The Marion Garden Group partnering with the Tree Committee began a project of identifying and putting aluminum tags on the many species of trees around town last year. This monumental task continues again this year. Led by Sylvia Strand, volunteers will meet in Bicentennial Park on Friday and Saturday, October 13& 14 at 10:00 am. All are welcome. Come and help or spectate and encourage. For more information, check the MGG website.
Nancy D. (Coleman) Rodrigues, 77, of Mattapoisett died October 10, 2023 at Sippican Healthcare Center.
She was the wife of the late Paul W. Rodrigues.
Born in Cambridge, daughter of the late Edmund F. and Dorothea (McPartlan) Coleman, she was raised in Dorchester and lived in Mattapoisett most of her life.
She was a former member of the Jensen Beach American Legion Ladies Auxiliary. She enjoyed spending time with her family, painting, reading and watching TV.
Her family would like to thank the staff at Fidelis Hospice and Sippican Healthcare Center for the care Nancy received.
Survivors include her daughter, Michelle Bergeron and her husband Wayne of Dartmouth; 2 sons, Paul Rodrigues and his wife Kimberly of Carver and Todd Rodrigues and his wife Maurine of Fairhaven; a brother, Richard Coleman of Fairhaven; a sister, Donna Lopes of Stuart, FL; 6 grandchildren, Ashley, Michael, Corey, Kailee, Kamryn and Kaitlyn; 6 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
She was the sister of the late Paul Coleman and Edmund Coleman, Jr.
Her Funeral Service will be held on Sunday, October 22nd at 12 Noon in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6), Mattapoisett. Her family will receive guests on Sunday from 10 AM – 12 Noon prior to her service. Burial will follow in St. Anthony’s Cemetery. For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
Rochester’s Conservation Commission Tuesday took further action on the much-debated, 241-acre, regional Conservation Restriction that includes 13 acres at Red Brick Farm East but gives Rochester no rights to the water there. The commission decided to take its appeal to keep the town’s rights to that water local directly to the Select Board.
When they first heard of the CR plan months ago, commission members complained that Rochester has lost the right to use its own water resources too many times over the decades. The regional CR agreement that nonetheless became reality proposed giving Mattapoisett the water rights to the Rochester parcel, including possibly digging up to four new wells under a co-ownership agreement with the Mattapoisett Water and Sewer Authority. However, the authority also agreed in writing it would “make every effort” to transfer the conservation land in Rochester to the town for $1.
On Tuesday, Commissioner Ben Bailey said Town Counsel has told the panel that this plan cannot happen because the statement “will make every effort” is not legally enforceable.
But Bailey said he has learned from researching state law and contacting other attorneys that the correspondence from the Mattapoisett Water and Sewer Authority stating the “make every effort” promise is a legally enforceable one.
“Saying you will make every effort means you are not allowed to do nothing. It requires putting full muscle and energy” into the effort, he said.
Bailey motioned to have a letter written to the Select Board to ask for its help in pressing the issue. The commission unanimously agreed to have that correspondence sent. “Ask the selectmen to do something about this,” he said. “Look at our correspondence and act on it.”
The commission began its meeting by coming close to endorsing the first piece of a plan for a 15-acre, self-storage facility off of Cranberry Highway at Route 28 and Kings Highway.
Under a request for an Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation (ANRAD) approval, the petitioner’s engineering consultant, Bob Rogers, told the commission that the developer needs to re-flag the parcel’s 2,700 linear feet of bordering vegetated wetlands. He noted that the ConCom approved the site’s wetlands delineation in 2015. Then a commercial development plan that did not survive for long was approved in 2017. Now, eight years later, Rogers said, the flags marking the wetlands are hard to find and just plain missing.
“There’s a lot of growth. It’s thick out there,” Rogers said. “Our wetlands scientists will go out and nail down the Southern line.”
The commission, as a result, granted Rogers’ request for a continuance until its next meeting on October 17 to give the scientists time to complete the work.
Petitioner engineer Bill Madden recently told the Rochester Planning Board that the parcel will house a self-storage facility on a combination of four large lots, with 180 small, self-storage units and 64 smaller ones.
