Marion Town Meeting Called Into Question

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The Town of Marion is having a difficult time answering the question as to whether a town bylaw was violated during the May 8 Annual Town Meeting when Town Moderator Jeffrey Dickerson proceeded after 10:00 pm to allow voting on articles appropriating over $1,000.

The bylaw reads, “Articles of the warrant shall be acted upon in the order in which they appear on the warrant unless otherwise determined by a vote of the meeting, except that no article to appropriate a sum in excess of $1,000 shall be introduced after 10:00 p.m.”

As Town Meeting slogged on slowly and as 10:00 pm approached, it was announced to Dickerson and to voters that no articles to appropriate money are allowed past 10:00 pm. Dickerson urged voters to quickly wrap up any comments so that they could rapidly run through the remaining money articles before the 10:00 pm deadline.

But as 10:00 pm came and passed, Dickerson continued to introduce four more articles appropriating Community Preservation Act funds, all over the $1,000 appropriation maximum set by the bylaw, and one of them amounting to $203,100.

Marion Town Clerk Ray Pickles on May 16 during a phone interview first stated that the five appropriation articles (Articles 30-34) were to “transfer and appropriate” funds, which is allowed, and not “raise and appropriate” funds, which he stated is not allowed. The bylaw, however, does not contain language distinguishing which type of appropriation cannot be acted upon after 10:00 pm.

Articles 30, 31, and 32 themselves also do not contain language referring to “raise” or transfer”; rather, they simply state “appropriate.”

Article 33 does mention “transfer”; however, it was to appropriate $40,000 to be transferred from the CPA undesignated funds directly to the Department of Public Works to purchase 164 acres of drinking water conservation land.

Pickles then stated that the decision to keep going was that of the Finance Committee, the moderator, and the Board of Selectmen, and had nothing to do with the town clerk.

“Why they did that, I don’t know why,” said Pickles. “You’d have to ask them.”

On May 16, Town Administrator Paul Dawson said he was unable to answer the question as to whether or not the appropriation articles should have been introduced.

“The moderator made a decision to move forward,” said Dawson. When asked if the moderator had the authority to move forward with the appropriation articles past the 10:00 pm cutoff, he replied, “I don’t know how to answer that.”

In response to Pickles’ assertion that the decision to move ahead was that of the Finance Committee, the moderator, and the Board of Selectmen, Dawson replied, “I’m not aware of any discussion that took place with the FinCom and the Board of Selectmen at that time,” unable to confirm it either way.

Dickerson did not respond to a request to contact The Wanderer for comment via Dawson.

The Wanderer spoke with a press representative from the Attorney General’s Office, who was looking into the matter but did not respond with further assistance before deadline.

By Jean Perry

 

South Coast Conference Academic All Stars

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We would like to congratulate the top five students of the Old Rochester Regional High School 2017 senior class who earned recognition by the South Coast Conference as this year’s Academic All Stars. Students were honored with a luncheon and awards ceremony at Independence Harbor in Assonet on April 27. Shown here, left to right: Hanna Guard, Molly Lanagan, Jordan McArdle, Maxx Wolski, Dan Renwick. Photo courtesy Lorraine Barry

Mattapoisett Historical Society

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Mattapoisett Historical Society is now accepting items for our 2017 Charity Yard Sale. Clearing out your closet? Downsizing your house? Kids heading off to college? Want to get organized? Whatever your reason may be, consider donating to the Mattapoisett Historical Society’s Yard Sale. All proceeds from the sale – Saturday, June 10, 8:00 – 11:00 am – support the Mattapoisett Historical Society. Donating items for the sale is easy. We accept donations at 5 Church Street in Mattapoisett on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 am to noon (call 508-758-2844 before you come). We accept gently used household items suitable for resale. We do NOT accept appliances, large furniture, electronics, building products, books or clothing. If you have questions or want to arrange to drop off items, please call 508-758-2844 or email info@mattapoisetthistoricalsociety.org.

8th Annual Buzz Off

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Dear Tri-Town Residents:

Caroline Myss gives a TED Talk on YouTube entitled “Choices That Can Change Your Life.” If you want to be inspired, find it and listen to it! She talks about the power of choice and decisions that matter. At the end of her presentation, Caroline encourages us to “see the present with great gratitude and love.”

As a native to this region, I do see the present with great gratitude. But, this year I feel the need to put that gratitude into action. After some soul searching, I have decided to support the 8th Annual Buzz Off on June 4 at Gillette Stadium. This event is supported by Rob Gronkowski and benefits the charity, One Mission. One Mission gives children with cancer a reason to smile. According to Ashley Haseotes, Founder of One Mission, “One Mission does whatever it takes to get kids and families through cancer treatment. Our goal is to make life in the hospital less lonely and stressful, provide some joy during a time of fear and uncertainty, and give patients and their families the support they need to get through the emotional and unexpected financial challenges of treatment.”

