Marion Planning Board Community Engagement

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The Marion Planning Board announces a new regular item in its regular meeting agenda called “Community Engagement.” Fifteen minutes will be set aside at the beginning of each regular meeting during which any Marion resident may bring questions, ideas, and/or concerns to discuss with the Planning Board – no advanced notice required. Topics related to the Master Plan, general planning, and zoning bylaws are welcome. The Planning Board hopes that this opportunity will enhance communication and discussion with our community. Our meetings are held on the first and third Mondays of the month at 7:00 pm in the Town House conference room. Additional information is available from the Planning Board Assistant, Terri Santos: tsantos@MarionMA.gov.

Planning Board Scrutinizes Solar Farm

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Marion Planning Board member Jen Francis on June 6 was happy to announce a new initiative she has devised.

“The idea is to increase our access to community and the community’s access to us,” Francis said. “If the board agrees, I’d like to add 15 minutes to the Planning Board agenda in which anyone can show up without prior notification and ask questions, raise concerns, or anything else,” she explained. “It will be on a trial basis, and if nobody shows up, then we can just move on to the rest of the agenda. But it’s a dedicated slot to allow us to communicate with town residents.”

The board resoundingly agreed to implement Francis’ idea.

“Thank you for that, Jen,” Chairman Robert Lane said, “I think that’s really a great idea.”

Scrutiny soon arose from the board regarding the Clean Energy Collective solar farm located off Tucker Lane. A tree-clearing crew had overcut several plants and trees in front of the Tucker Lane location.

Board member Michael Popitz said, “Tucker Lane occupants are afraid of a loss of value on their homes and a loss of enjoyment of their property. I see it as our duty to make sure those are protected.” He continued, “I’ve gone to the site many times. I’ve spoken to the inhabitants. One-hundred percent of the people I spoke to were extremely upset; they don’t want to see a scar left from the overcutting. I feel personally responsible, and I want to make sure nobody is affected by the solar farm.” Popitz said it should be easy and inexpensive to fix, “and to my eyes it hasn’t been done yet.”

Eric Aubrey of M+W Group, the solar farm contractor, stepped in to explain what had happened on Tucker Lane.

“The tree contractors moved early to Tucker Lane, and they went ahead to remove trees before we met with Marion’s Conservation Commission,” said Aubrey. “We’ve since replaced the trees and brush. There are thirty-two bushes and also a few trees in place. We want to work with the town,” he said, “but what we took down wouldn’t have screened the solar farm from view anyway.”

Planning Board member Steve Gonsalves seemed slightly incredulous.

“I know it was a mistake,” Gonsalves said, “but the plantings are thirty-two plants in a big area. It doesn’t look like anything was done, and that’s what the people are feeling. It would’ve made a difference to plant larger things. I know you’re making an effort, but the perceived effort is not there.”

Francis took a different tack.

“The property could’ve been a building, it would’ve been a lot uglier,” she stated. “That wouldn’t have required visual screening at all. There’s a paranoia about solar farms from people unfamiliar with them, when it could be so much worse.”

Gonsalves disagreed.

“It’s not a paranoia,” said Gonsalves. “It’s people living there not liking what they see.”

Steve Kokkins added, “The aim isn’t to restore the nature, because it wouldn’t provide screening. The intent is to provide actual screening, and the timeframe should be reasonably short, as in a few months, and should be kept in mind in the plans.”

Will Saltonstall summed up the board’s stance, saying, “We don’t need to go overboard, but the re-planting effort was undersized.”

The board requested detailed elevation and aerial plans of the re-planting and screening effort, as well as a maintenance schedule and an estimate on when plant screening will actually be achieved by natural growth, by the next meeting of the Planning Board.

The next meeting of the Marion Planning Board will be held on Monday, June 20 at 7:00 pm at the Marion Town House.

