In honor of Veteran’s Day, Mattapoisett will hold their annual ceremony on Monday, November 12 at 11:00 am at the Old Hammondtown School.
The school’s Concert Band and Chorus will play and sing patriotic tunes. Members of the town government and armed forces will speak.
Lieutenant Scott Burrill of the United States Navy will serve as the keynote speaker.
Seven years ago, the Old Rochester Youth Football and Cheerleading program came to the Tri-Town. In its short existence, it has gained popularity among residents and has grown extensively. Now, the program is fighting for the chance to be recognized on a national level.
The Old Rochester Dance Team and Junior Pee Wee Cheer Squads will compete this Saturday, November 10 in Springfield, MA at the MassMutual Center for a chance to win a trip to Florida to compete in the National Championships. No team from ORYF has ever qualified for a trip to the National Championships.
“I would be really excited,” said Zoe Davis, a member of the Junior Pee Wee Squad. “This is my first year cheering, and if we went to Florida this year, that would be really cool.”
The Dance Team is comprised of 11 members who are all in Junior High School. The Junior Pee Wee team has nine members who range in age from 8 – 11.
“It’s really fun to cheerlead because you get to meet a lot of new people who may not go to your school,” said Junior Pee Wee Member April Choquette. “We work hard and I think we will make it to Florida.”
The road to this weekend’s Regional Final Competition has been a long one for the Bulldogs. They have competed in a series of local competitions, placing high enough to move on to the next stage of competition. Last weekend, they competed in the Regional Semifinals, also held at the MassMutual Center, and both teams placed second in their respective divisions.
“I think we did a really good job with our stunts,” said Davis. “None of them fell and we did a really good job. We were really loud with our cheers.”
The Junior Pee Wee Squad placed second in a field of seven teams from Chicopee, Amherst, Mission Hill, Waltham, Oakmont and Middletown, RI. There were only two entries in the Dance Team’s division.
“They’ve worked really hard for where they’ve gotten,” said Junior Pee Wee Head Coach Theresa Choquette. “The majority of the team is new to this type of competition, so I’m very impressed and proud with that they’ve done.”
But the hard work doesn’t stop there. The teams have one week to perfect their routines in order to place in the top two of their divisions this weekend. The teams practice three days a week for two hours at a time.
Both teams’ routines are precisely choreographed to a mix of popular music. Quick dance moves, difficult stunts and acrobatics are incorporated into the repertoires as well.
“We work together and we get along really well,” said April Choquette. “If we can’t do something, we keep trying and trying until we get it right.”
Only time will tell if the teams’ hard work will pay off and earn them a trip to Florida. However, no matter the outcome of the competition, the girls know the experience is well worth it.
“The best part of cheering is being with my friends and getting to do something new,” said Davis. “Everyone should cheer, it’s amazing.”
By Katy Fitzpatrick
Attorney Maurice F. Downey passed away on November 5, 2012 at his home in Mattapoisett after a brief illness. Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Attorney William S. and Marie A. (Jackson) Downey, he lived in New Bedford and Mattapoisett all of his life. He was a communicant of St. Anthony’s Church in Mattapoisett and a former communicant of St. Lawrence Martyr Church in New Bedford.
Attorney Downey practiced law in the New Bedford area for over 50 years. He was a graduate of Holy Family High School, class of 1947, Boston College, class of 1951, where he was the yearbook editor and Harvard Law School, class of 1954. He was a former member of the New Bedford, Massachusetts and American Bar Associations.
Attorney Downey was a veteran of the United States Army. He served as City Solicitor for the City of New Bedford, and was a Trustee of the New Bedford Free Public Library, Chairman of the New Bedford Redevelopment Authority, a founding member of WHALE, Director of the Merchants National Bank of New Bedford, a Corporator, Trustee and Senior Vice President of New Bedford Institution for Savings and a former member of the Wamsutta Club.
Mr. Downey founded the Monsignor McKeon Debate Society at Holy Family High School, where he was debate coach for many years. He was a Master Knight of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, the past President and Treasurer of the Serra Club of New Bedford and longtime Clerk of Bishop Stang High School.
Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Anne M. (Harrington) Downey; six children, William S. “Bill” Downey and his wife Elaine and children, Daniel and Bridget of Franklin, Margaret “Meg” Hulsebosch and her husband Dan and children, Ali and Stefan, Paul C. Downey and his wife Donna and children, Justin, Connor, Owen and Mikala, Attorney Matthew J. Downey and his wife Dee and children, Katherine and Caroline, and Attorney Gregory M. Downey and his wife Jeanne and children, Aidan, Kathleen, Liam and Julia, all of Mattapoisett, and Maura Hon and her husband Charlie and children, Madeline, Molly, Margaret and Charles of Manhasset, NY; two sisters, Mary L. Downey of Dartmouth, and Anne Downey Saunders, M.D. of Fairhaven; and many nieces and nephews.
He was the brother of the late William S. Downey, Jr., M.D.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, November 9th at 10 AM at St. Lawrence Martyr Church. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Thursday, November 8th from 3-8 PM in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Route 6), Mattapoisett. In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated at the St. Vincent dePaul Food Pantry’s of St. Anthony’s Church, 22 Barstow St., Mattapoisett, MA 02739 or St. Lawrence Martyr Church, 110 Summer St., New Bedford, MA 02740.
Napoleon E. Santos Sr., age 82, died Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at Sacred Heart Home. He was the beloved husband of the late Patricia (Ramos) Santos. Mr. Santos was the loving father of Mary J. Sisco of Randolph, MA., Edward Santos of Sandwich, MA., Kenneth Santos, David Santos both of Georgia, Samuel Santos of New Bedford and Brennan Santos of Arizona. Napoleon was the brother of Beatrice Pina, Lillian Monteiro, Priscilla Roderick and Samuel Santos Jr. He is also survived by several grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Mr. Santos was a son of the late Samuel and Mary (Lopes) dosSantos. He was born in Marion and has lived in this area most of his life. Napoleon worked as an ironworker for many years.
Mr. Santos’ visiting hours will be Friday from 4-8 P.M from the Perry Funeral Home, 111 Dartmouth St., New Bedford. Relatives and friends are invited.
The Mattapoisett and Rochester Junior Friends of the Library are joining forces today for a canned good drive at the Mattapoisett Library starting at 4:00 pm. In addition to canned goods, they will also be collecting pet items for the local animal shelter.
This is the first time both towns have joined forces for charity. The Junior Friends of the Library groups are comprised of students from 5th grade through high school who join forces to make their communities a better place.
Rochester native Jennel Garcia will stick around another week on FOX’s “The X-Factor.” The 19-year-old rocked out to Joan Jett & The Blackhearts “I Love Rock and Roll” on Wednesday night.
For the first time this season, the viewers’ votes determined who stayed in the competition. Garcia received the seventh highest number of votes out of the 13 contestants, advancing her into the Top 12.
“The X-Factor” airs Wednesday and Thursday weekly at 8:00 pm on FOX.
At Thursday’s meeting of the Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals, Chairman Richard Cutler said that communication lines have been opened between the ZBA and Planning Board regarding the tabling of the home business by-law at the Special Town Meeting on October 22
When the by-law was brought up for discussion and vote, Cutler read a prepared statement that was followed by a motion to table the article without any discussion. The motion passed, much to the distress of the Planning Board, which had been working for over two years to create the amendment.
At their last meeting, the Planning Board said the ZBA did not make any effort to assist or comment on the process of drafting the amendment and the tabling of the discussion of the article came as a surprise.
Cutler indicated that he and Planning Board Chairman Arnold Johnson have tentatively agreed to a joint meeting between the two groups on Thursday, December 6.
In other business, the Zoning Board of Appeals held a public hearing for James Moraux of Snipatuit Road. The applicant would like to install a deck on his property in his front yard that would link the main home with the guest-house.
“Because of that front yard location, the Building Commissioner denied the request,” said Attorney Emile Morad, who represented Moraux at the meeting. He said that the Commissioner requested Moraux file for a special modification permit because zoning laws do not permit the construction of a deck in a front yard.
The deck would be used to help improve access to the guest-house for the sake of the applicant’s mother, who resides there.
“It’s not clear because the application isn’t filled out correctly. We’re not even sure what we’re applying for with this,” said Cutler as he shuffled through the paperwork.
The confusion was compounded once the ZBA began discussing the history of the property. Moraux had previously applied to construct a guest-house and garage with a retaining wall to provide support to the structures. The ZBA had approved the project as long as they would remain separate structures, though questions remained about whether or not the wall could be considered an adjoining structure between the two.
With a workshop located on the second floor of the garage, the ZBA expressed concern that it may be able to be converted into a habitation.
“By building the deck, you co-join these two structures. My feeling is that if we’re going to grant relief under this request, that we make sure there’s no other use for the garage,” said ZBA member Benjamin Gilmore, who was in support of the project.
