Le Chien et Le Mouche

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It flew in two days ago and taunts me for hours. I am a young dog. I find this very amusing, high entertainment and a reason to dash across the hardwood floors snapping at its buzzing form. It is a fly.

My humans are not so pleased and are blaming me for this intrusion into their otherwise completely boring existence. They sit. They stare at that huge screen watching reruns of Judge Judy. He swears at the Red Sox. She sighs over Masterpiece Theater. All in all, I’d say the fly has added some interest to their dull lives.

They blame me, of course. It is so easy to blame the voiceless innocents. They blame me because they have to open the door and let me into the yard before something very unfortunate for us all happens on Her oriental carpets. And so each time the door opens, maybe a fly or two swoop in – WHAT – this should be my fault? I think not.

The days go by as He attempts to knock the sense out of the fly with a rolled up newspaper and She, well, She simply flaps her hand around complaining while covering up the food on the counter with dish towels. Silly human. Doesn’t She know that the fly has hopped all over that towel before She got out of bed this morning? Flies do not sleep.

I made my best effort today to rid them of their tormentor. I chased it back and forth from dining room to kitchen to living room to office and back again. That sucker is fast. I am undaunted. I can do this all day. Since stealth is not in my DNA, speed is my tool. The next time the fly lands on my head, it’s over for the big-eyed fool.

Here He comes again with His weapon in hand. I watch. This is better than barking at the school bus. Whacking away as the fly jets off from one landing pad to another, He swings and misses like his beloved Sox. He is saying something very loudly, but I can’t quiet make out the words. Oh wait, I know those words. He uses them when he drops something on the floor and then can’t find it, or when the phone rings and someone is telling him the IRS is investigating his finances, or when another driver does something he doesn’t agree with. Oh yes, I know what He is calling that fly. I won’t repeat it here.

She is an easy target for the fly. There She is now, sitting on her little divan, busily tapping away on her laptop, writing God knows what about whom but she seems content until, uh oh, the fly tried to land on her earlobe. If there were Fly Olympics, that one would have received a 10 for level of difficulty. Bravo!

But it is all very exhausting. Those brilliant bursts of energy spent chasing a mouche sap my strength. Napping is required for this chien.

By the way, please forgive that bit of French. She has been watching videos about a French cat who is also some sort of philosopher, give me strength, so I’ve been picking up a little of the language. Silly woman. Those videos aren’t even French; they come from Canada – sacré bleu!

She’s left the door open again, not realizing I’ve returned from my perimeter check of the garden. Several more flies have entered the inner sanctum. There will be hell to pay. But when I tried to get Her attention, the response was “GO LAY DOWN.” OK, suit yourself lady.

It is sad to note that even if I fail to swallow a few flies, the flies will die anyway. First and probably foremost, there are the spiders. No matter how much sweeping and dusting goes on around here, the spiders inhabit obscure corners with their evil webs of doom. Ever watched a fly struggling to free itself from those nets – I agree it isn’t pretty.

And then there is the simple truth that a fly’s lifespan is very short, about 28 days total. Who am I to interfere with their short furious attempts at procreation and limited survival? I could almost cry, but I won’t because their infernal buzzing is a torment. There it is done. I just swallowed one.

But wait … what is She complaining about now? He is saying “…but honey, they are impossible to find…” Oh no, it is a cricket. “Merde!”

By Marilou Newell

 

Inn Supporters Pack ZBA Hearing

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On September 29, nearly 300 people, primarily supporters of the Inn at Shipyard Park, attended the Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals hearing petitioned by abutters seeking to stop the music at the historic inn.

George and Maureen Butler have lodged complaints against the inn, claiming that amplified music is akin to living next to “speeding trains.” The Butlers, represented by Attorney Tom Crotty, presented what they believed was irrefutable evidence that the inn’s music and its rowdy patrons made living next to the inn intolerable because it was a nightclub.

For evidence of high decibel noise, the Butlers had a video professionally produced containing imagery from inside and outside the inn. Some video footage was taken by a security camera mounted on the exterior of the Butler residence and seemed to document loud music emanating from the inn after 10:00 pm, with inebriated patrons gathering on the sidewalk outside the establishment. The Butlers’ video attempted to portray that the noise was ‘obnoxious’ while also attempting to illustrate that the inn was operating a nightclub in violation of their special permit.

Crotty said, “There’s a change in the nature and the purpose of the bar…” This point, he said, was the primary reason for the Butlers’ filing an enforcement request.

