FoE Movie Screening

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The Mattapoisett Friends of the Elderly will host a free showing of Iron Lady at the Council on Aging at 12:00 pm on Tuesday, July 31. Pizza is available for $3. Pizza requests must be paid by 3:00 pm on Monday, July 30.

The Iron Lady (PG-13) is a surprising and intimate portrait of Margaret Thatcher (Meryl Streep), the first and only female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. One of the 20th century’s most famous and influential women, Thatcher came from nowhere to smash through barriers of gender and class to be heard in a male-dominated world. For her portrayal of Thatcher across four decades, Meryl Streep received the Academy Award for Best Actress.

RVSP the Mattapoisett Council on Aging at the Center School on Barstow Street or call 508-758-4110, even if you’re not having pizza.

COA Handwriting Analysis Event

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The Mattapoisett Council on Aging will host a Handwriting Analysis event on Tuesday, July 17 at 12:00 pm at the Senior Center on Barstow Street in Mattapoisett. Lunch will be served at 12:00 pm for $3 and the speaker will begin at 12:30 pm for $2 admission. Pre-registration is required.  Contact the Mattapoisett COA at 508-758-4110 by 12:00 pm on Monday, July 16 to reserve your spot.

Graphology or handwriting analysis can be applied to personality. It can help an individual better understand his or her strengths and weaknesses through global and stroke evaluation. This lecture will look at features within handwriting and determine what each means and teach YOU to analyze your own handwriting. Be prepared for fun and entertainment.

Marion Police Department Fundraiser

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The Marion Police Brotherhood is proud to bring their Annual Summer Concert to the

community on Saturday, July 14. This year’s show is entitled Yellow Brick Road – Elton John Tribute and will begin at 8:00 pm at Silvershell Beach on Front Street in Marion.

This special evening starts at 6:00 pm with children’s performer Wayne Potash and the Music Fun Band, followed by modern country band and original recording artists Girls, Guns and Glory at 7:00 pm. All proceeds benefit the various charities supported by the Marion Police Brotherhood throughout the year. For more information on this event email alex@ecmgevents.com or visit www.marionpolicebrotherhood.org.

Plumb Library July Programs

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It’s Christmas in July!  We will once again be collecting non-perishable items and pet food in lieu of fines from July 9 – 21.  Bring your canned goods to the library, let us know who you are, and we will waive your fines. This does not cover lost book costs or copying, fax, or lost card fees. All items will be donated to Damien’s Pantry in Wareham. Pet food items will go to animal shelters in Rochester and Fairhaven. For more information, call us at 508-763-8600.

Café Parlez’s selection for July is The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley.  This winner of the 2009 Agatha Award for best first novel introduces us to 11-year-old Flavia de Luce, aspiring chemist, detective and all-around know-it-all. In the summer of 1950, a dead bird is found on the doorstep of the de Luce’s decaying English mansion, a dead bird with a rare postage stamp pinned to its beak. Hours later, Flavia discovers a dead man lying in the cucumber patch and vows to solve the mystery behind the bizarre events. We will be discussing The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie on Thursday, July 26 at 6:30 pm. Books are available at the desk, or bring your own copy. This is our special July book group, with trivia quizzes and free book giveaways. Café Parlez is sponsored by the Friends of Plumb Library. Continue the discussion on Goodreads – www.goodreads.com.

KinderCare of Marion will be offering a series of story times for the littlest ones on Tuesdays in July, starting on July 3 at 10:30 am.  These programs will contain stories, songs, and snacks for children ages 12 months—36 months.  Pre-registration is required.  The programs will end on Tuesday, July 31.

Summer Reading Program important dates and times:

•Saturday, July 14, 11:00 am: Cartooning with DeeAnne Art

•Saturday, July 21, 11:00 am: Mad Science — Invention-ation

•Saturday, July 28, 11:00 am: Awesome Robb’s Brainiac Live (at the Congregational

Church)

•Until Saturday, August 25: Weekly drop-in activities

•Saturday, August 25: Last day to log reading times

Pre-registration is required for all programs.  Call the library for more information.

Thank You

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To the Editor,

The Friends of the Mattapoisett Bike Path would like to thank everyone who joined us for the South Coast Bikeway Challenge on June 24.  It was a great day! Special thanks to the YMCA Camp Massasoit, Mattapoisett Lions Club, SouthCoast Children’s Chorus and to all our volunteers. Also thanks to Felix Perez and The Wanderer for some great photos!

Bonne DeSousa,

President, Friends of the Mattapoisett Bike Path

Over 1,000 Participate In Mattapoisett Road Race

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On Wednesday, July 4, 2012, over 1,000 runners pounded the pavement for the annual Mattapoisett Road Race.  The participants enjoyed strings of fans cheering them on along the five mile course, as well as live music down on Main Street.

This year, Matthew Herman of Brookline, Mass. came in first with a time of 27:39.  In second place, Patrick Callahan of Needham clocked a finish time of 27:55.  This year, third place went to Acushnet resident Daniel Croteau, who came in at 28:32.

Caitlin Egan of Milford, Mass. had the top female run time, clocking in at 33:06, with Mary Cass of Westport, Mass. right behind Egan, with a time of 33:11.  Heather Matthews of Medway, Mass. came in third in the women’s category, with a total time of 33:40.

