Marion Debt Projections Examined

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The Marion Planning Board met on Tuesday, April 17 and heard from Board member Ted North about the town’s current budget and debt projections.

He said as of fiscal year 2011, the town of Marion has brought in $22,530,697 in revenue.  Right now, the town’s debt stands at $44.7 million, but over the next ten years, will require up to $60 million to fund such projects as repairs to the Music Hall and the continuing water and sewer projects. The latter is responsible for the bulk of the money required in North’s projection.

North cited poor coordination among several town committees as reasons for the high numbers.

“The thing we need is good planning or else there is no way we can manage it over the next 10 years, “ North said. “We haven’t got that much geographic area for growth, so I don’t predict we’ll see a noticeable increase in that,” he said.

With only 2,400 taxpayers, he said it is not realistic for the town to keep spending money in the same ways.

The Planning Board also discussed the current amendment to the town bylaws regarding adoption of the new FEMA flood plain maps. If the town chooses not to adopt the amendment, they lose their eligibility for federal assistance with flood insurance. This would cause insurance rates for homeowners to skyrocket as they would be forced to turn to private insurance companies for flood insurance.

The new maps outline recent changes in the flood plain around Marion.

“This means that some people who were not on the flood plain map could now be included and some who were may not be anymore,” said Board member Steve Gonsalves.

It is up to each homeowner to determine if their property is affected by the new maps. While the appeal process for changing the maps has passed, residents can still challenge them any time.

The Planning Board felt that adoption of the amendment was required so that more people can stay in their homes.

“The bottom line is we have to adopt it,” said Planning Board member Tom Maguaran.

The next meeting of the Marion Planning Board will be on Tuesday, May 1 at the Marion Town House.

By Eric Tripoli

Potential New Town Hall Position Debated

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The Rochester Board of Selectmen and the Board of Assessors met on the evening of Tuesday, April 17, to discuss the possibility of adding a part-time “floating” position in Town Hall to assist with various different departments. While the idea was entertained for an hour or so, no progress was made.

Jana Cavanaugh and John Mello of the Board of Assessors made the proposal to Richard LaCamera – and Selectmen Richard Nunes, Bradford Morse and Naida Parker – to establish a new, part-time position for a “floater” position that would help cover in various different offices as needed. The position would not be pensionable, however it would offer benefits.

Due to a re-certification process that is about to fall upon the shoulders of the Assessors, they are anticipating a greater workload, and insist they could use the help of this floater. As a result, they would be funding the floater’s salary out of their budget.

The floater would spend the majority of the time with the Assessors, and then would share whatever hours are left over with the other departments. Mello said the position would not cost the town money and all money would be re-allocated.

The assessors cited the recent hour limitations placed on the Town Clerk’s office as a reason to bring an extra set of hands on board.

For every reason the Assessors gave to bring the position on board, the Selectmen provided a reason as to why it would not be a good idea. The main reason the Selectmen were in opposition of the job addition is that there simply is not enough work in the other departments to warrant the hiring of another individual.
“I don’t have an answer for that,” LaCamera said when asked about where he would put the floater to work.

Furthermore, LaCamera said that he has been approached by other departments, including the Treasurer’s Office and the Police Department, to increase some of the hours of their administrative workers. He also said that the offices are very rarely left unattended, so there’s no real need for the floater position.

Both parties left the meeting at a stalemate, each sticking by their original ground.

“It’s a pickle,” said Mello.

The Assessors have until Monday, April 23, to draft a proposal for the budget committee and present it at the Board of Selectmen meeting.

By Katy Fitzpatrick 

Elks Club April Student of the Month

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Old Rochester Regional High School Senior Colby Stabell has been selected by faculty and staff for the Elks Club’s April Student of the Month for April.

Colby exemplifies the mission of Old Rochester Regional and does so with great enthusiasm.  In his junior year he organized the program, “Spread the Word to End the Word” to encourage students to avoid the derogatory use of the r-word.

This year Colby is in the Honors Psychology elective and he posses the ability to make every classmate feel included and to inspire others to get excited and curious about learning. Colby is a natural leader and continuously motivates others to get involved, push themselves and think deeply.  The level of care he gives to his assignments, the energy he puts into his projects and the authentic learning in and beyond the classroom are to be commended.

The Elks of Wareham Lodge No. 1548 sponsors the Elks Student of the Month and Student of the Year Awards for students enrolled in local area high schools.  The criteria used in nominating a student includes a student who excels in scholarship, citizenship, performing arts, fine arts, hobbies, athletics, church, school, club and community service, industry and farming.

