FinCom Meets with Cap Plan and CPC

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The Mattapoisett Finance Committee met with members of the Capital Planning and Community Preservation Committees on March 25 to discuss their financial decisions for fiscal year 2016. Both committees will have their decisions voted upon during the annual town meeting in May.

Chuck McCullough, Capital Planning chairman, accompanied by committee members Jerry Johnson and Alan Apperson, made his presentation following many months of meetings with Town departments to review needs with hefty price tags. McCullough explained the scoring process used to prioritize those requests deemed necessities by department heads for the operation of their department.

The spreadsheet contains 13 line items totaling $422,456. Starting with priority number one, those items are: $15,000 – new helmets/Fire Department; $50,000 – truck wash basin/Highway Department; $35, 956 – bundled town administration equipment and repairs; $32,000 – Route 6 crossing signals; $25,000 – Center School floor repairs; $40,000 – station vehicle/Fire Department; $40,000 – building renovations/Highway Department; $35,000 – Old Hammondtown School/playground repairs; $40,000 – police cruiser; $15,000 – Town Beach building renovation/Recreation Department; $7,500 – generator/library; and, $30,000 – HVAC system/Police Department.

The breakdown for the $35,956 Town Administration bundle includes: $4,500/GIS Point locator; $3,675/refinish COA floors; $1,100/equipment for environmental inspectors; $2,266/power rotary broom attachment; $6,780/lease buy-out Bristol Aggie student transportation van; $1,570/public safety inspector equipment; $890/lateral file cabinets; $2,675/Town Hall security system; $2,500/Shipyard Park fence; $8,000/voting tabulator; and $2,000/town clerk furniture.

McCullough also provided the Finance Committee members with a 10-year capital investment spreadsheet. Equipment such as ambulances, trucks, snowplows, and sewer grinders, along with construction projects such as wharves, town buildings, road repairs, and school building repairs were all listed, totaling approximately $30 million.

John DeCosta, chairman of the Community Preservation Committee, along with committee member Jodi Bauer, also met with the Finance Committee members. DeCosta presented the committee with a four-page report detailing the CPC account balances, estimated income, disbursement of funds, and process for selecting projects for funding in FY16.

CPC received seven applications totaling $469,230. DeCosta said that after interviewing each sponsor and evaluating each application through a scoring process, five projects were selected for funding by the committee.

Those applications are: Bike Path Phase 1B (requested $25,000) – $15,000; historic Quaker Meeting House restoration project (requested $146, 980) – $80,000; Mattapoisett Historical Society Museum cataloging project (requested $10,000) – $10,000; historic Christian Church window restoration project (requested $22,750) – $11,000; and wharf restoration project (requested $146,980) – $80,000.

Harbormaster Jill Simmons also came before FinCom saying, “I’m not sure why I’m really here or what materials you want…” and then produced an impressive year-end review highlighting completed projects and other accomplishment over FY15 along with FY15 expenditures to date.

Although the committee was pleased with the background information, FinCom member Patricia Donoghue said, “We need a budget … you haven’t done this before … but what we need is a budget for 2016.” They suggested she meet with Town Administrator Michael Gagne, who was not in attendance, and return when ready with her budget needs.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Finance Committee is scheduled for April 1 at 6:00 pm in the Town Hall conference room.

By Marilou NewellMTfc_040215

Marion’s Annual Spring Clean-up

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To the Editor:

An Arbor Day Fun-filled Day – Mark your Calendars Now!

Saturday, May 9 is a day calling all citizens young and old from the Tri-Towns to welcome spring and show true community spirit. Marion’s Annual Spring Litter Clean-up will take place at the Music Hall from 9:00 am – noon. Volunteers are needed to pick up the huge amounts of debris all along our roadsides. Bags, gloves, and safety vests will be available, along with a cup of hot coffee and a sweet. Questions about the Clean-Up morning may be directed to coordinator Sue Noonan at 508-748-6679.

Gifts to Give will participate in the morning effort by providing a truck at Island Wharf so that you can deposit good used clothing, housewares, toys, and books. You are encouraged to bring used items to benefit homeless and needy residents of the Southcoast.

From noon – 4:00 pm everyone is invited to Washburn Park for the Annual Arbor Day Celebration, an afternoon filled with activities and refreshments. The Sippican Lands Trust, the Marion Tree Committee, The Recreation Department and numerous other civil organizations are co-sponsoring the afternoon. Activities will include a craft table, Caribiners, Toe Jam Puppets, Birds of Prey, Handy Mandies, Petting Zoo, and Touch a Truck. All ages are encouraged to plan ahead to make this a morning of volunteering and an afternoon of fun and games. For questions about the Afternoon Arbor Day Springfest, please call the Sippican Lands Trust Office at 508-748-3080.

Arbor Day Planning Committee

 

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.

