When is it Time to Take Away the Car Keys?

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Our ability to safely drive varies enormously. Even though 75% of surveyed drivers felt that their skill behind the wheel was in the top 25%, statistics do apply, and 25% of us are in the bottom 25%.

            Many factors determine whether someone should still be driving a car. Teens and young adults tend to take more risks than older drivers while older drivers have poorer vision, slower reaction time, are likely to be taking medication that may compromise driving safety, and are at greater risk of cognitive decline.

            The latest survey available showed that in 2020, 59% of people 85 and older in the U.S. still had their driving license.

            Older drivers are not necessarily bad drivers; that distinction clearly goes to teenage drivers, who have by far the greatest number of accidents and fatalities. Accidents are relatively low for drivers 30 to 69 and then start going up.

            What is of concern is that the number of fatal accidents rises dramatically in drivers 80 and older.

            So, what do you do if your parent or spouse should not be driving? Many states require older drivers to have their vision checked at license renewal, but none require a driving test.

            You cannot rely on your doctor to be proactive; only six U.S. states require doctors to report people whose medical condition makes it unsafe to drive.

            If you have witnessed unsafe practices such as running lights or stop signs, drifting across lanes or driving way below the speed limit on highways, you should bring the subject up. If this is met with denial, you could contact their doctor and ask the doctor to broach the subject.

            If someone is clearly a risk to themselves and others, you may need to contact the registry of motor vehicles or local police department in a smaller community. In the extreme, you can make the car undriveable by disconnecting the battery.

            The corollary is figuring out how to let them get places without a car – often a major issue for those who do not live in a densely populated area with shops and services within walking distance.

            Sign them up for Uber or Lyft, contact the local Council on Aging about community resources and/or offer to drive them to medical appointments and shopping or arrange for others to do so. In much of the country, to be unable to drive dramatically shrinks a person’s world.

            Just maybe, if you make good alternatives available, they will give up driving and save a life.

            Edward Hoffer MD is Associate Professor of Medicine, part-time, at Harvard.

What Does The Doctor Say?

By Dr. Edward Hoffer

From the Files of the Rochester Historical Society

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One very interesting donation that the Historical Society received this year was a “six-board chest.” This good-sized wooden chest is -have you guessed it? – made of exactly six boards – top, bottom, front, back and ends. The chest is 44″x 20″x 18″, so we know a good-sized tree must have been involved.

         Written on the inside of the chest is the date and place it was made, Rochester, 1750. The chest was rescued from a home that was in the process of being demolished. A contractor was about to crush it and send it off to a landfill.

         Robert Phillips saved it and after seeing the writing on the inside, he contacted us at the Rochester Historical Society, and it was delivered to the Museum in June. We don’t know a lot about it, but we know it was owned by Branch Barrows, born August 25, 1774. He married Rebecca Clark on Thursday, June 17, 1802. As I said, “we don’t know much,” but we do know that Branch always kept his Sunday clothes in the chest and now the chest is back in Rochester.

Readers’ Theatre and Lunch

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Enjoy a light lunch followed by an entertaining Readers’ Theater. The readings consist of poetry, prose, and short plays/excerpts. There will be focus on the holidays. What is a Readers’ Theatre? It is a style of theater in which the actors present dramatic readings of narrative material without costumes, scenery, or special lighting. Actors use only scripts and vocal expression to help the audience understand the story. Readers’ theater performances might be called “reading hours” or “play readings”. Tuesday, December 10 at 12:30 pm at COA, 17 Barstow Street, Mattapoisett. Register by calling 508-758-4110 or email to coadirector@mattapoisett.net

Allegations of Sexism at Marion Meeting

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            Allegations of sexism came up at the Planning Board meeting on Monday when board member Eileen Marum mentioned that since August, some of her meeting minutes have been edited by the board chair to remove emotional language.

            Marum said in the past, she has been ignored by male members of the board. As the board clerk, she has been composing minutes and since August, when some meetings have been contentious, she has noted it in the minutes.

