Alfresco Dining Approved in Mattapoisett

on

            On June 11 the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen approved plans to reopen restaurants to customers by offering them outdoor seating. For most of the restaurants in town, outdoor seating was either limited or not offered in the past. Now with the state’s COVID-19 guidelines expanded to include on-site dining in an outdoor setting, many local restaurants have adapted outdoor spaces for alfresco dining.

            Town Administrator Mike Lorenco said that site visits attended by members of the Board of Health, Building Department, Fire and Police Departments, along with himself, included review of safety protocols with business owners and their staff, and relevant state-issued Phase 2 reopening guidelines. Those guidelines include but are not limited to tables being six-feet apart, no more than six diners to a table, no customers standing at bars, all customers must be seated, no gathering of unseated customers, directional movement to minimize close contact, staggered work shifts, face coverings worn by all customers and service providers, and hygiene protocols for food handlers. The complete list of guidelines may be found at https://www.mass.gov/info-details/safety-standards-and-checklist-restaurants#social-distancing.

            Lorenco said that where there were concerns with tables being in close proximity to moving traffic, jersey barriers had been positioned. Also, when necessary, restaurant staff vehicles might also be used as barriers to ensure customers park in designated areas and that vehicles move in a single direction.

            Reading to the selectmen from a prepared statement, Lorenco said that officials had met with Turks, Rustico, Oxford Creamery, Golf House (Bay Club), Walrus & Captain, Mattapoisett Diner, Inn at Shipyard Park, and Tastebuds. “The team reviewed the location of tents, table limits and spacing, hygiene and cleaning procedures, and most importantly outdoor safety measures,” he read. Continuing on Lorenco said, “Since much of the outdoor seating will be in parking lots and other high-traffic areas, the team has recommended the use of employee cars to be used as barriers to protect patrons. In addition, the Town has placed five jersey barriers in areas of high concern.” He assured the selectmen that the combined town officials were satisfied with business accommodations for outdoor food service and asked that the selectmen also grant permission for alcohol service for those restaurants with approved ABCC permits.

            The selectmen had stated in their previous meeting that they were eager to give businesses the opportunity to reopen and wished to support those efforts. They unanimously approved all plans before them.

Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen

By Marilou Newell

2020 Keel Awards

on

            The Wanderer is pleased to announce that we are soliciting nominations for our 27th annual “Wanderer Keel Awards.” The yearly community service honor, presented to one Tri-Town resident from each of the three central towns in our circulation area, will be announced in our July 30 edition, and each winner will be the subject of a short feature highlighting his/her contributions to the local community. But The Wanderer needs your help in selecting these “unsung heroes.”

            The requirements are simple. Nominees must be legal residents for at least five years of Mattapoisett, Marion or Rochester, and must have contributed in some way to the overall benefit of the community – directly to town residents, indirectly through efforts in promoting town activities or working to keep the wheels of local government well oiled. The only restriction is that these persons cannot benefit from their efforts in any other way – either financially or politically (hence, sitting elected officials are not eligible).

            In doing this, we hope to applaud those who are rarely recognized for their countless hours of service and focus on the many people behind the scenes who remain otherwise anonymous, but who provide crucial support to many town functions.

            Like the keel of a ship that keeps the vessel from capsizing, the recipients of the Annual Wanderer Keel Award will be recognized for their stalwart efforts in keeping the community on an “even keel.”

            Past recipients of this honor include:

            – MARION: Claire Russell (1994); Ralph and Phyllis Washburn (1995); Annie Giberti (1996); Jay Crowley (1997); Tyler Blethen (1998); Olive E. Harris (1999, posthumously); Kathleen P. “Kay” Reis (2000); Loretta B. “Lori” Schaefer (2001); Ann and Warren Washburn (2002); Andrew Santos Sr. (2003); Eunice Manduca (2004); Annie Giberti (2005); A. Lee Hayes (2006); Horace “Hod” Kenney (2007); Margie Baldwin (2008); Jack Beck (2009); Dr. John Russell (2010); Jane McCarthy (2011); Nancy Braitmeyer (2012); Rodney Hunt (2013); Hanna Milhench (2014); Robbi Dunn-Tracy (2015); Joanne Mahoney (2016); Diane Cook (2017); Pete Smith (2018); Robert Raymond (2019).

