Remembering Dear Ol’ Dad

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            Father’s Day is upon us. It comes around once a year, dads come around once in a lifetime, so I thought, Dear Reader if you will indulge me, I’d like to offer up some random thoughts about my old man

            I am now 11 years older than he was when he died in his sleep on his day off. He was born in Mattapoisett, one of 10 children of a homemaker mother and a laborer father. He graduated from the ninth grade at Center School. He later drove a truck for a local oil company.

            After Pearl Harbor, he joined the Navy and was eventually assigned to the battleship Pennsylvania stationed in the Aleutian Islands off Alaska. It was cold, especially at night when he was on deck patrol. One day he spotted a notice on the ship bulletin board looking for an experienced barber. He knew it was warm in the barber shop, so despite having no experience, he applied saying that he owned two barber shops in New Bedford, Massachusetts. That lie worked, he got the job.

            He was directed to a chair and tools, which he had no idea how to use. He placed the electric sheers on the back of the next customer’s neck, an officer, and proceeded to cut a swarth right up the middle of his head … sort of a reverse Mohawk. The head barber asked him why he lied. Dad said he hated the cold. The head barber took pity on him and taught him how to cut hair. A career was born. He served as Mattapoisett’s town barber for over 30 years.

* * *

            He and I, along with my uncles Robbie and Marno, would go up to Apperson’s sawmill on Crystal Spring Road and collect pine slabs. My grandmother heated her house by burning the slabs in a giant potbelly stove in the “heater room” and used them in the cooking stove in the kitchen.

            There was a rusty, old gasoline-powered mill saw with a blade about 2 feet in diameter set up behind her house on Cathaway Lane, where the men would spend all day cutting the slabs into stove length. My job was to stack the slabs up in rows inside the little barn near the house. When we were done, the men would sit around and drink Dawson’s beer out of stubby glass bottles, and Dad would let me take a swig of beer.

* * *

            A customer once came into Dad’s barber shop for a haircut and asked to take a little off the top. After dad was done, the guy complained that he had cut his hair too short. Next time the guy came into the shop he told my father, “Don’t cut my hair too short this time.” Dad took out his scissors and clippers and pretended to cut the guy’s hair, not going near his head. When he was “done,” the guy looked in the mirror and barked, “You cut my hair too short again!” Dad pointed to the floor where there was no hair. The guy stormed out and never came back. My old man didn’t suffer fools gladly.

* * *

            For some unknown reason, my dad acquired a shotgun from one of his customers (probably in trade for a couple of haircuts), which he stashed in the back bedroom closet. He hadn’t used a gun since the war. My uncle convinced him to go deer hunting. For some insane reason, he let me go with them. We got up at 2:00 or 3:00 am to head down to the old Camp Edwards on the Cape. It may have been the coldest day of the season. We traipsed through the woods for what seemed like hours and came home freezing, never seeing a single deer. Dad gave the shotgun away and he never went hunting again and I never had the desire to.

* * *

            Our high school senior play was “Come Away Death,” a murder mystery set in a commercial laundry. I played a janitor who sculked around the clothes racks and laundry bins, leaving the impression to the audience that I was the culprit. I was not. After the curtain fell, when I came out to take my bow, my father, sitting in the center of the auditorium, stood up, arms raised up to the ceiling and yelled, “That’s my boy!” while my red-faced my mother vigorously tugged at his coat to sit down. The audience laughed uproariously, eclipsing my moment in the spotlight. I didn’t mind. It was the only event of mine he ever attended. I was just glad he was there.

* * *

            When I was about 10 or 11 years old, Rocky Marciano, the great heavyweight boxing champion, was guest speaker at the Lions Club at the old Meiling’s Chinese Restaurant. After dinner, before Marciano spoke, Dad rushed home to get me so I could meet the champ and shake his hand. I didn’t know a boxing ring from a circus ring, much less a guy named Marciano. I was already in bed, so I declined. I know Dad went back disappointed, something I have always regretted. He did bring home the Champ’s autograph, which I still have to remind me never to disappoint your parents.

            It has been 40 years since my father passed away. I still remember his voice.

            Happy Father’s Day.

            Editor’s note: Mattapoisett resident Dick Morgado is an artist and retired newspaper columnist whose musings are, after some years, back in The Wanderer under the subtitle “Thoughts on ….” Morgado’s opinions have also appeared for many years in daily newspapers around Boston.

