Call for Entries

on

The Marion Art Center has extended the registration deadline to October 6for its next show titled Images: The Lands of the Sippican Lands Trust.This is a non-juried exhibition with no entry fee.All entries will be shown, and all mediums will be accepted.The Marion Art Center will receive a 35% commission for each sale.All works must have been executed by the artist within the last three years and must be for sale.Each artist may submit no more than three pieces for exhibition.All works must be depictions of or from the lands of the Sippican Lands Trust and the location must be specifically identified.Works must not have been previously shown at the Marion Art Center.For submission guidelines or to register, please visit: www.marionartcenter.org/gallery/marion-art-center-and-sippican-lands-trust-announce-joint-art-exhibition/

Registrations are due by Saturday, October 6. For more information, call the Marion Art Center at 508-748-1266 or email marionartcenter@verizon.net.You will also find information by visiting our website www.marionartcenter.org.

MAC Auditions

on

The Marion Art Center has announced open auditions for all roles in the upcoming production of The Best Christmas Pageant Everby Barbara Robinson, a family comedy in one act about a church Christmas Pageant that threatens to go horribly awry when a family of juvenile delinquents show up to take part.

Auditions will be held on Saturday, September 29at 10:00 am and on Sunday, September 30 at noon at the Marion Art Center, 80 Pleasant St. (the corner of Main and Pleasant Streets), in Marion. Performances will be Fridays, December 7 and 14 and Saturdays, December 8 and 15 at 7:30 pm and Sundays, December 9 and 16 at 2:00 pm.

Director Kate Fishman will be casting four adult males and six adult females ages late thirties and up, eight boys and nine girls, all between the ages of five and thirteen. Some roles have minimal line memorization, so everyone is encouraged to audition!

Auditions will consist of a cold reading from the script and actors auditioning for the parts.

No prior acting experience is necessary; both accomplished and aspiring actors are encouraged to audition.Participants can expect 2-3 weekday rehearsals during October, November, and the first week of December. Rehearsal scheduling will be flexible and take actors’ needs into consideration.

Fishman said, “I’m also looking for volunteers for stage manager, set builders, and other tech help, so please contact the Marion Art Center if you’d like to be part of this production, we’d love to hear from you.”

For more information, call the Marion Art Center at 508-748-1266 or email marionartcenter@verizon.net.You will also find information by visiting our website www.marionartcenter.org.

Friendly Visitor Program

on

The Friendly Visitor Program of the Marion COA seeks to maximize independence and enrich the quality of life for isolated seniors within the community.The program provides screened and trained volunteers to visit seniors in their homes.Visitors support seniors through weekly contact, providing social support, and a connection to the community.All volunteers are screened through a CORI (Criminal History Systems Board) check.For more information, please contact Linda Aguiar at 508 748-3570.

ConCom Approves Water Main Replacement

on

An engineer working with the Mattapoisett Water & Sewer Department presented the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission on September 24 with the Town’s plan to construct a new water main between Avenues A and B, and Beach and Bay Roads in the Point Connett and Pease’s Point beach neighborhoods.

Kevin Flood, senior project manager with Foss & O’Neill, Inc., a civil engineering firm, armed with detailed engineered drawings, spoke to the construction methodology that would be deployed, a method that would ensure a low impact on the surrounding coastal zone.

“We’ll use a directional drilling method,” Flood said, that would allow for a targeted, deep boring into the ground while leaving the surface level intact. While there would be some topside disruption, it would not require remediation. Flood said that beach grasses would be replaced at the direct drilling points.

Water & Sewer Superintendent Henri Renauld said the current water main has at times become exposed due to storm activity, leaving it at risk for damage or rupture. He concurred with Flood that the new pipe installed in this manner would less likely become exposed in the future.

According to Flood, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection is requiring that the Town apply for a Chapter 91 license. Chapter 91 regulations are the oldest program of this type in the nation, impacting activities on both coastal and inland waterways including construction, and was formally adopted by the Commonwealth in 1866.

Conversation Commission Chairman Mike King said that although the Chapter 91 application was pending, the commission could proceed with acceptance of the plan as described. The commission approved the Notice Of Intent Application.

Mattapoisett secured a grant from the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management in the amount of $498,000 to help cover infrastructure costs associated with this major undertaking.

