A Holiday Bright Spot

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Lift your holiday spirits as you walk along the tables outdoors filled with decorated wreaths, table designs in three sizes, bundled holiday greens, outdoor decorated containers, lighted tabletop boxwood trees, and a craft table with homemade items.

            The Wareham Garden Club will hold its annual Christmas Holly Faire this year on December 5 from 9:00 am to noon.  This year will be different due to the pandemic. We will have our faire outside in the parking lot of St. Patrick’s Church on High Street. One-way signs will direct shoppers, and markings will indicate six-foot separations. Face masks are required.

            If you’ve been to our faire in the past, you know items sell out fast, so we are taking pre-orders this year. You can reserve your items by calling Judy Morgan at 508-273-7867. Items must be paid for and picked up on the day of the faire by 10:00 am.

Victorious MOSAC Shifts Attention to Point Road

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            Fresh from a major victory when the November 5 Marion Town Meeting approved its purchase of the Hoff Property and accepted the donated connected lands, the Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission met on November 12 via Zoom.

            The focus turned to plans for a multi-use path along Point Road that would run from the Fire Station at Rebecca Drive to the far end of Jenna Drive. “There is a multi-use path being planned by MOSAC…. In addition to paths through Hoff and other properties, we have this going through neighborhoods,” said Vice Chair Alan Harris.

            In his Point Road (path) update, MOSAC Chairman John Rockwell reported receiving a punch list from the Department of Public Works under former member Jeff Oakes’ review at that time. Rockwell said he met earlier that day with Town Administrator Jay McGrail, and they plan to meet with Bill Madden of G.A.F. Engineering.

            “G.A.F. isn’t aware of the work we put into this and how we came up with that plan, so we’ll meet with them and … talk about the issues because I think they’d be narrowed down a lot,” said Rockwell. “They were talking about lack of a survey and tying into a benchmark, and we have that town bound behind those rocks, and if we already have that in our notes where that town-bound is, we can tie it in. And then we’ll be tied into a benchmark.”

            Rockwell said he was reading a set of plans “for permit only.”

            “Those plans were never intended to go to bid,” said Oakes, an engineer who has been assisting the commission in seeing through the permitting process.

            Harris thanked Oakes for his time and asked him and Rockwell if they knew how many hours they have been putting into the project. “We stopped counting,” said Rockwell. “If somebody is watching this, they ought to appreciate that a small conversation represents several days out there,” said Harris.

            “Maybe the barn door is closed on this, but, I mean, keeping track of (the hours) may be helpful,” said board member Amanda Chace. “For future projects, that’s what I’m thinking in terms of people estimating costs because this is all in-kind what we’re getting, which is wonderful.” Oakes acknowledged the point and said that kind of record-keeping could prove valuable for future projects.

            The next item on the agenda was open space signage. Harris reported posting signs over by the Washburn parcels, removing a Sippican Lands Trust sign that did not belong (Harris is vice president of the SLT). “They look very nice,” said Harris of the signs, referencing another sign at the Goldavitz Bog. “Hopefully that will serve notice that there is an obstacle there.”

            Harris said he typically takes his dogs for a walk in solitude at Grassi Bog and that he was happy to report seeing four other parties present, including a family taking a walk, a bird watcher, and a mushroom hunter. Rockwell said his father-in-law was a mushroom hunter.

            The SLT has been trying to put signage at the end of trails with the assistance of a student volunteer at Old Rochester Regional High School, who would use an automated milling machine to create the signs out of wood. Harris said he expects the letters would be painted yellow and trails designated by number with several earmarked for MOSAC properties. Chace suggested a Quick Response (QR) code be placed on signage so visitors can make donations with their smartphones.

            Under Open Space Maintenance, Harris reported that Grassi Bog had been mowed and shows “a lot of turtle nests this year.” Rockwell suggested that the sanded area be tilled in late April or early May. Harris observed a northern red-bellied cooter turtle crossing Route 6. In 2019, Chace saw a bobcat crossing Route 6. Tracks had also been seen by Mary’s Pond.

            The next step for MOSAC in its acquisition of the Hoff Property and connected parcels is to get a conservation restriction drawn up and approved by state authorities. Harris cannot participate in that process due to a conflict of interest.

