Sea Turtle Release

on January 15, 2015

Coast Guard family members and civilian passengers about Coast Guard Cutter Kodiak Island out of Atlantic Beach North Carolina prepare to release a rehabilitated sea turtle off the North Carolina coast Dec. 15, 2014. The Coast Guard, in cooperation with the North Carolina Resources Commission, helped release a total of 19 rehabilitated sea turtles into the Gulf Stream off the coast of North Carolina including Kemp’s ridley sea turtles, green sea turtles and a loggerhead sea turtle. In late November, 50 sea turtles were transported from Massachusetts to North Carolina for treatment from hypothermia. They were some of the approximate 700 live hypothermic sea turtles found near Cape Cod in Massachusetts since mid-November. The sea turtle facilities in North Carolina were able to help with their rehabilitation. Many of the Cape Cod turtles need more time in rehabilitation. Some of the 19 released were those found near Cape Cod. Additional turtles that were found injured or sick in North Carolina were released on the trip as well. Photo by Kevin E Geraghty

Ice Hockey Remains Perfect in SCC

on January 15, 2015

Here is a look at the fifth week of scheduled games for Old Rochester Regional winter athletics.

Boys’ Basketball: The Bulldogs had an excellent week, defeating two SCC teams to remain at a perfect 7-0 conference record. The boys first defeated Dighton-Rehoboth 71-62 thanks to a fantastic performance by freshman Noah Fernandes, who scored 19 points and notched eight assists, five rebounds, and four steals. Freshman Jason Gamache also played well, hitting four three-pointers in the second half, proving that ORR’s underclassmen are a vital part of the team. The Bulldogs capped their week off with a massive 90-38 win over Seekonk. Four Bulldogs were in double-digits in the blowout, with captains Jordan Menard and Ryan Beatty leading the way with 17 and 13 points, respectively.

Girls’ Basketball: The Lady Bulldogs also had a great week, defeating Dighton-Rehoboth in a 49-36 SCC matchup. Sophie Church scored a team-high 15 points, and Kaleigh Goulart added 13, but the real star of the game was ORR’s defense. By applying pressure to Dighton-Rehoboth’s two best players, the Lady Bulldogs held them to just nine combined points, a fact that would be crucial as the game wound down to a close. With the win, the girls’ record stands at an even 4-4 overall, with a 3-3 conference record.

Boys’ Track: This week, the boys’ and girls’ track teams competed at the annual Division 5 State Relays at the Reggie Lewis Center in Roxbury. Thanks to several impressive performances, the Bulldogs placed third in all of Division 5 with 34 points, only falling to Newburyport (49 points) and North Reading (37 points). ORR got places from the shuttle dash relay (2nd, Hunter Cooney, Ben Dion, Harry Smith, Jarrett Johnston), the long jump relay (1st, Cooney, Eli Spevack, and Kevin Saccone), the 4×200 relay (4th, Mike Morris, Will Hopkins, Cooney, Saccone), and the boys’ high jump relay (5th, Stephen Burke, Ben Rounseville, Hopkins). The highlight of the day, however, was the boys’ shuttle hurdle relay, which set a new meet record in 27.88 seconds en route to a first place finish. The team consisted of Saccone, Rounseville, Spevack, and Hopkins, a sophomore who was running the hurdles for the first time ever.

Girls’ Track: The girls’ team also competed in the Division 5 Relays and placed 2nd overall with 35 points, trailing only Ursuline Academy, who scored 50 points. The long jump relay, comprised of Lexi Afonso, Zoe Smith, and Morgan Middleton, finished first on the day, showing the overall depth of ORR jumpers across the board. Smith, Afonso, and Middleton would team up with Brooke Santos to take second in the shuttle hurdles, and Santos, Afonso, and Smith placed second in the high jump relay as well. The girls’ distance team also shined on the day, as Haily Saccone, Rachel Scheub, Nina Bourgeois, and Samantha Ball teamed up to take fourth in the 4×800 meter relay.

Ice Hockey: This week the boys’ ice hockey team remained perfect in the SCC, defeating two tough conference teams with large margins of victory. The ORR/Fairhaven Bulldogs first defeated Apponequet in a 5-0 shutout. The Bulldogs shot the lights out on Apponequet, taking 40 shots on net, with Mike Lygren finding the back of the net three times for a hat trick. Kam Silvia and Tayber Labonte also scored for the Bulldogs. The boys wrapped up their week with a 9-2 blowout over GNB Voc-Tech. Eight different players scored for the Bulldogs, with ORR senior Shane Matthews leading the way with two goals. Goalie Chase Cunningham made 10 saves on the night to advance the Bulldogs to a perfect 3-0 conference record.

