Jeanette Rosenthal King

on

Jeanette Rosenthal King, 60, of Marion passed away peacefully on April 10, 2023 at home surrounded by family and loved ones.

            Born in Long Beach, CA on June 16, 1962, Jeanette was the eldest of nine children of Judith and Henry Rosenthal and graduated in 1980 from La Serna HS.

            Driven to help the vulnerable, Jeanette studied biology at UC-Irvine where she met her husband, Dave, in 1984. Upon graduating in 1986, Jeanette moved with Dave to Fort Collins, CO, where she earned her BS in Nursing at the University of Northern Colorado in 1989. Jeanette accepted a position as a labor and delivery nurse at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY, which granted her the special opportunity to be closer to Dave’s family. In 1989, she and Dave married and in 1992 welcomed their son, Jonathan.

            Determined to make a greater impact on patients, Jeanette joined the inaugural midwifery program at the University of Rochester, and graduated with an MS in Nursing in 1996. Jeanette then began practicing midwifery at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Towson, MD, where they happily resided for ten years, and welcomed two more children: Isabella in 1998 and Nathaniel in 2001.

Sadly, in 2003, Jeanette was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. With the support of thousands, deep faith, exceptional care at Johns Hopkins, and a strong desire to raise her children into adulthood, Jeanette beat that cancer in 2007.

            Empowered by this victory, Jeanette accepted an exciting opportunity to practice midwifery at Tobey Hospital in Wareham, MA and moved with her family to Marion, MA in 2007, where she happily resided until her death. During these years, Jeanette delivered thousands of babies at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Falmouth Hospital, Cape Cod Hospital, and Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, and taught medical students at UMass. Her specialty was employing methods she’d developed to release anxiety and overcome cancer with other cancer patients and women in labor, with phenomenal results.

            A devoted mother, Jeanette loved attending her children’s sporting events, concerts, and academic competitions in the Towson and Old Rochester school systems. An All-State Junior Olympic swimmer, she especially enjoyed relaxing by the sea with loved ones at Silvershell Beach, the Thousand Islands, Martha’s Vineyard, and her beloved Pacific Ocean.

Jeanette’s most important journey was growing ever closer to God. She was active at First & St. Stephen’s Church in Towson and South Coast Community Church in Fairhaven and put all her energies into enthusiastically loving others.

            Jeanette’s faith, strength, and ability to love sustained her when she was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer in October 2020. As always, Jeanette wildly exceeded expectations and joyfully spent her final years hiking along Buzzard’s Bay, inspiring others, and enjoying good times with loved ones. She loved to smile and laugh. Whether dancing wildly to the B-52’s or walking into a dinner party with a colander on her head, Jeanette brought light into every room she entered. She will be deeply missed.

            Jeanette is survived by her loving husband Dave; sons Jonathan and Nathaniel; daughter Isabella; mother Judy Loconte; siblings Shelly, Michael, David, Cynthia, Eric, Leah, Brandon, and Lindy; and dozens of nieces and nephews.

            Visiting hours will be Friday, April 21st from 4-8 pm at Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6), Mattapoisett. Her Funeral Service will be Saturday, April 22nd at 12 pm in the funeral home. For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

            In lieu of flowers, Jeanette’s family kindly requests that donations be made in her name to The Cape Wellness Collaborative. For information on how to donate, please visit www.capewellness.org.

MRV Looking Beyond SRF Funding

on

            The Mattapoisett River Valley Water District is trying to work a borrowing scheme after being denied a State Revolving Fund loan for its long-planned upgrade to the filtration system of the water-treatment facility located in Mattapoisett.

            According to Mass.gov, the State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan program offers affordable financing options to cities, towns and public water utilities to improve water supply infrastructure and drinking water safety.

            Without this option, a subcommittee of the MRV, including Chairman and Fairhaven representative Vinnie Furtado and representatives from each of the Tri-Towns (member towns) have been meeting with Unibank for Savings.

