Thankful Gathering at Shipyard

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Gathering in Mattapoisett on Veterans Day 2021 were people who came to participate in various ways. There were the veterans whose personal experiences in service to the United States were etched on their faces. There were the young trying their best to do their part in the solemnity of the moment. And there were the young adults about to begin their lives’ adventures, some of whom plan military careers. All came to Shipyard Park for one purpose: to remember.

            Florence Eastman American Legion Post Commander Rachel Perron organized the November 11 event, bringing in members of the Northeast Maritime Institute where she is an instructor, as well as cadets from Massachusetts Maritime Academy, her alma mater. Standing shoulder to shoulder were Legion members. And members of Mattapoisett Boy Scout Troop 53 were also in attendance.

            Perron orchestrated the event around the ringing of church bells or Bells Of Remembrance, which rang out from Center School and the Mattapoisett Congregational Church at precisely 11:00 am.

            Legion Chaplain Richard Langhoff asked in prayer for blessing to all who served or are serving, that they might be healed, that mercy might be theirs and that one day in a creative vision there would no longer be war.

            Tri-Town Veterans Agent Chris Gerrior’s comments were two-fold, first to honor Colin Powell, the first black U.S. Secretary of State who recently passed away, and secondly to share Powell’s 13 Rules for Leadership.

            Through Powell’s words, Gerrior asked that we consider: “Things are not as bad as we think they are and will look better in the morning;” “Get mad, then get over it;” “Avoid having your ego so close to your position that when your position fails your ego goes with it;” “Be careful what you choose, you may get it;” “Don’t let adverse facts stand in the way of a good decision;” “You can’t make someone else’s choices, you shouldn’t let someone else make yours;” “Check the small things;” “Share credit;” “Remain calm, be kind;” “Have a vision, be demanding;” “Don’t take counsel of your fears or naysayers;” and , “Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.” Gerrior added, “That’s good advice for when things get tough; we are all leaders in one way or another.”

            In thanking various town departments that assisted in setting up the event including the Mattapoisett Police Department, Harbormaster Office, Highway Department and Town Administrator Mike Lorenco, Perron said we have a legacy of freedom that must remain secure and that we live in the greatest nation on earth.

            In closing out the ceremony, Perron said, “Military service is generally temporary but can impact generations.”

By Marilou Newell

Reining in Skyrocketing Legal Fees

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            On November 16 as the Mattapoisett Select Board discussed a variety of topics, one stood out as needing immediate attention. Town Administrator Mike Lorenco said that of the budgeted $80,000 for legal fees, nearly 60 percent had already been consumed, six months into the fiscal year.

            “We’ve been hit hard by legal fees,” Lorenco told the board members. While he understood the need for engaging legal expertise, Lorenco said the frequency, especially by some boards and committees, needed to be controlled.

            Before engaging with KPLaw, the town’s legal counsel, Lorenco said a board or committee should first be checking with him and/or the Select Board, not engaging counsel directly. He said he had prepared a draft policy for the board’s consideration, saying, “It would help us control costs.”

            The board was in agreement. Select Board member Tyler Macallister said, “There is a lot of institutional knowledge in town hall; someone may have an answer without going to KP (Law). It’s prudent for us to review this before we leak more money.”

            Select Board member Jodi Bauer said, “Things could be discussed with us first,” acknowledging the need to slow down rapidly accelerating legal costs. Chairman Jordan Collyer said, “At the end of the day, we have to protect the town’s interests and our own,” agreeing with his fellow board members that oversight is necessary.

            Lorenco stated, “I’m not trying to prohibit anyone from seeking legal help, but it’s too easy to pick up the phone and call KP Law.” He said he would also speak with the law firm to help establish a reasonable number of hours and share that a policy is being developed.

            Speaking of legal counsel, the board met with Attorney Mat Thomas, who has been engaged by the town to write a confirmatory takings document for Industrial Drive. Thomas said that over the years since 1957 the town has taken parcels along the roadway, but that now bringing disparate documents together into one confirming document would keep matters clean moving forward. He noted the Economic Development Grant that the town received and the need to ensure that all roadway legal documents are cohesive with regard to easements and takings.

            Lorenco said that the town has received $735,000 in EDG monies for the massive roadway redesign project planned for Industrial Drive. He also confirmed that during a Special Town Meeting voters approved a dollar-for-dollar match to get the project done.

