Septic Code Will Reflect Practice

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            There are two ways that the Marion Board of Health could revise its Septic Code: 1. Rewrite to rid the document of “Frankenstein” elements; 2. Write in a statement that if the state sets a different set of criteria for a leaching area besides Marion’s, the state’s criteria will take precedent.

            “There are a couple issues. … The goal is not to change anything actually being done but make it match more closely with what we do,” said Health Agent Ana Wimmer during the board’s March 17 public meeting.

            Board of Health Chairperson Dot Brown planned to send Wimmer recommended revisions with a plan to discuss them. Changes will require a public hearing, but Brown stressed there will not be a change in meaning, just making the matter clearer going forward.

            Board member Dr. Ed Hoffer also met informally with interested entrepreneurs on March 14 to garner input on dumpster regulations with a plan to bring the feedback to Wimmer, who marked up her copy of the proposed regulations based on public comments made at the last public hearing.

            In the matter of vegetation management, Wimmer told the board that she looked at all the wells and identified four, notifying Eversource, the state bureau of Herbicide Management and abutters. One had a drinking well and irrigation well, but another just irrigation, need to test for potability.

            Noting a recent case of misunderstanding, Wimmer said that any property within a public-water area must connect to the town water supply within three months of service availability, and any well on such a property must be limited in its use to irrigation.

            The board sought to clarify who enforces the regulation, noting that it is in the town code but not the sanitary code.

            Wimmer and Health Director/Nurse Lori Desmarais both have accounts to access the Barnstable County database. Wimmer said that four of the systems in the database are not nitrogen-removing.

            In her Health Agent’s Report, Wimmer told the board she sent letters addressing septic compliance to 664 Mill Street and 570 Front Street. She also received data for sampling from two properties just above the allowable threshold and two properties on Converse Road that are close to the threshold. There were to be resample tests this week.

            The board issued a Certificate of Compliance to 91A Allen’s Point Road. Two other addresses, 514 and 464 Front Street, are making progress, the 464 address to be inspected by the end of March.

            Desmarais gave her COVID-19 update. Marion has had a total of 1,167 cases, three of which were active as of the March 17 meeting and seven over the prior two weeks. In February, there were 40 cases, and midway through March there were 10.

            As of March 17, Old Rochester Regional High School had one person (staff or student) in quarantine but none in isolation (COVID positive) and 215 total cases since the start of the 2021-22 academic year. The same was the case at the junior high (98 cases for the school year,) while Sippican Elementary has two in quarantine, four positive cases in isolations and 148 for the academic year. Tabor Academy was on spring break until March 21.

            Beach signage was discussed where it concerns litter violations. The signs, which need to include permit and phone numbers, will be located at Silvershell, Planting Island, Island Wharf and Oakdale Avenue from the third week of June through Labor Day and will cost the town approximately $50 per sign.

            The board voted to pay an invoice reimbursing Wimmer $82 for her state Sanitation application fee.

            The board is planning to resume in-person public meetings but will wait until June. The next meeting of the Marion Board of Health is scheduled for Thursday, April 7, at 4:00 pm.

Marion Board of Health

By Mick Colageo

Employees to Get 3 Percent Raise

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               The Rochester Select Board is recommending a higher-than-ever, cost-of-living raise for all town employees in the next fiscal year in an attempt to keep employees from leaving the town workforce.

               On Monday night, the board proposed a 3-percent COLA increase for FY23, a move that in prior years yielded no more than a 2-percent raise.

               “I feel it’s time to reward the employees who have not gotten what they deserve yet,” Select Board Chairman Bradford Morse said. “And we feel 3 percent is a good start.”

               “This recommendation is good for employee retention,” added Town Counsel Blair Bailey. “A good move for the town.”

               The move was an immediate done-deal as far as Finance Committee Chairman Kris Stoltenberg was concerned. “I’m fine with everything you’ve just said,” responded Stoltenberg, who said he will now take the recommendation back to his committee, where it will likely be approved by that panel as well. The COLA raise will become part of the FY23 budget proposal to be put before voters in the May 23 Annual Town Meeting.

               “We are trying to keep up with inflation and what other communities pay,” Selectman Paul Ciaburri said in a later interview, “and show the employees we appreciate them. It’s been normally about a 2-percent raise for quite a few years now.”

