Clerk Recognized By Peers

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Elizabeth Magauran, Town Clerk of Marion recently qualified for the Massachusetts Town Clerks’ Association’s (MTCA) prestigious CMMC (Certified Massachusetts Municipal Clerk) designation and will receive her commemorative pin and certificate at the MTCA Spring Conference in Plymouth, MA on June 8. Currently, only 121 of the Commonwealth’s 301 active town clerks hold this designation.

            The CMMC designation is achieved by attending MTCA-sponsored educational courses and passing a 250 question aptitude test measuring the municipal clerk’s knowledge of Massachusetts.

            General Laws in categories such as elections and election procedures, vital records, campaign & political finance, town meetings, Chapter 40A (planning), Chapter 41 (zoning), ethics and public records. Elizabeth has served as Marion’s appointed Town Clerk for three years. Prior to that, she served as Assistant.

            Town Clerk from 2017 to 2019 and was a member of the Board of Registrars from 2015 to 2017. In addition, she served as Administrative Assistant for the Conservation Commission from 2017 to 2019. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) degree in Accounting from the University of Richmond, VA.

            In addition to the MTCA, she is a member of the Plymouth County Clerks Association, the New England Association of City and Town Clerks and the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC.)

            In addition, she continues her professional development through courses sponsored by the MTCA and the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Elections Division.

ORR Artist Earns Rare Recognition

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He’s not even a high school graduate, but Old Regional Rochester senior Joseph “Jed” Dupree is being mentioned in the same sentence as Stephen King, Andy Warhol and Sylvia Plath.

            Dupree, an artist since Kindergarten, submitted paintings to the prestigious Scholastic Art Awards at Tufts University. Two of his paintings received top honors — the Gold Key Award. There were more than 7,000 entries, but only 5% received the Gold Key honor, according to a written release.

            Dupree said when his dad first showed him a comic book in Kindergarten, he began drawing Daredevil pictures and found his passion for art shortly thereafter. By Grade 6, Dupree had begun working with private art tutor Andy Anderson. One of Dupree’s pieces was created at Anderson’s studio.

            The first, a painting of a ribcage, was made in teacher Kate Butler’s Advanced Placement Art class. The other, an oil painting of a sickle hanging above a goat, was made in Anderson’s studio.

            Both Dupree and Butler were thinking of entering the Emerging Artists contest, but they chose the more prestigious Scholastic Art Awards, which honor creative teens — including King, Warhol, Plath and Truman Capote when they were in high school.

            Dupree and Butler talked about this rare honor.

            “It was a treat to have him as a student in class and see him grow as an artist and creative thinker,” said Butler, who described Dupree’s achievement as a David and Goliath type battle.

            Dupree comes from a small school district with a small art department. Some school art departments, especially in Boston and surrounding suburbs, are bigger and draw more funding. Butler, who lives in the Tri-Town area, has known Jed for many years before he entered high school.

            Butler and Dupree were recently interviewed together, and Dupree remained humble about the honor. He raved about his peers, all members of an advanced art class that requires prerequisite work before entry. He touched upon how he still wants to grow as an artist and how his art can be formulated within this digital and computer age.

            “I want to get better at that (computer art) and market my work through the digital age I’m in and maybe learn some graphic design,” he said.

            Dupree plans to attend the MASS College of Art in the fall.

By Jeffrey D. Wagner

FY24 Budget Met with Unanimous Approval

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            The FY24 Marion School Budget Hearing took place on March 8 with full approval of the Marion School Committee.

            Old Rochester Regional Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson introduced the public hearing and handed off the presentation to Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Howie Barber.

            Based on figures shared at Tuesday night’s Select Board meeting, the total proposed FY24 Marion Schools Budget is $12,648,709, including $4,569,544 (altogether $6,666,193) for Sippican School, $5,274,891 for Marion’s share of the Old Rochester Regional District operating budget, a $466,078 assessment for Upper Cape Tech’s operating budget and $189,999 for debt service (ORR.)

            The net percentage increase over FY23 is 2.74%.

