Rochester Cultural Council

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The Rochester Cultural Council (RCC) is now accepting online applications from organizations, schools and individuals for grants to support community-oriented arts, humanities and science programs. If you have a great idea for bringing culturally enriching programming to the Rochester area and need funding to make it a reality, we can help. The online application window will be open from September 1 – October 17.

            The Rochester Cultural Council is composed of a group of volunteers appointed by the Rochester Select Board. Our mission is to promote excellence, access and diversity in the arts, humanities and sciences in order to enhance the quality of life in the Rochester community. The Council strives to achieve these goals through the funding of local programs with grants awarded by the Mass Cultural Council, wwwmassculturalcouncil.org. Special priority is given to nonprofit applicants from the town of Rochester and to surrounding community projects that would substantially enrich Rochester.

            Inspiration may include programs such as school field trips, afterschool programs, concerts, festivals, lectures, theater, dance, music and film. LCC projects may take place in schools, community centers, libraries, elder care facilities, town halls, parks and wherever communities come together.

            The RCC is a part of the Local Cultural Council (LCC) Program, which is the largest grassroots cultural funding network in the nation supporting thousands of community-based projects in the arts, humanities and sciences annually. This program is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency who yearly award local councils more than $3 million in grants to more than 5,000 cultural programs statewide.

            Quick links to tips for grant writing and the application process can be found on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/rochestermaculturalcouncil or bit.ly/RCCTips.

            Your RCC is always looking to welcome new members. To find out more about us, feel free to attend one of our open meetings or email us directly at rochesterculturalcouncil@gmail.com. We would love to have you join us.

Storm Watchers Practice Preventive Measures

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Reports from the National Weather Service that Cranston, Rhode Island, took on nearly 11 inches of rain in a 24-hour period made the 2 or so inches that fell on the Tri-Towns seem like a momentary sprinkle.

            Nonetheless, municipal officials in the Tri-Towns are quick to address potential areas of concern.

            Highway surveyors in coastal Mattapoisett (Garrett Bauer) and landlocked Rochester (Jeff Eldridge) have vastly different terrain with which to deal, but when it rains, both immediately think of a clean infrastructure.

            “We go puddle jumping every time there’s rain,” said Eldridge, referring to storm drains. “We have our share of moments.”

            According to Bauer, the biggest problem related to flooding during storm events is clogged catch basins and blocked culverts.

            Marion Fire Chief Brian Jackvony said that the winter storm named Riley (March 2018) was the worst he has ever seen. Within hours, the snow-to-rain event knocked out power for nearly 2,000,000 on the east coast.

            While glad to have the rain that visited New England over Labor Day weekend, Jackvony was cautious, noting the dry, hard ground of the summer drought. “It creates more runoff, rain doesn’t get a chance to penetrate,” he said. “Being a coastal town, it depends on where the tide is, when these storms hit.”

            Jackvony identified some of Marion’s vulnerable areas as: Route 6 by the Lockheed Martin property, Spring Street just north of the Marion Fire Station, Barnabas Road, the Tabor Academy campus and Front Street down to the village area.

            “Route 6 is more a problem down near Burr Brothers (boat company),” he said, noting that Creek Road has also flooded in the past.

            Areas of special note for potential flooding in Mattapoisett include Aucoot beach area, Pine Island Pond neighborhood and Angelica Point. Flooding in Mattapoisett is also impacted by tide cycles with high tide being of greatest concern until seawater flows out, taking groundwater with it.

            The northern part of Mattapoisett is less problematic, but Bauer said on Tuesday that crews were out cleaning and clearing basins and that residents can help simply by pulling leaf litter off of grates, allowing the stormwater to flow underground.

            “Most of the northern part of (Mattapoisett) has country drainage where stormwater goes into low-lying areas” and can recharge into the ground, Bauer explained.

            Residents were asked by Bauer to notify his office or the Mattapoisett Police Department if flooding becomes an issue, crews will be dispatched to the scene.

            Mattapoisett and Marion master plans aim to identify and update infrastructure serving their more-vulnerable neighborhoods.

            Meantime, spectacular storm events like what occurred in metro Providence over the weekend is something Jackvony suggested we anticipate more frequently in the future. “You can attribute that to climate change and what’s going on,” he said.

By Mick Colageo

New Bedford Harbor Sea Shanty Chorus

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Join the Mattapoisett Museum, 5 Church Street, Saturday, September 10, at 1:00 pm for the return of the New Bedford Harbor Sea Shanty Chorus. Rain date September 17

            The New Bedford Harbor Sea Chantey Chorus is one of the most harmonious crews to come ashore. Their repertoire of work songs of the Yankee sailor and whaler reflects the region’s rich maritime heritage. This 24-voice group sings ballads and ditties of global mariners and coastwise fisher folk in North America, the Cape Verde Islands and the British Isles. Be ready to have fun and learn how to “rant and roll like a true-born sailor.”

