Janet Renee Swoish

on

Janet Renee Swoish, 82, of Marion, Massachusetts passed away on May 29, 2015 in the presence of family, following a courageous battle with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and cancer.

Jan was born March 31, 1933 in Brooklyn, NY the daughter of Julius Gustav Derse and Ethel Elizabeth Derse. She attended Public School #147 in Queens, NY and Bernards High School in Somerville, NJ while growing up. Jan spent her formative years at Wilson College in Chambersburg, PA graduating in 1954 and beginning a teaching career in Pennsylvania.

Jan married Raymond Francis Swoish, P.E. of Buffalo NY in 1954 in New Jersey. Ray passed away in August 2008 after 54 years with the love of his life. Jan and Ray were very active in the communities they lived including Princeton, NJ; Marion, MA; Brookfield, WI; Cohasset, MA; Greenfield, PA; Murrysville, PA; finally returning to their beloved seaside village of Marion.

Jan is survived by her sister, Beverly Tarr of Gloucester, MA; her children Captain Douglas Swoish USN (ret) and wife, Evie Swoish of St. James, NY; Nell Elizabeth “Beth” Lorenz of Greenfield, MA; W. Scott Swoish and wife, Nancy Swoish of Marietta, GA; Christopher D. Swoish of Marion, MA; her seven grandchildren, David B. Swoish, Paul T. Swoish, Kerry E. Swoish, Alison N. Swoish, Hannah W. Swoish, Sydney L. Swoish, Taylor K. Swoish; as well as many other dear relatives and friends.

Jan formed a lifelong bond with her fellow Wilson College graduates, members of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Sippican League of Women Voters, local garden clubs and charity organizations, while maintaining her faith to the Episcopal Church during the many relocations she and Ray had over the decades.

A memorial service will be held on Friday 10 July, 2015, at Saint Gabriel’s Episcopal Church, located at 124 Front Street, Marion. A reception will be held immediately following the service at St Gabriel’s Parish hall. A private burial ceremony will be held at the convenience of the family in the tranquil setting of Point Road Memorial Forest in Marion.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of affection may be directed to: Saint Gabriel’s Church in Marion.

CVS Project Continues to Continue

on

After multiple requests to continue the public hearing for LEC Environmental Consultants, affiliated with the proposed CVS project, the Marion Conservation Commission on May 27 wondered how much longer they should honor the company’s requests to continue continuing.

The first public hearing to address the Request for Determination of Applicability to establish the wetlands lines at the property located at the corner of Route 6 and Front Street was October 22, and the hearing has been continued several times since the beginning of this year.

Although a formal plan had not yet been submitted, a Conservation Commission majority informed the representatives of the CVS project during that October meeting that it adamantly opposed allowing any construction within the designated floodplain or wetlands buffer zone on the lot.

On May 27, with another request from the applicant to continue the public hearing until August 26, commission members started asking whether or not they should allow, or could cease to allow, any further continuations.

“It’s become a joke of just make an appointment and continue it,” said ConCom member Jeffrey Doubrava. “[They] make an appointment and continue it and any townspeople who would like to follow this case have had to essentially come to every Conservation Commission [meeting] in the last six months.”

Commission member Steve Gonsalves asked if there was any rule that prohibits the applicant from requesting continuance after continuance. Chairman Norman Hills said he thinks not.

In defense of the continuances, Gonsalves said he did not find the many requests “a bad joke,” and advocated to allow another continuance.

“The bottom line is, I know this is a pretty big project,” said Gonsalves, “and I can respect … that they want to have their i’s dotted and their t’s crossed.” He continued, “I think … we should give them what they need and work with them.”

Hills said that unless LEC Environmental comes back with some information, creates an escrow account for the commission to hire an engineer, or takes action to move the matter forward, the commission should close the public hearing and issue the RDA “with not exactly what they’re looking for.”

“To date, they have not posted that (escrow) money so nothing has happened,” said Hills. “They either need to post the money [or] come up with a plan that looks like they’re actually going to do something….”

Gonsalves suggested the commission makes those suggestions while continuing until the August 26 meeting, and the other members agreed.

“I think that’s fair,” said Doubrava, also retracting the word “joke” he used earlier when describing the string of continuances. “But this was originally posted in October.”

