Innovative Public Services

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If you have been inclined to take a nice walk or bike ride on the Rail Trail on a beautiful fall weekend and have driven downtown to do so, you may and have found, after searching for a space in the parking lot (the lot designated for motor vehicles, not the empty one for boat trailers) or on Railroad Avenue, that there are four less spaces available. Two new electric vehicle charging stations, providing four charging ports, have been installed for the convenience of anyone lucky enough to own an EV. These select few can charge their cars while they walk or cycle the boardwalk and return to a re-charged ride.

            These new public services are provided by the town at the courtesy of the electric company, who has generously provided a substantial grant to pay for the installation of these devices at very little cost to the town. I am told that the town will reap any profits from the electricity rental the AV owners credit cards will provide. This appears to be a “win-win” situation, but not so much for the walker/cyclist who arrived in a gas-powered vehicle searching for a parking space. Oh well, that’s progress.

            In addition to the two charging stations at the rail trail parking lot, two more have been installed at the police station. At first I assumed they would be for police use only, then I wondered if their use would include anyone who had been arrested for a motor vehicle violation. The culprits could charge their EV while resting in our local lockup.

            But no, I have discovered that they are for public use which might work out nicely for someone who could drop off their vehicle at the station and hop across the street to the coffee shop for lunch. When they finished their noon repast, they could return to a fully-charged car. If this became popular, the police might have to initiate an appointment policy. If it became really popular, the town would have to find funds to install a crosswalk and pedestrian light; a small price to pay for another valuable public service. Too bad, too. I’ve been thinking of opening my own charging station service at the end of my driveway, just to make a few extra bucks. But I wouldn’t want to compete with the town.

            As you may have guessed, I have a few ideas for other innovative services the town may wish to provide its citizens.

            There may be times when your bicycle has a flat tire or just needs a boost of air. The gas station around the corner from my house charges $1.50 for four minutes of air. An air pump conveniently installed at the beginning of the rail trail would be a nice service. A buck fifty here and a buck fifty there could really add to the town coffers.

            Remember those green e-bikes that were around the village a couple of years back (maybe they were blue, I forget)? You just used your phone to rent an hour or more of time and the bikes magically responded. People didn’t even have to return them. They could just leave them anywhere after they completed their ride. We should bring those back so the non-bicycle owner and non-walker crowd can enjoy the beautiful scenery along the rail trail.

            A liquid refreshment vending machine would be a nice addition. After a long ride or walk replenishing your electrolytes is important. I am sure the Health Department would endorse that especially if there were a small profit in there for them.

            Winter is coming and many folks may continue to traverse the rail trail. There are a few resting benches along the trail. It gets mighty cold in January. Wouldn’t it be nice if the town provided a hand blower like the one in the wharf men’s room to unthaw your frozen fingers? Or better yet, a small warming shelter, say halfway? Just insert your credit or debit card into the slot and get 15 minutes of warming relief from the brisk winds off the harbor. They could have Wi-Fi…for an additional charge of course…and a phone charging station too.

            Another nice public service could be to provide a restroom at that warming shelter I mentioned. It’s a long walk from the trail to the town wharf. When you got to’ go, you got to go!

            Mattapoisett resident Dick Morgado is an artist and happily retired writer. His newspaper columns appeared for many years in daily newspapers around Boston.

Thoughts on…

By Dick Morgado

North Rochester Congregational Church

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The North Rochester Congregational Church, 247 North Avenue in Rochester, has services at 10:00 am on Sundays. The services are now conducted by Lay Minister Kevin Thompson, who is also the Boy Scout Troop Leader in town. Other members of the congregation also do services. Paul Sardinha is our longtime organist. Food and fellowship follows. Everyone is welcome.

Join the Marion COA Book Club

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The Marion COA Book Club, which is sponsored by the Friends of the Elizabeth Taber Library, is still welcoming new members. You do not need to be a resident of Marion to participate.

