Sea Turtles in Massachusetts Waters

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The Marion Natural History Museum is hosting “Sea Turtles in Massachusetts Waters” on October 18 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm at the Marion Natural History Museum, 8 Spring Street, Marion.

            Join us when we welcome Massachusetts Audubon Sea Turtle Stranding Coordinator Karen Dourdeville. Let’s hear about the efforts Mass Audubon is working on to protect these incredible animals in our waters.

            Karen Dourdeville is actively involved in sea turtle research and conservation. She works as the sea turtle research coordinator at Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, and her work includes rescuing stranded sea turtles, studying their behavior and addressing threats like boat strikes and habitat loss.

            Recently, she has been involved in documenting sea turtle nesting activities in Massachusetts, which is quite rare for the region. Her efforts are crucial in understanding and protecting these endangered species as they navigate the challenges posed by climate change and human activities. Program donations are $10.00 nonmembers, $8.00 for nonmembers.

Accessory Units Subject to State Law

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Marion’s Affordable Housing Trust held its monthly meeting on Tuesday night.

            Chairperson Eileen Marum called the meeting to order and asked for comments on the minutes of the previous meeting. These were unanimously approved as written, and the group proceeded with the scheduled agenda items.

            The first of these was an update and in-depth discussion on the recently passed state law, the Affordable Homes Act, and how the town will integrate its requirements, particularly on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU’s).

            Member Toby Ast reported that the new law supersedes town bylaws and regulations and highlighted some of the specific changes to expect, based on an assessment by outside counsel KP Law.

These included: Towns may not restrict the number of occupants, require that occupants of an ADU be relatives, or require more than one parking spot for an ADU; towns may put restrictions on short-term rentals or require site-plan reviews; and towns must require a cash bond from residents seeking to appeal a decision on an approval of their proposed plans.

            ADU’s will be considered “as of right” to build and not require special permits.

            The Marion Codification Committee has reviewed the report and made recommendations.

            There was a discussion on what the maximum size of an ADU should be. The state law does not specify, while the existing town limit is the lower of 1,200 square feet or 50% of the area of the existing home. The Codification Committee’s recommendation is 900 square feet, which AHT members consider to be too small.

            Next steps include meeting with the Codification Committee on Thursday, October 3, at 12:00 pm to review changes proposed by the Affordable Housing Trust. Once reviewed and approved, the town’s modifications will go to the Planning Board, then to Town Meeting for approval by residents and ultimately to the Attorney General for finalization.

            The meeting adjourned at 6:40 pm. Topics at the next meeting of the Affordable Housing Trust will include brainstorming on targeting CPC funds, updates on the 78 Wareham Street and Heren Cove projects and agenda items.       

The next meeting of the Marion Affordable Housing Trust is scheduled for Tuesday, October 8, at 6:00 pm at the Police Station, 550 Mill Street.

Marion Affordable Housing Trust

By Mary McCann-Fiske

Baseball, Bananas and Clean Energy

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Have you heard about the Savanna Bananas? Of course, you have. They are the comedy baseball team that barnstorm from stadium to stadium, dressed in yellow uniforms, entertaining people who are willing to pay good money for a cheap laugh. Heck, you can stay home and watch the current Red Sox do that.

            Truth be told, these aficionados of “Banana Ball” (who follow the footsteps of the great Max Patkin – look him up) whose crazy antics occur while professing to play the national pastime, are funny. But this column is not about them.

            I just thought mentioning them would catch your attention. In writing parlance, that is called the “hook.” No, this essay is not about dancing infielders and gymnastic outfielders. It is about real bananas, the eating kind.

            I have a pretty good relationship with the yellow berry. (Yes, they are berries, like grapes, oranges and eggplants, but don’t ask me to explain, the science is way over my head.) Thirteen years ago, I had a serious operation after which a specialty nurse advised me to eat two bananas and two marshmallows every day. I should mention that I have always hated bananas, but I am inclined to do what I am told when lying prone in Intensive Care.

