BBC, MRV Address Rochester

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            Brendan Annett of the Buzzards Bay Coalition was on hand at Tuesday’s meeting of the Mattapoisett River Valley Water Supply Protection Advisory Committee to clarify aspects of a contingency agreement that needs approval from all four MRV member towns and as of June 13, had yet to get it from the Town of Rochester.

            The Rochester Conservation Commission tabled the matter on June 6; its next meeting is set for June 20. The Rochester Water Commission was scheduled to meet on Wednesday.

            Language regarding conservation restrictions inside Rochester’s borders and the Town of Mattapoisett’s right to construct four wells concerned members of the Rochester ConCom last week, and no vote was taken pending further information.

            According to Annett, the conservation restrictions, a $6,000,000 project according to Allen Decker of the BBC, are coheld by the MRV member towns. The agreement would give the Town of Marion 100 acres north of Wolf Island Road (90 of which are in Rochester.)

            In addition to explaining that the CR neither approves nor permits the digging of wells that would require a variety of other permitting from Rochester’s ConCom, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Planning and other government agencies, Annett stressed a larger point at Tuesday’s MRV meeting.

            “The water resource underneath all this land is of great value for all the towns’ drinking water in the future,” he said. “It’s important to remember this CR is about protecting the water resource, not about dividing up the water resource.”

            Acknowledging Rochester’s existing water agreement with Marion, Annett said it’s “important to involve Rochester” in all MRV matters. “This deal’s a really big deal that we’ve got to figure out a way to make it work.”

            As Rochester-based engineer and MRV member Rick Charon explained, some Rochester ConCom members had property issues, and he noted that the town’s arrangement with Marion requires a 50% share of any water removed from Rochester-based wells. “That’s going to be the template for any IMA that Rochester has,” said Charon.

            Rochester Water Commission Chairman Fred Underhill, a former MRV board member, has brought to his Select Board’s attention over the past year the town’s long-standing frustration with the state’s redistribution of (Rochester) water from Quittacas Pond for New Bedford. The practice goes back centuries, and Rochester has no say in the matter.

            Charon said the issue would be discussed at Wednesday’s Rochester Water Commission meeting. MRV member Sandy Keese of Rochester plans to attend.

            “I think that’s all the commission wants, for the town to be treated fairly,” said Rochester Conservation Agent Merilee Kelly. “They may be swayable if they’re sure the Town of Rochester will be taken care of.”

            Annett reiterated the value of the agreement to Rochester as well as other MRV member towns. “That’s what this overall project is about,” he said.

            Henri Renauld of the Mattapoisett Water Department and MRV plant supervisor noted that in order to take water from another community, an organization must file special legislation with the state, MassDEP and take “many many steps.” He said “people are getting a little ahead of themselves.”

            MRV Chairman Vinnie Furtado proposed tabling the matter until Rochester sorts out its position.

            Member David Pierce told the committee that he worked many years with Underhill, who will do anything to work with the other communities. Charon doubled down on Pierce’s remarks.

            In other committee/commission business, the engineering firm Tata & Howard was voted approval for its FY24 Engineering agreements of not more than $35,000 (Water Supply Protection Advisory Committee) and not more than $30,000 (Water District Commission.)

            Representative Jon Gregory told the commission that Tata & Howard is seeking an amendment to its FY23 annual agreement for procurement and other efforts related to the Water Treatment Plant upgrade project that will be addressed at the July 11 meeting.

            Gregory has secured emergency SRF funding up to $1,800,000 for the long-planned filtration project. He told the commission he recently met with the MassDEP and Clean Water Trust to discuss the funding process.

            “Things are looking good for the funding,” he said, noting the draft approval certificate and the ability to proceed with project-bid advertising that should appear on June 21. Tata & Howard is shooting for a bid-opening date of Wednesday, July 12.

            Annual chemical bids are out and will be opened on July 21.