            Speaking of increasing protected areas of open space in Marion, Rockwell commented, “Obviously, we can’t buy all the open space we’d like because there’s not enough money.” Harris said that Sippican Lands Trust has a very good donor, but that it takes a long time to get all that money together.

            The Hoff Property deal put the land and its maintenance in the hands of the SLT. “I think it’s great for all the taxpayers,” said Rockwell.

            “Definitely the work of many, and it was great to see,” said Chace.

            “If you have a good team, you can conquer the world,” said Rockwell. “This project, we had a good team.”

            MOSAC members all credited Dot Brown of the SLT for her assistance, while Rockwell singled out neighbors Steve Clark and his wife Tina Welch, and Randy and Merle Parker. Trail and property access improved as a result.

            The next meeting of the Open Space Acquisition Commission has not yet been scheduled.

Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission

By Mick Colageo

Academic Achievements

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Kaitlyn Martin of Mattapoisett was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. Martin was initiated at MCPHS University.

Sippican Women’s Club

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The Sippican Woman’s Club has held a Holiday House Tour since 1984. However, there will be no tour this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. We thought we would celebrate Christmas and past club members by sharing their Christmas cookie recipes every week until Christmas.

            Ruth Robinson was President of the Sippican Woman’s Club from 1980-1983. She and her husband Homer were very active and are well-known in Marion to this day.  Ruth was also a Fairhaven High School teacher of business math for many years.

SNIPPY DOODLES

Servings: 1 ½ dozen – Oven Temp. 350° F

Ingredients:

2 Tbs. shortening

2 tsp baking powder

1 cup of sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1 cup of flour

½ cup of milk

1/8 tsp salt

1 beaten egg (add to milk)

Instructions:

Cream sugar, shortening and sugar.

Add sifted dry ingredients alternatively with milk and egg mixture.

Spread this in a greased and floured 9×13 pan. Bake in middle of oven (350°) 15 minutes.

Sprinkle with some sugar and continue baking an additional 10 min.

Cut in squares. Serve warm or cold.

Marion to Move Forward on Water Works without NOI

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            Matthew Morganelli came before the Rochester Conservation Commission on November 17 representing the Town of Marion’s proposed upgrade of Water Treatment Chemical feed buildings. The proposed work would see the demolition of two existing buildings that have previously treated water from three surrounding wells. In their place, a single facility will be constructed to feed water treatment chemicals and draw water from three wells in the area that are currently offline.

            Morganelli came before the commission seeking a Request for Determination of Applicability to determine if a formal Notice of Intent application would be necessary for the project moving forward. According to Morganelli, the majority of work planned will take place outside of the 100-foot buffer zone to an adjacent wetland. Morganelli also explained that all of the proposed work would take place on an existing gravel road at the site. As the proposed work is taking place in a previously developed area, Morganelli argued that it should be exempt from a formal filing.

            The site will pump 400 gallons of water per minute from the surrounding wells, and chemicals will be mixed in to treat the water. Conservation Commission Chairman Michael Conway expressed concerns about potential leaks from the site that could spread chemicals to surrounding wetlands. Morganelli explained that leaks were atypical. Because the mixing of chemicals occurs inside the treatment building, any leak would be contained inside the site.

            Commission member Lena Bourque also explained that the pumping of water from these wells could pose a risk to the surrounding wetlands considering the recent droughts. The pumping of water is cause for concern, but Morganelli told commission members that sufficient testing had been conducted to ensure there will not be any detrimental impact on the surrounding area. This is mostly due to the low rate at which water will ultimately be drawn from the site.

            Conservation Agent Laurell Farinon explained that, even with concerns about the installation of the new facility, the commission only has jurisdiction on work done inside protected areas, which in this case is very limited. The Conservation Commission voted to issue a negative determination of applicability for the project, allowing it to move forward without a formal Notice of Intent application.

            The commission moved onto a continued discussion for a new application for tree removal projects in the town. The discussion began after the commission received numerous RDA applications related to minor tree-removal projects. Town Counsel Blair Bailey drafted an application for tree removal to authorize Farinon to independently review tree-removal applications. The hope is that this application will save time for commission members and residents alike.

