Upcoming Events at the Elizabeth Taber Library

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All day in the children’s On Friday, February 2, we will be celebrating Groundhog Day with minigolf in the library. department.

            On Saturday, February 3 join us for Take your Child to the Library Day. Play together with kits and toys from our Library of Things and celebrate the kick-off of Black History Month with crafts and giveaways.

            Drop in for treats and crafts and meet some new titles at our Blind Date with a Book Event, Tuesday through Thursday, February 13-15. Explore our diverse collection showcasing a wide range of authors and genres, you might just fall in love.

            Join us to celebrate Black History Month at the Elizabeth Taber Library. All month long check out new releases, displays, programs, giveaways and more.

            Storytimes for all ages are held on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10:30 am.

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

Runoff Concerns Low-Lying Neighbor

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            The Marion Conservation Commission strives to achieve clarity with abutters and applicants alike where it concerns the purview of the commission, but that power was put to the test at its January 24 public meeting.

            The matter at hand was what happens when a new construction satisfies the requirements of performance near resource areas but causes other problems in the neighborhood.

            When Evan Watson of W. Engineering went before the commission on behalf of Maxwell Ruditsky’s Notice of Intent to build a single-family dwelling with an associated driveway and sewer and utility connections on Old Knoll Road, an abutter across Old Knoll Road expressed concern about stormwater runoff, noting that the culvert near his house has been clogged for years. He described the pipe across the street as “decoration.”

            Watson said the runoff heading toward the street will be limited to what comes off the driveway, for which the applicant proposes pavement.

            The abutter also asserted that the clearance of the land will add to the runoff coming from the site. Watson said the majority of the drainage aims toward the wetland. The abutter said the road is private and there is no homeowners’ association. He admitted it’s a quandary.

            Commissioner Shaun Walsh agreed that an infiltration basin would capture the runoff from the new, impervious surface (driveway), that way the situation would not be made worse.

            “If I were in your shoes, I would do everything in my power to rectify that situation,” said Walsh, referring to the clogged culvert.

            The abutter said the pipes have been cleaned out before, but it doesn’t help because of the height of the water table.

            In response to the concerns, the commissioners voted to award an Order of Conditions approving the project. Commissioner Matt Schultz read a list of special conditions to accompany the approval.

            Before the public hearing was closed, Walsh explained that stormwater-runoff concerns frequently come before the Conservation Commission, but the commission’s purview, unlike the Planning Board and the building commissioner, is limited to the matters pertaining to applications vis-a-vis the Wetlands Protection Act.

            “We encourage project proponents to address issues … (but) we’re not able to deny a permit because you’ve got flooding in your street and you’re concerned that it may have additional flooding in your street, especially if the flooding may be caused at least in part by a clogged pipe,” explained Walsh. “We’re concerned with ensuring that the wetland is protected and it’s not starved of water because of the development of a project and dried out and you don’t have a wetland anymore.”

            Walsh acknowledged why the abutter comes looking for answers to legitimate problems but stated the commission’s limits.

            “Sometimes we’re not able to satisfy people because we don’t have the legal authority to do so,” he said.

            With that, Commission Chairman Jeff Doubrava encouraged the applicant to take measures to ensure that no additional water goes into Old Knoll Road as a result of the project.

            “Whether it’s in our purview or not, we grant an order (of conditions); orders can be appealed,” he said. “I think you address these issues up front as much as you can so that everybody’s happy going forward.”

            Watson reiterated the applicant’s willingness to take measures to ensure no new runoff comes off the house but said he is limited as to what he can do to stop runoff from leaving the driveway and going into the street.

            Vice Chairman Emil Assing had suggested a pervious surface to absorb some of that runoff, but the applicant wants a paved driveway.

            Walsh suggested adding a drainage swale parallel to the road.

            During Watson’s presentation of the project proposal, he pointed out a 15-foot, no-disturb line and a 30-foot, no-build line. Watson said there will be a little bit of grading in the no-build area.

            The property plans to tie into both town water and sewer services on Old Knoll Road. A fence will surround a pool in the backyard with a horseshoe-shaped driveway in the front.

