Brandt Point Village Build-Out Continues

on

            Since first being permitted some years ago, the Brandt Point Village subdivision has been plagued by fits and starts, not the least of which have occurred due to changes in ownership. But for about a year now, Christian Farland, Farland Corporation, New Bedford, who now owns portions of the development, has expressed his desire to complete the job others had started and to do so in full transparency and cooperation with town boards. Armand Cotelleso remains an owner for other segments of the subdivision.

            Farland came before the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission on Monday night to discuss the next steps he plans to take. There are now four Notice of Intent filings for four new, three-bedroom homes, each served by private freshwater wells and a communal septic system. He said the homes range from 2,200 to 2,600 square feet of living space with underground utilities to lots measuring approximately 17,500 square feet.

            As of Monday night, Farland was awaiting Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection file numbers, a necessary regulatory system of state oversight and project tracking. The projects cannot move forward until that happens. He is also waiting for confirmation from the MassWildlife’s Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program that preexisting conditions noted at the site by the agency since the beginning remain valid.

            Farland also stated the completion of roadways is planned by the end of the year. The commission was pleased that less than desirable site conditions including construction trash and collapsed erosion controls were being addressed. The filings were continued until April 11.

            Several certificates of completion were issued but held for properties located in the Preserve at the Bay Club, Split Rock neighborhood. Abutters had brought to the commission’s attention concerns over at least one culvert that was not functioning properly and what appeared to be large sections of plastic sheeting in wetlands. Chairman Mike King said a site visit and discussion with the developer is in order.

            In other business, conditions were issued to the Mattapoisett Boatyard for annual dock maintenance at the marina in Brandt Cove. An Emergency Certification for septic repairs at 12 Meadowbrook Lane was issued. An Order of Conditions was issued to Tracey White, 70 Aucoot Road, for a 1,728 square-foot, detached garage.

            Richard Charon of Charon Associates, representing Emmjay Realty Trust, 13 Industrial Drive, came before the commission to share details on the proposed updated stormwater drainage system being studied for the parcel. He said that a state Department of Environmental Protection file number was pending, as were calculations on a new canopy drainage system. The filing will return to the commission on April 11.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission is scheduled for Monday, April 11, at 6:30 pm.

Mattapoisett Conservation Commission

By Marilou Newell

Tri-Town Recreation Basketball Finals Night

on

Wednesday, March 23 was finals night for the Tri-Town recreation basketball League. The league has players from all three towns and is run by Mattapoisett and Marion Recreation. Over 200 players registered this year for the three leagues.

            The first game of the night was the Girls’ League finals with Team Sky coached by Amy Hartley-Matteson and Dena Xifaras versus team Fever coached by Jon Root. Fever was up 6-4 at the end of the first quarter. Sky had a strong second quarter to end up 14-12 at halftime. Both teams battled hard. Score was tied at the end of the third quarter 20-20. In the last quarter, team Sky came up with a few key baskets to win the game 28-24. High scorers for team Sky were Zoe Papadakis with 14 points and Erin Fahy with 10. Team Fever had seven players score, and leaders were Leia Perez with six points; Bailee Cusick, Erin Root and Kamdyn Monteiro with four points.

            The Boys 3rd and 4th Grade Finals were next. The Huskies coached by Kevin Oliveira played the Orangemen coached by John Crouch and Greg Eitas. Huskies went up 4-3 at the end of the first quarter. It was a defensive battle score at the half was Huskies 8, Orangemen 5. In the end, the Huskies opened it up to win 18-11. High scorer for the Huskies was Nathaniel Grossman with eight points, and for the Orangemen, it was Ethan Perry with six points.