               “It’s because we were not keeping up with inflation’s rising costs in past years in their compensation,” Town Administrator Suzanne Szyndlar added.

               In a related move Monday night, Szyndlar informed the board that a draft of the Town Meeting warrant is ready for the members’ review and that Zoning Board articles will be added to it by April 4. The Select Board’s formal warrant review will be held on April 25. The warrant will be signed on May 2 to be posted on May 3.

               In a joint decision with the Board of Health, the Select Board approved lifting the mask mandate at the Council on Aging Senior Center with the condition that the boards make it easy to go back to a mask requirement later on if necessary.

               The Select Board unanimously granted the COA’s request for a mask mandate at the center on Dexter Lane on December 20, 2021. Prior to that date, the COA had been posting a sign encouraging people to wear masks.

               Selectman Woody Hartley urged special conditions for Monday night’s vote saying, “Who knows where we’ll be six months from now? Can we allow them to make their next decision without them coming to us?”

               Bailey said the board cannot grant the COA the “unilateral authority” to change the decision on its own. The Select Board and the Board of Health agreed to make any reversal of the mask decision “subject to board ratification” at the Select Board’s next regular meeting.

               In other business, the Select Board learned from Szyndlar that assessors are working to set the next fiscal year’s tax rate by October 28; Szyndlar said this means the fall Special Town Meeting will need to be held in late October as well.

               The next meeting of the Rochester Select Board is scheduled for Monday, April 4, at 6:00 pm.

Rochester Select Board

By Michael J. DeCicco

DPW Open House & “Pre-Town Meeting” Meeting

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The Town of Marion invites residents to attend two upcoming events.

            On Saturday, April 9 at 10 am the Town will hold an Open House at the Dept. of Public Works Facility on Route 6. We will offer a tour of the buildings at the site and showcase the proposed plans for a new Dept. of Public Works Facility to be located on Benson Brook Road.

            On Wednesday, April 27 at 6 pm via Zoom, the Marion Select Board will be hosting a “Pre-Town Meeting” Meeting. The Annual Town Meeting Warrant will be reviewed in detail. The Select Board encourages residents to attend and ask any questions they may have on the Warrant. This meeting will be taped by ORCTV. For access to attend the remote meeting, please contact Donna Hemphill at dhemphill@marionma.gov or 508-748-3520.

Albert R. Rivet

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Albert R. Rivet beloved husband of Elizabeth (Lanagan) Rivet and son of the late Normand and Yvonne (Lague) Rivet transitioned peacefully from this life to the next in the presence of his family at home on March 24, 2022.

            He was born on January 17, 1947 in New Bedford, Massachusetts. He was the proud father of eight daughters and one son. They and their spouses are Anne and Kevin Weaver of Wilmington Delaware, Kathryn Marshall of Assonet, Martha and Douglas Lally of Marion, Elizabeth and Dr. Neil Oliveira of Mattapoisett, Margaret and Major Daniel J. Callahan USA of Assonet, Maureen and Christopher Desmarais of Dartmouth, Sarah and Caleb Morgan of Marion, Michael Rivet and fiancé Cady Kerin of Montpelier Vermont, and Mary and Peter Mello of Rochester. Survivors also include his siblings Norma Scott and her husband James of Jupiter Florida, Captain Leonard Rivet USN and Dr. Roberta Rivet of Viera Florida, and Denise Tetreault and her husband Denis of Acushnet. Albert was blessed with a large, loving family including 31 grandchildren whom he loved so dearly. His greatest pleasure was spending time with all of them and teaching them about faith in God and finding joy in the simple things in life.

            He had a strong commitment to living a life of service beginning with service to his country as an SP4 Military Police Officer then began his career of 25 years of service to the Massachusetts State Police where he served along side his beloved brother and sister troopers and took pride in serving the people of the commonwealth.

            Albert attended Bristol Community College and continued his education at Roger Williams University where he earned a BS degree in Criminal Justice. A lifelong learner, he continued his studies at Salve Regina University and earned a master’s degree in Criminal Justice.

            More recently, Albert continued to serve his community as an entrepreneur and educator to the real estate community in specialty of Title 5 and septic preservation.

