Cushing Cemetery Clean-up Day will be held on May 20 from 9:00 – 2:00 pm. Stop by and lend us a hand. Bring your bags, rakes, trucks, and muscles! Any and all help will be greatly appreciated. If you can’t attend and would like to make a donation, you can send a check to Cushing Cemetery, P.O. Box 1013, Mattapoisett, MA 02739. Hope to see you there.
Last Tuesday night, 47 members of the junior class at Old Rochester Regional High School were inducted into the school’s chapter of the National Honor Society during a candlelit ceremony. With family and friends in attendance, the hardworking students were acknowledged for scholarship, service, leadership, and character.
The National Honor Society is a nationwide organization meant to recognize and unite outstanding high school students throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada. Although established in 1921, over 1 million students participate in the association, according to the NHS.
For many students, “NHS provides an opportunity to work with like-minded peers and to further our community service experiences,” inductee Emily Bock stated.
The night began with welcoming remarks from both the ORRHS NHS President Eli Spevack and Vice Principal Michael Parker. Spevack greeted the guest audience and outlined what the ceremony would entail, while Parker focused more on congratulating the convened juniors.
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Elise Frangos took the podium next as the ceremony’s guest speaker. Dr. Frangos addressed the inductees and the audience on the various types of learners that exist both in the honored group and their other peers by calling up examples from her long career as an English teacher. Once a member of her own high school honor society, Dr. Frangos gave detailed anecdotes of her former students to convey a message of perseverance to the combined audience.
Six symbolic candles were then lit by some of the top students in the Class of 2017. The first five stood to represent the five pillars of the NHS’s mission: knowledge, scholarship, service, leadership, and character. The final candle was lit in memory of former ORRHS student Dana Moore Dourdeville, who passed away in 2011. The ORR chapter of the honor society is named in his honor.
Camryn Morais and Maxxon Wolski took the stage at this time and gave an inspiring performance of Billy Joel’s “Vienna,” with Wolski on piano and Morais on vocals.
Finally, Jacob Spevack led the juniors in their National Honor Society oath, in which the students pledged to “maintain and encourage high standards of scholarship, service, leadership and character.” After the oath, the newly inducted students were called up one by one to receive a lit candle, a golden NHS pin, and their own NHS membership card. At school, this card functions as a hall pass for honor society students.
“This year’s inductees were a great group of intelligent and dedicated students, and I am proud to be recognized as one of them,” inductee Fiona Lant later said.
With this, the official induction honor society ceremony ended for the latest members of the ORRHS chapter. Many remained afterwards to celebrate with their peers and take pictures to memorialize the event.
“The ceremony was very surreal as I could not believe that all my hard work had finally paid off,” commented inductee Evan Costa. “It was truly an honor to be accepted into the NHS’s ranks.”
The inducted students are: Haleydawn Amato, Samantha Ball, Ainslee Bangs, Alice Bednarczyk, Emily Bock, Erin Burke, Joanna Caynon, Ava Ciffolillo, Nick Claudio, Evan Costa, Jacob DeMaggio, Rachel Demmer, Celia Deverix, Mackenzie Drew, Abigail Dyson, Maggie Farrell, Megan Field, Collin Fitzpatrick, Alexandrea Gerard, Sophie Gurney, Alexandra Hulsebosch, Marina Ingham, Sophie Johnson, Hanil Kang, Maxine Kellum, Caitlyn Kutash, Fiona Lant, Alexander Lorenz, Madisen Martin, Julia Melloni, Tyler Menard, Lindsey Merolla, Sam Pasquill, Jahn Pothier, Hannah Powers, Marcus Rita, Jamie Roznoy, Madeline Scheub, Abigail Stark, Grace Stephens, Sydney Teixeira, Aidan Thayer, Jake Thompson, Evan Tilley, Courtney Vance, and Ashleigh Wilson.
By Jo Caynon
When she joined the Sea Scouts in 2012, Emily Newell had just finished the eighth grade. Junior high school had proven a bit difficult given her acknowledged lack of self-confidence, but all that would change. Today, Newell is the Sea Scout Boatswain for the New England Flotilla and was recently named ’Scout of the Year’ for her local ship.
Sea Scouting, a branch of the Boy Scouts of America, is a coed program for young people from the eighth grade to age 21. Whereas Boy Scouts groups are called troops, Sea Scout groups are called ships. The homeport for Newell’s ship is Falmouth where the Scouts meet weekly.