            – MATTAPOISETT: Maurice “Mudgie” Tavares (1994); Priscilla Alden Hathaway (1995); Norma Holt (1996); Gale Hudson (1997); Kenneth Stickney (1998); Clara Morgan (1999); Betty and Bert Theriault (2000); John N. “Jack” DeCosta (2001); Jo Pannell (2002); Stan Ellis (2003); Evelyn Pursley (2004); Luice Moncevitch (2005); Seth Mendell (2006); Bradford A. Hathaway (2007); Kim Field (2008); David Spencer Jenny (2009); Stephen L. Kelleher (2010); Bento Martin (2011); Howard C. Tinkham (2012); Ellen Flynn (2013); Jennifer Shepley (2014); Ruth Bates (2015, posthumously); Debbi Dyson and Julie Craig (2016); Bonne DeSousa (2017); Jillian Zucco (2018); Lois Knight Ennis (2019).

            – ROCHESTER: Joseph McCarthy (1994); Jean Fennell (1995); Katherine Hartley Church (1996); Chris Byron (1997); Albert Alderson (1998); Arthur and Aline Lionberger (1999); Kenneth E. Daggett (2000); Georgia D. Chamberlain (2001); Mary P. Wynne (2002); Evelyn F. Benner (2003); Mike Meunier, Sr. (2004); Arthur F. Benner (2005); Pamela J. Robinson (2006); Anna E. White (2007); John E. Lafreniere (2008); Cathy Mendoza (2009); Kate Tarleton (2010); John Cobb (2011); Thomas Goyoski Jr. (2012); Kevin Woodward (2013); Kate Lanagan MacGregor (2014); Gordon Helme (2015); Doreen DeCosta (2016); Danni Kleiman (2017); Pamela and Oren Robinson of It’s All About the Animals (2018); Ann Cambra (2019).

            Please send the name, address, and telephone number of recommended nominees, along with a brief description of their key contributions to the community and why you feel they are deserving of this honor to: news@wanderer.com, or via mail, Keel Award, The Wanderer, P.O. Box 102, Mattapoisett, MA 02739.

            The deadline for nominations is Thursday, July 17, by 3:00 pm.

DeCosta Edges Macallister for Selectman’s Seat

on

            At the end of a topsy-turvy race for Mattapoisett’s open selectman’s seat, Tyler Macallister could not quite overcome having vacated the seat he had held for eight and a half years to seek the town administrator’s job that he did not get. And popular community member John N. DeCosta Jr. then won a close race, 603-520 unofficially, to take that seat.

            The selectmen’s race was the only contest in Tuesday’s town election and it allows DeCosta at age 57 to follow in his father Jack’s 21 years of footsteps as the newest Mattapoisett selectman.

            “Proud is the best feeling. Happy’s good, but I think my dad’s looking down pretty proud right now,” DeCosta said outside Old Hammondtown School. “At some point, I knew I would consider doing this, and I’ve considered it for several years. You’ve got to get to that point in your life where you’re secure in your job, your family’s grown up… and you’ve got the time.”

            No incumbent in the Mattapoisett election was challenged on the ballot, but Frances Kearns received 84 write-in votes to Trey Whalley’s 42 in the open race for a new Mattapoisett representative for a three-year term on the Old Rochester Regional District School Committee.

            DeCosta said he decided to enter the race upon Macallister’s resignation, so when the former selectman re-entered the fray, it changed everything. Then the coronavirus pandemic swept the region, and DeCosta found himself challenged at levels he could not have forecasted.

            “You couldn’t get a rhythm. Places (where) I was supposed to speak to groups got canceled… we did what we could do,” he said. “We did a mailing, we tried to do more Facebook stuff, ads in The Wanderer and tried to reach out that way to people.”

            The groundswell of support across town became more evident over the last two weekends, as several people drove up North Street and asked DeCosta for signs to place in their yards.

            Election day had its own sense of ups and downs.

            “Honestly, one hour I thought I was winning, another hour I thought I was losing,” said DeCosta. “You can kind of tell, and we knew it was going to be close. We always thought it was going to be close. We always thought that.”

