Quittacas Solar Array Closer to Approval

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The site plan review for the proposed solar panel array at Little Quittacas Pond took center stage at Tuesday night’s meeting of the Rochester Planning Board. The Board had requested an independent assessment of the plan, which was conducted by Field Engineering.

TRC Engineering, which has proposed the solar array, responded to the findings on Field’s report.

“There were two places where we have not provided full resolution to what Field had to say,” said Sam Moffett on behalf of TRC Engineering.

Moffett said that TRC was hesitant to agree to take out a bond for the planting and maintenance of the trees that would be planted along the proposed berm that would border a nearby neighborhood. They also questioned the need to replant vegetation within a year of the construction of the array.

“If you don’t want to put up a bond, you have to guarantee us something that would provide us a safety net on that,” said Planning Board Chairman Arnold Johnson.

Jay Myrto of RGS Engineering had suggested he supply the Planning Board with the contract drawn up between TRC and their landscape engineer rather than put up a bond. They would prefer a two-year maintenance warranty over a bond.

Planning Board member Gary Florindo was concerned that, if the land or lease changed hands, the new owners would be responsible for maintaining the vegetation.

“Whoever owns it and over time decides to sell that land with the lease, [site maintenance] goes to them,” he said.

Planning Board member Susan Teal said that she felt there should be a minimum amount of maintenance for the planted vegetation so that natural flora would be encouraged to prosper.

“I think it’s burdensome on the proponents to maintain these trees in perpetuity. Before you know it, we’ll be telling them where to plant them, what color they should be. The landscaping plan, as far as I’m concerned, is ‘do nothing,’” said Teal. “They need to be pruned, but they need to be let to live to provide the aesthetic and features that the abutters and those who drive down the street are looking for. After that, just let it grow.”

John DeMaggio of the Planning Board said that he felt that while it may not be necessary to actively trim the planted trees, he would like whoever is in charge of maintaining the site to file an annual maintenance report.

“We just have to know that someone is checking on it,” DeMaggio said.

The question of responsibility for the site has been a point of contention since the project was originally proposed.

The land is owned by the City of New Bedford, but is being leased to ConEdison Solutions for use of the array, which is being designed by TRC but constructed by Real Goods Solar.

With nobody present representing New Bedford, Johnson felt it was unwise and unfair for them to proceed to terms and conditions without their knowledge or approval.

“How do we know that they agree with these conditions?” he said.

“This is unique. The City of New Bedford is the landowner, but once the project is completed, it’ll be a different entity who runs it,” said Town Administrator John Charbonneau.

“Usually we have the owner present or a letter or affidavit,” said Johnson.

“I think this could be easily settled. I’m sure we could get that letter or talk to ConEd,” said Myrto.

“In order to get this thing finalized, we need to get this covered,” Johnson said.

The conversation then shifted to the specifics of the proposed working hours laid out in the plan.

“What we are proposing are that the work hours for construction of the project be limited between the hours of 7:00 am and 6:00 pm Mondays through Fridays and 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturdays,” said Moffett.

There are no plans to work on Sundays during the construction. The engineers estimate that the project could take up to nine months to complete, with three months dedicated to clearing and grading, and six months for laying and wiring the panels.

Teal was worried that there would be work being done in the dark during the later afternoon hours, but Myrto said that they would not be working in the dark nor would they bring in lights to illuminate construction.

Heavy equipment, which often requires time to warm up, would not be engaged until 7:30 am during any day of construction.

“A lot of work on the array is mounting modules. It’s quiet work. The only noisy part is to use a construction forklift to spread them around,” said Myrto.

A decision would not come tonight, though, because the Town needs to consult further with their engineer on the information shared by TRC during the meeting. Johnson said it was too soon to get a draft decision by the next meeting.

“The draft decision would be drafted and it would be sent to us and to you folks and Town Counsel as well,” said Johnson. “Then they would come back to the following meeting for any tweaks or changes. But I think we’re getting pretty close,” he said.

