St. Philip’s Episcopal Church

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St. Philip’s Episcopal Church begins 137th Summer Season June 27. St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, next to the Town Beach in Mattapoisett, will have 8:00 am and 10:00 am services from June 27 through September 5. Current church guidance is to wear a mask during services, and to stay home if ill.

            All are welcome to attend services using the 1928 Book of Common Prayer and conducted be the following visiting clergy:

            June 27: The Rev. Philip Jacobs, Retired Rector Trinity Church, Canton, MA; July 4: The Rev. Robert Malm, Retired Rector Grace Church, Alexandria, VA; July 11: The Rev. Paul Goranson, Retired Rector Grace Church, Oxford, MA; July 18: The Rev. Marc Eames, Rector The Church of the Advent, Medfield, MA; July 25: The Rev. Marc Eames; August 1: The Rev. Marc Eames; August 8: The Rev. Marc Eames; August 15: The Rev. Christopher Capaldo, Rector St. Chrysostom’s Church, Wollaston, MA; August 22: The Rev. Robert Malm; August 29: The Rev. Jeffrey Paull Cave, Retired Diocese, Atlanta, GA; September 5: The Rev. Jeffrey Paull Cave.

ZBA Hurdles Hybrid Meeting Difficulties

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On June 17, the Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals launched a hybrid public meeting designed to allow both in-person and log-in attendance via Zoom. While accessing the meeting room remotely went smoothly, a disconnect in the voice networking meant no one in the virtual meeting room could hear the proceedings. In an effort to grant deliberation access for the one member not sitting at the Town Hall conference room table, Mary Ann Borgan, Director in Inspectional Services Andy Bobola used his cell phone to communicate with Borgan.

            There were two hearings on this night that found the applicants in attendance at Town Hall. The meeting was also videotaped, aired live on community television and made available to the media the following day before 10:00 am.

            Coming before the ZBA was Bob Field on behalf of his father, William Field, who sought and received a Special Permit for a family-related apartment in a single-family home located at 100 Mattapoisett Neck Road.

            Also coming before the ZBA for the same type of request was William Langlois, 11 Tupola Lane, whose Special Permit was also granted.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals was not scheduled at adjournment.

Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals

By Marilou Newell

Tri-County Symphonic Band

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The Tri-County Symphonic Band, under the direction of Philip Sanborn, invites you to join us virtually on Saturday, June 26, and Sunday, June 27, for our 18th Annual Pops Concert “Revisiting the Fabulous Fifties!” This event was scheduled for June 13, but technical difficulties impaired the quality of the airing. This offering is a re-presentation of “The Fabulous Fifties” Pops Concert that was performed on June 9, 2019. The program is a pleasing mix of selections from composers like Dave Brubeck, George Gershwin, and Leonard Bernstein along with the classic favorite songs “Can’t Help Falling in Love” and “Singin’ in the Rain.”

            The concert will help raise money for The Tri- County Music Association’s John R. Pandolfi Scholarship Fund for college music majors and summer study grants for high school students. The Tri-County Music Association gives out over $12,000 in financial aid each year and needs your support to continue to foster the musical talents in the Tri-County region. Learn more about TCMA’s scholarships, study grants, and past recipients at tricountysymphonicband.org/.

            To view the concert on Saturday, June 26, at 2:00 pm or on Sunday, June 27, at 7:00 pm, you can tune in to ORCTV Comcast Channel 9 & Verizon Channel 36 as well as Facebook.

Conservation Agent Hire Takes Turn

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            The formality of the hire of Brian Vasa as Rochester’s new environmental planner and conservation agent took a twist during Monday night’s Board of Selectmen meeting when the selectmen voted to sign an employment agreement approving the hire of Marilee Kelly.

            The two were identified as finalists and interviewed for the job during the selectmen’s last meeting on June 7, after which the selectmen voted to enter negotiations with Vasa.

