Irene M. (South) Hutchings

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Irene M. (South) Hutchings, 96, formerly of Mattapoisett died after a long illness at Emeritus of Dartmouth Village on September 14, 2012. She was the widow of the late Dr. Charles E. Hutchings.

Irene was a communicant of St. Anthony’s Parish of Mattapoisett.

Born in Braidwood, New South Wales, Australia, Irene was the daughter of the late Herbert and Irene (McGrath) South. She moved to the United States in 1946 to marry her beloved American GI whom she had met during WWII. In 1963 Irene became a naturalized U.S. citizen.

Before moving to the U.S. Irene worked as a governess, nurse, and midwife in Australia. She became a registered nurse in the U.S. and worked at Taber Street Nursing Home in New Bedford for more than 30 years. In her earlier years Irene enjoyed sewing, knitting, reading, gardening, playing tennis, and horseback riding.

She is survived by two daughters: Joan L. Hutchings of Mattapoisett, Rose L. D’Arezzo and her husband Robert of South Kingstown, RI; three sons: Charles S. Hutchings and his wife Carolyn of Lansdale, PA; Jon R. Hutchings and his companion Kathryn Pohlmeyer of Beltsville, MD; and David E. Hutchings and his companion Susan Cronin of Lakeville, MA. She is also survived by ten grandchildren: Nicole Anthony and Brandon D’Arezzo of RI; Stephen, William, Ian, Marie, and Jon Hutchings of PA; Sarah Donovan and Eric Hutchings of MA; Peter Hutchings of Hawaii and one Great Grand-Child, Cormac Ryan of RI. Irene was the sister of the late Robert, Charles, and Frank South and Peg Bowen.

Irene’s final years were enriched by the loving and caring staff of Elm Cottage.

Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Anthony’s Church in Mattapoisett on Monday, September 17, 2012 at 12 Noon. Private burial will follow in the Old North Cemetery, North Truro, MA. Visiting hours are omitted. Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011. For on-line guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Cell Tower Balloon Test

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For the last few months, Industrial Wireless has been applying to construct a new cellular phone tower off the end of Jane Lane in Mattapoisett.  The tower, which will measure 145 feet in height, would improve wireless communications around town, especially for the police and fire departments.

As part of the application process, the company is required to run a balloon test, where they fly a balloon at the same height as the tower, so residents can get an idea of the visual impact of a cell tower.  The test is being conducted this weekend, from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm on Friday, September 14 and Saturday, September 15.  The balloon was most visible from Route 6 near Turk’s, but was not visible from Jane Lane.  Shown below is a photos to help illustrate the location and height of the proposed tower.

 By Eric Tripoli

Mattapoisett Resident Heading to Afghanistan

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We all remember where we were that ill-fated Tuesday morning on September 11, 2001.  It seems like it was yesterday, yet here we are 11 years later still fighting a war that began when those four pre-meditated terrorist attacks changed our country forever. For some, it was a day that instilled fear and sadness inside many Americans. But for others, it brought out their bravery and motivated them to fight for their country.

That’s exactly what happened for Mattapoisett resident Edward Sweeney, Jr. When 9/11 happened, he wanted to join the Army to help protect his country, but he thought he was too old. Three years ago, however, at the age of 38, Sweeney enlisted in the Army National Guard. Now, he is getting ready to deploy to Afghanistan.

“He lives and breathes the Army National Guard,” said Sweeney’s wife Cheryl. “He’s very passionate about the military.”

Sweeney, now 41, is one of 147 soldiers who comprise the 181st unit based out of Camp Edwards. The group is an engineering unit and is made up of plumbers, electricians and carpenters. Sweeney is a master plumber of 25 years. His unit is the first of its kind to deploy to Afghanistan. They will not only be performing typical military duties, but they will also be helping to rebuild Afghanistan.