The vote to continue was unanimous.

“They’ve got three months to figure out what they need to do,” said Hills, “and it is the intention of this board to not continue it after that. So they need to decide what to do.”

The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission is scheduled for June 10 at 7:00 pm at the Marion Town House.

By Jean Perry

MRcc_112014

Solar Project Promised an ‘Expeditious’ Process

on

The Marion Planning Board heard the gist of the plan for a new solar energy facility slated for Tucker Lane, and Chairman Robert Lane on June 1 promised Clean Energy Collective representatives a Planning Board process “as smooth and expeditious as possible.”

This solar farm project will be the first in the Town of Marion under the Town’s new solar bylaw.

Still in the preliminary stages of planning before a submitted application for a Special Permit, the one-megawatt solar farm will produce electricity for a program called “SolarPerks” that offers all EverSource customers the chance to go solar, while also receiving a 5-percent discount off their monthly bill.

Community Solar Manager for Clean Energy Collective Greg Carey said their solar energy program is different from others because, instead of selling the electricity to municipalities and pumping the excess back into the grid, the program offers solar energy directly to the residents with no money down.

“Residents who want to go solar … but perhaps can’t afford to put solar on their house,” said Carey. “And residents get a discount each month on their electric bill.”

The 6.5-acre lot has been a field for as long as any of the board members could remember, meaning no clear-cutting of trees and brush is needed for preconstruction. The access point for the solar farm would be from a Rochester entry point off Mary’s Pond Road with the actual facility in Marion.

Bill Madden of G.A.F. Engineering said he would be seeking a couple of waivers on behalf of his client, including one for height. The height of the solar arrays will be 8 feet, but the bylaw states that the arrays cannot exceed 8 feet beyond the natural grading of the site. Madden had some concerns about a slight slope on the property.

“Where it’s a newer bylaw,” said Madden, “…I think there’s a little learning and working together … to be sure we have the proper interpretation of the bylaw.”

Lane concurred, but declined to give Madden or Carey any definitive answers to their questions about waivers and filing fees.

“As far as what I’ve seen here, I don’t have any real problem with what they’re proposing,” said board member Norman Hills.

Planning Board member Jennifer Francis, after a question about the history of the clearing of the site stated, “It looks like a great spot for a solar array to me.”

“The applicant is anxious to get going on his project,” said Madden. “We’ll wait to hear back from you folks.”

Lane again told Madden to expect a process “as expeditiously as possible.”

The next meeting of the Marion Planning Board is scheduled for June 15 at 7:00 pm at the Marion Town House.

By Jean Perry

MRplan_060415

SouthCoast Children’s Chorus

on

Do you know a child who loves to sing? The SouthCoast Children’s Chorus announces auditions for its sixth exciting season! Children entering Grades 3-12 are invited to our fun, stress-free auditions at St. Gabriel’s Church, 124 Front St. in Marion. Auditions will take place from June 9 through June 19 and again in August; please contact Director Leslie Piper for an audition date and time. No audition is required for children entering K-Grade 2 who will join the Prep Chorus. For more information, please visit our website: www.scchildrenschorus.org and follow us on Facebook – SouthCoast Children’s Chorus, or contact lesliepiper@msn.com.

Chemistry of Tie Dye

on

The Marion Natural History Museum’s last afterschool program of this school year featured “Chemistry of Tie Dye” with Chemist Jessica Robidoux and coordinated by Dr. William (Toby) Dills of UMass Dartmouth’s Chemistry Department.  The Museum wishes to thank Ms. Robidoux, Dr. Dills, and all the many volunteers who showed up to help with the program. The students learned a little something about acids and bases as well as having fun dyeing their shirts.  Have a wonderful summer and be sure to stop in to say hello during our open hours. There are still a few spaces in our July summer programs. If you’d like to register your child for “Life along the Shore” or “Coastal Explorations” please visit our website: www.marionmuseum.org. Photo courtesy Elizabeth Leidhold

 

MNHM_3266 MNHM_3280 MNHM_3289 MNHM_3293

Mattapoisett Road Race: A View from the Road

on

On July 4, the annual Mattapoisett Road Race will take place. The race is five miles taking runners through Mattapoisett village, around Ned’s Point Light and back to Shipyard Park. What is it like to run this race? This is Part I of a “View from the Road” brought to you by brother and sister, Charlie and Annie. They are everyone and they are no one. But they have run the race.

