In-law Apartment Approved

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            Rochester’s Zoning Board of Appeals allowed the construction of a one-bedroom, in-law apartment on an undersized lot at 24 Bennett Road on February 15 after a lengthy struggle over how best to rule on the plan led to a telephone call to Town Counsel.

            ZBA Chairman David Arancio’s call to the town’s lawyers came after board members debated whether the petitioners, Robert and Christine Thompson, would be better served by a Special Permit rather than the use and side setback variances they were requesting. The Thompsons’ plan is to move into the 836-square-foot apartment so their son Robert, Jr. can move into the main house with his fiancee’ and their soon-to-be-born baby.

            Board member Jeffrey Costa said the Thompsons may have used the wrong variances and bylaw section to request ZBA approval and should have sought more professional guidance first. A special permit for the building addition may have been a better idea. Arancio said, unfortunately, the zoning panel must take up only what’s in the petition before them, and it is the burden of the applicant to get their application right.

            Arancio reported after the telephone call that Town Counsel advised him on how to approach both options. If the board deems the plan needs a special permit, the applicants would need to reapply. If the board wants to use the variance route, the hearing can move forward as is.

            In the end, the board granted the petition after getting Robert Thompson, Sr. to admit both variances are needed because of the hardships he would experience if he followed the literal regulations. First, the property has a unique topography, an undersized lot and hilly terrain that Thompson plans to alter. Second, there would be a financial hardship for Robert Thompson, Jr. to locate elsewhere.

            Before the vote, Robert Thompson, Jr. said in defense of the plan, “I love this town. I would like to start a family here. I would like to stick around.”

            In other action, the ZBA continued until February 29 its public hearing into a variance request for the construction of a 1,600-square-foot garage at 405 Neck Road, which would be larger than the 1,000 square feet allowed by law.

            Board members halted the public hearing after discovering the new structure would be placed at the front of the property, which in itself violates zoning bylaw. Yet this aspect of the plan was not on the application.

            The applicant, Michael Walsh, explained he recently moved from a larger home in Lakeville and needs a four-bay garage for his vehicles, boat and other storage.

            Board member Richard Cutler explained to Walsh that he might have problems selling the property in the future if the panel approved his plan as is now. Board members said they will consult first with the building inspector and Town Counsel.

            Also, Arancio reported Town Counsel has clarified the board’s quorum rules. Because the ZBA is a five-member board, it takes only three members present to open and conduct a public meeting, counsel told him. However, it still requires the presence of four voting members to approve a petition.

            The Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals set its next meeting for Thursday, February 29, at 7:15 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.

Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals

By Michael J. DeCicco

Parker May Have Opponent

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            According to Marion Town records, Diane Lopes Flaherty, 1001 Point Road, has taken out nomination papers to run for the Select Board. Incumbent Randy Parker, 735 Mill Street, is up for reelection this year.

            Parker has already returned his nomination papers, making his reelection bid official. Flaherty, according to Town Clerk Lissa Magauran’s update on Monday, had yet to return her nomination papers.

            Chairman Toby Burr’s term ends in 2025, and Norm Hills’ term ends in 2026. Marion’s Select Board also serves as the town’s Water/Sewer commissioners.

            Magauran noted that Marion has had 651 residents apply for Vote by Mail ballots. The town had mailed out 644 as of Monday with the remaining seven due to go out on Tuesday. The town has not been able to mail all of the Libertarian Party ballots requested, as the state did not anticipate the high number of requests, according to Magauran, who added the state is working on sending Marion additional ballots that will be mailed out as soon as they are received.

By Mick Colageo

ORR Bulldog Pride Alumni Association

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The ORR Bulldog Pride Alumni Association (BPAA) had set a goal of $3,500 for its fundraising drive, to coincide with the kickoff of the association during Homecoming 2023. Through events held from Friday, October 20 through Sunday, October 22, 2023, Alumni Weekend was organized for graduates of ORRJHS and ORRHS to come together in support of our school and to establish an outlet for alumni and friends to volunteer and contribute resources in service to students, teachers, and staff. The BPAA was committed to organizing an inclusive experience that brought together the common alumni experience that span decades. With attendance at the three events by over 100 alumni, the BPAA was able to reach its goals.