            Town Administrator Suzanne Szyndlar explained that Vasa, the conservation agent for the Town of Plympton, changed course and declined the Rochester’s offer and the job went to Kelly, the other finalist who has been working at the conservation agent for the Town of Acushnet.

            The selectmen voted to sign a Retirement Citation for Laurell Farinon for her service over the past 27 years as Rochester’s conservation agent.

            Also retiring from service to the town is Cynthia Mello, who has been the town treasurer for the past 14 years. The selectmen voted to accept Mello’s retirement notice and will send her a letter of appreciation. Szyndlar noted that Mello has offered to assist in the hiring process, and the town anticipates the first round of candidates in mid-July.

            In her Town Administrator’s report, Szyndlar told the board that the Rochester School Committee is seeking assistance from the selectmen per protocol after the May 26 election’s failure to elect a new member. The School Committee wants a meeting with the selectmen to appoint a nominee, which would be a public meeting requiring posting with 48 hours’ notice.

            Noting that this addition to the school committee will go to the next town election, Selectman Woody Hartley asked any interested people to please send a letter to Old Rochester Regional Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson at the ORR Central Office, 135 Marion Road, Mattapoisett.

            “I know they want to get it done as soon as possible,” said Hartley.

            The next selectmen’s meeting would fall on July 5, but Szyndlar recommended holding off scheduling the next meeting until a meeting with the Rochester School Committee is set and use that meeting to handle any other Board of Selectmen business.

            Fred Underhill and David Hughes from the Water Commission addressed the board in an effort to hasten the process of setting up a meeting with Town of Wareham representatives to expand the water agreement between the towns.

            The Water Commission is also making an effort to pool resources with the towns of Lakeville, Middleborough, and Freetown in an effort to gain more control of New Bedford’s and Taunton’s usage of water emanating from the four smaller towns.

            “Not that it may get us anywhere, but at least we can give it a whirl,” said Underhill.

            Once the state Department of Environmental Protection makes its recommendation regarding New Bedford’s water withdrawal permit, Rochester has 90 days to respond, according to Underhill, who said that New Bedford and Taunton presently have the right to withdraw water until safety thresholds are reached and that Taunton is interested in drawing more water.

            Town Counsel Blair Bailey said that Rochester expressed this same concern to the state three years ago.

            The selectmen voted to accept Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds from the federal government and authorized a representative to sign grant awards. Szyndlar said there is still some discussion as to whether the new program will be administered through Plymouth County as has been the case with the pandemic reimbursement funding of the federal CARES Act.

            Szyndlar also reported that Rochester is eligible for the next round of mutual energy assistance via its membership in the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD). The grant would provide Green Communities assistance up to $4,000 per year. Szyndlar told the board that she has already applied for the funding ahead of the July 2 deadline.

            The selectmen set October 18 as the date for the Special Town Meeting and voted to hold open a spot on the warrant for solar energy company Solect Energy’s lease article. The board voted to set September 17 as the deadline date for article submission.

            Hartley reported that, starting Monday, June 28, the Senior Center will have breakfast five days a week.

            Rochester is looking to replenish its tax work-off list. Anyone interested in tax work-off should contact Senior Center Director Eric Poulin at 508-763-8723. Hartley said people fill in at Town Hall and at the Senior Center on tax work-off. “It’s an opportunity for those people (over age 65) to reduce their real estate tax,” he explained.

            Szyndlar said five people are interested in two full-time vacancies on the Conservation Commission. Hartley indicated interest in attending the next ConCom meeting to sit in on the commission’s review of candidates before recommendations come before the selectmen.

            The selectmen also voted to sign a Revenue Anticipation Note (RAN) for a pump for the Fire Department.

            Selectman Paul Ciaburri reported a June 16 COVID-19 clinic that drew approximately 150 people to receive their second vaccination.

            The selectmen entered executive session to prepare for negotiations with school union personnel.

            The next meeting of the Rochester Board of Selectmen was not scheduled before the public portion of the June 21 meeting had ended.