            By way of what was described during Tuesday’s regularly scheduled MRV meeting as an Intermunicipal Agreement (IMA) that would be drafted by the MRV’s legal counsel Blair Bailey, the private-lending plan would see Fairhaven borrow all $7,200,000 and recoup all but its own $4,300,000 share.

            As Furtado explained, even though the MRV borrowed and paid back SRF funding, only the Town of Fairhaven has audited statements on the MRV’s behalf.

            “If we’re going to go down the path of private borrowing, that may be what we’re going to have to do,” said Furtado, fully cognizant that Town Meeting is too close to accomplish in time for May.

            Over the past two days, Jon Gregory of Tata & Howard engineers has been in communication with the state Department of Environmental Protection, which he told the members carries $5,000,000 for communities in emergency situations. Earlier Tuesday, a state official contacted Gregory directly to discuss the MRV’s plight.

            “We are going to go ahead and send (DEP) any information that can help them understand the district better,” he said. “This is very much a fluid situation, we just heard about it an hour ago.”

            Facilities Manager Henri Renauld asked, “If we go after the SRF for $5,000,000 … can we apply for the $2,200,000?”

            Bailey clarified the process, noting that select boards approve IMA’s, so only Fairhaven needs a Town Meeting vote. “There were Town Meeting votes in Marion and Mattapoisett to approve the borrowing. … They’re aware of what the costs are.”

            In other business, Renauld reported that total invoices paid by the commission in March totaled $66,081.94.

            Immediately prior to the commission meeting, the MRV Water Protection Advisory Committee met for 30 minutes, hearing from the Buzzards Bay Coalition regarding the MRV’s Water Supply Resilience Land Protection Project.

            The project was launched to acquire and protect 240 acres of land with permanent conservation restrictions, encompassing the groundwater aquifer that supplies drinking water for MRV member towns Fairhaven, Mattapoisett, Marion and Rochester. Acushnet is also a participant in the project.

            In an update to the committee, Buzzards Bay Coalition representative Brendan Annett reported that the state-review process is being completed, and local committees will meet after respective town meetings.

            Coalition representative Allen Decker told the MRV he is working with Bailey on a town-meeting article and that the Coalition created a fact sheet translated into Spanish, Portuguese and Cabo Verde Creole. A site visit was held on March 26, drawing a dozen people from the different member towns.

            In his Tata & Howard Report, Gregory told the membership that David Watling is on the mend after an accident and is having his son help him continue his customary water-monitoring work.

            December graphs have been received from Megan McCarthy; those will be converted to PDF files and be distributed to the group, bringing together an entire year of data that Gregory will analyze and present this spring with an eye on how the area reacted to the extended drought.

            Seeing that the proposed solar canopy over the rear parking lot of Rochester Memorial School creates no new impervious area and does not change the watershed, the committee voted to authorize the chairman to write a letter of approval to Green Seal Environmental to satisfy Rochester Planning Board requirements.

            As reported by Committee Treasurer Jeff Furtado, total February expenditures for the committee totaled in excess of $35,000, while total income as of March 1 was $81,493.61 for a total balance of $156,900.42. March expenditures totaled $38,531.19, bringing total income to $81,687.31 with an April 1 ending balance of $154,007.17.

            The MRV plans to bring back its regional meeting of water officials in the fall.

            The next meeting of the MRV Water Supply Protection Advisory Committee is scheduled for Tuesday, May 9, at 3:30 pm with the MRV Water District Commission meeting to immediately follow at 4:00 pm on the same Zoom call.

MRV Water District Commission/Water Supply Protection Advisory Committee

By Mick Colageo

Green Communities Withdrawal to Remain on Warrant

on

            Residents and town officials crowded the Rochester senior center Monday to hear input on whether to withdraw from the Commonwealth’s Green Communities program, which provides grants and technical assistance to support constructing more energy-efficient buildings and homes but also mandates compliance with building codes that increase construction costs.

