FY25 Budget Leveraged by Bus Deal

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            After a budget public hearing held on March 21, the Mattapoisett School Committee voted its recommendation of the FY25 school budget as presented for voters’ consumption at the May 13 Annual Town Meeting.

            Old Rochester Superintendent of School Mike Nelson told the committee that a major driver of the budget process this year was the negotiation of a new bus contract that in FY25 will cost Mattapoisett taxpayers $714,225. Amaral will remain ORR’s and Mattapoisett’s bus company, but the costs are impactfully pricier than they were when the contract was being extended at $525,500 on a year-by-year basis.

            In his opening remarks, Nelson thanked Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Howie Barber, Budget Subcommittee member Jim Muse, Town Administrator Mike Lorenco and Finance Committee member Colby Rottler for their work in sharing information that he said helped ORR form a “strong, level-services budget” for presentation to the Mattapoisett School Committee.

            As proposed by the superintendent, the FY25 operation budget total of $8,064,433 is estimated to be a 4.146% ($321,009) increase over the FY24 budget of $7,743,424.

            General funds are applied to: Academics, Student Services, Facilities, Technology and Transportation.

            Center School is allotted $3,097,959 and Old Hammondtown $2,481,797, with $855,561 going to Facilities, $714,225 to Transportation, $439,634 to Student Services, $274,018 to Central Office and $201,239 to Technology.

            The Central Office figure referenced ORR’s Core Literacy program, as Nelson publicly reinforced the district’s priority on reading skills.

            State aid overall will increase 1.14% (from $1,005,221 to $1,016,711).

Barber identified a 7.49% decrease in FY25 (the 2024-25 school year) enrollment (from 414 to 383 students).

            It will cost $130,618 in FY25 for Mattapoisett to send three students to Bristol County Agricultural High School in Dighton. That expenditure consists of $67,769 in tuition, $17,939 in the town’s share of debt service for a construction project at Bristol Aggie, and $44,910 in transportation.

            Budget offsets of $378,307 include $241,582 for Student Services, $116,725 for Center School and $10,000 each for Old Hammondtown and Facilities.

            Sources for grant funding and other special revenues come from a $191,582 Circuit Breaker, ORR’s School Choice program ($70,000), The IDEA Grant ($100,725), facility rentals ($10,000), and the EEC Grant ($6,000).

            These offsets are most notably applied to tuition collaboratives ($166,582) and Special Education ($100,725).

            Committee Chairperson Carly Lavin acknowledged the budget challenges for this year but stressed the importance of keeping a reading specialist on staff, something the FY25 accomplished.

            After a comment section with the committee – clarification on Bristol Aggie yielded the fact Mattapoisett has no options to avoid paying $130,618 to send three student there – Lavin sought comment from the public (there was none), and the public hearing was closed.

            Together with the $130,618 approved for Bristol Aggie, the total approved was $8,195,051 for FY25. The vote was 5-0 unanimously in favor.

            The committee took separate votes to approve the new bus contract and to approve a $70,000 transfer from the revolving account.

            In her Chairperson’s Report, Lavin expressed appreciation for the diligent work of the ORR administration in a challenging budget process. Lavin also noted recent activities in Mattapoisett schools, from basketball to an arts and sciences show she called “fabulous.”

            In other business, the committee approved the FY24 Safe and Supportive Schools Continuation Fund of $10,000 (grant). ORR is looking at the grant as a source to fund the Responsive Classroom and in the long view is looking to establish curriculum for social/emotional learning.

            The committee approved the READS Collaborative Agreement Amendment to add Brockton and Whitman-Hanson as members.

            Student Collin Nashold was on hand to present a donation of an author-autographed set (Books 1-10) of the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series; the books were donated by Collin Nashold and his mother Kimberly Nashold. Old Hammondtown Principal Kevin Tavares noted that the original plan was to display the books, but that Collin insisted the books be put into circulation. Muse made the approval motion, the committee enthusiastically agreed, and they applauded Collin Nashold for his deed.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett School Committee is scheduled for Thursday, May 2, at 6:30 pm at Center School and via Zoom.

