The ORRHS National Honor Society is offering free tutoring services for students in grades K-12 in the Tri-Town. They have a group of dedicated high school seniors who are able to help students in all subject areas. Please reach out to Caitlin Collier at caitlincollier@oldrochester.org to inquire.
After our Open House on Saturday, October 22, the Museum will be open on Sunday the October 23 from 1:00-3:00. We hope to be open the following Sundays, but it will be best to check with Sue 508 295 8908 or Connie 508 763 4932.
Late for soccer sign-ups, Leon Hayward would be ahead of his time in the game of hockey.
“There wasn’t a lot of hockey in Seattle … I ended up playing … on an accident, really. I didn’t sign up for a soccer team on time and had a friend say, ‘You should try for hockey,'” Hayward recalls.
In the fall of 1993, legendary New England skills coach Paul Vincent’s 18-year-old son Paul Vincent Jr. was playing major junior for the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League, and the Haywards housed the player as his billet family.
“That became a lifelong bond for all of us,” said Hayward, who forged a relationship with the Vincents and having transferred as a high school sophomore, went coast to coast for prep education at Tabor Academy.
In Marion, Hayward became a football tri-captain, a member of the Seawolves’ lacrosse team and kept building on hockey. He was Tabor’s Sophomore Male Athlete of the Year, recipient of the 1997 Rip Perry Trophy (finest team spirit, sportsmanship and outstanding play in football) and won two hockey awards, the 1997 Lucien O. Lavoie Trophy (most improved) and the 1998 Coach’s Award (MVP).
After his 1998 graduation, Hayward played Division I hockey at Northeastern University, where he was recipient of the Huskies’ Unsung Hero Award. He went on to play five full seasons of pro hockey, including 100 American Hockey League games. He helped lead Trenton to the 2005 ECHL championship and was named Finals MVP.
But, like many young African Americans skating in the wake of trailblazers like Willie O’Ree, Alton White and Val James, Hayward was not unique as a hockey player. Rather, it is his emergence as an impactful prep and college coach that has his hockey stock climbing.
“This (honor) is probably more for my coaching career than my playing career, but I just knew Tabor was a place for me, and when I looked at schools I knew that Northeastern was a place for me,” said Hayward, who had not been back on the Marion campus since coaching against Tabor behind the Governor’s Academy hockey bench almost 10 years ago.
On Saturday, Hayward was inducted into the Tabor Academy Athletic Hall of Fame, alongside girls’ sports coach and builder Joan Roller, wrestler Jim Henry and the 2001-02 championship girls basketball team.
Along with his wife Jessica and sons Ellison and Harlan, his mother and some Tabor teammates, Hayward’s three coaches, Dr. Anthony Kandel (football), Tim Pratt (hockey) and Ian Patrick (lacrosse), were in attendance.
“I just felt like the coaches cared about me here at Tabor, not only in hockey but all of the sports I played,” said Hayward, who did not know when he was attending Tabor that he was the Seawolves’ first African-American varsity hockey player.
“There was less pressure there then if I had known,” he says, noting a growing awareness of his rare place once he got to college. “When we went to the deep south states, it became very important to me that I played well just because of the one black family at a game and (let’s say) they have a kid … I wanted him to have someone to cheer for.”
Hayward had two black teammates during his freshman year at Northeastern, where he would later earn a master’s degree in Leadership in 2014.
Having coached at Avon Old Farms and the Taft School, The Governor’s Academy made Hayward the first African-American head hockey coach in New England prep schools. Since then, his recruiting has helped raise the profile of Colorado College to a national power and is now the first assistant coach, helping build a fledgling Division I program at the University of St. Thomas in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
The NHL Coaches Association BIPOC Coaching program, which aims to identify and develop future coaches and general managers, has its eyes trained on Hayward.
“I did development camp with the (NHL New Jersey) Devils this year. … It was kind of an internship,” said Hayward. “You never know what the future holds, but I love coaching college hockey.”
Dating back to the 1970-71 season, Joan V. Roller brought girls athletics into the 20th century and then the 21st at Tabor with 46 years of service, passionately coaching basketball but championing the cause of equal treatment for girls in all sports.
Her work was twice recognized by Tabor, first with the Joan V. Roller Award (to the player who demonstrates unselfish commitment and outstanding contribution to Tabor’s girls’ varsity basketball program) and in 2011 when the refurbished varsity basketball court in Stone Gymnasium was named for her and husband Richard.
Marion native Jim Henry (Class of 1975) achieved success in football, wrestling and crew and did so in the wake of three older brothers who had preceded him at Tabor. After his sophomore year, Jim rowed at the 1973 Henley Royal Regatta, in his junior year was a starter in all three sports, and then a captain in all three sports in his senior year.
