Marie (Solveig) (Dahl) Tollefsen

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Marie (Solveig) (Dahl) Tollefsen, 89, of Fairhaven, died Friday, February 21, 2014 at St. Luke’s Hospital surrounded by her four loving daughters. She was the widow of David Tollefsen and daughter of the late Captain Martin and Susanna (Davidsen) Dahl who emigrated from Norway and resided in Point Judith RI.

Born in Brooklyn, New York she resided in Fairhaven for the past 70 years and particularly enjoyed visiting in Mattapoisett. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church.

Mrs. Tollefsen was a devoted homemaker and enjoyed gardening, traveling, knitting, and most of all spending time with her family and in the company of her friends.

Her family includes her four daughters, Carol A. Hoaglund and her husband, Donald of New Bedford, Diane M. Thomas and her husband, Daniel of Buzzard’s Bay, Mary E. Dyer and her husband Charles of Palm Harbor, Florida and Susanne Isabelle of New Bedford. Mrs. Tollefsen had ten beloved grandchildren: Joshua, Willow, and Teale Hoaglund; Penny and Jenny Thomas; Charles, Aaron and Krista Dyer; Leah and Ian Isabelle. She also had ten treasured great-grandchildren: Jakob, Riley, Mia, Max, Mayari, Jocelyn, Ava, Jaiden, Reese and Brooke, and several nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late Harald Dahl, Susan Levesque, Albert Dahl, and Martin Buddy Dahl.

Her memorial service will be conducted Saturday, March 15, 2014 at 11:00 in Trinity Lutheran Church, 16 Temple, Place, Fairhaven, MA. In lieu of flowers, should you wish, memorial donations may be made to the “Masonic Angel Fund” (please note: “in memory of Marie Tollefsen”) mail to: George H. Tabor Lodge, PO Box 501, Fairhaven, MA 02719. Her funeral arrangements are with Aubertine-Lopes Funeral Home, New Bedford, MA. For on-line guestbook, please visit: www.aubertine-lopes.com

Future Town Clerk’s Pay Reduced

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The Town Clerk’s Office budget will reflect a salary decrease for the elected office position, a notion suggested by Town Administrator Michael Gagne, who pointed out that the candidates who have submitted papers for the position have little experience and none of the certifications held by current Town Clerk Barbara Sullivan.

The salary will be reduced to about $52,000 or less, down from Sullivan’s current pay of $59, 025. Finance Committee Chairman Patricia Donoghue suggested putting the difference into the training line item to provide training opportunities for the next town clerk.

“That’s not a bad idea,” replied Gagne, adding that the new town clerk will require significant training in municipal government and management skills. Gagne asked Sullivan to make recommendations as to which specific courses the next town clerk should take.

“I strongly recommend they take as many classes as possible,” said Sullivan.

Aside from a slight increase to the postage and computer software line items, the Fiscal Year 2015 budget Sullivan presented was relatively level-funded.

Several areas of the Water budget increased significantly from last year, including the Mattapoisett River Valley District Assessment that is up $58,000. Water and Sewer Superintendent Nick Nicholson compared Mattapoisett’s assessment increase with those of the surrounding towns, with Fairhaven’s assessment up by almost $136,000, while Marion’s assessment decreased by $46,000.

Nicholson said Marion is pumping less water than ever – down to 135 gallons per hour from an average of 200 to 250 gallons per hour – while Fairhaven has increased its water consumption significantly.

Other substantial increases in the Water budget are the electricity line item, up about $50,000, and the maintenance line item, up by $25,000. Capital planning increased by $75,000.

The Sewer budget did not change much, aside from a couple minor increases in areas like supplies.

Nicholson mentioned that water consumption in Mattapoisett is going down, evidenced by the latest billing cycle compared to the billing cycle six months ago. Accompanied by members of the Water and Sewer Commission, Nicholson discussed with FinCom that decreasing water consumption could eventually have undesirable consequences, such as increasing water rates to cover the costs of providing water to consumers.

Nicholson also touched on the possibility of a future Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection requirement that could restrict outdoor water use to just one day per week state-wide, further decreasing water consumption.

Also present to engage in budget talks, Health Agent Dale Barrows asked the committee to consider allowing a $1,000 increase in his budget to provide for a stand-in for Barrows while he goes on vacations, most notably during the summer.

“But who are you going to pay?” asked Donoghue. Committee members wondered how hard it would be to find someone qualified or someone trainable.