Yes, I am going to get my head shaved! When people ask me “Why?”, the answer comes back to my gratitude. As a proud mother of a new college graduate, I know how fortunate I am. Children with cancer and the families who support them do not get to share in this good fortune. I want to sacrifice something that I love to show how much I care. And, yes, I love my hair!

So, if you happen to see me after June 4, you can consider yourself informed about “the woman who shaved her head.” You can also inform others in our tiny communities of the reason why. According to Caroline Myss, “Choice is powerful. It can change your life!”

Please consider supporting me with a donation to One Mission. I can be reached at 508-758-2164.

With Gratitude,

Lori Bardwell

The views expressed in the “Letters to the Editor” column are not necessarily those of The Wanderer, its staff or advertisers. The Wanderer will gladly accept any and all correspondence relating to timely and pertinent issues in the great Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester area, provided they include the author’s name, address and phone number for verification. We cannot publish anonymous, unsigned or unconfirmed submissions. The Wanderer reserves the right to edit, condense and otherwise alter submissions for purposes of clarity and/or spacing considerations. The Wanderer may choose to not run letters that thank businesses, and The Wanderer has the right to edit letters to omit business names. The Wanderer also reserves the right to deny publication of any submitted correspondence.

And the Winner Is…

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The polls have closed at Old Hammondtown School, and the winners have been announced for the 2017 Mattapoisett Annual Election.

For Board of Health – the only contested race in the election – incumbent Carmelo Nicolosi beat fellow candidate George Randall with 366 votes versus Randall’s 77 votes.

As for the ballot question for a Proposition 2½ exemption for Phase VII of the Town’s Five Year Road Infrastructure Improvement Plan, the question passed with 236 ‘yes’ votes over 101 ‘no’ votes.

The rest of the uncontested election results are as follows: Town Clerk: Catherine Heuberger, 397 votes; Board of Selectmen: Tyler Macallister, 365 votes; Assessor: Raymond Andrews, 357 votes; Mattapoisett School Committee: Charles Rider, 291 votes, and Carol Clifford, 55 write-in votes; Old Rochester Regional School Committee (three years): Stefan Gabriel, 333 votes; ORR School Committee (two years): Deborah Dyson, 349 votes; Trustee of the Public Library (two seats): Ruth Oliver Jolliffe, 332 votes, and Jennifer Russell, 320 votes; Moderator: John Eklund, 372 votes; Water/Sewer Commissioner: Daniel Chase, 363 votes; Planning Board (five years): Janice Robbins, 351 votes; Planning Board (one year): Gail Carson, 345 votes; Housing Authority: Susanne Kennedy, 356 votes; Community Preservation Commission (two seats): Michelle Hughes, 360 votes, and Charles McCullough, 320 votes.

Voter turnout was relatively low with 463 voters, or roughly 9.2 percent of the 5,028 registered Mattapoisett voters.

By Jean Perry

 

Falmouth Academy Attends SISAL Art Competition

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Falmouth Academy sent several works of exceptional student art representing various mediums to the annual Small Independent Schools Art League (SISAL) juried exhibit and earned fourteen awards – six middle school and eight upper school with six first places. The Carroll School in Lincoln, MA hosted the SISAL exhibit from May 1 – May 5 as it celebrated its 25th anniversary. Artists were honored at a reception on May 7 at the Carroll School.

Founded in 1992 by two Falmouth Academy faculty members, SISAL started with five participating schools with the aim of providing a venue for student work from schools with fewer than 400 students to be critiqued, exhibited and appreciated by the greater art community. Twenty-five regional independent schools are members of SISAL, and this year’s exhibit showcased over 900 entries in painting, drawing, mixed media, printmaking, digital art, fiber art, sculpture, ceramics, woodworking, jewelry/metal and photography. Diane Francis, art teacher at the Carroll School and this year’s exhibit coordinator, commented that, “the judges were very impressed by the quality of the work this year. It was a difficult competition to judge.” Each year, outside jurors are selected from the local art community and this year’s jurors came from the Concord Art Association.

Falmouth Academy SISAL winners include:

First Place Photography, Upper School: Megan Iverson ’18, Marion

First Place Digital Photography, Middle School: Paige Feeney ’21, Marion

Guided Mindfulness Walk

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Enjoy the peace and beauty of nature with Jessica Webb and the Buzzards Bay Coalition during a mindfulness walk along Shaw Farm Trail on Sunday, May 21 at 1:00 pm. Through guided mindfulness meditation, participants will experience the outdoors with their senses wide open.

