ORR School Committee Members met Wednesday night to discuss numerous issues, including potential cuts and additions at the middle school and high school for next year, the introduction of a new math curriculum at the high school for next year, and the effectiveness of the use of three schools as shelters during winter storm Nemo.

ORR Junior High principal Kevin Brogioli said that they are considering adding another full-time physical education teacher position at the school.  He said that currently, there is only one full-time PE teacher at the school, and that he thinks it’s necessary to add another.

As a result, there would have to be cuts in other areas, and Brogioli suggested that the librarian position at the school be limited to half a day.  “It’s tough (to have to cut the librarian’s hours), but it’s a better use of resources,” said Brogioli.

He added that the current physical education assistant position would also be eliminated as a result.

Under the new proposal, the library would operate regularly during the morning hours at the school, and then would be limited in its use, where students could only use the library in the afternoons when teachers bring their classes there.

High school principal Michael Devoll said that the school is looking to add an assistant to the administration position that was cut three years ago.

“We’re looking to restore that position,” said Devoll.  “(There is) the lack of administration help (combined) with the heightened sense of security needs—that person could help with that.”

He added that the person who filled that position could help with in-school suspension and monitoring hallways and parking lots before and after school, among other duties.  The position would cost the school system approximately $23,000.

Devoll also introduced changes to the math curriculum at the high school.  Currently, four years of math is not required at the school, though most colleges require students to have completed four years of high school math and most students do take four years.  He added that only five current seniors are not taking a fourth year of math, for one reason or another.

Under the new curriculum, the system would add a second part to the Algebra 2A course, which would allow slower learners to complete Algebra 2A in a manner that is more suitable to their needs.

“We really worry about teaching Algebra 2A in one year,” said Devoll.  “We’ll still offer it in one year, but now it’s offered separately to for slower learners.  It gives them the option to spread it out over two years.”

Two electives will be added for advanced learners—statistics and finite math.  These will be available to students who have completed Algebra 2A and who are seek to further their college preparation.

Devoll added that there is a “parent information night” scheduled for February 28 to answer questions about the new curriculum and to show students how they can get into the courses that they prefer.

Also discussed was the use of three regional schools—ORR, Center School, and Sippican School—as shelters during the recent snowstorm.

Director of Facilities Gene Jones commended his staff for their hard work over the weekend, and he added that help from the National Guard, who brought in 120 cots and blankets to the high school, aided in providing a warm, safe shelter for those whose homes were affected by the storm.  Showers and meals were also available to those who sought shelter at ORR.

“It (the shelter at the high school) worked out really well,” said Jones.

Jones also recommended to the committee that the use of the other two schools be limited to warming houses rather than permanent shelters, because they lack the staff and property proper equipment to house multiple people.

“I can’t emphasize that fact that our elementary schools should be used as warming houses and not shelters,” said Jones.  “We don’t have the staff.”

Jones added that his staff had monitored all the data regarding what had been used for the emergency so that the government can reimburse them. Because a state of emergency was declared, the schools are entitled to receive compensation.

Superintendent Doug White commended Jones and his staff for their efforts, and spoke about the use of the schools as shelters.

“My job is to provide a shelter to the community, but we did quite a bit more,” said White.  “It’s eye opening.  This was challenging.  It was an amazing effort by all your (Jones’) employees.”

Jones also said that the generators that were used when the schools lost power had been topped off with fuel and were ready for use in case of another emergency.

By Nick Walecka

Mattapoisett Police Chief Mary Lyons commended two young men for their help in assisting the town with emergency response after the blizzard Nemo hit the Tri-Town this past week. The two young men were presented certificates of appreciation at the Board of Selectmen’s regular meeting on Tuesday, February 12 in the Mattapoisett Town Hall.

“They were a really big help,” said Lyons. “It was a great relief to know that we could count on some young volunteers to help out the town.”

Ben Coucci, an intern at the Police Station, and his brother Will, stepped up to the plate to help monitor Village Court during the power outage. Due to the demands of the regularly staffed police and fire officials in town, there was no one left to stand watch in the overnight hours. That’s when the Coucci brothers decided to help out, working 12-hour shifts to relieve some of the other workers.

