Mattapoisett Library Readies for Fall

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Summer at the Mattapoisett Free Public Library has just about come to a close. The Children’s Summer Reading Program “Build a Better World” went out with a bang last week with an ice cream social for all who participated. Over 200 readers read 2,980 hours during the six weeks, and around 160 young readers and parents attended the party to celebrate this achievement.

Just because fall is on the horizon doesn’t mean the fun is ready to stop, however. Beginning on Tuesday, August 22, the library is launching its “Art Project for Mindfulness.” Young readers are welcome to take an indoor storywalk through the library to read the pages of the book Only One You by Linda Kranz, which encourages everyone to be kind, to follow your own path, and to make the world a better place.

A kindness rock-painting station will also be open for the creative young minds of the Tri-Town to add their own touch to what will become a colorful and inspirational art project.

Between August 22 and Saturday, September 9, young readers will also have the chance to enter a “Back to School” raffle. All they need to do is fill out an “I Liked It!” bookmark and turn it in at the Children’s Desk downstairs.

On September 9, the last day of the “Art Project for Mindfulness,” a special guest will be in for a visit in the Children’s section. Breton the Therapy Dog will be there from 10:30 to 11:00 am, and youngsters are welcome to join him to listen to stories and make a dog-inspired craft! The library asks that participants please register in advance.

For those awaiting the ever-popular morning “Drop-In Storytimes” for little ones up to 5 years old, these will restart on Tuesday, September 12. All at 10:30 am, Tuesday will be for ages birth to 2, Wednesdays for ages 2-3, and Thursdays for ages 3-4.

There will also be several events for adult readers before the summer ends. “Fabric Speaks! Banners: Their Purpose + Design” will be run by designers Charlotte Purrington and Penny Brewer. This program will be on Wednesday, August 30, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm.

A lecture series on “The Years Between the Wars: 1918-1939” run by Seth Mendell will also be occurring at 7:00 pm on Tuesdays. This series, which will run for six Tuesdays, started on August 15 and will end on September 19. The library asks that participants for both of these events sign up at the Main Circulation Desk.

By Jo Caynon

 

Fighting Phragmites

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Like many in Marion, Michael Palmer of 5 Edgewater Drive wants to get the spread of phragmites on his property under control, and on August 9 he took the proper route to pursue that goal by appearing before the Marion Conservation Commission with a Request for Determination of Applicability.

Commission member Jeffrey Doubrava asked Palmer how he planned to eradicate the invasive non-native plants, and Palmer said he planned to cut them down by hand and then treat the roots with an herbicide – as long as it is a glyphosate-based herbicide and not Roundup®, which is not approved for use in the wetlands due to a petroleum agent, according to Doubrava.

Palmer said the abutting neighbor is also considering eradicating some phragmites near Palmer’s, which the commission encouraged – as long at the neighbor first files with the Conservation Commission.

Commission Chairman Cynthia Callow advocated partnering with the neighbor, saying, “Because his will jump into yours, that’s how bad it is.”

            And if the neighbors do not fight the phragmites together, “You’re just fighting a losing battle,” commission member Shaun Walsh said.

            Palmer received a Negative Determination for the removal of the phragmites and also for some minor grading of the property away from the house foundation.

In other matters, the commission granted a Negative Determination for Will O’Leary at 45 Parkway Lane for the replacement of a retaining wall and the addition of an 8-foot by 15-foot deck. Walsh said he and Doubrava had visited the site and found it relatively far from the resource area with no concerns. The application was an after-the-fact filing. Doubrava pointed out that roughly 90 percent of the work had already been completed, and no further work outside the plan was anticipated.

The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission is scheduled for August 23 at 7:00 pm at the Marion Music Hall located at 164 Front Street.

By Jean Perry

 

Judith L. (Quintin) Pasquill

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Judith L. (Quintin) Pasquill, 79, of Fairhaven died August 20, 2017 unexpectedly at home.

She was the wife of the late Richard Noel “Turk” Pasquill and the beloved mother of Donna L. Pease, Darlene Pasquill Hiller, and Richard R. Pasquill. While she lived in Fairhaven most of her life, she was well known in Mattapoisett for having founded Turk’s Seafood in 1983 with her husband and son, Richard.

Born in Acushnet, she was the daughter of the late Armand Quintin and Arlene (Lewis) Quintin Foley.

After graduating from St. Luke’s School of Nursing, Judith worked as a registered emergency room nurse at St. Luke’s Hospital, as the school nurse at Hastings Middle School and as a special needs nurse at Paul A. Dever School.

