Mattapoisett Free Public Library

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Summer has officially begun here at the Mattapoisett Free Public Library. Adults and teens can find themselves busy all summer long just by participating in our Summer Reading Challenge taking place on Beanstack as well as in paper form. While staying busy all summer long, patrons will be entered to win awesome prizes. Call or come into the library to learn more!

            With summer also comes curated programs! On Tuesday, July 7, starting at 11:00 am, all are welcome as we learn screen printing! Utilizing a simple method of screen printing, we will print designs on fabrics. All you need to bring is a fabric item you would like to add an image to and the library will provide the rest of the materials. If you have a particular design in mind, you are welcome bring in your own stencils and fabric paint. We encourage patrons to sign up by June 30 to ensure we have enough materials. Visit our website or call the library to register.

            On Friday, July 9, starting at 9:30 am, join us for Summer Meditation and Yoga with Deb Fraine of the Mattapoisett Wellness Center leading us through mindful meditation, breathing techniques, and a gentle yoga experience, every Friday morning in July. This is an adaptable experience for all levels of physical ability. Visit our website or call the library to register.

            On Tuesday, July 13, starting at 6:30 pm, join us for Family Bingo Night on the library lawn (weather permitting)! All ages welcome. No registration required.

            All programs are free and open to the public. If you have any questions or need special accommodations, please contact the library at 508-758-4171 or email the Adult Services/Reference Librarian, Michelle Skaar at mskaar@sailsinc.org.

Rochester Senior Center

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The Rochester Senior Center invites all activity and event participants to a Meet and Greet get-together to welcome our new Executive Director Eric Poulin. The Meet and Greet will be held on Thursday, June 24, from 4:00-6:00 pm. Strawberry shortcake and refreshments will be served. Eric is looking forward to meeting everyone, so please stop by if you are in the area.

            Eric is a native of Fall River, a graduate of UMASS Dartmouth, and has served in various local and district public service capacities. He is an avid football fan and plays with a local league. Eric continues to sit on several boards, all with a focus on elder affairs and public service. In his new role, Eric plans to revive the longstanding breakfast program at the Senior Center. In addition to several new program ideas, he is planning an annual picnic with entertainment in August.

            The Rochester Senior Center would like to remind everyone that the center will be closed on Friday, June 18, in observance of the Juneteenth holiday.

            Please contact the Senior Center at 508-763-8723 for more information or to make reservations for rides and/or events.

Richard H. Bennett

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Richard H. Bennett, 77, of New Bedford passed away at home in his sleep on Tuesday June 8, 2021. He was the husband of the late Doreen M. (Pacheco) Bennett.

            Born in Fairhaven, he lived in Mattapoisett and Fairhaven before moving to New Bedford.

            Richard formerly worked in retail, having been employed at Jack and Harry’s, Western Auto, and Benny’s in Fairhaven until his retirement.

            An avid sports fan, he loved watching the New England Patriots and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He also enjoyed going out to eat and watching movies, especially those by John Wick.

            He is survived by two daughters, Tanya Rae Bennett and Dawn-Marie Vilandry and her husband John; his brother, Doug Pacheco; three grandchildren, Aimee Wesley, Lindsey Vilandry, and Julia Vilandry; six great-grandchildren, Sadie, Ava, Emma, Lily, Troy Jr., and Luna; his brother-in-law, Rick Pacheco; and nephew, Maxwell Pacheco.

            He had recently been predeceased by his loving dog, Katie.

            A private family memorial will be held. Arrangements are by the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Abutters to Contest Front Street Solar

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            Several abutters gathered for the June 7 Zoom meeting of the Marion Planning Board for the express purpose of attending a scheduled public hearing with applicant My Generation Solar, which applied for minor site plan review and a special permit for construction of a 610 square-foot, ground-mounted solar array in a Residence B zoning district at 8 Quails Crossing.

