Author Roxana Robinson at the Mattapoisett Library

on

With her newly published novel “Leaving” one of Oprah’s most anticipated books of 2024, Roxana Robinson is making the rounds and gathering praise once again. The award-winning author of six novels and three short story collections will speak at the Mattapoisett Free Public Library on Saturday, March 16 at 2 pm. The Friends of the Mattapoisett Library is sponsoring the event and will welcome Ms. Robinson on her return visit with a reception and remarks by President Kathleen Sites. The public is invited to attend.

            “Her last visit to the library filled the room, and she was a wonderful speaker,” offered Susan Pizzolato, Interim Library Director. “Everyone got to ask their questions about her books and writing process. Roxana is very entertaining as well as being an engaging reader of her work. I’ve read “Leaving” and I think it will be very appealing to our patrons.”

            Author of “Horse,” Geraldine Brooks said of “Leaving” [it is} a searing interrogation of honor and passion. It dissects the hidden cost of the choices we make, and the consequences with which we must endeavor to live.”

            Robinson’s fiction has appeared in The New Yorker, Atlantic, Harper’s and other publications. She lives in New York City and Connecticut, spends as much time as she can in Maine and teaches in the MFA program at Hunter College. During the pandemic, she taught novels online to benefit her local library in Connecticut.

            Copies of “Leaving” will be available for purchase at the reception, and Robinson will be there to sign copies. The audience is encouraged to register in advance, though walk-ins are welcome, space permitting. Call the library at 508-758-4171 circulation desk, or email spizzolato@sailsinc.org.

Large Garage to Re-Apply

on

Rochester’s Zoning Board of Appeals on February 29 approved a request to withdraw without prejudice the variance application 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 town zoning bylaw.

            Acting Chairman Thomas Flynn said the applicant, Michael Walsh, needs to withdraw his current petition because he wishes to bring in a new application with two variance requests at a future date.

            The original application sparked alarm at the board’s January 25 meeting after members learned the new structure would be placed at the front of the property, which in itself violates the zoning bylaw. Yet this aspect of the plan was not on the application.

            On that date, 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 submitted on February 29.

            In other action, the board approved a FY25 budget request of $1,000, which is no change from this fiscal year’s ZBA budget. “We should stick to our last budget amount,” board member Davis Sullivan said.

            Board administrator Andreia Lacerda reported she has received no petitions for the March 14 meeting. Therefore, the Zoning Board of Appeals will meet next on March 28 at 7:15 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way, Rochester.

Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals

By Michael J. DeCicco

Andrew J. Santos

on

Andrew J. Santos of Marion, MA died March 5, 2024, after a brief illness.  He was married for 64 years to Marianne (Eggersdorfer) Santos. He was born November 10, 1933, the son of John & Madeline Santos. Andy, as he was known to family and friends, lived most of his life in Marion.

            He was among the first black students to attend Sippican School in Marion in 1939. He graduated from Tabor Academy in 1952 and Williams College in 1956. He served in the U.S. Army from 1957 – 1959, and for many years thereafter, in the Army reserves. After working in banking and the Model Cities federal program in New Bedford during the 1960’s and early 70’s, he joined the ORR Regional District as its Business Manager in October 1972. He would retire as Associate Superintendent – Finance in 1998. Throughout the years he served in many capacities within the community. Sports were among his favorite things, and he was very active as a player and coach.

            In sports, he had successful high school and college careers. At Tabor Academy, he played varsity football, basketball (Capt.), golf (Capt.) and was voted the best overall athlete in his senior class. At Williams, he played football, basketball and golf. The 1955 Williams basketball team for which he played, went to the NCAA Division I Championship Tournament. That team was voted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame.

            He also had great success as a coach.  He coached in Little League and Pony League from 1970-1980. After retiring from his role as Associate Superintendent, he returned in October of 2001 to serve as ORR’s Interim Athletic Director through September of 2002. In 2004, he jumped on board as an assistant coach for the ORR golf team and became the varsity Golf Coach in 2005.

            His teams enjoyed a great deal of success during his tenure, going 119-17-3, capturing 4 SCC Championships and 5 SCC tournament championships during his coaching career from 2005 – 2012. During that time, his success was acknowledged as one year he was named the Division III golf coach of the year by the Boston Globe. He always considered sports as a building block for student athletes and that lessons learned from competition could be beneficial towards future success in life. His contributions to sports at ORR were acknowledged in 2017 when he was inducted into the ORR sports Hall of Fame. In his later years, he stated that his induction to the school’s Hall of Fame was amongst his proudest accomplishments.

            He was a strong advocate for public education and during his lifetime, he served in many community programs and was an active member in his church, St. Rita’s of Marion.