            The next meeting of the group will be at 1:00 pm on November 20 at the Marion COA, at which his new collection of short stories, The History of Sound, by Dartmouth author Ben Shattuck, will be discussed. This is a book of interconnected stories, set in New England spanning three centuries, that explores how the past is often misunderstood and how history, family, heartache, and desire can echo over time.

            Copies of this book are available to be checked out by book club members at the front desk at the Elizabeth Taber Library.

            Superintendent

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Superintendent Michael S. Nelson, Principal Michael Devoll, and Director of Guidance Lauren Millette are pleased to share that Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55 students recently participated in a Project 351 workshop.

            On Wednesday, October 16, 175 district student leaders attended a Project 351 workshop at ORRHS, where they participated in various community service and leadership activities. The workshop included high school, junior high school, and elementary school students who met for about two hours each.

            District staff who attended included Superintendent Nelson, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Shari Fedorowicz, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Jaime Curley, Principal Devoll, ORRJHS Principal Silas Coellner, Sippican Elementary School Assistant Principal Greg Thomas, Old Hammondtown School Principal Stephanie Wells, Rochester Memorial School Social Worker Sharon Cruz, Sippican School Adjustment Counselor Rebecca Densberger, and School Psychologist for Center and Old Hammondtown Schools Joy Titcomb.

            The day began with students bringing donations for hurricane relief in partnership with the Tri-Town Nurses and contributing pairs of socks to support the ORRHS Community Service Learning Club’s “Socktober.”

            After introductions and engaging icebreakers led by Molly Wronski, Olivia Thompson, and Quinn Chisholm, students explored the idea of “energy givers and takers” in relation to leadership. They also discussed Daniel Coyle’s “Good Apple” experiment from his book “The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups.”

            “Students could participate in dynamic scenario discussions and group reflections using the Project 351 and Celtics Playbook,” said Director of Guidance Lauren Millette. “I was thoroughly impressed with the in-depth discussions students were taking part in and how they were able to think critically about real-world issues using their own experiences as a guide.”

            The Celtics Playbook Initiative seeks to leverage the power of sport and, more specifically, the appeal of the Celtics to engage students on critical issues. The program features a series of workshops for students in grades 4-12 in an effort to build a community-oriented environment.

            The idea of the Playbook was born out of the theory that if athletes are able to prepare for difficult game-time decisions by studying and practicing plays, this strategy could also work in everyday scenarios. Thus, if students prepare themselves before the situation arises, they will be ready to confront bias and discrimination. This led to the publication of a “social playbook” taking the form of 25 scenarios written and edited by middle school students with the goal of creating conversation and offering methods for students to safely intervene when witnessing acts of injustice from a bystander’s perspective.

            The workshop concluded by introducing the students to Kaizen, which is the idea of continuous improvement and is a mantra in the Celtics’ locker room. Students implemented this mindset by reflecting on their personal growth throughout the day.

            “I think that I am in a better position to be a leader because of this workshop today, and I can use tools I learned to help me in everyday situations,” said seventh-grade student Riley Sickel. “I might take more time thinking about what I say or do in a group; and if I am taking energy from the group, I’ll try harder to bring more positive energy. I can also pay closer attention to situations where I could help lead and find solutions to a problem.”

            “The ability to stop, think critically, and reflect on potential solutions for real-world problems is an essential skill that will continue to serve our students well beyond the classroom,” Superintendent Nelson said. “I commend our dedicated staff for facilitating these discussions, and I thank our student leaders for their impact on our school community.”

A.D.U. Hearing Gets Loud

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The October 21 meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board included a hearing intended to vet a drafted new and/or modified zoning bylaw for the placement and construction of A.D.U, accessory dwelling units.

            Chairman Tom Tucker opened the hearing noting that in advance of the spring town meeting, the board was seeking public input and the airing of questions and concerns pertinent to this matter in order to ensure all voices are heard and to avoid contentious exchanges on the town meeting floor. The small audience did indeed get loud at one point, prompting Tucker to ask for decorum and a respect for all viewpoints. Yet, it was clear that some in attendance feared the new dwelling units could house migrants.