“Your parents should be very proud of you,” said Selectman Paul Silva.

Selectman Tyler Macallister took the time to personally thank NSTAR for their quick response time in restoring power to the vast majority of Mattapoisett in a short amount of time.

“I kept watching as the power was restored in Mattapoisett,” he said. “It was kind of amazing how fast it was coming back.”

One of the biggest factors in the response time was the nerve center, which NSTAR had established on the second floor of the Police Department in order to closely monitor where the majority of the outages were. They sent their workers out to survey the affected areas, making it easier to delegate where the restorations needed to happen. Additionally, trucks from Delaware and Vermont came to help restore power.

On Saturday morning, 99 percent of Mattapoisett had lost power with only 28 residents being lucky enough to maintain it throughout the storm. By Tuesday evening, there were only 21 residents without power.

Town Administrator Michael Gagne commended the police, fire, Department of Public Works, school faculty members and other boards in town for their effort and response time during the blizzard.

In other news, the Board voted to approve two motocross events at the Mattapoisett Landfill this year for the Pilgrim Sand Trail Riders. The events, both which will be held on Sundays, are scheduled for April 21 and October 27.

“In actuality, a lot of people have gone and watched the event and enjoyed the day,” said Gagne. “I’ve never received a single complaint. It’s all very favorable.”

Lyons added that there were no issues last year when the events first took place. Also, when asked whether or not the event would interfere with the potential solar panel project that is in the works, Gagne answered no.

The Board also approved the dates for the 2013 Harbor Days celebration. It will begin on Friday, July 19 and last through Sunday, July 21. The annual triathlon will be held the week prior, as always, on Sunday, July 14.

The Lions Club, which will celebrate its 60th anniversary in June, raises money year-round to give to different organizations in town. This year, they used the money raised from Harbor Days 2012 to fund the new co-ed Swim Team at Old Rochester Regional High School.

“We’re always looking for different community service opportunities,” said Lions Club President Don Bamberger.

The Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen will meet again on Tuesday, February 26 at 7:00 pm in Town Hall.

By Katy Fitzpatrick

At their regular meeting, the Rochester Planning Board applied their signatures to the official plans for the proposed solar panel array, to be located in the Little Quittacas part of town.

The application process for the array, which would collect solar power to be used by the water department of the City of New Bedford, has taken months, but the project will soon be underway.

During the meeting, chairman Arnold Johnson said that the official window for residents to file appeals had closed but that no such filings were received by the town.

The array will feature thousands of photovoltaic panels, which will be completely fenced as a safety precaution.  The project includes provisions for the construction of a large berm on the side bordering the closest abutters.  The berm will be planted with various types of native vegetation and will serve as an aesthetic mask and wind screen for the homes closest to the array.

The next meeting of the Rochester Planning Board will be held on Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at 7:00 pm at the Town Hall.

By Eric Tripoli

As if the blizzard on the previous two days wasn’t enough, the aftermath of the storm caused continued problems for one Mattapoisett family. At just before 9:00 pm on Sunday, February 10, the Mattapoisett Fire Department was called to Crystal Springs Road for a structure fire which eventually destroyed the home.

“We were behind the eight ball from the start due to the conditions,” reported Deputy Chief Walter Morgado of the Mattapoisett Fire Department. Road condition, icy surfaces and frozen hoses were just some of the difficulties faced by the department.

The fire, which is believed to have started in the chimney and broken out due to aged and porous masonry, spread into the partition and roof of the home. With the region-wide loss of power, many residents have turned to alternative heating methods, leading to similar problems throughout the area.

The occupants of the home were evacuated from the house safely. Only one injury was reported which was a firefighter who fell due to the icy condition and injured his knee.

The Mattapoisett Fire Department was on scene until 4:30 am on Monday and the Marion, Rochester and Fairhaven Fire Departments assisted them in their efforts.

By Paul Lopes

Photos by Charles Hutchison, Artisan Ingenuity Photo