Mattapoisett’s Memorial Day events will be held on Monday, May 29 at Center School. Events will begin at 1:30 pm in the gymnasium. The guest speaker is Mattapoisett’s own Colby Rottler, CDR USN (Ret). At the end of scheduled indoor events, the program will move outside with the American Legion Post 280 and the Old Hammondtown Band leading a procession on foot to memorials located at the Library and Waterfront.
Molly’s Cove is traversed by Mattapoisett Neck Road with a culvert that is in dire need of improvement. The area has been studied for some time by the Buzzards Bay Coalition and in 2021 by the Woods Hole Group which developed several options for the roadway in a future world where overtopping and flooding become the norm.
Now came Mattapoisett Land Trust president Mike Huguenin with something he hoped would be good news to the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission during Monday night’s public meeting.
Huguenin said that grant funding might be available from the USDA as well as from Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management. He explained that the goal would be to receive enough funding to complete a 25% design, the percentage generally needed before grant agencies will accept applications.
A CZM grant in the amount of $75,000 had been received by the town in 2021 when the first Woods Hole Group study was conducted. In that study, it was determined that if nothing was done to the culvert area, there was still hope that by removing invasive species coupled with the introduction of salt-tolerant plants, the water-quality health of Molly’s Cove may improve.
Other options included roadway elevations with the maximum being 7.5 feet for the greatest resiliency. In that scenario, however, slopes would be impacted and would need engineering attention. Further noted in the study was the need to up-size the culvert itself for better water movement.
Huguenin asked for the commission’s support in the form of a letter that would be part of the grant-application packet. The commissioners were in agreement that they would support the efforts of the MLT.
In other business, the Reservation Golf Club received a Negative Box 5 determination of applicability for the installation of a new sprinkler system.
A Notice of Intent filed by Joe Crespi for a new septic system at 4 Dyar Road received an Order of Conditions, as did a NOI filed by Michael Saunders, 10 Beach Road, for the demolition of an existing, single-family home partially located in a mapped, FEMA flood zone.
A NOI filed by Earl Miranda, 28 Meadowbrook Lane, for the construction of a garage received conditioning that includes cleanup of miscellaneous materials from the yard prior to construction.
A long discussion was held with Nathan Collins of Next Grid Solar, landowners and operators of the solar array located at 139 Bowman Road. The site had been called by Conservation Agent Brandon Faneuf and Commissioner David Lawrence as “the worst” solar field they have ever seen. It was noted to Next Grid that the site had not been stabilized, tree planting had failed to take root and that areas where grass was to have been sown were not sufficiently prepared, including the spreading of loam.
A pending property sale of contiguous lots previously owned by Next Grid but now held by Long Built Homes was in play. Next Grid sought a Certificate of Compliance for the two lots so the sale could be finalized – the commission wanted commitments that the solar array would be properly stabilized. In the end, both parties agreed to site improvement and a partial Certificate of Compliance.
The commission also moved forward with the issuance of an Enforcement Order that Collins agreed to as it contained next steps towards achieving full compliance.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission is scheduled for Monday, June 12, at 6:30 pm.
Mattapoisett Conservation Commission
By Marilou Newell
Laurence and Janet Reinhart received an Order of Conditions at the May 10 Marion Conservation Commission meeting, allowing the applicants to add new bay windows and a new door, landing and stairs, along with installation of a new masonry patio, removal and installation of a retaining wall, removal and replacement of an existing concrete boat ramp, and plans to regrade, loam and seed lawn areas at their 13 East Avenue property.
The order was conditioned with the placement of hay bales or silt fencing.
During the public hearing, Representative Rick Charon reviewed a history of applications at the site dating back to 2004. A current Chapter 91 license held by the applicant would require further review, but Charon told the commission its approval was the first step.
Commissioner Shaun Walsh identified proposed work seaward of mean high water as “the principle concern” of the commission.
Asked for comment, Conservation Agent Doug Guey-Lee stated that his concerns with the project were met and that he would write a decision addressing the commissioners’ Chapter 91 license question.