Rochester Board of Selectmen

By Mick Colageo

Five People Rescued after Boat Capsizes

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            A boat carrying five adults capsized on June 19 near Cleveland Ledge Lighthouse in Mattapoisett Harbor, but all five were rescued. The 21-foot, center-console vessel was not equipped with life jackets, and Mattapoisett Assistant Harbormaster P.J. Beaudoin also dealt with a language barrier while spearheading the rescue.

            “They needed to get out of the water relatively quickly…. Really no language needed for that one, so our department was able to assist rather swiftly,” said Mattapoisett Harbormaster Jamie McIntosh. “We’re lucky it was a 21-footer, it’s usually a lot smaller.

            “We’ve had everything from inflatable rafts out there…. People will use just about anything to get out there. They’re not aware of the dangers that Buzzards Bay has especially or are not educated about the experience of the captain, the experience of the boat, weather conditions… All of these play pivotal roles on whether you’re going to head out (to sea).”

            The boat departed from Wareham for a fishing trip carrying four men and a woman; the woman and one of the men could not swim, according to Beaudoin. McIntosh called the situation “a pan-pan,” which categorizes the safety of the boat and/or passengers to be in serious jeopardy but no immediate danger. “PJ had a radio on, heard the call come in over the radio, and was able to respond with one of our deputies, John Delahanty,” said McIntosh.

            Beaudoin estimated 4 to 6-foot waves on Saturday.

            “It was not ideal conditions for a boat of that size.… Saturday was very rough out there,” said McIntosh. “Generally speaking, when we have an accident of that scale, Mass Environmental Police are call and they take jurisdiction over the accident. They’re the ones who do the follow-up. There has to be incident reports written…. Was there life jackets? Was there safety equipment? All these different things come into play.”

            Beaudoin said a state environmental police officer was on the scene shortly after the rescue team and survivors came back to shore. The state environmental police officer interviewed all five and went with them back to Tempest Knob in Wareham.

            When he pulled up to the site to lend assistance, Marion Assistant Harbormaster David Wilson marveled at the strength that Beaudoin exhibited in pulling the passengers to safety. Dartmouth-based TowboatUS took control of the capsized boat and towed it back to Wareham.

            “We get a good amount of people from out of Mattapoisett, out of state, who come and use our facilities. There’s been a number of different cases, whether it’s for enforcement reasons or rescue reasons, that language can definitely be a barrier that we have to overcome,” said McIntosh, who indicated that Mattapoisett will also follow up with the passengers. “Luckily for this situation, it was kind of universal.”

            Sometimes, explained McIntosh, a bystander on Ned’s Point will spot a crisis on the water and alert the authorities, and sometimes the call comes into the Police or Fire Departments via 911 or over radio.

            “Especially where it’s an ‘elevated incident’ … where we’re going to require more assets, more tools, multiple boats. There’s no strict form, there’s no (standard operating procedure), anything like that for us,” said McIntosh. “We do maintain the same thing where … there’s a chain where we follow where we contact the other agencies, or there’s times where we don’t have the opportunity to and we rely on our neighboring towns to do that for us.

            “It’s a lot for one person behind the helm to handle talking on the radio to the Coast Guard, control the vessel while handling your crew. So, there’s a lot of elements that go into it. Sometimes it doesn’t afford you the opportunity to go on the radio. One of our goals is to get multiple boats on the way to an incident. This particular incident came out over the radio issued by the Coast Guard.”

By Mick Colageo

First Annual Color Run Fundraiser

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The ORR class of 2023 announced that it will hold its first annual color run fundraiser on Sunday, June 27, at 10:00 am at Washburn Park in Marion. Entry to the race, which is 3k in length, is free for those under 5, $10 for those ages 5-10, and $15 for anyone over age 10.