            The BPAA is proud to announce that donations received during Homecoming 2023 totaled $11,708 with an additional $23,000 in pledges through 2028. The amount that the BPAA raised during Alumni Weekend at Homecoming 2023 reached $34,708. This amount will go towards the BPAA bursary fund. The BPAA met its financial obligations through ticket sales, other forms of fundraising and other financial contributions received, with the intention of off-setting administrative costs.

            The association would like to thank all the alumni who attended the events and were generous with their time and financial resources. From connections built over Alumni Weekend, volunteers came forward to assist the association in reaching our long-terms goals as a charitable organization.

            With support from local businesses through their generous donations, the BPAA was able to offer select products and services to alumni at two of the three events organized over Alumni Weekend.

            The mission of the BPAA is to assist the ORR community, by providing financial and human resources for the benefit of not just a few but to improve the experience of many. The funds raised over Homecoming 2023 will go directly to supporting scholarships and grants to benefit students, faculty and staff of ORR. The volunteer efforts will be directed towards providing alumni expertise through a mentorship program.

            The BPAA is a recognized charitable organization in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, operating as a section 501(c)(3) non-profit. All donations to ORR BPAA are tax-deductible. To help the BPAA help the ORR community, go to givebutter.com/bulldog-pride-alumni-associationor. If you’re interested in volunteering for the BPAA, we welcome you to contact us directly at bulldogpridealumassoc@gmail.com

BBAHFH Ramp Donation Program

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Buzzards Bay Area Habitat for Humanity (BBAHFH) is seeking metal wheelchair ramp donations for their recently introduced Ramp Donation Program. The ramps will be loaned to homeowners needing accessible access into their homes. When a family no longer requires the ramp, it will be picked up by BBAHFH and will be loaned to another family in need. The Ramp Donation Program will be helpful for those with existing accessibility issues, temporary injury, or checking out of rehabilitation facilities.

            Explains Executive Director Christine Lacourse, “Along with building homes that are affordable for low-income families along the SouthCoast, we also service the community by helping with other homeowners’ critical housing repair needs. By collecting and storing metal ramps, we will have an inventory available to be installed by our volunteers when needed by a local family. Ramps are surprisingly expensive, often needed on short notice, and frequently are needed only temporarily. Our ramp program can give homeowners the accessibility that is needed to keep their independence and remain in their homes.”

            According to Lacourse, “When we installed a ramp for one housebound woman this past year, she was so excited that she raced down the ramp in her wheelchair calling out, ‘I’m free. I’m free.’ Her first trip was to get an ice cream cone.”

            BBAHFH is currently both looking for ramps to add to their inventory and for applicants in need of a ramp. The organization collaborates with other nonprofits in the region including the Councils of Aging, Coastal Neighbors Network, and the Association for Relief of Aged Women.

            In addition to providing ramps, BBAHFH’s Brush with Kindness program also helps low-income people with critical home exteriors such as painting, minor exterior repairs, wheelchair ramps, weatherization, and exterior clean-up, as well as other Aging-in-Place renovations. BBAHFH can often keep repair costs to a minimum due to discounted materials and volunteer labor and may even provide the family with a no-interest loan to cover the expenses.

            Since Habitat for Humanity is a 501 (c)3 nonprofit organization, ramp donations are tax deductible per IRS code. In addition to tax deductions, donors benefit from the removal of unwanted ramps and can feel good about helping families in need of housing.

            BBAHFH was first established in 1996 and serves the nine communities of Acushnet, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Marion, Mattapoisett, New Bedford, Rochester, Wareham and Westport.

