Updates on Traffic Circle and CNG Station

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Complaints about a newly constructed traffic circle off of High Street at Connet Woods were addressed Thursday, with Planning Board Chairman Arnold Johnson also asking for better communication from Edgewood Development Company regarding the work they’re doing at the subdivision.

“[The traffic circle] wasn’t quite right,” said Johnson, who also noted that a new fire suppression basin was still being evaluated at the site as well. “It was more of design issue than a constructability issue. The road was about a foot off.”

Johnson noted that they brought the largest fire truck in town there to see if it would make it around the circle, which it did, but with some difficulty.

“We’ve all been very pleased with the way things have been constructed over there, but [of late] supervision has been lax, and things got a little bit skewed on the communication [between the site supervisor and town officials].”

“We got a little ahead of ourselves,” said Tim Higgins of Edgewood Development. “With the season ending, we tried to push a little harder. We will redo that [circle] so it does work. We will have the engineers look at it.”

As for the fire retention pond, Higgins said they’d assess its effectiveness in the near future.

“We’ll see what the next round of precipitation does to it,” Higgins said.

The Board also approved a motion to close public hearing for the future subdivision for Robert Lawrence of 293 Hartley Rd., and also approved a motion for Form C of their Definitive Subdivision Plan.

Officials from NSTAR were also on hand a public hearing for a Site Plan Review application for an electric transfer station for NSTAR on Cranberry Highway, which the Board made a motion to approve.

“It’s pretty straightforward,” Johnson said.

Another public hearing was continued for a Site Plan Review application for Covanta Clean Energy for the construction of a CNG (compressed natural gas) fueling station on Cranberry Highway.

“The board went out there on a site visit,” Johnson said. “The police chief looked at [the traffic report] and he was OK with it. I think everything else is pretty much in order. We’re just waiting for a final report from [Rochester engineer] Kenny [Motta] on that.”

The Board accepted a motion from Johnson to continue the public hearing until November 8 at 6:30 pm because there were still some unfinished reports and data to be assessed.

By Nick Walecka

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Machacam Club November Meeting

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The Machacam Club will hold its monthly meeting on November 6 at the Legion Hall, 3 Depot St. Social time is 5:30 pm; dinner at 6:00 pm.

We will be welcoming Mattapoisett Fire Chief Andrew Murray. In keeping with other department heads, the chief will be reporting on the status of his department, as well as his plans for the future of Fire Protection for Mattapoisett as our population and home construction continue to grow. The chief’s presentation, as always, should prove quite interesting.

Callers and members are asked to bear in mind the importance of call list accuracy. Caller lists should be done and reported no later than 9:00 am on November 4 by email to gpfnr@aol.com or by phone at 508-758-9311. Members with requests or changes should make them via either contact method no later than 9:00 am on November 5.

Pilgrim Sands Trail Riders Race

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The Pilgrim Sands Trail Riders will host a scramble dirt bike race on Sunday, October 27, at 60 Tinkham Hill Rd., Mattapoisett (town landfill), with races starting at 8:30 am sharp. The costs are $5 to park, $25 for women and children to enter the race, and $35 for men. Gates open at 7:00 am. Food will be available at the event, and spectating is welcome. For more information, go to www.pilgrimsandstrailriders.org or call 508-758-2825.

Halloween Happenings

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It’s scary how much Marion, Mattapoisett, and Rochester have going on this Halloween.

In Marion, festivities include the Art Center’s annual parade, starting at 4:00 pm at the Music Hall on Thursday, October 31. Sippican Elementary School’s Hannah Moore will lead the Styxx Drum Corp and costumed participants south on Front Street, then up Main Street to a right on Spring Street, and back down Cottage to the Music Hall, where the “good, kind” witches – watch out … it could be a trick – will hand out goody bags. For more information, call 508-748-1266.

