Elderic H. Barry

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Elderic H. Barry passed away peacefully at his Marion home on January 16, 2022, one week prior to his 93rd birthday. Dick enjoyed golfing with his buddies at Reservation Golf Course, quahogging with his dogs and gathering with family for meals and watching sports. But on sunny, summer days, Dick loved nothing more than relaxing at the beach, reading crime novels, and listening to music.

            Born in Everett, MA, January 23, 1929, Dick was the son of Evangeline and Elderic Barry, Sr. and brother of Kathryn Young and Patricia Hunt. He graduated from Chelsea High where he was Captain of his football team and baseball team and elected Class President during his junior and senior years. As a young man, Dick enlisted in the Army and served as a Corporal stationed in Stuttgart, Germany. In addition to his official duties, Dick played football, baseball, and was a champion boxer.

            Dick worked for New England Telephone/NYNEX for over 40 years, during which time he climbed to the position District Manager for the Cape and Islands. After retiring, he took on a new challenge as the Director of the Cape Cod Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. Dick dedicated many years to helping others struggling with addiction and stayed active as a mentor into his 90s.

            Dick and his wife Virginia raised three children, Mark, Kim, and Brian. He had four grandchildren: Brendan and Maura Van Voris and Mark and Steven Barry, along with two great-grandchildren: Luna Van Voris and Ethan Barry. Dick lived a long, full life, and he will be missed by his family, loving friends, and the countless individuals who looked to him for guidance and mentorship.

            A memorial service will be held in the spring to celebrate his life. For online guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Bike Path Comes under Scrutiny

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            The Mattapoisett Community Preservation Committee fielded four requests during its January 14 meeting, and of greater interest than the merits of three of the projects was their funding sources.

            One familiar project came under more direct scrutiny, and that was $120,000 request from both the Mattapoisett Bike Path and Friends of the Mattapoisett Bike Path to fund pre-design documents for Phase 2a.

            Chairman Chuck McCullough told the committee that the Community Preservation Act has already resulted in close to $400,000 in funding for the bike path spread out across six to eight awards.

            “We have not always fully funded their application. This is a lot of permits and it’s a ton of money … for a mile. Some of the justification for it, I just don’t see it as reasonable,” said CPC member Bill Hall.

            Member Margaret DeMello took issue with the route, and McCullough said that it is so wet up by the state building there may need to be some type of bridge. “We may end up meeting with the Bike Path Committee on two occasions,” he said, noting that the same discussions will occur with Mattapoisett’s Capital Planning Committee.

            Member Marilou Newell clarified that an award from the current request would be used solely for exploratory purposes.

            It was also noted that the Marion Pathways Committee sent the CPC a letter supporting the plan’s entry point to the neighboring town.

            The CPC fielded two requests from Mattapoisett’s Select Board. A $54,495 request would fund repairs to the existing skatepark behind the fire station and Center School basketball courts, along with the construction of new pickle ball courts. A $10,000 request would fund repair of the swordfish weathervane seasonally located on Long Wharf.

            Along with the obvious question as to why the Select Board delivered these requests, a philosophical question arose of CPA funds addressing projects that at least in part could be classified as maintenance.

            Having heard at the completion of the fire station that the town would repair the area disturbed by construction, McCullough asked, “Why isn’t the skateboard park falling under that umbrella?” He also wondered aloud where the Recreation Department fits into the situation.

            Committee members were unclear on the location of the pickleball courts in the funding request, some suggesting that they shared the same space as the basketball court.

            Hall shared concern over the din of repeated pickleball pelting near neighboring houses. “Pickelball’s an annoying noise, it’s the smacking of that pickleball,” he said. “I know it sounds foolish, but the ball against the paddle is noisy.”

            CPC member James Pierson agreed with McCullough that the requests should be resubmitted as separate line items because, if one fails, they all fail.

            As a member of the Field family known for its care of the swordfish weathervane, CPC member Sue Wilbur provided context to the Select Board’s $10,000 request, explaining that the original construction would be repaired a final time, taken out of harm’s way and displayed indoors. The request would include the construction of a replica model with modern materials better suited to brave the elements.

            “I think that their goal is to get the fiberglass one up for the summer, but this one should not go back up,” said Wilbur, noting that Jimmy Broadwater has offered to recast it and Triad Boat Yard offered to take it down with its crane. “A lot of people have volunteered their time that are not looking to get paid.”

            Newell suggested a fundraising opportunity for the summer months, the goal being to avoid dipping into the Historical Commission’s budget to complete the project.