            Entrants may walk or run the path through the Washburn woods while having eco-friendly, non-toxic colored powder gently tossed at them by student volunteers. By the time the participants cross the finish line, they will be covered head-to-toe in a multitude of colors. For this reason, organizers recommend wearing white clothing so the powder (which may leave permanent stains on clothing) is more visible.

            To receive an online entry form, email either Gabby Berg at gabriellaberg@oldrochester.org or Madeline Dugas at madelinedugas@oldrochester.org no later than Saturday, June 26, at 6:00 pm. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged, though a limited number of walk-ins will be admitted on race day. Payment (exact cash or check made out to “ORR Class of 2023”) will be collected at check-in on the morning of the race, so arriving no later than 9:30 am is recommended.

            Class president Gabby Berg commented, “I believe this is the first color run ever held in Marion. The student government had been talking about this for months and finally got the go-ahead just a couple of weeks ago, so planning went into high gear then.” She continued, “I’m excited to see people bursting with color at the finish line.”

            All proceeds from entrance fees and refreshments sales will benefit the ORRHS Class of 2023.

ORR Class of 2021

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The Old Rochester Regional High School is proud to announce that 186 seniors graduated on June 5, 2021. The hard work and determination of these young scholars will not stop there as they earned themselves 587 college acceptances to 169 universities and colleges across the country. In this graduating class, 78 percent of the students plan to attend a 4-year college, and 9 percent plan to attend a 2-year college. Two graduates will be entering the armed forces of the United States. Fifty-one members of this graduating class were inducted into the National Honor Society, 52 graduates received the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship; there were four Commended Students and one Finalist in the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program, and 34 of the graduates received scholarships from a variety of 132 state and local organizations. Graduates will be attending institutions across New England such as Babson College, Bentley University, Berklee College of Music, Boston College, Brandeis University, Dartmouth College, Mass College of Art and Design, Mass College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Mass Maritime Academy, Northeastern University, Suffolk University, Tufts University, University of Connecticut, and Wentworth Institute of Technology. Across the country, ORRHS will send graduates to American University, California State University, Carnegie Mellon University, Catholic University, Duke University, Haverford College, High Point University, Rochester Institute of Technology, SUNY College of Environmental Science, Temple University, Union College, University of Arizona, and University of St. Andrews. The most well-attended colleges amongst our graduates are Bridgewater State University, Bristol Community College, and the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. This year, the most popular anticipated college majors include Engineering, Business, Criminal Justice, Education, and the Health/Science fields including Nursing. We are proud of the accomplishments of the Class of 2021 and wish them well as they represent Old Rochester in their future endeavors.

Joe Beauregard

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Joe Beauregard of Marion passed away peacefully at home on June 18, 2021, after a long illness.

            Joe was born in Boston and raised in Foxboro. He was the son of the late Joseph Beauregard and Edna (Carey).

            Joe was a long-time, valued employee of FMGlobal, from which he was retired for many years. His work took him to all parts of North America and allowed him to make many loyal and loving friends who were a nationwide family to him.

            Joe was a talented and energetic man, a skilled builder, gardener, cook, fisherman, and nurturer of all living things. His life experiences spanned logging with horse teams while helping his beloved grandparents on their farm in Maine, serving in the US Navy, renovating and managing a farmhouse in Vermont as a bed and breakfast, visiting Mayan ruins in Mexico, solo camping and fishing in outback Alaska, founding a fly tying association, and leading a Boy Scout troop for many years in North Attleboro. He was a great fan of Boston teams, and faithfully followed the Red Sox, Patriots, Bruins and Celtics his entire life. Joe loved the outdoors, especially boating and fishing in southern Massachusetts and Cape Cod. He was a loyal and caring friend. He enjoyed cooking for others and would often say “food is love” and he would lavish his love on his friends and family.

            Joe is survived by his wife Ann Ritchey, his sister Joan Parker of Plainville, MA, his brother John Beauregard of Alabama and his step sons Nathan Knowles and his wife, Michele Corey and Brad Knowles and his wife Marli and his grandchildren Jonathan, Joshua, Elsa, Audrey, and Walter, as well as numerous brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews and friends who were as dear as family to him.

