Mattapoisett Road Race Goes Virtual for 2020

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            The 2020 Mattapoisett Road Race on the Fourth of July was supposed to be a bigger celebration than usual, as this year would have marked the 50th running of the race. But now Trevor Wysong and Kim Bolick will remain the reigning champions for another year with the race being postponed until 2021.

            “With how unsure things are right now, I’m not even sure that I could (push the race) to the fall,” race director Bill Tilden said. “And it’s always been a huge Fourth of July gathering. People come in from all over to visit families and have family reunions. You get to earn those burgers and beers that you’re going to have later in the afternoon. It’d be completely different if we tried to do it in the fall. So, let’s just bump it off, and let’s make next year’s even bigger and better.”

            With runners pulling out of the race early since Massachusetts shut down, Tilden and others involved in the race felt it was time to decide on this year’s running. From the start of the statewide shutdown and based on the rules Governor Charlie Baker established, the Mattapoisett Road Race committee was preparing to put off the event this year.

            “We thought that there was a chance that nothing would be opened up in time, especially when you’re allowed to maybe have 10 people in a building,” Tilden said. “And I’m going to have over 1,000 people standing on a starting line and then a couple thousand fans littered across the course. There’s no way to do the separation there, and I can’t be there to police people to say, ‘Hey, please stay six feet apart.’”

            With the postponement, Daniel Briand will have to find something else to do on the holiday for the first time in a long time. He participated in the Mattapoisett Road Race longer than he resided in the town. In fact, Briand is the only runner to ever compete in the event each of the 49 times it’s been held, and he was set to run it again this year.

            “It’s disappointing, obviously,” he said about the postponement of the event. “There was no difficulty to make the decision. We get over 1,000 runners and where it runs down through the town of Mattapoisett there’s a lot of spectators. So I’m sure there’s a couple thousand people down there on the Fourth of July’s so, obviously, that’s not something we’re going to be doing with social distancing anytime soon. So it was disappointing but not unexpected, that’s for sure. Certainly (it was) the right thing to do to call off, unfortunately.”

            Another group impacted by the postponement of the 50th running is Old Rochester Regional High School’s Class of 2020. Last year, the Mattapoisett Road Race provided ORR’s senior class with over $20,000 in stipends — which is a big part of why Tilden and company are still putting something together for the community.

            “We’re going to do a virtual run. I’m not a huge fan of a virtual race,” he said. “Everybody is running on a different course, different humidity or temperature… There’s a lot of people out there that don’t have fancy watches that can give me a printout of results and all that stuff. We just want people to get out there and do a five-mile run the week before the Fourth. We’re trying to do (the virtual race) from June 26 to July 2, and we just ask people to send us a photo of you out on this run that we’ll (upload) onto the website on July 4 — like we were there virtually. Everybody had already done the run, but we’re just putting their pictures up on our website just to thank them for really sponsoring — the money that doesn’t go back to the race (but) goes to our seniors that are graduating this year. And this class has missed out on enough already.”

            The registration donation fee for the virtual race is $25. Runners can also purchase a Mattapoisett Road Race t-shirt for $10, but they have to sign up by June 1 in order to do so.

Sports Roundup

By Nick Friar

Long Arm of Law Last Resort

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            The Marion Board of Health authorized Chief of Police John Garcia to issue fines and other sanctions as a last resort should the town not receive compliance with safe practices as ordered by Governor Baker with the state’s reopening of golf courses over the weekend.

            “It’s just something to fall back on if we need to,” Garcia told the board, summarizing his request during its May 8 emergency meeting.

            Town Administrator Jay McGrail explained that police action is a last resort, third and last in the rears of Marion’s three-step approach.

            The first step is proactive, to contact establishments and get their plans for a reopening strategy. The second line of action is, if it becomes apparent that a business establishment is not using safe practices as outlined by state government and if town offices are receiving complaints, to investigate the matter. In third place, if an establishment is clearly not paying attention to the state’s orders and the town’s requests, Marion will ask its police department to intervene.

