Academic Achievements

on August 6, 2015

Madeleine West of Mattapoisett, a member of the Pomfret School class of 2015, has earned high honor roll distinction at Pomfret School for the 2015 spring term. A student earns high honors with a grade point average of at least 3.5 and no grade below a B-.

Select students have been named to the Spring 2015 Dean’s List at Roger Williams University in Bristol, RI. Full-time students who complete 12 or more credits per semester and earn a GPA of 3.4 or higher are placed on the Dean’s List that semester.

– Hannah Dupont of Rochester majoring in Media Communication

– Kristen Knight of Marion majoring in Elementary Education

– Ryan McArdle of Marion majoring in Finance

Ryan Muther of Marion was named to the 2015 Dean’s List at Union College. Muther is a member of the Class of 2016, majoring in Computer Science and History. To be named to the annual Dean’s List, Union students must have a grade point average of 3.5 for the entire year and meet certain other requirements.

Coastal Explorers

on August 6, 2015

Children explored the shore with Cassie Lawson and Becca Stroud from the Buzzards Bay Coalition on July 31 at Shining Tides in Mattapoisett, enjoying a scavenger hunt along with the exploration of sea animal habitats. Photos by Jean Perry

A Bad Year For Tomatoes

on August 6, 2015

Marion Art Center Players announce their summer production, A Bad Year For Tomatoes by John Patrick, a hilarious comedy in two acts. Directed by Rex McGraw, the show will open on Thursday, August 6 and run on Friday, August 7, Saturday, August 8, Friday, August 14 and Saturday, August 15. All shows start at 7:30pm.

The Story: Fed up with the pressures and demands of her acting career, the famous Myra Marlowe (played by Cynthia Latham) leases a house in the tiny New England hamlet of Beaver Haven and settles down to write her autobiography. She is successful in turning aside the offers pressed on her by her long-time agent (played by Jay Ryan), but dealing with her nosy, omnipresent neighbors (played by Suzie Kokkins, Suzy Taylor and Susan Sullivan) is a different matter. In an attempt to shoo them away, and gain some privacy, Myra invents a mad, homicidal sister – who is kept locked in an upstairs room, but who occasionally escapes long enough to scare off uninvited visitors. The ruse works well, at first, but complications result when the local handyman (played by Thom O’Shaughnessy) develops an affection for “Sister Sadie” (really Myra in a fright wig) and the nosy lady neighbors decide it is their Christian duty to save the poor demented Sadie’s soul. In desperation, Myra announces that her imaginary sibling has suddenly gone off to Boston – which brings on the sheriff (played by Mark Letourneau) and the suspicion of murder! Needless to say, all is straightened out in the end, but the uproarious doings will keep audiences laughing right up to the final curtain, and then some.

This play is the perfect evening out in the air-conditioned theater at the Marion Art Center. Get a group of four together and reserve a cabaret table! Tickets are $12.50 for MAC members and $15 for general admission. Guests are invited to bring their own refreshments. Cabaret tables are available for reserved parties of four or more.

Don’t miss this show! Reservations are highly recommended; email marionartcenter@verizon.net. In the subject line of the email, please type “A Bad Year For Tomatoes.” In the body of the email, please include your full name, your telephone number for confirmation, the date you will be attending and how many tickets you need. We will send a confirmation email. Or call 508-748-1266 and leave a message with your name, phone number, the number of tickets needed and the date you are coming.

The Marion Art Center is located at 80 Pleasant Street in Marion.

Music from Across the Pond

on August 6, 2015

The Marion Concert Band continues its summer concert series with a program of music from the British Isles on Friday, August 7. The program, which features several classic British Brass Band pieces as well as music from the Beatles, as well as an appearance by members of the Cape Cod British Car Club, LTD (CCBCC) is as follows:

Colonel Bogey – K. J. Alford

Second Suite in F for Military Band – G. Holst

Morceau Symphonique – A. Guilmant

Tobias Monte, euphonium

Perthshire Majesty – S. Hazo

Lincolnshire Posy (parts 4 & 6) – P. Grainger

Irish Tune from County Derry – P. Grainger

Prelude, Siciliano & Rondo – M. Arnold

British Invasion: Hits of the 60s – arr. J. Vinson

Pop and Rock Legends: The Beatles – M. Sweeney

Knightsbridge March – E. Coates

Tobias Monte, euphonium soloist, has performed with the Massachusetts All-State Band, the UMass Dartmouth Wind Ensemble, the Tri-County Symphonic Band, and the New Bedford Symphony Youth Orchestra. He has been a member of the Marion Concert Band since 2011.

