ETL Winter Children’s Programs

on January 10, 2015

Winter Story Time for children between the ages of three and five begins January 12 and runs through February 24. Children are invited to enjoy stories, finger-plays and crafts Monday mornings at 10:30.

Winter Lapsit, for children birth through 23 months and their caregivers, began January 6 and runs through February 25. Each Tuesday morning program begins at 10:30 am and includes a 20 minute “story time” followed by 20 minutes of socializing. One child per “lap,” please!

Winter Tales for Twos, for children 24-36 months, began January 7 and runs through February 26. Children must be two years old by January 1, 2015 to attend and must be accompanied by enthusiastic adult companions. The half-hour of stories, finger-plays and crafts takes place at 10:30 am on Wednesday mornings.

Pre-registration is required for these programs; please sign up by stopping by the library, calling 508-748-1252, or by e-mailing Mrs. Grey, Children’s Librarian, at rgrey@sailsinc.org.

Florence Eastman Post 280

on January 10, 2015

The monthly meeting of the Florence Eastman Post 280 will be held at the Post Hall at 7:00 pm on January 21. The meeting will cover the Ham & Bean supper of January 10, as well as the upcoming suppers planned for February and March. These events have to be successful as Boys’ & Girls’ State tuitions are looming very close and we would like to send the same as last year which was “9”!!

Bring your ideas for fundraising as we cannot function without our members support and, obviously, the support of the great folks in our area who always patronize our efforts. The Hall is always available for rental. Just contact one of our members or call Mike at 508-758-9311.

Flood Maps and Insurance Update

on January 10, 2015

Between 2012 and 2014 across the nation from Fargo to Tampa, from Lubec to Los Angeles, Chicago to Port Arthur, the issues of increased flood insurance rates and new FEMA flood mapping hit many homeowners like a tsunami.

Property owners were facing crippling cost increases as the federal government’s defunct FEMA programs were tapped out. Then came legislation that would have allowed insurance companies to set rates based on full value.

The fear of policies costing thousands of dollars per year quickly became a reality with the passage of the Biggert-Waters Reform Act of 2012 (BW-12). Real estate sales tumbled for properties situated in flood zones, sending both owners and realtors into a scramble to try and turn back the rising tide in policy increases and number of properties being designated in new flood zones.

The release of new FEMA flood mapping saw flood zones realigned, placing properties heretofore outside that line inside the line. River valleys, coastal neighborhoods, and flood plains all increased in size, bringing more properties into ‘flood zone’ status.

But towns fought back. Hingham recently won against the implementation of new FEMA mapping.

The Town of Hingham website states, “GZA GeoEnvironmental Inc., on behalf of the Town of Hingham, conducted a town-wide analysis of the 2012 FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). The results of the study showed potential floodplain changes along Hingham’s coast. On December 2, 2014 FEMA issued a letter accepting the scientific data included in this study … The next step will be for the FEMA Region I office in Boston to conduct a Physical Map Revision (PMR).”

The study cost the town $50,000. FEMA also announced in January that it will not use the new maps in Plymouth County until sometime in 2016 due to pending appeals.

Where does Mattapoisett stand in this matter? Last year, the selectmen established a Flood Plain Advisory Committee. This group followed the actions being taken by cities and towns, not only in Massachusetts, but across the nation and gave the selectmen some ideas on how to proceed.

In the meantime, Mattapoisett Inspectional Services Director Andy Bobola has been working shoulder to shoulder with Principal Assessor Kathleen Costello for more than a year to ensure that the information provided to property owners is accurate.

Early on it was learned that the new FEMA maps for Mattapoisett could also have a negative impact on some properties. With re-established FEMA elevations and zones moved from low impact to high impact areas, Town Hall saw an uptick in calls but was unable to do much to help.

Mattapoisett’s GIS mapping system is new to the Assessor’s Office, thus to date, they have not overlaid FEMA flood maps to existing assessment maps.

“We don’t want to give out wrong information,” said Costello, “especially for flood zone.” She said that Bobola has been working closely with residents who seek to find out exactly where their property stands.

“We are double-checking all the mapping information, “Costello said.

And time is once again of the essence.

An email from Joe Rossi of the Massachusetts Coastal Coalition forwarded by local realtor Sandra Dawson reads, “…in 2017 both Biggert-Waters and the HFIAA will expire, and the NFIP will be up for re-authorization by Congress. The national coalition directing the grass root reform of the NFIP, The Coalition for Sustainable Flood Insurance (CSFI), has asked that each part of the country begin developing ideas to reform the NFIP. That is why the Marshfield and Scituate Coastal Coalitions have started the development (of a) project plan to begin organizing the State of Massachusetts and potentially New England in preparation of 2017.”

