Solar Farm Screening ‘Not Good Enough’

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Sick. Scrawny. Inadequate. These are some of the adjectives that members of the Rochester Planning Board used on May 10 to describe “the trees with teeny tiny sticks on top” selected by Clean Energy Collective and its contractor, Gehrlicher Solar, for the screening around the solar farm project off Perry’s Lane.

Solar developer Jay Myrto and contractor Peter Fickeisen argued that the trees were in full compliance with the landscaping plan the board approved, and the board did not disagree. However, looking at photographs of the site, the trees are ineffective at screening the panels from anyone viewing the site from Mary’s Pond.

Johnson said the trees looked no higher than 4 feet tall from far away, and the plan called for 6-footers to screen the site and render the solar farm project invisible from the outside.

“It’s full for the first four feet, but after that it’s just a spike,” said Johnson. “I can see space in between there. We are not to see it from Day One. That’s going to take five years to fill in.”

Although the board approved 6-foot trees, Johnson said, these trees just aren’t going to do.

According to Fickeisen, the trees actually appear to be 8 feet tall if you consider the 2-foot berm they sit atop, but Johnson said it still does not meet the criteria for screening.

“Is there a bird watching society that’s causing a greater problem?” said Fickeisen – a private joke, he said, which nobody got.

Johnson recommended staggering the trees and adding an additional row in front, and board member Ben Bailey took offense to Fickeisen’s comment suggesting the board might be acting unreasonable.

“If you think we’re being unreasonable then you’re at odds with everything that this board has been about,” said Bailey. “Nobody envisioned a tree like that,” he said, balancing his pen on the lid of his coffee cup, “this little stick waving in the wind that doesn’t provide much screening.”

“We just don’t want to see it,” said Planning Board member Chris Silveira.

Myrto asked for more time to consider the board’s request to revisit the plan and resubmit a new one with different or more trees planned, since he had only been notified of the problem that afternoon.

“We need to have a plan so that we can all weigh in on it so that you’re not doing it again and again,” said Johnson. “You gotta at least tighten the gaps in between.” Different plant material or a different size, he said, anything to fix it. “But it has to be done right away.”

The next meeting of the Rochester Planning Board is scheduled for May 24 at 7:00 pm at the Rochester Town Hall.

By Jean Perry

 

Calling All Animal-loving Artists

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Your creativity can help animals in need! Art On Center is teaming up with the Humane Society & Shelter, South Coast to present an art exhibition and fundraiser to benefit the Humane Society. There are two ways to participate, and artists may choose either or both. Artists are invited to pick up a complimentary 8×8-inch canvas at Art On Center to create a work of art which will be displayed as a “mosaic wall of art,” says Art On Center’s director Stacey Frates. There is no entry fee for this option, and the proceeds from all sales of these little 8×8-inch jewels will be donated to the Humane Society.

Another way for artists to participate is to enter an artwork (of any size and medium) for an entry fee of $15 and subject to Art On Center’s 30% commission on sales; the artists may then elect to donate a portion of their sales to the Humane Society. The deadline for entries, which must be delivered to Art On Center, 15 Center Street, Fairhaven, MA, is 6:00 pm on Wednesday, June 1.

The opening reception is on Saturday, June 4 from 1:00 – 4:00 pm and the public is invited. There is ample free parking and the building is wheelchair accessible. The exhibition will run through the month of June, during which time pet food and supplies will also be collected for the Humane Society.

Both Art On Center and the Humane Society & Shelter, South Coast are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. For more information, please call 774-206-1709 or email info@artoncenter.org.

Summer Tennis Clinic

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For the 14th summer, the Old Rochester School District will again offer student tennis lessons at the Old Rochester Regional Tennis Complex.

The clinics will run Monday through Friday. There will be two classes: ages 7-11 and 12-18. Groupings within each class will be based on age and abilities. Each class will last for two hours and 15 minutes. Maximum number of students per class is 36 to ensure a 6:1 teaching ratio. As in the past, Coach Hohne and present and former ORR players will conduct the clinics.

