YMCA Announces New ECE Director

on December 31, 2014

YMCA SOUTHCOAST is proud to announce Kristin Fortin as the new Director of Early Childhood Education at the YMCA Sippican Preschool Center located at the Sippican School in Marion, MA.

A graduate of Bridgewater State University with a degree in elementary education, Ms. Fortin has been an employee of the Y for 18 months. She taught in the Bridgewater and Brockton public schools and was the assistant director at the Magic Years Day Care in East Falmouth, MA prior to coming to the Y. In addition to her teaching credentials, Ms. Fortin is EEC Director II certified.

“I am pleased to have promoted Kristin as the new Director of Early Childhood Education at our Sippican site. Her positive energy and leadership, along with dedication to the Y and the children and families in our program, were some of the attributes that made Kristin the ideal candidate for this position,” states Kathy Treglia, Executive Director of Education at YMCA SOUTHCOAST. “She brings a warm enthusiasm to our organization and I look forward to working with Kristin in her new position.”

In her role as Director of Early Childhood Education, Ms. Fortin will be responsible for leading and managing the day-to-day operations of the early education program at this off-site Y program site. The center will undergo a program change. Under Kristin’s leadership, there will be a restructure of two preschool classrooms, and the Y team will work with Project Grow, sharing the same teaching strategies curriculum and child assessments used at the school. “I am quite lucky to be in a position where I absolutely love what I do. I am surrounded by a supportive team of teachers and families and I will get to work with great children eager to learn. I couldn’t be happier,” states Ms. Fortin. She resides in Wareham with her husband and two children.

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. With five branch sites serving more than 37,000 people, YMCA SOUTHCOAST has been working to meet the needs of our community for over 150 years. The Y engages people of all ages – regardless of income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Everyone is welcome at the Y and financial assistance is available. For more information about YMCA SOUTHCOAST, visit one of the branches in Dartmouth, Fall River, Mattapoisett, New Bedford, and Wareham or online at ymcasouthcoast.org.

Thank You from the Women’s Center

on December 31, 2014

The Women’s Center would like to thank all the folks who donated books and pajamas for children in shelter at the Mattapoisett Library. Your generosity is greatly appreciated and put smiles on many children for the holidays. Special thanks to Library Director Susan Pizzolato for sponsoring this project and selecting The Women’s Center as the charity to receive these gifts. The collection will continue into January, so it’s not too late to donate new books and children’s pajamas at the Mattapoisett Library. The need is great and continues throughout the year. Thank you and Happy New Year to all!

Superintendent Storms Out of Meeting

on December 31, 2014

“I wasted my time again!” Those were the last words spoken by Mattapoisett Highway Superintendent Barry Denham as he stormed out of the December 29 public meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board during discussion over the Brandt Point Village subdivision.

The board had received a letter from the subdivision project’s attorney John Williams that stated no road construction had begun on Phase II, and that a culvert was being installed for a turtle crossing. Denham took exception to the letter.

“They have cleared and grubbed the roadway grid, excavated, and installed a 20-foot culvert that passes under the road…. It’s a bridge by DOT standards,” said Denham. “My contention is road construction has begun, nothing has been inspected, and I don’t believe your board has received any plans. I call it road construction,” continued Denham.

Planning Board member John Mathieu asked, “Let’s say it is road construction, what is the issue?”

“The issue is we need inspections at every stage!” Denham fired back, raising his voice.

Mathieu started to say that the board had asked Denham to tell them and the contractor when he wanted to inspect the work.

“We don’t have to invent a thing – it’s in the bylaws!” Denham roared.

Denham insisted that the bylaws were sufficient for builders to work from and understand the various milestones in roadway construction to ask for inspections. Mathieu insisted that a schedule from him to the contractor was necessary.

Denham was clearly frustrated, grabbing the paperwork he was armed with and declaring, “I wasted my time again!” Denham walked out of the meeting.

The stunned board members – Chairman Ron Merlo, Karen Fields, and Mathieu – took a collective deep breath and then set about figuring out what their next steps should be, could be, and would be for this much beleaguered subdivision.

After nearly 30 minutes of discussion, they came up with a plan.

First and foremost, they will require that the developer of Phase I pave all side roads currently at the site. Second, they will request as-built plans for the culvert. Third, Merlo will talk to the Town’s engineering firm, Field Engineering, about inspecting the site. Merlo will work with Field Engineering to develop a checklist for the developer that clearly states when inspections are to be done throughout the road construction process. And last, they will confirm that all drainage systems are constructed as planned.

