Marion’s Historic Village

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To the Editor,

            As long term (50 years +) residents of Marion’s historic village, we wholeheartedly endorse the proposed historic district to be voted on at the spring Town Meeting. Of the 350 towns in MA, there are over 200 local historic districts including neighboring towns of Rochester, Wareham, Westport, and Dartmouth.

If you carefully review the by-law (available on the town website) you will see that it is very light in what it covers and allows. The intention is to preserve the character and historic nature of the village without being too burdensome on the property owner.

            People say that they moved to Marion because of its historic seaside New England heritage, which everyone values a great deal. That heritage can be threatened by demolition, new building, and additions not in character or scale with their neighborhood. This is happening already, and the question is how to protect against that.

            We own our houses for only a short time in their history and will pass that history on to owners in the future. Let’s protect our historic village for many generations to come.

            Sincerely,

Michael and Margie Baldwin, 3Marion

John and Merry Conway, Marion

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.

LWVSC Candidates Forum

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Residents of Marion will have the opportunity to hear from candidates on the Marion ballot at the League of Women Voters SouthCoast (LWVSC) Candidates Forum. The event will occur on Tuesday, April 29 at 7:00 pm in the Multipurpose Room of Sippican School, located at 16 Spring Street, Marion.

            Mr. Jack Eklund of the LWVSC will serve as moderator.

            In contested races, all candidates will be requested to make an introductory statement lasting no more than two minutes. Following this, they will answer questions about local issues and their candidacies posed by the LWVSC.

            The public is invited and will have a chance to ask questions of the candidates.

            Questions from the public can be submitted in advance to LWVSC Voter Services Coordinator: phgirard508@gmail.com.

            Candidates in uncontested races will be invited to deliver a two-minute statement explaining their reasons for running. No questions will be asked of candidates who have no opposition.

            The forum will be filmed and shown on Old Rochester Community Television.

David Besse Holmes

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David Besse Holmes of East Falmouth passed away suddenly March 16, 2025. He was born in Boston August 1, 1955; he grew up in Wellesley and spent summers in Marion. He was predeceased by his parents, Evelyn C. Waters and Edwin B. Holmes, II and his step-brother, Greg Waters. He is survived by his loving wife, Rene, his sisters, Nathaline C. (Lindy) Williamson (Elwin), Anne T. Converse, and E. Bradford Holmes (Jeanie), all of Marion, and by nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, mother-in-law (Mary E. Burnes), sisters- and brothers-in law, cousins, and extended family. He leaves numerous friends, always loyal and compassionate to them. David attended the Fessenden School and graduated from Lawrence Academy in 1974. He had 42 years of combined experience wholesale sales and management. David was part of the supplier team that launched Oyster Bay wine in the United States, a career highlight for him. He started a career with the Martignetti Companies in 2008 as District Sales Manager for the South Shore, Cape and Islands. He played an integral role in the expansion of the Connoisseur Division. He was happiest on his boat with Rene and family and friends. He enjoyed fishing, skiing, restoring classic cars, and tinkering with engines. He was an avid golfer until back injuries halted his career. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the American Heart Association (heart.org) or the National Scleroderma Foundation, PO Box 411533, Boston, MA 02241-1533.

Upcoming Events at the Elizabeth Taber Library

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Due to ongoing construction and improvement efforts, our building will remain closed to the public through March 22. During this time services will be limited to picking up holds. We look forward to fully reopening to the public on Monday, March 24.

            Story Times will be held on March 17 at 10:30 am, upstairs at the Marion Natural History Museum.

            During Saturdays in April, the Elizabeth Taber Library will be hosting Basket Weaving workshops with artist Patty Benson of the New Bedford Arts and Cultural Emporium. Workshops will take place in the Elizabeth Taber Library’s new event space. Each session in April will have participants creating a completed basket and will feature the following unique designs:

April 5 – Mail Basket

April 12 – Round Handled Basket

April 19 – Gathering Basket

April 26 – Wine Basket

            Sessions will take place on Saturdays in April from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Spaces for this free professionally led workshop are limited. Participants may attend one or multiple sessions, and registration is required. To register please call or contact the library at ETLibrary@sailsinc.org. This series is supported by grant funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library commissioners.

            Please check our website for further updates or call the library at 508-538-1214

            For more information on the Elizabeth Taber Library visit us at www.ElizabethTaberLibrary.org or email the library at ETLibrary@sailsinc.org.