            For more information on donating or requesting ramps, email Christine Lacourse at BuzzardsBayAreaHabitat@yahoo.com, or call (508) 758-4517.

Mattapoisett Tree Committee

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To the Editor;

            The Mattapoisett Tree Committee is sponsoring an information hearing on February 28 at 6pm at the Fire Station meeting room. Please, please consider attending this meeting whether you support the Mattapoisett Tree Committee or not. Approximately 26 trees will be cut in the center of town. Yes this is very sad, but unfortunately necessary. Sidewalks in some cases in the center of town are impassable. There are raised and cracked sidewalks and damaged curbstones. Large trees and overgrown roots have taken the place of sidewalk space in some cases. The damaged sidewalks make it very hard if not impossible to walk or maneuver a stroller or a wheelchair or even walk safely on the sidewalk. This is a safety hazard and could possibly violate the American with Disabilities Act. The center of town is where the Town Hall, a school, banks, library, tennis and pickleball courts, wharf, playgrounds, beach, churches, shopping and some restaurants are located. All of these Need and should be accessible to all town residents. Although approximately 26 trees will be cut, 32 trees will be planted. They will be a smaller more appropriate species, and yes they will be saplings as their predecessors once were but they will grow. The state and federal government is giving the town 9 million dollars (tip funds) for this project at no cost to the taxpayer, which includes repairing sidewalks, curbing, extending sidewalks and curbing, tree removal, tee planting (more than will be cut), street repair and drainage which is sorely needed. The larger oak trees now in the center of town in most cases were planted before sidewalks, curbings, sewer or paved roads. In contrast, where was the concern when 500 trees were cut for the Mattapoisett Rail Trail and not a single tree was replanted? If we do not take these monies, over the cutting of trees, then the town to complete this project will need to borrow the money and that will mean paying that back with interest. That means the costs will be passed on to the taxpayers at approximately $3,200 per taxpayer. To not take this money is ridiculous and fiscally irresponsible since more trees will be planted than cut. Please attend at let your voices be heard.

Debortah Abelha, Mattapoisett

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. All letters must be typed and submitted directly to: news@wanderer.com.

Sale of Fire Station Hears Objection

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            With only one hearing on its February 15 agenda, it seemed the Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals would be holding a quiet and quick meeting. But what ensued was the reading of a letter by one of the bidders to purchase the decommissioned fire station objecting to the sale, not the Special Permit filing.

            The sale of the former fire station, 26 County Road, was handled by the Select Board based on proposed new use and the bid offer.

            Local business owner Michael Sudofsky and the business entity Sakonnet Properties LLC of New Bedford both submitted bids when the town offered up the property for sale with an eye towards redevelopment.

            Sudofsky initially was the winner with a bid higher than that of Sakonnet Properties, but the bid process carried various stipulations including a deposit by the bidders to be paid in a set period of time. Sudofsky, according to Town Administrator Mike Lorenco, had failed to meet the deadline. As Lorenco explained, “when (Sudofsky’s) bid was nonresponsive, the bid went to Sakonnet.”

            After the presentation by Sakonnet’s engineer Steve Gioiosa of SITEC in which he described parking plans, exterior treatment and a plan to redevelop the site into commercial office space with a second-floor apartment, the floor was opened to the public.

            Sudofsky said he wanted to read a letter into the minutes, expressing his objections to the manner in which the RFP was handled by the town.

            Chairman Susan Akin attempted to explain to Sudofsky that the board was not responsible for the bid award and was just following through with a Special Permit for change of use. Sudofsky asserted his right to be heard and read the letter.

            “I was the original winner … I proposed a village grocer,” Sudofsky began. He claimed that in giving the bid to Sakonnet the town had lost $300,000, “…the town has breached its duty.”

            Attorney Chris Saunders, representing Sakonnet, told the board that objections to the bid itself were not germane to the issue at hand, adding that, “my client agreed to the town’s directives.”

