Mattapoisett Tree Committee Presents Vision

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            On July 12 members of the Mattapoisett Tree Committee met with the Select Board to give a 15-slide presentation on a variety of tree-related topics associated with the engineering and design work taking place for a project known as “Village Streets” (Main, Water and Beacon streets and Marion Road.)

            The roadway project since its inception in 2014 was always one that would necessitate the inclusion of those who serve the community in the role of tree advocates. Now, as the 25-percent design is being reviewed by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the town’s consultant VHB, the Tree Committee was ready to present their vision.

            Committee Chairman Sandy Hering said that they propose the planting of 36 trees and the protection of many others. It was noted by Select Board member Jordan Collyer that it will be necessary to remove some trees that simply cannot be left in place, such as the tree in front of St. Phillip’s Episcopal Church.

            Hering said that modern-day techniques for planting and protecting existing trees should be used to ensure the health of the trees. However, she acknowledged that some trees may not fare well over time after road construction takes place in their proximity. She hoped that the state would engage an arborist to assist.

            Two other members of the committee, Mike Immel and Barbara Pornysz, also shared their views. Pornysz said the committee was looking at various locations where trees may be successfully planted, that trees absorb as much as 95 percent of ultraviolet light from the sun and that the trees’ canopies reduce energy costs. She also said that trees increase property values and are good for business.

            Immel stated that trees add to the social scene of the village area, and he offered a conceptual drawing of what the area from Cannon Street to Barstow Street might look like. The drawing showed 18 trees gracing both sides of Water Street with at least one large bump out or plaza in front of the Inn on Shipyard Park, where trees would be planted in an expanded sidewalk. Immel also stated that trees help to reduce stress and add to the town’s character.

            Collyer responded that he would not support any plan that removed parking spaces that are already too few in number and in high demand.

            Hering said that the committee wanted inclusion to future meetings regarding the project including with VHB. She also believes it is important to continue engaging the public.

            Town Administrator Mike Lorenco said that presently the 25-percent design for the project was being reviewed by MassDOT, and VHB needs to respond to MassDOT’s comments. He said that next steps would be a utility layout and possibly receiving the 75-percent design from VHB in five months. Lorenco further stated that before any roadwork could begin, gas mains would be replaced as well as water and sewer lines. He said current estimates for the project rest around $10,000,000 and that the project has been placed on the TIP grant for 2026.

            The Select Board also heard from Jane Finnerty, a supervisor responsible for the management of safety staff for the town’s beaches, part of the Recreation Department. Finnerty was moved to meet with the board after the publication of a Letter to the Editor questioning why the raft had not been returned to the town beach on Water Street.

            Finnerty passionately urged the board to never again deploy such a raft. She quoted shocking statistics that spinal injuries due to shallow-water diving constituted 10 percent of all such injuries, especially for young males. She said that the harbormaster had taken a sounding where the raft was historically placed and recorded water as shallow as 4 feet.

            “It’s a lure for children,” said Finnerty, who warned that children can get trapped when trying to swim underneath the raft, that it is an insurance risk for the town, and given the town’s lack of enough qualified lifeguards, the raft is simply dangerous.

            “Our camps are full,” said Finnerty, referring to camps that require at least two lifeguards in attendance, leaving fewer to monitor the beach. Finnerty said that the beach usage is not the same as in bygone years. Collyer agreed, saying, “It’s probably not in the best interest of the town.” Finnerty was asked to let inquiring people know the raft will not return in 2022.

            The board also discussed the opening of Phase 1b of the Mattapoisett Bike Path with Select Board Chairman Tyler Macallister asking the cycling public to, “please stop before crossing Mattapoisett Neck and Brandt Island Roads.” He said there is no parking along Mattapoisett Neck Road, that parking is available at the landing and several spaces at the entrance to the path at Brandt Island Road.

It was also noted that there isn’t any parking at the Reservation Beach at the end of Reservation Road. Lorenco said, “It has always been private.”

Collyer volunteered to be the board’s representative working with the town’s Bike Path Committee and the Friends of the Mattapoisett Bike Path.