            DeCosta planned on getting sworn into his new role the next morning and then meeting with Town Administrator Mike Lorenco.

            He agreed with the town’s decision to postpone the town meeting that had been rescheduled for June 22 but will now happen in August.

            “Obviously, the COVID thing’s the big thing, trying to get the town financially through this,” he said. “I applaud the two selectmen (Jordan Collyer and Paul Silva) that have been there. They pushed town meeting to August, trying to wait for more info from the state on where our budget’s going to be. Everything’s going to revolve around that. Then we can start worrying about priorities and projects. We’ve got to settle on a budget right now.

            “I work for the state and sometimes (a one-twelfth budget is) what we have to do so I don’t think pushing off (town meeting) to August was a terrible idea. The more facts you can have going into the meeting, the better the decisions that you can make.”

            DeCosta runs Scusset Beach State Reservation along Cape Cod Canal for the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).

            Macallister has no plans to go away from the town he’s invested his entire adult life into.

            “Continue to support the town as I have been, absolutely,” he said. “Just because I’m not going to be selectman doesn’t mean I can’t help out in other ways. It doesn’t change anything about the way I feel about the town.

            “As things open up, we’ll see what kind of help Mike (Lorenco) needs, the new town administrator, and take it from there.”

            Macallister, 52, works primarily in commodities analysis and is a commodities broker and in season a commercial fisherman. He also started a solar energy company and built a large solar array on Cape Cod, and started two telecom companies. Having grown up in Barnstable, he fell in love with Mattapoisett while attending college at SMU/UMass Dartmouth and has been involved in some way with the town through his adult life.

            He explained earlier in the day that he only sought the town administrator’s job because the selection committee (of which DeCosta was a member) was dissatisfied with the first pool of approximately 25 candidates. The only one among them considered to be qualified took a job in Dedham.

            “We worked really hard over the course of nine years to take the town from a AA bond rating to a AAA bond rating, the highest you can attain. That’s a lot of effort, a lot of work. I didn’t want to see us go backward,” said Macallister, who was motivated to approach (now former) Town Administrator Mike Gagne and ask him, “Do you think I can do what you do?” Gagne answered in the affirmative according to Macallister, who threw his hat into the ring.

            A much-improved second pool of 45 people applied and, while Macallister made the final seven, he did not make the final three. “Mike Lorenco, he fit the job well, and that’s great,” said Macallister, who then decided to try and win back his selectman’s seat. He fell short but is not done trying to find ways to help out Mattapoisett.

            “I don’t rule out anything at this point,” he said after the decision. “Again, I’ve always been a person that’s gotten involved to do things and make them better. I will probably continue to do so.”

            DeCosta said he and Macallister spoke after the results came in.

            “(Macallister) congratulated me, and I asked him, I said, ‘Please make sure that you continue – I thanked him for his service – and said I hope you continue to serve the town. He said he would,” said DeCosta. “It would have been the same way had he won. I would continue to serve the town, too, because it’s just what we do. It was good.”

            Town Clerk Catherine Heuberger, who organized the election and presided at the polls, was among several incumbents who went unchallenged for their seats on the ballot. None of those incumbents was unseated. Below are the unofficial results.

            Town Clerk (vote for one; three-year term): Heuberger 995, 11 write-ins, 131 blanks

            Selectman (vote for one; three-year term): John N. DeCosta Jr. 603, R. Tyler Macallister 520, 0 write-ins, 14 blanks

            Assessors (vote for one; three-year term): Raymond H. Andrews 946, 2 write-ins, 189 blanks

            Mattapoisett School Committee (vote for one; three-year term): Carly E. Lavin 853, 50 write-ins, 234 blanks

            ORR District School Committee (vote for one; three-year term): Frances Kearns 84 write-ins, Trey Whalley 42, others 85, 926 blanks.