            NBHSCC is a volunteer group of the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey. This event will be held outdoors, so bring your favorite chair. This event is free, but donations are gladly accepted.

Mattapoisett Boy Scouts

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The new scouting year is underway for Mattapoisett Boy Scout Troop 53. Come check out Scouting. We offer activities including biking, kayaking, hiking, climbing and fun monthly campouts and more. We are looking for boys ages 11 to 17 to join us for adventure. No previous scouting experience is necessary. Call 508-245-2948 or text for more information and check out our Facebook page at Mattapoisett Troop 53.

Fall Birding Walk

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Join the Mattapoisett Land Trust and the Nasketucket Bird Club on Saturday September 17, 8:00-9:00 am for an early morning birding adventure. This birding walk will be led by Justin Barrett, President of the Nasketucket Bird Club. It will be a lovely, relaxed morning in nature and a wonderful opportunity to learn about local wildlife.

            The walk will take place on MLT’s Brandt Island Cove trail. Meet at 8:00 am at the MLT trailhead kiosk located on Anchorage Way in Mattapoisett. There is a small dirt parking area and plenty of street parking. Bring your binoculars and dress appropriately for the outdoors, including sturdy footwear. This is a free event open to all. Hope to see you there.

Hybrid-Y Aiming for October 3

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            Marion Planning Board members Norm Hills, Eileen Marum, Jonathan Henry, Alanna Nelson, Tucker Burr and Andrew Daniel and administrative assistant Terri Santos gathered on Tuesday night at the Police Station and were joined remotely by Planning Board member Christopher Collings and Town Planner Doug Guey-Lee for a brief public meeting.

            On an unofficial request from the Department of Public Works, the members voted to once again continue (to October 3 at 7:05 pm) the public hearing on changes to the Subdivision Rules and Regulations regarding use of the Hybrid-Y instead of the Hammerhead configuration for dead-end roads under Section 300-2.1 through 300-6.1 of the Rules and Regulations.

            If approved, the hammerhead design will not be allowed as a construction option for dead-end roads in Marion but will be succeeded by the Hybrid-Y favored by the DPW.

            While the matter is only one that happens to be holding up several other bylaw revisions needing the board’s package vote to proceed, the Hybrid-Y has drawn special interest not only because board members disagree as to its (and the hammerhead design’s merits) but because of the recent history of Fieldstone Lane.

            Residents of Marion Village Estates failed in an effort in 2021 and 2022 to get the town to absorb their subdivision road as a town property that would benefit from town services such as snow plowing. The town recommended against the measure, citing the hammerhead design as being problematic and exacerbated by a landscape slope. Voters turned down the measure at Town Meeting.

            Meanwhile, Daniel, a Marion resident who works as the Town of Rochester’s Facilities manager, has been outspoken in his opposition to the elimination of the hammerhead design and has buttressed his argument with poor reviews of the Hybrid-Y used in rare cases in New England.

            On Tuesday night, Hills told the members, the October 3 continuance would be when the board “gets this hammered out.”

            The next meeting of the Marion Planning Board is scheduled for Monday, September 19, at 7:00 pm.

Marion Planning Board

By Mick Colageo

Marion Mosquito and West Nile Virus

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Town Administrator James McGrail and Public Health Director Lori Desmarais report that the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) announced today that West Nile Virus (WNV) has been detected in mosquitoes collected from Marion.

            The current WNV risk level for Marion is low.

            Mosquitoes are most prevalent from May to August, but remain active until the first time temperatures fall below freezing. WNV is most commonly transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. The mosquitoes that carry this virus are common throughout the state and are found in urban as well as more rural areas. While the virus can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at a higher risk for severe infection.

            The Plymouth County Mosquito Control Project will be spraying the streets in Marion center on Wednesday, September 7. Applications are made via an ultra-low volume sprayer that is on the back of a pickup truck. Typically, spraying is done from the street and can travel up to 300 feet. Weather permitting; the sprayers operate from 2 am until 30 minutes before sunrise on weekdays. Residents can call or go to their website for more information as well. 781-585-5450 www.plymouthmosquito.org.

            Plymouth County Mosquito Control is currently accepting adult spray requests. Call (781-585-5450 and press 1), Fax (781-582-1276), mail or stop by in person at 272 South Meadow Road, Plymouth. The last day for spray requests will be on September 9. Spraying will take place Monday-Friday weather permitting.