            Vice-Chair Daniel Gagne was not wholly convinced of the proposal. For Gagne, the new application was simply a new form that is already covered by the RDA application process. Further, Gagne told commission members that the tree-removal application could be a new way to bypass commission regulations.

            Bailey explained that, without this application, residents would simply go forward with tree removal without any oversight from the commission. It would be a case of more applications coming before the commission for forgiveness for work already done rather than for permission to complete the work in the first place.

            The Rochester Conservation Commission voted to approve the use of the new tree-removal application for a one-year trial period, with Gagne as the sole ‘no’ vote on the decision.

            The next Rochester Conservation Commission meeting will be held remotely via Zoom on December 1 at 7:00 pm.

Rochester Conservation Commission

By Matthew Donato

EMC Looks to Do More with Green Communities

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            The Marion Energy Management Committee met on November 16 with the goal of expanding on possible expenditures for grant funding provided by the Green Communities Act. The EMC has been working to effectively allocate these funds before the grant reopens in the early months of next year.

            Committee Chair Christian Ingerslev provided updates to one use of grant money related to the installation of heat pumps in the Cushing Community Center. Town Planner Gil Hilario provided an update to committee member Bill Saltonstall. According to Saltonstall, the work on the pumps will begin at the Community Center on November 30 and likely take a few days to complete.

            In addition to the heat pumps, Green Communities funding is also being assigned to convert the existing pumping station at Silvershell Beach from oil to natural gas. Saltonstall explained that the transition would more efficiently heat the pumps to a temperature to preclude water from freezing within them. Ultimately, the transition saves energy, which saves money.

            Saltonstall has also been leading the charge on the annual report to submit to Green Communities regarding the town’s progress on energy consumption. Saltonstall reported that the town had seen an approximately 15 percent decline in energy consumption.

            Even with the significant decline in energy use, Saltonstall explained that the actual decrease in energy use could be more extensive. Despite the transition to LED streetlights, the reported energy use for streetlights in Marion has increased. This, Saltonstall reported, could be the result of a mistake in energy figures provided by Eversource. As only a limited number of streetlights are metered, Eversource uses an estimate of energy consumption based on the type of bulb used in the light. Without knowledge of the change to LED bulbs, it is possible that Eversource did not account for a decrease in energy consumption caused by the town’s transition.

            Saltonstall projected that, if the change to LED bulbs is accounted for, it is likely that the overall decrease in energy consumption would be closer to 16 percent across the town. Further, the transition to LED lights is postulated to have saved the town $16,000 annually. The projected energy savings of 16 percent moves the committee closer to its two-year goal to decrease energy consumption in the Town of Marion by a total of 20 percent.

            Unfortunately, the committee reported minor setbacks in the promotion of electric vehicle usage throughout Marion. According to committee members, two electric vehicle charging stations in Marion have ceased to function. The committee has reached out to the manufacturer to receive replacements for the broken charging stations, and the town will receive a spare station in reserve should the stations fail again.

            The importance of the proliferation of charging stations throughout the town is increasing as the committee is making strides to replace the town’s vehicles with hybrid or electric cars. The committee applauded the Marion Police for choosing to acquire a hybrid police car, despite its exemption from regulations promoting their use.

            Finally, committee members Jennifer Francis and Alanna Nelson proposed eliminating all plastic bag use in the Town of Marion. Francis explained that the transition away from plastic bags would set a strong example to younger town members about plastic’s impact on the environment. Nelson, who advocated a similar proposal in Melrose, explained that the most efficient way to promote the idea is to ensure that local businesses accept the idea first. Once the local businesses support the idea, it is merely a matter of proposing the legislation.

            This meeting was the final Marion Energy Management Committee meeting for the year.

Marion Energy Management Committee

By Matthew Donato

Thelma “Cissy” Vanstone

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Thelma “Cissy” Vanstone, 80, has died, November 2, 2020, in Boca Raton, FL from complications of Covid 19 which she contracted while in rehabilitation following surgery to repair a broken left hip. She was born and raised in Marion, MA, and graduated from Fisher Junior College in Boston, MA where she spent several years, followed by 30 years in Mattapoisett, Ma, 18 years in Fort Lauderdale, FL, and the remainder in Port St. Lucie, FL.