            Trustee Public Library (vote for two; three-year term): Ruth Oliver Jolliffe 843, Jennifer E. Russell 892, 3 write-in’s, 536 blanks

            Moderator (vote for one; one-year term): Jack A. Eklund 946, 2 write-ins, 189 blanks

            Water/Sewer Commissioner (vote for one; three-year term): Daniel W. Chase 944, 1 write-in, 192 blanks

            Board of Health (vote for one; three-year term): Carmelo Nicolosi 946, 6 write-ins, 185 blanks

            Planning Board (vote for one; five-year term): Nathan C. Ketchel 930, 0 write-ins, 207 blanks

            Community Preservation Committee (vote for two, two-year term): James A. Pierson 819, Susan F. Wilbur 938, 2 write-ins, 515 blanks

Mattapoisett Town Election

By Mick Colageo

Joseph R. Rose

on

Joseph R. Rose, 57, of New Bedford died June 14, 2020 at St. Luke’s Hospital of Covid 19.

            Born in New Bedford, son of Leneta Joanne (Sewall) Rose of Fairhaven and the late Joseph R. Rose, he was raised in Mattapoisett and lived in New Bedford most of his life. Joe has been a resident at CareOne at New Bedford for the last 5 years. His family would like to thank the staff at CareOne and St. Luke’s Hospital ICU for the care that Joe received.

            Survivors include his mother; a sister, Debra Ziroli and her husband Frank of Ranger, GA; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

            He was the companion of the late Fernanda Mariano and the grandson of the late Charlene Diggins and Joseph and Gertrude Rose.

            Due to the current restrictions on public gatherings, his arrangement will be private. Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Mattapoisett. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Green Future for New Chairman

on

            In their meeting held on June 8, the Marion Energy Management Committee met over the Zoom platform to provide updates to Marion’s future energy endeavors.

            Town Planner Gil Hilario provided the committee with an update to the Benson Brook Solar Array Project. Drone surveys will be conducted to provide aerial imaging of the site. Hilario noted that the amount of power that can be provided by the site may exceed the amount that was initially proposed.

            Committee Member Bill Saltonstall explained that further increases in potential power could come with the addition of solar panels to the slopes of the landfill. The sloping panels would come as added support to the panels placed on top of the capped landfill.

            “It seems like their setting just used the top portion only, but I am trying to get the slopes used as much as possible,” said Hilario. In a Board of Selectmen meeting, Hilario advocated for the use of panels on the slopes of the landfill to increase output. “If they use the slope, it’s possible they could revise the financial statements,” Hilario added.

            “The Board of Selectmen may be using outdated information,” said committee member Jennifer Francis. “Many capped landfills use solar panels on their slopes.”

            Francis advised the committee to provide examples of other towns that have successfully used solar panels on the slopes of their landfills. “It would be a win-win situation for the contractors and the town,” she said. “They will have more panels, and we will have more renewable energy.”

            Hilario provided the committee with an update on the Green Communities Planning Project that would see the current Marion Community Center heating system replaced with electric heat pumps. The heat pumps use electricity to move heat from a cool space to a warm space, making the cool space cooler and the warm space warmer.

            “We thought about the pros and cons, and we felt it was only a small price difference,” Hilario explained. The heat pumps will be used the majority of the time heating the building in external temperatures from 30 degrees and up. When it gets below 30 degrees, the furnace will kick in to support the electric system.”

            Hilario explained that heat pumps are an innovative change that will support a reduction in the town’s consumption of fossil fuels. As the heat pumps rely only on electric power, they can be supported by power generated by solar and wind farms. Amid concerns about having two different units requiring maintenance in the same building, Hilario explained that the heat pumps would use exiting ductwork inside the community center and therefore require little attention.

            Saltonstall spoke before the committee to address broad issues related to the town’s general energy consumption. According to Saltonstall, the average of the town’s electrical cost for Fiscal Year 2018 was $2,500,000. Currently, Marion has accrued $2,100,000 in electrical costs and is trending in the right direction for significant savings. Though the savings are substantial, Saltonstall admitted that the decrease in costs was nowhere near the 20 percent decrease the town had hoped for over the course of a five-year period.

            Saltonstall attributed much of the savings to work being done with Future Generation Wind. The wind farm has paid the town roughly $90,000 per year and $342,000 to the town in energy savings over four years. In addition to the savings, Saltonstall added that Future Generation Wind could assist the town with further energy projects. “As we think of work happening this coming year, we should remember that we can get help if we apply for it,” Saltonstall told the committee.