The Cape Cod British Car Club, LTD (CCBCC) is a Massachusetts not-for-profit corporation whose membership annually exceeds 250. While members come from all over the world, most members are residents of southern New England. CCBCC members enjoy driving and displaying their English automobiles. Throughout the year, the CCBCC participates in events and raises funds for scholarship purposes. Annually, the club provides scholarships to automotive and auto body students at the Upper Cape Regional Technical School, the South Plymouth High School and the Cape Cod Regional Technical School. The club also provides funds towards a specific scholarship program available to Falmouth High School students.

The concert, under the direction of Tobias Monte, will begin at 7:00 pm at the Robert Broomhead Bandstand, Island Wharf off Front Street in Marion. All concerts are free and open to the public.

Shelley A. (Russell) Blanchard

on August 6, 2015

Shelley A. (Russell) Blanchard, 61, of Rochester died August 4, 2015 at home after a long illness surrounded by her family.

She was the wife of Stewart A. Blanchard.

Born in Boston, the daughter of the late Howard and Pauline (Sekulich) Russell, she was raised in Brockton and moved to Rochester in 1984.

Mrs. Blanchard was formerly employed as a special education teacher with the Department of Education working in various hospital settings with disabled children for many years retiring from Massachusetts Hospital School in Canton in 2010.

She was a graduate of Stonehill College, class of 1975 and later received her Masters Degree in Special Education from Eastern Michigan University.

Mrs. Blanchard enjoyed spending time with her beloved dogs, skiing, golfing, shopping, listening to the Eagles and the company of her friends.

Survivors include her husband; a son, Daniel Russell Blanchard and his fiancée Michelle Thibodeau of Lakeville; a daughter, Caroline Marie Blanchard of Mattapoisett; a sister, Susan Weigand of Howell, MI; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Her visiting hours will be held on Friday from 3-7 PM in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home For Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6) Mattapoisett. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to American Lab Rescue, Inc., P.O. Box 215 Willington, CT 06279-0215. For directions and guestbook, please www.saundersdwyer.com.

Run at The Bogs in Mattapoisett

on August 5, 2015

Join the Buzzards Bay Coalition on Friday, August 7 at The Bogs in Mattapoisett, approximately 137 Acushnet Road, for a group trail run, part of the Coalition’s First Friday Watershed Trail Run series. This fun, free series takes place on the first Friday of each month from May to November and is open to runners of all ability levels. Enjoy a spectacular morning while getting some exercise and exploring the trails with a group of people who love the outdoors.

The rest of the Watershed Trail Run series will take place on September 4, October 2, and November 6 on trails across the Buzzards Bay watershed (from Westport to Woods Hole). Specific locations for the remaining dates will be posted at www.savebuzzardsbay.org/bayadventures.

This event is free, but registration is required for all Bay Adventures. To RSVP, email bayadventures@savebuzzardsbay.org or call 508-999-6363 ext. 219.

This program is part of the Coalition’s Bay Adventures series – programs designed for explorers of all ages to get outside and discover Buzzards Bay. To learn more about all our upcoming Bay Adventures, visit www.savebuzzardsbay.org/bayadventures.

Emotions Boil Over Trash Talk

on August 5, 2015

Once again, residents from the Village at Mattapoisett condominium cluster housing site came before the Mattapoisett Planning Board with their petition to have the covenant for the complex modified. The issue was trash.

Daniel Deluz, a condominium resident and association spokesman, was accompanied at the August 3 meeting by approximately 25 other residents to once again air their request that trash collection should be provided by the Town.

Deluz read from the latest contract ABC Disposal has with the Town of Mattapoisett which reads, “…all persons residing in the town shall be entitled…” to public trash collection.

He reminded the board that the residents in the complex are also taxpayers, paying for such things as public schools, despite not having any children residing in the condos.