            Another $10,000 request, this one from the Historical Commission, would fund a town-wide inventory of historic sites, buildings and other features conducted by a professional historic researcher. McCullough compared the effort to the digitizing of Cushing Cemetery records, an endeavor he considered entirely worthwhile.

            Newell told the committee that the town’s Historical Commission was charged with identifying historic sites in the late 1970s into the early ’80s. As a result, Mattapoisett’s Town Hall, for instance, is not on any list of importance.

            The Town of Marion has extensively gone through the two-year process and offer Mattapoisett officials guidance.

            A historic survey, said Newell, would reveal the historic value of parcels north of Route 6.

            McCullough plans to send out a draft of questions to guide presentations to be made in what likely will necessitate four future CPC meetings inviting the Select Board, Historical Commission and Bike Path Committee.

            The next step, he said, will be a public meeting of the committee where the members will rank the requests with use of a scoring tool.

            The next meeting of the CPC is scheduled for Friday, January 28, at 5:00 pm.

Mattapoisett Community Preservation Committee

By Mick Colageo

From the Files of the Rochester Historical Society

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As I mentioned in an earlier article, until the building of the causeway, the long distance to Rochester Center from North Rochester meant that North Rochester developed its own community which included factories. One of these was a hat factory which opened in the early 1800’s when the production of fir and felt hats became a profitable venture. For centuries, women have worn both hair coverings and hats. Fashion and custom dictated that female heads should be covered and until recent decades, hats were often as important to their wearer as the coat or dress that they matched. A well- dressed man would often be seen sporting a fedora.

            A two-story building was erected in North Rochester during this time period to serve as a hat factory. It was on the east side of Snipatuit Brook near the site of the North Rochester School which was on North Avenue across from the Bennett Farm. At some point, the factory was moved opposite the Coombs Tavern at the intersection of Snipatuit and North Avenue. At that time, Captain Asa Coombs ran the business.

            Mr. Waldron, who as a boy lived across from the factory corner, said that the huge copper boiler, the hat blocks, pressing irons and other implements of the trade were a wonder to behold. Watching the hats and the plaster molds on which the hats were stretched and formed fascinated him.

            It was in this factory that Joseph Purrington, Fred Gerrish’s uncle learned the trade. He then set himself up in business near the residence of George Gerrish on North Avenue across from the cemetery. His business continued until 1818. At the Museum, we have many hat forms like the ones pictured here.

By Connie Eshbach

Kevin Charles Buckley

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Kevin Charles Buckley, 52, of East Wareham, MA passed away at Tobey Hospital on January 5, 2022 after battling with COVID-19. He was born to the late Hugh Ellison and Margaret Mary Buckley (O’Neill) in Plymouth, MA on March 11, 1969.

            Kevin grew up in Reading, MA and attended Reading schools. He graduated from North Adams College where he earned multiple degrees including Nursing. He was on the Marion Fire Department and EMS/Paramedic and Wareham EMS for over 20 years.

            Kevin’s passions included playing hockey, caring for others as a Firefighter, Nurse, and Paramedic, and spending quality time outside in his yard. During the early 1980’s Kevin was invited to try out for the U.S. Hockey team.

            He is survived by his loving wife Bobbi-Jo Buckley (MacDonald), step children Nicole, LeaAnn, Michael and Mason Johnson, Grandchildren Hayden and Zayleah, his sister Nancy Buckley, twin brother James Buckley, nieces Caitlyn and Sophia and nephews Patrick and Allen, and his dog Nova and cats Brat-Brat and Brownie.

            A Memorial Service will be scheduled at a later time. For online condolences, please visit www.nickrsonbournefuneralhome.com.

Last-Mile Funding Discussed

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            During the January 12 meeting of the Mattapoisett Bike Path Study Committee chaired by Steve Kelleher, funding needs for aspects of Phase 2a, deemed “The Last Mile” from Railroad Avenue to North Street, was discussed.

            Kelleher said that a grant application to the town’s Community Preservation Act Committee had been filed in the amount of $120,000. The breakdown of those monies, if appropriated through Town Meeting vote, includes pre-design needs such as appraisals for land takings and easement rights, wetland studies and permitting fees. He said that Representative Bill Straus was reaching out to appraisers, who would put a monetary value on private property needed to complete the trail.

            Bonnie DeSousa of the Friends of the Mattapoisett Bike Path added to the discussion with more detailed financial projections after it was noted by Kelleher that Capital Planning wanted more information of prior monies allotted to the bike-path phases and projections for remaining phase(s).