            Holiday traditions and the new Fire Station Open House were also discussed. Lorenco said that not much had been done to prepare for holiday festivities in Shipyard Park known for years as Holiday in The Park. Bauer said she recently spoke to Public Health Nurse Emily Field regarding the state’s recommendations for such outdoor activities. She said she was awaiting word from Field.

            Board members were in agreement that a scaled-back celebration similar to December 2020 could take place. That celebration may include a school band playing in the gazebo, tree lighting at the park, and two fire engines carrying Santa’s helpers through the neighborhoods passing out candy. The event is tentatively scheduled for December 11.

            Lorenco also took the opportunity to remind the public that the Public Health Nurse would be dispensing COVID-19 booster shots and that a recent clinic was very successful.

            Public health considerations also came into play as the board members discussed the Saturday, December 11, open house celebration for the new fire station. The tentative time for the facility’s grand opening is scheduled for 10:30 am.

            The public will be invited, Lorenco said, to the apparatus floor with doors opened. Special invitations will be sent to those significant in making the new station a reality, he said. And bringing a bit more holiday joy, Lorenco said a toy drive will take place at the station that day.

            In other matters, the board appointed Linda Clifford to the Council on Aging Board of Directors. Clifford said she had been a practicing social worker specializing in elder affairs and hoped that her background would be of benefit to the community.

            Outgoing Town Band director James Farmer received a Certificate of Appreciation for his 31 years as the band director.

            Two special Select Board meetings are planned. On Monday, November 22, at 6:00 pm, the board will review goals and projects as well as hold a real estate tax classification hearing. On Tuesday, November 23, at 5:30 pm, the board will conduct final interviews for the position of Director of Inspectional Services. The next regular meeting of the Mattapoisett Select Board is scheduled for Tuesday, December 14, at 6:30 pm.

Mattapoisett Select Board

By Marilou Newell

Upcoming Events at the Mattapoisett Museum

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Open Mic Night – Southcoast Lessons and Mattapoisett Museum are excited to invite you to our regular monthly open mic on November 19. The last few have been a ton of fun and we can’t wait to hear what you’re bringing us this time around. As always, all ages, all genres welcome. Sing a song, play a tune, do a dance, crack a joke, tell a story…

            The stage is yours, the musical community is all of ours to share! Doors at 6pm. Contact Jeff Angeley at  southcoastlessons@gmail.com

            Discovery Days – The Mattapoisett Museum is piloting a new program for individuals with dementia related memory loss and their care partners on Thursday, November 22 at 1pm. During this one hour program, individuals will make personal connections with artifacts, discussion, art making, and multi-sensory activities facilitated by educators at the Mattapoisett Museum. This program is limited to 10 people with their care partners.

            To register, please email info@mattapoisettmuseum.org or by visiting www.mattapoisettmuseum.org/events

            November’s theme is food and cooking. We will be exploring different tools used in the kitchen, favorite food and recipes, and family dinner traditions.

            Contact Mattapoisett Museum at  info@mattapoisettmuseum.org

Climate Change

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To The Editor,

            If the planet is to be saved, action must begin at home, and with that in mind, I have submitted the following letter to Marion’s Select Board. 

            Dear Chairman Norman Hills and Board Members,

            Our angry climate is screaming for an end to our combustion of fossil fuels. This past summer and early fall Marion residents suffered extreme heat, intense rainfall, floods, and powerful winds that knocked out power. Storm damage did not end at our borders, it went beyond and involved thousands of residents along the Southcoast and beyond. According to Mr. McGrail, Marion’s town administrator, during the last storm “Marion was close to losing power to emergency response capability…the general cleanup cut into the town’s existing overtime budget… before the winter season.” 

            With the disastrous summer—and the recent ravaging nor’easter in mind—I am asking the Marion community and its board and committee leaders to consider seriously going forward with two Net Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB)—the new Harbormaster building on Island Wharf, the new Department of Public Works (DPW) building proposed for Benson Brook and all future residential construction. 

            An NZEB is an extremely energy-efficient building in which the electricity demand is provided by renewable energy. Solar power is a readily available renewable electricity that could be produced at the building site, and the other component, energy conservation is influential for achieving a building’s net-zero energy status. As decision-makers, I am asking the Select Board to evaluate the synergy between energy conservation, and green energy, that is, solar energy, heat pumps, and geothermal that transfers its energy to create clean NZEBs.