            Board members, including Ryan Burke and Chairman Andrew Daniel, dismissed allegations of sexism. They mentioned that board minutes should not reflect emotional language, and Daniel was not trying to dismiss any concerns raised by Marum.

            The board ultimately voted 3-0 to have the administrative assistant, Danyca Filatreault, take over the duties of composing meeting minutes. Marum and fellow female board member Allana Nelson, the board’s vice chair, abstained from the vote.

            Town Planner Doug Guey-Lee said the issue of town officials writing meeting minutes and subsequent controversy over biased or emotional language is not isolated to Marion.

            He recommended that the administrative assistant conduct the minutes – a more common practice across town governments nationwide. Guey-Lee said that an administrative assistant usually is someone staffed by the town with no political “stake” in the game.

            “Everywhere else I look, it is typically the administrative assistant who has the best chance of being objective and impartial,” Guey-Lee said.

            “It is hard for board members to write the minutes when you have a stake in the discussion,” Guey-Lee said. “The administrative assistant is a staff person, and they have no skin in the game.”

            Marum said that the controversy began last August when contentious issues came forward, including possible open meeting law violations or alleged issues of board members not reviewing important materials before the start of a meeting, she alleged.

            Marum said that there has been a history of sexism against her, with board members ignoring her questions or not acknowledging her raised hand for input. She said Chairman Andrew Daniel editing her wording is a different form of “harassment.”

            Marum said she expected that Daniel would write an addendum to the minutes but not remove her language that expressed the emotional tenor of the discussions.

            “It (the harassment) has taken a different twist, and the chairman has decided he will remove my words from the minutes. So, it is just a different form of harassment,” Marum said.

            Nelson said that Marum for more than three years has written objective and accurate minutes, and these last few months have just been an “ugly pimple” on her mostly impeccable record of writing minutes.

            Some board members took umbrage with Marum’s claims.

            “It is so insanely out of line,” member Ryan Burke said of the sexism claims. “It is disgusting.”

            Members agreed, however, that complaints about the minutes and the emotional language have distracted the board from other issues – including talks about short-term rentals in town.

            In other business, the board delayed hearings on two separate housing developments as the applicants are preparing more information – FSJ Marion Realty on Wareham Street and Mark Zuker’s proposed affordable housing development on Wareham Road.

Marion Planning Board

By Jeffrey D. Wagner

Whale Watching and Ghost Stories

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Recently, reports of sightings of whales breaching in Buzzards Bay in the commercial shipping lanes have appeared on social media. Someone suggested that they were coming here to view the sunset from Ned’s Point. At first, I thought that it was a joke. Then I read that someone else actually saw one through their binoculars. Must have been mighty powerful lenses. I know my little plastic ones won’t do. Still, we have had some very beautiful sunsets lately.

            Of course, these reports have spawned a number of other sightings. I just heard that one keen-sighted observer thought they saw a submarine surfacing between Molly’s Cove and the lighthouse. They weren’t sure because it submerged very quickly. It must have seen the person’s binoculars glistening in the afternoon sun through its periscope and figured their secret mission had been compromised.

            I’m guessing that it was the famous Sippican Sea Monster venturing over from Marion for a visit. I’m joking, I made that up.

            Another rumor floating around was that Oprah Winfrey, upset over the election results, has been thinking about leaving the country and was here scouting out the Bay Club.

            Speaking of unexpected sightings in the harbor, the sailboat Arabella, which was launched here with great fanfare two summers ago, was back for a short visit. According to its weekly YouTube channel video, the boat sailed down from Maine where it spent the summer. Steve Denette’s mom passed away this past summer, so he has been land-bound during her battle with cancer. Now he and his crew, Robin, Steve’s partner, and their dog Akiva, are resuming their dream cruise around the world.

            They said if anyone saw them to wave. I did but they didn’t wave back. I even wore my Acorn to Arabella hat. They must have been looking at the whales in the bay…or avoiding the submarine.