Below are the overall winter team records, followed by the conference records in wins, losses, and ties as of January 11.

Boys’ Basketball: (7-1-0) (7-0-0); Girls’ Basketball: (4-4-0) (3-3-0); Boys’ Track: (5-0-0) (5-0-0); Girls’ Track: (5-0-0) (5-0-0); Boys’ Swimming: (1-2-0) (0-2-0); Girls’ Swimming: (1-2-0) (0-2-0); Ice Hockey: (6-2-0) (3-0-0).

By Michael Kassabian

Photos by Ryan Feeney

Catherine (Sylvia) Souza

on January 15, 2015

Catherine (Sylvia) Souza, 99, formerly of Acushnet and Mattapoisett, passed away on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at Brandon Woods of New Bedford, where she had been a resident for the past 7 years. She was the wife of the late Antone P. Souza and daughter of the late Frank and Mary Sylvia of New Bedford.

Catherine was a loving, kind and caring woman who enjoyed helping others. She loved the comforts of her home and cherished family gatherings. Most of all, she loved the time spent with her grandsons.

Catherine’s family would like to thank all of the staff and caregivers on the third floor at Brandon Woods and New England Hospice for their care and compassion through the years.

Survivors include her daughter, Jacqueline Thomas and her husband Daniel of Mattapoisett; four grandsons, Dana Thomas and his significant other, Gloria of Putnam, CT, Matthew Thomas and his wife Silvia of Stoughton, Ethan Thomas of Fall River and Samuel W. Thomas and his wife Arabela of Andover; five great-grandsons, Daniel, Dale, Michael, Victor and Henry; and many nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late Gilbert and John Sylvia and Louise Arruda.

At her request, a private graveside service will be held at a later date. For online tributes please visit: www.rock-funeralhome.com

Water Tower Makes Progress

on January 14, 2015

The Town of Marion continues with its plan for the construction of the new one million-gallon water tank at 214 Delano Road. John Greggory of Tata & Howard, representing the Marion Department of Public Works, told the Marion Zoning Board of Appeals on January 8 that the project requires a variance for the construction of the fence that would surround the new water tank, which requires an eight-foot setback but only offers a six-foot setback.

Greggory said the old two million-gallon tank would need to properly function during the four to five month-long construction period of the new tank. The proposed footprint for the new tank – a smaller and more efficient tank for the people of Marion – would be a 200-foot by 200-foot area.

As for the construction plans for the project, ZBA Chairman Eric Pierce concluded, “[It] won’t be derogative to the law, [and] highly likely it will pass for the greater good.” Furthermore, the Board of Health had no comment and the Conservation Commission is not within jurisdiction for this plan.

In addition to the plans for the new water tower, several residential homes introduced their prospective renovations for the upcoming year. First to present was Legare Cuyler for Gerard and Elizabeth Devlin of 15 Hiller Street.

Cuyler’s proposal is to add a bump-out landing for a new door location, since there are no dormers on the house now, and to continue renovations on the present bedroom loft. This change would allow for them to put in a full bathroom on the second floor and reduce the first floor bathroom to a half bath.

With everyone on the board in agreement, and with no objections from the BOH and the Town Water and Sewer, the motion will be under the 90-day wait period and was continued for discussion on January 22.

Jon Delli Priscoli, 91 Water Street, proposed to add a 2-foot expansion to his home in order for it to become handicap accessible.

Delli Priscoli intends to keep the character of his quaint cottage home, which was built in 1932, to continue to suit the village traditional appearance with the expected designs.

Delli Priscoli said he has “no interest to make a mansion on it,” and is eager to accommodate the village concept. The ZBA decided, with no objections from the BOH and Town Water and Sewer, to finalize the decision after Delli Priscoli meets with a land surveyor while there is no snow on the ground, and continued the discussion until January 22.

Pamela Oliveira of 85 Dexter Road plans to make home renovations to lift her house for flood zone relief, which would allow the garage to be moved under the house.

Pierce said the ZBA will need to check the height regulations in order to “have some wiggle room,” since this plan seems to be looking toward the future of which many existing homes might consider to be able to better afford flood insurances.

