Julie Ann (Marshall) Hillier

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Julie Ann (Marshall) Hillier of Mattapoisett passed away after a brief illness on December 13th, 2024. She was the daughter of the late Ralph Howard Marshall and Florence Lame Marshall of Acushnet. Julie enjoyed a 46-year partnership with her husband Jack Hillier.

            Julie was born in New Bedford, MA. She was a 1969 graduate of Holy Family High School where she was thrilled and fortunate enough to be a member of the cheerleading squad for a basketball team that played in Boston Garden and won the state championship.

            After assisting her mom with the care of her seven siblings, a career as a nurse was a natural path. Julie graduated from the St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing in 1973. Part of her early career was spent at St. Luke’s. Later she moved to Brookline and worked at the Boston Hospital for Women. Always interested in travel, she moved to England where she took a job at Chailey Heritage Hospital School in Sussex. While in the UK she worked with children who had complex neuro-disabilities. During breaks from work she traveled widely in Europe. Upon returning to the U.S. she worked at the Kennedy Donovan Center on Coggeshall Street, New Bedford. After her marriage to Jack and a move to Cape Cod, Julie worked in long term care at the Falmouth Nursing Home. Home care nursing positions followed after she earned her Certificate in Gerontological Nursing. Organizations such as Special Care Nursing, Marriott Assisted Living, Project Independence, Lifestream, and Coastline Elderly Services benefited from Julie’s nursing skills. No matter the care setting, patients appreciated her calm demeanor and warm ways.

            Julie loved nature! Among her favorite places were: Ned’s Point, Herring Cove Beach, Nauset Beach, Indian Rocks Beach, FL, St. Simons Island, GA, the coast of Maine from York to Southwest Harbor, Acadia National Park and the West Coast of Ireland. Julie was always in search of heart shaped rocks and unique shells. She kept her backyard well stocked with bird food year-round. She cultivated flowers to attract various avian species and added sugar water to multiple oriole and hummingbird feeders throughout each summer.

            Julie had a great sense of fashion. She enjoyed shopping and putting together outfits from various consignment shops, street fairs and specialty stores. Julie made pottery and jewelry. She painted with acrylics and also stenciled walls for her friends.

            Julie was predeceased by her sister Elizabeth.

            In addition to her husband Jack, she leaves her siblings and their spouses: John (Paulette) of New Bedford, Peter (Karen) of Rochester, Charles (Anna) of Acushnet, Katherine (Peter) Majka of Wareham, Robert (Donna) of Freetown, and Thomas E. of Acushnet.

            Julie loved her family and friends dearly. Her nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews loved their “Auntie Julie”. She will be missed by many and not forgotten. To honor Julie’s memory, live by the golden rule and strive for peace.

            A visitation will be held on Friday December 20th from 1-3 pm at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Road, Route 6, Mattapoisett, followed by a memorial service beginning at 3 pm.

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Deliberation on High Street Development

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Rochester’s Planning Board Tuesday endorsed one Approval Not Required application for a proposed house lot at 0 High St. but extended the hearing for three other lots that are part of the same project after the developer’s representative refused to accept the condition the panel wanted to place on those parcels.

            For lots six, seven, and eight along Forbes Road, the board wanted to add the condition that these parcels be stamped ‘non-buildable’ because they lay too close to the Connet Woods housing development and might need to adhere to covenants and rules of that development’s Homeowners Association. This, board members said, would require discussion and a meeting of the minds between the two projects.

Project engineer Brian Wallace, who attended the meeting via Zoom, said he disagreed with adding this condition. He said the design of these house lots will not change from what is being presented.

            David Arancio, a trustee of the Connet Woods Homeowners Association, started the conversation by noting these lots are so close to Connet Woods that it would become part of the Connet development without having to adhere to its special rules and restrictions. Board member Ben Bailey advised Wallace that it would be easier for him and the board to accept the condition. Wallace said he preferred a continuance to the next meeting instead but also that “more discussion needs to happen.”

Arancio said he was disheartened to hear push back from Wallace rather than allowing the attorneys for the project and the town to get together and find common ground.

            The hearing for the three single-family dwellings with attached garage on two-acre lots that will utilize pieces of neighboring cranberry bogs was continued to January 14, 2025.

            In other action, the board reviewed a Site Plan Review application filed by Eversource for a new substation interconnecting generation facilities at 214 Rounsville Road. Eversource representative Heather Sykes said this is an upgrade that will help meet the town’s future energy goals and improve utility service. The board continued this hearing until January 14 to give the town’s consulting engineer, Ken Motta, time to review and comment on the plan.

            The board conducted public hearings on the bylaw amendments proposed for the January 28 Special Town Meeting.

