The March meeting of the Machacam Club is scheduled for Wednesday, March 6. We meet at the American Legion Hall on Depot Street. Doors open at 5 pm for social time followed by dinner at 6 pm. Our speaker will begin at 6:45. Chef Colby is planning another fulfilling meal. All are welcome. Callers please provide your numbers by Monday evening March 4. Questions may be sent to cwmccullough@comcast.net.
To the Editor
This is to follow up on my letters regarding the sale of the Mattapoisett Fire Station under RFP#22-26.
I attended and spoke during the Town of Mattapoisett Board of Appeals hearing on February 16, 2024 to protest the issuance of a Special Permit.
I was the original winning bidder to the RFP# 22-26 put out by the Town of Mattapoisett, which I proposed a village grocery and offered a sum of $650K.
The Town of Mattapoisett then failed to abide by the dates contained in the RFP and failed to give me a Purchase Agreement in a timely manner. The Town Attorney then added terms to the purchase agreement not contained in the RFP including terms which would prevent financing of the project as proposed.
The Town then ignored my requests to resolve the issues and awarded the RFP to the second bidder for the amount which I believe is $325K to the Town of Mattapoisett Taxpayers. Which if correct is also $125K less than the RFP’s suggested minimum bid.
The Town has breached their fiduciary duty to the taxpayers with this bad faith award of the RFP for the firehouse property.
I am of the opinion that the people of Mattapoisett deserve far better treatment than what was shown in this joke of a real estate deal and that there is significant evidence within the RFP document, the various Sale Agreements, as well as minutes from the hearing to affect significant personnel change in Town Hall as well as with their Council.
Here is to anyone with courage and the willingness to stand for honest office for new Mattapoisett Town Governance.
Sincerely,
Michael Sudofsky
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.
Owen Excellent’s favorite entry in the Grades 7-12 Creative Expression Contest held by Tri-Town Against Racism is a colorful poster of Martin Luther King Jr. by Dylan Dubois, a junior at Old Colony Regional Vocational-Technical High School.
The composition features King’s image on the right looking ahead with the Washington Monument at the center and the words above, below and around: “I have a dream that all men are created equal.”
“It was worked on very good,” said Owen, who is six years old and admitted surprise that he could be a judge.
First, second and third-place winners were announced by Tri-Town Against Racism president Alison Noyce on Saturday at Mattapoisett Library. Also addressing the attendees to discuss the judging of the contest was John Excellent, Owen’s father. The contest theme for 2024 was “African Americans in the Arts.”
Kaden Ludenai, a junior at Old Colony Regional Vocational-Technical High School, won first place (and a $200 cash prize) for his pencil drawing of artist Henry Ossawa Tanner, noting his words, “I will preach with my brush.”
Second place went to Mallory Henesey, an Old Rochester Regional High School junior, for her multimedia image of photographer Ming Smith with the quote, “I like catching the moment, catching the light, and the way it plays out.” Henesey won a $100 prize for taking second place.
Taking third place (and $50) was Old Colony junior Logan Huang, whose striking union of photographs and animated images formed a platform for the words, “We must find a way to look after one another as if we were one single tribe.”
Other African Americans in the Arts depicted among the 15 entries included some who are living and some from the past. Students celebrated singers Aretha Franklin, Beyonce, Whitney Houston and Tina Turner, President Obama, author Jacob Lawrence, rapper Kendrick Lamar, reggae icon Bob Marley, musician Louis Armstrong and actor Sidney Portier.
Owen’s second choice was a colorful “Black Lives Matter” entry made by the youngest student in the young history of the contest, seventh grader Madelyn Sivil, a student at ORR Junior High School.
“I like that it had a black peace sign and that it had hearts in the background,” said Owen, who voted ORR student Carly Mello’s Bob Marley poster as his third choice. “We listen to him at our house all day – a lot of time at my house.”
Owen, who had Lunedai’s winning entry on artist Henry Ossawa Tanner as his fourth choice, does his own art projects in school. “Paper and markers and sometimes crayons, and no colored pencils – we don’t have those at my school,” he said.