In spite of New England’s seafaring history, there are fewer than 200 members in the scouting branch in this area. If Newell has her way, however, that will change.
“I want to get all the ships more involved with one another and build up the program during my time as boatswain,” said Newell.
To clarify what a boatswain is, Newell explained that the B.S.A. equivalent is “senior patrol leader.” As the New England Flotilla boatswain, Newell’s responsibilities include event programming, social media management, and marketing.
“It’s important that I represent the program well, but I also want to represent women and girls,” said Newell. “Let them know a program like this is available to them, too.”
Through the years, Newell has come to believe that being a Sea Scout has allowed her to not only learn maritime skills, but it has also inspired her in all areas of personal growth and exploration.
In 2014, Newell was selected to participate in the B.S.A.’s National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) program. This intensive program takes place for one full week during the summer. Topics such as ethical decision-making, vision and focus, and communication skills are part of the training these Scouts must embrace to pass the course.
During NYLT, Scouts are trained in the EDGE method for team development. This method helps teens to develop coping skills by engaging one another in meaningful nonjudgmental ways. EDGE stands for the four elements of putting together a cohesive team where once stood a group of strangers by, “…Explaining, Demonstrating, Guiding, and Enabling one another,” Newell said. “It’s hard work,” she confirmed, adding with a chuckle, “But we laughed a lot, too.”
Having successfully completed NYLT, Newell was tapped to be a staff member in 2015 – a position she continues to hold today. As a staff member, she has held such jobs as troop guide, quartermaster, photographer, and presenter. Public speaking has proven the most challenging for Newell.
“In eighth grade, I had to give a presentation in class. I was shaking uncontrollably,” Newell said quietly as she seemed to relive that dark moment. “I just did my senior project today, and I didn’t think twice about being in front of my class,” she laughed.
She credits her experiences and training in both Sea Scouts and NYLT for helping her gain self-assurance, self-awareness, and a sense of accomplishment. And scouting has done even more by giving Newell the tools for academic success.
“I know how to collect data, source materials, plan, and organize myself better now,” Newell said.
When asked what challenges she thinks females face in B.S.A. coed programs, Newell said, “Well, I think it’s harder for girls in leadership positions to be considered a good leader. You can’t act too bossy or like you want attention, or even that you are smart. Like the real world!”
Newell is candid about challenges she has faced and hopes that her story will benefit others. “I’ve dealt with ADHD my whole life,” she said. She also concedes that, without scouting, she might not know what career path to take. “I want to go into park and forestry management,” she said, “with a concentration in social science.”
With less than a week left in her senior year at Old Rochester Regional, Newell is looking forward to prom and graduation. But she has some advice for teen girls graduating from eighth grade.
“If I was telling a girl about Sea Scouts, I’d tell them that I used to be super socially awkward. Now I find it easier to talk to people and make new friends, try new things, put myself out there.”
In July, Newell will travel to West Virginia to participate in the Boy Scout Jamboree and then it’s off to college. She’ll begin her studies at Bristol Community College and then transfer to one of several schools she’s earmarked.
And finally, adding a grace note to Newell’s success, she earned highest honors in the third quarter of her senior year. That, too, she attributes to skills she learned in the Sea Scout program.
By Marilou Newell
Eleita Swallender Babbitt, 92 of Marion, died peacefully on April 27, 2017 at Autumn Glen in Dartmouth. She was the wife of the late James Babbitt.
Born in Minneapolis MN, she was the daughter of Carl Gustav Swallender and Hulda Wilamena Innfelt. She was the youngest of seven children. After graduation, she moved with her family to San Diego CA where she met her husband who was serving in the Marines during WWII.
After their marriage, they returned to the east coast where they took up residence in Marion. For several years, Eleita was a stay at home mom raising their three children. In the 1960’s she was employed as a bookkeeper for Coburn Brothers Clothiers in Wareham. After they closed, she worked for the Goodhue Company.
She was an accomplished bridge player, belonging to several groups. As a member of the First Congregational Church in Marion she gave generously. She was an avid gardener and hobbyist, making elegant pinecone wreaths. One large wreath decorated the church until recently. Eleita also was a member of the Sippican Women’s Club and served as their treasurer for many years. She enjoyed playing tennis and golf with family and friends. She loved to travel, going to Europe several times.