The unit is currently training in El Paso, Texas. At an undisclosed date over the next 3 – 6 weeks, they will deploy to Afghanistan for 10 months and will not be able to come home in the meantime. Back here in the Tri-Town, Cheryl and their two children Alexis and Michael will be awaiting his return.

“The Army National Guard has made me as prepared as I could possibly be,” said Cheryl. “I have a lot of support from my military family as well as my friends and family.”

Back here on the home front, 20-year-old Michael is stepping up to the plate to fill the fatherly duties around the house. From mowing the lawn and doing laundry to chipping in and driving Alexis to various afterschool activities, the family is working hard to stay strong while Edward is away.

“My son is my rock,” said Cheryl. “It is very important to have him here. He is being such a good role model for my daughter.”

Cheryl said it’s her daughter who has had the hardest time coping with Edward’s deployment, but thanks to several programs made possible by the Army National Guard, she has received grant money to participate in different activities to keep her occupied for the next 10 months. She is currently taking voice lessons.

“The Army National Guard is very good to us. I feel like we have a lot of support,” said Cheryl.

It might be hard to say goodbye to a loved one for an extended period of time, especially when they are shipping off to a dangerous place, but for the Sweeney family, they know that Edward is exactly where he is supposed to be.

“It has changed him. The last few years have been the best of our lives,” said Cheryl. “It is his passion. It is his niche. It’s what he was missing. He feels so passionately about his country.”

Cheryl said it’s her husband’s common sense and compassion paired with his skills as a master plumber that make him a good soldier. His qualities have not gone unnoticed, either, especially in their extended family.

“He wanted to show our son and nephews that at his age, he could do it,” said Cheryl. “Since then, one of our nephews went into the army full time and will be in Afghanistan full time in November. Another 19-year-old nephew of ours enlisted and left for basic training today. He’s been a role model to them.”

The Sweeney family is currently relocating from their house in Mattapoisett to Rochester, where they will be staying until Alexis graduates from high school. From there, Edward hopes to join the military full time.

By Katy Fitzpatrick

Vote Shortage Stalls Main Street Garage

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The Marion Zoning Board of Appeals met on Thursday night and issued their decision on the future of a controversial project to build a garage at 5 Main Street.  They took the issue under advisement at their meeting on August 9, 2012.

                  Property owner Russell Sanford, Jr. has presented his plan to multiple town committees for the last few months and was met at each meeting with opposition from neighborhood abutters.

                  Sanford and his engineers have met individually with many of the neighbors in order to directly address their concerns.  Some abutters felt the structure was too high and would obstruct ocean views from certain vantage points in the neighborhood.  Others were worried about the possible negative impact to local drainage during rain.

                  As a result, several features of the garage were adjusted in consideration to much of the input from the neighbors.  The height has been reduced, the location has been moved, the drainage plan has been redesigned, and the garage door style has been changed.

                  Neither Sanford nor his representative was present at the meeting.

                  “The second iteration the architect came back with made the lot less non-conforming and they tried to address in many ways the concerns of the abutters,” said ZBA Chairman Bob Wedge.  “Generally speaking, when it comes to abutters, it comes down to the view.  You can’t please everybody all the time but they did their best to mitigate the concerns of their neighbors.”

                  He said that there was a valid argument as far as the visual impact of the garage is concerned.  There is currently a canopied carport at the property.

                  “So they’re going to take that [the carport] down and build a building?” said member Eric Pierce.  “We’re essentially giving a building permit for a new building.”

                  “He maintained the non-conforming line on one side and another on the other side.  When he brought it back to us, he maintained that extension of the non-conforming line, but by making the size of the structure smaller, he eliminated that other non-conformity,” Wedge said.

                  “It lessens the view. At least you can see through the carport now,” said member Betsy Dunn.

                  Wedge said the main issue was whether or not the new structure was more or less non-conforming than the carport.

                  “I’ve been by there a few times and given the architecture and design, I do not feel that it’s more of a detriment to the neighborhood,” said Wedge.  “Our job is to determine whether this is more substantially detrimental to the neighborhood.”

