Sherri Ann (Kauranen) Ashley

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Sherri Ann (Kauranen) Ashley, 54, of E. Freetown, died Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford after a brief illness. She was the wife of the late Edward P. Ashley.

            Born in Falmouth, she was the daughter of Patricia A. (Stowe) and Michael J. Kauranen of Rochester. She graduated from Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School in Rochester. Sherri was a cranberry grower for many years for Edward Ashley Cranberries.

            Sherri loved the outdoors and camping. She enjoyed fishing, horseback riding and her dogs, “Reggie”, “Newt” and “Chewy”. Sherri was also a former member of the Rochester Rod and Gun Club.

            Survivors include her daughters, Ashley M. Ward and her husband Alex of Freetown, and Megan A. Blevins and her husband Jonathan of Lehigh Acres, FL; her parents, Michael and Patricia Kauranen of Rochester; her siblings, Terri Vroom of Wareham, Kerri Correia of Rochester, Michael Kauranen, Jr. of Wareham and Mark Kauranen of New Bedford; her grandchildren, Drakuelus Ward, Evelynn-Rose Carey, Draeven Ward, Maxwell Carey, and Aislinn Ward. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

            Relatives and friends are invited to visit at Chapman Funerals & Cremations – Wareham, 2599 Cranberry Highway (Rt. 28), Wareham on Sun., August 15, 2021 from 4 – 6 pm. Funeral services and burial will be private.

            Donations in her memory may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516.

Constance Hartley (Chick) Shepard

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Constance Hartley (Chick) Shepard passed away on 30 July 2021 peacefully in her home in Marion, Massachusetts. She was born in Boston, Massachusetts on 26 July 1926 spending her early years first in Winchester and later in Arlington, MA. Before moving to Marion, she resided in Wellesley Hills, MA for over 50 years.

            Connie graduated from Arlington High School and then attended Wellesley College (majoring in Psychology) where she became engaged to her future (and only) husband Wentworth Dutton (Dut) Shepard, a Harvard graduate and WWII veteran. She graduated in 1947 and was married the following day. Eventually the couple settled down in Wellesley Hills to raise their family of five children after brief early stays in Alfred, Maine and Westport, Oregon as Mr. Shepard worked for the Shepard and Morse Lumber Company.

            She maintained close ties with Wellesley College for many years becoming the president of the Boston Wellesley College Club and acting as a surrogate parent for several foreign students during the school year. Her continuous support won her the prestigious Syrena Stackpole award from the college.

            She was also very active in the town serving as president of the Wellesley Hills Alliance of the Unitarian Church, holding several offices in the Wellesley Junior Service League (including director), and serving as president of the Junior Circle of the Wellesley Florence Crittendon League.

            The Shepards were married for 60 years until Mr. Shepard’s death in 2007. They raised four sons (George, Benjamin, Andrew and Sam) and were graced with the surprise arrival of the first female Shepard in 3 generations, Caroline (now Caroline Bolick) 13 years younger than their oldest. At the time of her death, Mrs. Shepard had 9 grandchildren and four great grandchildren all of whom were able to visit her over the last few months of her life except for the most recent born on the 29th.

            Connie was an avid tennis player, sailor (cruising and racing), bridge expert, and master chef.  She devoted her lifetime to dedicated service with exceptional commitment. Her grace, magical sense of humor, and love for her family will be sorely missed.

            Mrs. Shepard will be buried in a private ceremony at the Point Road Memorial Forest in Marion MA. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Elizabeth Taber Library Association, 8 Spring St, Marion, MA  02738.

            Arrangements by Chapman Funerals & Cremations – Wareham. To leave a message of condolence visit: www.chapmanfuneral.com

Long List of Improvement Projects Addressed

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            On August 10, Mattapoisett’s Select Board and the public heard from Town Administrator Mike Lorenco on the current state of improvement projects, many of which have been wending their way through state and federal review processes and grant applications for years.

