All are welcome to join the Mattapoisett Knights for their Annual Christmas Event at 57 Fairhaven Rd, Mattapoisett, on December 8 from 6:30 to 9:00 pm. This free Celebration will feature Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving by fire truck at 7:00, and will include a bonfire, live music, cookies, cocoa, cider and friends. All are welcome.
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 Sophomore Zachary Mendes, of Rochester for being selected as Student of the Month for November by the Old Rochester Regional High School Faculty and Staff.
Over the summer, Zach had a traumatic accident that required extensive recovery time. Since his return, he has been a model student. He has strived to catch up with his academics and has worked extremely hard this term to get solid grades. Zach brings energy to each class and does not hesitate to help others when needed. He also volunteers as the team manager for the school’s unified basketball team and is a member of the football team. Although he cannot play due to his injury, he is always at each game cheering and encouraging his teammates to be the best they can be. Zach has worked very hard to overcome the obstacles he encountered due to his injury and tries each day to be his very best.
The November 27 meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission found Chairman Mike King explaining what the commission’s role is in the Notice of Intent application filed by Allan Pineda and Mary Manning, 33 Church Street. The former Water Department building nestled in the heart of the village was sold to Pineda and Manning, who have plans to demolish the existing, single-story structure and construct a two-story residence.
During the project’s initial review by the ZBA earlier in November, the board sent the project back to conservation before opening the filing. Present at that meeting, an abutter represented by Attorney Perry listed a number of reasons why the sale was improperly executed by the town. ZBA Chairman Susan Akin said those matters would be addressed at the ZBA’s December meeting.
King said that state regulations require the commission to review the project to determine if it has any jurisdiction. After a review of the NOI application represented by Andy Stackpole of Field Engineering, the commissioners ruled that the project met the Wetlands Protection Act and the performance standards as noted by FEMA.
The project was conditioned with a few special conditions, including the removal of demolished waste from the property versus stockpiling on the site, a designated washout space for concrete and a visible fencing of the site. The project is now slated to return to the ZBA, which will make the determination of the Special Permit and Variance application pending.
When asked by abutter T.J. Bolger of 31 Church Street if the lot is buildable, King said the commission is charged with upholding the Wetlands Protection Act, not zoning issues. But, “if someone spends the money – a lot of old lots become buildable – a person has a right to protect their investment,” he added.
In other business, a Request for Determination of Applicability filed by Philip and Gaynor Frost, 112 Mattapoisett Neck Road, for verification of wetland types and boundaries, received a Negative Box 1 decision. Also receiving a negative decision was a RDA filed by the Mattapoisett Highway Department for drainage work along Fairhaven Road to Acushnet Road.
A NOI filed by Jay Dupont, 12 Old Mattapoisett Neck Road, for septic upgrades, was continued to December 11, pending state Department of Environmental Protection numbering.
Stephen Schwartz, 48A Shore Drive, received conditioning for a NOI requesting approval to repair an existing stone jetty.
Two Certificates of Compliance were issued to David Meeker, 93 Mattapoisett Neck Road, and, David and Mary Wilson, 15 Fieldstone Road.
The commission discussed the need to change approximately half of the 2024 meeting schedule from Mondays to Tuesdays, allowing for environmental agent Brandon Faneuf’s new schedule. The agent will be assisting another community.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission is scheduled for Monday, December 11, at 6:30 pm.
Mattapoisett Conservation Commission
By Marilou Newell
The Old Rochester Regional High School football team traveled to Lakeville and battled before falling to Apponequet, 36-21, on Thanksgiving Day, November 23. The Bulldogs finished their season 5-6 and shared the South Coast Conference’s Blue Division championship with Somerset Berkley.
“Still a good accomplishment for this senior group,” was how ORR Head Coach Bryce Guilbeault described the season.
The Bulldogs were down 20-7 at halftime and were coming back before a late turnover derailed their run late in the fourth quarter. Remy Wilson had a touchdown reception from Gavin Martin. Martin and Mateo Pina both scored rushing touchdowns.
“(I’m) thankful for the seniors and all they have given us over the past four years,” said Guilbeault, who also had some words on the future of the team. “We are looking forward to a great offseason and getting back to our winning ways in 2024. Roll Dogs!”