            The final game of the evening was the Boys 5th and 6th grade finals with the Spurs coached by Dave Nelson versus the Heat coached by David Arancio. It was a back-and-forth battle. The heat came out strong to go up 11-4 at the end of the first quarter. Spurs rallied to get back in it and score at the half was Heat 16, Spurs 11. At the end of regulation time, score was 29-29. In 2-minute overtime, the Heat closed it out with a long pass play to win the game 35-33. The game high scorer was Connor Nelson with 15 points for the Spurs. High scorers for the Heat were Logan Oliveira with 12 points and Hudson Arancio with 9 points. The game could not have been closer. It was an exciting end to the season.

            A huge thank you to all of our volunteer coaches that make the program a success.

Osprey Marsh Boardwalk: Wildlife Interpretive Signs

on

This year, Sippican Lands trust (SLT) installed new wildlife interpretive signs at SLT’s Osprey Marsh property on Point Road in Marion. These permanent wildlife signs will be visible along the boardwalk for those interested in learning more about the habitats and wildlife species in the maritime forests of coastal Marion.

            These newly installed signs were supported by two grants: one from the Mattapoisett Cultural Council and the other from the Marion Cultural Council, local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. The Sippican Lands Trust is grateful for this local funding from the local cultural councils and their commitment to environmental education and programming.

            SLT hopes to see you out on our trails. For more information, or to give us feedback on our new interpretive signs, please call our office at (508) 748-3080 or send us an email at info@sippicanlandstrust.org.

MNHM Coastal Explorations

on

The Marion Natural History Museum’s Summer Program is one of the most well-known and well-regarded in the Southcoast area. Children from across the country visit us each summer and participate in the program. The programs are designed to be small groups, and the program size is limited and registration restricted in size. This program will feature exploration of our rocky intertidal shorelines, salt marshes, estuaries as well as freshwater riverbanks, swamps, ponds, forests and bogs. We will be exploring the different ecosystems and taking a close-up look at the birds, amphibians, fish and invertebrates that make these areas so special. Please note: this program meets at multiple locations throughout Marion depending on the activity planned.

For students entering grades 3 – 5: Coastal Explorations: 9-12, Monday – Friday, July Session Dates: July 11 – 15 and August session dates are 1–5. Second week may be available upon request. Cost: $250 members, $300 nonmembers.To register for these programs, please go to the Marion Natural History Museum’s website:  www.marionmuseum.org.

The MAC Presents Twelve SouthCoast Spring Arts Events

on

The Marion Art Center joins more than two dozen local cultural organizations to launch a celebration of the arts across the SouthCoast region May 6-15. SouthCoast Spring Arts is a 10-day festival celebrating the arts in our communities by connecting innovative, creative and affordable art and cultural events in communities across the region, from Fall River to Wareham. The MAC joins this effort with twelve new cultural events in theater, live music, art history, film, movement and visual arts. All Spring Arts events at the MAC are hands-on or interactive and are offered at low cost or free. 

            The MAC will kick off their Spring Arts events on Thursday, May 5 from 6-7 pm with a conversation with artist Paula Stebbins Becker (free to attend) whose work, along with painter Tracey J. Maroni, can be viewed in the MAC’s current show Emergence. Paula will share her inspiration and discuss her various processes of unraveling and weaving threads, natural dyeing, and using thread in her printed works on paper. During the event, guests can also view an image slideshow in the MAC Theater featuring additional works by artist Tracey J. Maroni.

            On Friday, May 6 from 7-8 pm, attend a concert and hands-on learning experience with Latin Percussionist Jesús Andujar at the MAC. Dive into the wonderful world of congas, timbales, guiros, cabasas, djembes, claves, bongos and shakers. Jesús will perform his own rhythmic improvisations and guests can learn some basic patterns and join in the fun. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 15.

            The MAC partners with the Mattapoisett Wellness Center to host workshops to Enhance your Creativity with Yoga and Reiki ($18 per class) on Saturday, May 7 and Saturday, May 14, 10:30-11:45 am. In these two one-hour workshops, led by long-time yoga teacher and Reiki practitioner Jennifer Risio, you will learn first-hand the benefits both practices provide: stress reduction, quieting the mind, strengthening the body. The Mattapoisett Wellness Center is located at 76 County Road, Mattapoisett.

