Silas D. Coellner, principal of Old Rochester Regional Junior High School, announces the following Students of the Month for October 2020:
Green Team: Jacob Fisher & Caitlin O’Donnell
Orange Team: Scarlet Patnaude & Jake Dellas
Blue Team: Nina Pierre & Jacob Koczera
Red Team: Nevaeh Williams & Brody Hiles
Remote Team: Dillon Furtado & Rosemary Clark
During the November 10 meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen, the board discussed with Town Administrator Mike Lorenco grant opportunities. The catch: the 25-percent matching funds needed to secure most government grants.
A Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management grant for as much as $75,000 could be used for improvements and repairs to a culvert along Mattapoisett Neck Road. Highway Surveyor Barry Denham said that a 1960s-era culvert may not have been designed to the standards now in place and is likely insufficient for saltwater tidal action to the marshlands.
“On the west side, there are big holes,” Denham said, adding that the concrete was beginning to fail. He expressed concern that the culvert’s failure would be problematic for the people living in the Neck area. The roadway is the only way in and out of the beach neighborhood.
Denham also asked the board if he could move forward on an application for a $300,000 grant from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation that did not require matching funds. “We’d be crazy not to,” chuckled Selectman Paul Silva. Denham said those funds could be used to construct sidewalks from the bike path to Route 6 along Mattapoisett Neck Road.
Lorenco said he was also looking into the current owner of the quarry property once heavily sought after by the Mattapoisett Land Trust. The board agreed that reaching an agreement with the owners regarding the viability of putting a small parking area there would help keep bike path users from parking dangerously along Mattapoisett Neck Road. Silva said, “It’s a natural spot to have parking for the bike path.” The property in question is located at the corner of Mattapoisett Neck Road, Route 6, and abutting conservation lands.
A $100,000 Assistance to Firefighters Grant offered by FEMA was also discussed and had been suggested by Mattapoisett Fire Chief Andrew Murray, Lorenco said. There was some discussion that equipment listed on the Capital Planning schedule for future years could be paid for now with FEMA funding, but coming up with the 25 percent match was required for grants ranging around $100,000.
Grants from various sources were noted for work needed at the town’s historic wharves. However, the board agreed that dredging work previously requested and approved at Town Meeting could go forward for an estimated cost of $30,000. Work needed on Long Wharf could be paid in part by a $54,000 grant, but all grants created more questions than answers for the board members.
Lorenco suggested a group meeting that would bring together members of the Capital Planning and Finance Committee with the selectmen. Also invited to the meeting would be department heads seeking grants. The selectmen agreed. The matching funds that will be discussed include $24,990 for the CZM grant and $40,756 for the AFG grant. Harborside grants will also be discussed at the meeting.
In other matters, Lorenco brought the board up to date on the current state of COVID-19 regulations and how the town has responded to new restrictions ordered by Governor Charlie Baker. He said updated restrictions require masks be worn inside and outside regardless of social distancing and that a stay-at-home advisory had been issued between the hours of 10:00 pm and 5:00 am unless an individual is working. He went on to say that restaurants were required to stop seating people at 9:30 pm. A $300 fine will be imposed on violators, he said. Lorenco said a letter had been sent to all businesses listing the restrictions. When asked how enforcement of penalties would be handled, Silva responded, “That’s a good question. We don’t know yet.”
Town Hall access is now by appointment only, Lorenco said, but if people need assistance, someone would answer the door to try and provide help. He encouraged the public to call and to use the drop-off box on the side of the building.
Lorenco said that gatherings indoors were restricted to 10 people and 25 if events are held outdoors. There is a $500 fine for violations.
With the holidays right around the corner, it was decided that tree decorations and lighting at Shipyard Park will not include an invitation for public participation. Nor would an informal Veterans Day gathering planned to commemorate American Legion Florence Eastman Post 280 retired Commander Mike Lamoureux include the general public, Lorenco said. Denham said that Lamoureux had been serving veterans in the area for over 35 years.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen is scheduled for November 24 at 6:30 pm.
Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen
By Marilou Newell
With legal fees still mounting, years of legal wrangling, and an enforcement order that just might finally be upheld by the property owner, Mattapoisett’s Conservation Commission discussed a request by Daniel Craig of 4 Seabreeze Lane to lift the enforcement order.