Mattapoisett offers two events this week: On Friday, October 25, the YMCA (38 Reservation Rd.) will host a Halloween Hayride and Party starting at 6:00 pm. The cost is $5 per child. And on the big day itself, October 31, the Mattapoisett Police Halloween Parade – an event for more than 50 years – will start at 6:00 pm at the Center School. Prizes will be awarded to the most unique costumes, bags of candy will be handed out, and officers will share safety tips. The event is free, but the department does accept donations. Look at it this way: If any ghosts or goblins show up, the police will protect you. For more information, contact Captain Anthony Days at 508-758-4141 or at adays@mattpoisettpolice.com.

In Rochester, the Plumb Corner Halloween Town Celebration happens on Saturday, October 26, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. There will be hayrides, a costume contest at 1:30 pm, and a raffle. DJ Howie will provide part of the entertainment: Costumed kids of all ages will provide the rest!

Two Rochester Break-Ins Investigated

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The Rochester Police Department is warning residents after two recent house breaks in town. On Thursday at noon, officers investigated a B&E in the 300 block of Alley Road. Later in the day, another break-in was reported on Mendell Road in the 90 block. In one case, two televisions were stolen, and in the other case, police are still waiting for the resident to determine what may have been taken. Police are following up on both cases and hope to identify suspects.

Rochester Police are asking for the public to keep an extra eye out and report suspicious persons and vehicles immediately by dialing 911.

Rochester Police offer the following prevention tips:

Lock all doors and windows when leaving the house, even for a short while.

Keep large sums of cash in banks and expensive jewelry in safe deposit boxes.

Do not hide door keys outside the house.

If you have an alarm system, be sure to set it every time you leave the house.

Don’t allow items such as newspapers and mail to accumulate outside your home.

Let a trusted neighbor know when you will be away.

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Senior Athletes Honored

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As fall sports are slowly coming to a close, many of the Old Rochester teams take a game to recognize all of their seniors and their contributions to their respective teams. This week, girls’ soccer, field hockey, and volleyball all had their own senior nights. Football’s senior night will occur during the homecoming football game on October 26. Here is a look at the seventh week of results for ORR athletics.

Girls’ Soccer: The Lady Bulldogs didn’t have the greatest week, as they lost all three of their scheduled games. On Monday, the girls lost to New Bedford 2-1, with senior Michaela Bouvette scoring the only Bulldog goal. The girls then traveled to Dighton-Rehoboth, where they lost 4-1, with sophomore Amy Bichajian providing the only goal off of an assist from classmate Sarah Beaulieu. Friday marked the girls’ senior night, where they honored seniors Isabelle Riley, Morgan DaSilva, Megan Pachico, Emily Beaulieu, Abby Adams, and Michaela Bouvette. Unfortunately, the girls lost the game to Seekonk by a score of 2-1. Freshman Katelyn Bindas scored her first varsity goal in the loss.

Field Hockey: The girls had a slower week than usual with only one game against Case last Friday. It was the team’s senior game, but it was also their annual Fight Like a Girl Game, where they support breast cancer awareness with a bake sale and pink ribbons. The girls honored seniors Rachael Chandler, Carly Pelissier, Jess Kocur, Madison Durr, Tori Saltmarsh, Sarah Riberio, Leah Thomas, and Renae Reints. Fittingly, two of the recognized seniors, Pelissier and Kocur, provided the two goals to lead the girls to victory over Case High School, 2-1. Junior Abby Bentz also played excellently, stealing the ball repeatedly from Case’s one male player.

Golf: The golf team participated in the annual SCC Championship Meet this week at the Bay Pointe Golf Club. The boys faced off against every team in the SCC to see who would take the conference crown. Unfortunately, Apponequet, who had won the regular season title, won the championship, but ORR came in a close second thanks to great performances by Jackson Mitchell and Nic Suprenant, who each shot a 79 to lead the Bulldogs. Zach Peterson (82) and Kyle Sherman (84) also played well in the second-place finish.

