Machacam Club Meeting

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The next meeting of the Machacam Club is scheduled for Wednesday, November 3. We meet at the American Legion Hall on Depot Street. Social time begins at 5:00 pm, dinner at 6:00 pm, a short business meeting at 6:45, followed by our speaker’s presentation. Chef Dawicki has offered his talents to provide us with a hearty meal. Callers, please transmit your counts for dinner to 508-758-1326 or email to cwmccullough@comcast.net by Monday evening, November 1. We meet on the first Wednesday of each month, and new members are always welcome.

Thomas L. “Tommy” “T.T.” Thomas

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Thomas L. “Tommy” “T.T.” Thomas passed away peacefully at home on October 26th, 2021, at 77 years young. He was the loving husband of Darlene (Souza) Thomas and resident of Rochester, MA.

            Born in Provincetown MA, he was predeceased by his mother and father Marion (Henrique) & Manuel Thomas and his sister Marion Joan Morgan.

            He is survived by his four daughters, Jodi Lin Thomas and her husband James Baker of New Bedford, Jami Lee (Thomas) Edmundson and her husband Bruce of Dartmouth, Jessica (Samson) Golino and her husband Sebastian of Glastonbury, CT and Molly (Samson) Cardoso and her husband Junior of Fairhaven, in addition to 5 grandchildren, Tyler Edmundson and his wife Jessica, Maximus Golino, Maya Golino, Declyn Cardoso and Paxton Thomas Cardoso and one great-granddaughter Harper and a great grandson Ryder on the way as well as several sisters in law, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

            A heart of gold, albeit weak, he was happiest by the ocean, where worked tirelessly as a seafood broker and maritime pilot boat captain for the last 50 years. He was the proudest “Pops” who cherished time with his grandchildren, the loudest fan at every one of their sporting events, pony rides, or birthdays. He loved boats, cars, going to the movies, and reminiscing telling old stories from his youth with his cronies from what he considered God’s country, Provincetown, where he was a proud resident, fisherman and graduate of Provincetown High School in 1962.

            He will be remembered for his generosity, his willingness to help those in need, his tremendous work ethic, and how proud he was of his family. He without a doubt was the “finest kind.”

            Funeral services will be private, a celebration of life will be held at a later date.

            The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the LVAD team of Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston and Dr. Michael Rocha for the incredible care they provided the last several years.

            His private arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Road, Mattapoisett. For online guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

William (Billy) F. Murphy

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William (Billy) F. Murphy passed peacefully from this life on Oct 22, 2021. He was husband of the late Mary D.(Swain) Murphy. There was gratitude but no surprise to watch him so peacefully pass, as that is the man we have always known: gentle and kind, never wanting to make things any more difficult than necessary for those he loved.

            Born in Providence, Rhode Island to the late Viola A. (Murphy) Oliver, Billy spent most of his childhood in Fairhaven and Natick. He first went commercial fishing at age 16. He loved to share stories of his fishing days (and anyone who met him knows the man could spin a story), and the one that amused people the most was his surviving two ship sinkings, one right after the other! He served honorably in the Marines from 1954-1957 before returning to fishing, in the family tradition; he would continue to fish for the next 40 years, primarily with the Fairhaven and New Bedford fleets.

            Bill was an avid lifelong reader, with interests ranging from history, religion and archeology to science and space. He truly loved to learn things and then share them with anyone who cared to sit for a moment and enjoy some time with him. His greatest joy was baseball and he had the ability to quote an unending number of statistics and stories. He and Mary even sponsored a Little League baseball team for years, something they both enjoyed immensely. In 1978 he enrolled in a pilot remote education program at BCC and by studying on the boat and listening to taped audio lectures, he graduated with honors. He remained engaged and curious his entire life.

            Survivors include his daughter Kathleen H. Santos of Acushnet, a son Shawn J. Murphy of Fairhaven and his granddaughter Grace Mary also of Acushnet. He is also survived by his brother Kenneth Oliver and his wife Linda of Florida; his sister Dorene Riggs of Florida and his late sister Juanita Chandley of Florida. He was beloved “Uncle Billy” to numerous nieces and nephews who will remember him for his gentle disposition and perpetual smile.

            Bill spent his last few months at Care One of New Bedford and his family will be forever grateful to the nurses, aides and entire staff there for their capable professionalism and kindness, and for filling Bill’s days with comfort and smiles.

            While funeral arrangements are private, there will be a Celebration of Life for Bill at a future time still to be determined. He will be remembered fondly and missed greatly by many.

Surplus Revenue Requires Spending Plan

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            While the Town of Mattapoisett was awaiting a financial reckoning from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue in the form of free-cash certification, the Select Board met on October 22 to give the November 8 Special Town Meeting warrant a final once-over and their signatures.