For more information about the $96 clinic, contact Bob Hohne at 508-742-5231 or rhohne@orr.mec.edu.

Principal Explains Recess Policy

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Stressing the importance of recess, the Rochester School Committee on May 5 asked Rochester Memorial School Principal Derek Medeiros to run down the school’s policy on recess – how much and how often.

As long as the temperature doesn’t dip below 20 degrees with the wind chill factor, recess is held outside, he said. But come snow, rain, or shine, all students participate in at least 20 minutes of recess daily, whether it is indoors or outdoors.

The school focuses on the importance of movement and provides students with opportunities to engage in sports and activities such as four square and ball.

When recess is held indoors during inclement weather, there is sometimes less movement; however, teachers strive to make the most of it for the kids.

“We utilize the gym, which is nice,” said Medeiros. In classrooms, sometimes teachers coordinate movement activities and games to get students up and out of their seats. Other times, students will head to the library or the art room or music room to practice their instruments in the free time given. “We love the kids to be outside and get that fresh air,” Medeiros said. “There’s a lot of things that go on. For us, it’s a mandatory thing for us to make sure that it’s at least 20 minutes long.”

“Twenty minutes doesn’t seem like a very long time,” said School Committee member Robin Rounseville.

Medeiros said students do get other short breaks throughout the day that incorporate physical movement as part of the school’s responsive classroom policy. During these movement breaks, Medeiros said sometimes interactive cartoon games from websites might be projected onto a screen for kids to follow.

“It can be anything from calisthenics to a dance routine … you might see on a daily basis,” said Medeiros. School administration received instruction on incorporating movement into the day during training sessions over the summer, Medeiros told the committee. “You’ll see teachers actually taking these breaks outside. There’s a lot of interaction with learning outside.”

Other outdoor activities include educational trips to the wetlands behind the school and a garden where students can weed, water, and help grow vegetables.

“So there’s a lot of movement at RMS,” said Medeiros. “We’re not a stand and deliver type of school.”

School Committee member Meagan Bennett expressed concern over the practice of taking recess away for a child as disciplinary punishment and requested, “If at some time we could have that discussion, because I have very strong feelings around that.”

Medeiros said the staff usually tries to find other ways to address disciplinary consequences, such as after school time or visiting the office.

“These kids need a break,” said Medeiros. “That’s not an appropriate consequence for something that goes on in the classroom.” However, he added, “That’s been a traditional consequence…. Tradition is oftentimes tough to break.”

Chairman Tina Rood said, “We have a very small recess time and kids need that.”

In other matters, the school conducted an air quality assessment, with results showing that the quality of the air at Rochester Memorial School is within the normal range or even better. According to Medeiros, the writer of the report stated, “I have not seen a better quality result ever.”

The next meeting of the Rochester School Committee is scheduled for June 2 at 6:30 pm at Rochester Memorial School.

By Jean Perry

 

SLT Plans ADA Accessible Trail

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For a year now, the Sippican Lands Trust has been working with Peter Jensen of Creating Trail Experiences and Scott Hobson, biologist with Caputo and Wicks LTD, studying the 19.8-acre Osprey Marsh property in preparation for a boardwalk that will provide wheelchair accessibility to the walking trail.

The property, gifted to the organization by the Howland family, is situated between Point Road and Planting Island Cove and contains forests, salt meadows, and marshlands. Howland asked that the open space be made accessible for the enjoyment of all people including those with mobility issues.

On May 5 during a meeting of the Sippican Lands Trust, Jensen and Hobson described the natural environment within the marshland parcel and the process of determining the viability of constructing a timber boardwalk – one that would give access from a trailhead off Point Road to the terminus looking out to Planting Island.

The entrance to the heavily vegetated land would consist of a trailhead, approximately 400 feet in length, of hard-packed sand and gravel sufficient for wheelchairs, carriages, and other wheeled devices. From there, the boardwalk would be another 1,400 feet meandering towards the cove.