            None on Lorenco’s list has been more omnipresent than the Mattapoisett Bike Path, well into its two-decade trek across the town. He discussed the current issues with planking used on a portion of the pathway over the Eel Pond breach area, planking believed to be inferior and failing in advance of the grand opening. Known as Phase 1b, this section is currently undergoing peer review to determine if the failing planking can be remediated or will require replacement, Lorenco explained. It was also explained that the defective product had been noted by Mike Hickey, chairman of the Fire Station Building Committee.

            The grand opening hoped for in November now seems unlikely, according to Chairman Jordan Collyer. “No matter what happens, it will be delayed,” said Collyer. “I spoke to Mass DOT (Tuesday). Under no circumstances is the town accepting an inferior product – that made its way up the ladder.”

            On a brighter note regarding bike path projects, Lorenco reported that the connector from the end of Bay Club Drive off Industrial Drive terminating at the Marion town line is complete and “looks great and was completed on time.” He said that this portion of the bike path should be opened to the public in two weeks. The balance of roadway improvements along Industrial Drive was also discussed.

            Major drainage upgrades and surface improvements have been preliminarily planned for the commercial connector. Funding for one of the town’s largest roadway projects in many years will come from grants including a federal Economic Development Administration sum. Other funding sources include smaller grant applications and donations from the Friends of the Mattapoisett Bike Path.

            Looking forward even further, Lorenco said that Phase 2 of the bike path project, a portion from Railroad Avenue that travels across Route 6 to the entrance of Industrial Drive has begun the earliest stages of exploration.

            Not officially part of the bike path but leading to it is the sidewalk project along the westside of Mattapoisett Neck Road. Lorenco and Matthew Skelly of Fuss and O’Neill discussed that bids for the proposed sidewalk from the intersection of the bike path to the intersection of Route 6 will most likely exceed the Complete Street grant sum of $237,849 by as much as $100,000. That prompted Collyer to say, “I was never a fan of this project from the beginning.” He said that crossing upgrades across Route 6 need to come first. Collyer asserted, “I’m not doing it for another penny more.”

            Skelly said the focus should remain on the original project, the sidewalk. The grant expires on October 30, but Skelly felt confident the project could start by then.

            The new fire station was discussed when Hickey brought the board members up to date. He said that an October dedication is well within sight. He also said that traffic signals are a long lead item taking as many as 24 weeks to secure, but that matters are well in hand and being funded by a grant.

            Hickey said that early on as COVID-19 became a problem, thoughts of not moving forward were floated out among committee members. But he said, “We decided to keep our foot on the gas.” He said by doing so before building material costs began their heavenly ascent the town has saved tens of thousands of dollars.

            Board member Jodi Bauer asked about the skate park located adjacent to the new fire station, which had a section removed to make way for the station. Further review will follow, it was decided, given that overall repairs are needed to the structure.

            Status of improvements to the Acushnet Road bridge and culverts was discussed. Lorenco said that an agreement with the contractor to absorb half the costs needed for a full-time detail officer for seven days over the target completion date had been struck.

            The board members decided to ask the public for feedback on whether or not to pay the estimated $7,000 or to have the project delayed as much as three more weeks. Pending feedback, the board sought to pay the money and “get it done.” Weather issues have caused delays, it was noted.

            Other projects touched on included: The Community Compact Study of town buildings and the transfer station at $60,000 is underway with the transfer station study a bit delayed; Long Wharf design and engineering for major repair project received a grant of $216,000, request for design and engineering services pending; Main, Beacon, and Water Streets and Marion Road TIP project needs update from engineering consultants VHB and comments from state agencies that will be invited to a board meeting by September; Highway Department building improvements require re-evaluation, as early estimates were over budget; Municipal Solar landfill project is on hold pending study by Eversource, which member Tyler Macallister said could take as much as five years; and a new trail through Tinkham Forest, third path, is being reviewed.

            Further out on the multi-million-dollar list were the town’s interest in becoming a Green Community, securing rights to develop Old Slough Road, ORCTV and ORR school agreements, roadway design and engineering needs for drainage issues on Pearl Street, Holly Lane, and Knollwood Drive.

            Lorenco also said that roof repairs to the Legion Hall paid for through Community Preservation Act funding is complete, a generator for the housing authority has been purchased, and a harbor dredging grant for $14,200 secured and work to begin offseason. The town will partner with Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School for improvements to structures at the Holy Ghost grounds, while repairs are completed at the public beach bath house and bandstand.

