Gateway Youth Hockey Update

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• Bantams – Facing the first-seeded team going into the Playoffs with a 24-1-2 record, the Gateway Bantams weren’t quite sure what to expect when playing against Weymouth, a Yankee Conference powerhouse team.

After a hard-fought battle on the ice by both teams, the first period ended in a scoreless tie. Shortly into the second period, Weymouth tallied the first goal, taking the lead and gaining the position of control. Gateway had plenty of opportunities on net, but nothing was getting by the Weymouth net-keeper. Great defense by Alex Hathaway, Mat St. John, Jake Tomasik and Doug Breault kept the score within one. Teaghan Andre made some outstanding glove saves and overall showed superb poise and confidence in the net.

Finally, in the third period, the Gateway threesome of Chad Lavoie, Jacob Spevach and Brady Smith pressured the Weymouth goalie and Chad Lavoie dropped one in, putting Gateway back in the game and also scoring his first goal of the season. Great back-checking and the solid play of Will Paling, Mike Houdlette and Sean Kelso added to more pressure in the Weymouth zone. Shift change and out came Brady Smith, Alex Atkinson and Brian Holmes, who battled in front of the Weymouth net banging away at the puck trying to get it in. Finally, Alex Atkinson got hold of the loose puck and tucked it in to break the tie and give Gateway the one-goal lead. With just 1:48 remaining in the game, Mat St. John used his agility and burst of speed to take the puck down the ice and drive it in to guarantee a 3-1 Gateway victory.

The Bantam team consists of several skaters who represent the first class of hockey players that helped bring youth hockey back to Wareham after several years without a program. When a close knit family of volunteers made Gateway Youth Hockey a reality a few short years ago, many of the current Bantams laced up their skates for the first time. Now years later, they are poised to put the exclamation point on their experiences in youth hockey.

“Most of these kids have skated together for more than four years, and they have grown so much together,” Coach Mike Houdlette said. The team endured their share of long losing streaks and blowout losses in the first few years, but their recent successes mirror that of the entire organization. Let’s hope next week these boys see their dreams become a reality.

Gateway hopes to see a great show of town support next week for the Championship Squirt game at 1:30 pm and the Bantam game at 3:10 pm next Sunday, April 7 at Hobomock Arena, 132 Hobomock Street, Pembroke.

• Middle School – The Wareham Vikings found themselves in the B2 Division playoffs Friday night after finishing their C Division season in first place. Facing B/R Papasodoro, the Vikings seemed a bit nervous about being moved up a division as the game started, especially since B/R managed a fluky goal in the first minute of the game. The Vikings soon found their stride though, and Goalie Chace Cunningham remained confident in what was to be a stellar playoff performance. The teams were well-matched as each side battled for dominance, and the score remained 1-0 against the Vikings until nearly the end of the second period, when Sean Kelso took advantage of a power play to hit the net. Within two minutes, Wareham managed to take the lead, with Doug Breault sinking the puck, assisted by Kelso and Mike Houdlette. The lead in hand, the Vikings defense went on high alert, relying on Jake “The Wall” Tomasik, Alex Hathaway and Coleby Paling to help secure the net. Will Paling and Connor Kelley worked to extend the lead, but their attempts on net were rebuffed. It seemed that a victory was secure, but another fluky goal by B/R ended the game in a 2-2 tie.

Coach Howie Ladd expressed pride in the team, saying they had played well against each of their playoff opponents during the season, and had held their own tonight. B/R Papasodoro was the toughest team they would face during the series, and Coach Howie was pleased with the team’s performance. He has every confidence that they will continue to do well during the playoffs, and that the Championship trophy is well within their grasp. After a heartbreaking loss in last year’s division Championship, the Wareham Vikings Middle School team is certainly ready to take that trophy home.

Planning for Solar

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To the Editor:

Recent media reporting on the objectives and agendas of Marion’s Energy Management Committee, EMC, requires a pause for scrutiny and comment regarding the impact of this Committee’s activities on Marion.

A major EMC agenda item is changing Marion’s zoning bylaws to allow “as a matter of right zoning” with “expedited permitting” at the land fill for a commercial solar farm to be used as a solar garden. This “as a matter of right” is the same zoning concept the State mandates regarding 40B affordable housing allowing out-of-town developers to cram down projects inconsistent with Marion’s zoning objectives and protections.

