The first meeting of the 2022/2023 Machacam Club season has been scheduled for Wednesday, September 7. We meet at the American Legion Eastman Post on Depot Street. Doors open at 5 pm for social time followed by dinner at 6 pm. Our speaker program begins at 6:45. Chef Colbey plans a nutritious meal and promises that no one will go home hungry. New members are always welcome. Please contact Chuck at cwmccullough@comcast.net with questions.
The Dragonfly and Damselfly are both active members of the species, which are valuable mosquito-control predators, patrolling freshwater bodies of rivers, ponds and lakes.
Their flight behavior and physical identity are both recognized with very long bodies attached to a double narrow set of transparent membrane wings. The front and back sets of wings are shaped slightly differently, making them easily leveraged to move the body back and forth to catch an elusive insect.
Local biologists are closely watching the Dragonfly, as well as the slightly smaller Damselfly, by looking into the weather and future climate change of warmer summers, dryer conditions and extreme weather events causing a flurry of insect pests moving into our region. Recently, the large increase of mosquitos is a challenge to the Dragonfly as illustrated in my drawing, swarming and buzzing boldly around its head.
Now there are looming alarming red flags for warm, summer waters staying at record levels as they have for the last several years, moving the lobster industry as well as the Striped Bass markets much farther north, all the way to the distant Gulf of Maine.
When we see this handwriting on the wall of changes to the balance of nature just over the horizon, it might mean that the effective speed and agility of the insect predation is somehow not the same.
In folklore from around the world, Dragonflies and Damselflies have been a symbolic significance of importance in some places but not in others. Regardless of their symbolic significance in my article, you might wish to contact the Massachusetts Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science program coordinator at (413) 212-3939 for more reassuring information.
By George B. Emmons
The Marion Village Estates and Heron Cove continued public hearings have been again continued to August 25, but the Marion Zoning Board of Appeals made significant progress toward bringing both matters closer to conclusion during its August 11 public meeting.
In the Marion Village Estates case, developer Ken Steen seeks the release of his 2013 Irrevocable Letter of Credit, held until now on behalf of Fieldstone Lane residents as he looks to bring closure to his MVE-related contractual obligations.
ZBA Chairperson Cynthia Callow instructed the board members that the sole task of the August 11 continued public hearing was to verify the as-built plan. “It’s not our purview to do anything else,” she said.
Peter Palmieri of Merrill Engineers and Land Surveyors reported to the ZBA that most of his review of the original and revised (July 12) as-built plans had been addressed to his satisfaction, but some questions or comments remained regarding the direction of flow of the sanitary sewer and stormwater runoff.
Palmieri suggested larger arrows for legibility and noted that the text was difficult to read, corrections he considered easy to perform.
“The only other comment we had was the approved plan showed use of reinforced concrete pipe for the drainage system, and the pipe that I saw was HDPE, which is high-density polyethylene pipe,” said Palmieri, who said he asked in his original report if the pipe composition had been approved by the town and suggested that the developer address the subject with town officials. “(The developer) came back and said that the pipe was similar in nature and so on, but there wasn’t any (specifications) provided.”
Palmieri suggested the town require that information in order to verify capacity and strength comparable to the prescribed (reinforced concrete) pipe.
Callow told the board that Steen had requested and received a waiver to use the “plastic pipe,” as Callow labeled it. She consulted with Planning Board member Jon Henry, whom she said told her that if there are pressurized materials or gases going through a pipe, then plastic is better than concrete because it can expand.
Steen said he can confirm that the pipe used is AGS (Advantage Grade System) pipe. “There was no compromise to material at all,” said Steen, adding that verification in the way of information can be provided if needed.
In referencing comments received from Department of Public Works Director Nathaniel Munafo, Steen said his engineer went back and addressed Palmieri’s comments and that of the DPW. Steen said he electronically rereleased letters addressing comments from the different town sources.
Dr. Ed Hoffer, a ZBA member, suggested that the many paper documents provided are so plentiful that the information becomes difficult to decipher.
Palmieri suggested Steen release the AUTO-CAD drawing, which would separate out the layers addressing the various categories of planning. Steen applauded the suggestion, saying that would clear up any confusion.
When the hearing was opened to public comment, Fieldstone Lane resident Andre Arsenault asked the board if a waiver was granted to skip building a guardrail. Steen said the plans were approved without a guardrail.