Coming before the commission during its November 9 meeting was town counsel, in this matter, George Pucci of KP Law. After giving a brief history of what had transpired going back several years when an enforcement order was issued to Craig to restore wetlands and other jurisdictional areas, Pucci asked the commission to consider its next steps.
At the Seabreeze property located near Eel Pond, Craig had landscaped a large swarth that the commission had intended and ordered to remain as a “no-touch zone.” The commission’s efforts to gain Craig’s cooperation in ceasing activities and restoring the disturbed wetlands were met with legal action. The Buzzards Bay Coalition joined the town in defending the Enforcement Order.
Subsequently, the case found its way to Superior Court. In 2019 former Town Administrator Mike Gagne told The Wanderer, “This is an interesting case.” Gagne said Craig appealed an enforcement order issued by the Conservation Commission to the Department of Environmental Protection. The DEP upheld the enforcement order; Craig has subsequently appealed the DEP ruling, sending the case back to Superior Court.
Pucci said on this night that the court was now waiting to learn if Craig had complied with the court’s decision that the town’s order was justified and enforceable. He asked if the commission was willing to remove a “contempt complaint,” given that it now appears that Craig has completed some of the restoration requirements imposed via the enforcement order. The issue at hand now is whether or not the density of plantings agreed upon was, in fact, planted.
Chairman Mike King said, “After a long road, it appears we are headed in the right direction.” But the town’s wetland scientist, John Rockwell, disagreed that planting density was sufficient. King asked for more time to review Rockwell’s report. King said that the enforcement order would remain in place for at least two growing seasons to ensure the restoration plan matures.
King asked the commission to vote whether to lift the contempt filing, which he believed would save the town additional legal fees, or leave it in place until everything is planted to Rockwell’s satisfaction. The commission moved to dismiss the contempt complaint.
However, the Buzzards Bay Coalition disagreed. BBC attorney Korrine Petersen said, “There have been five years of litigation, and it wasn’t until the contempt was filed that things were being done.” She expressed concern that by dropping the complaint, restoration work would stop.
Also weighing in was Town Administrator Mike Lorenco, who urged the commission to stay the course, given the amount of investment the town had already made to gain Craig’s cooperation. Lorenco said the town hired Rockwell at the direction of the Board of Selectmen. “There’s been five years of litigation paid for by the taxpayers. It would be a shame not to see this through to the end,” he stated.
Pucci said that, despite the commission’s desire to drop the contempt complaint, that did not mean the BBC would have to as well. Their involvement is a separate legal matter, albeit based on the town’s enforcement order. The discussion was continued until November 23.
In other matters, RDAs filed by Judith Selwyn, 47 Mattapoisett Neck Road, for the construction of an addition on existing columns, and another filed by 20 Ned’s Point, LLC, to construct a swimming pool and patio area, both received negative determinations of applicability.
Donna Downey Trust, 16 Water Street, filed a Notice of Intent to construct a 74-by-14-foot deck. It was continued until November 23 to allow sufficient time for abutter comment.
Continued public hearings also included Randall Lane Solar, LLC. King said that the commission’s use of a third-party peer-review consultant would only be for the delineation of wetlands. He noted that several other oversight agencies had yet to return comments. The filing was continued until November 23.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission is scheduled for November 23 at 6:30 pm.
Mattapoisett Conservation Commission
By Marilou Newell
Are you looking for more interesting and exciting ideas for menu planning during this pandemic? Are you looking for a practical gift for someone for this holiday season? Well, look no further than the recently released Wareham Garden Club’s cookbook. It was published just in time to commemorate the club’s 82nd birthday. It is a compilation of over 180 recipes in seven categories from the recipe files of garden club members, friends, and families.
The Wareham Garden Club continues to have an active presence in town, beautifying many sites across the area, holding many events to raise scholarship money for high school seniors and college students, and educating the public by providing varied workshops and presentations.
If you would like to support the club’s efforts by purchasing a cookbook, please contact Judy at judjon121@comcast.net or call 1-508-273-7867. Cost of the recipe book is $14.
