Marlene A. (Newberg) Simmons

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Marlene A. (Newberg) Simmons, 84, of Mattapoisett passed away on Saturday, May 8, 2021 after a period of declining health. She was the wife of the late Robert A. Simmons, who passed this past October. They had shared 65 years of marriage.

            Born in Pawtucket, RI, she was the daughter of the late Emil and Margaret (Bickerstaffe) Newberg.

            Marlene worked in retail for a large part of her life, starting at Apex in Pawtucket, then the Acorn Shop in New Bedford, and later entered retirement after years of being front store manager at the Mattapoisett Pharmacy. She had also previously worked at Plymouth Savings Bank as a teller.

            She is survived by her son, Robert Simmons, Jr. and his wife Debbie of New Hampshire; two daughters, Robin Mayo of Mattapoisett and Laurie Simmons of Davis, CA; five grandchildren, Lindsay Tentindo and her husband Dr. Greg Tentindo of Missouri, Kate Simmons of New Hampshire, Erin Mayo and her fiancé Keith Pedro of Fairhaven, Sarah White and her husband Mike of New Hampshire, and Nicholas Mayo and his partner Jennifer of Mattapoisett; and five great-grandchildren, Avery Rose of Fairhaven, Sloane and Reagan of Missouri, Adriana of Mattapoisett, and Natalie of New Hampshire.

            She was predeceased by her siblings, Kenny, Carl, Donald, and Doreen.

            Marlene’s family would like to thank the staff at The Oaks Nursing and Rehabilitation facility in New Bedford for their kindness, great care and compassion.

            Services will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, donations in Marlene’s name may be made to the Mattapoisett Council on Aging, P.O. Box 1116, Mattapoisett, MA 02739 or the Mattapoisett Congregational Church, P.O. Box 284, Mattapoisett, MA 02739. For online guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com

Subcommittee Reports on Police Fleet

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            On April 28, the Mattapoisett Capital Planning Committee reconvened to continue its discussions on items believed critical to capital planning processes moving forward.

            During previous meetings, several committee members were dispatched to research expenditures or future municipal needs such as facilities maintenance, renovations and rehabilitation projects, and to obtain asset maintenance records for the fleet of vehicles assigned to the Police Department.

            It was good news from members Mike Rosa and Mike Dahill, who spearheaded the collection of data currently available for the Police Department fleet. The members met with Police Sargent Justin King and Police Chief Mary Lyons, saying it was a good meeting and that the department had been very open during their discussion.

            Dahill said they learned that the costs of new vehicles are partly driven by the fact that equipment isn’t always transferrable from a vehicle being retired to a new one coming into the fleet. He said that the union contract negotiation does grant certain officers the privilege of taking a vehicle home, but with the concession of a decreased or deducted allowance in another area such as uniforms.

            Rosa said the department is keeping good maintenance records and other data that will be useful when a vehicle is targeted for replacement. The team also was informed by the Police Department that the average vehicle mileage per year is 20,000. Chairman Chuck McCullough said of Police Department vehicles, “I’d like to see them hit 100,000, not just replace them very three years.”

            Regarding unmarked vehicles obtained from the state via a program that passes along seized vehicles that have been involved in crimes to police departments, Rosa said the police chief preferred to keep the number and identification of those vehicles anonymous “for obvious reasons.” But McCullough thought that the maintenance and other costs need to be included for a full picture of all department expenses. The committee agreed it is time to revisit the town’s vehicle policy.

            Other items that the Police Department needs to plug into the 10-year plan are a motorcycle, body cameras, and telephones, the committee learned.

            The wide-open umbrella of infrastructure, according to McCullough, covers everything from telephone systems and computers to roads, bridges, culverts, municipal water and sewer systems, and municipal buildings. McCullough said it was time to invite Bonne DeSousa to a meeting to discuss costs associated with the bike/pedestrian path. “We need to find out who owns the bike path,” said McCullough, stating the importance of putting it on the plan and understanding both scheduled and unexpected maintenance requirements and any associated equipment.

            On the subject of Old Rochester Regional Schools capital needs, McCullough said the committee should continue to strive towards bringing the three towns together collaboratively with one goal being a reserve fund created solely to address those needs.

            Regarding the upcoming Annual Town Meeting on May 10, McCullough said Capital Planning will not be ready to roll out a 10-year plan at that time but would “commit to having one ready in six months.” He said that warrant articles for capital needs total $147,900 and that there are sufficient monies for all items being presented to the voters.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Capital Planning is scheduled for Wednesday, May 12, at 6:00 pm.