In other action, the commission signed the latest Enforcement Order for 532 Snipatuit Road. The property was recently the site of a fire that damaged a houseboat in the pond. Conservation Agent Merilee Kelly has reported to the commission in past meetings that she has observed work being done there without a formal Notice of Intent that would signal the property owner’s intentions with that environmentally sensitive area of the pond.
Now the work has stopped, Kelly said. But she has hesitated in the past to approach the workers there when visiting the site because she was alone. The commissioners need to know the property owner’s intent behind cleaning up near wetlands, hence the need for the new Enforcement Order. The commissioners instructed Kelly to bring another person with her, preferably a police officer, on her next visit.
The Rochester Conservation Commission will meet next on Tuesday, October 17, at 7:00 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.
Rochester Conservation Commission
By Michael J. DeCicco
Banned Books: State of the Union. A Banned Book Week special presentation – Thursday, October 5 at 6 pm. Are you curious about the rise of book bans and book challenges across the country? Join us for a special presentation to discuss the most targeted books and the impact of book challenges on libraries and readers.
Homeschool meet up – Thursday, October 5 at 1 pm. Meet other homeschoolers and learn about the resources the library has to offer.
Paranormal New England – Thursday, October 19 at 6:30 pm. Learn about the paranormal world with the team that has investigated reportedly haunted locations throughout New England. Check out equipment and evidence with the crew from the Paranormal New England.
Check out a pumpkin at the library all month long, return it decorated to enter our Great Pumpkin Contest on Thursday, October 26.
For more information on the Elizabeth Taber Library, visit us at www.ElizabethTaberLibrary.org or call us at 508-748-1252.
St. Anthony/St. Rita Parish will be holding its 56th Christmas by the Sea Bazaar on Saturday, December 2 from 9 am – 1 pm at St. Anthony’s Church Hall at 26 Hammond Street in Mattapoisett. This year’s event will include handmade gifts & items by local artisans, a grand raffle, gift basket raffles, holiday wreaths & greens arrangements, a toy shoppe, games and crafts for the kids, a visit by Santa Claus, our parishes’ annual ornament, malassadas, baked goods and beverages. All proceeds to benefit parish initiatives. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Linda Quinn at 508-758-8698.
Douglas A. Nye, 68, of Marion, passed away on Thursday, October 5, 2023, in Plymouth Rehabilitation & Health Care Center, Plymouth. He was the husband of the late Joanne M. (Boys) Nye.
Dougie was born in Wareham on December 16, 1954, and lived in Marion all of his life. He graduated from Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical High School in 1973.
Douglas worked as a Welder in the Facility Department at Tabor Academy for 30 years.
He dedicated his life to public service and selflessly gave himself to the Marion Fire Department where he served for over 40 years and was Captain of Engine #1. His love for work and family was evident to anyone that knew him, always showing up for both whenever called.
He was a member of the Marion Fire Association. He loved playing guitar, listening to music, and never missed a Nascar race. His fondest memories include these three loves, and spending time sitting on the back deck at his brother, Natie’s home.
Survivors include his mother, Rosalind (Abreu) Nye of Marion; 2 sons, Douglas A. Nye, Jr. of ME and Ryan C. Nye of New Bedford; 3 brothers, Nate Nye and his wife, Jody, Steve Nye and his wife, Heidi and Chris Nye and his wife, April all of Marion; his step children, Christopher McCra, Robert McCra, Steven (McCra) Slater and his husband Sean Slater of E. Providence, RI, Angela Cathcart and Keith Cathcart; grandsons, Henry William Nye of New Bedford and Brandon Wilbur; granddaughters, McCayla Dupont and Destany Galary; several nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his father, Nathan B. Nye, Sr.
Visiting hours are from 4 to 7 pm on Thursday, October 19, 2023 at Chapman Funerals & Cremations – Wareham, 2599 Cranberry Hwy., Wareham.
His graveside service will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, October 20, 2023 at Evergreen Cemetery, Marion.
Donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Assoc., 480 Pleasant St., Watertown, MA 02472 or to the Dementia Society, P.O. Box 610, Doylestown, PA 18901.
Superintendent Michael S. Nelson and Old Hammondtown School Principal Kevin Tavares are pleased to share the completion and official dedication of a new mural in the school’s cafeteria, created based on student drawings.