Annie is anxious for the race to start. There are 1,000 runners assembled on Water Street stretching, chatting, getting in the zone. Runners have donned their official race shirts – every year a new color. The back of the shirts display the names of the area businesses that have financially supported the race. Annie and her brother grew up in Mattapoisett and have run the race since they were kids. For both of them, it signifies the start of summer and a chance to spend time with family and friends. Up ahead, Annie sees Bill Tilden, race director, holding the starter’s gun. The sidewalks are lined with well-wishers. The Harpoon Harmonizers sing the National Anthem and the crowd joins in. Down in Shipyard Park, Annie knows volunteers have been cutting up watermelons and oranges since 7:00 am. In addition, there is the registration tent with last-minute runners checking in with the race volunteers. Many of these volunteers have been working all year preparing for this race which is considered one of the best.

Anticipation is felt up and down the street. In a few minutes, the race will start. At the front of the crowd is the winner of last year’s race, a well-deserved honor. Runners have come from all over New England and many have come even longer distances. There are individuals who have run the race since the year it started in 1971. Charlie and Annie will start the race together as they have always done. But eventually Charlie will leave Annie behind. She is a recreational runner; he is a serious runner who runs in half-marathons, marathons and even triathlons. When the starting gun sounds, it is hard to imagine 1,000 people taking off but they do. The well-wishers stay to cheer on every single runner at the start. It is a short distance on Water Street and then runners turn on to Main Street. Annie can see the homes displaying red, white and blue decorations in honor of the nation’s birthday. Because it is summer, the flowers are in bloom and add color to the surroundings. Streets in the village are narrow but that doesn’t bother the runners. Like many of the runners, Annie is pacing herself so she has the reserves necessary to finish the race. Her main goal is improving on last year’s time. Where she finishes is less important than actually finishing. It is now the first major turn on to Hammond Street.

How the race progresses for the runners will be coming up in the next part.

First Zero-Lot Line Project Proposed

on

No sooner did the ink dry on the new zoning bylaw allowing construction of duplex residences with zero lot lines before The Preserve at the Bay Club Director Ted Gowdy came before the Mattapoisett Planning Board to propose just such a project.

A cul-de-sac within the Bay Club boundary lines currently named Split Road Lane was originally laid out to contain single-family homes. Gowdy, armed with a new set of drawings, displayed for the members an updated plan that would contain 22 residences within 11 duplex structures. This informal meeting, which had been requested by Gowdy, was intended to help him determine the next steps to secure permitting for the project.

“I wanted to give you a preview of what we plan on doing,” Gowdy told the board members. If all goes well, he hopes to begin construction as soon as the fall of 2015.

Chairman Tom Tucker stated, “If zoning allows it, I don’t see a problem…”

The permit that allowed the Bay Club to construct a cluster subdivision set the number of residences at a finite total of 189. If the duplex project is permitted, it will add to the number of residences already constructed without exceeding that number.

Tucker told Gowdy that, in light of the proposed project being the first to test the public’s appetite for this type of housing option, he should plan to have all his details in line.

“We should have a full public hearing,” said Tucker. “I don’t want anyone to say something underhanded was done…. Let’s go through all the hoops.”

Board members Mary Crain and Karin Field questioned the number of bedrooms the new units Gowdy’s plan may contain. He said three-bedroom units were most in demand. This caused a surprised response from several members.

“From the beginning,” said Tucker, “when the bylaws were discussed with Brad (Saunders) they were described as second homes, retirement homes for empty nesters.” Gowdy said that even empty nesters were looking for three-bedroom homes.

Tucker further stated, “These were presented as empty nester homes – I’d be very careful.”

Gowdy will continue to develop his plan and return to the board when prepared for a public hearing on the project.

In other business, a Form A application was approved for Antone Oliver, 4 West Hill Road.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board is schedule for June 15 at 7:00 pm.

