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To the Editor;

            I would like to thank the citizens of Marion for putting their trust in me. As I serve on the Select Board, I will do everything I can to justify that trust.

            Also, many thanks to all the friends and volunteers who helped and supported me during the campaign. Hats off to Dr. Ed Hoffer for all his work in Marion and for running a friendly, issued based campaign.

            I intend to be accessible and responsive. Contact me at Toby@tobyburr02738.com with concerns, questions and invitations to meet for an informal chat. I intend to serve the whole community as we face the challenge of keeping up services and infrastructure in an affordable manner.

            Best,

Toby Burr, 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.

Tree Fund, Perry’s Lane Project Voted Down

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Editor’s Note: On Page 18 of the May 26 Wanderer “Rochester Town Meeting,” the approved FY23 operating budget was incorrectly reported. The correct number approved by voters was $24,174,626. The report also incorrectly implied FY22 and FY23 salary figures for Town Accountant Suzanne Szyndlar and Building Commissioner Carl Bizarro. The figures discussed on Town Meeting floor applied to the entire Accounting and Building department budgets. Szyndlar earned $55,202 as town administrator/accountant in FY22 and will earn $80,000 in the newly created role of Finance Director in FY23. Bizarro will earn $80,000 as a full-time Building Commissioner in FY23, an increase from $49,358 (part-time) in FY22. Below is the story with the correct information.

            Monday night’s Rochester Town Meeting saved the drama until close to the end, as it took under an hour to pass all but two of its 27 warrant articles.

            The first negative vote came with Article 24, a move to change the “Arbor Fund” bylaw that requires solar-facility developers to estimate the value of the trees they are clear cutting on their property and submit to the town a payment that will then be used for tree-regrowing purposes. Town Meeting was being asked to apply this requirement to any subdivision or a commercial/industrial that cuts trees as part of its project.

            Planning Board Chairman Arnold Johnson reported that at that panel’s public hearing on the article on May 10, it voted unanimously to recommend it be withdrawn. Town Meeting attendees agreed and indefinitely postponed the change.

            At the May 10 hearing, Johnson explained he considers the proposed change “too cumbersome, too onerous. We want this fund confined to solar projects. The townspeople won’t like it. I don’t like to lose the town. They’ve grown to trust us. I don’t want to lose that.”

            Article 27 failed to pass as well. It was a citizen’s petition that would have authorized the town to enter into a 99-year lease agreement with a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization to build affordable housing on 4 acres on the south side of Perry’s Lane. The lease price tag would be for $1, and the units would be limited to Rochester seniors and veterans.

            Proponent Richard Cutler said it would be a proactive move to help the citizens of Rochester who are seniors and veterans with finding affordable housing before housing quotas came down from the state. “I strongly feel is the right move for Rochester,” Cutler said. “Is it like putting the cart before the horse? Well, the cart is affordable housing for our residents that needs a little push from behind. It will send a message to officials that we should be doing something about this and now.”

            Town Counsel Blair Bailey pointed out that any non-profit, not just the local petitioners, would be able to bid for this project under state law. Perry Lane resident Michele Gagne noted the street is an unpaved road down which a school bus regularly travels. Four acres there would be a very limiting housing project for its residents, she said.

            Select Board member Woody Hartley noted this is “a long, skinny piece of property. There are other town properties for something like this.” Referring to the entire Select Board, he added, “We’re not opposed to housing for our seniors and veterans. We’re not sure this the best place for it.”

            The article failed by vote of 72 against and only 14 in favor.

            Under positive moves, the FY23 operating budget of $24,174,626 passed with little resistance.

            A Town Meeting voter questioned what she called the “dramatic” salary increases in the Accounting and Building departments. The Accounting Department budget increased from $131,622 in FY22 to $162,851 for FY23, and the Building Department budget increased from $144,168 in FY22 to $184,161 for FY23.

