March Programs at the Plumb Library

on

Register to learn about the ukulele. The class will be held on Friday, March 3 at 3:30 pm at the Library, 17 Constitution Way, Rochester, and will be led by Ms. Lillie, a talented ukulele player, now a freshman in college. She will have some ukes with her, but bring your own if you have one. This class is best for children ages 9 and up and is limited to six attendees, so register now on the Plumb Library Events Calendar found on the website, www.plumblibrary.com. There may be more classes in the future, if there is enough interest.

For their March book, “Just the Facts” Nonfiction Book Discussion Group will be reading A Deadly Wandering: A Tale of Tragedy and Redemption in the Age of Attention by Matt Richtel. New York Times journalist Richtel interweaves the cutting-edge science of attention with the tensely plotted story of a mysterious car accident and its aftermath to answer some of the defining questions of our time: What is technology doing to us? Can our minds keep up with the pace of change? How can we find balance? Richtel parallels the accident with scientific finding regarding human attention and the impact of technology on our brains. We will discuss this book on Thursday, March 16 at 6:30 pm.

The Rochester Council on Aging Book Group will meet on Tuesday, March 21 at 10:15 am to discuss The End-of-Your-Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe. The Rochester Council on Aging is on Dexter Lane. Books are available at the Plumb Library. Please bring your library card to the meeting.

The Café Parlez’ selection for March is The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George. Monsieur Perdu calls himself a literary apothecary. From his floating bookstore in a barge on the Seine, he prescribes novels for the hardships of life. The only person he can’t seem to heal through literature is himself; he’s still haunted by heartbreak after his great love disappeared. She left him with only a letter that he has never opened. We will discuss this book on Thursday, March 30 at 6:30 pm. Books are available at the desk.

Did you know there are vampires in your house? Don’t start wearing garlic just yet, though. These are “power vampires,” using up electric power just sitting there, turned off. They could be the coffeemaker, the computer, the game system, or the printer. You can borrow our Electric Usage Meter to see how much power these vampires are consuming in your home and take steps to unplug them, if possible. This will cut down on your electric usage and save you money on your next electric bill. Thanks to Eversource for the donation of this meter. Call the library at 508-763-8600 to reserve the meter or for more information.

ConCom Denies Loranger Project

on

As requested by the applicant during the last meeting, the Marion Conservation Commission denied the Notice of Intent application submitted by Christian Loranger of 120 Front Street to construct a single-family house, pool, pool house, and other accessories such as patios and a driveway.

The commission considered the application as not having sufficient enough information to ensure that surrounding wetlands would not suffer a negative impact as a result of the project, leaving Loranger to request the commission close the public hearing and issue the denial so that he could presumably approach the Department of Environmental Protection for an appeal.

The commission honored Loranger’s request after taking an extra week to review the most recent information Loranger had submitted, and voted to deny the project.

Conservation Commission member Norm Hills read the denial.

“The information submitted by the applicant is insufficient to describe the site work or the effect of the work on the interest identified in the Wetlands Protection Act,” read Hills, “therefore, work on this project may not go forward unless or until a revised Notice of Intent is submitted which provides sufficient information which includes measures which are adequate to protect the act’s interest and the final Order of Conditions is issued.”

The commission decided that information about a retaining wall was insufficient and could make no assumption that the wall would prohibit the passing of stormwater into the wetlands.

“It’s really impossible for the commission to determine whether there’ll be an adverse impact on the BVW based on the information that’s been submitted to us,” said commission member Shaun Walsh.

After a unanimous vote, Loranger has ten business days to file an appeal with the DEP once the commission officially issues him the Order of Conditions.

The DEP may decide that the application was, in fact, sufficient and issue a Superseding Order of Conditions allowing the project to proceed, or the DEP could agree with the Conservation Commission and the case would be returned to the ConCom for further review.

Loranger expressed some confusion over the commission’s decision to deny the project based on the retaining wall, saying that at the last meeting when he requested the hearing be closed, he was under the impression that it was over the 15- and 30-foot wetlands boundaries that are only meant to serve as guidelines for the commission, rather than strict laws to be upheld.

“I did my homework, so that’s what made me sway towards the retaining wall,” said Chairman Cynthia Callow.

Loranger considered asking the commission to re-open the public hearing so that further discussion with the engineer could take place, but the commission went ahead with the vote, which was unanimous to deny.

“We might be doing a favor by denying it if he gets a better deal with the DEP,” said commission member Joel Hartley.

The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission is scheduled for March 8 at 7:00 pm at the Marion Town Hall.