            Mattapoisett Town Administrator Mike Lorenco, in attendance at the Zoom meeting, asked for an outlook on chemical bids. Gregory alluded to Marion’s recent effort to bid out a major project, producing only a couple of bids. “It’s tough out there,” said Gregory, adding that “the numbers that are coming in, it’s difficult.”

            In his Treasurer’s Report to the commission, Renauld presented a total of $89,572.28 in invoices for approval to be paid, the most of which was Mattapoisett’s quarterly budget of $46,711, along with Tata & Howard $31,050 and other large sums for citric acid and Tyvek insulation.

            Vinnie Furtado told the commission he had met two months ago with Brian Murphy, achieving “a done deal” on $25,000 worth of insurance coverage. But he did note that with upgrades coming and cyber security concerns, the commission may consider increasing that investment.

            At the request of the Rochester Planning Board, the MRV Committee approved engineer Brian Wallace’s plan for a back-lot subdivision at 572 Snipatuit Road, Rochester, as MRV representatives found no threat to the water supply. Kelly suggested the Rochester Board of Health should weigh in on a potential denitrification septic system as a stipulation.

            The next meeting of the MRV Water Supply Protection Advisory Committee and Water District Commission is scheduled for Tuesday, July 11, the committee meeting at 3:30 pm and the commission following no earlier than 4:00 pm.

MRV Water District Commission/Water Supply Protection Advisory Committee

By Mick Colageo

New Curator Hits Ground Running

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            Exciting news from the Mattapoisett (Historical Society) Museum was shared on June 11 with the introduction of the new curator, Connor Gaudet, who holds master’s degrees from Long Island University and New York University and brings an impressive range of experiences to the position.

            Gaudet said that he had been the oral history coordinator for the 9/11 Tribute Center, a small museum founded by a retired firefighter who lost his son to the tragedy and a World Trade Center Red Cross volunteer who worked in support of the World Trade Center Recovery. He has also held positions at Pilgrim Hall in Plymouth. Now the former Mattapoisett resident is back and eager to engage the public and the community regarding all things historical.

            In speaking about the 9/11 program, Gaudet touched on his philosophy: taking history in all its many forms, even the difficult bits, and “using it to lift people up … leave them feeling like they want to do something good, feel inspired and empowered to help the world. This is public history at its finest, using history no matter how dark to inspire people to something bigger and better.” He said his is a mission-driven spirit.

            With a background that includes curating and digitizing collections at Pilgrim Hall, Gaudet sees part of his mission to complete that work started by the previous curator Jeff Miller. He said there are bundles of letters tied with 19th century strings waiting to reveal their long-held stories.

            “History has always been the foundation of how I view the world around me,” said Gaudet. “I see an odd building or a diagonal property line and try to think of the reason behind it. Seeing the past in the present, understanding its influence in our lives … I try to remove history from behind a velvet rope and live within it, as a part of it. I don’t like velvet ropes.”

            Gaudet said that some of the items held by the museum may be used for hands-on demonstrations or simply to give children the opportunity to carefully handle historical items, making history more immediate for young minds.

            “I want all of you to be excited about history and learn in a hands-on way,” said Gaudet, explaining that the museum owns a fully restored, 18th century barn loom that could be used for live demonstrations as well as a spinning wheel. He called them interactive educational experiences waiting to happen.

            Gaudet told the audience as he ended his comments, “You are all a part of the story and the history of this town just as much as Joseph Meigs, Florence Eastman, Axe-handle Bolles or even Seth Mendell.

            “We live and make history every day,” everyday history that doesn’t make the news but is still important. He said that everyday history is what connects the town to the big picture – the people.

            Gaudet has hit the ground running. Since starting this new chapter of his history with the museum, Gaudet has cowritten two grants for an oral-history collection project. He has also hosted six middle-school classes on walking tours. And since the smallest slices of life help societies understand their culture when a lens of time is later applied, the museum has accessioned a small collection of local restaurants’ take-out menus, a 1966 print magazine advertisement for the Aurora Model Company and a kit for the ship the Wanderer. The print ad, coupled with a real Wanderer model already in the collection, completes that slice of Mattapoisett’s history.