In other matters, the board addressed the application for endorsement of a plan believed not to require approval for the property located at 9 Hillers Cove Road, an application filed by David Haviland and Barry Cullen. With the expiration date nearing on their original filing date, the Planning Board originally held this special hearing to accommodate the applicants.

Unfortunately for the board members, the applicants asked for a six-month extension just prior to the meeting time. The board granted the extension.

Also on the agenda was Attorney Elizabeth Kunz representing the Bay Club’s request to release some lots that the Town was holding in lieu of bonds. Kunz demonstrated that the applicants had completed all necessary roadway structures to plan and asked for the release of the three lots. The Planning Board voted to approve the release as requested.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board is scheduled for January 5 at 7:00 pm in the Mattapoisett Town Hall conference room.

By Marilou Newell

Board Seeks Wastewater Permit Solution

on December 30, 2014

As recommended by Town Administrator Paul Dawson, the Marion Board of Selectmen moved forward with its response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s draft NPDES permit, which according to Dawson, placed unrealistic demands on the Town’s wastewater treatment system that would lead to costly upgrades and a complete overhaul of the current wastewater treatment techniques. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit issued by the EPA controls water pollution by regulating the point sources of pollutants.

In a letter dated December 17 to the EPA and signed by all three selectmen, the board asked for an extension of the 30-day public comment period, asking for 180 days so the Town could provide more detailed comments on the draft permit that imposes changes that are “vast,” according to the letter, “and if left unchanged,” the letter reads, “will result in a substantial and unprecedented revision to the Town’s wastewater treatment plant…”

During the December selectmen’s meeting, Dawson referred to the matter as the NPDES “ongoing saga” that threatens to essentially end the use of the Town’s three sewage lagoons, the very foundation of the wastewater treatment plant.

“To date, we have not received a response to our request,” Dawson told selectmen, but the EPA did on its own issue a 60-day extension since they issued the draft NPDES during the holiday season. The comment period has been extended from January 2 to February 2. Dawson said he is certain, though, that the EPA has received the letter by now.

“In the meantime, we are continuing to meet with the engineers … and discuss strategy,” said Dawson. The Town has been consulting with the engineering firm CDM Smith.

Dawson commented that communities within the Taunton River Watershed Alliance have had their own issues with the EPA regarding its NPDES draft permit, calling the issues “similar, yet different.” What the two parties have in common, said Dawson, is the belief that the EPA is applying science that is not correct relative to acceptable levels of nitrogen, calling the new levels “unachievable, even with the latest technology.”

The letter to the EPA references the Buzzards Bay Coalition’s report on the nitrogen and phosphorus levels pertaining to the lagoons, and alleges the report was “demonstrated to be fundamentally flawed” and the basis for the EPA’s draft NPDES permit.

The Taunton River Watershed Alliance is consulting with a high-power environmental law firm based in Washington D.C., and, although Dawson said he does not yet think employing the same law firm is appropriate at his time, he asked selectmen to authorize a discussion with the attorneys.

“I don’t think there’s any harm in exploring it,” Dawson told selectmen.

Board of Selectman Chairman Jonathan Henry speculated that the law firm’s services would be costly, but if it could save the Town from spending $5 million in upgrades to the wastewater system, “It could be worth it.”

Also during the meeting, the board considered a request from Bay Watch Development that offers the Town an additional five affordable housing units within the 40B housing development in exchange for $450,000 in Community Preservation funds.

State regulation mandates that 10-percent of the housing be affordable housing, and adding five more units to the already allotted four units would bring the Town’s percentage up to 7.7-percent.

Bay Watch would need to file an application for a modification of the comprehensive permit with the Zoning Board of Appeals, and the Marion Affordable Housing Trust and Community Preservation Commission would also need to be on board with a recommendation at Town Meeting to approve the CPC funding.

Chairman of the Affordable Housing Trust Jennifer Watson attended the meeting and addressed the matter, which she said would be discussed further during the trust’s next meeting on January 12.

“We have to do something,” said Watson regarding the targeted 10-percent affordable housing. “This proposal sounds intriguing.”

Selectman Stephen Cushing commented that “there’s a lot of moving parts that have to line up” before this request could be granted.

The next meeting of the Marion Board of Selectmen is scheduled for January 20 at 7:00 pm at the Marion Town House.

By Jean Perry

Marion Art Center Classes

on December 30, 2014

The Marion Art Center is now accepting registrations for its Winter/Spring 2015 classes. The Marion Art Center is located at 80 Pleasant Street (main entrance is on Main Street) in Marion. For more information, please call 508-748-1266 or visit www.marionartcenter.org.

