On Saturday, October 21 at 2 pm, Meredith Charles of Drama Out of the Box is leading an improvisation workshop designed to challenge and inspire students to stretch their brains and limits. It is a great class for both the seasoned performer and those new to the world of theatre who are looking to try it out. This program is for ages 12 and up, and registration is required. For more information, contact Michelle Skaar at mskaar@sailsinc.org or by calling the library.
Kate Marsden of Marion is among a group of students who are making history at Salve Regina University by becoming the first to perform on Broadway when they present a concert production of “Children of Eden,” a musical by the famed Stephen Schwartz, at the Lincoln Center in February 2024.
Katherine Solowey, of Mattapoisett, was named the recipient of The Alfred J. and A. Barrett Seaman Prizes in Writing at Hamilton College’s annual Convocation ceremony on August 23. Solowey, a junior majoring in economics, is a graduate of Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School.
A 24 Parlowtown Road resident is learning as he goes about the trees posing danger and the brush growing into his yard.
Paul Drucker went before the Marion Conservation Commission on September 28 with a Request for Determination of Applicability to cut down and remove 14 tall trees and brush-cut to the ground.
Citing a permanent condition attached to the building of the house in the first place, Conservation Commission Chairman Jeff Doubrava told Drucker he has no issues in cutting the trees marked during the site visits but that the original condition clearly prohibits cutting beyond the split-rail fence at the edge of his yard.
In attendance, Drucker explained that his application is to do some maintenance and last for several years, provide safety and clear a fire hydrant.
Drucker said previous owners had thrown debris along the edge, and he wants to maintain a line. The whole house, he said, was built within 100 feet of the wetland, and he had not realized the situation until now. He is enjoying the birds but hopes his proposed project would help him avoid regular pruning.
Commissioner Emil Assing identified a second wetland area on the backside of the house and told Drucker that rather than see the cutting of shrubs and removal of vegetation, the commission would rather see the vegetation trimmed as it grows. He recommended the help of a professional landscaper.
Estimating the shed to be located at least 50 feet away from the wetlands, Commissioner Shaun Walsh added that in his opinion, clearing 10-15 feet around the back of the shed would be appropriate.
The collection of perspectives helped Drucker better understand the laws and the reasons for them.
“I appreciate this because it’s, like I said, from my understanding as an amateur looking at the map is that the whole place is within a 100-foot buffer of wetlands, and I’m like … ‘what can we do?’ So this is a big learning experience for me, and I appreciate your time and understanding,” he said.
Doubrava also made sure Drucker understands that he could, with a permit, perform work in the buffer zone.
Asked for comment, Conservation Agent Doug Guey-Lee suggested the idea of allowing Drucker a one-time cutting effort but noted the town’s policy of no activity within 15 feet of the wetland. “Proximity is the issue. … The more you get close to the wetland, the more you’re going to see us hold the line,” he said.
Doubrava said, should the commissioners approve, it would likely be a three-year permission that would require another application at the end of that period.
The commissioners voted to issue Drucker a Negative Box 3 Determination of Applicability that notes the work is inside the buffer zone. The determination also stipulated limited clearing allowed inside the inside and not beyond 20 feet around the shed.
Twin RDA applications from the Michael R. Deland Trust LLC for an extension of phragmites management at 498C and 498D Point Road were both met with Negative Box 2 and 3 Determinations of Applicability.
Represented by Dave Davignon of Schneider, Davignon & Leone, Inc., the two-part project (separate applications) will extend an effort to eradicate phragmites.
First approved in 2019, then extended three years by state government COVID-19 provisions, the work is being done in conjunction with property next door owned by Meadow and James Spader under a trust (that application was a Notice of Intent resulting in an Order of Conditions to cover a much larger area, including some beach nourishment, according to Davignon.)
“A majority of the work for the phragmite eradication is actually being done on the Spader property, and that has an Order of Conditions with it,” said Davignon. “These two properties, we filed an RDA about four years ago … and the groundskeeper is Lee Gunschel. He takes care of all these properties.”
Davignon was looking for a negative determination on Lot 11S.
Doubrava visited the site and said the invasives present were waist high and sickly looking, unlike the 10-foot-high ones the commissioners have seen. He said whatever treatment they are using seems to be working.
