Inspection Services Going Regional

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            In her Health Director’s update during the September 7 Rochester Board of Health meeting, Karen Walega told the membership that the Town of Rochester would participate in a Capacity Assessment funded by a state Public Health Excellence Grant.

            The end game for this survey and assessment being orchestrated by the state Department of Public Health is a voluntary regionalization of inspection services.

            “It’s going to take a long time. I was hoping to have someone to help with inspections,” said Walega. “The towns that want to sign on, the state wants to get everyone evenly disbursed … not every town is the same. We should all be the same.”

            The Tri-Towns and Acushnet have all signed on for what would be a state-sponsored program for administration and inspection assistance. Once implemented, the program would put tablets into the hands of Board of Health members and board administrator Lori Walsh so they can access up-to-date information.

            The move makes sense for towns like Marion and Rochester. Walega is preparing Rochester for her retirement, while Marion is without a full-time health agent.

            The DPH increased the funding and went before the state legislature. Several retired health agents will review a bidding process and make recommendations. Westport is the grant administrator. Dartmouth opted out.

            “This is the new wave … all the old health agents are burnt out,” said Walega.

            Rochester is on the verge of implementing an online permitting and routing system. Board of Health Chairman David Sousa welcomed the idea, noting how his own business was affected by an inaccurate order number in a job he had done for the Town of Acushnet.

            Walsh’s increasing responsibility led to discussion, a recommendation from Walega and a vote that will result in an increase in her pay. The matter was to next go to town Finance Director Suzanne Szyndlar and the Finance Committee.

            Like most of Massachusetts, Rochester has been in “critical drought” mode, and the state Drought Declaration acknowledging the risk of wetland wildland fires increasing has caused discussion about wells in town and recommendations. Rockland recently had a fire that went on for three weeks.

            Walega recommended minimizing water use including residences relying on private wells. “We’re all drawing from the same aquifer,” she said. The up-to-date situation is posted on the town website, townofrochester.com.

            Last week, the Town of Marion announced that a mosquito carrying the EEE virus was found at the end of August. By September 7, three EEE cases had been reported in Suffolk County.

            The board received a visit from Megan daCosta, the Tobacco Control coordinator for New Bedford. daCosta started in her position this summer, having worked prior to in Fall River. The UMass Dartmouth graduate is currently in her master’s degree program in Public Health at UMass Amherst.

            The town told daCosta it would furnish her with Rochester’s public-health regulations, which are 10 years old; daCosta said almost every town’s regulations are out of date. She will bring the latest information in order to update the town’s regulations to the state level and “anything we can do to make Rochester better.” daCosta serves six area towns and the City of New Bedford.

            Walega provided updates on several properties of concern.

            Upon hearing about 122 Pine Street, Sousa said the property “doesn’t look as bad (as it had) … it’s a mess, but it’s a lot better than it was.” Walega said things at the address are moving in the right direction.

            Mrs. Butts’ property at 515 Rounseville Road has seen changes, as a young lady living in a trailer at the address was reportedly moving out, and the Fire Department had been to the site to address a safety issue. The Building Commissioner was reportedly working with a family member regarding worsening conditions in the yard. Walega said that Town Counsel Blair Bailey was on the case.

            An odor complaint at Lloyd’s market yielded news that the dumpster has been changed and the proprietor is working to rectify the problem. “The guy’s trying, what are you going to do when you’re having a summer like this?” said Sousa, noting that the owner had bought the same chemical used by SEMASS and applies it twice a week. “That helped. I think he’s trying,” said Sousa.

            The septic system at Seasons Corner market has failed, and the owner was last known to be waiting on a contractor to replace the system.

            The next meeting of the Rochester Board of Health is scheduled for Wednesday, October 5, at 4:00 pm at Town Hall.

Rochester Board of Health

By Mick Colageo

Rochester Historical Society

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Wednesday, September 21, at the Rochester Historical Museum at 355 County Road, at 7:00 pm, Andrew Noone will discuss his book on the tragic story of Bathsheba Ruggles Spooner, granddaughter of Timothy Ruggles who was the minister of the Rochester Congregational Church from 1710-1768. After the presentation, there will be a chance to purchase a copy of his book and as always, there will be refreshments.

Heron Cove Decision due September 29

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            The Marion Zoning Board of Appeals and Town Counsel Jon Witten engaged developer Ken Steen and his attorney Mark Bobrowski on September 8 in a continued public hearing for the Heron Cove project.

            The discussion that ensued at the Police Station was dominated by questions of procedure and the application of conditioning to a draft decision that Witten says he can have ready for the next ZBA meeting.