To learn how Mattapoisett’s Flood Plain Advisory Committee is proceeding, contact Mattapoisett Town Administrator Michael Gagne at mgagne@mattapoisett.net, or call 508-758-4100 ext. 4 to reach the Selectmen’s Office. You may also go to www.fema.gov and/or www.masschusettscoastalcoalition.org to learn what you can do to protect your property and flood insurance coverage.

By Marilou Newell

Students Sound Off on PowerSchool

on January 10, 2015

A central part of the student experience at Old Rochester Regional High School is PowerSchool, a website designed to make accessing your grades easier. PowerSchool is also used by teachers, who manage their classes and mark grades for students on the website. The site definitely provides a great service to students by allowing them to access their grades at the click of a button – but how do students really feel about the program?

One concern that teachers have raised about PowerSchool is the excessive usage by some students anxious to see their grades. Juniors Laura Casey and Brianna Grignetti differ in their usage habits of PowerSchool, but neither says it is excessive.

“I probably log in about four times a week,” said Casey, a contrast to Grignetti’s log-in habits.

“Not a lot, maybe once a week,” said Gignetti.

Both students agree, though, that being able to see your grades whenever you want is the biggest advantage of PowerSchool. Freshman Sam Ellis expanded upon that, saying that being able to see your grades anytime is better because “you don’t have to go through your teachers or wait until the end of the term.”

Sophomore Eric Souza described PowerSchool as “a guided tool for student and instructor alike, an amazing and unique opportunity that all schools should access.” Souza had a few ideas of his own on how to improve PowerSchool.

“It would be nice if they had showed your percentile or had a percentage scale on certain assignments,” suggested Souza. “Then you could see where you are compared to other students in your class level and grade.”

Souza uses PowerSchool a bit more than Casey and Grignetti. He defends his position, saying, “I need to know exact GPA changes and grade changes, and check to see if there’s any slip-ups or confusion.”

Possible mistakes or confusion over a student’s actual grade, said Grignetti, concern her. “The worst is when teachers haven’t updated grades and it’s the end of the term,” said Grignetti, specifying this as her main issue. “Sometimes, you don’t know your true grade.”

Some students thought that, despite the convenience and helpfulness of PowerSchool, it does not particularly improve the relationship between students and teachers.

“It makes you more paranoid about your grades,” Casey said.

“Students nag teachers about putting in grades right away, and it becomes annoying for teachers,” stated Grignetti.

Sam Ellis disagreed, saying, “You can go to your teacher after looking on PowerSchool and ask them about the grading on a certain piece of work.”

Although there is some disagreement on exactly how it affects students and teachers, students are very vocal about PowerSchool and, in general, recognize just how valuable and useful the program is. As students and teachers continue to analyze the pros and cons of PowerSchool, we could see a change in usage habits and grading tendencies in the near future.

By Patrick Briand

SouthCoast Toastmaster’s Club

on January 9, 2015

The SouthCoast Toastmaster’s Club, also known as Marion Toastmaster’s Club, is a public speaking, communications and leadership organization that meets the second and fourth Thursday of each month from noon to 1:00 pm at the Wareham Library, 59 Marion Road, Wareham, MA.

Come and experience what happens at our meetings! We have a vocabulary word of the day, a joke of the day, two 5-7 minute prepared speeches, two minute extemporaneous speaking sessions and evaluations of what just happened. The meeting is one hour. Come and bring your brown bag lunch.

Get over your jitters and gain more confidence in your presentation skills. Bring a friend. For more information, call 508-292-6706 or visit our web site at www.Marion.ToastmastersClubs.org

Sippican Woman’s Club

on January 9, 2015

The Sippican Woman’s Club invites members and guests to an evening meeting on Monday, January 12 at 7:00 pm at Harriet’s Outback, 7 Cottage Street, Marion.

Please join us for wine and cheese followed by a very brief business meeting followed by an 8:00 pm thought-provoking program “Cleaning Out Life Clutter: Spring Cleaning for the Self” led by Sabrina Woods, a career counselor and holistic career/life coach who will motivate us to do spring cleaning of self – helping us to identify what makes us happy, what zaps our energy and ultimately providing the awareness to empower us to make positive changes on how we spend our time and on what we spend our time.

Parking is available at the Landing Wharf parking lot. Pre-registration of guests is encouraged as programs often fill. Guests may RSVP to: Info@SippicanWomansClub.org. There will be a $5 fee for non-members. Guests who become members may deduct the $5 fee from their dues.

For membership information, contact Jeanne Lake at 508-748-0619 or visit our website: www.sippicanwomansclub.org.

Condemned Homes Addressed and Assessed

on January 9, 2015

Three dilapidated houses on Point Road and County Road will soon know their fate after the three-member Marion Board of Survey met January 5 to discuss the findings from board members’ visits to the properties. The function of the board is to assess unsafe or unsound structures and make recommendations to the Town as to whether or not the houses should be demolished.

