Over 1,000 Participate In Mattapoisett Road Race

on

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

on

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

on

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

on

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

on

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.

Dorothy E. (Costa) Oliviera

on

Dorothy E. (Costa) Oliviera, 90, of Dartmouth, passed away peacefully with her family at her side on Monday, July 2, 2012 at St. Luke’s Hospital. She was the wife of the late Manuel C. Oliviera.

Born in New Bedford, a daughter of the late John and Emily Costa, she had resided in Dartmouth and Mattapoisett She was a graduate of New Bedford High School.

Mrs. Oliviera had worked at the Star Store, the Council on Aging and as a senior aide for Coastline Elderly Services. She was a seamstress, a lyricist, a composer, a musican, a poet, an artist, an author and a devoted wife and mother.

Survivors include her her son, Wayne J. Oliviera and his wife Ainse, her daughter Carol A. Regan all of Mattapoisett; a brother, George Da Costa of Freetown; a sister, Beverly LaBonte of New Bedford; grandchildren, Richard Regan, Michelle Moulton, Nicole Young, Bethany Oliviera and James Oliviera; great-grandchildren, Connor, Tyler and Parker Moulton, Kaidin and Addison Young; several nieces and nephews; and her companion Henry Oliveira. She was the sister of the late Richard Da Costa and Donald Da Costa, Hilda Brown and Lillian Allain.

Her Funeral will be held on Friday, July 6, 2012 at 8am from the Waring-Sullivan Home of Memorial Tribute at Dartmouth, 230 Russells Mills Rd., Dartmouth followed by a Funeral Mass at 9am in St. Mary’s Church, 783 Dartmouth St., Dartmouth. Visiting hours Thursday 5-8pm. Burial in St. Anthony’s Cemetery, Mattapoisett.

Rochester Historical Society

on

The July meeting of the Rochester Historical Society will be on Wednesday, July 18 at 7:00 PM at the East Rochester Church/Museum, 355 County Road, Rochester. The meeting features an Ice Cream Social with music provided by the gospel group “Know Greater Love” featuring Tom & Sheila Perry of Wareham.  All are welcome to come and enjoy the songs, socializing, sundaes and a bit of Rochester History in our quaint 1857 church building.

Rochester Readies for Road Race

on

Runners and walkers of all abilities are invited to participate in the fourth annual Rochester Road Race sponsored by Covanta Semass.  This 5k (3.1 mile) event will kick off on Saturday August 11th at 9 a.m. and is open to runners and walkers of all ages.

The race is incorporated as a non-profit organization and net proceeds from entry fees will be donated to “The Family Pantry – Damien’s Place” in Wareham.  In addition, participants and spectators are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items, which will be collected prior to the race and donated to the food pantry.  Damien’s Place provides food to over 500 families in need each month.  To date the Rochester Road Race has raised over $20,000 for the Pantry and donated over 1,450 pounds of food.

Awards will be given to the top overall male and female finishers and top three males and females in each of 8 age divisions.  Refreshments, goodie bags and a chance to win raffle prizes will be available for all participants.  The first 300 registered participants also receive Road Race t-shirts.

Entry forms can be picked up at Plumb Library, printed from www.rochesterma.com or participants can download forms or register on-line at www.JBRace.com.   Runners and walkers can also sign up, and pick up numbers, on Friday evening from 5 pm to 7 pm at the First Congregational Church of Rochester as well as Saturday on morning from 8 am to 8:45 am, at Dexter Lane athletic fields in Rochester.

Before Wednesday August 8th, the entry fee for adult runners is $15., with a reduced entry fee of $10. for walkers and those 12 or under and 70 or older.  After August 8th, registration is $20.00 per runner.

The race will start on Dexter Lane, continue down Mary’s Pond Road to Walnut Plain, and turn left on Clapp Road.  A water stop will be set up on Clapp Road at the halfway point.  Runners will turn left onto Mendell Road, and then make another left onto Rounseville Road, finishing on the church green in the center of town.

Mattapoisett Lions Club Triathlon Pictures

on

Congratulations to all the participants of Sunday mornings Mattapoisett Lions Club Triathlon!  Check out our pictures!  Photos by Katy Fitzpatrick.

 

Marilyn L. (Lopes) Howard

on

Marilyn L. (Lopes) Howard, 71, of Fairhaven passed away Saturday, June 30, 2012 at the Royal of Fairhaven after a courageous battle with an extended illness.

Born in New Bedford, the daughter of the late Paul A. and Gertrude (Nunes) Lopes, she graduated from Fairhaven High School in 1958 and Regis College in 1962. She later received her Masters Degree from Boston University. She grew up in Fairhaven and lived in Boston, California as well as the Philippines before returning to Fairhaven in the late 1980’s.

Marilyn joined the Peace Corp from 1962-1964 and worked as a tutor, counselor/ language arts instructor for the Job Corp. She also was a Reading Clinician at the Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Brighton. She enjoyed gardening, yard work, reading and trips to her lakeside camp in Maine.

She is survived by three brother, Antone P. Lopes and his wife Diane, Daniel N. Lopes and John P. Lopes all of Fairhaven; her former husband Wendell T. Howard of Houston, TX; a nephew, Paul Lopes; three nieces, Amanda and Kimberly Lopes and Heather Schultz; and several great nieces, nephews, aunts and cousins.

In accordance with her wishes, private services were held at St. Anthony’s Cemetery in Mattapoisett, Saturday, July 7, 2012 under the direction of the Fairhaven Funeral Home, 117 Main Street, Fairhaven.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 10 Brookline Pl. West, Brookline, MA 02445. For memorial register go to, www.hathawayfunerals.com.