Eleita is survived by her three children, Karilon Grainger and her husband, Geoffrey, James Babbitt, Jr. and his wife, Jane and Janice Daggett and her fiancé, Michael. She is also survived by two grandchildren, Kimberly Powers and her husband, Todd of Concord, CA and James Bolte and his fiancé, Jenni Lee of Chico, CA; and three great grandchildren, Reece, Wyatt and Cassidy.
Through all her activities over the years, she made many friends who will miss her sense of humor and fun.
A memorial service will be held at The First Congregational Church, 28 Main St., Marion on Sat., June 3, 2017 at 11 am. A private family interment will precede the service.
Arrangements are made by the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, Wareham. For directions and on-line guestbook visit: www.ccgfuneralhome.com
Lawrence P. Pangaro, 92, a resident of Center Harbor, NH and, for a number of years, a former winter resident of Englewood, FL, died on May7, 2017, after a brief illness.
He was born in Mingo Junction, OH to the late P. Charles and Angelina (Lebrandi) Pangaro. Following the death of his birth mother, he was raised by a caring stepmother, Caroline (Rose) Pangaro.
He was pre-deceased by his wife, Edith (Goddard) Pangaro, with whom he shared 64 loving and happy years of married life. Their life together was blessed with deep love and enduring friendship.
Mr. Pangaro was educated in the Greenwich, CT public schools and Columbia University. At Columbia, in pursuit of a degree, he attended night classes at the School of Journalism while working days at two prominent New York City advertising agencies.
Twenty years of his early career was spent in NYC – eight in advertising, and the last twelve as Promotion and Research Director of Story, Brooks and Finley, Inc, a leading National Newspaper Representative Company. He left New York to become National Advertising Manager of the New Bedford, MA Standard Times. He resigned this position to form his own advertising agency.
Mr. Pangaro was well known in the Southeastern MA area, where he co-founded the Southeastern Advertising Agency, Inc. Along with his wife, he started the Sippican Sentinel, an award-winning weekly newspaper in Marion, MA.
He served as Editor and Publisher of the Sippican Publishing Co, Inc -the parent company, which maintained Advertising and Public Relation Divisions to service well-known clients such as Berkshire Hathaway and the E. R. Squibb Pharm. Co. At Tabor Academy, he helped publish the Tabor Log and originated a class in Journalism for the students in conjunction with the school newspaper.
Mr. Pangaro was an avid tennis player. He was one of the founders of the tennis program at Innis Arden CC in Old Greenwich, CT, serving as Chairman. While living in Marion, MA, he served both as President and as Treasurer of the Sippican Tennis Club. During their 15 years wintering in Tucson, AZ, he and Edie served as tennis instructors in the Tucson Community Tennis Program, a large group of professionals and volunteers who taught elementary school children who might not have had the opportunity to learn the sport.
Mr. Pangaro was a veteran of WW2, trained as a gunner in the U. S. Army Field Artillery. He was awarded the Purple Heart as a result of the Troop Transport he was aboard being torpedoed and sunk by a German U-Boat in the S. Atlantic War Zone. His ship was part of a large convoy transporting weapons, ammunition, fuel and troop reinforcements to N. Africa in support of the invasion of Italy.
He is survived by his four children: David L. of Sausalito, CA, Deidre P. (Brooks) Smith of Mattapoisett, MA, Dana G. (Judy) of Post Falls, ID and Diane (Dr. Paul) Lundquist, of Longmont, CO; seven grandsons, one great grandson, and one great-granddaughter.
His family sincerely thanks his many friends and recent caregivers, especially Cathi Jenkerson and Cheryl Nadeau.
His burial will take place in Marion, MA and a celebration of his life will be held at a later date.
To view Lawrence’s Book of Memories please visit www.mayhewfuneralhomes.com [1] The Mayhew Funeral Homes & Meredith Bay Crematorium of Meredith and Plymouth, NH is assisting the family witharrangements.
Mattapoisett Recreation has purchased pickleball nets and equipment to promote an Adult Pickleball Club on Thursday evenings from 6:00 – 7:30 pm. Two pickleball courts will be set up on one of the Hammond Street tennis courts. Volunteers will be on hand to give instruction on one court. This drop-in program is open to all! Kick-off evening is May 18. Come by and see what it is all about!
The Marion Annual Town Meeting on May 8 started out with all smiles during fifth grader Nolan Gibbons’ rendition of the National Anthem, but over five hours later and just two minutes shy of midnight, the barely-a-quorum crowd ended the evening with yawns and an urgency to get business wrapped up in one night.
