New Era at RMS

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            It’s been a decade since Rochester Memorial School began a school year without Derek Medeiros as its principal, but the elementary school has moved on by introducing Heidi Letendre as interim principal for the 2023-24 academic year.

            Letendre had worked at RMS as a student-teacher 30 years ago, so her introduction was part of a festive opening meeting for the Rochester School Committee on August 31. Old Rochester Regional Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson said that since accepting the job, Letendre has been working.

            ORR also introduced a familiar face in the new role of interim director of Student Services as Kris Lincoln, who has worked in all six ORR schools over an almost 20-year period, replaces Craig Davidson. After time in Colorado, Teah Keogh returns to the ORR District as an English Language Learning specialist.

            At RMS, Leigh Beson comes on as a Grade 1 teacher, and Caitlyn Coelho is a new Grade 6 Special Education liaison. Lauren Harper and Bridget Houlihan join RMS as Grade 5 teachers. From the small-world department, Nelson reported that Harper is the neighbor of one of his high school teachers, who assures Nelson that Harper is a very good teacher.

            Alexia Pacheco joins RMS as a Project Grow teacher, and Jacquelyn St. Thomas is the new school psychologist. Erin Sharp is an instructional assistant, and Catherine Staier, a frequent substitute in 2022-23, joins the RMS staff as a Grade 1 teacher.

            Nelson said many schools were dealing this summer with vacancies, but RMS is down to one.

            RMS Paraprofessional Lynne Arruda was recognized for her 25 years of service, and RMS Special Education Secretary Kimberly Amato was recognized for 15 years. “Most of our staff, when they come here they end up staying here, which is what you want,” said Nelson.

            Two RMS staffers changed positions, Tess Hedblom going from Special Education Classroom teacher to Grade 2 teacher and Lea Sims from Lunch aide to instructional assistant.

            Opening Day ceremonies for the district included faculty representatives from all six schools at the high school, and Nelson was enthused to tell the committee about Sippican School Grade 6 student Nia Gonzalez, who delivered an inspirational keynote address to ORR faculty. Nelson called Gonzalez “an incredible leader.”

            In her Chairperson’s Report, Sharon Hartley and committee member Kate Duggan brought to the committee’s attention the fact that Rochester is aligned in the state association of school committees (MASC) with Cape Cod-based school districts (Division 7) rather than Division 3 with fellow Tri-Towns Marion and Mattapoisett and the ORR District as a whole.

            The committee voted to approve an OpenSciEd grant of $4,100 for Grade 5.

            Hartley said the RMS solar-canopy project is still being hashed out. As of the August 31 School Committee meeting, the town’s next step was for the Select Board to consider an amendment to the amount of money in the PILOT account. The electricity rate would presumably lock in for two decades.

            Nelson credited Erin Bednarczyk for her role in helping ORR upgrade its website, and Nelson said the district is working on a phone app.

            Vision 2028, a new five-year plan for the district, will be presented to the Joint School Committee on September 28.

            Dr. Shari Fedorowicz, ORR’s assistant superintendent of Teaching and Learning, addressed the committee, focusing on opening day and the positive atmosphere at RMS, which was a facility well prepared for the beginning of school. Fedorowicz publicly recognized Kim Reed for her effort to make the new teachers feel welcome on the first day.

            Fedorowicz also updated the committee on the literacy program instituted last year.

            During a scheduled School Committee Reorganization vote, Hartley was reelected as chairperson of the committee. Duggan was elected as vice-chairperson for the 2023-24 school year. Melissa Wilcox will continue to serve as secretary.

            Jason Chisholm agreed to continue representing Rochester to the ORR School Committee, but Anne Fernandes indicated her interest so a vote was taken, and Chisholm was voted in by a 4-0 margin with Fernandes abstaining.

            Fernandes will be back on the Superintendents Union #55 half of the Joint School Committee after she, Hartley and Robin Rounseville were unanimously voted to remain Rochester’s representatives on the JSC.

            The committee entered Executive Session to discuss negotiations and to comply with state law, returning only to adjourn.

            The next meeting of the Rochester School Committee is scheduled for Thursday, October 5, at 6:30 pm at Rochester Memorial School.