            The board recommended approval of proposed changes to Large Scale Solar Photovoltaic Installation regulations that strengthen the conditions for adequate screening and a proposal for new battery storage systems regulations.

            The board added language to the bylaw amendment proposal adding rules for short-term rentals. The Planning Board will be charged with granting a Special Permit for any property owners who wish to operate a short-term rental.

            The board also considered favorably proposals to eliminate use variances and add a new section to the Agricultural Land Residential District to address the state’s new accessory dwelling unit regulations.

            The Rochester Planning Board’s next meeting will be Tuesday, January 14 at 7:00 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.

Rochester Planning Board

By Michael J. DeCicco

Killing Brian Thompson will not Solve America’s Health Care Problems

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The fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson as he headed to a shareholder meeting should not have come as a surprise. The U.S. is a gun-obsessed culture and leads the world in gun fatalities. What was more shocking was the outpouring of “he had it coming” posts on social media.

            Whether or not the killer was motivated by a personal experience with United, the numerous posts referenced people’s rage at the health insurance industry.

            Should we be surprised?

            Recent years have seen health insurance rates soar and out-of-pocket costs skyrocket. Even those with employer-provided health insurance are often unable to pay for needed care as deductibles and copays keep rising.

            At the same time, the industry has had one black eye after another, with multiple insurers in the news.

            Private health insurance companies offering Medicare Advantage plans routinely overstate the health problems of their enrollees to get unjustified extra payments from the government.

            A former Aetna medical director admitted under oath that he never looked at patients’ records when deciding whether to approve or deny care but simply rubber-stamped the nurse reviewers’ decisions.

            United was castigated by a Senate committee for using algorithms to deny care and it was noted that the denial rate for rehab care after hospitalization rose from 10.9% in 2020 to 22.7% in 2022.

            Denying care is good for insurers’ profits, and these profits flow into executive salaries. The CEOs of America’s six largest health insurers took home a total of $122,970,614 in total compensation in 2023.

            Taking money from employers and individuals and paying medical bills is not rocket science and does not warrant sky-high profits. Medicare operates with an overhead of about 3% while private insurers charge 15% or more.

            As I document in my book, some 25% of U.S. “health care” expenditure does not go to health care but to administrative overhead.

            We need to get the excess profits out of health insurance companies and put that money towards patient care.

            Shooting one CEO will not change the culture. We must hold our legislators’ feet to the fire and get the excess profits out of health insurance, whether at the state or the federal level.

            Edward Hoffer MD is Associate Professor of Medicine, part-time, at Harvard.

What Does The Doctor Say?

By Dr. Edward Hoffer

Public Review Period for Revised Electricity Aggregation Plan

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The Town of Marion is holding a 30-day public review period for its revised aggregation plan for Marion Community Electricity Aggregation. Marion CEA is our Town’s official electricity supply program, active since 2016.

            The aggregation plan describes how our electricity program is structured and operated. Marion secured approval for our original aggregation plan from the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) in 2015. In July 2024, the DPU issued new rules for aggregation plans, called “Guidelines for Municipal Aggregators”. The Guidelines expand local authority for cities and towns concerning the operation of their programs and increase public transparency about program operations. The revisions to our aggregation plan ensure that the plan aligns with the new Guidelines.

            The revised plan will not impact Marion CEA’s current electricity supply options and prices which are fixed until November 2025 through our supply contract with Constellation. No action is required by existing participants to continue receiving the current pricing.

            On the program website, MassCEA.com/Marion, you can review both the revised plan and the current plan. You can also watch a short video describing the revised plan and read the DPU Guidelines. The program website has a comment form to provide written comments, or you may email support_ma@goodenergy.com with the subject line “Marion Plan Comments.” Good Energy is the consultant that developed and manages our program on a day-to-day basis.

            The public review period is open until January 13, 2024.

Good News in Marion Schools

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From meeting the new school service dog, strong MCAS scores, and celebrating the district’s first Feinstein Foundation Golden ticket award, the Marion School Committee on December 5 was filled with good news.

            Sippican Elementary School third-grader Rose O’Brien, a Feinstein school for her good deeds, won a random drawing that helped garner $5,000 for the school and $500 for a charity of O’Brien’s choice.

            O’Brien, who says she helps take care of her grandmother, chose to donate the $500 to the town’s Council on Aging.

            At first, I didn’t even know I was winning and later in the day they told me I was a winner,” O’Brien told the School Committee, adding that she wants to help “the old people of the community.”

            “It was a perfect fit, and we are so excited,” Sippican Principal Lynn Dessert said at last Thursday’s meeting. “I am really excited about Rose’s choice, and I had a conversation with Rose about what she thought was important.”