Asked by Callow if an approval vote could be made with conditions pertaining to the discussions held that night, Town Counsel Jon Witten told the ZBA it could approve the project with conditions, but in the case of a monetary release, he advised not doing that. “You really need (Palmieri) to say that all of the conditions and that all of his requests and all of Nathaniel’s requests have been complied with before the board issues a release. … The reason why is you can’t get the money back.”
Witten advised the ZBA to make sure its peer-review engineer can sign off on the project and avoid having any lingering outstanding issues on the release. That means one more response from Steen to Palmieri’s requests, which would position the board to vote at its next meeting.
ZBA member Dana Nilson pointed out that Munafo had not reported to the ZBA since Steen submitted a revised plan. He suggested that Munafo’s checklist should be established for the board’s review.
The board voted to continue to the case to Thursday, August 25, at 6:30 pm.
The case of Heron Cove LLC, a Local Initiative Program (LIP) 670CMR negotiated with and approved by the Marion Select Board, proposes affordable housing on Wareham Road, was also heard in a continued public hearing.
Attending the public hearing via Zoom, peer-review consultant D.J. Chagnon, principal at CBA Landscape Architects LLC, reported to the ZBA. Chagnon detailed some issues with curb cuts, facilities on the grounds and plantings. Saying, “trees are my thing,” Margie Baldwin credited Chagnon for his report and added her own criticisms.
Phil Cordeiro of Allen & Major Associates addressed the peer-review comments and those from the board. Palmieri indicated satisfaction with Steen’s team’s response to his concerns and questions.
Where it concerns architecture and building, Callow noted that Marion is a “stretch-code town” with a building commissioner (Bob Grillo) who in her opinion would mitigate the need to spend on architectural review. But ZBA members Dr. Ed Hoffer and Will Tifft suggested such a review would at the very least offer education to the board. With some disagreement, the ZBA voted to include an architectural review of the project.
Asked for his summary on procedure, Marion Town Counsel Jon Witten told the ZBA that it can keep the public hearing open 180 days from its opening and once the hearing is closed, has 40 days to render a decision.
Witten advised the board to hold off on discussing waivers until all substantive information has been vetted. He said the ZBA needs a final waiver list and must avoid “a moving target.” Steen said an updated waiver list was recently submitted but may need further modifications based on the most-recent peer review.
ZBA member Tucker Burr asked Callow if the board should be interested in snow removal. Witten said conditions could be made ahead of approval or subsequent to a decision based on when things have to take place. The applicant can appeal conditions to the state, but he cautioned that those appeals take time.
The board voted to continue the Heron Cove case to Thursday, August 25, at 6:35 pm. It is anticipated that Heron Cove will again be continued to September 22 in order to ensure appropriate time for architectural review and for board members to be present to qualify to vote.
The next meeting of the Marion ZBA is scheduled for Thursday, August 25, at 6:30 pm.
Marion Zoning Board of Appeals
By Mick Colageo
The Historical Society this year has been frequently focused on cemeteries. I suppose that’s not completely surprising since we preserve and investigate the history of a town that will be celebrating its 350th anniversary inside of a decade. Previously, I have written about both the private cemetery in the center of town as well as the seven town-owned cemeteries.
In addition to these, there are other “burial” grounds scattered around Rochester. None of these are active or accessible to the public. They do, however, offer insight into the past and into the genesis of some of today’s cemeteries. Studying Plymouth in school, we learned that the first Pilgrims to arrive buried their dead in unmarked graves so as not to alert the Native Americans of their dwindling numbers. This tradition continued into colonial times, even as the fear of attack faded.
Early Rochester residents tended to live on land that extended beyond today’s suburban yards, and it was not unusual for families to bury their dead on their own property. Over the years, it has not been uncommon throughout New England for small family plots or unmarked graves to upset the plans of developers. The Rochester Historical survey mentions some of these burial sites.
In Rochester’s early days, the Ellis family had a small plot with two stones for the husband and wife. It’s believed the couple’s children are in the Ellis Cemetery off Wolf Island Rd. in what is today’s Mattapoisett. The other family plots mentioned in the survey are those of the Perry family where about 20 family members are interred. The Pierce family also had a small plot where three family members were buried, probably prior to the creation of a larger cemetery. Joseph and Polly Pierce are interred here along with a stone for their son, Caleb, who was lost at sea while on his passage from Charleston to New York in 1812.