The first EMC objective with this proposed zoning change is to meet the State’s criteria for Marion to qualify for the Green Communities’ designation. The second is to allow the EMC to develop a private commercial solar garden on the Town’s landfill. These proposed changes would allow the EMC to circumvent Marion’s traditional commercial zoning requirements for a special permit and site plan approval for the commercial solar farm project. At this point, commercial solar farms are not allowed in Marion. If such projects are to be allowed, a two-thirds majority Town Meeting vote approving zoning changes would be required. Solar farms should be allowed only in commercially and industrially zoned districts by Planning Board special permit and site plan approval. This is just good zoning public policy consistent with Marion’s zoning requirements for all commercial projects. Solar farms should not be treated any differently than any other commercial industrial project. The EMC would like a “favored nations” status for such projects to meet the requirements of the Green Communities’ designation and to construct a privately-owned solar garden on the Town’s environmentally sensitive landfill.

At this juncture, it’s apparent that there are a number of significant issues all intertwined like a bowel of spaghetti and the issues are: (1) zoning, (2) Green Communities’ designation criteria and (3) siting a privately-owned commercial solar garden on the Town’s landfill.

The State’s Green Communities program is strictly voluntary. Marion elects to participate in the program if it’s determined the benefits exceed the burdens for the Town and its citizens. For Marion, the direct and indirect cost to the Town and school can easily range from $300,000 to $500,000 before grants are received. This becomes the breakeven point or hurdle rate necessary before there is any State grant money benefit to the Town. This hurdle rate does not consider the cost to meet “stretch building code” requirements that must be adopted as part of the Town’s qualifying criteria.

What exactly does qualifying for the State’s Green Communities’ designation provide Marion? The answer is simple: (1) intangible “bragging rights” that Marion is a Green Community and (2) allowance for Marion to participate competitively with other designated communities for grants which in the aggregate by state statute are limited to $10 million. Grants can only be spent on a very limited list of selected environmentally green projects. It’s a community competitive “beauty contest” for limited grant money. Only about 30 percent of the State’s 351 municipalities now qualify for the Green Communities’ designation. There is a reason for this low community participation rate too.

It’s very difficult for smaller communities such as Marion to qualify for Green Communities’ designation and to find Town projects that will qualify for grant money. First, it is a very, very expensive and administratively burdensome state program for small communities such as Marion. The administrative and capital costs and other qualifying requirements are extremely high in relationship to the benefits received. Secondly, Marion, due to its small size, does not have a Green Communities’ qualifying capital requirements base large enough to effectively utilize any grant money that might be available. It’s a cost-benefit analysis the EMC has yet to perform, yet the EMC seeks significant zoning change before such work has been completed and the Town is informed of the results.

There are five criteria that Marion must meet in order to qualify for the State’s Green Communities’ designation.

1. Stretch building code adopted by a majority vote at Town Meeting;

2. “Matter of right” zoning for selected alternative energy such as solar farms, requiring a two-thirds majority Town Meeting vote;

3. Expedited permitting process, again requiring a two-thirds majority Town Meeting vote;

4. Establish a program to purchase fuel efficient vehicles; and

5. Establish a five-year 20 percent energy reduction program for the Town and school operations and facilities.

These criteria all appear very appealing until their consequences on the Town are considered, as will be discussed in future letters.

Ted North

Marion

 

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.

Stephen C. Smith

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Stephen C. Smith, 65, of Marion died April 1, 2013 at home.

He comfortably spent his last hours surrounded by his family that he dearly loved.

Steve was the beloved husband of Grace A. (Pacheco) Smith with whom he shared 45 years of marriage.

Born in Fall River, the son of the late Chester S. and Catherine B. (Chapman) Smith, he lived his early years in Provincetown and lived in Marion most of his life.

He was a member of St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church.

Steve was formerly employed as a licensed plumber and a volunteer fireman for the Town of Marion.

He served in the U.S. Coast Guard during the Vietnam War.