            Garcia said the outline follows along with plans being put in place across the state, “which is fantastic,” he said.

            A motion passed, as the Board of Health moved that Marion authorize the police to enforce the governor’s May 6 order regarding the wearing of masks where social distancing is not possible and any other related order in scope and purpose not limited to the authorization to issue fines. Town Counsel Jon Witten advised the town administrator’s office to file the motion with the town clerk.

            “This is a last resort. We’re looking to work with people… we’re feeling like we need a last resort if people don’t adhere,” said McGrail.

            In keeping with the board’s approval of a motion in its May 5 meeting that it shares with the public all of the town’s COVID-19 cases and not just the number of active cases, it was posted on May 7 on the town’s website, marionma.gov, that there are three confirmed cases and five others who have recovered.

Marion Board of Health

By Mick Colageo

Thank You

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To the Editor;

            Thank you to the Ortega family for sharing their family’s experience with the coronavirus. It is a serious warning to everyone to take all precautions possible to protect themselves and others from the disease. Wear the masks and avoid gathering in groups. Getting the virus has serious costs and continuing stress for families. We wish them the very best in their ongoing recovery.

Phoebe Girard, Mattapoisett

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.

Harbor Days Update

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Mattapoisett Lions Club’s Board of Directors held a virtual meeting on May 6 to discuss several options related to the annual Harbor Days events currently scheduled for July 12 through 19. These dates include the Triathlon on July 12 and all events up to and including Harbor Days weekend ending July 19.

            The Board voted to make a final decision following Governor Charlie Baker’s May 18, 2020 report on re-opening the economy. The Board will reconvene virtually on May 19, 2020 to vote on whether Harbor Days 2020 will be canceled or postponed to a later date (if possible). The decision will be posted on all social media platforms on May 20, 2020.

            If you are a confirmed 2020 vendor and have specific questions, please contact Helene at: mattapoisettharbordays@gmail.com

            We appreciate everyone’s understanding as we consider the safety and well-being of all during this challenging time.

Solar Array, MBTA Turn Corner with Approvals

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            Two cases that have made several appearances this year before the Rochester Conservation Commission turned a significant corner with approval of their respective Notices of Intent during the commission’s May 5, remote access meeting.

            Pedro Rodriguez of Solar MA Project Management LLC and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) both satisfied ConCom with updated presentations that will allow their respective projects to gain momentum.

            Rodriguez, whose solar project off of Old Middleboro Road has gone through many tweaks and updates, was asked on April 9 for edits to his Notice of Intent packet information in keeping with the Conservation Commission’s requests for modifications regarding the site plan on Page 1 and Page 18. On Pages 2 and 3, a modification was also made to the drainage system report and to the illicit discharge statement.

            Rodriguez attended the remote access meeting along with representative Austin Turner of Bohler Engineering.

            Without further discussion, the commission indicated its satisfaction with Turner’s edits provided over the last two weeks, and Conservation Agent Laurell Farinon made a positive recommendation to ConCom Chairman Michael Conway.

            “Mr. Commissioner, we’ve been at this for a while, and I think we’ve gotten to the point where everything that’s been requested of the applicant has been submitted,” said Farinon, recommending that ConCom close the public hearing and issue a positive Order of Conditions approving the project with the special conditions included in the commission’s packet as Pages 5-8, Conditions 21-40.

            At the passing of the motion to approve, Rodriguez and Turner thanked the commission. “It’s a bit anticlimactic when we’re doing it virtually, but when we can get everyone together, I’m going to shake all your hands,” said Turner.

            The MBTA case, continued from April 21 for the establishment of a maintenance facility and surrounding fence at 45 Kings Highway, has bounced back from a February 4 enforcement order shutting down the project on in the wake of violations in the 100-foot buffer zone to bordering vegetated wetlands. 

            Holly Palmgren, representing the MBTA, summarized updates in response to the last round of requests from ConCom and subsequent discussion with Farinon. “We did increase the number of plantings, we changed some of the kind of plantings, and the location of those plantings,” Palmgren explained.

