YMCA Southcoast Annual Meeting

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On Thursday, June 9, YMCA Southcoast held its 149th Annual Meeting at the Mattapoisett YMCA, overlooking the beautiful Mattapoisett Harbor. Peter Bullard, Chairman of the Board and member of the Board Development Committee, recapped the Y’s 2015 year as highlighted in the annual report.

YMCA Southcoast recognized its outstanding volunteers and employees with special awards and gratitude. James Scherer, President and CEO of YMCA SOUTHCOAST honored Geoffrey Swett as YMCA Southcoast’s “Volunteer of the Year.” Geoff has served as a member of the board for YMCA Southcoast and has been a driving force in helping to recruit community leaders and supporters for the Y. His commitment to the association and expanding the awareness of the Y’s mission in the community were contributing factors to Geoff being chosen for this award.

Nancy L. Bonell, COO/VP of Operations presented the “Employee of the Year” Award to Raymond Prevost from the Fall River YMCA. Executive Directors from each of YMCA Southcoast’s six branches recognized individuals who best represented the “Spirit of the Y” for their branch with an Outstanding Volunteer Award.

– Anne Burnett – Gleason Family YMCA

– Jack MacDonald – Dartmouth YMCA

– Susan Rodman – New Bedford YMCA

– Bob Kerr – Fall River YMCA

– Susan Shallies and Kathy Langevin – Mattapoisett YMCA

– Donna Frank – Stoico/FIRSTFED YMCA

Rhonda Veugen, Development Director, spoke about how the new Y nationwide branding and marketing is helping to define the Y’s mission: allowing everyone the opportunity to be healthy, feel supported and to thrive. In following the Y’s mission, two young scholars were presented with scholarships to continue with their higher education. Lauren Harper was presented with the Dr. Samuel W McFadden II scholarship and Marissa Bolton received the Dr. Robert H. Goodwin Memorial Scholarship.

The following individuals were voted in as officers of YMCA Southcoast at the meeting: Peter C. Bullard, Chairman; Geoffrey Swett, First Vice Chairperson; Margaret D. Xifaras, Second Vice Chairperson; Dr. Brian K. Bowcock, Treasurer; David W. Wright, Clerk. The Board Development Committee of YMCA Southcoast also elected Joseph R. Costa, Thomas P. Crotty, Steven H. Galavotti, Irving J. Goss, Marc Haslam, Michelle Keith, Cary LeBlanc, Nancy McFadden, Elaine Robertson, Geoffrey Swett and Margaret D. Xifaras to a two-year term on the Board of Directors.

Catherine “Nonie” Perry

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Catherine “Nonie” Perry, 62, of New Bedford, passed away, Friday, June 24, 2016, at St. Luke’s Hospital, surrounded by her family.

Catherine was born in Newport, RI and was a daughter of the late James D. and Vera R. (Costa) Hunt.

Catherine was a lifelong area resident and worked as a receptionist at James Hairstylist, in Fairhaven, for many years. She was an avid reader and loved long phone conversations. She enjoyed trips to the family summer home at Mattapoisett Beach and cherished the time she spent with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She is survived by her daughter, Marcy E. Cruz; brother, James S. Hunt and sister,, Madeline Perry and her husband John, all of New Bedford, five grandchildren, Alyceia, Roberta, Phillip, La’Mia and Ma’kai; two great grandchildren, Azyah and Sy’el, many nieces and nephews; and her former husband and good friend Barry Perry.

Her funeral service will be held on Wednesday, June 29, 2016, at 7pm, in the Fairhaven Funeral Home, 177 Main St., Fairhaven. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Burial will be private.

Calling Hours will precede the service from 4-7pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her name may be made to the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105, or to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114.

10th Annual Arts in the Park

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On Saturday, July 9 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, the Marion Art Center will host its 10th annual Arts in the Park at Bicentennial Park in Marion, MA. Bicentennial Park is located at the corner of Main and Spring Streets, where there is plenty of free parking. There is no admission fee, and the event is open to the public.

