RMS Hosts Wind Turbine Workshop

on

Old Rochester Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson and Rochester Memorial School Principal Heidi Letendre are pleased to share that Rochester Memorial School fourth-graders participated in an interactive wind turbine workshop last month.

            In March, teacher Stephanie Cyr and her fourth-grade class welcomed special guests Tom Lynch and Jason Brooks, the father of fourth-grade student Nicholas Brooks. Both Lynch and Brooks are experts from the Axess Group, a renewable energy corporation.

            “We are very fortunate to have had a visit from two experts in the renewable energy field,” said Nelson. “This visit not only enhances students understanding of sustainable practices but also inspires them to become future leaders in environmental renewable energy.”

            Throughout the interactive workshop, students learned about the various components of a wind turbine and how they function to harness energy. Students learned about Lynch’s and Brooks’ involvement working on one of the first offshore windfarms in the U.S., Vineyard Wind.

            They were shown job site photos of the different equipment parts used to make the wind turbines. Students learned that the enormous blades, which were described as being 50 feet longer than a football field can reach up to speeds of 180 miles per hour.

            The highlight of the day was a hands-on activity where students had the opportunity to construct their own miniature wind turbines. The students were divided into groups to assemble their model turbines. After completing their designs, the class engaged in a friendly competition to see which group of students could optimize their turbine’s performance to generate the most energy.

            “As a school, we are very grateful that Mr. Brooks and Mr. Lynch, from Axess Group, took the time to share their expertise on wind turbines with Mrs. Cyr’s fourth grade class,” Letendre said. “The students were completely engaged in the scientific process of making predictions, testing their hypothesis and problem solving together as a team. These real-world experiences are so important for our students to make connections to what engineering looks like in our everyday lives.”

            Students placed their turbine designs in front of an industrial fan and watched the digital reading on the nacelle, which houses all of the generating components in a wind turbine, including the generator, gearbox and drive train.

            “The opportunity for our students to engage with real-world experts like Jason and Tom is truly enriching,” said Cyr. “Not only did they learn about wind turbines, but they also experienced firsthand the thrill of scientific discovery and collaboration.”

Energy Management Committee

on

To the Editor;

            Save our Green Community Designation. It’s hard to believe that the Town of Marion would vote to end its status as a Green Community, but the Select Board is considering it. Marion’s Energy Management

Committee (EMC) brought this program to the town seven years ago believing that we should support the Commonwealth’s effort to reverse or mitigate climate change. Destructive storms, weird weather and global warming will come to Marion just as they have in the rest of the world unless we all join the effort to reverse the trend.

            Since 2017 we have won Green Community Grants for more than $548,000 to build energy conservation measures in municipal buildings. So far we have succeeded in reducing the municipal energy use by 24%, providing repeated annual savings worth about $200,000 each year. The energy audits and engineering for these municipal projects was paid for with Green Communities grants.

            Three building codes regulate construction in MA (Base, Stretch and Specialized). All 291 Green Communities have recognized the need to build homes with higher standards of insulation and lower carbon emissions, but now our Select Board is considering a switch from the Stretch Code to the Base Code in hopes that it will encourage construction with fewer energy conservation measures for a lower price.

            Towns on the Base Code are generally known for doing as little as possible in the fight against climate change. I would rather that Marion follow the more responsible path and continue its campaign for a healthier world.

            Energy Management Committee members recommend that we stay with the Stretch Code and remain a Green Community. Let’s hope that the Select Board and others in this beautiful town will agree when the issue comes to a vote.

Bill Saltonstall

Member of Energy Management Committee

The views expressed in the “Letters to the Editor” column are not necessarily those of The Wanderer, its staff or advertisers. The Wanderer will gladly accept any and all correspondence relating to timely and pertinent issues in the great Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester area, provided they include the author’s name, address and phone number for verification. We cannot publish anonymous, unsigned or unconfirmed submissions. The Wanderer reserves the right to edit, condense and otherwise alter submissions for purposes of clarity and/or spacing considerations. The Wanderer may choose to not run letters that thank businesses, and The Wanderer has the right to edit letters to omit business names. The Wanderer also reserves the right to deny publication of any submitted correspondence. All letters must be typed and submitted directly to: news@wanderer.com.

