after Hurricane Harvey, in which toxic chemicals were introduced to the air and water in and around Houston, Texas, she urged the town to take advantage of SRPEDD’s offer to hold a seminar in town. Marum underscored the hazards present within Marion as a coastal community, specifically the risks associated with boat yards and the wastewater treatment plant. The toxins potentially released into the environment, she said, due to a catastrophic storm “…into our water and harbor and could contaminate our seafood.” Marum’s report will be available on the town website.

Francis suggested that a new subcommittee be created to help guide the implementation of the Master Plan, including members from the Planning Board, the general public, and other stakeholders. Marum suggested there be a “robust discussion” at the next scheduled meeting.

The next meeting of the Marion Planning Board is scheduled for November 20 at 7:00 pm at the Marion Town House.

Marion Planning Board

By Sarah French Storer

 

Katherine I. (Majahad) Gayoski

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Katherine I. (Majahad) Gayoski, 95, of Rochester, died Nov. 11, 2017 in Tobey Hospital, Wareham. She was the widow of the late Thomas Gayoski and daughter of the late Simon and Ida (Fields) Majahad.

She was born in Carver and lived in Rochester for most of her life.

Mrs. Gayoski graduated from Middleboro High School and Diman Vocational School.

She worked as an LPN at Tobey Hospital for many years before retiring.

Mrs. Gayoski was a member of the Rochester Women’s Club and the Rochester Grange. She enjoyed playing Bingo, canning, baking, and cooking.

Survivors include her son, Thomas Gayoski, Jr. and his companion, Beatrice Renauld of Rochester; 2 daughters, Sandra Hardy and her friend, Rene Depot and Kathleen Gayoski and her friend, Lesly Mellberg all of Rochester; 8 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren.

Her funeral will be held at 9:00 am on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017 from Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Hwy., Wareham, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in St. Rose of Lima Church, 282 Vaughan Hill Rd., Rochester. Burial will follow in Union Cemetery.

Visiting hours are from 4 to 7 pm on Tuesday at the funeral home.

The Spectacular Spectrum: Learn About Autism

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The experience of autism varies for each person, just like experience varies for neurotypical individuals. However, there are some characteristics that we can all learn about that will make the day-to-day world of those with autism an easier place to navigate. Who better to learn from than someone with autism?

Join Charles McIntire at the Mattapoisett Free Public Library on Wednesday, November 15 at 6:30 pm to learn more about the strengths, quirks, and challenges for people on the autism spectrum.

“I’d like to change some misconceptions about autism and address the stigma that autistic people can feel. We would like to take charge of the conversation around autism,” stated McIntire.

McIntire is a founding member of Intelligent Autistic Media, a group of autistic self-advocates and their allies. He will be sharing information and experiences to help the audience better understand autism and to learn to be better allies and advocates to those in our community.

His paintings and drawings will be on display the evening of the talk and for several weeks afterward.

Please register to attend the program by calling the library at 508-758-4171 or email Susan Pizzolato at spizzolo@sailsinc.org.

The Mattapoisett Library is located at 7 Barstow Street, and is handicapped accessible. Refreshments will be served.

Mattapoisett Yacht Club

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Mattapoisett Yacht Club wrapped up the 2017 Season with its Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet at the Waypoint Center in New Bedford. Rachel Westgate was installed as Rear Commodore to join returning Flag officers Commodore Ed Sargent, Vice Commodore Kai Srisirikul, Treasurer Charlie Smith and Secretary Stephanie Ducharme.

The year’s racing and cruising events were reviewed and awards presented. First place overall summer PHRF class “A” went to Mark Thornhill in J-30 No Quarter Given, first place overall in PHRF “B” Fleet went to Don Ross in Frers 33 Coconuts, and the overall winner in the Ensign Class was John Mello in One Love. 2017 marked the beginning of an annual Buzzards Bay Trophy, a six-race competition to determine an overall PHRF champion. Area yacht clubs each sponsor a distance race. MYC ‘s Bob Warren in Dufour 38 In Deep took third place in the Cruising Division.

In addition to the racing awards, Charlie Smith received the Ann Donald Award for distinguished service to the Club. Charlie has served as the Club’s treasurer for over eight years. His contributions have extended well beyond the duties of treasurer.

Special recognition went out to Charlie Prefontaine for winning his 14th Figawi Race. Charlie has raced the Figawi race for over 30 years. For his outstanding accomplishment, Charlie was awarded the Figawi’s highest honor, the 2017 Howard K. Penn Award.

Although the official season is over, the MYC advisory board will be meeting regularly over the coming months to plan for next season. MYC has been selected by the Ensign Class to host the 2018 Regional Championship Regatta in July.

If you would like to learn more about the MYC, please visit our website at mattapoisettyc.org or contact us at info@mattapoisettyc.org.