Point Road Path Construction Starts Soon

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A brief meeting of the Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission on March 6 revealed a rough-timeline for the construction of the Point Road path that will install a walking and bicycling path in that part of town.

            Commission Chair John Rockwell reported in the Zoom-cast meeting that the $48,689 contract for the work has been signed, and construction likely will start soon. He said that if the contractor has not started by the time of the panel’s next meeting, he will seek more input from that contractor and report what that start date will be, and he will do so in a “broadcast email” to all members.

            He and Marion Conservation Commission member Shaun Watson estimated, however, that substantial work likely will be completed by Memorial Day. Watson asked, if the contractor starts in a couple of weeks, what is the estimated end date? Rockwell responded by noting that part of the contract is installing two 2700-foot-long grass strips. Watson answered that the key will be that the contractor will not want to start sooner than he would be able to get the grass established. “I would assume the grass would be the last thing he would do,” Watson said.

            Rockwell agreed when Watson added, “If he starts within the next several weeks, you’re probably looking at substantial completion by Memorial Day.”

            Before the commission moved on from that agenda item, Kerri Reynolds of 65 Joann Drive expressed her concerns over the fact the contract describes the project as merely a walking path. She said she wanted to make sure the road surface would be hard enough for bicycling and baby strollers. Rockwell assured her that, in fact, the path will have a hard gravel surface. “We have specified a very robust compactor to go over the material once it’s been added,” Rockwell said. “It’s important to us that everybody can use it. I like to call it a ‘bike hike’.”

            The commission ended its agenda with a presentation regarding a project being planned by Bridgewater State University researchers at Grassy Bog. Bridgewater State graduate student Anatash Sayor informed the board that Grassy Bog is one of 10 abandoned or restored cranberry bogs across Southeastern Massachusetts being studied to see “how healthy” they are in terms of the stream’s ecosystems, its animal species and plant life.

            The commission did not set its next meeting before adjourning.

Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission

By Michael J. DeCicco

The Southcoast’s Ice Age

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The ice has finally all melted, barring any late-winter freezes. With that, we begin the long-awaited transition to spring. There was a time, not long ago, when the warming air of summer would not melt the ice, and a layer of perma-frost covered all of what we call “New England” and much of the Earth. About 20,000 years ago, during the last “glacial maximum,” the Laurentide ice sheet stretched from Newfoundland to the Rocky Mountains and as far south as Ohio, at times fully encompassing New England in a mountain of ice. In some parts of New England, the ice was nearly a mile thick according to author/teacher Bradford B. VanDiver. Though that was primarily in Vermont/New Hampshire, with the thickest parts of the ice sheet, those being over two miles deep, being in Canada. In what is today the Tri-Town, the ice was likely a few thousand feet thick.

            The Long Island Sound, Narragansett Bay, Buzzards Bay, and yes, the jagged coasts of the Southcoast were all formed under the crushing weight of the ice sheet and glaciers. Due to much of the Earth’s seawater being frozen within the glaciers and ice sheets, sea levels were far lower. This caused the coastline to be roughly 100 miles further out than it is today, easily making the areas of Block Island, Nantucket, and Martha’s Vinyard all part of the mainland. These islands, along with Cape Cod and the Elizabeth Islands, were all formed by sand and rock deposits from the retreating ice.

            The Museum of Natural History’s Sidney Horenstein noted New York, at least, has risen roughly 150 feet following the retreat of the ice and the loss of its immense weight. The Earth’s crust still rises slowly to this day on its way back to equilibrium. Due to the slow melt-off of the ice sheet, New England escaped its grasp about 10,000 years ago.

            Researchers still have much to uncover about the de-glaciation period, though much of what was caused by it can be easily spotted. Whether it be the region’s aforementioned unique coastline and it being ridden with bogs and small lakes, it is easy to look at a map of the area and envision the land being scraped away to its current form. As with the creation of the Cape and islands, the large number of rocks, pebbles, and boulders seen in many parks, woods, and yards were also deposited here by glaciers.

            The melting of the ice allowed for the first humans to enter the region, following the caribou and looking for a new home. At that time, the area was rocky and sparce of vegetation aside from lichen and small plants with evergreen and oak forests populating the area not long after. It seems like a long time ago, but relatively speaking, all you see around you was buried under unfathomable tons of ice not long ago. Any time you find yourself in Marion’s Sippican Harbor, Mattapoisett Harbor, or nearby Rochester’s cranberry bogs, you can thank the Laurentide ice sheet for crushing the land, carving the coastline, and depositing sand and stones.

