Richard S. Marchisio, Jr.

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Richard S. Marchisio, Jr., 49, of Rochester died suddenly Wednesday, March 21, 2012. He was the husband of the late Nancy (Harrington) Marchisio and loving father of Sarah Rea and Christian Deane, both of Rochester, and nephew of John and Gabrielle Deane of Westchester, PA. He is also survived by his companion and pal, Jacquelyn Bassett and her girls Bethanie and Melissa.

Born in New Bedford, MA, the son of the late Richard and Elizabeth (Deane) Marchisio. He has lived in Rochester for more than 25 years.

A 1984 graduate of Providence College, he spent his entire career in the insurance industry. Most recently as the owner of Marchisio Insurance Agency, a firm he founded in 1995 in New Bedford.

His passions were his family, friends, cooking, skiing, being outdoors, traveling and enjoying life to its fullest by bringing smiles to the faces of those around him.

His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday at 11 AM at St. John Neumann Church, East Freetown. Visiting hours will be on Sunday from 4-7 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rich and Nancy’s memory to Sarah’s Pan-Mass Challenge effort by donating online to rider number 75275-6 (www.pmc.org) or send a check to the Marchisio Insurance Agency, 928 Ashley Blvd. New Bedford, MA 02745, made out to the Pan-Mass Challenge. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Isabelle E. (Houston) Smart

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Isabelle E. (Houston) Smart, “Gram”, 93, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at Royal of Fairhaven surrounded by her loving family. She was the wife of the late Robert Smart.

Born in Haverhill, on November 18th, 1918, she was the daughter of the late William & Julia Houston. Isabelle graduated from Arlington High School. Accepted by one of the top classical cornetists in the world, Walter Smith, she attended the Boston Conservatory of Music and went on to play with the Boston Women’s Symphony.

After attending the Boston Cambridge School of Design, she met her husband Robert and opened The Mattapoisett Manor, now YMCA Camp Massasoit, and Silver Gull restaurants in Mattapoisett.

She is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth Sweikert and her husband James of Machias, ME; her grandchildren, Heather Guay and her husband Kenneth of Fairhaven, Cory Daggett of Acushnet and Andrew Daggett of Rochester; her great grandson, Aiden Guay and her loving friend, Marylou Medeiros of Acushnet.

Her funeral service was held on Fri., Mar. 23, 2012 at Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Highway (Rt. 28), Wareham at 11:00 AM. Visiting hours were Thurs. from 6 – 8 PM. Interment was private.

Louise (Teixeira) Barros

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Louise (Teixeira) Barros, 84, of Marion died on Monday, March 20, 2012 at the Royal Cape Cod Nursing and Rehab. Center in Buzzards Bay. She was the widow of the late Christian Andrews and Harry L. Barros.

A lifelong resident of Marion, Louise was the daughter of the late Emilio and Louise Teixeira. She was a member of the Tabernacle of Praise in Wareham.

Survivors include her children, Christian “Bucky” Andrews, Jr. and his wife Cynthia of Marion, and her daughter Karen Pina and her husband Edwin of Marion; her brothers Julio Teixeira of Marion and Raul Teixeira of Kingston; her grandchildren Carmen Andrews, Cathy Andrews, Carl Andrews, and 4 great grandchildren. Louise was predeceased her siblings Catherine Barros, Phyllis Louden, Antone Teixeira, Domingo Teixeira, and Avelino Teixeira; her grandson Chris Andrews.

At the family’s request all services for Louise will be private.

Carroll (Merch) Francis Chase

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Carroll (Merch) Francis Chase, 86, of Marion died Tuesday, March 20, 2012 after a brief illness. She was the widow of Russell W. Chase.

Born in Boston, MA, Carroll was the daughter of the late William F. and Ethal (Raymond) Merchant. She is survived by a brother Robert Merchant of Florida and sister Patricia Grogan of Worcester, MA. Carroll was raised and educated in Mattapoisett.

Carroll was employed by Revere Copper and Brass for many years. In New Hampshire she worked for Markem before opening her own natural food store. In 1974 Carroll returned with the family to Mattapoisett where she and Marge Wood opened their natural food store Pure and Simple. A move to Florida introduced Carroll to the medical records filed.

At age 70 Carroll moved back to Mattapoisett and enrolled at U Mass Dartmouth where she received her BA in English -Writing and Communications Magnum Cum Laude. At age 80 she received her Masters of Arts in Professional Writing. Always an avid reader and writer, Carroll wrote and self-published two books – The Pines and The Hurricane of 1938.