Hobson described the natural wonders people would be able to observe and enjoy via the boardwalk. He painted a picture of rich lush mosses, trees and bushes that bear fruit, and a canopy that would provide shade. For animal lovers, he said species such as snakes, mammals, birds, and amphibians inhabit the recreational open space. Of birds alone, he named flycatchers, red wing black birds, herons, warblers, wild turkeys, and the star of the show – the osprey.

Jensen explained that creating a man-made structure in wetlands and associated bordering vegetated acreage was no small task. But he assured the residents that federal regulations stipulated how recreational boardwalks are to be constructed along with best practices he has honed over his years of experience in this specialized field of construction.

As for the impact the boardwalk would have within the Osprey Marsh, Jensen said it would definitely be a major feature in the marshland, but the benefit to people make the project worthy in terms of ‘wellness.’ The sustainable trail would provide “physical wellness, mental wellness, spiritual wellness, environmental wellness, and economic wellness,” Jensen said.

Both Hobson and Jensen stressed that boardwalks of this type give people with physical challenges an opportunity to enjoy outdoor experiences – and through access comes inclusion.

On the subject of cost, which pricked the ears of those in attendance, SLT President Chris Bryant responded, “We are going to need a lot of money.” He said the project would cost upwards of $300,000. SLT Executive Director Robin Shields added that through fundraising and grants that sum was achievable. She said the SLT hoped to have the project completed sometime in 2018.

Bryant closed the presentation by cheerfully asking the audience for assistance, “Everybody talk this up in the community.”

If you want more information about this project or the Sippican Lands Trust, visit www.sippicanlandstrust.org or call 508-748-3080.

By Marilou Newell

 

Making Miracles Spring Fling

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Miss SouthCoast Jillian Zucco will host a “Making Miracles Spring Fling” on Friday, May 20 at the United Fishermen Club in New Bedford to raise funds for The Children’s Miracle Network.

Zucco, 22, a Mattapoisett resident, will host an evening of entertainment with performances by talented local artists and celebrity guests.

The event will also feature hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, raffle, Chinese and silent auctions, and a live band. Tickets are $20. Doors will open at 6:00 pm. Food and entertainment will be from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Dancing to Southcoast’s premier cover band, Johnny’s Basement, will be from 9:00 pm to midnight.

The Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals is the national platform for the Miss America Organization whose mission is to help save and improve lives of children treated at hospitals within the network. Boston’s Children’s will receive all funds raised locally.

For information or to purchase tickets, email JillianZucco@gmail.com. If you cannot attend but would like to support the cause, contributions in any amount can be made on Zucco’s donation page http://www.missamericaforkids.org/Donate/JillianZucco.

Art Installation: A Different Kind of Face

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Mattapoisett artist Eric Frazer wasn’t sure what direction in life to pursue. He tried several avenues but when he received a camera for his 21st birthday, it was instant karma.

Frazer graduated from the New England School of Photography in 2013. Since that time, he has been experimenting with the photographic art form.

His latest collection titled “Without a Face” demonstrates Frazer’s breakthrough use of the camera to create blended pieces of portrait art. His models are a group of artists from various walks of life such as an oil painter, dancer, and rapper. By not showing their facial features or focusing on another part of their bodies that conveys their art form, Frazer has created something completely new.

Frazer admits to dealing with obsessive-compulsive disorder and in one piece titled “Surrounded,” he uses that to help convey how the condition can dominate a person’s life. He also shared in his introductory documentation that he hopes that image “helps raise awareness” and “provide understanding for those who face this and other mental health challenges.”

It is Frazer’s desire to use photography in new and emerging ways that excites him.

“I never want to repeat myself,” said Frazer. He said that artists who have creative breakthroughs, creating something never seen, heard, or experienced before, would have their newer works compared to those seminal creations. That doesn’t bother him.

Frazer’s passion in this genre and interest in exploring the camera’s boundaries and beyond will keep his work moving in directions yet to be found he believes.