“I’m not really keen on the idea of this creeping into something that was not intended so we can get around the by-laws. I’d like to have it show that the garage portion will not be used for occupancy,” said Kirby Gilmore of the Board.
The Zoning Board of Appeals voted in favor of the project with the conditions that the deck would remain open and the garage would not be used for a dwelling.
The ZBA then held a public hearing regarding the variance petition of Robert Tavares of Sarah Sherman Road. Tavares, who represented himself at the meeting, has filed to construct an attached garage to his home that comes into conflict with zoning by-laws because the dimensions were improperly staked out on the property.
“The Conservation Commission came in to see the property and they asked us to move the stakes because of a wetland issue,” Tavares said.
The area was later determined not to be in a wetland, but when the stakes were replaced, they were incorrectly located, affecting one corner of the lot by about three feet. The garage construction is very far along, with the foundation poured and only two more inspections on the horizon.
“I think this is an unfortunate circumstance which was not intentional. Clearly it was originally set out to be located in the correct location, but as the result of issues with the Conservation Commission, the distance it’s off is only in one corner,” said Benjamin Gilmore.
The ZBA then voted to approve the petition for a variance due to the set-back mistake.
The next meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals will be on Thursday, November 22, 2012 at 7:00 pm at the Town Hall.
By Eric Tripoli
Marion Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman Robert Wedge announced his resignation from the board at their regular meeting on Thursday, November 8 in the Marion Town House. Wedge has been with the board for 16 years.
“You guys are a great team,” he said.
Wedge said his desire to get his Captain’s boating license and contemplation of a second home in Siesta Key, Florida led him to his decision to resign eight months ago. The board unanimously voted for Eric Pierce to be the Interim Chairman until a permanent replacement is found.
The ZBA will also be looking for another member to join.
The only other item on the agenda was a request for a continuance of a hearing for Dale and Laura Briggs. In September, the couple requested a building permit for a lot on County Road, however, their request was denied due to an issue with potential solar panels. The hearing will be continued on Thursday, December 13.
The Marion Zoning Board of Appeals will meet again on Thursday, November 29 at 7:30 pm in the Marion Town House.
By Katy Fitzpatrick
It was a night of dazzling dunks and slippery swooshes as Old Rochester Regional played host to the famous Harlem Wizards basketball team in a charity game organized by the Village PTA of East Wareham.
The Wizards, known for their ball-handling magic tricks, were matched up against the Wareham Warriors, made up of current and former Wareham students and coaches, including ORR basketball coach Steve Carvalho and ORRJHS principal Kevin Brogioli.
“Anytime I can play for a local charity, I’m glad to do it,” said Carvalho before the game. Win or lose, he was there to have fun playing ball with some talented athletes. “These guys are out to entertain and I know I’ll be part of it one way or another,” he said.
Proceeds of the event will go to fund the Village PTA activities, including field trips and enrichment programs for their local students.
“We got a mailer about how this can be a potential fundraiser,” said organizer Jennifer Weisberg. “I did a presentation on it for the PTA and they approved it.”
As part of the program, members of the Wizards visited Wareham students on Monday and made a stop over at Sippican School in Marion. The players met with students to excite them for the evening’s game, which was played in front of a standing room-only crowd at the ORR gym.
For four quarters, the Wizards wowed the crowd with their skills, which ranged from ball juggling to gymnastics. One Wizard even spun the ball on his forefinger above his head while his teammate ran from behind him, jumped over his head while lifting the ball from his finger and dunked for an “alley-oop.”
At half-time, the players invited members of the audience to participate in the show. Marion’s very own Michelle Ouellette was selected for a blindfolded treasure hunt around the court. The Wizards ended half-time with a half-court shot contest.
“I love it. Every time we can bring our brand of entertainment to a community, no matter what your problems, you can put it at ease and enjoy some family entertainment,” said David “DP” Paul of the Wizards. “That’s why I do it. I love making that difference in people’s lives.”
By Eric Tripoli
The Mattapoisett Fire Department in cooperation with the Fire Chiefs of Bristol County is conducting a drive to collect Relief supplies for those impacted by Hurricane Sandy. The following supplies will be collected until Sunday November 11. The collected supplies will be transported to fire stations in the affected areas. Only those Items listed below will be accepted for collection
Please bring the Items listed above to the Mattapoisett Fire station for collection. Your support is deeply appreciated.
Thank you and please help spread the word!