Mattapoisett School Committee

By Mick Colageo

A Stitch in Time

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            The Marion Council on Aging’s headquarters at the Cushing Community Center has become a destination for everything from elder services to live performances, exercise classes and, yes, a space to exhibit art. The latest installation of works created by artists from the south coast features Fiber Art pieces by Debrorah Kuhlman Hussey, Christine Anderson and Joann Vierkant.

            Considered a craft versus an art due to primarily being created by women, Fiber Art can and does fall on both sides of the equation – art and craft.

            Fiber Art, or works of art created from textiles and cloth, has an amazing rich history spanning nearly the entirety of human evolution. As human intelligence evolved, bringing us fire and the wheel, so too did the development of cloth-like materials used to cover and protect the body.

            Consider, if you will, the discovery of Otiz, a man who lived and died between 3350 and 3105 BC. His body and the manner in which it was clothed demonstrates to us how early humans used animal hides roughly sewn together, making larger pieces that could cover more of the body.

            As time went on, early humans would use flax, hemp and other grasses. How they made the leap from gathering grasses to weaving them is one of those mysteries we may never fully understand, but suffice to say they did.

            Indigenous people around the globe weaved baskets to transport and hold everyday items. American indigenous tribes became famous for their blanket weavings and, as for decorative elements, created densely sewn-on bead work, bone and shells on ceremonial clothing.

            In the vast documented history of threads and their uses, it is noted that China led the way with weaving around 3500 BC, followed by embroidery and whip-stitching techniques around 300 to 700 AD. But it was the invention of the loom that really propelled the use of a variety of natural materials being employed to create clothes.

            The internet sources we researched pointed to Egypt, where pottery found in the ancient sands (of time) depicted a frame loom with treadles to lift warp threads, leaving the weaver’s hands free to beat and pass the weft threads.

            By the 1200s, embroidery workshops had been established in France and England, where the nimble fingers of young girls and women created lush, decorative pieces to both grace the homes of the wealthy and powerful, as well as stitching gowns and head scarves.

            In 1785 the first power-driven looms for wool combing were constructed by Edmund Cartwright, an English inventor. This took manual weaving in new directions and eventually to mechanized production.

            Antimacassars, aka doilies, were crocheted primarily to protect upholstered chairs and couches against dirty hands and greasy heads. That they became works of intricate art speaks to the women who, once again, found a way to create not only utilitarian items but works of art.

            In the 1960s and the 1970s, revolutions of all sorts became the headline news, not because of bombs but because of fashion trends. Fiber Art (as textile-crafted pieces are grouped together) enjoyed a renaissance. Artists returned to the looms, crochet hooks, knitting needles and more, and began making everything from crocheted clothing pieces to macrame plant hangers, windchimes, carry bags, headbands, kitchen towels, wall hangings and doilies.

            Today many works formerly relegated solely to crafts versus fine art are, in fact, recognized as fine art by those with broader points of reference.

            The exhibit at the Marion COA brings home the significance of Fiber Art as an artform worthy of attention. Quilted wall hangings, woven wall hangings, carry bags and even a pair of slip-on shoes are wonders to behold. Vibrant color and intricate weaving await you at the Marion COA now through mid-May.

By Marilou Newell

Upcoming Events at the Mattapoisett Library

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April is Financial Literacy Month, and to celebrate, the Mattapoisett Free Public Library is offering two programs to help patrons manage their finances and build their best lives.

            Dollars and Sense: Financial Literacy for Teens ages 12-18 – The MFPL joins with Nick Daddona to offer teens a free financial literacy workshop on Wednesday, April 24, from 4:00 to 5:30 pm. During this 90-minute workshop, Nick will share tips to help teens make better decisions about their money. Registration is advised.