            Select Board Chairman Brad Morse explained that the Building-commissioner position was boosted from part-time ($49,358) in FY22 to full-time ($80,000) for FY23 because of an increasing workload and that Suzanne Szyndlar, who is earning $55,202 through FY22 as town administrator/town accountant, will earn $80,000 in FY23 in the newly created role of Finance Director. Glenn Cannon was recently appointed as Rochester’s new town administrator.

            The other major moves that the 101 residents who attended the Town Meeting approved included: $380,000 to borrow for a new ambulance; $110,000 for a feasibility study on possible public safety department improvements; $12,000 for engineering and surveying to renovate the town hall parking lot; $35,000 to site a transfer station building at the Highway barn; $41,000 for a new animal control vehicle; and $49,500 for a Highway Department dump truck and sander.

            Voters also endorsed changing the solar bylaw to state that such projects be designed to better minimize their visibility from residences and public ways.

Rochester Annual Town Meeting

By Michael J. DeCicco

  

David E. Lajeunesse

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David E. Lajeunesse, 71, of Dartmouth died May 21, 2022 peacefully at Good Samaritan Medical Center.

            Born in New Bedford, son of the late Ernest G. and Ann M. (Stone) Lajeunesse, he lived in Dartmouth most of his life.

            He was formerly employed by Brayton Point Power Plant for many years until his retirement.

            He enjoyed sailing.

            Survivors include his 2 sons, Scott Lajeunesse and his wife Beth of Lithia, FL and Brian Lajeunesse and his wife Alison of Medway; his girlfriend, Nancy Mak of Dartmouth; and 7 grandchildren.

            His funeral services will be private.  Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6), Mattapoisett. For online guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Upcoming Events at Rochester Historical Society Museum

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June brings two events sponsored by the Rochester Historical Society. The first will take place at the cemetery in Rochester Center where a guided tour of the cemetery will be led by two of the Society’s members. This will take place at 1:00 on June 12. If canceled due to inclement weather, a new date will be posted later. Anyone with questions can contact Connie Eshbach at eshbach2@aol or Sue LaFleur at sash48@comcast.net or call Connie 508-763-4932 or Sue 508-295-8908.

Alves Riverfront Walk

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Join the Mattapoisett Land Trust (MLT) on Saturday May 28, 10:00 am for a guided walk along upper portions of the tidal Mattapoisett River. MLT is working to preserve the 4-acre Alves parcel and open the land for public use and river access. Placing the Alves parcel and other nearby lands in conservation protects important wildlife habitat buffers Mattapoisett from climate change impacts, and opens a beautiful area of meadow, forest and riverbank to public enjoyment. In addition, this parcel and nearby lands include some of the earliest sites in Mattapoisett settled by Europeans. Come join us and see this special place! The walk will depart from 3 Mattapoisett Neck Road, just south of Route 6. Please park on the west side of Mattapoisett Neck Road across the street. The terrain is gentle, but wear sturdy, mud-proof shoes and dress for the weather.

            For more information, please see MLT’s website www.mattlandtrust.org or email us at info@mattlandtrust.org.

Plumb Corner Drainage Pipe Approved

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The Rochester Conservation Commission Tuesday night allowed the Village at Plumb Corner senior housing development to make a slight change in its stormwater drainage design after a debate over whether the move would require a more complicated amended Notice of Intent and a new hearing cycle.

            The original plan was to clean out a drainage pipe there that empties into a vernal pool and cut the pipe back or replace it. Tuesday night, Repurpose Properties representative Brian Wallace proposed changing that plan to merely thoroughly cleaning the sediment from the pipe and placing riprap at the end of the pipe to catch the outflow.

            “We would leave the pipe as it is,” Wallace said. “Clean out the nine inches of sediment instead. More stormwater will come through the pipe. The only difference is the water will get where it’s going faster.”

