Green Community No More

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            The Rochester Select Board Monday night reviewed the 34 articles proposed for the spring Annual Town Meeting and instantly added one more, perhaps the most impactful of them all.

            Select Board member Brad Morse motioned to add an article that would remove the town as a Green Community, and the board unanimously agreed. He noted Article 34 is a citizens petition to make this move but felt that this step should come from the Select Board as well because the board agrees with it.

            The state provides grants and technical assistance to support implementing clean-energy projects in municipal buildings, facilities and schools to any town or city designated as a Green Community.

            But, said Morse, who is also a member of the town’s Public Safety Facility Study Committee, in Rochester right now that means having to adhere to needlessly expensive building codes as the town plans to build a new fire station and construct an addition to the police station.

            “It will cost us a lot more as a Green Community,” he said. “I think this board should support the citizens petition.”

            Town Administrator Glenn Cannon cautioned the Select Board on lending this support. He said Town Counsel has advised the town that it should not mix citizen-petition action with board action and that the board should not actively support a citizen-sponsored article.

            Planning Board member Ben Bailey, who is sponsoring the citizens petition, noted his article also moves to rescind the strict “Stretch” building code that he says makes such capital projects too expensive. Morse responded the board’s article, in effect, would accomplish that but noted some stretch codes must stay because they are state codes.

            The Select Board began the meeting by approving a new full-time Rochester Police officer, Conner Leddin. Chief Robert Small said a full-time spot became available due to a recent retirement, and Leddin was a finalist for the opening because he had already been academy-trained. In his introduction to the board, Leddin said he is a native of Pembroke.

            Next, Capital Planning Committee Chairman David Arancio met with the board for an update. He said his board has compiled a spreadsheet of every item on its list of projects that shows the progress with each and includes everything already funded, needing funding, funding source and for what department.

            Select Board Chairman Woody Hartley said that after five years in operation, Capital Planning is making a big difference. He said the capital-budgeting process should include setting the bigger items aside to find other funding sources for them but always start with Capital Planning Committee consideration first.

            “The process will continue to evolve,” Arancio said. “But all the departments have been a great help.”

            The Select Board then approved a new agreement with Bristol County Agricultural High School. Cannon explained the school has been asking the town to pay two bills, its yearly per-student assessment and a Capital Bill related to new school construction. The latter is the one the town should not have to pay because it doesn’t have a fund for that cost, Cannon said, leading to the need to change the school agreement to reflect that.

            Under the new agreement, the town will only receive one bill to pay, he said. But the town will still have to pay the outstanding Capital bills for the last two years.

            Next, the board approved its latest draft of the town’s Town Counsel Access Agreement. Hartley said the new draft has been sent to and reviewed by all departments. He motioned that pending further comments, the board should accept the current draft with the provision that the agreement will be amended as needed.

            The original policy states that to better control how town departments and boards may access the town’s legal adviser, such requests must come through the town administrator. A board’s request for opinion and/or use of Town Counsel must be approved by a majority vote of the board. Requests to initiate litigation or defense will require approval of the Select Board.

            Lastly, the Select Board met with the Finance Committee to decide on the Cost of Living Adjustment for town employees for FY24. The two boards agreed on a 3% increase. Finance Committee Chairman Kris Stoltenberg recommended this number as being a good one, considering the effects of the economy on the town’s budget.

            Cannon said this decision is “the last piece of the puzzle. Now the Finance Committee can compile harder numbers for the proposed FY24 budget.”

            The Rochester Select Board’s next meeting will be held on Monday, April 3, at 6:00 pm.

Rochester Select Board

By Michael J. DeCicco

Food Bank Meeting Wider Needs

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            With pandemic-related aid from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on a schedule to wind down, many area residents could see an end to a monthly assistance check, and that in itself makes the Marion Food Bank that much more relevant.

            “A lot of people started saving about 95 extra dollars with their Covid benefit. That’s going away,” said Karen Gregory, director of the Marion Council on Aging. “All the prices went up, and that hasn’t come back down. … We give people some things here, so maybe they can use their money for other things.

            The food bank is hosted by the Council on Aging from its headquarters at the Cushing Community Center, 465 Mill Street in Marion.