            The abutters were disappointed to learn that the public hearing would only be opened in order to continue it to the board’s next meeting on Monday, June 21. Planning Board Chair Will Saltonstall explained that, due to a mailing mishap, the abutters were not properly informed of the details of the case in a timely manner and that a continuance is appropriate.

            Prior to the meeting, the abutters in attendance had sent the Planning Board and the media an organized response, noting their intention to contest the special permit. The response said that abutters’ notices were not received within the 14 days of the public notice but as recently as two and three prior to the June 7 public hearing.

            The letter sent by abutter Susan E. Mattson of 571 Front Street read in part: “It has been contentious, beginning with the construction of the large space metal building, the clearing of the trees, and finally the proposed installation of ground mounted solar panels. The abutters knew nothing of this until we saw the Legal Notice in The Wanderer.” Ten photos including the metal building, houses on the abutting properties, and multiple views of the plantings intended to screen the project were attached to the email.

            Attempts made by abutters to engage the board in discussion were determined to be inside the subject matter of the case and were rebuffed. A further attempt to discuss process was allowed, and Saltonstall encouraged the abutters to submit any information including studies referenced in their response to the Planning Board for its consumption ahead of the June 21 continued public hearing.

            The Planning Board reorganized, and Saltonstall remains chairperson. The vice chair will be Eileen Marum, and Joe Rocha will be clerk. The two new members will be delegates to other committees, as Alanna Nelson will represent the Planning Board to Marion’s Community Preservation Committee and Jonathan Henry will represent the board to the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District. Marum made the nomination, citing Henry’s prior experience with SRPEDD. “It will give us more power with SRPEDD,” she said, pointing out that board member Norm Hills already represents the Select Board to SRPEDD.

            In other business, the board voted to approve payment of $4,096.83 to Beals & Thomas for its review of a subdivision project.

            Per Hills’ request, the board’s next agenda will include peer review information due May 28 and rules and regulations for board discussion.

            Marum pointed out an error on Page 10 of SRPEDD’s annual report in which a photograph of the Osprey Marsh Landing trail was listed as being in Mattapoisett. The Sippican Lands Trust Osprey Marsh trail is in Planting Island Cove in Marion. Marum pointed out that Stanley Bradford built the path and that Jim Bride of the Sippican Lands Trust made sure construction included handicapped access. Marum told the board that Town Planner Gil Hilario said he would contact SRPEDD about the error.

            The next meeting of the Marion Planning Board is scheduled for Monday, June 21, at 7:00 pm.

Marion Planning Board

By Mick Colageo

Open House Planned at COA

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            The Mattapoisett Council on Aging will be throwing open the doors and inviting the community to come in and learn more about services and programs on Thursday, June 17, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm.

            COA Director Jackie Coucci said, “It’s a chance to welcome people back or meet new people who want to find out more about us.” She said that a representative from S.H.I.N.E. would be present as would the public health nurse, volunteer coordinator, and people from the Friendly Callers and visitor programs. “We are here to help,” Coucci said, and that that was the message of the open house. Transportation will be provided for those calling in advance.

            The board also discussed the measured return of face-to-face services at the COA.

            “If you ride on our vans or cars, masks will be required,” Coucci said. For some programs, especially those where maintaining distancing is not an option, masks should be worn, she said. “The COA is in a town building, so we’ll be following the state guidelines,” said Coucci, pointing out that masks will continue to be worn in healthcare facilities, nursing homes, and congregate-care facilities. “If we are going to be close together, then masks on.”

            Moving forward, Coucci also said that she would review the necessity of wearing masks on a case-by-case basis. “I want everyone to feel that the COA is a safe place.… Everything is subject to change,” she said.

            Some of the programing offered by the Mattapoisett Council on Aging will continue to require preregistration and masks. Coucci said that such programs as chair yoga, strength and balance classes, and similar movement activities will continue to require preregistration.