An opening reception at the Mattapoisett Public Library was held for Frazer’s art installation on May 7. The works will be on display for the next several weeks.

By Marilou Newell

WithoutA-face

Bulldog Athletes Rained Off the Field

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The big story of the week was the 19 canceled sporting events that likely contributed to infinite headaches for many student-athletes, coaches, and most notably, Athletic Director Bill Tilden. Despite the damp atmosphere, some teams got in their games, including boys’ lacrosse, which defeated Fairhaven; girls’ lacrosse, which notched 37 goals across three big wins; and the track teams, which yielded great results from two invitational meets on Saturday.

            Baseball: The Bulldogs’ game against Bourne, originally scheduled for Monday, was moved back three times and will now be played on Wednesday, May 25. The boys were then supposed to play on Wednesday at home versus Fairhaven. However, rain postponed that game indefinitely. The boys’ finally got on the field against Seekonk on Friday. Junior Sam Henrie (3-0) struck out seven and gave up just one hit over four innings, while providing three hits on offense in a huge 16-2 victory. The team had 24 hits overall, including four from junior Will Hopkins, who had nine total bases on the day. Seniors Hunter Parker and Jacob Fluegel had three hits each while junior catcher John Breault recorded four in the blowout. On Saturday, the boys’ home face-off with Bourne was cancelled and pushed back to Tuesday, May 17. This week, the Bulldogs will be away at non-conference Barnstable High on Tuesday, home against D-R on Friday, and away at non-conference Coyle-Cassidy in a rescheduled game on Saturday.

            Softball: The Lady Bulldogs first game this week was supposed to be home against Bourne on Monday, but it was postponed to Monday, May 9, due to rain. The Lady Bulldogs were also rained out against Fairhaven at Hastings Middle School on Wednesday, and the game was postponed indefinitely. On Friday, the girls were back home to play the Seekonk Lady Warriors, but unfortunately lost 8-0. The team will make up their game against Bourne on Monday before resuming against non-conference Diman Voc. at home on Thursday. They will then travel to play Dighton-Rehoboth on Friday afternoon.

Boys’ Lacrosse: The Bulldogs’ first game this week was against the Bourne Canalmen at home on Wednesday. They wound up losing 11-10 in a close battle that will have major SCC repercussions; if they win the rest of their conference games, they will likely share the conference title with Bourne. Three players had offensive outbursts to provide the ‘Dogs with all 10 of their goals: junior Landon Gougen and sophomore Pat Kiernan scored three apiece, while junior Charlie Tirrell had a huge game, scoring four and assisting on two other goals. The team was down 10-7 with six minutes remaining and almost closed the gap enough to win with a late surge. On Friday, the boys faced off with the Fairhaven Blue Devils on the road. Gougen gave the team exactly what they needed, scoring a game-winning goal in OT to seal a 9-8 victory. Kiernan had three goals, while Tirrell, sophomores Parker Truesdale and Zak LaBonte, and junior Pat Saltmarsh all scored once. This week, the team will be home to play the GNB Voc-Tech Bears on Monday before a road game versus Dighton-Rehoboth on Wednesday.

            Girls’ Lacrosse: The girls played the GNB Voc-Tech Lady Bears on the road on Monday to start their week. Sophomore Maddie Cooney and junior Sarah Ryan both had three goals and an assist in a 16-5 rout. Some newer players got in on the action, with sophomore Katherine Tracy and freshman Megan Shay each adding a pair in the win. They remained on the road to take on Bourne on Wednesday, defeating the competitive Cape Cod team 14-10 in a high-scoring affair. On Friday, the girls came back home to play Fairhaven in an important SCC battle. Junior Emily Hiller scored three goals in a 7-5 win. Cooney, Tracy, and sophomores Maggie Adams and Ava Ciffolillo also scored in the important victory, while freshman Gates Tenerowicz continued to be impressive in the net. They will begin their week at home on Wednesday against D-R, and then travel to play non-conference Sandwich High on Friday afternoon.

