Sippican Choral Society Singer Recruitment

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The Sippican Choral Society welcomes singers for its 2012 holiday concert, The Many Moods of Christmas. Rehearsals begin Monday September 10, 2012, and are held every Monday, 7:30 – 9:30 PM at the Mattapoisett Congregational Church’s Reynaud Hall, 27 Church Street, Mattapoisett. New members are welcomed to join until September 24th. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early to register.  Semester dues are $35. Concert dates: Friday November 30th and Sunday December 2nd. For more information: osuch1@aol.com. Visit our web site at www.sippicanchoral.org.

Rochester Road Race Photos

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Saturday August 11 marked the 6th Annual Rochester Road Race.  Despite rainy conditions, several hundred runners turned out to run the 5K  Check out our pictures!  Photos by Katy Fitzpatrick.

Taking a Bite Out of Crime

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YMCA Camp Massasoit in Mattapoisett is celebrating its 50th anniversary this summer.  For half a century, the camp has welcomed local children and families to enjoy a variety of fun activities and sports, and to forge new friendships that help strengthen the community.

“The summer is a time to have fun and relax. We hope to provide a safe, fun place for kids to come to enjoy their summer,” said Tricia Weaver, Assistant Camp Director.

Camp Massasoit has had a full dance card this summer between its shifting weekly themes and special anniversary events.  At the end of July, they hosted a large reunion celebration, which was open to anybody with any connection to the camp and attracted about 150 patrons.

This week, however, was different.  This was superhero week.

“We talked about superheroes fictional and real.  We had a superhero training where the kids learned how to be superheroes for a day,” said Weaver.

In keeping with the theme of real superheroes, the camp welcomed two members of the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department to demonstrate the skills of their police dogs.

“We’re having a K9 unit come in so that the kids can see if this may be the kind of superhero they want to become,” she said.

Over 100 kids gathered on the front lawn of the camp’s main office building, facing the beach. As they waited, the kids chatted about their own dogs and pondered what they were about to see.

“I have a golden retriever at home!” said one excited girl to a staff member nearby.  “I wonder if this will be a girl dog or a boy dog.”

Then Deputies Kevin Ardini and Jim Creed displayed the obedience, searching, and apprehension skills of their male German shepherd service dogs, Bodo and Rony.

“These dogs are trained in tracking and they’re trained to find drugs,” said Creed as Aldini walked Bodo on a leash around the crowd of children, who giggled and pointed in excitement.

“This dog alerts by scratching, barking, and biting,” Creed said of Bodo.  He also explained how the dogs are trained and how the dogs perceive the smell of illicit drugs as a reward trigger.  When a police dog finds a stash of drugs, its accompanying officer always congratulates the dog and gives him a treat.

The entire training process takes months, he said, with ten weeks devoted to drug tracking alone.

The highlight of the demonstration was, of course, the apprehension.  Deputy Aldini donned a special protective sleeve that went up to his shoulder as Deputy Creed shouted at him as if he were running from the police.  Creed then released Rony, who had his jaws around Aldini’s sleeve within a few short seconds.

As the presentation drew to a close, the staff members smiled as the kids barraged the deputies with questions about the dogs and their jobs.  It seemed like the kids were sold on the idea of becoming real-life superheroes.

“I love how every day is something new and exciting.  They’re always happy to learn something to and to experience something new,” said Weaver.

By Eric Tripoli

Lace Up For The Rochester Road Race

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Get ready for the fourth annual Rochester Road Race, to be held on Saturday, August 11, 2012.  The race, which begins at 9:00 am on Dexter Lane, serves as a fundraiser where the entry fees will be donated to “The Family Pantry- Damien’s Place” in Wareham, Mass.  The organization helps provide food to over 500 needy area families each month.  So far the Rochester Road Race has raised over $20,000 and donated over 1,450 pounds of food.  Participants and spectators are encouraged to bring canned or other non-perishable food items to the race for Damien’s Place.

“We do the timing and registration for the races around here,” said John Brawn of JB’s Road Race Management, a company that has helped coordinate the timing and results logging of the road race since its inception.  “Right now, I’m looking at 160 [registered runners].”

He said that figure is quite a few more than last year’s race, but expects a lot of people to register this week, just ahead of the race on Saturday.

Registration costs $20.00 the day of the race, but if you sign up before Wednesday, August 8, the cost is $15.00.  The first 300 participants receive a free road race tee shirt.

The race is for runners, joggers, and walkers alike and is open to anyone.  Beginning at Dexter Lane, participants will follow the course to Mary’s Pond Road, Walnut Plain Road, then Clapp Road, where a water stop will be situated.  Then racers will continue on to Mendell Road to Rounesville Road, eventually ending at the church green in the center of Rochester.