            With the summer season knocking on the museum door, a new summer exhibit will be unveiled, and walking tours are being fine-tuned. To learn more, visit mattapoisettmuseum.org.

Mattapoisett Museum

By Marilou Newell

Community Block Party

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The Friends of the Rochester Council on Aging and the Rochester TRIAD group invites our senior community and their grandchildren to our Rochester Community Block Party.  The event will take place on Thursday, June 22 from 1-4 pm at the Rochester Senior Center on 67 Dexter Lane in Rochester. Classic Rock performed by the band “Rebooted.”

MGG Annual Meeting

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Over 50 members of the Marion Garden Group were joined by 10 new members for the Annual Meeting and Luncheon at the Beverly Yacht Club on Tuesday, June 6.  The following officers for the Board were proposed and approved:  Suzy Taylor, president; Sarah Mitchell, vice-president; Lindy Williamson, Secretary; Phyllis Partridge, treasurer; Kathleen Egger, membership; Martha Fisher, fundraising; Sylvia Strand, programs; Wendy Bidstrup, publicity; Liz Hatch, past president.

            Other business included reports from various heads of events and projects including the upcoming fundraiser, “Secret Gardens of Marion” tour, Emilie Kendall, chair.  All members will participate to make this bi-annual event, a memorable occasion, to be held June 23, rain or shine.  Visit MGG website for tickets and information.  Other fundraisers like the Holiday Boutique and wreath sales, plus dues, donations and good will make it possible to give back to other town nonprofits.

            Thanks to the support and generosity of the community at large,  MGG, by unanimous vote, approved the following organizations to receive donations this year: Camp Hadley restoration – Marion Boy Scouts; Landscaping – Council on Aging;  Plantings – Elizabeth Taber Library; New landscaping – Marion Art Center; Sippican Lands Trust; Memorial Garden restoration – Sippican School; Sippican Women’s Club; and tree id tags – Tree Committee.

            The window boxes, urns and planters are maintained by volunteers year round. Special help is needed for the large planters during the summer. If you’d like to be a “Planter Angel”, check in on the website: www.mariongardengroup.org.There’s lots of information about other activities. Founded in 1956 (after the hurricane), the Mission of MGG is “To identify and improve strategic public areas within Marion by enhancing them with gardens and landscaping. “And a long before that, in 1889, in her Last Will and Testament, Elizabeth Taber left a bequeath for “the improvement and embellishment of my native place. [Marion].”Listing trees. flowers, sidewalks, parks, fountains and works of art….to beautify and make wholesome my native village…that its people may live in the midst of healthy, elevating and refining influences”

Dr. James Francis Tierney, Jr.

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Dr. James Francis Tierney, Jr., 94, of Mattapoisett, Massachusetts passed away peacefully at home on Sunday June 11, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. He was born and raised in Boston, the son of Dr. James F. Tierney, Sr. and Margaret (Crowley) Tierney.

            After graduating from Boston College, he attended Boston University School of Medicine.  He spent his residency at Boston University Medical Center and temporarily left to serve as a Lieutenant in the Navy Medical Corps on the aircraft carrier USS Kearsage. After completing his residency, he relocated to New Bedford to be closer to his sister, Mary Tierney Burns.  He practiced medicine at St. Luke’s Hospital for over 50 years until his retirement in 2013. During his career, he also served as the Bristol County Medical Examiner and a Clinical Instructor at Tufts Medical Center.

            Jim was best known for his bedside manner, sharp wit, dry sense of humor, timeless dance moves and fashionable sweaters. Aside from his love of medicine, he also loved golf and baseball and followed the Boston Red Sox closely. He was also an avid reader, often finishing his children’s required summer reading books in one evening (much to their amazement).

            He was married to Jean (Galligan) Tierney for over 59 years. In addition to his wife, he is survived by three children, Erin Tierney and her husband James Geraghty, James Tierney III and his wife Laura (Carlson) Tierney and Brendan Tierney and his wife Jennifer (Sodaski) Tierney. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Maeve and Liam Geraghty, Ava Tierney, and Finn, Cal and Luke Tierney. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.

