Calling All Tri-Town Figure Skaters!

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Icing on the Cape, a group of synchronized skating teams based out of the Bourne Skating Club at the John Gallo Ice Arena, will be holding an informational session and on-ice skill assessment on Saturday, May 19 at the Hyannis Youth and Community Center.

The on-ice session will be held from 2:30 to 3:15 pm. and the informational session will run from 3:30 to 5:00 pm.

Last year, Icing on the Cape fielded three teams of all different levels.  Skaters ranged in ages from 6-14 and came from all over Cape Cod and southeastern Massachusetts, including the Tri-town.

As the fastest growing discipline in the sport of figure skating, synchronzied skating is a group of up to 16 skaters performing difficult maneuvers on the ice at once. The teams compete on local, regional and national levels.

For more information, contact Carolyn Mori at tcmcmm92@verizon.net.

 

Principal Search Continues for RMS

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After spending a few months reviewing candidates to take over for retiring Rochester Memorial School principal, Jay Ryan, Superintendent Doug White said that the Rochester School Committee is re-opening its search for a new principal.

“I wanted to thank the community members, staff, and parents for going through the first process. As we finished that, we [found] that the candidates who came had some good skill sets, but weren’t really what we’re looking for in our next principal and we wanted to go out and look at other candidates,” White said at Thursday night’s Rochester School Committee meeting.

He also mentioned that they have expanded the tools used in the search. Previously they had advertised in local newspapers and on the Rochester school district websites, but are now also using SchoolSpring.com, a website that advertises educational positions.

“Currently, we have 28 applications,” from the website, White said. The Committee is still aiming to appoint a new principal by June.

The Committee also discussed the new facilities management director search process. A group of faculty members from the Rochester schools convened to talk over the specifics of what they’d like to see in  a suitable candidate. There are currently eight candidates on the short list.

“We’re hopeful this can happen quickly and we can move forward,” Superintendent White said.

The Rochester School Committee is also working to adjust the logistics pertaining to busing students to Bristol County Agricultural High School. They are looking to work with other communities and create a central bus stop to collect the Bristol students each day. They will be in contact with all the families of students affected before the changes officially occur.

The School Committee also voted to decline to take part in the School Choice program, which assists students from outside the region attend Rochester schools.  Superintendent White said that they will take up discussion of rejoining School Choice in the fall.

The next meeting of the Rochester School Committee will be on June 7 at 6:30 pm at the Town Hall.

By Eric Tripoli            

Fireworks Cancelled, But Hope for 2013

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When the VFW Benjamin D. Cushing Post No. 2425 canceled the long-running Marion Block Party last year, many residents felt the absence and formed a committee to make sure that the event wouldn’t be missed again.

This year another Marion tradition is going by the wayside – the annual Fourth of July fireworks – but some locals think that perhaps its absence will spur people to action in 2013.

“I’ve heard from a few people who are disappointed that it is not being held,” said Jodi Dickenson, Recreation Director. “But I’ve heard from a lot of people who think it is healthy to not have it one year.” Dickenson added the lack of fireworks this year may help people realize they had been taking it too much for granted.

The Marion Board of Selectmen voted last month to cancel the fireworks as no committee work nor fundraising had taken place to get the event off the ground. At the same meeting, the board placed the responsibility in the hands of the Recreation Department.

Former Fireworks Committee Chairman Chris Collings said he had informed the Selectmen last year that the committee would not reconvene, citing problems with raising money from locals.

“It just got lost in the noise. [The Selectmen] just forgot and they hadn’t done anything,” Collings said.

The difficulty in rallying financial community support created significant hurdles, he said. Last year, the committee barely was able to pull it off at the eleventh hour, having to renegotiate the fireworks day and price with the contractor to make it work.

“It became too much work to do it the way it needed it done and to raise the money that was needed for it to be run,” Collings said. “It ceased to be fun, it became how well you can shake $50,000 out of people. Everybody [on the committee] ran out of gas.”

“What’s the most thankless job? The fireworks committee. Nobody writes thank you, few people thank you… The only thing we hear is how hard it is [to give],” he said, although said he is trying to put a “good shine” on what is an unfortunate situation in this economic climate.

Collings said even with the responsibility in the hands of the Recreation Department, the event would still require extensive fundraising. In 2010 the town voted against picking up the tab and the department would still have to form a committee to raise the funds.

