Josephine Mary Pannell

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Josephine Mary Pannell, of Mattapoisett, died peacefully in her home on May 21, 2020 in the company of her family at the age of 92. Jo was born in London, England on December 10, 1927, the daughter of Ann Margaret and John Lyons. Raised in Essex with her siblings Maureen, Michael and Patrick, she grew up during WW II and shared many stories told through childhood eyes of bombings, air raid shelters, shortages and soldiers, all of which were exciting to a young teen age girl. Jo married Peter Pannell in 1949 and they emigrated to Port Washington, Long Island, NY and began their own family. She was the beloved mother of Mary, John, Elizabeth, Victoria and Alexandra. She was the beloved mother-in-law to John, Marjorie, James, Albert and Stephen. In 1974 Jo relocated to Mattapoisett, MA and embraced the town with the same sense of community and volunteerism that had always been a part of her life. She was a long time advocate of Girl Scouting, Friends of the Library, Mattapoisett Historical Commission, Brick Memorial Park and the Council on Aging along with her dear friend Bette Roberts. Jo was honored as The Standard Times 2016 Mattapoisett Woman of the Year. She was an active member and lector at St. Anthony’s RC Church and sang with abundant enthusiasm in the church choir and Sippican Coral Society. Jo worked for 15 years at Endeco in Marion, MA. Her greatest delight was her extensive family in England which she visited often and the large network of grandchildren in America. She was the beloved grandmother to Michaela, Patrick, Kathleen, Peter, James, John Robert, Emily, Miles, Shawn, Graham, Daniel, Charlotte and Simon and great grandmother to nine great grandchildren. She never forgot a birthday card or gift and was willing to create a sweater, scarf, pecan pie or “grandpa’s stew” for any occasion. She was loved and will be heartfully missed by all that knew and enjoyed her warmth and company.

            A memorial service will be held at a later date to celebrate her life. In lieu of flowers, Donations in Josephine’s name can be made to The Friends of the Mattapoisett Free Library, P.O Box 1146 Mattapoisett, MA 02739. Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Mattapoisett. For online guestbook. please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Mary O. (Ornellas) Ferreira

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Mary O. (Ornellas) Ferreira, 102 of New Bedford died May 20, 2020 peacefully at St. Luke’s Hospital.
She was the wife of the late Manuel B. Ferreira.
Born in New Bedford, the daughter of the late Manuel and Maria (Souza) Ornellas, she lived in New Bedford all of her life.
Mrs. Ferreira was formerly employed as a stitcher at Eastern Sportswear for many years until her retirement.
Survivors include her son, Thomas Ferreira and his wife Margaret of Mattapoisett; 2 brothers, Antone Ornellas of Idaho and Joseph Ornellas of Acushnet; a sister, Celia Bennett of California; 4 grandchildren, Mark Ferreira of Winthrop, Jane Connolly of East Sandwich, Kristen Ferreira of Mattapoisett, Matthew Ferreira of Henrico, VA; 7 great-grandchildren, Benjamin Ferreira, Beau Ferreira and Brooke Ferreira, all of Henrico, VA, Meghan Seguin of Mattapoisett, Patrick Connolly, Sean Connolly and Jack Connolly, all of East Sandwich.
She was the sister of the late Manuel Ornellas, Jr., John Ornellas and Norma Martin.
Due to current restrictions on public gatherings, her services and burial will be private for immediate family. Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Mattapoisett. For online guestbook. please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Joseph E. Doubrava

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Joseph E. Doubrava, 92, of Mattapoisett, MA, died on Saturday, May 16, 2020 at Saint Luke’s Hospital following a brief period of declining health initiated by a fall and complicated by infection with COVID-19.

            Joe was born in Bayside, New York and as a young man enjoyed swimming, sailing and golfing. As a 17 year-old he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the Pacific during the last months of World War II. He later reenlisted in the Marines, serving during the Korean War.