            He is survived by his wife Marianne, his son Andrew J. Santos, Jr. and his wife Melanie of Marion, MA; his son Michael C. Santos and his wife Kerstin of Rochester, MA; and his daughter Erika C. Miranda and her husband Michael of Marion, MA and his daughter Lindsay; his brother John P. Santos II of Lakeland, Florida; his grandchildren, Drew Santos (wife Katie), Chelsea Friberg (husband Jay), Steven Santos (fiancé Liz), Katrina Santos (partner Connor), Devin Miranda and Shaun Miranda; his great-grandchildren, Cecelia Friberg and Cameron Santos and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

            Visiting hours will be held at Chapman Funerals & Cremations – Wareham, 2599 Cranberry Highway, Wareham on March 14, 2024, from 4:00-7:00 pm. A funeral mass will be held on Friday, March 15, 2024, at 10:00 am, St. Rita’s Church, 121 Front St., Marion, MA with a reception to follow at Bay Pointe CC in Onset, MA.

            In his memory, in lieu of flowers, please consider a gift in his name to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Leprechaun Loot Hike

on

Mattapoisett Land Trust is leading a Leprechaun Loot Hike again this year. After school on Friday, March 15, join MLT at the Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. parking area (Angelica Ave.) from 3:00 to 4:00 pm. We’re setting off to find where the leprechauns have hidden their loot ahead of this St. Patrick’s Day. We’ll take a short hike through the woods searching for gold (of the chocolate variety.) Please RSVP on our events page so the leprechauns know how much gold to hide: mattlandtrust.org/events. Dress accordingly for the weather and join us for some fun. Email manager@mattlandtrust.org with any questions.

Marion Garden Group

on

If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?” Peeking up through the crusty old sticks and leaves, the wonder of rebirth dazzles our senses. And gardeners throughout the world are looking for their gloves, rakes and trowels to help Mother Nature with her magic transformation.

            The Marion Garden Group has not been idle these last few months. Enlightening, informative programs have been held via Zoom. In-person meetings resume in March. Plans are underway for refurbishing the beautification projects around town. Window boxes, planters, urns and of course the horse trough will be tended by MGG teams of volunteers. Tree tagging continues too.

            The popular Plant Sale will be held on May 11 in Bicentennial Park. Annuals, perennials, cuttings and bulbs from local gardens plus seedlings nurtured over the winter will be for sale at the biannual event. For more information, please visit MGG website: www. mariongardengroup.org.

Subdivision Proposal for Holly Woods

on

            The March 4 meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board had one agenda item, an informal meeting to discuss a proposed, eight-lot subdivision off Holly Woods Road. The property owner is Collin Labrie, 7 Holly Woods Road, represented on this night by Chris Vandenberghe of Civil and Environmental Consultants.

            The primary plans call for a traditional clearing of lots and an extended driveway of 650 feet. Vandenberghe said waivers to be considered would be elimination of sidewalks with nothing more requested and acceptance of the extended driveway.

            Abutters were present and voiced their concern over the ruination of the natural woodlands and increased traffic flow from the 9-acre site. Things became a bit testy, but Planning Board Chairman Tom Tucker assured them that Monday’s discussion was preliminary, that there are many steps yet to be walked before approval might occur and that notice of the future public hearing would be sent to all abutters via registered mail.

            Planning Board member Bill Westerberg suggested to the owner that he could develop the project in a manner that would make people proud. Westerberg is in favor of sidewalk(s), and said that vegetation including trees left in place for greenery, “… remove a minimum of trees for a better project.” Lot sizes are planned at 30,000 square feet.

            Labrie was told he needed sign-off on the driveway by the Mattapoisett Police and Fire departments before submitting the definitive plans.

            Member John Mathieu asked the board to set aside time at subsequent meetings to discuss possible changes to the density requirements in the village district overlay. He said the board should consider extending the use of zero lot lines to allow for the development of condominiums for empty nesters. The members agreed to discuss the matter further.

            Also in attendance was Sandy Hering, chairman of the Mattapoisett Tree Committee, asking the board to invite the town administrator to a future meeting to discuss a tree-removal hearing, removals anticipated by the village street roadway project. Tucker said he would reach out to Town Administrator Mike Lorenco.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board is scheduled for Monday, March 18, at 7:00 pm.

Mattapoisett Planning Board

By Marilou Newell

Who Will Care for Me When I’m Old and Gray?

on

            Every day, 12,000 Americans turn 65. In 2022, 58,000,000 were over 65 – 17% of the population – and estimates are that by 2040, seniors will make up 22% of the population.

            While most people over 65 are healthy, as we age illnesses and frailty become increasingly common, and growing numbers need at least some care in their daily lives. How do they get that care?

            Unlike many other western countries, the United States has no organized program to help seniors who are unable to live and function independently. In many cases, particularly for those over 80, the choices come down to placement in a nursing home or a lot of help at home to allow them to avoid that dreaded option.

            Many elders and their families are surprised to learn that Medicare does not pay for anything but short-term rehabilitation, either for nursing-home stays or home healthcare. If you have a hip replaced, Medicare will cover a week or so at a rehab facility and a few weeks of home physical therapy and visiting nurses, but if you are simply too frail and sick to live independently, you are on your own.

            Long-term care insurance is available, but it is very expensive and frequently does not cover the full cost of nursing homes or extensive home care.

            To get the care needed at home, home health aides are available, but this “system” is full of problems. Such care is generally provided through agencies that hire and vet the aides. They charge the patient a lot and pay the aides very little. Most home health aides get minimum wage for very demanding work, resulting in a huge turnover. Why lift and clean an elder when you can earn the same hourly wage at McDonald’s?

