EEE Virus Confirmed in Mosquitos from Marion

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The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) announced that EEE virus has been detected in mosquitoes collected from Marion, MA. More specifically, one bird-biting mosquito, culiseta melanura, was found in samples.

EEE is a rare but serious illness spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. While EEE can infect people of all ages, people under 15 years of age and over 50 years of age are at greatest risk for serious illness.

Marion residents are urged to take personal protective measures to protect themselves against mosquito bites. These personal protective measures include:

– Wear mosquito repellent when outdoors during peak mosquito hours (from dusk to dawn);

– Weather permitting, wear long sleeves and long pants when outdoors during peak mosquito hours (from dusk to dawn);

– Use mosquito netting on baby carriages and playpens outdoors;

– Repair window and door screens in your home;

– Dump standing water twice weekly;

– Arrange neighborhood cleanups to get rid of mosquito breeding sites.

Please contact the Marion Board of Health at 508-748-3530 if you have any questions.

Volleyball Nabs First Win

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Here is a look at the third week of results in scheduled games for all ORR athletic teams.

Football: Thanks to a strong performance by junior Darien Dumond, the Bulldogs continued their undefeated streak and gained their third win of the season with a 35-14 win over Bourne. Dumond contributed three touchdowns for the Bulldogs: two rushing and one receiving. Senior Ethan Lizotte and junior Sean Hopkins also added a score apiece. The Bulldogs jumped out to an early 14-0 lead and never looked back, and Bourne’s defense was not strong enough to contain the run-oriented Bulldogs. However, the Bulldog offense, headed by Quarterback Alex Aruri, threw more passes in the game than their other two games combined, proving that the ORR offense is versatile in both running and passing. The boys’ next game is on Friday, September 26, at GNB Voc-Tech at 7:00 pm.

Field Hockey: The Lady Bulldogs also remained undefeated this week, with two exciting wins over conference teams. The girls defeated Seekonk 1-0 in a thrilling, down-to-the-wire game. With just six seconds remaining, senior Alexa Francis, assisted by Ashley Pacheco, scored against the Seekonk goalkeeper to break the scoreless tie and maintain the Lady Bulldogs’ perfect record. Also to be praised was Goalie Mya Lunn, who did an excellent job turning away any offensive momentum Seekonk could muster. The girls followed the exciting win up with a 6-0 blowout over Wareham later in the week. Six different players scored for ORR: Pacheco, Darby Nolet, Hannah Ribeiro, Sarah Robertson, Devyn O’Connor, and Hannah Guard, showing the overall depth of the program.

            Boys’ Soccer: The boys’ soccer team started their week off with a tough 6-1 loss to out-of-conference Dartmouth. Evan Santos scored the first goal of the game and gave the Bulldogs an early lead, but Dartmouth quickly caught up thanks to a stellar performance by Andrew Martinez, who scored four goals on the game. Luckily, the game did not count to the Bulldogs’ SCC record. However, the boys bounced back with a nice 3-1 win over Dighton-Rehoboth, with Alex Sousa, Hunter Parker, and Tim Dix each scoring a goal for the 5-2 Bulldogs.

Girls’ Soccer: The girls had a slower week than usual, only participating in one game against Dighton-Rehoboth. The Lady Bulldogs, who were previously undefeated, suffered their first tie to the DR Falcons, in a tight 1-1 finish. Bailey Truesdale scored the lone ORR goal of the game with 10 minutes remaining, but the Falcons countered with an equalizer with less than six minutes remaining. Though this was the first non-win for the Lady Bulldogs, it still keeps them atop the SCC rankings.

Boys’ and Girls’ Cross Country: The cross country teams participated in their first official meet of the season against Fairhaven. Both teams jumped out to a 1-0 record, as the boys’ team won 20-49, and the girls’ team won 15-45. The boys took places 1, 2, 4, 6, and 7 to round out their top five, with all five runners dipping below the nineteen minute mark. The girls dominated, with all five of their scorers finishing before the first Fairhaven runners. Newcomers Maddie Meyer (20:28) and Nina Bourgeois (20:44) led the team, finishing 1-2 in their first ever dual meet.

Golf: The golf team also remained undefeated this week, easily winning all three of their games. Against GNB Voc Tech, the boys won 180-82, with Jacob Durocher leading the team with a one-under par 35. The boys then defeated Bourne in a closer 177-155 win. This time, Jackson Mitchell led the team with a personal-best 35. The boys wrapped up their successful week with a win over Seekonk, with Collin Fitzpatrick shooting a 38 to lead the 7-0 Bulldogs.

Volleyball: This week was a big one for the Lady Bulldogs. Despite losing twice this week to out-of-conference New Bedford, the Lady Bulldogs managed to earn their first victory of the season over Dighton-Rehoboth in an exciting 3-2 win. Michaelah Nunes was the MVP for ORR, recording 21 assists and 11 aces. Maddie Lee also played well, recording 12 digs and 8 kills. Hopefully, the Lady Bulldogs will be able to continue their SCC momentum to make a run for the state tournament.