                  “I think when you look at the whole situation on that corner, it’s clustered as it is. It’s tight in there, no matter if it stays the way it is or of this gets built.  In my opinion, there’s really no change to that idea.  There’s trees, there’s fences, there’s large houses,” said ZBA member Tom Cooper.

                  “I think the building is much better than what’s there now.  I also think it’s going to close in that area a lot.  At least with the carport, there’s air flowing.  That’s a big building to put there,” said Dunn.

                  Wedge then introduced a motion to approve of the project, but there were only four voting members of the Board present: three voted in favor with Dunn voting against.  In order to pass, at least four in-favor votes must be counted.

                  The next meeting of the Marion Zoning Board of Appeals will be on Thursday, September 27, at 7:30 pm at the Town House.

By Eric Tripoli


ORRHS Football Times Changed Due to EEE

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Two Old Rochester Regional High School Football games have changed times due to the increased threat of EEE-carrying mosquitoes in the Tri-Town.  The risk was recently bumped from “High” to “Critical” in the area as a result of several pools of mosquitoes carrying the disease being found this past week.

Tomorrow’s Home Opener against Bishop Stang will kickoff at 4:30 pm as opposed to 7:00 pm.  Next Friday’s match up against Greater New Bedford Vocational Tech will start at 5:00 pm instead of 7:00 pm.

All those attending the games are encouraged to wear long pants and sleeves as well as a strong insect repellant while outdoors.

Marion Board of Health Flu Clinic

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The Marion Board of Health is pleased to announce that they will sponsor a flu clinic on Wednesday, September 26.

The clinic will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Sippican School, 16 Spring Street. Parking is available at rear of school in the Park Street lot. Please do not park in the traffic circle. Enter the school via the bus loop entrance on Park Street.

Home visits for homebound residents may be scheduled by appointment. Please call the Marion Board of Health at 508-748-3530 to schedule a home visit.

Please note: Please wear a short-sleeved shirt to the clinic and remember to bring your insurance cards. Residents of all ages are encouraged to attend! Sponsored by the Marion Board of Health.

Nasketucket Bird Club Meeting

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The Nasketucket Bird Club’s first meeting of the season will be on Thursday, September 27 at 7:00 pm at the Mattapoisett Public Library, 7 Barstow Street.

This meeting is open to all who are interested in South Coast birds, from beginners to advanced birders. We will be discussing summer sightings and planning for the fall and winter field trips. For more information, contact Justin Barrett at 774-207-8515 or jmbarrett426@gmail.com. Check our website for updates: www.massbird.org/Nasketucket.index.htm.

Mattapoisett Women’s Club Potluck Luncheon

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The Mattapoisett Women’s Club will kick off their 2012-2013 season with an old fashion welcome back Potluck Luncheon at 12:00 pm on Thursday, September 20 at the Mattapoisett Congregational Church, 27 Church Street, Mattapoisett. Come reunite with long-standing friends, and as always, we welcome new members and guests. Sign-up sheets will be available for various club activities. For more information, please contact Myra Hart at 508-758-4703 or Bobbie Ketchel at 508-758-9593.

Quaker Yard Sale

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You would like to have a yard sale, but live off the beaten path? You’ll have a chance on Saturday, October 6 by reserving space at the Mattapoisett Friends Meeting annual yard sale, at the church, on heavily-traveled Route 6.

The sale will be conducted from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm, rain or shine. Inside table space is available for $20 or outside space for $10, payable in advance. For reservations, call 508-748-0098.

Anyone who would like to donate items for the church table should call 508-758-3579 for pick-up. Large items and electronic items are not acceptable.

Rochester Historical Society Meeting

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The next Rochester Historical Society meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 19 at 7:00 pm at the East Rochester Church/ Museum, 355 County Road. The program for this meeting is “Cranberry Tales & Tools,” a talk by Doug Beaton, local cranberry grower. All are welcome. Refreshments will be served.