“Regardless of where the life raft takes us – you know, we always try to make space in our life raft to throw some things out – we’ll keep that as a fixture on your voyage, your art and your creativity,” said John Excellent, noting that President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976. “We discussed (the entrants’) stuff. We broke it down, we really talked about it and what feeling that gave us. That’s a powerful thing.”
John Excellent encouraged listeners to fight the distractions and things that cut into one’s time and take away from the desire to express oneself through the arts.
“It’s great that small communities like us get together and find ways to celebrate Black History Month,” he said.
The other judges were Kendall Smiley, Frances-Feliz Kearns, Jenn Wong, and Jess Kimball-Veeder.
Noyce addressed the gathering, citing her appreciation for some amazing artwork turned in, especially entries that helped her learn about artists she had not known of, but she also expressed a belief that much of the work of ending racism lies ahead.
For more information, visit tritownagainstracism.org/post/black-history-month-2024.
Black History Month
By Mick Colageo
The Rochester Planning Board continued the public hearing into the Site Plan Review application for JPF Development’s plan to construct a 15-acre, self-storage facility with seven storage buildings and one office structure within the Industrial District at Kings Highway and Route 28 after focusing on one lingering question: What will be the project’s fire-suppression system?
The project’s engineering consultant, Rick Charron, said a fire-protection engineer has told him a sprinkler fire-protection system is not required by state building code for this type of project, and the town’s consulting engineer, Ken Motta, has agreed with this.
On Tuesday night, the Planning Board brought two high-profile projects one step closer to being approved.
Board Chairman Arnold Johnson responded with questions: What type of fire suppression would be put in place instead of sprinklers? A cistern system? Does the town Fire Department agree with what state code requires there?
As the board approved the continuance, Johnson said the panel will get the full answer to whether fire suppression is required for such a facility in time for its next meeting on Tuesday, March 12.
Before this vote, Charron reported a new calculation, that the 15 buildings will hold a total of 330 storage units when they are fully constructed. He said the applicants are willing to be compliant with any conditions the town may ask of them. They will be willing to allow an easement across part of the property for abutters should public water become available in that area, he added.
The board then came even closer to approving BWC Snows Pond LLC’s application to build a solar-energy array and battery-energy storage on 12.55 acres of a 31-acre parcel at 0 Cushman Road in a Residential/Agricultural District, the Mattapoisett River Valley Watershed and Groundwater Protection District.
The project’s engineering consultant, Andrew Hamel, reported that Motta has said the applicant has satisfactorily addressed his concerns about the plan’s initial design. As a result, the panel approved the bond amounts that the applicant must post and the waivers to town regulations that the applicant was requesting. Johnson said the board will have a draft decision ready for the March 12 meeting.
The board set a decommissioning bond of $22,700, a two-year landscaping bond of $95,000 and a five-year maintenance bond of $16,000. Board member Ben Bailey sought and received approval for one revision to the requested waivers. The trees on the access road will not be cut down indiscriminately. The trees that will be cut will be flagged first so that Town Planner Nancy Durfee can inspect those trees first.
The Rochester Planning Board will meet next on Tuesday, March 12, at 7:00 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.
Rochester Planning Board
By Michael J. DeCicco
Marion Town Administrator Geoffrey Gorman and Town Clerk Lissa Magauran would like to remind registered voters of important dates and details ahead of the Massachusetts Presidential Primary.
The 2024 Massachusetts Presidential Primary will be held on Tuesday, March 5. Residents can check their voter registration status at sec.state.ma.us.
The last day to request a vote by mail ballot was Tuesday at 5:00 pm. In-person early voting at the Town Clerk’s Office began on February 24 and will continue through March 1. This week’s hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm and on Friday from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm.
All registered voters who haven’t already voted by mail are welcome at any in-person session. In-person Absentee Voting is also available until noon on Monday, March 4, during regular business hours.
Voting on the day of the Presidential Primary, Tuesday, March 5, will take place at the Benjamin D. Cushing Community Center, 465 Mill Street (Route 6), from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm.
For questions or additional information, contact the Town Clerk’s office at 508-748-3502 or email lmagauran@marionma.gov. Sample ballot and voting information can also be found at marionma.gov/Election-Information.
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.
