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. Jeffrey Paul Cave, Retired, Diocese of Atlanta, GA officiates on Sunday, August 27.
Come visit our historic chapel by the sea in Mattapoisett! All are welcome.
At 10:30am Wednesday morning the Rochester Fire Department was called to a structure fire on Bates Road off Mary’s Pond Road.
First responders reported heavy smoke as they approached and found a “fully involved” barn, approximately 20 feet by 80 feet in size.
A party at the scene reported that there were two vehicles stored in the barn at the time of the fire.
As there is no water source at the scene, which was located approximately half a mile down a dirt road, the Fire Department set up a tanker shuttle to draw water from the stream where Leonard’s Pond crosses Mary’s Pond Road.
Acushnet, Marion, Mattapoisett, and Middleboro Fire Departments assisted with shuttling water to the scene.
By Paul Lopes
The Rochester Cultural Council is seeking proposals for community-oriented arts, humanities, and science programs due October 16.
The Rochester Cultural Council is accepting online applications from organizations, schools, and individuals for grants that support cultural activities in the community. Online applications will be accepted from September 1, 2017 until October 16, 2017 at www.mass-culture.org/rochester.
The Rochester Cultural Council is a local agency funded by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
The Rochester Cultural Council will accept online applications ONLY. Paper applications will no longer be accepted. The application has a responsive design and is easily accessed by a phone, tablet, or computer. Before submitting an application, applicants should read the RCC’s priorities. Applications and priorities can be found at www.mass-culture.org/rochester.
According to Council Members, these grants can support a variety of artistic projects and activities in Rochester and surrounding areas – including exhibits, festivals, field trips, short-term artist residencies, or performances in schools, workshops, and lectures.
Please note, schools requesting funding for field trips and transportation costs should use this online application as well.
Once an application is approved, the grantee should complete the project as outlined in their original application, acknowledge their funding from the LCC and MCC, advertise their project locally and then request reimbursement. Grant recipients have one year from the date of their approval letter to request reimbursement. Approval and denial letters will be communicated via email by the Rochester Cultural Council.
This year, the Rochester Cultural Council expects to distribute about $4000 in grants. Previously funded projects include: author visits at Rochester Memorial School, the Rochester COA’s Community Thank You Event, the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra’s school assemblies, and the Chalk-Full-O-Fun Street Painting Festival.
For local guidelines, complete information on the Rochester Cultural Council and application forms visit online at www.mass-culture.org/rochester.
To contact the RCC directly, please email at rochesterculturalcouncil@gmail.com.
Mattapoisett Recreation fall program registration is now open for the following:
Flag Football (for ages 6-12): Sundays; 8:30 – 10:00 am; runs September 10 – November 12 at Tabor Academy Football Field. Through a partnership with NFL Play60, your child will learn the fundamentals of football in a safe environment. Each week will be drills and skills followed by a 5 v 5 Flag Football Game. Each player receives a NFL Flag football jersey and flag belt. Cost is $90. Registration deadline is September 11.
Kid Fit (for Grades K & 1): Tuesdays, 3:00 – 4:00 pm; (for Grades 2 & 3): Thursdays, 3:00 – 4:00; runs September 19 – November 2 at Center School Gymnasium. Join Mr. C. for a new session of Kid Fit. Classes are designed to increase physical fitness and expend some energy all while having fun! Different games and sports will be played each week. Six-week session. Cost is $80 and registration deadline is September 15.
Gymnastics & Tumbling (for ages 5 & up): Fridays; 3:15 – 4:15 pm, 4:15 – 5:15 pm; runs September 22 – December 8 at Old Hammondtown Gymnasium. Gymnastics and Tumbling offered each session. These classes are perfect for beginner gymnasts as well as students with previous gymnastics experience. Qualified instructors from BSGA will work individually with each gymnast on all four gymnastic events: Floor Tumbling, Balance Beam, Bars and Vaulting. Tumbling classes are designed for any gymnast or cheerleader interested in working solely on their floor/tumbling skills. Eight-week session. Cost is $145. Open registration is available August 30-September 11.
Martial Arts (for ages 5-8): Mondays; 3:00 – 4:00 pm; runs September 25 – December 18 at Center School Gymnasium. Join The Pound Martial Arts Center for a 12-week course. Learn amazing self-defense moves, discipline and leadership skills while finding a positive outlet for all that energy! The course will promote self-confidence and self-discipline. Each participant will be given a uniform and a belt. Twelve-week session. Cost is $155 and registration deadline is September 18.