            Attendees ended up with only one clear conclusion. Until more information on comparative construction costs is available, the town might want to delay the vote to leave the program that will take the form of two articles on the May 22 Annual Town Meeting warrant.

            Green Communities Southeast Coordinator Lisa Sullivan spoke of the benefits of being a Green Community. The town, she said, has received $425,505 in grants since its December 2019 designation as a Green Community. This money has funded energy-efficiency projects such as LED lighting and envelope improvements in the town’s municipal buildings.

            To qualify for the Green Communities designation, the town must create a plan to reduce energy consumption by 20 percent within 20 years and adopt a fuel-efficiency, vehicle-purchase policy.

            Senior Advisor Paul Raymer spoke in favor of the Stretch building code that the town must follow more strictly as a Green Community. He noted the code requires Home Energy Rating Scores (verifiers) that will test the energy efficiency of structures before improvements are recommended, and the state pays for that step.

            Raymer’s main message: Stricter building codes that increase energy efficiency and lower fossil-fuel energy consumption are worth the cost and effort.

            Attendees were not convinced, pointing out that the code mandates more expensive building materials, and electric vehicles are more expensive to dispose of at the end of their lives.

            Select Board Chairman Woody Hartley clarified that because the town wants to rescind its Green Communities status, residents need to better understand how the different levels of Stretch code might make construction costs go up.

            “Especially when we are facing a $15,000,000 building program,” he said, referring to the town’s current plan to build a new fire station and construct an addition to the police station.

            Raymer’s other message was that there are too many variables involved to immediately determine the increase that Green Communities’ Stretch code would pose on the construction costs of the public-safety project.

            A resident asked Hartley if, without solid answers to financial impact, it might be premature to decide on rescinding the town’s Green Communities status next month on Town Meeting floor. Hartley agreed the vote could be delayed if that is what the town wants.

            Sullivan noted that Rochester is the only Green Communities municipality in the state looking to withdraw. She said it is too early in the planning process to know how much the town project’s costs will rise under Green Communities status.

            Planning Board and Public Safety Building Feasibility Study Committee Chairman Arnold Johnson rose from his chair to dispute that claim.

            “We have a good game plan right now,” said Johnson, elaborating to say the (public-safety-facilities) plan is already looking more expensive because of these Green Stretch codes and that the town should withdraw from its participation in the Green Communities program.

            Johnson said the building installation will have to be stronger and thus more expensive. The new sallyport bays in the police station addition will require electric-vehicle charging stations. Triple-pane windows will be required, whereas double-pane windows would have been installed instead.

            “It all adds up,” Johnson said. “These are not imaginary plans. The costs will only get higher. A tighter building means higher electric bills. It makes no sense. You’ve got to balance it out. If you’re looking at a pay back/better energy-efficiency period of five years, it’s not worth it. We have to be very careful. We have a limited commercial base in this town.”

            Rochester Facilities Manager Andrew Daniel said his goal on the committee that worked on joining Green Communities was to reduce the town’s energy consumption and save the town money. He said he is not sure both goals have been realized. “I just know that this will have a ton of impacts on us,” he said.

            After the discussion ended, Hartley acknowledged that the articles to withdraw from Green Communities will remain on the May 22 Annual Town Meeting warrant. One article is a citizens’ petition to withdraw; the other is an action by the Select Board to recommend the same.

By Michael J. DeCicco

Marion Art Center

on

The Marion Art Center is seeking art contributions for the MAC’s annual summer fundraiser, Cocktails by the Sea. The fundraising committee will collect a limited number of high quality items, including original artwork, fine reproductions (must be framed), ceramics, glass, jewelry and more. Experience packages are also welcome for the silent auction. Those who wish to contribute should email auction coordinators Joanne Petrie and Errin Chapin at auction@marionartcenter.org. Save the date for this popular event scheduled on Friday, July 28 from 5:30-8:30 pm at the home of Trevor and Ann Hatton located at 183 Front Street in Marion. Members of the Marion Art Center may purchase tickets in advance beginning May 1, while general ticket sales will begin May 15. Be sure to join or renew your MAC membership in order to get your tickets before they sell out. Register online at marionartcenter.org/join.