            Barber explained his zero-based budgetary method in terms of recognition of necessary modifications, interviews with Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Dr. Shari Fedorowicz, Principal Marla Sirois and department heads.

            Barber identified funding sources outside the operating budget such as Bristol County Agricultural School and other offsets such as federal Entitlement grants, a Special Education Circuit Breaker reimbursement and Revolving Funds such as Project GROW (preschool) tuitions.

            Because there are no Marion students attending Bristol Aggie, Barber said the FY24 cost of the relationship will be zero.

            At the conclusion of Barber’s budget presentation, Nelson publicly thanked Marion Finance Committee Chairman Shea Assad for his work attending meetings and acting as liaison between ORR and the town.

            The public hearing was closed, and the vote that followed was unanimously in favor of the FY24 budget as presented by Barber.

            The committee heard a presentation from Darci Burns, the executive director of Hill for Literacy, Inc. The needs assessment focused on literacy across all the ORR District schools that began in the fall yielded information that Burns shared with the School Committee. Focus-group interviews and a ratings survey were held, along with classroom walk-throughs.

            Burns recapped a report with 57 assessments indicating a need for consistent oral-language, spelling and writing assessment across all grade levels.

            Sirois explained that staff will implement the recommendations of the assessment including Kindergarten.

            The School Committee heard a presentation from Adam Davenport of the Marion Institute regarding the Grow Farm-to-School Program. Davenport explained that 19 gardens have been built in New Bedford elementary schools, beginning with third-grade teachers and expanding out from there.

            The Marion Institute is committed to raise funds to support a two-year program at Sippican. The Marion School Committee was to write a letter of support to the town’s Community Preservation Committee.

            The committee reviewed Open Meeting Law complaints filed in February by Kathleen Leclair of Mattapoisett, including an updated complaint addressed to the Marion School Committee. Nelson explained that actions were taken as outlined by the instructions in the complaint. Marion’s was the last of the Tri-Town school committees to vote to authorize to legal counsel as arranged by the superintendent.

            In her Chairperson’s Report, April Nye publicly thanked fellow committee members, Nichole Daniel, Nichole Nye McGaffey, Mary Beauregard and Michelle Smith for their commitment to the committee’s work supporting Sippican and ORR District students, staff members, administration and the community.

            “I want to recognize that we come from different backgrounds; we have taken very different career paths in our lives; we are of different age groups; and do I dare say it – are even from different political parties,” said Nye. “We have many differences, yet these differences have not divided us here at this table. It is my belief that these differences are actually what have balanced this committee and is what has made us a truly successful, functioning board.

            “Our ability to communicate and work together for the good of all is what makes us well-rounded and I appreciate our differences. I appreciate that we are able to leave any baggage and personal agendas at the door and come to this table to get the job done that we were elected to do.”

            The School Committee approved the School Health Unit application through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health as submitted by School Nurse Meagan Morais.

            The committee voted to approve a donation from MassCUE to faculty Jessica Barrett in the amount of $2,250. The committee approved the donation of the following books from Free Spirit Publishing: “I Love You All the Time,” “You Wonder All the Time,” You are Growing All the Time,” and “You have Feelings All the Time.”

            The committee approved a $10,000 Safe and Supportive Schools Grant.

            The committee approved revisions to the Student Handbook on student absences and excuses. As explained by Sirois, inclement weather as to endanger a child has been added to approved excuses. Efforts are also being made to check on absences of three or more days.

            At the start of the meeting, Marion Town Administrator Geoff Gorman introduced himself to the committee. Nelson publicly thanked Gorman for reaching out and meeting with Nelson upon his hire.

            The next meeting of the Marion School Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, April 12, at 6:30 pm.

Marion School Committee

By Mick Colageo

April Showers Bring Fun Programs to Plumb Library

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The COA Book Group will meet at the Rochester Council on Aging on Tuesday, April 18 at 1:00 pm. We will be discussing The Maid by Nita Prose. The next book will be This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub and copies will be available at the meeting to borrow. Please bring your library card.