            Building Wealth 101 for Adults 18-35. Want to take control of your money but need help getting started? Join Trevor Oldhan via Zoom on Tuesday, April 30, from 6-7 pm to learn how to build a budget, manage your spending, and save for the future in a 60-minute workshop designed to increase your financial empowerment. Registration is required for the Zoom link.

            For more information or to register for these events, please contact the library at mfpl@sailsinc.org, visit our website: MattapoisettLibrary.org, or stop by and see us at 7 Barstow Street, Mattapoisett.

Marion Police Wearing Cameras

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Marion Police Chief Richard Nighelli is pleased to announce that the Marion Police Department launched its body-worn camera program this week.

            As of April 12, approximately 75% of Marion Police officers have undergone the requisite training to be able to wear and operate the cameras. All officers who have undergone the training are now wearing the body-worn cameras while on duty. The department has set a deadline of May 1 for all sworn officers to be trained and wearing the cameras.

            As part of the program, officers will be outfitted with a V700 LTE Body Camera, which will be affixed to their uniform to prevent it from detaching.

            All full-time Marion Police officers will be assigned a body-worn camera. Additional body-worn cameras will be available to part-time officers at the start of each shift. Officers will activate their body-worn cameras during routine calls for service, investigatory stops, traffic stops, foot and vehicle pursuits, emergency driving situations, situations that would gather evidence to enhance in prosecution, and in situations that the officer – through training and experience – believes it’s necessary and/or beneficial.

            The Marion Police Department’s body-worn camera policy establishes guidelines for the proper use, management, storage and retrieval of video and audio data recorded by a body-worn camera during the program.

            The purpose of the program is to continue to foster trust and positive community relationships by providing greater transparency. Along with greater transparency, body cameras can promote de-escalation, resolve citizen complaints and provide a valuable training tool.

            Marion Police received two grants to support the program. The department was awarded $42,530 from the Healey-Driscoll Administration as part of the Fiscal Year 2024 Body-Worn Cameras (BWC) Grant Program. The state awarded $3,600,000 in grant funds to 52 local police departments to implement or expand body-worn camera programs across Massachusetts.

            Additionally, the Marion Police Department requested 22 cameras and received a $38,063.50 grant from the Small, Rural and Tribal Body-Worn Camera Program, a body-worn camera program designed by the Bureau of Justice Assistance and Justice & Security Strategies. The program has awarded $7,100,000 million in grant funding to 265 small, rural and tribal law enforcement agencies to support body-worn camera programs in the U.S.

            “We want to notify the Marion community that we have launched this program and soon all of our officers will be equipped with body-worn cameras,” Chief Nighelli said. “Our hope is to promote transparency and further strengthen our relationship with our community members.”

            President Barack Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing placed a priority on body camera research and camera programs. The Task Force’s final report indicated that officers wearing body cameras had “87.5 percent fewer incidents of use of force and 59 percent fewer complaints than the officers not wearing the cameras.”

Friends of the Elizabeth Taber Library

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To the Editor;

            The Friends of the Elizabeth Taber Library would like to thank all of those who participated in making their recent Afternoon Tea and Performance of “Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II” such an overwhelming success, not only a financial boon, but, more importantly, a joyous, festive occasion with creative outfits and happy spirits. We are grateful to the many individuals and organizations who loaned and donated serving pieces, tableware, dishes, tables and more.

            From the committee that spent months planning, to the special bakers and sandwich makers, to the waitresses and kitchen staff, to those who set everything up and took it down again—all a huge labor of love—we say thank you. We are grateful to our Librarian, Elizabeth Sherry, for her ticket and poster design expertise, to all the library staff for their support and to the Marion Art Center for running off the programs.

            With the generous support of sponsors, our costs were more than covered, enabling a substantial sum to directly benefit the library and its programming.

