Zuker to Put Infrastructure First

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            Clarifications and complexities on infrastructure dominated the conversation on Monday night, as the Marion Planning Board continued its review of plans for the 48-unit residential development at 78 Wareham Road.

            During the continued public hearing, developer Matt Zuker indicated the plan is to build out infrastructure for the entire area early in the process rather than in smaller sectors based on the phased-in construction schedule for building. While somewhat more expensive for the developer, he said this approach enables more efficient use of town resources in permitting and oversight of utilities, drainage, roadways, etc.

            The board supported this approach.

            When discussion moved to changes such as curb cuts and other modifications that will be required as a result of the development but are not within the developer’s control or authority, board member Eileen Marum expressed concern about traffic and highway safety in the vicinity that would be exacerbated with the addition of nearly 300 cars between this development and the neighboring Heron Cove Estates project. Anecdotal reports of backups and dangerous merges, particularly near Hill and Oak Streets, were cited.

            Marum offered to write a letter to the state Department of Transportation with concerns, including traffic capacity, signage, speeding and related issues.

            “Even though that’s a matter we’re not creating, I’m happy to address it,” said Zuker, who believes the safety issues along Route 6 are not related to volume but to speeding. He reminded the board that the highway falls under state jurisdiction, preventing him, for instance, to talking to his engineer about a traffic light at the site.

            Select Board member Randy Parker suggested that any communication to MassDOT make it clear that the development is viewed positively by the board and the town. Parker was concerned that the timing of such a letter could be misconstrued as a lack of support for the project. This was affirmed by other board members.

            Referencing Zuker’s limitations to directly respond to traffic-safety matters, Planning Board Chairman Andrew Daniel pushed without immediate success to keep the conversation on the matters directly pertaining to the public hearing.

            Marum persisted, and board member Jon Henry supported her concerns, suggesting the time is now for the Planning Board to address MassDOT regarding traffic safety along Route 6.

            The board eventually determined that Town Planner Doug Guey-Lee will identify the appropriate contact at MassDOT so that a letter can be drafted and reviewed at the board’s September 16 meeting.

            Before the public hearing was continued (also to September 16), a resident sought public information on the environmental impact of the 78 Wareham Road project, particularly its effect on box turtles, deer and other animals. Zuker informed the resident that there will be no buildings closer than 200 feet from the shore. The resident was also informed that the town has a peer-review expert (Ken Motta) who reviews Zuker’s plans, and his work is available to the public. Administrative assistant Danyca Filiatreault indicated that she will put them in touch.

            Back on the agenda as a discussion item, the revisited MS4 Stormwater Management draft bylaw made no progress. But it was also noted that a Special Town Meeting this fall is unlikely.

            Board member Tucker Burr described the draft bylaw authored for the board’s review by a consultant to be “just a rip of what West Bridgewater has.”

            “It feels like we’re being handed a pizza and being told to put it in the oven,” said board member Ryan Burke, who believes the board should be judging and authoring its own bylaw. “I think we need to be in compliance, but I don’t think it’s this much.”

            Referencing board members’ outright rejection of the town’s initial proposal, Guey-Lee said, “We provided you with people to run this up against, (to) ask the hard questions. I don’t know what more we could do.” Guey-Lee also cautioned the board against authoring its own version of such a bylaw because, without appropriate experience of other towns such as West Bridgewater, it could mean a lot of effort down the drain if and when found by the state to be insufficient.

            “I thought the first thing we were going to discuss was, ‘are we going to apply this to the entire town or the portions of town that legally have to have it because they’re considered more urban?’ That’s one big thing we need to decide to move this ahead,” said board member Alanna Nelson.

            Daniel reiterated his stance opposing anything requiring more from homeowners in the way of fees. “They’re maxed,” he said.

            Both Daniel and Burke considered cutting the fees in half just to be able to move the document off the agenda to next steps. Burke said the consultant’s presentation gave him “the vibe” that full compliance with the state’s regulation is nearly unattainable. Henry agreed it sounds like Marion will never be fully compliant.

            At Marum’s motion, the meeting suddenly adjourned.

            The next meeting of the Marion Planning Board is scheduled for Monday, August 19, at 7:00 pm at the Police Station on Route 6.

Marion Planning Board

By Mary McCann and Mick Colageo

Nicolaci Memorial Float Fly

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On August 17, at Mary’s Pond in Rochester, the Bristol County Radio Control Club will host the John Nicolaci Memorial Float Fly for radio controlled seaplanes and flying boats.

            All clubs, members, and guests are welcome.

            This noncompetitive event will take place from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. This is an AMA-sanctioned event, and AMA membership must be shown in order to fly. There is no admission fee and a $10 landing fee. Nitro and electric fixed wing models are welcome.