            In the conclusion of his reports, Saltonstall explained that the majority of the streetlights in Marion had had their existing lightbulbs replaced with more efficient LED bulbs. The more efficient lighting is another step the committee has taken to transition Marion into a greener community. The only streetlights that still need to be converted are located on Front Street. Saltonstall estimated that this left roughly 15 lights in the town that could be updated.

            The committee’s final business addressed the retirement of Chairman David Pierce from the Energy Management Committee. The committee unanimously thanked Pierce for his dedication to the committee and for the work he has accomplished.

            Pierce’s final act on the committee was to determine who would replace him in the role of chairman. The committee nominated and unanimously carried a motion for member Christian Ingerslev to take on the role of chairman.

            “This has been a committee I have enjoyed working with over the years,” Pierce said in his closing remarks. “The movement forward we have made has been so impressive. It has been an honor to serve with you, and I have every reason to believe our work will continue forward. I wish you all the very best.”

            The next Marion Energy Management Committee meeting was not yet scheduled at press time.

Marion Energy Management Committee

By Matthew Donato

Mattapoisett Library to Start Circulating Materials

on

The Mattapoisett Free Public Library will be offering no-contact pickup of books, movies, music, magazines, and other items at the side entrance, beginning Tuesday, June 23. Patrons may reserve any circulating item owned by the Mattapoisett Library by placing a hold in the SAILS library catalog, emailing the library at mfpl@sailsinc.org, or by calling the library at 508-758-4171. If you are unsure of your library barcode and PIN number to reserve materials, please contact the library.

            General requests are also welcome, such as books about a particular subject, or by a certain author, even if exact titles are not known. The staff is welcoming all types of requests for recreational reading and information.

            When a patron’s request is received, the items will be retrieved, checked out, and placed in a bag. The patron will be contacted to arrange for a pick-up time. Items will be placed on a table inside the side door of the library. Pick-ups will be scheduled between 10:30 am and 4:30 pm, Tuesday through Friday. Some hours will also be available on Saturdays.

            If someone else is retrieving their items at the same time, patrons are asked to wait until they finish their pick-up. Social distancing is very important. Please do not remove anyone else’s bag of library materials. All library patrons must wear a mask during pickup.

            Items from other libraries are not yet available because there is still no inter-library delivery service.

            Staff will be taking all required precautions to ensure your materials are safe to pick up. All staff will be wearing masks and handling materials in the manner recommended by the CDC.

If you are unable to pick up your materials due to illness or disability, please call us at 508-758-4171 or send an email to mfpl@sailsinc.org. Please request home delivery only if circumstances make it difficult for you to pick your materials up yourself.

            The book drops are not yet open. Patrons are asked to not return any library materials at this time.  Do not leave them on the pick-up table. Due dates will be extended.

            The library staff is happy to finally be able to provide patrons of all ages with books and other library materials. They look forward to seeing everyone (from afar) during materials pick-up at Library in the weeks ahead, and can’t wait for the day when they can open the doors and invite patrons inside once again at a date to be determined. In the meantime, the library continues to offer a wide variety of virtual programs and links to helpful information. Please check the website mattapoisettlibrary.org and/or follow the library on Facebook and Instagram for daily updates.

Calling All Photographers

on

The Rochester Historical Society and the Rochester Land Trust are again co-sponsoring a photo contest. Rules are as follows:  1. Subject: Sites and Scenery of Rochester; 2. No people in the photo; 3. Black and white or color photos that are not photoshopped; 4. The photo must be taken in Rochester; 5. Anyone in any town may enter; 6. Groupings: Youth (16 and under), Adult (17 and up); 7. Give the location of the photo, your name, address, age category, phone number; 8. One entry per person; 9. Any photo not following these rules will be disqualified; 10. Board members of the Land Trust or Historical Society are not eligible.

            Email entries to rochesterphotocontest@gmail.com by midnight on September 7, 2020. Top three photos in each age grouping will receive monetary prizes: $50 First Prize, $35 Second place, $25 Third Place. Winners will be chosen by the Board of Directors of both the Land Trust and the Historical Society and posted on the Facebook pages of the Historical Society and the Land Trust following the judging. Any questions, contact rochesterphotocontest@gmail.com

Seasons, Steen on Road to Progress

on

            The Rochester Planning Board tackled a number of public hearings in their remote access meeting held on June 9 and provided input on updated plans provided by the community.