By Jean Perry

 

Second Annual Map-A-Palooza a Big Hit

on

About 15 children ages 6 to 12 learned how to use and create maps during a February school vacation event aptly named ‘Map-A-Palooza.’ The tri-sponsored event was held on February 23 at the Mattapoisett Historical Society Museum.

Partnering for this second annual event were Jennifer McIntire, president of the Mattapoisett Historical Society Museum, Ellen Flynn, education chairman for the Mattapoisett Land Trust, and Alison Van Kueren, a trustee for the Mattapoisett Recreation Department.

“This activity is in anticipation of our summer exhibit which will feature maps,” McIntire said.

Part of the Map-A-Palooza activity included the children creating their own maps, which may be loaned to the museum for their exhibit.

McIntire said the children would learn how to find locations from maps as well as be able to orient their position using maps.

To assist the children in understanding how maps worked, they were each given a personalized map showing the layout of the museum chapel. Each map was marked with an “X” where a quarter had been hidden. After finding their ‘treasure,’ the children ventured outside to locate historic buildings in a three-block area near the museum utilizing a map.

They were also given copies of historic photographs featuring specific buildings they would find.

“They’ll see how the town has changed or stayed the same over time,” Flynn said. She discussed how the use of buildings changes with time, as well as the appearance of the structure itself. They also asked the participants to observe how the landscape has changed when comparing the old photographs against their observations.

Some of the buildings the kids had to find and discuss were an old post office, general stores, and restaurants, with names like The Anchorage Inn, Atsatt Brothers Store, Bayview Hotel, and Spring Beverages.

The children were surprised to learn about all the businesses that once populated the village streets and are now used as private residences. They were also pleased that their maps will be on view during the summer exhibit.

The map exhibit will be open at the museum when the summer season begins in July.

By Marilou Newell

Elizabeth L. East

on

Elizabeth L. East, 61, of Mattapoisett died February 24, 2017. She passed on peacefully at St. Luke’s Hospital, surrounded by her adoring family.

She was the pride and joy of her husband, Douglas A. Williams, D.V.M.

Born and raised in Natick, MA, she was the daughter of the late Dr. Francis A. and Ellen C. (Gavin) East. The home of her spirit was Point Connett, Mattapoisett, where the family spent their summer months barefoot and on sailboats. After a series of odd rentals and a cross-country trip in a red panel truck, Betsy and Doug started their family in Norway, ME before moving back to Point Connett to be closer to family, and the sea.

Survivors include her husband; 2 daughters, Lindsay Williams and her companion Tom Paiva of New Bedford, and Hannah Williams Asci and her husband Peter of Mattapoisett; 3 sisters, Lindy East-Boyd, Deborah Keir, and Marilyn East, all of Marion; her mother-in-law, Alice Hunt Williams of Mattapoisett; her father-in-law, Roger Dwight Williams of Barrington, NH; many nieces and nephews; and her mostly companion Ella, a bullmastiff of great heart. She is preceded by her brother, the late Frank East; her best friend Stevie; many good dogs, and a pair of gruff cats.

Elizabeth would like for us all to remember her fondly, support honest journalism, and get right back into the business of living, loving, and being good to each other. After all, as she always said, there’s nothin’ wrong with dying.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Friends of Mattapoisett Library at P. O. Box 1146, Mattapoisett, MA 02739, or to the ACLU c/o the Gift Processing Department, 125 Broad Street, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10004, or Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc., P.O. Box 97166 Washington, DC 20090-7166. Private arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Town House Renovation Questions

on

The renovation plan for the Town House calls for demolishing the entire annex located at the back of the structure and renovating only the original Elizabeth Taber building at the front. The professionally estimated construction cost has been reduced by 32% since the Finance Committee told us in April, 2016 that we must achieve major savings. The resulting plan is lean and efficient, almost 50% smaller than the existing building and much less expensive to maintain.

Several recent Letters to the Editor have made misleading comments about the project that we wish to address:

  1. “Electronic records storage would save space.” Not true. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Municipal Records Retention Manual indicates exactly what records must be maintained, how long and in what form they shall be retained. Alternative solutions are non-negotiable. To the extent that electronic storage methods are permitted, our renovation plan includes such storage. But the state requires many paper records to be permanently retained as well – some in a climate-controlled vault. Such a vault is included in the renovation plan.
  2. “The offices are not as small in the proposed renovation as they could be in a new building.” Not true. The office layout in the renovation plan compares favorably with other new town halls and shows that our plan is just as tight and efficient. T2 Architects took the time to study the workings of our Town House and have done a remarkable job designing an open, efficient layout in the historic building.
  3. “You don’t need as many bathrooms as are shown in the proposed renovation.” Not true. The Massachusetts Building Code specifies the minimum number of plumbing fixtures for all new or renovated structures, and that is the basis for the number of our bathrooms.
  4. “It would be best to provide a flexible and open design like many new offices have.” No, that concept is not the best for a town hall. An ideal town hall is not a dull collection of modular cubicles separated by flexible partitions. The layout of offices in the renovated building suits both the needs of staff cooperation and public interaction. Where groups of offices work closely, such as the Building, Conservation Commission, and Planning departments, or the Town Clerk, Assessors, and Treasurer/Collector, they share open space. A few larger offices allow staff to spread out and review building and site plans that are submitted for review every day. Privacy is provided where needed. Special equipment such as assessors’ plan racks and a large format copier for the Building Department are accommodated. Corridors are wide and short as befits a town house. Counters with roll down closures are provided for safe and convenient transactions with the public.
  5. “It would be more advantageous to sell the existing building to a condominium developer because of its premier location in the Village and build a new town house elsewhere.” We cannot agree. It would be risky to assume that some developer is prepared to pay anything for the existing Town House. The building could end up as an unoccupied derelict if there is no buyer or if the buyer underestimates his costs. The sale of the Town House for private development would remove land from what is now included in Sippican School’s site. The reduction of its site could make any future additions to the school’s footprint unacceptable to the MA School Building Authority. Public ownership of the Town House ensures the historic building’s preservation. Keeping the Town House in the village center is a worthwhile investment for the health of the village as were the Music Hall, the Elizabeth Taber Library, the Marion Art Center, and the Post Office renovations.
  6. “Isn’t it too expensive to renovate an old building like the Town House?” The project cost will be approximately $150 per average home on the annual tax bill for the term of the loan. Renovation of the Town House is worth the expense. The proposed interior renovation does not include the preservation of historic interior details. There is not that much detail to save. Rather, the goal is to reuse the building’s shell while building a new functional interior that finally changes its old school classrooms into efficient town offices. Plumbing, heating and electrical systems that are on their last legs now will be replaced with energy efficient mechanical systems, lighting, and controls after the building is stripped of its interior finishes and insulation. The watertight exterior envelope will allow interior alteration work to proceed on schedule regardless of weather.

Why move the town offices out of the village when the present location serves the community so well?

Respectfully,

Bill Saltonstall

Shaun Cormier

Bob Raymond

Wayne Mattson

Lynn Crocker

 

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

ORR “The Gathering”

on

Have you heard? It’s The Gathering of the initial four classes at ORR back in September 1961. That’s right, the Classes of ’62, ’63, ’64 and ’65 are planning a get-together. With no history or traditions to guide us on that first day of High School in 1961, we had to create the traditions and history that became the foundation for all future classes at ORR. That is something to be proud of and to celebrate. So, come join us on September 9 at our informal Gathering in Marion.

For further details contact any of the following:

– Donna Andrews, Class ’65, dmandrews1@verizon.net

– John DeMello, Class ’65, jfdemello@verizon.net

– Richard Morgado, Class ’64, dickmorgado@hotmail.com

– Peter Foster, Class ’64, pfcoot@gmail.com

– Suzanne Petersen, Class ’63, suzpet44@hotmail.com

Mattapoisett Woman’s Club

on

The March meeting of the Mattapoisett Woman’s Club is Thursday, March 16 at Reynard Hall in the Mattapoisett Congregational Church which is located at 27 Church Street, Mattapoisett. Our members begin gathering after 11:30 am to socialize, followed by a noontime luncheon and speaker. Our guest speaker is Amy Wilmont, Interpreter for the Department of Conservation and Resources (DCR) of Massachusetts. The Department, an agency of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, oversees 450,000 acres of parks and forests, beaches, bike trails, watersheds, dams, and parkways. The agency’s mission is to protect, promote, and enhance our common wealth of natural, cultural, and recreational resources. Ms. Wilmot will give an overview of state parks and recreation areas within a 30-minute drive of Mattapoisett and two or three parks farther away. From Cape Cod to the Berkshires, DCR has parks and trails for everyone. Learn about summit roads to DCR’s mountaintops – Mt. Greylock, Mt. Tom, Skinner State Park, Mt. Sugarloaf, and Mt. Wachusett – that offer spectacular scenic vistas, the season schedules, and even senior citizen passes. If you are interested in attending or would like more information, please contact one of our members or Karen Gardner at 774-377-5810.

Plumb Ballet

on

Miss Bridget (Bridget Farias), a Junior Friend of the Plumb Library, hosted an introduction to ballet session on Friday morning, February 24. Little girls, some in ballet slippers, lined up in front of Miss Bridget to learn the four primary positions of ballet and read a story about ballerinas. Photos by Jean Perry

Thoughts on Names and Nicknames

on

Since my retirement and return to this special place we call home, I have renewed acquaintances with old friends from high school whom I hadn’t seen in many decades. This appears to have presented a number of them with the dilemma of whether to call me by my given name Richard, or my nickname Dick.