            Members of the MAC are invited to a member appreciation day celebration at the Marion Art Center on Saturday, June 3 from 2:00-4:00 pm. A rain date is scheduled on Sunday, June 4. The MAC will offer free ice cream, face painting, lawn games and live music. This family-friendly event is for any and all MAC members. Those who wish to join the MAC can do so at the event, or sign up ahead of time at marionartcenter.org/join. This event is free to attend, but the MAC requests that members register ahead of time. To RSVP, register online at marionartcenter.org/events, email info@marionartcenter.org, or call 508-748-1266 with name, contact info and number of attendees.

Town Clerk Running for Select Board

on

            Born and raised in Mattapoisett, Catherine Heuberger says she has thought for “quite some time” about running for Select Board. When the thought got serious, she wrote the state Ethics Commission to find out if her full-time job as Mattapoisett’s town clerk poses a conflict of interest.

            “They’re supposed to let me know within 30 days … it turned out to be a lot longer (wait),” she said of what was a four-page letter needing an attorney’s guidance to fully understand. The conclusion: “There’s nothing stopping me from (serving in both roles.)”

            Tyler Macallister’s three-year term is up this year, and he faces the challenges of both Heuberger and Brian Connelly. Brad Hathaway pulled and returned papers for the seat but on April 3 pulled out of the race.

            “If this happens and I am elected, there are things I would have to take into consideration,” said Heuberger. “There will be a little more – how is this going to play out?”

            Immediately lurking is the question of running the 2023 Town Election scheduled for Tuesday, May 16. Heuberger said that Town Administrator Mike Lorenco has reached out to Town Counsel for guidance.

            “It’s a very important part of what I do,” said Heuberger, who as of Tuesday morning was waiting to learn what she “should be doing and should not be doing regarding the upcoming election. … We’ll have some answers on that soon.”

            As town clerk, Heuberger is well aware of the need for specific instructions as to her involvement for the town’s and her own protection against any potential accusations, but she is also confident in her office staff and team of experienced election volunteers.

            Nada Parker, the former longtime town clerk in Rochester, served on the Board of Selectmen there, Heuberger pointed out. “There is no ethics problem with it,” she said. “Everyone has day jobs. The difference with me is my day job is actually here in Town Hall.”

            If elected, Heuberger compared her hypotheticals to Select Board member Jordan Collyer, who is a Mattapoisett Fire Department captain. Just as Collyer recuses himself from voting on matters pertaining to the Fire Department, so Heuberger sees herself recusing from the budget in the Town Clerk’s department, for instance. “That’s more a conversation for down the road,” she said.

            Debra O’Malley, the director of Communications for the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, replied to an email from The Wanderer, stating “that state election laws do not prohibit the town clerk from holding another town office, nor do the laws prohibit a person from running on the same town election ballot for more than one office,” wrote O’Malley.

            “While the Elections Division doesn’t track how many clerks have held other positions simultaneously, it is not unheard of for a town clerk to be a member of the board of selectmen. I am aware of at least one other clerk – Nancy Talbot in Ware – who has been a member of the board of selectman while serving as town clerk.”

By Mick Colageo

Zoning Bylaws on Chopping Block

on

The Rochester Planning Board on Tuesday night approved putting two articles deleting zoning bylaws on the May 22 Annual Town Meeting Warrant.

            One will eliminate the temporary moratorium on permitting marijuana retail-sales operations, which is no longer needed because state regulations on such licensing have now been finalized and the town has already approved its first such business.

            The other article will delete the Orderly Development bylaw. Town Planner Nancy Durfee explained later that this bylaw was created to control the rate of new homes being built in large housing developments such as Connet Woods. Now that Connet is near completion and no similar large housing projects are being proposed right now, the town wants to wait and see if it will ever need the measure again, she said.