The second case, a 62-foot-wide phragmite patch of 5,000 square feet has been whittled down via treatment. Davignon said the plan is to hit it until they make it go away.
The commissioners entertained a request from the Planning Board for comment on Minor Site Plan Review for the new Department of Public Works operations center to be constructed at 6 Benson Brook Road and off Mill Street.
Assing suggested the DPW get a wetlands delineation done. He and Walsh had looked on Mass Mapper but were unable to fully gather the information they sought. Walsh said he would not put anyone through the expense of delineating a wetland if their activity was not going to take place within 100 feet.
The commissioners planned to send a recommendation that it appears there are wetlands to the rear of the lot and that any activity planned within 100 feet of that area should be vetted by the town and recommended reaching out to Guey-Lee. Walsh acknowledged that the natural vegetation is off the lots.
Evidence of tree cutting and clearing along Washburn Park Road was brought to Guey-Lee’s attention by John Rockwell.
Rockwell had been on site reviewing a wetland line as it applies to an Open Space Acquisition Commission project and reported back concern about tree-cutting activity at the Washburn Stables Property.
Upon visiting the site in keeping with response to any such call, Guey-Lee told the commission he saw cut trees in the median area of the road and on the soft shoulders to the side. Being town property, Guey-Lee checked with the Department of Public Works and heard back from Director Becky Tilden that the DPW did not cut down the trees.
She did not dismiss the possibility that Gunschel, the town’s tree warden, may have done the cutting. Guey-Lee found no files indicated a permit for tree cutting. A 2018 RDA applied to the horse stable but not to the activity to which Rockwell alerted Guey-Lee.
Doubrava and other commissioners drove through to verify the areas of clearing.
Guey-Lee was asked to look at another area of clearing. Walsh thought it proper for Guey-Lee to contact property owners and look at the site together. As for the trees, Walsh said the activity was clearly in the buffer zone and recommended that Guey-Lee go back out and then report back to the commission with updated information.
Bryon and Cynthia Deysher filed a Negative Box 2 Determination of Applicability to install an 18×36-foot, inground pool, a 24×20 pool pavilion, a 16×12-foot house addition and associated site improvements at 44 Lewis Street. In responding to the proposal as laid out by Brian Grady of G.A.F. Engineering, the commissioners and Guey-Lee called it a straightforward project.
The Marion Conservation Commission was scheduled to meet on Wednesday, October 11, at 7:00 pm at the Police Station.
Marion Conservation Commission
By Mick Colageo
Sophomore Garrett Ignacio, junior Jauden Pedro and freshman Grady Oliveira scored goals, as the Old Rochester Regional boys soccer team defeated visiting Apponequet, 3-2, on Monday, improving their record to 6-2-1 and building a three-game winning streak entering Wednesday’s home game against Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech (4-3-1.) The match will be their final home game for the next three weeks.
Oliveira was named one of the players of the game, as he scored the winning goal to close out the Lakers. ORR junior Aidan Costa played great defense and was also named a player of the game.
ORR won its second in a row, defeating Dighton-Rehoboth, 4-2. Goals were scored by Oliveira, Ignacio and George Psichopaidas. “We lost 3 to 2 to the same team a few weeks ago, so it was good to get a big win,” ORR coach Mike Devoll said.
Football
Old Rochester defeated Dighton-Rehoboth, 21-7, as the Bulldogs’ 2023 record improved to 3-2.
Junior running back Jack Leconte had two touchdowns and was named player of the game. Senior Mateo Pina had the third and final touchdown to close it out. The defense played very strong, led by seniors Andrew and Will Geary.
ORR’s next game is at undefeated Fairhaven on Friday, October 13, at 7:00 pm.
“We have to execute better if we want to beat Fairhaven next week,” said ORR head coach Bryce Gilbeault last week. “They are well coached and execute at an efficient rate. We need to have a great week of practice.”
Golf
Peter le Gassick and sophomore Brady Mills both shot 2-over-par, nine-hole rounds of 38, as Connor Galligan shot 39, as ORR won, 237-271, against Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech (4-4) on Monday at Whaling City Golf Club. With the win, the Bulldogs moved to 9-2 on the season and 9-0 in the South Coast Conference heading into Tuesday’s match at Joseph Case (4-10) in Swansea. Before hitting the road, the Bulldogs went 3-1 in a four-match homestand, finishing with a 242-279 victory over visiting Apponequet at the Bay Club.
