Bird Island Lighthouse stands as an obsolete landmark at the mouth of Marion Harbor, that in modern times has found to be a valuable nesting site for two species of endangered Terns.

            Now owned and operated by the town itself, the lighthouse was built in 1819 for safe shipping traffic in and out of the harbor. With the coming of the 19th-century industrial revolution in New England, traffic for the trading of manufactured products was paramount for safe passage from and to many other ports. Then the assignment of a lighthouse keeper was essential for in-house caretaker of its operation, particularly in foul weather. High winds, rough seas, and hazardous duty to rescue ship-wrecked victims was an ongoing possibility.

            My wife’s great grandfather, Richard Pinkham, was at that time the first lighthouse keeper on Nantucket Island. He was also the first keeper to chart the waters around Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, and Block Island. Perhaps this was his foresight to avoid the consequences of poor-navigation, trial and error of safe passage through the shoals by way of the channel.

            Like Nantucket, Marion Harbor is tricky to maneuver particularly in choppy seas. The lighthouse stands on an acre and a half in the channel itself, and for sailing vessels with heavy cargo the traditional prevailing breeze was helpful, but also unpredictable towards the hurricane season.

            In September of 1938, the unpredicted hurricane of more than 120 mile an hour winds brought a tidal surge of more than 15 feet over the island. The keeper’s residence, oil shed, and a boathouse were all washed away, except for the tower structure itself. The light was decommissioned in 1935 and remained so until 1996, now owned and preserved by the town. A town committee was formed as a Bird Island Restoration effort that successfully relit the beacon in 1997, after 62 years of darkness at the head of Marion’s previously historic but changing to recreational boating traffic.

            However, in the meantime, the location of the island at this focal funnel of a seasonal wind tunnel from Buzzards Bay into waters of Cape Ann, had for years become a traditional nesting site along the Atlantic migrational flyway for both the Roseate and Common Terns previously mentioned.

            Perhaps the landmark tower was seen on the thousand-mile or more journey from the West Indies as a recognizable destination marker for a rocky shoreline of nesting sites. Together the arrival of 3,500 pairs annually accounts for 25 percent of declining national population. As illustrated, the Roseate is among the most beautiful and elegant of the two, with a black head and faintly tinted, rose-colored underbody. It has a distinctive, long split tail that flutters in flight, along the trailing edge of its plumage.

            The Common Tern is lesser in numbers, but easily distinguished by a dark wedge on the outer three of its five primaries. For years both their numbers have shown a consistently serious decline. The present stewardship by the Marion Harbormaster caretaking in support by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife conservation efforts bore remarkable fruit last year with the gift of more than 500 new nesting boxes for the island.

            It is truly remarkable that a historic symbol of maritime and occupational images of billowing seas and three-masted schooners should be rescued for future generations by coming to grips with environmental awareness. The light itself will operate from Memorial Day to Labor Day, with a solar heartbeat timer to show the way, out of the past, into the future.

By George B. Emmons

            Editor’s Note: The Wanderer invited candidates for contested seats on elected boards and committees in the tri-towns to submit up to 350 words stating their case to the voters. This week we hear from candidates in Mattapoisett and Rochester. The respective elections in these towns are scheduled for Tuesday, June 16, and Wednesday, June 17. Marion’s election is set for Friday, June 26. The Southeastern Massachusetts League of Women Voters supplied the following seven questions for candidates’ consideration in this presentation:

1. What office are you running for and what inspired you to run in this election?

2. What experience and expertise do you bring to the table and how does that qualify you for this position?

3. What initiatives would you create to prioritize the Town’s goals of being more supportive to Seniors “Aging in Place?”

4. If you could change one thing in the Town’s Zoning Ordinance, what would it be?

5. How would you generate more interest in people serving in public office?

6. If elected, what would be your first priority in improving the Town’s financial standing?

7. If the Town received a $1 million grant to use any way you wanted, how would you allocate it and why?

Board of Selectmen: Greenwood Hartley III (incumbent)

            On June 17th, Rochester citizens will decide who leads our town and which direction we go. I urge you to compare the candidates running for this important office. Have they served as a volunteer and an elected official in our Town? Have they attended our Town Meetings? Have they managed a multi-million-dollar business and negotiated union contracts? Hired a police chief, fire chief, and COA director? Do they know who makes the decision on our annual budget? Do they understand what the finance committee does and how they do it? Do they have over 50 years of experience as a leader, financial manager, and organizer? If you are asking these questions about me, the answer to every question is yes.

            As a selectman, I work hard to represent all citizens of Rochester. I meet regularly with school committee members. I’m active as a volunteer at our Council on Aging. When I saw the need to increase parking for town events, I initiated a project that tripled the parking spaces. I found new money for Rochester and you. Working with other town officials, we brought you the Green Community Program with $800,000 of upgrades and over $75,000/year of energy savings and we’re working to install a free solar array at Memorial School to reduce electrical costs. I rediscovered the Community Aggregation Program, it will reduce everyone’s home electrical bill.

            My special interest is the town of Rochester – every department and every citizen. In just three years, working with other leaders we adopted our first financial planning program. In two years, FY19 and FY20, we deposited $460,000 into stabilization funds (FY21 pending). We’ve invested $790,000 into upgrading equipment and infrastructure at our Fire Station, COA, Library, Town Hall and Recreational Facilities. Your votes at town meetings supported every recommendation.

            I’m running for reelection because we are on the right road, travelling together with a plan, discovering new opportunities. We’ve made great progress in three years! But there is more work to do. Help me keep Rochester moving forward. Reelect me as your selectman. For detailed information on all these topics, see my Facebook page: @woodyhartleyforselectman.

Board of Selectmen: Adam C. Murphy

            I chose to run for office because I have identified a need for change in our community. A big public-safety decision was made that was not made in the best interests of our community. With property tax on the rise and services diminishing is concerning. I feel the community needs help and I feel as though I have the skill set to fill that need. The Board of Selectman needs diversity.

            I have spent the last 17 years in public safety. I work for a municipality and I see the obstacles that both the community and employees struggle with. My experience would help bridge the gap to help both sides. Our community does a fantastic job with our seniors; the Council on Aging gets our seniors the services that they need. I would support the members of the COA. A large problem for our seniors is the taxes on a steady rise. With most on a fixed income, reducing the burden is a goal. I would work with the ZBA and express the concerns and issues that are brought to my attention as a Selectman.

            I have taken many phone calls after announcing my candidacy. The overwhelming support was fantastic. I had many conversations with residents that said, “Adam, seeing you take this on makes me want to do the same.” The residents do want to be involved. Some just want to be listened to. Having an open-door policy and visibility in the community is the first step in generating more interest.

            If elected we have a huge hurdle to overcome, COVID-19. Improving the town’s financial standing requires an understanding of its economic impact. If elected I would sit with the Finance Committee to discuss ways to help better understand that impact. I can say we need to tighten our spending, prioritize our needs and look for funding opportunities

            If the Town was to receive a grant for $1 million dollars, I feel that the town officials collectively would make the determination how to spend. This is and always will be a team effort.

            Thank you, Adam Murphy