Water Access Maintained with Road to Solar

on

            Rochester’s Select Board voted Monday night to not exercise its Right of First Refusal to purchase 7.3 acres at 109 Neck Road that are being taken out 61A agricultural protection land for development of a solar energy array there.

            But first, the board paused over Town Moderator and Finance Committee Chairman David Arancio’s questioning of whether this action fits the town’s long-term goals.

            Noting that the land in question is close to a town water resources, Snipatuit Pond, and that the town is concerned about frequently losing access to those resources to other surrounding communities, Arancio asked, “What is the long-term plan here? How do we ensure down the road that the town can look at this and have access if we need it?”

            This made the board stop before the final approval vote. Select Board member Brad Morse noted this action is just to take part of a larger 61A parcel for road access to the solar facility. Select Board Chairman Paul Ciaburri paused to reexamine the diagram of the plan. Ciaburri concluded this action won’t stop any future action to access that water resource, and he motioned the vote that the board approved unanimously.

            The board also approved Rochester Troop 31 Scout master Kevin Thompson’s request to give away “town property.” Town Administrator Glenn Cannon explained that one of the four box trailers on the Pine Street property that formerly hosted the Rochester Country Fair contains scouting equipment that the troop no longer wants or needs. The troop, Cannon said, wants to just give this equipment away to anyone who wants to pick it up.

            The board agreed to this plan, with one qualification. Morse said the troop must follow the formal procedure of filling out a request form for such a giveaway plan.

            In other action, the Select Board approved a new policy for flying a flag on one of the two new flagpoles in front of Town Hall. The only flags allowed on the poles will be the American, state, town or POW flag or the flags belonging to the branches of the military services.

            The town’s Appointing Committee, which includes the chairs of the Select Board and the Finance Committee and the town moderator, appointed Greg Hardy to the Personnel Board, Justin Bouley as an alternate member of the Finance Committee and James Austin as a full Finance Committee member. The Select Board also approved the appointments of Lorraine Thompson and Sarah Hasbrouck to the town’s Cultural Council.

            No future meeting date was scheduled as of this report.

Rochester Select Board

By Michael J. DeCicco

Sippican Woman’s Club Scholarships

on

Since 1947, the Sippican Woman’s Club has awarded scholarships to students who reside in Marion. In the past, scholarships have been funded by proceeds from the club’s annual Holiday House Tour.  Due to the pandemic, the past three years scholarships have been funded by donations from both individuals and the sale of red, white and blue luminaria kits to celebrate the Fourth of July. The club’s fundraiser aptly named “Illuminate to Educate”.

            The Club’s Scholarship Committee (Ellen Johnston, Eileen Merlino, and Kathleen Tibbetts) is pleased to announce the names of the ten Marion residents graduating from high school who will be awarded scholarships toward higher learning.  Scholarship recipients include seven graduating seniors from ORR Regional High School – Kate Feeney (Elon University); Failenn Fitzpatrick (College of the Holy Cross); Paige Fuller (Elon University); Jacksen Martin (undecided); Lauren Rapoza (Fairfield U) recipient of the Lu Chevrier Award for community service; Samuel Williamson (Northeastern U); and Sarah Wyman (Boston College). Other Marion resident graduating seniors include two students from Tabor Academy – Laura Pardo (Villanova University) and Catherine Parks (Providence College): and one student graduating from Bishop Stang – Luke A. Tougas (College of Charleston).

            The following continuing education students will be awarded scholarships once they have completed their first semester and submitted their grades: Jacqueline Barrett (U of Mass Amherst); Sydney Feeney (U Conn); Katelyn Luong (Northeastern U); Abigail Mc Fadyen (Temple U); Raegan Rapoza (Bryant U); Mason Tucker (U of Rhode Island); and Maxwell Tucker (U Conn).

            The recipient of the Alice Ryder Book Award is Cadogan H. Crete.  This award goes to the highest ranking English student in the 8th grade.

Phyllis M. (Bryant) DuPont

on

Phyllis M. (Bryant) DuPont, 92, of Mattapoisett died Thursday, July 6, 2023 peacefully at home. She was the wife of the late Anthony J. “Jerry” DuPont.