Below are the overall team records, followed by the conference records in wins, losses, and ties as of September 21.

Football: (3-0-0) (3-0-0); Field Hockey: (6-0-0) (6-0-0); Girls’ Soccer: ( 5-0-1) (5-0-1); Boys’ Soccer: (5-2-0) (5-1-0); Golf: (7-0-0) (7-0-0); Volleyball: (1-7-0) (1-5-0); Boys’ Cross Country: (1-0-0) (1-0-0); Girls’ Cross Country: (1-0-0) (1-0-0).

By Michael Kassabian

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Mattapoisett Bike Path Public Hearing

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A Public Hearing for the Mattapoisett Bike Path with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation is scheduled for September 25 at 7:00 pm at Old Hammondtown School. This is an important and a long-awaited milestone for the project. The hearing is an opportunity for people to learn about the project and provide input or show support. A positive hearing will allow the project to move to the next stage of funding commitment and permitting. Plans will be available at Old Hammondtown School one half hour before the presentation.

The proposed project will extend the bike path from Mattapoisett Neck Road to Depot Street parking area and provide a handicapped accessible path along our beautiful coast. When this section is complete, there will be direct bike path access to the village and to a signalized Route 6 crossing. This is a hearing, not a vote. The general public – residents and visitors alike – are encouraged to come to the meeting or write letters to provide input. Letters can be brought to the hearing or mailed no later than October 5. Pre- addressed postcards and letters are available at Town Hall, Council on Aging and the Mattapoisett Free Library, as well as at businesses around town.

More information is available at www.mattapoisettrailtrail.org. Click on “Read our Blog.” The address for the letters is: Patricia A. Leavenworth, P.E., Chief Engineer, MassDOT – Highway Division, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116-3973, RE: 25% Design Public Hearing, Mattapoisett – Multi-Use Path Construction (Phase 1B), Mattapoisett, Project File No. 605677, Roadway Project Management.

The Friends of the Bike Path remind everyone that the Bike Path Hearing taking place September 25 at Old Hammondtown School 7:00 pm is being video recorded.  People can go to the Town website, www.mattapoisett.net, and view the video. It will also be rebroadcast on the Town’s Cable Network.  Public commentary is welcome until October 5. Pre-addressed forms for comment are available at the Town Hall, Library and Council of Aging, as well as Bike Friendly businesses around town.

George Heinz

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It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that we announce the death of George Heinz, 76, of Mattapoisett who passed away Saturday September 20, 2014 after a long illness.

George was a veteran of the United States Air Force, a long time employee of WBSM Radio, and a talented freelance photographer. He loved to fly and this hobby enabled him to create aerial and other beautiful photographs of the region.

George was preceded in death by his parents Dr. Herschel and Julia Heinz of New Bedford and his sister Joan Roberts of Chicopee. He is survived by his sister Barbara Kaplan and her husband Sidney, his daughter Lisa DeJesus, son-in-law Vito and their three children Vito, Milo, and Ella, his daughter Traci Secia, son-in-law Daniel and their son Ryan.

His Memorial Service will be held on Monday at 10 AM at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett. Burial will follow in the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne. Visiting hours will be on Sunday from 4-8 PM. Memorial contributions can be made in lieu of flowers to the American Cancer Society. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Talking Trash (and Recyclables)

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If you have been wondering when the new mechanical trash and recycling system will finally be implemented in Mattapoisett, you are not alone.

The Wanderer first reported in March 2014 that Mattapoisett would be adopting the new system, pending contract negotiations and Town Meeting appropriations of funding to kick-start the new program. Since that article was published, the article to fund the new program passed during the Annual Town Meeting, and back in May the Town signed a contract with ABC Disposal to adopt the new system, which other towns in the region – including Rochester and Fairhaven – have also done.

In March, The Wanderer reported that the new trash and recycling system would start in July of 2014, pending the appropriation of funds and a contractual agreement. Residents can now expect the system to begin sometime earlier in 2015.

“It’s the equipment,” said ABC Disposal Operations Manager Jerry Dugan during a September 22 phone interview. The trucks have been ordered – a half dozen that will service Mattapoisett and several area towns including Rochester and Fairhaven – but Dugan said he could not order the trucks until agreements were reached with the towns and contracts signed.

Board of Health Agent Dale Barrows said during a September 22 phone interview the Town has nothing to with the logistics of when the new system will start or how and when residents will be notified. He said the delay is with ABC Disposal, and the length of time between ordering the new trucks and receiving them is about six months, according to Barrows.

There was some delay in the process, said Dugan, but the trucks have been ordered and Dugan said he is still waiting on a delivery date from the manufacturer.

“These trucks are specially made,” said Dugan, adding that the trucks cost about $400,000 a piece. “You can’t just go to the dealership and pick them up.”

Dugan stated that residents will be informed about the new trash system once the company acquires the new trucks, weeks before the Town makes the switch to the new system.

Residents will receive the information in the mail about the new system and about distribution of the new trash and recyclables receptacles ABC Disposal will deliver to every household in town.