            Last but not least, the need to hire a conservation agent, Board of Health agent, a part-time town planner, and an assistant project manager for the town administrator’s team was acknowledged by the Select Board members.

            Earlier in the meeting, the board decided not to act on masking mandates at this time but to take a wait-and-see approach moving forward.

            There will be two teams of volunteers performing beach clean-up services in the community on September 18. One group is sponsored by the commercial venture Willey’s Super Brew of Cape Cod and the other is known as the Parrot Heads Nautical Whalers Club.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Select Board is scheduled for Tuesday, August 24, at 6:30 pm.

Mattapoisett Select Board

By Marilou Newell

What’s Happening at the Elizabeth Taber Library?

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Outdoor story times with Children’s Librarian Ms. Heather: Join us every Friday at 10:30 am in our reading circle. All ages welcome, no sign-up required, weather permitting.

            Flashlight Storytimes: Tuesday nights, August 17, 24, and 31 at 6:00 pm. Come and have story time at night in front of the library. Bring your blankets and your flashlight. For all ages.

            ArtSpace at the ETL: Every Thursday from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm starting August 12. Find a quiet place to create, complete with art supplies, prompts, and inspiration. This is a drop-in activity with no supervision or instruction. For all ages.

            Adult Craft Classes Take and Make project for August: Design your own journal with gel ink pens! All materials and instructions are included. Distribution of take and make crafts begin in August, available while supplies last.

            Drop-in crafts every Saturday in our children’s room!

            Lawn games all summer long! Practice disc golf, play giant connect four, explore with giant Legos, and more! Outside at the library.

            Visit the Library to browse the Lucky Day Collection! Waiting for a popular title? We have multiple copies of the most requested books in the SAILS library network. If it’s on the shelf it’s yours to borrow. Our Lucky Day Collection is only available inside the Elizabeth Taber Library.

            Don’t forget to sign up for the Tales and Tails summer reading program throughout August! Sign up at the Elizabeth Taber Library to receive a Reading Buddy Kit that comes with a reading log and a surprise mini zoo animal reading buddy. Earn prizes for reading! Additionally, every hour you read equals a dollar donated to Heifer International with the help of Eastern Bank. Heifer International donates animals that provide families all over the world with food and livelihood! So, keep reading for a good cause!

            For more information, visit us online at www.ElizabethTaberLibrary.org or follow us on Facebook and Instagram. To speak to a librarian, call 508-748-1252.

Thank You

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To the Editor;

            Thank you to Representative William (Bill) Keating, Democratic representative serving the 9th Congressional District, for recently joining five (5) other Massachusetts Congressional Representatives as a co-sponsor of House Joint Resolution 48 (HJR-48).

            The Resolution’s language closely matches that of the State’s “We the People Act” which is presently being considered in the State Legislature.

            HJR-48, introduced in the House of Representatives by national organization Move to Amend and sponsored by Rep. Pramila Jayapal, is designed to win a two-part amendment to the U.S. Constitution affirming that:

            1. Rights protected under the Constitution are the inalienable rights of human individuals and not of incorporated or artificial entities, and

            2. Money spent to influence elections is not protected free speech under the First Amendment and shall be regulated by Congress and the states.

            This amendment is required to overcome the avalanche of special interest money which is buying our elections and controlling public policy. Just as importantly, the extension of Constitutional rights to corporations, such as the Citizens United v. FEC 2010 Supreme Court decision, has resulted in the courts overturning hundreds of laws protecting our health, safety and the environment.

            Thank you, Rep. Keating, for your support once again of this critical resolution aimed at protecting our democratic form of government.

Jack W. Dean, Mattapoisett

The views expressed in the “Letters to the Editor” column are not necessarily those of The Wanderer, its staff or advertisers. The Wanderer will gladly accept any and all correspondence relating to timely and pertinent issues in the great Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester area, provided they include the author’s name, address and phone number for verification. We cannot publish anonymous, unsigned or unconfirmed submissions. The Wanderer reserves the right to edit, condense and otherwise alter submissions for purposes of clarity and/or spacing considerations. The Wanderer may choose to not run letters that thank businesses, and The Wanderer has the right to edit letters to omit business names. The Wanderer also reserves the right to deny publication of any submitted correspondence.