            Boys’ Track: The boys’ lone conference meet this week was supposed to be a tri-meet against Apponequet and Bourne on Thursday at Apponequet, but it was canceled and pushed back to Monday, May 9. On Saturday, runners were split between the State Freshman/Sophomore Meet in Norwell and the Sunset Invitational at GNB Voc-Tech. Sophomore Harry Smith put on a clinic in the 110m hurdles at the underclassmen meet, winning both the preliminaries and finals by more than a second. Sophomores Evan Tilley (800m), Elijah McAllister (100m), and Colin Bourgeois (Triple Jump, Javelin) also fared well. Junior Danny Renwick earned second in both the 110m hurdle finals (15.3) and high jump (6-2) at the Sunset Meet, while fellow junior Eli Spevack was fourth in the 400m hurdles (60.6). The Bulldogs will make up their tri-meet on Monday before traveling to White Plains, NY this weekend to compete in the Loucks Invitational.

            Girls’ Track: The Lady Bulldogs were scheduled to run against Apponequet and Bourne on Thursday at Apponequet, but rain pushed the meet back to Monday, May 9. On Saturday, runners competed in both the State Freshman/Sophomore meet in Norwell and the Sunset Invitational at GNB Voc-Tech. At the underclassmen meet, Freshman Maya Doonan finished seventh overall in the 100m, qualifying for finals. Sophomore Madisen Martin added a good race in the 800m. At the Sunset Meet, Senior Zoe Smith was third in the 100m hurdle finals (16.6), while junior Brooke Santos was sixth (17.1). Smith also got second in the high jump (5-0), while fellow senior Nina Bourgeois was sixth in the 800m at 2:31. This week, the girls will make up their canceled tri-meet and travel to White Plains, NY for the Loucks Invitational Meet over the weekend.

            Boys’ Tennis: The Bulldogs’ first game of the week, scheduled to be at Veterans’ Memorial Park against Case, was rescheduled three times and moved out until Tuesday, May 10. Wednesday’s away match against Bourne was rained out and postponed to Thursday, May 12. The boys finally began their week with a home match against Fairhaven on Friday afternoon. In a crucial 5-0 win, juniors Alex Bilodeau and Caleb Jagoda delivered singles wins, as did sophomore Sam Pasquill. The winning doubles teams were made up of junior Josh Lerman and sophomore Jahn Pothier and junior Maxxon Wolski and freshman Geoffrey Noonan. The Bulldogs will be away at Seekonk on Monday, at Case on Tuesday, Wareham on Wednesday, and Bourne on Thursday, but will return home to play Dighton-Rehoboth on Friday.

            Girls’ Tennis: The team was supposed to start their week at home versus Bourne on Wednesday, but the match was moved out to Thursday, May 12, due to rain. In addition, the girls’ game against Case was postponed three times and rescheduled for Tuesday, May 10. Finally, the girls faced off with Fairhaven at Hastings Middle School on Friday. Seniors Morgan Middleton and Olivia Bellefeuille won singles matches in a 5-0 win, likewise for freshman Delaney Pothier. The doubles pairing of juniors Emma Collings and Sophie Church (#1) and juniors Katelyn Bindas and Alexis Parker (#2) were also victorious. This week, the Lady Bulldogs are home against Seekonk on Monday, Case on Tuesday, Wareham on Wednesday and Bourne on Thursday, before an away game at D-R on Friday, in an extremely busy week.

            Below are the overall spring team records, followed by the conference records in wins, losses, and ties as of May 8.

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

By Patrick Briand

 

ORR Inducts 54 New Members Into NHS

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On Tuesday, May 3, the National Honor Society (NHS) held its annual induction ceremony at Old Rochester Regional, where 54 new members were inducted into the NHS.

The ceremony was named in the memory of Dana Dourdeville, an Old Rochester alumnus who graduated in 2011 and began college at Brown University. He passed away in 2013, and the ceremony was held in his honor because he embodied the ideals of the National Honor Society.