Thoughts on…

By Dick Morgado

SRPEDD Visits to Talk Master Plan

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            Rochester’s Zoning of Appeals began its June 8 meeting with a discussion of forming a bylaw review committee but spent the bulk of its time with the senior environmental planner for the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD) and Rochester’s Master Plan project manager Rhiannon Duggan.

            Board member Richard Cutler said a new bylaw review panel should be formed to consist of members of the Zoning board to start. Board Chairman David Arancio admitted there is currently no bylaw review committee but questioned whether such a panel should be simply an ad-hoc board of one town panel. Arancio noted the Planning Board will take up the subject on June 13, and he will talk to the town planner before further action is taken.

            When it was Duggan’s turn, she asked the board a series of questions meant to gain their input as to how the Zoning panel can help and be helped with the creation of a new town Master Plan.

            Her first question was: What takes up most of the board’s time at each meeting? Board member Davis Sullivan quickly answered that it’s going through applications and finding that petitioners have not applied for the correct zoning bylaw relief. It’s the wasted time that it causes, Arancio agreed.

            To a question about the bylaw needs of the town, board member Richard Cutler admitted some people in town ignore the bylaws. They seem to want to get caught and then seek forgiveness instead of upfront permission.

            Arancio said this question is an opportunity to suggest the town Master Plan Committee look at the bylaws of other communities, see what is working for those communities and tweak them for Rochester. He noted this is where the previously discussed plan for a new bylaw review committee can be expanded upon.

            Can businesses flourish in town under current bylaw conditions? Duggan then asked. Sullivan said a lot of businesses in town are home based, which complicates the kind of zoning relief the board can grant. Arancio noted members are torn between the black-and-white of the bylaw and “interpretation.” Sullivan noted, as an example, a horse farm that wanted to house 25 animals was not allowed to do so in deference to the neighbors, until the petitioner’s attorney argued that the law does not allow that restriction. “So now you’ve got angry abutters,” Arancio said.

            Where could a revised Master Plan help the ZBA the most? Sullivan answered he would like to see solar-array regulations revised. The ones that have been built in town, he said, strip the land of trees and soil, he said. “But the state mandate that they must be allowed ties our hand,” he added. “Meanwhile, it is ruining our land and our scenic byways.”

            To this issue, Duggan said, unfortunately, this can only be a town-level Master Plan; it cannot rewrite state regulations. Town Administrator Glenn Cannon, who was in attendance, offered that putting in print the will of the people in the Master Plan may positively affect how state officials respond to those concerns.

            Duggan concluded by explaining the master planning will look strongly at what the residents want for the development of their town, and an implementation plan will be part of this new document. She said, as SRPEDD’s consultant on the Master Plan, she will soon be scheduling community-engagement meetings for public input on the Master Plan update.

            Lastly, the Zoning Board approved a variance of the minimum 40-foot front-setback requirement for the construction of a new front porch and stairs at 178 Clapp Road, proposed by Jon and Jacqueline Hartley. The petitioners explained they need to be allowed a 33.5-foot setback to build a covered entryway on the front of the house because they have two small children. The Hartleys want their children to be safer and covered from rain when waiting for the school bus and other motor vehicle rides.

            The next meeting of the Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals was not scheduled upon adjournment.

Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals

by Michael J. DeCicco

Cuttyhunk Trip Inspires Sixth Graders

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            Alie Thurston, a naturalist presenter and lifetime summer resident with family dating back to 1914, called Cuttyhunk “the breadbasket of interpretive scientists” and said her favorite part of Old Hammondtown School’s annual trip to the island is “watching the shy students become adventurous by the end of their day.”

            The “Island Classroom” trip was held on June 1 in concert with the Mattapoisett Land Trust and the Mattapoisett Cultural Council, which sponsored 61 Old Hammondtown sixth-graders for a scientific day of workshops and activities with the STEAM Academy and island classroom.

            “The weather was perfect, and the students had a great time learning about native species, ecosystems, Native Americans and the history of Cuttyhunk,” said Ben Squire, the Elementary Science coordinator for the Old Rochester Regional School District.

            Retired Biology educator and director of the MLT Mary Cabral said the students “were totally engaged during all activities and eager to learn.”