            Coucci was pleased to announce the return of a program titled Art for the Mind presented by Jill Sandford beginning on July 1; she also said that shuttle services from the parking lot at Ying Dynasty to the Harbor Days festival will be provided by the COA from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm Saturday, July 17, and Sunday, July 18. Masks will be required.

            The board briefly discussed the Master Plan currently being studied by a volunteer group that includes COA member Shirley Haley, who shared the themes of the last meeting featuring a discussion on potential school consolidation. Coucci said she would be attending the meeting scheduled for later in the day. She said she was asked to bring ideas for passive recreational needs of the town’s seniors.

            Chairman Bethany Couto asked the board to consider whether or not the town should pursue a statewide initiative titled Dementia Friendly Massachusetts. The program is designed to help the community deal more effectively and with greater understanding with those stricken by the disease, she explained. The board thought a subcommittee should take up the matter. The discussion was tabled until next month.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Council on Aging is scheduled for Wednesday, July 7, at 8:30 am.

Mattapoisett Council on Aging

By Marilou Newell

Zoom Meetings

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Dear Editor:

            With the June 15, 2021 end of the state of emergency looming, remote Zoom meeting flexibilities are among the multitude of pandemic-era policies that lawmakers must decide.

            There are many advantages for continuing livestreamed Zoom meetings and for keeping them permanently. Marion’s livestreamed Zoom meetings removed longstanding barriers to participation in policymaking for residents with disabilities, seniors who would not normally drive to the Town House at night, people with limited access to transportation, and people with work and family commitments that prevented them from attending board and committee meetings. Also, Marion’s board and committee members have the ability to join meetings remotely and the public has access to those meetings by internet and telephone.

            Yes, technology does not always work perfectly and is not universally available to all, and I realize face-to-face interactions with constituents and the press are important to government transparency and accessibility, but this barrier can be overcome with a physical meeting location, where the public can view the meeting and participate in person.

            In a post-pandemic world, the ability to tune in to a public meeting virtually benefits civic engagement.

Eileen J. Marum, Marion

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.

Tri-County Symphonic Band

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The Tri-County Symphonic Band, under the direction of Philip Sanborn, invites you to join us virtually on June 13 at 7:00 pm for our 18th Annual Pops Concert “Revisiting the Fabulous Fifties”! This offering is a re-presentation of “The Fabulous Fifties” Pops Concert that was performed on June 9, 2019. The program is a pleasing mix of selections from composers like Dave Brubeck, George Gershwin, and Leonard Bernstein along with the classic favorite songs “Can’t Help Falling in Love” and “Singin’ in the Rain.”.

            The concert will help raise money for The Tri- County Music Association’s John R. Pandolfi Scholarship Fund for college music majors and summer study grants for high school students. The Tri-County Music Association gives out over $12,000 in financial aid each year and needs your support to continue to foster the musical talents in the Tri-County region. Learn more about TCMA’s scholarships, study grants, and past recipients at tricountysymphonicband.org.

            To view the concert on Sunday, June 13, at 7:00 pm, you can tune in to ORCTV Comcast Channel 9 & Verizon Channel 36, or livestream by visiting tricountysymphonicband.org.

A.D. Makepeace Proposes Restoration Plan

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            Whoever replaces Laurell Farinon as Rochester’s conservation agent is going to hit the ground running after the mitigation plan proposed by A.D. Makepeace at the Morse Swamp Reservoir was continued to July 20.

            “There’s a lot of moving parts on this one,” Farinon told the Rochester Conservation Commission during its June 1 meeting, shortly before ConCom voted to request $11,500 to hire peer-review consultant LEC Environmental.

            The Wareham-based cranberry company filed a Notice of Intent in response to an Enforcement Order issued by ConCom on December 16, 2020, for restoration and replication of wetland resource areas at the Morse Swamp Reservoir at 0 County Road.

            Brad Holmes of A.D. Makepeace and Bill Madden of G.A.F Engineering appeared before the commission on June 1, and Madden summarized the state of conditions as agricultural uses including a water supply reservoir for cranberry operations, uplands and wetlands, and affecting areas including a bank, land subject to flooding, and land under water.