“People who I talk to shared their frustrations. They know people feel rather fatalistic… But maybe this will shake them up,” Collings said. He noted that because the town meeting takes place in May – many of the summer residents who benefit from the fireworks event do not get to vote.         “

However, Collings said he thinks the Recreation Department is the appropriate place to oversee the fireworks.

“I think [Dickensen] is going to do an awesome job. He is the right person at the right time to do it all… It’s on his beach, his park. It makes complete sense that he handles it,” said Collings.

On his part, Dickensen said that just because the event is in the Recreation Department’s hands, doesn’t mean that the community is off scot-free.

“We have to do year round fundraising,” he said, in addition to obtaining permits, detail officers and working with the fire marshal.

“It’s a whole community thing, it’s not just one department,” Dickensen said. As for whether Dickensen will work to get the fireworks funded through the town, he said it remains to be seen.

By Laura Fedak Pedulli

Manuel M. Selha, Jr.

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Manuel M. Selha, Jr., 78, of Mattapoisett died May 1, 2012 at home after a period of declining health. He was the husband of Maria A. (Fernandes) Selha.

Born in Mattapoisett, the son of the late Manuel M. and Julia (Rose) Selha, he lived in New Bedford and Mattapoisett most of his life.

Mr. Selha was a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in New Bedford. He enjoyed speaking to others about his faith.

He was formerly employed as a police officer with the Mattapoisett Police Department, auto mechanic and sewing machine mechanic.

Mr. Selha served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War. He enjoyed crossword puzzles, landscaping and sarcasm.

Survivors include his wife; 3 sons, Shaun Selha and his wife Zeehan of Cohasset, MA, Derek Selha and Dion Selha, both of Mattapoisett; 3 daughters, Marnie Conceicao and Lora Brightman and her husband Lance, all of New Bedford and Sandra Selha of Bowie, MD; 5 sisters, Madeline Hines of Philadelphia, PA, Ann Younger, Priscilla Monteiro and Ruth Monteiro, all of Stoughton and Cynthia Roberts of Los Angeles, CA; 6 grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

He was the father of the late Byron Barboza and the brother of the late Mabel Gilbert, Agnes Tyler, Moses Monteiro, Kenneth Monteiro and Louis Monteiro.

His visiting hours will be held on Friday, May 4th from 4-8 PM in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Road, Route 6, Mattapoisett. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Mattapoisett Residents Walking For Adoption

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Mattapoisett residents Deanna and Victor Vieira are taking steps to help children in state foster care find loving adoptive families. The Vieira family has signed up for the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange’s Walk for Adoption on Sunday, May 20. A group of the Vieira’s closest friends and families will join them that day to celebrate adoption. The group has named themselves “Nicole’s Team,” in honor of Deanna and Victor’s four-year-old daughter, whom they adopted from foster care in November, 2009.

Deanna and Victor feel strongly about doing all they can to provide safe homes for children in need. In addition to raising funds to support MARE, and adopting Nicole at the age of two, they have been foster parents for children in the state’s care for years.

“We fall in love with all the children that come into our home. I would adopt every child in foster care if I could!” Deanna says. “I am forever trying to tell other people what an amazing difference adoption has made in our lives.”

The family participated in last year’s Walk for Adoption and were so inspired by the gathering of so many proud adoptive families that they “had to be a part of it again this year.”

The Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) is organizing the 3rd annual Walk for Adoption to raise funds and friends for its work to recruit adoptive parents for children and teens in state foster care. Over 600 local children are currently growing up in temporary foster care while waiting for permanent, loving homes.

MARE’s programs to find potential adoptive families include Wednesday’s Child on WBZ TV, children’s profiles in newspapers statewide, and the Heart Gallery portrait exhibit displayed in libraries, stores, and shopping malls. Through these public programs and behind the scenes work, MARE has helped more than 5,750 children leave foster care for permanent families over the past 54 years.

WCVB news anchor Bob Halloran, NECN reporter Eileen Curran, and their adopted daughter will be walking. Adopting Grace was “the best thing I’ve done in my entire life,” Curran says. “When you adopt a child, some people will say that you “rescued” that child. Truth is the child rescues you.”