            Following the war, Joe met and married Dora Kate Vollgraff of Lake Grove, NY. The couple shared almost 67 years of marriage, living in Bellport, Lake Grove and Mattituck, NY before moving to Mattapoisett, MA in 2013. Together they raised four children and witnessed the birth and growth of five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. As an adult Joe had many interests: he was a licensed amateur radio operator, restored wooden boats, enjoyed fishing, building wooden models, vegetable gardening, walking and visiting the ever expanding array of licensed gaming facilities. Much of his career was devoted to sales, operating his own business during the 1970s. In retirement Joe began a second career delivering meals to the elderly and was known for his kindness throughout Southold Township.

            Joe is survived by his wife Dora Kate of Mattapoisett, MA; children Tim and his wife Christine Doubrava of Riverhead, NY, Jeff and his wife Beth Doubrava of Marion, MA, Derrick and his wife Debbie Doubrava of Highland, NY and Tracey Doubrava of Hingham, MA; granchildren Andrew Doubrava and fiance Tiffani Ortiz, Alex and his wife Renata Doubrava, Erin and her husband Billy Buboltz, USMC 2nd Lt. Matthew Doubrava and Emma Finnerty; and great grandchildren Isabella and Alexander.

            He was predeceased by his sister, Geraldine, who died in April 2020 at age 97.

            A memorial service will be planned when conditions allow. For online guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Thomas H. Buffinton

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Thomas H. Buffinton, age 99, of Plymouth, MA, formerly of Marion, died peacefully on Saturday, May 16. He was the husband of the late Sally (Waring) Buffinton for 69 years.

            Born November 8, 1920 in Williamstown, MA to the late Professor Arthur H. Buffinton and Mary (Edwards) Buffinton. As a young student at Williamstown High School he was a class officer, Student Council member and Captain of the football team. He graduated from Williams College in the Class of 1944 and earned his Master’s degree from Trinity College in 1955. He served in the Pacific in the Navy, as a Lt (jg) Combat Information Officer. His destroyer, the USS Sutherland, was the first US war ship to enter Tokyo Bay at the conclusion of World War II.

            Proud to be an educator, his first assignment was at Suffield Academy in CT. In 1952 he moved to Marion and taught at Tabor Academy where he spent the remainder of his career as a History Teacher, Coach, Athletic Director, Dean of the Tabor Summer Camp and Chairman of the History Department. He received the Trustee’s Award for Distinguished Service and was inducted into the first class of the Tabor Athletic Hall of Fame. He also received a Fellow at the John Hay Summer Institute at Williams College; served as the Assistant Director of the John Hay Summer Institute at the University of Oregon; served as President of the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC); was awarded the Rudolf Weyerhaeuser Driscoll Chair for History at Tabor and received the NEPSAC Distinguished Service Award.

            What was most important to him throughout his career, was his time teaching. He taught English, Math, European, Medieval & Ancient History and finally, his true passion, American History. He didn’t teach dates and places, he taught “what, when, how and why.” In the context of an historical event, he taught what happened, how it occurred and why it impacted life and history. Additionally, he taught his students how to write and to think critically. During retirement, his days continued to be full and he was happiest when spending time with his beloved family, sailing on Buzzards Bay, consuming history books, gardening and cheering for his favorite sports teams.

            He is survived by his son Thomas H. Buffinton, III and his wife Wendy of Plymouth, MA and his daughter Holly Buffinton Bove and her husband Vic of Essex, MA. Additionally, he leaves 5 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren, along with several nieces and nephews.

            Due to current restrictions, a private service will be held and a celebration to honor his memory will be planned at a later date. To acknowledge the incredible care he received, the family has asked that contributions be made in his memory to Cranberry Hospice, 36 Cordage Park Circle, Suite 326, Plymouth, MA 02360.

            Arrangements have been made by the Waring-Sullivan Home at Fairlawn, Fairhaven, MA.

Shirley J. (Parker) Hughes

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Shirley J. (Parker) Hughes, 90, of Marion, died May 17, 2020 at home. She was the wife of the late John H. Hughes who died in 1985 and the daughter of the late Henry W. and Elizabeth E. (Davie) Parker.