            The board met with William Morgan, who requested a permit for the use of a mobile trailer at 23 Cove Street. Citing medical issues, Morgan asked for use of the trailer for an indefinite period of time. The board referred to the bylaw governing such permits and found two weeks to be the standard unless there are “emergency or calamitous” issues. Morgan was granted the two weeks and asked to provide a follow-up request for an extension.

            Hunter Major was appointed to the Agriculture Commission, and Virginia Nelson was conditionally appointed pending a vacancy. Thomas Gomez was appointed as an Animal Control Officer.

            More events are planned for Shipyard Park with the approval of Sunday Band Concerts to be presented by Robert Williamson in August, and Line Dancing are being offered by the Friends of the Mattapoisett Council on Aging on Thursdays. Dates and times for the dancing to be announced.

            Also to be announced, the next meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen.

Mattapoisett Select Board

By Marilou Newell

St. Philip’s Episcopal Church

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On Sunday, July 17, the Rev. Benjamin Straley, Rector St. Steven’s Church, Providence, RI, will conduct services at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 34 Water Street next to the Town Beach in Mattapoisett. The 138th summer season services are at 8:00 am and 10:00 am, using the 1928 Book of Common Prayer. All are welcome.

FoMCOA at Harbor Days

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Look for The Friends of the Mattapoisett COA booth at the upcoming Harbor Days Celebration. We will be near the tent with all of our Mattapoisett Shirts, Sweatshirts and other logo items. This will be your last chance to purchase raffle tickets for the Priscilla Hathaway painting. The winning ticket will be drawn during Harbor Days. The painting was donated to the Friends of The Mattapoisett Council on Aging by Priscilla’s husband, Brad Hathaway. All money raised by the Friends of the Council on Aging goes toward events for Mattapoisett Seniors. Thanks to all, for supporting us in our efforts.

Twin Soccer Careers Budding in Europe

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            Soccer is a first language of sorts for 19-year-old Leal twins Matthew and Patrick, whose unlikely joint journey as brothers who grew up in Massachusetts now sees them taking significant steps toward establishing professional playing careers in separate European countries.

            Never was the unifying power of the sport, so evident as it was when the twins were in Africa with their mother.

            “Soccer is universal. One of my favorite soccer experiences happened when Patrick and I spent time in Kenya with our mom,” said Matthew, talking about their early years when Dr. Lisa Ganley-Leal, a research scientist, was working on a project in Nairobi. “She would take us along. Of course, we brought cleats and a soccer ball. We would be playing by ourselves, and in a few minutes we would have about 20 kids playing with us. Somehow, we all understood each other.”

            “It was awesome,” said Patrick, looking back on that experience. “After that, we brought bags of deflated balls and collected jerseys and cleats for our new friends. We would spend the entire summer playing pick-up games in Nairobi.”

            Today, Matthew Leal lives in Lisbon, Portugal, and is pursuing his dreams of breaking into professional soccer. His twin brother Patrick lives in Venice, Italy, and is pursuing the same dream. The brothers are young American players with the common goal of making it big in Europe. They are both well on their way to realizing their dreams.

            In May, Patrick made his debut with Venezia FC in Italy’s Serie A during the last game of the season. He explains that he was called up to play with the first team a couple of times previously but never made it into a game.

            “The first time I got on the plane with the team, it was unbelievable, and when I got to the locker room there was a jersey with my name on it. It felt great, but I have to admit I was nervous,” said Patrick. “I was happy that my first actual game was in our home stadium in Venice. As soon as I got on the field, I wasn’t nervous at all.”

            Matthew also had an eventful season. He played his second year on the junior squad for Casa Pia AC in Lisbon, Portugal. As a team captain, he led his 2nd Division junior team to secure a spot in the 1st Division and emerged as a top goal scorer from their battle for the Division II national championship. Matthew was promoted to Casa Pia’s first team for the upcoming season in Portugal’s 1st Division.

            Born in New Bedford in 2003 to Domingos Leal and Lisa Ganley-Leal, Matthew and Patrick are only recent Mattapoisett residents but with much in the way of extended family in the area.

            “I love spending time here in Mattapoisett. I wish I had a longer break, but with the national championship, I was only able to be home for about a month,” said Matthew.

            The Leal twins credit their father Domingos with instilling and nurturing their love of the game. “Dom” was a standout soccer player in the semipro LASA league and still holds records at his alma mater, Bridgewater State College. His family moved to New Bedford from the northern Portuguese town of Montalegre in the 1970s.

