Young Historians Program

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The Sippican Historical Society is proud to announce the launch of Young Historians, its first hands-on history education program for children. Young Historians will provide educational adventures and explorations that demonstrate that history is fun!

The program is focused on a journey of discovery of local history and life in historic Marion.  Open to children entering grades 3 – 5, it will engage history explorers in research activities that include hands-on access to historical objects and artifacts, crafts, games, and visits to nearby historic places. The six-day program will be limited to 30 children, and a participation/materials fee of $120 per child will apply. For more information or an application, please email info@sippicanhistoricalsociety.org or call 508-748-1116.

Tri-Town Basketball Camp

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The Tri-Town Basketball Camp, under the direction of Coach Rick Regan, will again be held this summer at the Old Rochester Regional High School gymnasium. The camp is for boys and girls grades 4 through 9 from the Tri-Town region. This is the sixteenth year the Tri–Town Basketball Camp has been under the direction of Coach Regan. He has coached at both Old Rochester Regional Senior and Junior High School for different levels of boys and girls as well as AAU during his seventeen year coaching career.

The first session is for boys and will be held from Monday July 16 to Thursday July 19.  Boys presently in grades 4, 5, and 6 (school year 2011 – 12) will attend from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.  Boys presently in grades 7, 8, and 9 (school year 2011 -12) will attend from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

The second session is a combination of girls and boys in the morning session and all girls in the afternoon session. It will be held from Monday July 23 to Thursday July 26. Girls and boys presently in grades 4, 5 and 6 (school year 2011 – 12) will attend from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.  Girls (only) presently in grades 7, 8 and 9 (school year 2011-12) will attend from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

The camp focuses on the fundamentals and development of shooting, passing, dribbling, ball handling, rebounding, post play, as well as individual and team defense. The camp counselors who assist Coach Regan will be former and current players from Old Rochester as well as other local area coaches.

Registration forms were recently distributed to the local schools but can also be obtained through Coach Regan’s camp website – http://web.me.com/rick.regan or http://schools.orr.mec.edu/jhs/regan. The cost of the camp is $120 per session.  Space is available in all sessions at this time, but we are limited to 30 per session and the spots will fill quickly especially in the boys sessions.  Please send in your registration form and payment as soon as possible.  For more information or questions, please email Coach Regan at coachregan3@gmail.com. Also you may look at past pictures from camp on the website or Like us on Facebook. We look forward to seeing our former and new campers this summer!

Support Article 38

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Dear Editor:

In the upcoming Town Meeting, Marion voters can help reduce the Town’s municipal electric expense by more than $80,000 per year on average. Article 38 in the Town Meeting warrant asks the Town to authorize the Selectmen to execute a 20 year power purchase agreement designed to save a total of approximately $2,000,000.

Under the proposed agreement the Town’s electricity will be purchased from NSTAR and a supplier just as it is now. The savings will result from a developer’s sale of renewable power to the grid in return for “net metering credits” and the Town’s payment for those same credits at a discounted rate.

The source of renewable power will be located well outside of Marion’s borders. The project is fully permitted, and the interconnection with the NSTAR power grid has been applied for.

The developer of the renewable energy facility builds, finances, maintains, and insures the plant. Obviously he is responsible for a large investment in equipment, and the Town’s long term commitment is essential to his investors, but there is no upfront cost to the town.

The project is good for Marion for more than financial reasons. Its renewable power will replace power now generated mostly by fossil fuels. Its operation will contribute no CO2 to the atmosphere and will produce no air pollutants. It is one of a limited number of similar projects that will be allowed under state law, and Marion should take advantage of the offer while it is open.

Passage of Article 38 would also signify Marion’s approval to allow the Old Rochester School District to enter into a similar 20 year agreement, resulting in energy cost savings of more than $67,000 per year on average in the school district’s electric bill, in the same way as Marion. There is also an educational benefit, as the developer would help ORR monitor the output of his generating facilities in real time and conduct site visits to help students understand how green power facilities work.

Bill Saltonstall

Member of Marion 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.