            When it got to the matter of free cash, that uncertified number, the board was very pleased with the $2,000,000 estimate floated by Town Administrator Mike Lorenco. As he had previously noted, a combination of reduced spending, federal CARES Act money and underestimated revenue pushed the free-cash dollars to an all-time high.

            Lorenco explained that “free cash” isn’t really free but is a term used to describe funds collected but not allocated by the town. The warrant articles, he said, are primarily for the appropriation of some of that “free cash” to keep the town in balance with DOR rules for the amount Mattapoisett must appropriate but also to pump up stability funds for future expenditures.

            “The DOR doesn’t want you taxing residents and then have the money just sitting there.… We can’t save it all,” he said. “Ten-percent can be carried over but has to be spent eventually.”

            Board member Tyler Macallister said that by placing money in stability funds the town avoids “peaks and valleys” in revenue and in expenditures.

            Removed from the original draft were two Water Department articles that would have asked Town Meeting to reallocate savings from previously approved Enterprise Fund projects to other projects. A new Article 11 for the Sewer Enterprise Fund in the sum of $180,000 from retained earnings to be used to pay the additional costs of treatment of sewer effluent with the Town of Fairhaven was added.

            The warrant now contains 11 articles as follows: Article 1, Appropriation to Reduce OPEB Liability $100,000; Article 2, Appropriation to Debt Stabilization Fund $150,000; Article 3, Appropriation to Capital Stabilization Fund $150,000; Article 4, Cyclical Annual Property Revaluation and Town Mapping $36,000; Article 5, Amendment to FY22 Annual Budget, $30,000 for Finance Committee Reserve Fund and $27,000 for part-time staffing in the Accounting Department; Article 6, Supplemental Funding Fiscal Year 2022, $35,000 for Employee Benefits Accrued Liability Funding, $15,000 Employee Benefits Education Incentive, $50,000 Town Buildings and Grounds Repairs, and $7,000 for Elections and Town Meetings; Article 7, Capital Improvement Project Funding, $650,000 for a new fire engine, $40,000 for Transfer Station Loader repairs, and $70,000 to purchase a new Ford 550 truck; Article 8, Grant Matching Funding $50,000; Article 9, Amend and Restate the Regional Agreement of the Old Rochester Regional School District; Article 10, Approve Establishment of Stabilization Fund by Old Rochester Regional School District; and the aforementioned Article 11.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Select Board is scheduled for Tuesday, November 16, at 6:30 pm.

Mattapoisett Select Board

By Marilou Newell

Mattapoisett Woman’s Club Celebrates 80 Years

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            For 80 years, the Mattapoisett Woman’s Club has been finding ways to support a community they are committed to serve. On October 21, club members, both longstanding and new, came together at the Mattapoisett Congregational Church Hall to celebrate their eight decades of service and camaraderie.

            Club President Carole Clifford shared that the club was founded in 1941 and spent the next several years in support of the war effort. The MWC has over its long history supported disabled military personnel and their families in a variety of ways.

            However, the club does have four main goals, Clifford explained. Those goals are: scholarships to graduating seniors, and to at least one adult pursuing continued education; philanthropy – raising money in support of local charities; civic endeavors such as Taste of The Town; and education.

            The MWC holds monthly meetings and often hosts guest speakers. These informative lectures and presentations are open to the public. “Many of the activities and programs overlap one another,” Clifford said, but all are for “the benefit of the town and the people.”

            Another civic activity the club is famous for is the beautification of public areas. The flowerboxes at the Post Office, town beach bathhouse, Town Hall, Shipyard Park triangle (next to Munro Preserve), the flowers at the intersection of Church Street and Route 6, and several other locations around the community are all planted and nursed through the growing season by club members. Now a well-known fundraiser and beautification project that the MWC began is the selling of daffodil bulbs – bulbs that grace front yards and roadways throughout the town. And let’s not forget the holiday wreath sale.

            Through the years, the MWC has also supported local Scouting groups and was a pivotal financial supporter of the new bandstand (commonly referred to as the gazebo) back in the day.

            The MWC is most proud of the annual scholarships awarded to high school graduates. Clifford estimated in rough numbers that the MWC has awarded more than $150,000 over its 80 years. Some years more, some years less, but for all the club’s 80 years, fundraising money have been passed along to others. “In 1943, they gave a $5 scholarship to a graduating student from Center School,” Clifford said with a chuckle.