            The draft reads, “…an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a self-contained housing unit inclusive of sleeping, cooking, and sanitary facilities on the same lot as a principle dwelling subject to otherwise applicable dimensional and parking requirements, that maintains a separate entrance, either directly from the outside or through an additional entry door or corridor shared with the principal dwelling sufficient to meet the state building code for safe egress, is not larger in gross floor area than ½ the gross floor area of the principal dwelling or 900 square feet, whichever is smaller.”

            The draft goes on to read that the purpose and intent of the bylaw change …”provides homeowners with a means of obtaining rental income, companionship, security, and services thereby enabling them to stay more comfortable in homes and neighborhoods they might otherwise be forced to leave.”

            In terms of criteria, the draft includes rentals of more than 30 days with continuous habitation, structures that are architecturally compatible with the principle single-family residence on the lot, at least one additional parking space, lot coverage, setbacks, and building height requirements are met for the district in which it is located and is permitted via a special permit.

             The public comments ranged from considering the changes a “dream come true” that would now allow multi-generational living as principal residents age to concerns that a landowner with sufficient acreage might develop rental units that would, in turn, allow migrants to move into the area.

            One speaker asked what the setbacks might be for an ADU, but board member John Mathieu said the state has not provided guidance, thus it was incumbent for the board to draft such language for public comment.

            Another resident questioned if the need to provide documented familial relationships as is currently the case for those occupying family-related apartments. Mathieu conjectured that said practice would likely end.

            Board member William Wennerberg said that ADUs could take many forms, including the renovation of garage spaces or sheds, basements, and attics.

            Collectively, the board thought setbacks might be established to meet with those when the lot was created. Other areas touched on were the possible need for site plan review, storm water planning, FEMA compliance where applicable, and septic inspection.

            The Public hearing was continued until November 18 at 7:00 pm.

Mattapoisett Planning Board

By Marilou Newell

Zoning Variance Granted

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Zoning variances come in all shapes and sizes. Just ask the local board members in Mattapoisett, Chairman Susan Akin, long-time members, Tony Trafaglia, Colby Rottler, Ken Pacheco, and newer member Jordan Rodrigues.

            A quick jaunt around the internet found this explanation: zoning designations

dictate what kind of property can be built in specific areas or neighborhoods. Zoning ordinances mandate what types of structures may be built in certain areas, like commercial building or factories next to schools. That would be a no-no in nearly every city and town in the country.

            Appeals to zoning boards require that the appealing applicant prove to the board the “what, where, and why” for a structure that is being planned for an otherwise no-go location.

            If the board agrees with the applicant, a variance may be granted.

            On October 17, the Mattapoisett board heard a request for a variance for the installation of a round swimming pool at the 156 North Street property, owned by John and Bridget O’Donnell Szymczuk.

            Szymczuk explained the small 12×24’ pool setbacks don’t meet the zoning bylaw. He said that the location of the septic system and leaching field along with a very large mature maple tree make it impossible to locate the pool anywhere else on the property.

            The variance was granted.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals will be scheduled at a later date.

Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals

By Marilou Newell

ORR’s New Laser Cutter

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 The Old Rochester Regional School Committee met at 12:00 pm noon on Monday and the meeting turned into a laser show of sorts.

            The committee met only to accept three $2,000 donations from three different community members — totaling $6,000 – so the school can buy a laser cutter.

            District officials could not immediately get in touch with the community members for permission to release their names. Technology education teacher Scott McElroy said in an email that the laser cutter will be used in 12 technology courses, as well as for multiple grade levels in the high school.

            “By incorporating the laser cutter into our curriculum, we can provide students with hands-on experience in design, fabrication, and engineering,” McElroy said. “This will not only enhance their technical skills but also foster creativity and problem-solving abilities.”

            For the course “Intro to Cad and 3D Design,” the laser cutter can enable students to engrave designs on a variety of materials to create personalized items or prototypes, according to McElroy. 

            For the high school’s “Architectural Design” course, the laser cutter can be used to precisely cut out components for scaled model projects, allowing students to create highly detailed and accurate representations of their designs,” McElroy noted.

