Fairhaven Sewer Plant Upgrades

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            Mattapoisett’s Special Fall Town Meeting, scheduled for Monday, November 6, will feature several capital expenditures, including $350,000 for renovation to the Highway Department and $300,000 for roadway improvements. But those sums will be eclipsed by the $8,000,000 needed for the town’s 16% share of needed upgrades to the Fairhaven sewer plant.

            During the October 10 regular meeting of the Mattapoisett Select Board, Town Administrator Mike Lorenco said he anticipates about 14 articles in the warrant, which still needs to be reviewed by legal counsel.

            The Select Board moved to close the warrant and will meet again on Monday, October 16, to sign the document. That public meeting is scheduled to take place at 6:30 pm in Town Hall. Lorenco did comment that the town has received a “pretty good free cash number” from the state.

            The Select Board moved to use ARPA funds to finance a new domain controller server at $45,000 and upgrades to dispatch radio system at $100,000. Lorenco reported that there remains approximately $728,000 in available funds and that the town has until December 24 to allocate the balance. The board previously approved a $500,000 ARPA allocation to cover costs associated with the Oakland Street freshwater lines. The Finance Committee had been involved in reviewing these expenditures, it was noted.

            Lorenco also reported that work has begun on the long anticipated restoration of the Buzzards Bay Coalition property known as The Bogs. The 13,500 acres off Acushnet Road has become a favorite place to walk or enjoy other passive recreation.

            Since obtaining the former cranberry bogs, it has been the BBC’s plan to restore some 64 acres to a more natural state and then let Mother Nature take it from there. Lorenco said the area will be closed to the public possibly for “some time” but that signage will direct the public to other available trails.

            In other matters, grant applications for Community Preservation Act funding are now available at Town Hall. The deadline for submitting requests is posted on the town’s website, Mattapoisett.net. Also available on the website is information about scallop-bed openings beginning October 15.

            Before adjourning, board member Tyler Macallister made a public plea to pedestrians and cyclists that due to greater shading and dark shadows falling across roadways, motorists will have a harder time seeing people in dark clothing. He urged walkers and cyclists to wear bright clothing.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Select Board has been scheduled for Monday, October 16, at 6:30 pm in Town Hall.

Mattapoisett Select Board

By Marilou Newell

Friends of Marion COA Annual Meeting

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The theme of this year’s Friends of Marion COA Annual Meeting will be Interconnections: Working Together within Our Community.  Speakers from the Sippican Historical Society, Tabor Academy and the Marion Art Center will each talk briefly about their present and future collaboration efforts. They will cite activities done this past year in conjunction with the Marion Council on Aging and elsewhere. Attendees will also learn about other COA/FMCOA projects and activities that have been initiated or expanded during the past year.

            The meeting begins at 5:00 pm on Thursday, October 19 and is open to the public. It will be held at the Cushing Community Center, 465 Mill Street, Marion. Light refreshments will be served following the meeting.

a short meeting, program and then refreshments and conversation downstairs. We hope to see you there.

Nasketucket Bird Club

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The next meeting of the Nasketucket Bird Club will be on Wednesday, October 25 at 6:30 pm at the Mattapoisett Public Library, 7 Barstow Street. Free and open to the public. More bird info at the Nasketucket Bird Club website: www.nbcbirdclub.com/ or the Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/NasketucketBirdClub.

            The meeting program will feature Shawn Carey who will be speaking about Iceland Land of Midnight Sun.

            Iceland abounds in natural splendor: Waterfalls and glaciers, panoramic views and otherworldly landscapes. It is a land of Northern Lights and midnight sun. And it is the realm of one of the world’s most charming and iconic birds– the Atlantic Puffin.

            But Iceland is home to much more. During the summer months, Iceland’s round-the-clock sunlight draws in a panoply of birds: Razorbills and guillemots, phalaropes and godwits, plovers and terns, all accompany the puffins in nesting frenzy. Come along with wildlife photographer and Mass Audubon instructor Shawn Carey as he shares images and stories from his journey spent on two Icelandic islands. We will visit Grimsey Island, the northernmost inhabited island off the mainland of Iceland. For bird photographers and bird watchers looking for a great place to view and photograph nesting seabirds that call this island home during the summer, this is a place you want to visit.

            From Grimsey we will travel to the island of Flatey, a real hidden gem for bird photographers and bird watchers alike. Most people pass through Flatey (via ferry service out of Stykkisholmur) on their way to the well-known Latrabjarg bird cliffs to see Atlantic Puffins and Razorbills. However, for those that have or take the time to explore Flatey, you will find a small island that offers some very good photographic opportunities, especially for Black Guillemot, Red-necked Phalarope and Common Redshank just to name a few.

