Identifying the Past: Pictures of Mattapoisett

on September 4, 2014

Please join the Mattapoisett Historical Society for a special exhibit featuring unidentified moments from Mattapoisett’s past on Saturday, September 6 and 13 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at the museum at 5 Church Street. Enjoy a look into our Town’s history via our photography collection and see if you can help us fill in some information gaps about the people, events, and places in our Town. Suggested donation is $5. For more information, please contact the MHS at 508-758-2844 or mattapoisett.museum@verizon.net.

Bike Path Hearing

on September 4, 2014

A public hearing with Massachusetts Department of Transportation is scheduled for September 25 at 7:00 pm at Old Hammondtown School. All are welcome. For people who cannot attend, Friends of Mattapoisett Bike Path are holding an informational meeting and letter writing opportunity on Wednesday, September 10 at the Inn on Shipyard Park beginning at 7:00 pm.

ORR Cell Phone Policy Changes

on September 4, 2014

A new school year has started and is in full-speed motion in the Tri-Town area. This year is different than last, however, because Old Rochester Regional High School’s cell phone policy – one that was more lenient than most other schools in the area – has changed. During the 2013-2014 school year, students were delighted to read that there was no specific rule against having your cell phone out all day and using it when you like. However, the 2104-2015 school handbook states that “Students may not use electronic devices in halls after 7:30 a.m. or before 2:03 p.m.”

This means that students are being restricted in their cell-phone privileges, which has sparked some controversy among the students.

Sophomore Joshua Garcia says that the policy changes were prompted by “students who abused their privileges. Some students used their phones when they shouldn’t have, and they simply ended up pushing their luck too far.”

The new rules are easy enough to understand, written in bullet-point format on pages 55 and 56 of the Student Handbook. Essentially, students are not allowed to charge, listen to music, or use electronic devices in the building during school hours (unless in the cafeteria during lunch or if a teacher gives permission to do otherwise.)

The question, though, is will the students comply? A lot of students feel that the new rules deprive them of their freedom to access the news, to contact their parents in case of an emergency, or something along those lines. The real truth of the matter is that the students who were using their phones to do those things were not the students that prompted the changes. People were abusing their privilege, and in order to prevent it from getting worse, the school nipped it in the bud.

One way teachers can be assured that the students will adhere to the new rule is by enforcing it.

“No one will really be happy about it, but, I mean, there’s nothing you can do about it,” says sophomore Lauren Valente. “I think for right now the teachers are going to be on everyone about it, but after a while no one will really care about it,” she predicts, and she isn’t pulling this theory out of nowhere. A lot of new rules that the ORR school system has enacted over the years have had the same life cycle. They are enforced dutifully for the first few weeks of the school year, and then as the year goes on, and more and more infractions come up, the school gets more lenient about the rule, and eventually it fizzles out.

I asked several students whether they planned to abide by the rule, and 60 percent said that they plan to do so, which means that 40 percent said they are not planning to follow the rule.

“… I will be following the policy even though it will be hard. All summer I was on my phone, so I will probably have the urge to go on my phone, but once I remember the consequences I probably won’t have such a big urge to go on it anymore,” says an anonymous source.

Said consequences include the first offense, upon which you will be sent to Vice-Principal J. Parker’s office to give him your device, which you may retrieve at the end of the day. You will also have to serve a detention. The second offense results in the same consequences. The third offense is more severe, resulting in a parent being notified, the device not being allowed in school for the remainder of the year, and the third and every offense after that will be considered a Category Two offense – including, but not limited to, suspension from school for up to five days, loss of student privileges, restitution or restoration of damage, parent conferences, Saturday school detention, and notification to Superintendent of Schools Douglas R. White Jr. about the situation.

Will this be enough to deter all students from breaking the rule? The only way we will see whether this rule will stick or fade away is to wait it out.

By Emma Cadieux

Richard Alan Anderson

on September 4, 2014

Richard Alan Anderson, 79, of Marion, died Monday, September 1, 2014. He was born in Bridgeport, CT on September 9, 1934, son of the late Alexander Alan Anderson and Margaret (Huston) Anderson. Dick grew up in Wellesley Hills and attended Nobles and Greenough School in Dedham. In 1956, he graduated from Yale University with a degree in Economics. At both schools, he made life long friends.

Dick enlisted in the Army in 1957 and was stationed in Germany. Upon discharge in 1959, he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal. He spoke fondly of the friendships he formed with the men in his unit.

He worked for the La-Z-Boy chair company for 24 years, first as a salesman and then as a shoppe owner. He thrived on the challenges of owning his own business.