            “SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) doesn’t cover everything. Things like toilet paper, shampoo, soap, things that are just as important,” said Gregory, who anticipates more visitors when the next monthly billing cycle hits less-fortunate residents.

            The two-year-old endeavor has been operational since January 2021. It has evolved slightly, as volunteers running the food bank have learned more about area needs and organizers have made improvements. One change is the food bank is dealing exclusively with the Greater Boston Food Bank.

            “We’re trying to respond to the need. There’s a lot you don’t think about – there’s so many gluten-free people today,” she said. “It’s expensive, too, so we have some gluten-free pasta. If we find something that’s gluten-free, we try to highlight it.”

            The needs of the elderly necessitate the inclusion of items low in salt and sugar. Canned goods are popular, and any items nearing their expiration date are noted accordingly. The Food Bank has a refrigerator donated by the Lodge of St. Andrew in which grapefruit and oranges are being kept.

            Families with small children have discovered the pantry, so there are now coloring books to occupy them while their parents peruse the shelves.

            Another new twist is a visit at the end of March from Whitney of Walt’s Mobile Closet.

            “She comes in and sets up clothes out there (in the main area of the center.) She’s come a couple of times. She did a back-to-school backpack (distribution),” said Gregory.

            Residents feeling unsafe going out can call (508) 748-3570 to arrange for assistance.

            The pantry is open on Tuesdays from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm and on Thursdays and Saturdays from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.

By Mick Colageo

MYC Impacted by the Boatyard Fire

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The horrific fire that destroyed Mattapoisett Boatyard last August also had a huge impact on the MYC. Not only our Clubhouse, but all its contents are gone. Years of history pictured on the walls, trophies won by MYC racers, Yacht Club pennants and trophies from visiting Clubs and our regional and national races. All lost.

            On the practical side, we lost all the things we used every week during the summer at the Club to make it run, racing supplies and party supplies.

            Under the leadership of Commodore Rich Gleason and the MYC Advisory Board, we are planning this summer’s racing, cruising, and social events. Our website,www.mattapoisettyc.org will soon be up to date with all the new details.

            Your help is needed. We ask our MYC family, new and old, to get involved. Membership is paramount to our success whether you own a boat or not. Join MYC and share in the rebuilding of one of the oldest yacht clubs around. Make it Fun.

            Soon we will be putting together a list of “needs,” but we all know it’s participation that will bring us back better and stronger. Please join. Your membership support early in the rebuilding is most important now.

Marion Joins Health Collaborative

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            The March 21 meeting of the Marion Select Board was brief but dealt with a serious matter, public health. The board approved Westport’s management of the Southcoast Public Health Collaborative of which the town is part.

            The intermunicipal, shared-service agreement, joins the towns of Westport, Marion, Freetown, Lakeville, Mattapoisett and Rochester with sharing of public health services. The collaborative is funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

            An outline of the program notes health equity across the region is a primary goal with the aim to promote healthier communities. Two new public health positions that will be located in Westport, a Shared Services coordinator and a Shared Service, full-time, health inspector-trainer will be funded via a grant estimated at approximately $40,000 and a total grant of $300,000. It was further noted that additional grant funding will be sought for the collaborative.

            A stipulation of agreement with Bristol County Agricultural High School was briefly discussed. Town Administrator Geoff Gorman said that Town Counsel reviewed the agreement resulting in a decision that the town was obliged to pay the school approximately $29,000 for improvements made to the institution for school years 2021 and 2022 when several Marion students were enrolled there. He said, in spite of the fact that schools outside of  Bristol County have no say in the work, they were still obligated to pay a portion of the incurred debt.

            In other business, the board accepted a donation of two 10×10-foot swim floats from the Friends of the Marion Recreation Department valued at $9,000.

            Nominations for Inspector of Animals was approved for Susan Connor and Adam Murphy. Also approved was the appointment of David Pierce to the Mattapoisett River Valley Water District; board member Randy Parker commented that Pierce’s long history with the district is invaluable. The board further appointed Tad Wollenhaupt as a full member to the Marine Resources Commission and William Horrocks as alternate building inspector.