            Join a Learning to See Photo Workshop and Walk on Saturday, May 6 from 5-7 pm at the MAC (cost $25.) Master Photographer Cathy Broderick will lead this workshop exploring different approaches to making imagery that stands out. Participants will meet at the MAC and then take a walking tour of Marion village to implement different approaches to a scene to create images of value. Suitable to all cameras and all skills levels.

            Take a Pin Loom Weaving Workshop on Monday, May 9 from 6:30-8:30 pm at the MAC ($30 fee includes materials.) Weaver Lisa Elliott will teach you how to warp and weave squares, and you will go home with one or a few coasters or mug mats. Finished woven squares provide endless possibilities and can be sewn together to create scarves, blankets, toys, and clothing.

            The MAC partners with the Benjamin D. Cushing Community Center to offer Dinner and Improv on Wednesday, May 11 from 5-7 pm (cost is $15.) Tabor faculty members John Heavey and Steffon Gales will lead an exciting night of improvisation (or improve,) a spontaneous, entertaining and fun form of live theatre in which the plot, characters and dialogue of a game, scene or story are made up in the moment. Audience participation is encouraged but not required. Dinner including lasagna, salad, bread, and dessert will be served at 5pm, followed by a one-hour improve workshop/show. The community center is located at 465 Mill Street, Marion.

            On Thursday, May 12 from 7-8 pm, attend a screening of the short film Kittacuck Speaks in the MAC Theater, hosted by Friends of the Blackstone, a nonprofit environmental organization. Instead of the dominant, industrially focused narrative about the Blackstone River, the Native American-named Kittacuck, the film presents a story told by the river itself. Kittacuck Speaks was written and narrated by Nipmuc tribe member Bruce Curliss. Meet film creators Gian Mancini, Vincent Mancini, and John Marsland, and learn what it means to maintain a Blue Mind, a concept developed by Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, in which we become stewards of our planet and live in harmony with the natural world. Tickets, just $5, will benefit Friends of the Blackstone.

            Don’t miss the opening reception for the MAC’s exhibit on Friday, May 13 from 5-7 pm, featuring abstract works by artists Alyn Carlson, Pat Coomey Thornton, and Pat Warwick (free to attend.) Learn how each artist approaches her individual creative process, creating stunning visual compositions which are often full of vibrant color and poetic rhythms. Through mark making, layering of various media and editing, these artists create works that ignite one’s senses and capture the essence of emotion. Guests will have the opportunity to meet the artists and ask questions.

            Artist Barbara Healy returns to teach an outdoor Paint & Sip Workshop on Saturday, May 14 from 1-3 pm at the MAC (cost $30, all materials provided.) Participants will paint their own versions of a gorgeous sunflower in this fun workshop using water-based acrylics on canvas. Barbara and her assistant will guide you through each step of the process as you get in touch with your inner artist and enjoy sipping wine along the way. You must be 21 or older to register. A rain date is scheduled for Sunday, May 15.

            Jazz Jam @ the MAC returns to the MAC Theater on Saturday, May 14 from 7-9:30 pm (tickets $12, participating musicians attend for free.) Be part of the long tradition of the jazz jam session complete with participation from community musicians. The house band will support the improvisers as they interpret many “jazz standards” in various style formats. Learn from trombonist Phil Sanborn as he leads a question-and-answer session and explains how the songs are structured and how the “road map” for each selection helps the improvisers. Join to listen in, or if you’re a musician, sign up to join the performers on stage.

            The MAC closes out Spring Arts in collaboration with Sippican Historical Society to present The Arts in Marion’s Gilded Age on Sunday, May 15 from 4-5 pm at the Music Hall in Marion, located at 164 Front Street (tickets $5.) In the late 1800’s, Marion became a summer gathering place for artists, writers, actors, musicians, architects, and intellectual luminaries. Four local experts, Wendy Bidstrup, Nancy Mitton, Judith Rosbe and Meg Steinberg, bring to light some of the characters that made up this lively scene, including Cecil Clark Davis, Charles Dana Gibson, Henry James, Mark Twain, Century Magazine editor Richard Watson Gilder, and architects H.H. Richardson and Stanford White. UMass Dartmouth professor and art historian Catherine Moran sets the stage with an overview of the Gilded Age in America. A question-and-answer session will follow the presentations.

