Boys’ Basketball Loses Heartbreaker to Apponequet

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In an extremely rare occurrence, Old Rochester Regional Boys’ Basketball lost a game this week, falling 63-60 to a tough Apponequet team. However, the team remains 12-1 and in the driver’s seat for another SCC Championship. Other highlights this week include a Girls’ Swimming win over Pope John Paul aided by a fantastic performance from senior Colleen Beatriz, and a pair of track meets over the weekend that featured standout performances from Bulldog athletes.

Boys’ Basketball: The boys got back into action against the Case Cardinals on the road on Tuesday. It was an easy win for the ‘Dogs, who triumphed 74-54 behind a balanced offensive attack. The win marked their 28th consecutive SCC victory and 19th in a row overall as they improved to 12-0 on the season. They stayed on the road to play Apponequet on Friday. Unfortunately, star center Matt Valles missed the game due to illness. This left the Bulldogs vulnerable in the front court, and they were exposed early on as the Lakers jumped out to a 15-2 lead. The ‘Dogs rebounded well, stayed neck and neck with Apponequet for the entirety of the second half, and even led 32-30 early in the third quarter. However, the Lakers were tough down the stretch and held on for a 63-60 win, handing ORR their first loss since last February. Only five players scored for ORR, a departure from the usually well-spread offense of the team, and a result of the close game. They were led in the points department by senior Evan Santos (19), senior Will Santos (13), and sophomore Jason Gamache (13). This week, the Bulldogs have two home games as they take on GNB Voc-Tech on Tuesday and Wareham High on Friday.

            Girls’ Basketball: The Lady Bulldogs took on Case at home on Tuesday, earning a 43-30 victory. On Friday, they remained at home to face the Lady Lakers of Apponequet; however, the offense couldn’t quite come together in a 40-22 loss. The team’s leading scores were juniors Sophie Church (8) and Olivia Labbe (7). This week, they will be on the road for games against GNB Voc-Tech (Tuesday) and Wareham (Friday).

Boys’ Track: Some freshmen and sophomores competed at GNB Voc-Tech in an invitational meet on Saturday. Freshman Adam Sylvia had his debut in the 600m with a time of 1:34.25. Other strong performances came from sophomore Nick Elkalassi in the 55m dash (7:12 in prelims) and sophomore Harry Smith, who won the 55m hurdles with a time of 8.64. The next day, the Bulldogs had athletes at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston for the ‘Last Chance to Qualify’ meet. Juniors Danny Renwick and Eli Spevack enjoyed big afternoons, as Renwick thrived in the long jump, jumping 19-9, and also ran an 8.7 in the 55m hurdles. Spevack ran an 8.4 in the 55m hurdle prelims, qualifying for the finals where he ran an 8.5. He added a long jump of 18-3.5. Other great performances came in the 55m from sophomore sprinters Elkalassi (6.98) and Smith (7.19). Freshman Will Garcia ran 7.17 in the 55m, and his classmate Sylvia ran a 4:52.3 mile. This week, the much-anticipated SCC Championship will be hosted at GNB Voc-Tech on Saturday morning.

            Girls’ Track: Top freshmen and sophomore girls were at GNB Voc-Tech on Saturday to run in an underclassmen-only invitational meet. Some of the highlights of the meet came from sophomore Samantha Ball in the 1000m (3:25.7) and sophomore Madisen Martin in the shot put (31-1.5) and 300m (46.7). Sophomore Rachel Demmer ran a 47.4 in the 300m. Another sophomore, Maggie Adams, had a big day by finishing second in the 55m hurdles and winning the high jump at 4-10. Carly Demanche, also a sophomore, ran a 1:52.3 in the 600m and jumped 4-6. The following day, a variety of Lady Bulldogs ran in the ‘Last Chance to Qualify’ meet at the Reggie Lewis Center. Senior Zoe Smith performed well in the 55m (7.82) and won the 55m hurdles (8.99). She was joined in the hurdle finals by three teammates: seniors Morgan Middleton (9.23) and Elexus Afonso (9.58) and junior Brooke Santos (9.25). Later, Afonso was seventh in the long jump (15-11.5) and Smith was ninth (15-7.25). The girls also received contributions from Demmer (55m, 55m hurdles) and freshman Caroline Walsh (55m, long jump). This week, the SCC championship will occur at GNB Voc-Tech on Saturday morning.