            Marion is a green community and a green energy building or two in Marion will have an exponential impact on carbon dioxide levels at the local, regional and global levels. The acquisition of sustainable energy consumption is critical for net-zero energy buildings in various building styles—Harbormaster and DPW building while reining in long-term carbon dioxide emissions as outlined on March 26, 2021, by Governor Baker in “An Act Creating a Next-Generation Roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy.”

            Thank you for your consideration.

            Sincerely,

Eileen J. Marum

Vice-Chair, Planning Board

Member, Energy Management Committee

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.

Unique Art Focuses on WWI

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            On the evening of November 11, the Sippican Historical Society speakers series hosted a rare look at art that represented significant meaning to those with connections to World War I.

            Marion resident and artist Ben Dunham gave a talk on WWI art created by J. Alphege Brewer, whose fame came from his delicate yet large-scale etchings of famous European cathedrals and historic buildings that were impacted by the war.

            The event was held in the historic Marion Music Hall, where the perimeter of the space was surrounded by easels holding etchings and prints of etchings executed by Brewer and his family. As a prelude to Dunham’s talk, pianist Beverly Peduzzi set the mood with a mini-concert of music from the era.

            Dunham has researched the Brewer family and their impact through their print-making business on people living through troubled events. As France experienced the horror of war and the destruction of its cherished buildings, the Brewers printed from etchings images of the beloved structures. These images were heavily reproduced in both Europe and the United States.

            Brewer did not benefit from any type of copywrite law, thus, Dunham explained, copies of copies were mass produced including in the U.S. The global appetite of an image that would keep a connection between loved ones soldiering aboard and their families back home was immense.

            Losses both of lives and culture as a direct result of war, a tone set by the large-scale pictorial display of Brewer’s works, reminded all of the sacrifices made. Yet the thread of remembrance has been taken even further as the SHS has drawn a correlation between Brewer’s work and that of the artist Charles Gibson and the writer Richard Davis.

            Easily remembered for his famous “Gibson Girl” paintings, Gibson summered in Marion as did his friend Davis, who is remembered for his detailed articles on the German invasion of Belgium, while Gibson led the Division of Pictorial Publicity for the Committee on Public Information, a group created by President Wilson.

            As for the Brewer presentation, Dunham described the intricate process of creating such works and the precision required. Delicate cravings in wax, lines drawn by the thousands miraculously coalesced into recognizable images. The most famous and therefore the one most likely to grace homes in the U.S. was that of the Rheims Cathedral.

            Dunham is also a collector and has sought near and far to locate and purchase Brewer etchings and prints for his collection. He said many people have approached him over the years, telling their own stories of how a Brewer print came into a family’s possession.

            One such story popped up as Dunham was preparing for his talk. He said that Tobey Burr told him there was a print tucked away in his family’s home. Dunham sees this as affirmation that Brewer’s work held great meaning to thousands both near and far from the battlefields and trenches of WWI.

            The exhibit also included images of the Church of Notre Dame, Antwerp Cathedral, the Doge’s  Palace to name a few of the 16 that stood awaiting viewing and reflection on the meaning of service and the role of culture.

            The SHS’s WWI-themed exhibit is now on display at its headquarters on Front Street. To learn more, visit sippicanhistoricalsociety.org. You may also visit jalphegebrewer.info to learn more about Brewer and his family of printers as well as Dunham’s recently released book “The Elevated Art of J. Alphege Brewer.”

Sippican Historical Society

By Marilou Newell

Mattapoisett Woman’s Club

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The Mattapoisett Woman’s Club will meet on November 18, at 11:00 am at the Mattapoisett Congregational Church in Reynard Hall. Our speaker for this meeting will be Rachel Deery representing “All Hands and Hearts”, a local organization of dedicated volunteers that responds to all types of disasters to address immediate and long-term needs.

            Members are encouraged to bring a donation for a local foodbank and/or for Gifts to Give. Suggestions for Food Bank donations were included in the most recent issue of The Ladies Choice newsletter, p. 3. The current list of items wanted for GTG can be found at this link – www.giftstogive.org/current-needs/

            The Tea Committee hostesses for the luncheon are: Betty Parker, Esther Callum, Linda Clifford, Doris Gray, Myra Hart, Patricia King, Anne Layton, Eileen Marum, Alice Openshaw, Barbara Poznysz, and Kathleen Flaherty Sykes.

            The MWC has resumed traditional in-person meetings on the third Thursday of every month. Current Covid protocols will be followed.