The Walk for Adoption is a fun-filled celebration of adoption, featuring a family-friendly 5K walk (indoor/outdoor) as well as arts & crafts activities, face painting, balloon art, a visit by Pat Patriot (the team mascot), a photo booth, DJ, prizes, and refreshments. The Taunton Fire and Police Departments will host child safety booths. Walk participants can register online at www.firstgiving.com/MARE  or contact MARE for registration forms. A raffle will be open to all; prizes will be awarded for top fundraising individuals and teams. Adoption agencies, families, and businesses are all fielding teams for the Walk.

For more information on A Walk Home, MARE’s Walk for Adoption, or to learn about adoption from foster care, contact MARE at 800-882-1176, 617-54-ADOPT, or visit www.MAREinc.org.

 

 

 

 

Rochester Senior Day Program In Works

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Although aging can take a toll on the physical body, a health threat just as serious to local seniors is isolation. As some elderly give up driving, they may end up at home alone or face long solitary stretches in the house while caretakers work. The isolation brings feeling of sadness and depression that can severely impact their quality of life, according to the Rochester Council on Aging.

To address this issue, the Rochester COA is in the beginning stages of helping the many seniors stranded in their homes to reconnect with people in the community through a new Senior Supportive Day program. The center is pursuing funding to install an addition to the Rochester Senior Center on Dexter Lane to house the program, which would run from 8:30 am to 3:00 daily and include breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack.

“We’ve been wanting to do this for quite some time,” said Sharon Lally, Director, Rochester COA. The idea looked out of reach until a “totally unexpected” gift of $50,000 from Ed and Louise Wheeler, a couple who recently passed away, was left to the COA in their will, Lally said.

“They often spoke of stuff we do here, they knew what we did,” she said. To honor their contribution, she said the day program would be named the “Wheeler Club.”

“A lot of senior centers that run these programs, they are very successful. It keeps people at home, and out of assisted living and nursing homes prematurely,” added Lally.

COA President Pay Ryan said that particularly in Rochester, where homes are surrounded by significant acreage, seniors need a place to socialize.

She said the day program would give 10 to 15 Rochester seniors (and others from adjoining towns if space permits) a place to play games, engage in activities like group exercise and art, and be safe. Transportation would be provided for Rochester residents.

“We have many seniors in town that are in their 90s… They live alone. They have falls, but they are stubborn and independent,” said Ryan, who added that the program would not be for those with serious health issues, but for socialization for seniors – including those who with mild Alzheimer’s.

Also, both Lally and Ryan said the program would give caretakers some respite and peace of mind.

“It’s not a medical model. It’s a socialization, supervision type-thing to monitor them for the bulk of the day, and to keep them nourished, stimulated. And to keep them from getting depressed,” said Ryan.

The service would cost $30 per day, which is reasonable compared to the typical $20 an hour for homecare or $300 per day for a nursing home stay, Lally said. “I’m really sincere this is the most cost effective way in keeping people engaged in their own community.”

She envisions the day programming evolving into a true club of friends.

“Once they start to come, it will become like a club. The good thing is that everybody already knows everybody. They are already lifelong acquaintances. It is only a matter of rekindling them,” said Lally.

At this point in time, the COA has raised $78,000 towards the $150,000 necessary to launch the day program.

To reach the $150,000, the Friends of the Rochester Senior Center, the Rochester Lions Club, and the COA are putting on two events:

• A Wine-Tasting Event on Saturday, May 19, 5:30-8:00 pm at a large home currently for sale on Vaughn Hill Road in Rochester. Tickets are $30 each

• A Baked Fish Dinner on Friday, May 11, with two seatings at 4:30 and 6:30 pm, at the Rochester Senior Center. Tickets are $20 each, and $10 for children 10 years old and under.

Lally said fundraising through these events would spur “larger buy-in from the community.”

“It’s good community participation and every little bit helps,” she said.

In addition, the COA is selling engraved bricks to raise money for the day program. For more information on the events and brick fundraiser, contact the COA at 508-763-8723.

By Laura Fedak Pedulli

Isernio Says Thank You, Goodbye to School Committee

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Old Rochester Regional District Business Manager Katie Isernio thanked the Marion School Committee and said goodbye to them at their meeting held on Wednesday, May 2 at Marion Town House. Isernio will be leaving the district to take the helm of a brand new district, the Monomoy District, which oversees Harwich and Chatham.

“I just want to thank all of you,” said Isernio. “You have all been a pleasure and I appreciate the support.”

The committee praised Isernio for her years of work, recovering and reviving the way the district does business. She will finish out the school year with Old Rochester before assuming her new position.