            ConCom member Maggie Payne asked about the removal of soil stockpiles.

            “We would remove them from the site to put down straw and a feed mix to stabilize that area,” said Palmgren. “The stockpiles are mulched now… we think it would make more sense to get them off the site and stabilize the area.”

            Farinon, along with ConCom member Kevin Thompson, was pleased with the new variation of plantings that will provide a stronger and more sustainable visual barrier.

            “I think it’s going to accomplish what we really want to accomplish, which is a head start as far as adding a little bit of a shrub layer. There’s also a seed mix, and of course best of all is Mother Nature coming in and adding to it because you don’t want to have 100 percent plantings because sometimes they don’t do as well and you just really want to have them as a supplement, and I think this is a great start,” said Farinon. “I think that was the main thing we were looking at as the results of the last meeting.”

            The MBTA’s request to remove the soil stockpiles from the site will precede a future Notice of Intent for final grading.

            Thompson asked about the prior discussion regarding fence location. Palmgren said nothing has changed on fence location.

            ConCom Vice Chairman Dan Gagne made a motion to issue a positive Order of Conditions. The motion passed unanimously.

            In a third public hearing, Greg Carey filed a Notice of Intent for a large-scale, one-megawatt solar array in a hayfield on property owned by William Souza at 139 Sarah Sherman Road.

            During the presentation made by Carey’s representative, Evan Watson of Prime Engineering, Conway challenged the proposed removal of a barn sitting in the 25-foot, no-disturb zone.

            “You’ve got to prove to me – you’ve got to prove to the commission, actually – that there’s no practical alternative existing but your proposed activity,” said Conway. “I haven’t seen anything (in the packet) saying you don’t have a practical alternative so you’re going to have to prove that to me.”

            Watson insisted that the building, even without plans for any kind of project on the site, would be better off removed.

            “We can provide some more detail on that building. If you actually look at the building… even if we were not to do this project, the alternative of leaving the building where it is would likely not be the preferred alternative. It’s dilapidated. It’s attracting nuisance wildlife and things like rats. Squirrels are nesting in it, and it’s causing it to further decay, et cetera,” he said. “It would be I think in everybody’s interests to see that building come out of there, but we will definitely add some more detail when we come back to the commission to demonstrate that as well.”

            Carey added that photos can be taken to further demonstrate.

            A rough estimate based on the drawing presented indicates approximately 27 percent of the array is in the 100-foot buffer zone. Watson estimates that the array covers four acres out of 23 on the property.

            The entry to the site, revised multiple times due to failure to secure easements, is back to using the existing access road in the southeast corner of the property. Rather than the original plan to take the shortest route through the 100-foot and 25-foot buffer zones and across the culvert that divides two sections of wetlands, it would instead veer north, wrap around those wetlands and enter the project area from the north.

            The array would be surrounded by an access road per the request of Jeff Eldridge of the Rochester DPW and Fire Department. The access road surface will consist of crush stone to absorb stormwater, same as the area surrounding twin concrete pads upon which the equipment will sit.

            Thompson clarified that the tree clearance proposed far exceeds the characterization of the property as being “all field.” Watson said he may have misspoken on the matter, alluding to the clearing that is planned to the south of the array.

            Watson said a drainage report indicates that the project will not result in stormwater erosion. A detailed construction sequence was included so ConCom could review and evaluate the probability of success of measures intended to ensure that erosion controls are installed properly and at the appropriate time. A stockade fence will be placed along the southern border facing the closest abutter.

            Farinon discussed a potential site visit and the peer-review inspection of the stormwater situation. She recommended that the commission request a $4,000 consultant fee and continue for a length of time that would allow compliance with requests. Whatever is not used would be returned to the applicant.

            The case was continued to June 2. ConCom is next scheduled to meet on Tuesday, May 19.

