Welcome Back, Marion Block Party

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The weather was as warm and inviting as the atmosphere at the 2012 Marion Block Party.  The almost annual fest, held in front of the Town Hall, attracted hundreds of people this year to eat some bar-b-Que, kibitz over classic cars, and enjoy summery songs from local musicians.

“It’s what Marion’s all about,” said Jennifer Lagrotteria.  She and her husband had friends visiting from Annapolis this weekend and decided to join the party.  “There’s something for everyone.”

The party, which dates back to the first Marigold Festival in 1887, is held to raise money for community purposes.  One of the first projects that was funded by the party was the Marion Social Club, which was originally located on the Nelson Block.  Over time, different groups sponsored the event, but in recent memory, it has been the local VFW that has taken over organizing it.

They led the sponsorship until 2010,” said Block Party chairman Steve Gonsalves.  “But a lot of members have passed or just gotten older and they weren’t able to carry on the tradition.”

As a result, the party was not held in 2011.  Since then, the Marion Fire Fighters Association and Marion Recreation volunteered to take over in conjunction with the VFW.

“It’s really in their [members of the VFW] honor.  We’re going to continue the tradition, but it’s up to the younger generation to step up to the plate and take charge,” Gonsalves said.

This year, the money raised from the Block Party will go to fund the construction of a new playground in Washburn Park, as well as the purchase of a new thermal imager for the Marion Fire Department.

“It’s an electronic camera that works off heat images.  When you’re going into a fire, your vision is limited.  We use them to help locate victims we can’t see,” said Fire Chief Thomas Joyce.  The new camera will replace the original one that dates back to the early 1990s.

The party ended with a huge bonfire in the field behind the Town Hall, next to Sippican School.  Scrap wood piled 20 feet high blazed loudly as pockets of residents stood around to watch.  Some held hands, some snuck a kiss in the fire light.

“It’s a coming together of the people,” said Sippican Historical Society and Museum curator Pete Smith.  “With any luck, they may see an old friend when they are here.”

By Eric Tripoli

 

Skydiving for the Hungry

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No matter what the reasons, there are more and more hungry people in the United States today.  The Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or food stamps, is bending under the weight of over 45 million Americans who now rely on it to help feed their families.  And that number is growing.

Hunger on the South Coast may not be obvious, but it is far from invisible.  Even with the wealth of discount grocery stores and farmers markets, our neighbors are having more difficulty than ever feeding themselves and their children.

“Life is not all about one life and what you’re going to do,” said Tabitha Tripp, a Tri-Town resident who has seen the faces of the hungry first hand as a volunteer for Mercy Meals & More, a food kitchen in New Bedford which serves free breakfast to anyone who needs it.

“They are open every morning and they feed breakfast to the homeless and the hungry.  You don’t have to be homeless to get a meal,” she said.

These days, it is often hungry people, not necessarily homeless, that turn out for breakfast at the kitchen.

“What breaks my heart is sometimes I see families come in: moms, dads, and their kids. And they’re one paycheck away from being homeless, so they come in to get a free breakfast so they can put some of that money toward rent,” she said.

Tripp decided that she was going to do something other than serve food in order to help the community.  The church volunteer has organized an event for Mercy Meals where she and five others will jump out of a plane in September to raise money for the kitchen.

“[It’s] exhilarating.  It can be a little scary.  You’re trusting that the parachute’s going to open.  You’re trusting that the instructor who is on your back knows what he is doing.  It’s a little less scary than the people who are living under the bridge and don’t have any food,” she said.

While there seems to be no shortage of people needing food, there is always the problem of food shortages at the kitchen.  Tripp said that there’s no guarantee that they will receive a certain amount of donations regularly, so this fundraiser is to help partially off-set that.

The sky dive was supposed to happen on August 11, but was postponed due to bad weather until September 15.  In that time, two more people joined the jump and they’ve been able to raise more money.

“So far, we have about $3,500,” said Tripp.

Though this is not her first time jumping, it has proven to be a great way to raise awareness.

“You’re going to skydive? It catches people’s attention.  It’s the whole basis for this thing: to open people’s eyes to what’s happening in our country around us, what’s happening in our city.  There are people that are hungry.”

Tripp will be jumping on September 15 from Newport Airport in Middletown, Rhode Island.  For more information, you can visit the South Coast Community Church in Fairhaven or go to www.mercymeals.org.

By Eric Tripoli

Ready for Back to School

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            It is hard to believe that it is almost here. But on Tuesday, August 28, students of the Old Rochester Regional School District will be back in the classroom for the 2012-2013 academic year.  For the kids, it’s time to hit the books; for the parents, it’s time to get organized. Here is some important information on what’s going on for the beginning of the school year.