Unified Hoop Completes Perfect Campaign
ORR’s Unified basketball team defeated the Tri-Town Police and Fire team, 67-46, in a thriller on November 21 at the ORRHS gym. The event raised funds for Unified sports.
“This event was a huge success that I am so fortunate our department can be a part of it,” said Marion Police Chief Richard Nighelli. “I challenge anyone to come to this event and not leave with a smile on your face. The Unified Team has fun and plays tough. There is a reason that they are undefeated this year.”
Sports Roundup
By Aiden Comorosky
Kai Johnson, a 6th grade student at Old Hammondtown School has taken the first step to becoming an internationally recognized artist by winning a local competition sponsored by the Mattapoisett Lions Club.
Kai’s poster is among more than 450,000 entries submitted worldwide in the annual Lions Clubs International Peace Poster Contest. Lions Clubs International is sponsoring the program to emphasize the importance of world peace to young people everywhere.
The poster was selected by Lions Club members Helene Rose, Club President Lynne Foley and school staff members for its originality, artistic merit and portrayal of the contest theme, “Dare to Dream.” President Lynne Foley said she was impressed by the expression and creativity of the students at Old Hammondtown School. “It is obvious that these young people have strong ideas about what compassion means to them. I’m so proud that we were able to provide them with the opportunity to share their visions.”
Kai’s poster will advance through the district, multiple district and international levels of competition if he is to be declared the international grand prize winner.” Foley said.
One international grand prize winner and 23 merit award winners will be selected. The grand prize includes a cash award of $5,000, plus a trip for the winner and two family members to a special award ceremony. The 23 merit award winners will each receive a certificate and a cash award of $500.
“Our club is cheering for Kai as his poster advances in the competition, and we hope that his vision will ultimately be shared with others around the world,” Foley said.
Locally, Kai and numerous other students were honored for their participation by the Mattapoisett Lions Club on November 22 at Old Hammondtown School. Kai was awarded a $100 gift card. Second place recipient Amelia Sawicki was awarded a $50 gift card and third place recipient Dominic Philie received a $25 gift card. Honorable Mention was awarded to Hannah Gomes who received a $15 gift card.
Members of the Mattapoisett Lions Club wish to thank Principal Mr. Kevin Tavares, the wonderful educators at Old Hammondtown School and parents for their continued support of the Lions Clubs International Peace Poster Contest Project.
Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organization with more than 1.4 million members in 210 countries and geographical areas around the world. Since 1917, Lions clubs have aided the blind and visually impaired and made a strong commitment to community service and serving youth throughout the world.
Follow Mattapoisett Lions Club on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/MattapoisettLionsClub.
The Rochester Republican Town Committee will be holding its monthly meeting Wednesday, December 13, at the North Rochester Congregational Church, 289 North Avenue, Rochester. The meeting will begin at 6:30 pm on the lower level of the church. The community is invited to attend. You do not have to be a member of the committee to participate in discussions. Should you have any questions, you may contact Bill Chamberlain at 508-272-6793 or by email pauln75@verizon.net.
Dear Editors,
I have been an active citizen participant in developing the Village Road Project for some time. There is yet a long way to go. However, a recent vote of the Mattapoisett Select Board to eliminate our heritage oak trees along Water Street seems very much like a step backward.
Trees and Sidewalks. I applaud that the roadway project is moving forward but remained concerned, for now, that it’s direction is misguided. Removing heritage oak trees along the heart of Mattapoisett’s picturesque waterfront fails all town citizens. The return on this environmental slaughter is a another concrete sidewalk. Instead of more concrete, how about we just use the sidewalk across the street and leave the trees to absorb greenhouse gases and provide shade, as well inspiration. The Town’s consultant VHB provided sidewalks along Water, Town Beach and Beacon Streets to save the trees, but an unfounded insistence by the Board deems street crossings (zig zags) to be unsafe. We have safe crossings now at several points along these streets and they have proved to be safe for walkers, joggers, and cyclists.
Implement Measures to Promote Tree Longevity and Health. Trees along the roadway project were noted to be vulnerable to damage during road construction which requires digging and removing all material to a twenty inch depth. To date, VHB has not sufficiently addressed tree root, trunk, or canopy protection from excavation. Tree protection in the 25% plan submission indicates no digging beneath the tree canopy, precisely where road construction will occur. We encourage the Town, VHB, and Mass Dept of Transportation to implement arboricultural best practices to insure longevity, and health of tree roots, trunks, and branches during construction. All trees along the road project are vulnerable and all should be supported to live long after the project is complete.
