Fall Learn to Skate

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Gateway Youth Hockey will be conducting its Fall Learn to Skate/Learn to

Play Session 2 starting on Sunday, November 5. Cost is $99 and will be located at Tabor Academy in Marion. The Session will run Sundays 10:00 -11:00 am from 11/5 to 11/19, 12/3 to 12/17, and 1/7 to 1/14). Participants will learn the fundamentals of skating while having fun at the same time. Participants in the Learn to Play Hockey group will learn the basics of hockey while skating with one of our teams. Equipment needed includes helmet (face cage recommended), gloves or mittens, knee & elbow pads (bicycle pads are fine), and single blade skates are needed for Learn to Skate. Helmet with face cage, hockey gloves, chest protector, hockey elbow pads, hockey shorts, hockey shin guards, hockey skates, and hockey stick are needed for Learn to Play. For more information, go to www.warehamyouthhockey.com.

Homecoming Skit Preview

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For the past two weeks, students in all four grades at Old Rochester Regional High School have been preparing for the school’s annual Homecoming skit competition. Each class is tasked with performing a ten-minute skit during the all-school assembly that involves the ORR bulldog, the opposing team for the Homecoming game, and at least one dance battle.

“We’ve got a talented group of people, but it’s been hectic,” Junior Class President Katie Gillis said as the juniors were preparing to go over the choreography for their Super Mario-themed skit.

“It’s normal for skit rehearsals to be that way,” Vice President Brett Rood added. “They bring our whole class together.”

At the same time, the freshman student council members were delegating classmates to lead choreography for certain points in their 1980s-themed skit.

“Our skit is the 1980s versus the present day,” Freshman Class President Lucy Zhang explained. “The ‘80s is ORR, and present day is Apponequet. Apponequet is trying to go back in time to capture the original Bulldog so they can beat ORR.”

“The freshmen are really motivated this year, and I think people are going to be very impressed with their final product,” commented social studies teacher and freshman class advisor Lindsay Tallman.

While the majority of the participating students were busy learning and practicing their dance moves, smaller groups worked on the traditional banner for the skits. Ranging between 10 to 15 feet long and six to 12 feet tall, the banners incorporate the grade’s name and skit theme. They are displayed behind the grades’ designated seating section in the gymnasium on Homecoming day.

The artistic talents could be seen throughout the halls during the nighttime rehearsals as each class claimed a classroom or section of hallway to lay out their large posters. As their classmates practice in the library, a group of sophomores draws pencil guidelines on their Smurfs skit banner.

Freshman Vice President Payton Lord was overseeing her grade’s banner design. “We’re thinking of painting the banner in neon and glitter for the ‘80s theme,” she said as she gathered supplies with her classmate Katelyn Luong.

The seniors’ poster this year is the largest of the four, at about 16 feet long and 12 feet tall. It depicts a sunset on the African savannah that goes along with their Lion King skit.

“This is definitely my favorite poster we’ve made,” said senior Hannah Powers, who has worked on all four of her grades’ Homecoming banners. “I like how the sunset design is more simple than the others, and it’s massive so it makes it way better,” she laughed.

ORR Update

By Jo Caynon

 

Postcards From Grassi Bog

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The Marion Conservation Commission on October 11 held a brief discussion on the town-owned Grassi Bog property, which is under the management of the Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission.

According to some photos submitted by Selectman Norm Hills taken at Grassi Bog, there appears to be some persisting water problems at the site despite extensive work to rectify ongoing water flow problems.

“You can see that there’s still water not doing what it should do, so I think we need to take a look,” said Conservation Commission Chairman Cynthia Callow.

“It’s not clear to me that it’s not supposed to do that or it is supposed to do that,” commented commission member Jeffrey Doubrava.

The commission decided to add Grassi Bog to the agenda for the next meeting and invite MOSAC Chairman John Rockwell to attend.

“Let’s go out and look, because we’ve got a couple of questions and maybe he can meet us out there,” said Callow, leading to the scheduling of a site visit for the commission.

In other matters, the commission granted a Negative Determination for the Request for Determination of Applicability for Marion ARK, allowing for a 10-foot by 16.5-foot addition, outdoor shower, and new deck for the address 2 Lewis Street.