When he retired in 1989, he volunteered his time in the community working diligently for a number of organizations including the Community Resources Network, Sippican Historical Society and Sippican Tennis Club. He also began exploring his artistic talents. Along with many watercolor and acrylic paintings, his work includes paintings on two valances at the Sippican Café in Marion of historic local scenes.

He was an active member of St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church where he served in many capacities including the vestry, as treasurer and as an usher.

A natural athlete, Dick enjoyed tennis, golf, skiing and sailing. He was a member of the Kittansett Club, Sippican Tennis Club and Beverley Yacht Club.

Dick loved to travel. He and his wife, Dana, traveled extensively within the United States and Canada, and they took many trips to Europe. Favorite destinations were Paris, France and Santa Barbara, California.

He enjoyed spending time with his family, whether around the backyard pool or a holiday table and adored his grandchildren. He was known to state, “I have been incredibly fortunate in my life. I’ve enjoyed good health, a wonderful family, fine friends and countless enriching experiences.” He was a gentle man, loved by many and will be remembered for his integrity, responsibility, humility and delightful sense of humor.

Dick’s first wife, Nancy (Angell) Anderson, and the mother of his four children died in 1979. He married Dana (Derick) Anderson in 1982.

Along with his wife, Dana, he is survived by four children, Virginia Guinard of Auburn, CA, Margaret Elizabeth Anderson of Boston, MA, Timothy Alden Anderson of Shelburne, VT, Sarah Angell Anderson of Narberth, PA, eight grandchildren, and two brothers, Robert Huston Anderson and his wife Deborah of Marion, MA and Alexander Alan Anderson, Jr. of Monterey, CA.

His memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 27 at 2:00 PM at St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, remembrances in his memory may be made to the Sippican Historical Society, 139 Front Street, Marion, MA 02738 or Community Nurse and Hospice Care, P.O. Box 751, Fairhaven, MA 02719. For on-line guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Machacam Club

on September 3, 2014

The Machacam Club will hold its October meeting on October 1 at the Legion Hall, 3 Depot Street. Social time is 5:30 pm, with dinner at 6:00pm.

Our special guest will be Seth Mendell, who will be departing the next day to return to Florida for the winter. As this year is the 100th anniversary of our Cape Cod Canal, Seth will talk about the early attempts to build a canal across the isthmus and the actual building in the early 1900s. Today’s canal was built by the Army Corps of Engineers in the 1930s and is the widest sea-level canal in the world. With Seth’s skills, the resulting presentation will certainly be most interesting.

Callers and members are asked to bear in mind the importance of call list accuracy, especially in view of the potential food cost increases. Caller lists should be done and reported no later than 9:00 am on September 29 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 September 30. As this is the first meeting, if any caller has a conflict with their list, please let Mike know.

September Programs at Plumb Library

on September 3, 2014

For their September book, “Just the Facts”, the nonfiction book discussion group, will be reading Salt, Sugar, Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us by Michael Moss. In the spring of 1999, the heads of the world’s largest processed-food companies – from Coca-Cola to Nabisco – gathered at Pillsbury headquarters for a secret meeting. On the agenda: the emerging epidemic of obesity and what to do about it. Increasingly, the salt, sugar, and fat-laden foods these companies produced were being linked to obesity, and a day of reckoning was at hand. In Salt, Sugar, Fat, Moss shows how we got here. Featuring examples from some of the most recognizable and profitable companies and brands of the last half century, Moss’ explosive, empowering narrative is grounded in meticulous research. We will discuss this book on Thursday, September 18 at 6:30 pm. Copies are available at the desk or can be downloaded from Overdrive.

Café Parlez’ selection for September is The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor. “Wonderland” is real. Alyss Heart is the heir to the throne until her murderous Aunt Redd steals the crown and kills Alyss’ parents. To escape Redd, Alyss and her bodyguard Hatter Madigan escape to our world through the Pool of Tears, but are separated on the way. Alone and lost in Victorian England, Alyss is befriended by an aspiring author to whom she tells her story. Hatter must find Alyss and return her to Wonderland to defeat Redd and take her rightful place as the Queen of Hearts. We will discuss this book on Thursday, September 25 at 6:30 pm. Books are available at the desk or bring your own copy.

Plumb Library Knitters meets every Monday at 6:30 pm. Knitting lessons will be given on Mondays at 6:00 pm starting September 15. Call the library at 508-763-8600 to reserve a spot in the 6:00 pm beginning knitter class.

New computer users can receive training and assistance with Mr. Charles Tate on Wednesdays at 10:00 am starting September 17. Please contact the library for more information or to let us know what you need to work on. Stop by the library, call us at 508-763-8600, or email info@plumblibrary.com.