            Two highlighted outside-classroom workshops included Wampanoag Culture with Gertrude Hendricks Miller, who emphasized respect for animals, people and plants, and Saltmarsh Exploration with Hillary Sullivan Marchwinski, a Northeastern University PhD candidate from Woodwell Climate Research Center.

Mattapoisett Library Artist Exhibit

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Come visit the Mattapoisett Free Public Library Artist Series from July 1 to July 29 to view an exhibit by local artist Jane Egan called Paintings by Jane Egan. Egan is a life-long summer resident of Mattapoisett and a graduate of Mass College of Art and Design. Egan works primarily in pastel, pastel oil and oil paint. She is a member of the Marion Art Center and the Taunton Art Association. Egan has exhibited her work in many galleries and has received best in show awards. She has recently been juried into a national pastel show. The Library is located at 7 Barstow Street and accessible to all.

Mattapoisett Historical Commission

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The Town of Mattapoisett Historical Commission is pleased to announce that the Commission has been awarded a $15,000.00 Survey and Planning Grant from the Massachusetts Historical Commission, and a matching $15,000.00 Community Preservation Act Grant from the Town of Mattapoisett. These funds will be used to contract with a Preservation Consultant to complete Phase One of a community-wide inventory of historic resources. The survey process will update and expand the existing inventory to meet current state standards. The last inventory was completed in the early 1980’s, and it is outdated and incomplete. The inventory is available on an easily accessible, digitized database on the State website. (MACRIS) The survey process will also include recommendations for nominating properties to the National Historic Register.

            A survey plan completed in January, 2023 identified approximately 92 high priority areas. Phase one will focus on these resources. The survey plan may be viewed on the Town of Mattapoisett website, and a copy is available at the Mattapoisett Town Library.

            The Mattapoisett Historical Commission was established in 1973 by town meeting under Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 40, Section 8D to identify, evaluate, preserve, and protect the cultural and historic resources of the community.

Athletic Achievements

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Katherine Solowey, of Mattapoisett was recently named to the 2023 New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) spring All-Academic Team for women’s tennis. The recognition honors sophomores, juniors and seniors who have maintained a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or higher. Solowey, a rising sophomore majoring in economics, is a graduate of Lincoln-Sudbury High School.

BBC, MRV Address Rochester

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            Brendan Annett of the Buzzards Bay Coalition was on hand at Tuesday’s meeting of the Mattapoisett River Valley Water Supply Protection Advisory Committee to clarify aspects of a contingency agreement that needs approval from all four MRV member towns and as of June 13, had yet to get it from the Town of Rochester.

            The Rochester Conservation Commission tabled the matter on June 6; its next meeting is set for June 20. The Rochester Water Commission was scheduled to meet on Wednesday.

            Language regarding conservation restrictions inside Rochester’s borders and the Town of Mattapoisett’s right to construct four wells concerned members of the Rochester ConCom last week, and no vote was taken pending further information.

            According to Annett, the conservation restrictions, a $6,000,000 project according to Allen Decker of the BBC, are coheld by the MRV member towns. The agreement would give the Town of Marion 100 acres north of Wolf Island Road (90 of which are in Rochester.)

            In addition to explaining that the CR neither approves nor permits the digging of wells that would require a variety of other permitting from Rochester’s ConCom, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Planning and other government agencies, Annett stressed a larger point at Tuesday’s MRV meeting.

            “The water resource underneath all this land is of great value for all the towns’ drinking water in the future,” he said. “It’s important to remember this CR is about protecting the water resource, not about dividing up the water resource.”

            Acknowledging Rochester’s existing water agreement with Marion, Annett said it’s “important to involve Rochester” in all MRV matters. “This deal’s a really big deal that we’ve got to figure out a way to make it work.”

            As Rochester-based engineer and MRV member Rick Charon explained, some Rochester ConCom members had property issues, and he noted that the town’s arrangement with Marion requires a 50% share of any water removed from Rochester-based wells. “That’s going to be the template for any IMA that Rochester has,” said Charon.

            Rochester Water Commission Chairman Fred Underhill, a former MRV board member, has brought to his Select Board’s attention over the past year the town’s long-standing frustration with the state’s redistribution of (Rochester) water from Quittacas Pond for New Bedford. The practice goes back centuries, and Rochester has no say in the matter.