The Rochester Memorial School has welcomed Dr. Moira Rodgers as its new principal following the retirement of Jay Ryan. Dr. Rodgers received her BA from UMass Amherst and her Master’s Degree in education from Boston College. In 2012, she received her Doctorate from Northeastern University.  An educator since 1994, she was most recently serving as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction for Falmouth Public Schools.

Important Dates to Remember:

• Thursday, August 23: New teacher training at Sippican School

• Friday, August 24: Freshmen and new student orientation at the ORRHS auditorium from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

• Monday, August 27: Sippican School will be holding its first teachers’ meetings, as well as an open house from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm.

• Tuesday, August 28: First day of 2012-2013 academic year. Sippican School will be holding a special first day celebration from 8:00 am to 10:00 am in the multipurpose room.

• Wednesday, August 29: ORRHS varsity football plays Bishop Feehan at 4:00 pm at David Hagen Field.

• Monday, September 10: First meeting of the ORR Athletic Booster Club will be at 6:30 pm at the ORRHS Library.

The school committees are also gearing up for another big year. Here is a look at their upcoming meeting schedule.

• Wednesday, August 22: Marion School Committee will meet at 6:30 pm at the Marion Town Hall.

• Thursday, September 6: Rochester School Committee will meet at 6:30 pm at the Rochester Town Hall.

• Wednesday, September 12: ORR School Committee will meet at 6:00 pm at ORR in the school committee conference room.

• Monday, September 20: Mattapoisett School Committee will meet at 7:00 pm at Center School.

If you have a child entering seventh or eighth grade at ORRJHS, the school requires students to bring certain supplies for the year.

Seventh Grade Supply List:

Required

• Six binders: 1 red, 1 green, 1 blue, 1 black, and 2 white. All binders should be between one and 1.5 inches in width. Each class requires its own binder. You will be told which binder goes with which class in September.

• Binder dividers (at least five or six per class)

• Filler paper

• Pens and pencils

• Colored pencils

• Scientific calculator. The Casio 360 or the Texas Instruments 30XA are ideal.

• Pouch for three-ring binder (to hold pens, pencils, calculator, etc.)

• Highlighters

• Post-It Notes

• Six inch transparent metric ruler

• Index cards (any color, any size)

Suggested

• Reinforcers for filler paper holes

• Crayons and markers

Eighth Grade Supply List:

Required

•Five binders – one for each subject. English binders should be at least 1.5 inches. All other binders should be one inch in width. Each class requires its own binder. Different colors for different subjects are recommended.

• Post-It Notes for English class

• A quarter-inch graph paper notebook for math class

• Spiral-bound one subject notebook for science class

• Binder dividers

• Filler paper, college ruled

• Pens and pencils

• Pouch for three-ring binder (to hold pencils, pen, calculator, etc.)

• Protractor

• Scientific calculator. The Casio 360 or the Texas Instruments 30XA are ideal.

• 5 pocket folders

• Two spiral-bound two subject notebooks for math class

Suggested:

• Reinforcers for filler paper holes

• Crayons

• Markers

• Colored Pencils

• Highlighters

• Book Covers

Bus Routes:

            Visit the ORR School District website at www.oldrochester.org to download the 2012-2013 ORR bus route schedules (scroll down to the bottom of the page).

For more information about the bus routes, you can call your respective school(s).

• ORR Senior High School        (508) 758-3745

• ORR Junior High School         (508) 758-4928

• Center School                         (508) 758-2521

• Old Hammondtown School     (508) 758-6241

• Sippican School                      (508) 748-0100

•Rochester Memorial School      (508) 763-2049

• Superintendent’s Office          (508) 758-2772, ext. 1956

By Eric Tripoli

Mattapoisett Library Accessory Sale

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Stop by and check out the beautiful jewelry and accessories for sale at the Mattapoisett Free Public Library!  The first annual sale will be running until 4:00 pm on Friday, August 24 and from 12:00 to 4:00 pm on Saturday, August 25.  All proceeds from the sale will benefit the library.  Photos by Katy Fitzpatrick.

Autumn Story Times at the Elizabeth Taber Library

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Tales for Twos, a nine-week series of storytimes for children between the ages of 24 and 39 months, begins October 3 at the Elizabeth Taber Library.  The half-hour session of stories, finger plays and crafts will take place on Wednesday mornings at 10:30 am.  Children must be two years old by October 1, 2012 to attend and must be accompanied by enthusiastic adult companions.  Pre-registration is required.