She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Bob, two daughters, Gail Vanstone of Fort Lauderdale, FL, and Marianne Vanstone of Delray Beach, FL, two grand children, Samuel Rourke of Fort Lauderdale and Abigail Cline of Chicago, IL, a sister, Betsy Dunn of Marion, MA and a sister and brother-in-law, Eleanor and Robert Mower of Rochester, MA plus numerous nephews and nieces. She also leaves a large number of friends, including many at the airport in Fort Pierce, all of whom she considered part of her family and would want acknowledged.

While having several secretarial, executive assistant and estate management jobs, her passion in life was her private flying career. Starting at age 50 she became an instrument rated pilot, successively owning three airplanes and specializing in cross country flying until retiring in 2018.

Following her express wishes there will be no formal services but a “really great” cocktail party will be held in her memory as soon as social gatherings become safe and generally acceptable.

For those wanting to honor her life in a material way, contributions to favorite charities are suggested. She would prefer animal rescue operations, her current favorite being Jim Keefer’s All God’s Creatures, 2760 Blair Street, Montoursville, PA 17754, where her last airplane is now being used to ferry dogs to locations where specialized medical treatments are available.

Arrangements are being handled by the Millennium Cremation Service of Port St. Lucie.

Mary S. (Machnicki) Scott

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Mary S. (Machnicki) Scott, 93, of Mattapoisett passed away Sunday November 15, 2020 at Sippican Healthcare Center. She was the wife of the late Earle W. Scott for 54 years.

Born in Dartmouth, she was the daughter of the late Francis and Katherine (Grzyb) Machnicki. She was a communicant of St. Anthony’s Church in Mattapoisett. Mary and her husband lived in Mattapoisett for 52 years until the time of her death.

Mary worked for the Continental Screw Company for 36 years leaving as the financial officer of its credit union. She then served as a manager and Vice President of Bridgewater Credit Union for nine years. She had also served on the Board of Directors of St. Anne’s Credit Union for ten years. Upon her retirement, she worked part time at the Mattapoisett Town Hall.

Mary was a member of the Polish Women’s Business Professional Club for 50 years. She was a board member of the Mattapoisett Friends of the Elderly and a member of the Sippican Senior Group, as well as being involved in several charitable organizations. She was very involved in her community and was always there to help or contribute to local fundraisers and charity events. She traveled throughout her life both domestically and worldwide with ocean and river cruises as a favorite. She especially enjoyed taking trips with her lifelong best friend Merrill Fisher and her husband. She is now with Merrill who just recently passed. Mary’s family was special to her and she enjoyed hosting dinners and get-togthers for them, not just on holidays. She was a wonderful caring person.

She is survived by her niece, Charlotte Kasap and husband Fred of Dartmouth, her nephews, Martin Kawa and wife Janet of Dartmouth, Chet J. Kawa and wife Fon of Georgia, Steven Kawa and wife Brenda of Nevada, David Kawa and wife Susan of Florida, and Paul Kawa and wife Karen of Mansfield, her late nephew’s wife, Carol Kawa, and several grandnieces and grandnephews.

She was the sister of the late Morris Kawa and wife Pauline, Chet Kawa and wife Doris, and Karol Kawa and wife Elsie, and aunt of the late Kenneth Kawa.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday December 5, 2020 at 10 AM at St. Anthony’s Church, Mattapoisett, followed by a private family burial service at St. Anthony’s Cemetery. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date due to the current pandemic. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made ot Coastline Elderly Services, 1646 Purchase St., New Bedford, MA 02740 or Mattapoisett Council on Aging (formerly Friends of the Elderly), P.O. Box 116, Mattapoisett, MA 02739. Arrangements are by the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Mattapoisett. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Lamoureux Honored on Veteran’s Day

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The bells at Center School chimed 21 times in honor of Veterans’ past and present on November 11 at 11:00 am. On the grounds of the Mattapoisett Library, members of the Florence Eastman American Legion Post 280 led by Commander Rachel Perron, gathered for a brief ceremony to recognize retired Legion Commander Micheal Lamoureux, who could not be present. State and local citations honoring Lamoureux’s 35 years of dedicated service to veterans were noted by former Town Administrator Mike Gagne and Town Administrator Mike Lorenco. Gagne said that veterans always believed Lamoureux was “…a fellow veteran who could be trusted” and “an individual of special note.”