Boys’ Swimming: The boys started off the week with a meet at Apponequet on Tuesday that resulted in a 97-29 loss. The Bulldogs faced a rare non-conference rival, Pope John Paul II, at Sandwich High School on Friday night as they continued to try for their first win. Although the ‘Dogs lost a close meet 56-48, the team received excellent performances from freshman Tyler Kulak, who was a double winner. Kulak came in first in both the 200m IM (2:28.5) and the 100m freestyle (58.5). Junior Adam Perkins and senior Nate Wentworth each won an event, with Perkins winning the 50m freestyle (26.98) and Wentworth taking first in the 500m freestyle (6:50.15). This week, the Bulldogs will be in Seekonk on Thursday to compete in the SCC Championship against Seekonk, Dighton-Rehoboth, and Apponequet.

            Girls’ Swimming: The Lady Bulldogs began their week at Apponequet on Tuesday. There, they lost a 119-51 meet. On Friday night, the girls took on non-conference Pope John Paul II at Sandwich High School. The Lady Bulldogs earned a resounding 95-51 victory, led by a huge night from senior Colleen Beatriz. Beatriz won both the 50m freestyle (31.7) and the 100m freestyle (1:10.1), and she also contributed to a winning 200m medley team that included seniors Teagan Walsh and Molly Richards and sophomore Madison Carvalho. Continuing her incredible night, Beatriz swam alongside sophomores Megan Field and Erin Burke, as well as freshman Claire Noble-Shriver, on a winning 400m medley team that swam a time of 4:27.6. In addition, Field won the 200m freestyle, Richards was first in the 500m freestyle, and the Lady Bulldogs received other wins from Noble-Shriver in the 100m IM, sophomore Ellie Wiggin in the 100m breaststroke, and sophomore Ainslee Bangs in the diving competition. On Thursday, the Lady Bulldogs will be at Seekonk to swim in the SCC Championship against Seekonk, D-R, and Apponequet.

            Boys’ Ice Hockey: The Bulldogs/Blue Devils were home to begin the week on Wednesday, playing at the Travis Roy Rink at Tabor against Bourne. Buoyed by the return of star junior Sam Henrie, the ORR/Fairhaven contingent rolled to a 3-0 win to clinch the SCC Championship. Junior goalie Chase Cunningham continued his excellent season with the key shutout. The boys will stay at home on Wednesday to take on SCC rival Wareham. After a number of home games, the boys will be on the road at Driscoll Skating Rink in Fall River to play Dighton-Rehoboth on Saturday night.

            Girls’ Ice Hockey: The girls’ sole game this week was against Pembroke at their home rink (The John Gallo Ice Arena in Bourne) on Saturday night. Sadly, they were shut out 6-0. The girls have two more home games this week: one against Marshfield High on Wednesday and the other against Sandwich High on Saturday night.

Below are the overall winter team records, followed by the conference records in wins, losses, and ties as of February 1.

            Boys’ Basketball: (12-1-0)(12-1-0); Girls’ Basketball: (4-10-0)(4-9-0); Boys’ Track: (8-1-0)(8-1-0); Girls’ Track: (9-0-0)(9-0-0); Boys’ Swimming: (0-8-0)(0-6-0); Girls’ Swimming: (3-5-0)(1-5-0); Boys’ Ice Hockey: (8-3-4)(5-0-1); Girls’ Ice Hockey: (2-9-0)(2-8-0).

