The Mysterious Loon

on

The common loon is one of the most eye-catching and unforgettable appearing water birds with a wide human habitat overlap all across the lake country of North America. It is clearly identifiable with a black head and neck that lowers down into white stripes and panels like mirrors that seem to reflect either solar or lunar light – like water line portholes of a cruise ship at night.

Even more mystical is the sound of the loon’s wail across the water, creating an audible window of conscious awareness through which one sees eternity, best described by Henry David Thoreau as the most un-earthly sound he had ever heard. Before him, Native Americans attuned to atmospheric environmental frequencies knew it as a prediction of impending rain. The other loon call is a loud laughing startling yodel of an alarm, while standing up in the water with splashing wings to warn intruders they are approaching too close to the nest.

My inspiration for writing and drawing for this article is the annual Emmons family vacation at Lake Winnipesaukee in the A.M.C. Summer Camp not far from the Loon Preservation Committee headquarters in Moultonborough Neck, where they monitor the loon population and educate the public to support their programs.

As one of the oldest living bird species on Earth, research revealing a roughly 60 million year survival seems to lead to a missing link to egg-laying dinosaurs with feather-covered wings and incredibly efficient respiratory systems that extract more oxygen than other normal breathing creatures.

For environmental overlap with humans, in the Oscar-winning movie On Golden Pond with Henry Fonda and Katharine Hepburn as an aging couple, like the Emmons, the calls of the loons seem to acknowledge their arrival and farewell at Squam Lake, not far away. The solemn tone of their message seems to mourn the environmental passage of time.

By George B. Emmons

George_080416

State of Buzzards Bay Report

on

Harmful nitrogen pollution in Buzzards Bay did not get worse in 2015 for the first time in over a decade, reflecting an encouraging pause in the decline of the health of local harbors, coves and tidal rivers across the South Coast and Cape Cod’s western shore, according to the Buzzards Bay Coalition’s latest State of Buzzards Bay report.

After falling at a dramatic rate of three points every four years since 2003 – when the Coalition released its first State of Buzzards Bay report – the score for nitrogen pollution score levelled off in 2015.

“Since 2003, we have documented troubling trends in the health of Buzzards Bay. No factor has continued to suppress Bay health and restoration efforts more than nitrogen pollution,” said Buzzards Bay Coalition President Mark Rasmussen. “But local efforts to clean up nitrogen pollution from septic systems and sewer plants, as well as to prevent new sources of pollution, may be beginning to stop these declines.”

Nitrogen pollution is the biggest threat facing the health of Buzzards Bay. Data collected through the Coalition’s Baywatchers monitoring program show that more than half of the Bay’s harbors, coves, and tidal rivers suffer from nitrogen pollution – from West Falmouth Harbor all the way to the Westport Rivers. When water is polluted with nitrogen, it becomes cloudy and murky with algae, and fish, shellfish and eelgrass begin to disappear.

The State of Buzzards Bay uses nine different indicators to track the health of Buzzards Bay. These indicators are grouped into three categories: Pollution; Watershed Health; and Living Resources. Overall, Buzzards Bay received a score of 45 out of 100.

Pollution (Nitrogen, Bacteria, Toxics): All three pollution indicators remained steady in the 2015 State of the Bay. Towns across the South Coast and Cape Cod are taking steps to reduce nitrogen pollution, and those actions are working to stop the Bay’s decline. However, the bacteria and toxics scores have stagnated after steady improvement in past reports.

Watershed Health (Wetlands, Forests, Stream Buffers): Across the region, proactive land conservation and permitting at the local level led to another year of stability in the scores for wetlands, forests and stream buffers. These important habitats filter out nitrogen pollution and protect clean water in Buzzards Bay.

Living Resources (Eelgrass, Bay Scallops, River Herring): Overall, the score for eelgrass did not change in 2015, reflecting the reductions in nitrogen pollution, which impacts this underwater habitat. Bay scallops and river herring populations remain dangerously low in Buzzards Bay after stunning declines over the last several decades.