Girls Volleyball
Old Rochester won 3-0 against Dighton-Rehoboth, as their record is now 8-4 and 6-2 in the SCC. Junior Aubrie Letourneau had 27 assists. Senior Arielle Troupe was named the player of the game with 12 kills. The Bulldogs were looking forward to a conference showdown on Wednesday against GNB Voc-Tech at Old Rochester. “This will be a big game for the SCC,” ORR head coach Jimmy Oliveira said.
Girls Soccer
Coming off a 5-1 loss on Monday in Lakeville, the ORR girls’ soccer team (6-4) is looking forward to another shot at undefeated Apponequet on Thursday, October 12, in Mattapoisett, but first the Bulldogs were looking to take care of business on Tuesday against Durfee (6-3-1) in Fall River.
“We can play with (Apponequet) skill wise, but we need a stronger belief that we can do it,” said ORR head coach Jeff Lombard following Monday’s defeat.
The Bulldogs had built a four-game winning streak before falling 2-0 to visiting Dighton-Rehoboth on October 4. “I am excited with this team this year, as we have a good skill level and desire to succeed as a team,” said Lombard, whose team bounced back with a win against Fairhaven on October 6.
Field Hockey
The Bulldogs lost, 1-0, in a very tough game against the visiting Durfee High School. The Hilltoppers of Fall River had 7 penalty corners as ORR leveraged 2, and the scoreboard was at a standstill until two minutes left in the fourth quarter. Durfee found the net on the penalty corner, and ORR could not respond before time ran out. ORR freshman goalkeeper Reilly Patraiko made two saves for the Bulldogs, who were looking to get back on track against Somerset Berkley on Tuesday.
By Aiden Comorosky
The Marion Art Center (the MAC) is pleased to announce three upcoming music events in November. Tickets can be purchased online at marionartcenter.org/events.
Jazz Jam @ the MAC returns to the Marion Art Center stage on Friday, November 3 from 7:00-9:30 pm (tickets are $20 for MAC members, $25 for nonmembers; participating musicians attend for free.) Be part of the long tradition of the jazz jam session complete with participation from community musicians. Our house band – Matt Richard on piano, Dave Zinno on bass and Gary Johnson on drums – will support the improvisers as they interpret many “jazz standards” in various style formats. Learn about the inner workings of a jam session as trombonist Phil Sanborn leads a question-and-answer session and explains how the songs are structured and how the “road map” for each selection helps the improvisers. Join us to listen in, or if you’re a musician, sign up to join us on stage. Guests may bring their own refreshments to enjoy during the show. Musicians who would like to play should email info@marionartcenter.org with “Jazz Jam” in the subject line.
Putnam Murdock & Friends return to the MAC stage on Saturday, November 4 at 7:30 pm, with musician Merrick Brannigan as the opening act. Along with Colin Bradley on pedal steel, Kyle Spark on bass, and Mark Purrington on drums, Murdock’s tunes are realized in a new way. There is a sensitivity and touch where the players listen and create in the moment to create a solid sonic foundation but one that is malleable and patient. These players do not rely on their rehearsals to create repetition but to create the trust it takes to approach every song like it is brand new every time they perform. Merrick Brannigan is a 15-year-old singer/songwriter with a passion for all things music. He is an accomplished guitarist, pianist, and vocalist. A former Nantucket resident, his music career began when he won Nantucket’s Got Talent in 2019.
Don’t miss the third and final Unplugged in the MAC Gallery event of the season with pianist Matt Richard and bassist Dave Zinno on Friday, November 17 starting at 7:00 pm, with a second seating scheduled at 8:15 pm. The cost is $12 for MAC members and $15 for nonmembers. There will be two separate performances during the night, and each set will last about 45 minutes. Find a spot at a cabaret table to listen to a mix of jazz standards and original compositions by both artists. Guests will enjoy a refreshing setting in our upstairs gallery at this “unplugged” performance featuring mainly acoustic sound, without the volume and density often experienced during larger concerts in the MAC Theater. Guests may bring their own beverages and snacks to enjoy in this intimate setting. Tickets are limited and advanced registration is strongly recommended.