Visiting artist Bren Bataclan worked with last year’s fourth grade students to begin creating the mural. He began with a drawing demonstration, explaining how simple it is to draw his style of characters, and there is no right or wrong way to illustrate them. Then the students created funny and creative food-related characters. Some of the characters included a broccoli running on a treadmill, a strawberry skateboarding and a sushi riding a bicycle.
Bataclan took each student artist’s unique character — over 60 – and painted them on the walls of the Old Hammondtown School cafeteria during the summer of 2023. The finished product includes work by each student and the words “Think, Learn, Care,” which is a message promoted within the school community each day.
The cafeteria mural is the largest mural Bataclan has produced. He returned to Old Hammondtown School in September to celebrate the new mural and officially dedicate it.
“It was great to see how excited the student artists were when they came back to school this year and saw their work in the new mural,” Principal Tavares said. “The OHS cafeteria is now a much more cheerful and colorful place to enjoy lunch, and Bren’s program provided a valuable message of using art to spread kindness and generosity.”
Bataclan is a Boston-based artist who has been giving away paintings around the world by leaving them in public spaces with a note saying, “This painting is yours if you promise to smile at random people more often.” Since 2003 he has given away over 3,000 paintings in over 70 countries and in all 50 U.S. states.
Bataclan has also been spreading his kindness-related street art project with schools for over 15 years. His school program promotes positive messages of kindness and sharing via art.
“We are grateful to Bren for working with our student artists and making this such a fun and meaningful process,” Superintendent Nelson said. “We also thank the Mattapoisett PTA Arts and Humanities Committee for its generous support of this project.”
Upon her season-opening report to the Mattapoisett School Committee on September 21, Chairperson Carly Lavin focused on the Old Rochester Regional School District’s new literacy program launched last year.
“This is a massive change … a long-term goal, and it’s going to require real passion and perseverance to successfully implement,” said Lavin, identifying the program as new opportunities for children to see leaders’ model grit. “We need grit from everybody at this table and in our schools as well as our families. It’s going to be easy to get overwhelmed or potentially discouraged, but I urge everybody to stay the course.”
With that, she thanked the teachers for their willingness to start a new program.
As the committee gathered to kick off the 2023-24 academic year, milestone recognitions were recognized, and new teachers were welcomed aboard.
For Center School, Jennifer Aguiar (elementary teacher) and Lori Sevigny (principal’s secretary) were both recognized for 30 years of service, Cynthia Dawicki (RBT paraprofessional) for 25 years, Virginia Rotchford (paraprofessional) for 20 years, Laura Mirabito (Library/Media specialist), Caroyln Pawlishen (Reading specialist) and Sarah Mendes (elementary teacher) for 15 years each, and Jane Zajac (Kindergarten teacher) for 10 years.
For Center School and Old Hammondtown, Lisa Lourenco (technology coordinator) was recognized for 25 years of service, Chad Cabeceiras (physical education) for 20 years, and Benjamin Squire (science teacher) for 10 years.
Also for Old Hammondtown, Elementary teachers Stacey Barrows, Amy Casi and Kristen Sunde were all recognized for 20 years. Sherri Panek (paraprofessional) and Elizabeth Valliere (elementary teacher) were recognized for 15 years. Stella Brogioli (paraprofessional) and elementary teachers Sara Jacobsen and Kate Williams were all recognized for 10 years.
Longtime ORR staffer Kristine Lincoln was welcomed as interim director of Student Services. Teah Keogh has returned to her old role as English Language Learning specialist, ORR graduate Katie Crowley joins the Center School staff as a lunch/recess aid, Alda Medeiros joins Mattapoisett schools as Special Education secretary and Katie Trudell will teach Grade 5.
The ORR District bids adieu to Craig Davidson (director of Student Services); Kathy Dranchak (ELL specialist); Kayleigh Lake (Lunch/Recess aide) and Colleen Johns (Library specialist.)
After reviewing a request from Kimberly Clough, granddaughter of Franklin A. Caswell, Jr., to place a plaque at Caswell Circle at Old Hammondtown School in Mr. Caswell’s honor, the committee voted to approve.