            Books & Babble Book Club will meet Thursday, April 27 at 6:30 pm to discuss The Second-Worst Restaurant in France by Alexander McCall Smith. Copies are available for checkout at the front desk.

            All are invited to an Earth Day Family Story and Activity Hour with Rochester residents Sydney Teixeira and Kate Duggan. They will read two Earth Day themed books, lead a craft and provide resources for ways everyone can enjoy our local natural environment and help our Earth thrive. Please visit the library’s Events Calendar to register.

            I am Autistic, I am Fantastic – The Musical is being presented by the MUSIC Dance.edu youth performing arts company on Tuesday, April 18 from 2:00 – 3:00 pm. This program is brought to you by a grant from the Rochester Cultural Council, a local agency, funded by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. Using musical instruments, creative movement, poetry and problem solving activities, this presentation will inspire, uplift and educate autistic children, families and the community at-large. The musical selections in this presentation are inspirational and include contemporary jazz songs, 70’s music, soft rock, hip hop and selections from popular Broadway musicals. The presentation is about an hour and includes a 10-minute intermission. Registration is not required.

            A new Scrambled Word is available every Monday, just ask at the Front Desk. Starting April 1 (while supplies last) stop in to pick up a beautiful “Take and Make” frog kit. One per child, please. Please consider sharing your creation for display in the children’s area bay window.

            Can you find mother hen’s 5 missing chicks? Visit the library to search for 5 chicks (stickers) hiding throughout the library. When you find all 5, quietly tell a librarian where the chicks can be found to earn a prize from the Treasure Chest. The chick stickers will be in the same place for the month of April. This is not an activity that changes weekly.

            We will be closing at 2:00 pm on Friday, April 7 and open our normal hours from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on Saturday, April 8. We will be closed Monday, April 17 for Patriots’ Day. For more information, please follow us on Facebook, email us at info@plumblibrary.com, or call the library at 508-763-8600.

BookRemarks

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Greetings from Plumb Library and welcome to BookRemarks, our new monthly feature focusing on all things library related.

            It’s April and spring is finally here. Easter and flowers and sunshine and School Vacation Week. Do you have plans yet? We can help with that. Did you know the Library has Zoo and Museum Passes for seven locations in the area? By simply calling or emailing the Library and using your library card to make a date-specific reservation, you can visit any of the following: Buttonwood Park Zoo, Heritage Museum & Gardens (opening April 22), any Massachusetts State Park, the Museum of Fine Arts–Boston, the Boston Museum of Science, the New Bedford Whaling Museum, or the Newport Art Museum. Most of these locations offer library users a discounted admission price, but there are a couple that are completely free. A limited-time admission voucher for the U.S.S. Constitution Museum is also available, and we will soon be adding the Trustees of Reservations pass to the line-up. Check our website, www.plumblibrary.com, for more information about the passes and the discounts associated with them.

            If you anticipate making a visit to the Library part of your school vacation week plans, please remember that we will be closed on Monday April 17 for Patriot’s Day. We will have regular hours for the remainder of that week. As always, your Library Staff, Kristen, Jen, Lisa and Bridget are here to help you find what you need. Feel free to call (508-763-8600) or email us (info@plumblibrary.com) with any questions. Better yet, come by and say hello.

Upcoming Events at the Elizabeth Taber Library

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Lego Club Tuesdays at 4 pm – Our Lego Club is back. All kids are welcome to join us for some open-ended play time. Create your masterpiece.

            Air Dry Clay Coasters Workshop. Part 1 Thursday April 13 at 6 pm Create your clay coasters; Part 2 Thursday, April 20 at 6 pm Paint and seal your designs. Create a set of coasters out of air dry clay, then paint and seal your design for a unique coaster set. For teens and adults. Register for this free program at the library.

            SAILS Library Network Road Trip. April 18 to 21 – Visit libraries in the SAILS library network for special events and activities. Get your library passport stamped and make a miniature library.