            We are not unfamiliar with strange sightings here in town. Just recently, Big Foot has been spotted roaming north of the village. Of course, you’ve heard how old Abner Harlow, former Town Clerk, is known to return from time to time to his old haunts at the Town Hall. Nobody has actually seen Abner…you’d need more that binoculars to spot him. After all, he’s a ghost…but the folks who work there have heard him. Abner was around when the whaler The Wanderer was searching for whales. I’ll bet he was at Ned’s Point hoping to catch a glimpse of our recent visitors.

            Calvin, the Library’s resident ghost, might have joined him. Investigators from the New England Ghost Researchers discovered Calvin when they spent the night in the library some years back. Calvin introduced himself and was reported to have said “I belong here.” In fact, when the library was first opened the custodian’s name was Calvin. Since the renovation, Calvin hasn’t been heard from. Maybe he had enough of ghost hunters sleeping in his home and slipped out of town on the submarine.

            Note to my loyal readers: Speaking of slipping away, this is the last of my weekly “Thoughts on…” columns (for a while?). It is time to take a break and learn how to paint again. Knowing me, if the muse strikes or something sticks in my craw, I’ll be back from time to time. Thanks for reading.

Thoughts on…

By Dick Morgado

Sippizine Releases Fourth Volume Celebrating “Home”

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Sippizine, the South Coast Massachusetts literary journal showcasing local creative talent, proudly announces the release of its fourth volume. Centered on the theme of “Home,” this issue brings together local voices with prose, poetry, and visual art.

         The fourth volume features prose and poetry from Lenore Balliro, Anne-Marie Grillo, Amanda Lawrence, Lilo, Joan McKinley, Sarah Mulvey, Jay Pateakos, Carol Schene, Lorene Sweeney, and Dawn Blake Souza. Visual interpretations by Cara Bean, Nancy Mitton, Carla Reynolds, Gavin Santos, and Dawn Blake Souza add depth and richness.

         “In each issue of Sippizine, the range of perspectives always surprises me,” says editor and publisher Alanna Nelson. “As Sippizine came together this time, the connections between the work are compelling. Clearly, home inspires us all.”

         Local readers and literary enthusiasts are invited to explore all four issues at www.sippizine.art. Prefer print over digital? Print copies can be ordered online or found at select businesses across the South Coast.

         Sippizine is a semi-annual literary and visual arts journal founded to celebrate and connect the vibrant creative community of South Coast Massachusetts. Sippizine highlights local talent while fostering dialogue and collaboration among its participants. Each issue is inspired by a central theme and showcases submissions from poets, writers, and visual artists. For more information, visit www.sippizine.art.

         For additional information, please contact Alanna Nelson, Editor and Publisher at 617-398-0613 or hello@studioilpunto.com.

Mattapoisett Democratic Town Committee

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The Mattapoisett Democratic Town Committee will host Olivia Santoro, Deputy Field Director for Civic Education and Mobilization for the ACLU of MA on December 10 at 6:00 pm at the Mattapoisett Fire Station Public Meeting Room, 62 County Road. Ms. Santoro will present the ACLU’s roadmap for opposing the threats posed to residents of the Commonwealth by Project 2025. Ms. Santoro will speak about the importance of states, cities, and towns building firewalls for freedom, barriers to ensure our state and local officials do not assist anti-democratic forces attacking our civil liberties and civil rights.

         The ACLU of MA has the playbook, and we are ready to fight back to defend our fundamental freedoms. Come join us for an educational evening. Light soft drinks and snacks will be served.

Barbara Whitehead Silva

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Barbara Whitehead Silva, 93, of Mattapoisett, Massachusetts died peacefully at home on Monday, December 2, 2024. She was the daughter of the late Charles “Carlie” Whitehead and Blanche Whitehead of Dartmouth, MA, and mother of Lisa A. Grace, and grandmother of Matthew R. Grace.

Barbara was a graduate of Dartmouth High School. She was a devout Catholic and long-time parishioner of St. Anthony’s Church in Mattapoisett. She donated regularly to the Mattapoisett police and emergency services departments, as well as to United States Veterans. Barbara held her extended family and friends close to her heart. Referred to as Baba by her loved ones, she raised and impacted many generations amongst her family, friends, colleagues, and community.