“While we celebrate the pause in Bay decline documented in this report, more work lies ahead to reclaim the Buzzards Bay of our parents’ childhoods – a Bay of sparkling, clear water and abundant fish and shellfish,” said Rasmussen. “The formula for pulling the Bay out of the hole we created is clear: continued vigilance to protect our most critical forests, wetlands and stream buffers, and bold action to clean up nitrogen pollution from septic systems.”

To create the State of the Bay report, the Buzzards Bay Coalition collaborates with scientists and land use experts to examine the best-available current and historical data. Every four years, the Coalition assesses these same nine indicators as a consistent method for tracking progress and pollution over time.

To learn more and download the report, visit www.savebuzzardsbay.org/about-us/publications/state-of-buzzards-bay/.

Sippican Historical Society’s Speaker Series

on

On August 4, the Sippican Historical will host Chris Black and B. Jay Cooper, who will discuss their new book, Mac Baldrige: The Cowboy in Ronald Reagan’s Cabinet. The book recounts the Washington career of Mac Baldrige, the Commerce Secretary during the Reagan Administration. Ronald Reagan assumed the presidency at a time when Japan and Europe, fully recovered from wartime devastation, threatened America’s position as the number one economy in the world. Manufacturing was in decline; traditional industries were being beaten by foreign competitors; many American industries had grown complacent. President Reagan named Mac Baldrige, an industrialist (and card-carrying member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association), to his cabinet in order to address these economic challenges. Mac Baldrige was a pragmatist, not an ideologue. He advocated a middle ground between the close-the-borders rhetoric of the protectionists and the unfettered free-for-all preferred by some business interests. He called it “fair trade” and it became the official policy of the Reagan Administration. Baldrige led a billion dollar company prior to his appointment to the cabinet and once famously complained that corporate America had grown “fat, dumb and happy.” This book recalls an era when Democrats and Republicans were social friends despite their philosophical differences and compromise was the mark of a shrewd and skillful leader. It also recounts the Washington career of an American original during the era still celebrated by its supporters as “morning in America.”

Chris Black is a longtime journalist and writer. She was a political reporter for more than 30 years and worked at the Boston Globe and as a White House and Congressional Correspondent for Cable Network News (CNN). She now writes and ghost writes books in a variety of genres. B. Jay Cooper served as Mac Baldrige’s speechwriter and director of public affairs at the Commerce Department. He also is a former deputy press secretary to Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush; former director of communications at the Republican National Committee and a former spokesman and communications director at Yale University. Cooper met Baldrige while covering him as a reporter in Waterbury, Connecticut, and was asked by Baldrige to come to Washington to work with him. Mac Baldrige: The Cowboy in Ronald Reagan’s Cabinet is their first collaboration as a married couple. They live on a tidal river in Marion, Massachusetts.

“Night Out” For Tri-Town

on

The third edition of the local police enforcement’s “National Night Out” took place under an iron-colored sky on Tuesday evening. The sky, however, didn’t deter families from swarming over the front field of ORR, enjoying an afternoon of fun. The local search and rescue team handed out Dunkin’ Donuts. There was pizza available next to the SWAT BearCat vehicle. An ice cream truck stood in close proximity to shining fire trucks. Above it all, a massive American flag shifted in the breeze.

The law enforcement divisions of the Tri-Town teamed up to bring the event to the community. National Night Out is an event aimed at promoting police-community partnerships and it allows people to meet the local law enforcement in a friendly, social way.

“We thought we needed it for the community,” said Rochester Police Chief Paul Magee. “It’s great for the kids. We want kids to know that we’re here to help. Sometimes kids see a cop car on the side of the road, and they get a little nervous. So we want them to meet us in a friendly situation.”

Magee said the idea for the local event came about as he visited a similar event held in Kingston several years ago. “We thought we really needed something like this locally,” he explained, “but it’s hard for any single division to host the entire event. The three towns all work closely, and we came together again to all produce this.” They received aid from several local businesses, who donated food and drinks to the event, as well as mini-games.

