Mattapoisett Library Free Safety Courses

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The Mattapoisett Free Public Library is pleased to announce two free safety courses aimed at equipping the community with life-saving skills.

            On Tuesday, November 28 at 5 pm and Thursday, November 30 at 1 pm, GMEC will be at the Mattapoisett Library providing First Aid, CPR and AED Training. This course provides the non-healthcare provider (layperson) the skills needed to respond to and manage an emergency until emergency medical services arrive. This course is taught as a combination of First Aid and CPR/AED and provides the requirements for Department of Early Education and Care (ECC) standards. This training runs approximately 3 hours in length. Registration is required.

            We will also be offering a Babysitter Training Course for the New and Seasoned Sitters with Beth Oleson on Wednesday, November 29 at 4:30 pm. This is intended to be an intermediate babysitting training course for students ages 11 to 15. Topics covered will include: Bedtime, mealtime, discipline, first aid, hands only CPR, contracts and ethics. This class is expected to run for 3.5 hours and participants are welcome to bring dinner or a snack. Registration is required.

            Those interested can register for these programs at MattapoisettLibrary.org. If you have any questions, contact Michelle Skaar at mskaar@sailsinc.org or by calling the library.

Property Sale Questioned

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The November 16 meeting of the Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals listed Case 1527, filed by Allan Pineda for a Variance and Special Permit for property located at 33 Church Street, the former Mattapoisett Water Department office.

            The filing’s public hearing was not opened. Instead, the board’s clerk, Tony Tranfaglia, read a letter from Pineda which simply requested a continuance to give the Conservation Commission the opportunity to render its decision on whether project plans meet the Wetlands Protection Act or if the commission has jurisdiction.

            The board unanimously voted to grant a one-month continuation, but immediately thereafter, Attorney Perry asked if he could speak in representation of abutters. Although the hearing was not open, ZBA Chairman Susan Akin granted his request.

            Perry stated that the sale of the municipal property had not followed the state’s procurement regulations, had not been properly appraised, had not been posted in the state’s central register and that the undersized lot is not zoned for residential use and had never been used as such.

            “Mattapoisett should be embarrassed,” Perry stated of the manner in which the sale had been conducted. He said there were no hardships that would warrant a variance hearing and said the buyers should be made whole since the transaction was not correctly completed.

            Akin said the matter would be discussed next month.

            In response to The Wanderer, Town Administrator Mike Lorenco said that questions regarding the property sale should be addressed to Water and Sewer Superintendent Henri Renauld, whose response was not received before this week’s press deadline.

            In other business, Henry Borda, 12 Linhares Avenue, filed a Variance request for the expansion of an existing shed. The Variance was granted. Tim Harding filed two Special Permit requests for two different properties, one located at 14 Marion Road and the other at 3 Oakland Street, for the construction of family-related apartments. Both permits were granted.

            Christian McCullough filed a Variance for property located at 25 Cedarcrest Avenue for construction of a new single-family home on a vacant lot. The Variance was approved.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals is scheduled for Thursday, December 21, at 6:00 pm.

Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals

By Marilou Newell

Town Clerk Finds Camaraderie on Job

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            Meet Marjorie Barrows, Marine Corp. veteran, retired U.S. Postal Service officer and since 2022, Rochester’s town clerk.

            It’s no wonder her career path and upbringing led her to her current job. She was born and raised in Missouri, the only girl among six brothers, most of whom have served in the military. “So there’s nothing I can’t back down from,” she said.

            Barrows signed up to become a U.S. Marine at age 17, though she had to wait until she was 18 to be officially enlisted. She spent four years as a Marine at Parris Island and Camp Lejeune, married and settled in Rochester in 1980.

            After leaving military service, she joined the U.S. Post Office in July of 1982, working mainly in Rochester but also spending time in the post offices in Marion, Mattapoisett and Cuttyhunk before retiring in 2016.

            The last 20 of these 34 years, she said, were spent as third in the chain of command in Post Office management and even, for a brief time, Special Interim Postmaster General.

            Shortly after retiring from the Post Office, Barrows went to work for Great Hill Dairy in Mattapoisett as a food preparer, then seven years in the same job for Ocean State Job Lot. But the kind of work she did as a Marine and for the U.S. Post Office drew her back when in 2023, she saw that no one was running for Rochester Town Clerk in the Annual Town Election upon the announcement that Town Clerk Paul Dawson would retire effective in the spring.