The Butlers’ request to the ZBA asked that the board order the building inspector, Andy Bobola, to enforce conditions of the inn’s special permit. Bobola did not do so, which prompted the hearing.

Time and again, in his presentation, Crotty insisted, “They are not interested in the restaurant business … the bar brings in a crowd.” He also stated, “If any of you had this noise next to your house, you’d be up in arms!” he asserted. Those in attendance shouted out “MOVE!” and “THAT’S A LIE!”

The Butlers also claimed that modifications to the interior of the inn removed soundproofing while increasing the bar seating capacity and decreasing the restaurant seating. And while the Butlers have asserted they do not want the inn to be closed, their claim of loss of quiet use of their residential property due to loud music and patrons made living next door difficult. They sought to have the inn return to what they claim were quieter activities in the 1960s.

Owner/operator Nils Johnson then spoke. After thanking the standing room-only crowd for their support, he said his primary income source was not the bar and entertainment.

Johnson said the nature of the music had not changed substantially over the years, and his permit allows for 114 hours of entertainment, of which they use only 15 hours. He said that there are 87 hours of foodservice on any given week, emphasizing the point that food was his primary business. Johnson said his food sales were 100 percent over his bar sales.

Johnson shared that more than 45 calls to the police department were lodged against his business between 2012 and 2016, all from the Butlers with “no evidence being found that I violated any of my licenses…”

Regarding the Butlers’ property, Johnson said they use some of the space for commercial activities while receiving a 5 percent discount off their property taxes because it abuts his commercial property.

Mattapoisett’s principal assessor, Kathleen Costello, confirmed that the Butler property, as do other properties in town that abut commercial lots, receives a discount of 5 percent.

At the end of his defense, Johnson said, “We are keeping Mattapoisett special.” The crowd responded with thunderous applause.

Johnson’s Attorney Marc Deshaies defended his client, saying, “The restaurant, bar, and inn are an integrated whole…” and the definition of a nightclub did not apply to Johnson’s business profile.

After nearly two hours of sometimes heated exchanges between the inn’s supporters and Crotty, Town Counsel Jonathan Silverstein told the board to consider the following when deliberating the Butlers’ claims: 1) is there a change in the nature of use; 2) a change in the quality and degree of use; and 3) whether the use is different in kind.

Board member Mary Ann Brogan spoke saying, “We don’t have a noise ordnance in this town. All the noise things have nothing to do with why we are here; it is not a nightclub, I agree with Andy.”

The other board members agreed, voting unanimously to uphold Bobola’s refusal to act on the Butler request for enforcement. The Butlers have 20 days to appeal the ZBA decision.

There was other preceding business on this evening, including special permits approved for William Barnes, 0 North Street, for the construction of a single family home; Nick’s Pizza for the installation of an exterior cooler unit; and Blue Wave LLC for a 21,000-panel solar array on the west side of Crystal Spring Road near the Fin, Fur, and Feather Club. Also coming before the board was Becky Renauld representing 7-Eleven for change of ownership for 51 County Road. That request was approved.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals is scheduled for October 20 at 6:00 pm in the town hall conference room if there are hearings.

By Marilou Newell

 

Marion Town House Building Committee

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The Town House Building Committee and their architects, Turowski Architecture, are moving forward with planning for the Historic Renovation of the Marion Town House. The Marion Town House, built in 1876 and 1890 in the Italianate style of the time, is the most significant architectural treasure in Marion. It is also a powerful symbol of the generosity of the town’s most important benefactor, Elizabeth Taber. Years of deferred maintenance and bureaucratic delays have resulted in a building in need of total renovation to restore it to its original glory.

At the fall Town Meeting, the Marion Board of Selectmen will be requesting funding to complete the design development drawings so a final cost estimate can be created. If approved, a subsequent request for approximately $11M will be made at the spring Town Meeting. Following that, Town offices will be relocated to temporary quarters and construction will commence. Construction is expected to take 10-12 months and will result in a beautifully restored building of which generations of Marion residents will take pride.

Rabies Clinic

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There will be a Rabies Clinic on October 23 from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon at the Mattapoisett Fire Station. All dogs must be leashed and all cats in carriers. The cost per animal is $15. Thank you from all the unvaccinated critters in town and the surrounding towns. You do not have to live in Mattapoisett to attend our clinic.