By Jean Perry

 

Marion Rochester United U12 Travel Soccer Team

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Over Memorial Day Weekend, girls from the Marion Rochester United U12 travel soccer team beat out eight other teams to claim the GU12 championship in the 20th annual Cape Cod Challenge Cup soccer tournament. The Warriors were undefeated throughout the three-day tournament. The “No Goal Patrol” led by goalies, Avrie Oliviera and Claudie Bellanger along with defenders, Mickenna Soucy, Breigh Christopher, Ava Noone and Catie Parks, shut down all offensive threats as the girls didn’t give up a goal the entire tournament, recording five shut outs. The Warrior midfield support including Emma Wyman, Isabella Hunt, Rosie Lally, Emma Van Ness, Isabella Romig, Kate Feeney and Emma McGinnis kept possession of the ball, played tough defense and generated many scoring opportunities. The “Goal Patrol” duo of Paige Long and Jen Williams scored six goals, including all five game winners. After winning their bracket and outlasting a tough Newington team in the semi finals, the Warriors faced the Yarmouth Dennis Soccer Club on Monday afternoon in downpour conditions. The two teams battled hard but once again it was the Warriors who came out on top, outlasting their rivals to take a 1-0 victory and win the tournament. The Warriors defeated teams from three states, as far away as Newington, CT, Barrington, RI and Quincy, MA the Warriors outscored their opponents 10-0 over the course of five challenging games. The Cape Cod Challenge is a MYSA-sanctioned youth soccer event and offers group competition across 22 divisions from ages U9 to U16. Pictured: Back row: Head Coach Darren Feeney, Mickenna Soucy, Isabella Romig, Claudie Bellanger, Emma McGinnis, Paige Long, Avrie Oliviera, Jen Williams, Assistant Coach Frank Noone, Assistant Coach Steve Wyman; Front Row: Emma Van Ness, Rosie Lally, Kate Feeney, Catie Parks, Breigh Christopher, Emma Wyman, Isabella Hunt

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Art Blooms At the Marion Art Center

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The Marion Art Center is a well-known and much-loved cultural venue that over many decades has hosted light-hearted musicals to serious works of art and nearly everything in between. The building itself is a treasure – a historical and architectural gem in the heart of Marion.

On the evening of June 3, the center hosted a showing of abstract paintings by Susan Strauss of Westport and Allison Horvitz of Somerset. The two artists whose entire lives have been devoted to developing their understanding of and talent in visual arts shared the antique building’s walls in what can only be described as superb expressions.

The colors used by each artist and the technique of applying layers of either acrylic or oil paints were in harmony, fully complimenting one another as few artists can hope to achieve. And although art is very subjective, these women have indeed created indisputable evocative beauty.

Strauss works primarily in oils and said of her work, “Gardening, growing things inspires me, pulling weeds from the garden, I find they are like a weaving.” She continued, “The planting helps me find my way in the painting, painting is about finding a place in the painting itself.”

Horvitz shared, “My life is my work. My work is not about landscapes or flowers, it’s an emotional reaction to my life.” She said the layers of acrylic paint, which she scrapes out in places to create depth inside the canvas, are sculptural. Of her series of ‘memory jars’ of which she is particularly fond, she said, “People see what they want to see in them, not what I may have intended.”

Marion Art Center Vice-President Cassy West said that professional artists must apply for the opportunity to have their works shown at the center.

“We have a museum jury that evaluates entries,” she explained, adding that there is presently a two-year waiting list of artists whose works have been accepted for showing.

West said of the current exhibit that will be on view for the next few weeks, “This is a collaboration between the art center and the Marion Garden Group.”

Throughout the space, floral arrangements had been created by members of the garden group inspired by the works of art at this event. Arrangements by garden group members Michelle Russell, Lissa Magauran, Wendy Bidstrup and Suzie Kokkins were positioned next to Strauss’ and Horvitz’s works, flowers and paintings creating a larger visual presentation of art in bloom, a local twist on a well known MFA event.