More than anything else, though, Magee said the event was aimed at providing an opportunity for fun for the entire family. “It’s sometimes tough to go out as a family when everything costs money,” he said. “We wanted to make a free evening for the entire family to have fun. It’s a chance to give back to the community.”

By the looks of it, the police force made a success of the event. The local fire departments offered a “Spin the Wheel” game, where children answered basic safety related questions to win a plastic fire helmet; the field was dotted by dozens of red helmets. Some children played at the mini batting cages or hoops games, while others climbed over the harbormaster’s boat or peered out of the top of the SWAT team’s armored vehicle, the BearCat. A line of police cars and trucks, flashing their lights, sat at the edge of the field. Parents and children took turns sitting at the helm of the all-terrain vehicle and attached stretcher.

Towards the end of the day, the sun broke through the clouds.

Pleased with the turnout, Magee indicated that the event would return next year. “We’re always looking for new ideas,” he said, “but this event gets bigger every year. It’s a valuable community event, and the kids love it.” The cheerful voices and bouncing fire helmets echo his words.

By Andrea Ray

NightOut_181406 NightOut_181444 NightOut_181512 NightOut_181533 NightOut_181538 NightOut_181617 NightOut_181637 NightOut_181744 NightOut_181912 NightOut_181950 NightOut_182005

Board Hits the Brakes on Gas Station Construction

on

The Rochester Planning Board, unhappy about what Chairman Arnold Johnson called a violation of the terms set during site plan review, gave a preview of what is to come at their next meeting after breezing through a couple of approvals during the July 26 meeting.

Colbea Enterprises, developers of a proposed Shell gas station and Seasons convenience store on Cranberry Highway at the corner of Routes 58 and 28, will be back in front of the Planning Board for commencing excavation for construction at the site prior to holding a pre-construction informal meeting with a representative from the board, as stipulated in the 2014 conditions of approval.

Johnson said Town Planner Mary Crain contacted one representative of the developer who Johnson said “pled ignorance.”

Johnson said the building permit could be revoked if the developer does not comply with the terms.

Planning Board member Gary Florindo added, “I’m going to ask them why they unloaded the excavator onto the blacktop that the state just installed last year.”

Also during the meeting, the board approved the Special Permit, Groundwater Protection District Special Permit, and Scenic Highway Special Permit for Meadowatt, LLC, developers of a proposed large-scale solar farm on Route 105.

The board also approved Ryan and Kristina Bacchiocchi’s daycare expansion parking area application for 428 Walnut Plain Road.

“This is probably one of the simplest decisions that we’ve issued in a long time,” said Johnson, giving two thumbs up before calling a roll call. All board members gave approval just before member Lee Carr decided to feign a moment of doubt to mess with Ms. Bacchiocchi who was eager to see the plan approved. The board and Bacchiocchi chuckled.

“You’re starting to act like Ben,” joked Florindo, referring to member Ben Bailey.

The next meeting of the Rochester Planning Board is scheduled for August 9 at 7:15 pm at the Rochester Town Hall.

By Jean Perry

 

Illegal Apartment May Not Be Used

on

What started out as an approved use for a home-based business, but ultimately became a rental unit above a garage, was deemed illegal when the Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals heard the case for a variance on July 21.

Dr. Tedor Georgescu and his wife bought the 121 North Street property expressly because it was sold to them as a large four-bedroom single-family home with a stand-alone garage containing a second story one-bedroom apartment. Their attorney, Michael Kehoe, told the board members that without the rental income, which the Georgescus believed they were entitled to collect, paying the mortgage and taxes on the property would be a hardship.

When the Simmons family sold the property to Georgescu, the garage apartment was already being rented out rather than being used as an owner/office. But Director of Inspectional Services Andy Bobola said, “The original variance was granted as a business, not an apartment.”