            Bobrowski said he was expecting to see a draft decision on September 8, but Witten said the ZBA had not yet finished deliberating conditions of approval.

            The conclusion was to continue the public hearing one more time and push off the September 22 regular date for the next ZBA meeting and hold it on September 29, when it is anticipated from all sides that Witten will have written into a draft decision the conditions ZBA members want to see.

            Steen’s 120-unit, affordable-housing development planned off Route 6 near the Wareham town line is a Local Initiative Program (LIP) 670CMR negotiated with and approved by the Marion Select Board.

            ZBA Chairperson Cynthia Callow opened the continued public hearing by reading a letter from Marion Town Administrator Jay McGrail indicating that the latest list of 27 waiver requests made by the applicant Heron Cove LLC fits into the same scope as those that were negotiated by the Select Board over the course of a year before the current LIP application came to the ZBA.

            McGrail’s letter also stressed that neither the Select Board nor the town administration wished to inhibit in any way the vetting process of the ZBA, and he thanked the board’s members for all their hard work on the case. A decision would be required 40 days out from the closure of the public hearing.

            Bobrowski then requested that the ZBA keep the public hearing open and said he would agree to an extension as it becomes necessary.

            Callow and ZBA members Will Tifft and Dr. Ed Hoffer agreed they would vote to approve the project with conditions.

            “The Select Board did not delve into the details. They left it to the ZBA, and I think that is a good use of your time,” said Witten.

            Callow proposed an outline dividing conditions into preconstruction, during and after construction. Hoffer said he found the landscaping consultant’s comments most useful, and Tifft said clarity in landscaping was something he wants to see in the decision.

            Steen told the board he would submit some signage ideas and compared them to low-profile signs currently on Route 6.

            Witten recommended the board not seek to position itself to issue a second approval. The board, he said, can delegate the approval of conditions (signage, for instance) to Marion Building commissioner Bob Grillo but should not seek “a second bite at the apple.”

            Steen agreed to submit a new set of plans, and Witten said he could write a new decision taking into account proposed conditions. Bobrowski will have an opportunity to review the conditions and comment before the public hearing is closed.

            Grillo said there was much in the way of worthwhile content in the 2012 list of conditions. Grillo told Witten he wanted to make sure it’s spelled out very clearly who is responsible for what, including inspections of the roads and culverts, for example.

            “I feel I’m probably going to be the point man, not that I’m doing those inspections, but I just want to make sure that when those inspections are done they’re documented, they’re logged in and they’re in a central location because it doesn’t seem to be that that was the case (with Marion Village Estates, a prior Steen project,)” said Grillo.

            Witten had said that Grillo is not to be thrust into a role of judging anything subjective. In response to Grillo’s concern and Callow’s interest in getting such a process on the record, Witten said he would make sure that request is written into his decision draft.

            Steen’s representative, Phil Cordeiro of Allen & Major Associates, said that writing signage into the updated site plan was the lone remaining change, and Steen indicated belief that the site plan would be updated at least one week in advance of the ZBA’s next meeting.

            Grillo reminded the applicant that online permitting is now in action in Marion, making the application accessible to multiple departments.

            At the start of the September 8 meeting, the ZBA held a moment of silence for Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away on the afternoon of the meeting.

            The next meeting of the Marion ZBA is scheduled for Thursday, September 29, at 6:30 pm.

Marion Zoning Board of Appeals

By Mick Colageo

New Leaders for a New Year

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            The 2022-23 school year has kicked off in the Tri-Towns, with a few new faces among educational staff. After Mattapoisett Schools Principal Rose Bowman retired this year, there was the question of how best to replace her.

            Bowman had presided over Center School while working in coalition with Kevin Tavares, then assistant principal at Old Hammondtown. Rather than continue the dual structure, it was decided that Tavares would be promoted to principal at Old Hammondtown and a new hire would be brought on as principal of Center School.

            Dr. Linda Ashley was selected for that role, her background making her perfect for the responsibilities a principal undertakes.

            “We are excited to welcome Dr. Ashley to the Mattapoisett schools, and I look forward to working with her,” Tavares enthused. “She shares our dedication to providing high-quality education and social-emotional development for our students and will be a valuable addition to our elementary leadership team.”

            Dr. Ashley started her career as a teacher in New Jersey and worked additionally as a principal and curriculum director in a variety of schools before making her way to Mattapoisett. She earned her educational degrees in none other than Massachusetts itself with a Master of Education in moderate special needs from Lesley College (now Lesley University) and a Doctorate of Education in educational leadership from Northeastern University.