            Standing water checks may be requested throughout the summer.

            Additionally, the Town of Marion recommends the following precautionary measures:

            Avoid Mosquito Bites

            Apply insect repellent when outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] or IR3535 according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under 3 years old. Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied to skin.

            Clothing can help reduce mosquito bites. Wearing long sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.

            Be aware of peak mosquito hours. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during the evening or early morning. If you are outdoors at any time and notice mosquitoes around you, take steps to avoid being bitten by moving indoors, covering up and/or wearing repellant.

Mosquito-proof Your Home:

            Drain standing water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or discarding items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools and change water in birdbaths frequently.

            Install or repair screens. Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.

            There has been one human case of WNV in the state this year in Suffolk County and no cases in an animal. Information about WNV and reports of current and historical WNV activity in Massachusetts can be found on the following websites: www.mass.gov/service-details/west-nile-virus-wnv and www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-arbovirus-update.

A New Year Always Warrants a Celebration

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As September 15 marks the beginning of the new 2022-23 calendar year for the Mattapoisett Woman’s Club – as well as the 81st anniversary of the Club’s formation — we are having a special luncheon meeting on Thursday, September 15 to mark the occasion at 11:00 a.m. at Reynaud Hall at the United Congregational Church on Church Street in Mattapoisett.

            Members and both new and potential new members are invited to this special luncheon. Membership dues continue at $25.00 for the year and are payable at the time you join.

            Along with plenty of time to get back in touch with friends after the summer off, presiding over the meeting portion of the luncheon will be new Club President Sandra Hering who will recognize and introduce new members. President Hering will also catch members up on the summer’s activities as well as updating the audience about possible events, meetings and activities through the coming year. The meeting will conclude with new business being recognized and discussed.

            If you are a member of the Club or are interested in becoming a member of this quickly growing organization, mark September 15 on your calendar and join us for a new year celebration. Here are the details about this meeting:

-Who are you?

-What is the first meeting of the year of the Mattapoisett Woman’s Club;

-When is September 15 at 11:00 am?

-Where is Reynaud’s Hall at the Mattapoisett Congregational Church; and

-Why is to learn about interesting things to do with new friends.

            For further information, please contact info@mattapoisettwomansclub.org

Mattapoisett Yacht Club August Results

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The series racing wrapped up for the year with very tight scores for the Ensign Fleet and Class B Cruising. No Quarter Given, left no question as to who was tops in Class A of the PHRF Wednesday series.

            There are still more races in September. The Hurricane Cup and Fall Round the Bay both bring lots of boats and competition.

            Obviously, we are heartbroken over the terrible loss from the fire and are forever grateful to the Mattapoisett Boat Yard, the Kaisers and all the employees that make MBY so very special.

Melba (Costa) Gordon

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Melba (Costa) Gordon, 90, of Fairhaven, died September 1, 2022, at The Residence at Cedar Dell.

            She was the wife of the late Henry E. “Skippy” Gordon.

            Born in New Bedford, daughter of the late Manuel and Belmira “Mabel” (Mello) Costa, she lived in Fairhaven most of her life.

            She and her late husband were the proprietors of Skip and Mel’s Restaurant in Acushnet where she made her renowned kale soup and chicken soup. Previously she was a bus monitor on her husband’s public school bus and then a bus aide for physically and developmentally challenged kids. In her younger days she was a nurse’s aide at Tabor Street nursing home.

            She enjoyed dancing and music, knitting, crocheting, and the company of her dog Max. She loved cooking for family, and there were many memorable clam boils and other feasts at their house on Eddy Street. She created a home where the door was always open to anyone.

            Survivors include her son, Steven M. Gordon and his wife Jill of Acushnet; 2 daughters, Kathleen M. Smith and her husband Tom of Foster, RI and Lisa A. Gordon and her wife Julie Ozaydin of Bolton; 3 brothers, Daniel Costa and Ronald Costa, both of New Bedford and Raymond Costa of Ocala, FL; a sister, Hilda Conner of Fairhaven; 7 grandchildren, Stephanie A. St. Onge, Scott R. Gordon, Erin B. Hobbs, Brooke A. Fatula, Victoria L. Breitbach, Lily M. Smith and Henry I. Gordon-Ozaydin; 13 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and her wonderful friend Patty Osborne who loved and cared for her in later years.

            She was the mother of the late Gary P. Gordon and the sister of the late Bernice Galligo, Lillian Lyle, Evelyn Farland and George Costa.

            Her visiting hours will be held on Sunday, September 11th from 12 pm – 2 pm with a service at 2 pm in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6), Mattapoisett. For online guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.