            She was born in Arlington and graduated from Concord High School.

            After high school, Mrs. Hughes worked as a Professional Personnel Clerk at MIT and Harvard University.

            She was a member of the Appalachian Hiking Club and Beverly Yacht Club. She loved skiing, hiking, and sailing. Following their marriage, Shirley and John purchased a 44 ft. Mercer and set off on a 3-year sailing adventure to the Caribbean, Europe, and around the world. Upon returning in 1969, they purchased their home in Marion where Shirley lived until her passing.

            Survivors include a sister, Claire Creelman of FL and several nieces and nephews. Her sister, Norma Nickerson died in February.

            At Shirley’s request, there will be no services. Arrangements are by the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Hwy., Wareham.

            For online guestbook, visit: www.ccgfuneralhome.com.

2020 Rochester Memorial Day Boat Race

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The Rochester Board of Health has given permission for the Fire Department to again sponsor the Boat Race this year but with changes and restrictions in order to make an effort to keep people safe and healthy as circumstances are relaxing somewhat in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

            Both spectators and contestants must exercise self-discipline. Face masks must be worn and social distancing is a must. Boats will be staged six feet apart and the start time interval will be two minutes to help space them out in the river. The race will be a shortened version and end just after Wolf Island Road before the normal portage. There will be no registration sessions, no ham and bean supper, no hot dog stand, no awards program. The Committee will assign and draw all starting numbers after all forms are submitted and notify the teams of their starting number. In an effort to reduce congregating, contestants are being asked to leave the Wolf Island Road area as soon as they complete the race. The display board for team elapsed times will not be used.The calculations for elapsed times will be done after the race.

            The final results will be posted on Facebook by late afternoon in a format similar to what has been handed out after the awards program in the past. A team’s prize certificates will be mailed to one of the entrants in the team. Trophies will be purchased and dealt with after the race.

            The Rochester Memorial Day Boat Race on the Mattapoisett River, sponsored by the Rochester Fire Department, will take place on Memorial Day, May 25, starting at 8:30 am at Grandma Hartley’s Reservoir, Snipatuit Road, in Rochester and finishing just after Wolf Island Road before the normal portage.

            The minimum age for contestants is seven years old on Memorial Day. There will be two persons to a boat. The boat must be a homemade river racer design of any material you choose. There are no limitations or restrictions on types of paddles.  

            Divisions include open/men’s, women’s, junior boys, junior girls, co-ed and parent/child. Junior division teams are both contestants under 14 years old. Parent/child is for a parent with his/her child (child under 14 years old) or an adult (25 or older) with a child (child under 14 years old). Trophies are awarded to the first, second, and third-place finishers in each division.

            Pre-registration is required. No registration sessions will be held at the Rochester Senior Center as in past years. A signed registration form must be submitted by each contestant for a team to be eligible for a starting position. Forms may be obtained at Lloyd’s Market. You may also come to 319 Cushman Road to get forms, or email Art Brenner (artbenner@comcast.net) and request forms. 

            The preferred method is to mail or deliver the completed forms to 319 Cushman Road, or you may return the form by email but you must bring the original, signed form to the race start May 25. If you don’t get a reply, assume the forms were not received and hand-deliver a set. Registration deadline is Friday, May 22, at 8:00 pm.  

            For further information contact Boat Race Chairman, Arthur F. Benner, 508-763-2024 or email: artbenner@comcast.net.

Sippican Historical Society

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Marion (Old Rochester) is one of the oldest towns in the United States, and the Sippican Historical Society maintains an extensive collection of documentation on its historic buildings. In 1998, the Sippican Historical Society commissioned an architectural survey of Marion’s historic homes and buildings. Over 100 were cataloged and photographed. SHS will feature one building a week so that the residents of Marion can understand more about its unique historical architecture.