            The town’s counsel in this matter, Mat Thomas, said, “These issues are not relative to the Special Permit,” and that it was the Select Board which had chosen the bid winner.

            After reading his letter, Sudofsky exited the meeting and cautioned the board about deciding the matter.

            In a follow-up, Lorenco stated, “(Sudofsky) is right, he had the highest bid, but it was deemed a ‘no responsive bid’ due to his not complying with the terms of the RFP. His claims of unfair terms within the Purchase and Sales (agreement) seem null, as they are the same terms being agreed to by the second bidder.”

            Lorenco went on to say, “As for his complaints on the following of timeframes in the RFP, I will note the town gave him plenty of time to rectify his nonresponsive bid. He refused to comply, so the town was forced to move to the next responsive bidder.”

            As for Sakonnet’s proposed redevelopment plans, Gioiosa spoke to the issue of parking, landscaping, ADA compliance and that the look of the completed project will be good for the area.

            The ZBA members unanimously approved the Special Permit.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals is scheduled for Thursday, March 21, at 6:00 pm.

Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals

By Marilou Newell

Roy’s Focus Impacts ORR Hockey Team

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            “Boom!” the semisonic sound filled the Travis Roy Rink at Tabor Academy, not from the slapshot fired by the Bishop Stang player but when the sizzling puck was kicked away by goaltender Tucker Roy.

            His snow-white goalie pads are only a few weeks old but already bear the black scuff marks of many scoring attempts denied.

            A sophomore goaltender with an aggressive style of play, Roy has a 2.60 goals-against average, a .918 save percentage and three shutouts. But of greater value is a pure kind of motivation to the current hockey season that, thanks to his and his teammates’ performance, will not end with Tuesday’s schedule-completing victory over Apponequet.

            The 10-8-1 record the Bulldogs took into Tuesday’s regular-season finale was already good enough to clinch a postseason berth and render that match a playoff tune-up for the MIAA Division 4 state tournament.

            A 16-year-old Rochester resident, Roy has been around the Old Rochester Regional/Fairhaven coop hockey team for a few years now. He practiced with the Bulldogs as an eighth grader, made the team as a freshman and felt strongly that they could improve on their .500 records during those years. He wanted to be part of a team-wide surge.

            “I wanted to build on that and go over the hump that we were stuck at,” said Roy. “We also wanted to beat Dartmouth and (Bishop) Stang because those are the rivals that we focus on. It was just real big for us to start off like that.”

            Those back-to-back wins over the Indians and the Spartans set the tone for a bounce-back season for the Bulldogs, who last chased glory in 2017 when they were led by Chase Cunningham, Sam Henrie, Landon Goguen, Noah Strawn and the Labonte’s to the Division 3 state final at TD Garden where they lost to eventual champion Shrewsbury.

            The 2023-24 Bulldogs have a lot of experience to gain before matching their big-brother Bulldogs, but hockey teams are typically built from the net on out, and head coach Zach Ledogar thinks Roy is among the top high school goalies in southeastern Massachusetts.

            A young man but an experienced delegator, Ledogar leaves the goalie whispering to his assistant Patrick Aalto, a UMass Dartmouth sophomore who has been instructing young puck stoppers for several years.

            “This is my first year working with Old Rochester, and I notice right away when I step on the ice with Tucker and Paddy (Carrier, the backup goalie), they’re both very focused, but Tucker especially is very focused, very driven,” said Aalto, a Barnstable native who played his varsity hockey at Cushing Academy. “You can tell each day (Roy) gets on the ice, he wants to get better, he wants to learn.

            “He can be a little quiet, which is a great trait to have for a goaltender. He loves stopping pucks and, at the same time, he plays with a little bit of fire, a little bit of confidence, especially having settled into the (starting) job. When he’s in practice, a little bit of that fire comes out because he wants to be the best, he wants to stop every puck.”