Mrs. Pasquill, affectionately known as “Grandma Jude, ” enjoyed spending time at Turk’s, in Aruba, and with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, as well as helping others.
Survivors include her daughter Donna L. Pease and her husband Richard Pease of Fairhaven, her daughter, Darlene Pasquill and her husband Michael Hiller of New York City and Mattapoisett, her son, Richard Pasquill and his wife Ann Pasquill of Mattapoisett; 5 grandchildren, Sara Leahy and her husband, Joe Leahy, Scott Pease and his wife Jen Pease, Sam Pasquill, Rudy Pasquill and John Richard Hiller. She also is survived by 3 great grandchildren, Charlotte Leahy, Maverick Leahy and Juliet Pease, as well as several nieces and nephews.

She was the sister of the late Thomas Quintin, Sr.

Her visiting hours will be held on Tuesday from 4-8 PM in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home For Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6) Mattapoisett. Her funeral service and burial on Wednesday will be private. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Rochester Council on Aging Day Trips

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The Rochester Council on Aging announces the following day trips scheduled during the month of August.

– Thursday, August 17: Marshfield Fair Trip

– Friday, August 18: Free Fun Friday Trip to Buttonwood Park Zoo in New Bedford

– Monday, August 21: Fieldstone Farm Market Trip

– Friday, August 25: Free Fun Friday Day Trip to Boston Harbor Islands National & State Park

– Tuesday, August 29: Shopping and lunch at Clinton Crossings Premium Outlets, CT

Please call the Senior Center at 508-763-8723 for more information regarding these events, including times, any costs involved and reservations.

Mattapoisett Historical Society

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Seth Mendell, president emeritus of the Mattapoisett Historical Society, will give a lecture on Cuttyhunk and the Elizabeth Islands on Sunday, September 3 at 5:30 pm at the Mattapoisett Historical Society, 5 Church Street, Mattapoisett.

Eighteen years before the pilgrims landed at Plymouth, Captain Bartholomew Gosnold, sailing for the Queen of England, landed on Cuttyhunk Island in 1602. He named the string of islands separating Buzzards Bay from Vineyard Sound in honor of his queen. For over 400 years, the islands have had an interesting and colorful history.

Seth Mendell will trace the development of the Township of Gosnold on Cuttyhunk and the particular contributions of Peleg Slocum, William Wood and the U.S. Government. He will conclude his remarks with the disastrous wreck of the Wanderer on the rocky shores of Cuttyhunk on August 26, 1924.

Andrew Daniel Appointed to Planning Board

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Marion Board of Selectmen Chairman Jody Dickerson was the deciding vote on August 15 during a joint vote between selectmen and the Planning Board and that, of course, is never an easy position to find one’s self in.

“No pressure,” Dickerson joked, as he considered the three candidates before him: Andrew Daniel, a resident of Marion for nine years and the facilities director for Rochester; former selectman Jonathan Henry; and resident of two years and former lawyer Peter Douglas.

The three candidates, all vying for the seat vacated by Steve Gonsalves who resigned from the board earlier in the summer, were each interviewed during the regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen on August 15, giving an overview of their experiences and the issues that matter most to them as residents and prospective Planning Board members.

Andrew Daniel, who was ultimately chosen with a total of four votes, said he was looking for this opportunity to become more involved in town.

“I’d been following the board pretty closely for about a year. This just jump started it,” said Daniel.

The seat on the Planning Board, while temporary, could give a new member the experience with planning and zoning bylaw issues that could give a candidate a leg up in the next election for a permanent seat on the board.

“I have a real commonsense approach to things,” said Daniel.

Gonsalves was the first to praise Daniel. “I know Andrew, and I think he’d be good for the position,” said Gonsalves. “I’ve been impressed with you in conversations. You’re very knowledgeable, but you also ask a lot of questions. It shows an interest. You love your community and I can relate to that.”

Gonsalves cast his vote for Daniel, saying a younger mind would serve the Town well. Planning Board Chairman Eileen Marum also voted for Daniel, saying his enthusiasm and willingness to serve on the board appealed to her. Selectman Norm Hills also voted for Daniel.

Resident Peter Douglas was up next and, although he admitted that living only for two years in Marion wasn’t that long and he was not familiar with all the issues the town faces, suggested that his legal background could be helpful.

“I would hope to bring … being diligent, thorough, interested in all the details … a commitment to impartiality, open mind … and willingness and experience in both being flexible and working to generate consensus,” said Douglas. The issues that mattered most to him were transportation, land use, and keeping in the character of Marion.

Douglas garnered three votes from Planning Board members Will Saltonstall, Chris Collings, and Jennifer Francis, who said her reason for voting for Douglas was “new blood.”

“I really think that any time we can bring some new blood to our government [it’s a good thing] … and this is an opportunity to do that,” said Francis.

Last but not least, Jonathan Henry, who served four terms on the Board of Selectmen and also several years representing Marion with SRPEDD and also as chairman of SRPEDD, said he was a lifelong resident and fairness was paramount. The number 75, he said, was his “magic number,” vowing he wanted to serve the Town until that age and would absolutely run for election in the spring.

