ORR Celebrates AP Capstone Diploma Recipients

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Over 2,000 schools participated in the AP Capstone Diploma program, a project-based learning experience valued by colleges and universities across the U.S. and around the world.

            At Old Rochester Regional High School, five students have earned the AP Capstone Diploma™ and four have earned the AP Seminar and Research Certificate™ during the 2020-21 school year. The AP Capstone Diploma program helps students to develop critical thinking, research, collaboration, and presentation skills that are critical to academic success.

            “We proudly recognize the achievements of students who participated in the AP Capstone Diploma program,” said Principal Michael Devoll. “Our AP Capstone students and teachers showed extraordinary commitment while facing historic challenges. This is a meaningful college readiness program that will serve our students well after high school.”

            To receive the AP Capstone Diploma, students must earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar, AP Research, and on four additional AP Exams. To receive the AP Seminar and Research Certificate, students must earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research. Students are increasingly participating in the AP Capstone program. Over 2,000 schools participated in the AP Capstone program worldwide during the 2020-21 school year, when approximately 11,900 students earned the AP Capstone Diploma and 7,700 earned the AP Seminar and Research Certificate.

            Unlike traditional AP subject exams with a single end-of-year assessment, AP Seminar and AP Research assessments are project based and evaluate skills mastery through group projects, presentations, and individual essays completed throughout the year. Instead of focusing on one specific academic discipline, AP Seminar and AP Research are interdisciplinary: students are empowered to create research projects based on topics of personal interest and they are assessed on the critical thinking, research, collaboration, time management, and presentation skills needed to complete their projects. At ORRHS, students focused their research on a range of topics, including: Comic Book Film Characters in Social Political Research; Rehabilitation Methods for Juvenile Offenders; High School Financial Courses on Annual Income; Coretta Scott King and the Evolving Impact of Literature on the Black Lives Matter Movement; and A Synthesis of Genome Editing Techniques.

            “Congratulations to the AP Capstone award winners, who conduct, present, and defend academic research on topics they are passionate about,” said Trevor Packer, College Board senior vice president of AP and Instruction. “Their ability to manage long-term projects, collaborate with teams, and deliver effective presentations will accelerate both their academic and professional careers.”

            Of the students who participated in the AP Capstone Diploma program, five members of the ORRHS Class of 2021 were awarded the AP Capstone Diploma by earning scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar, AP Research, and on 4 additional AP Exams. They are Rachael Fantoni (Franklin Pierce University), Abigail Forcier (Roger Williams University), Bessie Pierre (Duke University), Daphne Poirier (UMass Dartmouth), and Emma Williamson (Northeastern University).

            Four rising seniors were awarded the AP Seminar and Research Certificate by earning scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research. They are Sabrina Cunningham, Edward Gonet, IV, Isabella Hunter, and Allison Ward.

            The College Board Advanced Placement Program gives students the opportunity to take challenging college-level courses while still in high school. A 3 or higher on an AP Exam has multiple benefits for students, including earning college credit, advanced placement, or both for successful performance on AP Exams, saving them time and money. Research shows AP students are better prepared for and more likely to enroll and remain in college, do well in classes, and earn their degrees on time. Each exam is developed by a committee of college and university faculty and AP teachers, ensuring that AP Exams align with their high standards.

Bylaw Codification Updates Nearly Complete

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            Marion’s Bylaw Codification Committee, a subcommittee of the Planning Board headed up by Planning Board member Norm Hills, has been working off a consultant’s list in addition to its own discoveries in an effort to achieve an update that will go to Fall Special Town Meeting floor.

            Hills told the Planning Board during its August 16 public meeting that the committee has solidified a series of changes, and board members reviewed them in preparation for presentation at a public meeting. Hills summarized the list intended for the Fall Town Meeting warrant.

            The revisions due August 31 include the following:

            In Chapter 7, Article 2, on the Council on Aging, it is now recommended that, since Marion has paid employees, the section will be deleted. The Friends of the COA still assist with fundraising.

            The town moderator article is being formalized and changes the elected moderator’s term from one to three years.

            Heretofore elected, the tree warden will henceforth be an appointed position.

            A proposed litter bylaw came as a request of a student at Old Rochester Regional High School. Hills said this will expand on the state litter bylaw.

            The Water Supply Protection District and Aquifer Protection District bylaws have been updated to reflect state requirements.

            Seeking clarification, the Solar Bylaw has been updated to reflect that the panel area is one half of the lot size. The Planning Board voted to approve member Eileen Marum’s motion that the section (A) containing the word “glare” be deleted from the bylaw. It was agreed glare is not an issue.