Johnson was confident the entire process could be finished by the first meeting of the new year.

In other business, the Planning Board approved the division of a 25-acre parcel of land owned by Thomas Gayoski on Alley Road. The area was cut into three lots in order to build new homes in the future.

The next meeting of the Rochester Planning Board will be on Tuesday, December 4 at 7:00 pm at the Town Hall.

By Eric Tripoli

Tri-Town Riders Raise over $90K for Cancer

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The 2012 Pan-Massachusetts Challenge (PMC) raised $37 million for cancer research and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through the Jimmy Fund. The 2012 fundraising total is $2 million more than the PMC gave in 2011 and brings its 33-year Jimmy Fund contribution to $375 million.

Of the $37 millions raised for cancer research by cyclists of the 2012 Pan-Massachusetts CHallenge, four Marion residents raised $19,800; five Mattapoisett residents raised more than $28,600 and ten Rochester residents raised more than $48,300.  They were among the 5,234 cyclists who rode up to 190 miles over one to two days across Massachusetts.

The PMC, which was held Aug. 4 and 5, 2012, is the most successful single athletic fundraising event in the United States; it raises and contributes more money to charity than any other such event.

PMC Founder and Executive Director Billy Starr presented a ceremonial check to Dana-Farber President Edward J. Benz, Jr., MD at a brunch celebration held at Legal Harborside in South Boston, which was attended by PMC cyclists, volunteers and family members.

PMC 2012 exceeded its 2011 gift by $2 million, a 5.7 % increase. “PMCers are committed to our event and to raising money for cancer research,” said Starr. “Their efforts fund Dana-Farber research and treatment that help millions around the globe.”

The contribution represents 100 percent of every rider-raised dollar, a charity pass-through rate that is nearly unparalleled within the athletic fundraising event industry. Approximately 3,300 volunteers and 200 companies supplying almost $5 million in products and services provided riders with food, mechanical and medical assistance, luggage transport and support of all kinds.

Last August, 5,234 cyclists from nine countries and 36 US states rode one of 11 routes that ranged from 25 to 190 miles.  Riders included Massachusetts Senators John Kerry and Scott Brown, 300 cancer survivors, current cancer patients and avid cyclists and weekend warriors alike. Many rode in support of loved ones being treated for cancer or in memory of those who have been lost to the disease.

“PMC money is seed money that enables our scientists to conduct the earliest forms of research, often before it is eligible for government funds,” Benz said. “The money they raise is critical to our work.”

Founded in 1980 when 36 cyclists rode across Massachusetts and raised $10,200 for the Jimmy Fund, the PMC is known today as the gold standard of athletic fundraising events due to the unprecedented sums it raises and its consistently efficient charity pass-through rate. One of the very first athletic fundraising events for charity in the nation, the PMC was a pioneer in its focus on fundraising and efficiency.

The 34th annual PMC is set for Aug. 3 and 4, 2013. Registration opens online on Jan. 3 for PMC alumni and Jan. 17 for newcomers. For more information about the PMC, which is presented by the Boston Red Sox Foundation and New Balance, visit www.pmc.org.


Roger S. Walen

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Roger S. Walen, 91, of Marion died November 24, 2012 at Charlton Memorial Hospital after a brief illness.

He was the husband of Constance M. (McDonald) Walen.

Born in Gloucester, MA, the son of the late Harry and Alice (Garland) Walen, he lived in Newton, MA and Lincoln, MA before moving to Marion in 1968.

Mr. Walen was a member of St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church in Marion where he sang in the choir and volunteered at Damien’s Food Pantry in Wareham.

He was formerly employed as an electrical engineer with Lincoln Labs, Mitre Corp., Woods Hole Oceanographic, PAVE PAWS and Thompson Engineering.

Mr. Walen enjoyed, gardening, boating and spending time in his house in New Hampshire. He played the trumpet in the New Bedford Symphony during the 1970’s.

Mr. Walen served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II.