            The nurse was very smart. The banana diet helped to put my ailment into remission. The marshmallows not so much. Many pounds of body weight later, I found out she meant marshmallow root, an anti-inflammatory, not the sugary confection. I still eat bananas every day, but not marshmallows.

            You will be glad to know that a bunch of bananas is called a “hand,” and one banana is a “finger” (don’t go there), or that they are slightly radioactive? Bananas can float, which may be why you never hear of a banana boat sinking. Just sayin’.

            Over 100,000,000,000 bananas are eaten across the globe every year. You can use a banana peel to polish your leather shoes or rub one on your forehead to cure a headache. Gross! I’d recommend rubbing a marshmallow instead. I am proud to say my Portuguese ancestors introduced bananas from Africa to America in the 16th century. I don’t recall Grandma cooking up a batch of banana-and-kale soup.

            Sadly, bananas are on the verge of an “apocalypse,” so says Li-Jun Ma, a University of Massachusetts Amherst biology professor. The Cavendish bananas we eat today suffer from the same devastating fungus that wiped out the variety my mother forced me to eat in the 1950s. Overplanting has caused the wilt to re-emerge. Luckily, there are 1,000 different varieties of bananas.

            Thank goodness because someday soon you may be wearing banana clothing just like the Savanna Bananas. It’s true. Scientists in Pakistan predict that soon they will be able to turn banana waste into textiles and provide clean energy as a bonus. Why Pakistan? Because banana farms there produce over 80,000,000 tons of waste! And the peels can produce enough electricity to supply half of the country. That’s pretty a-peeling.

            Imagine if I had saved all of my 9,490 banana peels over those 13 years … never mind.

Thoughts on…

By Dick Morgado

From the Files of the Rochester Historical Society

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I know that I have occasionally mentioned that the East Rochester Congregational Church and the Woodside cemetery are on the National Register of Historic Places. I’m not sure that I get much of a response to that statement. I know that both the woodpeckers and the flying squirrels who put holes in the siding are not impressed. To many it may seem like no big deal, so I decided to delve into what it took to get that designation from the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. See, I told you it was a big deal.

            The work that goes into receiving this honor is massive. Betty Beaulieu, a stalwart of the Historical Society for many years, along with Timothy Orwig, National Register Editor, submitted the application in 2007 and it was subsequently approved. Going through the paperwork and research in the application made me even more impressed with Betty’s dedication to this project.

            Among the items needed were photographs and detailed descriptions, including measurements and dimensions of both the inside and outside of the church building. This included notations on changes made to the original structure. The descriptions were of the attic, bells, basement, the main floor and even the privy (outhouse).

            Both topographical and assessor’s maps were required, as well as a sketch map. Included in this were measurements and boundary descriptions of the church, privy and cemetery. These physical aspects may have been the easier tasks compared to the in- depth historical research required.

            The first pages are a summary of the church and cemetery district with the cemetery preceding the church. The next 7 pages are devoted to the first criterion, Religion. This entailed research into the origin of the cemetery, its place in the community, early religious groups and how some of Rochester’s early religious institutions came to be.

            The next criterion was Community Planning and Development in which the cemetery played a large part. The last criterion was Architecture which covered information on its Greek Revival style. Then there was research into the builders of the church, the bells in the steeple and the foundry that cast them.

            The history of the church and its many congregations is a compelling story from the early Methodist Circuit preachers to the Congregational Church of the eighteen and nineteen hundreds and its importance to the neighboring community. The picture with this article is of the first grave in the cemetery. Betty’s research determined that this is the grave of a soldier who participated in the Revolutionary War. A fact that was not on  any list of veterans’ graves.

            There is a quotation near the end of these documents relating to the last days of the East Rochester church that sums up its importance to the community over the years. The remark concerns the church’s bells and was made by Elizabeth Bessey. She remembered that the bells, “never pealed truer then when they signaled the end of WW II and everyone went running up to the church”.

            As the account says, “that was the nature of it: a church people ran or walked to”. In 2003, the Rochester Historical Society was proud to preserve the building as a museum that saves and shares the history of Rochester.