Old Colony Golf Tournament

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The Eighth Annual Old Colony Golf Tournament to be held at the Acushnet River Valley Golf Course in Acushnet on Saturday, May 19 will honor local business owner, Dennis Hudon, a 1981 graduate of Old Colony’s Machine and Tool Technology Shop.

Mr. Hudon is the owner of N.C. Hudon Crane and Rigging Company, Inc. in New Bedford, a family-owned and operated business since 1946. For over 60 years, the Hudon family has been providing professional rigging and repair services to New Bedford’s fishing fleets, as well as quality performance and conscientious service to manufacturing and general business industries throughout southern New England.

Mr. Hudon’s son, Matthew also graduated from Old Colony’s Machine and Tool Technology Shop in 2006. Mr. Hudon and his family have generously supported Old Colony in many capacities, as well as annually contributing to the golf tournament scholarship fund. The Old Colony Golf Committee thanks Dennis Hudon, his business and his family for having a direct impact on the students who benefit from this annual event.

Old Colony invites families, friends, alumni, faculty, staff, guests, and anyone in the southeastern Massachusetts community who wants to participate, to a memorable, fun family event and an important fundraiser for the Old Colony Student Scholarships and Services Fund. All of the proceeds from the golf tournament will directly benefit the students of Old Colony. Your generous support is much needed and appreciated. Please join us!

Marion First Congregational Church Concert

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“All nature sings and round me rings the music of the spheres,” words from the hymn “This Is My Father’s World,” is an apt description for “Ring in Spring,” a concert on Sunday, April 22, at 4:00 pm in Marion’s First Congregational Church. Flutist Wendy Rolfe, soprano Patrice Tiedemann, and The Occasion Singers will combine their talents with the church’s Meetinghouse Bells.

In addition to “This Is My Father’s World” (in an arrangement for flute and bell choir), musical selections will include “Chi’il bel sogno” from Puccini’s La Rondine, “My Hero” from Oscar Straus’s operetta The Chocolate Soldier (sung by Vivian Vance during the fourth season of I Love Lucy!), “The Ash Grove,” an English folk song, the Irish ballad  “Londonderry Air” (also known as “Danny Boy”), the spiritual “Shine on Me,” “Vals Venezolano and Contradanza” by Cuban composer Paquito D’Rivera, and a selection of Brazilian choros and Japanese jazz. The performing artists will be accompanied by pianist Michelle Gordon and by Cassandra Morgan, choir director of the First Congregational Church.

The concert will raise funds to support the First Congregational Church’s annual Cantata Sunday, which assembles an area-wide group of singers and instrumentalists during the Christmas season to perform a major choral liturgical composition under the direction of Cassandra Morgan.

Tickets are $12 and may be purchased at The Bookstall on Front Street in Marion and at the door. For more information and reservations, call 508-748-2067. The First Congregational Church, located at the corner of Front Street and Main Street in Marion, is handicapped accessible.

Machacam Club Meeting

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The Machacam Club will hold its monthly meeting on Wednesday, May 2 at the Legion Hall, 3 Depot Street. Social time is 5:30 pm, dinner at 6:00 pm.

Our speaker this month will be Seth Mendell. Seth will give a Power Point presentation of the many images found in Clifford Ashley’s 6’ X 16’ mural now completely restored and displayed in the Mattapoisett Historical Society Museum.

The mural, a chart of the Whaling Coast of New England C. 1810, details the coastline from the Connecticut River to Cape Cod including Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket and the Elizabeth Islands. Ashley related this colorful history by using one 100 or more characters and images. This is the first time Seth will use the PowerPoint that he has put together during the restoration process of the historical document.

Callers are asked to bear in mind the importance of call list accuracy. Please report your lists not later than 9:00 pm April 30 by calling 508-758-9311 or Email GPFNR@AOL.COM.  Members may make last minute changes by calling the same phone number or emailing no later than 9:00 am on May 1.

ORCTV Hosts Youth TV Camp

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The Old Rochester Community Television Station is holding a camp for children to learn about television production during April vacation week. From shooting cameras and editing videos, to conducting interviews and anchoring the news, these campers will learn it all.  Check out our media gallery!