Tennis Lessons (for ages 5-13): Wednesdays; 4:00 – 5:00 pm (for ages 5-7) and 6:00 – 7:00 pm (for ages 8 & up); runs September 13 – October 18. Join tennis pro Karsten Rathlev for a six-week tennis program which will include instruction, games and drills. Six-week session. Cost is $85 and registration deadline is September 7.
Fencing (for ages 7-14): Mondays; 6:00 – 7:00 pm (for ages 7-11) and 7:00 – 8:00 pm (for ages 10-14); runs October 2 – November 13 at Center School Gymnasium. Blackstone Valley Fencing Academy will teach your child the basic techniques and language of fencing. Their goal is to promote self-confidence and self-reliance as a fencer and an individual. All equipment is provided. Please wear sneakers and long pants. Six-week session. Cost is $125 and registration deadline is September 25.
Center Stage Kids (for ages 5-12): Wednesdays; 3:00 – 4:00 pm; runs October 4 – November 29 at Center School Gymnasium. MATTREC is excited to partner again with Tracy Gendreau Fiore for a theatre program. Children will learn various aspects of the performing arts and will participate in a theatrical production on the last day of the eight-week session. Perfect for children that need to gain confidence speaking in front of others or for the family performer! Cost is $105 and registration deadline is September 27.
Science is Fun (for Grades 1-3): Thursdays; 2:45 – 4:00 pm; runs September 21 – October 12 in Center School Cafeteria. What happens to Ivory Soap in the microwave? Do oil and water mix? If you want to experiment and find out … this class is for you! Maria Lynch will be doing many fun experiments and projects. Four-week session. Cost is $45 and registration deadline is September 14.
Golf Lessons at the Bay Club (for ages 8 & up): Thursdays; 3:30 – 4:30 pm and 4:30-5:30 pm; runs September 14 – October 5 at The Bay Club. Join The Bay Club’s PGA Professionals for a four-week session offering instruction on the fundamentals of golf and how those skills are then used to have fun playing the game of golf. Session 1 from 3:30-4:30 pm is for advanced juniors that have played 9 holes before. Session 2 from 4:30-5:30 is for newer junior golfers and will be more instructional. Sign up online to avoid being waitlisted! Cost is $105 and registration deadline is September 18.
Dodgeball (for Grades 5 & 6): Wednesdays; 3:00 – 4:00 pm; runs October 4 – November 8 at Old Hammondtown School Gymnasium. Join Coach Craig Letourneau for an afterschool Dodgeball Clinic. Each week, participants will play different style games. Six-week session. Cost is $65 and registration deadline is September 25.
The house at 619 County Road has a long history with the Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals, pointed out Chairman Richard Cutler, but the board and the property owner were intent on cleaning up the circumstances surrounding the house in order to convert the non-conforming two-family house into a conforming two-family house.
On August 10, the ZBA continued the public hearing for the Special Permit for property owner Francis Jones, who had only owned the house for about six months, to convert the house into an accepted conforming multi-family.
Cutler gave a crash course on the history of the house.
In March 1989, the former owners applied for a variance with the ZBA to add a 30-foot by 30-foot second floor addition, which was granted with the stipulation that the house had to remain a single-family dwelling that was at the time situated within the agricultural/residential zoning district. That district has since changed to a zone that allows for some commercial use.
Continuing with the history, Cutler said in July of 1991 a stop work order was issued for work not in compliance with work issue, which included the unpermitted addition of a kitchen and a subsequent tenant was allowed to live in the upstairs unit. The next day, the owner filed an application to convert to a multi-family house, which in September 1991 during the public hearing, the ZBA approved with the condition that the special permit for the multi-family use was not transferable to subsequent owners. Furthermore, the house was limited to only three bedrooms total. Still, there is no evidence of an eventual inspection of that work and no certificate of occupancy was ever issued.
“Lots of good stuff,” declared Cutler.
The house, vacant for now, actually has five bedrooms. The homeowner does not plan to alter the floor plan or the structure, only some interior and exterior cosmetic work.
The two-family would not be owner-occupied, which did not appear to be a top concern of the abutter directly in front of the house, Louise Hebert, who wrote a letter in support of the project and also attended the meeting.