            The Friends of the ETL is very proud of the fact that in the one year since it began, it has organized a monthly book club at the Marion COA and held four successful fundraising events. The next one will be the Spring Book Sale on Friday, May 10 from 10-4, and Sat., May 11 from 10 – 3 on the grounds of the library. The bins are overflowing with donations, so no more can be accepted until after the upcoming sale.

            Anyone who is interested in being part of the Friends is urged to contact the Membership Chr., Robin Zora, at robin.zora927@gmail.com.

            Sincerely,

            Janet Wallace, President Friends of the Elizabeth Taber Library

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.

Town Loosens Tax Work-Off Program

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            Rochester Select Board Tuesday approved amendments to the Senior Tax Work-Off Abatement Policy that will decrease the age and increase the income level that qualifies a senior to participate in the program.

            Council on Aging Executive Director Eric Poulin told the Select Board that the town’s regulations state that the starting point to qualify for the program is age 62 or older. He and the COA board recommend Rochester amend its language to say “60 or older,” the age limit other towns have.

            He added that the town should raise its cap on the number of seniors who may qualify for the program from 20 to 25, explaining the town will get more seniors interested in joining with the above change in policy. He then noted that a senior resident complaining about her property-tax bill researched the income limit accepted by other area towns – $75,000 per year. Rochester’s limit is $47,000. “We’re one of the lowest around,” Poulin said.

            The board approved all the recommended changes in a unanimous decision. Seniors age 60 and older and with a maximum yearly income of $75,000 will now qualify to work off up to $2,000 worth of their property-tax debt, and up to 25 seniors will be allowed on the program per year.

            The board also endorsed the Buzzards Bay Coalition’s request to amend the Sperry property Conservation Restriction on Marion Road by increasing the property to 16 acres.

            BBC representative Allen Decker asked the Select Board to sign the amendment to add 2.38 acres east of the Elliott Farm to the 1.5 acres that town and BBC have co-owned under a Conservation Restriction since 2005. Decker said the additional land was purchased by the current, private owner in 2019. The additional acres will be used for the same purpose as the original CR, he said. It consists of good farmland soil.

            Asked by Select Board member Adam Murphy if he was certain the new acreage will become farmland, Decker said, “I don’t know, but they have the ability to farm it and they intend to do so.” The board then swiftly approved the amendment unanimously.

            In other action, the board appointed Paul Ciaburri as the Select Board’s new SRPEDD representative.

            The board agreed to sign the purchase agreement for new salt sheds for $75,000. Town Administrator Glenn Cannon said the two sheds will be placed at the Ryder Road DPW location after a separate installation contract has been finalized.

            Cannon announced the Select Board will meet on Monday, April 22, to review the May 13 Annual Town Meeting warrant.

            Cannon announced vacancies on the following boards that need to be filled: Zoning Board of Appeals alternate member for the Soil Board, Cultural Council; Historical Commission and Historic District Commission.

            The board approved the annual morning Frosty Runners Road Race route around Old Colony Regional Vocational-Technical High School property and necessary road closures on January 25, 2025.

            The board approved the Old Rochester Youth Baseball Parade route through town on Saturday, May 4, starting at 9:00 am.

            The Rochester Select Board will meet next on Monday, April 22, at 6:00 pm at the Senior Center, 67 Dexter Lane.

Rochester Select Board

By Michael J. DeCicco

Southcoast Poets Read at the Mattapoisett Library

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Award-winning members of the Southcoast Poets will be reading at the Mattapoisett Free Public Library on Tuesday, April 30 at 6:30 pm. Vivian Eyre, Elizabeth Sylvia and Margot Wizansky will each be reading from their award-winning books and will be introduced by library director Susan Pizzolato, herself a member of the group.

            Vivian Eyre’s recently published “Ishmael’s Violets” (Kelsay Press, 2023) depicts in lyric detail her concern for the plight of whales and sea. Her poems have appeared in many literary journals including: Bellingham Review, J Journal, One Art, Pangyrus, Quiddity, Spire, SWIMM, The Fourth River, The Massachusetts Review, The Orchards Journal, The Santa Ana Review, Turtle Island Quarterly, Twelve Mile Journal, and others. She recently started a series, Poets in Conversation, in an art gallery at the Imago Foundation for the Arts, in Warren, Rhode Island, where she resides.

