From the Files of the Rochester Historical Society

on

The goal of the Rochester Historical Society is to preserve as much of the town’s history as possible and to share it with the community. At the museum, we have historical items, many, many documents and pictures. I often think that it is the pictures that do the best job of taking us back to the past and of depicting the changes that have occurred over the centuries. The two pictures accompanying this article are a case in point. One shows us the Hartley Sawmill in its heyday when it was the town’s biggest employer. The second picture shows the mill office, which is all that is left today. No big trucks, loads of logs or busy workers.

            On April 20 at 7:00 pm at the museum at 355 County Road., we’re planning an evening of pictures brought by attendees and scrapbooks that will take us into the past. We hope to see pictures of babies, ancestors and places that have changed or disappeared over the years. Once we have put out the pictures, we will try to match them with the people who brought them. I am sure the evening will prove that a picture is really worth a thousand words. If you have any questions about the program, you can contact me at eshbach2@aol.com.

By Connie Eshbach

FCCR Ladies Friendship Luncheon

on

A Ladies Friendship Luncheon will be held on Saturday, April 30 at 12:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall at First Congregational Church of Rochester, located in the center of town (11 Constitution Way.) Invite a friend to come and share fellowship, food and music and learn more about “Women of the Bible.” Tickets are $15 per person. Please call the church office at 508-763-4314 or email rochestercongregational@comcast.net to register by April 23.

CWMP Options Coming into Focus

on

            The Town of Marion might realize more benefit than a healthier harbor from its recent regulations requiring any new septic construction in town to include denitrification technology.

            “Nitrogen mitigation is something you should hang your hat on,” Kent Nichols of Weston & Sampson told the Marion Select Board and Town Administrator Jay McGrail during Monday afternoon’s Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan Workshop.

            Marion is asking the state for additional sewer capacity to accommodate what it expects will be a dramatic rise in users once a pair of residential developments are constructed along Route 6 near the Weweantic River.

            “If we’re asking for a little more flow … we can add discharge at the (wastewater-treatment) plant but lessen the net effect due to nitrogen reduction,” suggested Nichols, whose presentation included basic financial scenarios and discussion on how to procure funding in next steps to modernize and stabilize the town’s sewer infrastructure.

            Ultimately, Marion prospers with more sewer ratepayers spreading the cost of massive upgrades that lie ahead in some scenario.

            On Monday, Nichols presented a series of breakdowns on four general approaches including full and minimal options with notes and discussion regarding short and long-term pros and cons of each scenario. “Every option requires permitting … nothing is a slam dunk,” qualified Nichols.

            Financial outlooks were presented in “apples to apples” comparisons that omitted discussion about aspects present in all options such as infiltration and inflow (I/I) and sewer extension. Key issues compared included: Capacity, (Marion plans on handling 686,000 gallons per day) Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Copper and Solids.

            Technological differences among the four basic approaches cancel out the need to deal with every issue listed above, but each of the four brings its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

            Nichols categorized the following treatment alternatives as feasible: A. process improvements to Marion’s existing facilities; B. groundwater discharge of Marion-produced effluent; C. Relocating Marion’s outfall; and D. Regionalization with the Town of Wareham. In the case of regionalization, Marion would need to build a pipe to connect to Wareham’s infrastructure and continue a level of operation that would prevent buildup via the usage of the wastewater lagoon for equalization.

            Option A1 would require $2,500,000 in discreet capital costs but a total of $10,800,000 including ancillary costs; A2 would include a third lagoon and require $4,500,000 in discreet capital costs and with ancillary costs total $12,800,000.

            A1 is the hedging of A2, which is “what really should happen to your plant,” Nichols told the board.

            Approach B1, 100,000 gallons per day of groundwater discharge requires $7,300,000 in discreet capital but $15,600,000 including ancillary costs. B2 is the groundwater discharge of all effluent. The cost is $9,200,000 in discreet capital and $17,300,000 altogether.

            Nichols said making the “B” approaches work “depends on soils being conducive to this.” The main advantage of B, he said, is in permitting. “It just doesn’t address your whole issue.” B2, for instance, does not meet phosphorus removal. Given the site’s lack of permeability, Nichols said, “We’re not convinced B2 would be a workable alternative out there.”