Mattapoisett Capital Planning Committee

By Marilou Newell

Rochester Gets Third CARES check

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            Plymouth County Commissioner Jared Valanzola and County Treasurer Tom O’Brien were in Rochester on April 30 to present Town Administrator Suzanne Szyndlar a check for $113,132.25, the town’s third COVID-19 reimbursement check under the CARES Act.

            The funds cover approximately $60,000 for Rochester’s contribution to the school lunch program, the message board in town, and various types of personal protective equipment related to non-budgeted, pandemic-related expenses. Rochester’s total allocation under the CARES Act is $825,000; the town has made five submittals for reimbursement, two that are outstanding.

            “We’ve been able to function because of this money,” said Szyndlar. “We are extremely grateful, and we thank everyone for working so hard on our behalf.”

            The program is administered locally by Plymouth County and spends less than 1 percent for administration, according to O’Brien.

            “We can do that because of our towns…. I can pick up the phone and call,” he said. “I know how hard Suzanne and her team work. They were faced with a vast number of rules and regulations that they had to address immediately, and we recognize, as the commissioners stepped up to the plate, they needed some support.

            “The commissioners took a bold step and took the $90 million that was authorized under the (federal) CARES Act to administer to 27 communities of Plymouth County.”

            O’Brien estimates that towns applying for CARES Act COVID-related reimbursement funds have received more than twice as much funding as those communities that declined and opted to deal directly with the state. He publicly thanked Senator Michael Rodrigues and Representative William Straus for their support of the county-administered program that offers more direct and immediate communication and a more widespread management.

            “A worldwide pandemic is something that we never thought we would be persisting over a year later, but here we are,” said Valanzola. “I know Plymouth County; both my predecessor board and the current board have been happy to offer at least some semblance of good news in what’s really been a dour and unfortunate year.”

            Originally set to expire at the end of 2020, the CARES Act has been extended to December 31, 2021. Once towns meet that deadline for submittals, Plymouth County will have the first 90 days of 2022 to complete its administration of the program.

            “Suzanne is well ahead of the curve, she’s got a lot already submitted,” said O’Brien.

            On March 11, the federal government passed the American Rescue Plan Act, another stimulus package for municipalities. The county and towns await rules and regulations governing ARPA.

By Mick Colageo

Eastern Box Turtles program at MNHM

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The Marion Natural History Museum after-school group had a wonderful time learning about the Eastern Box Turtle with Brian Butler of Oxbow Associates, Inc. Brian explained why land turtles are rounder than turtles that live in water, and that turtles have been on earth for 200 million years. Box turtles protect themselves by pulling their heads and legs into their shell and closing up, however they don’t move very fast. Although their shells can protect them from foxes and other predators, they aren’t able to protect them from the weight of a car. When they try to cross a roadway and a car comes along, their instincts tell them to close up and stay put until the danger goes away. Because a turtle’s spine is fused to the shell, if the shell gets run over and cracks they won’t survive. If you see a box turtle trying to cross the road, please stop (if you can do so safely) and help move it off the road in the direction of where it’s headed.

            Brian showed us some of the measures that can be used by scientists to protect turtle nests from predators and locate turtles in the field. We had a fun time locating the receivers that can be attached to the turtles so they can be located by radio telemetry. The students had a great time using the antennae receiver equipment to find the radio transmitters hidden in logs and shrubbery. The museum thanks Brian for the unique opportunity he provided to our students to have a hands-on experience in learning how scientists can help to protect these endangered animals.

            Brian will be meeting with adults at Washburn park on Saturday, May 22, to help us learn a little about these turtles and, hopefully, locate a few. If you’d like to register for this program, please go to the Marion Natural History Museum website at www.marionmuseum.org and fill out a registration and submit. This program will be limited in number of attendees, and we will be following state recommendations for masks and social distancing.

Nasketucket Bird Club

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Did you know that Westport, Massachusetts is home to one of the densest osprey populations in the world? Join us to learn all about these unique fish-eating raptors, from their nesting behavior and what makes a successful nest site, to the story of how community efforts in Westport brought osprey from the brink of DDT-induced extirpation to the thriving population we see today.

            Katelyn Depot holds a bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology and has worked on Mass Audubon’s South Coast Osprey Project for five years, first as an intern and then as the osprey field technician at Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary. During the summer, she monitors about 100 osprey nests in Westport. She also spent one summer working on an osprey recovery project in Illinois. Learn more with the virtual event “Osprey on the Massachusetts South Coast” on Thursday, May 27, at 7:00 pm. Free. All are welcome. To find out more and to register, email Justin Barrett at jmbarrett426@gmail.com or visit www.massbird.org/Nasketucket.

