One Ejected from Jeep in Marion Crash

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On Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 7:39 am, the Marion Police Department responded to a motor vehicle crash at the intersection of Spring Street and Well’s Road.

The investigation showed that a 2009 Jeep, being operated by Catherine MacGregor, age 50, of Rochester, was traveling south on Spring Street.  A 1997 Toyota, being operated by Ernest Campos, age 83, of Fairhaven, was traveling west on Well’s Road.  The Toyota failed to stop at the stop sign and struck the Jeep.  The Jeep rolled over and the operator was ejected from the vehicle. There were no other passengers in either vehicle.

The operator of the Jeep was treated at the scene by Marion Fire/EMS and transported to Tobey Hospital, with serious injuries. The operator of the Toyota refused medical treatment.

Ernest Campos was issued a citation for failing to slow at an intersection and failing to stop at a stop sign.

The crash is being investigated by Officer Anthony DiCarlo.

 

 

Week of Successes for Track Teams

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The state-level Division 4 Relays prove a lot about a track team; they show the team’s talent in individuals and in their overall depth, as each relay team is compromised of three or four athletes. The Old Rochester boys’ and girls’ teams each proved that they possess both, as the girls won the meet and the boys came second in the overall standings.

The girls’ team, which won with 35 points, was led by strong performances in the shuttle hurdles and the 4×200 meter relay. The shuttle hurdle team, made up of Kristen Fuller, Meagan Bell, Paige Santos and Ally Saccone, won the event with a school record time of 30.18 seconds. Santos and Saccone teamed up with Hannah Walsh and Morgan DaSilva to once again take the 4×200 relay in a dominant time of 1:49.6. Santos also led the girls to a third place finish in the high-jump relay, along with freshmen Zoe Smith and Elexus Alfonso.

Going into the final event, the 4×400 meter relay, it looked as if the boys’ team would win the overall meet, as their closest competitor, Weston High School, didn’t have a relay team. However, the results of the long jump relay came out right before the start of the race, and Weston, having placed second, slipped by ORR in the standings by 2.4 points.

Regardless, the boys had excellent performances. Nick Mathieu, Kevin Noone, Richie Phillips and Dan Donahue won the 4×200 meter relay with an excellent time of 1:36.58, thanks to a phenomenal anchor leg by Donahue, who passed two teams to take the win. The boys also placed second in the 4×800 meter relay with a time of 8:28.53, thanks to the efforts of Nick Pacheco, Mike Wyman, Connor Medeiros-Sweet and Fred Murolo. Murolo, Wyman and Pacheco returned with Noone to take third in the distance medley with a time of 11:09.72.

The relays helped to prove that both track teams have the potential to not only win the SCC, but also possibly win states at the conclusion of the season.

The basketball team had an up-and-down week. Last Tuesday, the boys lost to GNB Voc-Tech, 75 – 58. Only five players scored for the boys; Jeremy Bare (25 points), Raekwon Phillips (12 points), Mikey Pruchnik (13 points), Hayden Bergeron (4 points) and sophomore Jordan Menard (4 points), who scored his first career varsity baskets.

The boys came back from their disappointing loss on Tuesday to win against the Apponequet Lakers, a team that had beaten them previously in the season. With two minutes left, the Bulldogs were up by only four points, but they managed to fend off the persistent Lakers thanks to strong performances by Bare and Bergeron. Bergeron’s biggest play came after Bare missed two free throws with 13 seconds left. The junior fought for the rebound and put it back up to extend the lead to an unreachable 5 points.

The final score of the game was 49 – 43. The win puts the Bulldogs at a 3 – 7 overall record.

By Michael Kassabian

Halfway Mark To-Dos

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With students and teachers settling in to the new rules set in place after winter break, the slew of complaints and attempted debates from students towards teachers have made way for quiet grumbling and preparing for the end of the term. Grades close officially on the January 25. All make-up work should be passed in over the course of the week. Midterms will be at the teachers’ discretion. Finals for half-year classes will also be at teacher’s discretion. Seniors with an A average will be exempt from finals in their half-year classes.

Seniors applying to college should be bringing in copies of any official letters from college, including acceptance letters, deferment letters, admissions denial letters or scholarships directly from the colleges. The copies of the letters should be given to Mrs. Bertrand in the guidance office. For any questions about scholarships, you should see your guidance counselor.

Also on the senior to-do list should be buying your yearbooks. $75 must be paid by January 31 with the order forms and passed in to the main office or the yearbook committee. For extra order forms, go to Mrs. Blake or any of the yearbook committee members.