Barbara was the former President/CEO of First Citizens’ Federal Credit Union, starting in the early 1950’s as Treasurer, she served the bank for 45 years. Barbara led their growth from a state-chartered credit union to a federally-chartered credit union in the 1980’s, as well as their expansion from their Bristol county headquarters in New Bedford to several branches and counties throughout Massachusetts.

Barbara was a committed member of the communities in the South Coast of Massachusetts, particularly New Bedford, and was a business leader at a time when women were in the extreme minority. Barbara served many area organizations, including as former Trustee of St. Luke’s Hospital; Board Member of the Massachusetts Small Business Loan Review Board, the United Way, and New Bedford Junior Achievement; Board Member and Chairperson of the New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce, Director of the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) of Massachusetts, and Executive Committee Member of the Economic Development Corporation of Greater New Bedford. She was the first woman inducted into the New Bedford Area Business Hall of Fame in 1985 and received the Citation Award from the American Business Women’s Association in 1987.

A private Funeral Mass will be held for her family. A celebration of Barbara’s life will be held at the Country Club of New Bedford (where she was a member for over 30 years) on Saturday, December 14, from 11am to 2pm. The celebration is open to all who knew and loved Barbara.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations are made in Barbara’s name to St. Anthony’s Church of Mattapoisett, MA. (https://anthonyandrita.com). Arrangements are by the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Mattapoisett. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Notice of Intents Pushed Back

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            Rochester’s Conservation Commission Tuesday re-opened its month-long review of four separate Notices of Intent to build single-family dwellings on two-acre lots at 0 High Street but ultimately continued all four hearings until its next meeting.

            Since early November, the project has drawn the attention of abutters who have raised concerns about its possible effect on flooding and natural resources in their neighborhood. Tuesday, the board continued to next meeting its review of three of the project’s lots because the Natural Heritage Foundation has yet to decide if its construction will affect endangered species. The board tabled a decision on a fourth lot to give an abutter’s engineer time to review how the construction will affect his client’s flooding problem.

            Project representative Chris Wallace reported that Natural Heritage’s latest correspondence says the construction on those lots will not affect habitat, but the organization needs to continue its review as to whether the project as a whole will affect habitat. Conservation Commission member Michael Gifford said he would be more comfortable waiting for the foundation’s full answer before approving any Order of Conditions endorsing that work can start. The commissioners unanimously agreed.

            When discussion turned to the fourth lot, its closest abutter, Jeremy Saccone, who previously said his property near County Road frequently floods because of the bog and will flood even more when a house lot is built near him, said his engineer has not had time to review the new mitigation measures Wallace has proposed, because that response was only issued a day before the meeting. Saccone wanted a two-week continuance to allow that review time. “This is new,” Saccone said. “The new road is now on top of the bog road. The water will come directly back to me.”

            The board ultimately granted the two-week continuance to allow time for Saccone’s engineer to respond even as it noted mitigating a flooding problem on upland is a little beyond its jurisdiction of protecting wetlands. “We have limited jurisdiction,” member Ben Bailey said. “This is on the razor’s edge of not our jurisdiction.” Board Chair Christopher Gerrior motioned the continuance after Wallace noted he will have to return in two weeks for the other three lots anyway.

            The commission began its meeting by approving a Request for Determination of applicability to the wetland’s protection bylaws for a plan to construct a 16×24-foot shed partially within the 100-foot wetlands buffer zone at 324 High St. Homeowner Stephen Cobb told the commission he had taken this plan to the Zoning Board of Appeals. That board objected to the shed being placed in the front of the yard, which is against town regulation, leading to his decision to move the building closer to his side setback and possibly wetlands. The commission unanimously granted the project a Negative Determination, i.e. that the plan will not affect a wetland area, after Conservation Agent Merilee Kelly reported the new location is a lawn area, 85 feet from wetlands.

            Next, the commission approved a request for a Certificate of Compliance of the Order of Conditions for a plan to build a new single-family home with driveway, septic system and associated grading at 127 Neck Road, after Kelly noted this construction had been successfully completed “a couple of years ago.”