            After recusing himself from the proceedings, Parker was reappointed as the wiring inspector with Stephen Dixon the alternate inspector.

            Gorman reported that there had been a meaningful meeting with Eversource regarding increased distributed generation. Gorman offered to invite members of the utility to a Select Board meeting so members could ask questions and receive more detailed information. The board concurred that was a good idea.

            Gorman told the board a letter had been received confirming the spraying of swamps in Marion by Plymouth County Mosquito Control with a type of Bacillus found in soils. More information can be found at plymouthmosquito.org.

            Another notification, this one from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, informed the Select Board of upcoming roadway improvements to several intersections. The work involves making the sidewalks ADA compliant. Work is planned to begin on March 27 and be completed in six weeks.

            Gorman announced openings on several committees, saying that information will be posted on the town’s website for those interested. Committees with openings include the Historical Commission, Trees and Parks, Marine Resources Commission and the Scholarship Committee. Visit Marionma.gov for details.

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

Marion Select Board

By Marilou Newell

Daniel Brian Smith

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Daniel Brian Smith, 60, of New Bedford, died peacefully in his sleep at home on Friday, March 17, 2023. He was the husband of Mary Stanley-Smith for 31 years and a father to their four kids.

            Born in East Hartford, CT, he was the son of the late George and Dorothy (Norton) Smith. He grew up in Avon where he met his wife before they moved to Marion in 1992 to raise their family.

            Dan loved his community, he coached his kid’s sports team including softball, baseball, and basketball. Dan formed the ORR Mattapoisett Rec High School Basketball league, was the Cubmaster in Marion, and went on many field trips over the years with his kids. He spent many days bringing his dog Rocky on long walks at Washburn Park or riding around town in his blue Mustang convertible. Dan also worked at Comcast for over 25 years before his retirement in 2021.

            Survivors include his children, Ali Stephens and her husband Drew of West Dennis, Greg Smith of New Bedford, Nick Smith of Marion, and Julia Smith of New Bedford; his siblings, Steve Smith, David Smith, Brenda Whitenett, and Kevin Smith; his good friend Bill W.; and many nieces and nephews.

            Dan’s Funeral will be held Friday, March 24th at 10 am at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Road, Mattapoisett. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 am at St. Patrick’s Church Wareham, and burial will follow in St. Patrick’s Cemetery. His visiting hours will be held Thursday from 4-7 pm in the funeral home.

John J. Forest

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John J. Forest of Rochester Ma passed at home March 5th after a long battle with Parkinson’s Dementia.

            Born in Haute Abourjagane, NB Canada 1939-2023.

            Survived by wife Donna (Demers), Children, David (Lori), Tina (Chris) and Grandchildren Raven Bernier, Brooke Steed, Zachary Steed of Massachusetts.

            He also leaves his three sons, Gerald and (Krista), Philip (Pamela), Anthony (Rebecca) and Grandchildren Ethan, Amber, and Nicholas all of Canada.

            John served in the Army (Vietnam) Purple Heart Recipient, and retired as a Navy Seabee. John also retired from Cumberland Farms.

            After Cremation he will rest at Bourne National Cemetery.

            A service will be held Friday March 31st 10 am, at Sacred Heart Church of Middleboro Mass. In Lieu of flowers you may make a donation to Parkinson’s Dementia.

Theresa M. (McCarthy) Barrett

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Theresa M. (McCarthy) Barrett, 61, of Buzzards Bay passed peacefully March 18, 2023 unexpectedly at home.

            Born in Brockton, daughter of Patricia A. (Fay) McCarthy of Mattapoisett and the late Walter F. McCarthy, Jr., she lived in North Easton for many years before moving to Buzzards Bay 5 years ago.

            She was formerly employed in the bookstore at Stonehill College and Bridgewater State University.

            Theresa enjoyed volunteering for many years for children, in schools and churches. She also enjoyed the company of her dogs, sleeping and game shows.