            Albert and his wife Elizabeth devoted their lives to their church community where they served in programs such as Emmaus, Cursillo, Birth Right, prison ministry, eucharist ministry and pro-life community and co-sponsor of RCIA. His greatest desire was to pass this on to his children and grandchildren to share God’s greatest gift which is Love . His favorite motto was “Who can I help today?”

            His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday March 31, 2022 at 10 am at St. John Neumann Church, 157 Middleboro Rd. East Freetown. His family has requested that the public meet directly at church. Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, March 30, 2022 from 2-8 pm at Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home For Funerals 50 County Rd. Mattapoisett. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in his memory to Beat the Beast Foundation https://www.facebook.com/momweav/, Community Nurse Home Care 62 Center St. Fairhaven, MA 02719 and Birthright of New Bedford 110 Summer St. New Bedford, MA 02740. For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Stephen Arthur Cook

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Stephen Arthur Cook, a.k.a. Cookie, peacefully drew his last breath on a glorious spring morning.

            Cookie’s focus and passion was his family. He will be missed by his wife Diane of 50 years, his 3 children, Douglas S. Cook and his wife Monika of Jackson, WY, Danielle Cook Kawash and her husband Sameer of Santa Cruz, CA, and Alissa Cook Robertson and her husband Keith of Jericho, VT; 3 grandchildren, Lucia, Mateo and Samuele; 2 brothers, Bradford Cook of Kingston and Otisfield, ME and Robert Cook of Norfolk and Otisfield, ME; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

            He was a dedicated teacher at Westport High School where he wove learning and comedy into an enticing experience, even for the most disinterested students. In spite of his 5-foot 4-inch stature, Cookie had an enormous presence that filled rooms with laughter and love. He had a way of making those he interacted with feel loved, important, and interesting.

            His friendship will be missed by many. In the final season of his life, he was adored by his harem of caregivers who spent hours laughing and talking with “their favorite patient”. Although he is physically gone from this earth, Cookie has left the world just a little better than he arrived – a world with more laughter, and a few more people who know the meaning of family, friendship, love, and respect.

            Services will be held at a later date.

            In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to CCALS, P.O. Box 1052, West Falmouth, MA 02574 or on-line at: https://ccals.org/donate/

            Arrangements by Chapman Funerals & Cremations – Wareham. To leave a message of condolence, please visit: www.chapmanfuneral.com

The MAC Theater Announces Open Auditions

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The Marion Art Center Theater announces open auditions for the upcoming production of select one acts from the humorous collection All in the Timing by playwright David Ives. Auditions will be held at the Marion Art Center on Saturday, April 2 from 10:00 am-12:00 pm and on Sunday, April 3 from 1:00-3:00 pm. The MAC is located at 80 Pleasant Street in Marion. Only fully-vaccinated actors will be considered for roles. Please wear a mask while inside the Marion Art Center.

            Selected one acts include Words, Words, Words (directed by Shelia McManus) which recalls the philosophical adage that three monkeys typing into infinity will sooner or later produce Hamlet and asks: What would monkeys talk about at their typewriters? The Philadelphia (directed by Linda Costa) which presents two friends in a restaurant who have fallen into “a Philadelphia,” a Twilight Zone-like state in which they cannot get anything they ask for; Sure Thing (directed by Donn Tyler) where two people meet in a café and find their way through a conversational minefield as an offstage bell interrupts their false starts, gaffes, and faux pas on the way to falling in love; and Variations on the Death of Trotsky (directed by Kate Fishman) which shows us the Russian revolutionary on the day of his demise, desperately trying to cope with the mountain-climber’s axe he’s discovered in his head.

            Directors will cast up to a total of eleven actors of any age or gender, and some doubling of parts may occur across one-act plays. Rehearsal times and dates will be determined by directors (in collaboration with actors) after cast is selected. Performances are scheduled outdoors in Bicentennial Park (across the street from the Marion Art Center) June 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17 and 18. For more information, visit marionartcenter.org/auditions.

Town Meeting Vote to Guide Future of DPW

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            With an eye geared toward the May 9 Town Meeting, the Marion Finance Committee reviewed PowerPoint presentations on both the proposed Marine Center and new Department of Public Works facility during its March 16 meeting.

            The two projects will appear as articles on the warrant for the May 9 Annual Town Meeting and were part of a long list of warrant articles approved by the committee.

            Total estimated cost of constructing a new DPW as designed by Saltonstall Architects for Benson Brook Road is $4,456,155.

