The Rochester Fire Department, together with the Rochester Police Department, recently recognized three civilian residents and 14 first responders with Lifesaver Awards in a ceremony at the Rochester Council on Aging.

            The awards were based on two incidents, one in April and one in August, in which a victim suffered cardiac arrest. In both cases, a quick call to 911 triggered prompt responses, allowing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to begin immediately while trained staff came to the scene. The arriving Police and Advanced Life Support by the Fire/EMS team then initiated Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) and transported the individuals to hospitals with uninterrupted emergency care (Advanced Cardiac Life Support protocols). These quick and coordinated steps led to a return of spontaneous circulation and a successful outcome for both patients.

            The September 24 ceremony was well attended and allowed the recipients and their families, friends and colleagues to share a very special moment.

            Not long after midnight on August 27, Michael Isabelle of Mendall Road collapsed at his home. His wife, Jean, was home and quickly called 911. Over the phone, the responder gave Jean step-by-step instructions on reviving him using CPR. Patrolmen Gene Robinson and Andrew Bumpus soon arrived, administered AED and continued the CPR.

            Less than five minutes later, Lieutenant Andrew Weigel and Firefighter/Paramedic Chris Brasells pulled the ambulance into the driveway. Following ACLS protocols, they instituted “Life Pac 15” (two shots in rhythm) to stabilize and regulate Mike’s heartbeat.

            As other police and firefighters arrived, they got Isabelle safely into the ambulance, where treatment continued as he was transported to Tobey Hospital in Wareham. After an assessment, he was transferred to Charlton Hospital in Fall River where he underwent surgery and was supported during his recovery.

            Isabelle himself, along with his family, attended the celebration. They wanted to be part of thanking and recognizing the first responders who were on the call the night of his collapse and were honored to meet and shake hands with the “awesome team” responsible for saving his life. He also wanted his kids and grandkids to see Jean accept her award as a Civilian LifeSaver for her critical role.

            There were two other civilian recipients at the COA that day, as they are frequently as breakfast volunteers.

            In fact, it was breakfast time on April 18 when another life was saved.

            Vincent “Vinny” Ryan, a long-time, favorite “regular” at the center, was there to enjoy breakfast with his wife and friends when he appeared to go into cardiac arrest.

            Roxanne Costa and Patricia Joy, both retired nurses who were helping out that day, jumped into action. Being trained in ACLS, they began CPR as the center staff made the 911 call and initiated electroshock with the AED device always available in the common room.

            When the EMT’s arrived, Ryan was conscious and able to speak with the paramedics. He was transported safely to a local hospital and from there to Boston Medical Center.

            Ryan’s overall health was quite fragile at this time, and the family feared he would not survive the episode. Yet he lived for a few more weeks, passing peacefully on May 24.

            His children and grandchildren felt blessed and grateful to have those precious weeks with him, time made possible by the prompt and professional responses of those involved. And time was also given to his devoted wife, Patricia Ryan, who died at home surrounded by family three days later on May 27. They had celebrated their 63^rd wedding anniversary earlier in May.

            It’s stories like these, and others over the years, that prompt Rochester Fire Department Chief Scott Weigel and Police Chief Michael Assad to honor those who, with personal fortitude and without hesitation, took the needed steps to save lives.

2024 Honorees

            Civilian Lifesaver Award: Jean Isabelle, Patricia Joy, Roxanne Costa.

            Lifesaver Award: Lieutenant Andrew Weigel, Firefighter/Paramedics Chris Brasells, Alex Wheeler, Mike Mentzer, Patrolmen Gene Robinson, Andrew Bumpus.

            911 Lifesaver Award:  Regional Old Colony Communications Center (ROCCC): Roderick Gillis, dispatch; Christina Manning, RPD-RFD liaison; Patrick Moran, CPR instruction.

            Certificates of Recognition – Lifesaver: Paramedics Lawrence Machado, Tiago Medeiros, EMT Brendan O’Connor, Firefighter/EMT Matthew Horn, Firefighter Steve Borowiecki.

By Mary McCann Fiske

The Marion Art Center opened their latest show on September 28 featuring artists Pam Hoss and Kim Barry. Getting to know the artists and being able to learn more about what inspires these two highly accomplished artists was a treat and more meaningful, as we could hear it all from their lips to our ears via video.

            During exhibit receptions, we get to be up close to some of the most amazing artists the local area has ever seen. But being able to ask the artist questions during these joyful events can be challenging. Everyone wants a bit of their time in a room filled to overflowing with laughter and chat. Now the MAC has given us nearly unlimited access to the artists through video clips available on their website.

