Library Happenings

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Mattapoisett Free Public Library
• Winter Storytimes – Registration will begin for the Winter Storytime series on December 27. New this session will be the addition of a Thursday afternoon preschool session instead of the Thursday morning session. For more information, call the Children’s Department at 508-758-4171.
• Community Cafe – Your library is a comfortable community center. Thanks to the Friends, you can drop by and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea for a small donation. Visit the reading room to relax and converse with friends. What a great way to spend a winter afternoon!
• Family Storytime – Families with children of all ages are welcome to enjoy some favorite stories together. If you have a favorite story, please bring it to share in this casual and fun storytime. Family Storytime is held on the first Saturday of each month, from 10:30 to 11:00 am. No registration required.
• Movie Day – Everyone is welcome to attend Movie Days, sponsored by the library’s Junior Friends, who have raised money for a movie license. Bring your children and relax at the movies in the library’s Meeting Room. Wednesday, December 28 will be Polar Express at 1:00 pm and at 3:30 pm, Elf will be shown. The Junior Friends ask that you bring a canned good for donation to Damien’s Pantry.
• Winter Activities in the Children’s Room – On Saturday, January 21, 2012 there will be Snow Globe making from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. Come explore how science and art can blend together to create a lasting memory. Participants will sculpt their own winter scene and preserve it in individual hand-made globes.
• Cookbooks For Sale – The Friends’ new community cookbook is available for sale at the library. It includes delicious recipes submitted by local chefs and cookbook authors as well as members of the Friends and library patrons. These will make great gifts while also supporting the work of the Friends. The books are $10 each.
• Technology Workshops – Confused about whether to buy a Nook or a Kindle? Wondering what all the hype about e-readers means to you? Do you have an iPad and want to learn how to download books form the library? Join the library staff at one of our informal technology workshops and get your questions answered. E-readers will be available to try and staff will show you how to download books and audiobooks. Workshops will be held every Tuesday at 6:30 pm and on Thursdays at 3:00 pm through the months of December and January. For an individual appointment with technology questions please call Liz Sherry at 508-758-4171 or email her at esherry@sailsinc.org.
• Canned Goods for the Food Pantry – The library is accepting nonperishables to help stock local food pantries. Feel free to bring you items to the library throughout the year. Also welcome are hats and gloves and new socks to be distributed to area shelters. Many thanks in advance for your thoughtfulness.