            There will be a private ceremony at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, MA.

Public Input Requested

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            Public input on a draft report detailing the results of a months-long study on the coastal resiliency of parts of Mattapoisett Neck Road has been requested.

            Members of the consulting group Fuss and O’Neil, along with scientists and engineers from the Woods Hole Group, held a public meeting on June 10 to give their final conclusions and to offer up conceptual fixes to the endangered roadway.

            While there were nine or more specialists attending the meeting plus Select Board member Jordan Collyer and the Highway Surveyor Garrett Bauer, only one member of the community attended. Undaunted, the teams gave an hour-long presentation rounding up previously expressed data and opinions in one tidy package. Now, that package or final report is available at bit.ly/ResilientNeckRd for public review and much needed comment.

            Adam Finkle of the Woods Hole Group reviewed climate change and storm impacts along a stretch of the roadway primarily from Molly’s Cove to the westward termination. Using various data modeling tools, Finkle summarized that by 2030, the chance of an 18-inch flood during storms is a real possibility by a factor of 50 percent.

            “Expect flooding to become more frequent and deeper with the majority of the road underwater by 10 inches and greater,” said Finkle, who went on to stress that, although it would be impossible to design a road for a violent storm incident he called “the big one,” a plan could “mitigate sea level rise through 2070.” Finkle said that evacuation planning in all cases is needed.

            Finkle then described, as he previous had done, three road improvement scenarios. The first was raising portions of the roadway to 7.5-foot level; secondly, raising the roadway up 6.5 feet; lastly, just providing slope reconfigurations, offering several. He added that the concepts offered would not change the scenic view of the area.

            The culvert that inspired the research project was also discussed. The teams said that repairs to the culvert should be timed with any and all other infrastructural upgrades such as water lines and the beforementioned roadway changes to decrease disruption to residents and to assure emergency vehicle ingress and egress.

            The study was funded by a Coastal Zone Management grant in the amount of $74,981, matched by the town. The primary timeframes of sea level rise were 2030, 2050, and 2070. Cost estimates were shared for both the culvert repairs and roadway improvements. For the culvert, three options ranging from in-kind replacement to enlarged box culverts were estimated between $500,000 and $790,000. But Collyer challenged those numbers, saying they were too low given that other culvert projects in the community either recently completed or currently underway are costing double the amount.

            Regarding roadway improvements, the cost of raising the roadway 6.5 feet ranges from $1,580,000 to $2,220,000, raising the roadway 7.5 feet would cost from $2,130,000 to $3,000,000, and finally, maintaining the road as is, costs zero.

            To view the full report and make comments visit bit.ly/ResilientNeckRd.

Mattapoisett Neck Road Flood Resiliency Project

By Marilou Newell

Sippican Historical Society

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Sippican Historical Society partners with the Marion Garden Group

            The Sippican Historical Society is pleased to partner with the Marion Garden Group for its Secret Gardens of Marion on June 25.

            Our current exhibit at the Museum (141 Front Street) is “The Art of Helen Hiller Hills.” Helen’s oil paintings, pastels, pen and ink drawings, and scratchboard works depict local flora and fauna, beautifully consonant with the Garden Tour theme.

            A special exhibition of botanical photographs by lens-based artist Deb Ehrens will also be on display. In keeping with the Historical Society’s white and silver Memorial Garden, the exhibition will feature Deb’s studies of white blossoms, which will be on sale at the Shop.

            The SHS Shop offers a variety of garden-related items. You’ll find everything from journals and tote bags to tea towels and aprons all featuring beautiful, vintage botanical illustrations. There are new and gently-used gardening books and even fun garden-related games for children.

            Our Memorial Garden at 27 Main Street (behind the Historical Society building) is open to the public for relaxation and reflection throughout the day. Refreshments will be available in the Garden on June 25 from noon – 3:00 pm.