            “Our youngest generation here at Suppican will be helping our older generation at the Council on Aging,” School Superintendent Michael Nelson said.

            Sippican Assistant Principal Gregory Thomas also reported on some positive charitable work of students. He said $2,000 was donated by the Feinstein Foundation to the food pantry. Another $2,000 was donated for the school’s giving tree on which students conduct good deeds, write about it and it goes on a tree.

            Along with charitable acts, Marion students were touted for their solid work on last year’s MCAS tests.

            Dessert and Sharlene Fedorowicz, assistant superintendent of teaching and learning, reported that most students in grades 3 through 6 surpassed the state average in English, Mathematics, and Science.

            Only Grade 4 did not experience strong growth, but Federowicz stressed that those students started kindergarten remotely and spent Grade 1 learning through masks worn by both teachers and staff.

            She and other school leaders credited extra learning programs and a revamped curriculum toward the town surpassing the state average.

            On that note, the School Committee later that evening voted to approve a $3,900 grant it has received from the state for professional development – something that also will harness growth in teaching and learning.

            In other news, the School Committee was introduced to Sippican’s new, most popular staff member: Norman the service dog.

            School Resource Officer Jonathan Tracy said Norman, an 8-month-old golden labrador retriever, has walked students to class and has greeted many visitors at the SRO office.

            His presence in the school has helped brighten the day of many students, some of whom have had bad days lifted up by the school’s new furry friend.

            “The benefits of it – I have seen every single day,” Tracy said, adding that kids having tough days have been escorted to class by Norman.

            “He is very well behaved and loves the kids,” Tracy said.

            School officials said they plan on making “Norman” stuffed animals and awarding hard-working students – aptly calling it the Norman Award.

            The School Committee also introduced new art teacher Joanne Smith, a longtime art teacher who started in the district in 1997.

            Smith said she was happy to rejoin the tri-town family, where she started as an educator.

            Nelson said he visited her art class and was happy to see the great art experiences of the students.

            The School Committee voted to dispose of old and some old and outdated math and science textbooks. Nelson said, citing his conversation with Dessert, that the advent of online learning has made some of these books obsolete. He said disposing of them will free up classroom and storage spaces.

            The School Committee will meet again on January 30 at the Sippican Elementary School.

Marion School Committee

By Jeffrey D. Wagner

Rochester Historical Society

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The Rochester Historical Society will be at the Plumb Library on Saturday, December 14 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. At the Christmas Fair we will be selling all of our Rochester items which make great holiday gifts. We will have our 4 styles of sweatshirts-full zip, hoodie, crewneck and 1/4 zip. Also, t-shirts, denim shirts, hats, and our new long-sleeve T-shirts. We’ll have maps, books, Rochester themed Tic Tac Toes, cup plates and small boxes. Stop by to say “hi” and you can even join or renew your membership.

            On December 15 at 2:00 pm, Bruce Gardzina, an organist for over 50 years, will be playing holiday songs on our rare Vocalion organ built in 1893. Like all of us as we age, it has a few aches and pains (which we have plans to fix soon), but it is eminently playable. Bruce is able to make beautiful music fill the church/museum. There is something magical about listening to music on an organ from the 1800’s in a church built in 1857, especially when the sunlight streams through the stain glass window. There will be refreshments to follow the concert. All are welcome.

            On December 18, beginning at 6:30 pm, we are having a Christmas party and music will be a big part of it. At 7:00 pm, we will have some holiday trumpet solos played by Andrew Cody, a sixth grader at Rochester Memorial, and then we will all join in carol singing (or listening) led by Sheila and Tom Perry who have headlined many musical nights for the Historical Society. We will be serving cocoa and cookies to round out the night.

            Both events are at the Rochester Historical Society Museum at 355 County Rd., Rochester and all are welcome. We are requesting attendees to bring an unwrapped toy for a child or teen. Anyone with questions may call Connie at 617-750-2818 or Sue at 508-295-8908.

            As part of the Rochester Historical Commission Historic Plaque program, the Commission has presented a historic plaque to the North Rochester Church. The plaque is shown here being held by Commission members, Tim Bates and Sue La Fleur. While this church building built in 1841 is old, it is not the original North Rochester Congregational Church building.

            The first North Rochester Church was about a mile from today’s church and was built in 1748. A second meetinghouse was built on the same location as today’s in 1791 and then today’s church was built in 1841.

            The Historic Plaque program is open to anyone with an antique home. All the information needed can be found on the town’s web site under the Historical Commission. Application and a check may be left at town Hall or mailed there.