With a warrant peppered with articles pertaining to the wastewater treatment plant, residents stalled on each one that even mentioned wastewater as one after the other, voters took to the microphone to pontificate over the unfairness of the system and the rising rates of water and sewer for the 1,600 homes connected.
There were some who remained on septic, expressing concerns about the entire population paying for sewer upgrades related to the EPA’s final NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) permit or otherwise.
Resident Andrew Daniel’s message resonated with the municipal sewer voters, eliciting a hearty applause. “On behalf of the sixteen hundred [people] that was just brushed off as a small group,” said Daniel, “We’re paying, we’re paying, we’re paying…” Daniel said that last year on his half-acre $250,000 house he paid $6,300 in taxes alone, which is nothing next to his water and sewer bill. “I’m not being taxed out of town; I’m being water and sewered out of town.” He continued, “If a third of the town isn’t on it, then have some compassion for the ones that are. It’s really hurting us.”
Despite the contention, Article 12 appropriating $1.9 million for wastewater treatment plant upgrades not related to the NPDES permit passed after 30 minutes of debate. Article 4, the $2,930,572 sewer budget, was also passed despite further comments about wastewater woes. Sticking with wastewater, the selectmen passed over Article 17 to appropriate $385,000 towards anticipated wastewater treatment work implied by the draft NPDES permit, but the town was granted a bit of leniency in some areas in the final NPDES permit, eliminating the need for such repairs. Article 22 for $180,000 for the DPW to implement MS4 permit (stormwater discharges from municipal separate storm sewer systems) requirements at the plant was approved as well.
There was a break for the Special Town Meeting, albeit a half hour late, during which voters did pass Article S5 to appropriate $34,400 for a feasibility study at the VFW site, but not without debate.
When one resident asked how much had already been spent on Town House studies and Finance Director Judy Mooney stated $600,000, voters gasped in disbelief.
“At what point have we had enough?” asked one resident. “We’re wasting time and money and meanwhile the Town House is falling down and we have some problems…. Stop throwing money because we can’t make a decision … stop screwing around!”
Woohoo, the voters shouted, although most agreed that having all the information before them, in the end, would result in the most-informed decision.
Since that article passed, Article 28 was passed over, which would have appropriated $35,000 for a study with a specific new subcommittee other than the original Town House study committee.
Marion voters rejected Article 27 to fund $5,000 of a financial assessment of ORR budget spending in conjunction with Mattapoisett (Rochester did not warm up to the idea).
Later in the evening, voters approved Article 35 to amend a section of the zoning bylaws pertaining to multi-family houses over four units, granting the Planning Board authority to issue a Special Permit before approval of work. Voters narrowly accepted the following Article 36 that would have re-zoned four lots on Spring Street, changing it from general business/limited industrial to Residence E. A prospective developer hoped to build several high-density multi-family homes on the four lots, but some voters convinced the others that giving up the only space viable for business development for housing lacked foresight.
Resident Joe Zora pointed out that Town Meeting more than once voted down other articles similar in nature for this particular zone. Sewer tie-in was also an issue, since some current residents are unable to tie-in due to a moratorium on tie-ins, while a new housing development would add many new sewer users.
“We just got through [articles] with a sewer system that’s on a moratorium,” said. “We’ve been flim-flammed.” Well, then just turn the article down.
“This is a prime spot for commercial use,” said John Rockwell. “I say vote ‘No’ on this article.” But the article was deemed ‘passed’ by Town Moderator Jonathan Dickerson, although there was no hand count to verify a sound 2/3 majority vote, required for a zoning bylaw change.
A citizens’ petition to place a moratorium on aquaculture farms failed after considerable debate, despite town counsel’s advice that Town Meeting did not have the authority to overstep the Board of Selectmen’s jurisdiction over the issuance of aquaculture licenses, by statute.
Aquaculture farmer Chris Bryant vigorously argued against Article 39, saying it was designed to kill his business by residents who did not want aquaculture encroaching their recreational activities and homes.
“This is a manner of stopping the growth of my company,” said Bryant. “This town is being sued by these people…”
Moderator Dickerson moved to pass over the article, but being a citizens’ petition, it required a vote. After many side note chats with town counsel, the vote went down and the article failed.