            Category C1 is outfall extension to Salt Marsh and C2 outfall extension to Outer Cove. While Category-C options would not need to remove phosphorus, Nichols recommended against Salt Marsh as a most risky plan due to the nature of the soils, noting that engineering firm CDM Smith also commented accordingly on soils in its report.

            Category D is regionalization with Wareham, the options determined by which option Marion would choose for its connection to the out-of-town infrastructure. In either case, Nichols estimated costs that soar past all other options to $71,000,000 for discreet capital spending and $76,000,000 total counting ancillary costs.

            Select Board member John Waterman said he found the second option with the third batch processor most appealing. That option requires Marion being granted an increase on its permit. The backup plan would be the groundwater option.

            “The goal ought to be if we can get one area of town sewered as soon as we can and moving on that track as soon as we can. The more users we can get on the system, the more we can spread the debt service,” said Waterman.

            Nichols and Select Board Chairman Norm Hills agreed.

            A public-input session was discussed, as well as funding opportunities including ARPA.

            “(Coastal Zone Management) has been very supportive of the town. I don’t think that can be overstated,” said Nichols. “One of the reasons they really like supporting Marion is … your very programmed approach.”

            While the matter will come up in future Select Board meetings, the CWMP public meeting will be held in person at the Music Hall on Monday, May 23, at 6:00 pm.

Marion Select Board

By Mick Colageo

Murphy Making Another Run at Select Board

on

            In 2020, Adam Murphy ran against Woody Hartley for the latter’s Select Board seat and lost. Murphy is back in the race this year, this time running against Select Board Chairman Brad Morse, whose term is up.

            The term is three years.

            Morse is running for reelection in one of only two contested races in the 2022 Rochester Election that will take place on Wednesday, May 25, at the Senior Center on Dexter Avenue. The deadline to submit papers to the Board of Registrars was April 6.

            A Hartley is involved in Rochester’s other contested race, as Rochester School Committee Chairperson Sharon Hartley, Woody Hartley’s wife, is running for reelection against Melissa Anne Goneau. The term is three years.

            In a connected race, a vacancy to fill one two-year term on the Rochester School Committee is being contested by three people: Jason Chisholm, Gregory M. Hardy and James L. O’Brien. Having been appointed by the Select Board to fill a vacancy on the committee last year, Chisholm has been serving on the local school committee and representing Rochester on the Old Rochester Regional and Joint school committees.

            All other elections in Rochester consist of uncontested races, and all but one candidate, Michael T. King, are incumbents. King is looking to join incumbent Kimberly A. Burt for three-year terms to fill two open seats on the Library Trustees.

            The only other office seeking to fill two seats is Constable, where incumbents David L. Hughes and Marc S. Slabodnick are running for reelection to three-year terms. Hughes is also running for reelection to the Park Commission (three-year term.)

            Other incumbents running uncontested for reelection to their offices are: Planning Board Chairman Arnie Johnson (five years), Highway Surveyor Jeffrey Eldridge (three years), Diana S. Knapp (Board of Assessors, three years), Lori A. Souza (Cemetery Commission, three years), Glenn R. Lawrence (Board of Health, three years), and Richard J. Charon (Water Commission, three years.)

By Mick Colageo

Mille

on

To the Editor;

             “My name is Mille,” she said, extending her hand with all the poise, and self-possession rare in one so young. I never met Millie before, but watched her from my car as she arrived at St. Rita’s for the Palm Sunday services. What caught my attention?

            Millie arrived alone, not self-consciously alone, but comfortably alone. She was at home in her own skin, unlike so many teens who move through life within a flock. She proceeded up the stairs, joining some elders at the door. Millie held the door, smiled and chatted while extending a greeting with each.

            When I entered the church, I spotted Millie sitting by herself. I excused myself for intruding on her solitude and heaped upon this young one all the admiration and praise my vocabulary could muster. She introduced herself, as did I.

            The priest walked by to ask for volunteers to take part in the reading of the Passion of Jesus from the Gospel. She, at first, was reluctant because she had never read from the altar before. Reading in front of the congregation is daunting for an adult; it must be terrifying for a teen. Yet, Millie set sail. What a performance, if you can call it that! Her voice was strong, sure, reaching all parts of the church.