            When Matthew and Patrick were toddlers, the Leal family moved to Newton where the twins’ soccer journey began.

            Their parents enrolled them in baseball, basketball, lacrosse and track and field early on, but soccer was their sport from the beginning. “They both loved the constant action,” said Lisa.

            “I tried other sports, but soccer was it for me from the beginning. I love everything about it, the speed, the technique and the precision,” said Matthew.

            Dom and Lisa started Newton United youth soccer when their boys started showing a real interest and promise in the sport. Dom built teams that would nurture young players like his sons. “My boys are still friends with some of those players today, and several of those kids are playing Division I college soccer or forging their own path to the pros,” he says.

            After Dom forged a relationship with Emelio “Mookie” Williams of Valeo Futbol Club, he realized his work with Newton United was finished, and the two programs merged. Valeo is a renowned, elite soccer training organization focused on developing highly competitive athletes, outstanding citizens and strong leaders. Dom explains that Valeo had the infrastructure in place to take his sons to the next level.

            “We were really just this fledgling organization, but we were winning tournaments against established and much bigger organizations,” said Dom. “Merging with Valeo was a no-brainer for us at the time. Valeo has more than 3,000 soccer players, and both Lisa and I were working full-time jobs so we didn’t have the commitment necessary to grow the (Newton United) program.”

Both boys tried out for the New England Revolution Academy and played two seasons on the 13U team.            At the age of 14, they attended a tournament in Estoril, where they attracted some attention from the Lisbon-based Os Belenenses team. A couple of weeks later, their mother was offered a job abroad.

OS Belenenses and Valeo formed an alliance that would soon bring Matthew and Patrick to Portugal full time.

            “It happened so fast,” Lisa said. “I got a great job offer, and I would have to be based in Europe for a couple of years so we made the decision to just do it. Everything just lined out at the right time. Dom spent a lot of time on an airplane, but he was able to work remotely from Portugal at least some of the time,” explains Lisa.

            Dom explained that it was difficult to pull the boys out of school, but Portugal seemed like the right decision to make at the time.

“The move would allow my sons to pursue their dreams, and if nothing else, it would be a great cultural experience,” he said. “I was born in northern Portugal, and my family immigrated to the U.S. when I was three years old. The boys are dual citizens but had never had formal Portuguese instruction. The Portuguese they spoke they learned from their grandparents. Now they both speak fluent Portuguese.”

            Matthew grew up in Newton studying Mandarin Chinese but wished he had an option to learn Portuguese the old-country way.

            “When we moved to Portugal, it was very hard,” he said. “Our teammates spoke mainly Portuguese and so did our coaches. Our mom and dad got us Portuguese tutors and even a Chinese tutor for a while so we could continue our classes.”

            Both boys were enrolled in online high school, supplemented by instruction from tutors and their mother.

            “It’s tough having your mother as your teacher,” admits Patrick. “She was a professor at medical schools so sometimes Matthew and I felt like she was expecting us to know a lot, but we learned a lot from her.”

            Matthew echoes his brother’s sentiments. “Our friends would say things like, ‘You’re so lucky that you don’t have to be in school all day,’ and Patrick and I would say, ‘Are you kidding? We are in school 24 hours a day.’”

            Both boys received their high school diplomas in the spring of 2021.

            The youth-soccer development systems in the United States have come a long way in recent years, but it is still widely understood that they do not compare to Europe’s. Critics say that the U.S. needs to have more rivalries, relegations and promotions. Both Matthew and Patrick agree that Major League Soccer (MLS) is displaying some excellent soccer these days.

            At age 15, Patrick was signed to a contract by Sporting, one of the top clubs in Portugal, while Matthew found a home with Casa Pia.

            “We were lucky that we got to spend the Covid lockdowns together,” said Matthew.

Patrick says that having his brother nearby kept him grounded. “We’re very competitive in everything, but Matthew is really easy going so he can always calm me down,” he said.

            Matthew says that since his brother transferred to Venice, it has been an adjustment. “It’s weird not having him in the next room. I know that if I am having a bad day at practice or I have had a bad game, I have someone that really understands everything I am going through, said Matthew.