“I make a motion that we disallow you to leave,” joked School Committee Chair Brad Gordon.  “We wish you the best of luck.”

In other news, the School Committee voted to adopt a set of Internet Safety Policies that will help regulate content that is viewed on school computers. These policies were established in 2000 when the Neighborhood Children’s Internet Protection Act was passed.

The committee said that the majority of inappropriate content is brought into schools from home computers. The policies outline different areas including an objective, penalties for improper use, organizational responsibility and privacy, acceptable use and personnel responsibilities.

School Choice will once again not be a part of the school district at the elementary level as the committee voted unanimously to do without it again in the fiscal year 2013. According to Superintendent Doug White, the classroom sizes at the elementary level are good and that the population is stable.

“I don’t believe we have the necessary capacity to handle School Choice,” said White.

White also said the search for Rochester Memorial’s new principal remains underway. White said in his report that several candidates visited the school in April and he decided that they did not have the necessary skills to perform the job duties. He said he has received several other promising resumes and hopes to have the position filled as soon as possible.

Another position the district is looking to fill is the Facilities Director. A committee comprised of representatives from all schools has narrowed their search to one candidate and has made a recommendation to the Superintendent to hire this individual. White said he will call the candidate in to visit each school and allow the custodians to interact with the potential hire.

The committee also voted to approve the Sippican School’s School Improvement plan for next year. The plan proposes three goals: increased academic achievement, encourage a healthy lifestyle and enhancing school climate and culture.

For increased academic achievement, the plan proposes more of an emphasis on science, technology and engineering in the classroom. It also invites family, community and student feedback on potential programs.

To promote a healthy lifestyle, the school looks to establish a Nurse’s Note webpage to alert parents of announcements.  They will also look to instruct all staff members in CPR, AED, Epipen, diabetes, allergy and first aid trainings.

For enhancement in school climate and culture, the plan proposes the implementation of a safety patrol, mentoring program, cross-grade activities and bus and reading buddies.

The Marion School Committee will meet again on Wednesday, June 6 at 6:30 pm in the Marion Town House.

By Katy Fitzpatrick

 

 

Two Arrested in Rochester

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Rochester Police responded to a suspicious motor vehicle call on Braley Hill Road around 2:52pm On Tuesday May 1. When Officer Donald Kemmett arrived he found two men in the back yard of a home along with a rented box truck that was stuck in the home’s septic system. Both men stated they were just turning around when their vehicle got stuck.

Further investigation revealed that the truck was loaded with metal automobile parts stolen from sheds on the property. Police found the house broken into and located household items from the residence in the rental truck. The truck also contained other scrap metal believed to be stolen from other locations.

Investigating officers arrested New Bedford residents Scott M. Sylvia, 46, of County Street and Peter J. Farland, 52, of Chestnut Street for trespass with a motor vehicle, destruction of property over $250, larceny of property over $250, receiving stolen property over $250, use of a motor vehicle in the commission of a felony, and four counts of breaking and entering.

Both men have lengthy criminal records dating back to the 80’s. They are being held at the Rochester Police Station on $1000 cash bail.

AP Exams on the Horizon

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Having filled out the paperwork in the cafeteria under the guidance of counselor Ms. Perry two weeks ago, many students at Old Rochester Regional High School are now preparing for the annual Advanced Placement exams that are scheduled from Tuesday, May 8 to Wednesday, May 16.

Students were advised to fill out the testing forms in the same manner as they did the last year (any fluctuations in optional data might result in multiple score reports) and authorize score reports to colleges and universities of their choice only if they are confident in receiving a good score. Students who do not authorize score reports when they are taking the exams will have to pay a fee to the administering organization, College Board, when they send score reports at a later date.

Students who are taking multiple Advanced Placement exams should remember Ms. Perry’s explanation that the purple information boxes need to be filled out only once. The blue information boxes are filled out for each exam, and students must use the same identification number (located in their Student Pack, which the guidance department will distribute on the days of the exams).

Students who are planning to take an Advanced Placement exam during the morning session, which is to begin at 8:00 am, must report to the testing room immediately rather than attend homeroom.  This will help the proctors begin the test closer to the official start time, which will in turn enable those students who are taking two exams in one day to have a longer lunch break before their second exam begins in the early afternoon. The official start time for afternoon exams is 12:00 pm. Students taking tests in the afternoon must seek permission from the third block teachers to eat during first lunch.