CVS Proposed for Marion

on September 3, 2014

In the lead up to what will probably be a long road for the developers of CVS, the Marion Planning Board met with the point people for Mark Investments, LLC at their special September 2 meeting.

Calling the meeting a “pre-submission” conference, Chairman Stephen Kokkins broke the discussion into two parts: the relocation of the historic Captain Hadley House, and the CVS building and site plan.

Representing Mark Investments was Marc Deshaies of the Perry, Hicks, Deshaies and Mello Law Firm of New Bedford. Deshaies discussed the projects in broad strokes at Kokkins’ request.

The Captain Hadley house – currently an office building located at the northeast corner of Front Street and Route 6 – would need to be moved to the lot immediately to its north to make room for the proposed 13,000 square-foot CVS that developers wish to construct at the corner. Deshaies said that traffic studies have been completed by MDM Transportation Consultants and that Bohler Engineering has begun some engineering work. Representatives from those firms were also on hand to add expert details to the discussion.

Deshaies also said that the entrances for the CVS would include two on the Route 6 side of the property and one on the Front Street side. There would also be a third entrance on Route 6 for the relocated Hadley house. He said that all FEMA regulations would be met by raising the building 17 feet, and during upcoming meetings with the Conservation Commission, wetland delineations and other environmental impact issues would be vetted to the satisfaction of the town. Deshaies also said that the CVS is planned to have a drive-up pharmacy window.

Dean Holt of Mark Investment said his company has a great deal of experience in communities such as Marion and has built 150 similar projects. Engineer Josh Swirling of Bohler Engineering outlined a vegetated border to “soften” the lines of the building and, due to the height requirements by FEMA, a stair and ramp system would be designed into the building.

The board members were not shy in expressing their concerns. Eileen Marum was concerned that the traffic study was not in-depth enough, noting that a CVS at that location would add to an already busy and hazardous location near Cumberland Farms.

Kokkins said that this project was two and a half times larger than any other project that has been proposed for the community in recent years and then read from prepared notes intended to drive home the point that Marion was a seaside residential community where buildings needed to “conform with the neighborhood characteristics.” He also said that Marion has published architectural guidelines that he said the applicant’s team needed to study.

Kokkins was also concerned that the traffic study did not take into consideration the number of towed vehicles – such as landscape and boat trailers moving along Front Street at that intersection – and he felt certain that large tractor trailers making deliveries to a CVS at that location would only add to the congestion.

“This doesn’t fit,” said board member Steve Gonsalves about the conceptual drawing of the CVS. “For me to feel a sense of pride, we’ve got to do something about this building.” He added that other CVS buildings, namely those on the Cape, are much more attractive than the one planned for Marion.

“The architectural look is not close yet to what we want in Marion …” said Kokkins.

Popitz shared his opinion, saying, “The town of Marion needs businesses to increase the tax base … appearance should fit into the town.” He continued, “I don’t know if we need a CVS, we have pharmacies close by … I’m very concerned about its proximity to the flood zone.”

The few residents who spoke did not hold back their negative feeling about the project. Lee Harrison of 390 Marion Road noted that Tabor Academy traffic alone was a consideration at the Front Street intersection, and that too many corporations were coming into town. He wondered why they do not consider building the CVS at the corner of Point Road and Route 6 where empty businesses now stand.

Anna Hays of 372 Conserve Road questioned, “Why are you building in a flood zone at all?”

“We’ll need time to study this complex proposal,” said Kokkins. He also told the applicant(s) that they could anticipate the town requesting independent peer review for a project of this scope.

Kokkins invited the development team to return to the next Planning Board meeting with more information and some responses to the questions and concerns that had been raised. Deshaies said they would do so.

In other business, board member Norman Hills brought the members up to date on the Master Plan project which has been ongoing for some months. He said that the committee would be meeting 30 minutes prior to regular Planning Board meetings to complete their work. Hills said that more funds were needed, that a part-time planner would be beneficial, that a public meeting is being planned and would be held at the Music Hall, and that a grant had been submitted for an additional $18,000 to help fund the effort.

The next meeting of the Marion Planning Board is September 15 at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall conference room.

By Marilou Newell

East Over Reservation

on September 3, 2014

The sun had just burned a hole through the gray morning clouds when I started out on the wooden-boardwalked hiking trail at East Over Reservation off County Road. The light sparkled on the dew-soaked foliage on that muggy morning in the Marion woods, and there was a stillness, a calm about the place.