ORR Students to Perform ‘MacBeth’

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The Old Rochester Regional High School Drama Club will perform “Macbeth” on May 21-22 as a drive-in movie at the high school.

            Based on “The Tragedy of Macbeth” by Sir William Shakespeare and starring Tyler Trudeau as Macbeth and Chloe Bean as Lady Macbeth, the cast includes Isabel Friedrichs, Lee Grondin, Jimmy Harrington, Bessie Pierre, Jessica Vance, and Max Tucker.

            Directors Beth Trout and Matthew P. Houde say, “Macbeth is a play about the desire to have it all while not caring who you hurt along the way. Macbeth and Banquo, two generals from King Duncan’s army, fight to move up the line of succession to become King of Scotland. During their physical and mental battles, Macbeth takes matters into his own hands while involving a slew of other characters to do his dirty work. He eventually reaches his goal of King, but not while hurting many people along the way. In the end, does Macbeth truly win it all?”

            The play is supported by Assistant Director Margaret Berry and Stage Manager Bailey Gosse with Set Construction by John Ashley, Costume Design by Marina Stephens, Set Design and Poster Art by Taylor Green, Lighting by Cooper Newton, Camera Operator Chris Bell, and Property Manager Tiago Duarte. Berry and Bell serve as the production’s editors.

            The event opens at 7:30 pm with an 8:30 pm showtime. The ORR softball field will be the Drive-In venue, and refreshments will be available for purchase at concession tables.

            Drive-In tickets cost $30 per carload (a maximum of six people per car) and are available now for purchase through Eventbright. For more information, visit the FORD website: bit.ly/ORRDrama-FORD-2021.

Munafo Named New DPW Director

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            A day before the Marion Board of Selectmen held its regularly scheduled meeting, they met on May 3 with Town Administrator Jay McGrail at the Police Station to truncate what easily could have been an arduous process taking months.

            Impressed with an internal candidate during the first wave of interviews brought about by the April 30 retirement of Public Works Director David Willett, the selectmen conducted one next-level interview with Nathanial Munafo. That half-hour interview ended with a vote to appoint Munafo as the town’s new DPW director.

            Town Administrator Jay McGrail summarized the hiring process, having interviewed 15 candidates after widespread advertising and interviewing a half-dozen selected candidates. Two strong candidates emerged from that group, and the subcommittee thought it prudent to examine its in-house candidate and then decide on a direction.

            In a matter of 30 minutes, Munafo made it an easy choice for the selectmen.

            Munafo grew up in Hyannis and attended Mass Maritime, having studies facilities and environmental engineering. A decade ago, he earned his master’s degree. He has been working in the Marion Sewer Department as chief operator at Marion’s wastewater treatment plant. For eight months, he and Frank Cooper ran the plant, a job that usually takes five people.

            “At this point for me, I think it’s an excellent time for me to step outside of my comfort zone,” Munafo told the board, alluding to a wide range of experience in the field and in leadership roles.

            Over the last two years, Hyannis’ local fire district is a separate municipal entity and he sat on the board for the town’s new $2,500,000 fire station. He helped the station come in under budget. He has also been serving as chairman for five years on Hyannis’ committee examining the town’s fire laws.

            “It’s been a tremendous learning experience and real exposure,” said Munafo, who now has an appetite for bigger-picture issues facing the town.

            Members of the board questioned Munafo about his management style and facing difficult personnel decisions and situations. At the end of the discussion, they did not hesitate to vote him in as the town’s new DPW director effective immediately.

            Willett told the selectmen upon his announcement earlier this year that he will stay on part-time to help the town finish its lagoon cleanup project and will be available for consultation.

By Mick Colageo

Cougars Finish Ahead of Schedule

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            The Old Colony Regional Vocational-Technical High School golf team had 10 matches slated for the Fall II season, all held in April. So, on top of the fall sport being played at the start of spring, the Cougars had a jam-packed, four-week schedule. Combine that with the fact that Old Colony’s top six golfers were all sophomores — albeit a promising group for the future — and it looked like the Fall II season would be a learning experience for the Cougars above all else.

            Yet they now head into the offseason having won each of their regular season matches and finishing third in the Mayflower Athletic Conference tournament, which only featured two golfers per team this season instead of a full roster of six.

            “I didn’t anticipate this,” Old Colony golf coach Kathy Peterson said. “I knew the top two would be set. But the rest of the team, I wasn’t sure how much they had played in the offseason leading up. Then when you look at some days (this season), we had times where everybody shot (nine-hole rounds) under 50.”

