MOSAC Releases 2017 Survey Results

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Results of the open space and recreation survey conducted by the Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission have been released, and the results clearly show that Marion residents love to walk. In fact, 143 of the 169 residents who filled out the survey between the fall of 2017 and the winter of 2018 shared that they would like to see more places to do so, as well as more permanently preserved open space – and that they are willing to pay for it.

“Marion folks walk, a lot,” said MOSAC Chairman John Rockwell in a follow-up email with The Wanderer. “They want places to walk without getting run over – that’s bike paths, sidewalks, and trails. They also see the harbor as a huge open space asset and are concerned about the water quality in the harbor.”

According to the survey results, those who want more open space acquisitions outnumber those who don’t by a significant margin: 8-1. And those willing to pay for it outnumber those who don’t by 7-1.

The 25-question survey was sent to 369 residents selected randomly from the registered voters list through a process explained in the introduction to the results report. Of those 369 surveys, 169, or 46 percent, were returned.

A summary of the survey results shows that residents believe open space should be a requirement of all subdivision plans, and at least 25 percent of Community Preservation Act funds should go towards open space. And as for Marion’s marine resources, residents think the biggest threat is pollution from runoff.

The results list the top five responses from multiple choice questions. For outdoors activities families enjoy most, walking ranked number 1 followed by (in descending order) “enjoying the view,” swimming, sunbathing, and biking. But when it came to which of those activities residents and their families actually domost often, walking ranked first, followed by swimming, golfing, biking, and walking in the woods.

But what does Marion need more of in town? Respondents say they want more: 1. Bike paths; 2. Sidewalks; 3. Permanently protected open space; 4. Wildlife habitat; and 5. “quiet seashore.” But the questions also asked residents what they would like to see less of, or the same amount of around town. Eleven want fewer golf courses, nine want fewer boat moorings, and a handful of others want fewer boat ramps, tennis courts, and other sports facilities such as basketball courts and baseball fields. And, in ranking order, residents prefer to keep the same amount of golf courses, schoolyard playgrounds, ball fields, general playgrounds, and boat ramps.

Other questions asked which of the existing amenities need upgrading or repair in various areas of Marion. Town-to-town bike paths were given top priority for expansion, followed by sidewalks and the senior center.

Support for spending taxpayer money for bike paths topped the list, followed by the senior center and, again, sidewalk expansion.

One hundred and nineteen residents say they are “satisfied” with the current recreation offerings in Marion.

When asked what they deem most important in recreation/open space, respondents said

harbor water quality was most important, followed by water/beach access, quiet seashore, and preservation of wooded areas.

Some questions pertaining to zoning and development show residents are into allowing so-call “cluster zoning” for housing while favoring a more robust open space requirement for such developments.

Some 130 out of the 169 residents who returned their surveys either strongly agree or agree that the Town should set aside funding to identify and preserve environmentally sensitive areas in Marion. Only one of them “strongly” disagreed.

“Since my involvement with open space issues, I have noticed a disconnect with the wishes of the Marion voters as expressed in the surveys and the actions by the decision makers in Town House,” Rockwell said.

In more essay-style open response question asking residents to rank the top three most important issues facing Marion, planning received the most comments, 66, which ranged from development size, volume, to controlling growth while making commercial development easier. One responded, saying, “Too few people think long term and about the overall well being of the Town. Individuals are focused on their own agendas, not for what is good for all, whether it is open space, affordable housing, commercialdevelopment or other issues. We are good at planning and lousy at holding planners accountable. Master Plans mean nothing unless there is a way of measuring progress.”

Transportation received the second highest number of responses that had sidewalks mentioned most often, followed by road maintenance and the bike path, with many mentions of traffic.

Coming in third for most comments was the environment, with most remarks pertaining to water pollution, pollution in general, and water quality. It is clear, however, that residents are concerned about open space and preservation, and view wastewater treatment as one of the top five issues affecting the town, with taxes/finance and affordability ranking sixth.

MOSAC will use the results when considering future land purchases and also to provide direction while developing a new Open Space and Recreation Plan.The commission conducted surveys with similar questions back in 1994, 2004, and 2012, so the 2017 report also includes information from the 1994, 2004, and 2012 survey for context.

“I’ve been involved with the Open Space and Recreation Surveys since 1994,” said Rockwell. “We did a survey that year, and in 2004 and 2011, and I am gratified by the response we get each time. It’s important to the Open Space Acquisition Commission that we hear from a cross section of Marion residents – as opposed to our day-to-day contact with our friends. We base our decisions on the results of these surveys, so the results are so important to us.”