            You see, Millie is only sixteen years of age, a student at Tabor who on her own, took herself to church and gave a part of herself to everyone she met.

            To Millie (full of grace) I say thank you for your inspiration, giving me someone to rave about because I have been raving about you for two days. I don’t do that very often. You have it all, young woman. Don’t chisel away at it, by trying to “fit in” or “to belong.” You are magnificent, as is. Those who raised you should be so proud of what they have birthed, nurtured and infused with such graciousness.

            Millie, (full of grace) you are my Easter and my Easter basket. 

Diane V. Owens, Marion

The views expressed in the “Letters to the Editor” column are not necessarily those of The Wanderer, its staff or advertisers. The Wanderer will gladly accept any and all correspondence relating to timely and pertinent issues in the great Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester area, provided they include the author’s name, address and phone number for verification. We cannot publish anonymous, unsigned or unconfirmed submissions. The Wanderer reserves the right to edit, condense and otherwise alter submissions for purposes of clarity and/or spacing considerations. The Wanderer may choose to not run letters that thank businesses, and The Wanderer has the right to edit letters to omit business names. The Wanderer also reserves the right to deny publication of any submitted correspondence.

Friends of the Mattapoisett Council on Aging

on

The Friends of the Mattapoisett Council on Aging is again holding their annual Pie and Cake Bake Sale, on April 16, from 8:30 am to 12 noon. The location of the sale has been moved to the Knights of Columbus Hall located at 57 Fairhaven Road. There will be a variety of tasty treats for sale at this event.

            In addition to the delicious treats, we will be selling raffle tickets for a beautiful landscape painted by a former member, Priscilla Hathaway. The painting was donated by her husband Brad Hathaway. The raffle tickets will also be available at the Spring Luncheon on May 12 and at Harbor Days, where the winner will be drawn.

Sippican Woman’s Club Annual Luncheon

on

The Sippican Woman’s Club will hold its Annual Luncheon and Meeting on Friday, April 29 at The Bay Club, 63 County Road, Mattapoisett. Members and guests are invited to meet and greet at 11:30 am, followed luncheon served at 12:15. The meeting and election of officers will follow during dessert.  Anyone who is interested in finding out about the club or interested in joining is welcome to join us for lunch. Please contact Deborah Bush (508) 748-1262 for information or to make a luncheon reservation. Luncheon reservations and payments ($30 payable to SWC, PO Box 121, Marion, MA 02738) must be made by April 22.

ORR Runs Past Apponequet in Opener

on

The Old Rochester Regional High School track-and-field teams opened the 2022 spring season with a bang on April 7 at Apponequet Regional High School in Lakeville, defeating the host Lakers in dominant fashion.

            Despite missing key players like Colby Gross due to injury and Tyler Trudeau due to ORR’s conflicting drama production, the final score for the boys’ meet was 82-54. Meanwhile, the girls won 96-40.

            There was some early tension for the boys. While Leo Schiappa took first place in the triple jump, Rudy Arsenault won the long jump. Walter Rosher placed first in discus and Braeden Christopher won high jump for the visiting Bulldogs. Apponequet swept the top three spots in the javelin and 400 hurdles and had the top two shot-put results.

            The rest of the meet was no contest.

            Murray Copps and Aidan Silk took first and second place in the mile and 2 mile, followed by Schiappa, Remy Wilson and Antonius Makram sweeping the 100 before John Kassabian and Matthew Curry took first and second respectively in the 800. Topping it off was Shiappa and Landon Maxwell coming in first and third in the 400, Wesner Archelus and Justin Allain taking first and third in the 110 hurdles and the 4×100 team of Wilson, Archelus, Jacksen Martin and Gavin Martin also victorious.

            The tension was nowhere near as high for the girls, who dominated the Lakers from the jump. Jen Williams and Maggie Brogioli both cleared 5 feet, 2 inches in the high jump, with Williams taking first place based on fewer misses. Williams and Brogioli repeated that 1-2 finish in the 100 hurdles. Cameran Weaver won the triple jump, Taylor Green placed first in shot-put, Liz Feeney won discus, and Julia Sheridan won javelin to sweep the field events.