            Significant progress was made in the continuance of a public hearing relating to the access road being planned for a project at 22 Cranberry Highway. Phil Cordeiro, representing an application put forth by Steen Realty and Development, noted that most of the progress going forward relies on cooperation with the representatives from the adjacent Seasons Corner Market.

            John Russell, representing Seasons, explained that he had met with Ken Steen on multiple occasions to determine details of the plan going forward. “We had a productive call, and we are moving forward with a solution that will make everyone happy,” said Russell.

            Rochester Planning Board Chairman Arnie Johnson explained that the updates to the plans seemed to be manageable and that the updated project resolved many of the board’s previous concerns. “I don’t see anything that’s insurmountable here,” said Johnson. “I feel confident that over the next couple of weeks the engineers will be able to address those concerns.”

            Despite most of the plan appearing satisfactory, the board did note that the design as proposed seemed to have a limited turning radius on the road that leads to Route 58. Concerns were raised that the limited space for turning might result in a potential hazard, as larger vehicles may need to cross into the other side of the road to complete the turn.

            Board member Chris Silveira made special mention of the fact that refueling trailers arriving at the gas station that accompanies the market may have an especially difficult time making the turn safely. Silveira suggested that, if possible, the road should be widened to safely allow large vehicles and trucks to make the turn without incident.

            Cordeiro agreed that the plans did not accurately demonstrate whether there was sufficient room for such vehicles to safely make the turn. He mentioned that he would work with traffic engineers to ensure that the road and the entrance to the market were at safe and functional distances.

            There was some confusion when Walter Hartley, representing a plan to divide a property located on Neck Road submitted by William Chamberlain, explained that an old access road would have to be removed. The division of the property into three new lots for sale would mean that the existing access road would need to be discontinued.

            Hartley explained that the existing road was used by the Decas Cranberry Company to quickly transport goods from the bog to the road. With the division of the lot, the new owners will likely want the road removed. Although Hartley claimed that the road is private and there is nothing legally stating it must remain in use, Planning Board member Ben Bailey noted that tax maps for the town of Rochester show that the road is shown and named Ridge Road. Hartley explained that the road was not shown on the assessor’s map. “We have done our research,” Hartley explained. “There is nothing in our deed that says it’s there. We don’t think it has any legal standing.”

            As the road is located on private property, the board agreed that the discontinuation of the road’s use would not impact their determination on whether the proposed plans would require approval from the board. Ultimately, in a unanimous vote, the board decided that no further approval for the plans would be required.

            The meeting began with an update from Evan Watson of Prime Engineering regarding a permit application for a ground-mounted, solar photovoltaic array filed by Greg Carey. As the project progressed, Watson responded to the need for additional screening on the property by including a vegetated easement to the plans.

            The easement was included in the plans after Watson discussed the desire for added screening to the solar array raised by owners of neighboring properties located on Sarah Sherman Road. “We believe that within the next couple of weeks we will have an easement drafted and signed,” Watson told the board.

            Watson noted that the easement would guarantee that existing trees are not the only measure screening the array from neighboring properties. “We are developing sightline plans from the adjacent residents,” said Watson. “These show the views from outside the array, and how the trees on our property and the easement provide screening for abutting properties.”

            The plan is nearing its conclusion, and Watson reported that the final steps for completion involve working with the Rochester Conservation Commission to resolve final additions to the plan relating to the drainage calculations for the site.

            After approving minutes from the following meeting, the board moved on to discuss the potential for in-person meetings in the future. Johnson explained his hope for a potential meeting to take place in the future that would be a hybrid between remote and in-person meetings.

            While it is likely that such a meeting will take place in the future, Town Counsel Blair Bailey suggested that the meetings should continue to be held remotely until proper instructions and plans for a hybrid meeting could be provided to the public.

            The next Rochester Planning Board meeting is set to take place remotely on June 23.