A wide variety of fine art and artisan crafts will be displayed in tents throughout the Park. Arts in the Park is a juried show and sale featuring local artists and artisans who will be offering unique and one-of-a-kind jewelry, glass, paintings and prints, ceramics, textiles, collage, photography, turned, carved and painted wood, garden sculpture and garden furniture. Over 35 artists and artisans will be exhibiting their work. There will be live entertainment by Yesterday’s Country Band, and the New Bedford Museum of Art’s ArtMobile will be on hand to provide art projects for kids from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. Food and beverage will be offered by Harriett’s catering.

There will be a raffle of art work that has been donated by the artist exhibitors. Raffle tickets will be for sale and can be purchased throughout the day. The proceeds of the raffle will benefit the operation and maintenance of the Marion Art Center.

This year’s exhibitors will include Ceramic artists Karen Zaharee, Tessa Morgan of Flying Pig Pottery, Terry Simijis of Vera Petra Designs, and Chrissy Feiteira. Fiber creations will be offered by Liz Howland, Cindy Walsh, Heather Kidson, and Mary Monteiro. Fine jewelry will be offered by Emily Condon, Lynn Hahn, Trish Kozub, Karen Silvia, Donna Andrews-Maness, Julie Kohaya, Annika McKenna, Donna Driscoll, and Harmony Winters. Paintings, prints, photographs and collage will be offered by Mary Ross, Stephanie DeGeorge, Chazz Wood, Sarah Brown, Jane Egan, Carol Way Wood, Barry Cronin, Remmi Franklin, Bryan McSweeny and Doug Hockman. Hand-crafted bags will be offered by Chikako Mukai and Liz Howland. Painted objects and furniture will include Sarah Brown’s hand-painted chairs and tables, garden sculpture by Stephen Koleshis, and James Gallagher will offer his delightful folk-art fish. Turned wood and hand-crafted furniture will be offered by Gregory Strange and John Nadeau. Glass creations will be offered by Liza Abelson. Hand-crafted soaps by Jennifer Marie Hofmann will round out the show.

Marion Art Center’s galleries will be open during the event where the latest exhibition of paintings by Susan Strauss and Alison Horvitz will be available for view and sale. Visitors are invited to come inside to see the current exhibition of art in both galleries and to visit the theater where a permanent collection of portraits by Cecil Clark Davis is on display.

For more information, please visit www.marionartcenter.org and click on the “Arts In The Park” tab, or call 508-748-1266.

Mattapoisett Track Club

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The Mattapoisett Track Club will begin its summer program on Monday, June 27 at ORRHS with registration at 5:00 pm and practice at 6:00 pm. Track will be held every Monday and Wednesday night from 6:00 to 8:00 pm with no track on July 4. The Mattapoisett Track Club is open to everyone ages 3 years and up regardless of town or country of residency. Registration fee is $60 per member for six weeks of summer fun. Like us on Facebook.

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Marion Selectmen Mull Public Transportation

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The Marion Rochester United U12 travel soccer team, faces proud and cheerful, sat on one side of the Marion Town House’s conference room as the Board of Selectmen began their meeting on the night of June 21. They had been called for recognition of their win in the girls’ under-12 division of the Cape Cod Challenge Soccer Cup.

“We wanted to congratulate you on your tournament win. We’re very proud of you as a community,” Selectmen Chairman Jody Dickerson said, commending the girls. “We’re proud of what you’ve done.”

To recognize their accomplishment, he asked Head Coach Darren Feeney to stand at the front of the room and call each girl individually to receive a rose. After the last player had received her rose, Feeney thanked the board. “It’s an honor, thank you for recognizing all of the girls. It means a lot to us.”

Chattering happily with roses – and large trophy – in hand, the players made their way out of the conference room, and the selectmen settled down to other town matters.

Town Administrator Paul Dawson gave the board his updates, starting with an update on the electric vehicle grant application that the board had previously approved. “We applied to the Department of Environmental Protection for three electric vehicles, and we’ve already been approved for a grant of $33,000. We’re in the process of sending out the bidding. I wanted to make the board aware that the grant has been approved.”

“I wish all grants moved so quickly,” Dickerson laughed.

“I sent an email, had one question back, and then was approved from there,” Dawson confirmed.

“Well, you’d better frame that grant,” Dickerson replied.