Planning Board member Stephen Kokkins cast his vote for Henry, the single vote Henry received that night, applauding Henry’s persistence in serving the town.

All who cast a vote that night expressed their appreciation for all the candidates, acknowledging the difficulty in making their decision.

“We’ve had three excellent candidates,” said Dickerson.

Collings said he wanted to vote for all three, joking that three seats should be added to the Planning Board that night.

Making that deciding vote, Dickerson said he knows Henry really well, and said Douglas would make a fine Planning Board candidate, but ultimately stated, “I would like to cast my vote for Mr. Daniel. I think he would add a new look at things.”

In other matters, stemming from a letter voicing concern over speeding on Point Road, the board announced that Police Chief Lincoln Miller will submit an article on the Fall Special Town Meeting Warrant to purchase a speed radar trailer to help slow drivers while collecting data on speeding, which could be used in the future should the Town ask the State to lower the speed limit on Point Road or any other roads.

Also during the meeting, the selectmen will consider Police Lieutenant John Garcia and Sergeant Richard Nighelli for the position of police chief, having chosen to look within the department for candidates before seeking outside applicants.

The selectmen will interview the two candidates during a subsequent meeting.

The next meeting of the Marion Board of Selectmen is scheduled for September 5 at 7:00 pm at the Marion police station.

By Jean Perry

 

Robert Francis “Bob” Bennett

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Robert Francis “Bob” Bennett, 76, died peacefully at home on August 15 after a long period of declining health. Bob was born in 1940, the son of Anne (Blaszek) and William Moffit Bennett. He lived with his family in various Midwest locations. finally settling in Salem, Ohio where he graduated from high school.

Bob went on to attend the University of Wisconsin, Madison, on a naval scholarship where graduated with a BS in Naval Science. After graduation, he spent four years on active duty during the Vietnam War in the U.S. Submarine Service on the USS Spinax out of San Diego, followed by 20 years in the Naval Reserve, retiring as a Commander, USNR.

After the Navy, Bob came East to Hartford, CT, where he worked for 25 years at The Travelers in Information Technology/Data Processing, early on earning an MS in Computer Science from Rennslear Polytechnic Institute. He retired in 1990 as a Second Vice President. After retirement, he moved to Marion MA with his beloved wife, Joanna (Makepeace), where this past February they celebrated 25 years of marriage.

Bob served on the Marion Planning Board, after which he devoted many years to his two great interests, boating (both sailing and power boating) and golf. He loved his time with his family and friends and traveling with Joanna to many destinations, including China, Southeast Asia, Kenya, Peru, Italy and sailing in the Greek Isles. The two loved their annual winter trips to the Caribbean.

In addition to his wife, Joanna (Makepeace) Bennett; Bob leaves two sons, John Scott Bennett of Milwaukee, WI and his wife Julie, and his children Connor and Sophia, and Eric Bennett of Wayland MA and his wife Amy, and children John Robert and Abigail. In addition, he leaves his wife’s children, Liza Siwinski and her husband Bob, her children Ben and Nick Snow; and Chris Severance and his wife Claire and children Eleanor and William. He also leaves his brother William Bennett of Naples, FL. Bob was a member of Kittansett Club, Beverly Yacht Club, and the Bay Club at Mattapoisett.

A memorial gathering will be held at 12 Noon on Friday, September 1, for friends and family at the Kittanset Club, 11 Point Road, Marion. Burial will be private

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Community Nurse Home Care, 62 Center Street, Fairhaven, 02719. For directions and online guestbook, visit: www.ccgfuneralhome.com.

Marion Music Hall

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As part of the on-going effort to upgrade the Marion Music Hall, the Board of Selectmen has unanimously approved new Guidelines and Rental Fees. With the Council on Aging having now moved to the renovated Veteran’s Hall on Route 6, there are increased rental opportunities at the Hall as well.

This historic masterpiece was the gift of Elizabeth Sprague Pitcher Taber whose vision was that Marion and surrounding communities have a hall for lectures, concerts, and performances. It was constructed in 1891 for $23,000. Through the years, it has been a favored venue for town committee meetings and parties, for concerts and musicals, and for private events including weddings and parties. Mrs. Taber also had the vision to build the Town Library and Natural History Museum, the Stone Chapel at the Congregational Church, and Tabor Academy, originally founded to educate girls and boys of Marion.

The Music Hall is available free of charge to all Town of Marion committees and organizations such as the Elizabeth Taber Library, the Council on Aging, and the Police and Fire Departments. In honoring Elizabeth Taber’s wishes, it remains accessible to all Marion citizens according to the new fee schedule, which helps defray the costs to taxpayers while covering maintenance and utility expenses. While the rate structure has changed, the rates remain among the most competitive in Marion and surrounding towns. Local couples will be hard pressed to find such a great wedding venue on a weekend for as low as $600. (Bookings made before September 1, 2017 will honor the original rental fees.)