            Hills reported that the town has been working the past couple of months with Woods Hole Group to develop a Hazard Mitigation Plan to meet state requirements. Marion participants include Town Administrator Jay McGrail, Chief of Police Richard Nighelli, Fire Chief Brian Jackvony, Department of Public Works Director Nathaniel Munafo, Harbormaster Isaac Perry, Building Commissioner Scott Shippey, Conservation Commission Chair Shaun Walsh, and members of the Planning Board.

            “It’s getting close to having a final draft product for public review,” said Hills, who told the board that a Zoom meeting to field public comment is planned for Thursday, September 9, at 6:00 pm.

            “We’re still building the document,” he said.

            Hills will send the entire package, revisions included, to Town Counsel Jon Witten for his review before it goes to the Select Board. The warrant for Fall Town Meeting closes on Tuesday, September 21.

            Planning Board Chair Will Saltonstall publicly thanked Hills for spearheading the codification work.

            In other business, the board voted 4-0 to make clerical edits to the decision language in the board’s award of a special permit to Papa’s Real Estate, LLC for a propane storage business on Luce Avenue. The board voted to pay Beals and Thomas Inc. $2,757.50 for its engineering review; that fee is reimbursable from the applicant.

            At the applicant’s request, the continued public hearing for a special permit applied for by Sherman Briggs and Hamblin Homes Inc. for the construction of 28 townhouses at Spring and Mill Streets was once again continued to Monday, September 7, at 7:05 pm. Saltonstall said he will miss the meeting but plans to continue participation via the Mullin Rule, a state-authorized provision allowing members of adjudicatory boards to miss a maximum of one meeting and still participate.

            The Zoning Board of Appeals sought the Planning Board’s comment on Wael and Maria Bayazid’s application for the reconstruction of an existing non-conforming garage at 95 Allens Point Road. “It they’re going to rebuild this, why not put it … someplace that is more conforming and closer to the house? They have plenty of land,” said Hills. “I would just question not moving it further away as possible.”

            Saltonstall told the board that an application from the owner of the Captain Hadley House is anticipated.

            The next meeting of the Marion Planning Board is scheduled for Tuesday, September 7, at 7:00 pm.

Marion Planning Board

By Mick Colageo

Marion’s Hazard Mitigation Team Public Hearing

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The Marion Hazard Mitigation Planning (HMP) team in partnership with the Woods Hole Group is developing a plan for long-term risk reduction of disasters associated with natural hazards. The HMP team consists of the police chief, fire chief, harbormaster, building commissioner, DPW superintendent, town administrator, Conservation Commission Chair, and Planning Board representatives.

            The draft of the Hazard Mitigation Plan identifies impacts of climate change and natural hazards on residents, buildings, and infrastructure. Risks associated with the impacts are identified and evaluated. Mitigation actions that focus resources on the greatest risk areas are developed. Documenting the mitigation items and integrating the necessary actions into our future planning and budgeting will help protect our residents and infrastructure. It demonstrates Marion’s commitment to preparing for potential future disasters.

            The HMP team will hold a public hearing on Thursday, September 9, at 6:00 pm via Zoom. This is an opportunity for the community to learn about the plan, participate, and offer comments and recommendations during the final draft stage and prior to submittal to MEMA and FEMA for final approval. The team looks forward to seeing you; please save the date, Thursday, September 9, at 6:00 pm via Zoom.

Woodward Will Move His Garage

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            The Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals heard one public hearing during its August 12 Zoom meeting. In Case No. 1167, Mark Woodward Jr. sought a variance on his property at 519 County Road for a garage exceeding 1,000 square feet under Chapter 20.40, E.2 (7) of the Rochester Zoning By-Laws.

            Woodward explained that he needs a space to store his and his wife’s vehicles and to work on his motorcycles. As it is, Woodward stores a motorcycle at relatives’ homes. He wants better security and control, while no longer imposing on family.

            ZBA Chair David Arancio asked if there is any reason the garage cannot be attached to the house. Woodward said he preferred to have the garage across his driveway.

            It was pointed out in the August 3 revision that the house is 5 feet closer to the road than the proposed structure, but Arancio drew a different conclusion using a paper as a straight edge and making a parallel line from the road across the front of the house, saying that the corner of the garage is the point closest to the road. Nonetheless, Arancio said that, if the building commissioner has accepted the conclusion that the house, not the garage, constitutes the closest point to the front property line, he will concur.