By Patrick Briand

 

Planning Board Addresses Non-Conformance

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The Marion Planning Board was taken slightly aback on February 1 by a non-conforming structure addition submitted by Garrett Bradley of 8 Park Street, and they conversed candidly as they tried to figure out how to handle it.

“I have no idea how these plans conform to the actual lot,” board member Norm Hills observed.

“I have the plan,” Administrative Assistant Terri Santos said, spreading the map over the table.

“Oh, so we only got one plan!” Chairman Robert Lane surmised, as the entire board gathered around the table to scrutinize the plans. The plans were for a second-floor addition over a non-conforming garage.

“It seems like a little much,” observed board member Jennifer Francis.

“Well, they might stay within the original footprint,” Lane said.

“They’re going to expand the footprint; it’s in the plans,” Hills rebutted. Francis joined in. “It looks like the addition is going to quadruple the volume of the original plan!”

“What should we tell them?” Lane mulled. Eventually they opted for a note telling the applicants to consider the fact that the proposal exceeded the non-conformance of the current non-conforming structure. “It’s a substantial increase of footprint and square footage,” said Lane.

Still marveling over the addition plans, the board moved on to another request. G.A.F. Engineering, Inc. recently filed an Approval Not Required application with the Planning Board for Map 5, Lot 23 Ridgewood Lane. Representative Bob Rogers was on hand to explain the ANR designation.

“The extension was previously approved in May 2007 with approval conditions. The condition for approval was that the applicant must deed a portion of the land parcel to a suitable entity for conservation or recreation,” he explained. “Since the building lot abuts the Sippican Land Trust, a six and quarter parcel will be combined with the Sippican Land Trust.”

“Has the Conservation Commission approved the plans?” Lane inquired.

“The Conservation Commission approved these plans all the way back in 2004,” Rogers assured him.

In other matters, Hills asked about the status of the board’s annual report.

“I filed it,” replied Lane.

“You filed it?” Hills replied. “Did the board ever get to see it?”

“No, it’s handed to me and I file it. We’ve always done it this way,” Lane explained.

“My experience in the past has always been that the board gets approval,” Hills pointed out.

“Your experience isn’t with the Planning Board,” Lane stated. “Here, we’ve always done it this way.”

“Just because we’ve always done it this way, doesn’t make it right,” Hills insisted.

“Noted, now let’s move on,” Lane said, settling the issue.

At that point, there was only one agenda bulletin left to cover, which was an initial draft of the Peer Review Engineering Contract.

The contract was drafted for the potential hiring of a peer review engineer in Marion for future projects. “It’s not urgent,” Lane said, cutting across the subject quickly. “I propose that we wait on the drafts until we’ve heard from [Marion Town Counsel] Jon Witten.” The board agreed.

In other matters, Hills mentioned “complete streets,” which is an idea Marion has been considering to alleviate traffic circulation problems and make roads safer for pedestrians and bicyclists. Complete roads offer bike lanes and sidewalks separate from car traffic lanes.

“I attended a workshop on complete streets a few weeks ago, and it’s a good thing that I did,” said Hills. “It turns out that, if I hadn’t gone, Marion wouldn’t be eligible for complete streets,” he reported, hints of bewilderment and amusement in his voice.

Also during the meeting, Hills questioned the rainfall amounts in the bylaws.

“We currently use the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) rainfall data and table from 1998 as a reference in our subdivision bylaws,” Hills explained. “I think we should consider changing the reference in the bylaws to the more recent NOAA rainfall table from 2015. It would be more recent and accurate than the information from 1998.”

Fellow board members chimed in with agreement.

“I’ve read the table and the information, and I find it well-informed,” said member Michael Popitz. “I feel that we should reference this table in the future.”

“Whatever we can do to help infrastructure handle climate change while moving forwards, we should do,” Francis observed as she echoed Popitz’s agreement.

The next meeting of the Marion Planning Board will take place on Tuesday, February 16 at 7:00 pm at the Marion Music Hall.

By Andrea Ray

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Marion, Are You Ready for Disaster?