For more information and entry forms, visit www.rochesterma.com.

By Eric Tripoli

ZBA To Deliberate Main Street Garage Plan

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The Marion ZBA met on Thursday, August 9 to continue a discussion tabled from the July 26 meeting. The sole item on the agenda was regarding approval for Sanford Russell, Jr., to replace a carport with a garage, remove a retaining wall, relocate and expand a boulder retaining wall, reconstruct part of the driveway and install a trench drain at 5 Main Street.

A final decision by the ZBA has been prolonged due to some concern from abutters, such as encroachment over property lines, drainage problems and the height of the proposed building.

The garage would be large enough to house two cars and would have a second floor to be dedicated for storage only. According to Will Saltonstall, the architect on the project, the structure would be hooked up to electricity but not sewer.

At the previous meeting, upon ZBA Chairman Bob Wedge’s recommendation, Saltonstall advised the Russells to request the discussion be tabled so they may speak individually with their neighbors in order to directly remedy their concerns.

Saltonstall presented new plans to the ZBA tonight.

“The proposed location of the building has changed since we last spoke. As you recall, the original proposal had the proposed structure right up against the property line,” he said. The structure has since been moved back several feet.

Saltonstall also presented a revised architectural drawing of the building, which now includes a lower pitch, which reduces the top volume of the building.

“The total height now at the peak is 20 feet, eight inches,” he said. The original height of the structure was 25 feet.

He said that they even used balloons to better illustrate the visual impact of the height of the proposed garage.

“We tried to do our best to keep the utility of what we’re doing and to address the concerns of our neighbors,” Russell said.

William Rogerson, an abutter at 9 Main Street, thought that the height of the building would hinder the view of the harbor near Hiller Street, a popular area for people to walk and bike.

“I would argue that it is one of the most heavily traveled areas in Marion,” he said. “I think it changes the character of the neighborhood to some extent or to some significant extent.”

He cited the design of the garage, which he said resembles a barn due to its block and tackle pulley system and large front doors, as being incongruent with the aesthetic of the neighborhood.

Rogerson also said that the current structure violates setbacks no matter which street, Hiller or Main, is considered to be the frontage of the house.

Linda Goodwin of 5 Hiller Street was originally worried that the structure would encroach on her property, but the revised plan addressed her concern in full.

“I just wanted to say that I have no objection to the revised plan,” she said.

Chairman Bob Wedge said that he was confident the ZBA had an adequate amount of information about the project and would take the next two weeks to examine it in full and render a decision.

“We will notify you by mail on our decision. The owners will be notified at the same time as the neighbors,” said Wedge.

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

By Eric Tripoli

Leonard W. Jackson

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Leonard W. Jackson, 84, of Fairhaven died August 9, 2012 at St. Luke’s Hospital peacefully.

He was the husband of the late Jeanne B. (Brockett) Jackson.

Born in Woburn, MA, the son of the late Charles H. and Elizabeth H. (Leonard) Jackson, he lived in Lexington before moving to Mattapoisett in 1972 and Fairhaven in 1987.

Mr. Jackson enjoyed golfing, skeet shooting, woodworking, boating, fishing, crossword puzzles and spending time with his family and friends.

Survivors include his 3 sons, Richard W. Jackson and his wife Jenny of Spain, Steven B. Jackson and his wife Ewa of Cranford, NJ and James A. Jackson and his wife Donna of Grass Valley, CA; 5 grandchildren; a great-grandson and several nieces and nephews.

He was the brother of the late Diantha Frisbee.

Visiting hours will be held on Saturday from 4-7 PM in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home For Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6) Mattapoisett. Burial will be private. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Otto F. Mahr

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Otto F. Mahr, 82, of Marion passed away at home on Wednesday August 1, 2012. He was the husband of the late Gertraud (Woelfl) Mahr.

Born in Fulda, Germany, the son of the late Herman and Rosa (Heil) Mahr, he came to the United States in 1957 and lived in Waltham and Weston before moving to Marion in 1990.

He was a communicant of St. Rita’s Church in Marion.

Mr. Mahr was formerly employed as an electrical engineer with the Polaroid Corporation. He was a graduate of UMass. Lowell, Class of 1962, and the University of Giessen in Germany.

He enjoyed sailing and photography and was an avid reader and animal lover. He loved the arts and music, and played the organ.