Hanna Whalley, Alexia Gonsalves and Corrine Robert went 1-2-3 in the mile. Brogioli won the 100 dash, while Alexa St. Louis picked up a third-place finish. Sheridan and Maddie Connor came first and second in the 800, before Gonsalves, Whalley and Conner swept the 2 mile, putting the final nail in the coffin.

The Bulldogs will look to continue building momentum in another road meet against Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech on Thursday, April 14.

Baseball

            Old Rochester’s baseball team has played three games so far and is 2-1 to open the season. The Bulldogs’ first win came on April 4 when they defeated Seekonk, 9-5, in Mattapoisett. They lost at Fairhaven the next day before coming back on home field to defeat Bourne, 4-3, on Monday. Their next game will be Thursday, April 14, against Dartmouth High School at the UMass Dartmouth baseball diamond.

Lacrosse

            ORR’s girls’ lacrosse team is off to a 3-0 start following big wins over Falmouth, New Bedford High and Cape Cod Academy. The boys’ lacrosse team also won its season opener on April 4, defeating Bishop Stang, 16-9. The boys will host Seekonk on Friday, April 15, while the girls visit Seekonk on the same day.

Tennis

            Two matches into the season, both Old Rochester tennis teams are 1-1. The girls opened their season with a 3-2 win over Dartmouth on April 5 before losing 3-2 against Fairhaven on Monday. The boys, on the other hand, took a 4-1 loss against Dartmouth before defeating Fairhaven 3-2 on April 11. Both teams faced Wareham on Wednesday and will face Dighton-Rehoboth on Thursday, April 14, with the girls at home and the boys in Dighton.

Sports Roundup

By Matthew Curry

Chisholm Wants Youth Sports on Community Radar

on

            In reporting to the Rochester School Committee on recent actions of the Old Rochester Regional School Committee during the former’s April 7 public meeting, member Jason Chisholm talked about the request by the president of ORR Youth Football to once again use ORR’s multipurpose (stadium) field.

            The ORR School Committee discussed the matter in detail before tabling it until after the high school’s spring sports season ends, field conditions can be properly evaluated and a recommendation is given by ORR High School Principal Mike Devoll.

            ORRYF requested four dates for 2022 (five games are held per date.) The organization successfully hosted two youth-football dates in 2021 and drew praise in a prior meeting from committee member Frances Kearns for leaving the facility devoid of any trash or belongings.

            On what he called a personal note, Chisholm told the Rochester School Committee that it should give “very careful consideration to this request.” Alluding to discussion about the impact of community involvement on future positive experience at high school, Chisholm said, “I don’t know if we’re doing enough of that.”

            Chisholm, a Rochester resident who played college football and currently coaches in another youth-football organization, has kept a keen eye on ORRYF and has also noted that participation numbers are affected by the amount of travel families must take on in a program unable to host home games.

            “At some point the conversation is going to come back to the town,” he said, calling it a “small ask. … If you have any opinions on that, even if you’re against it … I think it’s important that we’re vocal about that.”

            Chisholm also reported that the regional committee voted to maintain school choice numbers at present levels.

            In his Central Office Administrator’s Report, Mike Nelson said as of April 7 that “Covid data remains in a good place.” Rochester Memorial School had no positive cases as of the meeting. Nelson described protocol as “still a layered mitigation approach with social distancing … time to think about next steps.”

            According to Nelson, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Jannell Pearson-Campbell continues to move forward filing the ELL audit and working with other stakeholders on building ORR’s professional-development calendar.

            Director of Student Services Craig Davidson reported that through the Mass Blackboard program, local schools gave away 65 bookbags with books and materials. Davidson also reported that transition meetings are being held for sixth graders scheduled to enter ORR Junior High School later this year and that Principal Silas Coellner visited Rochester Memorial School.

            On Tuesday, April 12, Dr. Jesse Jackson III was scheduled to speak on how to deal with children when racial incidents happen at your school. The talk is Part 4 of a 10-part series over the next year. Jackson has trained more than 1,400 schools on the subject.