The 2020 Rochester Hazardous Waste Day will be on Saturday, November 14 from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm at the Highway Barn. Rochester residents only.
Pamela Marie Hoffer, 78, of Marion, died peacefully at home on November 11, 2020, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Pamela grew up in Beaver, PA, the younger daughter of William Howard and Mae Lois Stuck. After graduating from Wilson College, she came to Boston, where she met Edward and they lived in Eastern Massachusetts for the rest of their lives, remaining as deeply in love as the day they wed. She had a full life with a wide range of interests, with three passions: the French language, sailing and her family.
First exposed to French in the 10th grade, she studied it in college and came to Cambridge to further her language studies. In 1965, armed with nothing but pluck, she took a student flight to Paris and managed to get a job at UNESCO, allowing her to immerse herself in French language and culture. After marrying Ed in 1966, she supported them by teaching French at a private girls’ school in Lowell while he finished medical school. Her studies took a hiatus while she raised their sons, but when they were older, she returned to Boston College to get first a Master’s degree and then a PhD. Shy and self-effacing by nature, she shined academically, giving papers at conferences on three continents and having her thesis published as a book. Shortly after graduating BC, she took a position as Lecturer in French at Babson College, which she held for 15 years. A highlight of most years was a trip to France. She and Ed cycled through most of France, and finally settled on Nice as their “go-to” spot every spring.
She learned to sail on the tricky waters of the Charles River, and she and Ed owned first an Islander 30, then a 210 and then her beloved H12, Lickety Split. She was a fierce competitor on the water, always among the leaders in ladies’ and open racing, and she gave back to the Beverly Yacht Club as its longest-tenured secretary and then as Chair of the Junior Activities Committee. She passed her love of sailing on to Jed and Scott, as “that was what you did in the summer,” and both became excellent sailors.
She was a devoted mother, who saw that our sons had exposure to many activities, the best education we could provide, and taught them values. If you slighted one, she was your enemy for life, but if you helped them, she was your friend. Family always came first. Of all her accomplishments, Pamela was proudest of having raised two wonderful sons, Jed and Scott, who gave us nothing but joy.
She enjoyed music of all kinds. A pianist as a child, she had a lovely voice she used in a choral group while we lived in Wellesley. Her tastes ranged from Bob Dylan to the Rolling Stones to the New Bedford Symphony, to which she gave her time and energy.
A bridge player in college like most of her generation, she returned to the game after the boys were grown, and rose to be a Ruby Life Master, playing exclusively with Ed.
Even though she was a white-knuckle flyer who stayed awake on trans-ocean flights to be sure the plane did not crash, she conquered her fears and travelled the world both with Ed and as a family. Pamela and Ed visited all seven continents, often by bicycle, cycling through Vietnam, China and most of Europe.
In addition to Ed, Jed and Scott, she leaves her sister, Sue Hamblen, of Houston, TX, her cousin Joe Dempsey and his wife Linda, of Pittsburgh, PA and her son-in-law Justin Farkas of Brooklyn, NY.
“In one of those stars I shall be living… I shall not leave you.” – Saint-Exupery: The Little Prince
In lieu of flowers, please send a contribution to the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra in her name. 128 Union Street, Suite 204, New Bedford, MA 02740
The Rochester Conservation Commission met November 4 on a Wednesday night instead of its usual Tuesday due to the previous day’s presidential election, and two projects that hired Wareham-based G.A.F. Engineering, Inc. made substantial progress.
Cranberry Highway, LLC, received a Certificate of Compliance for work completed at 15 Cranberry Highway that redeveloped an existing property so it can house Countryside Daycare Center.
Represented by Bob Rogers of G.A.F. Engineering, Cranberry Highway, LLC limited construction to a playground and a water-quality basin. An August as-built survey yielded the need to add more material on top of the berm for the water quality basin. “Everything is vegetated and looking nice out there,” said Rogers.
Conservation Agent Laurell Farinon recommended that the Conservation Commission issue the Certificate of Compliance.
“It was kind of a retrofit of an existing project where they modified a building that was outside of the commission’s jurisdiction,” said Farinon, explaining the need for improvements to its stormwater collection system. “The design was to build a water quality basin which discharged directly to an existing drainage basin that was already on the property. Stone spillways are in place at two locations. They made supplemental plantings.”