Of this evening’s event West thought, “It’s nice to have two Marion organizations coming together in a great collaboration.”

On the second floor of the art center, a large space whose focal point is a grand piano against the far back wall above which hung one of Horvitz’s “Jar” paintings, MAC President Shelley Richins talked about the upcoming comprehensive campaign they will be kicking off on July 15.

“It’s very much a brick and mortar thing,” Richins explained. Noting the need to modify the aging building for handicap accessibility, along with other structural improvements, she said, “Marion has an aging population, so making the building more accessible is very important.” She said they would also be investing in new chairs for the theater space.

Richins also spoke of re-organization of the director’s position at the art center. With the retirement of Deborah Bokelkamp in July, a new director will be named. But Richins said she’d be keeping that under wraps until a formal announcement is made to the members. Not unlike some of the stage productions at the MAC, there’s a bit of mystery and intrigue to think about for a while.

By Marilou Newell

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Joyce Marie Corbett West

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Joyce Marie Corbett West, who generously shared her infectious spirit and her
wide range of talents with her communities in Washington, D.C. and Marion,
Massachusetts, died peacefully in Marion on June 2, 2016 surrounded by her loving
family. She was 85.

Joyce lived a fun and meaningful life. She was kind, smart and generous, with a
lovely smile, a hearty laugh and a knack for being there and helping out her
family, her colleagues, her church and her community. Born on March 21, 1931 in
tiny Minooka, Pennsylvania outside Scranton, Joyce was the sixth of seven
children born to Mary and Martin Corbett. Her family eventually settled in the
Chevy Chase neighborhood of Washington, D.C., where Joyce flourished. It was
there, while working for Pan American World Airways after graduating from
nearby Immaculata College, that she met the love of her life, George Bruce West.
Joyce and Bruce married on January 29, 1955, and they went on to spend an
adventurous 60 years together before Bruce died on August 20, 2015.

In 1956, Joyce and all four of her sisters found themselves amid a remarkable
situation that became permanent, and wonderful, family folklore. That was the
year, right smack in the middle of the Baby Boom, that Joy, as her family called
her, and her four sisters were “expecting,” in the genteel parlance of the day. The
five members of the celebrated “Class of 1956” quickly became a symbol of the
Corbett Clan’s rapid growth. Ultimately, they would count themselves among a
staggering 35 first cousins!

While raising five children and supporting her husband as he ran a successful
advertising agency, Joyce volunteered her help on the board of the Goodwill
Industry of Washington, D.C. and at the various schools her children attended.
She also was a docent at the Corcoran Gallery of Art.

In 1974, after nearly 20 years in Washington and about a dozen sublime summers
in Marion, Joyce and Bruce moved their family north year-round, the better to
enjoy the bucolic nature of the “Sands of Sippican,” as Bruce titled one of his
books, and to show their children a less hectic way of life. Joyce jumped right in,
immersing herself deeply within Marion’s community, making friends, serving on
countless boards, singing in the church choir at St. Gabriel’s, directing and
teaching at The Loft School, and eventually buying and running the small town’s
lone bookstore, The Bookstall.

Joyce was a Renaissance woman of heart and mind. She loved the land and the
water, so she served on the board of the Sippican Lands Trust for 15 years and on
the Marion Conservation Committee for 10 years. She loved gardening, so for
about 20 years she was a member of the Marion Garden Discussion Group. Joyce
was a voracious reader, so she served on the Elizabeth Taber Library Board for
six years. She loved music and singing, so she sang with the Sippican Choral
Society for roughly 20 years. The list of groups to which Joyce gave of her time
and talents was seemingly endless: the Marion Visiting Nurse’s Association Board
for six years, the Sippican Historical Society for five years, and the Marion
Foundation, where she was one of the original employees, focusing on
membership and events.