Kehoe said, “This hasn’t been done in the cloak of darkness.” He asserted that neighbors were aware of the rental, that the Georgescus were totally unaware of the illegal status of the apartment, and that it has its own septic and heating system. Kehoe also impressed upon the board that if they granted the variance for a multi-family permit, Georgescu would install all necessary fire safety equipment for code compliance. He said the apartment already had two exterior points of egress.

Board member Mary Ann Brogan asked, “Did they do a title search?”

“Yes, and we don’t know how it was missed,” replied Kehoe.

Bobola said, “There is no record of any apartment being created.” Putting the blame on the sellers, Kehoe said, “The former owners should have disclosed.”

Bobola explained that over his many years of service to the town in his role as building code enforcement officer, hundreds of homeowners have attempted to obtain variances to allow the construction of second story garage spaces for rental units. He said, “It doesn’t meet any of our bylaws.” He said that in trying to work with Georgescu, it had been “a struggle” as Bobola attempted to persuade him to apply for a variance at the very least. He said that it wasn’t until legal action was proposed that Georgescu finally submitted his application for relief.

Brogan wondered aloud, “You’re asking us to sanction a two-family?”

Kehoe responded, “They took over from the previous owner and kept on doing what the owner was doing.”

Chairman Susan Akin said, “I’m bothered about setting a precedent.”

Board member Norman Lyonnais said he had been on the board when a similar action came before them. He said he understood the hardship.

In spite of letters from several neighbors in support of the variance, one neighbor came forward against. Jean DeCoffe said, “When Connie had the property, it was always meant to be an office.” Gesturing towards the Georgescus she continued, “They purchased in 2010; this is 2016. This is not an accepted apartment.” She also said that water issues were a problem for the homes built in the area.

DeCoffe’s statements enraged Georgescu. He lashed out, saying, “You’ve been against this development from the beginning!” Kehoe was able to assist Georgescu in regaining his composure.

When the board deliberated the case, Lyonnais said, “I feel for these people, but just because it’s a hardship doesn’t mean we’re going to do it.” The board unanimously denied granting a variance.

Other cases heard included Stuart LeGassick, 5 Beacon Street, who sought and received a Special Permit to construct a single-stall garage and additional living space.

Also receiving a Special Permit after some debate on a necessary curb cut on Route 6 was Gregory Noblet. Noblet had received incorrect information from town documents that had indicated a parcel he owned adjacent to one on which he built his home met zoning requirements that would allow Noblet to sell the property as a buildable lot.

For years, Noblet paid taxes on the lot and had gone so far as to pay the sewer betterment fees. Recently, he learned the town’s records were, in fact, incorrect.

Bobola said this was a unique situation, that the records had been wrong for decades, and were wrong at the registry of deeds.

Drusilla Perry, 4 Martin Avenue, expressed concern that her abutting property would be negatively affected by stormwater runoff and that it was a safety issue to allow a curb cut on Route 6. She was informed that the Massachusetts Department of Transportation would be the governing body regarding a curb cut on the state highway, not the town.

Another abutter, Barbara White, 99 County Road, said that driveways on Route 6 were always dangerous, but that water was not a problem in the area.

The board members sided with Noblet and granted his request.

Blue Wave LLC, whose solar project on Crystal Spring Road hit a snag when Sun Edison filed for bankruptcy, sought an extension of their Special Permit to construct a solar array at that location. Representing the applicant, Rick Charon of Charon & Associates said that work had begun at the site and, although another utility will replace Sun Edison, the scope of the project will not and had not changed. He explained that an extension was no longer necessary and asked to withdraw the application without prejudice. The request was granted.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals will be scheduled for August 18 at 6:00 pm in the town hall conference room if there are scheduled hearings.

By Marilou Newell

 

Upcoming at Elizabeth Taber Library

on

The Elizabeth Taber Library will present Yoga with Kathy on Tuesday, August 2 at 11:00 am. Please bring your yoga mat and join us outside of the Elizabeth Taber Library for a yoga program for adults led by Kathy Bliss. Please note: a rain date has been scheduled for Thursday, August 4 at 11:00 am. To register, please stop in or call the Elizabeth Taber Library at 508-748-1252.