            DeSousa said that the FMBP was providing support to the town’s committee to help provide more definitive financial projections for future bike-path construction before and during rounds of discussion and review with the Capital Planning and Finance committees.

            In DeSousa’s financial outlines, she noted that Phase 2a cost estimates include $60,000 for land acquisitions, $285,000 for design engineering, $120,000 for pre-design needs (CPA grant as previously noted), and construction costs ranging from $1,600,000 to $3,800,000.

            In explaining the construction estimates, DeSousa said that an estimating tool available from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation was used. That tool used data that included the topography and environmental conditions of proposed routes. For instance, DeSousa said conditions such as woodlands versus wetlands versus railroad beds and the length of the trail were all part of the program’s algorithms used to calculate cost estimates. DeSousa said assumptions such as where MassDOT would elect to have the bike path cross Route 6 were yet to be determined.

            The committee moved to partner with the FMBP to advise the town on cost estimates for remaining phase(s). The proposed last mile (Phase 2a) runs from the end of Railroad Avenue across Route 6 and onward towards North Street near the entrance to Industrial Drive. Phase 2b, proposed to run along Industrial Drive, is part of another major infrastructure project that would see federal funding used for a complete redesign of the roadway from North Street to the entrance of Bay Club on its northside. The bike path proposed to run in tandem with Industrial Drive is just over a mile, Kelleher said, and would connect Mattapoisett’s pathway with Marion’s proposed pathway also utilizing the former railroad bed.

            Earlier in the meeting, Kelleher said that the stalled completion of Phase 1b was being studied and reviewed by the DOT in an ongoing attempt to resolve issues with the planking used on the marshland bridge. He said that the state was doing a small sampling of a solution that would use double-thick planks to determine if that would stop the splitting problems found midway through construction.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Bike Path Study Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, February 9, at 5:30 pm.

Mattapoisett Bike Path Study Committee

By Marilou Newell

Upcoming programs at the Marion Natural History Museum

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Marion Natural History Museum’s Winter 2022 Afterschool and Adult Community Programs are available online at www.marionmuseum.org.

            Our first afterschool program is The Great Backyard Bird Count on February 16.  Join us as we learn from Justin Barrett how to participate in the bird count.  We will learn how to identify birds and how to record your findings online. Be a citizen scientist while having fun in your own backyard or local park.

            Our first adult/community program is the “Butterfly guy” on March 9. Joe Dwelly .a Yarmouth resident, will be visiting the Marion Natural History Museum to share what he knows about our local species. Mr. Dwelly will give advice about where they can be found and how community members can attract them to their own backyards.

            Check out these as well as the many other available programs. Preregistration is required and spaces are limited due to Covid.  Masks will be required for all programs.

Mattapoisett Lions Club Scholarships

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The Mattapoisett Lions Club, a member of Lions International, the world’s largest service club organization consisting of 45,000 clubs and more than 1.3 million members worldwide, is pleased to announce the availability of  two (2) – $2,500 scholarships to be awarded this year to a graduating high school senior or home-schooled student residing in  Mattapoisett, Marion or Rochester.

            The funds for the Peter Hodges Memorial Scholarship are raised through fundraisers held by the Mattapoisett Lions Club throughout the year, including Harbor Days, an annual Arts and Craft Festival held in Shipyard Park, Mattapoisett every 3rd weekend of July.

            The Lion’s Club motto is “WE SERVE,” one of the largest charitable causes of Lion’s International includes raising funds for EYE RESEARCH in an effort to end preventable blindness throughout the world, eradicating measles worldwide in partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and here at home providing services for those in need in our communities. 

            To qualify, a graduating student or home-schooled student shall be accepted to and intending to attend their first year of a recognized institution of higher education, must be a resident of the Tri-Town area and have demonstrated service to the community.

            To obtain an application, learn more about this Award or to learn how to become a member of the Lions Club, visit our website, www.mattapoisettlionsclub.org. Award applications are also available through the guidance department at your high school.

            Applications must be received by March 26.

Marion Scholarships

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Through the generosity of Marion residents, the Marion Scholarship and Education Committee is offering scholarships to high school students who will graduate in June 2022.  Applicants must live in Marion, be in good academic standing and accepted at a recognized college for the fall of 2022. 

            Application requirements, deadline information, and application forms can be obtained through the college counseling office at your high school.  In addition, forms will be available in the Marion Town Offices. 

            Anyone who would like to contribute to these and future scholarships can send your donation, in any amount, to The Marion Scholarship and Education Committee, Marion Town House, 2 Spring Street, Marion, MA 02738.  Thank you for your help.