Survivors include his wife; 3 daughters, Kate E. Lunt of Marion, Sarah K. Walen of Silver Plume, CO and Nellie B. Filip and her husband Leon of North Conway, NH; 2 grandchildren, Andrew R. Lunt of Wareham and Sophie M. Lunt of Marion.

Arrangements are incomplete.

Five Articles Carry at Marion Town Meeting

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All five articles on the warrant for the Special Marion Town Meeting carried on Monday evening, November 26 in the Sippican School Auditorium.  Four of the articles passed unanimously.

The article that generated the most discussion was the fifth and final item which asked for $26,500 of the town’s free cash for mold remediation services in the Town House.  According to Selectman Jonathan Henry, an air quality assessment was conducted on the basement and the results found high amount of mold.  Spores are making their way up to the first floor which could potentially cause big problems for employees in the building.

So far, Town Administrator Paul Dawson estimated that the town has spent $58,000 for research into the air quality and no money has been spent yet for remediation. Water is still seeping into the basement through cracks in the building.

However, according to Conservation Commission member and resident Sherman Briggs, there are a set of bulkhead doors that have been primed and painted and are ready to install.

“I’ve been complaining about this for the past three years,” he said.  “We could have taken the time to install them before this meeting.  You have to start somewhere.  The first thing you have to do is stick your finger in the hole before you do anything else.”

Several other residents voiced their concern over the amount of money that has already been spent for this project with very little result.  As a result, they were hesitant to spend money for a project that could be pointless if a complete Town House renovation is not he horizon.

Still, the Finance Committee recommended voting in favor of the article in order to make the Town House habitable. The process for the Town House renovations could take 2-5 years to complete.  In the meantime, the mold problem can be fixed in the basement.

The article passed with less than five oppositions. Here is a recap of the other four articles that passed unanimously at the meeting:

  • Article 1: To see if the town will appropriate $84,300 for Fiscal Year 2013 for the Community Preservation Committee to meet the requirements of the Community Preservation Act.  The money would be designated for projects dealing with Open Space, Community Housing and Historic Resources.
  • Article 2: To see if the town will appropriate $30,000 for the Buzzards Bay Area Habitat for Humanity for the single-family affordable house that will be constructed at 185 Wareham St. in Marion.  $10,000 would be transferred from the Open Space Committee, Community Housing and other annual revenues. The house will be approximately 1,100 square feet in size on a 22,000 square foot lot with three bedrooms, one bathroom and will be environmentally friendly.
  • Article 3: To change the date of the Annual Town Meeting to the second Monday in May instead of the third Monday in order to a void conflict with Memorial Day weekend.
  • Article 4: To amend the town’s bylaws from completely prohibiting alcohol on town owned beaches.  Under the new bylaw, residents who apply for and are granted one-day liquor licenses from the Board of Selectmen will be able to drink alcohol on town owned beaches.  Residents must go through an application process through the Board of Selectmen to be able to receive the license.

By Katy Fitzpatrick

 

Clean Up at Park Place Lot

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The Mattapoisett Conservation Commission voted in favor of a Request for Determination of Applicability for a project that would clean up an empty lot at Park Place.  The renovation to the lot would serve as a precursor to a larger project down the road that would include the construction of a new home.

“Currently, we have a vacant lot with has a nice dwelling to the left and right of it.  This lot was cleared when the development was constructed but nothing got built there, so there’s a lot of brush and debris that they want to clean up,” said engineer Al Ewing on behalf of Eric Smith, who filed the RDA

Most of the work will take place outside of the wetland buffer zone.

The project was part of a larger but unfinished plan that came before the Commission in 2003.

“I just wanted to make sure that grubbing the lot doesn’t include the removal of loam,” said Commissioner Bob Rogers.  “That would be my only thing- making sure none of that material is removed.”

The Commission voted in favor of the plan on the condition that no soils would be removed from the site.

Next, the Commission heard from engineer Michael Kosta on behalf of Michael and Suzanne Clancy of 5 Woodbine Road.  The applicants have filed an RDA to raze the single-family dwelling currently on the property and replace it with a new structure.