With no objections from other Town departments, the ZBA motioned for this proposal to be under advisement for the 90-day wait period.

Although it has been nearly a 15 month-long project, the board granted the request from Tabor Academy to be continued until April.

Lastly, Marvin C. and Carol S. Bannon of 22 Wilson Road, and Bernard and Eileen Bowers of 14 Bayview Road, were approved to begin their home renovations.

The next meeting of the Marion Zoning Board of Appeals is scheduled for January 22 at 7:30 pm at the Marion Town House.

By Bethany Coito

Veterans Service Office

on January 14, 2015

Marion has joined the District with the Veterans Service Office for the Towns of Mattapoisett and Rochester.

The mission of the Veterans Office is to advocate on behalf of the veterans and their families and provide services including financial assistance, food, housing, employment, and burial assistance. Federal benefits include obtaining discharge papers, compensation pensions, VA pensions, and Aid and Attendance pensions.

Mass. Chapter 115 State benefits are available to veterans and widows, who may also qualify for a “medical only” budget, if their income is below the Federal Poverty Level.

For further information, veterans residing in the Tri-Towns may contact the Veterans Office located in Mattapoisett Town Hall at 508-758-4100 ext. 212 to schedule an appointment.

Academic Achievements

on January 14, 2015

Sarah Coucci, majoring in Occupational Science Major (BSOS), has been named to the Fall 2014 Dean’s List at American International College. Dean’s List students are full-time students with a grade point average of 3.3 to 4.0.

This past fall, Mattapoisett’s Gabrielle Reuter, a junior at Lawrence Academy in Groton, Mass., received both her team’s MVP title and honorable mention from the Independent School League for a second time in as many seasons playing for the Spartans’ volleyball team. She is the daughter of Robert Reuter of Mattapoisett and Denise Reuter of Marion.

The following area residents have been named to the Dean’s List at Providence College for the Fall 2014 semester:

– Haley Frade of Marion and a member of the class of 2015,

– Anna Goulart of Mattapoisett and a member of the class of 2016,

– Meghan Kelly of Mattapoisett and a member of the class of 2015,

– Madison Lees of Mattapoisett and a member of the class of 2015,

– Paige Santos of Rochester and a member of the class of 2018,

To qualify for the Dean’s List, students must achieve at least a 3.55 grade point average with a minimum of 12 credits.

Adam Costa of Rochester, a sophomore at Bridgewater State University, has been selected to the National Collegiate Honors Council Board of Directors, where he will help shape the organization’s efforts in supporting institutions and individuals in developing, implementing and expanding honors education across the U.S.

“I am happy that I will be representing the Honors Program on the national level, and I think this will lead to many good things for our program at Bridgewater State University down the road,” he said.

Honors programs cover a wide variety of courses, teaching styles and educational objectives, all geared toward offering students academic enrichment. According to NCHC, the programs are based on the belief that superior students profit from close contact with faculty, small courses, seminars or one-on-one instruction, course work shared with other gifted students, individual research projects, internships, foreign study, and campus or community service.

Marion Planning Board

on January 14, 2015

To the Editor,

In response to the recent letters regarding difficulties between members of the Marion Planning Board I wish to add some comments. Planning board members are ELECTED. That means a majority of voters want the candidate of their choice to serve on the Board. I voted for Eileen Marum because I thought and still think the Planning Board needs fresh voices with new and open minded ideas. The Planning Board is not a club where members say yes, we all agree about what to do and how to proceed. It is a platform for the open debate of ideas followed by positive action. There is a great deal of work in front of the board and I urge the members to put aside their personal differences and spend their efforts and time trying to solve the problems the Town of Marion faces right now! The Master Plan revision requires a lot of time and effort and the Board should welcome and enlist all the help it can get. Our Zoning by-laws must be rewritten to ensure we get the type of commercial development we want. Most of this work should be done by the Planning board and not delegated to costly consultants. Please, Planning Board members, turn over a new page and get to work.

Elizabeth Brainard, Marion

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.

Marion Pack 32 Cub Scouts Skate Fundraiser

on January 14, 2015

The Marion Pack 32 Cub Scouts, with the sponsorship of the Marion Recreation Department, held a Tabor Skate fundraiser on Sunday, January 11 in the Travis Roy Rink at Johnson Arena at Tabor Academy. Skaters sipped coffee and hot chocolate and enjoyed an afternoon of frozen fun while supporting the Scouts of Marion. Photos by Colin Veitch

Light May Shine at Rochester Crossroads

on January 13, 2015

Rochester Crossroads developers withdrew the applications for special permits for all their proposed signage, except one – the main pylon sign, the largest one visible from Interstate 495.