Dawson also announced a new perpetual care fee from the Cemetery Commissioners.    “We looked at the current model, and we realized that it’s unsustainable for the future,” he revealed, referring to covering maintenance costs. “We’ve talked about a perpetual care fee. It’s a one-time fee, paid when you buy a lot. The fee is paid into a trust fund, where all the money will sit. The interest from that money will be drawn on to cover regular maintenance fees and minor repair fees.”

Dawson went on to explain that the proposed fee would be $200, and it would take effect July 1.

“Marion has never charged a perpetual care fee,” Dawson noted. “I’ve looked around and it seems like we are the only town which doesn’t include one. But our model is unsustainable. We need to change something.” He had presented the idea to the board hoping that they would approve the new fee, which they did without question.

Marion Affordable Housing Trust Chairman Jennifer Watson also attended the meeting for feedback from the selectmen on potential public transportation in Marion. “We’ve talked about this a lot. We have public transportation in Mattapoisett and in Wareham, but not in Marion.”

With Watson was Marion Council on Aging Director Heather Sylvia. “We’re strongly in favor of public transportation,” she declared. “I have a lot of residents who are still mobile, but can no longer afford a car. On weekends and at certain times, they’re very restricted in what they can do.”

“Would you reach out to SRPEDD [Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District] and have them do a study on Marion and possible public transportation?” Dickerson asked Watson.

“We’d like to,” Watson replied. “We need a letter from the board stating their approval to ask SRPEDD for a bus service study.”

The board approved the letter. Selectman Stephen Gonsalves thought public transportation was a good idea. “I think it’s great,” he stated. “We need it here; there are a lot of people looking to get around.”

The next meeting of the Marion Board of Selectmen is scheduled for July 12 at 7:00 pm at the Marion Police Station.

By Andrea Ray

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Selectmen Introduce Early Voting

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The Rochester Board of Selectmen meeting quickly started around 7:00 pm, even though the observers and the selectmen still wanted to enjoy the sunny day and the car show across the street at Plumb Corner.

Rochester Chief Dispatcher Tracey Eldridge opened the meeting on June 20. “The State 911 Department is awarding grants for up to $10,000 for dispatchers to attend a Communications Center Management Course in Colorado Springs, Colorado.”

“Well, have you been accepted yet?” asked Chairman Naida Parker.

“I have to send it in for approval,” Eldridge explained. “Once you’re notified, you sign up and take the course. Then you submit your reimbursements for travel, hotel, food, and other expenses including the course itself, which costs $3,000. If there is anything left from the grant, the town can ask for reimbursement for the cost of my salary while I am away for two weeks.”

“And you can handle something if anything should happen while you’re away?” Selectman Rick Nunes asked.

Eldridge replied that she always has provisions in place. “I can find the right person for whatever situation is happening. But I can’t submit the paperwork fully without approval from the Board of Selectmen and a letter of recommendation from them.” She added that Rochester Police Chief Paul Magee had offered to write the letter of recommendation for her, with the approval of the Selectmen.

“We have no problem with that,” said Selectman Brad Morse before the board approved her submission.

Next on the agenda, Parker introduced the Rochester Town Hall’s official Facebook page.           “We’re always looking for more efficient ways to get information to the public,” Parker explained. “This new page will have any current news, snow cancellations, meeting agendas and minutes, elections, and more.”

The page is called ‘Town of Rochester Town Hall’ and was put together by Amanda Baptiste, the Board of Selectmen’s Administrative Assistant. “It looks beautiful, very professional,” Parker said. “We’re looking forward to seeing how many people ‘Like’ the page and share it with their friends.”

“It’s a good idea. I like the idea,” said Nunes. “I would only be concerned that it could become some sort of gripe forum, where people could bring up all of their issues…”

“We’ll have to keep a close eye on that,” Parker agreed. “That’s not the intended use of the page.”

Parker had some news to close out the meeting. “The Massachusetts Town Clerks Association has decided that all public records requests should be taken to the Town Clerk,” she said. Parker holds the Rochester Town Clerk position. “The idea is to get the info out as quickly as possible. I’ll then refer the request to the appropriate department, and they’ll respond to the request directly,” she explained.

Parker also raised the new subject of early voting. “It’s something we haven’t really done here in the past,” she said. “But it’s different than absentee voting because you don’t need to fill out the absentee form. You’ll fill out the privacy sleeve and then the votes will be processed just like absentee votes on Election Day.”