            Attendees are asked to bring their own chairs, blankets and picnic lunches.

            For more information, visit the Bristol County Radio Control Club’s Facebook page, or contact Nancy Dupont at nanw395@comcast.net

Mattapoisett Democratic Town Committee

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The Mattapoisett Democratic Town Committee is thrilled to host the Democratic candidate for the 10th Bristol State Representative seat at our next meeting on Tuesday August 13 at 6:30 pm in the downstairs reading room of the Mattapoisett Free Public Library.

            This meeting is open to the general public. We encourage you to bring family, friends, neighbors and independent/unenrolled voters to hear the candidate speak and learn his policy positions and priorities for our District.

            Light refreshments and munchies will be served. For more information, please contact Nicki Demakis, Matt. Dems Chair at ndemakis@tidlaw.com.

Academic Achievements

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Approximately 7,000 students received bachelor’s degrees in over 100 majors at the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Undergraduate Commencement on May 18, 2024 at the McGuirk Alumni Stadium, including from Marion: Dillon Aguilera Romig. From Mattapoisett: Danielle Elizabeth Craig, Benjamin Marc Hall, John William Jahn III, Paul Herbert Kippenberger III, Jack Landry LeBrun, Jack Martins, Aurora Pereira, Nathan James Przybyszewski, Boston David Rodrigues, and Joseph Patrick Sheridan III. From Rochester: Colby Ryan Alves, and Ryu Bao Huynh-Aoyama.

            Emmanuella Lawrence from Mattapoisett has been named to the University of Delaware Dean’s List for the Spring 2024 Semester.

Shingles: More than Just a Rash

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Some 95% of U.S. adults had chickenpox when they were children. Chickenpox, scientifically called varicella, is usually an annoying but not dangerous illness in children.

            What makes the illness treacherous is that the causative varicella-zoster virus can go into a dormant phase, hiding out mostly in nerve roots near the spinal cord. When our immune system is weakened by stress, illness, medications or simply aging, the virus can spread out from the nerve root along the nerve.

            This recurrence of virus along the course of a nerve is shingles.

            The clinical course of shingles is usually very stereotyped. With a patient who is a good observer, I can usually diagnose it over the phone.

            Stage one is an itching or burning pain localized to a band around one area of the body with nothing visible. To many, it feels as if they burned themselves when they did not.

            The next phase sees them break out with blisters in the same area. It can be on any part of the body, head to toe, but is virtually always only on one side, right or left.

            The blisters scab over and eventually dry up, but this may take weeks. Particularly in older people, the pain may linger for months or years after the rash has gone. This is called post-herpetic neuralgia and is very distressing.

            If the involved nerve is one of the nerves of the face, the eye may be affected, and this can be a sight-threatening issue.

            To fight back, we have treatment and prevention.

            Two anti-viral drugs, acyclovir and famciclovir, are useful in shortening the course of the illness and in preventing post-herpetic neuralgia. To be effective, they should be given early, ideally within a day of the rash appearing. If you break out with what may be shingles on Friday, do not wait until Monday to seek help.

            Vaccines are available that reduce the likelihood of getting shingles. The older one, Zostavax, is about 65% effective, and the newer one, Shingrix, is over 90% effective. While Zostavax is easy to get: one shot, minimal side-effects, the more effective Shingrix requires two shots and is more likely to give you a day or two of flu-like symptoms.

            There have been recent studies suggesting that vaccination reduces the risk of dementia, possibly by preventing the re-emergence of the varicella-zoster virus dormant in the brain.

            Since most children are now vaccinated against chickenpox – the vaccine came out in 1995 – we can hope that shingles will follow polio and smallpox into “mostly of historical interest.”

            In the meantime, most older adults should get the shingles vaccine. If getting Shingrix, don’t schedule your shot the day or two before an important event.

            Edward Hoffer MD is Associate Professor of Medicine, part-time, at Harvard.

What Does The Doctor Say?

By Dr. Edward Hoffer

Park Street Project Concerns Aired

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            During the brief August 5 meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board, board member Nathan Ketchel raised concerns over the current state of the roadway associated with a new subdivision at the end of Park Street.

            Recently, the owners approached the board for a change in the surety method covering the roadway construction, which was ultimately granted. On Monday night, Ketchel voiced concerns over the erosion controls and general condition of the roadway portion and an embankment. Chairman Tom Tucker will reach out, requesting the developer meet with the board to air these concerns.

            The subdivision is known as Park Lane Extension Estates with Andris Rieksts as one of the owners.