            Born in New Bedford, daughter of the late Alfred and Rose (Ventor) Bryant, she lived in New Bedford and Fairhaven before moving to Mattapoisett.

            Phyllis was a graduate of Fairhaven High School, Class of 1948.

            She was formerly employed at Humphrey, Covill & Coleman Insurance Agency and later at St. Luke’s Hospital for many years until her retirement.

            Phyllis enjoyed shopping, traveling the country by car with her husband, and spending time with her family.

            She is survived by two sons, Jeffrey J. DuPont and his wife Nora and Jay A. DuPont and his wife Lori; her daughter, Jayne M. Mello; seven grandchildren, Kevin DuPont, Hannah DuPont, Jennifer L. Lukey, Abigail DuPont, Justin DuPont, Tyler Mello, and Nikkole Mello; two great-grandchildren, Charlie DuPont and Jamie DuPont; her sister, Alma Fernandes; her sister-in-law, Ann Bryant; and many nieces and nephews.

            She was predeceased by her siblings, Alfred O. Bryant, Paul A. Bryant, Bernice Sylvia, and Marjorie Sykes.

            Visiting hours will be held on Friday, July 14, 2023 from 4-7 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Mattapoisett. A private family burial service will be held at St. Anthony’s Cemetery. For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Carol Shute

on

Carol Shute of Mattapoisett passed away on March 3, 2023.

            Carol was born on March 13, 1934 in Rockland, Maine to Merial and Lawrence Shute.

            She was a graduate of Fairhaven High School where she met her life long friends who later referred to themselves as the “Golden Girls”.

            Carol was an active member of the Mattapoisett Congregational Church.

            She began her career at New England Telephone Company before moving to G. Bourne Knowles in Fairhaven.  However, her longest tenure were her years as secretary at Brownell Boat Works in Mattapoisett.

            Carol was an avid walker and could often be spotted walking around town.  She was perhaps most easily recognized by her contagious laugh and sense of humor.

            Carol will be remembered and celebrated at a graveside service at Cushing Cemetery in Mattapoisett on July 18, 2023 at 10:00 am.  All are welcome.

ORR Trio Gets College Boost

on

            The Marion Scholarship and Education Committee will need another meeting to kick off its campaign for the 2023-24 academic year after discussions addressing fundraising ideas and rubrics changes were put on hold during a brief, June 28 Zoom meeting.

            According to Chairperson Sandy Smith, the three recipients of the committee’s scholarship award are 2023 Old Rochester Regional High School graduates Sarah Wyman, Kira Sarkarati and Paige Fuller.

            “We received applications from an amazing group of students, and it was not an easy decision,” said Smith. “We hope to raise more money this year so we can assist more students in the future.”

            It is through the generosity of Marion residents that the town’s Scholarship and Education Committee can offer scholarships to Marion high school students, according to the committee’s website.

            Rules state that applicants must be residents of Marion, must be graduating seniors and planning to attend post-secondary school in the fall. The number of scholarships and their amount depends on donations and fundraising so the fund will vary from year to year.

            Applications are obtained through local high school college counseling offices and at the Marion Town House with a March deadline to be returned.

            The next meeting of the Marion Scholarship and Education Committee was not scheduled upon adjournment.

Marion Scholarship Committee

By Mick Colageo

From the Files of the Rochester Historical Society

on

After finding the picture shown here at the museum, I asked last winter if anyone knew anything about the steamship, Assawompsett. I soon received replies from several people (thank you) and am finally getting around to sharing.

            The Assawompsett was actually a side-wheeler steamer and while it did ply Rochester waters, its story is one that finds its home in Middleborough. In the late 1800’s, the water in the ponds that line Rte.105 was much higher. Lakeville (aptly named) was a summer resort destination and a side wheeler, Pioneer, made trips down the Nemasket River from the Riverside Wharf on Water St. through the narrows south to Long Point to Pocksha Pond and the waters off North Ave. and Neck Rd. in Rochester.

            In 1882, the larger Assawompsett replaced the Pioneer. The new ship was 60 ft. long and had a hinged smokestack, which could be lowered to go under low bridges. It was said to be able to hold 100 passengers.