            For the school’s “Robotics and Engineering” program, students can fabricate custom parts for their robotics and engineering projects, “enabling them to experiment with unique designs and functions,” also according to McElroy. 

            “This versatile tool can enhance learning across our high school’s multiple grade levels and subject areas,” he added.

            School Committee members expressed their appreciation for the donation to make this tool a reality in the district.

            School officials also noted that these types of donations are commonplace in the Tri-town community and further enhance learning at the school.

Old Rochester Regional School Committee

By Jeffrey D. Wagner

Nothing But Victories for the Bulldogs

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            The Old Rochester Regional High School football team played at Greater New Bedford Voc/Tech on October 18 and won 39-6. They’re now 6-1, and move to a four game winning-streak. Gavin Martin had 2 rushing touchdowns, and a 71 yard touchdown pass to Henry Berry. Jack Leconte also had two rushing touchdowns. Cam Peppin had a rushing touchdown as well. It wasn’t just the offense that made the Bulldogs dominate. Jake Proffit had an interception, Sawyer Johnson had two sacks, and Chase Kuopens had a sack as well.

            “Devin St Germaine had a great all-around game contributing on offense with his running and blocking, and making several tackles on defense,” said ORR Head Coach Bryce Guilbeault.

            The Bulldogs will host Dighton-Rehoboth (0-6), on October 25 at 6:30 pm, in their homecoming game and senior night.

Girls Soccer

            The Bulldogs played at home against Apponequet on October 16, and won 4-3. Audrey Thomas scored 3 goals, Zoe Plante with 1 goal, and assists were made by Delaney Chase, Kate Thomsen, and Liz Feeney. The final goal by Audrey Thomas was within the final 15 seconds of the game, to win it for the Bulldogs. They’re now 10-3-1, and were scheduled to play at Somerset Berkley on October 23. The JV squad also played Apponequet, and won 2-0. Marley Mailloux netted both goals, with one coming from a header during a corner kick.

            “The team demonstrated excellent cohesion, even after being introduced to a new formation just a day prior,” said ORR JV Head Coach Sarah Makein.

            They were scheduled to play at Somerset Berkley on October 23.

Boys Soccer

            Old Rochester played at Apponequet on October 16, and won 1-0. Grady Oliveira scored, assisted by Aidan Costa. Their record is now 11-2-1, and they’ve won 10 straight games. They were scheduled to host Somerset Berkley (9-5), on October 23.

Field Hockey

            Old Rochester played Wareham on October 17, and won 8-0. Defensive player Kelsi Chick was named the player of the game, scoring her first goal. The win brings their record to 5-4-6. They were scheduled to play at Wareham on October 22.

Girls Volleyball

            The Bulldogs played Apponequet on October 16 while celebrating senior night, and won 3-0. Set scores were 25-10, 25-12, and 25-18. The players of the game were all of the seniors, Aubrie Letourneau, Cami Van Ness, Jocelyn Pires, Caroline Brogioli, and Hannah Eaton. They’re now 15-2, and were scheduled to play their final game of the regular season at Joseph Case on October 23.

Sports Roundup

By Aiden Comorosky

Sunday at the Rochester Historical Society

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This Sunday, October 27, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, the Rochester Historical Society Museum will be open. In addition to the exhibit, the shop will be open. There are cranberries, both dried and fresh for $2.50/qt. bag as well as Rochester books, maps, hats and tees. We also have a selection of 4 different style Rochester sweatshirts; crewneck, 1/4 zip, hoodie, and full zip hooded. Now is a good time to buy or order for Christmas.

Christmas on Church Street

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The Mattapoisett Congregational Church’s annual Holiday Fair will be held on Saturday, December 7 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm in Reynard Hall at 27 Church Street in Mattapoisett. This year’s event will include homemade frozen foods, baked treats, hand knitted and crafted items, Christmas/holiday decorations, gift items, greenery for wreaths as well as jewelry, silent auction items, a kids’ table, and a delicious hot soup luncheon. All proceeds benefit the ministries of the Mattapoisett Congregational Church. For additional information, please contact the church office at 508-758-2671 or mattcongchurch@gmail.com.