“They’ll (residents) be well informed beforehand,” said Dugan. “They won’t just be delivered trash bins without knowing what they’re for.”

The new ABC Disposal Inc. mechanical pick-up trucks are the latest in waste management technology in whicha specially-designed garbage truck uses a mechanical arm that picks up the trash bins and dumps the contents into the back of the truck.

Each residence will be given two new large plastic receptacles – one blue 65-gallon bin for trash and one black 95-gallon bin for recyclables – designed specifically to be lifted by the mechanical arm.

The wheeled bins are equipped with a hinged lid that is attached to the bin and lifts up for easy loading and unloading by the truck. Every bin will be provided with a barcode identifying that particular bin with its designated address in case of loss or theft.

Pickup schedule will remain the same, continuing with a biweekly recycle pickup.

In the meantime, until residents are officially informed in the coming months about the new trash and recycling system, Barrows asks residents to kindly direct all questions to ABC Disposal.

By Jean Perry

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Family Fall Festival Fun with MHS

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Celebrate the fall season with some old-fashioned fun on Saturday, October 4 at 2:00 pm. Carve or decorate pumpkins, press apples into cider, try out some old-fashioned farming and kitchen tools, and create fall crafts to take home. The Festival is free; donations are always welcome. Contact us at Mattapoisett Historical Society, 5 Church Street, 508-758-2844, mattapoisett.museum@verizon.org, or visit us at mattapoisetthistoricalsociety.org.

Movies in the Park

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Mattapoisett Lions Club closes the season of Movies in the Park on Friday, September 26 with the movie Beetlejuice. A very funny movie with an amazing cast, including Michael Keaton, Alec Baldwin, Winona Ryder and Geena Davis! The movie will be shown at Shipyard Park and will start at 7:00 pm. Bring your parents and friends, along with plenty of blankets to stay warm, to Shipyard Park on Friday night. See you all next summer for the third season of Movies in the Park.

Mattapoisett Lions Club Harbor Days Festival

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To the Editor:

I would like to thank all of the people who volunteered to help with the Mattapoisett Lions Club Harbor Days Festival. A lot of time and effort goes into the planning and execution and we couldn’t do it without the help of the citizen volunteers, the Rochester Lions Club, the Fairhaven Lions Club and the Bridgewater Lions Club. A special thank you goes to the Town of Mattapoisett’s police, fire, highway, and building departments and the selectmen’s office.

The Mattapoisett Lions Club is asking for your support for our next event to be held on Friday, September 26 as part of the Movies in the Park series. This last movie of the season, Beetlejuice, will be sponsored by the Hollywood Scoop. We would like to thank our previous supporters as well: The Seaport Ice Cream Slip, the Mattapoisett Cultural Council and Check Collision.

We will also offer a French Toast Breakfast on Sunday, October 5.

Lions club members are men and women who strive to make a difference in their local community as well as in communities worldwide. Their volunteer efforts go beyond the support of vision care, to addressing unmet health and education needs worldwide.

If you would like to consider becoming a Mattapoisett Lion, please join us for dinner. Send an email to me at mattlionsclub@gmail.com.

Thank you,

Marianne DeCosta, President

 

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.

Rochester Historical Commission

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On Saturday, September 27 there will be an Open House at the East Rochester Museum Church/Museum from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm featuring a new display of Rochester’s past activities from newspaper stories in the Georgia Chamberlain collection, and photos and stories from the Historical Society collection as well as a Bake Sale with some of the old-time Rochester treats we grew up with.

Our Gift Shop will be open with new sweatshirts ready for the cold weather, in addition to our usual T-shirts, hats, and sweatshirts. All of our Rochester books, maps, note cards, cup plates, and more are available. Beautiful little wooden curio boxes with the town seal are also new this year. All are great gifts for newcomers or friends and relatives who have moved away from Rochester.

More Rochester History: Edyie Johnson has been collecting memories from Rochester residents and former residents to include in a book titled Rochester Remembered: People, Places, and Things. The book is an interesting glimpse of life in an earlier Rochester. A limited number of Edyie’s books will be available free of charge at the September 27 Open House.

The book was sponsored by the Historical Society and partially funded by a grant from the Rochester Cultural Council, which is supported by The Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Come to the Open House and revisit “the good old days” growing up in Rochester.

You may have your own old stories and photos you could share with us and add to our collection. If you have any Rochester history you are willing to share, please contact any of our officers.

The museum and gift shop will also be open on Sunday afternoons from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm from September 28 through October 26.

This Doesn’t Fit

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To the Editor:

“This doesn’t fit” said board member Steve Gonzales (The Wanderer, 9/4/14). Indeed, most (all?) of the people quoted in your publication regarding the possible CVS in Marion agreed with him, as do all of my friends.

Once more, the many reasons against: size!!!, suitability, traffic congestion and real need.

We do have a “Rite Aid” as well as a “CVS” in Wareham, both conveniently close to Shaw’s supermarket.

I have been a resident of Marion since 1965.

Sincerely,

Dagmar S. Unhoch, 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.