For inquiries and further information, please contact Tami Daniel, Music Hall Coordinator, at tdaniel@marionma.gov or 508-748-9556.

St. Philip’s Episcopal Church

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St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, next to the Town Beach in Mattapoisett, continues their long tradition of visiting clergy from Massachusetts and beyond.

Services using the 1928 Book of Common Prayer are conducted at 8:00 am and 10:00 am each Sunday through Labor Day weekend.

The Rev. Nathan Humphrey, Rector, St. John the Evangelist, Newport, RI officiates on Sunday, August 20.

Come visit our historic chapel by the sea in Mattapoisett! All are welcome.

Benjamin D. Cushing Community Center Ready to Serve

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The general public was introduced to Marion’s new community/senior center this past Saturday, August 12, and the consensus is that it is wonderful, beautiful – perfect.

There’s just something about the smell of fresh paint and newly laid carpet, scents reminiscent of brand new starts, new beginnings, and of a space that has been created for folks to inhabit, live in, and enjoy together.

On Saturday, add in the scent of freshly brewed coffee and you got yourself a Marion Community Center Open House event that welcomed the general public inside to see the splendid transformation the Town of Marion facilitated, from VFW building to the now completely renovated community/senior center.

And when we say renovated, it’s renovated – entirely.

There’s a brand new, upgraded kitchen with a walk-in freezer that just blows you away when the door is opened. The shelves are empty, ready to be stocked with all the foods and fixings for the daily lunch program from 11:30 am – 12:30 pm.

Council on Aging Director Heather Silvia said lunches at the new center are now daily instead of the two days a week allowable at the Music Hall, the former site of most COA activities.

The COA serves about 10 to 20 people a day for the lunch. “But we’d love it to grow,” Silvia said. It’s a $2 suggested donation for lunch, she said, “But we never refuse service.”

Outside the kitchen in the expansive main space of the center, groups of tables are arranged, as well as a seating area for socializing, watching television, or playing one of the assortments of board games on the shelf. There’s also a pool table in the corner.

Off to the side is a quiet conference room with shelves of brand new books for everyone to enjoy, either inside the silent sanctum of the conference room or anywhere.

The restrooms gleam with smooth new tile, fresh grout, and new fixtures. And the office area to the south side of the building now houses the cubicles for the Council on Aging staff and the Recreation Department staff – all redone and revamped to precisely meet the Town’s needs in this new space gifted to the Town.

As many already know, the goal of bringing such a center for seniors to be served would never have been met without the generosity of VFW Post #2425, which disbanded last year after a steady drop in membership.

Instead of selling off the property, VFW members voted to transfer ownership of the property to the Town for the use of a senior/community center.

“I see an enormous change,” said VFW Post #2425’s last ever Commander Demi Barros. “Everything is great. I am so satisfied,” he added, “because I had a pretty hard time when we disbanded, and now seeing what it’s turned out to be here … for the seniors to have that place to go.”

Barros just hopes that more people will come out to utilize it, saying the program the COA has got lined up is a great one.

Board of Selectmen Chairman Jody Dickerson, overseeing the event, called it “the grand finale.”

“It’s a big day for Marion,” Dickerson said. Dickerson, also the Marion Recreation director, will now spend his fair share of time at the 465 Mill Road location now that his office is inside. “It’s something … that the [VFW] members wanted…. It’s all about the community.”

Town Administrator Paul Dawson was there too, although he wouldn’t take any credit for the facilitation of the process from deed transfer to day of open house.

“This is just a great day,” said Dawson.

As the public came and went, old and young and everything in between, compliments could be heard such as, “This is wonderful,” and “Wow!”

As she exited the building, Mary Gallini of Marion, who was providing exercise sessions with the seniors twice a week at the Music Hall, said the facility has really changed since the prior spaghetti suppers she’d attended at the old VFW hall.

“It’s perfect,” said Gallini. “It’s really perfect. Just look at it!”

Ellen Perry said she had in the past attended the chair yoga at the Music Hall and this was her first visit to the new center. “I’ll have to start!” she said, pleased with the center’s completion.

Although the center is ready to start serving seniors, there are still a few items on the wish list: an apartment-size stackable washer and dryer, 21 chairs with arms, six card tables, two six-foot buffet tables, greeting card carousel, bookshelves, a Keurig machine, commercial dishwasher, and side-by-side refrigerator/freezer.

Visit the Benjamin D. Cushing Community Center to find out about upcoming events and pick up a copy of the daily lunch menu. For questions, call 508-748-3570.

By Jean Perry