By Marilou Newell

MTplan_060415

19 Inducted into Cum Laude Society at Tabor

on

At Tabor Academy’s graduation on Tuesday, May 26, nineteen seniors who have earned top academic honors were inducted into Tabor’s Cum Laude Society. The Society was initiated in 1906 to highlight superior academic performance, with chapters granted only to high schools with academic programs that met the Society’s stringent standards. Tabor was granted a chapter in 1930.

As is customary, inductees wore the gold rope at graduation to indicate their achievement. The day before, they were honored with a special reception given for the inductees and their families.

To meet the qualifications of Tabor’s Cum Laude Society, a student must maintain a 90 average in each semester of both junior and senior year within a rigorous and broad course of study to include a minimum of three honors or AP level courses each year. Beyond these academic standards, moral character and school citizenship are also considered by the approving members of the Tabor Chapter presided over by Kelli McSweeny, faculty.

The inductees included four local students: Gweneth McCain, Melissa Hooke, Julia O’Rourke, and Abi Taber.

Tri-County Symphonic Band

on

Come join the Tri-County Symphonic Band, under the direction of Philip Sanborn, in an elegant, spacious tent on the scenic shore of Sippican Harbor, as light fare and cupcakes from On The Go Catering adorn the tables and the raffle – $1,000 grand prize! – ensues. The band’s program will highlight music from the big bands, classic movies, and Broadway musicals of the 1940s. Please help us celebrate our 13th Annual Benefit Pops Concert with this Sunday, June 7 afternoon event. Social Hour, Light Fare, and Raffle at 2:00 pm, Cupcakes and Coffee at 3:00 pm at the Grand Tent at the Fireman Performing Arts Center, Tabor Academy.

The Tri-County Symphonic Band Raffle will be drawn for the following prizes (you do not need to be present to win):

Grand Prize – $1,000

2nd Prize – “Cobblestone” Quilt, 65×75, 1930s style fabric, Value: $450

3rd Prize – $200

4th Prize – Trustee wine selection, Value: $150

Raffle tickets ($20 each) are available at the Symphony Music Shop in Dartmouth, On The Go – Fine Foods, Catering, and More in Mattapoisett, and The Bookstall in Marion. Raffle tickets will also be available for purchase at the concert.

Concert tickets ($25 each) are available at the Symphony Music Shop in Dartmouth and The Bookstall in Marion. Any remaining tickets will be sold at the door.

The concert program is as follows:

The Wizard of Oz (Harold Arlen, arr. James Barnes)

When You Wish Upon a Star (L. Harline & N. Washington, arr. Sammy Nestico)

Begin the Beguine (Cole Porter, arr. William Teague)

Big Bands in Concert (arr. Robert Lowden)

Benny Goodman in Concert (arr. Wayne Scott)

Yes Indeed! (Sy Oliver, arr. Andy Clark)

Oklahoma! (Richard Rodgers, arr. Erik Leizden)

Tico-Tico (Zequinha Abreu, arr. Naohiro Iwai)

The Stars and Stripes Forever (John Philip Sousa)

Academic Achievements

on

The following local residents were among more than 800 students from Providence College who received undergraduate degrees during the College’s Ninety-Seventh Commencement Exercises held on Sunday, May 17.

– Shanice DaSilva, a resident of Marion, received a bachelor’s degree

– Haley Frade, a resident of Marion, received a bachelor’s degree Cum Laude

– Meghan Kelly, a resident of Mattapoisett, received a bachelor’s degree

– Madison Lees, a resident of Mattapoisett, received a bachelor’s degree

– Jalen Pires, a resident of Marion, received a bachelor’s degree

– Edward Smith, a resident of Mattapoisett, received a bachelor’s degree

Dean’s List status at Lehigh University, which is awarded to students who earned a scholastic average of 3.6 or better while carrying at least 12 hours of regularly graded courses, has been awarded to Anh Sa Nguyen of Marion, MA, in the Spring 2015 semester.

Madeleine West of Mattapoisett was among the 111 seniors who received their diplomas from Head of School Tim Richards and Board Chairman Charles Wilmerding. Madeleine also received three awards: the Sixth Form English Award, the Statistics Award, and was also among the 12 seniors inducted into Pomfret’s Cum Laude Society, which counts not only high academic standing but also students who demonstrate “character, honor and integrity in all aspects of school life.”