The ceremony began when the inductees walked in and took their seats, with a piano accompaniment from fellow inductee, Maxxon Wolski. After taking their seats, NHS president Michaelah Nunes welcomed the inductees and their supportive friends and families in the audience.

In a short speech, Nunes highlighted what it means to be a part of the NHS, and then handed the mic off to Principal Michael Devoll, who sent well wishes and good luck to the up-and-coming NHS members.

Once Devoll’s congratulatory speech had come to a conclusion, guest speaker Dr. Erich Carroll, a history teacher at Old Rochester, was invited to the podium. His speech focused around the perseverance required to be successful.

The next part of the ceremony was the recognition of the National Honor Society qualities, with each quality being represented by a candle. Five current members of the NHS were invited to light each one of the five candles: Knowledge, Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Character.

Traditionally, the Old Rochester chapter of the NHS invites one current member to perform at the ceremony. This year, Isabella King sang a cover of the song “Youth” by Daughter.

After the song had come to a close, the inductees raised their right hands to repeat the oath of the National Honor Society, which was followed by the procession of each individual inductee standing up to receive their pin and a lit candle.

After each member was successfully inducted, NHS president Nunes said a closing statement, and friends and families lingered for refreshments and photographs.

How were the future members of the National Honor Society selected? It was required for them to reach a certain academic criteria, and if achieved, letters were sent out to invite possible inductees to apply to the NHS. The application process included detailing experience with community service, and getting signatures from teachers, community members, and Vice Principal Michael Parker to attest to the character of the possible inductees. The applications were then sent to a board that reviewed the applications, looking to ensure the students selected proved “…that they are strong leaders, are of good character, and that they have either a service oriented background and if not, that they are interested in getting involved in service programs,” explained NHS Supervisor and ORR English teacher Sarabeth Morrell.

For the inductees, community service means a lot. As Diana LaRock said, “Community Service allows you to better your community while learning the value of hard work and selflessness.”

But it’s about more than just working hard towards a better self.

“Community service is a way for you to say thank you to the community you live in for everything it gives you, like a place to live, and a good school,” said inductee Erin Costa. “We take for granted little things like these, so community service is a great way to tell your community that you acknowledge all the good things you get from them.”

Allie Nicolosi, whose main platform of community service is through Faith Formation (catechist) at Saint Anthony’s Parish in Mattapoisett, explained that for her, it is important to make the children in Faith Formation learn the importance of service to the community through scripture.

“When I look at my busy schedule, I ask myself why I bother spending my free time teaching the kids,” said Nicolosi. “My main reason for helping is because I can honestly say that I rarely enjoyed the hour a week of sitting and reading scripture and then having a quiz on the information learned. As a teacher, I’ve realized that I have the opportunity to make the class less of a nuisance, and hope to help the kids realize the importance of reading and understanding the scriptures of the Bible.”

Once inducted, the members of the NHS are required to perform a minimum of 20 hours of community service each semester, and many go above and beyond that minimum. Although individual service is an important part of the NHS, the Society has put on many fundraisers this year, including a Thanksgiving Food Drive, a Sock Drive for veterans in Southeastern Massachusetts, and a Coin Drive for Lymphoma.

Many members of the NHS form small volunteer groups and perform service together, including a group that tutors math at ORRJHS after school and another that reads to students in the Tri-Town elementary schools.

A small group of NHS members also took a trip to Sippican Health Center to interview the seniors and write memoirs for them.

As for upcoming events, the NHS plans to assist with the Rochester Memorial School fundraiser Miles for Memorial, as well as the school’s traditional Field Day.

By Sienna Wurl

 

Spaghetti Supper

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St. Anthony – St. Rita’s Parish will hold a spaghetti supper on Saturday, May 21 in St. Anthony’s Hall. Tickets maybe purchased after each mass at both churches and will be sold at the door. Supper will be served at 5:30 pm.