ORR Boys Lax Qualifies for Tournament

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•Old Rochester Boys and Girls Track- The ORR boys and girls both successfully defeated Dighton-Rehoboth to continue their undefeated seasons. In the triple jump, the Bulldogs fared well with Gabby Kondracki and Meagan Bell placing first and second. In the 400 meter Hurdles, Paige Santos placed second. For the boys, Dan Donohue and Colin Knapton both placed for ORR in the 400.

ORR also defeated Fairhaven High School. Some standouts from the meet were Ryann Monterio at shot put Janice Weldon and Hannah Vieria in the two mile. For the boys, David Freidman won the mile and Aaron Holick did well at shot put. Next up for ORR track is their meet against Seekonk.

•Old Rochester Boys Tennis – The Bulldogs went up against Case High School and came out on top 5-0. Matt Teefy, Jake Jaskolka and Alden Truesdale all won their singles matches and the combined efforts of Noah Filloramo/Ollie Sufhrue and Biruk Legasse/Josh Powers won their doubles as well.

The boys continued this trend, beating Wareham 5-0 as well, and then going on to defeat Fairhaven 4-1. Once again Matt Teefy and Jake Jaskolka contributed greatly to the team, winning all their singles matches. ORR’s record now stands at 9-5 overall and 8-4 in the SCC.

•Old Rochester Softball – Despite some impressive wins recently, ORR was not able to keep this up and lost to DR 8-1.However, Jen Galavotti did a nice job pitching after overcoming a tough first inning. ORR recorded 1 run, 4 hits, and 1 error.

The girls next went up against Case High School and lost again 12-3. Abby Smith, however, had three doubles and Jen Galavotti and Sarah Marchisio both had runs scoring singles. In the end, ORR recorded 3 runs, 6 hits, and 2 errors. They are now 3-10 overall and 3-9 in the SCC.

•Old Rochester Lacrosse – The ORR Lacrosse boys qualified for the state tournament after a win over Pope John Paul 14-3. ORR’s defense was strong with goalie Anthony Cammarano deflecting 7 shots to the net. Cam Severino led the Offense with 6 goals and 2 assists, and Chris Marchisio who tallied a career high of 3 goals. ORR’s record now stands at 8-4.

By India Krawczyk

Blanchette Bids Farewell to Selectmen

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Tuesday, May 15 marked the final regular Marion Board of Selectmen meeting for Selectman Roger Blanchette as he will not be seeking reelection for his position. Blanchette has worked alongside his fellow Selectmen Stephen Cushing and Jonathan Henry for the past six years.

“It has been a real pleasure working and serving with the two of you,” Blanchette said.  “Thank you for the support over the past several years. We as a board have accomplished a lot.”

Blanchette announced in January that he would not be running for a third three-year term on the Board of Selectmen. He previously worked with several other boards and committees, including the Financial Committee and Zoning Board of Appeals, before being elected to the Board of Selectmen.

“You’ve been both a mentor and a tormentor,” laughed Selectmen Henry. “You have been a big help to the town. You are second to none in comparison of your knowledge, wisdom and experience.”

In other news, Jody Dickerson was pleased to announce the return of the Marion Block Party, which will be held Saturday, August 25. The party was not held last year for a multitude of reasons, Dickerson said.

This year, the Marion Recreation Department will work with the Marion Firefighters Association to hold the event, which will be held at its traditional location on Spring Street.

The party will feature a classic car show, climbing rock wall, bubble bounce, dunk tank, music and more. All proceeds raised will benefit a variety of different causes, including providing new thermal imaging equipment for the Marion Fire Department and the construction of a playground at Washburn Park.

Those interested in participating or donating are encouraged to contact Steve Gonsalves at 508-264-5852, Chris Berg at 508-776-1615 or Dickerson at 774-217-8355.

Town Administrator Paul Dawson updated the Board of Selectmen on a series of unemployment issues the town has been facing over the past year. Dawson said the town has been responsible for paying the unemployment for the town’s on-call employees such as firefighters and EMS workers.

Private companies previously laid off these on-call employees, and the town has brought them on board as on-call workers, giving them work as it is available. However, the town has been responsible for paying the unemployment for these workers instead of the companies that originally laid them off.