            Peterson even recalled one match where her No. 6 golfer, Will Harrop, matched Old Colony’s No. 1 golfer, Luke Butler, with 42 strokes. In between the two were Brady Weglowski, Ty Dumas, Michael Niemi, and Derek Fortunato, who all contributed to wins on multiple occasions throughout the season.

            “It was just fun to watch their excitement,” she said. “They work hard. I couldn’t ask for nicer kids. Everything is ‘please’ and ‘thank you, Coach.’ You don’t always get that. Even with the top two kids, there’s no ego.”

            While their skill will help them build on their success from April when high school golf season comes around again at the start of the 2021-22 academic year, the Cougars’ mental approach to the game will also play a big part with the lofty expectations that will follow their undefeated 2021 Fall II season.

            “We talk about playing hole by hole, shot by shot,” Peterson said. “Anybody who golfs, you’re going to have good and bad days…. We talk about mental toughness and how they approach their shots, adjusting club selection if they’re having a bad day because they’re playing to win a hole in match play, not total score.

            “I’ll focus more on navigating match plays and not as much total scores, which is what they get hung up on. I’m also hoping to work on their chipping and putting. We’ll try to perfect that part of their game because most of them are good out of the tee box.

Old Rochester Regional Football

            Despite all the ups and downs they’ve endured this season, the Bulldogs have a chance to become South Coast Conference Blue Division champions. Faced with a rematch against the same Dighton-Rehoboth squad that blew them out to start the Fall II season, ORR turned the tables when it counted most on May 1. Late in the game, ORR quarterback Ryon Thomas connected with Ryan Quinlan to bring the Bulldogs within one point of tying the game. The Bulldogs elected to go for the two-point conversion, and Thomas delivered, converting to secure a 36-35 SCC semifinal win.

            ORR gets back to work Saturday, May 8, for their final game of the season — a 6:00 pm meeting with Apponequet for the SCC Blue Division title.

Old Colony Football

            After it took some time to earn their first win of the season, the Cougars managed to finish off their season with back-to-back wins. Coming off a hard-fought 20-18 win against Upper Cape on April 23, Old Colony faced a Diman Vocational squad in a game that was supposed to be played earlier in the season. The Bengals had to quarantine midseason, leaving the Cougars with back-to-back bye weeks.

            When the Cougars finally got the chance to face Diman on April 30, they made sure to take care of business. Ryan McGuiggan, the hero of the win against Upper Cape, rushed for 72 yards and two touchdowns on 17 attempts. The Old Colony running back also caught three passes from his brother Matt McGuiggan for 105 yards.

            Shawn Markham caught Matt McGuiggan’s three other competitions for 98 yards and two touchdowns. Thomas Stanton had 19 rushing attempts and led the Cougars with 173 yards on the ground, 50 of which came on his fourth-quarter touchdown run.

Sports Roundup

By Nick Friar

Recurrent Continuances to Find Closure

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            Mattapoisett Planning Board member Janice Robbins expressed concern during the board’s May 3 meeting over what she considers endless requests from applicants for continuances. A continued hearing for a modification to a Form C Definitive Subdivision filed by Eric Medeiros for property located on Selha Way was scheduled, but the applicant asked for an extension of the application until August 16, and another continuance of the hearing until June 7, thus inspiring Robbins’ question, “Is there any procedure for endless continuances?”

            Chairman Tom Tucker offered, in the absence of a formal procedure, that the board does have the right to deny a request for continuance of a scheduled hearing.

            Tucker also suggested that, instead of denying the current request, the board could give the applicant one more chance and notification that further continuances would not be granted, an act that would send the applicant back to square one in the hearing process.

            The board members were unanimous in their agreement to give Medeiros one more opportunity to have his request heard and a decision rendered, but no further continuances. The application has been on and off the Planning Board docket for more than a year.

            Also seeing a change to heretofore granted allowances to subdivision developers was David Andrews of the Bay Club. He came before the board to request a “lot swap” in lieu of cash or a bond surety placed on the required roadway construction.

            Andrews said that the development is nearing the end of its 19th year of build-out with some 12 lots remaining for sale. He requested the exchange of three lots on White Pine Lane for two lots on High Ridge held in lieu of an estimated $400,000 of roadway work now pending completion.