By Jean Perry

 

Donate Your Used Books

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It’s time to clean your shelves of your used books to make way for the new ones you’ll be buying at the Friends of the Mattapoisett Library’s annual book sale. We’re looking for good-quality hardcover and paperback books, audio and video tapes, DVDs, children’s books, and puzzles. Please, no periodicals, encyclopedias or text-books. Donations can be left at the circulation desk during business hours. The Friends of the Mattapoisett Library is a nonprofit, 501(c)3 corporation that serves the library’s needs. We provide a number of museum passes annually; support the summer Children’s Programs, and others by request; and serve to provide the library and its staff with wants and needs as they arise. Our funding comes from our small membership fees, and our book sales.

The book sale will be held in the Meeting Room at the Mattapoisett Free Public Library, 7 Barstow Street, July 19and July 20, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and July 21from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Membership forms can be found at the library or through the library’s website at MattapoisettLibrary.org. Volunteers are always welcome.

St. Philip’s Episcopal Church

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St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, next to the Town Beach in Mattapoisett, continues their 134 year 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 Reverend Philip C. Jacobs III, Rector of Trinity Church, Canton, MA will officiate the services on Sunday, July 1.

Come visit our historic chapel by the sea in Mattapoisett! All are welcome.

Academic Achievements

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Western New England University congratulates more than 700 students who received their academic degrees including Sophia Asker of Marion who graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication – Public Relations and Jonathan Morton of Mattapoisett who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration/Accounting.

Morgan Dasilva            of Rochester received a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and Bridget Costa of Mattapoisett received a Bachelor of Arts Digital Media and Design from the University of Connecticut.

Meghan Pachico of Marion graduated on Saturday, May 12, 2018, during Emmanuel College’s 96th Commencement Exercises on its campus in Boston. Pachico received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication & Media Studies during the ceremony. Pachico graduated with distinction in the field of concentration.

Garrett Peterson of Rochester has graduated fromWentworth Institute of Technologyin Boston.

Named to the dean’s list at Saint Michael’s Collegefor the Spring 2018 semester was Katherine Martin, a Junior political science major who is the daughter of Louis and Beth Martin of Mattapoisett and a graduate of Bishop Stang High School.

On May 20, 2018, William Watson Saltonstall Jr., of Marion, graduated from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. Saltonstall Jr. earned a B.S. in Mathematics and Physics.

Springfield Collegehas named Ashley Pacheco of Rochester to the dean’s list for academic excellence for the spring 2018 term. Pacheco is studying Health Science/Pre-physician Assistant.

Allegra Horstmann of Marion has been placed on the deans’ commendation list at Gettysburg Collegefor outstanding academic achievement in the Spring 2018 semester.

Kaitlyn Martin, who grew up in Mattapoisett , received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from MGH Institute of Health Professionsin Boston.

Elizabeth Spanner, of Rochester, earned a Master of Science in Behavior Analysis from Simmons Collegein Boston.

The following local residents were named to the 2018 spring semester dean’s list at Simmons Collegein Boston.

– Sophia J Lange, Mattapoisett resident

– Lillian Rose McIntire, Mattapoisett resident

– Emily Lucia Josephson, Rochester resident

Rodman E. Taylor Sr.

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Rodman E. Taylor Sr., 87, of Marion, MA. died peacefully on June 24, 2018. “Rod” was the husband of the late Marguerite Theresa Taylor. Born in New Bedford on April 17, 1931, he was the son of the late Clayton and Florence Taylor.

Rod served in the U.S. Army as a Master Sargent after graduating high school. By trade, Rod was a professional meat cutter from 1949-1997 and was employed at A&P and then the Marion General store. He then started a new career in shellfish aquaculture and became General Manager at Taylor Cultured Seafood in Fairhaven from 1997-2016. During the 1960’s he served proudly as a volunteer fireman at the Dartmouth Fire Department, District 3. Rod was an active member of the First Congregational Church in Marion where he served on many boards and committees including the Board of Deacons. He was the former Church President and Treasurer of the original Penny Pinchers associated with the church.

Rod was a Master Mason and Brother of the Abraham H Howland Jr. Lodge in New Bedford and served on the New Bedford Council of Royal and Select Master Masons, and the Sutton Commandry #16.

Rod was a unique man, known for his sense of humor and positive presence in the lives he touched and will be missed immensely by all, especially his loving family.