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Should a disaster or emergency ever fall upon Marion, you’d be in good hands with the Marion/Rochester Regional Health District and community volunteers who would be ready and waiting to assist you at Sippican School, Marion’s designated emergency shelter.

Local health officials, in conjunction with the Medical Reserve Corps, have spent the last year mobilizing volunteers and coordinating their efforts to establish one cohesive plan for setting up an efficient and fully functioning emergency shelter for Marion and Rochester residents.

Regional Coordinator Lisa Jackson gave about 20 area residents an introduction to the logistics of an emergency shelter at Sippican, a list of dos for those needing shelter, and a message on the importance of volunteering.

First, when arriving at the school, residents are required to sign-in, and sign-out should they leave. Jackson stressed the importance of this first step in the process.

“It’s accountability,” said Jackson. Not only does it ensure that people can be safely located within the building, it also helps when relatives might be looking for someone in the event of a disaster. When a person’s name appears on the sign-in/sign-out sheet, families can be reunited easier.

Several mock stations were set up so residents could tour the virtual emergency shelter, seeing where cots would be provided in a make-shift dormitory in the all-purpose room, where food service would be located in the cafeteria, where medical treatment could be found, and where pets could be kept.

Yes, pets are allowed at the Marion emergency shelter.

“It helps people feel more at ease with their pets with them,” said Health Agent Karen Walega.

Pet owners should bring their own pet food and crates, although a few extra crates would be available for smaller animals. There is even a veterinarian on the roster of local volunteers.

Residents should come prepared with their own medications and bedding, and anyone with special dietary needs or food allergies should bring with them the supplies they need.

The shelter at Sippican School last opened during the blizzard of 2013 when the town lost power for 50 hours.

“It got cold real fast,” said Marion Police Chief Lincoln Miller. About 180 people came out, either to sleep or just to warm up for a while. Some came just to charge their electronic devices at a charging station set up to keep in contact with loved ones while warming up.

“That was one of the largest sheltering [operations] we’ve ever had in this town,” said Miller.

It gave health officials and emergency response personnel the opportunity to assess areas that needed improvement and where there was a shortage in volunteers.

There is still a need for volunteers, said Jackson. You do not need to be a medical specialist, either. The local MRC needs data entry help, personal care assistants, childcare workers, food workers, and communications workers, among other things.

“Not all communities are this well-prepared,” said Jackson.

Public Health Nurse Kathleen Downy urged community members to contact her with interest in volunteering. She said people who come to the shelter feel more comfortable with familiar faces from the community volunteering.

“Please join the MRC,” said Downey. “It’s a great organization.”

By Jean Perry

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Friends of the Mattapoisett Library Book Sale

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The Friends of the Mattapoisett Library’s monthly Book Sale is Saturday, February 13 from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm at the library, 7 Barstow Street. This month, the Friends offer nearly all new fiction in nearly-new condition. Popular authors like Jodi Picoult and Stephen King are well represented. There is also a good selection of children’s books, and you could find just the right book for your sweetie in time for Valentine’s Day.

Community Preservation Act Funding

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Applications for Community Preservation Act funding are now available in the Marion Town House located at 2 Spring Street, Marion, MA 02738. The Community Preservation Act is a Massachusetts Law that allows participating cities and towns to adopt a real estate tax surcharge, supplemented by State matching funds in order to fund community preservation. Eligible projects must be directed towards: open space/recreation; historic preservation; or community housing. Applications must be received no later than February 26 to be considered for presentation at the May 2016 Annual Town Meeting.

Some recent examples of projects supported by Community Preservation funds include:

– Financing the design, construction and equipping of the Marion Town House.

– Designing an accessible boardwalk and viewing platform at Osprey Marsh.

– Securing nine affordable housing units having affordable housing deed restrictions for ninety-nine (99) years.

– Replacing fencing at the Point Road Playground and Washburn Park.

– Preserving the Marion Music Hall.

– Installing playground equipment at Washburn Park and the Point Road playground.