Plumb Library Events
• Cafe Parlez – Café Parlez selection for December is The Princess Bride, by William Goldman. Nearly everyone has seen the movie; now read the book! They’re all here: Princess Buttercup, Westley, Fezzik, Miracle Max Vizzini, Prince Humpderdinck, Inigo Montoya –the whole gang. The Princess Bride is about good against evil, country against country, strange beasts, and love, true love. Fans of the movie will be delighted to read more back story and those new to the film will find a lot to like. The group will be discussing this book on Thursday, December 29 at 6:30 pm. Books are available at the desk, or bring your own copy. Café Parlez is sponsored by the Friends of Plumb Library. Continue the discussion on Goodreads – www.GoodReads.com.
The schedule for 2012 is available at the library. Selections will include: Bel Canto, Room, Three Junes, A Visit from the Goon Squad, The Last Child, The Tiger’s Wife, Mrs. Kimble, and The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie.
• Food for Fines – During the month of December, Plumb Library patrons can have their late fees and fines waived if they donate non-perishable items for local food pantries, or pet food for local animal shelters. “Food for Fines” will continue until December 23. Donations cannot cover lost book fees, or lost card fees. Call the library for more information. Start the New Year with a clean slate and help local food pantries.
• ABCs and Me – “ABCs, Music and Me”, a five-week program for toddlers ages 12 to 24 months will begin on Tuesday, January 3 from 10:30 to 11:15 am at the Plumb Library. During this program, children will enjoy an array of fun musical activities using instruments, songs, rhymes and stories to build an appreciation of music. Space is limited, and there are some spots available. Pre-registration is required. Call the library at 508-763-8600 for more information or to reserve a place for your toddler.
• Preschool Storytime – Storytime for ages 3 to 5 will start on Wednesday, January 4 at 10:30 am. Toddler Storytime for ages 2 to 3 and their parents or caregivers will start on Friday, January 6 at 10:30 am. Spaces are still available in both programs. Call to register.
• Art on the Spot – Kara Andrews from “Art on the Spot” in Middleboro will be at the Plumb Library on Saturday, January 28 from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm for a face-painting workshop. This program is for children ages 10 and up, and is free of charge thanks to the Friends of Plumb Library. A pizza lunch will be served. Pre-registration is required.
• Symphony Tales – The New Bedford Symphony Orchestra’s “Symphony Tales” program will be in the area presenting Scritch Scratch: A Perfect Match by local author Kim Marcus. The program will be at the Mattapoisett Public Library on Saturday, January 21, and at the Plumb Library on Saturday, February 4. The story will be read accompanied by a cellist. There will be a small cello available for the children to try. Copies of the book will be for sale at the library to be signed by the author, who will also give a short presentation on the creation of the book. Registration and book order forms will be available at the library, and will be sent to grades K-1 in the Mattapoisett and Rochester public schools.
• Yarn Swap – Are you looking to clean out your yarn stash for the New Year? Tired of looking at the same old yarn? Want to try some new yarns or patterns? Bring your unwanted yarn to the Yarn Stash and Pattern Swap at the Plumb Library on Friday, January 20 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. Be sure the yarn is clean and is labeled. Refreshments will be served. Call the library for more information.
• Non-Fiction Book Group – “Just the Facts” non-fiction book group will be discussing The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates, by Wes Moore on Thursday, January 19 at 6:30 pm. Two kids with the same name were born blocks apart in the same decaying city within a year of each other. One grew up to be a Rhodes Scholar, decorated combat veteran, and a White House fellow. The other is serving a life sentence in prison. This is the story of two boys and the choices they made. Books are available at the desk.
The non-fiction schedule for 2012 is: January 20: The Other Wes Moore, by Wes Moore; February 16: Cod, by Mark Kurlansky; March 15: In the Garden of the Beasts, by Erik Larsen; April 19: Columbine, by Dave Cullen; May 17: Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, by Amy Chua.

Elizabeth Taber Library
• Holiday Activities – Tuesday through Saturday, December 27 through 31 are drop-in activity days. Create holiday crafts and pictures with materials available in the Children’s Room during regular library hours.
Saturdays and Sundays during the winter are Drop-in Crafts days in the Children’s Room at the Elizabeth Taber Library. Children of all ages are invited to enjoy the activities.
The Elizabeth Taber Library is located at 8 Spring Street in Marion. The phone number is 508-748-1252. More program information can be found on the library’s web site at www.elizabethtaberlibrary.org.

Tinkhamtown Carolers Light Up the Night

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Photo by Felix Perez.

Certain joys transcend time – and caroling is one surefire way to ignite the spirit of the holidays.

The more than 50 carolers who ventured out to Tinkamtown Chapel on Saturday, December 17 enjoyed the chance to sing their favorite Christmas songs and also joined the generations of singers before them in a tradition that dates back over 100 years.

That evening the pews were nearly filled as carolers sang some of the more traditional holiday tunes – including “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”, “O Come, All Ye Faithful”, “”The First Noel” and “Silent Night” – by the light of about a half dozen kerosene lamps. Gail Roberts played the accompanying music on a 160-year old pump organ, which music leader Kate Webb said is one the oldest functioning in the state. Ms. Webb herself has participated in the event since her children were involved in the choir 28 years ago.

Another local with deep ties to the event, Crystal Randall Medeiros, remembers caroling at Tinkamtown Chapel every year as a child.

“It is the same as I remember it. It really gets us into the spirit,” she said. “People don’t realize that so many people donate time for it to happen.”

Jocelyn White and Maggie Moniz also have been coming for years, and recalled singing a cappella years ago in an act special to the event. Ms. White said the best way to describe the event is “nostalgic.”