He was predeceased by his beloved first daughter, Valerie A. Taylor, and is survived by his children; Rodman E. Taylor Jr, Clayton Taylor, Deborah McCann, Susan Taylor and his stepchildren Stephen Taylor, Joseph Taylor, Ellen LaChance, Patricia Taylor; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; his brother Alden Taylor and his sister Lois Ainsley.

A memorial service will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, July 7th at the First Congregational Church of Marion, MA. Family and friends are welcome to a gathering with refreshments immediately after the service in the Church Community Center behind the Marion General Store. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to the ALS Association Massachusetts Chapter, 685 Canton St., Suite 103, Norwood, MA 02062.

 

Loide E. (Franco) Souza

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Loide E. (Franco) Souza, 86, of Rochester died June 27, 2018 peacefully at Brookdale Dartmouth Village.

She was the wife of the late George Souza.

Born in New Bedford, the daughter of the late Manuel and Cecilia (Tavares) Franco, she lived in New Bedford before moving to Rochester.

Mrs. Souza was formerly employed as a bookkeeper at the Country Club of New Bedford for many years until her retirement.

She spent her early years playing golf and traveling with her husband and lifelong friends. Her most treasured trip was her visit to Madeira to see her families village. She was also an avid crafter who enjoyed sewing outfits for her children and grandchildren, especially for the holidays. She crafted dolls, stuffed animals, ornaments and spent many hours quilting and needlepointing special projects she would gift to her family.

Survivors include her 2 daughters, Ruth Aubertine and her husband John of New Bedford and Loide Wotton and her husband Melvin of Rochester; a sister-in-law, Sarah Epley of Colorado; 6 grandchildren, Kelly Horan, Jillian Silva, Justin Wotton, Jenelle Wotton, Jaime Wotton and Melissa Wotton; 9 great-grandchildren, Olivia, Sydney and Sarah Horan, Cayden and Cole Silva, Lillian Wotton, Jonathan Farina, Kayleigh and Zackary Wotton; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was the sister of the late George Tavares Franco.

Her Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, June 30th at 10:30 AM in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home For Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6), Mattapoisett. Her family will receive guests from 9:30 – 10:30 AM prior to her service. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Family Friday Explorations

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Get your whole family to explore the outdoors during Family Friday Explorations, a series of three free outings in July hosted by the Buzzards Bay Coalition and Rochester’s Plumb Library. Through fun games and hands-on activities, your family will learn about the Buzzards Bay region’s animals, plants, and habitats.

On July 6, learn about frogs, toads, salamanders, and more at our Amphibians program, and then try your hand at finding some yourself at Doggetts Brook Recreational Area (55 Dexter Ln., Rochester). On July 13, learn about the amazing sounds found in nature at Water and Weather, including a search for river inhabitants among the remnants of the old sawmill at Church’s Field (81 Mattapoisett Rd., Rochester). And on July 20, keep an eye out for spectacular birds like titmice, chickadees, and medowlark during the Birds program at Shoolman Preserve (204 New Bedford Rd., Rochester). All programs run from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm.

Family Fridays are recommended for families with elementary school-aged children. We encourage you to attend all three programs, but it isn’t required.

Registration is required for each program. To RSVP, visit www.savebuzzardsbay.org/events/, or contact the Buzzards Bay Coalition at (508) 999-6363 ext. 219 or bayadventures@savebuzzardsbay.org.

These events are part of Discover Buzzards Bay, an initiative to help people across the Buzzards Bay region find unique and exciting ways to explore the outdoors, get some exercise and connect with nature. To learn more, visit savebuzzardsbay.org/discover.

Rochester Council on Aging

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For questions, please contact: Sharon Lally, Director, at 508-763-8723 or at slally@townofrochester.com.

For the complete newsletter please visit us at 67 Dexter lane Rochester Ma, or visit us on our website a http://rochestermaseniorcenter.com/

Also, please don’t forget to follow us on Facebook at: fb.me/rochestercoa for weekly updates

Volunteers Needed – To help in the Breakfast Program one morning a week in several capacities, or to help with special monthly meals. Call Sharon or Lorraine if interested.

This Friday’s movie, June 29, is “Molly’s Game”: Starring Jessica Chastain & Kevin Costner, 2017; Rated “R”; 140 minutes; Biography/Drama.

Immigration

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To the Editor:

The Mattapoisett Congregational Church joins our larger denomination, the United Church of Christ (www.macucc.org), in calling for the immediate cessation of the purposeful separation of children from their families at our border and reuniting them with their families. More than 2,300 children have been separated from their parents since the start of this program, including toddlers, babies, and young children.

