Buzzards Bay Coalition Asks For Support

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With one of the lightest agendas this group has seen in months, the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission discussed a big question – big in terms of acreage, that is.

Alan Decker of the Buzzards Bay Coalition met with the commissioners on February 27 seeking support for the acquisition of a 53-acre parcel at the corner of Mattapoisett Neck Road and state Route 6. Decker asked the commissioners to sign a letter acknowledging their support.

Decker explained that the property in question, known simply as “the old quarry,” could be the “front door” in Mattapoisett to the Nasketucket Bay State Reservation.

“The Town, in partnership with the coalition and the Mattapoisett Land Trust, has the opportunity to apply for a Massachusetts Land and Water Conservation grant in the amount of $300,000 towards the purchase price,” Decker said.

Decker said the coalition would seek to have a conservation restriction placed on the property as part of the deal, ensuring protection of the property into perpetuity.

Regarding other funding sources, Decker said that the Massachusetts Land and Water Conservation fund has already committed $250,000 to the effort and that fundraising activities by the MLT have begun.

Other funding sources may also come from the Town’s Community Preservation Act fund, Decker said, and that an application had been submitted to that committee. Decker said the plan was to go before Town Meeting in the spring with the support of the selectmen. Decker said that he’d be meeting with the selectmen on March 1.

Chairman Bob Rogers said of the letter, “So this puts our best foot forward in seeking this grant.” Decker concurred.

Decker described the parcel as being contiguous to the bike path and other MLT properties linking them with the state reservation east of this parcel and that nearly half of the monies needed could come from this one funding source.

The commissioners unanimously agreed to sign the letter of support.

In other business, a thrice reviewed Notice of Intent application submitted by Donna McCaffery, 16 Cove Street, finally received an Order of Conditions, clearing one more hurdle as she seeks to build a single family home on a barrier beach parcel. New plans that noted the use of concrete paving blocks versus poured concrete were submitted. Representative Richard Charon of Charon Associates said that the DEP had not commented further on the revised plans.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission is scheduled for March 13 at 6:30 pm in the town hall conference room.

By Marilou Newell

 

Herring Counts Remain Low

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On February 28, the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen met with local members of Alewives Anonymous, Inc. for the annual Tri-Town herring report and meeting. In attendance from AA were Arthur Benner, Jim Gurney, and David Watling.

Speaking for the group, Watling said, “Runs have been a mess in 2016.” He said that the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries would keep a moratorium in place as he said the 2016 count was only 18,540 river herring.

Watling also said that trying to establish exactly what is happening to the fish is difficult to pinpoint, with theories ranging from acid rain poisoning fresh water ponds where the fish spawn to climate change.

Board of Selectmen Chairman Tyler Macallister cited sea trawlers taking both sea herring and river herring as being a major problem. He said efforts to keep fishing vessels that employ net fishing further out to sea had not been completely successful.

Macallister said, “It’s a big uphill battle with commercial fishermen.”

Data shows that during 1998 through 2000, counts were as high as 130,000 fish. More recently, however, numbers have plunged as low as 6,000.

Also meeting with the selectmen was Mike Huguenin, president of the Mattapoisett Land Trust, to discuss a grant application for the Massachusetts Land and Water Conservation fund to help fund the acquisition of 53 acres located at the corner of Mattapoisett Neck Road and Route 6.

Huguenin asked the selectmen to sign a letter that would allow the town to pursue the state grant. A joint effort between the Buzzards Bay Coalition, MLT, and the town’s community preservation funds as well as private fundraising efforts are needed, Huguenin said, to collect sufficient monies for the purchase price of $600,000.

The site is a former granite quarry from which granite was used for local sidewalk curbs and the building of wharves along the harbor. Huguenin said the granite was highly prized for its attractive rose coloring. He said the site today still shows signs of the quarrying activity and is a thickly forested parcel.

Town Administrator Michael Gagne said, “This is rather exciting … three or four avenues of potential funding for a good acquisition.”

The selectmen voted to move forward with the grant application.

During the meeting, the selectmen also discussed using remote open meeting as a means for allowing appointed members to boards and commission to participate when unable to attend meetings in person.

During the last selectmen’s meeting, Selectman Paul Silva had voiced concern that this had the potential for allowing appointed board members to stay home rather than actually attend meetings. But after further consideration and the town’s ability to modify employing the ROM process, he acquiesced to the idea.

They discussed placing local restrictions to the state recognized open meeting method with Selectman Jordan Collyer saying, “Putting a restriction is prudent.”