Doodle & Tranquility Workshop with Cara Bean (ages 8+) -Would you like to have fun drawing in a relaxed environment helping you achieve mindfulness? Sign up for an interactive doodling workshop on Saturday, March 16 from 10:30 am -12:30 pm with Cara Bean, local author, teacher and artist. This workshop for ages 8 and up will begin with a quick presentation about the mental benefits of doodling Then the group is led through a calming mindful drawing activity. There will also be fun doodling games. This program is funded by a grant from the Rochester Cultural Council.
Find out about more upcoming programs by viewing our Events Calendar on plumblibrary.com.
Rochester’s Select Board on Monday afternoon set a special meeting for Wednesday, February 28, at 1:30 pm to decide on spending the remainder of the town’s share of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The meeting was scheduled for Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.
In the Select Board meeting held on February 19, town officials revealed that the ARPA funds must be appropriated by December 31, but Plymouth County has requested an application from member towns by March 1. In all, Rochester was awarded $1,021,846.89 in total ARPA funds, $216,413 which has been used to acquire digital radios, leaving a remaining amount of $805,433.89.
On February 26, Town Administrator Glenn Cannon listed the items that will probably be on the list for further ARPA funding. But he added the apportionment costs could have changed by February 28 when the board was scheduled to take another look at ambulance costs, public safety department radios and repeaters, reimbursing costs paid during the COVID pandemic for employees who had to work from home and, as discussed in a previous meeting, a new fire engine.
“We are exploring more avenues for the money than just the fire truck,” Select Board member Adam Murphy elaborated, “looking through several projects.”
In other action, the board signed the warrant for the Presidential Primary Election. Residents will be able to vote on Tuesday, March 5, at the Senior Center, 67 Dexter Lane, from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm.
The Rochester Select Board’s next regular meeting will be held on Monday, March 4, at 6:00 pm at the Senior Center, 67 Dexter Lane.
Rochester Select Board
By Michael J. DeCicco
Rochester’s Conservation Commission Tuesday revised the Order of Conditions that it approved two weeks ago for BWC Snows Pond LLC’s plan to build a 2.39-megawatt, solar-energy array on 12.55 acres of a 31.23-acre parcel at 0 Cushman Road.
The commission removed from the project’s Order of Conditions the requirement that the contractor use only biodegradable hydraulic oils for the construction equipment there after input from commissioner and professional excavator William Milka.
Milka advised ConCom members that these types of engine oils, while less likely to harm wetlands, are more expensive and less effective as lubricants. “It hurts a contractor’s budget,” Milka said. “The requirement will knock every small, local contractor out of the running.”
He said there was every reason to believe other means such as containment buoys could be used if these oils spill too close to wetlands or a waterway. These lubricants could cost up to $10,000 more for the equipment, not counting the cost of added maintenance. “And they don’t lubricate as well,” he said.
At the commission’s February 6 meeting, BWC Snows Pond LLC had asked that the bio-fuel requirement not be made a project condition because the petitioner “could not commit that the selected contractor will be able to supply installation equipment that is compatible…”
Commission member Ben Bailey had said placing this condition on town projects happens all the time, and, in fact, the Planning Board will likely place the use of bio-fuels in its own conditions for the project.
On Tuesday, Milka’s input convinced Conservation Commission Chairman Christopher Gerrior otherwise. He reasoned that it would be better instead to make a spill-containment plan a precondition of any Order of Conditions. “It should be brought up at the preconstruction meeting.” The resultant vote to delete the requirement was unanimous.
In other action, the commission approved a Certificate of Compliance for work “satisfactorily completed” at 169 Clapp Road, the construction of an in-ground pool, surrounding masonry and a pool cabana.
Upon the petitioner’s request, the commission continued its hearing into the Notice of Intent filed by JPF Development LLC to build a 15-acre, self-storage facility at 25 Cranberry Highway and 0 Kings Highway until March 5.
The commission reviewed with town Herring Inspector Dave Watling its February 10 site visit of the herring run area from Hartley Farm Pond to the start of the Rochester Boat Race and the Mattapoisett River. Concom’s conclusion is that because a “mat of vegetation” might soon impede the herring run there, the bypass canal near the start of the boat race at the Hartley Reservoir needs to be opened up.