Ingrid Elizabeth Hellgren

on

            Ingrid Elizabeth Hellgren, born on April 26, 1958, spent the summers of her childhood on Converse Road in Marion with her late grandparents, Harry and Thelma Kramer Ostenfeld; and lived there most recently from 2011 through 2013. The youngest child of the late Tage and Beryl Ostenfeld Hellgren, Ingrid was born in the Poconos of Pennsylvania and lived there for 19 years. She passed away suddenly on January 6, 2024 in Port Charlotte, Florida leaving a void in many hearts.

            Ingrid loved Silvershell Beach! It was the first place she wanted to go when she arrived on Converse Road as a child, and her favorite place to relax, read, and think as an adult. Like her grandmother Thelma, a pianist and music teacher, Ingrid loved music, learning several instruments, and attending as many live music events as possible throughout her life, including Friday night band concerts. She also loved to spend time with Gilda at the Stone Rooster, helping with preparations for the regular jazz nights in the summer.

            An excellent and very creative cook and baker, Ingrid loved making special things for neighbors and friends, and always kept them laughing with her quirky sense of humor. Along with music and baking, Ingrid loved animals, especially elephants and ponies, though she never had one of her own. However, while a teenager in Pennsylvania, she worked at a wild animal farm where she cared for many exotics including Boa Constrictors, Tarantulas, and a Siberian tiger. Her own pets also included spiders and snakes, as well as a raccoon, squirrel, and many cats. Her beloved dogs, Hooligan, a Jack Russell and Kona, a Golden Lab, loved exploring Washburn Park in the summer, and running along Silvershell in the winter.

            Ingrid is survived by her partner, Chuck Trites of Port Charlotte; her children, Carmine P. Crudele (Jennifer) of Plantation and Britt A. Crudele (Tyler Auner) of Tamarac, both in Florida; her sisters, Tonie Y. Waters of Inverness, FL and Janne Hellgren (Jack Boesen) of Marion, and her brother, Peter B. Hellgren of Stroudsburg. She is also survived by her nephews, Christian P. Waters of Cadillac, MI, and Erik L. Waters of Inverness; maternal cousins, Kenneth and Michael Grieve and Kat Gray and their families in Michigan; and her paternal uncle Ebbe Hellgren and cousins Jorgen and Ariel Hellgren and their families in Sweden. She was predeceased by her sister, Christa R. Hellgren, and by her aunt, Joan Ostenfeld Grieve (Tabor ’54).

            A Celebration of Life will be held on her birthday on Ft. Myers Beach in Florida. Remembrances would be greatly appreciated to a food bank or an animal rescue facility.

Concrete Splash Pad Approved

on

            Coming before the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission on April 16 was David Davignon of Schneider, Davignon & Leone, Inc., representing 18 Water Street Realty trust. The trust had filed a Request for Determination of Applicability for proposed repair to eroded areas of a seaside lawn and the addition of a 6 inch by 3 foot concrete pad along an existing concrete pad which was also referred to as a splash pad.

            Davignon said that the concrete pad would help to control erosion from wave action topping the seawall. But before approving the application with a Negative Box 2 decision, the commissioners expressed skepticism that such a plan would control erosion from storm-related, wave action. They agreed that it was likely more requests such as this will come forward as more storms and their veracity become more damaging to waterside structures.

            In other business, a RDA filed by David Duchaine, Ocean Drive, for the construction of a gravel driveway to a buildable lot received a Negative Box 2 decision. Also represented by Davignon, the project is in preparation for construction of a home.

            An After the Fact Notice of Intent filing by Lauren and John Hartnett, 6 Ocean View Avenue, was conditioned with the additional condition that future repairs to an existing seawall may be maintained with notice to the office prior to the commencement of work.

            Environmental Agent Brandon Faneuf’s team reported that The Bogs, owned by the Buzzards Bay Coalition and currently under an Enforcement Order after erosion controls failed allowing the transfer of soils off the site located on Acushnet Road, stated that work was proceeding as planned. It was noted that the BBC’s plan to return the agricultural bogs to their natural state was nearing completion. Hydroseeding and bridge installations are also complete.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission is scheduled for Tuesday, May 7, at 6:30 pm.