The Tinkhamtown Chapel itself is a historic landmark, which although no longer has a minister, occasionally hosts weddings and other events. The chapel lacks electricity, thus holiday carolers who stepped in the building that night also may have felt they stepped back in time. The chapel was nice and toasty thanks to a potbelly stove.

A highlight of the event was a solo violin performance of “O Come, Emmanuel” by Megan Berard and children of all ages leading “The Twelve Days of Christmas” – with each holding a sign to keep everyone on cue. Of course, several times the days got mixed during the refrain, but all in good fun.

Of the whole event, Ms. Webb simply said, “It was perfect.”

By Laura Fedak Pedulli

Agreement Made to Restore Hathaway Pond

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Beaton’s, Inc. and the Buzzards Bay Coalition reached an agreement on December 15 regarding the future management of the Hathaway Pond Dam in Rochester.

The Coalition acquired the dam and the 10‐acre parcel that it sits on in May 2011 in order to protect and open the land for public use and to remove the dam to restore fish passage and the health of the Sippican River.

Beaton’s, Inc. uses Hathaway Pond as an agricultural water source to serve 55 acres of cranberry bogs and holds property rights to maintain the dam.

In the agreement, the two entities agreed to work together in the coming years to secure a sustainable water supply for Beaton’s, Inc.’s cranberry bogs and move forward with efforts to restore fish passage and natural resources in the Sippican River.

Under the agreement the following outcomes will be pursued:

• The Coalition will suspend its permitting of the removal of Hathaway Pond Dam and water will be returned to Hathaway Pond to a height sufficient to provide water for agricultural use at Beaton’s cranberry bogs.

• The Coalition will convey the dam parcel to Beaton’s, Inc. and a permanent conservation restriction will be recorded on the property, ensuring that the land remains undeveloped and open to the public for walking and horseback riding.

• A fish ladder will be designed and installed within the main sluiceway of the Dam, improving the conditions for the migration of river herring upstream for spawning.

• The Coalition and Beaton’s will collaborate on the construction of a new water supply reservoir system on Beaton’s property to provide a permanent and sustainable source of water for the bogs. Upon successful completion of a new reservoir system, which is anticipated to take more than a decade, the Coalition will have the option to re-acquire the dam from Beaton’s and reactivate its plans for removal.

Doug Beaton of Beaton’s, Inc. remarked, “I am pleased that Hathaway Pond will be restored while we evaluate options for a long‐term sustainable water source. Outside of the marketplace, the number one issue that will determine the future of the cranberry industry in Massachusetts is access to water.”

“This agreement is a win‐win for cranberry farming and the Sippican River,” commented Coalition President Mark Rasmussen. “It lays out a clear path for how the water source for Beaton’s bogs can be improved while at the same time advancing river restoration. We’re excited about moving this complex project forward in partnership with Beaton’s.”

Beatons and the Coalition were assisted in the development of the Agreement by Jeff Lafleur of the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association.

From Buzzard’s Bay Coalition and Beaton’s Inc Joint Press Release

Land Trust Announces Acquisition

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The Mattapoisett Land Trust is pleased to announce that it has received a generous donation from Jeannette Mello of 7 acres of woods and wetland next to the bike path at Brandt Island Road. The parcel will be known as the Captain Jack and Bridget Murray Preserve in honor of her parents.

The proximity of the preserve to the bike path will provide easy access for visitors, both young and old, to investigate the flora and fauna of the wetland. The Land Trust hopes to document the resident species and, if possible, certify a vernal pool on the preserve in the future. The public is welcome to visit the preserve but rubber boots are recommended until the ground freezes.

This donation increases the Land Trust’s holdings in Mattapoisett to 568 acres all of which are open to the public for passive recreation. Those interested in learning more about the properties or the mission of the Mattapoisett Land Trust should visit its website at www.mattlandtrust.org.

From Mattapoisett Land Trust Press Release

January Machacam Meeting

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The Machacam Club will hold its January meeting on the January 4 at the Legion Hall, 3 Depot Street. Social time is 5:30 pm, dinner at 6:00 pm.