– Rebuilding the viewing platform in Pierson Woods.

– Replacement of windows at the Sippican Woman’s Club.

– Restoration of the steeple at the Marion Art Center.

Trash Talk Continues

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The Mattapoisett Planning Board has seen several requests from subdivisions and cluster housing developments for changes to their covenants – changes that would allow those residents to participate in municipal trash collection. To date, the board has approved covenant modifications that would allow the Bay Club, Villages of Mattapoisett, and Brandt Point Village to petition the Board of Health to receive trash collection under the contract the town currently has with ABC Disposal.

The modifications executed by the Planning Board after consultation with town counsel contains language that provides an exit to the modification if the town incurs additional costs by approving trash collection from these special neighborhoods. With all this as the background, resident Paul Osenkowski, a vocal opponent of these changes, brought the subject up again during the February 1 meeting of the Planning Board.

Osenkowski presented the board members with copies of proposed contracts between the Bay Club for $16,900, Village of Mattapoisett for $8,500 and Mattapoisett Landing for $4,700 and ABC Disposal for an upcoming contractual period. He shared his sentiments with the board members that the contracts may represent additional costs to the town by approving covenant modifications. He said, with the limited revenue sources the town had, incurring additional public service costs would drive up residential taxes.

Board member Karen Field responded, “But didn’t we say if it cost more, it would revert back to the subdivisions?” Members Mary Crain and Nathan Ketchel, after reviewing the changes they executed to one of the covenants, concurred that was in fact the case.

“I’m asking the Planning Board to at least look into this, “ Osenkowski asked. The board members agreed to check into the matter further.

Other business handled earlier in the evening was a meeting with engineer Douglas Schneider regarding property owned on Wildwood Terrace. His client, Bruce Rocha, was applying for clarification of lot lines that were established via deeds versus plans of record. The Planning Board moved to accept the clarification.

Tree Warden Roland Cote also came before the board with two requests to remove diseased trees located at the corner of Beacon and Foster Street and at 136 North Street. After producing photographic evidence of the necessity to remove the trees, board members moved to approve the removals. Cote said that the trees would not be felled until the summer due to financial constraints at this time and assured the board that new trees would be planted.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board is scheduled for March 7 at 7:00 pm in the town hall conference room.

By Marilou Newell

 

Author Hank Phillippi Ryan Offers Hope

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At the age of 55, Hank Phillippi Ryan, well known investigative reporter and now award-winning author, decided she could – and therefore would – write mystery novels.

That was 11 years ago, she told a packed room at the Mattapoisett Public Library on January 31. And how right she was to follow her dream, one that had started decades earlier back in her Indiana childhood.

The real life scene is set in rural Indiana where the young Ryan and her sister rode their ponies to the library every Saturday. Ryan stocked up on the ‘Nancy Drews’ and ‘Sherlocks.’ Those books transported her, instilling a love for a good story that included “problems to be solved.”

Ryan shared that, as a child, she wasn’t the most popular kid in school. She wasn’t a cheerleader; she was more of an outsider especially by the time she got to junior high. She was nominated as the “most individual” by her classmates, a distinction that did not endear her to them or vice versa. Her photograph was even published upside down in the school year book. It felt like harsh uncalled-for treatment to Ryan. But it was also turning point.

While her mother comforted her wounded pre-teen ego, she told Ryan that “the world wasn’t fair” and that she needed to get used to it.

“Then and there I decided I would make things better,” Ryan told a rapt audience.

Fast-forward, Ryan would spend the next 30-odd years pursuing truth, uncovering secrets, and reporting crimes.

“I wanted to make a difference, make things better,” she said as she described exposing problems in the 911 system, medical treatments to aid in disease control for newborns, alerting the public to unscrupulous home improvement contractors, and even taking on the mortgage crisis. And while her years of delving into stories and issues of the day was satisfying, earning her an astonishing 33 Emmys and 13 Edward R. Murrow awards, the desire to write crime fiction was ever present.