Boys’ Soccer: The boys’ team split their two games this week, winning one while losing the other. Against Dighton-Rehoboth, the boys won 3-1, thanks to a great game by senior Alden Truesdale, who scored two of the team’s three goals to claim victory over the Falcons. Senior Robby Magee provided the other goal for the Bulldogs late in the first half. The boys then lost to Seekonk later in the week with a score of 2-1.

Volleyball: The girls’ team remained winless this week, losing to New Bedford, Dighton-Rehoboth, and Seekonk. However, the team’s senior night, which took place against Seekonk, honored seniors Curran Desjardins and Juliana Nicolosi. Much like the field hockey team, the two recognized seniors led the way for the team, with Desjardins recording 13 assists, 4 kills, and 7 digs while Nicolosi provided 16 digs, two aces, and two kills. Nicolosi and Desjardins have really been great captains and leaders for the young team, and their presence will definitely be missed come next season.

Football: The football team remained undefeated this week with a monster win over Wareham, 56-8. The Bulldogs had not won a game at Wareham’s home field in nine years, but that streak was snapped with the victory. Leading the way, as he has all season, was senior Richie Phillips, who ran for a whopping 208 yards and three touchdowns in only 20 minutes of play. Also scoring was Darien Dumond, Frank Hopkins, Corey Dias, and brothers Haydon Bergeron and Nolan Bergeron. The score at halftime was 42-0, and many of the starters for the Bulldogs were removed after halftime. The win keeps the Bulldogs at a perfect 6-0, and clinched their first winning season since 2008.

Boys’ & Girls’ Cross Country: The girls’ cross country team had a great week, claiming their third consecutive SCC Championship with wins over Dighton-Rehoboth and GNB Voc-Tech. Sammie Barrett continued her excellent season, winning both races with a time of 21:59, while sophomore Emily Josephson remained right on Barrett’s heels with a 22:04. The boys were able to defeat GNB Voc-Tech, but were handed their second loss of the season to Dighton-Rehoboth. Both teams then ran in the Bob McIntyre Twilight Meet in Barnstable, where several outstanding performances took place, the most prominent being Mike Wyman, who took second in the varsity race out of 219 runners with a scintillating 15:15 5k.

Below are the overall team records, followed by the conference records in wins, losses, and ties as of October 20.

Football: (6-0-0) (6-0-0) Field Hockey: (10-3-2) (10-2-1) Girls’ Soccer: (9-4-4) (9-3-4) Boys’ Soccer: (9-4-4) (8-3-4) Golf: (10-6-0) (10-6-0) Volleyball: (0-17-0) (0-15-0) Boys’ Cross Country (4-2-0) (4-2-0) Girls’ Cross Country: (6-0-0) (6-0-0)

By Michael Kassabian

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During a week that featured games honoring their respective seniors, the ORR Girl’s Soccer team struggled, while Field Hockey defeated Case 2-1. The victory coincided with the team’s Fight Like a Girl Game, which supported breast cancer awareness with a bake sale and pink ribbons. Photos courtesy Kelly Pacheco

 

Hairy Scary Halloween Stroll

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The inaugural Hairy Scary Halloween Stroll, presented by the Sippican Lands Trust, drew a big crowd of thrill-seekers over the weekend at Peirson Woods. Toby Dills served as guest storyteller. Photos courtesy Yelena Sheynin

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Mattapoisett Council on Aging Events

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AARP Driver Safety Course: On Tuesday, November 5, from 10:00 am to 2:30 pm, the Mattapoisett COA is hosting the AARP Driver Safety Course for licensed drivers of any age. Pre-registration is required no later than November 4 at noon.

Why take a driver safety course? Because driving has changed since you first got your license, and doing so could save you money.

By taking a driver safety course, you’ll learn the current rules of the road, defensive driving techniques, and how to operate your vehicle more safely in today’s increasingly challenging driving environment. You’ll learn how you can manage and accommodate common age-related changes in vision, hearing, and reaction time. There is no test to pass.