Survivors include her children: Russell (Chip) Chase, wife Lynne of Mattapoisett; Deborah Briggs, husband Arnold of West Wareham; David Case, wife Kathleen of West Wareham and Robert Chase, wife Michele of Fall River. Also surviving are nine grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren. Carroll leaves many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

A celebration of her life will be held March 31 at 2PM in Reynard Hall at the Congregational Church in Mattapoisett. All are welcome.

Beverly Morgan Crampton

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Beverly Morgan Crampton, aged 62 years, of Mattapoisett, died unexpectedly, at home on Sun. March 18, 2012. She was born in Middleboro, daughter of the late William A and Anna M (Norlander) Crampton. She was a graduate of Apponequet Regional High School, and the University of Bridgewater. Survivors include a brother, Byron and his wife Mary Anne Crampton of Lakewood, OH, two nephews, Andrew and Christopher Crampton. A graveside service will be held on Sat. March 24th at Pine Island Cemetery, Rte. 6 Mattapoisett, at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Southcoast Humane Society Shelter, 31 Ventura Dr. Dartmouth, MA 02747, would be appreciated. Arrangements are being handled by the Egger Funeral Home, Middleboro. For more information, please visit www.eggerandashleyfh.com

Barbara Welling

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Barbara Welling, 82, passed peacefully at home on Saturday, March 17, 2012. A long-time resident of Mattapoisett, Barbara was born in Stafford Springs, Connecticut. She attended Boston University, where she received her BA in music and where she met her husband of 46 years, the late Mason Welling. They settled happily in Mattapoisett and raised 4 children, George, Kathy, Mary Jane and John.

Barbara taught for many years at the East Fairhaven School and was active in the local bird club, garden club and various civic and community groups. She enjoyed the company of many friends and neighbors and will be very missed by everyone who knew her.

Barbara is survived by her children, four grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, and her brother Robert Keirans.

Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, March 24th at 10:00 am at St. Anthony’s church in Mattapoisett. Burial will follow in Cushing Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Mattapoisett Land Trust. Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Road, Mattapoisett. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Helen (Walulik) Kiely

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Helen (Walulik) Kiely, 82, of Rochester passed away on Tuesday March 6, 2012. She was the wife of the late Edmund J. Kiely.

Born in Plainfield, NJ, the daughter of the late Michael and Veronica Walulik, she lived in Plainfield and Lebanon Township, NJ for many years before moving to Rochester in 2005.

Helen was formerly employed as a quality control technician at Ethicon in Bridgewater, NJ until her retirement.

Helen played baseball on three teams in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League from 1948 – 1950. She also played basketball for the New York Covergirls in the 1950s.

She was a volunteer at the Rochester Senior Center.

Survivors include three children, Karen O’Hara and her husband Brian of Scituate, RI, Jill Santos of Rochester, and Robert Kiely and his wife Alison of Portsmouth, RI; five grandchildren, Kathleen O’Hara, Paige and Brooke Santos, Conor and Patrick Kiely; and several nieces and nephews.

She was the mother-in-law of the late Steven Santos, and sister of the late Stanley Walulik, Mary Terry, Alfred Walulik, Jean Walulik, Frances Ayers, and Stelle Kopf.

Her Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday March 31, 2012 at 10 AM at St. Joseph’s Church, Fairhaven. Visiting hours are omitted. Arrangements are by the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Mattapoisett. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Mattapoisett Council on Aging Holds Art Show

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The Mattapoisett Council on Aging will host an art show this Saturday, March 24, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.  The exhibit features over 30 paintings from the council’s art class.  Admission is free and refreshments will be served.  The Council on Aging is located at the Center School, 17 Barstow St.

Bay Watch Project Decision Delayed

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When it comes to Bay Watch Realty’s 40B project, the end is yet to come.

On March 22, the Zoning Board of Appeals once again continued a public hearing on the developer’s proposed affordable housing development, a 96-unit project off Route 105 that would include 60 affordable rentals and 36 single-family homes.

The hearing covered much ground, as peer review engineer John Churchill indicated that with applicable conditions – Bay Watch has addressed his engineering concerns to his satisfaction.