Also during the meeting, Jon Connell of SITEC, representing David Vermette of 116 North Street, presented the commission with a Request for Determination of Applicability for lot grading over a septic system and landscaping. Connell acknowledged that the application was a bit “after-the-fact,” given that the grading and landscaping had already taken place. But he said that when Conservation Agent Elizabeth Leidlhold first studied the proposed construction of a single-family home on the lot, there appeared to be no jurisdictional areas; therefore, the Wetlands Protection Act would not be applicable.

Connell further explained that, after further investigation, it was determined that a small area of wetlands was located across North Street and so the developer was asked to file the RDA.

Abutters James McCarthy and Stefan Gabriel, residents of Alder Berry Lane, came forward to express their concern that the home would cause stormwater runoff onto their already drenched properties. King said it was highly unlikely that water from the applicant’s lot would drain across North Street to the wetlands in question and that water flow towards Alder Berry Lane was the natural direction.

Connell said that it was the natural lay of the land that would cause water to flow towards the abutters’ properties, and not that the already constructed home would cause more water to flow in their direction.

McCarthy suggested that wasn’t the case, given the footprint of the structure and disturbance of the land. King said that, had the project come before the commission prior to construction, it may have required roof runoff to travel through an underground recharge system, but that was not feasible now.

“We are only here to look at the septic and grading,” King said.

Commissioner Trevor Francis questioned whether the commission had jurisdiction over sheet flow, water movement from either groundwater or stormwater. King confirmed they did not.

The project received a negative determination of applicability.

In other business, William Cantor, 33 Main Street, received a negative determination of applicability for tree trunk removal; James Neely, 7 Rock Street, also received a negative determination for the construction of a tool shed.

Certificates of Compliance were issued to Caroline’s Way Trust, 1 Goodspeed Island, and William Hewitt, 8 Brierpatch Lane.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conversation Commission will be held at Center School in the conference room on October 22 at 6:30 pm.

Mattapoisett Conservation Commission

By Marilou Newell

 

‘Welcome to Marion’

on

It’s known as “the gateway to Marion” and once upon a time there might have been a CVS on the Captain Hadley house property at the corner of Route 6 and Front Street if Marion residents hadn’t fought as hard as they did to stop it. Today the historical yellow Greek revival house still sits where it has for centuries and, through another community effort, instead of a CVS sign there now stands a black shiny one with bold golden letters that reads: “Welcome to Marion, Massachusetts.”

On September 20, Elizabeth Hatch, on behalf of the Marion Garden Group and the Town of Marion, unveiled the welcome sign to dozens of residents gathered around the sign’s newly created garden bed tastefully landscaped with a variety of shrubs and ornamental grasses. As part of a beautification effort first proposed to the Board of Selectmen back on June 19, the sign was ordered and installed by the garden group and funded by the Town with the support of the selectmen and the Finance Committee chairman.

“Based on the positive response and great interest from the townspeople, there seems to be strong support for the beautification effort for Marion,” said Hatch, the vice president of the garden group. “To date, the governing bodies of the Town have also shown their strong support.”

The garden group also broke ground in three other areas in town with fresh landscaping of the road islands on Spring Street and Converse Road and the half circle turnaround coming into Marion from Mattapoisett at the welcome sign on Route 6. A fundraising effort, said Hatch, will fund further projects next spring, such as flower plantings for road islands located between the Route 195 junction and Route 6, and landscaped areas at the Route 6 entrance from Wareham.

“It will continue to be a work in progress as long as we have support,” said Hatch. “This beautiful sign is an example of things to come that will enhance and be reflective of our incredible slice of heaven called Marion.”

Hatch encourages Marion residents and building owners to take an active role in beautifying Marion however they can with little cleanups here and there and especially by eliminating weeds on the curbs and roads in front of their houses.

“It can make a world of difference,” said Hatch. “This in itself could be transforming. Let’s all make an effort!”

By Jean Perry

Jeremiah James “Jay” Froh

on

Jeremiah James “Jay” Froh, 38, of Cape Coral, Florida passed away Tuesday September 18, 2018.

Born in New Bedford, the son of Harlyn “Butch” and Kimberly (White) Froh, he lived in Rochester for most of his life. He had also resided in Boston and California, before moving to Florida three years ago.

Jay was a shop consultant for Market America – Shop.com. He was an avid networker in the Cape Coral area.