Rochester Conservation Commission

By Mick Colageo

Remote Vote Encouraged Before Town Elections

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            All three Tri-Town communities have postponed their annual elections. While two of those towns have officially rescheduled, the one that has not officially rescheduled (Marion) has rolled out the most detailed plan for its election, with Marion Town Clerk Lissa Magauran adapting a voting model originated by Egremont Town Clerk Juliette Hass.

            In customizing a Town of Marion Annual Town Election COVID-19 Contingency Plan, every imaginable detail involved in executing a state-mandated, annual town election during a declared State of Emergency in response to the coronavirus pandemic is addressed. Voters do not need to understand every jot of the plan, but it is clear that the Tri-Town communities are treating some form of Absentee balloting with more than the usual tolerance. Mail-in voting is being overtly encouraged.

            Either Absentee or Early Voting methods as defined by state law will be enabled, but social-distancing advisories render over-the-counter service at town offices prior to the election suspended until Governor Baker opens up the state for business as usual. If the governor does reopen the state on May 18, town halls will greet visitors with a new look designed to limit the spread of germs.

            It is expected that by the end of its Tuesday, May 19, Board of Selectmen meeting, Marion will make Friday, June 26, official as its election date of choice, joining Mattapoisett (Tuesday, June 16) and Rochester (Wednesday, June 17).

            All three municipalities plan to hold Town Meeting on Monday, June 22. Marion’s date is not yet official, but discussion at recent meetings indicates the clock only continues ticking at this point, the same way a football coach lets the seconds run down to a game-deciding field goal.

            It is explained in Marion’s plan that “Friday, June 26, 2020… was chosen to provide maximum separation in time from the anticipated surge of COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts (currently 69,087 per Mass DPH) and to meet the deadline to hold a municipal election by June 30, 2020. Holding the election on a Friday will provide 2.5 days for any virus introduced into the polling location to become inactive before the following work week.”

            Every voter registered in Marion will be mailed an Early Voting Application, according to the plan. If a voter has not received an Early Voting Application, he or she can request an application for a mail-in absentee or early ballot no later than Friday, May 15, via the town email list, Marion Facebook Forum or at marionma.gov.

            As early as April 1, Town Clerk Catherine Heuberger said Mattapoisett was capable of moving forward with its then-May 19 election date (now June 16 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm at Old Hammondtown School).

            Mattapoisett’s website, mattapoisett.net, posts on election procedures and says “voters concerned about the public health situation can cite that as a reason to request an absentee ballot for the Annual Town Election.” Mattapoisett voters can acquire absentee ballots by visiting sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/absentee/English-Absentee-Ballot-Application.pdf. Once voters have returned ballots to the Heuberger’s office, their votes will be counted on election day by poll workers.

            Rochester Town Clerk Paul Dawson is actually on the ballot while acting in an interim capacity since the retirement of longtime town clerk Naida Parker early this year. It also happens that Rochester is the only one of the Tri-Town communities with a question on its ballot, that question being if voters wish to make town clerk an appointed rather than elected position.

            Dawson, meanwhile, has a complex election to run and on the town’s website, townofrochester.com, has encouraged remote access voting in keeping with the wishes of the town’s Board of Selectmen.

            While absentee balloting in Rochester is still confined to traditional reasons (i.e. schedule hardship, disability or religious beliefs), early voting is a method being encouraged so as to avoid crowding the polls. Any registered Rochester voter may choose early voting “to ensure that their vote is counted without the need to assemble in groups on Election Day. We encourage voters to consider early voting to ensure a safe and healthy experience.” Early voting applications are available on the town website, and ballots will be mailed out to those filling out and returning the application. Ballots must be returned before the polls close on Election Day.

            From more absentee ballots to fewer poll workers, the expansion of early voting and voters using their own pens, there has always been a contingency plan brewing amidst the threat of the coronavirus.

            The Tri-Town communities have talked about wiping voting booths with disinfectants between every usage, stationing hand sanitizers for voters, and personal protective equipment (PPE) for poll workers including masks, shields, and gloves.