            Elizabeth Sylvia’s debut book “None but Witches,” won the 3 Mile Harbor Book Prize in 2022. Her poems have been published in many journals including Chautauqua, Crab Creek, The Greensboro Review, Permafrost, Pleiades, RHINO, The Southern Review, Soundings East, Spoon River Poetry Review, and others. She is currently circulating a manuscript centered around Marie Antoinette, privilege, and climate change. She teaches English at Bourne High School and lives in Mattapoisett.

            Margot Wizansky has recently published two books, “Wild for Life” (Lily Poetry Review) in 2022 and “The Yellow Sweater” (Kelsay Press) in 2023. She has poems in many literary journals such as The Missouri Review, Poetry East, Lumina, Inkwell, Quarterly West, Potomac Review, the American Literary Review, and others. She has edited two anthologies: “Mercy of Tides: Poems for a Beach House,” and “Rough Places Plain: Poems of the Mountains.” In “Don’t Look Them in the Eye: Love, Life, and Jim Crow,” she transcribed the oral history of her friend, Emerson Stamps, whose parents were sharecroppers and grandparents were enslaved. Her original poems accompany his story. Margot lives in Mattapoisett, where she also paints, and in Brookline.

            The books by these poets will be available for purchase and signing at the reception following the reading in the community room downstairs in the library, which is located at 7 Barstow Street in Mattapoisett. This event is part of the Purrington Lecture Series sponsored by the Mattapoisett Library Trust. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Sippican ‘Arts in Action’ Show

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Old Rochester Regional Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson and Sippican Elementary School Acting Principal Doreen Lopes are pleased to share that Sippican students participated last week in the annual “Arts in Action” show.

            The art show was held on April 10 and featured artwork created by students in grades K-6.

            Approximately 800 pieces of art were displayed at the show with each student in grades K-6 having at least one piece chosen for display. Students in the sixth-grade Creative Collective group also had their self-directed pieces on exhibit. Their work included wheel-thrown ceramics, watercolor paintings and wire sculptures.

            “Arts in Action 2024 is a wonderful Sippican tradition I’m proud to uphold,” said Art teacher Katie Kirk. “It’s the perfect way to showcase the many talents of our students from art to music and everything in between.”

            During the event, younger attendees enjoyed a series of crafting table activities, including painting, weaving, creating sculptures and much more.

            The cafeteria was also transformed into a café where students performed live music for guests. The performances were orchestrated by Band Director Hannah Moore. Both jazz bands and the concert choir were showcased, along with a variety of solo artists who performed instrumental song and dance routines. Attendees enjoyed a variety of soups, chilies and desserts during performances, provided by the school café.

            “The Arts-in-Action cafe’ is a wonderful opportunity to share students’ talents in an informal environment,” said Moore. “We get to celebrate artistic talents that we often don’t get to see, including dance, karate, karaoke singing and more. We all get to share our unique talents and hard work with the community.”

            “I’d like to thank Band Director Hannah Moore and Art Teacher Katie Kirk for organizing the performances and helping students successfully showcase their talents,” Lopes said. “It was great to see what the students have been working on during band rehearsals and in art class, and I’m proud of them for putting their talents on display for us to see.”

            To wrap up the event, Volunteers at Sippican Elementary (V.A.S.E.) sponsored a visit from local illustrator Ralph Masiello, who hosted instructional drawing sessions for guests. Masiello created over 100 large-scale drawings with students and gave each of them to attendees.

            “Arts in Action is a wonderful way for our students to demonstrate their talents for the community,” Nelson said. “We saw amazing musical performances, and I’d like to congratulate those who participated as well as thank the staff and volunteers who made the event possible.”