In the years since the survey was done, these small plots have disappeared into larger cemeteries or the onslaught of time and Mother Nature. As anyone knows who has walked a cemetery that dates back centuries, the passage of time causes the deterioration and even disappearance of older grave markers. We, here, at the Historical Society feel a connection to the Woodside Cemetery, which shares the site of our museum. While it is a town-owned cemetery, we can see that it needs some extra attention. We are thinking of gathering a group of people who would like to do some sprucing up of the cemetery. That could mean anything from picking up litter and fallen branches to cleaning stones or cutting back encroaching nature. If interested, you can get in touch by emailing mbp43mack@gmail.com, eshbach2@aol.com or sash48@comcast.net.
By Connie Eshbach
Donna Lee Tufts is one person whose creative abilities have been honed through study and experience. One such experience is her love of kayaking the waters just outside her Marion home on Aucoot Cove.
The photographer, author and interior designer has always made her home in the town she loves. That love is on full display in her book “From My Kayak: A Photographic Journey by Kayak on Aucoot Cove.”
As she slips into the kayak that provides her with a mode of transportation that is not only peaceful but also graceful, Tufts paddles away from the demands of human living in the 21st century and into the agelessness of nature. There, Tufts captures the glory of salt marshes and various types of birds and with her camera. Her eye for detail and beauty, balance and contrast speaks to the artist’s sensibilities.
Before having free time to pursue her kayaking on a nearly daily basis, Tufts became a teacher after graduating from Bridgewater State University. She also attended the University of Massachusetts Art Education program. She is a true native daughter, having graduated from Old Rochester Regional High School.
It was while attending a memoir-writing group that Tufts received the encouragement to take her nature scenes of birds, vegetation and the far horizon, adding text to transport a reader on their own journeys and produce it as a book. After discussing the possibility of a book with her husband (also a local and Taber graduate), she took the leap and developed a loving tribute to Mother Nature.
The book’s introduction sets the stage by inviting the reader to join Tufts on one of her adventures: “Rising early to catch the tide, I complete my stretching exercises before leaving the cozy comfort of my bed. It is early October; the sun is just beginning to rise over Converse Point, and the morning temperature is a bit chilly…The wind is light, coming from the southwest this early morning with small, steady waves – a perfect morning for kayaking.”
Tufts is not a novice to authorship, having taught creative writing. She said she believes in the importance of encouraging creative pursuits in people of all ages. Tufts’ slim volume is truly a love letter or a Valentine to a place she has loved her whole life. Page after page of photographs and text carry the reader along for a ride on the bow of her kayak.
“There are surprise moments I’ve photographed that are worth sharing,” Tufts explained, adding that her book is a way to appreciate the glory all around us and to share her feeling and emotions. As she states in her book, “I hope to kayak as long as I am physically and mentally able to do so. It always leaves me refreshed, blessed and happy.”
But kayaking is not the only subject Tufts has written about. Her second book, “Lola My Girl,” is about a friend’s tiny dog that had been rescued in St. Thomas. For years, Tufts has enjoyed being a doggie auntie to Lola, caring for her when her owners are away and enjoying frequent visits from the lovable Chihuahua.
Tufts said she advocates for adoption of cats and dogs and hopes the book might help others to consider sharing their homes with a rescued pet. “Lola My Girl” contains helpful resource information for those interested in adopting a rescued pet.
On a final note about Tufts and her desire to inspire others in creative and recreational activities, she recently partnered with the Mattapoisett Land Trust to provide a copy of her kayaking story to each child that participated in their kayaking clinics held at Munroe Preserve.
By Marilou Newell
The chairman of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission, Mike King, attended Tuesday night’s Rochester Conservation Commission public meeting to launch a complaint that Rochester commissioners said will take time to address the right way.
King complained to the Rochester ConCom that there is an unpermitted structure, a dam, in the Rochester portion of the Mattapoisett River off Wolf Island Road, and it is keeping water from flowing to bogs downstream at Tinkham Pond.