            The board met with representatives from NSTAR Electric, which requested an Approval Not Required status for property located at the Crystal Springs Road solar farm. It was explained that no buildable lots were planned and that all lots have been and will remain unbuildable into the future. The request is to establish boundaries for equipment additions in the future.

            Resident Russell Chase came to the board on this night, offering to draw up draft bylaws for ADUs (accessory-dwelling units) as well as lots previously merged due to not meeting updated zoning regulations. He told the board that within 24 hours of Monday’s meeting the governor had changed merged lots back to being existing lots. Also modified at the state level were some regulations, he said, and that time was of the essence for the town to have its own bylaw for ADU’s.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board is scheduled for Monday, August 19, at 7:00 pm.

Mattapoisett Planning Board

By Marilou Newell

Marion Republican Town Committee

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The Marion Republican Town Committee will conduct its next monthly meeting on Monday, August 12 at 7:00 pm at the Marion Music Hall, 164 Front Street, Marion. The public and new members welcome.  We look forward to seeing you.

SAIL Program Readies Students

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            Superintendent Michael S. Nelson is pleased to share that the Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55 offered Summer Adventures in Learning (SAIL), a program for students in all grades.

            The SAIL Program is open to Tri-Town residents and non-residents. The program has two sessions, the first began July 1 and concluded July 18. The second session runs July 23 through August 8 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at Old Rochester Regional High School.

            “I am thrilled that we can continue to provide summer programming opportunities for students in our districts,” said Nelson. “Our amazing SAIL staff work hard to keep our students engaged academically over the summer while providing fun activities and learning experiences.”

            Students had the opportunity to choose from courses such as “Ocean Explorers,” “Mad Science” and “Camp Read S’More.” SAIL courses incorporate many skills for students to practice, including communication, collaboration, creative thinking and creativity.

            Recently, Marion Police School Resource Officer Jon Tracy and comfort dog Norman visited students during the SAIL summer programming.

            “We are so glad SRO Tracy and Norman were able to visit students and put smiles on their faces,” said Marion Police Chief Richard Nighelli. “Norman continues to impact our community in a positive way and we look forward to many more positive interactions with the Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester communities, including the SAIL Program.”

            The SAIL program is organized by Rochester Memorial School Assistant Principal Charles West and Old Hammondtown School sixth grade teacher Kyle Letendre. This is their 10th year facilitating the SAIL summer program, which is in its 17th year.

            “We strive to provide our students with a positive and equitable learning environment that focuses on inclusiveness, academic engagement and social connections,” said Co-Director West.

            The mission of the SAIL program is to provide an enjoyable and supportive learning environment, prevent regression of previously learned skills and engage students with opportunities that strengthen their educational foundation.

            “It is wonderful to see so many of our students engaged in learning while having fun all summer long,” said Codirector Letendre. “I am profoundly grateful for our staff over the years. Their work in the summer demonstrates their dedication to the profession and their love of supporting our students and families.”

            Learn more about the SAIL program at oldrochester.org/summer-sale-program.

Disappearances Still Haunt Author

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            It takes persistence, research and passion to be an author. Now toss into the mix a very curious mind, and you wind up with Kathleen Brunelle.

            Known by many as “Mrs. Brunelle” at Old Rochester Regional High School, Brunelle has written several books in the narrative, nonfiction style. Her latest effort titled “She’s Gone: Five Mysterious Twentieth-Century Cold Cases” came out in May. On July 30, the author gave a presentation at the Elizabeth Taber Library in Marion, in which she not only shared the processes she employs but the devotion to telling the lost women’s stories.

            Brunelle extensively researched the lives of five women who seemingly disappeared without a trace, leaving behind bewildered and bereft friends and family. She said more than once in her hour-long talk, “someone knows something.”

            In a follow-up, we delved a bit more deeply into how the lives of Dorothy Arnold (disappeared 1910), Jean Spangler (disappeared 1949), Anna Locascio (disappeared 1918), Agnus Tuferson (disappeared 1933), and Simone Ridinger (disappeared 1977) were researched and Brunelle’s desire to keep the women’s lives from slipping into oblivion.

            Of particular note, Brunelle said that the Ridinger family stays in contact with police authorities …”1977 wasn’t that long ago relatively speaking. … It’s still an open case for the Sherborn Police Department.”

            Inspiration for “She’s Gone …” came indirectly.

            “I was inspired to write the book when reading about Anna Locascio’s story in an old newspaper. I was researching material for a different book at the time. I then looked into Agnes Tufverson’s story and wrote a book about her before going back and deciding to use a series of cases for this book,” she said.

            The research Brunelle undertakes would be daunting for most but not for the author.