Mattapoisett Conservation Commission

By Marilou Newell

Spring Show Surprises

on

Surprises are in store for you art lovers. Just go to the Marion Art Center – where else! The MAC’s spring art exhibit features two artists whose works are as different as is possible to conceive but whose backgrounds are rich in a variety of artistic expression. Bernie Klim works are primarily acrylic on canvas. Joshua Baptista’s pieces are ink on collage paper and mixed media.

            Klim’s are drawn from the natural environment, whereas Baptista’s are from architecture and personal experiences. Both styles are rapturous in their own way.

            Baptista hails from the Boston area, now residing in Wareham, and has pursued a career teaching art. He completed his Bachelor of Fine Art degree from Montserrat Collage of Art in 2002. Later he pursued a Master’s in Fine Art from the American University in Washington in 2008.

            Baptista said the pieces in this exhibit are heavily influenced by the “skateboard” culture as well as producing works with a “hesher” mindset, which is described as a bit gritty and filled with oddities. We thought Baptista’s works were intriguing, precisely executed and indicated his ability to draw the viewers’ eyes deep into their core.

            The layering of paper and cut images gives this group of works a dense, intense drama accentuated by the stark contrast of black ink on pale paper. The images evoke a world tilted on its side, peopled by skeletons. But it is not threatening, it is engaging, and the depictions of Providence-based, Victorian Era structures are exquisite in their form and detail.

            We thought it reminded us of Edward Gorey meets 21st Century Goth, and they lived happily ever after.

            Klim is well-known for his artistic interpretations of south coast themes such as marshlands, woodlands and the like.

            We interviewed him in August of 2023, at which time he shared studying at the Massachusetts College of Art where he earned a BFA. He later earned a master’s in education. He described his method as “…expressive, reactionary, impromptu, quick,” likening it to alla prima (applying a single layer of paint versus layering to create depth and light).

            In Klim’s paintings, the sense of soaring plants heavily leafed with sunsets is pure brilliance; one doesn’t see the quickly applied brushstrokes, one sees intention and purpose and, yes, beauty. Klim believes in letting those initial, rapidly applied brushstrokes carry him along, leading to an emotional experience – he simply lets go and trusts the process.

            The exhibit will be available for viewing now through May 17. Marion Art Center, 80 Pleasant Street (corner of Main Street at Bicentennial Park) and is open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Marion Art Center

By Marilou Newell

Covid Clinic

on

On February 28, the CDC advised a second Covid 19 vaccine dose for those age 65 and older. This recommendation is due to the increased risk for severe illness in older adults and data on vaccine effectiveness. People who are immunocompromised are also eligible for an additional dose of the Covid 19 vaccine.

            A second dose is suggested to restore protection that may have waned in people over age 65 and/or immunocompromised, who received a vaccination in the fall.

            Since the new CDC recommendation, many seniors have inquired as to whether there will be a local clinic. The Rochester Board of Health and the Rochester Senior Center have coordinated with a local, independent pharmacy, The Apothecary in Westport, to provide a Covid 19 vaccination clinic. The clinic will be held on Tuesday, May 14 from 10-12 at the Rochester Senior Center. The Apothecary has requested that people register ahead of time for the clinic so that the pharmacist brings enough vaccine. The pharmacist will bring some additional vaccine to accommodate limited walk-ins.

            People who are not up to date with the Covid 19 vaccine are also welcome at the clinic on May 14. This is an adult only clinic and you do not have to be a resident of Rochester.

To register in advance (requested but not required), please contact the Rochester Senior Center at 508-763-8723. On the day of the clinic, please bring your insurance card (or cards if you have more than one), and wear a short-sleeved shirt.

Mattapoisett Scholarship Committee

on

The Mattapoisett Scholarship Committee met recently at Town Hall after being inactive since Covid school closures. The members eagerly voted to Award up to $1,500 to deserving and qualified applicants who complete the application process.

            The Details are:

            Eligibility: Mattapoisett Resident, High School Senior

            Award(s): The total Scholarship Award amount is $1,500. The Committee reserves the right to decide how many applicants will receive a stipend that will, in total, not exceed the $1,500 total.

            Requirements: Students should submit their letter of recommendations, transcript and a cover letter addressing the following criteria: “The committee shall take into consideration each recipients financial need, character, scholastic record and involvement in community work as well as extracurricular activities.” Successful applicants will be informed by June 5.