            Doubrava expressed concern that, at a change in ownership, the wetland won’t be sufficiently marked and a new owner could take liberties with the land unaware of conservation’s jurisdiction. Watson said the applicant could add wetland markers or boulders.

            Assing asked about grading around the house. Watson pointed to Elevation 39 in the back and at the pool; Elevation 36 in the front will be raised and the top of the foundation at Elevation 43. “That was to keep the building out of the water table,” said Watson.

            Assing also suggested a seed mix that would be conducive to the land; Watson said the lawn will be limited to around the pool and in the front yard. Assing was satisfied with the answer.

            John P. Kendall Trust, 39 Water Street, was issued an Order of Conditions approving the demolition and removal of an existing dwelling within the 100-foot buffer zone to Sippican Harbor and within Coastal Flood Zone AE-16.

            James Fogarty was issued an Order of Conditions approving to construct a 14×15-foot, enclosed, deck addition to an existing residence at 58 Holly Road.

            In discussing the pending case at 7 Shawondasse Road, owned by John Brown, the land described by the commissioners as coastal beach, bank and dunes would be advised against filing a Request for Determination of Applicability and instead file a Notice of Intent.

            Finally, Doubrava recognized board administrator Terri Santos, who is retiring from her position with the town on February 23. Her final commission meeting will be February 14.

            The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission is scheduled for Wednesday, February 14, at 7:00 pm at the Police Station on Route 6, also accessible via live streaming.

Marion Conservation Commission

By Mick Colageo

Plumb Library Events & Fundraisers

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Take Your Child to the Library Day. Come celebrate Take Your Child to the Library Day on Saturday, February 3 from 10 am to 2 pm. From 12-1 pm, join Mr. Vinny, the Bubble Guy, for winter bubble fun. Learn about our kids’ book groups, Book Buds. Enjoy a free snack by the library’s youth group, the Jr. Friends, then participate in a bookish seek and find inside the library to earn a special treat. Learn about our February bookmark design event (happening February 1-21), and bring home a Clay Owl Kit from our recent program with the New Bedford Art Museum.

            Win a Valentine’s Day Dinner & Dessert Package. Purchase 1 ticket for $5 or 3 tickets for $10 from February 1 through February 12. The drawing will be held at the end of the day on February 12. All proceeds benefit the Friends in support of Library programs and events.

Academic Achievements

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Bridget Wallace of Marion, enrolled in UA Early College during Fall Semester 2023, at The University of Alabama was named to the director’s list with an academic record of 3.6 or higher.

            The University of Rhode Island is pleased to announce the Fall 2023 Dean’s List which includes; Andrew Coucci of Mattapoisett, Mariana Ditata of Rochester, Madison Kimball of Marion, Olivia Mydlack of Rochester, Quintin Palmer of Marion, Ethan Scully of Mattapoisett and Mason Tucker of Marion.

Nancy M. (McAdam) Gorden

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Nancy M. (McAdam) Gorden, 86, of Mattapoisett died January 27, 2024 at Our Ladys Haven.

            She was the wife of the late Norman F. Gorden.

            Born in Taunton, daughter of the late Harold V. and Catherine (Rogers) McAdam, she lived in Taunton and Waltham before moving to Mattapoisett.

            Nancy was full of beauty and grace.  She had an incredible eye for fashion and jewelry. She was formerly employed as a fashion buyer for Grover Cronin in Waltham, Fosters Clothing Store and later manager at Carter’s Jewelers.

            Her favorite moments in recent years were making memories with family, including the family pets that she loved dearly, either at her home in Mattapoisett or at the family property in Vermont where she had spent summers as a child.

            When her husband Norman was alive they enjoyed sailing trips together or just going down the road a bit for a lobster roll and ice cream at Oxford Creamery.

            Survivors include her 2 daughters, Kristen Gorden Hallam and her husband David of Assonet and Susan Gorden Ryan of Mattapoisett; 6 grandchildren, Shane Patrick Ryan, Chase Hunter Ryan, Kassidy Gorden Hallam, Alie Drew and her husband Nick, and Madeline Hallam; and a great-grandchild, Cora Drew.