            At the time, people around town only knew her as Margie, she said.  She asked a friend to put a “Vote for Marjorie Barrows” sign on her lawn, and the friend said, “Sure. But who is Marjorie Barrows?”

            To become better known, Barrows wrote a letter describing herself and her background that she handed out around the neighborhoods. And she wore a “U.S. Post Office” T-shirt when she stood with her campaign signs on Election Day. The strategy worked, and she is glad it did.

            Barrows said she wanted to apply for the job because “I didn’t think it was a good idea to leave it as a position that the selectmen would have to appoint someone to,” she said. “So I ran. And now I love it.”

            What does she love about her new job she’s held since May? “It’s nothing I can’t do. The work is the same idea as running a post office. You’re taking care of important papers. You keep birth, marriage and death certificates, post meetings and correspondence responsibly.”

            She added, “I get huge support from fellow town clerks as a member of the Massachusetts Town Clerks Association. I am not alone in this support group.  I attended their conference in September, and 21 of them were new town clerks like me.”

            The job hasn’t yielded any surprises, Barrows said. “You’ve got to know what you’re doing,” she said. “You learn, don’t be afraid to ask questions and admit what you don’t know. I’ve learned to find out answers on my own. But I can always call the former town clerk.”

            Barrows emphasized that Dawson has been extra helpful from her first day on the job and is always available to answer her questions.

            Barrows said she’s now starting the annual Town Election paperwork, and she is not daunted by the challenge. “Everything’s got to be done right. And I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be a lot of work, but there’s nothing I’m not willing to learn.”

            She said she always utilizes a lesson she learned as a Marine. When a superior officer asks a question, the proper response when you don’t know the immediate answer is “‘I don’t know, sir. But I will find out.’ And then you learn the answer, and that’s another thing you’ve learned. I always find a way to solve a problem, answer the question.”

            Barrows also serves on the Rochester Council on Aging Board of Directors. Her husband is Board of Health member Dale Barrows.

            And how did he react to her running for town clerk? “He said ‘Go for it.’ And I did.”

By Michael J. DeCicco

Rentals Skirting Rules May Be Unsafe

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            Short-term rentals appear to be impacting neighborhoods and could be unsafe, according to members of the Marion Affordable Housing Trust.

            The committee met on November 14 and discussed this and other topics, including how to make Marion housing more affordable.

            Trust member Eileen Marum said these rentals are not inspected for code or for local authorities.

            Norm Hills, the Select Board’s representative on the trust, said because there is nothing in the bylaws about short-term rentals, there is no way to enforce rules.

            The town has an accessory dwelling unit bylaw but nothing pertaining to short-term rentals. Marum and Hills both mentioned that a short-term rental could bring in 10 people on a weekend for a septic system only designed for two people. There could be fire or other code violations, but local authorities would have no legal means for forcing ownership to correct them.

            Hills, citing his conversation with Town Counsel, said there is no way the town can enforce issues connected to short-term rentals unless there is a bylaw on the books.

            Marum also said it likely contributes to the high prices of housing these days. For instance, if 10 homes are for sale but two are set aside for short-term rentals, that drives up the housing prices for the other eight.

            “It’s disrupting neighborhoods,” she said.

            Marum recommended that a group look at some of these related issues, especially as the trust is interested in revising the ADU bylaw.

            Marum also recommended that the trust get involved in programs that would help locals buy homes at a more affordable price in Marion. She suggested Department of Public Works personnel, teachers or even local nurses as candidates.

            She mentioned the town should become more involved in fuel assistance or energy savings programs for current homeowners. Marum also cited programs that help aging homeowners make their homes handicapped accessible.

            Most of Marion’s housing stock was built before 1970, Marum said.

            In another matter, the trust expressed interest on a tax-foreclosed property on Point Road. The town could use Community Preservation Act funds and possibly work with Habitat for Humanity on a rehabilitation project on the home, which sits on a lot measuring close to half an acre.

            The trust plans on drafting a letter of interest to the Select Board.

            Member Toby Ast delivered some bad news to start the November 14 meeting, reporting that Marion’s application for Mass Housing’s community partnership program was declined.

            The program assists communities with affordable housing planning and development. Ast said only two communities out of 12 were selected and speculated that the communities chosen have affordable-housing employees, unlike Marion.

            The next meeting of the Marion Affordable Housing Trust was not announced upon adjournment.

Marion Affordable Housing Trust

By Jeffrey D. Wagner

Christmas by the Sea Bazaar

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Please join us at the 56th Annual “Christmas by the Sea Bazaar” on Saturday, December 2 from 9 am to 1 pm at St. Anthony’s Parish, 26 Hammond Street, Mattapoisett.