“In 2014, we paid $141,000 in taxes…. We don’t want roads or plowing … we want trash collection.” Deluz continued to express his outrage that many private roads and residences throughout town were enjoying town-supplied trash removal, but that his complex could not. Deluz said, “We understand we have a covenant, but we think it is no longer valid.”

Currently, the residents are abiding by the contract they signed when purchasing units in this complex, paying $9,000 per year for ABC to pick up their trash and recyclables. But Deluz said, “I don’t think it will cost the town anything if they pick up ours.”

Noting a conversation he said he had with Selectman Jordan Collyer, Deluz said, “He was surprised we are paying for trash,” and Deluz said Collyer had directed him to speak with Town Administrator Michael Gagne.

Before the public was invited to voice their opinion, Planning Board Chairman Tom Tucker apologized for not having a full five-member board available to vote on their request. Deluz opted to continue the hearing, rather than have only four members vote, not wishing to chance a negative result.

Paul Osenkowski, a resident, voiced his concern that to allow this request would be heading towards a “slippery slope,” noting the possibility that maybe, in the future, they would be asking for snow plowing and road maintenance.

“Cluster housing was approved by Town Meeting,” said Osenkowski. “The Planning Board is a judicial board.” He said changes such as these should “come from Town Meeting.” He claimed the Planning Board could not hear Deluz’s request.

Tucker said, “We’ll confer with town counsel.”

Osenkowski stated, “We’ve already seen things pushed through with large numbers of people…” but he got cut off before he could finish when condominium resident Connie Johnson asked him, “How does this affect you?” Osenkowski asked Tucker to inform Johnson on public hearing protocol to direct her question to the chairman and not directly to him.

“I’m a taxpayer, too!” said Osenkowski. This prompted a vocal response from the group, nearly drowning out Tucker has he tried to regain control of the meeting. Several turned and asked Osenkowski for his name.

Planning Board member Mary Crain responded to Osenkowski’s inquiry regarding the proper venue for Deluz’s request. She said, “The Planning Board sets conditions so we can consider the request.”

Tucker assured the group that he would follow-up with town counsel, and Deluz’s request for another continuance was granted.

As the large group departed, several residents took down Osenkowski’s name and address from the sign-in sheet.

After their collective departure, Osenkowski thanked Tucker for controlling the crowd saying, “I don’t come here to be attacked.” Tucker thanked Osenkowski for his participation.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board is scheduled for August 17 at 7:00 pm in the Mattapoisett Town Hall conference room.

By Marilou Newell

Who’s to Blame

on August 5, 2015

To the Editor:

The town of Rochester has recently been in the news regarding its having held the annual town meeting without a quorum. Amid all of the finger pointing as to who’s to blame, no one points to the real cause. The Town Clerk should have ascertained that there were enough eligible voters for a quorum. The new Moderator should have verified that the clerk had done so. The new Administrator should have overseen that both were aware of the recently increased quorum number. What about the over 2,000+ eligible voters who chose not to attend the annual meeting? Aren’t they really the ones to blame?

An annual meeting is typically held only once a year and lasts for three hours or less. Is it too much to ask that residents attend this meeting where the annual budget is approved? We all have time to complain about taxes or lack of services. This meeting is the place where these complaints might have some effect.

Someone said that those in charge were not exercising good government. In a democracy, aren’t the voters responsible for good government? Many people feel their vote doesn’t count. It certainly doesn’t, if they don’t cast it. It’s been said that ‘freedom isn’t free.’ One of the costs is caring enough to attend an annual town meeting and cast a vote.

David Smith, Rochester

The views expressed in the “Letters to the Editor” column are not necessarily those of The Wanderer, its staff or advertisers. The Wanderer will gladly accept any and all correspondence relating to timely and pertinent issues in the great Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester area, provided they include the author’s name, address and phone number for verification. We cannot publish anonymous, unsigned or unconfirmed submissions. The Wanderer reserves the right to edit, condense and otherwise alter submissions for purposes of clarity and/or spacing considerations. The Wanderer may choose to not run letters that thank businesses, and The Wanderer has the right to edit letters to omit business names. The Wanderer also reserves the right to deny publication of any submitted correspondence.