“If it’s not safe for the town inspector, or the Fire Department … or Police Department to go in, then that’s sort of the threshold there,” said newly-elected Chairman Robert Desrosiers.

Board member and School District Facilities Director Gene Jones described 974 Point Road as rotten and open to weather and animals, with collapsing walls and a lot that was overgrown with vegetation and littered with trash.

“I found the same thing when I went there,” said Desrosiers. Sagging walls, water damage, and ceilings collapsing, he added to the description.

The board members discussed the language for their recommendation to the Town, deciding to advise that the house be “renovated, boarded up, or razed.”

Some properties, according to Desrosiers, do not merit a recommendation of renovation, but sometimes a structure, such as this one, might not have passed the point of no return.

“[Renovation is] still possible for someone, I suppose,” said Desrosiers.

Jones said two neighbors came out to speak with him while he was onsite, concerned about their kids’ safety near the house.

“I completely agree,” said Jones. “Just walking around that property is dangerous.” He added that the interior of the house is open and accessible to trespassers.

“The Fire Department has already tagged that one,” said Desrosiers.

Jones suggested the board “be firm” with its decisions, “And get the property owner to counter,” said Jones.

The Town must have the official findings and recommendations from the board before it can proceed with boarding up unsafe structures or razing them, with a lien subsequently placed on the property.

The board turned to 1023 Point Road, another house with its roof rotted, outside shingles stripped away, and cellar open to the elements and animals. Desrosiers called this property “very dangerous,” referring to photos and commenting that the house was in such bad shape it looked like it had demolished itself.

“I actually went into the house,” said Desrosiers. “Ugh.” Water, he said, was leaking from the ceiling and the floor was squishy and soft.

The board made a note to include the outbuilding, a shed that was also rotting itself down to the ground and unsafe to remain.

“I think the easy one for all of us is 525 County Road,” suggested board member and Marion Fire Chief Thomas Joyce. “Even getting into the property is dangerous.” Chief Joyce said this property has been an issue for quite some time now, even before Scott Shippey entered the role of Marion Building Commissioner.

Joyce said the chimney was leaning and the roof had detached from it. Jones suggested having a large tree limb hanging on the property cut down, as its fall is imminent and he was concerned about kids playing nearby.

“I call that one a total structural collapse,” said Desrosiers of the County Road house.

The Marion Board of Survey will meet again at 3:00 pm on January 12 at the Marion Police Station to finalize the wording of its recommendations and take a final vote.

By Jean Perry

Track Teams Enter 2015 Undefeated

on January 9, 2015

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

Boys’ Basketball: Following a big victory over Wareham, the boys started out this week with a strong 57-42 win over Fairhaven. Freshman Noah Fernandes played very well on the day, scoring a team-high 18 points and recording five assists and five rebounds. The Bulldogs’ strength in the game was their defense, as they continually shut down a tall Fairhaven team in the backcourt and in the paint. However, the Bulldogs suffered their first loss of the season later in the week to Bishop Stang in a 75-71 thriller. The two teams were evenly-matched in all facets of the game, but Bishop Stang managed to pull ahead with some clutch free throws to hand ORR their first loss of the year. Luckily, Bishop Stang is an out-of-conference team, meaning that the Bulldogs’ conference record remains a perfect 5-0.

Girls’ Basketball: The Lady Bulldogs started their week off with a heartbreaking 41-40 loss to Fairhaven. With two minutes left in the game, ORR held a slight 40-36 lead over Fairhaven, but the Lady Blue Devils managed to take a one-point lead with only 45 seconds remaining. In a crazy back-and-forth, including a turnover, a jump ball, and some missed shots, ORR got the ball back with only 4 seconds remaining and, with the entire length of the court to cover, was not able to take the lead back from their conference rivals. Despite the loss, Kaleigh Goulart played well, scoring 15 points, while Sophie Church contributed 12. The girls then were defeated by out-of-conference Bishop Stang in a 55-15 blowout.

Boys’ Swimming: In their lone meet of the week, the boys’ swim team lost to powerhouse Dighton-Rehoboth, 81-11. The Bulldogs were unable to notch a single first-place against the Falcons, but despite the loss, both Nate Wentworth and Thomas Goodfellow set personal bests in their respective events. With the loss, the team falls to a 1-2 record.

Girls’ Swimming: Like the boys’ team, the Lady Bulldogs suffered a loss to Dighton-Rehoboth, though theirs was a close 47-44 showdown. Cate Feldkamp provided some major points with wins in the 500-freestyle and 200-freestyle, and was also a leg on the winning 200-freestyle relay along with Molly Richards, Chloe Riley, and Erin Burke. Burke would also win the 100-butterfly to put the Lady Bulldogs closer to victory, but ultimately it was not enough, as Dighton-Rehoboth edged the girls by a mere three points.