The selectmen agreed that no more than two consecutive remote open meetings should be allowed, but that the boards and commissions themselves should be allowed to monitor participation and any action necessary if a member was found to exceed the restriction.

In other business, Gagne said that in the coming weeks a public meeting will be held so that residents could have the opportunity to hear from VHB, the consultants hired to design the village roadways.

“The engineers will go through all the steps so they’ll know what to expect,” he said.

On another topic, Silva asked Gagne if the Marine Advisory Board had submitted their edits to the long-awaited update of the waterways rules and regulations. Gagne said that they had, and that Harbormaster Jill Simmons along with town counsel will review them before posting for public review. That process, Gagne said, should be completed in the next week, thus allowing time for public vetting before an April implementation.

The selectmen also voted to approve a one-day beverage license for the Tour De Crème Event on May 21 to be held between 1:00 and 5:00 pm at the MLT Munroe Property on Water Street. The event is a partnership between the MLT and Friends of the Mattapoisett Bike Path. Monies raised from the bicycling event will help fund the two organizations activities in the community. Huguenin said that people can elect to take an 11-, 19-, 25- or 50-mile route and 75 riders will be permitted to ride. He said that the registration would open on March 15.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen is scheduled for March 14 at 6:30 pm in the town hall conference room.

By Marilou Newell

 

Marion-Edna F. Johnson

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Marion-Edna F. Johnson, 90, a lifelong resident of Marion, passed away Thursday, March 2, at the Sippican Healthcare Center in Marion. Mrs. Johnson was the wife of the late Henry F. Johnson. She was born in Marion, the daughter of the late Norman W. and Hannah M. (Pittsley) Jenney.

She attended Marion and Wareham Public Schools and graduated from Wareham High School. She also attended and graduated from the Kenyon & Campbell Secretarial School in New Bedford. She worked for the Eldridge Fish House, Winters Insurance, Marion Lumber and her families “Jenney’s Garage” of Marion. She enjoyed knitting and braiding rugs. Mrs. Johnson was member of the Marion Social Club, Wampanoag Council # 15 degree of the Pocahontas; she was also a past Pocahontas.

She is survived by her son: Norman Johnson of Marion, a step daughter, Sandra Walker of New Bedford. She is the sister of Faith Leavitt of Marion and the cousin of Elsie Mae DeGowin of West Wareham. She also survived by many loving relatives and friends. She was the mother of the late Hope F. Johnson and sister of the late George D. Jenney and Norman H. Jenney

Funeral Service Wednesday, March 8, at 10 am in the Wareham Village Funeral Home 5 Center Street Wareham. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, March 7, from 4-6pm only in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to the Marion Firefighters Association, 50 Spring Street, Marion, MA 02738, Marion Social Club, 44 Pumping Station Road, Marion, MA 02738 or Wampanoag Degree of Pocahontas, 758 Main Street, West Wareham, MA 02576 Burial will be in Old Landing Cemetery Marion, MA to leave a message of condolence for the family please visit www.warehamvillagefuneralhome.com Arrangements by Wareham Village Funeral Home.

Calling All Artists to Benefit the Mattapoisett Library

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The Friends of the Mattapoisett Library invite artists of all ages to create their vision of “Build a Better World” on an 8- by 8-inch canvas to raise funds for the Friends in support of library programs. The fundraiser kicks off the week of March 1 when members of the Friends will be distributing the canvases from 4:00 to 7:00 pm in the Reading Room. Everyone is welcome to participate – no matter what skill level or artistic experience they may have.

Canvases can be decorated with an original design in any medium – paint, pastel, collage, or markers – and will be on display throughout the library from Tuesday, May 2 to Saturday, July 29. Each canvas will be available for purchase for $25.

A reception to celebrate the artistic efforts of all participants will be held at the library on Tuesday, May 16 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Refreshments will be provided by the Friends.

“Build a Better World” is the theme of this summer’s library statewide Summer Reading Program. Each artist is welcome to interpret that theme. Share your talent to benefit the Friends, a nonprofit group that supports the Mattapoisett Free Public Library.

Memoir Writing Workshop

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The Elizabeth Taber Library is holding a Memoir Writing Workshop on Tuesdays, March 7-April 4, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. Everyone has a story to tell. Here’s your chance to get it on paper and share it with your family. This five-week introductory workshop is free to the public and will be led by Library Trustee Al Caron. Participants will write segments about their life and read them aloud to others to receive feedback on each piece. Registration is required. Please call the Elizabeth Taber Library at 508-748-1252 or email eoneill@sailsinc.org to reserve your spot today.

