A Tri-Town Year in Review

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Marion, Mattapoisett, and Rochester – three very different towns that have united as one Tri-Town – have passed through yet another year in time, with each community seeing its own issues emerge and enter the distinctive zeitgeists of their respective towns.

As we pass from one year into the next, we at The Wanderer like to take a look back to see where we have come from, where we have been, and where, with any guess, we might go in the coming year.

So let’s take a look back and remember the main topics that topped town hall business and dominated the conversations amongst neighbors! Here, we now give you the year 2016.

In Marion, the most recent major event on collective history is, by far, the acquisition of the VFW Post 2425 Benjamin D. Cushing building, which selectmen just this month officially designated as a senior center/community center to the delight of Marion seniors who have been anticipating a senior center of their very own.

However, there was a steep price to pay for this gain. VFW Post 2425 disbanded due to dwindling membership, which is a loss in itself for the entire community. On December 7, Post Commander Demi Barros and VFW member Rodney Hunt signed the deed to the building over to the Town.

The Marion Board of Health has taken up arms this year against Big Tobacco with its intent to categorize menthol cigarettes as ‘flavored tobacco’ and ban it from sale in town.

With the help of various nonprofit organizations that oppose tobacco use, the town may receive some legal assistance to help win its fight, but a fight is coming indeed, as has warned the attorney for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. Only time will tell now if the Town can win its fight against Big Tobacco.

Also in the news, Hollywood actor James Spader attended one of the Board of Selectmen meetings in July and spoke out against Shea Doonan’s last aquaculture proposal off Meadow Island. Although the actor’s appearance was likely more exciting for local news reporters than selectmen, the Planting Island residents were far more excited when selectmen voted against the aquaculture farm. In 2017, Chris Bryant will undergo hearings with selectmen and the Conservation Commission to determine the fate of his proposed aquaculture farm off Meadow Island, a proposal that Planting Island residents have already begun to speak out against.

Speaking of selectmen, Marion said farewell to former Selectman Jon Henry and said ‘hello’ to new Selectman Steve Gonsalves, who beat Norm Hills during the election. Gonsalves continues to serve on the Planning Board, as well.

Also, Marion was the first to acquire through state grant funds a fleet of electric vehicles, which has enabled the Town to phase out a couple of gas-guzzling clunkers.

Overall, it was a relatively quiet year in Marion.

Mattapoisett, likewise, enjoyed a relatively quiet year of its own – that is, unless you are one of the neighbors to the Inn at Shipyard Park who are fighting against a special permit to allow the inn to increase capacity and live entertainment.

Neighbor Maureen Butler, with her attorney, appealed the Zoning Board of Appeals decision to grant the special permit to allow the inn’s growth.

The matter is currently in litigation and has not yet been resolved.

There was certainly an uptick in the upgrading of certain historic village streets, with new infrastructure work, new sidewalks, plus water and gas main upgrades on streets such as Church, Water, Pearl, and Hammond. The town is seeking further grants for increased infrastructure upgrading in the coming New Year.

However, if you asked Animal Control Officer Kathy Massey, she probably wouldn’t agree that it has been a quiet year in Mattapoisett. Take the rabid raccoon from back on July 8, for example.

Massey is a natural storyteller and when she told the tale of the rabid raccoon and its shifty, fluttering eyes, you felt a chill go up your spine.

The raccoon attacked a woman working in her garden before Massey cornered the rabid creature up a tree and captured it.

“I’ll never forget the eyes,” Massey stated.

Rochester also had a fine year, with many residents celebrating the sun setting on the proposed solar farm in the historic center of town.

Neither the Planning Board nor voters at the Annual Town Meeting were aware that a vote to adopt a new solar bylaw amendment would stop the project in its tracks back in June.

In its June 28 letter to the Planning Board, after months of slogging through the permitting process against the opposition of many an abutter, solar developer Renewable Generation LLC cited its reason for withdrawing its application due to “extenuating permitting challenges.”

Will 2017 bring a new application for a developer of some other commercial or light industrial establishment?

Rochester Town Meeting voters in 2016 not only said ‘no’ to a new town annex building, they also said a definite ‘no’ to construction for a new town hall of any fashion.