View all concerts and register online at marionartcenter.org/events.
All Southcoast Active Service Military, Reservists and Veterans are invited to join the monthly meetings of the American Legion: Florence Eastman Post #280, serving the Tri-Town area of Mattapoisett – Marion – Rochester and beyond. We meet on the 3rd Wednesday of every month at 7 pm.
Our next meeting is on Wednesday, Oct 18 at 7 pm. Florence Eastman Post is located at 3 Depot St, Mattapoisett.
Mattapoisett’s Special Fall Town Meeting, scheduled for Monday, November 6, will feature several capital expenditures, including $350,000 for renovation to the Highway Department and $300,000 for roadway improvements. But those sums will be eclipsed by the $8,000,000 needed for the town’s 16% share of needed upgrades to the Fairhaven sewer plant.
During the October 10 regular meeting of the Mattapoisett Select Board, Town Administrator Mike Lorenco said he anticipates about 14 articles in the warrant, which still needs to be reviewed by legal counsel.
The Select Board moved to close the warrant and will meet again on Monday, October 16, to sign the document. That public meeting is scheduled to take place at 6:30 pm in Town Hall. Lorenco did comment that the town has received a “pretty good free cash number” from the state.
The Select Board moved to use ARPA funds to finance a new domain controller server at $45,000 and upgrades to dispatch radio system at $100,000. Lorenco reported that there remains approximately $728,000 in available funds and that the town has until December 24 to allocate the balance. The board previously approved a $500,000 ARPA allocation to cover costs associated with the Oakland Street freshwater lines. The Finance Committee had been involved in reviewing these expenditures, it was noted.
Lorenco also reported that work has begun on the long anticipated restoration of the Buzzards Bay Coalition property known as The Bogs. The 13,500 acres off Acushnet Road has become a favorite place to walk or enjoy other passive recreation.
Since obtaining the former cranberry bogs, it has been the BBC’s plan to restore some 64 acres to a more natural state and then let Mother Nature take it from there. Lorenco said the area will be closed to the public possibly for “some time” but that signage will direct the public to other available trails.
In other matters, grant applications for Community Preservation Act funding are now available at Town Hall. The deadline for submitting requests is posted on the town’s website, Mattapoisett.net. Also available on the website is information about scallop-bed openings beginning October 15.
Before adjourning, board member Tyler Macallister made a public plea to pedestrians and cyclists that due to greater shading and dark shadows falling across roadways, motorists will have a harder time seeing people in dark clothing. He urged walkers and cyclists to wear bright clothing.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Select Board has been scheduled for Monday, October 16, at 6:30 pm in Town Hall.
Mattapoisett Select Board
By Marilou Newell
The theme of this year’s Friends of Marion COA Annual Meeting will be Interconnections: Working Together within Our Community. Speakers from the Sippican Historical Society, Tabor Academy and the Marion Art Center will each talk briefly about their present and future collaboration efforts. They will cite activities done this past year in conjunction with the Marion Council on Aging and elsewhere. Attendees will also learn about other COA/FMCOA projects and activities that have been initiated or expanded during the past year.
The meeting begins at 5:00 pm on Thursday, October 19 and is open to the public. It will be held at the Cushing Community Center, 465 Mill Street, Marion. Light refreshments will be served following the meeting.
a short meeting, program and then refreshments and conversation downstairs. We hope to see you there.
The next meeting of the Nasketucket Bird Club will be on Wednesday, October 25 at 6:30 pm at the Mattapoisett Public Library, 7 Barstow Street. Free and open to the public. More bird info at the Nasketucket Bird Club website: www.nbcbirdclub.com/ or the Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/NasketucketBirdClub.
The meeting program will feature Shawn Carey who will be speaking about Iceland Land of Midnight Sun.
Iceland abounds in natural splendor: Waterfalls and glaciers, panoramic views and otherworldly landscapes. It is a land of Northern Lights and midnight sun. And it is the realm of one of the world’s most charming and iconic birds– the Atlantic Puffin.