            While ZBA members continued to mull over Arancio’s measurement on their own copies of the plan, Woodward told the board he can move the garage back a few feet, “No problem.”

            Member Kirby Gilmore then motioned for a continuance of the case, suggesting that the matter will not be resolved on August 12 and that the applicant should revise his plan to move the garage back 15 feet and then come back before the ZBA.

            Before the vote was taken, Woodward was further instructed that three conditions need to be met to be granted a variance by the ZBA and that he should study those criteria before the hearing is continued on August 26. The board voted to continue the hearing to August 26.

            Case No. 1166, continued from July 22 in which Mark and Ashley Briggs seek a special permit for a building at 0 New Bedford Road to be used for the restoration, detailing, and storage of collectible cars with limited private sales within the Limited Commercial District was not reopened on August 12.

            The next meeting of the Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals is scheduled to be held on Thursday, August 26, at 7:00 pm.

Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals

By Mick Colageo

Backlog of Cases Continues

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            The August 16 meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board found the members facing an agenda filled with applications that have been continued multiple times over months.

            One such application is the site plan review of Randall Lane, LLC’s that proposes a large solar array deep within privately held forested lands. Member Janice Robbins asked if applicants are required to provide reasons for requesting a continuance from one meeting to the next. Member Nathan Ketchel, acting chairman for the evening, said that the applicant’s representative, Beals and Thomas, noted the need to finalize the acceptance of the roadway and roadway modifications by both the Planning Board and the Fire Department. Robbins said that plans for the roadway were still incomplete. The case was continued to September 20.

            Also continued to September 20 was an application filed by Andre Rieksts, Scott Atkinson, and Margo Wilson-Atkinson for property located off Park Lane. Represented by N. Douglas Schneider of Schneider, Davignon, & Leone, Inc., the applicants indicated that difficulties in designing a private roadway extension off an existing public road was “causing … grief,” and matters could be resolved; Schneider did not wish to present plans.

            Another application that was continued to September 20 concerned the removal and planting of trees and driveway openings through an existing stonewall on property now owned by the Muldoon family, part of a subdivision planned by Ryan Correia off Crystal Springs Road. Muldoon thought the Planning Board would be organizing communication with the Fire Department and the Tree Warden, only to learn that those responsibilities rest with the property owner.

            One new application ultimately continued to September 20 was an Approval Not Required [ANR] filed by Hilary Prouty, manager of Ned’s Point Nest, LLC, for a parcel located on Ned’s Point Road and filed by owners Hilary and Samuel Vineyard. Represented by Bob Rogers of G.A.F. Engineering, the applicants were seeking acceptance of a Land Court decision regarding easements to the waterfront and land swapping.

            The filing failed when Robbins said that Rogers did not include setbacks on the plans. There ensued a bit of tension as Rogers said that the application did not result in creating new buildable areas, to which Robbins replied, “But we have rules; are you saying they shouldn’t be followed?” Rogers continued to try to convince the board that it isn’t necessary to include those details, going so far as asking for a straw poll to see where the entire board stood regarding the matter. The board members stood firm in their opinion that rules must be followed.

            Business that moved through the process included the board’s approval of an ANR requested by Charlene and James Craig for property located along Aucoot Road, as well as an ANR filed by the Town of Mattapoisett for lots located in the retired landfill area.

            The board also discussed the need to finalize the draft of a new Solar Bylaw in time to hold at least two public meetings prior to the Special Fall Town Meeting.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board is scheduled for Monday, September 20, at 7:00 pm.

Mattapoisett Planning Board

By Marilou Newell

Academic Achievements

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Oliver Russell, of Mattapoisett, graduated after majoring in history and German at Bates College. Russell, the son of Gregory D. Russell and Jennifer D. Russell, is a 2017 graduate of Falmouth Academy.

            The University of Rhode Island celebrated its newest alumni during the University’s 135th Commencement in May! Erin Nicole Byrne, of Mattapoisett, received a Bachelor of Science in Health Studies. Elizabeth M Jerome, of Rochester, received a Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Science. Christina Ann Sebastiao, of Mattapoisett, received a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology.

            Tyler Mourao, of Mattapoisett, graduated from the University of South Carolina in May 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Finance from the Darla Moore School of Business along with a minor in Sports Management.

            Jake Mourao, of Mattapoisett, is on the President’s List at the University of South Carolina for earning a 4.0 in the Spring Semester. He is now a junior studying Business Finance at the Darla Moore School of Business along with a minor in Computer Science.