            State law requires that polling places must remain open for at least four hours on the designated day of an election. While Mattapoisett polls will be open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, Rochester is still posting 8:00 am to 8:00 pm at the Rochester Senior Center, 67 Dexter Lane, and Marion plans to scheduled polling hours from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm at the Cushing Community Center. The hope is longer hours will translate into more protective space between voters and election workers.

            Traditionally, there is a lot that goes into holding an election, and this year not limited to special strategies to most effectively limit the spread of the coronavirus via wearing of masks, proper spacing inside and outside the polling place.

            After polls close in Marion, the town clerk will secure the cast ballots. Only the candidates and the media will be present when the election warden announces preliminary results that will also be posted on the town website and emailed to media outlets.

            For more information, visit town websites, marionma.gov, mattapoisett.net, and townofrochester.com.

Bishop Stang High Call for Nominations

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This October, Bishop Stang High School will induct its next class into the Hall of Honors and seeks nominations through June 15, 2020. The Hall of Honors recognizes and honors those alumni, faculty, staff, and friends who have left an enduring legacy for Bishop Stang High School and/or excelled in their careers and personal lives. 

            Please take the time to nominate those you believe are worthy of this honor. Only nominated candidates will be considered by the selection committee. Visit bishopstang.org/Honors where you can link to the online nomination form, download and print a form to mail to the school, and see the names and bios of past honorees. All nominations are due to the selection committee by June 15, 2020. Questions can be emailed to alumni@bishopstang.org.

Old Colony Alum Can’t Hit Baseballs, but He’s Hitting Books

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            Unlike high school spring student-athletes, those at college got to play a few games before the novel coronavirus forced all sports, both pro and amateur, to shut down in the United States. Old Colony alum Dylan Sullo was able to play in four games for the Mass Maritime Academy baseball team as a result.

            The Buccaneers’ fourth and ultimately final game of the season came on March 11 at Nichols College out in Dudley. The game was played on the day Utah Jazz forward Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19, but before that news came down, there were still concerns about the season with conferences from other divisions making changes.

            “We knew there was a chance (the season would be canceled),” Sullo, a junior at Mass Maritime, said. “It got canceled in the middle of that game, and all of our seniors found out and everything. So we had to (substitute) everybody out. We had to put all the seniors in because we didn’t know if it was going to be their last game or not.

            “The bus ride home was miserable. Everybody just talked about rumors… like, ‘Are we going to get out of school?’ It was just a lot of negative. It wasn’t good. Because we had a lot of hopes for our season. This team was good.”

            Now Sullo is like everyone else: stuck at home. He’s still trying to practice however he can, but that has been limited, as well.

            “You can do tee-work. I am working out, yeah,” Sullo said. “But I’m honestly working out less. There’s no drive — for me anyways, maybe (for) other guys there is. But nothing is like live pitching. You need to see live pitching. It’s real tough. All these parks are closed so we can’t go (out to practice). Everybody wants to, but we just can’t.”

            The sports component of a student-athlete’s life isn’t the only side being impacted by the novel coronavirus pandemic. Sullo has to continue his studies at home like every other student. Making the switch from learning in the classroom to online presents obstacles even with basic courses. But there are other challenges Sullo has faced that other students won’t.

            “I’m in seven classes right now,” he said. “And they’re making me do hands-on labs that really can’t be done online, but we have to do them online. It’s almost impossible. And then these guys that are licensed, they’re getting screwed. If they can’t go back, the seniors, they have to take Coast Guard tests and everything. And if they can’t go back for certain classes, they can’t graduate.

            “A few of my professors understand and are pretty lenient and understand (the situation). But there’s a few that just dump work on you… The other thing is, if you have a question, you have to email someone and wait. You can’t get your work done.”

            As the former Old Colony standout continues to work through his school without baseball, he’s been able to spend more time freshwater fishing. He also bought a Jon (aluminum) boat and is working on that as a side project.