Retail Education

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As a kid growing up in Onset, our choice of retail venues at which to spend the few dollars Ma had squirreled away was very easy. A mere stone’s throw from our front porch sat The College Shop, Katz’s Department Store, and the five-and-dime.

Each store had its signature line-up. The College Shop carried preppy articles of clothing stacked high against the walls of its narrow interior space. Corduroy or chino slacks, crew neck wool sweaters, oxford button-down shirts, turtle-necks, and real leather belts were some of the staple offerings. We primarily purchased socks from the two brothers who owned the shop. We weren’t preppy people. But the socks were good quality, and quality was very high on Ma’s list of virtues.

Down at the end of the street situated on the corner now home to a pizza parlor was Katz’s Department Store. I remember going there with my mother, one of a handful of memories from that era when she still left her home. I must have been a very small child because in the memory, the clothing hung above my head on circular stands.

Each season, Ma would buy one or two shirtwaist dresses that she would lovingly wash and iron to perfection before wearing for the first time. The patterns were wild floral concoctions that seemed like mobile gardens in my little kid imagination. How proudly Ma wore those dresses crisp from the liquid starch in which she would soak them overnight before hanging them out in the fresh sea air to dry. Ma thought the invention of spray starch was akin to instant coffee – a miracle.

A few doors up the street from Katz’s was the five-and-dime. This was heaven for a kid. Stocking everything from toothpaste to ladies’ undergarments, from greeting cards to small hand tools, and of course, slotted tray after slotted tray of the latest trinkets imported from Japan, a trip inside was akin to Disneyland.

As the summer months approached and the sea of seasonal humanity prepared to descend on the sidewalks of my youth, the man who owned the place stocked his shelves with sand pails and shovels, inflatable beach balls and rings, children’s swimsuits, comic books, batteries, and tanning lotion.

I don’t recall Ma ever going inside the five-and-dime, but at least once a week she’d send me off with a list of the Knit-Cro-Sheen thread she required for her latest crocheting project. While there, I’d slowly go through the aisles eyeballing the imports. I loved the richly embroidered change purses and the little glass figurines. I’d tally up in my head how much money I had back home in my cigar box under the bed and plan how to earn a few more coins so I could own these rare items. If upon returning home there was a bit of change leftover, Ma would let me keep it “against a rainy day.” My rainy days never saw that money – it all went to the five-and-dime.

If what Ma was trying to purchase wasn’t available in the quarter-mile radius around her cottage, there was always the catalog – that would be the Sears and Roebuck catalog, of course.

Hours of blissful companionship with Ma were spent letting our fingers do the walking, not through the Yellow Pages, but through the Sears catalog.

From these exercises, I learned the difference between cotton and acrylics, how to read a size chart, what imported meant, and how to calculate the shipping charges based on the weight of merchandize being ordered. Ma taught me how to neatly fill out an order form and the importance of double-checking my entries. I guess you could say I learned at an early age about international trade, economics, social studies, and the three “R’s” all from the Sears catalog as taught by Ma.

Sadly, as the years went by and new high speed roads diverted traffic from the center of our small town to the outskirts of Route 6 and 28, and as the owners of the shops that lined Onset Avenue grew old, our retail world faded away never to return. Now we, too, would have to drive out of town to secure socks and slacks or depend more heavily on mail-order purchases.

Ma eventually found the strength to leave home and shop. In the intervening years between when her children left home and when she got in a car again after nearly two decades, catalogs had been her primary method of shopping. Now, freed to roam the Christmas Tree Shop or Wal-Mart without the pressure of worrying whether or not a two-dollar purchase would take food out of her children’s mouth, Ma shopped like a woman possessed in spite of her elderly status.

We spent many hours together slowly going up and down the aisles gathering face cream, birthday cards, shortbread cookies, and capris. She delighted in once again seeing products in real time versus from the pages of a catalog – retail as recreation.

Later still, I would push her wheelchair around my favorite stores as I looked for a new business suit or shoes I couldn’t live without. How she would tut-tut at the cost of things while waiting for me to come out of the dressing room to show her how the Donna Karan creation looked on me. Ma was my harshest critic and my glowing flatterer. There was no gray in her world.

By the time the Internet gave shoppers virtual access to retailers around the globe, Ma’s shopping days were done. Of course she knew about computers, but the technology was beyond her comprehension.

“You don’t send them a check?” she asked when baffled about how items were paid for if money wasn’t exchanged. I suspect she’d find it rather boring.