Dexter Finally Getting His Due

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            All those years that James Dexter set up the Old Rochester Regional High School’s seating for graduation, the irony was not lost on the would-be Class of 1964 member.

            Challenged by dyslexia in an era long before solutions overtook segregation, the 77-year-old Mattapoisett native grew up in a marginalized society that he laughs about today. But it wasn’t always as funny as the relentless string of jokes he makes while working 19 hours a week keeping the Rochester Senior Center and its grounds beautiful.

            “They advertised slim and smart and good looking, so I applied for it,” he said, facetiously detailing the job listing in The Wanderer as Rochester Council on Aging Chairman Mike Cambra shook his head with a grin.

            For over three years, Dexter has been a fixture at the Rochester COA. During that time, the town’s facilities manager, Andrew Daniel, became aware of the former’s incredible story of improvisation.

            Until retiring in 2014, Dexter had worked as a custodian at ORR for 47 years. He had seen many classes come and go and even felt that he had the pulse of the campus, especially with special needs students. But every June, it was the same story, just as it had been when he was a child and his older sister Mary moved onto the next grade, but he did not.

            “It really bothered him,” said Daniel, who secretly sought out ORR Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson to figure out if it was possible to get Dexter his high school diploma.

            Adding to his tenure of ORR firsts, Nelson did some research on how to award an honorary diploma, part of which was asking Daniel to put his request in writing for Nelson’s presentation to the ORR School Committee. “After Andrew wrote a very thoughtful letter,” … Nelson brought it to the ORR School Committee, and it supported the request.

            The next step was to consult with the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to get help on completing the process.

            Thanks to their efforts, but especially the way Dexter’s story resonated through his advocates’ testimonies, an honorary high school diploma will be presented to Dexter on Thursday, August 26, as the highlight of a noon luncheon to be held at the Senior Center.

            “I thought it can’t be done, you know? So you let it slide,” said Dexter, who had a heart-to-heart discussion with Daniel, unaware that his coworker would scheme on his behalf. “I thought that was the end of it.”

            “All this happened because people care about Jim. You deserve it because you work very hard here; everybody loves you,” said Cambra, turning to Dexter. “We can take or leave your jokes, Jim, but you really do a fantastic job, and everybody is very happy that this is happening.”

            Comedy is widely considered a survival skill, and when it came to survival, Dexter wrote the book he would struggle to read.

            Dyslexia set him back three years at the start of schooling, and he recalled a special room built downstairs at Center School in Mattapoisett for the ‘special’ students. The memory of basement-level windows shielded with metal fencing makes Dexter laugh to this day.

            Even though he worked in the kitchen, the looks and whispers took their toll until a summer job gave him the out he needed to avoid going back to school. As a kid, Dexter got a job in the toy factory that once called Rochester home. Later he got into construction with the Moran company. “They taught me what life is,” he said. “I could do the work. I was strong, and it was a good gang to work for. This is my life, I guess.”

            His parents had spent money on tutors, but Dexter did not achieve significant progress until he was assisted by a Marion-based special needs teacher he knew as Mrs. Minter, who diagnosed him and prescribed a pathway that led to a learner’s permit on the second try and then a driver’s license.

            “She had a book, and she explained the problem and said, ‘You have (dyslexia), and it’s going to be with you,'” recalled Dexter, who could master a four-speed tractor but not the operator’s manual that comes with it. Excited at the development, he bought a truck at Sutter Ford in Wareham before getting his license at age 23.

            “There were 50 questions; I got three wrong,” said Dexter, who then embarked on the driving portion of the test that the instructor would deem “perfect.”

            Dexter’s generation was in the crosshairs of the draft for the Vietnam War, but he was rejected on the basis that he would be vulnerable since he was unable to swiftly decipher written information, especially as it would apply to weapons.

            “I didn’t make it in because wasn’t quick enough … I didn’t read quick enough,” he said. “I felt bad because I couldn’t go in the service.”