Steve was a family man and his days were spent around his children and grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Lori Labonte and her husband Eric of Marion and Audri Silveira and her husband Jeffrey of Fairhaven; a brother, Chester Smith, II. and his wife Donna of Marion; his twin sister, Cathy Belair and her husband John of Georgia; five grandchildren, Zakary, Tayber, Jhett, Chance and Willow-Grace; and many nieces and nephews.

His Memorial Service will be held on Friday at 11:30 AM in St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church. Private burial will follow in the Massachusetts National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Steve’s memory may be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 1145, Alexandria, VA 22311. Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home For Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6) Mattapoisett. For on-line guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Natural History Renovation Bid OK’d

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A low bid of $47,583 was approved by the Marion Board of Selectmen at their meeting on Tuesday evening for the renovation and repair of the Marion Natural History Museum.

On July 23, the ceiling of the museum, located above the town library, collapsed onto the library ceiling below, leaving the museum, built in the 1800s by Elizabeth Taber, closed until repairs could be made.

Loughton Construction of Raynham was awarded the contract unanimously. Town Administrator Paul Dawson said that there was one local bidder that was higher in price.

“The bidding process is daunting,” said Dawson, “and the bid documents are hundreds of pages.” Dawson suggested holding a workshop for local contractors on the bidding process to bring in more local bidding for town repairs out to bid.

Jim Quigley, Deputy District Director for Congressman William Keating, addressed the board and said that he was visiting all of the towns in the district and wanted residents to know that Rep. Keating and he were available to assist in any areas of concern. “If any school group or other groups want a tour of the capital or want assistance with Social Security, housing, or other issues, call us or e-mail us and we will get back to you,” Quigley said.

Selectman Jody Dickerson asked about Rep. Keating’s specialty in Homeland Security and in regard to the security of the wells that support drinking water in town. Quigley said he would look into the matter and report back.

Elsewhere on the agenda, discussion was held regarding land with a real estate delinquency of approximately $5584.11 on property owned at 929 Point Rd. The owner offered the land to the town at the cost of the delinquency.

“Let’s go slowly on this,” Selectman John Henry said. “Perhaps an abutter might want the land.” The Board agreed to have Dawson discuss the issue with the land owner and request that he contact all abutters to see if there would be an interest in purchasing the property for the cost of the delinquency.

The board approved the semi-annual water and sewer bill in the amount of $2.17 million for the term expiring on Nov. 13, 2012. A one-day alcohol license was approved for the Marion Social Club for a birthday party from 6pm to midnight on April 27.

The ongoing bid for the mold remediation at the Town House was resolved by a vote to award the contract to ServePro of Fall River & Taunton.

By Joan Hartnett-Barry

Easement Approved on Aucoot Road

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The one item on the Mattapoisett Planning Board’s April 1 agenda featured the return of applicants interested in garnering a permanent easement through 88 Aucoot Road, Lot 80. If granted, the easement would allow owners of Lots 152 and 153 access through Lot 80 water access into perpetuity.

During the March 18 hearing on this matter, the Board said they would need to confer with Town Counsel, as they were not sure what the consequences might be from a resulting non-conforming lot.

Town Counsel has subsequently assured the Board that the easement would not create a non-conforming buildable lot, but simply a non-buildable parcel.

Having received the necessary information to make an informed decision, the Board moved to approve the application for an easement at this location.

Other business: Minutes were read and approved from March 18.

The Board Members also discussed reviewing the zoning bylaws to ensure their conformity with zoning maps. It was decided that this was necessary and will be completed.

The Planning Board’s next meeting is April 15 at 7pm.

By Marilou Newell

Howard (Sandy) Ripley McPeck, Jr.

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Howard (Sandy) Ripley McPeck, Jr. passed away March 23, 2013 while on vacation in Venice, FL. The cause of death was a previously undiagnosed rare pulmonary inflammatory disease. He was 71 years old.