            Art lovers of all ages are invited to ignite their creative spirit and celebrate SouthCoast Spring Arts. To register for Marion Art Center events, head to the MAC’s website at marionartcenter.org/scspringarts. Find out more by emailing info@marionartcenter.org. Discover events throughout the local region at southcoastspringarts.org (regional SCSA events will be added to the SCSA website through early April.)

Abutters Voice Objection to Cell Tower

on

               The Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals is close to deciding on approving a special permit for a 190-foot-tall, monopole-style telecommunications tower facility on High Street in the face of a roomful of abutters airing their objections and concerns.

               Industrial Tower and Wireless LLC seek a special permit to reduce the required setback distance of 200 feet from other property lines by 50 percent or to 100 feet. The project’s representatives argued in their initial hearing that the tower would sit on land owned by A.D. Makepeace and the closest adjacent property would be 521 feet away.

               ITW’s attorney Jeffrey Angley began the March 24 hearing by noting “we feel we have mitigated the impacts.” Angley itemized that a market analysis study showed the tower would cause no measurable devaluation of abutting properties; the radiation frequencies to which residents would be exposed would be minimal, and the tower will provide gaps in wireless coverage that the area currently experiences.

               Abutters in the seats filling the room rebuffed these assurances. Gary O’Neil of nearby 367 County Road said he wants the tower 200 feet away from the property line, not 100. “It’ll be 1,400 feet from my property. That’s too close.”

               Another abutter said her research reveals the accumulative effect of the radiation from a wireless tower affects cells and DNA and could cause cancer. “Do you feel you have sufficient evidence that your tower will not cause harm to my children?” she asked.

               James Ashley of 419 County Road said his concerns include the tower interfering with medical devices that depend on wireless technology. His wife has an insulin pump, he said, and the tower signal could interfere with receiving her glucose-level information. “We’re 1,100 feet away from the tower,” he complained. “I am the closest with only the bog in between.”

               A father and son, David and Tyler Paquin, who work on the nearby Makepeace cranberry bog, complained the tower would ruin the neighborhood and endanger their health from tower radiation and the hazard of the tower falling close to where they work. Tyler Paquin’s mother, Lois Paquin, disputed the need for another wireless tower in Rochester. “There are 15 cell towers within 6 miles of this site,” she said. “There are no gaps.”

               The biggest pushback came from Attorney Donald Nagle, who said he represents 19 of the proposed tower’s neighbors. He presented the zoning board with a petition signed by 54 neighbors voicing their opposition.

               “This is an industrial site in a residential neighborhood,” Nagle said. “It doesn’t belong there. It doesn’t comply with bylaws.”

               Nagle asked the board to deny the project’s special permit by reason of the abutters’ safety concerns. The tower will disrupt heart monitors and other medical equipment; if it falls, it could be a danger to workers in the bogs. He asked the board to do a peer review to take another look at ITW’s data.

               ZBA Chairman David Arancio did not address Nagle’s input directly. Rather, he closed the public input section of the hearing, saying that Town Counsel would like a draft decision ready in time for the board’s next meeting in order to be present at the next meeting.

               The panel provided little indication whether the draft decision will be a “yes” or a “no” as they continued the hearing to April 14.

               The strongest negative response on the board came from member Thomas Flynn. “The board has a narrow decision to make,” he said. “The petitioner is asking for a special permit for 100-foot setback. We have to find whether the visual impacts will be improved or minimized. I heard the petition say 100 feet one way affects some houses, 100 feet the other way affects other houses. We have to find, is it advantageous to the general harmony or minimizes the general harmony. And nothing on the record demonstrates that 100 feet or 200 feet does that. So I will not support the petition.”