Tabor to Host Science at Work Lectures

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Throughout the remainder of the year, Tabor Academy will again host “Science at Work” lectures, a series built on the goal of exposing both the Tabor and local communities to scientific leaders from the region and beyond.

The series will commence on Monday, October 17, at 6:30 pm at Tabor Academy’s Lyndon South Auditorium with Dr. Michael Moore, director of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI) Marine Mammal Center.

Dr. Moore will discuss modern methods of assessing the condition of whales, specifically those off the coast of Cape Cod. Among the methods discussed will be the use of drones to monitor species, and the utilization of “forensic examination” to better comprehend the biggest threats to the whales.

Dr. Moore will draw from years of research experience on whales, having worked in the field since he entered the WHOI as a graduate student in 1986. In that time, on top of providing veterinary support to the Marine Mammal Rescue and Research Division of the International Fund for Animal Welfare in Cape Cod, he has, among many projects, experimented with methods to sedate whales in order to free them from ropes or netting, worked to better understand the effects of impact with boats on the creatures, and analyzed the unsuccessful rebound of the North Atlantic Right Whale.

As the “School by the Sea,” Tabor naturally has a unique connection to the rich aquatic environment of Sippican Harbor and Buzzards Bay. Thus, the Science at Work lectures not only provide a means to further enrich the marine science learning environment at the school, but display these programs to the South Coast community.

“I want the presentation to reach, educate, and interest the student body and the public,” said Tabor Director of Marine Sciences Jay Cassista. “This is an opportunity to sit side by side with our neighbors to enjoy and learn from scientists all over the nation.”

The enrichment brought by each speaker is not limited to the lecture itself. The speakers spend the day on the Tabor campus, talking with students in the classroom and integrating their expertise with the curriculums of each course they visit. Paired with the evening lecture, students are able to get an in-depth look at real-world scientific research being done both in the community and around the world.

The lecture by Dr. Moore is the first of three lectures scheduled in this year’s series. On December 12, Executive Director of the Coalition for Buzzards Bay, Mark Rasmussen, will discuss the work done by the Coalition to protect and raise awareness about the local marine environment.

The third lecture will be by Dr. Yolanda Cruz, a Professor of Biology at Oberlin College, who will speak about stem cell research and “designer babies.” The final presentation has yet to be scheduled. Each lecture is free and open to the public.

The speaker series began as the brainchild of Cassista and Tabor Director of Communications Kerry Saltonstall, who merged their ideas of inviting scientists to campus and hosting a speaker series into one event combining the two.

Last year, the school hosted five presentations on a diverse range of topics. The subjects of the talks included using Citizen Science to aid pollination research, understanding recent unusual weather patterns, and even photographing penguins in Antarctica.

The lectures drew hundreds of people from the Tabor community and beyond, even drawing a presence from many other researchers in the area.

“This seemed like a fantastic way to bring scientists in the field of marine research to Tabor and for our students to benefit from research that is being done by passionate professionals,” said Cassista.

By Jack Gordon

 

Grassi Bog Plan Revised, Order of Conditions Amended

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The Grassi Bog project will move forward with a couple of revisions to the plan, which the Marion Conservation Commission accepted and approved with an amended Order of Conditions on September 28.

Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission Chairman John Rockwell presented the changes to the plan that is designed to update water control structures at the site that were damaged by a significant rainstorm. These changes consist of an increase in size of the aluminum exit culvert and the addition of a gravel blanket in the spillway.

The culvert will be 16 inches wider than the proposed culvert, which Rockwell said would upgrade stormwater flow capacity significantly.

The commission had the choice to either amend the Order of Conditions or to attach a written letter to the plan, and ultimately chose to amend the Order of Conditions.

Consistent construction updates to the commission from the engineer is still an existing requirement.

Conservation Commission member Norm Hills noted that this is the second amendment to the project plan.

The commission also acknowledged that the plan would expire in April of 2017 after a one-year extension was granted this April 2016. Hills commented that MOSAC would likely have to return for another extension if work does not begin soon.

“I hope this gets done,” said Chairman Jeffrey Doubrava. “This is like the never-ending story.”

The public hearing for Shea Doonan’s aquaculture farm he hopes to establish off Meadow Island has been continued until October 26 at the applicant’s request. Doonan is waiting for the Board of Selectmen to comment at its October 18 meeting.

The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission is scheduled for October 12 at 7:00 pm at the Marion Town House.