            Charon said the issue would be discussed at Wednesday’s Rochester Water Commission meeting. MRV member Sandy Keese of Rochester plans to attend.

            “I think that’s all the commission wants, for the town to be treated fairly,” said Rochester Conservation Agent Merilee Kelly. “They may be swayable if they’re sure the Town of Rochester will be taken care of.”

            Annett reiterated the value of the agreement to Rochester as well as other MRV member towns. “That’s what this overall project is about,” he said.

            Henri Renauld of the Mattapoisett Water Department and MRV plant supervisor noted that in order to take water from another community, an organization must file special legislation with the state, MassDEP and take “many many steps.” He said “people are getting a little ahead of themselves.”

            MRV Chairman Vinnie Furtado proposed tabling the matter until Rochester sorts out its position.

            Member David Pierce told the committee that he worked many years with Underhill, who will do anything to work with the other communities. Charon doubled down on Pierce’s remarks.

            In other committee/commission business, the engineering firm Tata & Howard was voted approval for its FY24 Engineering agreements of not more than $35,000 (Water Supply Protection Advisory Committee) and not more than $30,000 (Water District Commission.)

            Representative Jon Gregory told the commission that Tata & Howard is seeking an amendment to its FY23 annual agreement for procurement and other efforts related to the Water Treatment Plant upgrade project that will be addressed at the July 11 meeting.

            Gregory has secured emergency SRF funding up to $1,800,000 for the long-planned filtration project. He told the commission he recently met with the MassDEP and Clean Water Trust to discuss the funding process.

            “Things are looking good for the funding,” he said, noting the draft approval certificate and the ability to proceed with project-bid advertising that should appear on June 21. Tata & Howard is shooting for a bid-opening date of Wednesday, July 12.

            Annual chemical bids are out and will be opened on July 21.

            Mattapoisett Town Administrator Mike Lorenco, in attendance at the Zoom meeting, asked for an outlook on chemical bids. Gregory alluded to Marion’s recent effort to bid out a major project, producing only a couple of bids. “It’s tough out there,” said Gregory, adding that “the numbers that are coming in, it’s difficult.”

            In his Treasurer’s Report to the commission, Renauld presented a total of $89,572.28 in invoices for approval to be paid, the most of which was Mattapoisett’s quarterly budget of $46,711, along with Tata & Howard $31,050 and other large sums for citric acid and Tyvek insulation.

            Vinnie Furtado told the commission he had met two months ago with Brian Murphy, achieving “a done deal” on $25,000 worth of insurance coverage. But he did note that with upgrades coming and cyber security concerns, the commission may consider increasing that investment.

            At the request of the Rochester Planning Board, the MRV Committee approved engineer Brian Wallace’s plan for a back-lot subdivision at 572 Snipatuit Road, Rochester, as MRV representatives found no threat to the water supply. Kelly suggested the Rochester Board of Health should weigh in on a potential denitrification septic system as a stipulation.

            The next meeting of the MRV Water Supply Protection Advisory Committee and Water District Commission is scheduled for Tuesday, July 11, the committee meeting at 3:30 pm and the commission following no earlier than 4:00 pm.

MRV Water District Commission/Water Supply Protection Advisory Committee

By Mick Colageo

New Curator Hits Ground Running

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            Exciting news from the Mattapoisett (Historical Society) Museum was shared on June 11 with the introduction of the new curator, Connor Gaudet, who holds master’s degrees from Long Island University and New York University and brings an impressive range of experiences to the position.

            Gaudet said that he had been the oral history coordinator for the 9/11 Tribute Center, a small museum founded by a retired firefighter who lost his son to the tragedy and a World Trade Center Red Cross volunteer who worked in support of the World Trade Center Recovery. He has also held positions at Pilgrim Hall in Plymouth. Now the former Mattapoisett resident is back and eager to engage the public and the community regarding all things historical.

            In speaking about the 9/11 program, Gaudet touched on his philosophy: taking history in all its many forms, even the difficult bits, and “using it to lift people up … leave them feeling like they want to do something good, feel inspired and empowered to help the world. This is public history at its finest, using history no matter how dark to inspire people to something bigger and better.” He said his is a mission-driven spirit.