               “I live 200 feet from high-power lines,” ZBA Vice Chairman Davis Sullivan countered. “A cell tower is a public utility. A 190-foot monopole is not a big deal.”

               The board, however, took swift action in its next two public hearings on March 24. It approved a special permit for “A&M Winery,” a farm winery at 308 New Bedford Road. A&M will feature specialty dessert wines for wine tastings by appointment. Owner Anthony Ruocco said he will host no more than 9 to 15 customers at a time and will not need any extra on-site parking. The winery will be available for tastings from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm seven days a week.

               The board also approved a special permit for a hobby kennel at 116 Walnut Plain Road to include kennel space in the basement, grooming space and dog breeding. Owner Alisha Fitzgerald said she breeds German Shepherds once a year and sells the puppies to help her afford the German Shepherds she keeps as her pets and for competitions.

               “That’s a busy corner. What safety precautions will you have?” asked Arancio.

               Fitzgerald agreed to the following conditions: She will erect a 6-foot-high privacy fence, own no more than six dogs six months of age and breed no more than two litters per year.

               The board also granted a variance extension for a house plan at 0 Snipatuit Road. Property owner Carl Achorn explained his wife recently was seriously injured in a car accident and is still recovering. His plan to build a two-level house will have to change to a single-level home within the same footprint.

               The next meeting of the Rochester ZBA is scheduled for Thursday, April 14, at 7:00 pm.

Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals

By Michael J. DeCicco

American Kestrel Falcons

on

The Kestrel falcons were adorable little sparrow hawks less than a foot long with black stripes under their eyes and down the side of their face to reduce glare from the sun, while hunting high in the sky.

            Since the year 1966, their species title tied to the falcon birds of prey, Kestral falcons have been distinguished by their streamlined, thin-tapered wings known for their amazing flying abilities. They also possess plumes on their legs and have a small projection in their beak that is developed into a tooth to kill their prey like a Peregrine falcon with an explosive swoop from above.

            When their population declined by 25 percent, they began to hold their own in reproduction by moving into the side of urban areas, seen sitting along powerlines to stalk and then drop down upon small mammals or birds that they could trace through their ability to follow their movement down below. But because they had become cavity dwellers, they no longer built their nests out of twigs but more often laid their eggs in holes of decaying trees about 25 feet from the ground for four young as illustrated.

            Since spring is the season of fledglings learning how to fly, it is wise to keep your cats indoors, instead of taking toll on them being able to find and feed on rodents, dragonflies, tomato horn worms in your vegetable garden or garter snakes in your flower garden. The state conservation organization like the American Kestrel Partners of New England are developing modern methods of tracking technology for recent movements during the migration and climate changes and how they deal with them.

            Many cycles of climate change appear to become cyclical in nature with substantial effect on the environment for the future, including water levels and changing weather precipitation measurements. Now the recent past days of vernal equinox are unique worldwide because the hours of light and darkness are the same all over the world, just as the tides follow a daily schedule of high-water marks up and down the coast.

            With the scheduled sunrise that comes over the horizon of Little Bay, it is written in the heavens as my celestial reincarnation observation on earth hoping that it will bring creation of literary inspiration for you and for me.

By George B. Emmons

Helen A. Arthur Scholarship

on

The Sippican Lands Trust is seeking applicants for its “Helen A. Arthur” Scholarship. A monetary award of up to $1,000 is available to a Marion, Massachusetts resident who is a graduating senior from any secondary school by June 2022 and is preferably pursuing an education in environmental studies or a related field.

            Applicants must be a Marion resident and may submit their application online at www.sippicanlandstrust.org or submit a completed application postmarked by May 20, 2022, and mail to: Sippican Lands Trust, Attn: Scholarship Committee, P.O. Box 848, Marion, MA 02738. All applications are due by May 20.