            It’s too bad that no monetary assistance comes with being put on the National Register, but the Society perseveres with the help of its members and the generosity of businesses. Now we just need a sympathetic church painter and a lot of money.

By Connie Eshbach

MYC Racing Results

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Wednesday night MYC held its classic interclub race with 13 boats from all classes participating. No Quarter Given led the fleet at the start and never looked back, taking first place line honors and first place by handicap time. Second place was a battle. Restless, which placed second overall lost to Odyssey by 4/10s of a second in the handicap finish. (The math was checked more than twice for sure).

            The night was capped off with a fabulous pizza party under the MYC tent.

            MYC Overall Series Winners. The tally is done for this summers racing with PHRF Class B providing most of the excitement. There was a three-way tie for overall champion with Fir Na Tine, skippered by Commodore Rich Gleason, winning the tie breaker.

            Steve Capone’s Kinsail came in second in the tie breaker with Charlie Smith’s Chickadee third. Fourth place Beck skippered by Fred Baker was only 3 points behind the group.

            No Quarter Given skippered by Mark Thornhill took first place overall honors in Class A with Rob Ryan’s Restless second, Don Ross’s Coconuts third and Jeff Lee’s Billy Bud finishing fourth.

            Overall winner in the Ensign Class this season was Odyssey, skipper by Rick Warren. Second place was Black Ice, skippered by Phil Warren, third was Steve Clark’s Brou Ha Ha, fourth place went to Brass Monkey, skippered by Andy Wehner fifth place was Dennis McLaughlin inHamburgler and sixth place was Tim Moll in Uncle Fester.

            Last race of the season is the MYC Fall Round the Bay Race on September 14. PHRF boats from all over Buzzards Bay come to race in this classic. This is one of the last races in the Buzzards Bay Trophy Series and highly attended.

            Entry details are on the MYC website under Racing/ FRTB.

September Events in the Mattapoisett Library Children’s Room

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Get Ready for an Exciting September at the Mattapoisett Free Public Library Children’s Room.

            Children’s weekly storytimes return. Fall Family Storytime returns Thursday, September 19 at 10:30 am. Baby Storytime returns on Friday, September 20 at 10:30 am.

            Graphic Novel Book Club returns on Friday, September 20 at 3:30 pm. Graphic Novel Book Club will be reading Long Distance by Whitney Gardner. Copies are available at the library. Come prepared for a lively discussion, a craft, and snacks. Recommended for ages 9 and up. Register on our website. Contact bsolaris@sailsinc.org with any questions.

            Family Literacy Night: How to Raise Strong Readers takes place on Tuesday, September 24 at 6 pm. Getting your child ready for literacy should be an enjoyable journey, not a daunting task. Join the representatives from the SEAL Foundation to explore a variety of games and activities that can be easily integrated into your daily routine – whether you’re in the car, at the supermarket, or relaxing on the couch at home. Uncover the simplicity of enhancing your child’s reading abilities. Join us for a night of fun as we explore how easy it is to practice pre-reading skills from any setting. No registration is required.

            No-Sew Fabric Bowl takes place on Wednesday, September 25 at 3:30 pm. Creating fabric bowls is like crafting magic. Transform old fabric into adorable bowls that can jazz up your space or make a great gift. For ages 5 and up. Those interested in participating are welcome to register on our website.

            On Saturday, September 28 at 10:30 am, join us for Toddler Sun Scrap Craft. Gather the tiny tots for a crafting party. Let’s whip up a charming sun using paper bits and sticky glue. Perfect for kiddos aged 2 and above. No need to sign up – just show up and craft away.

            All programs are free and open to the public. If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Skaar at mskaar@sailsinc.org. You can also find more information on our website at MattapoisettLibrary.org.

Social Security 101

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Social Security 101, for anyone who plans to retire at any point in your life – or already has – this workshop is for you.

            Speaker, Delia DeMello, a Social Security Metropolitan Public Affairs Specialist on Monday, September 23 at 6:00 pm at COA, 17 Barstow Street, Mattapoisett.