This year, Old Rochester Regional High School is administering Advanced Placement exams for Spanish Language, Calculus AB, English Literature and Composition (AP English 12), United States History, European History, Biology, French Language and Culture, English Language and Composition (AP English 11) and Statistics.

Next year, when the Advanced Placement offerings for science go into the second year rotation, students will be able to take the Advanced Placement exams for Chemistry, Environmental Science, or both.

Students who are taking Advanced Placement exams this year should have a copy of the AP Bulletin, which contains information about the testing as well as score reporting services. The AP Bulletin also contains the Advanced Placement Exam schedule.

For the benefit of those who might have lost some information, the dates and times for the exams are: Spanish Language – May 8, morning; Calculus AB – May 9, morning; English Literature and Composition – May 10, morning; United States History – May 11, morning; European History – May 11, afternoon; Biology – May 14, morning; French Language and Culture – May 15, afternoon; English Language and Composition – May 16, morning; Statistics – May 16, afternoon.

All students taking the Advanced Placement exams are advised to get a good night’s sleep and eat a healthy, energizing breakfast. Some exams allow for students to have snacks and water in between portions of the test, so students should verify this with their teachers before bringing something to the classroom.

Students need to listen to school announcements for the next week to find out about the locations of the Advanced Placement exams; the rooms are different every year. Those who are not taking the Advanced Placement exams should be quiet and respectful in the hallways near the classrooms where there is testing.

By Anne Smith

Selectmen Discuss Bike Path Challenges

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A recent survey conducted to assess Marion residents’ outdoor recreational preferences further supported the interest in installing a bike path connector from Mattapoisett, but the project still has many hurdles to jump.

Marion Selectmen met with the Marion Open Space Action Committee on May 1 to hear about the survey, in which 152 residents expressed a strong interest in walking areas – including bike paths, sidewalk and nature trails. The report also looked at the conditions of town recreational facilities, environmental concerns, the need for open space, etc. to guide MOSAC in its land purchasing decisions and to direct focus of the new Open Space and Recreation Plan.

“We want to be sure the pathway becomes a reality and we are offering our help to the Selectmen,” said John Rockwell of MOSAC. Last fall the town authorized $300,000 in Community Preservation Funds to the Board of Selectmen to negotiate contracts to purchase parcels for conservation that would harbor the pathway.

This does not include the acreage of conservation land obtained as part of the Bay Watch 40B project off Route 105, on which a bike path is expected to be built.

Selectman Roger Blanchette alluded to some past attempts at negotiations, and the need to change language from an initial agreement.

“The Louisiana Purchase is far less complicated,” said Selectman Jon Henry. Paul Dawson said many pieces still need to come together before the land purchase and the engineering work take place.

In other business, the Selectmen turned down a request from the Sippican Lands Trust for a one-day alcohol license. A recently discovered bylaw that prohibits alcohol on Silvershell Beach blocked the Selectmen’s ability to approve the request.

Selectman Roger Blanchette urged residents interested in overturning the bylaw to submit such an article for the fall special town meeting.

Town Administrator Paul Dawson informed the board of a sewer main break at the Town House that shut down sanitary facilities for a good portion of the day. Although it has been temporarily corrected, he said he has asked the Department of Public Works to price the cost of replacing the line.

In other action items, Dawson informed the board that the Cumberland Farms project is moving along, but the company needs a “field change”, or modification of the approved site plan, because there are some problems installing the ADA-compliant sidewalks. He said the sidewalks require a “precise elevation” to work and there is a risk of installing the sidewalk aprons incorrectly.

Instead, Dawson received authorization from the Selectmen to allow Cumberland Farms to replace 60 to 70-feet of 10-inch piping in Front Street with 12-inch pipe. The 10-inch pipe is connected on both ends to 12-inch piping and has created a bottleneck, Dawson explained.

The field change request also requires approval by the Planning Board.

The town has received $81,804.94 from FEMA to reimburse the town for repairing damages caused by Hurricane Irene, Dawson announced at the meeting.

The town administrator credited the work of Judy Mooney, Finance Director for the town, who navigated through the “extremely cumbersome” process to acquire the federal funds.

“It’s a job well done of Police Chief Lincoln Miller and Judy Mooney,” he said.

By Laura Fedak Pedulli