A recipient of academic awards in subjects, including Russian History and Spanish language, Henry earned a journalism degree at the University of North Carolina and joined the US Navy, serving three years of active duty.
The past president of the New York-based International Motor Press Association has run 17 marathons since age 46.
The 25-0, 2001-02 Tabor girls basketball team didn’t just get over nemesis Philips Andover in double overtime to capture that winter’s NEPSAC championship, that team changed the trajectory of its own program and shifted the regional power structure.
The Seawolves’ dramatic victory may have felt like the end of a journey, but it created a new one for future Tabor teams, setting the table for a 20-year legacy of seven titles and 16 total finals appearances.
The Seawolves were comprised of senior captains Sarcia T. Adkins and Sierra Yaun, junior captain Kristina L. Baugh, seniors Bethany Anderson Jackson and Maggie J. Zayko, juniors Naimah D. Abdullah, Whitney J. Ffrench, Mary E. Lewis, Leah M. Mendes, Alina K. Wolhardt and Caitlin Milbury Young, freshmen Tara L. Miller and Courtney Beal Scalice. They were coached by Will Becker and assistant Airami Bogle Bentz, and junior Jaunelle R. Chapman was their manager.
Tabor Academy Athletic Hall of Fame
By Mick Colageo
During Tuesday night’s public meeting of the Mattapoisett Select Board, members heard from Town Administrator Mike Lorenco the stages that have taken or will take place from the UMass Boston Collins Center school-consolidation study.
Present throughout the evening was Mattapoisett School Committee member Carly Lavin, who has stepped forward as an active team member for the balance of the study.
Lorenco said that up to September, the Collins team was collecting data. He went on to say that in November, the entire study team that also includes Select Board Chairman Tyler Macallister will be making site visits. During the month of February, the Collins team will begin drafting its report, which is likely to be released in the March-April timeframe.
In the meantime, a survey intended to engage the residents and receive their input on the concept of school consolidation and related matters will be posted on the town’s website (Mattapoisett.net) on Friday, October 21. This data, once collected, will become part of the Collins report. Macallister suggested that those residents needing assistance to complete the online-only survey should use the services of the library or the Mattapoisett Council on Aging.
Lorenco said that at least two public meetings are also planned. The date is Wednesday, November 2, at 10:00 am in the Knights of Columbus Hall and again that evening at 6:00 pm in the Old Rochester Regional High School cafeteria. Lorenco is also planning a remote-meeting option as well, possibly for November 9 or 17. He encouraged the public to get involved in the process and that school-choice families will be allowed to participate.
Earlier in the meeting, the Select Board and Lorenco announced a procedural error had taken place in regards to two appointments to the Finance Committee. In July, it was noted, while processing all appointed positions held by residents for terms nearing expiration, they had failed to have present the town moderator and a member of the School Committee to vote on two expiring appointments on the Finance Committee.
Lavin inquired how the process works. Lorenco and Macallister, along with member Jordan Collyer, said that all appointments have a three-year limit mandated by the state. However, if an appointment expires, the person remains appointed until such time as the person whose term is expiring is reappointed and sworn in or replaced by a new appointee.
It was further disclosed that two Finance Committee members required reappointment following the established process with the town moderator and school committee member present to vote. Lavin asked how appointees are selected. It was explained that all members of the Finance Committee have finance backgrounds.
Lorenco said he would coordinate having all the necessary parties together after November 4 to make the appointments of Colby Rotler and Kevin Geraghty on par with the appointment bylaw.
It was further noted by Lorenco that there is an open seat on the Capital Planning Committee intended to be filled by a School Committee member. Collyer said anyone interested in a committee appointment should send a letter of interest to the Select Board.
The November 14 Town Meeting Warrant was opened with Lorenco saying he didn’t anticipate anything out of the ordinary, just a few finance-related matters and possibly eight or nine articles for voters to hear.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Select Board was not scheduled upon adjournment.
Mattapoisett Select Board
By Marilou Newell
Audrey Plumb of Marion, has received a partial scholarship to Rochester Institute of Technology to pursue performing arts in instrumental music. Plumb, a graduate of Eagle Hill School, is a first-year student in the Production Option – Film and Animation BFA program.
Throughout October: Check out a pumpkin at the Elizabeth Taber Library. Pick up a pumpkin, take it home to decorate and return it to the library by October 28 to enter our Great Pumpkin Contest. (Carved pumpkins will be accepted only between October 26 and 28.)
Ghost Glow Hunt for Kids – Friday October 21 at 4 pm – Over a hundred ghosts are hiding in the library. Grab a glow stick and join the hunt for spooky prizes.
Glass Blowing demonstration with glass artist Kim Savoie – Saturday October 22 at 11 am – See a demonstration of hand-held glass-blowing techniques outdoors at the library.