“People like me … we’re not hanging from trees,” stated Barrows, acknowledging the difficulty of finding someone to fill his shoes while he is away.

Barrows said he had someone in mind, but the committee was not convinced $1,000 would be enough to interest someone to accept such a responsibility.

“I certainly believe you need a back-up,” said FinCom Member Paul Amoruso. He said he found the request reasonable, but indicated that Barrows needs to develop a more formal proposal for the committee to consider.

“Well, if I have your support, I’d be happy to put it together,” said Barrows.

Also presenting his two budgets to the committee, Veteran’s Agent and Highway Surveyor Barry Denham stated that there would be no significant changes to the Veteran’s Services budget saying, “We’re in pretty good shape right now with what we got.”

As for the Highway budget, Denham told the committee that he needs $10,881 to buy a new snow plow and repair the pistons on the new loader that were damaged by repeatedly connecting the old plow that is not compatible.

Gagne said the money could be taken from the Reserve Fund for now to cover the cost of the repairs and the $8,500 plow. In May, he said the funding could be transferred from free cash back into the Reserve Fund. Donoghue made the motion, and the committee approved the funding.

The next Mattapoisett Finance Committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 6 at 6:30 pm at Town Hall.

By Jean Perry

ORCTV Receives Grant

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Old Rochester Community Television is pleased to announce that it has received a $500 Community Reinvestment Grant from the Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation. Steven Schwartz, Marion Branch Manager for Eastern Bank, informed ORCTV of their award during the last week of February. The grant will be used to subsidize the taping and broadcasting of the Marion Board of Selectmen’s meetings on ORCTV’s Marion Government channel during the second quarter of 2014. ORCTV received a similar grant from Eastern Bank in October 2013, with those funds also being used towards the access station’s efforts in the taping and cable casting Marion Board of Selectmen’s meetings during the first quarter of 2014. ORCTV is pleased to continue this partnership with Eastern Bank and is grateful for the assistance provided by the Charitable Foundation’s continued support of the station’s efforts to help keep the community informed about and involved in their local government.

Mattapoisett Road Race

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The committee met recently to start planning the 44th Annual Mattapoisett Road Race, which will start at Shipyard Park at 9:00 am on July 4. The course is mostly shaded, and winds through the village of Mattapoisett, around Ned’s Point lighthouse and back to Shipyard Park. There are plenty of water stops along the way, and drinks and fruit for the runners at the finish line. All proceeds from the race are awarded to college-bound Old Rochester Regional High School athletes. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, over $100,000 dollars have been awarded throughout the history of the race. Award applications are available on the website or at the ORRHS guidance office.

Runners can register on-line at mattapoisettroadrace.com or by completing and mailing the registration form on the website. This year, we will again be guaranteeing moisture-wicking T-shirts to the first 750 entrants.

The next committee meeting will be on March 13 at 6:30 pm in the ORRHS library. Anyone wishing to participate in planning this year’s race is invited to attend. Additional information for runners, volunteers and sponsors is available on the website or by emailing mattapoisettroadrace@hotmail.com.

March Programs at Plumb Library

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Brian J. Lowney, author of Unconditional Love: Pet Tales to Warm the Heart and the “Fin, Fur, and Feathers” column in New Bedford’s The Standard-Times and other regional newspapers, will be at the Plumb Library on Thursday, March 13 at 6:30 pm to read from his book and discuss our favorite furry friends. Unconditional Love: Pet Tales to Warm the Heart was written for anyone who loves animals, especially those furry, finned, and feathered creatures that bring pure joy to their owners’ lives. Whether you share your heart and hearth with a friendly feline, a comical canine, a colorful tank of fish, or other creatures, this book will entertain, educate, and inspire you with stories that illustrate how animals transform lives and make the world a better place. Lowney has been writing about pets for two decades as a weekly newspaper columnist and freelance writer for numerous publications. He is the past president of the Wampanoag Kennel Club and an active AKC and 4-H judge. Books will be available for purchase and signing. Attendees are encouraged to bring donations of supplies for local animal shelters. Anyone bringing a donation for a shelter will be entered in a drawing for a door prize.

“Just the Facts,” the nonfiction book discussion group, will be reading All Souls: A Family Story from Southie, by Michael Patrick MacDonald. In All Souls, MacDonald takes us deep into the secret heart of Southie. We meet his mother, an accordion-playing, spiked-heel-wearing indomitable mother to all; Whitey Bulger, the lord of Southie; and Michael’s beloved siblings, nearly half of whom were lost to drugs, murder, or suicide. Reminiscent of Angela’s Ashes, but much closer to home, this book is in turn explosive and touching. We will discuss All Souls on Thursday, March 20 at 6:30 pm. Copies are available at the desk or through Overdrive.