Regardless of how one feels about immigration issues, we believe this practice is cruel, inhumane, and contrary to Judeo-Christian principals. “You shall not wrong or oppress an immigrant.” Exodus 22:21 “Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” Romans 13:10

As the recent welcome modification of this policy goes into effect, we ask for people of good conscience and our elected representatives to assure this appalling practice never happens again. And we call for the prompt, transparent, and efficient return of these children to their families.

To encourage more discussion about these public issues, we invite our greater community to join the church community in a discussion/Bible study, “Reclaiming Faith: a Path to Moral Discourse in a Troubled Time”, jointly sponsored by our Christian Education and Missions committees. The sessions will be 1 ½ hours on 3 Mondays: July 16, July 23, and August 6 from 7-8:30 pm at the church hall, 27 Church Street, Mattapoisett.

For questions, please call the church at 508-758-2671 or email Susan Grosart at ggrosart@aol.com.

Sincerely,

Lisa Hill, Council Chair (508-758-2325)

Michael Ward, Council Vice Chair (508-758-3818)

The views expressed in the “Letters to the Editor” column are not necessarily those of The Wanderer, its staff, or advertisers. The Wandererwill gladly accept any and all correspondence relating to timely and pertinent issues in the greater 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 Wandererreserves the right to edit, condense, and/or otherwise alter submissions for purposes of clarity and/or spacing considerations. The Wanderermay choose to not run letters that thank businesses and The Wandererhas the right to edit letters to omit business names. The Wandereralso reserves the right to deny publication of any submitted correspondence.

 

Board Preps for Green Communities Act Zoning

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As the Board of Selectmen prepares to make Rochester a “Green Community”, so must the Rochester Planning Board, Chairman Arnie Johnson announced on June 26, introducing the two criteria of the five mandated by the Green Communities Act that the Planning Board must assist with implementing.

First, Johnson explained, the board must designate zoning that would accommodate a “by-right” solar zone where a developer could expect to develop a solar energy project with less stringent regulations than those in the Town’s Solar Bylaw.

“They would accept, like, the town dump,” said Johnson, naming one specific area that could be designated by-right for solar. “We would specify the area.”

“Then, when we create that piece of legislation, we would create the criteria that goes along with it, and that would be for by-right solar,” Johnson said. “Or you can designate it for research and development into alternative energies.”

In response to board member Ben Bailey’s question on how townspeople would feel about their neighborhoods being designated as by-right solar districts, Johnson replied, “That’s why we were thinking the town dump.”

Johnson specified that it could be an overlay to an existing industrial zone.

“It has to be like a real [zone],” Johnson said. “It can’t be like an illusion – some swamp land … up in the industrial area,” Johnson said.

The second criterion the Planning Board must address is a “Stretch Building Code”, which pertains to stricter energy efficiency standards for new residential construction. Johnson specified that it would regulate new homes only, not renovations or additions to existing homes.

The stretch code would be close to the existing state requirements in energy efficient heating and cooling systems and insulation, only slightly more stringent, Johnson added.

In exchange for being deemed a Green Community, Rochester would receive grant funding to help Rochester save money by being more energy efficient.

Town Meeting would have to adopt the stretch code before it would be adopted.

In other matters, REpurpose Properties, applicants for an age-restricted residential development on Rounseville Road next to Plumb Corner, again requested a continuance, which prompted Planning Board member Gary Florindo to comment on projects that repeatedly request continuances.

“We’ve been through this a number of times with other projects when they keep bumping it down and bumping it down the road,” said Florindo. “We had this problem with another project in town and they kept bumping it down … and it came back to us as if we were the bad guys.”

Florindo said it has happened three times now, and he just wanted to make that clear, he added.

Johnson said the continuation was just as well, since no testimony had yet been taken and several members of the board were absent that night.

That hearing was continued until July 10.

Also during the meeting, the board approved the application for an Approval Not Required filed by Roger and Laura Pelletier, trustees of the Pelletier Family Realty Trust, along with Bradford and Ruth Correia for lots located on Featherbed Lane. Engineer David Davignon referred to the application as a “land swapping” and … “to balance out the land better.”

The land is a large tract owned by the Correias, with several “fingerlike projections” (lots) that will be conveyed to the Pelletiers, with one of the seven lots to be conveyed to the Rochester Land Trust.

“Very unusual shapes,” said Bailey about the lots. “No objections – just, why?”

Davignon said that was how the lots “perced,” referring to the percolation tests required for septic system development for new residential construction.

The ANR application was accepted.

The next meeting of the Rochester Planning Board is scheduled for July 10 at 7:00 pm at the Rochester Town Hall.

Rochester Planning Board

By Jean Perry