Rochester School Committee

By Mick Colageo

New Events at the Mattapoisett Library

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September is Library Card Sign-up month and a great time to see what’s new at the library. If you don’t have a library card or haven’t used yours in a long time, stop in to see the staff to register and start borrowing books, films, audiobooks, kits, and so much more. Each time you check out with your card this month or check out with the SAILS mobile app, you will be entered to win a prize.

            There are so many great events for adults happening too. On Wednesday, September 20 at 3 pm, the Marion Arts Center Reader’s Theater performers interpret and stage-read classical to contemporary short stories, novels, plays, poems and excerpts from longer pieces of literature. At the end of the presentation there will be a Q & A as well as a raffle for tickets to one of the MAC Theatre’s plays.

            Seats are filling up quickly for the First Aid & CPR Trainings scheduled for Tuesday, September 26 at 5 pm and Saturday, September 30 at 1 pm. Each three-hour class provides the non-healthcare provider (layperson) the skills needed to respond to and manage an emergency until emergency medical services arrives. This course is taught as a combination First Aid and CPR/AED. This course also provides the requirements for Department of Early Education and Care (ECC) standards, so it is great for parents and grandparents. These courses are taught to the American Heart Association (AHA) standard and all students receive certification cards within 24 hours of course completion, which are valid for 2 years. We are able to offer these classes with funding from the Richard and Ann J. Prouty Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., Co-trustee. More classes will be scheduled in the coming months. Registration is required and can be completed through our calendar of events.

            Climate Prep Week is September 24 through 30 and to address climate change as it affects Mattapoisett, we have a presentation by the Mattapoisett Land Trust on Wednesday, September 27 at 3 pm on “Preparing Land for Climate Change: Forestry for the Future.” Colleen Andrews will specifically talk about climate-smart forestry management, the approach that will be used on Mattapoisett Land Trust sites, and why creating resilient forests matters in terms of climate change.

            Book club meetings return this month with the Sunday Book Club meeting on Sunday, September 17 at 2 pm and the Cookbook Club meets on Tuesday, September 19 at 6:30 pm; both groups will discuss summer reading. Well-Read Wednesday meets on Wednesday, September 27 to discuss the latest nonfiction title, The Age of A. I.: And Our Human Future. Copies of titles for the book groups are available at the library. Story time also resumes starting on September 21 on Thursday and Friday mornings. Check the calendar for any updates. Email mfpl@sailsinc.org with any questions about these events. See you at the library.

Marion Social Club

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The Marion Social Club, 44 Pumping Station Road, is having a Pig Roast on Sunday, October 15 at 1 pm. Side dishes will include jag, baked beans, corn on the cob, apple sauce and a dessert. Tickets are $30 each and can be purchased by calling Betsy Youngson at 508-295-8253. Cutoff date is September 28, so please call ASAP, don’t miss a great meal. New members are always welcome-contact Richard Giberti at 508-748-0216.

Marion Cultural Council

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Marion Cultural Council is excited to receive online grant applications for individuals and organizations for art and STEM-related projects that will help to enrich the Marion community. Marion Cultural Council has set an October 17 deadline for organizations, schools and individuals to apply for grants that support cultural activities and proposals for community-oriented arts, humanities and science programs in the community. These grants can support a variety of artistic projects and activities in Marion– including exhibits, festivals, field trips, short-term artist residencies, or performances in schools, workshops and lectures. This year we ask applicants to consider a possible virtual or “back up” option/and or dates for their events if possible. The inability to do this will not hinder your consideration however may be helpful for your project.

            The Marion Cultural Council is part of a network of 329 Local Cultural Councils serving all 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth. The LCC Program is the largest grassroots cultural funding network in the nation, supporting thousands of community-based projects in the arts, sciences and humanities every year. The state legislature provides an annual appropriation to the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, which then allocates funds to each community.

            For questions regarding the Marion Cultural Council, contact marionculturalcouncil@gmail.com. Online application forms, a full list of priorities and guidelines and more information about the Local Cultural Council Program and a list of the council’s priorities are available online at www.mass-culture.org/Marion

Academic Achievements

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Peter Garcia of Marion has been named to Southern New Hampshire University’s Summer 2023 Dean’s List. The summer terms run from May to August.