 

Autumn Storytime, for children between the ages of three and five, begins October 1st in the Children’s Room at the Elizabeth Taber Library.  Children are invited to enjoy stories, finger plays and crafts on Monday mornings at 10:30 am.  Autumn Storytime continues through November 26.  Sign-up is required.

 

It is never too soon to share the wonderful world of literature with children.  Lapsit Time is a nine week series exploring language and literature through rhythm and rhyme, finger plays and action games, and very simple stories and books for very young children (birth through 23 months) accompanied by their enthusiastic adult companions (one child per lap, please!)

Each program will last about 20 minutes, with time for parents and children to enjoy one another’s company and the library’s resources afterwards.  The series will be held Tuesday mornings at 10:30 am from October 2nd through November 27. Sign-up is required.    

For more information, or to sign up for storytimes, stop by the library, call or email Rosemary Grey, Children’s Librarian, at rgrey@sailsinc.org.  The library is located at 8 Spring Street in Marion.  The phone number is 508-748-1252.  Information about library programs is also available on the library’s website at www.elizabethtaberlibrary.org.

 

Wade A. Silva

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Wade A. Silva, 37, of Marion, passed away on Tuesday, August 21, 2012 at home surrounded by his loving family and friends following a courageous battle with leukemia. He was the husband of Judy (Martins) Silva.

 

Born in New Bedford, a son of Robert A. and Myrna A. (Gracie) Silva of Dartmouth, he was raised in Dartmouth and had resided in Marion for 13 years.

 

Wade was a graduate of New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School and continued his education and obtained his Master Plumber’s License.

 

He was the owner of Wade Silva Plumbing and Heating.

 

Wade enjoyed camping, all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles and his favorite cat, Frosty. Most of all, Wade loved being in the company of his loving family and numerous friends whom he considered to be part of his family.

 

Surviving in addition to his wife and parents is his daughter, Amber M. Silva of Marion; a step-son, Ryan Martins of New Bedford; a brother, Robert A. Silva, Jr. and his wife Michele of Dartmouth; and his nieces, Erin and Ali Silva of Dartmouth.

 

Relatives and friends are invited to visiting hours on Saturday, August 25, 2012 from 1-4PM followed by a Celebration of Wade’s Life at 4PM in the Waring-Sullivan Home of Memorial Tribute at Dartmouth, 230 Russells Mills Rd., Dartmouth. In lieu of flowers, donations to Wade’s family would be greatly appreciated: Judy Silva, PO Box 1194, Marion, MA 02738. For online tributes and directions: www.waring-sullivan.com


New Sign Off Ryder Road

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Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals

There was only one public hearing scheduled for the meeting, regarding the installation of a sign by Edgewood Development Company, LLC. off Ryder Road. Tim Higgins was on hand to represent the company.

“I’ve provided a color rendition of the sign we’d like to put at that location,” he said, referring to his information packet.

“What we’re requesting is approximately a 48 square foot sign. All the traffic right now is going to enter and exit near it. That sign would not overwhelm that location. I think it would fit well into the neighborhood.”

The sign will not be illuminated in any way, but there will be a narrow roof on top to slow wear and tear.

The ZBA voted in favor of the project.

The next meeting of the Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals will be on Thursday, September 13 at 7:00 pm at the Town Hall.

By Eric Tripoli

EEE Mosquitoes Still a Threat

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The state completed the third aerial spraying for the summer on the evening of Monday, August 20 in order to fend off harmful mosquitoes that could potentially be carrying the deadly EEE Virus as well as other illnesses. Monday’s spraying focused on the city of New Bedford’s North End.

The area was sprayed during the hours of 8:00 to 11:00 pm and all residents were urged to stay indoors, close their windows and keep pets inside during the process. The spraying was conducted a week after the city’s EEE Virus mosquito threat was elevated to “High.”

Since the beginning of the summer, there have been 110 EEE-positive mosquito pools found in southeastern Massachusetts. The majority of the virus-ridden insects have been detected in Easton. Fortunately, none have been detected in the Tri-Town region of Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester.

Last Monday, August 13, the second aerial spray of the summer was conducted in the towns of Bridgewater, Easton, Norton, Raynham, Taunton and West Bridgewater. At the end of July, Acushnet, Berkley, Bridgewater, Carver, Dighton, Easton, East Bridgewater, Freetown, Halifax, Hanson, Kingston, Lakeville, Middleboro, Norton, Pembroke, Plympton, Raynham, Rehoboth, Rochester, Taunton and West Bridgewater were all sprayed.