Other highlights included Article 15 appropriating $10,000 to pay for IV infusion pumps on each ambulance, although Dale Jones took to the microphone and offered to fund the majority of the expense through the EMT Association funds, amending the article to an appropriation of just $3,500.
Voters approved Article 37 to allow the Town to withhold granting licenses or permits or license and permit renewals to residents and businesses in Marion that have not paid taxes, fees, assessments, betterments, or other municipal charges. Finance Committee member Peter Winters spoke loudly against the article, questioning the types of licenses and permits that would be withheld.
Voters turned down Article 38 to insert a “Marion Water Resource Protection Bylaw” with the purpose of protecting public water resources such as ponds and rivers from commercial businesses withdrawing water unauthorized directly into a tank vehicle.
Concerned and confused citizens questioned unintended consequences such as the infringement on private property owners. Ted North called it a “spite” bylaw, saying it was aimed at landscaping company Yard Boss after surrounding towns crafted their own similar bylaws to prevent the company from withdrawing water from the Mattapoisett River directly into its hydroseeding truck. “If there’s anything about pollution, the State of Massachusetts has it regulated six times over necessary…. It’s gonna have unintended consequences.”
Article 40 to allow dogs on Silvershell Beach was withdrawn or “passed over.”
The following remaining articles were all approved by Town Meeting: Article 1 to pay town official stipends; Article 2 to fund the FY2018 operating budget of 21,950,375; Article 3 to fund the FY2018 water enterprise budget of $2,150,401; Article 5 to fund $25,000 for an assessors evaluation of real and personal property; Article 6 for $120,000 to fund accrued benefits for retiring employees; Article 7 to transfer $240,000 into the OPEB Liability Trust Fund; Article 8 for $25,000 transferred to the Stabilization Fund; Article 9 for $100,000 for the Capital Improvement Projects Stabilization Fund; Article 10 for $100,000 transferred to the School Department Stabilization Fund; Article 11 for $8,000 to conduct an actuarial study; Article 13 for $37,077 to replace main police and fire radio repeaters; Article 14 for $75,000 for engineering design of County Road water main replacement; Article 16 for $60,000 for the harbormaster to replace navigation and radar systems on boats; Article 18 for $20,700 to replace carpeting at the library; Article 19 for $25,000 to replace vinyl floor at Sippican School; Article 20 for $45,000 to replace a fire department command vehicle; Article 21 for $16,900 for facilities department vehicle repairs; Article 23 for $12,600 for recreation department vehicle utility box replacement; Article 24 for $20,000 for air conditioner units at the fire station headquarters; Article 25 for $20,000 to update job descriptions for town employees; Article 26 for $25,500 for ventilation system at Fire Station 2; Article 29 to establish a recreation revolving Fund with a $150,000 maximum; Article 30 for $2,000 for administrative expenses of the Community Preservation Committee (CPC); Article 31 for $87,500 for CPC for open space, community housing, and historic reserves, and $203,100 for CPC budgeted reserves; Article 32 for $49,000 to replace windows at the Marion Art Center; Article 33 for $20,000 to purchase 164 acres of land within the Mattapoisett River Valley to preserve drinking water supply; Article 34 for $2,000 to the assessors to reduce taxes; Article 41 to renumber and recaption the General Bylaws; Article 42 to enact changes (deletions and additions) to General Bylaws; Article 43 to number and caption the Zoning Bylaw of the Town; Article 44 to amend (deletions and additions) the Zoning Bylaws of the Town section titled “Town of Marion Final Draft”; Article 45 to accept a land donation of 0.19 acres from estate of Donal and Elizabeth Durfee; Article 46 to authorize the Board of Selectmen to apply for grants; Article 47 to authorize selectmen to enter into lawsuits; Article 48 to authorize selectmen to sell town surplus property; Article 49 to authorize selectmen to sell taxation possession property; and Article 50 to accept the reports of town officers and committees.
The following Special Town Meeting articles also passed: Article S1 for $100,000 to supplement the DPW FY17 budget for snow and ice removal; Article S2 for $33,539 for mitigation to Sprague’s Cove seawall violation as per the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Article S3 for $27,115 to install a fire alarm system at the new community center; and Article S4 for $35,000 for ongoing landfill post-closure monitoring.
Marion Annual Town Meeting
By Jean Perry
Mattapoisett voters were handed numerous pages of reports, spreadsheets and supporting documents as they arrived at ORRHS to take up the Annual Town Meeting Warrant on May 8.