Sincerely yours,
Michael Immel, Mattapoisett
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Davin Alves won’t be looking to repeat his 2022 holiday food-donation fundraiser, he has decided to take it to another level with Davin’s 2nd Annual Holiday Food Drive.
A year after launching a raffle with a goal of 50 donations to buy food he would donate to the United Way of New Bedford and then seeing a much greater response than he planned on, the Sippican Elementary School fifth grader is thinking bigger in 2023.
On Black Friday, November 24, Davin sent 100 letters out to area businesses to let them know what he has in mind.
“I mean, after I did it that year, I kind of wanted to do it a lot next year because I just thought it’d be a good idea,” said Davin, whose sudden rush of response last year was not what propelled his interest in making this an annual effort. “I kind of wanted to do this all the time for the holidays.”
His mother Kathylee says the Alves family, originally from New Bedford, has been in Marion for five years now so this year, Damien’s Food Pantry in Wareham and the Marion Food Pantry will join the United Way of New Bedford as recipients of food purchased with the proceeds from Davin’s effort.
Last year, Davin raised nearly $1,000 in donations. This year he anticipates more, and that means
Davin’s sister Ella, soon to turn 10, was among the local Girls Scouts who participated in food donations at the General Store.
Meantime, Davin has been laying the groundwork for his second season of collecting donations.
“I probably have to start making copies of things. I have to sort all five of these papers out,” said Davin, explaining the explanatory package that area businesses are receiving. “The first one was, like, me writing stuff. The second was about the front picture, the third and fourth one was about the story, and the fifth one was just about my mom’s idea thing…”
The project has also piqued the interest of Davin’s classmates.
“Definitely. They’re kind of like asking me, ‘How can I donate?’ I just tell them I’m going to start making fliers, and I’m putting them around the school so you know,” he explained.
David says Sippican Elementary School faculty has been supportive, especially Ella’s third-grade teacher Mary Jayne Couet and Principal Marla Brown.
Davin is changing up some of the raffle prizes this year to spark more interest.
“I did a raffle because I thought it would be good because a lot more people would donate to that,” he said.
To donate an item or a gift card to be raffled off, please contact Kathylee Alves by December 1 at 508-951-8272 or via email to Brinx1@verizon.net, via mail to 625 Delano Road, Marion, MA 02738, or via Facebook @Kathylee Alves.
To see all raffle items, visit Kathylee Alves’ Facebook page on or after December 3. To purchase raffle tickets or make a cash donation, go to Venmo @Kathylee-8-12; 100% of all money raised will go to purchase food for those in need at United Way of Greater New Bedford, Marion Food Pantry and Damien’s Place Food Pantry.
The live raffle drawing will be held on Kathylee Alves’ Facebook page on December 17 at 6:00 pm.
By Mick Colageo
The “Songs of Light” Concert will be presented at Tabor Academy on Sunday December 3 at 7:00 pm. This special concert is a collaboration between the South Coast Children’s Chorus, and the choruses of Tabor Academy including the Madrigals, Mixed Chorus and Celebration Gospel Choir.
The program includes songs in various languages from different cultures and traditions around the theme of light. Through the voices of over 100 young singers, this concert highlights that although we are from many cultures, we can come together and celebrate as one community through song.
“Songs of Light” is open to the public and free of charge.
Mattapoisett Public Library Director, Jennifer Jones, has resigned to become Director of the Lakeville (MA) Library. We are grateful for her leadership of the library through the difficult time of the recent pandemic and for her professional guidance of the library’s service to the community during her tenure as the Library Director.
The trustees and library patrons wish her well in her new position.
Former Director, Susan Pizzolato, has agreed to become interim Director of the Library on December 1. She will serve on an interim basis while a search is conducted for a new permanent Director. “We are extremely fortunate that Mrs. Pizzolato is willing to serve as Interim Director,” stated Bill Osier, Chair of the Library Trustees. “From her years of experience, she knows the library and the Mattapoisett community well.”