Sandy was born in New Bedford, MA on May 22, 1941, and had been a Marion, Mass. summer resident since birth, moving there permanently in 1994. He was the son of Howard Ripley McPeck, who was also raised in Marion, and Eleanor (Crain) McPeck. He is survived by his wife of nearly 22 years, Susan (Knopf) McPeck, his sister, Eleanor Morgan McPeck of Cambridge, MA, his three children and five grandchildren: daughter Sarah McPeck Shaw of Westport, CT, her husband John and their children Eliza and Lydia; daughter Alexandra McPeck Beverly of West Hartford, CT, her husband Russell and their children Maren and Walker; son Bennett Mitchell McPeck of Ballard, WA and his daughter Liliana, and by former wife, Deborah (Mitchell) McPeck of Perrysburg, OH.  He also leaves behind four step-children: Christian Kaldes, Nicole Kaldes Goehl, Suzanne Atwill and Andrew Atwill, as well as four loving step-grandchildren with another expected in July. Dearly missed by all his relatives and friends, Sandy was a loving husband, father and grandfather – known for being reliable, charitable, funny, warm and wise.

Sandy attended St Alban’s School for Boys, Washington, DC, Williams College, Williamstown, MA, and Brown University, Providence, RI. He began his teaching career at Metairie Park Country Day School, Metairie, LA. He then spent 27 years teaching English, coaching, mentoring and holding various administrative positions, including Assistant Headmaster, at Maumee Valley Country Day School in Toledo, OH. The last 10 years of his career were spent teaching English at the Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School. Sandy’s teaching philosophy focused on “a child being a seed which we nurture and watch grow, rather than our trying to mold the child like clay.” Many of his students took the time, years after their graduation, to thank him for his guidance toward their self-discovery.

Sandy took great pleasure attending his grandchildren’s various sporting events by following their team rankings faithfully and proudly cheering them on. Gardening, and making his surroundings beautiful, also occupied much of Sandy’s leisure time. His love of pastoral landscapes translated into his passion for creating impressionistic paintings, a hobby he began at an early age and continued until his death.

At his request, his service will be private. Memorial donations may be made to benefit the Schooner Ernestina in New Bedford, MA. Sandy once had the opportunity to sail on her for several days and was inspired by the experience in ways both educational and spiritual. Donations will provide for the maintenance, equipment, manning, programming and operation of the schooner as a sail training vessel, school ship, and educational enterprise. Sandy McPeck – Schooner Ernestina Fund, c/o Eastern Bank, 340 Front Street, Marion, MA, 02738.

Boards Clash on Solar Bylaw

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During a charged two-hour discussion on Monday night, the Marion Planning Board challenged the Energy Management Committee on an amendment in the Town Meeting Warrant formalizing solar installation guidelines and standards.

Planning Chair Jay Ryder and member Ted North expressed their skepticism about how the controversial Solar Bylaw proposal made its way onto the warrant in the first place, saying that the Planning Board was not properly notified in advance of a public hearing scheduled for April 16.

“Did the Energy Management Committee follow the proper procedures in submitting the bylaws?” Ryder asked, scolding the EMC for its lack of transparency.

“Our duty as members of this board to follow the law,” North followed up. “We have still not received notice from the Board of Selectmen. I question whether we can even have a public hearing at this point.”

EMC member and scientist Jennifer Francis was skeptical in response.

“All along, we’ve been working very openly,” she said. “No one has ever said we needed to do anything differently. I really don’t know what to say. What has changed? I felt like we were very close. We wouldn’t have put this much effort into the Town Meeting if we didn’t think we could do it.”
Ryder at one point called the procedural conflict a “fatal flaw.” Signaling uncertainty for the bylaw’s fate, he used the same phrase in bemoaning the lack of a special permit process for ground-mounted solar installations on residential lots, citing aesthetics and potential land devaluation. Both of these concerns were dismissed as alarmist speculation by EMC members in attendance, who wondered whether solar panels would be more unsightly than junk cars, lobster traps, boats, and RVs.

“Delay is the deadliest form of denial, and that’s what I feel like I’m listening to here,” member Norman Hills said. “There are no surprises or secrets here. We’re not trying to ramrod anything. We’re not talking about paving the town in solar panels. I don’t think we’re ever going to agree on everything.”

“My response to that, Norm,” Ryder shot back, “is we had a deal, and you didn’t stand by the deal. It’s the 11th hour , and you’re trying to put something forth for the Town Meeting that the Energy Management Committee and Planning Board don’t agree on. I am a proponent of solar energy, but I don’t think we should have a bylaw just because we don’t have a bylaw.”

While North was stringent in his opposition to the Solar Bylaw, arguing that it be thrown out and replaced with one authored by the Planning Board, Ryder would ultimately soften his stance.