            In the end, it often falls to family members to provide needed care, difficult at best when families are scattered around the country and often trying to hold down a job while assisting their parent(s.)

            Medicaid will pay for nursing home care, but to be eligible, the recipient must spend down most of their assets and become impoverished. They cannot give away assets to their family – this is carefully scrutinized. Moreover, Medicaid rates are generally so low that you will not find many “upscale” homes willing to take you.

            What can you do? Don’t get old. Seriously, one important factor is to stay as fit as you can to avoid the need for help. While exercise increases longevity, its more important benefit is to keep you independent longer.

            If you can afford it, investigate long-term care insurance. Be very careful in reading the policy and assessing the likelihood that the policy will cover your needs.

            While you are healthy, begin to make your home more “aging-friendly.” Get grab bars in the shower, railings on all stairs, better handles on doors and cabinets and put shelves lower.

            Write to your state and federal legislators and ask them to start working on a plan, either at the state or national level, to improve the care we offer our frail elders. Part of any such plan must include better pay for home health aides to encourage people to make this a career.

By Dr. Ed Hoffer

            Dr. Ed Hoffer is the chairman of the Marion Board of Health, a graduate of MIT and Harvard Medical School. He is Associate Professor of Medicine, part-time, at Harvard and a Senior Scientist at the Massachusetts General Hospital.

A Celtic Afternoon

on

The Mattapoisett Museum at 5 Church Street invites one and all on Saturday, March 16 from 4:00 to 5:30 to a rollicking afternoon of Celtic music with Mark Roberts and Benedict Gagliardi.

            Mattapoisett native, Mark Roberts discovered traditional music hanging around the Tryworks Coffeehouse and SMU’s Eistedfod Festival. Mark is primarily known as a flute and banjo player but is also comfortable playing guitar, bouzouki and percussion. He has been in a number of groundbreaking bands in Traditional Music including: The Red Clay Ramblers, Touchstone, The Sevens, The Clayfoot Strutters and Childsplay. His flute and pennywhistle feature prominently in the film, Secret of Roan Innish.

            Benedict Gagliardi is a Rhode Island-based musician and folksinger and one-half of the duo “The Vox Hunters” with his partner Armand Aromin. A self-taught instrumentalist, he plays traditional tunes and accompanies old songs on Anglo concertina, harmonica, and tenor guitar and is particularly fond of digging through old archives and tune books for unusual material. He leads social singing events and supports community music in the Providence area and is locally recognized as a strong tradition-bearer in his generation.

            Mark and Benedict are old friends and musical acquaintances. This program will feature traditional instrumental music, mostly of an Irish nature but with some other widely flung musical traditions thrown in for good measure. As a gifted singer Ben will be dipping into his vast repertoire of songs familiar and obscure.

            Guests are encouraged to bring their own instruments to participate in an Irish jam session to close out this exciting event.

            Tickets are $20.00 per person. Please register at mattapoisett museum.org/events.

Elks Student of the Month

on

The Elks of Wareham / New Bedford Lodge No. 73 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 and community service, industry and farming.

            We congratulate Senior Amber Engel of Acushnet for being selected as Student of the Month for the month of February by the Old Rochester Regional High School Faculty and Staff.

            Amber personifies kindness, positivity, and compassion. She is a student leader who is always willing to help others and is a role model amongst her peers. She is a dedicated student who goes above and beyond.

Castles Get Castle in Order

on

The Marion Conservation Commission voted Jonathan and Jill Castle an Amended Order of Conditions for their thrice-amended project at 406 Point Road.

            Representative Rick Charon described the project as “fits and starts,” noting the discovery of structural issues with the house resulting in a reinvention of the project to raze the house and rebuild.

            The final plan extends the level area at the rear of the house as part of a previously amended scope to raze and rebuild the remaining two-story portion of the original house and relocate and install a new septic system.

            Charon said that once it was determined the house would be a teardown and a new construction, the Board of Health rescinded a previously granted variance that would have allowed a repair job without replacement of a five-year-old Title 5 septic system. The Board of Health went back to its bylaw requiring a new system with denitrification technology.

            The new denitrification system, said Charon, will require two tanks and two filters as dictated by the number of bedrooms (five) in the new house. Charon said the 800 cubic yards of fill going into the property is, in his opinion, less detrimental than the old septic system.

            Vice Chairman Emil Assing, running the meeting in the absence of Chairman Jeff Doubrava, asked what would happen to the old septic system. Charon said the tank would be crushed and backfilled.

            In other business, a request for comment to the Zoning Board of Appeals regarding the case of Carlos and Jennifer Varum at 534D Point Road was quick to arrive at an agreement between Assing and Walsh that the case is jurisdictional to the Conservation Commission.

            Walsh recalled a question as to the nature of a stream in the flood zone and a wetland to the north end of the lot. The commissioners are recommending a filing.

            The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission is scheduled for Wednesday, March 13, at 7:00 pm at the Police Station on Route 6.

Marion Conservation Commission

By Mick Colageo