He was a graduate of Old Rochester Regional High School and Northeastern University.

Jay enjoyed motorcycles, fast cars, hot rods and everything automotive. He loved kayaking, snowboarding, boating and was up for just about anything. He loved being in the sunshine surrounded by family, enjoying life to its fullest always with smile on his face.

He is survived by his parents, Butch and Kim; his siblings, Melissa Douglas and her husband Craig, and Gregory Froh; his nephew, Logan; his grandmother, Betty (Dawson) White; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He was the grandson of the late Lucille (Mayer) Froh, Harlyn Froh, and Walter White.

His Funeral Service will be held on Saturday September 29, 2018 at 10 am at the First Congregational Church of Rochester. Burial will follow in White Cemetery, East Freetown. Visiting hours will be held on Friday September 28, 2018 from 4-8 pm at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Housing Development Back on Track

on

REpurpose Properties, LLC, developers of a proposed 55+ housing development on Rounseville Road next to Plumb Corner, are close to reaching an agreement with the property owner over drainage and the playground, stated REpurpose’s attorney.

Attorney Peter Paul told the Rochester Planning Board on September 25 that the “hard part” is almost over, saying that property owner Bray Gibbs and REpurpose owner Mike LaCava will split the cost of improving the drainage system, adding, “We want to get this project … built as soon as possible.”

Now for the easy part: getting permission from the owner of Plumb Corner to enter the property to fix the drainage problem that originates at Plumb Corner, Paul said.

Paul said he has prepared a proposed settlement agreement that he would forward to town counsel once it is signed.

“I think we should be able to hammer that out,” said Paul.

Paul hopes the project can return before the board resolved at the next meeting, and Planning Board Chairman Arnie Johnson suggested that LaCava establish an escrow account in order to provide funding for a peer review engineer to inspect the drainage.

On behalf of Plumb Corner, Attorney Patricia McArdle said her party is “definitely cooperating.”

“We’re not trying to obstruct anything … and certainly it’s an improvement for us,” said McArdle.

Johnson replied, “I’m glad there’s progress being made … and hopefully we can get this thing rolling in October and get it all wrapped up.”

The hearing was continued until October 9.

Also during the meeting, the board held an informal hearing for Countryside Daycare at 15 Cranberry Highway. The owner plans to divide the lot into two lots. Before going to a public hearing, Johnson suggested opening an escrow account for the peer review engineer to start inspecting existing drainage, in addition to an informal traffic survey. The plan will likely come before the board officially in the beginning of 2019.

The next meeting of the Rochester Planning Board is scheduled for October 9 at 7:00 pm at the Rochester Town Hall.

Rochester Planning Board

By Jean Perry

 

RHS Open House and Bake Sale

on

The Rochester Historical Society will hold an Open House and Bake Sale on Saturday,September 29from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Museum, 355 County Rd.

A new exhibit, ”Rochester Businesses, Past and Present” depicting the history of many businesses, will be featured. Stop by to learn about Rochester History and enjoy some goodies.

National Merit Scholarship Program

on

The principal, Michael C. Devoll, of Old Rochester Regional High Schoolannounced today that Madeline Hartley, Nathaniel King, and Michaela Mattson, have been named Commended Students in the 2019 National Merit Scholarship Program.A Letter of Commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), which conducts the program, will be presented by the principal to these scholastically talented seniors.

            About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise.Although they will not continue in the 2019 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 scorers of more than 1.6 million students who entered the 2019 competition by taking the 2017 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®).

            “The young men and women being named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success,” commented a spokesperson for NMSC.“These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation.We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success.”

School Committee Members Demand Pay, Respect

on

For Old Rochester Regional School Committee member James Muse, being on the school committee is an important job that should be respected and recognized; therefore, an annual stipend should be given as a symbolic gesture of that recognition.

Muse, who is also on the Mattapoisett School Committee, advocated hard in favor of financial compensation as an elected official on September 12, saying he’s no ordinary “volunteer” – “and this is not a charity.”

After listening to Mattapoisett Town Meeting debate over school committee stipends, Muse felt disrespected by some of the negative comments he heard.

“We, as a group, are elected officials,” said Muse. “This is not a small job. This is an enormous responsibility.”