            The board then granted a request for a three-year extension of the Order of Conditions filed by the MBTA for its property at 45 Kings Highway. Kelly reported that much of the construction project has finished. Project representative Jonathan Niro of BETA Group, Worcester, said the extension is being requested so project managers may continue monitoring the work and complete the parking lot.

            The next Conservation Commission meeting will be December 17 at 7:00 pm, at town hall, 1 Constitution Way.

Rochester Conservation Commission

by Michael J. DeCicco

The Memory that Keeps On Giving

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Christmas. It doesn’t feel possible that it’s December and soon Christmas will be here. As a child, Christmas took so long to arrive. The anticipation would begin when the Christmas Edition of the Sears and Roebuck catalogs arrived. Ma had first dibs on thumbing through the pages. We knew she wasn’t looking through the toy section. We did receive toys but just one or two. What we did receive was new underwear and socks, PJs, and shoes or boots – stuff we needed but didn’t really appreciate at the time. Today, practical gifts are desired. Not that I want anyone to buy me underwear (they would probably think I wear granny panties. I’m not telling). But nice comfy fleece PJs from LL Bean might be nice. Hint, hint.

            Although we had lots of cousins, an aunt or two, and a couple of uncles, we were pretty isolated as a family. The grown-ups didn’t visit each other, taking their tribe of children along to spread holiday cheer. Ma’s older sister lived within walking distance of less than a mile, yet she sent one of her older children to our house with gifts and left with the ones designated for their family. “Bye! Thanks for stopping by.”  The cousins were friendly enough, but I wouldn’t say “jolly.” None of us, after a certain age, were jolly. Call it generational moodiness.

            Anyways, we could open one gift, a small one, on Christmas Eve. We were grateful for everything we received so if the gift we selected for this opening tradition was just a coloring book and new box of crayons or the aforementioned underwear, we were pleased. The main event the next day would make up for it.

            When my mind wanders through memories, sepia toned like old photographs, most just blend into a warm montage of homemade eggnog, not the mutinous mess in the local dairy case, bread pudding with raisins, sparkling metallic tinsel, and the smell of a real Christmas tree. Nothing smells better than pine-scented winter air trapped in the house for a few precious weeks. I remember that smell all these decades later.

            Yet there was that one Christmas when I was in the first grade that stands out over all the others. It was a Christmas of plenty. Apparently, my father’s little TV repair business had done well, because as she was one to do, Ma had with great care squirreled away crisp dollar bills to be used exclusively for Christmas gifts; and what a Christmas it was.

            I’ve always been a light sleeper and with the excitement of Christmas at hand, sleeping that night, that specific Christmas Eve, was impossible. I can see myself slowly, and with maximum stealth, descending down the stairs and into the dining room where the tree was set up. If I had a plan beyond poking around the tags on the wrapped gifts, it wasn’t much of a plan. I was only five after all. But as my vision cleared in the darkened house what came into view was spectacular – a toy kitchen!

            I had studied the catalog pages featuring toy refrigerators, sinks, cabinets, stoves, and washing machines. I was a domestic goddess even then! Ma must have taken notice. I could barely contain myself from making some loud yipping sounds. I carefully moved my head from side to side so I could more fully take it all in. Miniature pots and pans, tiny utensils, a serving set, and a dinner set. I knew then and there Santa was a myth. I’d thank my parents directly for this surprise.

            I don’t know how long I simply drooled over that tiny kitchen wishing the sun would come up like magic and chase night away. I had work to do, meals to prepare and dishes to wash.

            I did eventually go back up those stairs, back to bed, and back to sleep. But my dreams were not of sugar plums, they were of lining up my dolls and feeding them breakfast.

            If I could talk to Ma, I would tell her this story and say “thank you” again. Thank you, Ma and Dad, for the sacrifices you made. For never letting a holiday slide by without a celebration no matter how humble it was. Thank you for seven decades of feeling like a surprised and delighted little child finding what she wanted for Christmas at the bottom of the stairs every time I recall this memory. Merry Christmas to all and best wishes on creating happy holiday memories for your families to unwrap in coming years.

This Mattapoisett Life

By Marilou Newell