By Jean Perry

 

Certificate of Compliance for 1998 Filing Continued

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It’s been 18 years since William Milka, 241 New Bedford Road, came before the Rochester Conservation Commission with filings for the construction of two cranberry bogs: one that was built and one that never came to fruition. And now nearly two decades later, Milka needs to put closure on the open Order of Conditions so that he can move forward with a new plan – the construction of a solar array.

Conservation Agent Laurell Farinon explained that originally, Milka’s filing was an “after-the-fact” filing as construction on a two-acre bog had taken place before he met with the Conservation Commission.

There was also disagreement, she said, regarding the exact location of the wetland lines. Those matters were successfully cleared up and Milka received an Order of Conditions that included a plan for a second three-acre bog.

“The second bog was never done,” Farinon said, “and the two-acre bog he’s let go.” She said that the first bog was not being maintained and that Milka would have another filing coming before the commission at their next meeting.

Farinon said Milka’s new filing would be for the construction of a solar array on the two-acre bog parcel.

Commission member Daniel Gagne questioned engineered drawings presented at the hearing and wondered if they should have as-built plans and not just a letter from the engineer, Bill Madden, confirming compliance with the Order of Conditions and an earlier set of plans.

Farinon suggested that the Certificate of Compliance hearing be continued until the next meeting since the commission members would be making a site visit in advance of Milka’s Request for Determination of Applicability hearing that they will have before them at their next meeting. The hearing was continued until October 18.

The commission also approved a three-year extension for work nearly complete at Louis and Rebecca Davenport’s property located at 106 Clapp Road. The Davenports’ original filing was also an older one from 2012, but as the applicants explained, “Things cost a lot more than we thought.” With more than 90 percent of their plans completed, the commission approved an extension to give the Davenports sufficient time to complete landscaping plans.

The next meeting of the Rochester Conservation Commission is planned for October 18 at 7:00 pm in the town hall meeting room.

By Marilou Newell

 

Gateway Youth Hockey

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Squirts: The Gladiator Squirts continued their strong start to the season with an 8-1 win over Barnstable on Sunday. Nate Wilson played net and stopped 18 of 19 shots. The offensive attack was led by Brayden Cannon and Tommy Clavell, who both had hat tricks. Liz Kilpatrick(1G, 1A) and Patrick Duggan(1G, 1A) also contributed to the scoring. Kevin Place had a strong defensive effort and contributed with assist.

Bantams: The Gladiator Bantams remained undefeated on the year, beating WHK 6-0. It was a one-sided game, with the Gladiators only giving up two shots on goal. The scoring started just a minute and a half into the first period when Zach Barris scored his first goal of the season, on a one timer, assisted by Will Goldman. A few minutes later, Tyler Lovendale scored an unassisted goal that bounced off the WHK defenseman and passed the goalie. Less than a minute later, Quirino doCanto beat the goalie top shelf, making it 3-0 on an assist from Christian Araujo. Austin Fleming then scored his first goal of the season on a feed from Luke Mello. Matt Cadieux would finish off the scoring of the first period, with assists going to Liv Fryer and doCanto. The Gladiators then took the foot off the gas pedal and began to work on passing. They would add one more goal at the end of the third period, as Cadieux got his second goal of the game, assisted by Lovendale. It was a good team effort, with everyone stepping up.

Midgets: The Gateway Midgets team suffered a tough 5-2 loss at the hands of the Canal Sharks. Goalie Steven Strachan did all he could to keep the Gladiators in the game, making 28 saves. Canal got on the board first, scoring early in the first period, but Jared Westgate would tie it up on a feed from Cam Alden. The score would remain that way until early in the second when Canal scored again, twice. Westgate would put in his second goal of the day, getting a pass in the slot from Robert Ramsay. Jackson St. Don also assisted on the goal. That was as close as the Gladiators would get, as Canal pulled away, putting in two more goals.

Rochester Artists Host Art Show and Sale

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The Monday Morning Painters of the Rochester COA will hold an Art Show and Sale on Saturday, October 15 at the Rochester Senior Center, 67 Dexter Lane from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. A portion of the sales will go to the Friends of the COA. Lunch will be available by the Friends. The following artists will be participating:

Terry Laspesa is a new artist in Rochester. She has taken classes in Harwich, MA and in Meriden, CT. Terry was very fortunate to have lived on Wychmere Harbor in Harwichport, which provided her with a view of the ever-changing water and the environment that it supports. When the spirit moves, that is when she creates. Terry is a free spirit who incorporates that freedom into her art work. Terry was part of the Guild of Harwich artists and participated in Marion’s Art in the Park. Some of her earlier works have been made into prints.