Survivors include his three children, Christiana Buckley and her husband Jeffrey of Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ, Thomas Mahr and his wife Eileen of Raleigh, NC, and Beatrice Pratt and her husband Fred, of Branford, CT; a brother, Theo Mahr of Fulda; and four grandchildren, Alexander Buckley, John Buckley, Leah Mahr and Rachel Mahr.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday September 22, 2012 at 10 AM at St. Rita’s Church, Marion. Visiting hours are omitted. Arrangements are by the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett.

Robert Leslie Allen

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Robert Leslie Allen, 78 of Mattapoisett and Beaufort, SC, died Aug. 7, 2012. He was the husband of Ann (Alden) Allen. A memorial service will be held on Sat., Aug. 11th at the Mattapoisett Congregational Church, 27 Church St., Mattapoisett at 2:00 PM. Arrangements by Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, Wareham.

Rochester Teen Takes Talents International

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While most three-year-olds are learning to ride tricycles, Jake Pinhancos was riding his very first four-wheeler. When he turned four, he graduated to a dirt bike, and since then, he’s never looked back. Now, ten years later, the 14-year-old Rochester teen is taking his riding talents to the international stage to compete in the 2012 FIM Junior Motocross World Championships in Sevlievo, Bulgaria.

“I was speechless, to be honest,” said Pinhancos when he learned he would be traveling to Bulgaria at the end of August. “I found out about two weeks before the competition that I would be going.”

Pinhancos began competing at the age of four, but it wasn’t until 2010 when he became more competitive. Then he began training at Capeway Rovers in Carver three to four times per week in both the morning and at night. The hard work started paying off when he earned his first international motocross trip to France in 2010.

“Until 2010, I was just one of the normal kids going to all the races and having fun,” said Pinhancos.  “But 2010 was the year I went out and dominated everything. I started getting more competitive and had to train more.”

In order to make it to the highest level of motocross, hard work and dedication are both essential, as is sacrifice. Pinhancos is homeschooled in order to better suit his training schedule.  During the winter months, he trains in Florida. His mother, Suzanne, who bought him his first four-wheeler at age three, is his trainer and is responsible for monitoring his diet. She has even ridden a dirt bike. In addition to his mother, Pinhancos’ father and sister are also key contributors to his success.

“They support me a lot, and they gave up a lot of stuff so I could ride and I’m very thankful for that,” said Pinhancos.

Every athlete must face adversity during his or her career, and Pinhancos is no exception.  Following his trip to France in 2010, Pinhancos broke his leg not once, but twice in 2011, sidetracking him from training.

“It was pretty hard,” said Pinhancos. “I spent a month to a month and a half trying to get my leg healed up. I started getting more comfortable and then I broke it again, unfortunately. I spent another four to five weeks getting that healed up. Two months after that, I got back up to my speed and started getting faster and faster.”

Pinhancos’ talents on the bike have earned him recognition and high honors such as FIM Champion Youth Rider of the Year. At just 14 years old, he’s accomplished so much on the track, taking his talents to the international stage. Still, there’s much more this teen wants to accomplish.

“I’m hoping to turn pro when I turn 16 or 18 because that’s the legal age limit to turn pro,” said Pinhancos. “But for now, I’m going to focus on my amateur career and what lies in front of me.”

Despite all the titles and the international success, the reason Pinhancos rides remains quite simple.

“I think the best part is being able to be myself and do what I love to do and do what I want to do,” he said.

By Katy Fitzpatrick

Potential CPA Land Getting Bad Press

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The Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen heard from Brad Hathaway regarding the purchase of land on Chapel Road under the Community Preservation Act.  He was seeking more information and advice on how best to proceed.

“We feel as though the Town Administrator should be the implementer of the project,” said Hathaway.  “We’ve also asked the Board of Selectmen to be involved because they are the stewards of Veterans Park at Ned’s Point and Shipyard Park.  We’re talking about the strip of road between Chapel Road and Route 6. A lot of it is wooded and a lot of it is wetland.”

“We would have to be the ones to implement it because no other town authority can buy land,” said Board of Selectmen Chairman Jordan Collyer.

Town Administrator Mike Gagne said that he has been in contact with the members of the community preservation committee and will be working with them through the process.

Sandra Dawson, of the real estate agency for the property, was also on hand to clarify errors published by the media that has resulted in a devalued perception of the land.

“We understand Brad would like to be involved in having the CPA buy this. But there have been several newspaper articles that have errors that need to be corrected on the record,” Dawson said.  As a consequence, the inaccuracies appear in many of the most prominent results of popular Internet search engines.

Dawson listed the following corrections:

•3.1 acre of land is located between Marion Road and Chapel Road.  It is located close to both the Marion town line and ORR High School and Junior High complex.