            “Not like the harbor building, this affects these people’s taxes, this is an override,” said Town Administrator Jay McGrail before Finance Committee Chairman Shay Assad reminded him that the town plans to offset $1,500,000 of the cost from its free-cash account.

            Marion will be looking to borrow approximately $3,000,000 to complete the project now three years in the works.

            “Given that we’re putting that (free cash) down, the burden on the town won’t be as big as it could be from a debt-service point of view,” said Assad, also cautioning against undue delay that could make the inevitable more expensive.

            Select Board member John Waterman said that the reason the town sold its Atlantis Drive facility was with this scenario in mind.

            Getting the townspeople on board is another matter.

            “My concern is that this hasn’t received a lot of publicity and that people really don’t know about it,” said McGrail, who estimates that a dozen people attended the open house held last fall at both the existing DPW location and the proposed location for a new facility.

            There is another open house in the works for Saturday, April 9, at 10:00 am, beginning with a guided tour of the dilapidated DPW facilities followed by a visit to the proposed site for its replacement near the Wastewater Treatment Plant off Benson Brook Road.

            The town will also hold an informational Zoom meeting on April 27 to preview the May 9 Annual Town Meeting with a focus on the proposed DPW project.

            FinCom member Jay Pateakos suggested using ORCTV to film on the site of the existing DPW to make taxpayers aware of the conditions. McGrail feels that the project will sell itself to anyone who visits the current facility at the Highway Department garage on Route 6, where old, shack storage buildings sit that years ago were moved onto the site.

            “The buildings on the right need to be condemned. … The guys eat their lunch in their trucks because they don’t want any sort of varmint,” said McGrail, noting that the facility fails both operational needs and OSHA standards. “The long-term plan is to demolish all the buildings on the right.”

            As it is, Marion cannot properly wash its equipment or keep equipment out of the weather and preserve its value.

            FinCom member Margie Baldwin called the current DPW “hazardous to the employees” and urged the town to make the citizens understand that the facility is out of compliance.

            Once the new site opens on Benson Brook, the larger buildings on the left at the Highway Department can be cleaned up and used for projects, according to McGrail.

            Marion’s MS4 permit requires covered salt storage, which will be part of the new facility across Route 6. Fuel storage and salt storage would move to the new location, and open areas will be used for boat parking and event parking.

            Waterman said that Wayne Mattson and architect Will Saltonstall have designed a new facility that he described as “utilitarian, but it meets the needs.”

            McGrail said Marion’s proposal is probably only a quarter of the cost of the average DPW facility being built in Massachusetts municipalities. At $191,825, the town has built what he called “a real heavy contingency” accounting for 5 percent of the total cost.

            In answer to FinCom member Peter Winters, Finance Director Judy Mooney explained that the town’s $1,500,000, free-cash contribution to the DPW project will be paid up front and, according to McGrail, applied to construction costs. The debt would come online in FY24.

            There was no new information in McGrail’s PowerPoint on the Harbormaster Marine Center, but in reviewing the project history he reminded the committee that the September 2020 feasibility study resulted in negative feedback and ultimately a sleeker approach. The amended design’s main objective, said McGrail, was to “right-size the building,”

            An April 2021 updated design included breakaway walls so that a rush of water could pass through and not threaten the upper level of the building where the Harbormaster Department offices would be located. A lift elevator will make the new building handicap accessible.

            The prior design had bathrooms on the upper level, but those were cut from the project in favor of renovation of the existing ground-level restrooms.

            The cost estimate for the Marine Center, including a 5 percent, soft-cost contingency, is $2,879,463. Having put in $75,000 as its design-grant match, Marion is looking to borrow $700,000 to cover its share of the construction.

            The remainder of the construction funding will be, the town hopes, the result of two $1,000,000 grant applications (in addition to the $300,000 granted by the state’s Seaport Economic Council.)

            In the event Marion does not receive the second $1,000,000 grant, McGrail and Harbormaster Isaac Perry have spent time looking over other potential grant-funding opportunities, so far identifying two alternatives.

            “Honestly, we’ve been very up front with (the Seaport Economic Council,) they know our plan,” said McGrail, who said Marion is not the first town to make the two applications (the SEC has a $1,000,000 grant cap per application but not per project.