            The scholarship is made available through the Sippican Lands Trust Scholarship Fund.  This fund was created and named after Helen Adams Arthur (1940-2008.) Helen was a beloved resident of Marion who had a deep interest in the preservation of the beautiful open spaces around town.

            A Scholarship Committee will review all completed applications and reward the student(s) whose pursuits most closely reflect Helen’s wishes, as mirrored by the mission of the Sippican Lands Trust. All applicants will be notified of status by email by June 1, 2022.

            Those interested in applying should visit the Sippican Lands Trust website at www.sippicanlandstrust.org to apply online or download an application to send by mail. For more information about Sippican Lands Trust’s “Helen A. Arthur” Scholarship please call 508-748-3080 or send an email to info@sippicanlandstrust.org.

From the Files of the Rochester Historical Society

on

It’s become commonplace to have almost anything we need or want delivered to our front doors. Groceries from Peapod, Grubhub, Uber Eats, DoorDash and everything else from Amazon. Anyone growing up during the 2000’s, no doubt sees these deliveries as a marvel of today’s world. However, when you look at the memories of Rochester residents who grew up at any time from the 1920’s to the 60’s, there are multiple references to the many tradesmen who brought their wares to customers’ doors. In one of the Rochester Journals, Dan Charron wrote about the many salesmen who sold items door to door.

            Probably the first who would come to mind (and probably lasted the longest) would be the milkman. The picture with this article shows the Eastover Farm milk truck. Some local dairies that delivered milk (and if asked other dairy products) to town were Gibbs, Eastover Farm and Gulf Hill. Customers often had insulated boxes into which the milk was placed. The empty glass bottles went back onto the milk truck to be cleaned and reused.

            Another salesman that Dan mentioned was the Cushman Bakery man. In his black and white truck, there were breads and pastries including delicious little pink and white frosted teacakes. Our oldest residents probably remember the ice man who delivered blocks of ice door to door before refrigerators to up residents were in most homes. Another tradesman of that era was the ragman. He would pick up old clothes and rags (without pink plastic bags.) Dan also remembers that the insurance man would go around door to door to collect payments and sign up clients. There was a Raleigh salesman who had cases that contained much of what we would find in today’s CVS or Walgreen’s. The Fuller Brush Man and the Electrolux man would bring brooms, vacuums and other cleaning tools right to your door. Dan Charron wrote that his favorite of all of these salesmen was the man in an old yellow bus who sold just about everything from pots and pans to tools and gadgets. He would also sharpen your knives and scissors. You could also get food right at your door. The fish man (Mr. Bassett) had a truck with a scale and a bed full of ice from which he sold fish. There was a man who had a weekly grocery route.

            While the method we use today to arrange for items to arrive at our doors are different, the whole concept of home delivery has been around for many years, but it would seem porch pirates are a new wrinkle.

By Connie Eshbach

FCCM Holy Week

on

The First Congregational Church of Marion, 28 Main Street, is preparing for Holy Week with special services, music and events. The community is invited to share the meaning of our Lord’s resurrection and the joy that this special week brings.

            Holy week begins with Palm Sunday, April 10, heralding Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Joining with St. Gabriel’s Church, the congregations will parade along Front Street with palms and bells to the Congregational Church. We will meet at St Gabriel’s (124 Front Street, Marion) at 9 am. Worship Service begins at the First Congregational Church at 10 am.

            Events for the remainder of Holy Week include:

            April 14 Maundy Thursday at the First Congregational Church: 6:00 pm Soup Supper in the Church Vestry (RSVP -508-748-1053) 7:00 pm Worship Service with Communion

            April 15 Good Friday at the First Congregational Church, Noon to 3:00 pm Music in the Sanctuary for Devotional Reflection

            April 17 Easter at the First Congregational Church, 5:30 am Sunrise Service Silvershell Beach, Sunrise – 6:00 am, 10:00 am Easter Service with Celebration Music, 11:00 am Easter Egg Hunt

            For more information, see our website: www.marionfirstchurch.org

or call the Church office at 508.748.1053