            Not being especially big at 5-foot-8, Roy works regularly on his movement and can often be found in the weight room, where young athletes learn that strength leads to balance.

            Aalto is especially impressed with Roy’s mental approach to his role on the team and his ability within a highly competitive and sometimes chaotic and emotional environment to remain focused on the elements within his control.

            “He does that very well already,” said Aalto. “As much as there are so many things that are physical that go into it as a goaltender, a lot of it really is mental. … By the time you get to those higher levels, every single guy can stop the puck, and it’s about who’s stronger mentally because that’s going to be the foundation of the team.”

            His choice of 13 for a sweater number is odd for a goalie, but it goes back several years from watching his cousins, Bishop Stang defensemen Jack and Ryan Martin, wear the number when they played their high school hockey.

            “I used to go to a lot of their games, I always wore (13) growing up,” Roy said, having been part of a rotation taking turns at goalie at ages seven and eight in short-rink, 3-on-3 hockey with the Hetland Panthers. His mother was in charge of getting the players their game sweaters. By age 10, Roy knew he wanted to be a goalie.

            Last year, ORR/Fairhaven didn’t have a number-13 sweater so Roy wore 1; this year they got new uniforms and he pounced.

            With hockey permeating his extended family history, playing the sport was an inevitability for Roy, who skated at Hetland (New Bedford) but also with the Gladiators. In Grade 5, he played with a club based at Bridgewater Ice Arena.

            “The first year we weren’t great and didn’t win a game, but I was getting a lot of shots,” said Roy, whose skills sharpened some more over the next two summers at Norwell-based MassCrease Goaltending School. “That’s helped me too.”

            Roy also plays football and lacrosse. His sixth-grade brother Henry is also a hockey goalie who plays baseball and football. Their freshman sister Elsie plays field hockey and lacrosse.

            The blood lines for hockey run thick through the south coast, and it’s not uncommon for many players who grew up in the same youth-hockey associations facing off against one another in emotionally fueled high school games.

            Traditionally competing in Division 3, the Bulldogs went out in the opening round of the state tournament in both of the last two years. Heading into the final weekend of the 2023-24 regular season, ORR/Fairhaven was ranked 11th in Division 4.

            The Bulldogs have also earned a reputation of putting the puck in the net, led by center Caleb Bousquet’s 13 goals and 17 assists for 30 points in 17 games this season. He and Connor Galligan (8-22-30 in 16GP) ranked third and fourth respectively in MIAA Division 4 scoring and are 18th and 21st statewide.

            “We’re obviously focused in practice. … We’ve been doing more competitive drills … and everyone’s, like, locked in,” said Roy. “We all talk to each other, even in our group chat. We’re all building up each other and motivating each other. We think we’re ready, and we want to go far.”

By Mick Colageo

Plumb Library Upcoming Events

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Book Group at the Rochester Council on Aging (COA) – Our COA Book Group meets on the third Tuesday of every month and everyone is welcome. On Tuesday, February 20 at 1:00 pm we will be discussing Lucy by the Sea by Elizabeth Strout. March’s book will be The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton and copies will be available at the meeting to borrow. Please bring your library card.

            World Bookmark Day – Free Bookmark Swap – Did you know that World Bookmark Day is in February? Come celebrate with us on Saturday, February 24 anytime between 10:00 am-2:00 pm at our free bookmark swap. Bring as many as you like and take as many as you like, all for free. Would you prefer to make your own? Pick up a template at the library, get creative, and then bring your design to us by Wednesday, February 21. We’ll print out a few of our favorites on cardstock and laminate them for the swap.

            Local Author Matt Davis – Matt Davis was born and raised in New Bedford, but his career as a professor and researcher at a university in California provided him with many opportunities to explore the world. In his new book, At Home in the World: Reflections of a Travel Addict, Matt shares some of his favorite experiences while traveling internationally. Please join us on Saturday, March 9 at 12:30 pm for a talk where he will share photos and some stories from the book and discuss how his passion for travel developed during his childhood years. Signed copies of the book will be available for purchase ($20.00, cash or check, please). There are 25 spots available for this event. Please register through our online Events Calendar.