Marion Scholarship Committee

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The Marion Scholarship Committee is accepting applications from Marion residents who would like to be considered for a need-based college scholarship. The applications are now available in the Guidance/College Counseling offices at Old Rochester Regional High School, Tabor Academy and Bishop Stang High School. Scholarships will be awarded in the amount of $1,000 and the deadline to apply is April 20.

Cape Verdeans on the South Coast

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The Sippican Historical Society’s 2015 lecture series continues on Thursday, April 16 with the topic, From the Archipelago to America: Cape Verdeans on the South Coast, featuring speaker Marilyn Halter. To truly appreciate the history of Marion and the surrounding area, it’s critical to explore the Cape Verdean experience here. Immigration to the South Coast area began when whalers from New Bedford first began travelling to the Cape Verdean islands in the 1790s, returning with crewmen to work on the whaling ships. Once on the South Coast, in addition to working – and excelling – in the maritime industry, many Cape Verdeans found work as shore side laborers, textile and cordage factory workers and agricultural workers, particularly in the cranberry industry. As employment opportunities and communities continued to expand, so did the local Cape Verdean population. Today, Massachusetts enjoys – by far – the largest population of Cape Verdeans in the United States.

The evening’s lecture will explore the important connections between the South Coast and Cape Verde, the unique characteristics of Cape Verdean culture, and its history and legacy here on the South Coast. A professor at Boston University, Ms. Halter’s scholarship spans the fields of history, sociology and anthropology. Her published works on the Cape Verdean experience include Between Race and Ethnicity: Cape Verdean American Immigrants, 1860-1965 and The Historical Dictionary of the Republic of Cape Verde (with Richard Lobban). Areas of specialization include the study of immigrants of African descent, New England and Boston immigrant and ethnic history, as well as the relationship of commerce and culture.

The presentation, to be held at the Marion Music Hall (164 Front Street) at 7:00 pm, is offered free to the public, with no reservations required. Ample parking is available across the street at Island Wharf. For more information, contact the Sippican Historical Society at 508-748-1116.

AHA! Night Sustainable SouthCoast

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Spring has sprung, the weather is warmer, the days are longer, and just in time for Earth Day. AHA! celebrates our “Sustainable SouthCoast” on April 9.

AHA! (Arts, History and Architecture!) is a FREE family-friendly event held rain or shine on the second Thursday of each month from 5:00 to 9:00 pm in historic downtown New Bedford – but feel free to arrive early and stay late.

Earth Eve festivities sponsored by Clean Right Cleaning Solutions, Veolia, SEEAL, SouthCoast Serves and UMass-Dartmouth.

Highlights this month include:

Keep It Sustainable!

– Earth Eve Eco-Friendly People Powered Procession

– Mother Earth & Father Ocean Ceremony

– New Bedford Whaling Museum hosts SEEAL’s 8th Annual Shrink Your Footprint Fair

– Backyard Chicken Basics at the Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum

– Join WHALE and Your Theatre at the First Baptist Church National Trust Award Ceremony, Open House, and staged reading of The Obraz

– Paper The Town Green with 1850s Lady Abby at the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park

– Collage It at Alison Wells Fine Art Studio and Gallery

– For The Birds: Build your own bird feeder from recycled materials at BCC New Bedford

– Eco-Friendly Flower Pot Craft at Buzzards Bay Coalition

More AHA! Awesomeness!

– Evening Sponsor Clean Right Cleaning Solutions presents a “Light It Up Blue” inspired Sensory Station

– Kekelhi African Drumming and Dancers on Purchase St.

– Egyptian Chamomile Tea Tasting and Spring Book Sale at Gatlin’s Framing and Subtext Books

– House of Music takes the stage at Pilgrim UCC

– New Bedford Parks, Recreation and Beaches host their Annual Spring Egg Hunt in Custom House Park

– Be a part of the United Way’s Chain of Hope

– Featured Performer Molly O’Leary at Cafe Arpeggio

Arts In Bloom In DNB!

– 2015 MFA Thesis Exhibition Preview at the UMD CVPA Star Store

– Three New Shows at NBAM/Artworks

– 2015 BFA Senior Exhibition Preview

– The Subject Is Paint: Works by Steve Denton

– 11th Annual Teen Artist Internship Program Exhibit

– 2015 CVPA Master of Art Education Exhibit Preview at NB Education Foundation

– Migration: Artwork inspired by birds at Gallery 65

Spring Walk Wednesday

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The Marion Natural History Museum after school group created “journey sticks” during our spring walk Wednesday.  Each item collected represents a reminder from our journey. Photo courtesy Elizabeth Leidhold

 

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Spring Fling Dance Fundraiser

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There will be a Spring Fling Dance Fundraiser sponsored by the Rochester Historical Society on Friday, April 10 from 7:00 to 11:00 pm at the Mattapoisett Reservation Golf Club, 10 Reservation Road, Mattapoisett. Tickets are $15. For tickets or information call 508-961-7401.