            With Veterans Day approaching, Clifford said that the MWC kickstarted the ringing of the bells or Bells of Remembrance on Veterans’ Day in 2017. Begun at the end of WWI, bells ring on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month to remember all the veterans. Clifford’s wish is that this event in honor of those who have served the nation remains an annual event, never going out of fashion, and that more towns adopt the habit, all ringing in unison.

            To learn more, visit mattapoisettwomansclub.org.

By Marilou Newell

First Congregational Church of Marion

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Everyone is invited to our worship service this coming Sunday, October 31, at 10:00 am, which is our All Hallows Eve service. All Hallows Eve is better known as Halloween, which is the day before All Saints Day. We would like to recover the religious holy day that it once was. During the worship service, we will be having a ceremony to honor those who have died. Anyone who wishes will be able to light a candle in honor of a loved one or a friend.

For more information, contact the Church Office at 508-748-1053.

Basketball Registration is Open

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Mattapoisett Recreation Basketball registration is open! MATTREC is partnering with Marion Rec. once again for Tri-Town Basketball league open to all 3rd-6th Graders in the Tri-Town. Deadline to sign up is October 30. Evaluations/placement nights are November 1-3. Sign up at www.mattrec.net. Marion residents should sign up at www.marionma.gov.

            MATTREC is also offering:

            Second-grade basketball league on Thursday evenings starting January 6. Placement night is December 9. Teams will be drafted the following week. Sign up by December 3. Open to all Tri-Town residents.

            K-1 Basketball clinics, either on Mondays or Thursdays at 3:00 pm, or Wednesdays at 5:00 pm. Open to all Tri-Town residents. Sign up by January 1. Please email us at mattrec@mattapoisett.net with any questions. We are also looking for volunteers to coach.

Marion Art Center

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Halloween weekend at the Marion Art Center – The Marion Art Center is committed to the health and safety of members in our community. As such, the MAC will not run the annual Marion Halloween Parade this year. However, the MAC is offering another day of Halloween festivities on Sunday, October 31. Show up in costume from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm to have your photo taken in an outdoor photo booth by professional photographer Corinna Raznikov. Web-ready photos will be available for download in early November. Draw your favorite creatures and critters on the MAC’s Halloween message board or make your own Halloween craft. Check out the decorations inside the MAC and on the grounds, especially after dark. The friendly witches of the Marion Art Center will pass out goodie bags of candy from 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm outside. In case of rain, there will be no photos, but trick-or-treaters may pick up candy inside (masks must be worn while inside the MAC).

            Autumn Stages performs at the Bandstand – Autumn Stages, the MAC’s young acting troupe, will perform Oedipus Rex (also known as Oedipus the King) at the Robert O. Broomhead Bandstand at Island Wharf, Marion, on Saturday, October 30, at 4:30 pm. Tickets are a suggested $10 donation or pay-what-you-can at entry. Guests should bring their own chairs to this event. Hot apple cider will be provided. Tickets can be purchased online until Saturday, October 30, at 12:00 pm at marionartcenter.org/events. After this time, donations can be made with cash only at entry.

            Synopsis: The people of Thebes are fighting a plague and have come to their king to save them from doom. The king promises his life to do so but soon discovers, with the help of the community, that he is the monster that is haunting his people. The story is told in a family-friendly, educational style by an ensemble of talented high school students, whose costumes and voices will start your Halloween weekend off with just the right amount of fright!

            In case of rain, this performance will be held indoors at the MAC Theater and will be limited to 40 guests. Currently, all indoor theater guests must be fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus or submit proof of a negative test (PCR test within 72 hours or proctored/administered antigen test within 6 hours of attending a show) to enter the MAC Theater. No at-home tests will be accepted. Anyone unable to meet these requirements will not be allowed entry. Each guest must wear a mask that covers the mouth and nose at all times while inside the Marion Art Center. Ticket holders who cannot attend the indoor performance due to these requirements may request a refund.

            Call for Submission to Small Works 2021 – The Marion Art Center announces a call for entries for its 2021 Small Works show. To apply to the Small Works show, use the form at marionartcenter.org/apply-for-exhibition to submit images. Be sure to include “Small Works” in the description field. All new applications are due by November 9.

            Artists are invited to submit up to four pieces for this juried/invitational exhibit, the final show of the season. Works should be no larger than 14 inches in any direction, including frame. Both 2D and 3D works will be accepted. All works must be ready to install (framed, wired, etc.) and available for sale. Once accepted, artists must schedule an appointment time to drop off work. The show runs November 19 – December 17. For more information, please call the MAC at 508-748-1266 or email info@marionartcenter.org.