Seining the Shore

on

The Buzzards Bay Coalition hosted a “Seining the Shore” activity with a couple dozen kids at Silvershell beach on Friday, July 22. The kids practiced tossing the seine net to capture small sea creatures and explore what was caught. Photos by Jean Perry

 

BBCseining_8629 BBCseining_8630 BBCseining_8631 BBCseining_8639 BBCseining_8642

Joseph Christopher Higgins Jr.

on

Joseph Christopher Higgins Jr., of Marion and Vero Beach, FL, passed away August 1, 2016. He was the beloved husband of Catharine (Reagan) Higgins and father of Joseph C. Higgins III and his wife Kim of Danvers, Molly C. Mahn of Pennington, NJ, Catharine M. Higgins of Mt. Pleasant, SC, Robert R. Higgins and his wife Michelle of Chatham, NJ, Michael P. Higgins and his wife Maria of Rochester, Timothy J. Higgins and his wife Kristen of Pennington, NJ and Philip C. and his husband Matthew Smith of Salem. Joe is also survived by 23 grandchildren. He was the brother of Eleanor Rodgers of Portland, ME, Alice Slattery of Framingham, Evelyn Beveridge of Scituate, James F. Higgins of Jupiter, FL, John Higgins of Jamaica Plain and the late Mary Nash.

Joe was the retired President and Chairman of J.C. Higgins Mechanical Contractors.

His funeral will be held on Friday August 5th at 10:45 AM from the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Road (Rt. 6), Mattapoisett, followed by his Funeral Mass at Saint Anthony’s Church, 22 Barstow Street, Mattapoisett at 12 Noon. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday August 4th from 3-7 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations in Joe’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101-9929. For online condolence, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com

New Bedford Man Leads Area Police on Chase

on

On Monday August 1 at 1:10pm Rochester Police received a call reporting an erratic operator driving a Chevy Blazer on Mary’s Pond Road near Pierce Street. The reporting party stated the Blazer was all over the road and driving in the wrong lane. As officers headed toward the area, the reporting party said that the operator of the Blazer had pulled over, exited his vehicle and began to strike it repeatedly with a hatchet.

Sergeant Robert Small arrived on scene and observed the man striking his own vehicle with the hatchet. Upon seeing the cruiser, he began to flee on foot. Sgt Small followed in his cruiser until the man stopped, turned around, raised the hatchet and began to run toward the cruiser.

As Sgt Small prepared to exit his cruiser and encounter the man, he ran past the cruiser and got back in his vehicle and fled. With assistance from Rochester Officer Robert Nordahl he was pursued through Rochester, Acushnet and into New Bedford. During the pursuit he threw items from the car and poured lighter fluid on himself and on the vehicle. He was also waiving the hatchet out the window as he drove.

Rochester police terminated the pursuit in New Bedford once New Bedford Police entered into the chase. As the officers made their way back to town, the chase circled back through Fairhaven, Mattapoisett, Marion and Wareham. Several attempts were made to stop the vehicle with spike strips but they were not successful. The chase continued back through Mattapoisett, Fairhaven and eventually back into New Bedford where the suspect abandoned his vehicle and fled on foot. He was taken into custody by the State Police.

Rochester Police are filing charges in Wareham District Court against the driver, 50-year-old Randall W. Harrison of Summer Street in New Bedford. Harrison will be charged with negligent operation of a motor vehicle, failure to stay in marked lanes, disorderly conduct, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, failure to stop for a stop sign and failure to stop for police.

Rochester Police Chief Paul Magee says that Harrison has a lengthy criminal history including resisting arrest and negligent operation and that his driving history with the Registry of Motor Vehicles is extensive with multiple license suspensions and offenses dating back to 1989. Rochester Police have filed an immediate threat request with the registry to have his license suspended immediately.

Chief Magee said that the chase was primarily at low speeds. Magee said he is happy that this dangerous person was taken into custody and that none of the involved officers or any citizens were injured.

 

Rochester Police Department Press Release