            He was predeceased by his son, Ian Tierney, his sister, Mary Claire Burns, and her husband, William Burns, and his brother, The Honorable John A. Tierney, and his wife, former Mayor Rosemary Tierney.

            His family wants to extend its sincerest thanks to his caregivers and Community Nurse Home Care of Fairhaven, both of whom took amazing care of him.

            His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, June 16th at 11 am at St. Lawrence Church, 565 County St., New Bedford. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Fairhaven. Visiting hours will be on Thursday, June 15th from 5-7 pm at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Community Nurse Home Care, 62 Center St., Fairhaven, MA 02719. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

More Detail Needed from CBD Applicant

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            Rochester’s Planning Board Tuesday considered in a public hearing a special permit and site-plan review approval application to construct a commercial building that will house a recreational-marijuana establishment, Megan’s Organic Market, at 621 County Road.

            The hearing was ultimately continued until the panel’s next meeting on June 27 after the applicant’s engineering representative, Phil Cordeiro, explained the specifics of the building plan, and the board asked for more information on those details.

            Cordeiro said his client will ask the board to approve two variances regarding the required separation of well systems from the business’s stormwater system. He said the plan is for a 7,500-square-foot commercial building between two residential lots with a 24-foot-wide driveway entrance. Traffic flow will send deliveries to the western rear of the building and be spacious enough for emergency vehicle access as well.

            Water will come from a tie-in to the Town of Wareham. Vegetative setbacks of 20 feet will be built between the residences as well as a 6-foot-high fence on one side. Lighting will have “zero spillage” onto other properties and will be controlled by motion sensors.

            Board Chairman Arnold Johnson asked for more information on signage and the sightlines that the business will have from the abutting homeowners and to revisit a past traffic study on the area. Cordeiro said he had not yet conducted a sightline test. Johnson said to definitely do one and return to the next meeting with a mock-up of the intended signage.

            The town’s engineer, Ken Motta of Field Engineering, asked how much earth will be removed. Cordeiro said earth dug from one part of the parcel will basically remain on site. Johnson instructed Motta and Cordeiro to work on plan details for the next meeting.

            The meeting began with the board voting in favor of an Approval Not Required petition for the Blais Family Living Trust property at Clapp Road and Mary’s Pond Road, deciding that Planning Board regulations and restrictions do not apply. The plan at the address is to create two house lots measuring 98,000 square feet each out of what was originally three lots.

            After Johnson announced the notices to the abutters’ list had gone out too late, the board continued until June 27 a hearing into a special permit and site-plan review for a plan to construct a building for restoration, detailing and storage of collectible cars at 0 New Bedford Road.

            The board also continued to June 27 the public hearing into a site-plan-approval application to relocate a native tree and perennial nursery from Clarksburg, Maryland, to 2.5 acres that will be leased by Jennifer and Charles Anderson at 157 Vaughn Hill Road to sell “native species.” Board members told the petitioners that the drawn plan they submitted lacked details on the parking lot, as to a cross section of the hard-top plan and parking design.

            The Planning Board’s next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 27, at 7:00 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.

Rochester Planning Board

By Michael J. DeCicco

Scouts Carry on Anti-Pest Project

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This spring, the Mattapoisett Boy Scouts of Troop 53 embarked on a community service project with the building and installation of 10 birdhouses. The goal of the project was to benefit the community by providing habitat for birds that consume a lot of mosquitos.

            These houses were designed to attract wrens, bluebirds, swallows and chickadees, all of which are in the top 10 bird species that eat mosquitos. Some wrens eat 10,000 mosquitos per day!

            The project was inspired by the success of the Eagle Scout project along Eel Pond by Troop 53 Eagle Scout Murray Copps. Those houses provided a habitat for many tree swallows which have been seen flying over the pond and going in and out of the houses all spring.