The public hearing for Great Hill Marion, LLC/Catherine Stone for a RDA to replace 10 pipes running underneath North Great Hill Road was continued until the next meeting at the request of the applicant.

The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission is scheduled for October 25 at 7:00 pm at the Marion Town House.

Marion Conservation Commission

By Jean Perry

‘Purr’ Fun at Octopurr Fest

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For a third year in a row, supporters of a Rochester cat shelter called It’s All About the Animals enjoyed another Octopurr Fest when shelter owners Pam and Oren Robinson put the ‘purr’ in perfect and the ‘fun’ in fundraising.

With rows and rows of donated items up for auction, Pam thinks this year the shelter raised roughly $10,000.

“It went very well,” said Robinson. “Everybody seemed to have a good time. The vendors seemed very happy I think they did well.”

In addition to the auction, live entertainment, refreshments, vendors, and the fun costumes, guests enjoyed a raffle where a plastic cat was hung from a branch to be “neutered” when Oren Robinson pulled the lower string and dozens of numbered Ping-Pong balls fell to the ground, with one lucky ball landing in the black funnel placed underneath. That winner won $500.

It costs the Robinsons about $75,000 to care for the cats and kittens and run the cat shelter each year. Pam is hoping that enough volunteers can be rounded up to form a fundraising committee to come up with fun new ways of fundraising to meet the needs of the cats – food, litter, veterinarian care, etc. – and the shelter is in dire need of committed, dedicated volunteers.

“I have a great team of volunteers, but I don’t have enough dedicated volunteers,” said Robinson who already spends between 14 and 16 hours working in the shelter every day, seven days a week. “We need some committed dedicated volunteers who are willing to do fundraising events and commit to dedicated shifts. I’m so short on volunteers.”

For further information about volunteering or about cat adoption, visit www.itsallabouttheanimals.org, or email ohnokitty1@gmail.com.

By Jean Perry

Tri-County Symphonic Band

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The Tri-County Symphonic Band, under the direction of Philip Sanborn, will begin its 56th season with a program entitled “Cowboys, Giants and Patriots” on Sunday, October 22 at 3:00 pm in the Fireman Performing Arts Center at Hoyt Hall on the campus of Tabor Academy, 235 Front Street, Marion. Euphonium virtuoso Adam Frey will be the soloist in a program that is not football related but instead evokes the images of Cowboys, Giants and Patriots.

Tickets for the concert are $15 for adults, $5 for students, with children 12 and under admitted for free. Tickets can be purchased at the Symphony Music Shop in Dartmouth and the Bookstall in Marion. They can also be purchased online at www.brownpapertickets.com. Any remaining tickets will be sold at the door.

Salty’s Silvery Moon Soiree

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Join the Mattapoisett Land Trust on Saturday, October 28 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm for our annual Soiree at Dunseith Gardens, home of Salty the Seahorse. There will be music, storytelling by Big Ryan of Big Ryan’s Tall Tales, and a fire to make your own s’mores.

This is a free event, open to the public and always provides an evening of fun for all ages.

There is no parking at Dunseith, so bring a flashlight to find your way home or back to your car. For more information see our website or email us at info@mattlandtrust.org.

The Fees Are Coming, the Fees Are Coming

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On October 17, the Rochester Conservation Commission resumed discussion and debate regarding the establishment of fees for filings.

Conservation Agent Laurell Farinon distributed a spreadsheet and other supporting documentation that detailed what other cities and towns charge for filings such as Determination of Acceptability applications and Notices of Intent.

Unlike surrounding communities, Rochester had not instituted a filing fee structure, until now. The commission also considered further ‘after-the-fact’ filing fees as a penalty for performing activities in jurisdictional areas without prior approval.

Commission member Daniel Gagne suggested a step system for Notice of Intent filings that included six categories each with a fee. Those categories are: site work only, homes, commercial, wetland crossings, docks and piers, and wetland delineations.

Fees would run around $100 for each category.

The commissioners reasoned that these types of filings are complex, requiring more assistance from the conservation office and therefore should carry a heftier fee. Gagne said that the categories noted are recognized by the Department of Environmental Protection.