            This week we feature 547 Front Street. The 1840s Greek Revival dwelling at 547 Front Street was built by and for Paul W. Briggs, a carpenter. He served on the first board of selectmen for Marion, assuming this role shortly after Marion broke away from Rochester and was incorporated in 1852. By 1867, Paul W. Briggs, along with Howard and William Briggs, are listed as three of the seven carpenters and builders in Marion. Paul W. Briggs died on May 12, 1918 and his widow, Betsy, owned this house until 1926. The Briggs family of Marion is descended from Samuel Briggs, who had settled on Little Neck in Marion by the early 1700s. A large, well-known family in Marion, there were 27 Briggses listed in the 1867 Marion directory.

Marion hired a new police chief

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To the Editor;

            Since it was reported that Marion hired a new police chief within its ranks via an “internal posting,” many residents are questioning, if indeed, every police officer truly had an equal opportunity to apply, particularly, when out of 25 officers on the force, only one applied for the position. Also, the lack of publicity about the interview process, regardless of the COVID-19 pandemic, is concerning.

            How do taxpayers know they are getting the best person for the job when the only person who applied is hired? At this point, a prudent and judicious Human Resources person/administrator should have gone externally to ensure the best qualified, skilled, and practiced professional was hired. All business firms, corporations, and governmental agencies follow this best practice model. Perhaps Mr. Nighelli is the best-qualified person for the chief’s job, but Marion taxpayers have no way of knowing.

            What exactly is the promotional process within the Marion Police department? Is it fair? Is it equitable?

            “Officer Nighelli began his career as a police officer with the Department of Mental Health in Boston in 1999. He became a patrolman with the Nantucket Police Department in 2002 before being hired as a patrolman with the Marion Police Department in 2003. He was promoted to sergeant in 2007 and promoted to lieutenant in January 2018.” Many consider his experience thin for a police chief position.

            Does Mr. Nighelli have a college degree in criminal justice or law enforcement? Most police chiefs today have a master’s degree or a law degree. Police Chief Robert Small in Rochester has a law degree from Southern New England School of Law. 

            Can Mr. Nighelli multi-task? Does he have skills in communication, stress management, and leadership? Is he familiar with relevant software and computer programs, research methods, emergency management, and terrorism? What about proficiency in firearms and physical fitness? There is no mention of grant writing experience, knowledge of how policy is framed and developed, and methods used for upgrading the department.

            So, Mr. McGrail says the new hire may skew the leadership in town a bit young, but more important than youth is having the wisdom, ability, and credentials to do the job. 

            Mr. Nighelli served as the accreditation manager during Marion’s state re-accreditation process in 2018. What is the purpose and benefit of accreditation? What is the cost of the added lieutenant position, considering salary, benefits, and a take-home cruiser? Can police officers be held accountable without the need for accreditation? It is my understanding that some departments do not pursue accreditation because of the added lieutenant position and the cost. Many residents say the accreditation process is a money pit in overtime, and that accreditation created the lieutenant position. Since officers can still be held accountable for policies without accreditation, many taxpayers see little to no value in accreditation.

            Police officers/first responders are essential front-line workers who need personal protection equipment and sanitation in their workspaces (cruisers and station) between shifts to armor themselves against the deadly COVID-19. More than 90,000 Americans have succumbed to the coronavirus, and every day sheds new light on the deadliness of this pandemic. It has been 70 days since Governor Baker declared a state of emergency in Massachusetts, and we still do not know when Marion’s police officers and other essential personnel will receive heroes pay/hazard pay. How will Mr. Nighelli and the Town Administrator ensure that Marion’s police officers are protected? Should police officers be allowed to take their cruisers home? Healthy first responders/safety officers are essential to every community’s peace and safety.

Eileen J. Marum, Marion

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.

Tree-Trimming Project Refocuses on Wires

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Throughout the course of its meeting held on May 19, the Rochester Conservation Commission moved to address a number of Notices of Intent filed by applicants seeking approval by the commission in order to go forward with project planning.

            Up second were Paul Shamoian of Civil & Environmental Consultants and Dan Peters of SEMASS Partnership, who came before the commission in order to represent a Notice of Intent meant to act as retroactive approval for emergency tree trimming and tree removal that took place in March.