            Commissioner Maggie Payne, attending the meeting on Zoom, wondered aloud if the new plan would require an amended Order of Conditions. “I’d like to see a description of what we’re agreeing to,” she said. “This pipe does put stormwater in wetlands.”

            Commissioner Ben Bailey seemed concerned as well, asking whether the same area of the development is being drained in both design models.

            Wallace said, yes, it was the same in both designs. He resisted the notion of needing an amended NOI. He emphasized that he hoped it could be considered only a minor change. He said he would be willing to submit a sketch of the new design as an approval requirement.

            The commission averted resorting to a more time-consuming approval process by endorsing the new plan as a “minor field change” with the approval dependent on Conservation Agent Merilee Kelly receiving and endorsing a sketch of the redesign.

            In other action, the commission revealed that a 6-acre parcel of land at 529 Snipatuit Road is being taken out of its 61A agricultural land designation due to a plan to build a solar farm there. The commission voted to recommend to the Select Board that the town not exercise its right to acquire the land itself.

            The Rochester Conservation Commission scheduled its next meeting for Tuesday, June 7, at 7:00 pm, at Old Colony Regional Vocational-Technical High School.

Rochester Conservation Commission

By Michael J. DeCicco

Split Rock Lane to be Repaired

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On May 16, the Mattapoisett Planning Board took up the matter of roadway conditions at Split Rock Lane inside the Preserve at Bay Club property.

            During the April 5 meeting of the board, members heard from residents of the development that the roadway was deteriorating. Hugh Rowlett of 32 Split Rock Lane said he was speaking not only for himself but for 21 other homeowners living in the Preserve at the Bay Club neighborhood of Split Rock Lane and expressing deep concerns about roadway conditions.

            At that earlier meeting, Rowlett provided photographic evidence of the current condition of Split Rock Lane and asked that the Planning Board intercede on behalf of the homeowners before a topcoat is applied. He asked that specific requests be made of the developer such as a redesign of the road, a survey of the road, addressing the peer-review consultant’s (Ken Motta of Field Engineering) comments and an engineer’s report to the Planning Board once repairs have been made.

            “We are counting on you guys … homeowners need Town Hall to look out for them,” Rowlett stated at the April 5 meeting.

            Nina Huber and several other residents of the development shared similar concerns, while applauding Rowlett’s efforts to get the neighborhood some help.

            Representing developer Christos Kuliopulos on May 16 was Jeff Youngquist of Outback Engineering. Youngquist said that in December of 2019, a base coat had been applied. A review conducted by Motta took place last summer at which time Youngquist said, “Some things were found.” He now said that some “structures” were too high and others too low but would be repaired soon. He also noted that homeowners had added to the end of their driveways but that those structures would have to be removed.

            Youngquist reported that the roadway coating has not broken down since being laid in 2019 and that when repairs are done a crown will be added to the overall design.

            On that point, outgoing member Janice Robbins said, “Things have to be remedied before the topcoat is done. We need written specs and confirmation from Ken Motta.” Youngquist assured the board that specifications would be drawn up.

            Kuliopulos said that the delay in completing the road came at the request of the Bay Club but that the base was good, although it needs some “tweaking.” In the end, Kuliopulos agreed to pay Field Engineering for Motta’s time in reviewing the specification and updated plan of record. He also said there was a $125,000 cash surety in play.

            The board members also discussed setting up a solar bylaw subcommittee. Robbins said it should be a by-invitation-only committee consisting of representatives from the Fire and Police departments, Conservation Committee, Assessor’s Office and the Planning Board.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board is scheduled for Monday, June 6, at 7:00 pm.

Mattapoisett Planning Board

By Marilou Newell

Community Preservation Committee

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To the Editor:

            Nearly lost in the hubbub at Mattapoisett’s Annual Town Meeting on May 9th was the excellent report provided by the Community Preservation Committee (CPC). That report, printed on yellow paper, details CPC awards totaling $2.356 million from 2009 through 2021. We calculate that $0.707 million of these awards have been spent on open space, or about 30% of total awards. This is appropriate, since open space is one of three categories (along with housing and historic preservation) that require an allocation of CPC funds each year.