Café Parlez’ selection for March is The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, by David Wroblewski. Born mute and speaking only in sign, Edgar Sawtelle lives an idyllic life on a farm in Wisconsin raising dogs until his uncle Claude returns unexpectedly. When Edgar’s father dies suddenly, Edgar suspects Claude, but is forced to flee to the woods with three of the dogs. He comes of age in the wild, but is determined to face his father’s murderer and take care of the rest of the dogs. This modern version of Hamlet is a riveting family saga. We will discuss this book on Thursday, March 27 at 6:30 pm. Books are available at the desk, or bring your own copy. Café Parlez is sponsored by the Friends of Plumb Library.

The Plumb Library Knitters meet on Monday evenings at 6:30 pm. All knitters and crocheters are welcome, including beginners. Chocolate is always served.

The Plumb Library is located at 17 Constitution Way, Rochester. For more information, call 508-763-8600 or email info@plumblibrary.com.

Enough of this Cynicism

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Dear Sir,

I feel compelled to take umbrage with the article in the February 20, 2014 Wanderer article “Getting a Taste of World Hunger.” The general theme of the article is that world hunger is caused by “Companies and governments”and that “exacerbating the problem is climate change which has dramatically increased throughout the planet.”

Governments, which ultimately control the banks, have a direct effect on the distribution of funds related to the sustenance of the populations of countries; however, companies are there to provide a product and are at the mercy of the governments therein. This is not my real concern. What I’m worried about is the fact that the idea of “Global Warming” and the new term of “Climate Change” are so tacitly accepted and taught to our 7th graders as this is the end of the discussion on this hotly debated subject. The premise is that the “science is complete.” “No more discussion.” “The world is flat and you’ll sail off the end of it if you go west, Mr. Christopher Columbus.” “Disregard the calculations of that Copernicus fellow and his heliocentric model of the universe. We all know that the world is flat.”

Climate change is nothing but a model. Einstein’s theories are nothing but models, and even he understood that. How can we base our whole thought process and our actions on a model that takes only data from a few hundred years and extrapolate it in this way?

There is no argument that drought, flood, storms and other acts of nature are significant contributors to famine, but as to whether or not climate change is a function of man or not still needs to be addressed. The students are told to accept that idea. Shouldn’t they be taught how to think and not what to think?

For the past seventeen years, there has been no exponential increase in the average world temperature, and if we were to believe the prognosticators of twenty years ago, Mattapoisett would be well out to sea and the polar ice caps wouldn’t have increased in the magnitude that they have recently. Polar bears would have had to develop gills because they would be swimming all the time. We’re told now that the “polar vortex” which has descended is further proof of the coming of the “end of the world due to climate change.” I can remember in the early 1980s when Buzzards Bay was frozen solid from New Bedford to Woods Hole, and there was no explanation of Global Warming but rather that a New Ice Age was coming. Do you think that someone might have an agenda for raising new “revenues” through taxation? Someone has to pay for it. Let’s make the tax payers think that they’re responsible, and we’ll hit them with a “CARBON TAX.” We are the ones who control the universe. We can change Mother Nature.

Enough of this cynicism. It’s time to listen to the debate. It’s time to see all sides. It’s time to understand that learning how to think is the most important thing and that you must investigate on your own. ”Do your homework” is what is required here.

Respectfully yours,

Paul E. Osenkowski, Mattapoisett

 

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.

Fire Inspector Faces Possible Charges

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The Mattapoisett Police Department has filed for criminal charges against Fire Inspector Lieutenant Patrick Saltmarsh for allegedly stealing $1,345.76 from the Firefighter’s Association, and Saltmarsh could possibly face six counts of embezzlement from an association.

According to a February 28 press release written by Police Chief Mary Lyons, newly-elected association members in January spotted what they considered to be several dubious withdrawals upon reviewing bank account transactions made during the time when Saltmarsh was treasurer of the Firefighter’s Association.

Lyons stated that association members discovered an unusual credit card payment to the Department of Revenue, which raised a red flag because the Firefighter’s Association is a tax-exempt organization, stated Lyons.