            With a background that includes curating and digitizing collections at Pilgrim Hall, Gaudet sees part of his mission to complete that work started by the previous curator Jeff Miller. He said there are bundles of letters tied with 19th century strings waiting to reveal their long-held stories.

            “History has always been the foundation of how I view the world around me,” said Gaudet. “I see an odd building or a diagonal property line and try to think of the reason behind it. Seeing the past in the present, understanding its influence in our lives … I try to remove history from behind a velvet rope and live within it, as a part of it. I don’t like velvet ropes.”

            Gaudet said that some of the items held by the museum may be used for hands-on demonstrations or simply to give children the opportunity to carefully handle historical items, making history more immediate for young minds.

            “I want all of you to be excited about history and learn in a hands-on way,” said Gaudet, explaining that the museum owns a fully restored, 18th century barn loom that could be used for live demonstrations as well as a spinning wheel. He called them interactive educational experiences waiting to happen.

            Gaudet told the audience as he ended his comments, “You are all a part of the story and the history of this town just as much as Joseph Meigs, Florence Eastman, Axe-handle Bolles or even Seth Mendell.

            “We live and make history every day,” everyday history that doesn’t make the news but is still important. He said that everyday history is what connects the town to the big picture – the people.

            Gaudet has hit the ground running. Since starting this new chapter of his history with the museum, Gaudet has cowritten two grants for an oral-history collection project. He has also hosted six middle-school classes on walking tours. And since the smallest slices of life help societies understand their culture when a lens of time is later applied, the museum has accessioned a small collection of local restaurants’ take-out menus, a 1966 print magazine advertisement for the Aurora Model Company and a kit for the ship the Wanderer. The print ad, coupled with a real Wanderer model already in the collection, completes that slice of Mattapoisett’s history.

            With the summer season knocking on the museum door, a new summer exhibit will be unveiled, and walking tours are being fine-tuned. To learn more, visit mattapoisettmuseum.org.

Mattapoisett Museum

By Marilou Newell

Community Block Party

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The Friends of the Rochester Council on Aging and the Rochester TRIAD group invites our senior community and their grandchildren to our Rochester Community Block Party.  The event will take place on Thursday, June 22 from 1-4 pm at the Rochester Senior Center on 67 Dexter Lane in Rochester. Classic Rock performed by the band “Rebooted.”

MGG Annual Meeting

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Over 50 members of the Marion Garden Group were joined by 10 new members for the Annual Meeting and Luncheon at the Beverly Yacht Club on Tuesday, June 6.  The following officers for the Board were proposed and approved:  Suzy Taylor, president; Sarah Mitchell, vice-president; Lindy Williamson, Secretary; Phyllis Partridge, treasurer; Kathleen Egger, membership; Martha Fisher, fundraising; Sylvia Strand, programs; Wendy Bidstrup, publicity; Liz Hatch, past president.

            Other business included reports from various heads of events and projects including the upcoming fundraiser, “Secret Gardens of Marion” tour, Emilie Kendall, chair.  All members will participate to make this bi-annual event, a memorable occasion, to be held June 23, rain or shine.  Visit MGG website for tickets and information.  Other fundraisers like the Holiday Boutique and wreath sales, plus dues, donations and good will make it possible to give back to other town nonprofits.

            Thanks to the support and generosity of the community at large,  MGG, by unanimous vote, approved the following organizations to receive donations this year: Camp Hadley restoration – Marion Boy Scouts; Landscaping – Council on Aging;  Plantings – Elizabeth Taber Library; New landscaping – Marion Art Center; Sippican Lands Trust; Memorial Garden restoration – Sippican School; Sippican Women’s Club; and tree id tags – Tree Committee.

            The window boxes, urns and planters are maintained by volunteers year round. Special help is needed for the large planters during the summer. If you’d like to be a “Planter Angel”, check in on the website: www.mariongardengroup.org.There’s lots of information about other activities. Founded in 1956 (after the hurricane), the Mission of MGG is “To identify and improve strategic public areas within Marion by enhancing them with gardens and landscaping. “And a long before that, in 1889, in her Last Will and Testament, Elizabeth Taber left a bequeath for “the improvement and embellishment of my native place. [Marion].”Listing trees. flowers, sidewalks, parks, fountains and works of art….to beautify and make wholesome my native village…that its people may live in the midst of healthy, elevating and refining influences”