By Marilou Newell

 

ORR Goes International

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This February break, Old Rochester Regional High School went international! Eighteen high school students and six adult chaperones spent the week in sunny Italy, led by Latin teacher Judy Pretat and Spanish teacher Steven Bernardo.

“This is my sixth [Italy] trip,” Pretat said. “It’s something that I’ve done a lot, and the opportunity is great because I teach Latin and this is hands-on in terms of getting a real feel for ancient Italy. This was the best trip in terms of viewing ancient Roman life and modern Italy. I was really proud of everybody and how polite they were; I think they presented ORR well.”

The adventure began with a seven-hour flight from Boston to Frankfurt, Germany, a five-hour layover, and then a second flight to Naples, Italy.

On the drive to the southwestern city of Sorrento, where they would stay for several days, the group stopped at the Villa San Marco, which is part of an ancient Roman town named Stabiae.

The next day included visits to the towns of Positano and Amalfi, where students were able to view the Paestum, which includes three temples built by the Greeks who settled in and colonized the Southern Italy area. They also saw the 9th Century Cathedral of St. Andrew. While originally built in a Roman style mirroring Arab and Norman architecture, it has been remodeled a few times and had various Byzantine, Gothic, and Baroque elements added.

“Personally, my favorite aspect of the trip was the fuse of both ancient history and modern day culture,” said senior Reese Donaldson. “When we were in the South, we got to see how people really lived since they’re a much smaller town than Rome. We saw people in love, we saw families walking around the shops, people taking long lunches to catch up with family and friends, and we even saw the remnants of some sort of celebration in Sorrento one night: all the children were dressed up as characters and there was confetti everywhere. It was amazing to see how different European life is from life here; it’s at a much slower pace, they enjoy the little things.”

From their main base of Sorrento, the group took a ferry to the island of Capri, where they hiked to view the ruins of Emperor Tiberius’ villa. Rome’s third emperor, Tiberius, ruled from 14 to 37 AD and improved the Roman economy despite his unpopularity.

“The most memorable experience from the trip was hiking to Tiberius’ castle at the top of Capri,” said junior Chris Savino. “It was exhausting and everyone was gross and sweaty, but that was when most of us bonded. The hike was dreadful and it was so hot, but everyone was talking and joking.” And, he added, “Not to mention, it was probably the prettiest hike most of us have ever done.”

This trip was followed by a drive to the city of Pompei, where the ruins of the infamous ruins of ancient Pompeii are located, and a tour of the Naples National Archaeological Museum, which houses a large collection of Roman and Egyptian artifacts. A “spontaneous night tour” occurred after the students arrived in Rome, with visits to the Colosseum, Roman forum, and several intricate fountains. They expanded on this the next morning with an official tour of the monuments, this time including the Pantheon, the Trevi fountain, and a final stop at the Tiber River.

The following day brought an excursion 30 minutes outside of the main city to attend “gladiator school.”

“We went into a brick hut and two men dressed in gladiator armor taught us about the techniques and armor the gladiators would use. Then we trained with wooden and metal swords, attacked practice potato sack targets with javelins, and then used bow and arrows to hit targets from a distance,” said junior Alice Bednarczyk. “One person was chosen at the end to be our ‘hero’ and tried to throw nets at two others in an arena who tried to avoid being captured with shields.”

Rome also offered opportunities for the group to visit the catacombs and the Vatican, where they toured the Sistine Chapel, where Michelangelo’s The Last Judgement adorns the ceiling, surrounded by many colorful frescos.

At St. Peter’s Basilica, some of the more curious students were even able to view the area where popes are buried. Along with a short trip to the nearby town of Trivoli to see Emperor Hadrian’s Villa, which dates back to the 2nd Century AD, these outings marked the end of their Italian journey.

However, the best result of the vacation returned along with the students: newfound friendships.

“When I went on the trip, I made friends who I never thought I would ever even talk to,” Savino said.

“I’m pretty sure that by the five-hour layover in Frankfurt airport, myself and others were already saying ‘where’s the family?’” Donaldson added in good humor of the bond the group formed. “Like all good families, we definitely had our ups and downs (mostly due to sleep deprivation), but in the end we all cared for each other and certainly looked out for one another. No one was ever isolated or left to wander on their own, and I think we all feel a connection after experiencing Italy together.”