“As they continued to audit the account, four ATM transactions were identified as unusual,” Lyons stated, “because it was not the practice of the association to use the automated teller machine to conduct business.” Lyons specified that Saltmarsh was in charge of the ATM card while he was association treasurer.

“Lt. Saltmarsh did cooperate with the police during this investigation,” stated Lyons. “He did not deny making the transactions.”

Saltmarsh’s Attorney Philip Beauregard said during a March 3 phone interview that he is concerned about how town officials have handled the situation since the beginning, citing “unusual circumstances” over how the association investigation led straight to police involvement, specifically the embezzlement charge of $20.

Beauregard questioned the police decision to prosecute “as opposed to asking [Saltmarsh], ‘did you make a mistake and would you like to pay it back?’”

“We wouldn’t have pursued charges if we didn’t feel that he was guilty,” said Lyons during a phone interview on February 28. “We’re sure that he took the money. He didn’t deny it.”

Beauregard told The Wanderer the $20 transaction paid for a Firefighter’s seminar.

“And they’re saying that’s embezzlement,” said Beauregard.

“He had a lot of excuses for why he did it,” said Lyons. “In the end, they just don’t all add up.”

Saltmarsh has not yet been formally charged with embezzlement; rather, Beauregard emphasized that police have filed the criminal complaints with the Fourth District Court in Wareham, and on March 11 a judge will decide if Saltmarsh is to be formally charged.

Saltmarsh was placed on paid administrative leave prior to the embezzlement accusations for an unrelated issue that is still under investigation.

Beauregard stated that earlier this year, Saltmarsh was notified of a medical emergency by a citizen who ran across the street asking for assistance. According to Beauregard, Saltmarsh responded by calling the police, the Town’s designated primary first responder for emergencies, who is responsible for calling and dispatching the ambulance.

According to Beauregard, Saltmarsh was faulted for not running across the street himself to respond to the call for help, as Saltmarsh could hear the sirens of the police approaching to the scene.

“He believed the situation was under control,” said Beauregard.

The Wanderer left several voicemails to Town Administrator Michael Gagne and Fire Chief Andrew Murray for clarification on the matter, to which they did not reply.

By Jean Perry

Council on Aging Lecture Series

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Mattapoisett’s Council on Aging is offering a series of lectures on art history and appreciation.  Jill Sanford, has spent the past 15 years teaching people of all ages the basics in art observation and history from ancient Greece through the modern era. Sanford has a degree from the University of Massachusetts/ Amherst in Art History. On March 4 approximately 35 people met at the COA office at 12:30 to attend Sanford’s lecture on the impressionist movement in France and its impact on artistic styles. The next lecture is scheduled for May. Contact the COA at 508-758-4110; coadirector@mattapoisett.net; or visit www.mattapoisett.net for day and time for the next opportunity to learn more about this series.Bu Marilou Newell

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District Presents ORR FY15 Budget

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“What does it take to educate our students here at Old Rochester?” asked ORR Superintendent Doug White the night of March 3, upon presenting the fiscal year 2015 revised draft to the committee and to the public.

It will take $17,060,868 to be exact. This is an increase of $206,294 or 1.22% from FY14, a significantly lower figure than the first ORR FY15 budget draft presented in January that originally projected an $828,000 increase from the FY14 budget.

“This is the largest increase we’ve asked from the three towns [in four years] since FY10, which was $211.395,” said White.

The local contribution of each of the three towns, which the Commonwealth requires the district to spend, is mandated at $10,659,228. The three Towns will be spending $13,340,599 next year.

Enrollment as of October 1, 2013 determines the size of each town’s piece of the pie.

Rochester, with the highest number of students at ORR, 427, will be responsible for $4,147,586 – an increase of $143,650 from last year.

Mattapoisett’s assessment is set at $4,470,450 for its 380 students, a decrease in $104,650 from FY14, and Marion’s assessment is $3,782,733 for its 325 students – a decrease of $76,189.

State aid in the form of Chapter 70 funds and transportation reimbursement, along with school choice revenue and other miscellaneous areas of income, will account for balancing another small piece of the proverbial pie. The district is also using $325,000 from the Excess and Deficiency Fund to balance the budget.

Roughly 60% of the budget is attributed to spending on personnel, so when the district is asked to make cuts, “Where do you end up going?” asked White. “Personnel.” He said this is how it is, really, because there simply is nowhere else in the budget from which it is possible to cut back.

White stated that salaries, benefits, and health insurance account for roughly $15 million of the budget. Supplies account for just about $400,000, shared by over 1,100 students.