            While the distractions are fun, Sullo still misses the game he’s played since he was four years old. With the Cranberry League yet to cancel the 2020 season —Sullo plays in the summer league for the Acushnet Aztecs — he’ll continue to hold out hope that the league doesn’t follow the Cape Cod Baseball League or New England Collegiate Baseball League’s example and cancel its season so he can play more baseball in 2020.

Sports Roundup

By Nick Friar

Summer Season Beckons Amidst Careful Planning

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            The opening of the Silvershell Beach parking lot and the town docks and floats dominated discussion during the Board of Health meeting on May 5.

            Silvershell’s parking lot has not leaned itself toward safe-spacing practices, but the overhaul being performed by the Department of Public Works is trending toward a May 15 completion at the earliest, and is timing out nicely with the potential reopening of the state on May 18.

            The lingering question is a crowd-management strategy. The plan, for now, is to use lines and signs to space people out safely and in compliance with coronavirus standards and to require patrons to wear facemasks. But will residents comply?

            Board clerk Dot Brown has suggested measures taken in Brookline, where security guards stand watch and hand out facemasks to those that are not wearing them.

            Board Vice Chairperson Dr. Ed Hoffer and Recreation Department Executive Director Jody Dickerson agreed a teenager working at a low wage should not be expected to confront patrons who ignore the rules of spacing or masks.

            The idea of employing citizens involved in the town’s Senior Working Program was floated, and Board of Health Chairperson John Howard suggested police cruisers circulate hourly, “then if it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work.’

            “We typically do that anyway,” said Police Chief John Garcia, who encouraged the board to approve a plan to have the attendee call the station as necessary. “My personal feeling is just stick with the gate attendants… don’t argue with (patrons). Just give the station a call and let them deal with it.”

            “Let’s try this first. If it works great; if it doesn’t, tweak it and try to do it some other way,” said Dickerson.

            Hoffer suggested an email blast from the board counting on citizens to be cooperative and, if it doesn’t work, “hey… close it again,” he said.

            Harbormaster Isaac Perry reported to the Marion Board of Health that he planned to open docks and floats on Wednesday, May 6. Marion will restrict its floats to the owners or those approved by the harbormaster.

            “This isn’t going to be a transient dock where the people are going to be coming and going,” said Perry, who will oversee a 20-minute limit of usage.

            The floats are going to be restricted to the slip owners only.

            In addition to following all state-prescribed orders and advisories, Marion is also keeping its public bathrooms and public showers closed.

            There is concern about safe usage of the mobile harbor pump-out service and the discharge from the vent. Perry said that, when the service does open up, no one will be allowed on the vessel but the owner. Boat owners will do their own pumping of sewage.

            Policy details will be posted on the notice boards.

            “The way the dock is constructed… it’s 10 feet wide so social distance is good,” said Perry, who noted the situation can be monitored as the floats are right outside the harbormaster’s office.

            Perry said the harbormaster’s office itself is too cramped to achieve social distancing, but facemasks are required for everyone in that building.

            Marion’s Recreation Department will hold off on deciding the fate of summer programs until May 18 when Governor Baker is expected to announce either the reopening or extend the closure of the state’s non-essential businesses and public facilities.

            Public Health Nurse Kathleen Downey indicated that the state Department of Public Health has advised towns to treat summer camps and kids camps that COVID-19 remains a risk and each program needs to look at preventative measures. The delay could adversely affect staffing.

            “Everybody’s concerned,” said Downey. “You have to hire people in advance, and if you don’t give them notice you’re not going to get the people you want.”

            Dickerson agreed “100 percent correct… We have great counselors in our Recreation Department.” He said 95 percent return annually and it’s the same for lifeguards, calling last year’s staff the best the town has seen in 10 years. “I’d love to have them return this year, I probably get one or two messages a day asking… I tell them we’re waiting on the state. It also affects the counselors; many use the income to attend college. It does affect a lot of people.”

            Dickerson said the Recreation Department is “ready to go.”

            Marion’s summer programs are scheduled to begin on July 1. “I can go up to about June 10 before I have to pull the trigger,” said Dickerson.