Old Hammondtown Principal Kevin Tavares remembered how Caswell, known as “Bronc,” worked at Center School and went to Old Hammondtown upon its opening in 1966. He said Caswell raised the American flag at the school every day and injected positivity with his sense of humor.
Old Rochester Regional Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson reported on an opening-day event held to bring together the faculty and staffs of all six district schools, and student speaker Nia Gonzalez stole the show with her keynote address. The Sippican Elementary School Grade 6 student and Project 351 participant impressed the gathering of faculty and staff.
Joining the Marion and Rochester school districts, the committee voted to approve an OpenSciEd grant for Grade 5 in the amount of $4,100 for training costs and materials in a continuation of ongoing work.
ORR Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Dr. Shari Fedorowicz said this will be the first opportunity to bring the program to two units this year to make the program continuous for Grades 5-8.
The committee voted to approve the disposal of materials (curriculum no longer aligning with district needs).
The committee voted to approve updates to the Student Handbook.
Lavin credited ORR Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Howie Barber for his commitment to come in during the pandemic and adjust financial expectations.
Nelson discussed new features on the ORR District’s improved website.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett School Committee is scheduled for Thursday, October 26, at 6:30 pm.
Mattapoisett School Committee
By Mick Colageo
The annual Salty’s Soiree hosted by the Mattapoisett Land Trust will be on Saturday October 28 this year from 5:30-7:30 pm at Dunseith Gardens. The soiree is great fun for the whole family with a bonfire, s’mores making, music and storytelling by this year’s storyteller, Diane Edgecomb. This year, we’ll be under a full moon too, just to add to the fun. Mark your calendars and keep your eyes peeled for more information in the coming weeks. Email manager@mattlandtrust.org with any questions.
Goals from junior captain Audrey Thomas and sophomore Amanda Ignacio fueled a 2-0 victory for the Old Rochester Regional High School girls’ soccer team over Seekonk on September 30. The win improved the Bulldogs’ 2023 record to 4-2.
Seekonk was a strong team, but the visiting Bulldogs defense stayed very strong and kept the ball up in the air. Seekonk had scoring opportunities, but sophomore goalkeeper Emerson Roy made save after save.
The Bulldogs are now standing at a three-game winning streak, as they won their previous game by a dominating 5-0 score.
Boys Soccer
ORR played very well going to Bourne, and goals by Garrett Ignacio, George Psichopaidas and Asher O’Brien-Nichols led to a 3-0 victory. The Bulldogs’ record moves to 4-2-1. This is a great change from last game, where ORR went to Seekonk and lost 1-0.
“The team worked very well together, and all 22 players on the roster contributed to the win,” said head coach Mike Devoll, whose team took an astounding 36 shots on goal.
Emile Joseph and Stefan St. Louis combined for the shutout in goal. O’Brien-Nichols was named the player of the game. The Bulldogs were scheduled to host Dighton-Rehoboth on Wednesday afternoon.
Golf
The ORR golf team (6-2) went against Bishop Stang on Monday at home at The Bay Club in Mattapoisett. The Bulldogs lost to the Spartans, 228-237, in a very close match.
“It was a good measuring stick for us to see how we compare to a state-championship-caliber team. We are young and will have our chances in the future,” said ORR head coach Chris Cabe, whose program captured the state championship a year ago.
The match was an improvement over last week’s loss to Stang. This time around, ORR was very close to getting the job done. Coach Cabe looks ahead to contending for the South Coast Conference title and qualifying for the state tournament.
Volleyball
Behind two sets, the ORR girls’ volleyball team battled back to send Monday night’s match against undefeated Bourne to five sets before falling in the fifth on Monday night. The Bulldogs are now 7-4 overall and 6-2 in the SCC.
“After being down two sets to none, I was very proud of the team for fighting back and tying the match 2-2, before eventually losing the deciding set. I thought it showed a lot of pride and a lot of heart,” said ORR coach James Oliveira.
The Bulldogs look forward to their rematch with Bourne on Friday, October 13, in Mattapoisett. They were scheduled to visit Dighton-Rehoboth on Wednesday night.
Sports Roundup
By Aiden Comorosky