Juniors on the college track who are looking to get a head start can begin by looking into the SATs and going on college visits. Guidance has a list of the upcoming SAT testing dates. The list can also be found online on the College Board website. The College Board website is also where you can sign up for the SATs. Should you be interested in taking the ACTs, you should ask the guidance office about testing dates and centers or look online on the ACT website.

For all students, sign-ups for the talent show end this week. Practices or run-throughs for the show will be held during the week of the show and will be clarified during morning announcements.

By Jessica Correia


Joseph A. Fontaine

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Joseph A. Fontaine, 89, of Rochester, died Wednesday, January 23, 2013. He was the husband of Ida E. (Poirier) Fontaine; they had been happily married for 70 years.

Born in New Bedford, a son of the late Ovila and Emerilda (Dion) Fontaine, he had lived in New Bedford before moving to Rochester in 1967.

Mr. Fontaine served in the US Navy during WWII and worked as a supervisor at Commonwealth Electric for 38 years before retiring. After retiring he and his wife enjoyed traveling, camping and spending winters in Florida. He was also a member of the VFW Post in Freetown.

Besides his wife he is survived by two sons, Albert Fontaine and his wife Carol of Acushnet and Michael Fontaine of Narragansett, RI; a daughter, Sandra Reale and her husband Stephen of Acushnet; five grandchildren, Deborah Cassidy, Karen Elias, Tina Reale, Lisa McIlmail and Michael Reale; six great grandchildren, MacKenzie Cassidy, Marissa and Nathan Elias, William and Katie McIlmail and Allyson Reale; several nieces and nephews. He was also the brother of the late, Frank, Albert and Edmund Fontaine, Sidonie “Sally” Lauzier and Hermina “Alice” Paradise.

Funeral and burial are private per Mr. Fontaine’s wishes. Arrangements are in the care of the ROCK Funeral Home, New Bedford.

Beverly J. Mello (Sylvia)

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Beverly J. Mello (Sylvia), 79, of Rochester, MA died Monday, January 21, 2013 after a long illness at Tobey Hospital in Wareham. She was the companion of the late Joseph Carvalho of Westport.

Born in New Bedford, daughter of the late Manuel J. and Doris M. (Chace) Sylvia, she had lived in Rochester for over forty years. Mrs. Mello had worked as a cook at the Mattapoisett Nursing Home and was a member of the Holy Ghost Club in Westport.

Survivors include her 4 daughters: Susan Savaria of Acushnet, Lynne A. Lima and her husband Bruce of Rochester, Jo-Ann Camara of FL and Regina Mendonca of New Bedford, 10 grandchildren, several great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and her former husband Frank Mello.

Mrs. Mello was the mother of the late David W. Mello.

A graveside service to which relatives and friends are invited will be Monday, January 28, 2013 at Oak Grove Cemetery, New Bedford at 11:00 A.M.

Calling hours will be Sunday from 1-4 P.M.

Joyce N. “Nonnie” Grassi

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Joyce N. “Nonnie” Grassi, 91, of Marion, died Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at Tobey Hospital in Wareham. She was the wife of the late Nildo E. Grassi.

Born in Cambridgeshire, England, she was the daughter of the late Samuel & Margaret Louisa (Tack) Chandler. She came to the United States in 1946, settling in Wareham and moved to Marion in 2007.

A homemaker, Mrs. Grassi enjoyed knitting, crossword puzzles, reading and crocheting.

Survivors include her daughter, Maureen E. Rounds of Wareham; three sons, Michael J. Kauranen of Rochester, Kevin B. Kauranen of Wareham and Robert E. Grassi of W. Wareham; 22 grandchildren, 41 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her daughter, the late Terri Lee Grassi, her late step-son, Edward N. Grassi and her step-daughter, the late Gloria Heap.

Relatives and friends are invited to visiting hours on Sunday, Jan. 27th at the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Highway (Rt. 28), Wareham from 2 – 5 PM. Her funeral service and burial will be private.

Donations in her memory may be made to National MS Society, Greater New England Chapter, P.O. Box 845945, Boston, MA 02284-5945 or on-line at www.msnewengland.org

Marion Offers Emergency Cold Weather Tips

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With the current frigid temperatures and snow on the horizon, Marion Emergency Management is offering up the following cold weather safety tips to keep you and your loved ones safe for the next few days:

•Continue to be aware of the timing of extreme weather conditions by monitoring Media reports.

•Make sure you always have a well-stocked Winter Home Emergency Supply Kit that includes flashlights, portable radio, extra batteries, a first aid kit, bottled water, non-perishable food, a manual can opener, and extra heavy blankets.