Forms are available at the Town Clerk’s Office. Submission Deadline: May 15.

            Request blank and submit Completed Forms to: Mattapoisett Town Hall, c/o Catherine Heuberger, Town Clerk, 16 Main Street, Mattapoisett, MA 02739. Phone: 508-758-4100. Email: townclerk@mattapoisett.net

Candidates Night in Mattapoisett

on

The League of Women Voters of South Coast is hosting a Candidates’ Night at Old Hammondtown School on Wednesday, May 1, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. All candidates running for Town Offices have been invited to participate in the event.

            There will be three components to Candidates’ Night: meeting the candidates, debates, and a review of the Annual Town Meeting Warrant by Town Administrator Mike Lorenco.

            Candidates running unopposed will have 5 minutes to introduce themselves, give a brief overview of their qualifications, why they would be a “good fit” for the position and their understanding of the scope of the office they are seeking.

            Debates: Candidates running in contested races will be given the opportunity, in debate form, to explain their qualifications and lay out their understanding of the scope of the office they are seeking. Debates will be in accordance with League of Women Voters’ debate guidelines, e.g., “no empty chair” or proxy for a candidate.

            The League of Women Voters is a national, state and local nonpartisan organization which does not support individual candidates. The League encourages people to become informed citizens and participate in the voting process.

FY25 Budget Leveraged by Bus Deal

on

            After a budget public hearing held on March 21, the Mattapoisett School Committee voted its recommendation of the FY25 school budget as presented for voters’ consumption at the May 13 Annual Town Meeting.

            Old Rochester Superintendent of School Mike Nelson told the committee that a major driver of the budget process this year was the negotiation of a new bus contract that in FY25 will cost Mattapoisett taxpayers $714,225. Amaral will remain ORR’s and Mattapoisett’s bus company, but the costs are impactfully pricier than they were when the contract was being extended at $525,500 on a year-by-year basis.

            In his opening remarks, Nelson thanked Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Howie Barber, Budget Subcommittee member Jim Muse, Town Administrator Mike Lorenco and Finance Committee member Colby Rottler for their work in sharing information that he said helped ORR form a “strong, level-services budget” for presentation to the Mattapoisett School Committee.

            As proposed by the superintendent, the FY25 operation budget total of $8,064,433 is estimated to be a 4.146% ($321,009) increase over the FY24 budget of $7,743,424.

            General funds are applied to: Academics, Student Services, Facilities, Technology and Transportation.

            Center School is allotted $3,097,959 and Old Hammondtown $2,481,797, with $855,561 going to Facilities, $714,225 to Transportation, $439,634 to Student Services, $274,018 to Central Office and $201,239 to Technology.

            The Central Office figure referenced ORR’s Core Literacy program, as Nelson publicly reinforced the district’s priority on reading skills.

            State aid overall will increase 1.14% (from $1,005,221 to $1,016,711).

Barber identified a 7.49% decrease in FY25 (the 2024-25 school year) enrollment (from 414 to 383 students).

            It will cost $130,618 in FY25 for Mattapoisett to send three students to Bristol County Agricultural High School in Dighton. That expenditure consists of $67,769 in tuition, $17,939 in the town’s share of debt service for a construction project at Bristol Aggie, and $44,910 in transportation.

            Budget offsets of $378,307 include $241,582 for Student Services, $116,725 for Center School and $10,000 each for Old Hammondtown and Facilities.

            Sources for grant funding and other special revenues come from a $191,582 Circuit Breaker, ORR’s School Choice program ($70,000), The IDEA Grant ($100,725), facility rentals ($10,000), and the EEC Grant ($6,000).

            These offsets are most notably applied to tuition collaboratives ($166,582) and Special Education ($100,725).

            Committee Chairperson Carly Lavin acknowledged the budget challenges for this year but stressed the importance of keeping a reading specialist on staff, something the FY25 accomplished.

            After a comment section with the committee – clarification on Bristol Aggie yielded the fact Mattapoisett has no options to avoid paying $130,618 to send three student there – Lavin sought comment from the public (there was none), and the public hearing was closed.

            Together with the $130,618 approved for Bristol Aggie, the total approved was $8,195,051 for FY25. The vote was 5-0 unanimously in favor.

            The committee took separate votes to approve the new bus contract and to approve a $70,000 transfer from the revolving account.