The speaker this month will be Carol “Krill” Carson, a Professor of Marine Biology at Bridgewater State College. Carol is also the President of the New England Coastal Wildlife Alliance, a volunteer, nonprofit dedicated to the protection and conservation of the coastal marine wildlife that call our New England Coasts home. NECWA provides data and educational programs to other professional and public entities on Basking Sharks and Sunfish. Carol’s topic for meeting involves the maintenance of a standing response team for stranded Sunfish on our shores which occur each fall.

What do you do with a 7-foot, 600-pound fish that strands on a beach? All reports of her presentation have been extremely positive making this meeting a definite “Don’t Miss” for Machacam members.

Callers are asked to bear in mind the importance of call list accuracy. Please report your lists not later than 9:00 pm on January 2 by calling 508-758-9311 or e-mail gpfnr@aol.com. Members may make last minute changes by calling the same phone number or e-mail no later than 9:00 am on January 3.

SouthCoast “Flash Mob” Surprises and Delights Shoppers

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Photo by Felix Perez


A large group of SouthCoast carolers surprised and delighted shoppers at the North Dartmouth Mall on the evening of December 16 with a “flash mob” holiday performance. To the Christmas shopper, it appeared to be a spontaneous outpouring of holiday cheer, but in reality, the event began two weeks ago when Mattapoisett native Chad Michael Peters started buzzing about the project on Facebook and Twitter.

By late day on Friday, approximately 200 people had RSVPed “yes” to attend the event, which took place at the Santa station in the mall.

On his Facebook page, Mr. Peters issued a humorous and lively tutorial on how he wanted the carols to proceed. First, revelers would break out into “Deck the Halls” and don their Christmas attire. Then, they would transition into “Silent Night” and hold lighted LED votive candles, and then finish the surprise performance with “Jingle Bells”, complete with jingling.

It went off without a hitch, and just like a “flash”, the mob of over 200-300 people was disbanded within ten minutes of the performance’s start.

“I’m so excited. I feel like a kid waiting for Santy Claus,” Mr. Peters said before the performance. Mr. Peters had been in close communication with Dartmouth Mall security to ensure that the added group would be able to complete the act in a safe manner. As a result, there was added security at the mall.

“We just wanted to come together and share the spirit,” said Mr. Peters. “For many of us, there’s a history with the mall. We grew up shopping at Peerless and eating at Woolworth’s. This [was] also a nice way to give back. People [could] shop before and after the event and spend their holiday dollars on their Christmas treasures.”

Mr. Peters said that he was “amazed” at the number of people who replied that they would attend the event.

Mattapoisett resident Debbie Baldwin brought her granddaughter Autumn Tangney to the event on her way to a Christmas concert later in the evening. “I didn’t practice, but I’m really excited about it,” said Ms. Baldwin, who said that she wanted to videotape the flash mob more than she wanted to participate.

Media – including cameras, video cameras and smartphones – were in no short supply as shoppers and carolers alike recorded the event as it unfolded.

Content after the performance, Mr. Peters said that coordinating a flash mob had been on his “bucket list” and he felt satisfied that it went well.

By Shawn Sweet and Anne Kakley
SouthCoast Flash Mob

Mediation Rejected on Tabor’s ZBA Issues

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Town counsel Jon Whitten told the Marion Zoning Board of Appeals, at their meeting on Thursday evening, that in a pre-trial conference, Land Court Judge Piper suggested the Town of Marion and Tabor Academy enter into mediation to settle the ongoing unsettled issues which include Tabor’s request for lights and scoreboards on their new turf fields and Tabor’s objection of the town’s request for a site plan review.

Atty. Whitten said that if the ZBA was interested in mediation that the team would include representatives from the Board of Selectmen, Board of Health and the ZBA. The mediator would, after hearing from all sides, make a binding decision on the issues.

Atty. Whitten said that it was his duty to relay Judge Piper’s suggestion to the ZBA. “This is a suggestion by a judge whose duty it is to try to resolve legal issues,” said Atty. Whitten.