            We further calculate that $0.536 million of these open space awards have been to the Town itself, to protect land overlying municipal drinking water wells in the Mattapoisett River valley. Surely it is prudent to protect the source of drinking water used by four towns, rather than to spend more money later to purify ground water from the inevitable contamination caused by housing development near wells (e.g. lawn chemicals, driveway runoff, septic discharge). Organizations like Mattapoisett Land Trust (MLT) and Buzzards Bay Coalition (BBC) have received only $171,000 in CPC funds over this 12- year period to acquire conservation lands to protect wildlife habitats, scenic views and enhance public outdoor recreation. Funds awarded to MLT and BBC account for only 24% of all open space funds awarded and 7% of total awards. We note that both MLT and BBC are able to leverage Town funds received many times over with much larger state and federal land conservation grants, and with private donations. In short, we believe past CPC awards for open space have been prudent and effective investments to improve the Town, and should continue.

            Citizens sometimes express concern that conservation lands don’t pay property taxes, and are limiting residential development. We disagree for several reasons. First, nearly half of all conservation lands in Mattapoisett are owned by the state (Haskell Swamp and Nasketucket Bay) and the state makes payments to the Town in lieu of taxes. Municipal and MLT/BBC lands do not pay taxes, but return value to taxpayers in the form of drinking water protection, wildlife habitat, scenic views, and public recreation outdoors. Second, a large part of conservation lands are wetlands, salt marshes, and priority wildlife habitat areas that are not suitable for development. Third, the steady rate of new home construction throughout town suggests that land is still available to meet market demands for housing. Open space conservation and new residential development are compatible in Mattapoisett.

            We support Mattapoisett’s strong fiscal management approach that has resulted in our AAA bond rating, carefully reviewed budgets, development of new revenue sources and judicious use of debt. There is no silver bullet to ease the financial strains on the town. Protection of open space will continue to be an important factor in keeping Mattapoisett Special, and is not in conflict with prudent financial management of the Town.

Gary P. Johnson

Mike Huguenin, Mattapoisett

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.

A Profusion of Abstraction

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Spring in all its glory is fully evident throughout our patch of the globe. Flowering trees combine with perennials to color the landscapes as only they can do.

            At the Marion Art Center, a new exhibit has just opened that adds to the delights of spring with color galore. Titled Profusion of Color: Abstracts, the show, features the works of artists Alyn Carlson, Pat Coomey Thornton and Pat Warwick.

            Upon entering the MAC, one is immediately enveloped is rich colors and shapes. Each wall of the two galleries holds thrilling, textured work with themes created by artists who “see” far beyond the reality into the imagined, into the what can be. Their ability to create and drive to do so is there for all to enjoy.

            Carlson has been creating works of art since she was a child, “but about 15 years ago, I started to take things seriously,” she said. Carlson admittedly felt timid about pursuing visual art. Yet there is nothing timid in her finished pieces.

            Carlson’s visual art creations run the gamut of methods from watercolors to oil to gouache and graphite as well as a wide variety of expression. Interior designs, theater both as an actor and director, author and paper art, are just a few more of Carlson’s creative inclinations. Of her art and its many forms, Carlson says, “You pick where you want to go with me.”

            The paintings on exhibit at the MAC stem from her early influences living on a farm. When you step back from several of her displayed paintings, you can feel and see the open plains and the vast prairies blanketed in waving grasses. And if you pause long enough, you may even feel the wind as it rolls across the vegetation and hear the rushing sound as if water were flowing. Carlson would surely agree.

            Pat Warwick was a tile artist; those small, intense, little ceramic pieces that somehow capture everything that can be found on large canvases were Warwick’s signature works. She made tiles for some 36 years. But Warwick felt it was time to branch out and give her creative energies room to move through the abstract art form.