Support Mounting to Fight CR

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            Rochester’s Planning Board Tuesday agreed to join the Conservation Commission in its protest of what a recent regional Conservation Restriction agreement will do to the town’s water rights on 13 acres of Rochester land.

            The board approved sending its own letter to the Select Board to take further action against the 241-acre regional Conservation Restriction plan that includes 13 acres at Red Brick Farm East but gives Rochester no rights to the water there.

            The regional Conservation Restriction agreement that became reality over the ConCom’s objections 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. The ConCom prodded the authority to agree in writing that it would “make every effort” to transfer the conservation land in Rochester to the town, but Town Counsel recently told the ConCom that the promise of making “every effort” is not a legally enforceable one.

            That led the ConCom last week to approve sending a letter to the Select Board urging its members to press Town Counsel to do more to protect the town’s water rights to that land.

            This week, Planning Board and Conservation Commission member Ben Bailey reiterated his point from last week that he has learned from researching state law and contacting other attorneys that the correspondence from the Mattapoisett Water and Sewer Authority stating a “make every effort” promise is legally enforceable. He said that according to his research, “Saying you will make every effort means you are not allowed to do nothing.”

            Planning Board Chairman Arnold Johnson motioned that his panel should also send a letter urging the Select Board and Town Counsel to do more, and the Planning Board unanimously agreed.

            The Tuesday meeting began with an informal discussion regarding National Storage’s plan on County Road Extension for a 750-to-800-unit, self-storage facility.

            Technical consultant Phil Cordeiro explained the marijuana retail store Megan’s Organic Market was originally to be built in that spot until the store decided to change its location on the lot. He said the petitioner will be asking for site-plan-review waivers and will have a more specific plan in time for its next meeting with the board.

            Next, the board voted to sign an Approval Not Required application for property transfer at 338 Vaughan Hill Road and another related to a plan to build a 15-acre, self-storage facility off of Cranberry Highway at Route 28 and Kings Highway.

            The latter was the more specific one, to combine four large lots to build a facility with 180 small, self-storage units and 64 smaller units. Petitioner JPF Development’s engineer, Bill Madden, told the board he will return with modified plans now that the lot combination has been approved.

            The board then approved writing a draft decision for the Special Permit and Approval Not Required application for the proposed subdivision of a 22.6-acre lot at 572 Snipatuit Road.

            In its previous meeting on the proposal, the board said it could not act on the Special Permit to develop the two lots because the person whose name was on the application was not the current property owner. This week, Johnson acknowledged the board did receive an affidavit signed by the property owner stating she was aware of and OK with the petitioner’s plan.

            The board also approved writing a draft decision for the long-delayed, site-plan-review application for a tree and perennials nursery on 2.5 acres at 157 Vaughan Hill Road filed by Jennifer and Chuck Anderson of Tree Talk Natives, LLC.

            Close to one year after the Andersons filed the application, their technical consultant, Brad Holmes, presented completed plans for the business’s parking lot, which will be 2,600 square feet and include a two-component, stormwater-runoff-treatment system.

            Both draft decisions will be reviewed and signed at the board’s next meeting.

            The Rochester Planning Board will meet next on Tuesday, October 24, at 7:00 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.

Rochester’s Planning Board

By Michael J. DeCicco

Autistic Achievers Thrive on Horseback

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            Close to 30 years ago, Julie Craig and her husband bought a run-down, 5-acre farm in Mattapoisett.

            Fast forward to the present and not only did Craig and others transform the land, they used the farm to transform the lives of many families and people with autism-spectrum disorder and other disabilities. It didn’t take long for Craig and her friend Debbi Dyson to start the nonprofit Helping Hands and Hooves.

            Julie Craig’s son Ian, now 23, has autism and was nonverbal. Craig’s friend Dyson has a brother Brendan, now 55, who also was nonverbal and autistic. Now Brendan and Ian are Special Olympic medalists, thanks to their horse-riding skills.

            Ian earned two silver medals and Brendan earned a silver and a bronze medal at a September 30 equestrian Special Olympics competition at Briggs Stable in Hanover. Craig’s 12-year-old student Julia Cabralk won a gold and silver medal.

            Craig said, despite the Special Olympics being a platform for people with disabilities, the competition level is still high.