Selectmen are now heading towards exploring town hall annex only options, which should begin to solidify more in the coming year once the town hall annex building subcommittee comes up with a new plan of action for the Town and taxpayers alike.

Overall in Tri-Town, the drought hit the area pretty significantly. A drought ‘watch’ back in late August quickly escalated into a drought ‘warning’ in mid-September. Mandatory outdoor water restrictions were implemented, many of which have yet to be lifted even in December. As of December 1, the region still remains in a drought watch.

The closing of Buzzards Bay to shellfishing back in October was a pretty big deal, especially for those who relish the opening of the shellfishing season. The closure, due to a high concentration of toxic phytoplankton, remained in effect until the ban was lifted October 31.

What will 2017 bring the three towns next? Anyone care to guess? Solar farms? Aquaculture? More rabid raccoon chases?

There is one thing that is for certain, however. The Wanderer, which is officially 25 years old this year, will continue to deliver all the happenings, events, and news within the Tri-Town to you for at least another year. We are delighted to serve our three communities and every one of us here at The Wanderer wishes all of you in Marion, Mattapoisett, Rochester, and beyond, a happy and healthy New Year!

By Jean Perry

 

Workshop on Early Speech and Language Development

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Many parents wonder about their children’s speech and language development and whether they are on target with other children their age. Sometimes questions and concerns arise about what’s “normal” for their age. The Mattapoisett Library is offering parents, grandparents and child care providers an opportunity to learn more about this important topic on Wednesday, January 25 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm with professionals from Buzzards Bay Speech Therapy.

Lisa Yauch-Cadden (MS CCC-SLP) and Christine Botelho (BA SLP-A) will review typical developmental milestones for children ages 0-5 years and will provide tips and techniques to promote health speech and language development for children of any age. Everyone is welcome to this free program.

Early language development begins from day one of a child’s infancy. The enjoyable aspects of these early moments of communication are integral to so many aspects of child development.

Attendees are encouraged to bring questions and concerns to the program. Free child care is available at the library. Please register to attend by January 24 and indicate if child care is needed.

The library is located at 7 Barstow Street and is handicapped accessible.

Sippican School Water Passes Testing

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Director of Facilities Gene Jones told the Marion School Committee on December 21 that water testing conducted by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection produced good water quality results.

The tests measured lead and copper levels from drinking fountains and water faucets used for food preparation, and Jones said he was happy to announce that Sippican School “passed with flying colors.”

Samples were taken from 89 sites in the school, and each came back well below the alert levels from the state, Jones stated.

The testing was fully DEP-driven, Jones added, and Sippican School was one of many in the state accepted for fully funded testing.

“Sippican’s water was perfect for drinking,” said Jones, “there was nothing reportable.”

Water samples will be analyzed annually for two years and, once results display good quality water for two years in a row, the state will only require water sampling every three years.

“I’m very pleased,” Jones said.

In other matters, a classroom damaged by a mechanical malfunction in the school’s univent heating and cooling system has been restored after extensive water damage resulted from the incident earlier this month.

Marion Police noticed steam exiting the building and an inspection of the site showed a pipe that carries hot water had burst, and humidity had entered the Project Grow classroom, causing the water damage.

Jones said ceiling tiles, insulation, and a univent core were replaced; however, items within the classroom had also been damaged and needed to be replaced.

Ginger Larson, a parent of a Project Grow student, asked the School Committee to accept a donation from a group of Project Grow parents to replace certain items, such as books, posters, and a magnetic calendar.

The total cost of the items could range from $350 to $450.

School Committee member Kate Houdelette thanked the parents for their contributions.

“It doesn’t take much, and these parents always come into action,” Houdelette said. “It’s definitely appreciated and noticed…”

The next meeting of the Marion School Committee is scheduled for February 1 at 6:30 pm at the Marion Town House.

By Jean Perry

 

Owen Higgins

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On December 23rd, Owen was in a terrible car accident half of a mile from the rink where he loved to skate.  Tragically, both Owen and his long time friend James Lavin lost their lives after hitting black ice, thankfully with enough force that neither suffered or knew what had happened.  Through the extraordinary efforts of the Falmouth Fire Department, Owen’s beautiful body was flown to Rhode Island Hospital where his family had time to say goodbye. and Owen gave the ultimate Christmas gift of life and sight to four people he will never meet.