•Minimize outside activities, particularly the elderly and very young.  Also, consider your pets.

•Dress in several layers of loose fitting, lightweight clothing, rather than a single layer of heavy clothing.  Outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent.  Wear a hat, mittens and sturdy waterproof boots, protecting your extremities.  Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.

•Excessive exposure can lead to frostbite, which is damaging to body tissue that is frozen.  Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and a pale appearance in extremities, such as fingers, toes, ear lobes or the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, seek medical help immediately.

•Hypothermia can occur in extreme cases.  The warning signs are uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness and apparent exhaustion.  If the person’s temperature drops below 95 degrees, seek immediate medical care.

•Ensure you have sufficient heating fuel, as well as emergency heating equipment in case you lose electricity. Remember that unvented kerosene heaters are illegal in Massachusetts.

•Call Mass211 or check with your local Emergency Management Office to find the locations of any Warming Centers that may be open in your community.

•When utilizing alternate heating sources, such as your fireplace, wood stove, space heater or a generator, take the necessary safety precautions.  Keep the heat sources 3-feet away from anything that can catch fire. Turn off space heaters when going to bed or leaving the house.

•Keep a fire extinguisher handy; ensuring everyone knows how to use it properly. Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors.

•If you lose your heat, seal off unused rooms by stuffing towels in the cracks under the doors. At night, cover windows with extra blankets or sheets.

•Food provides the body with energy for producing its own heat.

•Be a good neighbor. Check with elderly or relatives and friends who may need additional assistance to ensure their safety.

•To keep pipes from freezing, wrap them in insulation or layers of newspapers, covering the newspapers with plastic to keep out moisture. Allow a trickle of warm water to run from a faucet that is farthest from your water meter or one that has frozen in the past.  This will             keep the water moving so that it cannot freeze.  Learn how to shut off your water if a pipe bursts.

•If pipes freeze, remove insulation, completely open all faucets and pour hot water over the pipes or wrap them with towels soaked in hot water, starting where they are most exposed to the cold.  A hand-held hair dryer, used with caution, also works well.

•Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.

•Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.

•Make sure your car is properly winterized.  Keep the gas tank at least half-full.  Carry a Winter Emergency Car Kit in the trunk including blankets, extra clothing, flashlight with spare batteries, a can and waterproof matches (to melt snow for drinking water), non-perishable foods, windshields scraper, shovel, sand, towrope and jumper cables.

Marinus Vander Pol, Jr.

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Marinus Vander Pol, Jr. “Butch,” age 69, passed away on Wednesday, January 9, 2013.  He was a loving husband and father.  He is loved by his wife, Mary D. Vander Pol of 45 years.  He leaves behind five children: Melissa, Marinus, Melodie, Matthew and Marijka as well as 11 grandchildren.

Butch enjoyed spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren.  He loved his job and was not only an employee of Tabor Academy, but was devoted to the school’s community as well.  He grew plant material for Tabor and was a commercial grower of shade trees and ornamental plants as the owner of Vander Pol Nurseries, Inc.  He enjoyed working alongside his friend and colleague, Don Wing, in the effort to continually improve the landscape design of the Tabor campus.  Butch and his wife enjoyed attending athletic events that took place on the various fields for which he created design layouts.

Butch was a Sergeant E5 in the US Army.  He was a US Army Vietnam War Veteran.

Butch was a graduate of University of Massachusetts Amherst and was a Registered Landscape Architect.  He was most recently employed by Tabor Academy’s Plant Operations Department.   He was a member of the American Nurseryman’s Association, New England Nurseryman’s Association and the Massachusetts Nurseryman’s Association.  He exhibited in the Kiwanis Club of New Bedford, Inc. annual spring flower shows.  He both exhibited in and won the President’s Cup at the New England Flower Shows in Boston, MA.

Butch was an active resident in the town of Fairhaven, MA.  Butch had many dear friends in the town, but valued his long-lasting friendship with his friend and political mentor, Ray Fleurent.  Butch was a Town Meeting member.  He served as Chairman of the Conservation Commission and Vice-Chairman of the Planning Board with a combined service time of more than 50 years.  He was a member of the Town Forest Committee, an Associate Member of the Historical Commission and was appointed to Special Police.  Butch was an active member of Rotary Club.  He was also a Cub Master for his oldest son’s Cub Scout troop.

Butch’s immediate family will celebrate his life with private services.  In lieu of flowers, donations are welcomed in support of Brain Tumor Research.  Donations can be sent to:  Brain Tumor Center, Shapiro Building 868, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Ave.  Boston, MA  02215.