            A horseback rider and teacher originally from Atlanta, Craig began teaching horseback riding on her Mattapoisett farm shortly after buying it. Somewhere along the way, she and Dyson learned that horses have an almost magic effect on people with ASD and other disabilities.

            Dyson’s brother Brendan was one of Craig’s first students with a disability, and she said that Brendan’s balance, self-confidence and social skills, just to name a few, improved dramatically and almost immediately after riding a horse.

            Brendan’s horseback riding journey was not planned. He came to watch a family member and instead became quite the equestrian. Many nonverbal ASD kids, including Craig’s son Ian, became verbal once riding on a horse. Ian started at the age of five, and it has made a difference.

            “Ian is mostly nonverbal but not if you put him on a horse. He will count or sing a song,” Craig said. “It’s an interesting thing – riding a horse. You see some amazing things.”

            Craig had many more stories of people who were transformed on the backs of horses like Teddy, the farm’s gentle quarter horse. One 38-year-old man with balance challenges was soon standing up in the stirrups with his hands in the air.

            Craig recalls one nonverbal woman who would sing whatever song she last heard on the radio whenever she was riding a horse. The singing would go away once she was off the horse, but the awe of the bystanders would have a lasting effect.

            The decision to turn her farm and Helping Hands and Hooves into a nonprofit was to help people who cannot afford lessons, which can be expensive. Craig also said that developmentally delayed adults are not as supported by the state once they turn 22, another reason why she started the nonprofit.

            Developmentally delayed adults from different day programs in the area visit the farm. Not everyone rides a horse, but almost all enjoy the scenery. Craig says people from Fall River, New Bedford and other cities visit and always enjoy visiting the chickens, goats, and other farming activities.

            For more information, log onto Helpinghandsandhooves.org.

By Jeffrey D. Wagner

Alves-Bucciarelli Preserve Welcome Walk

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Tune into the changing seasons and spend some meaningful time outdoors on Sunday, October 15. Mattapoisett Land Trust is hosting a Fall Mindfulness Walk, free and open to people of all ages and abilities, led by the wonderful Yoga and Mindfulness Instructor, Carly Baumann. The program will go from 10:00-11:00 am, beginning at the MLT parking lot on Prospect Road in Mattapoisett; look for the hanging yellow sign. We will take a short walk on the trail, and Carly will lead participants through mindfulness exercises.

            Come curious and leave refreshed. Email manager@mattlandtrust.org with any questions.

The Halloween Cover Contest

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        Are you ready for some spooktacular fun? Dust off the cobwebs and sharpen those scary pencils! Your best Halloween artwork could be on the cover of The Wanderer and you could win a cash prize! Submit your best original Halloween drawing, photo, compilation, or artwork to enter for publication on our November 2 cover.

        Deadline for submitting artwork is Monday, October 23,at noon. Online voting will take place from October 25 to October 30. The cover winner will win $100 and his or her artwork will be on the November 2 cover of The Wanderer!

        All entries must be original; cover entries must contain completely original artwork and/or photos. No copied items, including traced clip art, will be considered for the contest. All entries must be accompanied by a completed and signed entry form, available in our office or on our website. A full list of rules and regulations can be found at www.wanderer.com. For more information, call our office at 508-758-9055.

Tri-County Symphonic Band Presents “Blue October”

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On Sunday, October 22 at 3:00 pm, the Tri-County Symphonic Band, under the direction of Philip Sanborn, will perform their season opening concert; “Blue October.”  The program will be held in the Fireman Performing Arts Center at Tabor Academy in Marion, MA and will feature piano soloist Susan Saposnik. Ms. Saposnik will play the world premiere of “Blue Rhapsody,” a piece for solo piano and symphonic band by Cape Cod composer Michael Donovan. “Blue Rhapsody” was inspired by the exciting rhythms and soaring melodies of George Gershwin.

            The band will also perform Eric Whitacre’s “October”, “Our Own Red, White and Blue March” by Henry Fillmore, “Bonnie Blue” by Kelly Bennette, “Blue Mambo” by Michael Sweeney, “Blue Tango” by Leroy Anderson and “Blue Shades” by Frank Ticheli.  As a tribute and remembrance of the life of our recently departed friend, musical colleague and trumpeter Linsey Govoni, the band will perform “Perthshire Majesty” by Samuel Hazo.

            Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at the Marion General Store, the Symphony Music Shop in North Dartmouth and online at tricountysymphonicband.org

Marion Garden Group Tree Tagging

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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

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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.