            It is with great pleasure that Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) congratulates Joseph Reardon of Mattapoisett, Courtney Churchill of Mattapoisett and Aaron Bates of Mattapoisett on being named to the Summer 2023 President’s List. The summer terms run from May to August.

            A total of 385 students enrolled in UA Early College during Summer Semester 2023 at The University of Alabama were named to the director’s list with an academic record of 3.6 or higher. These students represent 67 percent of students enrolled during the Summer Semester, including Bridget Wallace of Marion who attends Eagle Hill School.

RBG Was in the House

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There’s something magical about being in the presence of theatrical excellence. It is powerful, evocative and entertaining, all at the same time. That experience was shared by the members of the Sippican Woman’s Club as they watched a historical performance by Sheryl Faye, who personified Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Faye was the club’s August guest speaker, bringing her unique talent to persuade us we were watching and hearing Ginsburg herself.

            The actress has written and portrayed a variety of female historical characters such as Helen Keller, Susan B. Anthony, Eleanor Roosevelt, Amelia Earhart, Sally Ride and Abigail Adams to name a few. With the use of a screen where corresponding images play out behind Faye and preprogrammed audio adds to the illusion that there are more actors than a singular person on stage, her performance was simply put, a master stroke.

            Faye took the audience into the very heart and mind of Ginsburg as she met challenges every step of the way in her professional development, starting with her decision to study law at Harvard. It’s important to note here that Ginsburg’s mother always encouraged her to reach for the stars, go to Harvard, become a lawyer and dismiss those who said “only men” could and should pursue such a career choice.

            Faye’s show was in the narrative style, talking about the character while also slipping seamlessly into dialog throughout, giving RBG life through her own words. Faye’s ability to transport her audiences into the very human portrayals speaks to the historical research she has completed. That knowledge, coupled with her ability to inhabit the characters with such seeming ease, is phenomenal.

            Ginsburg’s life was one of incredible challenges. Losing her mother as a young adult was a major blow to the aspiring jurist. Her mother had wanted to go to college but was denied that opportunity simply because she was female. All of her own aspirational desires were poured into making sure her own daughter would have what she needed to study.

            The Ginsburgs were a family that believed in helping others. The young RBG didn’t celebrate birthdays at home with guests invited to share in the celebration with a big cake and gifts. Instead, Ginsburg’s mother took her to an orphanage, where they passed out sweet treats and cakes to the children living there.

            Upon querying her mother on why she couldn’t have a normal party, RBG was told to think about the impact that visit had on the children. Philosophies such as that would thunder down the decades, as RBG established herself as a person always ready to aid those in need.

            Ginsburg would meet her husband while studying at Harvard, eventually marrying her great love Marty and continuing to work on her degree. They would welcome their first child, and Ginsburg would find the way to study and take on the roles of wife and mother. Those plans would change when she followed Marty to New York. Ginsburg eventually received a law degree from Columbia University. Many decades later, Harvard would bestow upon her an honorary degree.

            Marty would become very ill while they were both at Harvard. Ginsburg forged ahead, not only taking care of the home and family, including Marty, but going as far as helping him with his studies while working on her own degree.

            RBG was a force of nature. She is remembered as a champion of rights for all people, a woman who faced tremendous odds against her success and the second woman to be appointed to the Supreme Court. “It is the best job in the world,” she stated many times.

            Faye’s telling of a life that was truly bigger than life in so many ways was a humble tale. RBG was not boastful and she was not loud. She spoke from a point of reference few can achieve, one of grace and strength. Faye got it right with emotion, humor and truth.

            Also getting it right was SWC program chairman Lorraine Charest, who selected Faye as the guest speaker. Of the performance, Charest said, “We were all mesmerized.”

            The Sippican Woman’s Club sponsors scholarships for local students, primarily funded through their Holiday House tours. After a very long hiatus due to COVID-19, the event will take place on Saturday, December 9, between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm. Tickets are $30 before the day of the event and $35 at the door. To learn more, visit sippicanwomansclub.org.

By Marilou Newell

Dog Bites at Washburn

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            There were two dog bites at Washburn Park, and Marion Board of Health members have asked Health Director Lori Desmarais to send out an e-blast warning the public and dog owners to take notice and precautions.