Throughout his diatribe Muse referred to this community’s lack of appreciation for school committee members, and pointed out that several other municipalities provide their school committees with stipends. Muse said even a “nominal” stipend of $100 would be enough to demonstrate an appreciation for the work the committee does – it’s the message that counts, he said.

“We should stand up and say we are an important committee,” Muse stated. “We supervise this administration; we evaluate this administration; we set budgets; we negotiate contracts – this is not small and it should be recognized.”

But not all school committee members agreed with Muse, and ORR Student Advisory Council member Alexander Wurl tested out his diplomacy skills addressing the notion.

“So, if you’re dedicated to helping the school community and helping … the school, wouldn’t you rather the money to go to help the school community and go to the education budget rather than going to yourself?” Wurl asked Muse.

“It’s not to go to myself,” said Muse. “What I’m proposing is the recognition for what’s happening, and what’s happening is we don’t have recognition….” Muse added that he believes a stipend would not affect the ORR budget.

Muse further defended his stance: “The people that are on this committee do this for the general good,” continued Muse. “This is not a charity. This is different … this is a public elected official here.”

School Committee member Michelle Smith said in agreement with Muse, “Our selectmen get paid: they get a stipend; our tree warden gets paid – not to put down his job, but I don’t think [the tree warden] sits and puts the time in as we put in the dedication and the decisions that we make here that the tree warden in Marion does.”

“I’m suggesting that this is a change that can set that forward and we can be treated as an integral, an equal integral, part of this community because we’re at the top of the pyramid and we’re not equal and that statement makes a difference,” said Muse.

Wurl took a different point of view, saying, “I sort of see it as almost hypocritical because you guys [are working for] the benefit of the school in general, but by removing money from the budget, it would be counterintuitive and it wouldn’t help the school as much as it could. And I’m also an elected official, I was elected by my peers … but we’re not asking for monetary value because we do it to help the students.”

Wurl asked Muse if the compensation could be non-monetary in nature and Muse told him no.

“This stipend … won’t pay for the money I spend in gas for the probably thousands of meetings I’ve gone to and continue to go to,” said Muse, “and I go out of town on committees that are part of the district that are out of town that I have to go to…

“I’m not complaining about it,” continued Muse. “I love what I’m doing, and I believe that I’m making a difference. I’m saying that that should be recognized as something that’s important. … And I’ll tell you, it is not hypocritical.”

School committee member Deborah Dyson said she would feel uncomfortable accepting a stipend, adding, “I would feel uncomfortable for the hours of other people that volunteer for the ORR district and spend more time than I do as a school committee member.”

Committee member Stefan Gabriel also opposed the notion of a stipend.

“We are, in fact, volunteers,” said Gabriel. “And this is what we do regardless of whether [a stipend] is there.” Gabriel said insisting on a stipend would send a negative message to the constituents, such as, ’Oh they’re already in, now they’re just trying to give themselves a little something for being there.’”

Muse insisted, “I’m not a volunteer here: I am an elected official – a critical part of this entire structure of this district and I think that it should be recognized.”

School committee member Joe Pires agreed with Muse, saying, “It’s a matter of principle.”

For Pires, he found that people have told him to have his head checked for wanting to run for school committee.

“It’s not the dollar amount: it’s the principle,” said Pires. He could choose to put his work and his family first, instead of sitting on the committee, he added.

School committee member Paul Goulet said he wasn’t opposed to a stipend, but suggested tabling the discussion for now, while Assistant Superintendent Elise Frangos, speaking as a Marion taxpayer, questioned a possible conflict of interest.

“I do wonder, would [Business Administrator Patrick Spencer] be signing off on a check for you, and is that an ethical challenge for him if you, in fact, supervise him and the superintendent?”

Muse doesn’t think so, he said, but Frangos suggested vetting the idea with town counsel.

Committee Chairman Carey Humphrey wasn’t prepared to vote that evening, suggesting research and time for each member to think about it.

“It’s a fairly controversial thing,” said Humphrey. “We probably need to spend more time on it.”

The topic will appear on the agenda of the next meeting.

In other business, the committee approved a 25-cent increase to the school lunch at ORR, which will go from $3 to $3.25 beginning January 1, 2019.

The committee also approved a revision to the program of studies by adding a capella as an honors course.

The next meeting of the Old Rochester Regional School Committee will be October 24 at 6:30 pm in the ORR Junior High School media room.

Old Rochester Regional School Committee

By Jean Perry