Throughout it all, Joyce was most passionate about her family and friends, and
she loved nothing so much as big family gatherings, spending time with her many
pals and traveling with family and friends here, there and everywhere. She
adored her beloved Bruce, their five children, seven grandchildren, one great
granddaughter, her four sisters and two brothers, and all of her many nieces and
nephews.

Survivors include four sons, George Bruce West III and his wife, Jeanie, of
Peterborough, New Hampshire; Mark Corbett West and his wife, Cyndy, of
Nottingham, New Hampshire; Jonathan Braitmayer West and his wife, Cassy, of
Mattapoisett, Massachusetts; Charles Krug West and his wife, Liz, of Rochester,
Massachusetts; and a daughter, Margaret Wendy West and her wife, Rebecca
Leeman, of Portland, Maine. Joyce also leaves seven grandchildren,
Ian Derrick West, Taylor Graham West, Robert Braitmayer West, Reilly Evans
West, Madeleine Jarvis West, Connor Martin West and Georgia Catherine West,
and a great granddaughter, Violet Elizabeth West.

Joyce Corbett West also is survived by three sisters, Gladys Corbett Quinn, Rita
Corbett Jeffers and Dorothea Corbett McIntyre, one brother, William Martin
Corbett, and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, Joyce
also was predeceased by a brother, Francis Joseph Corbett, and a sister, Lucille
Corbett Daly.

The West family warmly invites you to join in celebrating Joyce’s life on
Saturday afternoon, July 23rd, at two o’clock at St. Gabriel’s Church in
Marion, Massachusetts. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to
The Sippican Lands Trust, 354 Front Street, Marion, Massachusetts,
02738. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Nancy Ann (Dodge) Dickson

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Nancy Ann (Dodge) Dickson died peacefully in her sleep on June 8th, 2016.

She was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts on October 13, 1930, daughter of the late Gilbert and Elsie (MacLeod) Dodge and sister of the late Mary Ann Dodge. She grew up in New Bedford and graduated from New Bedford High School. Nancy attended the New England Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing in Boston where she graduated in 1951 as a Registered Nurse. It was while she was at The Deaconess that she met her future husband, James David Maxwell Dickson, who predeceased her on June 6th, 2011.

Nancy spent her entire professional career working as a nurse, first in hospital settings in Boston, Baltimore, New York and later in Wareham at Tobey Hospital as an on-call nurse in the operating room. She continued her career as a nurse in various private medical practices in Marion and Wareham, MA.

Nancy retired in 1986 and moved with her husband Jim to Northern Ireland where they enjoyed a full and active retirement at their home in the Mourne Mountains in County Down. Nancy rekindled her love of gardening in the Mournes and took pride in her flowers and beautiful window boxes. She enjoyed the company of many relatives and friends there and she and Jim traveled extensively in Ireland, the U.K., and Europe. Their home was a frequent destination point for many of their friends and relatives from Marion and around the U.S.

As a working mother, Nancy set an excellent example for her three daughters of how to successfully balance career and family. She is survived by her daughters Jane Dickson and her husband Joe Pickett of Salem, MA; Susan Dickson and her husband, Adam Bukolt of Berlin, Germany, and Sara (Lynne) Dickson and her husband, Darryl Medina, of Marion, MA. Six grandchildren also survive her: Kevin and Conor Pickett; Kendra, Allison and Max Medina; and Oskar Bukolt.

Nancy will be remembered for her hospitality, excellent cooking, and amazing Christmas Eve celebrations in Marion–especially the scalloped oysters, Swedish meatballs, and abundance of Christmas cookies!

A service of remembrance and celebration of Nancy’s Life will be held on Friday August 19, 2016 at 1PM at Saint Gabriel’s Episcopal Church in Marion.