Several staff positions were chiseled out to balance the FY15 budget, including two non-teaching professionals at the junior high, a special education paraprofessional at the high school, and a shared maintenance staff person.

The number of full-time teachers at ORR will drop to 44.20 next year, down by about six.

Classroom sizes will increase a bit in most areas, prompting ORRJHS Principal Kevin Brogioli to point out, “It is the highest case load for teachers in the district.” Some class sizes increased to 24, despite additional sections being added to the core academics.

High School teacher Colin Everett gave his opinion on where the district should look to cut costs further in order to avoid making cuts to areas like paraprofessional staffing – positions, he said “with the most direct impact on the students.”

Everett suggested the district review recent legislation changes that allow school districts to share the costs of retiree health benefits with other school districts in which the retiree also worked during their career.

Everett also encouraged the committee to consider using more funds from the Excess and Deficiency Fund, which currently has about $550,000, instead of waiting to use it for a rainy day.

“Use it like it’s raining now,” Everett told the superintendent and committee members.

White stated that, although nearing its final draft, the committee is not taking a vote on the budget until the March 12 meeting that is scheduled at 6:00 pm at ORRHS, and will take Everett’s suggestions under consideration.

By Jean Perry

 

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Plowing of Private Roads Discussed

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Residents from Inland Road came before the Board of Selectmen on Tuesday night asking for a by-law allowing private roads to have snow plow services. “We have trash pickup, postal delivery, water and sewer, newspaper delivery, UPS delivery, utility maintenance, but no snow plowing because we are a private road,” said Al Caron, a resident of Inland Road.

“There are nine households on Inland Road and we pay taxes, but feel that we are not fully vested in the town without snow plowing,” said Caron. The development was built back in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and the builder made the road private. “We want to have the road plowed in the winter to be sure fire, emergency and medical services can come down the road,” added Caron.

The proposed by-law would include all private roads in Marion.

“Do we know how many private roads there are in Marion?” asked Selectman Steve Cushing. Town Administrator Paul Dawson estimated that there are over 50 private roads in town.

“What does this mean in terms of mileage for plowing?” asked Cushing. “This could involve a huge financial consideration, and we need to gather more information on this issue.”

Dawson noted that a by-law change effort would have to start with a petition with 200 signatures from town residents to make it a ballot issue at town meeting and consideration by the Board of Selectmen.

The board agreed to take the issue under advisement and gather more information.

A discussion was held regarding the cell antenna lease at the Mill Street tank at the town dump. Nextel, a cell phone company, has been renting space on the tower for several years and now wants out of their contract with the town. According to Dawson, many cell phone companies are abandoning the use of water towers and are seeking higher towers for better band width for cell service.

Dawson said that the Marion Police Department has equipment on the Marconi Tower and is very interested in moving over to the water tower at the dump. Nextel, in their attempt to end their contract with the town, has agreed to leave the existing equipment on the tower, possibly to be used by the Marion Police Department, thus saving money on cell equipment purchases. “This issue is still being explored, but it could be an opportunity for the town to benefit from the situation presented,” said Dawson. Currently, the contract is being examined by town counsel.

A discussion regarding capital planning for the Department of Public Works facility on Benson Brook Road included the idea of possibly relocating the DPW garage, currently located on Mill Street, over to the Benson Brook facility. The town garage location is approximately two acres while the two lots on Benson Brook are thirteen acres. “Road salt storage, vehicle storage, and maintenance facilities are currently on Mill Street within a very small area,” said Dawson. “Rob Zora, DPW Chief, is asking us to look into this possibility of moving it over to Benson Brook as a long-range capital improvement plan.” Selectman Jon Henry said that if that possibility occurred, it would be an opportunity to expand the cemetery.

A draft of the Upper Cape Vocational Technical School was presented, and the board asked Dawson to confirm the number of students from Marion who were attending during the fiscal year. The budget will be discussed at the next meeting.

The board agreed to appoint Rob Zora as the representative for the Carver-Marion-Wareham Regional Refuse Disposal District.

In other business, the board voted on the final readings for the water and sewer commitment in the amount of $4,067.14 as of February 24, 2014.

The board approved a one-day all-alcohol license for the Marion Social Club for a birthday party to be held on March 15 from 12:00 to 4:00 pm.

The board also approved the appointments of Robert Hoey and David Cowan as Special Police Officers.

By Joan Hartnett-Barry

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