Marion Art Center

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The Marion Art Center is pleased to announce the return of MAC Dance Academy this fall. MAC Dance Academy is a classically taught dance studio that fosters individuality and fun for all dancers. This low-key, low-cost program provides extraordinary dance instruction by Teah Keogh (“Miss Teah”) in ballet, tap, and jazz, and also touches on contemporary, hip-hop, and gymnastics – all in a safe, fun learning environment. This year the MAC will welcome a new instructor to assist Miss Teah and teach intermediate students – stay tuned!

            MAC Dance Academy runs for two 10-week sessions (fall and spring), with one five-week winter session in between. The 10-week fall session begins on Monday, September 27. Dancers must wear masks while inside the Marion Art Center. Guardians are invited to watch a class during the final week of each session. Classes are available for ages 3 to 8 years (classes for older ages to be announced at a later date). No previous dance experience is required! Cost for a 10-week session is $175 for MAC members and $195 for nonmembers, while the five-week session cost is $95 for MAC members and $105 for nonmembers. Get 10 percent back when you register for all three sessions before the start of the first session! Please note: MAC membership at the Family Level is required for discounted MAC Dance Academy tuition. If you are uncertain if your membership is current, please call the MAC at 508-748-1266. To see the full schedule or to register online, visit marionartcenter.org/classes/mac-dance-academy/.

            Watercolor class for adults resumes at the Marion Art Center starting in September. Instructor Patricia White returns to teach the eight-week Beginner/Continuing watercolor course starting on Thursday, September 16, and ending on Thursday, November 4. Classes meet 10:00 am – 12:00 pm on Thursdays in the MAC Studio. Instructor Jay Ryan will teach Continuing/Advanced Watercolor classes on Fridays from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm in the MAC Studio, September 17 – November 5. Cost for each full eight-week session is $195 for MAC members, $220 for nonmembers. There is also a new drop-in option for those who cannot commit to the full session, or for anyone who wants a few extra hours of painting in a guided studio setting. The cost for a one-day drop-in is $30/day and depends on weekly availability. Class size is limited. Masks are required while inside the MAC galleries, and mask wearing during studio classes will be determined by the instructor. Register online at https://www.marionartcenter.org/adult-classes/.

Midsummer Night’s Dream Come True

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            Our friend the bard, you know, Will Shakespeare, has authored plays that speak to every single human emotion, condition, and behavior from the heights of love to the despair of the same and everything in between. He takes us on journeys of the mind that transcend space and time to any space in time such as now – right now. Shakespeare remains relevant to modern people, including our children.

            Acting teacher and director Jacob Sherburne had a dream, and for him and a group of very fortunate pre-teens and teens, that dream came true. “I have wanted to do Midsummer for years,” said Sherburne as he prepared for the first performance of the classic folly on August 14 at the Robert Broomhead Bandstand located on Marion’s Island Wharf.

            Three weekend performances were scheduled for A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and its performers were participants in the first-ever Midsummer Stages program hosted by the Marion Art Center.

            Sherburne’s proposal to hold a summer theater camp in association with the Marion Art Center’s focus on performing arts is a dream come true. “It is our inaugural year doing this program with the MAC,” he said just prior to the first performance. Sherburne said that the age of the characters was in line with the age of the actors, 12 to 16, and that helped make the storyline more immediate to the actors. He said that in future sessions he plans on providing more technical stage and costume production, along with theater games and preparing to perform a real stage production.

            Aside from actually learning the lines and movements throughout the program during a span of seven weeks, the participants experienced the classic tale of misadventure and young love. They learned how to move, to create costumes, how to use theater equipment. Perhaps the biggest takeaway, however, are the relationships the kids made that aided in the growth of the young people as they spread their theatrical wings.

            “They are a very special group,” Sherburne said. Most of the participants came from the Tri-Town area, meaning that relationships built over the weeks of pre-production activities will translate to relationships that can continue to build during the upcoming school year, especially for those young people transitioning from grade school to junior high and onto high school, Sherburne believes.

            During the development of the production, Sherburne said he encouraged the players to use modern references to aid in moving the plot forward. “I gave them license to interact with the audience where appropriate,” he said.

            Sherburne also noted that the characters lent themselves to modern interpretations, especially where questions of gender and gender identification may impact relationships. “What is the performer’s gender and what is gender in relationships?” are questions that he said were considered by the group. “They (the actors) didn’t know each other before joining the group. They were able to engage each other, establish personal relationships.… The material made it easy to get excited. …They lit up the young characters in the play.”