            In her Chairperson’s Report, Lavin expressed appreciation for the diligent work of the ORR administration in a challenging budget process. Lavin also noted recent activities in Mattapoisett schools, from basketball to an arts and sciences show she called “fabulous.”

            In other business, the committee approved the FY24 Safe and Supportive Schools Continuation Fund of $10,000 (grant). ORR is looking at the grant as a source to fund the Responsive Classroom and in the long view is looking to establish curriculum for social/emotional learning.

            The committee approved the READS Collaborative Agreement Amendment to add Brockton and Whitman-Hanson as members.

            Student Collin Nashold was on hand to present a donation of an author-autographed set (Books 1-10) of the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series; the books were donated by Collin Nashold and his mother Kimberly Nashold. Old Hammondtown Principal Kevin Tavares noted that the original plan was to display the books, but that Collin insisted the books be put into circulation. Muse made the approval motion, the committee enthusiastically agreed, and they applauded Collin Nashold for his deed.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett School Committee is scheduled for Thursday, May 2, at 6:30 pm at Center School and via Zoom.

Mattapoisett School Committee

By Mick Colageo

A Stitch in Time

on

            The Marion Council on Aging’s headquarters at the Cushing Community Center has become a destination for everything from elder services to live performances, exercise classes and, yes, a space to exhibit art. The latest installation of works created by artists from the south coast features Fiber Art pieces by Debrorah Kuhlman Hussey, Christine Anderson and Joann Vierkant.

            Considered a craft versus an art due to primarily being created by women, Fiber Art can and does fall on both sides of the equation – art and craft.

            Fiber Art, or works of art created from textiles and cloth, has an amazing rich history spanning nearly the entirety of human evolution. As human intelligence evolved, bringing us fire and the wheel, so too did the development of cloth-like materials used to cover and protect the body.

            Consider, if you will, the discovery of Otiz, a man who lived and died between 3350 and 3105 BC. His body and the manner in which it was clothed demonstrates to us how early humans used animal hides roughly sewn together, making larger pieces that could cover more of the body.

            As time went on, early humans would use flax, hemp and other grasses. How they made the leap from gathering grasses to weaving them is one of those mysteries we may never fully understand, but suffice to say they did.

            Indigenous people around the globe weaved baskets to transport and hold everyday items. American indigenous tribes became famous for their blanket weavings and, as for decorative elements, created densely sewn-on bead work, bone and shells on ceremonial clothing.

            In the vast documented history of threads and their uses, it is noted that China led the way with weaving around 3500 BC, followed by embroidery and whip-stitching techniques around 300 to 700 AD. But it was the invention of the loom that really propelled the use of a variety of natural materials being employed to create clothes.

            The internet sources we researched pointed to Egypt, where pottery found in the ancient sands (of time) depicted a frame loom with treadles to lift warp threads, leaving the weaver’s hands free to beat and pass the weft threads.

            By the 1200s, embroidery workshops had been established in France and England, where the nimble fingers of young girls and women created lush, decorative pieces to both grace the homes of the wealthy and powerful, as well as stitching gowns and head scarves.

            In 1785 the first power-driven looms for wool combing were constructed by Edmund Cartwright, an English inventor. This took manual weaving in new directions and eventually to mechanized production.

            Antimacassars, aka doilies, were crocheted primarily to protect upholstered chairs and couches against dirty hands and greasy heads. That they became works of intricate art speaks to the women who, once again, found a way to create not only utilitarian items but works of art.

            In the 1960s and the 1970s, revolutions of all sorts became the headline news, not because of bombs but because of fashion trends. Fiber Art (as textile-crafted pieces are grouped together) enjoyed a renaissance. Artists returned to the looms, crochet hooks, knitting needles and more, and began making everything from crocheted clothing pieces to macrame plant hangers, windchimes, carry bags, headbands, kitchen towels, wall hangings and doilies.

            Today many works formerly relegated solely to crafts versus fine art are, in fact, recognized as fine art by those with broader points of reference.

            The exhibit at the Marion COA brings home the significance of Fiber Art as an artform worthy of attention. Quilted wall hangings, woven wall hangings, carry bags and even a pair of slip-on shoes are wonders to behold. Vibrant color and intricate weaving await you at the Marion COA now through mid-May.

By Marilou Newell