Advanced Watercolor Painting: Fridays from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon; January 23 to March 13 (8 weeks); Instructor: Jay Ryan; Tuition: $175 members / $190 non-members (materials not included). Note: This course requires a minimum of five students to run.

This course is a perfect “next step” for those who would like to explore watercolor painting beyond a basic understanding of color and brush strokes. Using the brilliant nature of light (and dark), we’ll “push” the medium, adding other water media, brushes, and paper surfaces, and experiment with palette color mixing to capture magic and luminosity. In each class, we will start a new painting together using landscape, still life, the figure, abstract or imaginative thought, or narrative ideas as subjects. Each class will also provide a brief and supportive group “critique.” Students will leave with expanded knowledge of technique and traditional and contemporary use of watercolor.

About the Instructor: Jay Ryan is a Fairhaven painter and a Gallery Instructor at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. A former K-12 public school art teacher and administrator, Jay has studied at Massachusetts College of Art, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, and Framingham State and Lesley Universities. His work has been locally shown at the Judith Klein Gallery, ArtWorks! and Gallery X in New Bedford and the Marion Art Center.

Children’s Classes

Mac Dance Academy: Mondays, February 23 through May 4 (10 weeks); Instructor: Paige Hiller; Preschool (age 3-4) 3:00 – 3:30 pm, Beginner (age 4-5) 3:30 – 4:15 pm, Intermediate (age 5-6) 4:15 – 5:00 pm. Winter/Spring 2015 Session begins Monday, February 23.

The Marion Art Center is now accepting registrations for its Winter/Spring Dance Academy. Classes are held on Mondays and run for 10 weeks. Spring session focuses heavily on choreography and recital performance. Spring Schedule: Feb. 23 (students will be measured for recital costumes the first week; costumes will run approximately $45 each), Mar. 2, Mar. 9, Mar. 16, Mar. 23, Mar. 30, Apr. 6, Apr. 13, Apr. 20 – No Dance (School April Vacation), Apr. 27, May 4, May 6 (Make up day if needed), May 8 – RECITAL.

To register and pay on-line, go to: www.marionartcenter.org and click on “Register.”

Preschool: Preschool instruction is for children between the ages of 3-4. Class is 30 minutes and involves ballet warm-up, jazz stretches, basic mat tumbling and basic tap steps. The fee for the 10-week session is $145 for Marion Art Center members and $160 for non-members. (Child MUST be 3 years of age at the start of the Session.)

Beginner: Beginner instruction is for children between the ages of 4-5. Class is 45 minutes and involves ballet warm-up and barre, jazz stretches, beginner mat tumbling. The fee for the 10-week session is $155 for Marion Art Center members and $170 for non-members.

Intermediate: Intermediate instruction is for children ages 5-6. Class is 45 minutes and involves advanced ballet warm-up, barre and adagio, tumbling, jazz stretches and combinations and tap combinations. The fee for the 10-week session is $155 for Marion Art Center members and $170 for non-members.

Little People’s Theatre (ages 6-9): Tuesdays, 4:30 – 5:30 pm; Instructor: Kim Teves; Tuition: Each six-week session is $80 for MAC members and $95 for non-members.

Deadline for registration for Winter Session 1 is January 6. Winter Session 1 LPT: January 6, 13, 20, 27; February 3 and 10. Winter Session 2 LPT: February 24; March 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31. Spring Session LPT: April 30; May 5, 12, 19, 26; June 2.

Each week, the children will learn basic theater craft through drama games, readers’ theater and experience the fun of the stage while rehearsing for a small production to be performed the last week of each session.

Young People’s Theatre (ages 10-14): Thursdays, 4:00 – 5:30 pm; Instructor: Kimberly Teves. Tuition: $170 for MAC members and $185 for non-members. Call 508-748-1266 for more information.

Deadline for registration for Winter/Spring 2015 Session YPT is January 8. Winter/Spring Session YPT: January 8, 15, 22, 29; February 5, 12, 26; March 5, 12, 19. New! Spring 1/2 Session YPT: April 30; May 7, 14, 21, and 28.

Classes are for boys and girls in grades 4-8. The 10-week Winter/Spring Session program starts January 8 and runs through March 19. Performance will be on Thursday, March 19.

Students will learn basic theater craft through improvisation exercises, theater games, and the process of putting on a production through selection, rehearsal and production of a small show presented at the end of the session.