            The tree trimming took place in order to protect overhead wires and fiberoptic cables that connect the SEMASS and Eversource switchyards. Shamoian explained that the majority of the lines run through the 25-foot “no touch” wetlands buffer zone. With that, he explained that the trimming and removal of trees had to take place in order to prevent catastrophe. “A damaged line would put the plant down for weeks,” Shamoian explained.

            Commission member Christopher Gerrior expressed confusion as to why no one anticipated that trees intentionally added to the area might interfere with the power lines.

            “The trees were initially installed as a decorative enhancement, but they have grown to be a substantial problem,” said Peters. “Since we were requesting emergency work, we could not work beyond trimming to eliminate the hazard.”

            Vice Chairman Daniel Gagne mirrored the concerns put forth by Gerrior and questioned why the powerlines were not moved to a less hazardous location. Gagne’s primary concern was that if more significant action is not taken, then this will be a recurring problem. “Eversource should plan to move these lines, so that this does not come before us again in a couple years,” Gagne told Peters.

            After discussion with Peters and Shamoian, Chairman Michael Conway agreed that a plan was necessary to permanently resolve the issue. He suggested the addition of maintenance plan for the overhead wires to the NOI.

            “I believe, as a condition for Notice of Intent, SEMASS should issue an operating plan talking about how it is going to inspect these trees on a semiannual basis. Then they can provide that inspection to the conservation agent. We should get this over and done with once and for all,” Conway said to the commission members.

            The commission voted in favor of a motion of continuance on the issue to June 16 to allow time for such a plan to be prepared by the applicants.

            Norene Hartley, who was heard first, met with the commission to determine if a proposed repair to a subsurface, sewage-disposal system would require the submission of a Notice of Intent. The repair to the system would require work to be done within the 100-foot buffer zone of a vegetated wetland.

            Brad Bertolo of JC Engineering, representing Hartley, explained that this is only a project requiring an upgrade to an already existing system. Though the system is in close proximity to a wetland area, the new leeching facility will be introduced in the gravel driveway on Hartley’s property and will not impact the wetlands.

            After clarifying that the project was strictly a repair to existing systems, Rochester Conservation Agent Laurell Farinon recommended that the commission put forth a motion of a negative determination of applicability, meaning that no NOI would be required for the project.

            The commission passed the motion, allowing the project to go forward without any further input from the commission members.

            Rick Charon of Charon Associates, representing David and Janet Kielty, expanded on a NOI filed to request installation of an in-ground pool on 30 Bates Road, Rochester. Charon noted that the house in question is within the Sippican River-front area. Charon submitted an alternative analysis that provided the reasoning for how the current construction plan was adopted.

            “We get no closer than any existing structures would be,” said Charon. “Priority habitats are to the south of the developed area of the lot so it leaves the area that we are dealing with outside of that priority zone.”

            Farinon displayed images of the property to better explain how the potential plan would affect the property and the surrounding areas. 

            “I see no reason why this project can’t be done without adverse impact,” Farinon explained to the commission members. “My recommendation is to issue a positive order of conditions with the stipulation that a preconstruction meeting be held.”

            Satisfied with the plan, the commission voted unanimously in favor of a positive order of conditions.

            In other business, Brian Wallace of JC Engineering, representing a project at the Village at Plumb Corner, requested a determination of non-significance for a proposed plan to construct a gas line.  The gas-line work would not require any additional land clearing to be completed.

            Wallace described how the planned gas line would run alongside the roadway and that previous plans did not accurately demonstrate how the gas line would feed into each unit. The determination by the commission was necessary for Wallace to proceed with his application for construction with Eversource.

            “I think Mr. Wallace summarized this well. The limit of work for installation of the gas line is nothing beyond what the commission has already approved. It is my opinion that this is a minor change,” said Farinon.

            The commission determined that the changes were insignificant and allowed the plans to go forward.

            The final Notice of Intent to be addressed at the meeting dealt with the construction of new canals and a solar system at the Eldredge Bogs. Sarah Stearns of Beals and Thomas, Inc. represented the NOI filed by Hank Ouimet of Renewable Energy Development Partners.