In a separate public hearing, Jesper and Jennifer Ingerslev of 20 Stoney Run Lane in Marion received a positive Order of Conditions for work they propose at 0 Gerrish Road.
Represented by Brian Grady of G.A.F. Engineering, Inc., the Ingerslevs proposed construction of a single-family house, of which the eastern-most corner will sit inside the 100-foot buffer zone to an isolated vegetated wetland and an off-site cranberry bog.
Farinon said she had reviewed the wetland line and flagging and agreed with the line. All proposed work is planned to occur outside the 25-foot no-disturb zone, and the closest point of work is approximately 35 feet from the no-disturb zone. Farinon recommended that a positive Order of Conditions be issued with the stipulation of erosion-control barriers.
Two applicants requested continuances of their cases to future meetings. Featherbed Lane South Solar, LLC, which had filed a Notice of Intent that was continued from October 20, requested a continuance to November 17 to review peer-review comments. Cushman Road Solar, LLC requested a continuance to December 1 to respond to abutters’ comments.
Under New Business, the commission voted to accept two new regulations under the Rochester Wetlands Bylaw meant to expedite processes and better serve residents. A third regulation involving a Tree Removal Request Application was postponed until ConCom can be joined by Town Counsel Blair Bailey, who was not able to attend the November 4 meeting.
The next meeting of the Rochester Conservation Commission is scheduled for Tuesday, November 17, at 7:00 pm.
Rochester Conservation Commission
By Mick Colageo
Darcy H. Lee, author of Ghosts of Plymouth, Massachusetts, will talk about her book via Zoom on Friday, November 13 at 6:00 pm. Plymouth is known worldwide as “America’s Hometown,” landing place of the Pilgrims in 1620 and home of the first Thanksgiving. But the real story of the town is a tale of grim beginnings – plague, desperation, massacre, murder, and fear. A ghostly Victorian couple is known to wander Burial Hill. A shocking crime on Leyden Street, one of the oldest streets in America, still haunts the area. The crew of the brigantine General Arnold, trapped offshore during an icy 18th century blizzard, are suspected to haunt not one, but three locations. Author Darcy H. Lee exposes the haunting acts that lie beneath Plymouth’s cherished history.
Darcy H. Lee is the executive director of Samaritans of FR/NB, Inc. Most recently she was the director of development at the Women’s Fund of Southeastern Massachusetts. Lee started her career at the John F. Kennedy Library and Foundation in Boston, going on to work as press aide to United States Senator Edward M. Kennedy; she then worked in fundraising for different organizations including Clark University, Orchard House (Home of the Alcotts) and Pilgrim Hall Museum. She also served the Plymouth region as executive director of Mayflower RSVP, the county’s Senior Corps volunteer agency.
Lee is also the author of the 2010 book, The Fantastic, Fabulous, Funny, and Factual Follies of a Facebook Friend. She received the IPPY Silver Medal Award and was a finalist for the Eric Hoffer Book Award and International Book Award. Ghosts of Plymouth, Massachusetts (2017) and
Lee serves on the board of the Mattapoisett Historical Society, the Fall River Area Advisory Board of the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families, and the Rotary Club of Fall River. She is a member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Lee is a 2018 graduate of Leadership Southcoast and is a Paul Harris Fellow through Rotary International. Lee has a BA in history from Marymount College at Fordham University and lives in southeastern Massachusetts.
Registration is required for you to receive the Zoom meeting information. Zoom information will be sent the day before the presentation. You can register by sending an email to mfpl@sailsinc.org or by completing the registration form on our online calendar of events. Call the library at 508-758-4171 or email to mfpl@sailsinc.org if you have questions. This program is part of the Purrington Lecture Series, a presentation of the Mattapoisett Library Trust, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to expanding the role of the library in the community.
restoration and preservation of Ned’s Point Lighthouse in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts. This will be accomplished through fundraisers and the sale of lighthouse-related gifts, educational materials, and clothing promoting educational awareness, volunteerism, and membership benefits.