Rochester Planning Board

By Matthew Donato

New Mattapoisett Library Director Named

on

            With big shoes to fill, Jennifer Jones was selected by the Mattapoisett Library Director Search Committee as the new director.

            The Plymouth resident has been working in that town’s library system for over a decade and was a finalist competing against Ellen Snoeyenbos of Halifax, currently the director of the West Bridgewater Library. Jones was the hands-down favorite it was learned, but she was also the only candidate remaining out of a wide field. Snoeyenbos withdrew her interest in the position after the May 28 in-person interview conducted at the library by the Search Committee.

            Jones’ education began in Clarke University, where she majored in sociology and achieved a cum laude Bachelor of Arts degree in 2000. In 2010 Jones graduated from Simmons University with a degree in library sciences, MSLIS. During her Simmons years, she worked fulltime as a youth librarian in Plymouth.

            Feeling it was time for a change after so many years in the same community, Jones sought the director position in Mattapoisett. She wrote, “I am an experienced leader with eight years of staff management, program development, facility management in a large public library, and fourteen years of experience in public libraries.” She also noted extensive experience in teen services, including summer reading programs and strategic planning. Added to her list of accomplishments and skills, Jones said she had written grants and is proficient in all aspects of library service as well as web development.

            During her on-site interview, Jones told the committee that she would seek a mentor if she were selected, one who could help her develop a greater understanding of the town’s budgetary processes, an area that she said she had only recently been exposed to in Plymouth.

            Comments from references Jones provided the committee included, “…(Jones’) thoughtful and innovative approach to new programming, fundraising, along with an ability to implement those new ideas.” It was also noted that Jones had reached out to the Plymouth community, its historical associations, schools, and the county jail to bring the library’s presence and services to a wide-ranging population and their needs. Jones’ work with the Greater Plymouth Performing Arts Center elevated the group’s website, email program, and the creation of a policy manual.

            During her interview, Jones said she would first need to review how the library’s collections are used, and possibly explore new ways to display collections. But she also believed it was important to get to know the patrons and their needs before making too many changes.

            While Jones was the “last one standing” when the search process concluded, that did not reflect on how the committee members felt about her being offered the position. “I was in favor of Jennifer when there were two candidates,” said committee member Elizabeth Sylvia. William Coquillette, another committee member, said, “We had about thirty resumes, got that down to ten… then three finalists.” He said that the process had been thorough and that, “Jones was selected after quite a process. She was a strong candidate; we are not settling because she is the only one left.”

            The vote was unanimous in advancing Jones’ name to the town’s administration. In a follow-up with Town Administrator Mike Lorenco, he told The Wanderer, “I’ll do the contract with the Board of Selectmen in the next week or so.” He said that, while he’ll be preparing the contract, one or both of the selectmen will assist in that process but added, “We’ll want to move quickly if we plan on opening the library soon.”

            The Wanderer also reached out to retiring library director Susan Pizzolato. “I have full confidence in the committee’s process. I believe Jennifer will do an excellent job for the town.” She also said, “The library has a wonderful staff that will support the new library director.”

By Marilou Newell

Mattapoisett Library

on

Summer Reading Kits and Online Programs – This summer may be different but we still want to offer our children and families some fun activities and reading incentives through our Summer Reading Program. Starting June 16 through August 3, go online to register or fill out the form and mail it to the library to let us know you are interested.

            After you sign up you can stop by the library during a designated time to receive a participation kit for each child which includes a necklace and tag for your beads, a reading log and a free book. 

            Each week that you participate, you’ll receive a kit from the library which will include a newsletter with ideas and activities, an assembled STEM activity, a craft by the Art Lab, a bead for your necklace and special gifts, or activity sheets. Children can choose the weeks they want or they can get kits all summer long.

            If you report your reading to the library for the week, you’ll also get a raffle ticket for our grand prize of a signed Bruins Jersey with your picture in the local paper. 

            We’ll also be hosting several virtual programs this summer including a fun music concert with Tom Sieling and STEAM programs from Ed the Wizard, Mastermind Adventures and Hands on Nature. 

            For more information on up-coming children’s programs, please visit our website at www.mattapoisettlibrary.org/childrens or like us on Facebook.