            The Elizabeth Taber Library is now a member of the Library Speakers Consortium. Each month we will announce new in depth author talks that you can stream in your own home. Check out our website for more information. This month: Thursday April 27 at 8 pm – William Kent Krueger, New York Times Bestselling Author of Ordinary Grace, This Tender Land, and Lighting Strike.

            Coping with the Loss of a Pet Program April 27 at 6:30-7:30 – Join us in welcoming Susan Holt, DVM and Veterinary Chaplain Kelly Drescher Johnson, B.A., M.Div., to speak about coping with the loss of a pet and provide helpful strategies and resources for people mourning an animal companion. Local pet photographer Jennifer Carroll will discuss her involvement with The Tilly Project, an end-of life pet photography network which connects pet owners with photographers, and provides supportive resources for photography, anticipatory grief and pet loss. Admission is free. Seating is limited, so please call to register, or sign up at the library.

            For more information on the Elizabeth Taber Library, visit us at www.ElizabethTaberLibrary.org or call us at 508-748-1252.

Dangerous Dog on Probation

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            The Rochester Select Board Monday night conducted a dangerous-dog hearing based on a charge by police that the 12-year-old American Pit Bull Nomad owned by John McCusker of 105 Robinson Road has been used as a weapon to threaten town law enforcement officers.

            In the end, the board concluded the animal’s actions just warranted six month’s probation. But before that happened, Rochester Police officers, including Chief Robert Small, filled one side of the meeting room as the Select Board heard testimony that Nomad bit Officer Brendan Emberg when he attempted to enter McCusker’s home on July 8, 2021, to investigate a report that edibles were being consumed where there was a child. The encounter sent Emberg to Tobey Hospital with an elbow injury.

            In another incident, on February 11, 2023, Officer Scott Smith said he was threatened with an attack from Nomad when Smith tried to stop McCusker’s wife in a motor-vehicle stop near their home and approached the front door.

            McCusker’s spouse had refused to stop and entered the home. McCusker called on Nomad to stop Smith from entering the house. Small said McCusker’s wife was being pulled over for driving without a license.

            “She refused and pulled into the driveway,” Small said. “They then used the dog as a weapon against an officer. If it were any other weapon, you would take it away. We request this dog be deemed dangerous and be restrained.”

            McCusker responded that no one was in the house at the time of officer Emberg’s entry in July 2021. “I was away fishing,” McCusker said. “He went into my house. And this was his (Nomad’s) domain. So he protected it.”

            McCusker noted that in other cases when there’s a warrant, he puts the dog away. When there’s no warrant, he does not.

            Select Board Chairman Woody Hartley said this is a difficult decision. It is not really the dog that’s the problem, he said. It is the owner. It is what he does.

            Attorney Michael Kennefick of Town Counsel Mead, Talerman & Costa said he’s seen no other case like this one, where the dog is accused of being weaponized. He told the board it had the option of deeming the dog a danger or simply a nuisance. Then the board may decide what remedy to impose as a result of its decision.

            The board chose to deem Nomad dangerous and declared that the dog be restrained and confined to the owner’s control and property. But it also approved revisiting the case in six months to give McCusker time to keep Nomad in check. McCusker agreed that all of this was doable.

            “I’m happy the board deemed the dog dangerous,” Small said after the vote. “And six months gives us time to see if there will be a next time.”

            Next, the Select Board approved a new, nine-member Hazardous Mitigation Plan Committee. Town Planner Nancy Durfee explained the need for such a panel by noting the town is receiving federal funding to create a local plan to prepare for natural disasters.

            The committee that will prepare this plan will be Durfee, Small, Selectman Paul Ciaburri, Fire Chief Scott Weigel, Highway Superintendent Jeff Eldridge, Facilities Manager Andrew Daniel, Building Commissioner Paul Boucher, citizen Sean Morrison (owner of a local daycare center) and a second citizen member who has yet to confirm her interest.

            The board then voted to place on the Town Meeting Warrant an article that would rescind the 2018 Special Town Meeting approval adopting the STRETCH energy code.