Donations in Nancy’s memory may be made to support the work of Missions for Humanity (www.missionsforhumanity.org) where her daughter, Sara, and grandchildren, Kendra, Allison and Max have participated in medical mission trips to Tanzania. You may donate online or send a check to Missions for Humanity, PO Box 9512, Fall River, MA 02720. Arrangements are by the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Mattapoisett. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

From Horse Drawn to Horseless Carriage

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Rochester Historical Society presents “From Horse Drawn to Horseless Carriage” with Richard Cutler. Richard Cutler, Trustee of the Horseless Carriage Education Institute, will present the program at the Rochester Historical Society on Wednesday, June 15 at 7:00 pm at the East Rochester Church/Museum, 355 County Road.

Not long after the time of the American Civil War, clever people attempted to make carriages that could move under their own power. These vehicles were crude, but were the beginnings of what we now call automobiles. The concept was to place an engine or electric motor of some kind in a carriage and make it horseless.

The HCEI and most antique car clubs consider “horseless carriages” to be any car manufactured prior to 1916. A 40-minute video produced by the HCEI will take the viewer up from the beginning to this period of time. This is a fast-paced history lesson with some fascinating period footage showing not only cars of the period, but also the visionaries that put America on wheels.

After the video, there will be a question and answer period. Weather permitting, some examples of horseless carriages that would have been traversing the local roads (and still do!) will be available for a little show and tell for anyone who is interested.

All are welcome to this glimpse into transportation history.

Marion Recreation Summer Programs Coordinator

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Longtime employee and counselor Brian Tranfaglia takes the helm at Silvershell Beach this summer. Brian Tranfaglia is a rising senior at Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, NH. Majoring in Health Sciences, Tranfaglia plans to pursue a career as a Physical Therapist. On campus, he is involved in Peer Leading, the Science Inquiry Scholars program, is captain of the Ultimate Frisbee team and has been the University’s Biology Tutor for the past two years.

Brian has an extensive history of working with children of all ages. Substituting at Center and Old Hammondtown Schools and being a counselor at the Silvershell Summer Program for the past 4 years have provided Brian with a significant amount of experience working with children in grades Pre-K through 6th. In addition, being a high school and college Peer Leader as well as a biology tutor, has offered Tranfaglia the opportunity to work with young adults as well. Serving as head counselor last year, Brian is eager to take on the position of Coordinator and is looking forward to another fun, successful summer. Brian will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Marion Summer at Silvershell program, coordinating activities for program participants, supervising staff, and organizing weekly field trips to area “fun spots.” Want to join Brian this summer? There is still time to register. Visit www.marionreacreation.com to learn more about summer programs.

Mattapoisett Town Beach Opening Day

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Mattapoisett Town Beach Opening Day will be held on Saturday, June 25 from 12:00 – 3:00 pm. Join us for games, crafts, face painting and an Ice Cream Sundae Party. This will be a fun afternoon for the whole family. Rain date is Sunday, June 26 from 12:00 – 3:00 pm. For more information, contact Mattapoisett Recreation at mattrec@mattapoisett.net or call us at 508-758-4548.

Bulldog Teams Excel in Tournament Play

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Seven of ORR’s eight spring sports teams competed in postseason play this week. Five of those teams competed in state tournament play, with all five winning their first round games to advance to the second round. Meanwhile, the boys’ and girls’ track teams capped off their seasons by participating at All-States. The most impressive win of the week belonged to girls’ lacrosse, which defeated Ursuline Academy 19-11 due to their high-octane offensive attack. In addition, junior Danny Renwick of the boys’ track team will advance to New England’s meet after finishing sixth in the high hurdles at the All-State meet.

            Baseball: On Thursday, the Bulldogs faced Hanover High at home in the first round of the D-3 State Tournament. Junior pitcher Sam Henrie pitched a gem, striking out 13 hitters in a 7-3 win. He also aided his own effort by collecting two hits and an intentional walk at the plate. A four-run sixth inning sealed the game for the ‘Dogs, who received two hits apiece from juniors Henrie, Cam Hamilton, John Breault, Will Hopkins, and Kyle Brezinski, as well as sophomore Jake Asiaf. This Monday, the boys are up against Dedham High (on the road) in the second round.