He said he was happy to hear that this bog owner recently received some water flow, but he is upset the Rochester panel’s response has been so slow. The dam never should have been unpermitted and unlicensed according to King, who stated that the dam needs a Chapter 91 permit.
Rochester commissioners responded that if the department hasn’t acted fast enough, it’s for several reasons. Foremost is that Town Counsel Blair Bailey has been working to get the right answers, to find out what permitting has or has not been filed.
“We won’t do anything until we get some guidance,” ConCom Chairman Christopher Gerrior said. “This may be under (state Department of Environmental Protection) jurisdiction.”
To that point, commission member Ben Bailey said he had seen correspondence that indicates a Chapter 91 application has been filed.
King disputed that there was such an application.
Gerrior noted the dam in question has been in place “for a long, long time,” predating the current or even immediately previous owners. “It’s not something that’s just been created,” he said.
Commission member Bill Clapp added the entire region is dealing with a drought. “It’s a problem I see everywhere,” he said.
The Tinkham Bog owner, Al Robichaud, countered, “I have my water withdrawal permits. I play by the rules. The other bog’s owner’s methods are archaic. A pond to hold his water, not suction boxes. It’s a problem.”
Gerrior ended discussion by noting, “We agreed we need to permit this structure, but we can’t do anything until we know more. We need to either make it a legal structure or tear it down.”
Next, the commission learned from Conservation Agent Merilee Kelly that a problematic drain pipe at the Village at Plumb Corner has once again filled with sand. It will need to be cleaned and then a camera run through it to see what repairs may be needed, she said.
The commission then finally heard progress on the 89 Box Turtle Drive enforcement-order dispute. The property owner’s attorney, Timothy Angley, appearing via Zoom, reported that his client is engineering plans that will be ready in mid-September. The property owner had previously refused to respond to complaints he had cleared wetlands without a permit.
Lastly, the commission appointed retired police officer Carl H. MacDermott as a new associate member.
The next meeting of the Rochester Conservation Commission is scheduled for Tuesday, September 6, at 7:00 pm.
Rochester Conservation Commission
By Michael J. DeCicco
So far it’s been a long, hard day in Mattapoisett for emergency services workers. Currently the Mattapoisett Fire Department is fighting a large fire at the Mattapoisett Boatyard on Ned’s Point Road alongside several area departments.
At approximately 1:30 pm today, the Mattapoisett Fire Department was called to a possible explosion and fire on Ned’s Point Road. Upon arrival, the first units reported a large fire in a commercial building at the Mattapoisett Boatyard. Immediately, the commanding unit requested the incident be escalated to a third alarm, which refers to the number of units that are being requested at the scene.
Apparatus was initially sent from Marion, Rochester, Fairhaven, Wareham and Acushnet. Firefighting efforts were initially hampered by the close quarters on Ned’s Point Road and difficulties in getting water to the fire. Attempts to increase the water supply included calling several tankers to the scene from area departments, which carry large amounts of water.
The fire spread quickly as the industrial location had many flammable liquids present for boat maintenance as well as propane tanks. Early on, there was a concern that the propane tanks would create issues, and at one point they were observed venting gas in the heat of the fire.
During the fire, units on scene reported that the fire was travelling through the trees and threatening adjacent properties.
As of 2:40 pm, Mattapoisett Fire Chief Andrew Murray requested a fifth alarm for additional personnel, as most of those working the fire had become fatigued. Four additional engines were dispatched, including departments as far away as Lakeville and Middleboro as well as the County’s Incident Command Task Force.
By 3:00 pm, Eversource had arrived and was attempting to shut off the natural-gas supply to the site. Efforts to do so were slowed as Eversource needed to bring a backhoe on location to dig a hole in the street to access the shut-off valve.
Earlier in the morning, the Mattapoisett Police Department issued a phone alert looking for a suspicious person. The incident started when a suspicious vehicle was reported to the Mattapoisett Police. When the officers arrived to check out the vehicle, it fled the scene and eventually ran off the road while attempting to negotiate the onramp to Interstate 195.
Once the vehicle crashed, one of the two occupants fled the scene and the police apprehended the other. The Police Department issued a Reverse 911 notification to be on the lookout for a suspicious male in the area of North Street and I-195 wearing one shoe.
Just after noontime, a second notification call went out that the police had apprehended the man with one shoe.
Both incidents will be updated as more information becomes available.