But Iceland is home to much more. During the summer months, Iceland’s round-the-clock sunlight draws in a panoply of birds: Razorbills and guillemots, phalaropes and godwits, plovers and terns, all accompany the puffins in nesting frenzy. Come along with wildlife photographer and Mass Audubon instructor Shawn Carey as he shares images and stories from his journey spent on two Icelandic islands. We will visit Grimsey Island, the northernmost inhabited island off the mainland of Iceland. For bird photographers and bird watchers looking for a great place to view and photograph nesting seabirds that call this island home during the summer, this is a place you want to visit.
From Grimsey we will travel to the island of Flatey, a real hidden gem for bird photographers and bird watchers alike. Most people pass through Flatey (via ferry service out of Stykkisholmur) on their way to the well-known Latrabjarg bird cliffs to see Atlantic Puffins and Razorbills. However, for those that have or take the time to explore Flatey, you will find a small island that offers some very good photographic opportunities, especially for Black Guillemot, Red-necked Phalarope and Common Redshank just to name a few.
Rochester’s Planning Board Tuesday agreed to join the Conservation Commission in its protest of what a recent regional Conservation Restriction agreement will do to the town’s water rights on 13 acres of Rochester land.
The board approved sending its own letter to the Select Board to take further action against the 241-acre regional Conservation Restriction plan that includes 13 acres at Red Brick Farm East but gives Rochester no rights to the water there.
The regional Conservation Restriction agreement that became reality over the ConCom’s objections proposed giving Mattapoisett the water rights to the Rochester parcel, including possibly digging up to four new wells under a co-ownership agreement with the Mattapoisett Water and Sewer Authority. The ConCom prodded the authority to agree in writing that it would “make every effort” to transfer the conservation land in Rochester to the town, but Town Counsel recently told the ConCom that the promise of making “every effort” is not a legally enforceable one.
That led the ConCom last week to approve sending a letter to the Select Board urging its members to press Town Counsel to do more to protect the town’s water rights to that land.
This week, Planning Board and Conservation Commission member Ben Bailey reiterated his point from last week that he has learned from researching state law and contacting other attorneys that the correspondence from the Mattapoisett Water and Sewer Authority stating a “make every effort” promise is legally enforceable. He said that according to his research, “Saying you will make every effort means you are not allowed to do nothing.”
Planning Board Chairman Arnold Johnson motioned that his panel should also send a letter urging the Select Board and Town Counsel to do more, and the Planning Board unanimously agreed.
The Tuesday meeting began with an informal discussion regarding National Storage’s plan on County Road Extension for a 750-to-800-unit, self-storage facility.
Technical consultant Phil Cordeiro explained the marijuana retail store Megan’s Organic Market was originally to be built in that spot until the store decided to change its location on the lot. He said the petitioner will be asking for site-plan-review waivers and will have a more specific plan in time for its next meeting with the board.
Next, the board voted to sign an Approval Not Required application for property transfer at 338 Vaughan Hill Road and another related to a plan to build a 15-acre, self-storage facility off of Cranberry Highway at Route 28 and Kings Highway.
The latter was the more specific one, to combine four large lots to build a facility with 180 small, self-storage units and 64 smaller units. Petitioner JPF Development’s engineer, Bill Madden, told the board he will return with modified plans now that the lot combination has been approved.
The board then approved writing a draft decision for the Special Permit and Approval Not Required application for the proposed subdivision of a 22.6-acre lot at 572 Snipatuit Road.
In its previous meeting on the proposal, the board said it could not act on the Special Permit to develop the two lots because the person whose name was on the application was not the current property owner. This week, Johnson acknowledged the board did receive an affidavit signed by the property owner stating she was aware of and OK with the petitioner’s plan.
The board also approved writing a draft decision for the long-delayed, site-plan-review application for a tree and perennials nursery on 2.5 acres at 157 Vaughan Hill Road filed by Jennifer and Chuck Anderson of Tree Talk Natives, LLC.
Close to one year after the Andersons filed the application, their technical consultant, Brad Holmes, presented completed plans for the business’s parking lot, which will be 2,600 square feet and include a two-component, stormwater-runoff-treatment system.
Both draft decisions will be reviewed and signed at the board’s next meeting.
The Rochester Planning Board will meet next on Tuesday, October 24, at 7:00 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.
Rochester’s Planning Board
By Michael J. DeCicco