There were enough financials to keep those with fiduciary predispositions busy until next fall. But in the end, it wasn’t so much about the $25 million operating budget as it was about the bike path when things got underway.
It only took four hours for the voters to approve all 34 articles with virtually no objections.
Warrant articles 30 and 31 dealt with matters related to what Representative William Straus described as “the biggest outdoor park in town” – the bike path.
Article 30 sought voters’ approval to proceed with final examination of all easements and ownership rights to parcels needed for the bike path to continue on its way from Mattapoisett Neck Road to Depot Street, known as Phase 1B.
Town Administrator Michael Gagne said, “Mass DOT requires title exams to clarify sole ownership … it’s an exhaustive review.” He explained to the 166 voters in attendance that when the railroad was built decades ago, the Boston and Maine Railroad Company either purchased land outright or engaged in easement contracts with landowners.
Before state and federal monies can be spent to actually construct this portion of the pathway (funding already earmarked for Mattapoisett), property titles have to be fully vetted, Gagne said.
A couple of voters voiced concern that the town might find itself in costly legal battles, as Paul Anzaldi of 3 Seabreeze Lane questioned whether or not the town would incur additional expenses during this process. Cheryl Anzaldi asked how much the town had already spent on the bike path project.
Straus explained that during the first phase of the bike path that connected Mattapoisett to Fairhaven, agreements had been secured for Phase 1B and that the two primary property owners now in final negotiations with the town – the YMCA and the Reservation Golf Club – were not an issue. He assured voters, saying, “We’ve gone through this process already … there are rights of easement for public access … there is no large risk out there.”
Gagne concurred, adding that in the unlucky event something does arise that would cost taxpayers’ dollars he would be required to return to the voters during the fall Special Town Meeting with that request.
Regarding money already spent on Phase 1B, bike path advocate Bonne DeSousa estimated somewhere around $500,000, which was largely secured from grants and private funding.
Gagne said that Phase 1B is scheduled for bidding as early as spring 2018. Article 30 passed by a sweeping 162 to 5.
Article 31 was a state-maintained formality that required voters to dedicate Phase 1B as a “shared use path” for recreational non-motorized purposes only. Again, this easily passed 163 to 2.
Earlier in the evening, Finance Committee Chairman Pat Donoghue thanked municipal department heads and committee members for their diligent preparations, saying, “I feel good about this budget.”
Donoghue once again pointed to financial concerns that she and Finance Committee members held regarding the handling of the ORR high school and junior high budgets, saying that it only passed with the help of School Choice funding. She also voiced alarm over rising OPEB obligations.
Of the town’s plan to bring in professionals to assist in financial planning of the school’s budget process, Donoghue said, “Rochester rejected it, maybe because of budget problems, but Marion and Mattapoisett feel strongly…. We think it’s important to have a professional look at the budget.”
Voters agreed with ORR OPEB funding when they passed Article 5 that included setting aside $35,000 from certified free cash towards Mattapoisett’s portion of the liability. Gagne said, “ORR can’t do it … but we can set it up right now.” He said that OPEB funding is an area of the town’s fiscal health and wellbeing that financial institutions review when setting bond ratings.
Article 17 grants a bylaw modification that will allow the town to deny permits – nearly all permits – to any person or business that are in arrears on “any taxes fees, assessments, betterments, or other municipal charges.” Previous wording had included “for not less than a twelve-month period.” That limitation was deleted. Gagne said, “They can still get a dog license. That’s the only one that will still be allowed.”
Article 19 asked voters to allow the town to enter into two new PILOT programs (payments in lieu of taxes) for solar farm expansions on Tinkham Road and Crystal Spring Road with BWC Pine Island Brook LLC.
Another highlight of the evening was the passage of Article 33 that allows for the spending of $45,000 from certified free cash for design analysis of construction costs for a new fire station and town hall, as well as structural needs of school buildings.
And rounding out those articles that elicited the most interest on the part of the voters was Article 34.
Jack Dean sponsored the article that asked voters to support a “We The People Act” that will call on Congress to place limits on political contributions. In 2010, the Supreme Court ruled that corporations and unions had the same right as people granting them protection under the First Amendment. Dean’s article would send a message to Congress that Americans deserve a fully democratic government and not an “oligarchy.”