            In 2021, the family moved their home base from Newton to Mattapoisett.

“We’ve always spend time in this area. We spend a lot of time with my grandparents in Acushnet and our cousins in Rochester,” says Patrick. “The last few weeks I practiced my driving by picking up our cousin Ryan at (Old Rochester Regional High School) every afternoon or driving to his baseball games.”

            “Our grandparents live five minutes away; my aunt, uncle and my cousins are in the next town over, and our other grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins are only a state away instead of an entire continent,” explains Matthew.

            As their offseason break drew to a close, both boys were sorry to leave the U.S., but they’re both returning to Europe with their driver’s licenses.

            “In some ways, they are your typical teenage boys, but in others they’re mature beyond their years,” said Dom. “They are twins, but their personalities and their style of play are very different, but their commitment to the sport is the same for both of them. They love what they do.”

By Ryan Arruda

Village Speed Limit Coming Down

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            Concerns about speeding on Marion’s roads, articulated a couple of years back by since-retired Select Board member John Waterman, eventually led to the formation of a Pedestrian Safety Advisory Committee. That committee’s work is now bearing fruit

            An update was jointly provided by Meghan Davis, engineering manager with the Department of Public Works and Town Administrator Jay McGrail during Tuesday night’s public meeting of the Marion Select Board, based on a 102-page report from GPI Consulting, which was contracted to analyze speeding in town.

            In a 6:15 pm appointment, Davis arrived with three recommendations for the Select Board’s consideration, led by a proposed speed-limit reduction from 30 mph to 25 mph on village roads. Another safety measure for the village is a proposed speed bump on Front Street near the Music Hall just north of Island Wharf.

            The speed bump, explained Davis, would be removable and seasonal.

            Select Board Chairman Randy Parker said the committee should consider Converse Road in the package. “I just don’t want to leave them out because their grade failed miserably in that report,” he said.

            Merry Conway suggested that Pleasant Street has become “an incredible bypass.”

            Davis agreed to review what GPI recommended for Converse Road. Point Road, said McGrail, was not being put on the table for Tuesday’s discussion. “We went at it from, ‘What can we do now that would change things?’ And then we looked at longer-term recommendations,” he said.

            Three other Pedestrian Safety Advisory Committee members, Nick and Mike Russo and Noel Pardo, arrived at various times to contribute to the discussion.

            “I’ve seen so many near misses it’s frightening,” said Pardo, referring to summer-season speeding around Tabor Academy. He said the camp counselors escort the children across the street not because they don’t trust the kids but because they don’t trust the drivers.

            “I see a whole bunch of what we’ll call deterrents, things that would cost minimal,” said committee member Mike Russo. “I think you’ll see a lot of town support, to be honest.”

            His father Nick Russo, also a committee member, asked about the possibility of installing rumble strips at select locations.

            Select Board member Toby Burr said that enforcement would have to be part of any measure’s success and noted that auto insurance companies treat a non-speeding accident “very differently” then if the vehicle in question was exceeding the limit at the time of an incident.

            McGrail instructed the Select Board that while Town Counsel instructed him that a simple vote from the board can institute a speed-limit change, there is no rush. McGrail suggested a process that will begin with a community-wide email blast and provide ample room for citizen feedback, after which the       matter will go onto the agenda for discussion at the board’s August 16 meeting.

“It’s not a legal public hearing, but we’ll treat it as one,” said McGrail.

            Because Tuesday’s Select Board meeting was held in open air under the new pavilion at the Cushing Community Center, the board welcomed Conway, Diane Cosman and Harry Norweb, all three of whom have been key players in organizing the fundraising, design and construction of the pavilion without any impact on taxpayers.

            In his Town Administrator’s Report, McGrail followed up on Marion’s July 1 fireworks and the July 4 parade, thanking staff and numerous volunteers, the Police and Fire departments, Harbormaster Isaac Perry and Donna Hemphill, without whom he said there would have been no parade.

            The board’s June 9 vote to order humane euthanizing of David and Jennifer MacDonald’s dog Stella, now being kept in a Dartmouth pen, was appealed to state authorities. The case will be heard in Wareham District Court on Tuesday, July 19, at 9:30 am.

            The Sippican Historical Society has stepped up with a gift exceeding $100,000 that will upgrade the HVAC system in the Music Hall.