            Stearns outlined that the building of a new canal is an exempt activity under current Wetlands Protection Act laws. “The goal of the project is to build canals to improve the cranberry bog’s operations,” said Stearns.

            According to Stearns, the intention of the NOI is to install a new form of solar array canopy above the canal. The solar canopy does not impede on farm operations and provides a renewable energy source to the bog. The proposed solar canopy is advantageous, because it requires no tree removal or the occupation of land that could be used for agricultural use. “The idea is to not constrain farming operation by the addition of the solar project,” Stearns added.

            Gerrior questioned the impact that these canopies would have on the local wildlife that occupy the areas surrounding the canals. He hoped to determine positive and negative outcomes for wildlife and vegetation in these areas.

            “Research says that the height (of the canopies) allows for indirect and direct solar radiation to support vegetative growth, and the shading effect decreases water temperature which is an agricultural benefit,” Ouimet explained to Gerrior. With that, Ouimet admitted that the novelty of the technology meant that he could provide no empirical evidence to support those theories.

            The commission voted to request continuance of the issue to June 16. This came after the decision that the commission would conduct an on-site visit to the bog in order to better understand plans for construction.

            The next Rochester Conservation Commission Meeting is scheduled to take place on remotely on Tuesday, June 2, at 7:00 pm.

Rochester Conservation Commission

By Matthew Donato

Nighelli Offered Job as Marion Chief of Police

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            The Town of Marion does not want to lose Police Lieutenant Richard Nighelli and decided the best way not to is to make him Chief of Police.

            “He’s been with us for 17 years, he could have left us, but he didn’t,” said Board of Selectman Chairperson Randy Parker after the board interviewed Nighelli for the job on May 13.

            With three options following the interview, the board elected not to open the job posting to outside candidates – Nighelli was the only internal candidate – or take time to contemplate the choice. Parker and selectmen Norm Hills and John Waterman voted unanimously to authorize Town Administrator Jay McGrail to offer Nighelli the job pending successful contract negotiations.

            Nighelli will replace retiring Chief of Police John B. Garcia, whom McGrail said supports Nighelli’s candidacy “unequivocally.”

            It was Nighelli’s second time candidating for the position, and Parker made note of the fact in his introductory comments.

            “Three years ago, you sat in the same position and we didn’t give you the job. I’m so glad you stayed with us,” Parker told Nighelli before he, Hills, Waterman and McGrail peppered the candidate with a wide array of questions.

            Hills asked Nighelli what are the primary law-enforcement issues in Marion.

            “Probably fraud. We have a large elderly population here, and weekly we’re getting calls on scams and frauds so I would definitely say frauds,” said Nighelli. “We’ve had situations in town where someone may call someone elderly and pretend to be their grandson, and they’re sending thousands of dollars overseas somewhere. It’s very difficult for law enforcement, we just don’t have the resources to track all that and sometimes the people could be out of that money. We need to educate our senior population, but that’s one of the biggest problems we have here is frauds.”

            Thanks to Garcia’s initiative of “Coffee with the Cop” over at the Council on Aging, Nighelli has a head start on a strong relationship with the town’s senior citizens.

            “The chief and I have been over there several times to talk to the seniors about different issues. We talk about everything from speeding to fraud to pot holes,” said Nighelli. “It’s good for us to get out there to see what the real-world problems that they’re having, and it’s good for them to interact with us.”

            Nighelli plans to involve more officers in Coffee with the Cop but also expand on efforts to reach out to students in the schools.

            “School presents some challenges, we’re not in the schools all the time,” said Nighelli. “We don’t have a full-time school resource officer, we have a school liaison officer that responds to the school occasionally. I don’t know if the schools need a school resource officer. … We have officers that go into the school, and occasionally we’ll have lunch with the students.”

            At the root of the job, said Nighelli, are problem-solving skills.