            Her private funeral service was held on Tuesday, January 30th followed by burial at the Massachusetts National Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Green Mountain Conservation Camp Endowment Fund www.vtfishandwildlife.com

RWC Scholarship Fundraiser at the Ponderosa

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The Rochester Women’s Club awards three $1,000.00 scholarships a year to Rochester graduating high school seniors that will be furthering their education beginning September 2024. The applicants must reside in Rochester Massachusetts. It does not matter where they attend high school.

            The Rochester Women’s Club was established in 1928 and is owned and operated by local women, not necessarily all from Rochester. Our property is located at 37 Marion Rd in Rochester.

            A fundraiser is being held at The Ponderosa on Saturday February 10 from 3 pm-6 pm.

            Left Right Center is a dice game of chance and skill. We will have $3.00, $6.00 and $10.00 tables.

            The Pondarosa is located at 242 Robinson Road, Acushnet.

            Entrance fee is $20.00 per person. Tickets available at the door only. Space is limited. So it will be first come first served.

Historic District Sees Legal Hurdles

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The Local Historic District Study Committee appointed last year by the Marion Select Board had been leaning toward recommending a “historic district light,” but that has become a complicated path according to Will Tifft, who in Tuesday’s meeting of the Marion Historical Commission said a developer in Brookline sued that town for its customized “architecture district,” modifying the state’s basic 40C rules, and won.

            “Unfortunately, the study committee had very much decided to … do something similar … the focus was to emphasize and build slightly on top of existing Planning Board rules regarding demolition, new construction and new additions,” explained Tifft. “The end result was not getting into design features per se, except for what faces the street … but looking at mass and scale with no plan to do more than recommend. … Our town counsel has given an opinion that she would not, if asked directly in Town Meeting, be in position to make a strong opinion.”

            The study committee has since gone back to the Attorney General’s office for direction and has missed the deadline to get the matter before voters at the Annual Town Meeting in May.

            “We’re on a hold until the Attorney General comes back and gives us some guidance,” said Tifft, who noted that the Marion Select Board has agreed to continue giving the study committee an extension that would allow it to prepare to bring a proposal to the 2025 Annual Town Meeting. Tifft is not ruling out getting on the warrant of a Special Fall Town Meeting.

            In the meantime, the study committee will have the opportunity to spend more time on education and discuss with residents why someone would want to have an historic district.

            In a December permits review, Tifft noted that the Marion Zoning Board of Appeals (of which he is also a member) will discuss a teardown and construction proposal at 25 West Drive (Planting Island) at its February 8 meeting.

            A new sense of optimism has emerged regarding the Percy Browne House after a January 18 meeting involving Marion Historical Commission Chairperson Meg Steinberg with Tabor Academy Head of School Tony Jaccaci and James Bonsey, Tabor’s new chief financial officer.

            “Tony said we are just as interested as the Historical Commission in preserving the Percy Browne House,” relayed Steinberg but noted that there is no funding in place. Tabor first has to work out its Master Plan, and the safety and maintenance of the building will require frequent checkups.

            According to Commissioner Bryan McSweeny, Dray stated that the internal woodwork is just as important as the outside.

            Steinberg said there is interest in restoring the original 1881 design and adding a new addition in place of the addition that was later made. Jaccaci, said Steinberg, indicated interest in a new Tabor building adjacent to the Browne house that would serve faculty and students.

            “We’ve got to get some pros involved in this thing,” said McSweeny.

            The Marion Historical Commission is standing down and not applying for any Community Preservation Act funding in the FY25 round. Chairperson Meg Steinberg explained this is because they still have funding for another year of work, but she thought the Local Historic District Study Committee should reconsider its decision to stand down.

            Eric Dray is the group’s consultant. “Eric actually grew up in Marion so he really gets it,” said commissioner Shelly Richins.

            The commission’s Annual Report is under the review of the members who need to approve it in time for the February 1 deadline.

            The CPA funds awarded the Historical Commission by the town’s Community Preservation Committee for FY22 address Delano and Point roads, Allen’s Point, a Planting Island report and Converse and Moorings road areas.

            Steinberg asked Town Administrator Geoff Gorman about the situation at Silvershell Beach and has been told that town is on it. Member Bryan McSweeny said the town is planning to use Mattapoisett’s new grader in the spring.