Milka noted the pond-herring population has gone down from 125,000 in previous years to 3,000 this year. Watling advised the commission that such work should only begin between mid to late summer. The board agreed to first consult state Division of Fish and Wildlife representative Jason Zimmer and seek the use of a grant to get the work done.
Conservation Agent Merilee Kelly reported the Buzzards Bay Coalition will conduct its annual monitoring visit of the conservation area at Red Brick Farm East on March 7 at 10:00 am. ConCom members said they will try to attend.
The Rochester Conservation Commission will meet next on Tuesday, March 5, at 7:00 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.
Rochester Conservation Commission
By Michael J. DeCicco
The Matt Congo Pancake Breakfast has been scheduled for Saturday, March 30 from 9:30-11:30 am in Reynard Hall, 27 Church Street I , please call the church office Monday-Thursday 8:00 – 1:00 at 508-758-2671.
Bernard “Bernie” J. Flattery, 78, of Rochester, MA passed away peacefully at home on Valentines’ Day, February 14, 2024, after a period of declining health due to Progressive Supra-nuclear Palsy (PSP), a rare neurodegenerative disorder.
Born in Buffalo, NY, to the late George R. and Florence M. (Hackett) Flattery, Bernie was the youngest of nine children.
Bernie was the beloved husband and best friend for over 32 years of Sandra (Gillpatrick) Flattery.
Bernie also leaves one devoted son, Brian Flattery and his wife Susan, as well as two wonderful grandchildren, Grace and Devin Flattery, of Swansea, MA.
Bernie graduated from Bishop Turner High School in Buffalo, NY. He earned a B.S. in Management from Johnson and Wales University in Providence, RI, and he was a proud Veteran who served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, stationed in Korea. He was employed by Shaw’s Supermarkets in Massachusetts for 37 years, retiring at age 60. He also helped many people over the years by preparing their income tax returns, offering advice and service to anyone in need.
Bernie and Sandra moved from Massachusetts to Leesburg, FL in 2008, still spending each summer in Plymouth, MA. During his years in Florida, Bernie loved serving as an umpire for the ‘The Lake Senior Men’s Softball League.’ Although generally, a soft-spoken soul, when it came to umpiring, there was no doubt when he made a call, loudly shouting, “Strike, Out or Safe!”
Bernie loved playing sports when he was younger, and was a lifelong fan of his beloved New York Yankees and Buffalo Bills. Living most of his life in “Red Sox and Patriots Nations” never deterred him from proudly wearing his N.Y. teams’ hats and jackets, which often sparked interesting conversations.
In 2020, Bernie and Sandra moved back to Massachusetts full-time, settling in the beautiful town of Rochester. Bernie greatly enjoyed watching Grace and Devin as they excelled at their respective sports.
Bernie will be greatly missed by his brother Walter (late Joy) Flattery, his sisters Joan (late Jack) Connors and Joyce (late Chuck) Bastian, sisters-in-law Ann Bauman, Betsy (Fred) Cunningham, Ellen (Michael) Anderson and Gail Gillpatrick, brothers-in-law Jeffrey Gillpatrick (Rosemary Dalton-Gillpatrick) and Bradford Gillpatrick, along with many nieces, nephews and friends.
He also is survived by his former wife, Carolyn (Dias) Flattery.
Bernie was also predeceased by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Russell and Phyllis Gillpatrick, and his siblings: Jean (late Bob) Bauman, Jane (late Tom) Johnston, George (late Jean) Flattery, William (late Joan) Flattery, and Janet (late Gary Bastian), (late John) Bullock.
Bernie donated his body to The Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University in Providence, R.I.
Per his wishes, a ‘Celebration of Life’ will be held privately.
The Family thanks Bernie’s Caregivers: Stephanie, Doug, Amy and the trio of sisters, Paula, Nesia and Raquel for their kind and compassionate care. Also, we greatly appreciate the wonderful assistance provided by the Southcoast Hospice Team, with a special thanks to Fatima.
If so inclined, donations in memory of Bernard J. Flattery may be sent to ‘CURE PSP’ at 325 Hudson St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10013 (www.psp.org.)