            He told the board that it’s incumbent upon every police officer to see problems and have solutions for those problems so his years of experience in the basics of being an officer are what preparing him best to be a chief of police.

            Asked by Parker how he expects the town to support him as a chief of police, Nighelli said in collaboration, that it will be most successful coming from both sides, “between myself and town officials.”

            At Waterman’s request, Nighelli summarized the Police Department’s structure and then discussed his theory on handling internal conflict.

            “I guess, human nature, there’s always going to be some challenges with resistance to change, and I think if you’re a strong leader, you have strong communication skills … you show some empathy, I think you can get through any challenge by talking it out,” said Nighelli. “I mentioned before about collaborating. It’s not just my way or the highway, but having a good dialogue and bringing all the stakeholders in to come up with a resolution.

            “I understand that the top position needs to make difficult decisions, but at the end of the day I understand that there needs to be some collaboration, too, so everyone needs to feel a part of those or you’re not going to be successful.’

            Nighelli says the Marion Police Department is rich in team players.

            “We’re a 24/7 operation – nights, holidays, weekends, they’ve answered every challenge that they’re faced with,” he said.

            Parker addressed the inconvenient question of morale.

            “We face that as a police department. Occasionally morale gets low. As law enforcement, sometimes we get beat up in the media and we deal with things here that don’t sit eight with law enforcement,” said Nighelli. “I think one thing is having a sense to bring people in to find out what’s going wrong, and that’s one of my thoughts if I am selected, is I’ll bring the whole department in to find out what’s going right and what’s going wrong. and I’ll ask them two things that they think we can improve on. And also I’d like to ask them what they plan on doing for the community.

            “I think all those things will help morale greatly because they feel they have an input to what’s going on. I don’t just want to be a manager, I want to be a leader and I feel that leaders inspire people.”

            Waterman asked Nighelli why he wants to become chief of police.

            “I wanted to,” he said. “I feel like I have a good working relationship with Mr. McGrail, I feel like I have like I have a good working relationship with the board so that was important to me. It’s also important to me that the board is comfortable with me as well.

            “I feel like this is the next progression for me. It’s going to be a nice challenge, I’m always trying to challenge myself. I’m ready to take that challenge and I’m ready to accept that challenge.”

            Part of that challenge, said Nighelli, is to participate in the hardest of the work.

            “I would never task someone to do something I wouldn’t do myself, so from that standpoint I feel that my management style is respected. I think I’m very direct, I’m not going to sugarcoat anything, and I think people respect that as a manager,” he said.

            Anyone who has watched a cop show on television knows there has to be mountains of truth behind the familiar storyline of the stress and emotional taxation that comes with the lifestyle of a police officer.

            “You can’t be in that position unless you’re a leader,” said Nighelli. “You to have integrity and not just integrity when everyone’s looking at you, you need to have integrity when no one’s looking at you.”

            Nighelli has the support of his family as well as from Garcia, and as a married man with children ages six and eight he understands how critical support systems are. 

            “Fortunately, (my wife) allows me to follow my dream to be a police officer, she’s the engine that drives our family so I’m appreciative of her. She’s used to me being up at all hours of the night,” said Nighelli, alluding to time served on the regional SWAT team. “If she wasn’t supportive of me putting in for this position, I’d stay a lieutenant.”

            McGrail told Nighelli, “You’re kind of a young chief, what’s the plan?”

            “My plan,” said Nighelli, “is to have a five-year goal and a 10-year goal for the department. I don’t envision myself going anywhere. I know things happen, sometimes relationships deteriorate so I have an understanding of that. But my plan is this is my second home. I’ve grown to love the community. … I don’t see myself retiring any time soon.

            “I’m looking forward to taking this next challenge and hopefully becoming the town’s 11th police chief. … I’m here for the long haul.”

            After the board’s decision, McGrail said he would get to work on a contract proposal.

            Before the interview began, McGrail explained for the sake of viewers on ORCTV that the seats were arranged to be at least 7 feet apart and that he and all the participants entered the meeting room wearing masks and would put them back on when leaving their chairs.

By Mick Colageo