Richard S. Spooner

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Richard S. Spooner, 84, of Rochester, MA, passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on October 5, 2024, due to heart complications.

            Born in December 1939 in New Bedford, he was the son of the late Lewis G. and Mary M. (Spencer) Spooner. He was predeceased by three siblings: Gerald Spooner, Donald Spooner, and Flora Duffy.

            Richard is survived by his daughter, Richlie Zuniga and her husband William, along with his nephew Robert Duffy and wife Noreen, and nieces: Margaret Duffy, Mary Wynne and her husband Tom. He was a proud grandfather to three wonderful grandchildren—Caitlyn, Paul, and Bella—who gifted him with five great-grandchildren. He was also an uncle to several great-great-great-nieces and nephews. Richard’s fridge was a vibrant display of their photos and drawings, bringing him joy every day.

            Known by many names—Pal, Tex, Rich, Rick, Moon, Mooner, and Spooner. He proudly served in the U.S. Air Force from 1957 to 1961. Following his military service, Richard worked for a variety of companies, including Revere, Morse Twist Drill, Canal Electric, and as a mason laborer and bartender.

            In younger years, Richard enjoyed golfing, running, swimming, and a passion for cars. He was always impeccably dressed, often sporting boots and patriotic attire, whether it was a belt, suspenders, or a classic bandana around his neck. His love for family was evident throughout his life, as he grew up surrounded by them. He spent time living with his parents and even lived with his older sister on the Cape for a couple of years. Ultimately, he returned home to Braley Hill Road, where he resided until his passing.

            In his later years, Richard maintained a steadfast routine. If his flag was out, it meant he was home; each evening, it was safely stored away, and every morning it was proudly displayed.

            A dedicated member of the New Bedford YMCA for over 50 years, Richard frequented the gym almost daily. He enjoyed exploring New Bedford, Fall River, and Fairhaven with friends, always on the lookout for good food, local watering holes, and Keno. An avid blood donor, he quietly contributed to his community in many meaningful ways.

            Richard loved to reminisce about the “good old days,” when traffic was light and the land was filled with pine groves. He cherished memories of family gatherings, turkey farms, old neighbors, and the simpler times of his youth.

            Our beloved Richard was adored by many, he left an indelible mark on our hearts. His unwavering dedication to family and friends was truly remarkable, and he will be forever loved.

In keeping with Richard’s quiet and private nature, a small celebration of his life will be held during the warm summer months. While he would have preferred a modest obituary, a man with such a rich life and boundless love cannot be easily summarized. He was a keeper of countless memories and will be deeply missed.

            Please feel free to make a toast to the man who was a friend of many and cherish the moments, laughter, and love he shared.

            As Richard’s second home was the New Bedford YMCA, we invite you to designate a donation in his name to honor his legacy.

Preparing For Select Board Presentation

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The Holy Ghost Reuse Committee met on October 28 to discuss components of a presentation planned for the Select Board. The volunteers had taken on the task of not only diligently reviewing options for the town-owned acreage and surveying the community’s wants, but what uses became the first and most relevant question the committee needed to answer. To reach a consensus, a survey was in order.

            In January, after determining the best survey type, how to understand the collected data, and producing a report, the committee found passive recreational uses as the primary desired use.

            During the October meeting, they revisited the survey results. There were 553 surveys submitted with the average age of respondents being 41 years of age. 80 were identified as non-full-time residents or non-residents from surrounding towns. The largest age group responding fell between 60 to 75 years of age. Respondents were also asked to share how frequently they might use the proposed renovated space. Then came the possibilities. What did they want?

            A dog park and pickle ball courts rated high, but a study of the data showed it was nearly a tie between those wanting them and those not wanting them. For instance, those wanting pickle ball courts came in at 137 but the “no” responses were 163. The dog park was even closer of a tie, with 182 wanting one and 183 registering “no.”

            Three passive recreational use options came out on top. Those suggestions were a picnic area (225), a playground (224), and a walking loop (270). They have now agreed to present those options to the Select Board as the primary uses desired by the committee at large. They believed that the noted three passive uses were not only the most popular, but also the easiest to accomplish.

            Next step, meet with the Select Board. A December meeting will be arranged. Date and time to be announced.

Holy Ghost Reuse Committee

By Marilou Newell

November Events at the Mattapoisett Library

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The Mattapoisett Free Public Library, located at 7 Barstow Street, has a lot to keep you busy this November.

            Author Mary Norris will speak about her book Greek to Me: Adventures of the Comma Queen on Saturday, November 2 at 2:00 pm. This Purrington Author Series event is free and open to the public.

            The Teen Advisory Board meets on Tuesday, November 5 at 6:00 pm. Interested teens can contact Amanda Lawrence at alawrence@sailsinc.org. TAB is intended for students between the ages of 12 and 18 who seek a leadership role in the library. The members of the TAB work together as liaisons between students and the library, helping to ensure the library represents the teens of the community well. New members are welcome.

            Our Purrington Fall Author Series concludes with Lauren Wolk on Sunday, November 10, at 1:30 pm. Lauren will discuss her books and writing process, along with a prompt for a writing activity, followed by a signing. This event is suitable for all ages and abilities. No registration required.

            Join local cartoonist LJ-Baptiste for an engaging character design and comics workshop on Tuesday, November 12 at 6:00 pm. LJ’s Comics For All class will cover the basics of bringing expressive, unique characters and stories to life through sequential art. No experience necessary. Recommended for ages 12 and up. Attendees will receive a free book. No registration required.