            McGrail asked for the Select Board’s recommendations how to allocate $250,000 on fall-season paving projects. He said that County Road has a newly paved section but another between it and the Wareham town line. He suggested the board consider finishing what is now a spotty road.

            Other roads under consideration are Front Street near Route 6, the L-shape of roads around the Town House. Delano Road to Point Road also scored poorly in the recent report. Parker considers Delano Road the worst.

            A $2,000,000 water main upgrade near Wings Cove is shovel ready, according to McGrail.

            Lastly, he told the board that the town is looking to hire a Human Resources director.

            Under Action Items, the board voted to approve Chief of Police Richard Nighelli’s recommendation to appoint Mark Norman a part-time police officer effective July 13 for a one-year probationary period.

            Alisha Crosby’s one-year probationary period has expired, and the board voted to approve the promotion of the first female supervisor in Marion Police Department history to full-time sergeant. Peter Bourgault is leaving full-time police duty but will remain on part-time, special duty, in accordance with the board’s vote of approval.

            The board voted to approve the appointment of Matt Shultz as an associate member of the Conservation Commission. The six-year Marion resident is an experienced engineer who deals with wetlands projects and shoreline protection. Shultz was appointed to a three-year term.

            A long list of board and committee reappointments was approved by the Select Board.

Other votes approved an appropriation transfer of $40,000 from the Recreation Department to the DPW to cover a portion of Operations Manager Jody Dickerson’s salary. The Finance Committee voted its approval during its most recent meeting.

            The Select Board voted to approve an amendment to the Marion Social Club’s previously approved, one-day liquor license to add Sunday, August 28, as a rain date for the August 27 Town Party.

The board gave McGrail the green light to add an additional one-way arrow for Main Street, in accordance with resident Andrew Bonney’s request.

            The board also voted to approve water-sewer commitments quarterly billing of $1,180,011.08 (June 15), $30,924.06 (June 17), and $1,334.39 (June 14); low-pressure pump repairs $429 (June 29); and final readings of $1,265.01 (June 29) and $491.16 (June 29.)

            The final Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan (CWMP) workshop will be held on Wednesday, July 20, at 4:00 pm via Zoom. The next regular meeting of the Marion Select Board is scheduled for Tuesday, August 16, at 6:00 pm at the Marion Police Station on Route 6.

Marion Select Board

By Mick Colageo

Young People’s Concert

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            The Marion Concert Band continues its Friday evening concert series with a Young People’s Concert on Friday, July 15. The concert will include an opportunity for children in the audience to play rhythm instruments with the band. The program is as follows:

Children’s March – E. F. Goldman

Looney Tunes Overture – B. Holcombe

A Disney Spectacular – arr. J. Moss

The Adventures of Kid Cam, the Rocketman. – D. Holsinger

Highlights from Frozen – arr. Sean O’Loughlin

Journey to the Lion’s Castle – R. Galante

Pixar Movie Magic – arr. M. Brown

Variations on “Bingo” – S. Reisteter

The Candy Man (from Willie Wonka) – A. Newley

Walt Disney Overture – J. Christensen

The Wizard of Oz Fantasy – H. Arlen

Moana – arr. J. Bocook

Shrek Dance Party – arr. P. Murtha

            The concert, under the direction of Tobias Monte, will begin at 7:00 at the Robert Broomhead Bandstand, Island Wharf off Front Street in Marion. All concerts are free and open to the public. “Like” us on Facebook at “Marion Town Band” for up-to-date announcements and rain cancellation notices.

NolanFest: Second Annual Nolan Gibbons Memorial Even

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Two years ago, our community lost a gifted young musical artist, Nolan Gibbons, to Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC.) To celebrate his life, the second annual NolanFest event will be held on July 23 at Silvershell Beach in Marion, beginning at 5 pm and ending around 9 pm.

            Last year, over 400 attendees enjoyed live music, performers from around the country, delicious food from local food trucks, a fire dancer and more. This year we are excited to welcome Rhode Island Comedy Hall of Famer, Frank O’Donnell who will emcee the live show. Suggested ticket donation of $20 for adults and $10 for students at PayPal.Me/NolanFest. Please bring your own chairs or blankets.