Tim Weisberg from Spooky Southcoast – Thursday October 27 at 6:30 pm – Tim Weisberg visits the Elizabeth Taber Library for a thrilling and chilling program on local legends. Paranormal vortexes, ghosts, UFOs, cryptids and true crime in our own backyard.
Great Pumpkin Party – Friday October 28 at 5 pm – Join the library for pumpkin decorating, spooky book crafts and more. Help us pick some winners in our Great Pumpkin Contest.
For more information on the Elizabeth Taber Library, visit us at www.ElizabethTaberLibrary.org or call us at 508-748-1252.
Carolyn D. (Patten) Mello, 77, of Wareham passed away peacefully on Monday, October 17, 2022. She was the wife of the late Frank Mello.
Born in Cheltenham, England, she was the eldest child of the late Robert and Phyllis (Guest) Patten. She was raised in Bangor, Maine, and then lived in Mattapoisett and Rochester for many years before moving to Wareham in 2013.
She owned Carolyn’s Kinder Korner for 33 years until her retirement. She enjoyed camping in their RV, horseback riding, quahogging, reading and crafts.
Survivors include her son, Richard Gast and his wife Tracey of Plymouth, along with their son Richard Gast, Jr., her only grandchild; two sisters, Linda Smith and husband Daryl and Kathleen Kull and husband David, all of Florida; a nephew, Jeff Schmidt and partner Joe of Maine; and her brother, Stephen Patten of New Hampshire.
Carolyn also leaves behind her beloved parakeet “Birdie” whom she loved dearly.
No services are scheduled at this time.
The boating season has ended, and the Marion Harbormaster Department has cleared the outer harbor of 5 mile-per-hour markers, so all remaining markers are in the inner harbor, including red and green markers with a couple of rock markers left, it was announced at Monday night’s meeting of the Marion Marine Resources Commission at the Music Hall.
The work of relocating moorings is in progress in Marion Harbor, and department staff went through entire inner harbor. Harbormaster Isaac Perry said they have identified the “more-egregious” permit holders and whittled down to two moorings in order to relocate a small vessel to where a 45-footer was parked. The goal is to permit by March.
“People were overall receptive to it; there’s one holdout that I’ve got to work with,” said Perry. “We’re trying to take it piece by piece, going after the obvious ones.”
The waiting list for a mooring in Marion Harbor is approximately 170 deep. Perry said that smaller boats move up the list more rapidly. Whereas a 40- to 45-foot boat will not get a mooring for 20 or 25 years, vessels measuring under 25 feet tend to move up in approximately 10 years.
Renewals are coming back, Perry said, noting that if applicants miss two subsequent years, they fall off the waiting list.
“We take the additional steps to record all that stuff. … it’s case by case,” he said. “If you intend to stay on the list and pay the back-renewals, I’ll put you back on the list.”
There have been more mooring assignments and relocations than in the past.
“We’re pretty pleased with the movement that we’ve seen on that list,” said Perry, who does not blame Covid or economics for the increase. “A lot of stuff has been moving. Trying to get those larger vessels on moorings that are more suitable. … It’s starting to move, but people are receptive to it.”
In one case, two moorings were swapped, allowing the Harbormaster Department to get rid of a triangle shape; now there are 1.5 acres set aside for anchorage, an area that depending on the size of the vessels, could accommodate four or five boats.
There is a moratorium on new moorings in the outer harbor with a cap of 1,414. Perry estimates there are 995 moorings in Marion’s inner harbor. The outer 350 moorings are spread out in the Aucoot, Planting Island, Blankenship, Weweantic and Wings coves.
Addressing access issues, Perry said a waiting list is up in Wings Cove. He said that 98 moorings were originally permitted there, and he estimates between 45 and 50 boats at present.
Size is apparently not a confining factor at Piney Point, said Perry, where a 60-footer is permitted. “Draft is an issue, but you get some fairly deep water at Piney Point,” he said, noting that Marion or Rochester residents (the latter with an additional sticker requirement) are allowed. “It’s not ideal over there.”
Aucoot Cove, he said, offers no public access and is “all driven by the residents.” Indian Cove, he added, did allow access, “but that’s gone away.”
The department has pumped out 900 boats (and 16,000 gallons), but Perry told the MRC, “It’s really the same boats over and over again. A lot of boats don’t have heads … this is the norm, we’re a little ahead of the game.”
Deputy Harbormaster/Shellfish Officer Adam Murphy reported on maintenance work and the activity of hauling in floats, something he expects to conclude over the next couple of weeks and to “get that pump-out station tied up for the winter.”
Perry is looking to get everything wrapped up and out of the water and all boats off the docks by November 1. That is two weeks sooner than the former out-of-the-water date.