The commission voted the Town of Marion Department of Public Works a Negative Box 2 and Box 3 Determination of Applicability, approving plans to install approximately 40 feet of granite safety-barrier berm 18-inches thick at Old Landing Wharf off Front Street.
Jody Dickerson, director of operations for the DPW, explained the project for the horseshoe-shaped boundary at the south pier. “In the past years, cars have gone off the edge there into the water, so it’s more of a safety issue for us and the town,” he said.
The granite being used for the project was formerly used for the steps to the Spring Street entrance to the Town House prior to its recent renovation. Dickerson said all the work would be done on the pavement side of the edge.
William Washburn was voted a Negative Box 2 Determination of Applicability, approving his plan to place fill within land subject to coastal storm flowage at Washburn Lane.
Represented by Brian Grady of G.A.F. Engineering, Washburn is looking to fill the site that is situated partially within the 100-year flood zone. Conservation Commission approval, said Grady, is the first step in a process that will necessitate FEMA approval. Following commission approval, Grady said the plan is to get FEMA to remove the site from the flood zone for the future construction of a home.
Roger Tenglin sought clarification on an Order of Conditions issued him on April 12 and will be allowed to use concrete from his construction site as fill under his new driveway at 88 Indian Cove Road.
The commission also voted Claire Beiver a full Certificate of Compliance for work done at 44 Oakland Avenue.
The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission is scheduled for Wednesday, May 24, at 7:00 pm at the Police Station.
Marion Conservation Commission
By Mick Colageo
Superintendent Michael S. Nelson is proud to announce that the Old Rochester Regional School District has received a Best Communities for Music Education Award from the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation.
Now in its 24th year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts nationwide that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students.
This is the second time ORR has been recognized by the NAMM Foundation, with the last time being in 2019. ORR was among 16 school districts across Massachusetts that were recognized this year.
“One of the great highlights of the learning experiences here at Old Rochester Regional Junior High School (ORRJHS), is that over the two years a student attends the Junior High School, nearly every student has at least a year of music education. Student growth in music knowledge and skills is off the charts, and many young musicians launch their musical lives here at ORRJHS,” said Old Rochester Junior High School Principal Silas Coellner.
To qualify for the Best Communities designation, districts answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program and community music-making programs. Responses were verified by school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.
“This prestigious recognition is a testament to the unwavering dedication and tireless efforts of our talented students, passionate teachers and supportive families,” said Superintendent Nelson. “Music education ignites creativity, fosters teamwork, enhances cognitive abilities and cultivates a lifelong appreciation for the arts. We are committed to providing opportunities in music and empowering our students to explore their musical talents.”
Renowned vocalist and cultural educator, “Candida Rose” Baptista, will perform at the Mattapoisett Museum on June 1, at 6:00 pm. Baptista, a second-generation American-born Cape Verdean hailing from New Bedford, Massachusetts, is known for her captivating blend of Cape Verdean musical roots and American jazz influences, which she calls “KabuJazz.” Her debut album, “KabuMerikana: The Sum of Me,” showcases her soulful voice and evocative lyrics across 10 enchanting tracks.
Baptista, a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music specializing in African-American/World music performance, has recently completed her Master of Science Degree in Transnational, Cultural and Community Studies from UMASS Boston. Through her company Golden Rose Music, she shares her talents as a performer and life-enrichment entertainer, captivating audiences with a unique blend of jazz, rhythm and blues, gospel and international flavors. In addition to her performance, Baptista will give a presentation on Cape Verdean Culture during the event, which is sponsored by the Mass Cultural Council and offers free admission. Attendees are encouraged to register due to limited capacity inside the museum and donations are welcomed to support future cultural events.
Join Candida Rose: Baptista and her talented band on June 1st for an unforgettable evening celebrating the rich heritage of Cape Verdean Culture through music. To secure your spot and learn more about the event, please visit www.mattapoisettmuseum.org/event-info/cape-verdean-culture-and-music-with-candida-rose.