            He presented A.D. Makepeace’s mitigation proposal in five drawings, explaining that A.D. Makepeace believed it was engaged in an exempt activity when dredging and cleaning the water supply at the site.

            “In the process of conducting those exempt activities, they stubbed their toe a little bit on the way and they did a couple of things that were really outside the scope of any exemption,” said Madden, referring to the casting of dredge spoils onto a bordering vegetated wetland, depositiing mineral soils on bordering land subject to flooding, and altering an inland bank.

            Madden said most of the mitigation will consist of removing material cast upon those areas and bank repair.

            “I think it’s important to note that it was an exempt activity that they were undertaking that led to the alterations of resources areas that didn’t enjoy the same level of exemption,” he said. “What remains to figure out is what do we actually do with the rest of the project?”

            When asked for comment by new ConCom Chairman Chris Gerrior, Farinon took issue with Madden’s assertion that the activities at the site were exempt and suggested it would make most sense to put the island back where it was. She recommended that ConCom prioritize the peer review.

            Mark Manganello of LEC Environmental attended the meeting and said the peer-review billing would come in two phases at $6,500 and $5,000.

            The site is in an Eversource right of way, so Madden said there is a limitation on what can be replaced. The piles of gravel on the site would be removed from the site. Hand labor will be required for a thorough completion of the removals.

            Holmes said the plan will include a step-by-step narrative that, once an Order of Conditions is issued, would help move the project forward.

            Vice Chairman Dan Gagne recused himself from participation as a commissioner.

            A public hearing was held for an NOI filed by Middleboro-based DBT Investments for proposed grading and landscaping associated with construction of the single-family home at 22 High Street. The proposed work would occur within 100 feet of a bordering vegetated wetland and bordering land subject to flooding. Debris within the 25-foot no-disturb zone would be removed.

            The plan is to raze an existing structure on the half-acre property and replace it with a new, three-bedroom house including a Title 5 septic system and a new well. Farinon asked about the well on the site and the ditch that has been dug in an eastern direction toward the buffer zone to the wetlands. Beau McMahon, the applicant, stated that the mudding was run through a mudder to prevent runoff and understands it to be outside the buffer zone.

            Challenging the survey information in the proposal, abutter Kimberly Ashley of Old Tuck Cranberry Corporation told the commission that she will be disputing the survey and pointed to the deeds from 1884 and 1902.

            Ashley asserted that Old Tuck owns up to the 100-year flood mark that borders the project and that the dewatering pit on the site plan would sit on Old Tuck property. Ashley also said the 3:1 slope proposed will push fill onto Old Tuck property.

            The case was continued to July 6.

            ConCom voted to request an amended Order of Conditions for the paving of applicant Nick Araujo’s driveway at 67 Old School House Road. Picking up on an old filing, Stevie Carvalho of Farland Corporation appeared on Araujo’s behalf seeking feedback under the category of request for Determination of Non-Significance.

            As explained by Farinon, an existing permit allowed for Araujo to improve what she considers a somewhat “dense” and “partially impervious” driveway, which measures over 500 feet long and between 10 and 12 feet wide and construct it within 100 feet of a bordering vegetated wetland.

            The original filing included improvement to the driveway, but so much time had passed that a replication area had to be cut away from the roadway. After discussion, the current plan to pave the driveway was considered to be of significance to the membership, and a unanimous vote requested an amended Order of Conditions. That will necessarily include a new public hearing with a notification of abutters and new documentation needing signatures recorded at the Registry of Deeds.

            In a continued NOI public hearing, Eric Las of Beals & Thomas Inc. updated ConCom on the perimeter road project by Snipatuit Road Solar, LLC. Las outlined proposed installation of portions of 4.6-megawatt solar array within the 100-foot buffer zone to a bordering vegetated wetland, discussed the plan to widen the access road and upgrade an 18-inch metal culvert to an 11.5-foot wide stream restoration featuring a timber-span bridge crossing.