            Many handcrafted gifts and stocking stuffers will be offered by local vendors, including wooden and leather wares, honey, seashell trees, ornaments, holiday decorations, seashell window art, all types of sewn, crocheted, knitted and quilted items, driftwood creations, seascape prints, note cards, T-shirts and so much more. Credit cards accepted.

            When you arrive, you’ll be greeted with live holiday music and as always, the Bazaar will offer a huge assortment of decorated wreaths and greenery arrangements, parish ornament, gift basket and art raffles, a grand raffle (1st prize: $1,000, 2nd prize: $500, 3rd prize: $250), Gift Boutique (in addition to vendors), Toy Shoppe with toys, books, cookie decorating and games, a visit by Santa and baked goods.

            All proceeds will benefit St. Anthony – St. Rita Parish Initiatives. For more information, please contact Linda Quinn at 508-758-8698.

RHS Museum Hours

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The Rochester Historical Society Museum will be open on Sunday from 1:00-3:00 on November 26. This will be our last Sunday opening until December 10, but you can always call Sue at 508 295 8908 or Connie 617 750 2818 to arrange a visit.

Mattapoisett Land Trust Merchandise

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Do you have old Mattapoisett Land Trust merchandise laying around in a drawer somewhere? Well, we’d love to see a picture of it. If you have older, discontinued land trust merchandise, please snap a photo of it and email it to manager@mattlandtrust.org.

            Mattapoisett Land Trust is preparing to celebrate our 50th Anniversary in 2024. With that will come exciting new designs for the T-shirts and hats that you always find at the land trust booth on Harbor Days. We’d love to see photos of your old favorite designs to help inspire us in designing some new merchandise.

Guy Wayne Asker

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It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Guy Wayne Asker on November 17, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. He was determined to reach his 90th birthday, which he did! on July 18, 2023!

            Wayne was born in the Campello neighborhood of Brockton MA, and his journey through life was marked by accomplishments, integrity, and a profound love for family, faith, and community. His early years were shaped by his passion for sports, excelling in both football and basketball, which paved the way for his graduation from Brockton High School in 1951. After high school, he continued his education at Storm King Prep School in New York. In 1955, Wayne married his high school sweetheart, Joan Walsh, a Brockton High School cheerleader, forming a partnership that would endure for decades.

            For over twenty years, Wayne worked diligently at Asker Bakery in Brockton until 1973 when he transitioned his career to become a real estate broker, establishing Realty by Asker. His commitment to the real estate industry led him to become the President of Brockton Board of Realtors in 1977 and President of Brockton MLS in 1985 serving as a longstanding board member. In the 1980s, Wayne furthered his expertise by obtaining a General Certified Real Estate Appraiser license, founding GWA Appraisal Service, where he continued his work as an appraiser until the age of 75.

            Wayne’s devotion to his faith was evident throughout his life. He served at Trinity Baptist Church in Brockton and later at Church in the Pines in Wareham. He led numerous Bible studies, leaving a lasting impact on the spiritual lives of many.

            Beyond his professional and spiritual pursuits, Wayne generously contributed to his community. He served as a basketball coach for Brockton Christian School and various church basketball leagues. In the 1980s, he moved to Marion, becoming an active member of the Sippican Tennis Club and dedicating his time to the town’s Conservation Committee.

            Wayne’s love for travel was evident in the many adventures he shared with his wife, Joan. They explored the beauty of many parts of the world, including Ireland, Italy, France, and England, with a standout memory being their cherished trip to Israel in 1974 with dear friends.

            Wayne is survived by his wife of 68 years, Joan, their four children, Joanne, Amy, Jonathan (Pippa), and Sarah (Andy), and their grandchildren Michelle (Russell), Dan, Samantha (Samuel), Oliver, Dean, and Maxwell. Wayne was preceded in death by parents, Guy and Hazel Asker, and his two sisters, Carol and Beverly. His grandchildren and many nieces and nephews will remember Wayne with affection.

            Guy Wayne Asker will be remembered for his kindness, his unique sense of humor, unwavering devotion to his Christian faith, his devotion to integrity and honesty, and his profound love for family and friends. His legacy lives on in the memories of those who were fortunate enough to know him, and his impact will continue to resonate in the hearts of all who were touched by his warmth and generosity. He is resting in peace, and his family finds solace in the enduring legacy he leaves behind.