By Jo Caynon

 

Neighbors Oppose Large-Scale Multi-Family

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Christian Loranger, the developer of a multi-family condominium at 16 Cottage Street, is looking to develop an additional condo complex at 324 Front Street to the dismay of some neighbors, especially abutter Peter Douglas of 326 Front Street.

A historic white house currently sits at the site, and Loranger plans to raze the house to construct a six-unit, 12-bedroom gambrel-style apartment building with a footprint that is roughly 190% larger than the current house.

The substantially larger building will also be taller with an elevator shaft that will bring the total height higher than the 35 feet maximum height.

According to Building Inspector Scott Shippey, however, this elevator shaft falls under the town’s bylaw definition of a “customary roof structure.” Features such as bulkheads and other “uninhabitable spaces” can be allowed and excluded from the total structure height, he said.

“It’s debatable,” said Shippey. “It would be my call, and it would be reviewed under the plans. It is allowed within reason.”

Starting off the Marion Zoning Board of Appeals public hearing on behalf of Loranger was his attorney, John Mathieu, who said the project would be nearly identical to the one Loranger completed on Cottage Street.

Although it was initially believed to have five bedrooms as per the Assessor’s Office, the existing three-story house, he claimed, actually has 12 bedrooms that could be grandfathered and excused in Loranger’s project, an extension of a non-conforming use.

This would have to be proved, however, since the board had a hard time accepting that the existing house would contain that many unaccounted for bedrooms.

“We welcome the board to inspect the house if they feel it is necessary,” Mathieu said. The house, as is, he added, is beyond salvageable and would have to be knocked down entirely.

Architect Anthi Frangiadis reviewed the plan with the board. The front of the house will increase from 37 feet wide to 40 feet wide, and the house will be moved back slightly to conform with all setbacks.

Two units are planned for each floor of the three-story proposed structure, which Frangiadis described as an architectural style that is in keeping with the style of Marion’s village center. The outside façade will be of natural materials, and the roof pitch and proposed balconies and decks would also reflect a tasteful style like other houses in town.

“This will increase [tax] revenue to the Town,” said Mathieu, “with very little impact on town services.”

There is, however, an issue with municipal sewer service, which would have to be approved by the selectmen who are also the water and sewer commissioners.

The issue up front, said Chairman Marc Leblanc, is the number of bedrooms.

“We need to clarify first the actual number of bedrooms on the property,” Leblanc said.

Shippey agreed.

“There may be twelve bedrooms, but they’re not approved,” Shippey stated.

Another issue is that Loranger will also need to prove the consistent uninterrupted use of the house as a multi-family in order to approve the use within the residential zone. New multi-family constructions are only permitted within a certain designated residential zone.

This, pointed out Douglas, the direct abutter to the project, is why a proposed structure such as Loranger’s does not belong next to his house.

The main concern: the size and scale of the proposed structure, which he says will dwarf his house and block sunshine for most of the day, casting “a perpetual shadow” on the interior of his house and also killing trees and bushes on his lawn.

He said a project like this, located where it is proposed, would make Marion “the mega-condo capital of the SouthCoast.”

In describing the planned structure, Douglas used words such as “monstrosity,” “huge,” and “gigantic.”

Douglas handed the board a detailed list of grievances, some pertaining to existing bylaws as well as what Douglas called “misrepresentations” in Loranger’s plans.

“The rules are there to prevent us from being treated like this and having someone ignore the rules when they think that is to their advantage,” said Douglas. “That is the reason rules need to be enforced – and violation of the rules should not be allowed, waived, or excused.”

Neighbor Diane Worley across the street at 329 Front Street employed engineer Doug Schneider to review the specs of the plan. He took issue with the elevator shaft as well, and also brought to the forefront that planned walking paths and a widening of the driveway to accommodate an enlarged parking area in the back was not reflected in the total impervious lot coverage of Loranger’s plan.

Schneider also argued that Loranger’s project would require a site plan review with the Planning Board due to the scale of the proposal.

Regarding Conservation Commission comments on the application, Mathieu said he was surprised the Conservation Commission required a filing, since the proposed house would be outside the flood zones and away from any wetlands buffer zones, although part of the front portion of the property would lie within a flood zone.

“We’re going to look over everything and make an appropriate decision,” said Leblanc.

The matter was continued until the next scheduled meeting of the Marion Zoning Board of Appeals on March 9 at 7:30 pm in the Marion Town House meeting room.

By Jean Perry

 

Planning Board Tackles Draft Master Plan

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The Marion Planning Board held a special meeting on February 28 for the second review of the town’s Draft Master Plan.

Kenneth Buckland is assisting the board with the plan and facilitated the meeting.