As a result, the town has been attending hearings in Wareham District Court and Taunton District Court, and Dawson anticipates several of these cases being overturned in the town of Marion’s favor.

The Board voted in favor of changing the alcohol serving hours at the Wave Restaurant.  The new hours will allow the restaurant to start serving alcohol at 10:00 am on Sundays in order to accommodate their new brunch menu.

The Board also signed the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting, which will be held on Monday, May 21 at the Sippican Elementary School beginning at 6:45 pm.

The Marion Board of Selectmen will meet again on Tuesday, June 5 in the Marion Town House at 7:00 pm.

By Katy Fitzpatrick

Local Chorus Travels, Sings with Another Group

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The South Coast Children’s Chorus (SCC) performed in a concert entitled “Let Us Journey Together: Singing Our Dreams” in Hadley MA with the South Hadley Children’s Chorus on May 6.  It was the first time the SCC traveled and worked with another children’s chorus.

“Traveling as a group and performing away from home is a tremendous learning experience for the children. In addition, it helps them to understand that their music touches audiences everywhere they sing.” said Leslie Piper, SCC Director.

Close to 100 children sang in Hebrew, Zulu, Spanish, Portuguese and English about peace, unity and friendship.  The concert showcased each chorus’ own work and ended with two combined songs: Dream Keeper by Rollo Dilworth and Oye by Jim Papoulis.  During the Dream Keeper song children shared their individual dreams and Oye concluded the performance in Spanish, singing “They dream, they wish, they hope for an opportunity.”

The mission of the chorus is to provide a joyful, educational choral experience for young singers, helping them to develop confidence, responsibility, musicianship and passion for excellence in all they do.

“We believe that children are capable of achieving musical artistry at the highest possible level” said Piper.

The SCC is comprised of 46 young people grades 3-10 from communities along the South Coast.  They performed with the Sippican Choral Society and New Bedford Symphony Orchestra this year.   SCC is directed by Leslie Piper and accompanied by Joyce Jacobsen.

The Spring Concert will be Sunday, May 20 at 4:00 pm at St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church in Marion. A $5 donation is suggested.  Informal auditions for 2012-2013 will be held immediately after the performance.

Lorraine T. (Davis) Valley

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Lorraine T. (Davis) Valley, 94 of Mattapoisett, passed away surrounded by her family and close friends on May 14, 2012 at her home. She was the devoted wife of the late D. Preston Valley, with whom she shared 74 years of marriage.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, the daughter of the late Allen Taber Davis and Beatrice (Webb) Davis, she lived in Mattapoisett most of her life.

Mrs. Valley worked as a secretary at the Union Hospital in New Bedford for several years, but her greatest joy was her family and friends.

Survivors include her three children, Linda Tilden and her husband Thomas of Marion, David A. Valley and his wife Linda of Chesterfield, VA and Alice Walsh of Mattapoisett, 8 grandchildren including the late D. Cameron Valley; and 18 great-grandchildren.

Lorraine was the sister of the late Shirley Graham.

The family wishes to thank the caregivers from Tender Hearts Home Health Care, for the dedication and love shown to Lorraine while she was under their care. We also wish to thank the Fairhaven Nurse and Hospice Care of Fairhaven for their care and guidance during a difficult time.

In accordance with her wishes a private burial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory, to the Fairhaven Nurse and Hospice Care, 62 Center Street, Fairhaven, MA 02719. Arrangements are made by the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Road, Mattapoisett, MA 02739. For online guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Small Turnout for Town Meeting

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The Annual Mattapoisett Town Meeting only drew 125 residents to its audience at the Old Rochester Regional High School Auditorium on the evening of Monday, May 14. Few items on the 40-article warrant received opposition, allowing the meeting to be concluded in one night as opposed to the three that were originally allotted on the calendar.

Article 36, submitted by various petitioners, received the largest amount of discussion at the meeting. The article called for $140,000 of available revenue to pave Pinehurst Avenue, Kerwin Avenue, Cedar Point and Oaklawn Street.

According to petitioners, the streets are in poor condition, and with the majority of the year-round residents in the neighborhood being elderly; they are concerned with their safety.

