Further exploring ways to aid sustainable living pursuits while at home, the Mattapoisett Public Library recently hosted a presentation by Joy Marzolf.

            Marzolf’s accomplishments in the world of nature is a long list. From rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife to educating people of all ages about an immense variety of animals and insects and their relationship to our survival, as well as engaging the backyard gardener to go natural with nature, Marzolf is in a league of her own.

            The presentation, supported in part by the Richard and Ann Prouty Foundation, is the latest chapter focused on sustainability issues, this time with an eye towards naturalizing the home garden with native plants in support of native wildlife including beloved butterflies or less beloved garden snakes.

            With a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and over 20 years working in various animal and natural-world occupations, Marzolf said, “My favorite thing to do is break people’s misconceptions about many animals … especially those that people fear.” She jokingly said that snakes need a better public-relations team because their value to all living things cannot be overestimated.

            Marzolf explained that wildlife and insects need the world to provide them with sustenance year-round, thus espousing the importance of having home gardens that feature berries, seeds and green leaves that both adult species can feast on as well as their progeny, even if the offspring is a caterpillar.

            The annual homeowner’s right-of-passage, fall-season yard cleanup, should not be done at all, she said. Marzolf explained that birds are feeding on the insects that are wintering under leaves, even the graceful butterfly; those that share winter digs are under leave piles hibernating. “Wait ’til spring,” she counseled before clearing away the leaves.

            The concept of growing native plants was discussed with a fine point placed on planning gardens that not only are native and therefore more likely to thrive but that also offer variety throughout the growing and harvest seasons.

            The common milkweed plant serves as an example for Marzolf, who said that many gardeners fail because they are trying too hard, sowing the seeds and fertilizing them – seeds that in nature are cast upon the ground after flying on gossamer wings blown by the winds. “They are scattered, not planted, and don’t need much in the way of fertilizers or rich soils.”

            Jumping back into the history of lawns, yes lawns, Marzolf said that during the early settlement periods New England was filled with vast fields that supported all manner of nature. As populations grew, the introduction of cattle and the like along with homesteading found fields being turned into home places with mowed grass areas. Today, she said the use of chemical fertilizers is commonplace.

            Regarding chemical warfare on insects, Marzolf said there is proof that having one’s yard treated chemically to get rid of mosquitos actually has the opposite effect. She said that because the chemicals don’t discriminate, all insects are harmed with spraying including beneficial dragonflies that eat mosquitoes. Marzolf said that people simply need more information in order to make gardening choices that help, not harm, nature.

            Marzolf displayed a picture of wild turkeys, asking if people perceived them positively or negatively. Everyone agreed they are great. They may have become a favorite on this day when Marzolf declared, “They eat ticks!”

            Marzolf also discussed how climate change is affecting local nature in ways we might not fully appreciate. Take the poison ivy plant for instance. Marzolf said that because poison ivy absorbs CO2, the more concentrated it is in the atmosphere the stronger the oils of the plant are becoming, so much so that people who previously were not allergic to the oils are now impacted with the familiar blisters and associated burning and itching.

            Some of the plants Marzolf advocated for planting as food sources for pollinators are: New England asters; tickseed or coreopsis; winterberry; Concord grapes and goldenrod. Voicing a bit of caution she said, “Know who are you buying seed from.” Marzolf said that many seed companies use chemicals on the seeds and that it is best to source organic seeds. She suggested contacting the Native Plant Trust, whose website is a great starting point for expanding one’s understanding of the importance of going native, with plants that is.

            To learn more about Marzolf’s work, visit thejoysofnature.com.

Mattapoisett Public Library

By Marilou Newell

            Coming before the Mattapoisett Finance Committee on February 24 were Recreation Director Greta Fox, Board of Health Agent Gail Joseph and Fire Chief Andrew Murray to present their FY23 budget projections and narratively explore opportunities each department envisions moving forward.

            Fox discussed the challenges the Recreation Department faced over the past two years due to the pandemic. Despite those demanding health-related restrictions, the department has been able to provide youth-based programing with a bit for the more mature members of the community.

            Fox shared that summer camp remained a strong offering with the Seahorse Summer Explorer program implementing COVID-19 protocols – all sessions were filled to capacity. With the need to eliminate field trips that would have required buses, she said new themes that included science and magic were introduced, along with more expanded use of Center School and its grounds. Renewed was a partnership with the Mattapoisett Land Trust for a third year of kayak classes.

            Fall programing included outdoor activities that granted fresh air and distancing such as flag football, tennis for the young and the young at heart, as well as pickleball for all ages including an adult tournament, track club, kid fit, running club, outdoor drama club and a program called Sport Fit.