Climate change is real

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Dear Respected Editor,

            Climate change is real. The discussion of whether this is a natural or anthropogenic event is no longer pertinent to the discussion about how to combat it. For four years we heard a lot about a specific wall and less about the seawall barriers being constructed to protect coastal cities such as Boston at a projected cost of $6 – 12 billion. Unfortunately, this is the new reality we live in, particularly for coastal New Englanders, as research continues to show sea level rise increasing up to four times faster along the northeastern seaboard.

            This is just one of the many reasons we need to put pressure on legislators to pass Massachusetts Bill 3288 a.k.a. 100% Clean Act that would commit Massachusetts to 100 -percent renewable energy by 2045. Since the bill was filed in 2019, at least six states, Puerto Rico, and Washington D.C. have passed similar legislation, joining California, Hawaii, and Colorado.

            Originally from New Orleans, I returned home after Hurricane Katrina hit. The devastation, from the physical destruction to the emotional pain of families scavenging waterlogged belongings from the wreckage of what was once their homes, is something I never care to see again. Devastation that could have been avoided had the warnings of scientists and engineers been heeded.

            We cannot afford to debate the issue any longer. Not only will renewable energy decrease the carbon dioxide output contributing to global warming, but cost efficiency is also estimated to surpass coal by 2025. Furthermore, the potential for jobs is substantial as the renewables industry is projected to be worth nearly $2 trillion globally by 2030.

            For these reasons and many more, I’m asking legislators to turn those dollars into sense and commit Massachusetts to transitioning to 100-percent renewable energy by passing House Bill 2836 and I encourage residents to ask their representatives to do so as well. Thank you.

            Respectfully,

Will Maxwell, Rochester

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.

Briggs Pulls Spring Street Project

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            Longtime Marion-based developer Sherman Briggs called The Wanderer on October 21 to say he has pulled his application for a market-rate, residential development that he had been planning for Spring and Mill streets near the Brew Fish restaurant.

            “I just got tired of the innuendos,” said Briggs, asserting that Planning Board members “had nothing but negative (comments) the last time (engineer) Steve Poole was there.”

            Briggs acknowledged Marion Planning Board Chairman Will Saltonstall’s concern over the density of the residences. “Fine, we’ll go with the 42 (units),” he said, alluding to the affordable housing alternative. “All these bylaws are utilized to stop the quality growth.”

            Planning Board administration confirmed Briggs’ action but withheld comment on the situation. Likewise, Town Administrator Jay McGrail declined comment for this story.

            Briggs told The Wanderer he intends not to bring a residential development proposal for that site back to the Town of Marion until the spring. His frustration with the town’s vetting process for his 28-unit townhouse-style proposal is based mainly on a zoning bylaw that requires the incorporation of affordable units or a $150,000 contribution to the town’s Affordable Housing Trust.

            On September 14, Briggs attended the Affordable Housing Trust’s regularly scheduled public meeting and, given the floor, used it to speak at length on why he believes the town desperately needs market-rate housing rather than more developments that fall into the category of 40B affordable housing.

            Market-rate housing, he said, costs the developer more but increases by tenfold the revenue generated, thanks to property tax and ratepayers for water and sewer.

            When the 120-unit affordable-housing Heron Cove development on Route 6 near the Wareham town line is complete, Briggs estimates that Marion will be well over the required 10-percent with some 250 affordable housing units, including 70 at Little Neck Village and miscellaneous others around town.

            Briggs insists he does not want to make his an affordable housing development, which would likely mean two apartment buildings at far greater density that can only be vetted by the Zoning Board of Appeals and state authorities. Estimating a site cost of $800,000 to build a market-rate development, not counting the $150,000 check he would be required to write to the AHT, Briggs said it would only cost $300,000 for him to build affordable housing on that site.

            “I’m educating myself in the way this economy is going to go. Guys who do this all the time are saying apartments are going to be a hot item the next five to 10 years,” he said.

            Briggs was not surprised to see the town vote against the rezoning of land along Route 6, before which developer Matt Zuker gave an overview of his proposal for a market-rate, multi-family residential development. Briggs cited the five years it took for his project to become possible via a zoning change and 10 years he says it took the town to approve plans for the Route 6 Dunkin’ store.

            Unlike a few weeks ago when Briggs threatened to pull his project, he does not expect town officials to reach out this time.

            “I’m trying to get the town to recoup some financial benefit from these projects, and they’re not getting it,” he said.

            Briggs said he hopes that Marion’s hire of a new town planner will lead to a change in the bylaw.

            “I went to Town Meeting four times. It’s too bad a project like mine when it comes in couldn’t stand on its own merit,” he said. “It’s too hard to get there, and that’s the shame of it. … When you go into the 40B (affordable housing) statute … it’s so much easier, but you don’t get the revenue and you don’t meet the seniors’ needs that they so much want.”

By Mick Colageo