            “They’re aware it’s a problem, and it’s particularly a problem after this storm,” he said. The gate was closed but has since reopened.

            “It is an open space,” said Steinberg, stating that a survey form will be done and a presentation will be made on March 21 at the Music Hall in conjunction with a presentation being given by Lynn Smiledge of the Sippican Historical Society on the Tremont Campground inventoried last year.

            Tifft reported on two CPC requests, one seeking funding for 10 historic sites in Marion that would receive signage. The proposal will list 20 properties considered worthy of the request in hopes of gaining approval for 10 of those properties.

            The nature of the signage has yet to be determined. Some will be town properties. Gorman is believed to like the idea and was including it in his strategic plan, according to Tifft.

The other request is a curriculum for high school students on Marion’s history. There are steps to be completed beforehand (the CPC application deadline is February 5.) The commissioners indicated that DePina Landing might fall under that category.

            Tifft reached out to one of the town’s more significant donors about Bird Island. The Sippican Historical Society has indicated to the town that they’re on the verge of being tapped out on that fund. The administrator can be paid until June, then the town would need to take it over until funds are built back up.

            The town owns Bird Island and wanted to know if Sippican Historical Society would consider taking it over as a project. Tifft, who also holds membership in the society, said it would certainly help but sees two obstacles, one being the society’s three protocols for donating and secondly, that public access has taken over management of the site.

            “I think we need a fundraiser,” said Tifft, who would not rule out further involvement by a significant donor.

            In other business, Tifft suggested the Historical Commission have a document of “lost Marion,” documenting egregious examples of ill-advised change that has caused the loss of integrity in town.

            “Some fixer-ups have been done well, but some bad things have been atrocious,” said McSweeny.

            Regarding a permit-review update on DePina Landing, Steinberg told the commission that the DPW’s Jody Dickerson said he’s trying to revive the old permitting process to avoid needing to bring the matter before the Conservation Commission.

            The next meeting of the Marion Historical Commission has been scheduled for Tuesday, February 27, at 5:30 pm at Elizabeth Taber Library.

Marion Historical Commission

By Mick Colageo

From the Files of the Rochester Historical Society

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While Olive Winslow belonged to more than one town organization, she is no doubt best known for her many years as the town Librarian, now known as the Library Director. Serving in this position from 1941-1983, her 42 years holds the record for longevity. Over those years, she saw her salary increase in 1969 to $2.00 an hour for a 10-hour work week. (In 1983, after her tenure ended, the salary went up to $4.00 an hour for 15 hours.) In 1976, she saw her work area move from the library in the Rochester Town Hall to the brand-new Joseph H. Plumb Memorial Library.

            Two interesting facts connected to Rochester libraries, 1) they were made possible by the generosity of two women. The first was Mrs. Charles H. Leonard who provided money twice to establish a library in first, the Academy building in 1876 and second in Town Hall in 1891. The second woman was Mrs. Dorothy B. Plumb who provided the money in 1976 for the creation of the Joseph H. Plumb Memorial Library in memory of her late husband.

            The interesting fact #2 is that the almost 10,000 books and other items in the library collection were transported from the old Town Hall library to the new one by Donald and Eunice Jenkins, Roland Chevier and Barbara Besse.

            But back to Olive. She died in 1983, and a moment of silence was held in her memory at a meeting of the newly created Library Trustees. In addition, books and other memorial gifts were presented to the library, and a golden chain tree was planted on the library grounds in her honor.

            By now, you’re scratching your head and wondering what the picture of the stonewall being built has to do with all of this. Well, Olive was a descendant of Zebulon Thompson and she lived in his old home on New Bedford Rd. Thompson was known for many things which included giving the town $2000.00 to build a Macadam road from the Marion town line to the center of town.

            When Zebulon, a stone cutter by trade, built his house, he built a stonewall in front of the property, closing in the fields up to the Sturtevant property. Stonewall building in general is a laborious task, but in the 1880s, it bordered on herculean. All the work of cutting the stones, digging the ditches and placing the stones was done more or less by hand.