The new house would be built on the same footprint as the existing home.

Kosta said that part of the lot is located in a Zone X flood area and the odds are slim that the new home would experience flooding problems in the event of a storm.  He cited the long-standing success of exiting homes in the neighborhood and the lack of flood damage accrued over the years.

“Around the lot are developed lots from previous years.  There’s a tennis court to the south.  There are no resource areas within 100 feet of the lot,” Kosta said.

The Commission voted in favor of the plan adding no special conditions.

The Commission then heard from Paul O’Hara of 11 Beach Street.  O’Hara filed an RDA to construct a large addition off the rear of the dwelling, using sonotubes as footings.

“The project is to construct a 14-foot wide addition on the back of this cottage.  There will be eight sonotube footings.  No grading changes will be made,” said engineer Christian McCulloch.

None of the Commissioners had any reservations over the plan, which must still be reviewed by the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Abutter Maryann Hickey, who lives next door, was concerned about water run-off, but since no changes to the grading would be made, McCulloch said there wouldn’t be an issue.

The Commission voted for the plan unanimously and attached no special conditions to the RDA.

The Commissioners then held a continued hearing for William Macropoulos, who has been seeking an “after-the-fact” approval for a stonewall structure he constructed on his property 12 Howard Beach Road.

At the November 14 meeting, the Conservation Commission voiced their concern over the wall because it was built without being permitted and absent a design from a professional engineer.

Macropoulos at the time said he was not aware that he needed to apply for permits before building the wall.  Newton said he was not confident the wall would stand up to another storm like Sandy and should be removed.  The hearing was continued because it did not have a DEP file number.

Building Commissioner Andy Bobola said that since last meeting, Macropoulos had removed the stone and mortar associated with the wall and returned the grading as it was before he built the wall.

“I suggested Mr. Macropoulos move to withdraw without prejudice,” Bobola said.

Commissioner Ken Dawicki pointed out that the removal of the wall, while preferred, was problematic because Macropoulos removed it without giving proper notice.

“What we should do is tie it into his Notice of Intent or else it becomes another after-the-fact thing,” Dawicki said.

Chairman Newton suggested Macropoulos holding out a bit long to let conservation agent Elizabeth Leidhold more time to review the case so she can offer him a revised plan on how to best build a wall on that location.  The hearing was continued until the meeting on December 10.

In other business, the Commission was to hold a public hearing for James McGrath of 38 Ocean Drive, but the applicant requested a continuance in writing previous to tonight’s meeting.  The Commission also voted to continue a hearing for David Nicolosi of Fairhaven Road per request of the applicant.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission will be on Monday, December 10, 2012, at 6:30 pm.

By Eric Tripoli

 

Mattapoisett Historical Society Celebrates

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The Mattapoisett Historical Society and Carriage House opened its doors for the holiday season on Saturday, November 24.  The Historical Society is having its annual holiday shop, which features a variety of unique gifts such as historical postcard and map recreations, books, and tree ornaments.  Kids will get a kick out of the Lionel model train that zooms past a village of illuminated porcelain buildings.  Check out our photos below of the sale.  For information on operating hours, visit mattapoisetthistoricalsociety.org.    Photos by Eric Tripoli.

 

Elaine P. (Morss) Robbins

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Elaine P. (Morss) Robbins, 71, of Marion, died Monday, November 19, 2012 peacefully at her home surrounded by her family. She was the wife of Steven D. Robbins.

Born in Wareham, she was the daughter of the late Henry H. & Margaret (Larner) Morss. A homemaker, she was a lifelong resident of Marion.

She is survived by her husband; two sons, Thomas M. Morss and his wife Maureen and Steven L. Robbins and his wife June all of Marion; four daughters, Stacey L. Maxim and Jody M. Robbins both of Wareham, Sherry L. Clancy of Port St. Lucie, FL and Holly D. Robbins and her companion James M. Collins of Marion; her sister, Janet Lacroix and her husband Robert of Rochester; her niece, Kristin Harris of TX; her sister in-law, Norma Thompson of TX; 17 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Sat., Dec. 8, 2012 at the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Highway (Rt. 28), Wareham at 12:00 PM. Interment will be private.