On Friday August 19 the Mattapoisett Police arrested Joseph Herrera Rodriguez and Jorman Aybar both of Dorchester, MA.
During the week of August 19, the Mattapoisett Police received multiple reports of stolen and altered checks from Mattapoisett residents that mailed the checks at the Mattapoisett Post office outside mailboxes. Amounts of the reported stolen checks to date totaled over $250,000.00
Mattapoisett Police immediately investigated the reports and determined that mail was being stolen from the outside depositories at the United Stated Post Office located in Mattapoisett. The stolen checks were then altered for large amounts and often deposited or cashed out of state. The USPS postal inspector was notified. This crime is known as mailbox fishing.
The Mattapoisett police conducted surveillance and at 4.45am on August 19 the officer observed two parties fishing mail from the outside depositories. Mattapoisett Police approached the parties who fled to a vehicle parked on Hammond Street. The vehicle a white Acura fled the area at a high rate of speed striking a Mattapoisett Police cruiser. The vehicle proceeded north on North Street; the vehicle attempted to travel I-195 east where the vehicle continued across the median into the wooded area. Both operator and passenger fled the vehicle into the wooded area. Officers set up a perimeter around the area. A search with Plymouth County Sheriff’s K9 located Mr. Aybar. A short time later Mr. Rodriguez was located in the same area.
Many agencies assisted the Mattapoisett Police with the search and arrests. Fairhaven Police, Rochester Police, Marion Police, Plymouth County Sheriffs BCI and K9 and the Massachusetts State Police patrol and airwing.
If anyone has mailed any checks into the outside depositories at the Mattapoisett Post Office please check and monitor your accounts. Mattapoisett Police has recovered mail and will be in contact with any victims. Please report any fraudulent activity to the Mattapoisett Police Department. This case is ongoing by the Mattapoisett Police.
Herrera Rodriguez was charged with:
Breaking into a Depository with intent to commit a felony
Assault and Battery, Dangerous Weapon
Larceny over $1200
Fail to stop for Police Officer
Operating a Motor Vehicle to endanger
Marked Lanes
Speeding
Jorman Aybar was charged with:
Breaking into a Depository with intent to commit a felony
Larceny over $1200
Mattapoisett Police Department Press Release
Tuesday Night’s Ensign Class can’t catch a break as strong winds once again cancelled racing. Oh and let’s not forget the torrential downpours and lightning.
For Wednesday’s Night PHRF Fleet, the weather was perfect. No Quarter Given took the win in Class A and Hamburgler took top honors in Class B.
Town Administrator James McGrail and Town Clerk Lissa Magauran would like to remind community members of voting information for the Massachusetts State Primary. The 2022 Massachusetts State Primary will be held on Tuesday, September 6.
The last day to register to vote for the State Primary is Saturday, August 27. The Town House, located at 2 Spring Street, will be open from 9 am to 5 pm that day. Residents also may register to vote online at www.sec.state.ma.us until 11:59 pm.
The State mailed Early Voting (EV) Application Postcards to all those who were registered to vote as of July 5, 2022. Anyone who has not received an EV Application Postcard yet should contact the Town Clerk’s Office at 508-748-3502 or lmagauran@marionma.gov, and an EV Application will be mailed.
The town has also begun to mail out Absentee/Early Voting Ballots and those who have requested one should receive it soon. If you wish to vote in person, write “VOID” on the application you received from the state and discard it. The last day to request a vote by mail ballot is Monday, August 29, at 5 pm.
In-person early voting will be held at the Marion Town House, 2 Spring Street on the following dates: Saturday, August 27, from 9 am to 5 pm. Monday, August 29, through Thursday, September 1, from 8 am to 4:30 pm and Friday, September 2, from 8 am to 3:30 pm.
An additional in-person early voting session will be held at Benjamin D. Cushing Community Center, 465 Mill Street on Monday, August 29, from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. All registered voters who haven’t already voted by mail are welcome at any of the sessions.
Voting on the day of the primary election, September 6 will take place at the Benjamin D. Cushing Community Center from 7 am to 8 pm.
For questions or additional information, contact the Town Clerk’s office at 508-748-3502 or email lmagauran@marionma.gov. Sample ballot and voting information can also be found at marionma.gov/town-clerk.