            Survivors include her daughter, Amanda Teles and her wife Tania of Taunton; 3 sons, Danny Barrett of South Florida, Matthew Barrett and his partner Eva of Westbrook, ME and Timothy Barrett and his partner Hannah of Rockville, MD; a brother, Brian McCarthy of Hopedale; a sister, Laura Burrill and her husband Curtis of Scarborough, ME; a sister-in-law, Tracey McCarthy of Buzzards Bay; a brother-in-law, Thomas Cifello of Buzzards Bay; 2 grandchildren, Elaina and Tayden; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and friends; her Goddaughter, Erin McCarthy and Godson, Scott Burrill.

            She was the sister of the late Richard McCarthy and Patricia Cifello.

            Her Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, March 23rd at 11:30 am from the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6), Mattapoisett. Her family will receive guests on Thursday morning from 10:30 – 11:30 am prior to her service. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Peace for Ponies, P.O. Box 552 Buzzards Bay, MA 02532. For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Courting a New Passion

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            Last week, I wrote about pizza in all its varieties and about the proliferation of pizza purveyors. Today I will be musing about another passion … the popular pickle.

            What you have just read is, in writing parlance, called a hook. It is designed to perk the reader’s curiosity to continue reading what comes next. I confess I will not be writing about pickles. Instead, I will be musing about pickleball.

            To those of you who were excited about reading my thoughts on pickles and are disappointed, I apologize. I will not be offended if you chose to move on to the important news of the week, but unless you have been away on safari in some remote plain in Africa, pickleball has become a popular topic of conversation these days.

            A few weeks ago, in an attempt at humor I suggested that pickleball has usurped baseball as America’s pastime. Apparently, that may be true. According to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association, it has become the fastest-growing sport in our vast land.

            To my surprise, nearly 5,000,000 people played the game in 2022, up 40% from 2020. There are about 35,000 courts in the United States. It is so popular that there are pickleball country clubs, pickleball leagues, pickleball camps and even pickleball clothing. To the dismay of tennis players, the sport has taken over many of their venues. There is even pickleball elbow!

            There are professional pickleball players, a national governing body called USA Pickleball, which establishes rules, promotes the sport and keeps player rankings. Who knew? There is even a pickleball channel on YouTube.

            As with any new activity, where there is pickleball there is controversy. Starting with the game’s origins. It is not new. It was invented in 1965 by three fathers who wanted to keep their kids busy in the summer. They used ping pong paddles to hit a plastic golf ball over a badminton net, and so the game was born.

            As you might have guessed, the name has nothing to do with pickles, but even that is controversial. Some say it was named after something called a pickle boat, others claim that one of the originators’ wives named it after her dog “Pickles.” I bet the dog probably chased the ball.

            If you live near a pickleball court, you know that it is noisy. The wooden paddle hitting the plastic, wiffleball-like sphere generates a sharp “thump, thump, thump” that is so annoying that it is driving some people to actually participate in town government. Imagine that. In Wellesley, frustrated residents have taken their noise complaints to their local Recreation Commission seeking quiet.

            According to The Wall Street Journal, there will be no pickleball playing in Falmouth, at least for a while. Some residents have filed a lawsuit, claiming the game violates the local zoning bylaw which limits sound levels, and an injunction has been issued prohibiting its play. According to one published report, a complainant sold their house and moved away. Wonder if they told the buyer why they moved.

            To alleviate the unneighborly noise problem, many entrepreneurs are moving the sport indoors. Even here in our own hotbed of sports, the Knights of Columbus organization has begun to rent their meeting hall, the very place where once as a boy I served clams and tripe (Ugh! I hate tripe) at their annual clambake, as a pickleball venue. Thus, creating a consistent source of income for the organization and avoiding any possible complaints by neighbors about noise.

            The popularity of the game has piqued my interest. I used to be a pretty good tennis player so maybe I’ll try it out sometime. But first I’m going grab a tasty sour dill to munch on and spend the afternoon watching the pros on YouTube. Care to join me?

            Editor’s note: Mattapoisett resident Dick Morgado is an artist and retired newspaper columnist whose musings are, after some years, back in The Wanderer under the subtitle “Thoughts on ….” Morgado’s opinions have also appeared for many years in daily newspapers around Boston.

By Dick Morgado

Marion Joins Public Health Collaborative

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            Matt Armando, director of Public Health for the Town of Westport, appeared before the Marion Board of Health during its March 2 public meeting to seek the town’s participation in a Memorandum of Understanding for the Establishment and Maintenance of the South Coast Public Health Collaborative.