            Even in the era of protests, serving in the military was a right of passage that dominated American culture in the wake of the country’s greatest generation.

            When the boys would compare notes on their successes, Dexter learned to steer his way around such conversations. As a student, he had developed skills to cover up his reading difficulties. For example, he would present a teacher a paper form that needed filling out, making up excuses like “I broke my pen,” or whatever he could think up on the spot to mask his disability.

            “I had to do some lying, to be honest with you,” he said.

            Anything to get by, but Dexter’s heart of gold was evident, and while the education system of the day hadn’t made the progress that would be able to mainstream lives like his, he was surrounded by anonymous angels.

            “God was looking after me,” he said.

            Dexter goes about town nowadays and often runs into people that remember him from school.

            “I went out to eat at the (Mattapoisett) Inn, and they paid for it. I didn’t know until after they left. I was going to pay, ‘Hey Jim, it’s all taken care of.’ People remember me,” he said.

            Concerned that he might need to return to the classroom and take some sort of test to receive his diploma, Nelson assured him, “You don’t have to go back; you worked hard enough for it.”

            On the job a year and a half that has been dominated by “pandemic talk,” Nelson was thrilled to start the 2021-22 school year by recognizing Dexter as an ORR graduate. “I believe this may be the first time an honorary high school diploma has been awarded in ORR history,” said Nelson, who called it “a great reminder of how important local schools are in supporting their local people.”

Help Raise the Mercury

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The Friends of the Marion Council on Aging (FMCOA) leads fundraising effort with a $50,000 donation toward the installation of a 26′ x 36′ outdoor pavilion on the grounds of the Benjamin D. Cushing Community Center. The overall cost for the Pavilion is $150,000, and its installation is the secondary phase of a public/private enhancement for making Marion an age friendly community.

            The first part is the 1/8 mile, ADA compliant, asphalt walking path with anticipation for completion by the end of August. Completion of these two projects will not only enhance the Community Center property but also provide usage opportunities benefiting both older adults and young people. The FMCOA is hosting a “Pavilion” fundraiser on Thursday, August 19, from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm, at One Water Street, Marion. Tickets are $40 and may be purchased at The Marion General Store, Kate’s Simple Eats and Mimis.

            The Friends invite you to join with friends new and old on the lawn of this spectacular waterfront property as we celebrate the COA’s past accomplishments and look forward to the completion of the property enhancements at the Benjamin D. Cushing property which will provide expanded usage opportunities for both young people and mature Marion citizens.

            Those who wish to make donation may do so by forwarding a check payable to: FMCOA, and mailing to P.O. Box 937, Marion, MA, 02738. Please note in the “memo” portion of your check “Pavilion”.

St. Philip’s Episcopal Church

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The Rev. Christopher Capaldo, Rector of St. Chrysostom’s Church, Wollaston, will conduct services on Sunday, August 15, at 8:00 am and 10:00 am at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, next to the Town Beach in Mattapoisett. This is the 137th Summer Season at St. Philip’s when clergy from nearby and far visit every week using the 1928 Book of Common Prayer. All are welcome.

Chairman: Law on Bailey’s Side

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            Acknowledging the frustration of the half dozen abutters present for the August 10 continued public hearing to argue against Ben Bailey’s proposed 720-foot road extension at 0 Gerrish Road, Rochester Planning Board Chairman Arnie Johnson empathized with their concerns but maintained that the Planning Board is bound by the town’s rules and regulations.

            Translated to the case, a definitive subdivision plan, Johnson flat-out told Bailey’s abutters that if the board withheld approval of Longbow Lane, then the town could be sued and would lose because it would be an illegal infringement on the applicant’s rights.

            Thus, the Planning Board voted to grant Bailey, who recused himself from participation as a Planning Board member because he happens to be the applicant, close to two dozen waivers, including the prescribed 500-foot limit of such a private road. Waivers approved also relieved Bailey of the requirements addressing pavement, planting strips, curbs and berms, sidewalks, monuments and markers, street trees, landscape plantings, and stormwater management systems (exempt from DEP regulations due to the project’s size).