William Cantor supported passage of the article saying, “This allows you to make a statement to get big business out of politics … you have a choice, to do something or nothing.” It passed 138 to 12.
Mattapoisett Annual Town Meeting
By Marilou Newell
Local musician Rebecca Correia is coming to the Old Rochester Regional High School auditorium for a special Mother’s Day fundraiser concert to benefit the new mural painted outside the junior high.
Junior high school student Delaney Shaw spearheaded the junior high mural/arts project painted by Ryan McFee and Todd Woodward.
Tickets for the Sunday, May 14 show are $7 for adults, $5 for students, and $3 for moms. The show starts at 1:00 pm and tickets are available at the door.
There will also be a raffle at the event.
The motto of the League of Women Voters is this: “Democracy is not a spectator sport.” As usual, this belief holds true in the Town of Marion; one could see it in the enormous crowd that turned out on May 4 for the annual League of Women Voters Candidates’ Night at the Marion Music Hall, as well as in the Board of Selectmen’s race this election with five candidates vying to serve as a town leader.
Underlying topics for the evening were the imminent wastewater treatment plant financial woes that face the town, the new community center, the Town House renovation project, and the Master Plan.
Norman Hills, also a candidate in the uncontested Planning Board race, promises to focus his energy on resolving the considerable challenges that face Marion, with the experience of 14 years on various boards and committees that he says equals to about 38 volunteer years.
Being a selectman, he said, “is not a learn-as-you-go job.” And lucky for voters, he said, he’s got the experience and dedication to show for it. As a mechanical engineer and program manager for the U.S. Navy, Hills said he is a leader and has the knowledge to work with the DPW and the Town’s engineer to solve the wastewater treatment plant problem.
“You can’t make educated long-term decisions if you can’t understand our current commitments and anticipated needs,” Hills said in his introduction. “I’ve worked hard for you already.”
Dale Jones came to Marion over 40 years ago, built a home, raised a family, and he prides himself on his involvement with establishing the original EMS in town. A graduate of Massachusetts Maritime Academy, he was an engineering manager of a division of Colgate Palmolive and the chief engineer overseeing a wastewater treatment plant, holding the highest license needed to run a large plant, he said.
“My entire life I worked with people,” said Jones. As an EMT for the Town of Marion, Jones said, “This has been an adventure and I’ve done my best for you.”
Michelle Ouellette Smith moved to Marion 16 years ago, raised four kids, and has spent 18 years as a special education teacher. She is a member of the Marion School Committee and the Zoning Board of Appeals.
“I gained an understanding of the complexities of town government and an insight into the many issues that face the Town of Marion,” Smith said. She sees her role as a selectman to be that of an advocate, and she will employ team work and open the lines of communication, “which is essential in order for our future and to maintain our quality of life … all our residents’ needs.” She will execute sound judgment and fiscal responsibility, she said.
Matthew Vander Pol, a small business owner with over a decade of engineer design experience and land surveying, said he is a leader, a team player, and a problem solver. He stressed the importance of addressing inflow and infiltration (I & I) of sewer pipes to reduce the burden on the treatment plant as well as the ratepayers.
The Town House renovation is another challenge, he said. “I believe the solution lies in the hands of the voters, not my personal opinion.” He advocated for accurate, non-biased information to be presented to voters to make an informed decision.
Christine Winters, a nine-year veteran of the Marion School Committee, said her unique skills that are presently underrepresented on the Board of Selectmen would create a well-rounded board.
“The demographics of the town are changing, and they’re changing rapidly,” Winters said. Student population is waning to an increasing aging population, and town needs are shifting – the town could benefit from a new perspective on the Board of Selectmen, she said.
Municipal budgeting, financial analysis, collective bargaining experience, policymaking across Tri-Town lines – all this makes her a sound candidate for selectman, she explained.
“I spent my career assessing complex issues from a wide variety of angles,” Winters said. “I take the time to educate myself when difficult decisions have to be made…. I research issues and ask tough questions.” She continued, “Every vote I make is made seriously … to ensure the best for Marion and its residents.”
One resident questioned the candidates on their support for the Town Meeting warrant article allocating $35,000 for a VFW site study for a new town hall.
It would likely depend on which group oversees the study, said Hills – either the existing town house committee that has been working on feasibility studies for years, or a new committee proposed in a different Town Meeting warrant article.
“The Town House should stay in the village … but also understand,” said Hills, “the committee out there has had a long time … going through preliminary designs – either one of those two articles will result in a study.” He then stated, “I would probably support the existing study from the (existing) committee.”