By Sam Bishop

Mattapoisett Republican Town Committee

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The Mattapoisett Republican Town Committee welcomes members, guests and the community to join us on Thursday, March 20 from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm to attend our monthly meeting. The location is the Niemad Building, 57 Fairhaven Rd., Mattapoisett.

            Please join us to welcome guest speaker, US Navy, Retired Captain, Michael Armenia. He will host a presentation on energy, environment and climate solutions at 7:00 pm. Michael Armenia, an executive engineer, whose career spans 50 years developing power plants using fossil fuels, wind energy, nuclear energy, solar power and batteries will bring his knowledge and the essential information for the public. Your questions are welcome throughout the presentation. There will be light snacks, cash bar and good conversation.

            If you have any questions contact Paul Criscuolo, Chairperson PCMattyGOP@proton.me

Tri-County Music Association Scholarship

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The Tri-County Music Association is pleased to announce that applications are now available for the 2025 John R. Pandolfi Music Scholarship and Summer Study Grant. Each year the Tri-County Music Association awards $13,000 to aspiring local high school and college musicians from the Tri-County area (Bristol, Plymouth, Barnstable). The music scholarships are conditional and available to students who are music majors attending a four-year college or university and students who are pursuing an advanced degree in music. The summer study grants are available to high school students who wish to further their musical experiences through advanced camps, clinics or private lessons. Interested students are encouraged to apply for either or both opportunities and previous applicants and recipients are welcome to reapply. Applications and requirements are linked on our website, tricountysymphonicband.org/scholarships-grants/ The deadline to apply is Tuesday, April 1, 2025.

The Jennifer Rusinoski Memorial Scholarship

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A heartfelt thank you to everyone who came together to make the Jennifer Rusinoski Memorial Scholarship a reality for the 2024 school year. Jennifer was a champion for special needs students, and we’re very proud to be able to continue that legacy with this scholarship. It is with great honor that we announce the establishment of a two-thousand-dollar scholarship, awarded to a student who has utilized special education services and is seeking a higher education.

            Jennifer’s spirit of support and advocacy for special education resonates deeply within this initiative, and it is our commitment to continue awarding the Jennifer Rusinoski Memorial Scholarship for years to come, ensuring that her legacy continues to inspire and uplift students and the community.

            For those who wish to contribute and be a part of this endeavor for the 2025 school year, you can use Venmo @Jen_Rusinoski_Scholarship_Fund, contact us at (508)-922-0541, or mail your donation to 137 Fairhaven Road, Mattapoisett, 02739. Your support means everything and helps us carry forward Jennifer’s legacy year after year, making a difference in the lives of future scholars. Thank you.

Cease and Desist Order Lifted

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An Enforcement Order to Cease and Desist construction taking place in the new housing subdivision known as Park Place, was lifted on March 10. Coming before the commission to explain messy conditions in and near jurisdictional wetlands was property owner Jordan Medeiros.

            After numerous complaints filed by residents in the neighborhood the commission had ordered the mandate that work stop and Medeiros come before the commission with a plan to mitigate and clean up the site. Chairman Mike King said property owners in the neighborhood had complained bitterly about construction trash blowing onto their properties, foam insulation filling pools and storm water retention areas, and a general disregard of the need to keep construction waste contained.

            Chairman Mike King stated “…clean-up the mess!”

            Medeiros said clean up had now been completed. King said the commission would make a site visit to observe his efforts at clean up, that it wasn’t fair to the neighbors who had invested large sums of money in developing their properties, and that resource areas must be protected. Medeiros said he had tried to stay on top of clean-up but that the Transfer Station was sometimes closed because his crew had worked late.

            In other business, a Request for Determination of Applicability filed by Marc E. Kaner Revocable Trust for the construction of a new septic system at 2 Pinewood Way received approval via a Negative 3 ruling.

            Continued until the next meeting was a Notice of Intent filing by Richard Waterhouse, 0 Bay View Avenue for management and removal of phragmites and other invasive species located in jurisdictional zones including salt marsh and land subject to flooding. The continuation was required pending Department of Environmental Protection review.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission is scheduled for March 24 at 6:30 pm.

Mattapoisett Conservation Commission

By Marilou Newell