            At this free workshop you will learn:

-When you are eligible to receive retirement benefits

-How early retirement affects your benefits

-How to get the most from your benefits; including if you are married and spouse passes

-How to qualify for disability, survivors and spouse benefits

-When should you file for Medicare

-Learn how to use my Social Security online account and other online service and much more.

            Register by calling 508-758-4110 or email to coadirector@mattapoisett.net

E-V Charging Ports Being Considered

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Town properties in Marion could soon be home to several, revenue-generating charging stations for electric vehicles.

            In his Town Administrator’s Report to the Marion Select Board on September 4, Geoff Gorman said that the town has the opportunity to install “fast” Level 3 DC chargers at various locations, providing electrical-vehicle charging and a new revenue stream.

            Gorman said newer cars can use Level 3 DC chargers and go from 0% to 80% in 15 minutes. Gorman said the company working with the town on a revenue-sharing agreement estimates Marion could realize several hundred thousand dollars in eventual, annual revenues through the project.

            Potential town-property locations for these charging stations include six ports each at the Marion Maintenance Garage, Cushing Community Center, the Police Station and the Town House, along with four ports at Island Wharf. The list also includes a location along Wells Road.

            “I think the two (locations) that need the most conversation and have more detailed research would be the Police Station and potentially Wells Road,” said Gorman. “We need to verify that Wells Road has had enough layout to support this.”

            “I think we need to think about whether or not we want a lot of cars coming into Town Hall or the Council on Aging to charge up and go away,” said Select Board member Toby Burr.

            “We could also make this a lot smaller of a project than it is,” said Gorman. “Just to let you know right now, there are no fast-charging stations for anybody in this area.”

            Gorman explained that the revenue-sharing details could include offering a residents’ discount and making the service free of charge to municipal vehicles. The town’s existing, Level 2 charging stations would not be removed from their present locations.

            “We just identified areas that potentially had enough town property to do the project,” said Gorman, noting that Marion’s hybrid vehicles are not compatible with Level 3 charging stations.

            A Level 2 station at the Town House is broken beyond repair, said Gorman, who added a station at the Cushing Community Center was recently “Frankenstein-ed” to accommodate users frequenting either location.

            Two new, Level 2 charging stations at the Town House will indicate how much electricity is being used. The old models did not share that information. The new models will even recognize particular vehicles and be able to share data on those individual vehicles’ visits.

            Technological advancements will position town officials to determine how much it costs to operate the stations and if, for instance, it would be feasible to charge users a $5 fee.

            The next step for the town is to get Eversource to conduct a review allowing the town to move forward. The project manager will report to the Select Board at the latter’s next availability.

            In its most-significant action item, the Select Board voted to approve the Town of Marion’s $350,000 grant award from the Massachusetts Division of Water Supply Protection (DWSP) for the purpose of purchasing a conservation restriction for a 27.3-acre property on New Bedford Road in Rochester for drinking-water-supply protection and land-conservation purposes.

            In order for Marion to meet the requirements of the reimbursable grant, the town has to have full appropriation in the amount of $585,000.

            “The appropriation shortfall above the ($350,000) would be supported by the Buzzards Bay Coalition, so they’re gifting the money to us, and then we’ll return that money and the grant award to them so they can purchase (the property),” explained Gorman.

            The amount for related project and closing costs is not to exceed $26,610. The land shall be made available to the public for passive recreational use.

            In other action items, the Select Board upgraded Ray Cullum from associate to full-voting member on the Marine Resources Commission.

            The board approved two Special, One-Day Alcohol Beverage licenses for the Marion Social Club, one for its Chicken Bake scheduled to serve approximately 200 people on Sunday, September 22, from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm and another for its 180-guest Pig Roast on Sunday, October 20, from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

            The board approved the following Water/Sewer commitments: $1,428.04 (final readings August 23); $271.47 (final readings August 27) and $155 (sewer reconnection August 28).

            Other subjects tackled in Gorman’s report included news that the Harbormaster Building construction is on track except for carpeting. The ground-level restrooms at the old office’s area have been updated, and visitors can sit on bar stools with high-top tables and enjoy the view of Sippican Harbor.