            “Right out of the gate Dr. Ashley has shown her ability to lead with sharp focus and high expertise,” Old Rochester Regional Superintendent of Schools Michael Nelson stated. “It is clear that her years of experience serve her well as she navigates today’s educational landscape. I feel confident that each school day she will continue to settle into her role as the Principal of Center School and build on the strong foundation that is in place.”

            Dr. Ashley herself said she was “honored and delighted” to be a part of the Tri-Town educational family. “I am excited to get to know each Center School community member and build strong partnerships as we set goals for the future and begin our important work together.”

            When asked what priorities she had for her first year as principal, she mentioned her goals of cohesiveness, making sure that the students, staff and families were all on the same page. She noted that it is important to make sure everyone is heard, respected and included in order to make sure Center School is an environment primed for thriving and growth.

            In addition to Dr. Ashley, Shari Fedorowicz has been brought on as the new assistant superintendent of Teaching and Learning, replacing Jannell Pearson-Campbell. Having started her career as a scientist studying marine mammals, Fedorowicz brought her love of marine biology into the classroom as a science teacher, obtaining a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in education administration from Bridgewater State University and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Lesley University.

            “As the Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, my goal is to develop strong,working relationships with educators, staff and the community to work as a team to excel and grow the districts for the benefit of the students. I am proud to be working with such passionate educators and the community,” said Dr. Fedorowicz.

            Her work as a scientist has taken her far afield from the Tri-Town area, including places like Oregon, Hawaii and Texas, as well as research in Costa Rica and Australia.

            “It brings in that kind of global perspective and experience,” she observed, something she feels helps her in her role as an educator and administrator.

            “The most important part of what I do is making a difference for kids,” said Dr. Fedorowicz. “One of the biggest things is building relationships with people, building relationships not only with people in the district like other administrators, principals (and) teachers but also the community (and) the school committee … because it’s really a team of people.”

            Nelson agreed with the sentiment, expressing enthusiasm for Dr. Fedorowicz’s addition to the team.

            “I am truly excited about the direction Dr. Fedorowicz will lead our schools in relation to teaching and learning,” said Nelson. “Our schools have such strong teachers and support staff that I know Dr. Fedorowicz will enjoy working side by side with them as we meet the educational needs of our students.

            “Finding strong school administrators is never easy – especially in today’s hiring environment. I feel strongly that we are fortunate that two seasoned and highly motivated educator leaders joined our team this school year.”

Jack MC Staier

From the Files of the Rochester Historical Society

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Timothy Ruggles, whose gravesite we visited on our June cemetery tour, was minister of the Rochester Congregational Church beginning in 1710 and continuing for 58 yrs. His father Samuel of Roxbury for quite some time owned proprietary rights in the land of Hardwick in Worcester County. Hardwick, also called the “Elbows,” was mostly unsettled when Rev. Ruggles visited the area in 1732. At that time, he began to promote the area for settlement. Just as Rochester had been settled in part by men from Scituate and Sandwich and other area towns, quite a few Rochester families decide to move west, beginning in 1732 and up until the start of the Revolutionary War.

            Of Rev. Ruggles’ twelve children, six sons emigrated to Hardwick. The most well-known of those six was Timothy Ruggles Jr., a lawyer in Rochester, who moved to Hardwick in 1753. Having been an officer in the Indian Wars and having served as a Massachusetts delegate to the Stamp Act Congress in New York, his political loyalties to the English King began to put him out of step with many of his neighbors and countrymen.

            He perhaps felt more comfortable in Hardwick, knowing the town was named for an English nobleman. In 1762, he introduced the Hardwick Country Fair. However, independence fever was spreading across the colonies, and his neighbors turned against him. His home was mobbed and eventually burned. He, along with most of New England’s Tories moved to Nova Scotia in 1776 when Washington’s troops forced the British evacuation of Boston.

            We know that at least some of his children remained in Hardwick. Her father to an older man, Joshua Spooner, married off his 19 yr. old daughter, Bathsheba. The story of that marriage and the subsequent events that have secured a place in history for Bathsheba Ruggles Spooner will be told by Andrew Noone at the Rochester Historical Museum on September 21 at 7:00. We hope you will join us to see how her story ended.

            Today, Hardwick, incorporated in 1739, is home to about 2600 residents. There is a large, white Congregational Church, and there are areas that provide beautiful views of the Quabbin Reservoir. The country fair that Timothy Ruggles, Jr. began is now the oldest continuous country fair in the United States.