            So come with me if you will for a few moments and read what they said. Afterwards, visit the MAC website and see the full, four-minute clips for yourself. And last but not least, once you’ve acquainted yourself with the artists and their works, go to the MAC and immerse yourself in the wonder of it all.

            Kim Barry is a sculptor, potter and painter. At the behest of her mother, also an artist, she attended a painters’ workshop. She found herself in a new and exciting medium – wet-on-wet painting, building up layers of color and texture that make the images come alive.

            Barry said in the MAC’s printed interview, “My use of paint is visceral; I have an appetite for color and enjoy manipulation of the paint that grabs the eye and stirs the unconscious. When I’m painting, I am compelled to articulate a fierce passion for life, female strength and fecundity.”

            In Barry’s video, which was taken at her Hatch Street Studio, we find the artist speaking her truth. “I was (and still am) a wood and stone carver, but after attending the painting workshop, I became obsessed with oil. I love the feel and even the smell of the paint.” She said that her paintings are inspired by nature, shells, peppers and such. “I pose them,” often in dancer-like positions.

            In preparing for this exhibit, Barry, whose familiarity with the gallery spaces is intimate (her mother exhibited here, and her daughter was in MAC theatrical productions), painted several smaller works that she calls emotional-scapes.

            Sharing the exhibit with Hoss has been a great experience for Barry, not only because of her deep appreciation for Hoss’s work but also because Hoss is one of Barry’s former instructors.

            Yes, Hoss had a 30-year career as a drawing instructor at the University of Massachusetts, and she was a young, single woman raising a child. In her video interview, she’s very forthcoming regarding her early years as an artist and mother. She shared that drawing was affordable and using herself as a model necessary. “I couldn’t pay a model.”

            Hoss, also in her video, speaks about being one of 10 children, and although she doesn’t elaborate on that point, she did say that receiving a bunch of old photos inspired her to reexamine her youthful image, eventually bringing her into her later years with a new purpose, painting portraits of female senior citizens which she said, “looked like me.”

            Hoss and her husband are dedicated gardeners. Her models at this stage in her career are the flowers in her gardens. You’ll find lush, velvety floral portraits and nearly life-sized portraits that demonstrate Hoss’ command of visual art, perfected facial structures and tender sentiments for flowers.

            To experience the virtual interviews, visit marionartcenter.org. The gallery is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

By Marilou Newell

            On September 26 at Old Rochester Regional High School, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities held a public hearing to share with impacted communities (Mattapoisett and Acushnet) and residents therein a plan to extend an existing, overhead transmission line and an associated substation. The developer/owner of the site is NSTAR, doing business as Eversource.

            It was explained that Line 112 will be tapped to extend from off Mendall Road in Acushnet to the Crystal Spring substation on Crystal Spring Road in Mattapoisett. The substation expansion plans include replacement of existing substation and a second transformer being added, along with upgraded and/or new ancillary equipment. The footprint of the substation and associated fencing will also be expanded.

            Eversource representative Dan Hagen outlined the scope of the project and described why the expansion is considered necessary. He said through his slide presentation that “to ensure that electricity flows with a high degree of reliability, the upgrades” are required. Continuing on, Hagen stated these changes would allow for future interconnection with the power grid, permit future growth and help meet the commonwealth’s clean-energy and climate goals.

            To extend Line 112 in what Hagen described as “primarily cleared” land, some additional vegetation removal will be required. The line will parallel Line 114 and will necessitate the construction of 26 weathering-steel structures. These structures measure approximately 60 feet in height. The line will ultimately cross Mendall Road in Acushnet, Long Plain Road, Tinkham Lane, Hereford Hill Road and Crystal Spring Road in Mattapoisett.

            Public comments were taken with several residents expressing concerns. One person inquired about possible drilling during construction. She said she was a beekeeper and that earlier construction and drilling in this area caused her hives to fail. Another speaker insisted that portable sanitation units be placed at the site during construction to avoid a defecation in the open, which the speaker said happened previously.

            Coupled with that health concern was the lack of consistent securing of gates at the site, leaving them open to illegal dumping. And there were comments regarding the need for improved screening along Crystal Spring Road, a scenic byway. Hagen indicated that all concerns would be taken into consideration moving forward. Local oversight by the Conservation Commission was also noted by Hagen.

            Public comments will be taken until October 10. Plans are available at both the Mattapoisett Town Clerk office, the Acushnet Town Clerk office and the Mattapoisett Free Public Library. The project Hot Line number is 833-836-0302.

Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities

By Marilou Newell