Board members unanimously rejected the idea of mediation. “These are facts and a matter of law… if it’s non-conforming, it’s not happening,” said Chairman Bob Wedge.

The discussion included taking a look at the wording of the Dover Amendment which exempts schools and other non-profits from conforming to local by-laws if the issue is paramount to the educational effort of the institution.

“To say that lights would be dominant to the education of the students… that’s a stretch,” said Chairman Wedge.

The board voted unanimously to uphold the building inspector’s denial of the building permit for the three scoreboards. In discussion, Atty. Whitten noted that there were three issues at hand, which he hoped would be combined into one case, which would include the site plan review issue, lights at the field and the scoreboard issue. The backstops were also discussed, with it noted that they would need to meet a 20-foot setback required by town by-laws.

It was noted that Tabor Academy was recently cited as being in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act for the lack of handicap access to the newly constructed turf fields.

No representatives from Tabor Academy attended the the meeting. The public hearing was attended by several town residents who asked questions and vocally opposed the approval of the special permit to Tabor Academy.

In a second agenda item, the board met with Jay Hiller and Heather Dudko who requested a special permit for a new sign, care of National Sign Corporation/Hiller Chrysler Dodge, at 635 Mill Street. Ms. Dudko, representing National Sign spoke to the board and said that a special permit was requested in early November.

Chairman Wedge said that both the Board of Health and Conservation Commission had no comment on the request and that no letters from the community had been received.

Ms. Dudko said that the request was for one ground sign which would be 34 square feet in total and 18 foot high. It would be an illuminated sign, in an aluminum box with the four brands shown, in different colors. “We are trying to bring the brand into conformity across the country,” said Ms. Dudko.

The four brands include: Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram. Five wall signs will also be installed on the building, replacing the Hiller Dodge sign that has been there for decades. Another sign will note the entrance to the service area. The total square footage of the wall signs is 43 square feet and will not be illuminated. The board approved the request, with the special permit to be recorded on the deed of the landholder.

Town counsel, Jon Witten, spoke and said that an Agreement for Judgment had been worked out regarding Sardinha vs. Marion ZBA with respect to the site plan pertaining to property located at 454 Wareham Street. Mr. Whitten was authorized by the ZBA to settle the case on their behalf. Board members signed the documents.

Without any further business to come before the board, they adjourned at 8:25 pm.

By Joan Hartnett-Barry

Elves Visit Natural History Museum

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Photo by Joan Hartnett-Barry

“She is starting it for me and then I’ll finish it,” said Max Richins, as Morgan Miedema started with two popsicle sticks and wove yarn around and between the cross of the two sticks.

Max and Morgan and many others, gathered at the Marion Natural History Museum on Wednesday afternoon for a holiday gift making session, headed by Executive Director Liz Leidhold who was assisted by several board members of the museum.

Two work tables, loaded with yarn, sea shells, tree branches, sea glass, seagrass, magnets, coffee filters, pipe cleaners, crepe paper streamers, sparkles, felt animals figures, and popsicle sticks were available for the “elves”, who ranged from first to fourth grade, to create gifts. Holiday music played in the background, with the volunteers occasionally humming and singing along.

The purpose was to make holiday gifts for parents, grandparents, siblings, cousins, neighbors and anyone else on the children’s’ gift list.

Although the Lego corner was an irresistible attraction for several boys, they eventually gathered at the table to make turtles made of rocks, animal lapel pins, octopus tree ornaments, business card holders, sea shell refrigerator magnets, yarn squares, and a “mouse nest” made out of a walnut shell.

“We do this every year and it is a celebration of the end of the after school program for the year” said Ms. Leidhold. “It gives the children a chance to make something to bring home and present to their family during the holidays.”

The after school program for 2011 included building a mini cranberry bog (in a cup), animal watching, rocks and fossils study, sessions on “bugs in the cranberry bog” and the importance of bees in nature. The museum also runs a Lego robotics club.

Mr. Silva, a volunteer and board member manned the glue gun station and helped the children put “eyes” on their creatures and secure felt around pin cushions, whose base was a sea shell with a felt top overtop cotton stuffing.