Donations in her memory may be made to Southcoast Center for Cancer Care, 206 Mill Road, Fairhaven, MA 02179.

Nature Crafts with the MNHM

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The Marion natural History Museum will be hosting a Nature Crafts class on Wednesday, December 12th for 3:30 – 4:30, the cost is: $4.00 members, $6.00 nonmembers. The class will be working on projects for gift-giving using materials they find outside our front doors, (volunteers to help with crafts would be most welcome). Light refreshments will be served.

Due to the ongoing repairs the program will be held at the Sippican school community classroom.  Please register in advance so we will be sure to have enough supplies for all. Register by printing the registration form off the museum’s website: www.marionmuseum.org and submitting with payment to the museum.

Cold Dash to Raise Cash

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Almost 200 runners and walkers braved the autumn wind chill to turn out for the third annual ORR Bulldog Dash on Saturday, November 24. The dash was held to raise funds for the purchase of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) for the athletic department as well as to purchase equipment for the Cross Country teams. The dash was divided out into four races, a 100-yard dash for the pre-kindergarten crowd, a 400-yard dash for kids up to the sixth grade, the main event a two-mile run, and for those who wanted a little lighter fare a two mile walk.

In the male event Nephi Tyler of Fairhaven won out with an amazing time of 10:11, Scott Anderson of New Bedford was close behind at 10:19, followed by Daniel Croteau of Acushnet at 10:39. On the ladies side Alice Binns of Dorchester placed first with a time of 11:39, followed by Julie Craig of Mattapoisett at 12:27, and Lynn Vasconcelos of Fairhaven in third with a time of 12:51.

By Paul Lopes

Area Musicians Say Thanks with Concert

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There was music in the air on Friday, November 23, as the Tri-County Music Association held its 2nd annual concert at Tabor Academy.  The concert featured a band of musicians who have directly benefited from the scholarships offered by the TCMA.

    “All of the students you’ll see tonight have received a grant in one form or another,” said Music Director Philip Sanborn.

    The TCMA gives out $12,000 in scholarships each year.

    “Last year, our first year, we did a program called the ‘Great American Songbook.’  This year, the kids got to choose what they were going to play.”

    To solidify the element of surprise for the evening, Sanborn opted not to print out a physical program, but rather encouraged the students to give a brief statement of thanks for the support of the TCMA and to explain what they were playing and why.

    “It’s eclectic.  It’s kind of a barometer of where they are at in their musical careers,” said Sanborn.  “What you’re going to see tonight is the future of music.  We have high school students, college kids.”

    There were about a dozen performances; some were soloists but others played with piano accompaniment.  For the record, the accompanist received scholarships from the TCMA from 1981 to 1985.

    One musician eschewed traditional instruments in favor of consumer electronics and premiered an untitled original piece that used a laptop linked to special mixer board.

    One of those collegiate musicians was Leah Voccio, a clarinet player since fifth grade with a rich musical background.

    “Both of my parents are musicians so I just kind of brought up around it.  Then I started playing an instrument and I really liked it,” she said.

    The Seekonk High School graduate is a freshman at the University of Miami, studying music therapy.  Her mother is also a member of the Tri-County Symphonic Band, which Sanborn conducts.

    “She told me about the scholarship so I sent in an audition tape and I got one.  It helps me pay for tuition,” said Voccio.

    She opted to travel the classical route and performed a solo piece called “Rhapsody for Clarinet in B-flat.”

    Whether studying music therapy, composition, musical theory, or international relations, music plays a central, immutable role in the lives of all the performers.  Making music is as natural as taking breath.

    “It was never a question whether or not I would pursue music.  I’d never thought of doing anything else,” said Voccio.

By Eric Tripoli