            When asked if a cash surety was possible, Andrews said that the Planning Board had always been good to the Bay Club, but if a bond or cash surety is needed, “We’re okay with that.” Robbins had stated that lots held do not represent a “real” assurance that roadways will be completed and that lots held are not the norm. Board members agreed to allow the lot swap this time, but requested bonds or cash in the future for Bay Club.

            The board rendered its decision on a Form F Covenant for 0 Randall Road Cranberry Cove for a one-lot subdivision. After a brief discussion of the covenant and maintenance plan submitted by G.A.F. Engineering, the plan of record was approved.

            A subdivision plan for property located off Park Lane and represented by Doug Schneider of Schneider, Davignon, & Leone, Inc. received a continuance to June 7, as issues of the railroad easement and the extension of Park Lane (a public way) remained unclear. It was ascertained with the help of Town Counsel Jonathan Silverstein that a decision on the extension of Park Lane, which would grant the applicant the right to add an extension on the existing public way, rests with the Board of Selectmen. Schneider said he would seek a meeting with the selectmen after the May 10 Town Meeting.

            Planning Board Administrator Mike Gagne brought to the board’s attention the fact that Tinkham Hill Road has never been conveyed or registered to the town. He said that his research had failed to confirm the road belongs to the town. On the eve of developing a municipal solar array at the closed former dump, Gagne said the investors are hesitant to move forward until the road is conveyed to the town. He said the issue requires the approval of both the Planning Board and the Board of Selectmen.

The Planning Board voted to accept the roadway contingent upon acceptance by the Board of Selectmen.

            Before adjournment, member Karen Field expressed concern over the fate of a long stonewall located on Crystal Spring Road on property owned by Ryan Correia. Tucker said he would talk to Correia about the possible preservation of the old stonewall.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board is scheduled for Monday, May 17, at 7:00 pm.

Mattapoisett Planning Board

By Marilou Newell

2021 Rochester Memorial Day Boat Race

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The Rochester Fire Department will again sponsor the Rochester Memorial Day Boat Race this year, but with changes and restriction in order to make an effort to keep people safe and healthy as circumstances are relaxing somewhat in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

            Both spectators and contestants must exercise self-discipline. Face masks must be worn, and social distancing is a must if the Massachusetts state guidelines require it on Memorial Day, May 31.

-Boats will be staged 6 feet apart.

-There will be no registration sessions, no hot dog stand in Mattapoisett, and no awards program.

-The traditional Ham and Bean Supper will take place at the Rochester Council on Aging Senior Center, Dexter’s Lane, Saturday, May 29, offering a choice of sit-down dining or take-out meals.

-After all registration forms are submitted, the Committee will assign and draw all starting position numbers and notify the teams of their starting number. Also, the list of teams will be posted at the Ham & Bean supper.

            After the race, the final results will be posted on Facebook by late afternoon in a format similar to what has been handed out after the awards program in the past.

            A team’s prize certificates will be mailed to one of the entrants in the team. (Please print your address clearly). Trophies will be purchased and dealt with after the race.

            The Rochester Memorial Day Boat Race on the Mattapoisett River, sponsored by the Rochester Fire Department, will take place on Memorial Day, May 31, starting at 8:30 am at Grandma Hartley’s Reservoir, Snipatuit Road, in Rochester and finishing at the Mattapoisett Herring Weir at River Road and Route 6.

            The minimum age for contestants is 7 years old on Memorial Day. There will be two persons to a boat. The boat must be a homemade river racer design of any material you choose. There are no limitations or restrictions on types of paddles.

            Divisions include open/men’s, women’s, junior boys, junior girls, co-ed and parent/child. Junior division teams are both contestants under 14 years old. Parent/child is for a parent with his/her child (child under 14 years old) or an adult (25 or older) with a child (child under 14 years old). Trophies are awarded to the first, second, and third place finishers in each division.

            Pre-registration is required. No registration sessions will be held at the Rochester Senior Center as in past years. A signed registration form must be submitted by each contestant for a team to be eligible for a starting position. Forms may be obtained at Lloyd’s Market. You may go to Art’s house, 319 Cushman Road, to get forms or email Art (artbenner@comcast.net) and request forms.

            It is best to deliver the completed forms to 319 Cushman Road. ORr, you may return the form by email, but you must bring the original signed form to the start of the race May 31. You may also return your form by regular mail (USPS). If submitted by email or USPS mail, you’ll get acknowledgment that they were received. If you don’t get a reply from Art, assume the forms were not received and hand deliver a set. Registration deadline is Thursday, May 27, at 8:00 pm at Art’s house.

            For further information contact Boat Race Chairman Arthur F. Benner at 508-763-2024 or artbenner@comcast.net.