The obvious concern with the article was funding, and because of the size of the amount asked, a special town meeting would be needed in order to rework figures in the budget.

“It’s not a threat, it’s a reality,” said Selectman Paul Silva. “We do not have that kind of money in the budget.”

In addition to lack of funding, the town also has a lack of details that would help decide whether or not the project would be feasible.

“We have a lot more questions at this point than we have answers,” said Highway Surveyor Barry Denham.  “We don’t have a clue about a drainage system.”

Based on the various responses, the town voted unanimously 110-0 to indefinitely postpone the article from the warrant.

The article that faced one of the largest amounts of opposition with a vote of 118-7 was article 25.  The passing of the article allows the Mattapoisett River Valley Water Supply Protection Committee to modify the fee it currently charges to the town by raising it $.01 for every 100 gallons used per household.  This figure would, on average, add $6 to a household’s annual water bill.

Another article that raised a lot of comments was article 9, where the town would vote to appropriate the sum of $12,000 from Tax Levy to hire an outside third party to review the compensation of all town and local school positions in comparison to like communities so it can be published on the town’s website.

Despite several comments saying spending that amount of money was unnecessary, the selectmen assured hiring the service would help to keep quality employees in Mattapoisett because they would be able to compare salaries with other towns that might otherwise attract the quality employees away from Mattapoisett with higher salary offers. The article passed 116-9.

A brief recess from the regular Town Meeting was taken in order to enter into a Special Town Meeting.  On the special meeting’s agenda was a proposal to transfer a sum of $21,000 from the Snow / Ice Removal Budget and put it towards Article 14 on the regular meeting warrant with the hopes of upgrading snow emergency equipment.  The article passed unanimously 125-0.

Article 14 also passed unanimously.  The article asked for the sum of $211,300 from the Capital Improvement Stabilization Fund and $5,000 from the Ambulance Receipts, in addition to the $21,000 approved during the special town meeting.

The funding would be put towards the following:

  • Self-contained Breathing Apparatus Tanks – $13,000
  • Dump / Sander / Plow Truck – $60,000
  • Ambulance Automatic CPR Devise (2) – $18,000
  • New Tax Assessment Maps – $35,000
  • Highway Storage Building – $40,000
  • Town Hall and Library Office Equipment – $18,400
  • Police Cruiser – $31,900

Homeowners wondering about the fate of their Flood Insurance for next year can rest easy now that the new Zoning Bylaws for the new Floodplain District as mandated by FEMA were passed unanimously in article 39.  Had the article not passed, flood insurance for homeowners would not have been valid for the next year.

Here is a look at the other articles that passed unanimously at the meeting:

  • Article 1: Elected Officers’ Compensation. Passed 122-3
  • Article 2: General Operating Budget of $21,461,808. Passed 125-0.
  • Article 3: Appropriate for OPEB Liabilities. A sum of $102,928 will be appropriated to meet the town’s Government Accounting Standards  Board. Passed 124-1.
  • Article 4: Departmental Revolving Fund Authorization.  Passed 125-0.
  • Article 5: Annual Post Closure Compliance Testing. A sum of $10,000 form Tax Levy for the purpose of filing and testing associated with the Annual Post Closure Agreement Annual Reporting Requirements. Passed 125-0.
  • Article 6: Authorization to Enter Municipal Equipment Leasing for periods no longer than three years.  Passed 125-0.
  • Article 7: Eel Pond Grant Expenditure Authorization. The town is anticipating a $30,000 grant for a project that would clean up Eel Pond. Passed 124-1.
  • Article 8: Sick Leave Liability Reduction Funding to appropriate the sum of $20,000 from the  Tax Levy to fund a program to reduce the town’s accrued sick leave benefit liability.  Passed 125-0.
  • Article 11: Funding GASB (Governmental Accounting Standards Board) 45 Actuarial Audit to see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $7,200 from the Tax Levy for the purpose of conducting the federally mandated GASB 45 Actuarial Valuation Audit. Passed. 125-0.
  • Article 12: Appropriation to Capital Improvement Stabilization Fund. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $144,837 from Free Cash to the Capital Improvement Stabilization Fund. Passed 125-0.
  • Article 13: Capital Improvement Plan. To see if the Town will vote to approve the Five Year Capital Improvement Plan to be presented by the Capital Planning Committee. Report was received by a vote of 125-0.
  • Article 15: Cyclical Annual Property Revaluation. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $35,000 from the Town’s Tax Levy for the purpose of funding the Department of Revenue mandated tri-annual cyclical evaluation of property in Mattapoisett. Carried 125-0.
  • Article 16: Establishment of Departmental Reserve for Sewer Expenses. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $10,000 from the Sewer Department Enterprise Funds Retained Earnings to the FY13 Sewer Department Annual Budget, as a departmental reserve for extraordinary and/or unforeseen expenses. Carried 125-0
  • Article 17: Establishment of Departmental Reserve for Water Expenses. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $10,000 from the Sewer Department Enterprise Funds Retained Earnings to the FY13 Sewer Department Annual Budget, as a departmental reserve for extraordinary and/or unforeseen expenses. Carried 125-0.
  • Article 18: Fairhaven Waste Water Treatment Plant and Appurtenances Capital Improvements. To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of $126,000 from Sewer Retained Earnings for the purpose of paying for Mattapoisett’s share of capital improvements at the Fairhaven Waste Water Treatment Plant. Carried 125-0.
  • Article 19: Water and Sewer Rate Study. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $20,000, with $10,000 from Water Retained Earnings and $10,000 from Sewer Retained Earnings, for the purpose of engaging services to perform an analysis and develop a set of findings in regards to appropriate cost setting of both water and sewer rates. Carried 125-0.
  • Article 20: Restoration of the Town’s #2 Drinking Water Well Phase I. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $55,000 from Water Retained Earnings for the purpose of funding the engineering, installation of necessary test wells, and water analysis necessary for the evaluation of Well #2, located in the area of 121 Acushnet Road, and its associated well field for the purpose of restoration. Carried 125-0.
  • Article 21: Purchase of a Sewer Department Auxiliary Generator. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $36,000 from Sewer Retained Earnings for the purpose of purchasing a portable auxiliary generator power system. Carried 125-0.
  • Article 22: Water Management Act Permit Renewal Application. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $15,000 from Water Retained Earnings for the purpose of preparing, engineering, legal expenses, and submitting the Town’s Water Permit Renewal. Carried 125-0.
  • Article 23: Sewer Grinder Pump Maintenance Account. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $30,000 from Sewer Retained Earnings for the purpose of providing for the cost of repairing, refurbishing, maintenance, and replacement of the town’s sewer grinder pumps. Carried 125-0.
  • Article 24:  Water Service and Appurtenance Replacement and Upgrade of Marion Road. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $342,500, by transfer of $30,000 from Article 5 Capital Plan- Design Water Storage Facility of the 2007 ATM, and $312, 500 from Article 5 Capital Plan- Water Storage Facility of the 2008 ATM, for the purpose of designing and installing new water services, mains, and fire hydrants with the appurtenances in a portion of Marion Road between Prospect Road and Aucoit Road. Carried 125-0.
  • Article 26: Old Asbestos Pipe Disposal. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $20,000 from Water Retained Earnings for the purpose of hiring a licensed Contractor for the proper disposal of old asbestos pipes and associate fittings stored at the old Number 1 Pumping Station. Carried 125-0.
  • Article 27: cceptance of State Statute. To see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of the Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 71, Section 71E for the purpose of creating a Continuing Education/Professional Development Account under the control of the School Committee. Carried 121-4.
  • Article 28: Engineering For Road Layout Acushnet Road. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $10,000 from the Tax Levy for the purpose of surveying and developing a road layout plan for Acushnet Road. Carried 124-1.
  • Article 29: Allocations of Revenues Community Preservation Act. Appropriate FY13 Estimated Annual Revenues: Administrative expenses: $1,000; Debt Service Expense: $24,714; Transfer from FY13 Estimated annual Revenues for the Following Reserve; Accounts: Housing: $16,572.50; Historical Preservation: $16,572.50; Open Space: $16,572.50; Budgeted Reserve: $90,295; Carried 125-0.
  • Article 30: Funding Work on Center School Clock. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $51,500 from Community Preservation Undesignated Fund Balance for historical preservation purposes, specifically the repair and rehabilitation of the Center School Clock. Carried 123-2.
  • Article 31: Funding Repairs to Cushing Cemetery Fence. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $23,471 from Community Preservation Funds, Historic Reserves, for historic preservation purposes, specifically the repair and rehabilitation of the fence surrounding Cushing Cemetery. Carried 122-3
  • Article 32: Funding Planning for Senior Citizen Housing. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $25,000 from Community Preservation Funds, Housing Reserve, for the purpose of developing a comprehensive plan for the creation of affordable senior citizen housing in Mattapoisett. Carried 125-0.
  • Article 33: Funding Work Relative to Bike Path. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $37,000 from Community Preservation Undesignated Fund Balance for the purpose of engineering, design, permitting, and task associated with the Mattapoisett Bike Path. Carried 125-0.
  • Article 34: Sale of Land Request Brandt Island Road. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen in conformity with Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 30B, known as the Procurement Act to sell Lot 5 of Map 14 as shown on the Mattapoisett Assessor’s Maps. Carried 124-1.
  • Article 35: Discontinuance of a Paper Street-Tremont Street. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to discontinue the layout of a Paper Street known as Tremont Street on the north size of Fairhaven Road, said layout was never constructed or accepted as a public way, and further to authorize the Selectmen to enter into the necessary documents to effectuate said discontinuance. Carried 125-0.
  • Article 37: Acceptance of Brookside Drive. To see if the Town will vote to accept the layout of Brookside Drive, all as described on a Plan drawn for Manuel Luiz dated March 1972, on file at the Plymouth County Registry of Deeds recorded in book 3783, Page 321, on June 5, 1972, and that the Town would accept the land within the layout of Brookside Drive as a gift.  Carried 71-0.
  • Article 38: Old Colony Regional Vocational High Technical High School District- Proposed Amendment to Section XIII of the Regional Agreement. To see if the Town will vote to replace Section XIII of the Regional Agreement of the Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High Scholl District with the following as recommended by the Old Colony Regional Technical High School District Committee. Carried 71-0.
  • Article 40: Mattapoisett Personnel Bylaws. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Mattapoisett Personnel Bylaws. Carried 70-0.