“We have to let this play out one way or the other,” Ryder said. “Let’s have the public meeting and see where we stand. We might hear recommendations that your side hasn’t come up with and recommendations that our side hasn’t come up with.”

The first public hearing of what could potentially be several on the issue will take place on April 16 at 5pm in the Marion Town Hall Conference Room. Should the bylaw survive intact on the Town Meeting Warrant, it will need a two-thirds majority on May 13 to pass. If it falls short, it cannot be reconsidered for two years.

“Implementing a fast track and encouraging public input: I think that would be the best thing to do,” member Stephen Gonsalves said. “Both sides’ noses are a little out of joint. There might be a lot of agreeing to disagree, and that’s the beautiful thing about America. We’re here now, so let’s move forward.”

By Shawn Badgley

Theresa M. (Travis) Counsell

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Theresa M. (Travis) Counsell, 87, of New Bedford died March 31, 2013 at Sippican Healthcare Center after a brief illness.

She was the wife of Alden W. Counsell.

Born in Fall River, the daughter of the late Henry and Theresa (Silvia) Travis, she lived in New Bedford and Mattapoisett most of her life.

Mrs. Counsell was a communicant of St. Julie Billiart Church.

She enjoyed cooking, crafts and travel.

Survivors include her husband; 2 sons, John A. Counsell and his wife Pat of East Wareham and Joseph M. Counsell of New Bedford; a daughter, Ann C. Peardon and her husband John of Buzzards Bay; a sister, Helen Pullman of Concord, NH; 2 nieces, Bettye Finger of South Dartmouth and Barbara Scofield of New Hampshire; and a great-niece, Abigail Finger of South Dartmouth.

She was the mother of the late David K. Counsell.

Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday at 10 AM in St. Julie Billiart Church. Burial will follow in Acushnet Cemetery. Visiting hours Wednesday from 4-8 PM in the Saunders-Dwyer Home For Funerals, 495 Park St. New Bedford. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Mattapoisett Field Full of Incumbents

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The final day for submitting nomination papers for the upcoming elections found Mattapoisett’s ballot featuring mostly incumbents running unopposed.

Only two races on the ballot have competition: Two contenders are vying for Water/Sewer Commissioner: Christopher Jaskolka and William F. Hubbard. On the Planning Board, Mary Crain, who was appointed by the board after a resignation left a vacancy, will be running against Paul Osenkowski.

Selectman and Board Chairman Jordan Collyer is seeking reelection unopposed, as are the following: Trustees for the Library James Dildine and Mary Magee; Moderator, John Eklund; Mattapoisett Housing Authority, Margaret DeMello; Constables Paul Magee and Kenneth Pacheco; Herring Inspector, Robert Martin; Tree Warden, Roland Cote; Community Preservation Committee’s William Hall and Michelle Hughes; and, finally, Board of Health member Daniel Lee.

No one has stepped forward to fill an empty seat at the Old Rochester Regional District School Committee table, leaving that slot vacant at this time.

Cary LeBlanc has submitted papers for an opening on the Board of Assessors, which is presently vacant.

And lastly, Charles Motta is an incumbent seeking re-lection on the Mattapoisett School Committee, while the other slot is being vied for by Patrick LeClair. Last day to register to vote is May 1, and Election Day is May 21.

By Marilou Newell 

Elks Student of the Month

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The Elks of Wareham Lodge No. 1648 sponsors the Elks Student of the Month and Student of the Year Awards for students enrolled in local area high schools.  The criteria used in nominating a student includes a student who excels in scholarship, citizenship, performing arts, fine arts, hobbies, athletics, church, school, club and community service, industry and farming.

We congratulate senior, Alyssa Seifert, Rochester for being selected by the Old Rochester Regional High School faculty and staff.  Alyssa has been an incredible mentor and tutor this entire year in guidance.   She invests her time, patience and energy weekly tutoring physics lessons with skill and consistent support, She is a natural teacher.   Always dependable, always positive!  Alyssa is a leader and teacher in her local church also.  This aspiring teacher is enrolled in 3 AP courses, 2 Honors courses and Art.  She has truly made a difference for the young students around her. She has a wonderful class and school spirit.