            The Mattapoisett Woman’s Club is always open to new members from the south coast area. For more information and a membership application, please see the Club’s website – www.mattapoisettwomansclub.org/members/

Empty Bowls 2021 at ORRHS

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The art department and art students of ORRHS invite the tri-town community to come together on Thursday November 18 from 6-7:30 pm for some delicious soup and a chance to take home a handmade artisan bowl. A $20 donation buys you soup and your choice of a handcrafted ceramic bowl made by the art students of ORR. All proceeds will benefit our tri-town neighbors in need. Empty Bowls uses art to help fight hunger within our own community. Empty Bowls is a worldwide charity where people make ceramic bowls that are used for a simple dinner. Guests pay a small donation to have the dinner, and they keep the ceramic bowl as a thank you for helping to combat hunger.

            Please join us in the ORRHS cafe from 6-7:30 pm on November 18th to come together for this worthy cause. If you have any questions please contact: Kate Butler at katebutler@oldrochester.org or Joanne Mogilnicki at joannemogilnicki@oldrochester.org

Storm Put Infrastructure in Jeopardy

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            Marion Town Administrator Jay McGrail told the Finance Committee during its November 3 meeting that the town’s Wastewater Treatment Plant at Benson Brook came to within six hours of running out of fuel.

            McGrail said that he threatened Eversource that he would call the press if the utility company did not respond.

            Marion was also precariously close to losing power to emergency response capability as well, according to McGrail.

            After the storm had passed and response efforts were shifted from emergency situations to general clean-up, the financial reality set in. McGrail told the committee that the town’s existing overtime budget was cut into significantly and it has happened prior to the winter season when the deepest cut is typically made.

            The town, he said, could theoretically deficit-spend and replenish from free cash pending voter approval at Spring Town Meeting.

            McGrail called it a disastrous month, noting that he spent approximately $5,000 on bottled water that was distributed to senior citizens and around town.

            Finance Committee Chairman Shea Assad complimented McGrail on the town’s response.

            Select Board member John Waterman, sitting in on the Zoom meeting, doubled down, praising McGrail for his patience especially in sight of how often he was complained to or even yelled at by unhappy constituents.

            “One of the things I got (criticized) on the most was lack of communication,” said an incredulous McGrail, alluding to a swell of complaints on social media. “Some of these people were commenting on the posts where I provided the information. It’s insane.”

            The Finance Committee meeting was meant to address the budget timeline.

            In the first week of September, McGrail sent out submission forms to department heads requesting capital needs by October 1, and most departments were able to keep their timelines.

            As of the November 3 Finance Committee meeting, one CIPC meeting had taken place and meetings have been held with the Police and Fire departments.

            According to McGrail, a meeting with the School Department was postponed by the storm so the CIPC was to meet on November 9 to go over submissions from ORR and Sippican School, and there is a meeting scheduled for Wednesday, November 17, with the Harbormaster Department and the Council on Aging. That would leave the Public Works and Facilities departments for meetings in the first two weeks of December.

            “The largest request from the DPW is for a street sweeper,” said McGrail.

            McGrail told the committee that a week earlier he had sent out budget guidelines to department heads requesting a level-service budget with a December 23 deadline.

            “With the departments submitting their budgets that week, it basically gives Judy (Mooney) and I three weeks in January to work with meeting the department heads in trying to produce a general government budget that we would be able to submit to you guys probably that last week of January,” explained McGrail. “My guess is we’d have a placeholder for an ORR assessment at that point in time, but a firm number for Sippican School.”

            McGrail told FinCom that ORR Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson and Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Howie Barber indicated they will be able to provide a placeholder budget for McGrail’s purposes.

            Starting on February 1, department heads would begin meetings with the Finance Committee. McGrail hopes for a balanced budget at that point but said that, until he sees the initial submissions at the end of December, he cannot predict that to be the case a month later.

            The goal, said McGrail, is to meet as often as necessary in order to put the Finance Committee into a position that by late February or early March it is ready to move on the budget.

            Assad said that last year Peter Winters and Charlie Larkin were looking at the ORR budget process on behalf of the Finance Committee.

            “It would be good if we could have attendance at those (ORR Budget) Subcommittee meetings,” said Assad. “We’ve been working pretty well together … at least improving, and as a committee I think we’d like to continue to foster that good, working relationship because I think the more communication you have with them and understanding the challenges that they have in terms of their budget process, that will be helpful to everybody. It’s certainly helpful to the people in town.”