Rochester’s Memorial Day events will be held on Sunday, May 28 due to the Boat Race on Memorial Day. Events will begin at 12:00 pm in front of the Rochester Town Hall. The procession will then proceed on foot to Daggett Square and then return to the Town Hall. There will be refreshments and snacks following the conclusion of scheduled events.
To the Editor;
I am an avid walker [year round] I can’t tell you how much I personally appreciate the engineering marvel we have in our town.
The population that use the bike path in the winter are few, to say the least. Now the weather has entered a Spring phase, the population on the bike path has increased. It is a pleasure to see families complete with baby strollers get exercise.
Those who walk with their dogs have been extremely mindful in keeping their dogs on a leash.
There should be consideration for bike path safety. If you a cyclist and pass a pedestrian, please give a shout of “on you left”
This courtesy is basically void on the Mattapoisett Rail Trail. If you walk on Cape Cod Canal, cyclists extent this courtesy almost 100%.
I purchased a bell for my bike that I ring when I pass a pedestrian or a family. The kids love the sound of the bell.
When anyone gets to an intersection like Matt. Neck Road or Brandt Island Road, there are well displayed red STOP signs. [on a personal note, I have seen 2 ‘almost’ collisions with cyclists who fly through the stop sign.
You’ve heard the phrase “it’s an accident waiting to happen.”
The summer brings a increase in the bike path population, many from ‘out of town’. Some cyclist that use the bike path, I call the ‘Tour de France ‘cyclist, They are dressed in bright, colorful. biking apparel and have bicycles worth more than a used auto.
From my personal observation, these folk are the most flagrant is extending courtesies to pedestrians
The Mattapoisett Police Dept. is not responsible for enforcing any rules on the bike path. This enforcement comes to every person who use the bike path in a responsible, safety minded manner. It is so simple and it is much appreciated.
Let’s hope we as Mattapoisett Residents can fully enjoy the beauty of our bke path
Steve Bender, Mattapoisett
The views expressed in the “Letters to the Editor” column are not necessarily those of The Wanderer, its staff or advertisers. The Wanderer will gladly accept any and all correspondence relating to timely and pertinent issues in the great Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester area, provided they include the author’s name, address and phone number for verification. We cannot publish anonymous, unsigned or unconfirmed submissions. The Wanderer reserves the right to edit, condense and otherwise alter submissions for purposes of clarity and/or spacing considerations. The Wanderer may choose to not run letters that thank businesses, and The Wanderer has the right to edit letters to omit business names. The Wanderer also reserves the right to deny publication of any submitted correspondence. All letters must be typed and submitted directly to: news@wanderer.com.
Martha E. Williamson (nee Goodwin), daughter of Albert and Evelyn Goodwin, passed away peacefully January 26th, 2023 at the age of 73. Martha was a resident of Mattapoisett for over 20 years prior to moving West. She was employed in the food service industry. Martha relocated to Venice, Florida in the mid-90’s to assist her aging grandparents. She was the widow of Donald Williamson. In retirement Martha enjoyed reading, gardening and caring for her cats. Martha is predeceased by her brother Albert and survived by sisters Shirley, Susan, Lynne, and LuAnn, brother Robert and friend Craig. Martha is interred within the Goodwin gravesite at Cushing Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be offered to St. Francis Animal Rescue of Venice, Florida, Inc. All contributions will be matched by the Louis and Gloria Flanzer Philanthropic Trust.
There was no digital stopwatch on display, but Sunday’s Tour de Creme bicycle ride was nonetheless an athletic event if only because even top-echelon performers tackling the longer courses indulged.
“A couple of guys passed me, then they stopped for ice cream,” said Bob Gendron, who pulled into the Munro Preserve as the first finisher in the 40-mile ride.
The event, held on Sunday to benefit the Friends of the Mattapoisett Bike Path and the Mattapoisett Land Trust, included 40, 24 and 9-mile courses with many local ice-cream merchants poised and ready to serve up America’s favorite summer treat in countless shapes, sizes and flavors.