Two sections were discussed by the board this evening: Services and Facilities, and Transportation and Circulation.

Buckland started the discussion, suggesting that this review was intended to be more detailed and thoughtful. The Services and Facilities section describes buildings and facilities owned and maintained by the town.

Chairman Robert Lane acknowledged that there is extensive discussion currently in town by saying, “The town needs new town offices. There are two choices, either renovate the Town House or build a new structure. Town residents will make the decision at Town Meeting. If they choose to build a new building, the Town House must be protected with deed restrictions prior to any renovations.”

An overarching comment made by board member Stephen Kokkins and supported by board member Will Saltonstall was that the organization of the section should describe the urgency of the items needing attention, such as the wastewater treatment system or the need for town offices.

It was suggested that Buckland create a table to be located at the beginning of the section, listing all the structures and facilities in town, their location, condition and needs. There would also be a column listing each item’s priority for attention by the town.

Board member Michael Popitz suggested that the land and structure monetary value also be included in the table. The location of sewage pumping stations was of particular interest to board member Eileen Marum, who pointed out that some pumping stations are located in velocity zones.

Planning Board member and Selectman Stephen Gonsalves noted that the Board of Selectmen is beginning a town-wide needs assessment of town-owned buildings. It was suggested that a comprehensive facilities assessment might be a recommendation of the Master Plan.

Saltonstall stated, “It may be the job of the Master Plan, but also a job of the leadership, to determine the priorities of the facilities and their use.”

The need for improvements may be established, but equally important is the financial ability to do the improvements identified as priorities. Saltonstall suggested that Shaun Cormier, the town’s facilities manager, may already have a list and assessed the status of the town’s facilities.

Next, the board tackled the Transportation and Circulation section of the draft Master Plan.

Marum took issue with the plan that states that there is no traffic congestion in town.

“There is an area of congestion I call the Y – where Spring Street, Route 105 and Mill Street come together – the area has a healthcare facility, a 40B development, restaurants, a day care facility. Something needs to be done about that intersection for everyone’s safety.”

Additionally, board members were concerned about the condition and safety of Route 6. It was suggested that perhaps the town could own parts of Route 6, particularly the Gateway section, so that it may be modified to make it more pedestrian and bicycle friendly, similar to what Mattapoisett has done.

Popitz wondered why, if MA Department of Transportation owns Route 6, it didn’t care for it better. Kokkins suggested, “Maybe we don’t have to own all of it, but get cooperative support from the state.”

Board member Jennifer Francis raised the question whether the town should be investing in a Regional Transit Agency. The plan states that in FY2013 the COA provided 6,900 rides to 200 riders. She asked “Since the COA provided so many rides, why do we need to join an RTA?” The COA may be anticipating increased ridership. It was noted that a bus is now running twice daily from New Bedford to Wareham, and stops in Marion at the Cumberland Farms. There was some discussion about enhancing the bus stop location.

Francis has spearheaded the development of a task force to investigate transportation and circulation issues within the town. The task force will be charged with assessing key intersections, congestion, and other transportation issues.

Upon completion of the assessment, the task force will determine if Complete Streets, a state program, would be useful for developing and funding solutions for issues identified by the task force.

Buckland will attend the March 20 meeting to discuss the next two sections of the draft Master Plan: Resilience to Climate and Extreme Events, and Open Space and Recreation.

The next meeting of the Marion Planning Board will be on March 6 at 7:00 pm at the Marion Town House.

By Sarah French Storer

 

Brad Barrows Memorial Fund

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On Saturday, February 26, the members of the Brad Barrows Memorial Fund Committee presented three local organizations with more than $3,500 in proceeds from their annual motorcycle run held annually in September. Brad Barrows was a great believer in supporting youth athletics. To keep his memory alive, the Brad Barrows Youth Scholarship Fund was created to provide support for area youth. Funds donated may be used for scholarships, participation fees, and other things to help local athletic teams and participants participate in programs.

This year, checks were presented to Marion Recreation, Mattapoisett Recreation, and F.O.R.S (Friends of Old Rochester Swimming). Present at the presentation were Jody Dickerson, Director of Marion Recreation; Greta Fox, Director of Mattapoisett Recreation; and Christine Richards, Friends of Old Rochester Swimming. Presenting checks on behalf of the Brad Barrows Memorial Scholarship Fund were Peter Collins, Dale Barrows, Margie Barrows, and Barry Barrows. More information is available on the Brad Barrows Memorial Fund Facebook page.