Preschool Piano (age 3-5 years): Friday mornings at the Marion Art Center, 25 minute private lessons for children ages 3-5 years. $20 per lesson (includes cost of music/materials/recital).

Little Mozart’s Preschool Piano is an early music enrichment program for children, ages 3 to 5. Lessons are designed to introduce children to the piano, and teach basic foundation skills that will inspire an early appreciation for music. Individual lessons place an emphasis on rhythm, finger position, music vocabulary, music notation, note reading, and encourage overall fine motor development. It is offered three times per year at the Marion Art Center for 10-week sessions during the fall (Sept-Dec), winter/spring (Jan-April), and summer (July-August). Each session concludes with a short recital. Children may repeat sessions through age 5 to enhance their knowledge and performance skills. To reserve a lesson time, contact Jamie Wiksten at jwiksten@verizon.net or 508-295-0379.

Saturday Morning Piano Lessons: Piano lessons for beginners and intermediates are offered on Saturday mornings, by appointment only, with instructor Donald Richard.

Winter Session begins January10 and runs until the end of the school year. To reserve a lesson time, please call Donald Richard at 781-582-6273 or email him at don@javajiveband.com

About the Instructor: Donald Richard earned his Bachelor of Music from University of Lowell and has been teaching private lessons on piano and trumpet since 1980. He has substituted in the Old Rochester Regional School District since 1999 and since 2003 has assisted with the Sippican Elementary School Annual Band Blast and other events.

Registration and payment for all classes except piano can be made on line at www.marionartcenter.org.

The Marion Art Center is located at 80 Pleasant Street (main entrance is on Main Street) in Marion. For more information, please call 508-748-1266 or visit www.marionartcenter.org.

Machacam Club

on December 29, 2014

The Machacam Club will hold its January meeting on January 7 at the Legion Hall, 3 Depot Street. Social time is 5:30 pm; dinner at 6:00 pm.

Our special guest, courtesy of Cal Perkins, will be Tim Fallon who grew up sailing Beetle Cats in Buzzards Bay. Tim’s presentation on PowerPoint will be the story of Charles C. Hanley, the “rule of thumb” designer and builder of a line of fast catboats and centerboard sloops during the golden age of the catboats from 1875 through the early 1900s. Specifically, he will cover the construction of a 28-foot catboat designed by Hanley. The Kathleen was launched in 2006, the result of an experiment to recreate one of the fastest racing catboats of all time.

Callers and members are asked to bear in mind the importance of call list accuracy, especially in view of the food cost increases. Caller lists should be done and reported no later than 9:00 pm on January 5 by email to GPFNR@aol.com or by phone to Mike at 508-758-9311. Members with requests or changes can contact either no later than 9:00 am on January 6.

Mattapoisett Library News

on December 29, 2014

Doll Craft Workshop: Do you want to build a snowman – indoors? How would your doll like to have her own snowman? Come in and build a doll-sized snowman at the Mattapoisett Library on Tuesday, December 30 from 1:00 to 2:00 pm. All materials will be provided. All ages are welcome, but children under 7 must bring a helper. Registration is required. Please stop by or call 508-758-4171.

New device? Stop in! If you received a new e-reader, smart phone, or tablet for the holidays, and you need a little help getting started, call the library to set up an appointment with librarian Elizabeth Sherry. She also has drop-in tech times on Tuesdays at 6:30 pm and Fridays at 3:00 pm. These sessions are a great opportunity to ask questions and learn more about downloading free books from the library. Call 508-758-4171 for more information or to set up an appointment.

Library Holiday Hours: The Mattapoisett Free Public Library will close at noon on Wednesday, December 31 and will be closed New Year’s Day, Thursday, January 1. The library will resume regular hours on January 2. Don’t forget: The library is open Sunday afternoons from 1:00 to 4:00 pm.

Giving Season

on December 29, 2014

Marion Police and employees of JRI picking up donated toys and items for their program. In the picture from left to right: Sgt Marshall Sadeck , Hillary Riding (JRI), Jennifer Grant(JRI), Susan Mazzarella (JRI), Officer Karen Ballinger. Also seen in photo helping to load cars is Lt John Garcia.

Shown here are the presents that have been collected by the Marion Town House, Mattapoisett Town Hall and Fall River Surgi Center for a local women and children’s center.

‘City Celebrates!’ a Great New Year’s Event

on December 29, 2014

The New Year’s Eve 2013 ‘City Celebrates!’ in New Bedford last year was a fantastic event for kids, art appreciators, and music lovers alike, with dozens of music performances, art exhibitions, street performers, and family-oriented activities that lasted well into the night, topped off by a magnificent fireworks display over the harbor. This year, the 2014 City Celebrates! will be just as exciting – and hopefully, a little less chilly than last year. (And it’s all free!)