“We have to wait until the paint is dry before we glue on the eyes,” said Mr. Silva to more than one child who approached, googly eyes in hand.

“We’ve had the afterschool program here for many years and find that this is a great place for children to learn about nature and focus on the many exhibits,” said Ms. Leidhold as she pointed to the extensive butterfly and seabird exhibits.

Ms. Leidhold is planning the spring 2012 after school program which will include a study of whales, rocket construction and a Star Lab portable planetarium program, among other science and nature oriented activities.

For more information about the museum, visit www.marionmuseum.org.

By Joan Hartnett-Barry

ORR Will Not Pursue Mandatory Uniforms

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Neither the school committee nor the junior high or high school principals expressed interest in pursuing mandatory school uniforms or a strict dress code at the Old Rochester Regional campus.

At the request of Marion resident Gary Powers, the ORR School Committee entertained an agenda item at its December 14 meeting to discuss a new uniform requirement. In an email to school officials, Mr. Powers said the recent exploration of a stricter dress code at Sippican Elementary School might be “a more appropriate subject” for ORR Junior High and School – where students face stronger pressure to fit in.

Mr. Powers explained his view of the positives, namely that uniforms would remove pressure to buy the latest and more expensive fashions, help maintain social equality, place less emphasis on looks and more on character, remove some distractions from study, and build team spirit.

Both Junior High and High School Principals Kevin Brogioli and Michael Devoll conceded that Mr. Powers made valid points, but neither felt the idea was worth further consideration.

“All the points are good points, but it would be a dramatic change in the culture of the building. There would be a push back from parents – and students, students, students,” said Mr. Devoll. He said the dress code already in place is difficult to police, and that the school nurse helps communicate to students when they are in violation.

For example, Mr. Devoll said students cannot wear spaghetti straps – but tank tops are allowed– thus enforcement can be tricky.

Senior Walker Fuchs of the Student Council took a moment to weigh in as well. “I can speak on behalf on the students and say they would be staunchly opposed to this,” he said. “It is a great thing we got, expression of oneself through clothing. It would be pretty much hated.”

Committee Chairman Peter Bangs – who is a high school teacher in another district – said there is validity behind Mr. Power’s message but leaned toward maintaining student expression. “There might be good reasons uniforms can be helpful, but you would have to balance that with student choice and the ability to express oneself,” he said.
The committee opted not to second a motion for mandatory uniforms, but Mr. Devoll agreed with committee member Robin Rounseville that the current dress code should be revisited.

In other items discussed at the meeting, Director of Food Services Caitlyn Meagher said a new policy the committee approved last month to get students to pay for their lunch debts is making an impact.

Last month, the committee voted to limit how much students can charge to their NutriKids account, a point-of-sale system that allows kids to buy lunch with a four-digit code. Essentially they had voted that any students who had more than three unpaid lunches could not charge an additional one, but would be offered a cheese or peanut butter sandwich and milk for 50 cents.

Ms. Meagher said many payments came in the first week the policy became effective, and now the $1,181 debt has been whittled down to “somewhere in the $800 range.”

She said no parents have complained about the policy, and that only a handful of students have taken up the offer for a cheese or peanut butter sandwich, but mostly they have declined. Ms. Meagher said she plans “to the more on top of the situation” for next year – including assuring eligible kids get on the free and reduced lunch program.

In other food service notes, she said the program continues to bring in a significantly higher profit than last year – with $8,490 for ORR this past November compared to $6,522 in November 2010. The program saw 647 additional meals purchased this October compared to last year, although October 2010 was one operating school day shorter.

Ms. Meagher said school lunch participation increased to 54 percent in October, but then dropped to 51 percent the following month. “I was a little too aggressive on new menu items, there were too many changes in one month. In December I plan to go back to more comfortable items,” she said.

In financial business, Business Administrator said that the Massachusetts Department of Revenue certified that as of July 1, 2011, $1,000,793 was the amount of excess and deficiency for ORR. Already $467,662 of these monies is committed towards this year’s budget.