Peter B. Hodges Memorial Scholarship

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The Mattapoisett Lions Club, a member of Lions International, the world’s largest service club organization consisting of 46,000 clubs and more than 1.4 million members worldwide, is pleased to announce the availability of two $2,000 scholarships to be awarded to graduating high school seniors or home-schooled students residing in Mattapoisett, Marion, or Rochester or a school choice student attending Old Rochester Regional High School.

            In addition, we are pleased to announce the availability of one $1,000 scholarship to a graduating senior who will be entering the trades and attending an accredited trade school.

            The funds for the Peter B. Hodges Memorial Scholarships are made possible with fundraisers held by the Mattapoisett Lions Club throughout the year, including Harbor Days, an annual Arts and Craft Festival held in Shipyard Park, Mattapoisett the third weekend of July each year.

            The Lions International motto is “we serve.” It is one of the largest charitable causes of Lions International includes raising funds for eye research in an effort to end preventable blindness throughout the world, eradicating measles worldwide in partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Here are here to provide services for those in need in our communities.

            To obtain an application, learn more about this award or to learn how to become a member of the Mattapoisett Lions Club visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MattapoisettLionsClub. Award applications are also available at the Guidance Department of your high school.

            Applications must be received by March 21, 2025.

Futsal Champs

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Beckham Harvey of Marion has an exciting journey this month. He, along with his futsal team FC Flair of Marlboro, are headed to the World Futsal Cup in Spain later this month. Futsal is an indoor soccer variant played on a smaller pitch; this makes it more fast-paced.

            On Christmas Eve, Beckham, family, and team will travel to Barcelona. They will stay there until the tournament on New Year’s Eve. FC Flair are currently the national futsal champs for their 2015 age group.

            Excited for the odyssey, Beckham said, “I can’t wait to go to Barcelona because we will get to play top academy teams from around the world. Hopefully we will win the championship! I am excited to learn about the culture in Spain and we will get to see Barcelona on Christmas morning, which is pretty cool.” Best of luck to Beckham and company. Enjoy the holiday travels!

By Sam Bishop

Davin’s 3rd Annual Holiday Raffle Food Drive

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            Since 2022, Davin Alves of Marion has run a raffle to feed the hungry this holiday season. Davin collects donations and raffles off prizes, either purchased or gifts given to be raffled. 100% of proceeds from the food drive goes to food pantries and homeless shelters; those being Damien’s Food Pantry and United Way of Greater New Bedford.

            The same as the last couple years, Davin assembled letters and papers to send to local businesses to drum up support and get the word out. Davin’s message this year is:

            Hello, my name Is Davin Alves. I am 12 years old and I live in the town of Marion. I’m in the 6th grade at Sippican Elementary School. Two years ago I wanted to start a raffle during the holidays     to raise money to buy food and then donate that food to local food pantries. We raised almost $1,000 the first year and $3,470 this past year. My wish is to raise even more money this year with   your help. If you sponsor or donate to this raffle, I’d appreciate it. I can’t do this without your help. Sincerely, Davin Alves. Happy Holidays!

            Raffle tickets are $5 each or 3 tickets for $10, 7 tickets for $20, or 20 tickets for $50.  Tickets can be purchased through Davin’s mom’s Venmo @kathylee-8-12 or if by cash/check, sending an email to brinx1@verizon.net.

            The raffle will take place December 20 at 7:00 pm live on Kathylee Alves Facebook page.

By Sam Bishop

Great Decisions Program

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Sponsored by the Mattapoisett Woman’s Club for over fifty years, we are again offering the 2025 Great Decisions Program for eight consecutive weeks meeting on Wednesdays. The program uses the Foreign Policy Association Text and DVD that consists of eight chapters of Topics ranging from U. S. Foreign Policy to the future of NATO, to International Cooperation on Climate Change and AI, and the American National Security, with more very challenging topics.

            The Classes will meet at the Mattapoisett Library on 7 Barstow Street in the Community room downstairs. The side door of the building is accessible and inside has an elevator to the lower level.

            Here’s how to register: Please send a check for $40.00 to cover text and expenses to the Mattapoisett Woman’s Club, Box 1444 Mattapoisett MA 02739, Attn: Treasurer (memo on check Great Decisions) on a separate paper please print your: Name, Address, Email address, Phone Number (both landline and cell # if available) for the records.

            The registration is on a first come first served basis for the first 30 members. The program is open to all members of the community of all area towns.

            The Classes begin Wednesday January 15 from 1:00 pm to 3:00pm, for eight consecutive weeks. We offer light refreshments with coffee, tea and a beverage.

            Each year the program proves to be a great way for members to explore the working of International Relations, Current events and how to make a difference in solutions for U.S. and Foreign Policy, through investigative readings and discussions.

            Thank you for your interest in our organization.