            The Planning Board also endorsed for placement on the Town Meeting Warrant a third zoning bylaw-amendment article that will correct a typographical error in the site-plan review section of the bylaw.

            The brief meeting’s other highlight came when Durfee received the board’s endorsement of a letter seeking the Select Board’s support of a plan to study Snipatuit Pond.

            Durfee explained that, with $20,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds received through SRPEDD (Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District), a flow gauge will be installed and two sink wells placed to determine the pond’s groundwater flow and levels.

            The total cost of this assessment, she said, will be $30,000. She expects the remaining $10,000 to come from Covanta’s (the former SEMASS) community donation funds.

            “We want to make sure the groundwater flow is there for future use,” Durfee explained. “A 1980s report on the pond is just crushing. Levels are changing. There’s no data to know what to do with this issue.”

            The letter elaborates that the study will help the town better understand the groundwater and surface-flow dynamics between Snipatuit and Great Quitticas, “and what that means to watershed boundaries and groundwater supply. … The Planning Board supports this project and is confident the project will yield valuable results,” said Durfee.

            In other action, the board appointed Durfee as its representative to SRPEDD.

The Rochester Planning Board’s next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 25, at 7:00 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.

Rochester Planning Board

By Michael J. DeCicco

Cyclists Volunteers Needed

on

The Tour de Creme is seeking experienced cyclists to volunteer for this year’s event on Sunday May 21. Volunteer cyclists help keep the other cyclists safe, acting as ride ambassadors and ride sweeps. These volunteers help to make sure all riders stay on course and that nobody gets left behind. If you are a cyclist interested in riding in this year’s Tour de Creme at no cost, sign up today to become a volunteer rider. Cycling experience and safe riding techniques are mandatory. Please go online to tourdecreme.org and sign up for the Ride Team on the volunteer page.

Cathleen M. (Tahair) Carreiro

on

Cathleen M. (Tahair) Carreiro, 65, of Fairhaven passed into eternal life on April 11, 2023 while on hospice care at St. Luke’s Hospital. She was the wife of Robert A. Carreiro of Fairhaven.

            She was born in New Bedford on March 11, 1958 to Marcia (Galavotti) Tahair and the late Harry Tahair.

            She spent many years of her life caring for children, providing daycare, love and support for them, just as she had raised her own family. Her love for children was a staple of her life. She was a natural teacher with great patience. Cathy was also an accomplished cook and loved to entertain. She later began a career in the restaurant industry. She was formerly employed as the manager of The Captain’s Table at the Seaport Inn in Fairhaven and Abreau’s Restaurant in New Bedford. Cathy later took her flair for entertaining and love of fine dining to the Daniel Webster Inn in Sandwich where she served as a function coordinator for many years until her retirement due to illness and injury. She was beloved by her many customers over the years for her superior service.

            In addition to her husband, Robert, and her mother, Marcia, she is survived by her son, Christopher R. Carreiro of Boston; her daughter, Sarah E. Carreiro of Fairhaven; two grandsons, Issac J. Meneses and Chance C. Melo, both of Fairhaven; two sisters, Stephanie Hege of Charlotte, NC and Jen Medeiros of Taunton; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and former colleagues.

            Cathy’s family would like to send heartfelt thanks to the many nurses and staff at St. Luke’s Hospital and hospice for their kind and compassionate care during her hospital stay. They are indeed Angels who walk the Earth.

            A Memorial Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 18, 2023 from 4-7 pm in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Mattapoisett. A Mass in Cathy’s memory will be said at a later date. Those wishing to attend can leave their contact information on a sheet near the guestbook at her visitation. In lieu of flowers, donations in Cathy’s memory may be made to either Hasbro Children’s Hospital, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, or Make-A-Wish Massachusetts. For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Justin P. Doberck

on

Justin P. Doberck, 41, of Mattapoisett, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, April 7, 2023.