For most riders, Sunday’s event was their first opportunity to experience the new boardwalk section that connects the Mattapoisett Bike Path to the stretch that emanates from Fairhaven village.
The first lady to finish the 24-mile ride, Carol Wilson, 65, of Providence, made two stops for ice cream. “Just a sorbet,” admitted the avid cycling competitor.
Jack Dennerlein, the first overall 24-mile finisher, was bolder. The 58-year-old Dorchester resident whom Mike Huguenin called a “great friend of the Land Trust” stopped twice along the way, once for a “Green Monster” that he proudly captured with his phone camera before digging in.
Dennerlein does his road work at the Blue Hills Reservation. Now he has more to do.
Joe Daly, a Mattapoisett resident recently moved into town from neighboring Marion, will turn 81 in June but looked no worse for the wear after crossing with the fastest finishers of the 9-mile ride.
“Great job!” exclaimed Daly, not so much impressed with himself but with a little girl who stayed in front of him the entire way while riding with her family.
Ride organizers said it was particularly successful to keep the 9-mile family ride entirely on the coastal side of Route 6. Including green-clad volunteer riders who guided participants along their varying courses, there were over 400 bicycles involved.
Gendron, a 57-year-old Westport resident, was surprised anyone on the 40-mile course could indulge during the ride, but he indicated ice cream was in his future. “Oh, absolutely,” he said.
Tour de Creme Bike Ride
By Mick Colageo
Engineers Kent Nichols and Rebecca Mongada appeared on behalf of consulting firm Weston & Sampson at the Marion Select Board’s special meeting on Monday night at the Music Hall for a public hearing on the town’s Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan (CWMP.)
While regionalizing sewer with the Town of Wareham lingers as an option, Weston and Sampson recommended a 20-year plan of internal upgrades featuring but not limited to connecting three key areas of Marion to town sewer.
Of Marion’s 11 unsewered areas, Weston & Sampson recommends phasing in sewer to six of those areas over time to spread out the financial impact. The areas recommended against connecting to town sewer total between 30 and 50 residences, according to Nichols.
Nichols noted that since the Marion Board of Health’s recent bylaw requiring any changed septic system to include denitrification technology, the state has proposed statewide identification of “nitrogen-sensitive” areas that would require “even remedial” systems to upgrade to include denitrification.
“That means a lot of cash investment for people who feel like their own septic system probably works really well,” Nichols said. “And it won’t be up to you – the period that was stated was five years. Those ‘regs’ are still in flux a little bit, and the planning continues for that. And Marion was not in the first wave, the first wave addressed Cape Cod. But certainly, the nitrogen-sensitive areas around Buzzards Bay were a close second in that process, and we have taken those potential regulations into account while as we’ve thought about this.
“We do hold back the possibility of doing some localized treatment in the event that we need to look further at options beyond just connecting everybody to the sewer system.”
Grouping the potential sewer-expansion areas into three main sections, Nichols identified River Road and Wareham Road (Route 6) as a relatively small area, the next-bigger being the Aucoot Creek/Lower Mill Street area just south of the Wastewater Treatment Plant, and the largest area containing Lower Sippican Neck, Wings Cove and Piney Point with Planting Island.
“If we did all of those at once with a single sewer project, that would cost about $24,000, 000,” said Nichols, who displayed a chart breaking down cost for each area under consideration. “These costs are all over the place.”
Because of their locations, the cost variety is great. The River and Wareham Roads area would cost $28,000 per unit connection, but along Lower Sippican Neck, the per-home connection cost would spike to $120,000. Thus, Nichols explained, Weston and Sampson’s effort to package areas to make sewer costs more affordable.
“What we’re basically doing is, by ‘sewering’ these unsewered areas that are along the coastline, we’re going to take a lot of nitrogen out of the surrounding waters,” said Nichols. “We’re going to treat it to the highest degree possible by bringing it to the (Water Pollution Control Facility.)”
Nichols said Marion’s WPCF rates are among the best regionally in treating for nitrogen.