It is a nickname I acquired in college some 50 years ago. Later, when I was illustrating children’s books, it was more friendly on a book cover than Richard but too casual when I taught at college where I reverted to my more formal given name. Except for the time I wrote a condolence to a bereaved neighbor’s family on a funeral home website and it was rejected because they thought my name had … shall I say … a negative connotation, it has served me well.

Anyway, all this confusion has me thinking about all the names and nicknames I encountered during my life. Most people don’t need to know too many names, but teachers especially have to memorize hundreds over the course of a school year just to avoid confusion. No kid likes to be called “Hey, you” or “What’s your name back there?”

So names are important to teachers. I’ve known colleagues who spent their entire summer vacations memorizing the names of next year’s students. I recall memorization is a part of the Teacher Competency Test, so knowing your students’ names is certainly a skill teachers need to master. My own kids are grown, so I pretty much have their names memorized. Their appearance has changed but, so far, they’ve kept their names.

You run into some pretty peculiar names in a class room. I recall I had one student named Jorritsma. I’d never heard of that one. Another was named Linnea. I’d never heard of it either, though I think it is a pretty name. Some names you just don’t hear of anymore. When I was about 8 years old, I had a friend named Norbert. He had a newspaper route and I used to help him deliver his papers. I’d carry the bag while he … hey, I recall old Norbert was quite a large fellow. Perhaps I was not helping him voluntarily. But, I digress.

I’ll bet you don’t know a single person named Norbert … large or small, and, I dare say never have. I wonder, if he’s still around today, whether he’s called Norb or Norby or Bert. Norbert is one of those old-fashioned names parents just don’t name their babies today. Names like Clyde, or Durwood, or Rudolph, or Albert. Come to think of it, you probably know an Albert. My father’s name was Albert, though everyone called him Al. I don’t recall anyone ever calling him Bert.

The only Berts I can think of are Bert Parks, the old host of the Miss America Pageant and that character who lives with Ernie on Sesame Street. I wonder if their real names might be Norbert. Or, Bertram. There’s another name you don’t often hear … Bertram Russell, the famous philosopher not-with-standing (did his friends call him Bert?) … I can’t think of another Bertram I know.

I’m surprised I never ran into a Sylvester in a classroom. Sylvester Stallone’s mother knew a good name when she heard one, and he’s a big action hero who some young parent surely would want to name their kid after. I wonder if his mother named him after that black and white cat who chased the canary in the old Warner Brothers cartoons. Stallone’s nickname is “Sly.” Do you think his high school friends still call him Sylvester?

My mother’s name was Pearl. She was named after Pearl White, an old movie actress … I think, who came before Pearl Bailey the singer and Pearl Buck the writer. They are the only Pearls I know of. My mother had a cousin named Palmiela, but that probably doesn’t count because it’s an ethnic name … it’s Portuguese. Can you imagine teaching a class with Jorrritsma, Durwood, Rudolph, Clyde, Bertram, Albert, Sylvester, Pearl, Palmiela and Norbert all together. At least you wouldn’t have to wonder which of the five Amys, four Allisons and three Jons would respond when you called their name. That little exercise would be a competency test in itself.

When I couldn’t remember students’ names, I’d just called them Smiley. I hope my friends resolve their dilemma soon. I’m happy to answer to either Richard or Dick. Just don’t call me Smiley.

By Dick Morgado

 

All-State Symphonic Band

on

Tabor Academy trumpeter AJ Macrina ’18 is slated to perform with the 2017 Massachusetts Music Educators All-State Symphonic Band. The All-State Concert will be held at Symphony Hall in Boston on Saturday, March 11. He was chosen for this prestigious honor through a competitive audition process held this year at the district and all-state levels.

The competition starts with over 7,000 students from across the state vying for only 1,600 positions to perform in one of the 20 ensembles (bands, orchestras, jazz bands and choirs) at the district level. Individual musicians perform selected music for a panel of judges who rank each instrument or vocal part. From this ranking, a select group of musicians advances from their district to compete against musicians from the four other districts in the state. The highest-ranking musicians judged at the All-State Auditions in January form the All-State Honors groups (about 500 musicians). Only the top 7% of musicians who initially audition for districts become All-State musicians. For AJ Macrina, a junior at Tabor, this was his first time to be selected as an All-State musician.

The All-State student musicians participate in three days of rehearsals directed by nationally recognized conductors during the MMEA All-State Festival and Concert. Their performance at Symphony Hall is certainly a highlight of their high school music experience and is one that they will remember for years to come.