            The new office is on schedule to achieve substantial completion this month and a ribbon cutting with tours soon to follow.

            The installation of pilings is expected this week at the new Department of Public Works construction at Benson Brook. “The site-excavation area looks great,” said Gorman, who expected to see the Morton Building people at the site this week.

            The town has identified funding for a sign with the new Pina family name at the Point Road Playground.

            Finally, Gorman told the Select Board he would like to get an updated list of its Fiscal Year 2025 Goals approved in October. Meantime, in-process goals will remain in progress, pending the board’s direction, he said.

            The Select Board will begin an hour early at its next meeting to accommodate a joint session with the Marion Marine Resources Commission.

            The next meeting of the Marion Select Board is scheduled for Tuesday, September 17, at 5:00 pm at the Police Station.

Marion Select Board

By Mick Colageo

South Coast Children’s Chorus Welcomes New Singers

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The South Coast Children’s Chorus is welcoming new singers for the upcoming season. SCCC is open to all students from grade 1-12. Last season there were over 75 singers from 10 different cities and towns throughout the South Coast and 30 different schools. Thanks to the support of local cultural councils, the South Coast Community Foundation and generous donors, tuition is only $125 for the year, and there is free or reduced tuition for any singer who requests it.

            The first rehearsal will take place on Tuesday, September 17. New singers are accepted during the first three rehearsals. Rehearsals take place on Tuesday nights, 5:30 to 6:30 pm (Preparatory Chorus) and 5:30- 7:00 pm (Advanced Chorus) at Tabor Academy in the Fireman Center for the Performing Arts, 245 Front Street, Marion. To register, visit the SCCC website at www.singsouthcoast.org

            The mission of the South Coast Children’s Chorus is to provide a joyful, educational choral experience for young singers, helping them to develop responsibility, confidence, musicianship and a passion for excellence in all they do. The SCCC core values are Service, Culture, Confidence & Community. SCCC performs throughout the South Coast with interesting musicians such as Candida Rose and the Kabu Jazz Ensemble, the New Bedford Harbor Sea Chantey Singers and with the internationally renowned African Children’s Choir at venues including at AHA, the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center, The Children’s Advocacy Network Gala, Big Sing. Central, Salve Regina University in Newport and Fenway Park in Boston.

            SCCC website at www.singsouthcoast.org. For more information contact: SCCCsings@gmail.com also, visit us on Facebook southcoastchildrenschorus

Upcoming Events at the Elizabeth Taber Library

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Meet Kimberly J. Walsh Tuesday, author of Crew of Three: How Bold Dreams and Detailed Plans Launched Our Family’s Sailing Adventures, September 24 at 6:30 pm. Kimberly is a traveler and a gardener, not a sailor. She never dreamed she would live on a boat for two years sailing from New England to Grenada and Back. Crew of Three is her first book. She lives on the coast of Massachusetts with her husband and her crazy coonhound. When not working on their oyster farm or gardening, she enjoys hiking, cycling, kayaking and of course, traveling.

            Visit the library every Wednesday from 3-4 for crafts, food, games and more after-school fun for ages nine and up.

            Join the Tables of Content fund-raising event for the Elizabeth Taber Library – Sunday October 20 and Friday October 25. Support the library by enjoying a delicious dinner and lively book discussion at a Marion neighbor’s home. Go to the library’s website to register, select your book choices and date, get your book assignment & start reading, receive your dinner location and enjoy your evening. Tickets are $75 per person; all proceeds benefit the library. Learn more and view title options by visiting our website.

            Meet our new children’s librarian, Miss Macy. Macy is originally from a small town in Kansas and moved to Massachusetts for library school. She spent the last four years working at the Public Library of Brookline as a library assistant and then the children’s librarian. Her favorite library things are storytime, reading silly picture books and coming up with exciting new program ideas. Outside of the Library, Macy loves to spend time with her fiancé and their two cats, read on the beach and do lots and lots of craft projects.

            For more information on the Elizabeth Taber Library, visit us at www.ElizabethTaberLibrary.org or call us at 508-748-1252.