            John Schnaible of Coastal Engineering has been hired by Marion to fill in for newly retired Health Director Karen Walega until the town hires a permanent replacement.

            Town Administrator Jay McGrail reported to the Board of Health that the first round of interviews will be conducted next week. Meantime, Schnaible has met with board clerk Dot Brown and will handle sanitary roles, inspections, and perc tests.

            “I’m glad to be here to help you guys,” said Schnaible, who has been in the business 40 years as a registered sanitarian, septic inspector and soil evaluator who also worked with McGrail when the latter was employed by the town of Sandwich.

            “He’s well aware of the best practices and can do all the things that we need especially in this interim,” said Brown.

            McGrail has hired another consultant to handle restaurants, beach, and pool inspections. That person has applied for the full-time job.

            In her update, Downey reported that Marion has two active COVID-19 cases, and the town received a boost upon the news that Sippican Healthcare Center had 180 nursing-home residents tested and all came back negative.

            The board approved a motion to make public not only the active coronavirus cases but all cases. The state listed seven total cases in Marion as of last week.

            Downey stressed the importance of a solution for residents in isolation or in quarantine who choose not to comply with the town’s efforts to execute contact tracing.

            “We’ve had a couple of challenges to be able to enforce it. The Board of Health has to be the one to initiate the action,” she said, noting that a schedule of meetings every two weeks would require emergency meetings upon the need for the board’s intervention.

            Brown urged the town to consider invoking Chapter 40, Section 21D, giving the town the authority to levy fines for non-compliance.

            “There needs to be some teeth,” said Board Vice Chairperson Dr. Ed Hoffer. “(Hypothetically), there’s a group of 20 people having a party… we don’t want to have them arrested, but we want to stop it.”

            Brown pointed to Brookline making masks available and said the same is happening at Revere Beach. She reported that Coolidge Corner had 200 people gathered recently and only two were not wearing masks. Joggers, on the other hand, are subject to criticism of late for not wearing masks.

            Hoffer suggested in light of Downey’s enforcement dilemma that residents who refuse to give the town information on their contacts should become subject to fines. Howard suggested that Town Counsel Jon Witten may be able to shed light on the matter.

            Brown reported on a webinar scheduled for 9:00 am on Saturday, May 16, an informational meeting held by George Heufelder and geared toward homeowners to educate them about alternative septic systems followed by a question-and-answer session.

            McGrail said that the webinar addresses a potential change to Marion’s septic code and is important for residents to understand. Heufelder manages septic systems on Cape Cod.

            In light of the state’s timeline, the Board of Health confirmed availability to attend a joint session with the Board of Selectmen on Tuesday, May 19, before holding its own scheduled meeting.

Marion Board of Health

By Mick Colageo

Rochester Historical Society

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Like all areas of our lives, the Rochester Historical Society programs and fundraisers have been put on hold, so we thought a little history each week would provide something old, but new to learn.

            The Historical Society recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of its incorporation. It was curiosity about their homes and town that motivated the early members to delve into Rochester’s long history. When Rochester was incorporated on June 4, 1686, it was much larger than it is today, as it encompassed both today’s towns of Marion and Mattapoisett. It remained this way until the 1850s.

            The goal of the Historical Society was then and is now to gather information on Rochester history, to preserve donated items that help to tell the story and to share both with the community. In the early days of the society, there were many members born in the late 1800s who often shared memories of the town and events from their pasts. Some of these are saved in the meeting minutes.

            For a long time, the society had nowhere to store donated items and were always on the lookout for a building to serve as their museum. In 2003 their search ended when the East Rochester Congregational Church, built in 1857 was sold to them for $1.00 and today’s museum was born. While $1.00 was certainly an affordable purchase price, a 163-year-old church is costly to maintain. Just recently, we’ve had some much-needed repairs done to the steeple and gutters. As you drive by the museum on County Road check out our improvements. Please look for more history in the coming weeks.