All fitness levels are welcome on this free, one-hour walk. The walk will be conducted at a deliberately slow and mindful pace in social silence without digital devices. Please wear appropriate footwear and layers to ensure you are comfortable during the walk.

Shaw Farm Trail is located on the Phoenix Bike Trail in Fairhaven and runs for approximately one mile to Nasketucket Bay State Reservation in Mattapoisett. The best way to access Shaw Farm Trail is from the bike path crossings on Shaw Road in Fairhaven or Brandt Island Road in Mattapoisett.

Pre-registration is required. To RSVP or to get more information about this walk, visit www.savebuzzardsbay.org/events/mindfulness-walk-shaw-farm-trail-may-21-2017/ or contact the Buzzards Bay Coalition at 508-999-6363 ext. 219 or bayadventures@savebuzzardsbay.org.

Mattapoisett Road Race

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The Mattapoisett Road Race will take place at 9:00 am on Tuesday, July 4. A great way to celebrate Independence Day, the course winds through picturesque Mattapoisett village, around fabled Ned’s Point Lighthouse, and back to Shipyard Park at the town wharf. Race proceeds are awarded to college-bound ORRHS runners. Race starts and finishes at Shipyard Park. Course: Accurately measures 5 miles through Mattapoisett; splits at each mile; water throughout. Enter online at www.mattapoisettroadrace.com. All entry fees are non-refundable. Cost prior to June 28 – Online Registration is $20. Race Day Registration – each person is $30. Mailed Registration – each person is $30. Light-weight shirts to the first 750 entries. T-shirt pick-up times are 4:00 – 6:00 pm on Monday, July 3, or 7:30 – 8:30 am on Race Day. Sizes run small. Sizes guaranteed if registration is received by June 6.

Marion Fire Department Lock Box Program

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Fire Chief Brian Jackvony is proud to announce that the Marion Fire Department is implementing a residential Lock Box Program to expedite access to senior and handicapped adults’ homes during emergencies.

In many emergency situations, individuals who call 911 may not be able to open their door when firefighters arrive, especially if a person falls, has a stroke, or is experiencing a heart attack. Currently, firefighters must break through a door or a window, causing damage and costing money and valuable time.

Through the Lock Box Program, participants install a small box outside their home, with a key code that they and the Fire Department have access to in the event that immediate access into their home is needed. In turn, the likelihood of property damage caused by the firefighters forcing entry into a residence is greatly reduced. There is no cost to participate in the Lock Box Program, other than the cost of a spare key to the door that will be accessed.

“In these instances, every second counts,” Chief Jackvony said. “Lock boxes are an extremely valuable tool for homeowners and the Fire Department to ensure those who are in an emergency situation, medical or otherwise, receives assistance as quickly as possible.”

The lock box will only be used during an emergency call when first responders can’t make entry without using force. At no time will the lock box be used or will entry be made without authorization.

Eligible participants should contact the Marion Council on Aging, 508-748-3570, to obtain information for installation of the lock box.

UCT Celebrates School Library Month

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In celebration of the importance of school librarians and their school library programs, the American Association of School Librarians and Upper Cape Tech proclaimed April as School Library Month. In support of school libraries, Assistant Superintendent/Principal Mr. Forget had students read the proclamation during the daily morning announcements. Mrs. Adams, the school librarian, invited Ms. Scott, Forestdale Elementary School’s librarian and Ms. Morgan, Forestdale Elementary School’s first grade class to visit Upper Cape Tech. For their visit, Mrs. Gausman’s tenth-grade students from the Environmental Tech shop read Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax and then discussed the message of environmentalism in the story. This was followed by the Environmental Tech students assisting the first graders in making Truffula Tree pencils and a tour of the Environmental shop. This collaboration was so enjoyable and meaningful to all that this will be an annual event.

Sponsored by Upper Cape Tech’s PTO, another school library event was a visit by “Rosie the Riveter.” Judith Black, a renowned, award-winning writer and storyteller, shared an engaging performance of “Rosie the Riveter” to students in U.S. History classes. Students gained an appreciation for the “Rosies” who were the heroines on the home front. They worked all shifts and all jobs and plowed their way through a male-dominant workplace woven with sexism, discrimination, and racism all in the effort to support the men on the front lines. Following the presentation, students discussed the relevancy of these social struggles today. Mrs. Adams was appreciative for the support of the school library program and the opportunity the PTO gave the students in experiencing history through storytelling.