There were also several young people who participated in the race, which divides the age groups from age one to 13 and age 14-18.  Seamus McEvoy, 19 years old of Longmeadow, Mass. came in fifth overall, with a time of 28:32.  The top performer in the male 14-18 age group was Michael Hoye of Sutton, Mass., who clocked in at 30:40.  Leila Aruri, 15 years old, of Andover, Mass. had the best time in the female age 14-18 category, coming in at 34:36.

Proceeds from the raise will go to support runners in the Tri-Town, and will support athletics at Old Rochester Regional High School.

By Eric Tripoli

Merge of FD and EMS Raises Opposition

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The Marion Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to approve the merge of the Fire Department and EMS at their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, July 10 in the Marion Town House.  The merge will be effective at 1:00 am on Sunday, July 15.

“We live together. We train together.  We work together,” said Fire Chief Thomas Joyce.  “Why would you not merge the two?”

In November of 2011, Joyce was appointed the Director of both departments, however there was never a formal merge made in terms of payroll. Under the new merge, two Deputy Medical Officers would be demoted to regular EMS staff members.  One of those officers losing their rank would be Dale Jones.

“I didn’t know I was going to lose my job until I came here tonight,” said Jones.  “I truly recognize the pitfalls of merging the two organizations.”

Jones told the Selectmen and Chief Joyce that he had hopes of becoming the new Director of EMS when the merge was complete.  Instead, he will be demoted to a regular EMS member after 30 years of service. By eliminating the two Deputy Officers, the station would save $5,000 annually.

“It’s just not fair,” said Jones.

As Jones became more heated, Selectmen Chair Stephen Cushing urged him to relinquish the microphone. When Jones started approaching the table near the Selectmen, Cushing asked Jones be removed by a police escort.

Jones is not the only concerned employee of the departments. According to Joyce, a lot of the newer members of the departments have not been as open to the idea of the merge.

“I’m sure several of them have reservations,” said Joyce.  “Some of them approve, some don’t.”

But according to Joyce, the employees, nor the public, should have any concern about the merge. He said the public would not notice a difference in service

Furthermore, since the informal merge over the past year, Joyce said the departments have enhanced their response times, lowered costs around the station and improved computer data keeping records., among other things.

“I just want to commend the Chief and his staff for doing a great job,” said Selectmen Jody Dickerson.  “It’s time we move forward with this.  I’m ready to go.”

Buzzards Bay Habitat for Humanity Representative George McTurk met with the Selectmen to ask for two letters that would recognize the recently approved Habitat for Humanity Project in Marion as a Local Initiative Project and to show the Selectmen’s support.

The house, which will be located at 185 Wareham Rd in Marion, will be 1137 square feet with three bedrooms, one bathroom, a kitchen, and a living area. A local solar distributor will also be donating and installing solar panels for the house to cut down on electricity costs.

The house will be awarded to a family; preferably current Marion residents. While the family will have to make monthly mortgage payments, they will not be required to put money down on the house and they will receive an interest-free loan.

“It’s not a hand out; it’s a hand up,” said McTurk.

McTurk said he hopes to get the drafts for the house approved in August and the foundation laid by September.  If all goes according to schedule, the residents will be able to move in after the New Year.

In other news, Marion Building Commissioner Scott Shippey passed his certification. Shippey had to pass three difficult exams before being certified.

“This is a real tribute to Scott,” said Town Administrator Paul Dawson.

The Marion Board of Selectmen will meet again on Tuesday, August 7 at 7:00 pm in the Marion Police Department.

By Katy Fitzpatrick

Mattapoisett Historical Society Curator Honored

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The Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen met on Tuesday, July 10, 2012, but a quorum was not present and they were unable to discuss or vote upon any official town business.

Board of Selectmen Chairman Jordan Collyer presented a special plaque to Bette Roberts, to recognize her for her 25 years of service as the curator of the Mattapoisett Historical Society.

“Thank you very much for all your service,” Collyer said.

Roberts smiled as she accepted the award.

“It’s been my pleasure all these years.  I’ve learned a lot and I’ve adopted Mattapoisett as my home,” she said.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen will be on Tuesday, August 14, 2012, at 7:00 pm.  There will not be a second meeting of the Board during the month of August.

By Eric Tripoli

Marion Boy Scout Troop 32 Promotions

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Congratulations to the following Marion Troop 32 boy scouts and their promotions:

•Doug Breault Jr. promoted to First Class Rank

•Jack Gordon promoted to First Class Rank

•Jack Nakashian Promoted to Patrol Leader

•Graham Poirier promoted to Patrol Leader

•Jackson St. Don promoted to Patrol Leader

•Alex Reichert promoted to Patrol Leader

“Great job, boys. As with any of our leadership or rank promotions, they are always earned, and never given,” said Marion Troop 32 Scoutmaster Doug Breault, Sr. “They are also 100 percent contingent upon upholding the proper behavior of the respective position at all times. Please continue to earn your position each day.”

SLT Names New Lands Trust Administrator

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The Sippican Lands Trust names Cynthia Donley as the new Lands Trust Administrator.

As part of its increased focus on community outreach and the public use of its many and varied properties in Marion, Sippican Lands Trust has announced Cynthia Donley will lead the organization as its new Lands Trust Administrator.

Cynthia will provide oversight for all SLT programs, manage staff and volunteer activities, develop and maintain community and public relations, and direct fundraising activities.

Cynthia has worked with the Lands Trust in various capacities since 2008 and has long standing ties to the community. She is well-positioned to lead the organization forward. Her people and managerial skills will be an asset to the SLT as it grows and strengthens its presence in Marion.