            Now once again back to Olive. New Bedford Road needed to be widened and that meant removing the wall in front of what was now her home. This did not suit her at all, especially considering the historic nature of the wall. She insisted that if the old wall had to be removed, it should be rebuilt closer in on her property, and she got the town to agree. The craftsmen shown in the picture are constructing that wall.

            Olive was definitely onto something. According to General law Part IV Title 1 Chapter 266 Title 105, “whoever willfully and without right pulls down or removes any portion of a stonewall or fence which is erected or maintained for the purpose of enclosing land shall be punished by a fine of not more than ten dollars”.

            Also, “Natural Resource officers and deputy Natural Resource officers of the office of the Secretaries of the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs may arrest without a warrant any person violating this section.”

            I don’t suppose that would apply to the town widening the road. I wonder if it was widened again as I went looking for the second wall and couldn’t find it.

By Connie Eshbach

MLT: Dates to Save for 2024

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To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Mattapoisett Land Trust throughout 2024, there are dates worth saving for events that you won’t want to miss. Mark your calendars for: Tour de Creme on Sunday May 19 (with the Friends of the Bike Path); MLT’s 50th Birthday Party on Sunday June 30; find us at Harbor Days on July 20 & 21 and the Great Community Picnic on Thursday August 1 (with the Mattapoisett Museum.) More details to come about all of our big events and many smaller programs and events to be announced. It’s going to be a fun year with MLT, so stay tuned in. Follow MLT on Facebook and Instagram, and check out the events calendar on our website.

Neighbors Cite Neighboring Town Rulings

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Worried neighbors of BWC Snows Pond LLC’s plan to build a solar-energy array on Cushman Road returned to the Town Hall hearing room Tuesday as Rochester’s Planning Board met once again regarding the project’s Special Permit and Site Plan Review application.

            The petitioner’s representative, Andrew Hamel, said he is in the midst of following up on the second review of the Cushman Road plans by the town’s consulting engineer Ken Motta. Also, at present, he said, he “owes” the town Conservation Commission a response to one of the conditions that board has placed on the project.

            The Planning panel ultimately continued the hearing to the next meeting on February 13 to give Motta time to finish his report. But first the neighbors had more concerns to address.

            Referring to a recent newspaper report, abutter Claudette Tobin noted the Wareham Planning Board recently denied a solar-array project planned for the area of Charge Pond Road due to the setbacks required from the pond. Similarly, the Snows Pond project is very close to the Mattapoisett River, she said. “Can you guarantee there will be no groundwater contamination from this project?” she asked.

            The answer to whether contamination will occur with the type of battery storage system that Snows Pond LLC is planning is an unknown at this time, Planning Board Chairman Arnold Johnson said. “But the Mattapoisett River Valley (Water Protection Advisory Committee) has signed off on this,” he added.

            Neighbor Melissa Sherman-Morris, referencing the same news story, noted the Wareham board took the plan for a battery system off the table because of fear of groundwater contamination.

            Johnson said Rochester is now working on regulations to better control battery storage near an aquifer. Before motioning for the continuance, he added that unfortunately, state regulations have made solar operations something towns must approve. “Marion denied them twice and were sued over it twice,” he said.

            BWC Snows Pond LLC’s application is to build a solar-energy array on 12.55 acres of a 31-acre parcel at 0 Cushman Road in a Residential/Agricultural District and a Mattapoisett River Valley Watershed and Groundwater Protection District. The plan is to build there a 2.39 MW DC, single-axis, tracking, photovoltaic array, including DC-coupled battery energy storage.

            In other action Tuesday, the Planning Board approved a Special Permit application to allow the subdivision of a back lot at 0 Mendell Road for residential use.

            The panel continued until February 13 its hearing into the Site Plan Review application for JPF Development’s plan to build a 15-acre self-storage facility at Kings Highway and Route 28.

            Town Planner Nancy Durfee announced the next Master Plan Workshop will be held on Thursday, January 25, at 6:00 pm at the COA Senior Center, Dexter Lane. The topics will be Land Use and Economic Development.

            The Rochester Planning Board will meet next on Tuesday, February 13, at 7:00 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.

Rochester Planning Board

By Michael J. DeCicco