Superintendent Doug White explained that E and D is like free cash for a town, and ensures that schools can handle unanticipated costs. The E and D amount is based on many factors, including ORR’s revenue streams from fees, School Choice, etc as well as revolving accounts, but the district cannot spend it until the state certifies it.

In other business:

• The school committee approved Mattapoisett-based New Beginnings as its contractor for snow removal.

• The committee formally approved a donation from committee member Thomas Shire of a framed copy of the United Nations Charter, as well as booklets containing the Constitution, Declaration of Independence and Gettysburg address for distribution to ORR students.

• The board approved the acceptance of a $2,500 grant obtained by Director of Students Services Teresa Hamm for anti-bullying curriculum materials.

By Laura Fedak Pedulli

ConCom Needs Time to “Digest” Revised 40B

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Four Bay Watch Realty representatives presented their sophisticated and revised plan for a 96-unit development near Route 105 and Route 6 at a Marion Conservation Commission meeting on December 14.

The plan showed two, 30-unit apartment buildings, positioned south, toward Route 105, housing 60 units in total, in one area of the parcel, which was declared “affordable housing” and the remaining 36 homes, situated north in the parcel in an area beyond the apartments.

When asked about the proposed cost of the apartments or houses, the representatives said that the issue was not in the purview of the Conservation Commission.

When asked about the proposed Marion Pathway/Bike path that was proposed to “snake” its way through or alongside the complex, representatives from Bay Watch said that “it was a not conservation commission issue”. The plan presented did not show a pathway/stroller/bikeway area into or out of the complex where as many as 250 people might live.

“We don’t want another continuance,” said Mr. Millen, “we want to conclude this part of the process.”

When Mr. Millen and James Holding spoke, they asked if the Marion Conservation Commission board had looked at the revised plans.

“We have not seen them… when did you send them?” asked Wendy Carreau.

“We sent them this week,” replied Mr. Millen.

Each board member looked among themselves, and concluded that none had received the plans that were to be discussed that evening.

Board member Norman Hills said that the board needed time to ‘digest’ the new proposal and possibly get a peer review of the effects of the changes proposed.

Bay Watch Realty representatives questioned whether there was any money left in the Marion project to afford another peer review. Mr. Hills, of the board, said that he felt that it was needed, “because this is a totally different proposal” than the one that was originally proposed.

“What about the wildlife that now crosses that area and has crossed it for decades?” asked Mr. Hills.

Bay Watch Realty Trust representative Mr. Millen thought for a moment and replied… “we only addressed the wetlands issue and the vernal pools in the parcel.”

Board members looked among themselves and said that the neighbors abutting the property would have to deal with the deer and other wildlife that travel over the land.

Board members looked at the proposal and told Bay Watch Realty representatives that they needed time to review the new proposal and possibly have a peer review of the new plans.

“We want to conclude this project and go forward,” said Mr. Millen repeated.

The board agreed to continue the hearing until December 28 at 7:30 pm and reserved time for a continued hearing, if needed, on January 11, 2012.

In other business, the board reviewed a Request for Determination for Jeffery and Cheryl Faria, 53 Oakdale Avenue to reconstruct a 13-foot by 20.5-foot shed on an existing slab with stairs to access the upper storage level.

“You know that this unit can never be habitable,” said member Norman Hills.

The board approved the request for the new shed with three conditions including that the area cannot be fertilized, thereby eliminating any nitrates entering the waterway, that the boat removal and entry must be over the rocks on the property thereby eliminating disturbance of the wetlands and that the existing metal shed be demolished, because existing storage will be accommodated in the new shed.

Next up was a Request for Determination for Fannie Mae at 693 Front Street for an after-the-fact filling to replace a leaking septic tank. Mr. Briggs had recently visited the site and found that there was no vegetation on the site but that the recent repair, along with rocks and “seed and straw”, meaning hay bales on the driveway area would put the property back on the market.

“If we didn’t agree that the owner could repair the damage and get it back on the market, the property would soon be buried in snow… let’s have them sell it and move on,” said Chairman Briggs.

By Joan Hartnett-Barry