The Board of Directors is directly involved with the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary’s Flotilla 63, who through a merger with USCG AUX Flotilla 67, has adopted Ned’s Point Lighthouse. It is Flotilla 63’s responsibility to ensure that all restoration and preservation efforts are carried out in accordance with the standards set forth and approved by the United States Coast Guard.
Help us restore the most cherished icon of the SouthCoast of Massachusetts located in Mattapoisett.
Visit our Website at www.Friendsofnedspointlighthouse.com.
Donations can also be sent to “Friends of Ned’s Point Lighthouse”, P.O. Box 537, Mattapoisett, MA 02739.
Whittier Health Network reported an increase of COVID-19 cases at Sippican Healthcare Center as of November 9. The parent company’s website published the following update: “As of November 9, 44 residents or staff have confirmed COVID-19.” That number increased from the 33 positive cases reported at the Marion facility as of November 6.
On November 8, three positive cases of COVID-19 were reported by Old Rochester Regional Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson, Mattapoisett Town Administrator Mike Lorenco, and Mattapoisett Board of Health Chairman Carmelo Nicolosi.
On Sunday, the ORR School District and Massachusetts Superintendency Union #55 were informed of a single case related to Center, Old Hammondtown, and ORR Junior High Schools in Mattapoisett. As of the November 8 report, all three people who tested positive were self-isolating according to the state Department of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) protocol. ORR and Mattapoisett school districts were immediately notified. No further information is available about the individuals, per state and federal health privacy laws.
The positive cases are the 10th, 11th, and 12th involving individuals in the ORR school district since schools reopened on September 16.
The Mattapoisett Board of Health’s initial contact tracing effort yielded five close contacts related to the Center School case, none related to the Old Hammondtown School case, and one related to the ORR Junior High case. Those people were reported to be quarantined with the recommendation that they test for COVID-19.
All ORR District schools began the November 9 school week on regular schedules according to the recommendation of the Mattapoisett Board of Health. All schools will continue to be cleaned every day after school and as needed.
The Town of Marion announced on November 9 that its Veterans Day Observance scheduled for November 11 at Old Landing Memorial had been canceled as one of the multiple measures taken in the face of the coronavirus surge. The “Grab and Go Lunch for Veterans” put on by the Council on Aging and Marion Recreation Department remained on the schedule.
Since May 8, Whittier reports that Sippican Healthcare Center has had 58 confirmed cases of COVID-19. In addition, Sippican has had three clusters of three or more residents and/or staff with new onset of respiratory symptoms within 72 hours of one another.
Whitter’s statement continues: “When a resident tests positive, we notify residents and their representative(s) of their condition and implement protocols for their care and treatment. We also follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), including return to work guidance, for staff who test positive. Ten residents and staff have recovered from COVID-19; 212 residents and staff have tested negative for COVID-19; it has been zero days since a new resident or staff member has tested positive.
“Mitigating actions that Sippican Healthcare Center is taking to prevent/reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 include the following: altering or suspending normal operations of the facility pursuant to CMS/CDC/DPH guidelines, including limitation of visitors and social distancing and separation of residents; screening employees every shift; requiring employees to use PPE as indicated, including N95 and regular face masks, gowns, face shields, gloves, and droplet precautions equipment; increasing cleaning and sanitizing, including sanitizing with Clean Republic Hypochlorous Acid Disinfectant; providing new admissions with cloth masks and providing education to them on the use of the masks, hand hygiene and cough etiquette; distancing of residents; limiting residents’ movements outside their rooms; and separating COVID-19 positive residents from other residents.”
The Whittier website states that the company performed COVID-19 testing for residents and employees at Sippican in May. Acknowledging a nationwide shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE), the website states that there is currently adequate PPE at the Sippican facility.
ORR’s press release concluded with the advisory that, should you or your child experience symptoms such as fever, chills, respiratory illness, aches, or change in taste and smell, to please stay home and get a COVID-19 test. Testing can be done either through primary health care providers or at one of the testing sites located throughout the state.
Deep cleaning of all schools will continue to be conducted each night. High-touch surfaces are and will continue to be cleaned frequently and as needed throughout the day while the buildings are occupied. Sanitizing wipes remain available in each classroom to wipe down desks when necessary.