It is already time to begin FY24 budget discussions. Perry anticipates that boat maintenance, which has been outsourced, looms as only significant increase on the horizon. The counter-rotating motor in the patrol boat will be the main expense.
The state Seaport Economic Council application beat the deadline, and a November meeting may yield a result as to whether the new Marine Center will have its final $1,000,000 grant for construction. “We hope to hear sooner rather than later … if so, great, it’s the last piece of the puzzle. If not, then we need to look elsewhere (for the funding),” said Perry.
The Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC) Bridge Academy for police-reform training will include 120 hours online and 80 hours in person in Randolph. Bridge Academy training is free, except for material costs estimated at $1,500. Certification is a three-year process after which reserve officers emerge as law-enforcement officers (there is no more full- and part-time distinction.)
Murphy is ahead of Perry in the process and is about to start scheduling in-person classes. The work must be completed by the end of June, but Perry says he wants to get it out of the way by the end of April, certainly in May, as seasonal work for 2023 picks up.
In his Shellfish Management report to the commission, Murphy explained that Tabor Academy has worked with the town to take over propagation, using town’s upweller. “Then students use it with their biology program, so they’re cleaning them and raising them and putting them in bags,” he said, noting that the shellfish is in floating bags in front of the school. “We’ll figure out the best way to get those out.”
The department also reports that there is a lot more recreational fishing going on this year.
New members present at Monday night’s meeting included Cheryl Souza (full member) and Ray Cullum (associate.)
The Marion Marine Resources Commission set its next meeting for Monday, November 21, at 7:00 pm, at the Music Hall.
Marion Marine Resources Commission
By Mick Colageo
The Rochester Select Board Monday night unanimously approved the Host Agreement that will plant “Megan’s Organic Market,” a cannabis retail store, within the Rochester Crossroads mixed-use development at Routes 58 and 28.
Before the approval vote, Town Administrator Glenn Cannon and Town Counsel Blair Bailey reported the agreement includes the state-required mandate that the town will receive 3% of its revenues. Plus, the store will have to pay an impact fee of up to $100,000 after its first year of operation.
Bailey said this fee will be based on the business’s actual impact on the town’s infrastructure after that year.
The pact also notes the business agreed to contribute some sort of “community investment” to the town, Bailey said. But the specifics of that are yet to be determined, he explained.
Company principal Nick Andrian told the selectmen in his first meeting with them in August that the company’s typical design is to place the actual products on display on the store shelves, not behind the checkout counter. But since Massachusetts does not allow that, the Rochester store will display “dummy packaging” that customers can take to the counter to do the actual ordering.
The selectmen started Monday’s meeting with a trio of Rochester Police Department promotions. The board approved Chief Robert Small’s recommendation to appoint Emmanuel Matias, currently a part-time patrolman, to a full-time position. Brendan Emberg was promoted from full-time officer to detective. Officer Jason Denham was promoted to sergeant.
Next came appointments to the town’s new Personnel Board, an effort sparked by the fact that Rochester, until now, had no such committee to handle the town’s personnel issues.
The Personnel Board Appointing Authority consisting of Select Board Chairman Woody Hartley, Town Moderator David Arancio and Finance Committee Chairman Kris Stoltenberg appointed to the new board: Marion’s deputy harbormaster and shellfish officer Adam Murphy, retired U.S. Coast Guard officer and Marion firefighter Peter Bourgault, and Christine Nash, a retired educator and school superintendent from four school districts.
Before the vote, Hartley said until now the town has relied on the town administrators and others with little applicable experience for its decisions on human-resources issues. “It’s an area we need to strengthen,” he said.
Appointing Authority members said the new board will now handle matters such as cost-of-living increases, pay-step increases and grievances.
The board then approved two more projects for funding out of the $10,000 that Covanta Company’s recent “outreach contribution” recently gave to the town. The money will go to the Facilities Department to irrigate the athletic fields and to replace athletic field bleachers. The board had previously endorsed the use of these funds for a Police Department emergency restraint chair.
Cannon announced that $50,000 in state funding facilitated by Senator Michael Rodrigues has been received for the Council on Aging to buy a new minivan for senior transportation. Funds totaling another $50,000 facilitated by Representative William Straus have been received for the Public Safety Infrastructure Feasibility Study.
The board’s next meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 31, at 6:00 pm at Town Hall and accessible via Zoom.
Rochester Select Board
by Michael J. DeCicco
The next meeting of the Machacam Club is scheduled for Wednesday, November 2. We meet at the American Legion Eastman Post on Depot Street. Doors open at 5 pm for social time followed by dinner at 6 pm. Our speaker program begins at 6:45. Chef Ken Dawicki will be preparing for us a filling and delicious meal. New members are always welcome. Please contact Chuck at cwmccullough@comcast.net with questions.