Cutler asked Building Commissioner Jim Buckles, “If we grant this … Special Permit tonight, what about the fact that the house hasn’t been inspected properly?”
Buckles replied, “I won’t sign off on it…. There’s no record of any inspection. We want people to be safe. This is the worst possible way to create a two-family – one on top of each other.”
Buckles said what he would like is a letter from an architect or certified engineer stating that the building meets all code requirements for a multi-family home.
ZBA member David Arancio pointed out his concern: “The plan doesn’t show a true representation of what’s there [or] the right of way.” A right of way is used for the property, but the deed the homeowner had that night had no mention of it. “I have some concerns that to clean this up, we need to have accurate information … of what’s there, what were actually working with,” said Arancio.
Wrapping things up, Cutler confirmed with Buckles that he would want a letter stating that the building meets the required code, to which he replied, “Yes.”
The board also requested two additional copies of the plans and a copy of the deed to include the right of way.
“And if the architect says everything is OK … then I’m assuming at this point our building department would be satisfied,” said Cutler.
In other matters, the board approved the variance request for Paul Estrella of 79 Bradford Lane for a garage exceeding a 1,000 square-foot floor area to be constructed in the front yard of the property.
Estrella said the one-story garage would be used to store cars and tractors and would not be used for commercial use. There are no plans for water service to the garage, but Estrella may install a woodstove and eventually run electricity to the garage.
The project had already received approval from the Conservation Commission.
With no correspondence for or against and no abutters present with concerns, “I guess the neighbors like you, or don’t care,” said Cutler.
The only advice to Estrella was to watch the overhang so that the building does not encroach the property line and violate the setback.
Conditions of approval include no housing of animals, limited to only one-story, no residential occupancy or commercial use of the garage, and no more than a 1-foot overhang along the perimeter of the garage beyond the plan as drawn.
The next meeting of the Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals is scheduled for August 24 at 7:00 pm at the Rochester Town Hall.
Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals
By Jean Perry
Edward W. Lewis, Jr., 87, of Mattapoisett, died peacefully at home on August 19, 2017.
Mr. Lewis was born in Watervliet, NY and resided in Mattapoisett since 1964. He was employed at the Alberox Corporation in New Bedford for over 30 years before his retirement in 1994. For over 50 years he was very active in the United States Power Squadron, an organization devoted to recreational boating and safe boating education, serving as Commander and in various other offices with the Mattapoisett chapter.
Mr. Lewis leaves his wife of 64 years, Dorothy J. Lewis, son Edward Lewis and his wife Vaune of Sudbury, MA, and daughter Mary Gupton and her husband Greg of Washington, DC. He was predeceased by his daughter Dr. Elaine Lewis. Mr. Lewis greatly loved his six granddaughters, Emily Lemieux, Jessica Seaver, Marrissa Lewis, Stephanie Lewis, Heather Gupton, and Laurel Gupton.
A service celebrating Edward’s life will be held Friday, August 25 at 11:00 am at The Inn on Shipyard Park, 13 Water Street, Mattapoisett. It should be a beautiful day near the ocean he loved so dearly.
Donations in his memory may be made to the United States Power Squadron Educational Fund, P.O. Box 30423, Raleigh, NC 27622. Arrangements are by the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Mattapoisett. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
Maria Teran Dondyk of Mattapoisett has been recognized for achieving academic distinction at the University of Massachusetts Lowell.
Teran Dondyk, majoring in information technology, was named to the dean’s list at UMass Lowell for the spring 2017 semester.
To qualify for the dean’s list at UMass Lowell, a student must have completed no fewer than 12 graded credits for the semester and earned at least a 3.25 grade-point average with no grade lower than C and without any incompletes.
Recently I learned that a young, single mom was taking steps to re-home her dog. The mom and her daughter live alone and about three years ago, it seemed like a great idea to get a puppy – a pal for the daughter.
When I originally heard this, I wondered who was going to take care of the dog since the kid goes to school, plays sports, attends dance classes and has tons of homework while the mom works long hours. How would a puppy fit in? I thought maybe the mom was getting a pet for all the wrong reasons. Had she thought about the time commitment required when you own a dog?