Boys’ Lacrosse: The Bulldogs were on the road at Tri-County Regional Voc-Tech on Wednesday to begin the state tournament. Defense proved to be the name of the game in an 11-3 win. Freshman goalie Nathaniel King racked up 12 saves, and he was supported by strong defense from juniors Justin Shay, Gavin Fox, and Nick Rego. Junior Pat Saltmarsh led the offense by scoring four goals, while fellow junior Charlie Tirrell added three. The team’s leading scorer, junior Landon Gougen, scored two goals and added an assist. On Sunday, the ‘Dogs took on Nantucket High on the island in Round 2. Unfortunately, they were defeated 13-4 to end their season against a strong competitor. Tirrell, Gougen, and sophomore Alex Lorenz all had a goal and an assist in the loss. This game capped off what was otherwise an extremely promising season for the Bulldogs, who return all their players next season and enter as likely favorites in the SCC due to their wide base of talent.

            Girls’ Lacrosse: The Lady Bulldogs played Ursuline Academy in the first round of the state tournament on Wednesday at home. Despite falling behind 4-0 early, they stayed positive and ran up a ton of goals to take a 9-6 lead at halftime. Their offensive barrage continued in the second half, and the final score was an overwhelming 19-11 in favor of ORR. Junior Emily Hiller led the team with five goals, while sophomore Alexandra Hulsebosch scored four. Sophomore midfielders Maddie Cooney and Maggie Adams scored three apiece in the big win. The girls will continue on at Cohasset High in Round 2 on Monday.

            Boys’ Track: Danny Renwick participated in the All-State Meet at Westfield State University on Saturday. The junior finished sixth in the 110m hurdles with a time of 15.16 and will move on to the New England meet in New Britain, Connecticut next Saturday.

            Girls’ Track: On Saturday, the girls’ 4x800m team and senior hurdler Zoe Smith competed in the All-State Meet at Westfield State University. Smith finished 11th in the 100m hurdles with a time of 15.7, concluding an excellent senior season and career. The distance relay team – composed of sophomores Samantha Ball and Madisen Martin, junior Avery Nugent, and senior Nina Bourgeois – finished 19th but ran an extremely solid time of 9:57.8. That completed another undefeated season for girls’ track, which ranked well at the state competitions and once again dominated their opponents in the SCC. With many great young runners, they are set up well for years to come at both the local and state levels.

            Boys’ Tennis: The Bulldogs faced Dedham High at home on Friday to kick off their run in the State Tournament. They won 5-0, dominating from start to finish. The boys’ singles winners were sophomore Sam Pasquill and juniors Alex Bilodeau and Caleb Jagoda, respectively. The doubles pairings were composed of junior Josh Lerman with sophomore Jahn Pothier and juniors Max Asker and Maxxon Wolski. On Monday, the boys will face Martha’s Vineyard at home as they look to continue their run.

            Girls’ Tennis: The girls were home against Cape Cod Academy on Thursday to begin their State Tournament run. They won a narrow match, 3-2, thanks to their fantastic doubles play. Both doubles teams won, with freshman Delaney Pothier and junior Emma Collings forming one team, and juniors Katelyn Bindas and Alexis Parker making up the other. The team’s other win came from senior Morgan Middleton at #1 Singles. The girls will be staying home on Monday to face Norwell High in Round 2.

            Below are the overall spring team records, followed by the conference records in wins, losses, and ties as of June 5.

Baseball: (13-7-0)(12-4-0); Softball: (8-13-0)(6-8-0); Boys’ Track: (8-1-0)(7-1-0); Girls’ Track: (9-0-0)(8-0-0); Boys’ Lacrosse: (11-6-0)(9-1-0); Girls’ Lacrosse: (12-5-0)(6-2-0); Boys’ Tennis: (18-2-0)(13-1-0); Girls’ Tennis: (19-3-0)(12-2-0).

By Patrick Briand