This is another fantastic Tri-Town property overseen by the Sippican and the Rochester Land Trusts that I happily hiked on the morning of September 2. I love a good raised wooden platform zig-zagging deeper into the woods like the ones they have at East Over (which can be rather slick in the early morning, so tread with care).

Hiking is my preferred method of therapy because it is so multisensory – the aromatherapy of the fragrant wet foliage of the morning, the sound therapy of the birds and the ubiquitous crickets, and the element of proprioception moving through space in an environment that is wild and free.

By the time I hit my first trail post marked number one, I was further from the labor and logistics of my long weekend of moving into my new home, and closer to losing myself in the moment than I had been in days.

The trail map provided at the kiosk gave me the choice of going left or right. Left seemed like the way I’d rather go, which veers away from a series of loops that I decided I would save for another day.

No longer was I thinking about the cable technician appointment later in the day, or the stacked boxes of miscellaneous items that have no proper place of their own. I was at East Over Reservation – having a light breakfast of wild blueberries that have taken over the forest floor for as far as my eyes could see.

I could hear only the sounds of nature – its birds, insects, bees, nothingness, everythingness. Even Hales Brook stood still, its amphibian inhabitants making no sound as they create silent ripples in the still water while birds carried on their conversations around me.

The trails are very well marked, and the maps are rather detailed. There are plenty available at the main kiosk at the head of the trail and definitely a keeper for the glovebox of your car.

East Over Reserve is so multifaceted. Around every bend is another personality, each one as equally endearing as the one before – pine groves, blueberry bush bramble, wetlands, each with their own perfume, light, and shift in temperature.

The trail is split by a dirt road, looping around and passing the Sippican River all the way back to the road, and then continuing on a backtrack leading to the start.

Although the dry season is upon us, the Sippican River trickled on, and I rested for a moment to watch it upon an obliging tree that had fallen not too long ago. Nearby, I pondered a corral of sorts fashioned out of slender tree trunks, wondering how long it had been there and for what it was constructed.

The walk back was faster, since I had already hiked carefully one way, trying to avoid each spider that sewed its silky trap the night before, only to wind up on a free round-trip ride across the woods on my back, or my head. I was wearing a wig of silky webs by the time I reached the dirt road signaling the return trip back, so I picked up my pace to get a little exercise in the fresh air. The early morning was turning to day, the sun heating up the humidity in the air, making it feel more like I was swimming through the woods rather than walking.

Now an hour after beginning my walk, the whooshing of passing vehicles closing in and spotting the boardwalks again signified the winding down of my hike and the return to the details and my day ahead. A convention of Blue Jays above flew off, reconvening in another corner of the woods as I said farewell to the hundreds of little white Indian Pipes along the walk back.

East Over Reservation is a whopping 322 acres of conservation land with about two and a half miles of hiking trails. There is off street parking in a turnout from the road, and the kiosk is visible from County Road. This one is going on my return list to visit as each season happens upon us.

Do you have a favorite hiking spot in the Tri-Town area? Take a hike and send us your photos at news@wanderer.com!

By Jean Perry

Old Neck Road Shed Decision Postponed

on September 2, 2014

Rochester resident John Scheub came before the Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals during a brief meeting to request that he be granted permission to tear down his old shed and put up a bigger one in the same spot in his front yard.

Scheub, of 585 Old Neck Road, was seeking a variance under Section 8 C. 2 of the Rochester bylaws regarding accessory structures. The bylaw states that “no accessory structure other than a roadside stand shall be located in the front yard area.”

While no abutters appeared to contest Scheub’s request, the board was unable to grant him the variance because the plan that Scheub brought before them was outdated and did not have the proper dimensions regarding the new shed.

“The way the yard is shaped, the shed is near Old Neck Road, but it’s still the back yard,” Scheub said.

Because neither the plan nor Scheub had any specific measurements to show exactly how far the shed would be away from the road, the board could not make a decision either way.

“We don’t want to make this into a bigger thing than it is, but we need more than this to make a decision,” Chairman Richard Cutler stated.

“Get an engineer to take a look at the property, get the measurements, and stamp the plans, said board member Kirby Gilmore. “Then we can decide at the next meeting.”

The next Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals meeting is scheduled for September 25 at 7:00 pm at the Rochester Town Hall.

By Camden Gaspar

Knights Teen Dance

on September 2, 2014

Knights Teen Dances for the season kick off on Friday, September 5 at Knights of Columbus in Mattapoisett for 6th, 7th and 8th graders only. It is held 7:00 to 10:00 pm for an admission fee of $8 paid at the door.

The money from The Knights Teen Dances goes towards scholarships for deserving high school seniors going to college in the fall. This year, a total of $5,000 in scholarships was given out.