            Winters said his availability to attend would depend on the schedule. Assad suggested the possibility that Larkin would be more available for daytime hours. Winters suggested Larkin could take the lead and he could serve as a backup.

            Assad said he intends to follow up on the enrollment study.

            Waterman said that McGrail knows there are issues with the grant. Marion applied for a Community Compact (best practice) grant but learned that the funds were exhausted.

            “Unfortunately, we have a perfect project that fits exactly what the grant pays for, but there was no funding left,” said McGrail. “I can tell you last year they opened up additional funding so there is a hope of that.”

            The UMass Collins Center helped prepare the proposal, and the Town of Rochester was set to make the application on behalf of the tri-towns.

            Waterman said the Community Compact study is critical because, if Marion is head toward “a secular decline in enrollment,” the program is the “best opportunity we’re ever going to have of trying to rein in school expenses. We honestly don’t know the answer to that without the study.”

            Assad agreed, and McGrail noted that UMass does good work.

            Finance Committee member Bill Marvel, who now serves on the Capital Improvements Planning Committee, said that capital projects are midway through the process of learning what they are and ranking them.

            McGrail suggested that Marvel leads the joint meeting of CIPC and FinCom. “It just doesn’t seem fair that Paul (Naiman) has to answer those questions (from the Finance Committee) when Bill’s been there all along,” he said.

            Marvel acknowledged his advantage in acting as a liaison.

            In other business, the committee discussed the process of filling vacancies, and Assad said there is interest in achieving more diversity among the membership. He asked members to recruit and let McGrail know if candidates emerge so interviews can be scheduled.

            McGrail said there are two openings that have been advertised in the newspaper and that three people have been interviewed for the two open positions. McGrail met with Anne Iannuzzi, Fred Mock and Bob Kostyla, each for an hour and said, “all three were great.”

            In December, McGrail will meet with the town’s Appointment Committee and plans to make the new appointments by the end of the calendar year. The two new members will join as alternate members, and one current alternate member will move into a full role.

            The next meeting of the Marion Finance Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, December 15, at 7:00 pm.

Marion Finance Committee

By Mick Colageo

Dementia Conversations

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Initiating the important “talk” with a loved one about concerns. When a loved one is exhibiting changes in memory or action, when and how does one initiate a conversation about concerns?

            The holiday season may bring some concerns to light as people interact. Being respectful of the individual’s feelings is important. Join Carolyn Lazaris of the Alzheimers Association as she shares some helpful information. 

            This program is offered in person or via Zoom on Tuesday, November 30 at 1:00 pm at the Mattapoisett COA, 17 Barstow Street. Register by November 23 by calling 508-758-4110 or email coadirector@mattapoisett.net. Zoom Meeting ID 890 6321 3103

From the Files of the Rochester Historical Society

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On November 11th every year we stop to remember those who have served, fought and died for their country. Previously, I wrote about the enormous impact that World War II had on the citizenry. While most monuments honoring veterans of war are put up well after the fighting has ended ( the Civil War Monument was dedicated in 1928 and the WW I stone, 4 years after the fighting ended ), the Roll of Honor inscribed with the names of WW II servicemen was dedicated while the war was still being fought.

            The Rochester Honor Roll was unveiled on Memorial Day of 1944. It was placed in the triangle which was called Rochester Square, but is now named in honor of Calvin Daggett. There was all ready a memorial stone to WW I veterans located there and it had been dedicated on July 4,1924. Of the 30 names of men who fought in WW I, 10 had sons fighting in WW II and one man had 3 sons in the service.

            The unveiling of the scroll was done by Robert L. Humphrey, the 3 yr. old son of Lieutenant Edward C. Humphrey whose war service I described in an earlier article and who was still a prisoner of war in Germany.There was a large celebration complete with a prayer of dedication by the pastor of the First Congregational Church and a dedication speech by Raynor M. Gifford  followed by the unveiling. An orchestra led by Elmore Howes provided music and many patriotic songs were sung. The names of those on the Honor Roll were read by Gifford after the celebration moved into the Women’s Club. Participants included members of a variety of service organizations.

            In later years the names of those who fought in the Korean War were added and eventually, as our country continued to be involved in military actions the names of those who served in the Vietnam Conflict, Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan, Operation Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, and the Persian Gulf War were added on the reverse side.

By Connie Eshbach