For Requests of Determination of Applicability, a flat fee of $50 was settled on by the commissioners, with a doubling of that fee for after-the-fact filings.

Timing for implementation of fees will follow after discussions have concluded.

In other business, Ryan Motta’s RDA filing received a Negative Determination. Motta’s property is located at 229 Neck Road, the site of a former farm. Motta plans to return some portions of his property to farming activities and sought permission to clear land up to a 25-foot No Disturb Zone for raising alpacas, pasture lands, and blueberry cultivation.

The commissioners are unanimously pleased that former farmland was being returned to this historic endeavor.

Also coming before the commission was Bruce Ouellette, 245 Hartley Road, for a septic upgrade. The project was swiftly approved, with Farinon commenting, “We love septic repair projects, especially near cranberry bogs.”

Farinon also began the process of informing applicants during the hearing process that any changes to the plan of record required the pre-approval of the commission.

The next meeting of the Rochester Conservation Commission is scheduled for November 7 at 7:00 pm in the Rochester Town Hall meeting room.

Rochester Conservation Commission

By Marilou Newell

 

Lt. Gov, BOS Sign Community Compact

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Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito joined the Marion Board of Selectmen on Friday afternoon, October 13, in Marion to sign the 307th Community Compact in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The Community Compact, an initiative by the Governor Charlie Baker-Polito Administration in 2015, is a voluntary agreement between a municipality and the state, and the city or town agrees to implement at least one ‘best practice’ selected from a variety of areas. The best practices chosen are unique to each town and reflect an area in which improvement would be beneficial.

“Today, the Town of Marion joins the growing list of Community Compact communities by entering the focus of human resources best practice areas,” said Board of Selectmen Chairman Jody Dickerson. “Specifically, the agreement with enable to the Town to develop standardized job descriptions for all employees, and develop a thoughtful and well-reasoned classification plan for all non-union employees.

In addition, said Dickerson, “Marion will also commit to studying the Public Works activities with an eye towards making all of its component operations run more effectively to better serve the residents of our community.”

“It really is driven by the community,” said Polito. “Every compact is unique because every community is deciding what it wants to work on. And in particular, your compact is very unique because this is the first community that is studying how to reorganize its Department of Public Works in anticipation of a new superintendent coming in…and of course, to think about the job descriptions in the local government. It’s so important…”

With the Community comes grant monies available to Community Compact towns, as well as information and technology assistance with priority granted to Community Compact towns.

“Cities are critical, but a lot of the surrounding towns are, and there’s sometimes different ways that they interact with state government,” said State Representative Bill Straus. “These compacts I think are important because these agreements reflect what you say is, maybe unlike other levels of government elsewhere, we like to work together! And that’s what’s expected of us.”

“I think the true measure of our success is when the next generation sees this community as a vibrant place,” said Polito. With great schools, jobs and opportunities, and a secure environment, she said, “When you have all that together in a strong community, through that we’ll knit together a stronger state.”

By Jean Perry

Selectmen Pick New Police Chief

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The Marion Board of Selectmen on October 17 voted to appoint Marion Police Lieutenant John Garcia as the next police chief for the Town of Marion.

The board held public interviews with Garcia and Sergeant Richard Nighelli last month, choosing to open up the position internally to department veterans holding rank of lieutenant or sergeant; four were eligible, but only Garcia and Nighelli applied.

“This is a tough decision and I’m glad we’re in this tough decision because no matter who we decide to pick, both of these candidates would be an asset to the Town of Marion,” said Board of Selectmen Chairman Jody Dickerson just before taking a vote.

Selectman Steve Gonsalves agreed, saying, “Both men are extremely qualified. They’re just…like you said, either one is a win for the town and this is one of the tougher decisions in this chair that I’m going to make this evening.”

After the vote, Town Administrator Paul Dawson was able to reach the two gentlemen via phone before adjourning, saying, “Obviously Lt. Garcia is ecstatic.” Dawson added that Sgt. Nighelli thanked the selectmen, “…not only for the kind words, but also your willingness to consider him for the position.”

“This was both a win-win for the town,” said Dawson. “I think Sgt. Nighelli represents the bright future [of this department].”

Current Police Chief Lincoln Miller announced back in May his intent to retire come the end of 2017.