Rochester Police Schedule Entrance Exam

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The Rochester Police Department, in conjunction with Police Exam Solutions, has scheduled an Entrance Exam for the Rochester Police Department on May 30.

The Rochester Police Department employs 10 full-time officers, five part-time officers and a number of reserve officers serving a population of approximately 5,400 residents. The department will hold an entrance exam to fill part-time openings now and full-time positions in the future.

Because of the small size of the department, officers handle many of their own cases from start to finish. This allows officers the opportunity to participate in investigations, write and serve warrants, and make arrests as a result of their own work.

Rochester police officers also have the opportunity to participate in a number of the department’s specialized units such as bike patrol and ATV patrol as well as being able to join specialized units such as the dive team, SWAT team, and search and rescue team attached to the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC).

Details and eligibility requirements are provided on the Police Exam Solutions website www.policeexamsolutions.com. Any questions are to be directed to the testing company through the “contact us” section of their website. Any calls made directly to the police department or Police Exam Solutions may disqualify you from being hired.

Perhaps you know someone who is thinking of getting involved in law enforcement. This is a great opportunity for them to participate in the entry level testing process and possibly earn a career in law enforcement.

If you or anyone you know would like further information on this upcoming exam, please visit www.policeexamsolutions.com. All registrations must be done online.

Open Table

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You are invited to join us for supper on Friday, April 10 at the Mattapoisett Congregational Church. Everyone is welcome. Open Table offers a delicious, nutritious meal prepared by volunteers on the second Friday of every month. There is no charge, although donations are gratefully accepted. Doors open at 4:30 pm and the meal will be served at 5:00 pm. Please come!

Young Musicians in Perfect “Form”

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On Tuesday, March 24, parents, siblings, and friends of area musicians gathered together for a night of great music in the Old Rochester Regional High School auditorium. This marked the annual FORM (Friends of Old Rochester Music) Instrumental Concert, which brings together students not only from ORRHS and ORRJHS, but also Rochester Memorial School, Sippican Elementary School and Old Hammondtown School.

The night culminated with a performance of the Old Rochester Regional Concert Band, which brought together students from all schools into one great big performance. It was a fitting way to end a night that’s not only a celebration of music, but also the unity of the area schools that the FORM program works so wonderfully to aid.

Starting off the show was Old Hammondtown School. The band for the Mattapoisett schools was led by Mrs. Emily Lafleur, and they performed the songs ‘Honor March’ and ‘Gathering in the Glen.’ They were followed by Sippican School, performing ‘Iron Heart’ and ‘Mallet Maniacs,’ led by conductor Mrs. Hannah Moore. Rochester Memorial was up next. Led by Mrs. Chris Williamson, the elementary school band performed the tunes ‘Cardiff Castle’ and ‘Pictures at an Exhibition.’ ORRJHS was split into two sections by grade, but both sections were guided by James Farmer. Grade 7 performed ‘Alamo’ and ‘Avenger,’ and Grade 8’s songs were ‘Emerald Isle’ and ‘Abington Ridge.’

As for the high school band, conducted as always by Mr. Michael Barnicle, they performed ‘Under the Double Eagle’ and ‘Arrows.’ The band played in perfect tempo on both tunes, keeping the crowd entertained. Though they didn’t feature any significant solos, the pieces relied on the teamwork of the ORR band.

A few students from ORR’s band shared their thoughts on the concert. Sophomore Jacob Spevack said the best part of the FORM concert was “watching everything come together,” on what he called “an amazing night.”

Nicole Mattson, a junior saxophone player, commented that her favorite part was “seeing young musicians develop their talents.”

Both offered praise for Mr. Barnicle.

Mattson said that Mr. Barnicle “motivated us to do so well,” and Spevack commented that he “picked out music that was perfect for our ensemble.”

Senior Matt Parisi called Mr. Barnicle “the best.” Parisi said his biggest musical achievement this year was improving his skills at the upright bass. The senior spent the whole summer working on his craft, and the results showed at the concert.

After the high school performers left the stage, the ORR District Concert Band came together to perform. This large ensemble featured musicians from every school, and it was impressive to hear the group sound so well in tandem, despite having so many musicians play at once.

“The best moment of the concert was playing together at the end with all the schools. It was cool to have one great big district band,” said Parisi.

The performance was a testament to not only the hard work and persistence of the musicians, but the dedication and skills of their instructors and the parents who have supported the young musicians every step of the way. On the night of the FORM Instrumental concert, all these factors combined to produce a memorable and entertaining show that has solidified its place in Tri-Town’s culture and tradition.

By Patrick Briand

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