Three years later with an increasingly demanding job, the dog had become not much more than a postscript on Facebook postings. There simply wasn’t any time that could be devoted to the dog. Mom now realized the unfairness of it all.
The Mom is an intelligent and kind person, so don’t think that I’m besmirching her character. I am not. What I am saying is don’t get a dog if you can’t put the time in.
Dogs are pack animals. Their DNA is loaded with molecules that scream, “Hey, where are you all going? I’m going too!” “Let’s go outside and play right now!” and “You’re the alpha – make me behave!” Left alone, absent the all-important guidance of a leader, they can become animals without manners or pack attachment. Hence, we see dogs that have never been taught even the most basic skills – dogs who pull on leashes, chew on furniture, bark incessantly, and even bite.
Today, thanks to reality TV, we know the importance of taking responsible care of pets. After all, who hasn’t watched at least one episode of Cesar Milan as he instructs humans: “The dog is just being a dog. You have to be the calm and assertive pack leader.” Thank you, Cesar.
Years ago when I decided I had the time and the money to bring a dog into our home, I read the book No Bad Dogs by Barbara Woodhouse. That book was an early precursor to the thousands of how-to books you can find. Back then, Woodhouse explained the needs of a dog in basic post-WWII terms, but with same guiding principle: “You are the pack leader. Do your job.”
Of course, I made mistakes (please forgive me, Zeb and Taz). Yet those dogs did live good lives, lives that were fully integrated into the household routine. That is key … the dog must be given its fair share of your time.
I tell people who gush over my pal Harry, 13-pounds of fluffy love, “Owning a dog is more work than having a kid…” That’s a gross exaggeration, but if you are a responsible dog owner, you know what I mean.
Note to Humans:
Dear Humans,
You have to go straight home after work and take care of the dog. The dog is waiting. Yes, you do have to allocate part of every day to being outside with the dog. A dog needs exercise and so do you. Yes, you have to teach the dog what is acceptable behavior over and over and over again until it finally accepts the training. Yes, owning a dog is a huge responsibility, one that should be weighed against what type of lifestyle you plan on living, because the dog needs its own space in the scheme of your life.
Thank you,
Marilou
Please don’t get a dog solely because you believe it will teach your children responsibility. You, the adult, not only have to take the time to teach the dog all it needs to learn, you have to teach the kids at the same time. It takes years to train both species.
Do get a dog if you are able to dedicate your time, talents, and cash to the newest non-human member of the family. Do get a dog because you love dogs and know without a shadow of a doubt you are ready for the work involved. Get a dog after you’ve adequately educated yourself on the breed, temperament, exercise needs, and whether or not you can handle its special needs.
As for the mom who is seeking to re-home her pup, she is doing it the right way and the dog will be better off in the long run. But she could have saved herself lots of emotional grief had she used a different set of criteria when weighing the pros and cons of acquiring a dog. As for the dog in question, he’s still waiting to find his forever home where he can play a starring role without being viewed as a burden.
By Marilou Newell
Many decades ago, fresh water sources in the Tri-Town area were established to serve the needs of the residents within each of the towns. But that didn’t mean that Rochester’s water wells were in Rochester or that Marion’s were within its town limits.
Today, Fairhaven owns the right to water in Mattapoisett as does Rochester and Marion owns wells now located within the town lines of Rochester.
Confused yet? With the development of the Mattapoisett River Valley Water Supply District Commission, the towns work together to explore water sources, acquire important parcels of land along the river valley, and assist one another in a myriad of ways.
On August 15 the Town of Marion, represented by Jon Gregory of Tata and Howard, Inc., sought permission to rehabilitate fresh water wells off Mary’s Pond Road in Rochester. Before arriving at Rochester’s Town Hall for the public meeting, the commissioners met at the site with Gregory to evaluate the site and begin discussions.
Gregory explained that the site originally had 26 tubular wells that were constructed in the 1950s. He said the wells were rehabilitated in 1983 but that subsequently, the wells began drawing a great deal of silt. The wells failed after another attempt in 2009 and that “…basically it’s been abandoned since 2010.”
Gregory said a new rehabilitation project would take place over two phases. The first phase will be to dig several test wells for a for “pump testing” to record “water yield” and “water quality.” If all goes well and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection gives the project a green light, the second phase will include the rehabilitation of the pump station and associated electrical and piping needs.