            Five years ago, she began painting. She said of her process, “In the spirit of adventure, I make spontaneous marks with lots of color and texture to build layers, always on the lookout for a line or shape that emerges to evoke a memory. Often, I feel like an archaeologist creating order out of chaos. Though it is a personal journey for me, my hope is that a strong composition and nuanced surface will engage the viewer on a more universal level.”

            Warwick’s process, of letting the shapes and colors she puts forth inform the major theme of the work, is the abstraction between the real and the imagined. It is where her many years of creating tiles comes out to play in complete abandonment; they are creations meant to open the mind’s eye to what can be, and they are simply glorious.

            Pat Coomey Thornton says she has been creating art since she was 16. “I love everything about painting, the colors, the smells, everything!” She said that while raising her children, her art life had to take a backseat but that now, “I feel karma in the studio, it nourishes my soul.”

            In writing of her process and experience as an artist, Coomey Thornton said, “I try to capture a sense of fleeting time, a glimpse of parts that suggest the whole, and the energy of a continuum. I hope to create a work where color, texture and mark offer the observer an absorbing entrance to their own experiences and thoughts.”

            Coomey Thornton also said of her work, “I seize upon nuances from my surroundings and life as points of departure. I simplify shapes to suggest their recognizable relatives and hope to generate more than one interpretation.”

            As an educator, Coomey Thornton has taught at the Rhode Island School of Design and the School of the Worcester Art Museum. She retired 12 years ago, giving her time to more fully explore her creative works. Her canvases feature themes from nature or spiritual experiences, experiential moods through time with shapes and colors that exude grace.

            Abstract art takes from reality but does not attempt to accurately depict forms. Abstractions in art instead employs shapes, colors or forms with gestural movement to reach out from imagination to touch the viewer’s heart. Abstract art may be considered an acquired taste. However, once the appetite has been whetted, it is impossible to set it aside. Visit the MAC and taste something new and very delicious.

            Profusion of Color: Abstractions is on view now through June 25. Visit marionartcenter.org for complete details.

Marion Art Center

By Marilou Newell

Upcoming Events at the Elizabeth Taber Library

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Lego Club Thursday, 4 pm, May-September – Lego club is back! Join us Thursdays at 4 pm in the library courtyard for child-led play, open to all ages. This is a drop-in activity, we provide the Legos, you provide the creativity! Oversized-Legos available for young children. Lego club will be held indoors in case of bad weather.

            Storytime in the Courtyard. Tuesdays and Fridays 10:30 am – All ages are invited to listen and play at our twice weekly outdoor story times. Story times will be held indoors in case of bad  weather.

            True Crime Book Club Hosted by Jay Pateakos. Thursday June 7 at 6:30 – Join us for a Thursday evening book club centered on thrilling and chilling true crime stories. Contact the library for more information.

            Dungeons & Dragons with Dylan. Beginning Tuesday May 31 4-6 pm – Join our resident table top enthusiast Dylan Benoit for D&D at the library. Beginners and experts welcome. For ages 14+. Call to sign up at the library.

            Summer Reading is coming! Summer reading kick-off event with Carabiner’s portable rock-climbing wall and Oxford Creamery’s OxCart. Saturday June 25 11-2 pm- The summer reading adventure begins on June 25 with a visit from a portable climbing wall and free ice cream! Little ones are invited to our summer splash event with splash pads, kiddie pools, sprinklers, and more!

            Looking for a place to hold your book club, knitting group, board game club, community action group, tutoring space or student meeting space?

            The Elizabeth Taber Library has indoor and outdoor accommodations available for all small group meetings. Call to reserve our meeting room space or to arrange for outdoor accommodations (shade tent included) or stop by anytime to check out our space. 

            For more information on the Elizabeth Taber Library, visit us at www.ElizabethTaberLibrary.org