            A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, Dec. 2nd at the First Congregational Church of Marion. A luncheon reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, Wayne’s desire was to have any gifts go to South Coast VNA Hospice, 200 Mill Rd., Fairhaven, MA 02719. He so appreciated the loving care of each caregiver. Arrangements are by the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Mattapoisett. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Steven Johnston Tower

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Steven Johnston Tower of Hingham, Massachusetts, died suddenly on November 15 at his home in Hingham.

            Starting his life in Hingham, Massachusetts, in 1960, he was the second son of Arthur Tower and Betty (Johnston) Tower. He attended North Adams State College but eventually graduated from Northeastern University. He would go on to spend the majority of his career as an insurance investigator.

            He found a sense of calm and excitement on two wheels, whether he was pedaling one of his many bikes or pushing the throttle as hard as it could go on his motorcycle. When not on a bike, he loved to spend time digging up quahogs near the family home in Mattapoisett and assisting with any project the community needed. Throughout his life, he also liked to channel his inner Herb Brooks as a longtime coach and administrator of Braintree Youth Hockey. He could also often be found volunteering his time at the Old Colony Lodge in Hingham, where he was a devoted Masonic member.

            He leaves behind his only son, Steven Jr., of Rockland, Massachusetts, and former wife and friend Catherine Nelligan of Venice, Florida. He is also survived by his many cousins with whom he shared many memories in Mattapoisett. He has now joined his late brother Putt Jr. of Fairhaven and his mother and father.

            Visiting hours were held at Downing Cottage Funeral Chapel, 21 Pond St., Hingham, on Monday, November 20th. Relatives and friends were invited to attend a memorial service at Second Parish, 685 Main St. in Hingham on Tuesday, November 21st. Burial was a private ceremony. For additional information and online guestbook please go to www.downingchapel.com

Baron H Martin

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Judge Baron H Martin, loving husband, dedicated father and former Chief Justice of the 4th District Court in Wareham passed away peacefully on November 16 with his beloved wife Joan by his side. He was 97 years old.

            Born in Boston, son of the late Baron H. and Margaret Jones Elliot Martin, he lived in Boston until 1972 moving to Wareham. Before becoming ill, he was living at the Bay Club in Mattapoisett.

            Survivors include his wife, Joan (Kapolchok) Martin; his daughter Lauren B Martin of New York; his cousin who was like a son to him, Atty. Ralph Martin and his wife Dr. Deborah Martin of Jamaica Plain and their sons Scott and Sam, and daughter Christine (husband Michael Moverman and daughter Simona.)

            There is no question that Judge Martin was a brilliant lawyer and Judge. He would have young lawyers, trying a case before him, scurrying back to the law library looking up cases because the ones they were using were no longer applicable.

            Judge Martin never forgot his mentors who shaped his life from working as a baggage handler at South Station to becoming the esteemed Chief Justice of the Wareham District Court. They gave him the opportunity to attend Suffolk University Law School while working at the MTA (MBTA) as a clerk. He later became the General Counsel and years later was appointed to the Board of Directors.

            He was personal friends with Martin Luther King, while attending Boston University. They belonged to the same fraternity, Boston University’s Sigma Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha. In 1952, he introduced Martin to Coretta.

            Baron was very active in politics in the 60’s being chair of Ward 12 in Roxbury. He was invited by President Kennedy to participate in the National Conference on Constitutional Rights in New York in 1960. He was greatly influenced by Robert F Kennedy while working on his campaign in 1968. He often quoted Robert F Kennedy as saying that those of us who have something have an obligation to help others. Judge Martin was with Robert Kennedy at the Ambassador Hotel on June 5, 1968 when he was shot. He lived by this motto until the day he died.

            He was inducted as Special Justice of the Roxbury Court in 1974 by Governor Francis Sargent and to the Wareham District Court in 1977 by Governor Edward King. He was named Associate Justice of the Appellate Division by Chief Justice Samuel Zoll in 1990.

            There are countless stories of people that he helped when their lives were falling apart and they were standing before him in the court. He would help them see their value and a better way but they had to put in the work. He was a mentor to young law students, new judges, administrators and court personnel. And even after he retired, he continued, working on a team to bring the University of Massachusetts Law School (Southern New England Law School) to Dartmouth. Giving back is what Judge Martin did be it law students, the kid next door, or a caregiver.

            This is his Legacy. His mentors would be proud.

            His visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, November 28th from 4-8pm in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt.6), Mattapoisett. His Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, November 29th at 11:00 am in the funeral Home. For directions and guest book, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.