The Rochester Planning Board accepted Attorney Richard Serkey’s request to withdraw without prejudice the sign slated for visibility on Route 58, the one on Route 28, and the way-finding signs proposed for the main entryway of the commercial development. All that went before the board during the January 13 meeting was the tallest of them all, which would replace the existing 14-foot sign with a new 26-foot LED-illuminated sign.

The Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals has already granted the Special Permit for the sign. Now the project falls under Site Plan Review with the Planning Board.

Board members voiced no major concerns with the proposed sign, but noted the significant difference in size from the existing sign at the location.

Chairman Arnold Johnson proposed continuing the matter until the next meeting to allow Building Department staff to gather a list of waivers and draft a decision. Although members did not vote that evening, all signs point to approval.

“Once the development takes shape, we’ll be back for the other signs that you allowed to be withdrawn,” said Serkey. He said the main pylon sign will feature the names of future retailers at the site and will be used to attract prospective tenants. “Once the development reaches the light of day,” said Serkey, and retail stores start to move in, they will have a better idea of their signage needs.

In other matters, the board granted an Approval Not Required Application for Michael Forand of 268 Mattapoisett Road to take two lots and combine them into one lot.

The board also approved the Special Permit for Susan McCarty of 570 New Bedford Road.

Also during the meeting, after a brief discussion over proposed amendments to the Town’s subdivision bylaws and the board’s past notion of a commercial overlay district, the board decided to hold an informal workshop for residents to attend and talk about commercial development in town. Johnson said residents in the past opposed the board’s idea of a commercial overlay district and this would be a chance for a question and answer forum before any proposals wind up on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant.

“I’d rather do it here than on Town Meeting floor,” said Johnson.

Come for the coffee and donuts, stay for the discussion. The board proposed the workshop for Saturday, February 7 at 9:00 am at the Town Hall. A notice will be posted.

The next meeting of the Rochester Planning Board is scheduled for January 27 at 7:00 pm at the Rochester Town Hall.

By Jean Perry

Playground Repair Put on Hold

on January 13, 2015

After only one bid to resurface the playground at Old Hammondtown School came in, and much higher than the amount allotted by Town Meeting, Mattapoisett School Committee members January 12 voted to reject the bid and reconsider their options.

School Business Manager Patrick Spencer told the committee it had a few options: accept the bid “at a ridiculously high price”; put the project out to bid again and hope for a lower offer; or reconsider simply patching up certain parts of the surface that need it most.

“A repair doesn’t make sense,” said committee member James Muse. And we cannot afford to replace it, said Chairman James Higgins.

The committee tossed around some ideas such as having the Department of Public Works do some of the work to save money, having a thinner layer of ground surface applied over the existing surface, or perhaps decreasing the surface area to be padded with the new ground surface. The committee figured it was best to consult with the town administrator and investigate the Town completing some of the work.

In other news, Assistant Superintendent Elise Frangos announced the receipt of a technology grant from the state for $20,000, with $10,000 to go to each of the schools to expand technology infrastructure.

She said 47 schools in the state were awarded the grant money, which the town will have to match at a ratio of 70/30, with the town investing roughly an additional $50,000 toward technology. This, said Superintendent Doug White, is practical since the district is already budgeting for more technology purchases and upgrades for the schools.

“We’re really pleased to jump on board with that,” said Frangos.

Also during the meeting, Spencer said when he gave the committee an initial estimate for the cost to install a new fence around the Center School playground he was mistaken in the length of the fence.

His estimate was for 18 feet of fence, but he did not add in the additional 20 feet the committee approved, costing another $1,600. Spencer asked the committee if it was content with the 18 feet or if it wanted to add the additional 20 feet.

“It’s not a ton of money,” said Higgins. “We might as well do it the right way.”

The committee approved the additional $1,600.

In other matters, Center School and Old Hammondtown School Principal Rose Bowman requested approval for jazz band and select chorus members to travel to Canobie Lake Park in June to give a musical performance. The committee approved the field trip.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett School Committee is scheduled for 7:00 pm on February 9 at Center School.

By Jean Perry