            Asked during the hearing by Jeff Powers, who described himself as an engineer at Brown University, if the number of waivers requested by Bailey is typical, Johnson confirmed that to be the case. Brian Grady of G.A.F. Engineering, representing Bailey, noted that several of the waivers, including the width requirement — the road will be 18 feet wide — result in less impact to the neighborhood, not more.

            In answer to abutter Bob Mogilnicki’s challenge of the Planning Board’s purview where it concerns the definition of the verbs “shall” and “may” in the town’s bylaws, Town Counsel Blair Bailey [no known relation to Ben Bailey] delineated between the bylaws and the rules/regulations, explaining to the abutters that the board is well within its authority to grants the requested waivers. Bailey furthermore laid out examples of the board’s actions in other cases around Rochester.

            Blair Bailey has 25 years of experience in municipal law, including over 21 years with the Town of Rochester. He told the abutters he has never seen a subdivision application that did not ask for at least one waiver and later confirmed that the 23 requested by Ben Bailey is an average number.

            “Subdivision regulations are waived by this board almost regularly,” he said.

            As a result of the board’s vote, abutters will have roads on both sides of their properties.

            Johnson assured the abutters that the Rochester Fire Department went out on the site and requested easements to get to the adjacent pond to pump water to combat any potential fires in the neighborhood and said they were happy with what was being presented.

            Grady took it a step further, indicating that the Fire Department had direct input in the design.

            Planning Board member Chris Silveira suggested to the abutters that they pool financial resources and offer to buy the land from Ben Bailey.

            Johnson tried to steer the discussion back inside the purview of the board. “Unfortunately – and I’ve said this many times over the years – it’s not a popularity contest, whether we like a plan… We do issue waivers on every single project,” he said. “Mr. Grady’s right, if we cut the road to 500 foot and don’t grant (Ben Bailey) any of the waivers, you have a more visual eyesore than what you’re having now.”

            Traffic concerns were expressed, but Johnson insisted that whatever comes of the development will be related to one additional residence because it is on the plan of record as sent to the Plymouth County Registrar of Deeds.

            Johnson also explained that, unlike solar projects, Ben Bailey’s subdivision is not required by regulations to provide screening to abutters.

            “You do bring up a good point about the roads, but unfortunately, the rules are not on the books now,” he told abutters.

            The board also voted to accept into the record of Tuesday’s public hearing all of the submittals, testimonials, and records from Ben Bailey’s prior application, which had been withdrawn in favor of a new application in order to correct the lot number.

            Two other public hearings involving solar were continued to August 30, including Snipatuit Road Solar, LLC at 188-190 Marion Road and Cushman Road Solar at 0 Cushman Road.

            Johnson told the board that the search committee for a new town planner met with a candidate it considers to be qualified and recommended that candidate to the Board of Selectmen to enter contract negotiations.

            The next meeting of the Rochester Planning Board is scheduled for Monday, August 30, at 7:00 pm.

Rochester Planning Board

By Mick Colageo

A Latin-American Festival

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The Marion Concert Band will present a Latin-American “Festival” of music on Friday, August 13. The diverse program includes music from Mexico, Spain, Brazil, Cuba and the Caribbean, as well as familiar music that demonstrates the influence that Latin-American musical styles have had on American popular music. To add to the festive atmosphere of the evening, the audience is encouraged to wear tropical or Latin-American attire. The program is as follows: España Cañi (Paso Doble) – P. Marquina; Mexican Overture – M. J. Isaa; Caribbean Rondo – P. La Plante; Danzas Cubanas – R. Sheldon; Brazilian Festival – A. C. Jobim; Montego Bay (samba) – S. Nestico; Tijuana Brass in Concert – arr. T. Ricketts; Spain – C. Corea; Mambo Greats – S. Bulla; Blue Mambo – M. Sweeney; Mas Que Nada – J. Ben; Malagueña – E. Lecuona; Commandante (Marche Espagnole) – G. Guentzel.

            The concert, under the direction of Tobias Monte, will begin at 7:00 pm at the Robert Broomhead Bandstand, Island Wharf off Front Street in Marion. All concerts are free and open to the public. ‘Like’ us on Facebook at “Marion Town Band” for up-to-date announcements and rain cancellation notices.