Boys’ Track: The boys earned three big victories over SCC teams this week, defeating Case (79.5-6.5), Bourne (77-9), and most importantly, GNB Voc-Tech, in a close 47-39 matchup. Kevin Saccone was a triple winner on the day, claiming the titles in the high jump, 55-hurdles, and 600-meter run. As the meet wound down, the score against GNB Voc-Tech was closer and closer, but thanks to a 1-2 placing in the mile, with junior Hunter Parker winning in a quick 5:03, the Bulldogs secured the victory in what will ultimately be one of their toughest meets of the season. With the wins, the boys’ record stands at a perfect 5-0.

Girls’ Track: The girls also earned three conference victories this week against Case (80-6), Bourne (84-1), and GNB Voc-Tech (83-3). The girls won every single event, from the sprints to the hurdles to the distance events, to remain at a perfect 5-0. Zoe Smith won both the 55-hurdles and the high jump, while Jill Sethares claimed the shot-put title and Lauren Ovian won the 600-meter dash. The Lady Bulldogs will be back in action on January 10 at the Reggie Lewis Center for the Division 5 State Relays.

Ice Hockey: The ORR/Fairhaven Bulldogs had a good week, defeating Plymouth North 4-1 for their fourth win of the season. Cam Silvia (2), Mike Lygren, and Chase Cunningham all scored for the Bulldogs, but the big story was Fairhaven resident Jeremy Lawton recording his 100th career point by assisting Silvia on a goal in the second period. The Bulldogs really seemed to have turned their season around, as they started off with 0-2 and have won their past four games to have a 4-2 overall record.

Below are the overall winter team records, followed by the conference records in wins, losses, and ties as of January 4.

Boys’ Basketball: (5-1-0) (5-0-0); Girls’ Basketball: (3-4-0) (2-3-0); 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: (4-2-0) (2-0-0).

By Michael Kassabian

Lawrence Brown

on January 8, 2015

Lawrence Brown, 84, of Marion died January 6, 2015 at home after a long illness.

He was the husband of Eleanor L. (Sylvia) Brown.

Born and raised in New Bedford, the son of the late Frank and Emma D. (DeCouto) Brown, he lived in Marion since 1970. He was a communicant of St. Rita’s Church.

Mr Brown was formerly employed by Morse Twist Drill for many years and later was a realtor at Towne House Realty.

He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War.

The family would like to give a special thanks to the Southcoast Hospice Nurses and CNA’s for their compassionate care, most especially to Michelle and Roseanne for their ongoing dedication and care.

Survivors include his wife; 2 daughters, Dr. Suzanne Brown and her partner Barbara Brown of Ypsilanti, MI and Jeanne Brown and her partner Janine Clemente of Barre, MA; a son, Atty. Lawrence Brown, Jr. and his wife Kristen of Ft. Worth, TX; and 4 grandchildren, Aaron Brown, Jordan Brown, Alex Brown and Sydney Brown.

His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, January 15th at 10 AM in St. Rita’s Church. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home For Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6) Mattapoisett. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Southcoast Hospice, 200 Mill Rd., Fairhaven, MA 02719 or the Alzheimer’s Association, 480 Pleasant St., Watertown, MA 02472.

Elizabeth B. “Gram” Florindo

on January 8, 2015

Elizabeth B. “Gram” Florindo, 96, of Rochester, passed away on Wednesday, January 7, 2015 at Tobey Hospital. She was the wife of the late Joseph Florindo.

Born in Rochester, daughter of the late Edward and Melissa (Jenkins) Bowen, she had resided in Rochester for most of her life.

After graduating from Wareham High School in 1936, she was then the first woman to attend Bristol County Agricultural School.

Mrs. Florindo had worked as a telephone operator in Wareham and Middleboro for 20 years, retiring in 1983.

She loved the town of Rochester and was a very active member of the Rochester Council on Aging and the Rochester Grange Hall. Gram cherished the time spent with her loving family, especially her great-grandchildren.

Her family includes two daughters, Christine E. Florindo and Mary M. Bessey and her husband Edward; two grandchildren, Melissa A. Weigel and her husband Greg and Kelly Bertrand and her husband Rick; five great-grandchildren, Angela, Joseph and Owen Weigel, Daniel and Leah Bertrand all of Rochester; a special niece, Rebecca McAloney of Wareham; and many nieces and nephews. She was the grandmother of the late Paul F. Bessey and sister of the late Frances Florindo.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2015 from 10:00-11:00am with a Funeral Service at 11am in the Waring-Sullivan Home of Memorial Tribute at Fairlawn, 180 Washington St., Fairhaven. Burial will follow in Rochester Center Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Rochester Council on Aging, 67 Dexter Lane, Rochester, MA 02770. For online tributes please visit: www.waring-sullivan.com