            During the board’s September 7 public meeting, Desmarais said a person riding a bicycle was bit and then a runner was bit. Both incidents happened at the end of August. Desmarais said she is not sure if the same dog was the culprit. The owner of the dog went over to the bike-riding victim, and the victim was not aware that skin was broken so the incident was not immediately reported.

            Desmarais said there have been 10 dog-bites reported to the Marion Board of Health in 2023. The other eight occurred on private property.

            There is no leash law in town, and Desmarais said with rabies vaccinations high, there is a low risk of rabies.

            As long as the dog is owned by a resident and is up-to-date with its rabies vaccination status, there is no need for prophylactic treatments. However, Desmarais said, if someone is bitten by a dog, that person must identify the dog and owner and make sure the animal is rabies-vaccinated. That biting dog must be quarantined for 10 days, according to Desmarais.

            Acknowledging there is no leash law in Marion, board members said it is common for unleashed dogs to be at Washburn Park. Desmarais said she believes that both dogs were not leashed. “The idea of a leash law in Marion would go over like a lead balloon,” Board of Health Chairman Ed Hoffer said.

            Desmarais said, so far, there have been no Eastern Equine Encephalitis cases or West Nile Virus in Marion this year. There has been one human West Nile Virus case from someone in eastern Massachusetts and another human case in Middlesex County. No animal cases have been reported for either disease, but 107 mosquitoes statewide have tested positive for West Nile Virus.

            Desmarais said people should still take precautions such as wearing longer sleeves and pants at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. They should also limit activities around that time.

            Health Agent Shallyn Rodriguez reported that owners of 28 Pitcher Street have made progress on cleaning up the property and the main building. Pest traps have also been replaced. She said there is still a boat, shed and cottage in disrepair and will conduct a reinspection.

            A similar property at 8 Pie Alley will be reinspected, and Rodriguez should have an update at the board’s next meeting.

            The board also discussed its pool regulations. Per the state, if someone has an electronic pool cover that one can walk over, a fence is not required.

            Citing a past drowning, board members said they are happy with the fence regulation. They asked Desmarais to gather more data, including how other communities are handling this regulation.

            The board continued a hearing and approved a variance for a septic tank and leaching field at 25 West Avenue. The applicant moved the proposed system farther from adjacent property lines and will install a denitrification system, which will require an annual inspection.

            The next meeting of the Marion Board of Health is scheduled for Thursday, September 21, at 4:00 pm at the Police Station.

Marion Board of Health

By Jeffrey D. Wagner

Megan’s Permit under Final Review

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            Rochester’s Planning Board Tuesday came a step closer to approving the Special Permit and Site Plan Review application for the commercial building at 621 County Road that will include the recreational marijuana retail store Megan’s Organic Market, but not to the satisfaction of the petitioner’s attorney.

            The Planning Board reviewed the draft decision with conditions and added a new one, that the sign clearly state it is a cannabis store. Board member Paul Carr repeated his request in a previous meeting that this condition be included to avoid a customer wrongly thinking the store is merely an organic-produce market.

            The petitioner’s attorney said his client had no problem with this condition but then frowned as he asked why the Planning Board could not take an approval vote at Tuesday’s meeting.

            Board Chairman Arnold Johnson answered that the panel likes to take time to review a draft decision on a Special Permit and approve it at a subsequent meeting. The board will consider approving the Special Permit for Megan’s Organic Market at its next meeting on September 26.

            As discussion ended, the board asked the project’s engineering consultant, Phil Cordeiro of Allen and Major Associates, to supply a rendering of what the requested “cannabis” sign would look like at that next meeting. Cordeiro agreed to do so.

            When approved, the retail recreational marijuana store will be housed in a 7,500-square-foot commercial building between two residential lots with a 24-foot-wide driveway entrance.

            Traffic flow will send deliveries to the western rear of the building and be spacious enough for emergency vehicle access as well. Water will come from a tie-in to the Town of Wareham supply. Vegetative setbacks of 20 feet will be built between the residences, as well as a 6-foot-high fence on one side. Lighting will have “zero spillage” onto other properties and will be controlled by motion sensors.

            Next, the Planning Board approved another continuance, until October 10, for the 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.

            Johnson noted the tree farm is up and running, but the owners are only advertising to go to customers for a “consult” on their tree needs, which is perfectly legal. He added the board may need to deny the operation a permit if the petitioners have made no progress with submitting specific plans by October 10.