Bay Watch attorney Ken Steen said a proposed emergency access drive has been relocated due to grading issues, and that the Marion Fire Chief has approved the design change.  Also, since the last hearing, Bay Watch had a “handshake agreement” with abutter Sherman Briggs for an easement to allow emergency vehicles to traverse his property.

Steen also discussed the school bus situation, and said that Sippican Elementary School’s bus contractor – Braga Transportation – agreed to enter the site to retrieve the children. Steen said an indemnity agreement between the two parties would be enacted for this purpose. Bay Watch engineers did add to the plan a bus stop along Route 105 given the agreement with Braga expires or falls through.

“Clearly this is the preferred location. This will make a lot of difference for there will be a good number of children [at the development],” Steen said.

Board member Betsy Dunn asked if the local school committee would need to get involved, but Steen indicated that the agreement would be between the two private parties.

It was noted that this issue would be mute if the town ends up adopting the roadway into the development, as proposed by Selectman Jon Henry. At the hearing, Henry again made his case that town oversight would eliminate potential problems in the future.

“We, the Selectmen, would like some control,” he said. “There have been a number of roads not built to standards, with water systems poorly done.” In the end, the town eats the costs, he said. Henry acknowledged that the public roadway issue would not come up until after it is built, but said, “I don’t want it to be a showstopper.”

The most significant issue holding up a decision involves the question of how many of the project’s single-family homes would be classified as affordable. At a previous hearing, Bay Watch representatives proposed selling two out of the 36 three-bedroom residences as affordable (at 80 percent of the median income, about $200,000)– but the Marion Selectmen are pushing the developer to designate 25 percent, or nine homes, as affordable.

ZBA Chairman Robert Wedge insisted that the developer furnish the board with financial records to justify why more than two designated affordable homes would make the project economically infeasible.

“I don’t feel comfortable without the Pro Forma,” Wedge said, arguing that he cannot make a decision without seeing the numbers.  “Would a businessman take your word for it? What do you have to gain from hiding the ball?”

Attorney Ted Regnante, representing Bay Watch, responded that it is not a matter within the jurisdiction of the ZBA and “unnecessary.”

Later during the hearing, Wedge put on the table that he is comfortable with seven units, but Ken Steen, of Bay Watch, said, “If you had the condition that we sell 7 houses at 80 percent [of median income], we can’t do this deal.”

“This project requires a tremendous amount of infrastructure and is extremely expensive,” he added, noting that just building the 1,500-foot road, including the bridge, into the project would cost $2 million.

Complicating matters is that MassHousing has not yet decided whether the proposed bifurcated project – with 100 percent of the rentals deemed affordable and with only six percent of the single-family homes designated affordable – even meets the criteria to be considered part of Marion’s affordable housing stock. Normally the state requires that at least 25 percent of units in a 40B are affordable.

Regnante said MassHousing is meeting with the Department of Housing and Community Development on April 5 to “hopefully provide a definitive answer on this project.” However, both Wedge and Bay Watch officials agreed that MassHousing is unreliable and could drag out the case.

“This could theoretically go on until June or July,” commented Steen.

Under the suggestion of Town Counsel Jon Whitten – Bay Watch and the ZBA decided to reach an agreement on their own terms, and write as a condition that the developer will designate affordable whatever MassHousing requires, but if they require no affordable single-family homes Bay Watch would still keep the two promised homes as affordable as a measure of good faith.

Then, after a recess for Bay Watch representatives to confer on the Pro Forma request, Regnante finally relented and offered to present Bay Watch’s financial documents in a workshop before the next hearing, which is scheduled for April 5 at 8:00 pm.

By Laura Fedak Pedulli

MAC Offers Beginners Watercolor Class

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This course is designed for adults who would like to try watercolor painting, but do not know where to start.  Students will explore different techniques, while working on landscape, still life, figurative, and /or imaginative painting, in a nurturing environment.

Tuition for the 8 week session is:  $160 for Members of the Art Center and $175 for non-members.  Materials are not included.  A suggested supply list is available upon request.

The instructor Patricia White, is a painter and Gallery Instructor at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.  She is past President of the Marion Art Center and a current Exhibition Committee Member.  She studied Realist Painting at the Boston Museum School of Fine Arts, and has shown her work in numerous exhibitions in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, including the Marion Art Center, The Jonathan Bourne Library, The Wareham Library , Don’s Art Shop of Warren, The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the Gift Shop of The Cape Code Museum of Art.

To register please call the Marion Art Center at 508-748-1266.