Helen Johnson is mainly self-taught .After retiring from teaching, she took a four-session workshop with local artist Kate Fuller for people who always wanted to try watercolor but never had and she was hooked on painting. Currently, Helen paints with the Monday Morning Artists at the Rochester COA and the Canalside Artists at the Bourne COA and is a member of the Bourne/Wareham Art Association, Marion Art Center, and the Taunton Art Association. She has received awards from the Massachusetts State Art Contest for Seniors.

Exploring art in many areas since high school, Betty Beaulieu has studied with various local artists. The Rochester artist has focused her interest in local history on preserving past and present local scenes in watercolor and oil paintings. Her paintings have won awards in many local art shows. Betty is a member of the Marion Art Center, Taunton Art Association, and Bourne Wareham Art Association.

A graduate of Massachusetts College of Art, Jane Egan is a multifaceted artist who works with a variety of mediums, including oil paint, watercolor, and pastel. Among Jane’s most recent accolades, she was awarded “Best of Show” for pastel works in both the Bourne Wareham Art Association and Taunton Art Association member shows. Her pastel works have been juried into surrounding gallery exhibitions and national shows. Jane’s works have also been on exhibit at the Marion Art Center. Jane is an active member of the Bourne Wareham Art Association, Pastel Painters Society of Cape Cod, Taunton Art Association, Westport Art Group, Cape Cod Art Association, and Marion Art Center.

Jennifer Cipriano’s artistic experience includes a preference for oil painting, but also other mediums such as watercolor. She creates landscapes, botanical paintings, and animal renderings. She is a graduate of UMass Dartmouth, Collage of Fine Arts. After recently retiring from a corporate position, she previously worked in the textile industry, retail advertising, and was a freelance scrimshander for nine years with her works being sold nationwide. Jennifer is a member of the Marion Art Center.

Janet McDonald took her first watercolor class six years ago after her retirement as an Operating Room RN. She paints three times a week with the Duxbury Tarlikin Schoolhouse Artists, the Canalside Artists in Bourne and the Rochester Senior Center Artists. She enjoys attending watercolor workshops to broaden her knowledge and style. Several of her paintings have won awards.

Lynnette F. Torres graduated from Vesper George School of Art in Boston, MA. She has worked in the commercial art world for over 30 years, having spent the past 28 years working as the Design/Art Director/ Production Planner for a local screen print company. The mediums she enjoys are pen and ink, pastel and watercolor. Lynnette is a member of the Rhode Island Watercolor Society and the Plymouth Center for the Arts. She is currently pursuing watercolor.

Over the past few years Marion artist, Elizabeth Kirke, has enjoyed a myriad of subjects, employing pastels, acrylics, and more recently watercolors. She holds a BA in Art History with a minor in Art Education for University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

 

Jeremy Bruns Organ Recital

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In honor of Reformation Sunday, Jeremy S. Bruns will play an all-Bach organ recital at the First Congregational Church in Marion on Sunday, October 30 at 5:00 pm. This year’s Reformation Sunday begins a year-long build-up to the 500th Anniversary of the day Martin Luther nailed his “95 Theses” to the door of the Wittenberg’s Castle Church in 1517.

Among Mr. Bruns selections will be the Prelude and Fugue in D Major, BWV 532, and the variations on the chorale “O Gott, du frommer Gott,” BWV 767.

Bruns has been a prize-winner in the International J.S. Bach Organ Competition held at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. and last March, he was featured in the Boston Bach Birthday 331 at Boston’s First Lutheran Church. Mr. Bruns has served as associate organist of St. Thomas Church in New York City and now holds the position of Assistant Director of Music at St. Paul’s Church and Choir School in Harvard Square

The First Congregational Church in Marion was built in 1841. In 1884, with support from local philanthropist Elizabeth Taber, a new mechanical-action organ by George S. Hutchings was installed. Beginning last year, the church has presented outstanding organists in recital, including Christa Rakich, Stephen Young, Carson Cooman, and Barry Turley.

Tickets for the recital are $10 and may be purchased at The Bookstall on Front Street in Marion and at the door. For more information and reservations, call 508-748-2067. The First Congregational Church, located at 28 Main Street at the corner of Front and Main in Marion, is handicapped accessible.