“We will miss that unique combination of talents, along with his sense of humor, intelligence and common sense.  He was a humble man and a wonderful person.”

 

Drumming up the Fun

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What do plastic bags, empty tubes, and crumpled up newspapers have in common?  (Hint: the answer isn’t garbage.)  Give up?  They can all be used as percussion instruments.

On Wednesday, January 23, students at Center School in Mattapoisett were treated to a special assembly by members of the New England Percussion Ensemble, who strive to educate young children on the history and role of percussion instruments from around the world.

“It’s not just a demonstration of percussion.  There is a strong threat that runs throughout the whole show focusing on human communication,” said the group’s founder, Bob Otto.

Otto has been a percussionist his whole life.  His passion for drums led him into a career in musical education and performance for almost 20 years until he decided on a change.

 “I wanted to explore the performance end of education,” he said.

For the last 22 years, Otto has been a central figure in the formation and success of the NEPC, which has a branch that serves Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and another in Connecticut and eastern New York state.

Otto was joined by two colleagues, Ed Sorrentino and Abe Finch, both of who have extensive backgrounds in the study and teaching of percussion technique.  The trio led the students on a journey through history and explained where different types of percussion instruments originated and how they are used in music of all sorts.

 Among some of the instruments they demonstrated were the marimba, vibraphone, African talking drums, claves, trap set, and wood blocks.

“In my mind, learning and fun go hand-in-hand,” said Otto, who has performed thousands of concerts like these over his years with the NEPC, usually for elementary and middle school audiences.

“They love it.  They go walking out of here with their feet off the ground,” he said.

The program was brought to Center School by the PTA as a way to expand students’ understanding of the elements of music.

 “We try to bring in different kinds of music,” said PTA arts and humanities chair Deborah Nettles.  “There is such a wide variety of percussion instruments.  It’s a really great learning experience.”

Center School students are ideal for this sort of presentation because many of the children will soon be picking up musical instruments of their own, Nettles said.

Judging by the hand-clapping and dancing that erupted from the crowd of hundreds of young students, it’s safe to say some of them may have found their future forte.

“This is very interesting.  It keeps the kids excited,” said Nettles.

By Eric Tripoli


Unpermitted Footpath Causes Frustration

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A footpath that was cut without official authorization caused some annoyance among members of the Marion Conservation Commission during its regular meeting on Wednesday, January 23.

The Commission held a public hearing regarding a Notice of Intent filed by Copper Metal, LLC. for an after-the-fact filing for the cutting of a footpath on property at Converse Road.

“There were two other paths that were permitted under another filing,” said engineer Dave Davignon, who represented the company at the meeting.

Commission clerk Norman Hills was frustrated that a path was forged without previous permission from the group.

“I don’t know why these people went ahead on this.  They should have just come to us in the first place,” said Hills.

The NOI also calls for permission to perform vista pruning, but Hills said, without a house already built on the property, he was hesitant to sign off on the request.

Davignon said that the applicant would like to prepare the area as much as possible before the future home is built.

“But we’re willing to work with the Commission on a step-by-step process to get this done,” he said.

Commissioner Joel Hartley said that when he walked the site, he did not see where the vista views could be expected to be achieved.

“I think we’re going to have to look at it again,” said Hartley.

The hearing was continued so that the Commission could examine the site once more before issuing a decision.

The Commission then held a continued hearing for Jonathan and Amy DiVincenzo who have filed an NOI to build a pier and gangway at 370 Delano Road.  The hearing was continued from earlier in the month because Davignon said he was waiting to hear back from the Army Corps of Engineers and Massachusetts Waterways Department regarding the plan.

The timber pier would be 163 feet long, with the aluminum gangway measuring about 20 feet.  Davignon said that the Army Corps of Engineers would soon be issuing a permit for the project.

The Commissioners saw no conflicts with the proposal and voted in favor of the project.

Immediately following, Davignon represented David and Linda Nielson, who have also filed an NOI to build a 253-foot timber pier and 20-foot aluminum gangway.  The hearing was continued so that Davignon could check with the Army Corps regarding maintenance of eel grass at the property.

He did not have any new plans to submit but did provide the Commission with the Army Corps report and the issued permit.  Davignon said that no maintenance of the eel grass was required.

“Since out last hearing, we received a determination from Natural Heritage,” Davignon said, adding that they saw no conflicts with the proposed plan.

The Commission voted unanimously to approve the project.

In other business, the Commission approved a proposal to build a new deck and some small additions to a home at 19 Lewis Street.

The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission will be on Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 7:00 pm at the Town Hall.

By Eric Tripoli