Mercifully predeceased by his mother Shannon Rouvalis, his uncles Michael and Sean Rudolph, Thomas O’Reilly, aunt Katy Berry, his cousin Allie Royer, and his grandfather Joseph C. Higgins Jr.

Survived by his parents Michael P. and Maria Higgins of Rochester, his brothers Michael, Daniel, Mitchell, Mark and Robert, and sisters Victoria, Lacey and Crystal. Grandmother Catharine R. Higgins of Marion and grandparents Maureen O’Reilly and George Berube of Falmouth, stand-in Mom Eileen O’Reilly, along with countless members of the Higgins and O’Reilly clans.

Owen was a gifted athlete having just led the Falmouth Clippers to the division 2A football title at Gillette Stadium along side his buddy James. He was proud to wear the captain’s patch as he rolled right into hockey, and was anxiously awaiting  spring training and his true passion which was baseball.  Through the generosity of family, friends, and complete strangers, scholarships are being created in his name. He enjoyed his time with his friends, endless sporting endeavors, family outings and annual Buzzards Bay fishing derbies with his brothers and his Papa.  Known for his mischievous and infectious grin and piercing blue eyes, Owen was devastatingly handsome and hearts are breaking all along the shores of Cape Cod.

Owen’s time in this world was cut short, but the impact he made will be felt by those that loved him forever. Services are Thursday 12/29 from 4 to 8 PM at Chapman Cole & Gleason Funeral Home on Main St. in Falmouth, and a celebration of his life on Friday 12/30 at 10 AM at Saint Anthony’s Church in Falmouth and burial along side his buddy James at Saint Anthony’s cemetery to follow.

Mattapoisett Kindergarten Orientation Meeting

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A Parent Orientation Meeting for the parents of all children eligible to enter Kindergarten has been scheduled on Tuesday, January 24 at 6:30 pm in the Cafeteria of Center School. All parents of children eligible to attend Kindergarten are asked to attend this special informational meeting. Any child born before September 1, 2012 is eligible for enrollment in Kindergarten for the 2017-2018 school year. At this meeting, our Kindergarten teachers will be present and we will highlight our Kindergarten program and curriculum, discuss our Kindergarten Orientation Program on the first day of school, provide you with an opportunity to visit a kindergarten classroom and share other information regarding your child’s transition to Center School. In addition, school Registration Packets will be available for you to take home to complete. Mattapoisett offers a free full-day Kindergarten program. Any questions you may have will be addressed at this meeting.

Kindergarten registration dates are Tuesday, January 31 from 3:00 – 5:30 pm or on Wednesday, February 1 from 9:00 – 11:00 am in the Cafeteria at Center School. In order to have the registration process proceed in a timely manner, we are asking parents to bring completed registration packets with them when they attend registration.

If you have a child who was born before August 31, 2012 and is eligible to enter Kindergarten, but will not be entering Kindergarten and/or will be attending a private Kindergarten, please call the office at Center School (508-758-2521) to notify us of your decision not to enter your child in Center School for the 2017-2018 school year. This will enable us to keep an accurate count of the number of students who will be entering Center School. If you know of a child who is eligible to enter Kindergarten and they did not receive this information about our orientation/registration in the mail, please have them contact Center School so that a registration packet can be forwarded to them.

We look forward to seeing you on January 24 and welcoming you to the Center School community!

Lull in Sports Over the Holiday

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There was only one game since the last edition of The Wanderer printed on December 22, which wound up a win for the Bulldogs.

Boys’ Hockey: On Wednesday, December 21, the Bulldogs defeated Bourne in a 7-1 victory. Senior Noah Strawn was a notable player, scoring two goals with three assists. Strawn has been on a hot streak recently, with three goals during the last game, and five assists in the game before that last one.

By Jean Perry

 

Polar Plunge Brings Record Turnout

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It was a record year for Helping Hands and Hooves and its annual Christmas Day Polar Plunge.

Co-director Julie Craig said on December 27 that the nonprofit organization that provides free therapeutic horseback riding lessons to adults with cognitive disabilities raised a whopping $6,100, a record amount according to Craig.

The money goes towards the expenses of operating the volunteer-run program.

“We provide free lessons for people who would not otherwise be able to ride,” said Craig. “This funding allows them to ride.”