            Those who knew Justin were amazed watching him move through this life, and feel blessed to have been in it at the same time. He was beautiful and one of the most interesting people anyone could know. He was loved fiercely by his family who were relentlessly proud of him.

            Justin was a commercial offshore fishing captain for many years, starting over two decades ago working on the Serene out of Mattapoisett, captured on the cover of Insider Magazine, F/V Buzzards Bay, F/V Sally Katherine and F/V Silver Key out of the Port of New Bedford, F/V Direction out of Fairhaven, and then operator of fishing vessels with his mate and brother, Billy, for more than 10 years for M.E. Fisheries, then F/V McKinley, and most currently for Atlantic Red Crab. He also enjoyed logging and working at his sawmill in his spare time.

            He was passionate about music, a long-time guitarist, he was always willing to try new instruments. He was happy being outdoors, in the woods, riding his ’57 Panhead, or taking a drive around town in his truck. He was generous with his time, whether helping someone out or taking his family and friends out on his boat or on other adventures.

            Justin lived most of his life in Mattapoisett where he raised his daughter, Kiya, with Brianne Donovan. Justin and Kiya enjoyed spending time together coming up with fun things to do. Justin enjoyed being outdoors and visited NH often, where he mountain biked and snow boarded. He also traveled to the south and west and spent a short time living in Vail, CO. He had many experiences and stories to tell. He loved his family and was proud of his heritage. He was a good friend, had good friends and loved to laugh.

            He was a remarkable and deeply loved son, brother, dad, grandson and nephew. He is the father of Kiya Doberck, the son of William and Charlene Doberck, brother of William Doberck, Jr., grandson of William F. and Bernice Power, nephew of Carol Beadle, Cheryl and Robert Hebert, Cynthia and John Getchell, Ellen and Barry Montella, and Colonel (Retired) Scott and Mrs. Rochanda Power. He is the grandson of the late Carl V. and Elizabeth Doberck.

            Masks are required to attend Justin’s funeral services. The family requests that only those who knew Justin personally attend his services. His visitation will be held on Friday from 4-8 pm in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Mattapoisett. His Funeral Service will be held Saturday at 10 am in the Seamen’s Bethel. Burial will be private.

Timothy Lloyd Clark

on

Timothy Lloyd Clark, 44, passed suddenly at St. Luke’s Hospital on April 7th, 2023. Born in Dallas, Texas, husband of Amy Ross Clark and son of Daniel Lloyd Clark and Deborah Carr Clark, he lived in Rochester, MA, at Eastover Farm.

            Tim will always be remembered as a smart, athletic, funny and handsome father, husband, son, brother, and great friend. He took pride in his rowing days at Tabor Academy going undefeated to win the New Englands before graduating in 1997. Tim met Amy Ross at Colgate University where he played rugby and joined the Kappa Delta Rho fraternity, making lifelong friends. After graduation in 2001, Tim moved to NYC beginning in consulting with The Cambridge Group and then boutique investment banking with The Seabury Group and Gruppo Levey & Company. Marrying in 2004, Tim and Amy had their first daughter, Rosemary, in 2007 while Tim was completing his MBA at Amos Tuck School of Business. Their second daughter, Grace, was born in Rochester, MA in 2009.

            Tim is survived by his wife of 18 ½ years, his sister, Katherine Hiller Clark, two daughters, Rosemary June and Grace Bedford, his parents, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. He was the grandson of the late Richard and June (Hiller) Carr and Robert and Mariana (Lloyd) Clark.

            Visiting hours will be on Thursday, April 13th from 4-7 in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Road (Rt. 6), Mattapoisett, MA. His funeral will be held Friday, April 14th at 10 am at St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church, 124 Front Street, Marion, MA. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery in Marion, MA. For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

            In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Epilepsy Foundation, Attn: Donor Services, 3540 Crain Highway Suite 675, Bowie, MD 20716; or the American Transplant Foundation, 600 17th St Suite 2515 S, Denver, CO 80202.