            Hartley said he agreed to place this article on the warrant but feels it might be premature. He said the town does not have all the information it needs to decide if building new municipal facilities without STRETCH Code requirements will be less expensive than construction under the codes.

            “I am not decided on this issue,” Hartley said. “I hope people will come to Town Meeting educated.”

            The chance for that education will be Monday, April 10, when a presentation on STRETCH Code regulations will be held at the Rochester Council on Aging, 67 Dexter Lane, at 7:00 pm, Town Administrator Glenn Cannon said.

            The Rochester Select Board will meet next on Tuesday, April 18, at 6:00 pm, at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.

Rochester Select Board

By Michael J. DeCicco

Feathers and Fins

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Come to the Mattapoisett Free Public Library to view local artist Wendy Goldsmith’s pottery exhibit, “Feathers and Fins” between April 15 and May 14. Most of the pieces incorporate birds or fish in their design. Goldsmith has created art all her life. Making ceramics for 30 years. Goldsmith has learned that working in clay involves many art forms such as designing, painting and sculpting. There is always more to learn, different materials to explore and the unexpected happens, making it fun and exciting. Crafting a piece of pottery starts with an idea, then a drawing, and many different processes are employed. Sometimes Goldsmith creates transfers, sometimes she paints directly with underglazes. All of her work is hand-built and food-safe. She is inspired by the shapes and personalities of the piece which dictates what appears on the surface such as birds, flowers and fish. Goldsmith wants her art to be a part of everyday life. The ceramic piece should be something to hold, pour from, drink from and be a beautiful way to serve favorite foods. She includes little surprises the owner finds when a butter dish is opened or an extra decoration is at the bottom of the cups or a soap dish – all bringing a smile to the owner’s face. Goldsmith earned a BFA in printmaking and Masters in Art Teaching from UMass Amherst, but also took ceramics classes. Goldsmith then went to clay, but still uses printmaking techniques in her process. She has taken many workshops at the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts and the Castle Hill Art Center. She has participated in the Art Drive Studio Tour for many years as well as exhibited in various regional shows. One of her ceramic pieces was exhibited in the Boston MFA “Art in Bloom” exhibit.

            The exhibit is free, and the library is accessible to all.

First Congregational Church of Marion

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The First Congregational Church of Marion, 28 Main Street, welcomes all to our Easter Week worship and special events.

            Wednesday, April 5 at 7:00 pm, the Patrick Henry College Chorale, a 42 member mixed voice ensemble, will be performing a special concert at 7:00 pm.

            Thursday, April 6 at 7:00 pm is the Maundy Thursday Service with dramatic readings plus Communion.

            Friday, April 7, the Sanctuary will be open from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm for prayer and contemplation.

            Easter Sunday, April 9 begins with Easter Sunrise Service at Silvershell Beach at 5:45 am. At 10:00, join us for Easter Worship in the Sanctuary, followed by an Easter Egg Hunt outside for the children.

            Sunday, April 16 at 4:30 pm, come hear the Tabor Gospel Choir in Concert in the Sanctuary.

            For further information, please call the church office at 508-748-1053 or email office@marionfirstchurch.org.

Purrington Lecture Series

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Join the Mattapoisett Free Public Library on Sunday, April 16 from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm in welcoming award-winning cookbook author, Terry Walters, as she shares her easy-to-grasp approach to healthy home cooking with an educational presentation, a cooking demonstration and a tasting from her newest cookbook, Nourish. The cookbook includes easy home-fermented foods, superfoods and abundant information and tips to support sustainable good health and nourishment. Bring your appetite, your questions and a desire to learn and leave inspired and empowered to make your physical and mental health a top priority. The program will include sales of Terry’s latest cookbook, Nourish, as well as a book signing. Walters, a best-selling cookbook author and recipient of national book awards is an educator, consultant and speaker who has taught cooking and wellness worldwide for 20 years. This program, sponsored by the Mattapoisett Library Trust, is open to the public, and the library is accessible to all.