You may be eligible to receive an insurance discount upon completing the course, so consult your agent for details. You might also be eligible to receive a discount on roadside assistance plans. After attending the course, you’ll receive a certificate of completion that can be presented to your insurance agent for a possible reduction in your auto insurance premiums.

Cost is $12 for AARP members; $14 for non-members; and free to Veterans. Make checks payable to “AARP.”

There will be a lunch break. You may bring your own lunch or pay a separate $3 fee for pizza at the COA. Anyone with questions may call Jacqueline Coucci, Council on Aging Director, at 508-758-4110.

Musical Entertainment with Two for the Road: On Thursday, November 7, join Two for the Road as they take you on a musical journey. By making each of their voices flow together in harmonious rhythm, singers Susan Fournier and R. Robert bring their audience to feel the power of music that can change your mood and move your soul.

The duo will perform an eclectic collection of songs to satisfy many interests. Songs include “Cabaret,” “At Last,” “Stardust,” “Can I Have This Dance,” “Up on the Roof,” “Nessun Dorma” from Puccini’s opera, and many more!

Lunch will be Thanksgiving style, with roast turkey, stuffing, mashed butternut squash, and salad. The meal will be served at 12:15 pm, and the performance will begin at 1:00 pm. Cost is $8 for meal and the show. Pre-registration, with payment, is required no later than November 4. The Mattapoisett venue is still to be determined, based on the number of people registered. Call 508-758-4110 to sign up or for any questions.

Estate Planning Luncheon: Estate Planning is something we all need to do, regardless of age, marital status, or wealth. You want to do the right thing for yourself and your family. You want to protect your financial future by preserving your assets. You want the security of knowing that your estate will be handled exactly the way you want. Don’t miss this presentation that will also include information on Health Care Proxies, Veterans’ Benefits, Homestead Acts, Living Trusts, and more.

The lunch and speaker series will be held at the Mattapoisett COA, 17 Barstow St., on Tuesday, November 12. The lunch of veggie lasagna will be served at noon, with the presentation beginning at approximately 12:15 pm. Cost is $3 for lunch; the presentation is free. Pre-registration is required.

Speaker Jane E. Sullivan, an attorney, has over 25 years of experience working with clients of all ages in all aspects of Estate Planning and Administration, with a special emphasis on Elder Law. She is an Accredited Estate Planner.

Please call 508-758-4110 to register no later than Friday, November 8 (please note that the COA will be closed on November 11 in observance of Veterans’ Day).

Marion Republican Town Committee

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The Marion Republican Town Committee will conduct its next monthly meeting on Tuesday, November 5, at 7:00 pm at the Marion Music Hall, 164 Front St. The public and new members are welcome.

Pier Into Sippican Harbor in Review

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A pier jutting out into Sippican Harbor was discussed at Wednesday’s Marion Conservation Commission meeting at the Town House. The application, from Nancy and Gregory Johnson, was to extend an existing timber pile-supported residential pier from 134 feet to 165 feet, and to relocate a gangway and a 12-by-12-foot float. Gregory Johnson rows as a hobby and asked the board for easier access to deeper water.

Commission member Lawrence Dorman asked about the need for channel markers in the harbor, seeing the length and breath of the extension into the harbor. The project is located at 406 Point Road. All existing pilings will be pulled out, except for one, where an osprey nest exists.

Elsewhere on the agenda was a request on a Determination of Applicability for the Kittansett Club to continue to use the existing stockpile area in the southeast corner of the driving range as a burn area and a storage site for materials, including dredged materials from “The Haven.” The project is located at 11 Point Road.

Lastly, the board heard from Robert Cattel, head of the Hammett’s Cove Homeowners Association, who came before the board to get the OK to repave the entrance of Blackhall Court up to, but not including, the cul-de-sac, and adding gravel to rutted driveways. The board decided to take the matter under consideration and adjourned the meeting.

By Joan Hartnett-Barry

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