            The side wheeler excursions took passengers to the popular spots: Stony Point, known now as Nelson’s Grove, Sear’s Grove and Lake View. Trips were scheduled to coincide with the Old Colony Railroad’s train schedule.

            As the 19th century was drawing to a close, the town of Taunton was authorized by the state to use the lake as a water supply and built a gatehouse across the mouth of the Nemasket River. This allowed them to raise and lower water levels, but it also, blocked access to the lakes. It also served to lower the water level of the river and put an end to the side-wheeler cruises.

            The Assawompsett suffered a sad fate. It was pulled up on the shore near the East Grove Street Bridge and abandoned. Perhaps in protest, the Assawompsett broke loose, floated to the bridge and managed to wedge itself against the side and blocked the entire river.

            This was its last hurrah. It was dislodged and towed upstream to a cove across from the pumping station. It was partially dismantled with the engine removed and used to haul ice to area icehouses and the smokestack was left in a field to succumb to rust. It was further cannibalized with its iron parts taken and sold for scrap. Some residents remember seeing the keel buried in the mud of the river and the vessel’s ribs sticking up near the pumping station.

By Connie Eshbach

Major Collectable Paper Sale

on

Paper collectibles, from world postage stamps, postcards and ephemera to historic photos, will be featured in a benefit sale July 15 in Mattapoisett. Sale to be held from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm at the Mattapoisett Friends Meeting Hall, 103 Marion Road, Route 6. The sale will include items from the collections of the late Priscilla Hathaway and her husband Brad.

            All proceeds will help fund the Priscilla Hathaway memorial art scholarship managed by the Mattapoisett Land Trust.

            The non-stamp material is heavy in southeastern Massachusetts items. For example, there are Rochester real photo postcards, nearly 100-year-old photos taken at the Hollywoods shore and an 1864 deed from Seth Cowin to Lenart Hall Jr. abutting Caleb Dexter property in the Pine Island section of Mattapoisett.

            Postal history ranges from first day covers of the world to 19th century discontinued post office cancellations. Rare ephemera include items from Fall River and Taunton to the Cape and Islands. Historic photos range from President Reagan with dignitaries to a New Bedford whaling ship.

            A special box featuring stamps for 1-cent each will be available for young and old interested in being introduced to the hobby of stamp collecting.

Mattapoisett Community Tennis Association

on

The Mattapoisett Community Tennis Association, MCTA, which serves the towns of Mattapoisett, Fairhaven, Marion, Rochester, and Wareham is seeking adult men and women as new members to play in their summer tennis drop-in league. We currently have about 20 active participants and about 40 members in total. The drop-in begins at 8 am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during the summer at a central location on Route 6. New players should play at a level of 3.5 or higher. We welcome anyone who would both enjoy playing tennis with no promise of playing at Wimbledon and also having a good time with many sociable people as well. For further information, please call Mike at 781-888-1110 or Ellen at 978-844-1117.

Collaborative Aims at Underfunded Services

on

            Emily Field, Mattapoisett’s public health nurse, reported to the Board of Health the status of a plan to regionalize some public health services and associated staff known as the South Coast Public Health Collaborative.

            During the June 28 meeting of the board, Field expressed the need for greater focus on mental-health services and that possibly such services can be coordinated through the collaborative.

            “Public health needs more qualified people,” Field said, explaining that public health is typically an underfunded segment of a local board of health and that through a shared-services plan, those services can be provided.

            Field laid no blame for the deficit in those services at the feet of municipalities; she said that Massachusetts is unique in that there are 350 boards of health. She said that many small towns simply do not or cannot pay for the variety of services that fall under the governance of boards of health, everything from public-health nursing to solid-waste management and everything in between. She sees the collaborative as an opportunity to improve some services through acquisition of shared staffing and other programs.

            There is still work to be done on how towns will be reimbursed, but Field is hopeful business elements of the program can be amicably ironed out and the regional agreement signed by all participating communities. Mattapoisett, once it signs on, will join Freetown, Lakeville, Marion, Rochester and Westport. Westport will be the host town for the program and manage grant distribution.