There were over 50 plungers that sunny Christmas morning, and even more spectators turned out to watch their crazy neighbors – some who plunge every year as a family tradition – run straight into the freezing waters at Mattapoisett Town Beach.

The low tide makes it a little more challenging, said Craig, although it’s not quite because the plungers have to run farther out to reach deeper waters.

“The worst part is you have to run farther back in,” said Craig, “But hey, it is what it is.”

Craig said the tradition is a welcomed one in the community, with neighbors showing up to say hello, Merry Christmas, have a quick plunge, share some hot chocolate, and then return to their private Christmases.

A bonus this year: no snow and ice.

“It’s quick and it’s a lot of fun,” said Craig. “We did great. It was a record year for funding for us, so it was exciting.”

By Jean Perry

Taking the Plunge for Special Olympics

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The Polar Plunge for Special Olympics MA, organized and hosted by Tabor students, will be on Sunday, January 22 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at Silvershell Beach in Marion. This is one of the major fundraisers for Special Olympics and one of nine plunges occurring around the state. Tabor students are seeking sponsorships from local businesses to stage a fun party for the plungers and are raising money so that they themselves can plunge into the icy waters! Their goal is $5,000 for Special Olympics.

The public is invited to plunge in, too. Donors can sign up to plunge, sponsor others, or just support the effort. There is a $50 minimum fundraising commitment to plunge, and they even offer a pinky plunge if you don’t really want to get wet. The plunge is set for 11:15 am; costumes are encouraged!

To learn more about the event, sponsor someone or sign up to plunge, please visit http://taborplunge.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=1166602.

Tabor welcomes the public to join with them in a fun project for a worthy cause. Special Olympics of Massachusetts estimates that their programs serve nearly 12,000 athletes across the state, helping intellectually impaired individuals lead longer, happier, and healthier lives through sports. Tabor Academy is proud to be a partner in their efforts.

Please note: The school hosts a weekend Young Special Olympics Athletes Program on most Sundays for 3-year olds and up. Please check their website calendar at www.taboracademy.org for dates.

Out with the Old and In with the New

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Clean out your closets after the holidays and give Mother Nature the gift of donating your unwanted textiles. Did you know that 85% of clothing and textiles end up in landfills even though 95% can be recycled or reused? Support ORR’s junior high and high school’s ongoing textile recycling program and donate! All of the following can be donated in any condition, old or new, as long as it’s clean and dry: Footwear (shoes, boots, sneakers, heels, work boots, cleats, pumps, dress boots, slippers, sandals, winter boots, flip flops); Clothing (shirts, pants, undergarments, sweaters, jeans, socks, sweatshirts, sweatpants, T-shirts, dresses, skirts, slips, tank tops, shorts, pajamas, blazers, coats); Accessories (hats, gloves, scarves, handbags, duffle bags, tote bags, belts, ties, bathrobes); Linens (sheets, pillows, comforters, blankets, towels, dish towels, throw rugs, draperies, table linens, placemats); and stuffed animals in any condition. Please bag items. Donation boxes are located outside of Center School, Old Hammondtown, Rochester Memorial, Sippican School, and ORR Junior High and High Schools. All proceeds benefit ORR’s Junior High and High School’s Parent Teacher Student Association.

2016 Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test

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Old Rochester Regional High School Principal Michael Devoll is proud to release the 2016 Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) report data as provided by College Board. In the 10th grade, Old Rochester had 120 total test-takers. The mean total score for these students was 1052, well above the Massachusetts mean score of 962 and the national score of 938. In the 11th grade, Old Rochester had 133 test-takers with a mean total score of 1095. The Massachusetts mean score for 11th graders was 1019 and the national score was 1020. College Board also provides a summary of student performance by benchmark. Reaching grade-level benchmarks indicates students are likely on track to be ready for select, first-year, credit-bearing college courses. In Grade 10, 78% of Old Rochester test-takers met both benchmarks in math and evidence-based reading and writing. The average percentage in Massachusetts for 10th graders was 48% and 41% nationally. In Grade 11, 68% of Old Rochester test-takers met both benchmarks in math and evidence-based reading and writing. The average percentage in Massachusetts for 11th graders was 48% and 46% nationally. The performances of students at Old Rochester on the PSAT demonstrate the school’s commitment to college and career readiness for all learners.