The historic downtown New Bedford streets, sidewalks, and parks bustle with New Year’s Eve revelers during the event, which is so well-organized that all you need is the official map of the event, widely available at any of the venues with scheduled activities and also passed out on the street by organizers of the event.

If you want to plan ahead, we have the schedule of events right here for you, classified by genre, so you can get an idea of what is happening and where to head for it.

One of the earlier events is the annual inter-faith service in New Bedford’s historic Seamen’s Bethel at 15 Johnny Cake Hill from 5:00 to 6:00 pm, followed by an evening of live music until 8:00 pm.

For the kids, the best Toe Jam Puppet Band will be offering performances at 5:30, 6:30, and 7:30 pm at the YMCA, located at 25 South Water Street. (Parents love them too, by the way).

The YMCA will also host the Buttonwood Park Zoo with its fun Winter Animal Activities exhibit.

The 1850s Ladies will be hosting an evening of crafts and games inside the Whaling National Historical Park Visitor Center at 33 William Street. Ruth and Abby will be dressed in period costumes, showing kids how to make their own noisemakers, among other things. Drop in anytime between 5:00 and 7:00 pm.

Keeping with the kiddies, Jedlie’s Magic Circus will offer their Family Magic Workshop at the Art Museum/Artworks! located at 608 Pleasant Street. During Jedlie’s performances, the children are the stars of the show, so have your cameras ready for this one. (And be sure to arrive early to the performances as seats fill up fast). There will be two shows at 5:30 and 6:30 pm. And a little FYI, there are also bathrooms onsite and open to the public.

Head to the State Pier from 7:00 to 8:30 pm to watch the Brett Sylvia Puppetry show. Sylvia is a master puppeteer and fine artist. His puppets are unlike any puppets you have ever seen and will activate your child’s (and your) imagination.

Make sure you catch Bill Harley, children’s entertainer and storyteller, at the New Bedford Whaling Museum at 18 Johnny Cake Hill. Harley is a two-time Grammy Award winner and a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities. Also an NPR commentator, Entertainment Weekly once called Harley “the Mark Twain of contemporary children’s music!” He will be enchanting audiences from 5:30 to 6:30 pm.

You will also find other exciting entertainment and street performers outside the museum in the Whaling Museum Plaza.

For the art enthusiasts, you will find the New Year’s wish art project with Dream out Loud at Custom House Square. The Dream out Loud Center for the Arts’ mission “is to advance the personal and career goals of South Coast residents through innovation, education and mentoring.” It does this through its Creative Careers Program. Custom House Square is located at North Second Street at William Street, and this exhibit will go on from 5:00 to 8:00 pm.

Also at Custom House Square, Jessica Bregoli’s original art installation “Snowflake” will be on display.

The Photo Project “I am NB” by Nbbeautiful with U.G.L.Y. Gallery and Parks & Recreation will go on from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at Wings Court, located in the heart of downtown, surrounded by Union, Purchase, and William Streets.

There are some music events scheduled as well, starting with DJ Anghelli jamming out in Wings Court from 5:00 to 8:00 pm.

You can enjoy live jazz music at the Star Store UMASS Dartmouth at 715 Purchase Street, at the corner of Union Street. A number of performers will be playing live from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.

The West African Drum Ensemble “Kekeli” will play at the State Pier Ferry Terminal from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. The UMASS Dartmouth group’s aim is to spread African music, dance, and culture throughout the campus and the South Coast region.

Folk musicians and folkies in general can head to Café Arpeggio for Open Mic Night. Give a performance, or come enjoy the live music from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. Café Arpeggio is located at 800 Purchase Street.

Fire breathers, jugglers, and stilt-walkers will be out captivating passersby at various corners around the downtown area, among other amazing street performers.

Stay for the fireworks beginning at 8:30 pm on the waterfront by State Pier or watch them from any point surrounding the New Bedford Harbor!

So bundle up and venture out into the chilly air of the last night of 2014 and make this New Year’s Eve a special one for you and your family.

We at The Wanderer wish all of our readers a Healthy and Happy New Year 2015!

By Jean Perry

Holidays at the Mattapoisett Museum

on December 28, 2014

The Mattapoisett Historical Society Museum hosted a series of winter holiday activities on Saturdays during the month of December. One of the activities was reading favorite stories, both old and new. Photos by Marilou Newell