Rochester locals can participate in early voting from October 24 to November 4 of this year by visiting the Town Clerk’s office during open hours. Parker clarified that early voting is only for the coming presidential election at the moment.

The Selectmen voted to skip the next meeting, as it is the week before July 4. The next meeting of the Board of Selectmen will be held on July 11 at 6:30 pm at the Rochester Town Hall.

By Andrea Ray

 

Calling All 12-14 Year Old Rochester Kids

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Growing up in Rochester in the 1950s was quite different than it is today. Back in the day, there were no iPhones, iPads or iTunes.

The Rochester Historical Society is sponsoring a writing contest for Rochester’s youth between the ages of 12-14 years old. The essay, which should be a minimum of one page, should compare the differences of playtime activities of 12-14 year-old children in the 1950s in Rochester with what 12-14 years old kids do today for fun.

Ask your parents, your grandparents, your neighbors, or visit the Historical Society’s museum to help you unlock the ideas for your essay. What would you do without your iPad? What would you be doing if you couldn’t text or Tweet your friends or watch videos? You might be surprised by all the things the Rochester kids of the 1950s did for fun.

The top three essays will be announced at the Historical Society Booth at the Rochester Country Fair in August. First prize will be $100; second prize will be $75; and third prize will be $50. Submissions must be postmarked no later than August 1. Please mail your entry to Rochester Historical Society, P.O. Box 171, Rochester, MA 02770. Please include your name, address and age on your essay. Any questions, call Edyie at 508-961-7401.

So Rochester kids between the ages of 12-14, put down your iPad and pick up your pencils. We look forward to reading your essays.

Entertainment License Rules and Regulations

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To The Editor:

We are Maureen and George Butler, the couple who have lived next to the Inn at Shipyard Park for many years. We have read that we are trying to close down the Inn at Shipyard Park. Nothing could be further from the truth.

When the Inn was purchased by the current owners a few years ago, we congratulated them on their new venture in a letter to the Editor of The Wanderer.

As we did with the last two previous owners, we ate at their restaurant.

On April 26, 2012 the Mattapoisett Selectmen held a hearing on the current owners’ application for an entertainment license. Many of the neighborhood residents attended.

This is what they were told at that hearing:

The new owners of the Inn planned on having “upscale food.” They said that entertainment would be a “very small part of the percentage” of the Inn’s business.

With regard to entertainment, a well-respected, local folk musician was cited as being the type of music that would typically be performing at the Inn, with “perhaps Jazz for brunch.” We were specifically told by Mr. Johnson, at the hearing, that the room doesn’t support a “Rock and Roll” band. He stated that he would agree to set up the music “kitty corner to the kneewall in the bar area.”

We were comfortable with that, and we and the rest of the neighborhood welcomed the new owners. And we think that our neighbors would still join us in saying that we welcome the Inn that was described to us that night.

But, shortly after the current owners started operating the Inn, the bar’s configuration was drastically changed, the “kneewall” was removed, and the occupancy in the bar more than tripled, from 26 to 80 patrons.

And, in addition to the previously cited local folk musician, the following have played at the Inn Wednesday to Saturday evenings: Dancing Dogs, Daddy O, Pumpkin Head Ted, Moldy Suitcases, Loose Cannon, Whiskey Affair, Pourmen, and Wood N Wire, etc.

We are not alone in thinking that the noise from the Inn’s entertainment is disturbing. At the Inn’s website, people interested in booking a room there are warned of the noise from the bar area, specifically from live, electronically amplified noise, that may be heard in the Inn’s rooms that are available for lodging. Of course, the prospective guest has the option of staying somewhere else. But we and our neighbors don’t have that choice. This is where we live!

And, we are not the only ones disturbed by the noise. We are aware of neighbors who have resorted to wearing earplugs to sleep, who keep the air conditioning on, and close all their doors and windows to try to prevent the noise from disturbing them at all hours of the night. This is not right.

Again, we do not want to close the Inn. We want the Inn to operate like an Inn, as opposed to a nightclub. The Inn is in a residential neighborhood.