            “What a pleasure it is to see a very thorough, presentation…. What a pleasure it is to see somebody do their job really well,” said Farinon, noting that Las “presented the whole project and not just the parts they want you to pay attention to.”

            Gagne also recused himself from the Snipatuit Road Solar, LLC, which was continued to ConCom’s July 6 meeting.

            Bendrix Bailey, applicant in a NOI filing for construction of a 700-foot long, 20-foot wide, recycled-asphalt roadway to access a single-family house lot at 0 Gerrish Road, asked for and got a continuance to Tuesday, June 15.

            In other business, on May 24, ConCom conducted three interviews to fill the job of conservation agent soon to be vacated by Farinon and recommended two of the applicants to the Board of Selectmen for further interview.

            ConCom is looking for two new members, as Gagne pointed out that five members currently serve on a seven-member commission. Town Counsel Blair Bailey said the quorum will remain four, but the number of members in attendance can play a role on applications and projects passing if ConCom cannot act. “We’re losing a lot of institutional memory,” he said, alluding to Farinon’s impending departure.

            The next meeting of the Conservation Commission is scheduled for Tuesday, June 15, at 7:00 pm.

Rochester Conservation Commission

By Mick Colageo

Stone Wall to be Preserved on Crystal Spring Road

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            Ryan Correia has made a few appearances before the Mattapoisett Planning Board, but with each review of his proposed Crystal Springs Road subdivision, his project has moved a bit closer to reality.

            On June 7, Correia once again met with the Planning Board to finalize plans for penetrating an existing stone wall and the removal of a black tupelo tree along the scenic byway. There was considerable discussion over exactly where the driveway entrances would be located for the lots and whether it was necessary to cut down a town-owned tree.

            Planning Board member Janice Robbins noted that the tree in question was, in fact, on town property, despite Tree Warden Roland Cote’s agreement that it could be removed so long as a new tree is planted in kind somewhere else along the roadway. Planning Board Administrator Mike Gagne said that the applicant would cover the costs associated with the tree.

            Correia confirmed that, although penetrations would have to be made in the existing stone wall, all stones would be repurposed on the property at the driveway entrances. It was also disclosed that the Fire Department had not been contacted regarding the size and turning radius needed to enter lots where new homes are planned along Old Crystal Springs Road.

            Some confusion over the repeated numbering sequence of two lots was also discussed with Robbins suggesting that be corrected for the sake of future owners.

            The hearing was continued until June 21, at which time Correia is expected to return with input from the Fire Department and updated plans.

            Also continued was a Form C Definitive Subdivision Plan for Park Lane Extension represented by Douglas Schneider, who said he could return to the board in July with results of a meeting planned with the Select Board regarding private parties’ acceptance of roadway modifications on a public road, surety details for the roadway, and a homeowners’ covenant agreement. The hearing was continued to July 19.

            Withdrawal without prejudice for an application filed over a year ago for property located on Selha Way was approved. The subdivision modifications were sidelined due to title issues, the board was advised.

            Property owned by 9 North Street Reality Trust for a Form A ANR that would give 6 feet of the parcel to 7 North Street and 6 feet to 11 North Street was approved. Lands divided were identified as non-buildable.

            Also approved was an amended Form A filed by Delia and Steven Caton, 89 Brandt Island Road.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board is scheduled for Monday, June 21, at 7:00 pm.

Mattapoisett Planning Board

By Marilou Newell

Life Moves Fast for ORR Valedictorian

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            Katelyn Luong remembers all the way back to Sippican Elementary School and always looking toward the next thing. Turns out the next thing is the adult life, and this life as a kid is about to end.

            A day before speaking as valedictorian to the Old Rochester Regional High School Class of 2021, Luong said, “It’s good to take the time and suck in the present moment.”