            In March, The Wanderer reported that the collaborative was rolled out to Marion’s Board of Health. Matt Armando, director of Public Health for the Town of Westport, discussed a Memorandum of Understanding for the establishment and maintenance of the program. Armando told the Marion board that $300,000 in grant funding will be annualized with $45,000 going to the host municipality (Westport) and $255,000 to be distributed to the participating towns based on their needs.

            During the June Mattapoisett board meeting, Field noted the difficulty in finding experienced help for the role of inspector and a shared-services coordinator. Armando stated at the March meeting in Marion that the grant might attract new people to public-health careers, thus training is a necessary component of the collaborative’s work.

            Field again spoke to the urgency for municipal focus on mental-health needs. She said that during and since the pandemic, she is seeing isolation as a factor, that regretfully mental-health needs are underfunded and not adequately addressed.

            The board is working towards signing the MOU by the end of July.

            In other business, the Mattapoisett Board of Health met with Todd Kope of the MassDEP to discuss Maguire and Wastequip compacting equipment. Kope told the board that better signage would help at the town’s Transfer Station, something that Mattapoisett Health Agent Gail Joseph has been working to provide. He highly recommended a compactor for cardboard as a cost-savings tool and the introduction of disposal bags for “a pay as you throw” program for residents. He also suggested a deeper dive into the fee structure of the operation.

            In closing comments, Chairman Carmelo Nicolosi said that the state (EPA) has received significant pushback from cities and towns earmarked by the agency as having nitrogen-sensitive areas. After an aggressive push beginning on Cape Cod, the state has paused for more in-depth analysis before requiring homeowners to upgrade their septic systems to include denitrification technology.

            Although homeowners along the south coast are, for now, spared a state mandate requiring a septic upgrade that can cost up to $50,000, Nicolosi reminded listeners that state Title 5 septic regulations still require systems that control nitrogen output, including denitrification systems in watershed areas.

            Nicolosi confirmed that the town is seeking grant funding to launch its own study of local waterways to accurately identify nitrogen sources and levels ahead of any studies the state could implement in the future.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Health is planned for Wednesday, July 26, at 10:00 am.

Mattapoisett Board of Health

By Marilou Newell

Wood Turtle Getting Help

on

            The Wood Turtle is a very low-profile, crawling creature that spends most of its time near the waters of local rivers and streams. It also travels through forests and across grasslands but rarely winds up more than several hundred meters from flowing water. It prefers to use a shallow, sandy bottom to move from one pool to another.

            Many different predators threaten its well-being, including snapping turtles, racoons, otters, foxes, cats, ravens and coyotes, each of which gobbles up a nutritious meal upon capturing a Wood Turtle. As in my illustration, these predators also pose a threat, destroying turtle nests and eating baby turtles, which adds greatly to the endangerment of the entire population.

            The Wood Turtle itself is a totally omnivorous creature, feeding on a range of animals and plant matter, both in water and on land. It is attracted to a wide selection of insects, berries, beetles, Millipedes, slugs, fungi, mosses, grasses, and on occasion, it can be seen stomping the ground with alternating hits from both the left and right feet to cause moles and earthworms to rise to the surface where they become easy prey.

            The Wood Turtle is somehow exposed to many other municipal dangers, such as being run over by speeding cars while crossing a country road or hit by agricultural machinery. They are more often subject to illegal poaching to add a pet turtle to a serpentine collection for a young member of a local country family.

            To combat so many threats, Smithsonian scientists have been closely monitoring their dangerous movements since the year 2016 by attaching tracking devices that weigh less than 0.5 ounces. In the past year, no fewer than 38 turtles have been tracked in this way.

            Wood Turtles have subsequently been petitioned for, including under the Endangered Species Act, to be reviewed by the end of the year to make a final and official determination. So far, the species is listed under the Greatest Conservation Need by the Northeast Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, Inc., which encompasses 13 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and six Canadian provinces.

            The turtles in these places qualify for help with a head-starting process where they are temporarily removed from the dangerous wild world with all the threats with the hope that their condition improves greatly when they are released.

            The most complete success of head-starting was in the past century when the American Buffalo was virtually brought back from extinction by head-starting it back into the wild.  Let’s hope that the Wood Turtle is not getting near that far gone so that it might not be brought back in the immediate future for us all to recognize a complete recovery.

By George B. Emmons