By Katy Fitzpatrick 

Proposed Solar Farm Discussed

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A solar farm, with 3,520 solar panels comprising four and a half acres on a six-acre parcel, off County Road, was brought before the Marion Planning Board on Monday evening.  Doug Schneider of Doug Schneider & Associates, representing Dale and Laura Briggs, said he wanted to ‘get the ball rolling’ on the proposed energy project.

Chairman Jay Ryder told the applicant that Marion has no by-laws on the books that address the type of business being proposed.

“There is nothing in the ‘use table’ portion of the by-law that addresses this situation,” said Ryder.

The board agreed that the issue needs to be resolved and that a by-law proposal would be created and brought before town residents at town meeting in the fall of 2012.

Several board members were positive in their comments and said that the location was ideal for the project and that abutters were onboard with the proposal.

After much discussion, board member Ted North said that the current by-laws do address the zoning area of the proposed solar farm.

“This is an industrial project in a residential area…and we should reject the proposal based on that fact alone,” said North.  Dale Briggs spoke briefly and said that cranberry bogs surrounded the area.

“Isn’t that a commercial operation?” asked Briggs.  The board replied that bogs were grandfathered because they were there prior to the zoning by-laws being created in Marion.

A community member, Steve Grima said that when a town isn’t able to address the issue, the state law would prevail.

“Chapter 40A addresses this issue…if the town doesn’t have by-laws in place, the state laws could apply,” said Grima.

Schneider and the applicants expressed concern about shelving the project until the fall when a by-law proposal would be on the warrant.  “We want to move forward…not stand still until October,” said Mr. Schneider.

“You need to know that if you proceed, it is at your own risk,” said Mr. North.

The board determined that Chairman Jay Ryder would meet with town counsel Jon Witten, along with the applicant and his representative and discuss the project and how Chapter 40A might come into play.  Chairman Ryder suggested the town use an engineer who has experience in solar projects to represent the town in the discussions.