Barry Julius Lima, Sr

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Barry Julius Lima, Sr, “Big Barry” 67, of New Bedford passed away January 18, 2022 at St. Luke’s Hospital.

            He was the husband of Kathleen L. (Farney) Lima.

            Born in New Bedford, son of the late Antone J. and Rose (Teixeira) Lima, he lived in New Bedford all of his life.

            He was formerly employed at the Biltmore Package Store for over two decades and was a member of the Civil Defense – New Bedford Rescue Squad early in his life.

            Barry was extremely proud of his son Bryen’s accomplishments in his career in the medical field, his son Barry Jr.’s “Little Barry” 16+ years of military service as a Combat Medic in the Massachusetts Army National Guard, also as a Mattapoisett Firefighter and his grandson Devin’s growth into the young man he is today. His love for his wife was so great and true that it withstood the challenges of a biracial relationship that the early 1970’s presented. He placed family as the top priority in his life and in his heart. He was known and loved by many and that love was reciprocated. He will truly be missed by all who crossed his path in life.

            Survivors include his wife; 2 sons, Barry Lima, Jr. and his companion Jessica Noblet of Mattapoisett and Bryen Lima of New Bedford; 3 sisters, Nanette Ramos and her husband Steven of New Bedford, and Marie Silva and Brenda Lima, both of Marion; a grandchild, Devin Lima of Newport RI; his father-in-law, James P. Farney of Fairhaven; and several nieces and nephews.

            He was the brother of the late Kevin Lima and Lester Lima.

           His Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, February 5th at 10 AM in the First Church of the Nazarene 764 Hathaway Rd. New Bedford. He really appreciated all who have served and continue to serve in the military, fire and police. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Veterans Transition House, 1297 Purchase St. New Bedford, MA 02740. Please visit their website for donation instructions at: info@vetshouse.org. Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford.

Snowy Visitors from The Arctic

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The seasonal report of the appearance of snowy owls in early Winter gets our undivided attention with all the environmental concern about global warming and the effect on annual wild bird scheduled migration.

            The population has already declined to about 200,000 in the northern hemisphere with only 40,000 left to migrate down here in early Winter. Not since the year 2013 has there been a huge influx of snowy visitors with early speculation that it was then due to a shortage of their favorite food, the lemming. A snowy owl lives on approximately five lemmings in one day, or more than 1,600 in just one year as a diurnal hunter by both day and night.

            However, to refute this observation, ornithologists visiting the Arctic found that owl nests that year were overflowing with leftover, dead lemming food that then changed our opinion of the reason of massive departure. It was not a shortage of lemmings but to flourish an abundance for young owls in such large numbers they were crowding their habitat. Subsequently, they were hassled by their parents and other owls to move out of their usual territory and migrate south in record numbers. When this happens, as it did in the year 2013, the massive movement is, in bird-watching terminology, called a population “irruption.”

            On appearance, the snowy owl is immediately noticed as a high-profile visitor. It is the largest on the continent with a wingspan of at least 5 feet and weighing up to 6.5 pounds. The female is typically larger than the male and has lined markings all over her body as opposed to the nearly all-white plumage of the male as in the illustration that my daughter Elizabeth helped me draw sitting in a pine tree a few miles from my house in Fairhaven.

            Their piercing yellow eyes are fixed in their heads to see in only one direction, forcing them to swivel around on their necks. Excellent hearing allowed them to follow audible movement when we were trying to get a closer view.

            We have seen snowy owls frequently stopping to perch on coastal landscape very similar to northern bleak tundra habitat similar to those on Cape Cod, Cranes and Salisbury beaches, Plum Island and recently Logan Airport where one was injured in traffic but could not be saved by conservationists.

            The females make their nests by digging a shallow hollow in the ground, laying more eggs when prey is abundant where they choose to reproduce. After the eggs hatch, the male brings her food for a period of time from a wide variety of mammals and birds, including ducks, geese, fish and carrion.

            The snowy owls’ technical species designation is Bubo scandiacus, making them seem like fearsome creatures when defending their nests or young. They have been seen going after predators like ravens, foxes, wolves and actually dive-bombing intervening human beings.

            Conservationists now recommend giving snowy owls plenty of space because when disturbed, their movements become noticed by heckling crows, eagles and crowds of people. Leaving them alone in their stately sentinel statuesque visitation from the northern tundra is a bird-watching, wildlife adventure worth preserving for future generations.

By George B. Emmons