 

ORR Hall of Fame Golf Tournament

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The second annual Old Rochester Athletic Hall of Fame Golf Tournament will be held at Acushnet River Valley Golf Course on Sunday, June 10. After a shotgun start at 1:00PM, a Team Best Ball Format with Callaway Scoring will be used.  A $115 fee per player includes green fees, cart, steak dinner, prizes and tourney favors. The cost for early, pre-arranged foursomes (entry fee received by 6/3) will be $400 per foursome. The cost for Hall of Fame supporters interested in dinner only will be $25. A silent auction and golf raffle will follow dinner.  To register contact Bob Hohne at (508)758-9081 or rhohne@orr.mec.edu  Businesses and individuals interested in hole sponsorhip may also contact Bob Hohne.  All Proceeds will benefit the ORR Athletic Hall of Fame.

 

Blast Off!

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Over the last few years, the interest and test scores of American students in matters of science and mathematics have been on the decline.  Scientific exploration and innovation in the U.S. are slipping away because the younger students aren’t gravitating toward those disciplines with the ferocity and tenacity of previous generations.

What does it take to grab the attention and interest of youngsters who may not take to the complexities of scientific study and invention?

Let’s start with empty soda bottles. Two liter bottles to be exact.

On Wednesday, the Marion Natural History Museum, as part of its on-going after school education program, offered a lesson in rocket propulsion, hosted by former UMass Dartmouth professor and local legend, Dr. W. Toby Dills.  The program attracted over 30 kids, from kindergarten age to third grade, who were buzzing with excitement over the prospect of constructing their very own rockets and launching them into the sky on the lawn in front of Sippican School.

Dr. Dills, who taught at UMass for almost 30 years, has been working with local after-school programs since 1990.  His long history with science dates back to the influence of his father, a chemist, who worked for DuPont during World War II after receiving his PhD.

“He was always helping us with science lessons,” he said.

When Dr. Dills attended University of Vermont in pursuit of his own PhD, he worked closely with his father’s graduate school roommate, Dr. Don Gregg, who also happened to be Dills’ godfather.

“He did outreach programs like this one and that’s how I started getting interested working with local teachers and their students,” Dills said.

Dr. Dills seems to be just as comfortable teaching five year olds the basics of aerodynamics and air pressure as he is challenging college students with the intricate nature of these subjects. The children listen intently as Dills shares with these small students the same brand of childlike fascination for this stuff and deliver his teaching in a classic fireside storytelling manner.

Charlie Richards, an eight-year-old from Onset, didn’t know much about rockets before he came to the class with his mom, Teri, and his little brother, Henry.

“It was pretty interesting. My favorite part was learning that the front has to be heavy because the weight wants to go high,” Richards said.

He said he plans on building boats when he grows up.

“This was our first time here and I think it was really worth it for them,” Teri said.

Alex Craig, who is nine, came with his mother, Julie, who is an engineer.

“I think it’s fantastic. I love to see hands-on science projects for the kids.  Next time they see NASA on TV, they will know a little bit of how it works,” she said.

Alex said he has always loved science and he and his family actually build rockets at home for fun.

“We have one that went up 1,100 feet!” he said.  “When I grow up, I want to be an engineer and build robots.”

He is so adamant about this future; he and his family are traveling to Atlanta next week to visit Georgia Tech, of which his mother is a graduate.

Dr. Dills does programs like this because of kids like Charlie and Alex.  It doesn’t matter to him whether or not they come into the class with prior knowledge or interest.  He teaches because he also has the futures of young students in mind, and hopes some of them take advantage of the vast world of science.

“I hope some won’t be as scared of science when they get to high school and college. Maybe some of them will even be science majors later on,” he said.

By Eric Tripoli

Five Towns Respond to Brush Fire

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A large brush fire on the Rochester/Mattapoisett town line broke out sometime Saturday afternoon, burning about five acres in the woods near Wolf Island Road and Long Plain Road.

The blaze was first reported by towns to the north of Rochester, with a second report coming in from some campers who were near by.  Engines from Wareham, Marion, Rochester, Lakeville, and the entire Mattapoisett department responded.

“We were able to attack it by the head to keep it from spreading, then we formed a perimeter to get it from the back,” Chief Murray said.

No homes were in any immediate danger because of the fire, which was the second of day.

“This is one of the worst forest fire seasons I’ve ever seen,” Murray said.

According to Mattapoisett Fire Chief Andrew Murray, the fire took about 45 minutes to subdue and the cause is still under investigation.

Story and Photos by Eric Tripoli