In each of the three sprayings, specialized aircrafts dispelled the pesticide Anvil over the area’s vegetation. The Massachusetts Department of Health has been keeping a close eye on potentially harmful mosquitoes all summer long. So far, there has only been one confirmed case of EEE found in a human being. The virus infected a man in Quincy and was not fatal. Two cases of EEE were found in Bristol County in 2011, one of which was fatal.

The DPH urges residents to wear a strong repellent as well as long sleeves and pants when partaking in outdoor activities after dusk during mosquito peak hours. As of now, there are no more scheduled sprayings, but the DPH will add more as necessary. For more information and an updated list of sprayings, visit www.mass.gov/dph.

By Katy Fitzpatrick

More Discussion for Main Street Garage Project

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On Wednesday, August 22, 2012, the Marion Conservation Commission met for their regular meeting.  The first hearing of the agenda was in regards to a Notice of Intent filed by George and Lois Graboys of 95 Holly Road.  They would like to construct an elevated boardwalk on their property, with a platform for storing kayaks and canoes.

Dave Davignon of Schneider and Associates represented the Graboys.

“We had a meeting about a month ago and there were several changes made to the plans since then,” Davignon said.

The plan has been updated to include the new FEMA flood maps, adopted by the town earlier in the year.  Timbered decking for the walkway has also been changed to a grading material.  The new material will allow for more sunlight penetration than the wood that was proposed before.

The Conservation Commission voted in favor of the project.

Next, the Commission heard from Kenneth Mousette, trustee of Investors Fund Trust, regarding a Notice of Intent to construct a concrete roadway, cul-de-sac, and storm water management system for two single-family homes on River Road.

“There are no wetlands on the site.  Natural Heritage has approved, saying there will be no negative impact to the site,” Moussette said.  They also removed proposed retaining walls and retooled the drainage system to flow into a nearby wetland.

“I think this makes for a much better design.  We’re able to keep natural vegetation and it fully complies with the storm water management policy.  By removing the retaining walls, it makes it more aesthetically pleasing,” he said.

Commission Clerk Norman Hills said that they would have to move the drainage pipe back from the wetland area, because it is not permitted to drain directly into it.  Moussette said it would not be a problem to relocate the end of the pipe.

The Conservation Commission voted to approve the project.

The Commission then heard from Peter and Asha Wallace for their Notice of Intent to maintain two existing view corridors from the eastern edge of their lawn toward the edge of an area salt marsh.

Dave Davignon was also representing the Wallace’s at the hearing.  He said they are looking to remove briars and invasive species from the property and have proposed some trees be removed for safety reasons.  The plants removed would be replaced with native vegetation.

The Commission requested that the trees proposed for removal get reflagged.  As a result, the hearing was granted a continuation until the next meeting.

Then, they held a hearing for a Request for Determination of Applicability filed by Steven Hurley of 21 Bayview Road, who would like to landscape the site with gardens and add a granite stepping stone pathway.

Michael Jardin was on hand representing Hurley.

“What I’d like to do is bring in new soil to reestablish the line so I can plant some dwarf evergreens and native grasses and other perennials,” he said.  None of the proposed plant material would be invasive.

Given the scope of the project and the amount of fill proposed, members of the Conservation Commission felt that Hurley should have applied for a Notice of Intent, not an RDA.

“I’m not comfortable doing it as a request, I feel like we need an NOI on this one,” said Chairman Sherman Briggs.

“You’re going to have to develop engineered plans and send letters to all the abutters so they know what’s happening,” said Clerk Norman Hills.

“But from a landscaping point of view, everything he’s proposing is perfect and will work well for that area,” said Commission member Stephen Gonsalves.

The Conservation Commission voted to deny the RDA.

The last hearing of the night was for Sanford Russell, Jr. of 5 Main Street, regarding his Notice of Intent to replace a carport with a garage, to remove a retaining wall, the reconstruct the driveway apron, and install a trench drain.  This hearing was continued from the July 25 and August 8 meetings, both of which saw a considerable amount of discussion put forth by the abutters to the project.

Neighbors were concerned about the scope of the project, suggesting that the height of the garage was too great and would impede the water view from yards and public walkways.  A few people also worried about the risk of negatively impacting drainage for the neighborhood.

“There have been a number of changes made to the plans since the last meeting.  There has been a good deal of abutter interest on this,” said Dave Davignon, who was representing Russell.

“What we’ve done is move the building [garage] substantially to the east, approximately a ten foot move,” he said, adding that there would be no excavation needed on abutter property during the construction of the foundation.  They will be changing the shape of the driveway so that excess rain run-off can flow down to the rear of the property.

“The garage has been redesigned. There will no longer be a door on the front and the back,” he said.  In addition, a proposed access ramp will not be required due to the new location of the garage.  “We have updated the plan to reflect the new FEMA maps.”