In a comparison of alternatives for the WPCF, Weston and Sampson identified two levels of process improvements costing $11,000,000 or $13,000,000, groundwater discharge or outfall relocation to a salt marsh at $16,000,000, and finally a $76,000,000 regionalization with Wareham.
Capital improvements recommended for the WPCF include process at $4,500,000, ancillary at $6,300,000 and biosolids at $2,000,000.
Supplemental groundwater discharge is recommended as a backup plan in the event Marion cannot achieve an increase in its permitted capacity.
In summarizing recommended capital improvements to Marion’s CWMP, the existing collection system would cost $4,500,000, existing pump stations would cost $12,600,000, sewer extensions $24,000,000 and the WPCF and treatment system $13,000,000, totaling $54,000,000.
“I would just warn you that if we implement this plan over a 20-year period, your ultimate total cost will be a little higher than that,” said Nichols. “The big picture on implementing the plan is pretty much straightforward. It’s a 20-year plan. We envision, if you’re going to do it right and spread the costs out enough, probably you’re going to spend most of that 20 years spreading out those sewer extensions and getting people connected to the system.”
The recently completed lining of Lagoon 1, said Nichols, provides the town an option to store biosolids while prioritizing more immediate needs.
The next step for the town is finalizing discussions with the Environmental Protection Agency and the state Department of Environmental Protection on Marion’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit.
Crediting the work that Department of Public Works Director Becky Tilden has done, Nichols told the meeting that the town was very successful in procuring Coastal Zone Management grants.
“As such, the Creek Road improvements have been designed,” said Nichols, noting that the design has sat for a couple of years. “We did make the priority list for the state revolving-fund program this past year, which was a positive factor, but that’s not a lot of funding so the town right now is awaiting word from the third or fourth round of reviews being done on a federal FEMA grant, the Hazard Mitigation Grant program.”
A few weeks ago, Nichols interacted with Nathaniel Munafo, who manages Marion’s Wastewater Treatment Plant, and reported encouraging notes.
“And that could result in as much as a 90% grant for a $3,000,000 construction project, so a lot of work by the town, DPW and the Sewer Department has been done to try to continue the chase funds for that,” he said.
Pump-station upgrades are a key piece to the overall plan.
“We do recommend … and have been moving forward on evaluating all the sewer force-mains,” said Nichols. “Each pump station pumps through a pressurized line to get the flow from the pump station to the gravity sewer system in different locations. In Marion’s case, virtually all of those stations, that is a single, pressurized line. And recent events in different communities have shown that the use of single force-mains becomes more and more risky, and some of the pipe conditions have been very notable.
“Some of you may be aware of a project in Plymouth a couple years back when their one pump station force-main that went to their treatment plant broke, and the town, I think, was in it for over $50,000,000 to $60,000,000 worth of emergency repair costs.”
Marion, said Nichols, is trying to stay ahead of such risk to the tune of $2,000,000 budgeted. The town’s Front Street force-main, he said, is part of the treatment plant cost.
In tracking infiltration and inflow (I/I), Nichols said that the 2017-20 rate of 550,000 gallons per day has dropped in its fifth year to a 515,000 average. In the dry, summer months, Marion generated under 300,000 gallons per day.
When the floor was opened to public comment, former Select Board member John Waterman requested a user-friendly summary of the report accessible at marionma.gov. Nichols said Select Board member Norm Hills has crafted an executive summary; Waterman clarified his request for printed copies for interested residents.
At Waterman’s request, Nichols noted that the town has negotiated terms with the developers of residential projects near the Wareham line to mitigate Marion’s I/I expenses relative to those sites.
Also at Waterman’s request, Nichols explained that “SBR” stands for “sequencing batch reactor” and that the sludge removed from Lagoon 1 was actually biomass used in the process of breaking down sewage.
Waterman pointed out that the daily inspections conducted on the town’s pumping stations by Munafo’s staff are a safety hazard to the workers and commended them for their effort. Nichols said that safety matters are addressed in the finer details of the proposed CWMP.
The Select Board voted to close the public hearing and adjourn the meeting.
Marion Select Board
By Mick Colageo