            In his Principal’s Report, Derek Medeiros told the committee that a March 17-30 campaign sold 27 items that raised over $6,000 “scholastic dollars.” Last week, Medeiros attended a webinar on literacy designed to measure how well schools meeting state expectations. Rochester is well underway with MCAS testing.

            The School Committee approved a name change for the Anti-Racism Subcommittee to the Equity Subcommittee. Member Kate Duggan explained that in a series of meetings, it was determined that the scope of the subcommittee had refocused beyond racism to the celebration of inclusion, diversity and belonging.

            Nelson told the committee that Mattapoisett had already approved the change, and Rochester followed with its unanimous approval.

            The School Committee approved the Memorandum of Agreement between the Rochester School Committee and the Rochester support staff.

            Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Howie Barber reported that approximately $196,000 remains in unencumbered funds but told the committee to expect those funds would be spent by the end of the fiscal year. Barber also relayed from Food and Services Director Jill Hennesy that there has been a much higher participation in meal plans this school year.

            In her Chairperson’s Report, Sharon Hartley accompanied new Rochester Town Administrator Glenn Cannon and Principal Derek Medeiros on an April 6 tour of Rochester Memorial School. “Derek is a great tour guide,” said Hartley, referencing his dialogue on the different sections of the building. Cannon grew up in Freetown, and Medeiros brought him up to date on the building’s changes over the years.

            Chisholm said he will attend the Monday, April 25, 6:00 pm Select Board meeting to ensure the Rochester School Committee had a quorum present to its appointment at Town Hall regarding Old Colony Regional School District.

            Hartley opened the meeting by reading from a poem by Amanda Gorman and thanked everyone for the light they bring to the meetings and to RMS. The committee began with an executive session to discuss contract negotiations and to comply with state laws.

            The next meeting of the Rochester School Committee is scheduled for Thursday, May 5, and the next meeting of the Joint School Committee is scheduled for Thursday, April 28. Both meetings begin at 6:30 pm.

Rochester School Committee

By Mick Colageo

Tables of Content Fundraiser

on

The Elizabeth Taber Library in Marion is pleased to announce its 2022 Fundraiser Event: Tables Of Content, repeating an event that was highly successful in 2018 and 2019. On Friday, June 17 and Sunday, June 26, generous friends of the Elizabeth Taber Library will host literary-inspired dinners in their homes to raise money for the library’s programming and resource expansion.

            Each dinner is based on a book the host selects. Your choice of book and date availability will determine where you go. Lively discussion of the book will be the evening’s focal point, in addition to meeting new friends and enjoying a delicious meal. Adding a bit of mystery to the event, the location and host are not revealed until a week before the event. You won’t know who else is coming to dinner until the night of the event. What fun!

            Guests are asked to choose two books from the list, in order of preference. Assignments will be made to accommodate date and book choices to the best of our abilities. *Books listed with an asterisk will be hosted in an outdoor or screened porch venue.

            Book list for Friday, June 17, 2022 at 6 pm

The Cold Millions – Jess Walter

Harlem Shuffle – Colson Whitehead

The Personal Librarian – Benedict and Murray

Strapless: John Singer Sargent and the Fall of Madam X – Deborah Davis

*Under the Whispering Door – TJ Klune

            Book list for Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 6 pm

Dirt: Adventures in Lyon as a Chef in Training, Father and Sleuth Looking for the Secret of French Cooking – Bill Beaufort

*The Lincoln Highway – Amor Towles

The Personal Librarian – Benedict and Murray

*Overstory – Richard Powers

Slow Fire Burning – Paula Hawkins

            Rain dates for outdoor venues are Friday, June 24 for the 17th and Monday, June 27 for the 26th.

            Tickets are $65 per person. Registration forms are available at the library or on the library website, www.elizabethtaberlibrary.org. Please mail your check and registration form to the library or bring them in to register. Any dietary restrictions should be indicated with your reply.

            The deadline for responding is May 1. Tickets are limited so sign up early to ensure a place at our table.

            Questions and concerns may be directed to Elizabeth Sherry at the library, 508-748-1252.

            What could be better than a delightful evening a table while also supporting the programs and resources of our treasured Elizabeth Taber Library?