Nasketucket Bay Project Completed

on August 5, 2015

The Towns of Mattapoisett and Fairhaven, along with the entire South Coast, celebrated the completion of a massive land conservation effort between the two towns, the Buzzards Bay Coalition, and local, state, and federal government on July 31 with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the new Shaw Farm trail and an opening reception at the DeNormandie Farm off Shaw Road in Fairhaven.

The four-year, $6 million project to add 416 acres to the abutting 1,000 acres of the Nasketucket Bay State Reservation now connects the Mattapoisett/Fairhaven Bike Path with the Nasketucket Bay State Reservation via a new hiking trail called the Shaw Farm Trail, a nearly one-mile trail that follows the edge of the DeNormandie Farm, now under a conservation restriction.

Specifically, the conservation project serves to protect clean water in the bay, expand the state reservation and connect it with the regional bike path, conserve important fish, shellfish, bird, and wildlife habitats, sustain agriculture in an area that is vulnerable to development, and protect the community’s rural character and scenic beauty.

One hundred and thirty-eight acres lie in Fairhaven and 281 acres in Mattapoisett. The project includes 226 acres of now protected woodlands, coastal wetlands, and upland meadow, as well as recreational access for the public.

Buzzards Bay Coalition President Mark Rassmussen introduced a number of individuals and representatives from different organizations and government offices during a grand opening ceremony at the DeNormandie Farm – individuals and organizations that funded/partnered with the BBC to make the project come together. Some of those included the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation, the Nature Conservancy, the Bouchard B-120 Oil Spill Trustee Council, The Mattapoisett Land Trust, and the Towns of Mattapoisett and Fairhaven.

“Today is a celebration of that partnership,” said Rassmussen.

As guest speakers including Representative William Straus and Congressman William Keating addressed attendees, endangered barn swallows darted across the open space, and flocks of birds swarmed up and down in the vista of rolling farm fields leading down to the ocean.

Brendan Annett, BBC vice president of Watershed Protection, looked back over his shoulder at the scene and said, “Just look at this place. It speaks for itself.” He motioned behind him for attendees to behold the protected open space that was once slated for residential development and a golf course that will never be.

Annett thanked the town meeting members of both towns whom Annett said had “the will, the desire, and the need to do this on the community level.”

“It took a long time, but this is for you,” said Annett. “For your children, and for their children. This is for you.”

Straus recalled his time on the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission in the 1980s when he attended a site visit for the location when it was being considered for housing development and a golf course. One member of the commission fell into what Straus described as a standing pool of water, which the developer said would eventually be the 16^th fairway – but not anymore.

“This kind of effort knows no partisanship, and should know no partisanship,” said Straus.

A conservation project of this scope and size, said Keating, is extraordinary – not just for Massachusetts, but for the South Coast in general.

“It just doesn’t happen very often,” Keating said. “This is something that is a big deal.”

Landowner Phil DeNormandie thanked the local town governments and also neighboring farmer Daniel Lopes, whom DeNormandie said was helpful throughout the process. DeNormandie also thanked his farm manager Keith Kendall for restoring the farm and keeping it in order.

DeNormandie said his land is a significant stopping point for a large population of migratory shore birds, one of the highest concentrations of migratory bird populations in the area. He said the endangered short-eared owl has also returned to the area after threats of development have reduced the owl’s open-space habitat.

“The wildlife has returned in droves,” said DeNormandie.

The dozens of attendees were then treated to a hayride pulled by a tractor driven by DeNormandie himself over to the new Shaw Farm trailhead off the bike path where Mattapoisett Town Administrator Michael Gagne joined Fairhaven Selectmen Chairman Bob Espindola and Fairhaven Executive Secretary to the Board of Selectmen Jeffrey Osuch in cutting the ribbon to the new trail, making it officially open to the public.

“We’re the recipients of all of this,” said Gagne. “Mattapoisett residents will all be able to enjoy this beautiful acquisition…. This is a tremendous asset to the Towns of Mattapoisett and Fairhaven.”

By Jean Perry

St. Philip’s Episcopal Church

on August 4, 2015

Visiting clergy will conduct services at “the Church by the Town Beach” in Mattapoisett, St. Philip’s Episcopal, from July 5 to September 6. Services using the 1928 Book of Common Prayer are at 8:00am and 10:00 am.

On August 2, The Rev. Robert Malm, Rector, Grace Church, Alexandria, VA will officiate. All are welcome to attend.