Old Rochester’s Mask Making Tradition

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Every fall, just in time for Halloween, Old Rochester’s Ceramic I students embark on a captivating investigation of masks, as tools of transformation and cultural significance. Students researched selected masks from a diverse range of global masking traditions, studying symbolism and contextual rituals and/or celebrations before reinterpreting them through ceramic artistry.

            Each mask became an expression of the student’s imagination, infused with vibrant colors, intricate shapes, and meaningful designs, symbolic of the story, purpose, and power each student invented for their mask. From the initial crafting of maquettes to the final unveiling of final, life-size masks, students blended ancient traditions with personal narratives to produce the body of work you see before you.

            As visitors to this exhibit, we are invited to immerse ourselves in the rich tapestry of human history and creativity, exploring the stories and symbolism behind each mask. Through their artistry, Old Rochester’s Ceramic I students offer a glimpse into the enduring power of cultural traditions and the transformative potential of the mask as artistic expression.

Pencils Pose a Problem

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            In her update to the Marion Board of Health during its February 8 public meeting, Health Agent Shallyn Rodriguez reported a troubling discovery. What Rodriguez said she “found odd” was the fact that two body-art establishments in town are reusing pencils that draw the art before microblading begins. Marion does not require disinfecting pencils.

            “I called the state and say, ‘hey, this is what I found,’ and they (said), ‘we didn’t even know about it … we didn’t know that was a (practice),’” reported Rodriguez, who received feedback that the state will discuss the matter and could potentially revise its next set of regulations to reflect the requirement that pencils used on bodies in advance of microblading are sanitized in between clients.

            Board member Dr. John Howard does not think art pencils or a pencil sharpener can be effectively sanitized. Board Chairman Dr. Ed Hoffer suggested Marion recommend disposable pencils for the work. Rodriguez said, while a microblade is not as deep as a tattoo, it does scrape the skin and does draw blood.

            Howard playfully suggested the board send Hoffer in for treatment under cover. More seriously, Howard suggested the town become a leader since the state is apparently leaving such regulations in the hands of municipalities.

            Hoffer asked that a public hearing be held as promptly as possible so that the town could push through a regulation.

            A septic update on 38 Rocky Knook Lane included information on a sale of the property, which had received an extension from the Board of Health while looking for a betterment loan.

            In the interim, the existing owner could not produce Title 5 certification but said they would pump the system on February 3, but when Health Director Lori Desmarais reached out for confirmation, the company had no record of the service.

            The town, meanwhile, had no record of the last pumping. The septic installer said the property was to be sold on February 12 with money put in escrow as part of the sale to replace the system.        Desmarais said a 2022 percolation test will require repeating without test results.

            Howard recommended a follow-up on the sale and the status of the construction.

            At 51 Bay Road, the situation is murkier, as the property was transferred from the parents to immediate family, but the new owner had not yet pumped the cesspool, which had been treated approximately three years ago.

            The town has no record or knowledge of the condition of the cesspool. Hoffer suggested the town request pumping records and, if they cannot be produced, request that the system is pumped in the next 90 days.

            Marion has conducted 20 Community EMS visits in 2024.

            Last year, Marion had 51 cases of tick-borne illness. Desmarais is working with Plymouth County tick expert Blake Dinius on scheduling an event where shoe treatment can be administered.

            Board members would like the Plymouth County Mosquito Control Project Report to include the number of respondents to the invitation to seek individual home treatment. Desmarais planned to attend the Plymouth County Mosquito Control Information Session.

            The members held a discussion on the opioid settlement and Narcan funding and would like to  have some influence in the process with town officials.

            The next meeting of the Marion Board of Health was not announced upon adjournment.

Marion Board of Health

By Mick Colageo