            Sherburne said that before joining the program, the play was an unknown for the majority of the kids, but some became familiar with the play or the theme of the play prior to the program’s creation. “One girl came with a ‘Mean Girl’ monologue,” he said.

            Music was updated, too. Instead of using music that might have been part of a Shakespeare production when he lived, Sherburne said with a laugh, “We used the Git Up! – it was appropriately cheesy.”

            Shakespeare is still our bard with works that are approachable and fully loaded for current times. “Shakespeare pulls at modern musical theater,” Sherburne stated.

            Funding for the program was tuition-based with other support coming from the Marion Art Center. The cast members were Jade Beauregard, Alanna Robidoux-Couto, Lyra Demednonca, Zoe Pateakos, Charlotte Cook, Ava Duponte, Amelia Russell, and Harry Wisner, as well as professional company members Margo Wilson Ruggiero, Rick Sherburne, and Camerin Bennett.

            Sherburne is a stage and television actor, director, and teacher. He holds a Master’s in Fine Arts in Acting from Florida State University’s Asolo Conservatory. He has directed other MAC productions, taught theater in New Bedford and at Tufts University, and taught at Pierce Middle School in Milton.

            Also providing guidance and movement training during the program’s duration was local yoga instructor Elke Pierre.

            Coming to the MAC on Saturday, August 21, is the outdoor stage production of “Cedar Beach,” directed by John Heavey. Visit marionartcenter.org for details.

By Marilou Newell

Beach Access for Rochester Residents

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            On August 12, the Rochester Board of Selectmen met briefly to discuss an appointment and to affirm the appointment of a treasurer, and to go into executive session to discuss non-union personnel matters.

            The board appointed Mike Kavacevich to the Rochester Cultural Council for a term of three years, and they affirmed the proposal of hiring Patricia Roderick as the town’s treasurer contingent upon employment negotiations.

            They also met with resident Paul Meumier, 37 Boxberry Drive, who wished to discuss issues and possible solutions with respect to the issuance of parking passes for Rochester residents at beaches in the Town of Marion.

            A longstanding agreement between Rochester and Marion grants Rochester residents the privilege of purchasing beach parking passes. Donna Hemphill, an administrative assistant to the Marion Harbormaster’s Office, said the parking passes cover access to Silvershell Beach, Island Wharf, and Old Landing, but that guest passes are not issued or granted to Rochester residents. Marion residents may receive one guest pass per season, Hemphill stated, “But if they misplace it, we can’t reissue it.”

            Meumier brought to the board’s attention a circumstantial hardship, explaining that when his family visits and wants to access the beach, it is not safe or convenient for them to place child safety seats from the visitor’s vehicle inside one of his Rochester-registered vehicles. He said that a day pass would help to resolve the matter for his family but that such passes are not presently granted by either town.

            Town Administrator Suzanne Szyndlar said in a follow-up that the matter will most likely be on the Tri-Town Selectmen’s meeting agenda scheduled for Wednesday, September 1. She said that the process of issuing beach passes and associated parking is clear for Rochester residents who own property and garage their vehicles in Rochester, but requires additional documentation if registration is tied to another community. She said that in those cases, the property owner needs to provide proof that the vehicle is registered in another community, like a business asset, but garaged with the resident at their Rochester location.

            The Town of Mattapoisett suspended the sale of day passes in the summer of 2020 due to COVID-19. That hiatus of day-pass sales has continued into 2021, but people visiting Mattapoisett may park off-site and walk onto the beach.

            The next meeting of the Rochester Board of Selectmen was not set at the conclusion of the August 12 public session.

Rochester Board of Selectmen

By Marilou Newell

Mobi-Chair at Silvershell Beach

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In coordination with the Friends of Marion Recreation group, the Marion Department of Recreation is happy to announce the purchase of a Mobi-Chair. The Mobi-Chair is a high-quality, floating beach wheelchair that provides a seamless transition “from boardwalk-to beach-to water.

            Wheelchair users, children, and adults with special needs can benefit from the convenience, portability, and comfort of the Mobi-Chair. As described by the manufacturer, “The Mobi-Chair provides a comfortable ride. The rubber pneumatic tires absorb the shock and discomfort caused when riding across rugged terrain, and it provides easy mobility through sand and other rough surfaces. Users can recline in a comfortable position while riding, sunning, bathing, or sitting for extended periods of time. Mobi-Chair’s three positions are designed with everyone in mind.”

            If you are interested in signing this chair out, please contact the Department of Recreation at 508-748-3537 and we will be happy to assist you.