            The scouts started with a tour of those birdhouses and an educational session from Murray. Using hand tools, the scouts then built the birdhouses from kits that were generously donated by Helen Lozoraitis and Paul Duffy. On June 10, the boys installed these houses in the open field under the powerlines off of Crystal Spring Road.

            Troop 53 would like to thank Helen and Paul for brainstorming and making this project happen and to everyone else who helped along the way. We are looking forward to hearing what kinds of birds are using the houses and if the neighboring residents report a more comfortable summer with fewer mosquitos!

ORR’s Season Ends with Familiar Foe

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            The 11th-seeded Old Rochester Regional girls’ tennis team won two MIAA Division 3 state-tournament matches before falling in the quarterfinals to third-seeded Dover-Sherborn (21-0) by a 3-2 score on June 10.

            The Bulldogs, who had eliminated 22nd-seeded Ashland and sixth-seeded Medfield in prior rounds, finished their season at 13-4.

            The 10th-seeded ORR boys’ lacrosse team defeated East Longmeadow, 12-8, on June 6 but was eliminated from the MIAA Division 3 state tournament in the Round of 16 by seventh-seeded Falmouth, 14-7, on June 8. The Bulldogs finished their season at 13-3.

            The previously undefeated Old Colony boys’ lacrosse team fell by a 17-4 score in the Division 4 state tournament to South Hadley on June 7. The Cougars finished at 16-1.

By Mick Colageo

Rochester Historical Society

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            The Rochester Historical Society is very excited about our upcoming program and speaker on June 21 at 7:00 pm at our museum at 355 County Rd. Perhaps you heard stories from your parents or grandparents or you may remember when Mary’s Pond was a destination with more happening than fishing and kayaking. Peter Balzarini of Wareham will be sharing stories, memories and memorabilia about the “good old days” at Mary’s Pond. It should be a great trip down memory lane. As always, refreshments and conversation will follow the program.

            Also, the Historical Society will be at the COA Community Block Party from 1-4 on June 22.

From the Files of the Rochester Historical Society

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Not long ago someone from a local paper asked me to explain Rochester’s groups/boards with the word “historic” in their names. There are three entities that fit that bill. Two of these are town boards and the addition of “al” helps to distinguish one from the other.

            The Historic District Commission has as its mission maintaining the historic character in Rochester Center. They guide those who wish to build in that area to blend with the existing buildings.

            The Historical (note the-al) Commission has a broader scope. Their goal is to preserve, promote and in some instances protect Rochester’s rich history. This includes the many homes and public buildings that have been here for untold years. To make the public aware of these spots, the commission has created an historic plaque program. Information about the plaques is available on the Historical Commission section of the town website. The Commission has been donating plaques to public buildings. They can be found around town, including one at the entrance to Town Hall.

            In addition to the plaques, the Historical Commission visits the third grades at Rochester Memorial School each spring to teach various aspects of Rochester history. They provide each child with a Rochester history color book. Over the last two years, the Historical Commission has worked to have a memorial created to honor those who fought in the Revolutionary War, as none existed in town. With the help of Jeff Eldridgr and Peter Foss, the memorial was created and dedicated in May.

            Now to the Rochester Historical (another-al) Society which owns and maintains the Rochester Historical Museum. The Society is independent of the town. It is a nonprofit organization and receives no town funding. The mission of the Society is similar to that of the Historical Commission. However, we preserve more than buildings. Our museum is home to many papers, pictures, maps and artifacts that tell the story of Rochester. We have a yearly exhibit, monthly meetings with speakers and other activities to share history and to engage the public.

            We do our best to answer questions and highlight Rochester’s history through meeting topics and exhibits. We are also dedicated to preserving the East Rochester Congregational Church which houses our museum and is on the National Register of Historic Places. This is not an easy task as any steward of an almost 200-year-old building would understand.

            Some of the confusion around these three organizations no doubt stems from the fact that at least two of them share board members. This happens in many towns where the pool of volunteers is shallow. It’s safe to say all of these groups would welcome more volunteers and members.

By Connie Eshbach