            All proceeds go to The Nolan Gibbons Memorial Fund. Sponsorship Opportunities for this year’s event are available: tinyurl.com/48fvy98h

Join Us in July at RHS Museum

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July 20 will be a sweet time at the Rochester Historical Society Museum at 355 County Road. Beginning at 7:00, we will have a brief meeting followed by music with Tom and Sheila Perry and then ice cream. We will have our annual ice cream social. We hope to see you there.

            If you have a question or want to bring an ice cream flavor or a topping, please, either email eshbach2@aol.com or call 508 763 4932.

Open Season for Blood-Sucking Leeches

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Ticks are blood-sucking leeches that hide in your body, while possibly transmitting infections of a serious matter. They can hide between your toes or behind your knees or in your groin, under your armpits, in the back of your neck or behind your ears.

            To discover the location of such a bite, check your whole body carefully while taking a hot shower, as well as your children and pets afterwards. Always remove the tick promptly with a pair of sharp tweezers, gripping around the neck and pulling it straight out. Then mark the bite with a circle and date from where it was removed for your healthcare provider, especially should you develop a rash, headache, fatigue, or sore muscle there.

            It is always a good precaution to get carefully dressed before going out in tick habitat by tucking your trousers into your socks and wear a long-sleeved shirt, making it easier to spot a new tick wherever it lands on you.

            When going outside, always stick to the clear, well-worn pathways and centers of the trails you are going to take. The most common variety you may encounter at this time of year is the so-called Black Legged Tick, which is responsible for Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. You also may find at this season Adult Dog ticks the size of a watermelon seed and a Lone Star Tick causing an allergy for some people eating red meat.

            In order to counterbalance the destructive nature of ticks throughout the environment, there is out there a wide selection of wild and domestic birds that keep the tick population under control. Wild turkeys, for instance, can each eat as many as 100 ticks a day, as do countless other wild species of song birds. Domestic chickens are also descended from dinosaurs and have the inherited capacity to find and consume a meal of ticks when let out of their pen into a free range of their own selection, as clearly illustrated in my drawing.

            Mother nature subsequently has her own methods of counter measures of concern and caution that you may now have learned from, via my article and drawing, to evaluate and appreciate. Now the concerns and cautions for any member of the human race will be evident with the arrival of the contagious, tick-infested outdoor season.

            Editor’s Note: Attendance at last Wednesday’s site visit to the Mattapoisett Transfer Station with the Board of Health led to a walk through some tall grass and into the woods, after which I discovered three ticks, the first within the hour during an appointment (it fell from my ear onto my forearm), the second on my back spotted in the mirror later that day, and a third discovered after doing laundry in the lint trap to the dryer. Be careful!

By George B. Emmons

Events at the Mattapoisett Library

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Cool off and enjoy summer programs at the Mattapoisett Library. The Mattapoisett Free Public Library offers events for people of all ages during the summer! Stop in to cool off and check out all the things the library has to offer beyond books.

            Upcoming Events:

Tuesday, July 12 – All day – Craft Tuesday – This week, join us for God’s eyes/Butterflies. 4 pm, Teen Advisory Board meeting

            Wednesday, July 13, 11:00 am, Mad Science – Science experiments for children ages 5 and older *registration required

            Friends of the Mattapoisett Library Summer Book Sale, Thursday, July 14 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Members Only Preview Sale, Friday, July 15 & Saturday, July 16 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, Book Sale

            Got talent? Participate in our talent show! Performers must register and have their talent listed by Saturday, August 6. The Talent Show is scheduled for Saturday, August 20 at 1:00 pm.

            Calling all artists! Participate in our first ever recycled materials art show, RE-ART. This show is hosted by the newly formed Mattapoisett Sustainability Partnership in an effort to draw attention to recycling, the waste stream and keeping our community clean. The show will be at the library from August 23 through August 27 with a reception planned in the afternoon on Saturday, August 27. Interested artists are asked to register via the library’s calendar of events; the deadline to register is Sunday, July 31. Art guidelines can be found on the Mattapoisett Sustainability Partnership page on the library’s website.

            For more information about these programs, send an email to Jennifer Jones at jjones@sailsinc.org. Registration is necessary for some of these events. Visit mattapoisettlibrary.org for more details.