            “I spent years researching these women and their stories. Also, when possible, I spoke to their families. I came to know them and their lives on a very personal level, and I felt responsible to get their stories right and to do them justice in this book,” she said.

            We asked what Brunelle hoped would be the readers’ main takeaway. Given her intense feelings for her subjects, we weren’t surprised by her answer.

            “The first takeaway is that the women in these cases are more than victims. They were talented and accomplished women whose stories were ended and taken away,” she said. “I want to give their stories back. The second takeaway is that even in the face of unspeakable tragedy, people can find strength and persevere. Throughout my research, I was amazed by the families of these missing women, and I continue to be inspired by their resilience.”

            Given Brunelle’s busy schedule, which not only includes being an English teacher at ORR but also a mother with a family to care for, how does she find time to write?

            “Writing is a very important part of my life and who I am,” she said. “It defines me in many ways. That being said, I don’t often have a lot of time to write, so I write when I can. I am, however, always thinking about my books and whatever I am researching or writing at the time. I would also say that working as an English teacher inspires my writing, as I have the chance to work with and discuss literature (and) writing every day.”

            Brunelle is drawn to female subjects.

            “I wanted to focus on relationships as they related to each woman’s character and her case, also her family dynamic,” she said. “I focus on history, particularly women’s issues. I suppose I try to right the wrongs find the answers where I can. That was certainly the case with ‘Bellamy’s Bride’ and certainly is the case with ‘She’s Gone.’ I like to speak up for those who can no longer speak for themselves.”

            And what about those final segments of the writing/publishing process?

            “The hardest part is that final push to the writing deadline – when I am editing down and sending off years of research and writing in its final form,” Brunelle said. “The book has become like a part of you by that point, so it’s hard to narrow it down and it’s hard to let it go.”

By Marilou Newell

Abutters Argue Emergency Turnaround

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            Rochester’s Conservation Commission Tuesday continued its public hearing on the Notice of Intent application to install two stone posts at the end of the driveway at 67 Old Schoolhouse Road to September 3 after complaints from a meeting room packed with abutters.

            Mark Hughes of 63 Old Schoolhouse Road said he was looking for the exact location of that new gate because the Highway Department told him he had to have a turnaround for emergency vehicles and trash haulers at his part of the road. He and other abutters expressed concern that there be enough turnaround space for these vehicles.

            Applicant and 67 Old Schoolhouse Road resident Nicholas Araujo said his driveway was never a turnaround area. He explained he was there to reapply for an Order of Conditions issued by the commission that had expired. That application included having to remove a section of his loam and relocate it into his yard.

            Commission Cochairman Ben Bailey motioned for the continuance after noting the abutters concerns were beyond the ConCom’s jurisdiction because they are about “health and safety,” not conservation. Bailey said the abutters need the time to find an official plan that specifies the need for a turnaround configuration at that end of the street. Otherwise, the ConCom would have no reason to deny the location of the gate.

            “You have to have some document from someone that says he can’t have a gate there,” Bailey said. Hughes agreed to find that documentation.

            Next, the commission approved the Notice of Intent application to install a temporary access path to the Town of Marion’s North Well on New Bedford Road after a plea from Marion Department of Public Works engineer Meghan Davis.

            Davis explained the road to that well has deteriorated of late because of the wetlands there, but road access is needed there to fix recent electrical issues as soon as possible.

            Commission Chairman Christopher Gerrior said this will be a NOI for a temporary path, while Marion creates a design and files a NOI for a permanent road. Davis said Marion would like to begin the work in August or September when the conditions there are the driest possible. The board approved the NOI with standard conditions.

            In other action, the commission approved certificates of compliance for the completion of work to construct a single-family home at 198 Burgess Avenue, a single-family dwelling at 48 Bowen’s Lane, a single-family house at 203 High Street, a single-family home at 610 North Street, a single-family dwelling at 60 Clapp Road, and to demolish an 8×10-foot shed with associated earth work and clearing of vegetation at 422 High Street. Conservation Agent Merilee Kelly explained most of these are projects finished years ago that never received their compliance certificates.

            The commission further discussed the Herring Run Restoration and Maintenance project, which intends to clear the sometimes-clogged herring-run area from Hartley Farm Pond to the start of the Rochester Memorial Day Boat Race.

            Bailey said he and member Bill Milka took a canoe out to that area of the pond and measured the depth of the mud and vegetation. The commissioners agreed the current plan should be utilizing mats made of old railroad ties to cushion the small excavation equipment that will scoop out that clogging material. Bailey said he will prepare a map based on his and Milka’s measurements.

            The next meeting of the Rochester Conservation Commission is scheduled for Tuesday, September 3, at 7:00 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.

Rochester Conservation Commission

By Michael J. DeCicco