Jones said he likes the look of the Town House, but believes in doing things in a cost-effective manner. “I really don’t have a complete answer on how I would do it, but I would certainly study it as a selectman. I’d like to see it stay, but I’m not sure we can make it cost-effective.”
For Smith, “The Town House is the heart of our community. It gives us our identity … it needs to stay here.”
Vander Pol said, “I like the Town House. I like it where it is, but I think we owe it to the voters – the voters ultimately are going to decide.” However, he said, “Small chunks of money add up quickly, so while $35,000 might seem small, if we keep doing that we’re going to keep adding … wasting money….” Having said that, though, he added, “I’m curious myself about the VFW property. We didn’t have it before, but we have it now, so let’s take a look at it.”
Yes, the VFW property acquisition, said Winters, “threw a curve ball into the process.”
“It did change things,” said Winters, “but I don’t think it’s a process that can go on and on.” But keep in mind, she said, the town is also dealing with the wastewater treatment plant, which must be addressed as per the federal government. “That will really give some great insight into how we move on with the other.”
As for the Master Plan and its component encouraging business growth, Winters said, “Expanding our tax base and being open to new businesses in Marion is critical to our future.” She added, “We can welcome small businesses … to keep those large parcels off the table that’s really not keeping with the tenor of our time…”
Vander Pol wants to see more businesses to create more tax revenue without burdening municipal services such as the schools, adding, “I like the feel of downtown. I don’t like the gas pumps…. We have a quaint feel so whatever we can do to complement that, it’s key.”
For Smith, as a ZBA member, she sees the growth that is coming to Marion. “Marion is quaint and, yes, we want to keep it small and we want to protect it, but we need it to grow … so we can have a senior center … so we can expand … and be part of investing in Marion.”
Jones wants to expand the tax base, obviously, he said. But he would like a hand in making the decision on which types of businesses come to town, afraid that certain larger businesses might move in, he said.
For Hills, it’s all about zoning and land use. While developable land is minimal, he said, the current tax base is 93% to 95% residential as it is. “Commercial will help,” said Hills, “but it’s not going to be the thing that puts us over the top.”
And when it comes to the selectmen’s role in actually implementing the Master Plan?
The role of the selectmen, said Hills, is to make sure that those components of Master Plans past get implemented in this latest version. “It’ll require all of us working together to get this done,” said Hills. “You can’t rely on one or two people to get this all done.
Jones said he is used to working with other towns and communication is nothing new to him. Forty years ago he helped set up the EMS, he said. “I’m a doer and I made sure it happened.”
Smith agreed that, true, sometimes things just don’t get done. “All these years have gone by, nothing’s changed. We need to come up with a decision and do it.”
Vander Pol said he thinks it’s easy – through transparency and communication. “If it’s clear and the people like it, it’ll be there and we’ll move along.”
For Winters, as a selectman, it would get done based on accountability. The selectmen should keep it on the agenda, and receive regular updates on progress.
“So much time and energy put in,” said Winters. “And to not actually execute it is a shame.” She reiterated – hold the selectmen accountable and keep it current.
Resident Ted North asked what the most important responsibility of the role of selectman is to each of the candidates.
Hills said, “The Board of Selectmen are the ones that basically set policy and make smart decisions and they make sure that all of the boards are coordinated and moving forward.”
The most important thing to Jones is being a servant to the town and a leader at the same time. “I promise you I will be a great selectman,” said Jones.
Smith said the selectmen should be advocates for the residents. “I believe there should be open lines of communication and transparency … and advocating for its residents – all of them.”
Vander Pol said he wished to add to Hills’ statement, saying, “I think the most important job is being a leader. I think it’s providing all of you with all of the information on whatever decision is on the table.”
In her opinion, Winters said, “Their major role is accountability….” They’re the last stop for us and they answer to the townspeople. “As far as our tone and setting our policies,” said Winters, “They’re the guiding light and hopefully we’ll have the opportunity to work together and set that accountability in motion as a team.”
The Marion Town Election is Friday, May 12. The polls are open 8:00 am to 8:00 pm at 465 Mill Street, the site of the old VFW building – the site of the new Benjamin D. Cushing Community Center.
Please note that Jay Ryder has withdrawn his candidacy from the race for Town Clerk citing serious health issues.
By Jean Perry