Project Not Limited to Bio-Hydraulic Fluids

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Rochester’s Planning Board Tuesday approved the Special Permit and Groundwater Protection District permit for Blue Wave Solar and BWC Snows Pond LLC’s plan to build a solar-energy array at 0 Cushman Road.

            The 12.55-acre operation on a 31-acre parcel will be built in a Residential/Agricultural District and a Mattapoisett River Valley Watershed and Groundwater Protection District.

            The board signed the project’s draft decision to include altering a previous condition that its construction equipment use only bio-hydraulic fluids. Board Chairman Arnold Johnson noted this condition is being changed to allow nonbiodegradable oils.

            In a previous meeting, the petitioner’s advocates successfully argued that such a relatively small operation would have to frequently drain all its hydraulic equipment. It would be a burdensome, expensive process that would lead vendors to not even bid for the job, they said, noting the size of the operation would not make it worth the effort.

            The Planning panel also agreed to create a draft decision for JPF Development’s plan to construct a 15-acre, self-storage facility with seven storage buildings and a total of 300 units within the Industrial District at Kings Highway and Route 28.

            Here, too, a waiver became the main topic of discussion.

            JPF Development’s engineering consultant, Bill Madden, complained that the Town of Wareham is not allowing the applicant to access water by connecting to an existing line and hydrant on private property, the applicant’s previous plan. JPF is being asked instead to move its proposed water line to beneath Cranberry Highway, he said, which will add to the project cost.

            Plus, Madden said, the town’s consulting engineer, Ken Motta, has requested JPF build a 30-foot utility easement rather than the company’s plan of a mere 10-foot easement. Ten feet is all that the project will need, Madden argued.

            “That’s a pretty big ask, given that an access road that big won’t be needed,” Madden said. “We are agonizing over this now. The hard and soft costs would be huge. And we won’t need much water.”

            He elaborated that separate water access will be needed only for the restroom that will be installed in the office and for the five to 10 commercial bays planned for the project.

            The board agreed with Madden that a larger easement is not necessary and approved his request to add the waiver for a 10-foot easement to the decision conditions.

            Johnson said the town has no money or Water Department to support such a water line. “There’s no other project being planned that could tag into that line,” he said.

            The board closed the public hearing and said the draft decision will be ready to be signed at the second meeting in May.

            In other business, the board reviewed the issue of solar-panel toxicity. Johnson said recent YouTube videos have shown solar-array panels shattering and catching fire. Should this happen in Rochester, the materials and chemicals that fall to the ground could create hazardous and groundwater-contamination waste, board members said.

            Johnson concluded solar-array companies should add an insurance policy on this issue, and the town should add this condition into the town’s solar bylaw.

            Town Planner Nancy Durfee said it is too late to make such a change in time for the May 13 Annual Town Meeting. Johnson said the board should make ready this change for the fall Town Meeting.

            The Rochester Planning Board will meet next on Tuesday, April 23, at 7:00 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.

Rochester Planning Board

By Michael J. DeCicco

Evangelistic Gospel Event in Mattapoisett

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The Lamb of God Christian Church is holding a special Christian event at the Knights Hall, 57 Fairhaven Road, Mattapoisett on Sunday, April 21, at 6:30 pm.

            Sunday evening’s sermon topic is: Are You Sure You’re Going to Heaven? This event will be a Christian Gospel presentation, including an invitation to receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

            Hear the Gospel proclaimed, bring a spouse, family member, friend, or neighbor.

            Be assured that your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, so that your soul will go to heaven on the day you die.

            Please join us on Sunday, April 21, at 6:30 pm, Knights Hall, 57 Fairhaven Road, Mattapoisett.

            Pastor/Evangelist-Mathew Vangel (Long-term resident of Mattapoisett, and 6-year pastoral seminary student) will be preaching.

            For more information call (508) 998-6990, or E-Mail: Mat@Christianbelief.com, or Facebook: Mathew Vangel.