By Connie Eshbach

Mattapoisett Friends Yard Sale

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In preparation for their October 8 yard sale, The Mattapoisett Friends Meeting has set up donation collection times. The Friends are accepting clean, saleable items on Wednesday, September 28 between 10:00 and 12:00 and Saturday, October 1 between 10:00 and 12:00. Please no clothing, books (except collectables) or electronics (TVs, computers or anything that requires special disposal.) They are not accepting large furniture items, but small, easily transportable pieces would be appreciated. Please donate items only at these times or by arrangement through mattquakers@gmail.com. The collection as well as the sale will be behind the meeting house at 103 Marion Road in Mattapoisett. Vendors are welcomed to join.

John T. Lowney, Jr

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John T. Lowney, Jr, 65, of Mattapoisett died unexpectedly from a brief illness September 12, 2022 at Tobey Hospital. Born in New Bedford, son of the late John T and Virginia (Duffy) Lowney and stepson of the late Catherine (Hardiman) Lowney, he lived in Croton-on-Hudson, New York before moving to Mattapoisett in 2020.

            John grew up in Marion, Massachusetts. In high school, John received a full academic scholarship to Tabor Academy where he finished in the top 5 of his class. He received his bachelors and master’s degrees from UMass Amherst and went on to get his PHD at Brown University in English and American Literature. From there, John taught at Benedictine University in Naperville Illinois for four years and then spent the majority of his career at St John’s University in Queens NY. He was the author of three books, The American Avant-Garde Tradition: William Carlos Williams, Postmodern Poetry, and the Politics of Cultural Memory (Bucknell UP 1997), History, Memory, and the Literary Left: Modern American Poetry, 1935-1968 (University of Iowa Press 2006), and Jazz Internationalism: Literary Afro-Modernism and the Cultural Politics of Black Music (New Black Studies Series, University of Illinois Press 2017), and numerous distinguished articles in academic journals, including American Literature, The Langston Hughes Review, Melus, The African American Review, Sagetrieb, and The William Carlos Williams Review. His areas of concentration were 20th Century American Poetry, African American literary and cultural studies, and Jazz literature.

            As a professor in the English Department at St. John’s for over twenty-five years, John was a dedicated and caring teacher, who nurtured hundreds of undergraduate and graduate students to successful careers. He taught general classes in American Literature, Contemporary and Modern Poetry, and African American Literature as well as specialized classes on the Poetry of the 1930s, Jazz Literature, Modernist New York, and African American Literature and the Civil Rights Movement. The consummate scholar, John was working on a book on Langston Hughes and education at the end of his career. He received grants throughout his career, including the Donald C. Gallup Fellowship in American Literature at the Beinecke Library (Yale University) and a National Endowment for the Humanities Study Grant.

            John was an avid Boston Red Sox and Celtics fan. He ran almost every single day and always had a green thumb. He enjoyed spending time with family, especially his daughter Jasmine. They went on after-dinner walks, played softball, and took many trips together across the country. He even built her a luxury tree house. He was an amazing father, brother, uncle and friend. He was also a profoundly ethical and thoughtful person. John touched many lives with his dry humor, his quick wit, his keen intellect, and his kindness. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

            Survivors include his daughter, Jasmine Cross Lowney of Croton-on-Hudson, NY; his former wife, Ashley Cross of New York; a brother, Mark Lowney, and his wife Cheryl, of Marion; 2 sisters, Deborah Suzan, and her husband Mitch of Mattapoisett, and Susan Cain, and her husband Vaughn Neville, of Hornby Island, BC; and nieces Erika Osetkowski, Lauren Smith, Carly DuBeau, and Charo Neville; nephews Mitchell Suzan and Phillip Lowney; great-nieces Mollie, Harper, Charlotte, and Eloise; and great nephews Hudson, Leo, and Lucien.

            We would like to thank All American Assisted Living and John’s caregiver and dear friend Debbie Messier for the wonderful care provided. In lieu of flowers you may donate to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014.

            A memorial Service will be held on Sunday, October 2nd at 1 pm in the Wickenden Chapel, Tabor Academy, 86 Spring Street, Marion, MA 02738. Visiting hours are omitted. Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd, Route 6, Mattapoisett. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com

Multiple RDA’s Approved

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The September 12 meeting agenda of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission included seven Requests for Determination of Applicability. This type of application, as described by Mass.gov, “is a process that helps an applicant find out if the Wetlands Protection Act applies to a site or proposed activity is in a wetland area.” A Negative determination by the commission recognizes that little or no impact to protected resource areas are anticipated by a project as presented to the commission.