Ryder said that he would report to board members via e-mail about his discussions with the applicant and Jon Witten.  The board agreed to put the issue on the agenda for the next meeting on June 4.

Gregory Driscoll of Holmgren Engineering presented plans for a proposed subdivision in Indian Cove.. Driscoll’s plans showed a cul-du-sac with two lots which straddle the town line between Marion and Mattapoisett.  The board previously approved the subdivision of one lot into two conforming lots, which are 2.3 and 2.19 acre each.

Magauran suggested that the proposed additional cul-du-sac might not be necessary, as there is an existing cul-du-sac on the property to provide for the turnaround required for emergency vehicles such a fire truck or ambulance.  It was also indicated that the Thomas Joyce, Marion’s Fire Chief would review the plans for approval regarding emergency vehicle access.

In other business, the board discussed the Johnson Family Trust, 806 Mill Street, which is the former Frigate Restaurant property on Route 6.  A review of the newly submitted plans showed that the applicant has added an ice cream window.

“This isn’t the same plan that was approved earlier,” said Ryder.

The board voted to make no comment to the Zoning Board of Appeals based on the fact that the plans had been altered from the original application.

By Joan Hartnett-Barry

Seniors Prepare for Final Exams

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May 18, 2012 marks the last day of classes for the seniors attending Old Rochester Regional High School. Having completed their required 169 days of school, the seniors are now entering their week of final exams.

As a senior privilege, students who have achieved the year average of at least an A- are exempt from taking the final exam for that class. Additionally, seniors who have taken an Advanced Placement Exam are exempt from taking the final. Students who do not have to take final exams should not be on the school campus during the next week, with the exception of the scheduled rehearsals for the commencement exercises. For the remaining school year, seniors should only be on the school campus for official business.

All seniors should have a copy of the final exam schedule from the last senior meeting. The schedule is posted on the high school website, but here it is again for seniors to reference.  All senior final exams are scheduled during the first and second blocks from May 21 to May 25.  Seniors should only be present for the exams that they are taking and must leave the campus when they complete them.

•On May 21, seniors will take the exam for Day 1, Block 1 and then Day 1, Block 2.

•On May 22, seniors will take the exam or Day 2, Block 1 and then Day 2, Block 2.

Seniors should note that Wednesday, May 23, is a half-day. As a result, seniors will take their final exams in the cafeteria. For the equivalent of first block, seniors will take the exam for Day 3, Block 2.  Seniors will take the exam for Day 3, Block 3 for the equivalent of second block.

On May 24, the schedule for the entire school will be reconfigured to allow for the senior exams.  The order of blocks for Day 4 will be second, third, first, fourth. Seniors will take the exams for Day 4, Block 2 and Day 4, Block 3.

On May 25, only the make-up exams will be administered.  These exams must be requested by seniors prior to the date of the official exam for that class. Seniors who oversleep and miss their regular final exam will not be allowed to take the make-up exam. The make-up exams are for seniors who know that they will be missing a final exam and wish to make other arrangements. The senior final exam schedule allots two make-up exams on Friday, May 25.

Seniors should ask their teachers if the senior privilege applies to them; don’t assume that your grade on PowerSchool is accurate, since it might be lacking the input of a few grades that would disqualify you. Teachers will explicitly inform seniors whether they have to take the final exam for the class or not.

There is a mandatory senior class meeting on May 25 at 10:30 am in the high school auditorium.  At this meeting, seniors will receive their cap and gown for the senior festivities, as well as their six graduation tickets.  In order to receive the tickets, each senior must have filled out the senior checklist.  This checklist requires seniors to obtain signatures from their teachers, librarian, coaches, and other school officials to ensure that all debts to the school are paid and all school materials are returned.  Mr. Parker’s signature is necessary for the completion of the paperwork.

The senior festivities are: June 4, Senior Prom; June 7, rehearsal for Graduation (mandatory), rehearsal for Senior Assembly (performers only), and Senior Awards Night; June 8, Senior Assembly; and June 9, Graduation.

By Anne Smith