            The petitioners have had the application for the site for almost a year and are only being asked for plans for the site’s parking area. “It’s a safety issue,” Johnson said. “The parking lot needs to be protected from sinking.”

            In other action, the Planning Board signed the Certificate of Compliance for the solar project at 0 Walnut Plain Road and Old Middleboro Road and reviewed proposed zoning bylaw changes.

            Johnson said the changes will only need to be ready for the Spring 2024 Annual Town Meeting. Proposals discussed by the board and Building Commissioner Paul Boucher Tuesday night included tweaking the language for back-lot residential additions, site-plan review and accessory apartments. A proposed back-lot residential-housing use shall be on property owned by the petitioner for at least five years prior to the application.

            An approved site plan is valid only if signed by Planning Board members. Accessory apartment zoning will have a new set of specific standards.

            The Rochester Planning Board’s next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 26, at 7:00 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.

Rochester Planning Board

By Michael J. DeCicco

Interim Director of Student Services at ORR

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Superintendent Michael S. Nelson is pleased to announce that Kristine Lincoln has been selected as the districts’ interim director of student services.

            Lincoln’s appointment is pending approval by the School Committee, which is expected on September 28. She has been acting in the position since the start of this school year.

            As the interim director of student services, Lincoln will oversee the Student Services Office, which assists school staff in working with families to meet the unique needs of students through individualized learning programs.

            “The Student Services Office works to meet the needs of every student and their family,” said Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Dr. Shari Fedorowicz. “Kristine is an attentive and compassionate educator and I am confident that she will foster the supportive environment necessary for our students’ growth and development.”

            Lincoln has served as the Old Rochester Regional School District’s special education department coordinator (grades 7-12) since 2018. From 2007-2018, she served as a teacher working with students with vision impairments and as an assistive technology specialist at ORR.

            Prior, Lincoln worked with students with vision impairments in the Mattapoisett Public Schools, at the South Coast Education Collaborative in Swansea, and at Northeast Visions Consultants in Needham.

            “Kristine brings a wealth of knowledge in student services and our districts,” said Superintendent Nelson. “I am confident that she will be an excellent fit for this role and an outstanding resource for families and staff.”

            Added Human Resource Manager Sue Cunningham, “We are excited to have Kristine join our districts’ leadership team, and are grateful for her work helping to prepare the Student Services Office for the new school year.”

            Lincoln holds a Master of Education from the University of Massachusetts Boston, a bachelor’s in education from Fitchburg State University and an Education Specialist degree in assistive technology from Simmons College.

New Year for Mattapoisett Woman’s Club

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Eleven o’clock on Thursday morning, September 21, marks the beginning of a new year for the Mattapoisett Woman’s Club. Following the 11:00 am social get-together time and recognition of new members, we will begin our annual gala potluck luncheon at approximately 11:45 am. A brief business meeting and adjournment will follow the luncheon.

            These festivities and all upcoming monthly meetings are held at Reynaud Hall at the Mattapoisett Congregational Church at 27 Church Street in Mattapoisett, and members, both new members as well as existing members, are always welcome to attend.

            Membership in the Mattapoisett Woman’s Club is open year-round to everyone in the South Coast area. Among the club’s many interests and community activities are fundraisers, including the Daffodil Days project, an annual Greens and Wreath sale, a biennial Garden Tour and the annual Taste of the Town and Pie and More Sale, which are held during the Mattapoisett Lions Club’s Harbor Days.

            From the revenue obtained through these and other fundraisers, we award several scholarships each year to local high school and continuing-education students and offer financial support to local social and community-service agencies.

            Among our many activities are: the Garden Group, which creates and maintains the seasonal plantings in town; the Mahjong Group that meets weekly in conjunction with the Council on Aging; the Bridge Group that meets biweekly; the Literature Group that meets monthly; a Great Decisions discussion program that meets from January through most of March; the Knitting and Handiwork Group that meets monthly and the Ladies Lunch Group, all of which make for a very busy year for members of the Mattapoisett Woman’s Club.

            For more information about the upcoming September meeting or becoming a member of the Mattapoisett Woman’s Club, please contact us at membership@mattapoisettwomansclub.org.