            In contrast to RDA’s are Notice of Intent filings. NOI, as described on Mass.gov, “requires an application to the local Conservation Commission and MassDEP. The Notice of Intent application provides the Conservation Commission and MassDEP with a complete and accurate description of the site, including the type and boundaries of resource areas under the Wetlands Protection Act and proposed work, including all measures and designs proposed to meet the performance standards described in the Wetlands Protection Act Regulations, 310 CMR10.00 for each applicable resource area.”

            RDA’s that received Negative determinations on this night were filed by: Natalie and Howard Richards, 4 Sagamore Road for the construction of a 8×16-foot garden shed in a flood zone; Steven and Joy Warren, 8 Briar Road for the construction of a 9×10-foot addition; Lewis and Jennifer Prouty, 48 Ned’s Point Road for the construction of a 16×31.2-foot addition; Frank and Barbara Resnek, 8 Ned’s Point Road for a small addition and patio expansion and Gail DiRusso, 66 Shore Drive for the installation of a new septic system with a denitrification secondary treatment chamber.

            Two RDA’s were continued until September 26. Jim Barnes, 69 Mattapoisett Neck Road for the installation of an irrigation well was not heard, given that neither the applicant nor a representative was present to explain details the commissions were seeking.

            Also continued until September 26 was Stephen Cook’s RDA filing for the confirmation of wetlands delineations at 0 North Road in order to give engineer David Davignon of Schneider, Davignon & Leone Inc. time for further soil studies.

            Two NOI filings received conditioning, one received from Jordan Medeiros, Park Place, was represented by Davignon and received conditioning for the construction of a single-family home with associated drainage and utilities, and the other conditioned NOI was filed by Waugaman Family Trust, 109 Brandt Island Road for the development of a residential house lot. The filing was represented by Davignon.

            Two Certificates of Compliance were issued to Jennifer Prouty, 74 County Road, and Gail DiRusso, 66 Shore Drive. Two other requests for Certificates of Compliance were continued until the site becomes 75-percent stabilized. Those requests were filed by Farland Corporation for 22 Nantucket Drive and 5 Martha’s Vineyard Drive.

            An Emergency Certification was granted to the Mattapoisett Boatyard in the wake of the widely documented fire that took place on August 19.

            The commissioners also discussed a request from the Select Board to switch meeting days from Monday to Tuesday so that the Select Board could meet on Monday nights instead of Tuesdays. The commissioners agreed. The scheduling swap will most likely begin sometime in October.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission is scheduled for Monday, September 26, at 6:30 pm.

Mattapoisett Conservation Commission

By Marilou Newell

Overeaters Anonymous

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Overeaters Anonymous (OA) is a fellowship that welcomes people seeking recovery from overeating, anorexia, bulimia and compulsive food behaviors. Weekly Saturday OA meetings take place in St. Gabriel’s Parish Hall (Marion) at 8:00 am (Twelve Step meeting) and 9:00 am (OA Literature meeting.) For more information, visit www.scmioa.org.

Young Adult Programs at the Mattapoisett Library

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Fall brings teens, old favorites and new experiences at the Mattapoisett Free Public Library.

            Craft Tuesdays return weekly on Tuesday, September 20 at 3 pm where we will be creating Popsicle stick pencils. The following week, we will be celebrating Climate Preparedness week by creating Temperature Map Bookmarks. No registration required and recommended for ages 10 and up.

            On Saturday, September 24 at 2 pm, join us for the rescheduled Upcycled Wind Chimes event. We will be creating wind chimes out of everyday objects you can find around your home. No registration required. Recommended for ages 12 and up. Due to the use of small pieces and tools, this program is not recommended for small children.

            On Tuesday, September 27 at 6:30 pm, I’MIN. will be sharing their Top 10 Family Tips for Surviving the College Search Process. Parents and high school students are invited to attend together and get the inside scoop on taking the stress out of the college search and application process. The cocreators of I’MIN., Christine and Julia Winters, will be joined by Kathleen Dunn, an ORR Senior, to share best practices and organizational tools that enhance family communication and help pave the way for a smoother search, application and decision-making process. No registration required.

            Coming this October, the return of Dungeons and Dragons. A new adventure begins, and we would love you to be part of it. The first session is on Saturday, October 1 at 1 pm. New players are always welcome. Recommended for ages 12 and up. Registration required.

            If you have any questions about any of the events, please contact Michelle Skaar at mskaar@sailsinc.org or 508-758-4171.