In other news, the Subcommittee of the Town House Building Committee will be joined by Finance Director Judith Mooney and Dawson when it comes the time to review submitted RFQs for the design services for the exploration of a town hall at the Senior/Community Center site on Mill Street, with the capacity to vote on a preferred RFQ along with the seven subcommittee members.

Subcommittee member Robert Lane voiced his preference for allowing Mooney and Dawson to advise the committee, but without voting privileges, saying the subcommittee has a very specific goal with a maximum of $34,000, an amount Lane deemed “a very small amount of money.”

Selectman Norm Hills argued that, since in the past RFQ review committees have always included Mooney and Dawson as voting members, the Town should continue that tradition.

Gonsalves voiced his inclination to grant Lane his request, but ultimately went along with Hills’ motion to allow Mooney and Dawson to join the subcommittee to review the RFQs as voting members.

“I’ll vote ‘aye’, but I’m still not feeling it, but I respect it,” said Gonsalves.

Also during the meeting, the selectmen accepted Chief Miller’s recommendation to appoint Sean Day as a full-time officer. Day has been employed as a part-time special officer for one year. “He’s been a fine officer,” Miller said. “He’s been an asset to the department. He goes the extra mile…and I think he will be a great addition to the department.”

The selectmen also appointed Christian Ingerslev to the Marion Energy Management Committee in a 2-1 vote. Hills made the motion, which was seconded by Dickerson. Gonsalves voted ‘nay,’ saying, “I like Dale [Jones’] thinking,” who was one of three candidates. The third candidate was Mary Endsley.

Also appointed that evening was James Verni to the Conservation Commission, Stephen Cushing to the Carver/Marion/Wareham Regional Refuse Discharge District, and Joseph Guard to the Marine Resources Commission as an alternate member.

The board approved the Marion Music Hall Advisory Board’s request to spend $12,000 from the endowment fund for acoustical ceiling tile in main room of the music hall.

Council on Aging Director Heather Silvia has resigned from her position effective immediately, and will be taking another position in the Town of Acushnet. In the interim, COA Activities Director Karen Gregory will fill Silvia’s position until a new COA director can be hired.

“[Heather] connected with the people that really needed the services and she should be commended,” said Dickerson. “She’s done a great job. I’ve never had a more enjoyable time working with somebody than Heather Silvia. Acushnet’s gain is Marion’s loss.”

The position will be posted and interviews conducted before a hiring subcommittee.

The board set the holiday schedule for the Town House, with the Town House closing for Thanksgiving at noon on Wednesday, November 22, to re-open on Monday, November 27. The Town House will be closed for Christmas on Monday, December 25, and also on January 1, 2018 for New Year’s Day.

The next meeting of the Marion Board of Selectmen is scheduled for November 7 at 7:00 pm at the Marion Town House.

Marion Board of Selectmen

By Jean Perry

 

Kenneth R. “Shank” Cacilhas

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Kenneth R. “Shank” Cacilhas, 66, of Mattapoisett passed Friday, October 13, 2017 after a sudden illness in St. Luke’s Hospital. He was the former husband of Cheryl (Oliveira) Cacilhas.

Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Edward C. and Dorothy R. (Serpa) Cacilhas he lived in Dartmouth and spent most his life in Mattapoisett.

Shank graduated from Old Rochester Regional High School. He worked as a truck driver and mechanic for Kyler’s Seafood and Roadway Express for many years. He loved working and driving trucks. Shank will be remembered as a hard worker who loved country music, cross word puzzles and cooking up his “new concoction”. In most recent years, he fell in love with being a grandfather to his two young grandsons.

In addition to Cheryl, he is survived by a son, Kenneth G. Cacilhas and his fiancé Desiree Penman of Rochester; a daughter, Kaitlyn R. Cacilhas of Dartmouth; two grandsons, Jack Holden Cacilhas and Tate Oliver Cacilhas; his cat, Buddy; and many cousins.

His memorial visitation will be Saturday, October 28, 2017 3-7 pm in the Waring-Sullivan Home at Dartmouth, 230 Russells Mills Rd., Dartmouth. Burial will be private. For online tribute/directions www.waring-sullivan.com.