            The grant, according to Armando, is $300,000 annualized, $45,000 of which goes to the host town Westport and $255,000 to be used according to need in the other five member towns. The first $150,000 was received, and the other $150,000 was expected this month, according to Armando.

            As host town, Westport signs for and manages the grant. Armando said the plan is to hire a full-time inspector and a shared-services coordinator. There will be no plan for allocation. “We’d have to schedule it across the six towns according to need,” explained Armando. “Consultants may be the way we need to go for the short term.”

            Armando said it has been difficult to get the kind of experienced and knowledgeable help for the role and said he believes the intent of the grant is to attract new people into public-health careers, so training would become a necessary element.

            Board of Health Chairman Dr. John Howard asked if this grant can function to offset funds spent at the municipal level, and Armando gave a flat no, explaining that the intention of the grant is to supplement town health programs.

            The board members indicated plans to sign the MOU.

            Howard asked Armando what would please state authorities in terms of how the grant was carried out. Armando said the key point would be that the money was making a difference and being spent the way it should.

            Inspections requiring action followed by a second inspection are not charged in Marion, but Public Health Director Lori Desmarais asked the board about charging for a third trip due to lack of compliance.

            The board members expressed the desire to support a fee, but Howard said the measure would require a public hearing.

            In her update to the board, Health Agent Shallyn Rodriguez told the board there has been progress at 28 Pitcher Street. Permanent exterior repairs will resume in April. No further wildlife has been detected in the building, according to Rodriguez’s report.

            In her Public Health Director’s Update, Desmarais said COVID-19 cases are on the decline from 45 in January to 27 in February. Home tests kits are available at the Town House, fire station and Taber Library. She also noted there are not many flu cases as of March 2.

            Referencing the town’s 2018 vote for $500,000 in a Betterment Program targeting septic systems, Desmarais said she has learned the money is still available. Allocating the funds will require a new application.

            In a brief FY24 Budget update, Desmarais told the board that the department’s biggest increase would be Rodriguez’s hours from 25 to 30 per week.

            A septic variance requested at 694C Mill Street was granted a continuance per the applicant to March 16 at 4:15 pm.

            Board member Albin Johnson recommended Marion’s staff hold contractors responsible rather than homeowners for obtaining correct information.

            In separate votes, the board approved septic constructions at 91A Allens Point Road and also at Lot 27A Allens Point Road.

            Public Health Program Manager Megan DaCosta reported to the board on tobacco, including inspection updates and 2023 Model State Regulations.

            The board agreed to write a letter of support of keeping remote-access meetings an option for municipalities.

            The next meeting of the Marion Board of Health is scheduled for Thursday, March 16, at 4:00 pm.

Marion Board of Health

By Mick Colageo

Marion Garden Group Open Meeting

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The Marion Garden Group’s April meeting will be held at St. Gabriel’s Parish Hall (Corner South & Front Streets, Marion) on Tuesday, April 4 at 9:00 am. This event is open to the public. It deals with an important issue that affects all of us living along the Southcoast and inland: “Rain Gardens: Solutions for Managing Stormwater Runoff.” The featured speaker, Professor Tom Benjamin, will present some of his award winning concepts in sustainable landscape design.

            Polluted runoff is one of the greatest threats to clean water in America. As cities and towns grow, forests and meadows are replaced with roads, driveways, parking lots and other commercial surfaces. When it rains, the water runs off and picks up fertilizer, oil, pesticides, dirt, bacteria and other pollutants as it makes its way through storm drains – untreated – to our streams, rivers and the ocean. Rain Gardens provide a cost-effective, attractive and environmentally sound solution to managing this problem.

            Tom Benjamin has more than 30 years of experience in environmental design and sustainability. His site planning work emphasizes low cost, low maintenance landscape solutions for large scale institutions to small community gardens. His work often encompasses natural stormwater filtration systems. He has received many awards for his innovations and currently teaches at the University of Massachusetts. He is a principal of Wellnesscaapes of Northampton.

            A guest fee of $5 per person is requested to help defray costs of this program. Light refreshments will be available.