All agreed that Gregory’s team would work closely with Conservation Agent Laurell Farinon and that during construction, processes might have to be tweaked in the field to ensure the least amount of environmental disturbance as possible. The entire area in question falls under the Wetlands Protection Act.
Marion’s Notice of Intent filing received a positive order of conditions. The work will begin in the fall and be completed sometime in the spring of 2018, Gregory said.
Receiving a negative determination of acceptability earlier in the meeting was an application by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation for maintenance work between 59 and 72 Marion Road. The work is jurisdictional based on its proximity to Doggett Brook.
A request for a certificate of compliance was indefinitely continued for property located at 137 Dr. Braley Road. Farinon said that the site was not stabilized and showed signs of erosion and that the applicant had requested a continuation to allow time for compliance to the commission’s order of conditions.
Also continued for a second time was the Notice of Intent filing by Progressive Growers, Inc., Kings Highway, Rochester. The public hearing is planned for September 5.
The next meeting of the Rochester Conservation Commission is scheduled for September 5 at 7:00 pm in the town hall meeting room.
Rochester Conservation Commission
By Marilou Newell
Anna Lee Carey Van Allen, 97, died peacefully at Pomperaug Woods, August 14th, near Naugatuck, CT, her home for 65 years. Born August 9, 1920 in Rose Valley, PA to Jessie and Harry Lee Carey, she attended Friends Central School and graduated from William Woods College ’40 and Penn State University ’42, where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, a journalism major, and among a minority of women attending college in that era.
She dedicated her life to raising five children and volunteering for her community in extraordinary ways. With her husband, Robert William Van Allen, she founded the United Way of Naugatuck in 1962. She was honored by that organization in 2007 with a community service award named “The Van Allen Medal” in honor of her and her late husband who both served as board members and president for years. That award is still given each year to an outstanding volunteer.
A deeply spiritual person, she held many roles at the Naugatuck Congregational Church for over 60 years including: the first woman moderator, president of the Litchfield District and State Women’s Fellowship, chair and member of the diaconate, Sunday School teacher, and chair of the 200th anniversary celebration. She especially loved organizing events such as jumble sales, fairs, and potluck dinners with her best friend Sarah Buell.
Keenly interested in local politics, she was elected a Senior Burgess of Naugatuck and served as acting mayor of the town. Her grandchildren still have campaign buttons with the slogan “ALVA for Burgess!” an acronym that persisted for the rest of her life. She was on the Park Board Commission, the Environmental Advisory Board, the Human Resources Committee, the Youth Advisory, Public Safety Committee for fire and police, and served as the Constitutional Bicentennial chair. She also ran in 1971 as a Republican for state representative and served on the State Board of the Connecticut Girl Scout Council, and Chairperson of the Naugatuck Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Always ready to volunteer for any good cause, she chaired and was a lifetime member of the Women’s Study Club; she served on the boards of the Child Guidance Clinic, the Waterbury Hospital Auxiliary, the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra, and the Environmental Commission. She served as chair of the Coordinating Center for Women which offered resources to local churches to address women’s issues such as breast cancer, victims of abuse, and education for young teenagers.
Above all, she treasured time with her husband and family. She loved planning celebrations on every holiday and birthday well into her eighties, and organized picnics and sing-alongs with her children and a large extended circle of close friends in Naugatuck. She and Robert traveled all over the world with Sarah and Sherman Buell. For more than 73 years, she and her family spent summers on the beach in Quonochontaug, RI, enjoying the simple pleasures of swimming, biking, canoeing, clamming, and hosting large gatherings of children and grandchildren. Everyone was given chores and any outstanding deed or small kindness was given an “attagirl “or “attaboy” award. Her favorite phrase was “You can do anything you think you can do!”
Her husband Robert, died in 2004 after 63 years of marriage. She leaves four daughters and a son: Patricia Van Allen Voigt of Philadelphia, PA (Fred); Lee Van Allen Roberts of Katonah, NY (Ken); Margaret Van Allen Albert of Wareham, MA (David); Beth Van Allen Van der Veer (Paul) of Marion, MA; and R. Mark Van Allen of New Haven, CT (Jane).
She has eleven grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held Sunday September 17, 2017 at the Naugatuck Congregational Church, Naugatuck CT at 3 pm. Donations in her memory may be made to : The United Way of Naugatuck and The Naugatuck Congregational Church.