            This would be a major point in Luong’s June 5 valedictory, a speech she could not begin preparing until receiving the call from ORR Principal Michael Devoll only four days prior. It’s a good thing that the highest grade point average is not determined until the final week of the academic year because this valedictorian’s mind had not yet wrung out her takeaways from an experience unique to this generation of high school graduates.

            The coronavirus pandemic played a role in awakening the 17-year-old Marion resident to how precious her childhood has been. On the precipice of college, she began to see those 12 years of school as another lifetime.

            “I was thinking a lot about it the last few weeks of senior year,” said Luong. “I love being with my friends. I hadn’t seen half my grade in half a year, that’s when I started to reflect.” The message to her classmates will be to “go to college with that mentality.”

            Luong’s message was established in her mind not in the whimsical, hair-prepping moment that Ferris Bueller turns to the mirror to tell us how life moves fast, and we could miss his rambunctious day off in Chicago. In Luong’s ears, the message resonated through the quiet days, weeks, and months of 2020 when she didn’t know if the life she now realizes she loved so much was already gone.

            When school opened last year in a hybrid attendance format, expectation of a full in-person return to school was not high. “I think going into the year it was pretty low,” said Luong, who served on the Student Council. “We weren’t planning a prom because we didn’t think there would be a prom. We all kind of accepted not having school and not (having other senior activities).”

            Kids are great adapters, and for many the remote-access life can get comfortable.

            “I remember when I first heard we were going back to school; I wasn’t thrilled because I got really used to lying in bed and going to my classes on Zoom and not doing hardcore school, but once we were back I felt really good,” said Luong. “When the year progressed, and things started getting better … it was a pleasant a surprise because we really weren’t expecting anything going into the year.”

            Having watched what unfolded on the Class of 2020, ORR 2021 Class President Bess Pierre shared the pessimism. “We saw it all get ripped out right from under them…. We assumed we would have the same fate,” she said. “At some point we sort of accepted it.

            “At the beginning (of the 2020-21 year) we were all staying home and not seeing anybody, but as we transitioned into the hybrid … I had a newfound appreciation…. Never before did I think I would miss waking up at six in the morning to get ready to go to school. You never know what you have until it’s taken away from you.”

            Only when back in the hallways, Luong realized later how very much she missed this life that she, Pierre and the 186 other ORR graduates now leave behind. If Luong is smiling a lot while finishing out the ORR girls tennis season at first doubles with Emma Vivino, it’s just her trying not to miss it.

            “Make the most out of your time,” said Luong, summarizing the first main point of Saturday’s Commencement speech. She admittedly went through high school with a mentality of “Just get through the week,” but found herself in the last week of high school trying to figure out how to make the second, minute and hour hands on the clock slow down so she could savor it. “I regret not enjoying it more while it was happening.”

            The challenge that faculty faced in dealing with the struggles many had with the remote-learning model was taxing, and both Luong and Pierre noticed.

            “If COVID gave me anything, it was an appreciation for being in the classroom with your classmates and with your teachers, too,” said Pierre. “They really struggled … (in person is) how they’re used to teaching. I was very, very excited to be back in school and with the people I love.”

            Pierre will be attending Duke University, which she noted will be Coach Mike Krzyzewski’s final season at the helm of the North Carolina school’s legendary men’s basketball team. Pierre plans to study public policy or economics and augment her major with some structured education to supplement the German she spoke at home with her grandmother, who immigrated at age 18.

            It’s a brave new world that today’s high school graduates embrace in a different way than most predecessors because adulthood came early for them, having to fend more for their own education, take more responsibility for their own academic destiny, and always live under the cloud of not knowing what’s next. In those dimensions, high school for them was more like college.

            The lesson was not lost on Luong, whose second major point is not to worry so much.

            “Everything seems to work out the way it’s going to…. There’s a point where the amount of worry you expel into the air won’t help you,” said Luong, who was thrilled to report she will be joined by a couple of friends this year at Northeastern University.

            Luong plans to major in biochemistry, “but it’s subject to change.”

By Mick Colageo