Ryan has taken decades of investigative experiences and blended it with that desire to tell good stories, using what she described as a proven formula: two engaging characters that return to each story, themes ripped from her own headlines, knowledge of how the criminal mind works, a murder or two, and a happy ending.

Once again, Ryan has shown that where there is hope, there is possibility; her crime fictions have reached the heights of acclaim with five Agathas, two Anthonys, the Daphne, two Macavitys, and the Mary Higgins Clark award.

“I am the poster child for following your dreams,” she said wrapping-up her nearly hour-long presentation. “I am proof that is it never too late.”

Ryan’s guest speaking engagement coordinates with the Mattapoisett Library staff’s ongoing training program. This year, the library received a LSTA grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. The grant provides for staff development in the practice of referring and assisting readers to their next good book. The library staff will be focusing on adult mysteries throughout the year, according to Library Director Susan Pizzolato.

Ryan’s books are available throughout the Tri-Town library system, but you might have to go on a waiting list based on the enthusiastic crowd that lined up to shake Ryan’s hand in thanks and appreciation for an interesting and entertaining afternoon.

By the way, her given name is Harriet Anne in case you were curious. You can follow Hank on Facebook or visit www.hankphillippiryan.com.

By Marilou Newell

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Blizzard Warning Issued for Tri-Town

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Blizzard Warning Issued for Tri-Town

By Jean Perry

Just when you think we’ve escaped the seemingly weak clutches of this year’s winter, the National Weather Service has just issued a blizzard warning for Plymouth County and Southeast Massachusetts, including the towns of Mattapoisett, Marion, and Rochester between the hours of 4:00 am to 7:00 pm Monday, February 8.

Eight to ten inches of snow should be expected, with the potential for up to 18 inches, accompanied by strong winds and whiteout visibility conditions

This means power outages could be widespread throughout the area from fallen tree limbs and power lines.

Residents are warned to stay indoors and avoid travel between the hours of 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, the duration of the highest intensity of snowfall.

Winds will blow 30-40 mph, with gusts up to 65 mph.

Don’t forget to charge your electronic devices tonight and The Wanderer will continue to keep you updated as the storm develops and details emerge about emergency shelter openings and municipal cancelations.

Photo Credit: National Weather Service

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Rochester Land Trust

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The Rochester Land Trust (RLT) is pleased to announce the purchase of an 11-acre property from new Rochester residents Mike and Charlotte Spieldenner. This acquisition was made with the help of a Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program grant and will allow RLT to open nearly 44 acres to the public. In 2006, the Fordyce Properties Trust donated 26.5 acres to the RLT, but due to inaccessibility caused by wetlands, it wasn’t opened to the public. An abutting, 5.8-acre parcel owned by the Rochester Conservation Commission, which had previously been landlocked, can now also be enjoyed.

There are several trails, made by wildlife, neighborhood kids, and hunters, running through these formerly separate properties. RLT will work to clear these trails as weather permits. This property can be accessed through the town-owned drainage parcel at the bottom of Haskell Ridge Road off of Walnut Plain Road. An official opening walk will be announced in the spring.

Academic Achievements

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Emma Nizzari, an English major from Mattapoisett, has been named to the Fall 2015 Dean’s List at Mount Ida College in Newton, MA for achieving a GPA of 3.33 or higher.

Jessica Lowe of Marion has earned Highest Honors for the fall semester of the 2015-2016 academic year at the University of New Hampshire.

Students named to the Dean’s List at the University of New Hampshire have earned recognition through their superior scholastic performance. Highest Honors are awarded to students who earn a semester grade point average of 3.85 or better out of a possible 4.0. Students with a 3.65 to 3.84 average are awarded high honors and students whose grade point average is 3.5 through 3.64 are awarded honors.

Old Rochester Regional Class of 2014 graduate and Rochester resident Arissa Underhill has made the Dean’s List for the Fall Semester 2015 at Bridgewater State University. Miss Underhill is majoring in Bio-Chem Studies.