            Looking ahead, Fox said the hope of repairs and improvements to the basketball courts at Center School and the prospect of more pickleball courts would be an asset to those programs and the community. She also expressed hope that use of the town-owned Holy Ghost grounds could be solidified in the coming months.

            Beyond the summer-camp programs, Fox said golf camp was sold out, as was basketball camp; both programs will be returning in FY23.

            The FY22 operating budget for the Recreation Department was set at $55,770, and FY23 planned at $57,500.

            Meeting with the FinCom members for the first time since she was hired earlier in FY22, Joseph spoke to overarching improvements in the flow of recyclable and non-recyclable waste, including the establishment of a textiles-only bin that gives those items a recyclable value and frees up landfill space. A mattress-recycling program has begun, Joseph said, another new way of salvaging reusable materials. She also spoke to changes in staffing at the transfer station as part of restructuring the operation.

            FinCom Chair Pat Donoghue said she has received complaints primarily from small landscape companies that a decrease in operating hours at the transfer station creates a hardship for small local businesses. Joseph said plans include the hiring of full-time staff to keep the operation open Tuesday through Saturday versus current hours of Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Joseph shared that one goal the operation is moving towards is being more “user friendly” with more signage to help residents using the facility and reorganizing some spaces, especially in consideration of the solar array planned to be constructed on the property.

            Regarding the solar array, Town Administrator Mike Lorenco said that timing for construction has not been set, that it was unclear when Eversource would be ready to interconnect with an array located in that area but that plans are slowly moving forward to a clear set of timelines by 2023.

            An interesting concept Joseph is planning for the Transfer Station is a “swap shop” where residents can leave or find usable materials. She said it would at the very least give new life to items otherwise destined for destruction but would also require a staff person to ensure materials left at the shop are, in fact, worthy for continued consumer use.

            The overall Transfer Station operating budget for FY22 was $165,782 with a $48,000 general-fund subsidy. FY23 projections will be forthcoming. In a related category, rubbish pickup costs for FY22 were $309,423 and planned for FY23 at $314,586; SEMASS for FY22 was $235,000 and planned for FY23 at $299,200; and recycling for FY22 was 189,210 and planned for FY23 at $187,752.

            Murray told the Finance Committee that his department needs a support vehicle estimated at $54,000. He said it was the only capital expense he is listing for FY23 and explained that presently no such vehicle is part of the Fire Department fleet – all other motorized units are emergency units. He said that ferrying fire-fighting trainees to academy classes is only one reason the department requires the vehicle. He said that a pickup truck that had been used in that capacity is no longer on the road after failing inspection.

            The Fire Department’s overall operating budget for FY22 was proposed at $753,015, compared to $816,214 for FY23 with a $63,199 increase that Murray explained includes increases in office supplies and other daily office needs.

            The biggest line item presented was $26,112 in wages paid to call firefighters. Murray said that an increase in trained personnel responding to emergencies has increased in part due to their availability during COVID-19, but members of the Finance Committee commented that the goal has always been to increase the number of trained firefighters answering the call, and in that regard the department has succeeded.

            Lorenco stated during his comment period that salaries in several categories are rising, not just in the Fire Department but also in the Police Department with a number of staff members achieving step increases. He also said that local schools will likely be up by 3 percent or $230,000, Old Rochester Regional High School up 3.5 percent equaling $83,000 and town retirement fund up 3.38 percent or $120,000.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Finance Committee is scheduled for Thursday, March 3, at 4:30 pm.

Mattapoisett Finance Committee

By Marilou Newell

To vegan or not to vegan? That was the question taste testers answered when the Mattapoisett Library hosted another chapter of their sustainable initiative programming on February 26. Library Director Jennifer Jones prepared and served vegan substitutes of chicken, hot dogs, sausage, and lunchmeat. The participants nibbled each offering with great anticipation. The overriding takeaway was that some faux meats might be acceptable in a casserole. Photo by Marilou Newell

From left, Nancy Christie, Barbara VanInwegen, Liz Garvey and Anne Layton tentatively bite into vegan meat substitutes featuring plant-based meat alternatives during a February 26 program hosted by the Mattapoisett Public Library. The program is part of a larger sustainability initiative the library has embarked upon, in part funded by the Richard and Ann Prouty Foundation. The taste testers rendered a “not bad” verdict on most the items offered by Library Director Jennifer Jones, who noted that other food-related programing will feature non-dairy and ice cream alternative and a program based on “climatarian” diets. Photo by Marilou Newell