“All three major aspects of this plan have been altered, from the size of the building, to the shape, to the location,” said Hugh Dyer of 6 Main Street.  “In my mind, that’s a brand-spanking new building,” he said.

In addition, he felt that the abutters should have been notified about all the changes, as well as notified as to when the plan would be proposed at public meetings.

Dyer was also worried that the Zoning Board of Appeals and Conservation Commission were looking at different plans at the times of their respective meetings, due to all the changes made to the original plan.  He was also skeptical that the proposed drainage changes would be effective as they were presented.

“I think we need independent confirmation that the new plans would work,” he said.

“We’re not increasing run-off from outside surface areas and the run-off from the roof will go into a dry well,” Davignon said. He agreed that there were significant changes made to the plans, but they were in direct response to discussions during meetings of the ZBA and Conservation Commission.

“We are not required to notify abutters of proposed changes,” he said.

He said that the plan the Conservation Commission had on their record was the same that was submitted for the most recent ZBA meeting.

“There is no difference between this plan and what was submitted to them,” he said.

“I believe the drainage issue is still there,” said William Rogerson of 9 Main Street.                 “Whereas all of the new concrete is in the front, the old concrete was in the front and the back,” he said.

Rogerson said that by having the run-off directed to the west, it will run down into the harbor during a heavy rain.  Previously, it was proposed that the water would flow in two different paths.

“I think that’s inappropriate,” he said.  “To the extent that sediment goes into the harbor, it gets stuck there.  As far as I know, they won’t permit them to dredge.”

At Davignon’s request, the Conservation Commission approved to continue the hearing until the next meeting.

In other business:

•The Commission voted to issue a three-year extension permit to Marion Lands Trust, LLC. To replace 1,900 square feet of pavement with lawn and plantings on property at 369 Wareham Street.

•The Commission issued a Certificate of Compliance to the Town of Marion for installing a drain pipe with culverts on Giffords Corner Road.

•They issued a full Certificate of Compliance to Solo Realty, LLC., for upgrading the septic system at 102 Quails Crossing Road.

•The Commission issued a partial Certificate of Compliance to Gale P. Runnells, for constructing additions to a dwelling at 17 Reservation Way.

The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission will be on Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at 7:00 pm at the Town Hall.

By Eric Tripoli



Habitat for Humanity Seeking Family

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There’s no doubting how difficult the house buying process is, especially in a less than perfect economy. Luckily for families that need help purchasing a house, there is a non-profit organization called Habitat for Humanity, which gathers local residents and volunteers to help build a house for a family in need. For the first time ever, the Buzzards Bay Area Habitat for Humanity will be building a house in Marion.

“We are very excited since this is the first opportunity we have had to build in Marion,” said Carol Dildine, Co-Chairperson of the Habitat for Humanity Family Selection Committee.

The Habitat for Humanity is currently accepting applications from families for the new house in Marion. The house will begin construction in October and will most likely be finished in May, according to Dildine. Applications for the house will be available at libraries and town halls in Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester.

“It’s a life-changing thing for the family,” said Dildine. “For the first time they have a house of their own with all-new construction.”

Will Saltonstall, a local architect form Marion, designed the house, keeping a focus on environmental friendliness. The house will be built on a plot of land on Route 6.

The family selected must meet a certain income percentage and also put in 300 hours of what Dildine calls “sweat equity.” The sweat equity could be anything from community service to homeowner courses. The family selected will not be required to put a down payment on the house and they will also have an interest-free mortgage. Even though Habitat for Humanity will be assisting the family financially, they will still be responsible for making their monthly payments on time.

“It’s not a hand out, it’s a hand up. It’s just giving someone that little extra help,” said Dildine.

All of the money that will be used to build the house has been raised by the Habitat for Humanity. Through a combination of harbor cruises, wine and beer tasting parties and an upcoming auction, they are well on their way to securing all the necessary funds.

In addition to a qualified family, Habitat for Humanity is also seeking volunteers to help build the house. Dildine says there is no experience necessary; just the desire to want to help out a good cause.

“It’s really wonderful to meet so many different people that get involved volunteering,” said Dildine. “It’s a pretty inspiring thing that an organization that doesn’t have to rely on anything but contributions from people can really make a difference in a family’s life.”

An informational session will be held on Thursday, August 30 at 6:00 pm at the Elizabeth Taber Library in Marion. Dildine encourages all interested families in attending. The deadline for submitting applications is Friday, September 28. For more information, log on to www.buzzardsbayhabitat.org.

“It can really change a whole family’s life,” Dildine said.

By Katy Fitzpatrick