On numerous occasions, we have tried to meet and work with the current owners of the Inn. We were optimistic when some of the Town officials became involved. We so appreciated Chief Lyons and Selectman Paul Silva for taking time from their very busy schedules to participate in a meeting with us.

At that meeting, an amazing draft of Entertainment License Rules and Regulations, which included regulations for noise that Police Chief Lyons had prepared and posted on the Town’s website, was discussed. It was clear to us, if this noise regulation was put in place, that it would be a benefit to the Town of Mattapoisett as a whole and would address many of the issues related to the Inn. If enacted, and enforced, no residential area or any area in the vicinity of entertainment, would have an issue with noise.

Turk’s and Reservation Restaurant stated, in writing, at that time, that they had no problem with that Noise Regulation language drafted by Chief Lyons.

Chief Lyons is to be congratulated in being so forward thinking as to create these regulations (including noise) for entertainment licenses in the town. Unfortunately, to date, these rules and regulations have not been enacted, and, as such, there has been no attempt to restrict the noise from the Inn.

This has left us in an untenable position. Without any cooperation from the Inn, we have been forced towards litigation. This is never where we wanted to be.

Again, we have no interest in closing the Inn.

We would ask anyone who has an interest in this matter, take a few minutes and review the proposed Entertainment License Rules and Regulations that was drafted by Chief Lyons. If people take the time to review it, and realize that it was proposed in order to ultimately protect all of the residents of Mattapoisett, it is our belief that not only would it put this matter to rest, it also would safeguard some of what makes this great town so special to us all.

We are more than happy to share our experience and concerns with anyone who cares to hear our side of the story.

Respectfully submitted,

George and Maureen Butler, Mattapoisett

 

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.

NBSO Announces Exciting 2016-2017 Season

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The New Bedford Symphony Orchestra has an ambitious season planned for 2016-2017 as the search for the new Music Director unfolds. Four classical concerts are planned, presenting each of the incredibly talented finalists with an opportunity to showcase his talents. Each classical concert will also present a piano concerto with a prominent guest artist. The much-loved Family Holiday Pops concerts in December will feature the return of David MacKenzie as guest conductor, and the season finale is a John Williams extravaganza with guest conductor Ken-David Masur.

2016-2017 Season

– Powerful Beauty: October 15, 2016; 7:30 pm; Christopher James Lees, Music Director Finalist; Guest artist: Alexander Schimpf

– Villains and Heroes: November 12, 2016; 7:30 pm; David Amado, Music Director Finalist; Guest artist: Diane Walsh

– Family Holiday Pops: December 17, 2016; 3:30 pm & 7:00 pm; David MacKenzie, Guest Conductor

– An American in Russia: January 21, 2017; 7:30 pm; Yaniv Dinur, Music Director Finalist; Guest artist: Yakov Kasman

– Strings Attached: February 18, 2017; 7:30 pm; Dirk Meyer, Music Director Finalist; Guest artist: Sheng Cai

– The Music of John Williams: April 29, 2017; 7:30 pm; Ken-David Masur, Guest Conductor

All concerts will take place at the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center in downtown New Bedford, with free and convenient concert parking available in the Z garage. Ticket prices remain the same as last season at $25-$60, with $10 tickets available for children and students under age 22. Subscriptions to three or more concerts are currently available at discounted prices by calling the NBSO at 508-999-6276. Individual concert tickets will go on sale August 5.

You deserve a symphony in your life: the New Bedford Symphony! The NBSO is a professional orchestra that annually presents a concert series of classical and pops music with prize-winning guest artists from around the world, as well as a chamber music series. In addition, the NBSO’s innovative and nationally recognized educational programs reach 30,000 students each year. The NBSO is dedicated to building a community of music in the South Coast. Visit www.nbsymphony.org for more information.

Elizabeth Taber Library’s Annual Meeting

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The Marion Library’s Board of Trustees welcomes all to attend our Annual Meeting on Thursday, June 30 at 6:30 pm at the Elizabeth Taber Library. Libby O’Neill, the Library Director, will give a brief overview of the library’s services and programs and then highlight some of our accomplishments over the past year. During this meeting, you’ll have the opportunity to ask any questions and provide suggestions for services in the future. For more information, please call the Elizabeth Taber Library at 508-748-1252.