            Debt service, expected at $50,000 to $60,000 per year, will be entirely funded by the Waterways Account. McGrail expects that harbor-related fees should not be impacted.

            Catalyst Architecture has already designed harbormaster headquarters for several other regional communities with assistance from the SEC. The uncertainty lies in the end of Governor Baker’s term, which could spell the end of the SEC. Construction is projected for the fall of 2023.

            The original design intended to move administrative staff to the Marine Center, but that support has been located at the Town House while also serving the town clerk on a half-time basis.

            FinCom member Bill Marvel sought clarification to Town Meeting vote on $775,000 in town funding for the grant match.

            “If it comes back to Town Meeting, that means we did very poorly,” said McGrail.

            Below is a summary of the more significant warrant articles that were put before the Finance Committee on March 16: 1. sets the salaries for the assessor, Select Board and Board of Health members, and town moderator (no changed from FY22); 2. the FY23 operating budget at $24,701,737, up almost $1,000,000 from the FY22 figure of $23,837,721; 3. Water Enterprise Fund at $2,376,050; 4. Sewer Enterprise Fund at $3,522,210; 9. General and Water Enterprise funds at $1,897,007 (capital projects); 10. DPW facility; 11. Marine Center; and 12. placeholder for Marion’s portion of Mattapoisett River Valley Water District filter upgrade at $720,000 (not to impact FY23).

            The committee held off on voting on Articles 10 and 11 because they were still under the review of bond counsel for the sake of accurate verbiage. The committee planned to vote on those articles during its March 23 meeting.

            Neither the Community Preservation Act funds vetted by the town’s Community Preservation Committee nor the nonfinancial articles traditionally fall into the purview of the Finance Committee.

            The committee did vote to recommend the transfer of $2,000 from the Chester A. Vose Fund for the reduction of taxes.

            McGrail told the committee that the Select Board will vote against the recommendation of Article 38, which asks voters if they will accept Village Drive and Fieldstone Lane as public ways.

            “This will cost money, this will have financial impact,” said Mooney.

            Long-term costs, said McGrail, will affect taxpayers because of maintenance hardships.

            The Finance Committee was scheduled to meet next on March 23.

Marion Finance Committee

By Mick Colageo

Musical Chairs on Planning Board

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            For the second straight year, the Town of Marion will see four or more candidates running for two open seats on its Planning Board at the May 13 election.

            Five actually pulled papers, but John Rockwell chose not to return them for Planning Board; he will run for reelection to the Open Space Acquisition Commission where he serves as chairman.

            The terms of Joe Rocha and Chairman Will Saltonstall expire this year, and neither is running for reelection.

            Tucker Burr, a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals who lost out to Jon Henry and Alanna Nelson in a multicandidate tussle for two Planning Board seats last year is back in the race. So is Andrew Daniel, whose 2021 reelection bid fell short.

            William Dale Jones and Barrett Levenson are also running for Planning Board.

            Burr’s father, Carleton “Toby” Burr Jr., returned papers on March 15, making official his pursuit of the Select Board seat that John Waterman will vacate this year. Dr. Ed Hoffer, a member of the Board of Health and the ZBA, is his opposition in the Select Board race.

            Hoffer is also running unopposed for reelection to the Board of Health, where he recently relinquished his duties as chair to Dot Brown, timing out with his pursuit of a Select Board seat.

            Unless write-in candidates materialize, no other open seats in Marion are being contested this year.

            Mattapoisett and Rochester deadlines are still in the future.

            Friday, March 25, is the deadline to pull papers in Mattapoisett and Tuesday, March 29, the deadline to return. In Rochester, Monday, April 4, is the deadline to pull papers and Wednesday, April 6, the deadline to return.

By Mick Colageo

Sippican School Students Participate in After Class Enrichment

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Superintendent Michael S. Nelson and Sippican Elementary School Principal Marla Sirois are pleased to share the success of this year’s After Class Enrichment (A.C.E.) sessions. The A.C.E. Program is organized by V.A.S.E. (Volunteers at Sippican Elementary,) a group of Sippican parents, teachers and community members. V.A.S.E. began planning for this year’s A.C.E. program in the summer of 2021. Though the A.C.E. program is generally held just once each winter, V.A.S.E. coordinated two sessions in the fall and winter for the 2021-2022 school year to account for possible COVID-related challenges.