            Veterans Agent and Legion member Barry Denham called Lamoureux a good friend to both himself and veterans, and a presence that will be missed. Denham also said it was important to the Legion’s mission to get younger veterans involved. “It’s critical to veterans’ services.”

            Legionnaire Charlie Soares asked everyone present to remember essential workers, calling them the “unsung heroes of our era.”

            Perron said it’s been difficult due to the pandemic to schedule regular Legion meetings, but she hoped the future would find the post vital and ready when conditions improved.

            (Photo by Marilou Newell)

Marion MOSAC

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To the Editor;

            I was not able to attend the Special Town Meeting on November 5, but I have watched the video of the meeting. I want to contribute my thoughts about the Hoff property discussion.

            First, I want to emphasize my concern for protecting the environment. I volunteered 14+ years as a member of the Conservation Commission. However, wetlands already are protected by the Wetlands Protection Act; thus, a conservation restriction is not required to preserve the 22+ acres of wetlands on the Hoff property.

            Second, the purchase is being paid for out of funds in the MOSAC Land Bank, which was funded by the Community Preservation Act (CPA). CPA funds are acquired as a 2% surcharge on the real estate tax bills in Marion. (There is what has been an increasing small percentage of match from the state). Telling you that the Land Bank funds did not cost residents is not entirely true. Any homeowner in Marion has contributed to the CPA funds, which fund open space, recreation, affordable housing, and historic preservation.

            Third, the Marion Master Plan established the Stewards of Community Open Space (SoCOS) to coordinate actions of the various conservation-related groups in Marion. Neither MOSAC nor the SLT, who are SoCOS members, initiated any coordination effort with the other SoCOS members in the purchase of the Hoff property.

            Next, another Marion Master Plan goal was for SoCOS to develop a new Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP). In 2019, SoCOS was awarded a grant for the Southeast Regional Planning and Economic Development District to assist with developing that plan. During the Town Meeting, reference was made to an OSRP questionnaire, one that MOSAC unilaterally sent out. For many reasons, this is not a reliable planning document.

            It may be too late to incorporate any changes in the ongoing development of the OSRP, but Marion needs to develop a better process for the future donation or acquisition of open space. Recognizing that a landowner has the right to donate his or her land or establish conservation restrictions, we need to explore options that provide us some participation in the process.

            This Hoff purchase, plus the other two lots off Point Road that Mr. Waterman referred to in his letter to the editor, are examples of how things are happening to us. For the Hoff parcel, we needlessly spend our money to take taxable land off the books; this is a self-inflicted financial wound. In the case of the Point Road parcels, arguably valuable tax land was taken off of the rolls through a private donation, which we can try to influence but don’t control.

            As a Selectman, I evaluate all the challenges and opportunities throughout the town, not just focusing on one area. Balancing legal requirements, infrastructure maintenance, town necessities, and residents’ amenities while keeping Marion affordable to all income levels is a challenge. We need to ask: What can we do that is new, what are we doing that we can improve on, or what can we stop doing? At a minimum, it is time to draw the line on spending more of the town’s money to acquire more open space.

            MOSAC was established in 1999 by a vote of Town Meeting and action by the state legislature. It was given the powers of the Conservation Commission with respect to the acquisition of interests in land and the expenditure of funds under the provision of Section 8C of Chapter 40 of the General Laws. Maybe the town needs to acknowledge that MOSAC succeeded in its goal and that it is time for MOSAC’s responsibilities to revert back to the Conservation Commission.

Norman Hills, Marion resident and Selectman

The views expressed in the “Letters to the Editor” column are not necessarily those of The Wanderer, its staff or advertisers. The Wanderer will gladly accept any and all correspondence relating to timely and pertinent issues in the great Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester area, provided they include the author’s name, address and phone number for verification. We cannot publish anonymous, unsigned or unconfirmed submissions. The Wanderer reserves the right to edit, condense and otherwise alter submissions for purposes of clarity and/or spacing considerations. The Wanderer may choose to not run letters that thank businesses, and The Wanderer has the right to edit letters to omit business names. The Wanderer also reserves the right to deny publication of any submitted correspondence.