•Town water and sewer are both available, but a potential buyer needs to check with the Mattapoisett Water and Sewer Department regarding sewer connection.

•Fifty foot setback compliance exists on all sides, which has been confirmed with the Building Department.

• There is potential for only one home to be built on the property.

She also wanted to clarify that the land is not entirely a swamp.  She presented a site map that illustrated wetland delineations.  Copies of the map are available at the Town Hall.

The Board of Selectmen then heard from Bob Trahan of the YMCA, regarding their application for an entertainment license.  He said that they have applied for individual licenses in the past for specific events, but would like to acquire an annual entertainment license.

Gagne said that if the YMCA plans to hold events such as public fundraisers or weddings where music may be featured, they need a license, but it makes more sense for them to have one yearly license rather than returning back to the Board of Selectmen for each event.

The Board of Selectmen unanimously approved the annual entertainment license.

The third point of business was brought to the Board by Ken Ackerman from the Oxford Creamery, who was seeking an amendment to the Creamery’s common victualler’s license.

“We would like to start a mobile catering business,” he said.

The truck would be parked at the Creamery as an extension of the main building’s business during peak hours.  The truck would also be able to be hired to cater private parties.  Ackerman specified that the truck would not “troll” around public areas and neighborhoods.

“Trolling would not be fair.  We don’t deliver food. We’re not looking to park on anyone’s business or crowd anyone out,” Ackerman said.

The Board of Selectmen then voted to amend the common victualler’s license held by the Creamery to include the truck and its use for mobile catering of private events.

During the Town Administrator’s report, Mike Gagne addressed the various road work around the village.

“We are well underway,” he said, citing the digging on North and Bartsow streets, as well as the NSTAR gas line installation passed Center School.

“We’ve looked at all the drainage, all the issues of curbing, the sidewalks. Documentation will be prepared so we can present it to Mass Highway.  Then we will hold a public hearing during this stage to get their thoughts on the project,” Gagne said.

Highway Surveyor Barry Denham said that they are looking at almost $4 million just to mend the roads near the center of town and cited the need to seek more state and federal money in order to ease the burden on the town of Mattapoisett.  He also praised the speed with which the work is being completed.

“We should have pavement down by the beginning of school,” Denham said.  “I couldn’t be happier with the crew that I have there.”

Gagne also said that the Scallop and Swordfish Festival will be held on October 14, 2012, and that all the proceeds will benefit the Holiday in the Park.

He then addressed the decaying state of many of the historic wharves that are owned by the town.  He cited safety issues as the main concern for why they should be repaired and that he would be applying for funds from the CPA to pay for the repairs.

“Those wharves are beautiful and there would be nothing worse than getting a really hard ice and having a section collapse.”

He also provided a status update on the compensation analysis project that was approved at the Annual Town Meeting in May.  The study is being conducted in order to determine the effectiveness of the compensation of those who serve the Town of Mattapoisett.

“We’ve met with the project manager.  We’re grouping them in categories of DPW, Water and Sewer, Police, management employees, and I’ve also included the elected officials,” he said.

Gagne then informed the board on the progress of the shellfish population study.  He said that they are beginning to collect samples in order to determine the best plan for repopulation and transfers.

The Town Administrator then spoke on the Eel Pond Channel dredging project.  The material removed during the dredging will be deposited at Goodspeed Island as fill for some eroding beaches.

Gagne said the Natural Heritage Endangered Species Program wrote a letter to the Board of Selectmen requesting a special order be added to the order of conditions filed by the Conservation Commission.  It stated that the area of the project is a natural habitat the piping plover, for state-listed endangered species. Natural Heritage requested that “no beach nourishment shall occur in the period of June 1 through August 31,” in order to mitigate negatively impacting the species.

“We’re going to have to start the work after August 31,” Gagne said.

In other business:

•Gagne suggested listing the recently retired fire engine on eBay.  The engine, which is currently listed on an auction website specializing in municipal equipment, has not received satisfactory bids for its condition and age.

•The Board of Selectmen voted to appoint Michael Jolliffe as the town’s SRPEDD representative.

•The Board voted to accept and sign the Town Clerk’s warrant for the September 6, 2012 state primary.

•Upon Town Administrator Michael Gagne’s recommendation, the Board voted not to acquire land on Parcel 2Q of Map 19 as shown on the Town Assessors Maps.

•The Board approved the Year End Budgetary Line Item Inter Transfers.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen will be on Tuesday, September 11, 2012, at 7:00 pm.  There will be no second meeting in August.

By Eric Tripoli