            A.C.E. runs once per week for four weeks. Any Sippican Elementary student is able to attend, and dozens of kids participate each year. Students take part in a number of courses and activities in areas such as arts and crafts, drama, foreign language, athletics, reading and more.

            “Our V.A.S.E. board along with Principal Sirois began planning for our A.C.E. program back in July of 2021. We were unsure what the pandemic would bring to this school year and as a result, we were convinced we needed to add an early fall session where we could make use of nicer weather if the program required additional social distancing. Typically, we only offer the program once in January,” said Johanna Vergoni, V.A.S.E. president. “Luckily we were able to pull together a fall program as well as a winter program with the help of volunteers from across the community. We could not be happier with the results and feel incredibly thankful to offer these classes free to Sippican students.”

            For this year’s sessions, courses included a knitting class, nursery rhyme STEM class, 3D printing, dance and performing arts, a project with the Marion Historical Society to repurpose vases to look like historical vases and more.

            For one course, students participated in a “Once Upon a Time” STEAM activity where they created a way for Rapunzel to get down from the tower. The tower began as a pool noodle glued into a box. The kids were provided with many kinds of materials including paper, straws, pipe cleaners, paper towel tubes, fabric, tape, Popsicle sticks, glue and Lego bricks. A bouncy ball was the testing tool to see if their creation was successful or if they needed to make any changes.

            Additionally, the Kindness Crew – a group of sixth-grade student volunteers – painted a mural in the school’s cafeteria as part of A.C.E. The project began following a request from cafeteria staff to incorporate more color into the space. The mural was designed by art teacher Erin Kirk, and the colors used in the mural represent the nutritional plate and balanced meal choices.

            A.C.E. program courses are planned and taught by Sippican schoolteachers and staff members as well as community members who all volunteer their time.

            “The A.C.E. program is a wonderful opportunity for our students to learn new skills and participate in unique activities over the course of four weeks,” Principal Sirois said. “A.C.E. would not be possible without the dedication of Johanna Vergoni and the V.A.S.E. board and members, and we are so grateful for their continued support of our students and staff.”

            “A.C.E. is a great example of the support our Marion school district is fortunate to receive from the community,” Superintendent Nelson said. “We are able to offer these special experiences for our students thanks to the instructors, community members and organizations who give materials, time and expertise, and we are very appreciative of their efforts and dedication.”

            The district would like to thank the V.A.S.E. Executive Board and its members; the Old Rochester Community Service Volunteers and Tabor After School Community Service Volunteers; instructors Elizabeth Sherry, Kate Fishman, Barbara Moody, Marla Sirois, Tangi Pina, Shay Patnaude, Amanda Souza, Chelsea Lawrence and Erin Kirk; the Marion Art Center, Elizabeth Taber Library and Sippican Historical Society; and parent and community volunteers.

Upcoming Events at Mattapoisett Museum

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March 24, 7 pm – Join us virtually for a book lecture by Skip Finley, author of Whaling Captains of Color: America’s First Meritocracy, cosponsored with the Sippican Historical Society, Registration is required and can be completed on our website www.mattapoisettmuseum.org/events or by emailing info@sippicanhistoricalsociety.org. Free.

            March 27, 1 pm – Southcoast Lessons presents Old Time Fiddle Session. Join us for a gathering of traditional string band musicians and music lovers. Bring an instrument if you play, a seat if you’ve got one you love and yourself whether you play and own seating or not. Free.

            April 1, 6 pm – New Sounds of Silents Southcoast Lessons’ silent films set to live music series returns. Our fourth edition will feature the very real surreal documentary work of Jean Painlevé, amazing early animation, comedy and drama. Come on out for an evening of short films set to both improvised and newly composed pieces brought to you by Southcoast Lessons performers. Free.

            April 2, 12 pm – The Real Life of New England Vital Records: Secrets to Finding Them Today- Lecture with Diana MacLean Boumenot. Understanding when, where and why vital records were created, and the changes in those practices over the years can help us find them today. What additional abstracts have been created for the southern New England states? What forms of these records are available online? What kind of records might take the place of a vital record? Improve your family history research today by maximizing your ability to locate the records that tie generations together. There is a $5 suggested donation. Please register at www.mattapoisettmuseum.org/events.