            The Sunday Book Club meets on November 17 at 2:00 pm to discuss How To Read A Book by Monica Wood. The club is intended for adults. Contact Librarian Robbin Smith with questions at rsmith@sailsinc.org.

            Learn everything necessary to start needle felting from The Felted Bee on Tuesday, November 19, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. In this beginner-friendly workshop, participants will learn skills and techniques to create an adorable needle-felted fox. Tools and materials are included. Recommended for ages 12 and up. Space is limited. Registration is required.

            Our next Cookbook Club meeting is scheduled for November 19 at 6:30 pm. New members are always welcome. This month, we’re reading Salt Fat Acid Heat by Samin Nosrat. Limited copies of the book are available for pickup at the library. Stop by and snag one!

            Join graphic novelist Jonathan Todd for How to Create a Graphic Novel Page on Friday, November 22 at 3:30 pm. Jonathan will explain the elements of a story, along with how to plan and create panels and ink a graphic novel page. No experience necessary. Recommended for ages 12 and up. Attendees will receive a free book. No registration required.

            Mark your Calendars! The Friends of the Mattapoisett Library have announced their Annual Jewelry Sale dates, which will be held on three consecutive days for the first time. The special Preview Sale for Friends members is on Thursday, December 5 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. The sale dates for the General Public will be Friday, December 6 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm and Saturday, December 7 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The Friends will be accepting donations of jewelry and accessory items now through Tuesday, November 19. Donations can be dropped off at the library during business hours. Please do not leave any donations outside. Our community has historically been very generous with jewelry and accessory items donations, and The Friends thank you in advance for helping make this annual sale a big success.

            As always, these events and activities are free and open to all. Check the calendar on our website for additional information and updates. If you have questions, please email mfpl@sailsinc.org or call us at 508-758-4171.

ORRHS Celebrates Unified Basketball Team’s Undefeated 2023 Season

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Superintendent Michael S. Nelson, Principal Michael Devoll, Athletic Director Chris Carrig, and Unified Bulldogs Basketball Team Coach Emma Fenton recently recognized and celebrated the Old Rochester Regional High School (ORRHS) Unified Basketball Team for its perfect 2023 season.

            On Friday, October 18, Principal Devoll, Director Carrig, and Coach Fenton presented a banner commemorating the Unified Basketball Team’s undefeated season at a pep rally with all ORRHS students present.

            “Congratulations to our talented Unified Basketball team on their impressive season” Superintendent Nelson said. “Thank you to Principal Devoll, Director Carrig, and Coach Fenton for their amazing work in providing this special recognition for our players. It’s times like these that we see and feel the positive impact of inclusivity and comradery amongst our wonderful students and staff.”

            During the pep rally, students made several handmade posters to cheer on the Unified Basketball Team on their success. Throughout the event, members of the team ran through the banner in celebration of their undefeated season and received many high-fives from peers.

            “The Unified Bulldogs embody the value of dedication and hard work” Athletic Director Carrig said. “Teamwork and the joy that comes with it are on full display in everything they do, and I couldn’t be prouder of the success they’ve earned.”

            The Unified Sports program in Massachusetts, run by Special Olympics Massachusetts in partnership with the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association, allows students with disabilities the opportunity to play high school sports alongside their peers in a fun and supportive environment.

            “The team is truly something special and to see their hard work and dedication recognized is amazing,” Coach Fenton said. “Opportunities like this really promote inclusion and give our Unified athletes credit for their accomplishments. While the wins are impressive – the banner truly represents the power of Unified Sports where every student, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to shine and contribute.”

            “Our Unified Basketball team represents all that is great about interscholastic sports,” said Principal Devoll. “They demonstrate teamwork, determination, positivity, and passion throughout their season. Congratulations to the players and Coach Fenton.”

Mattapoisett Congregational Church

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The Mattapoisett Congregational Church’s steeple is lit nightly and is a beacon of welcome and comfort to all. The Beacon of Light was started as a way to celebrate and honor loved ones or special occasions.  If you would like the steeple to be lit in remembrance of, in celebration of, or in honor of a loved one or blessed event, please call the church office at 508-758-2671 or email mattcongchurch@gmail.com for more information. We welcome and encourage multiple entries each month. This is a special way to celebrate our beautiful steeple, as a Beacon of Light in Mattapoisett, and to financially support our church. Thank you for your donation.

Disabilities Commission Re-Established

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            On October 16, a group of volunteers agreed to work collectively to rebuild the Mattapoisett Disabilities Commission. An earlier version of the commission petered out after the loss of a prime mover of the group. Now the town and the newly re-established commission are picking up the pieces.

            To that end, Assistant Town Administrator Katie Desrosiers guided the first meeting as the commission members acquainted themselves with one another and began discussions of possible ADA compliance goals moving forward.

            The commission members are Teri Nelson, Lara Whyte, Beverly Baccelli, Charles McIntyre, Lauren Rosa, Joanna Ingham, Christopher Oliveira, Kate Brown, Diane Harlfinger, Stanley Cornwall, and Marilou Newell. Baccelli was selected as chairman, McIntyre as vice-chair, and Diana Harlfinger as secretary.

            Desrosiers explained to the group that the town had received a grant from the state to conduct a self-evaluation and transition plan that brought to light such matters as public building accessibility and related concerns. The Institute for Human Center Design was engaged by the town to work with various departments in developing the self-evaluation. On November 12, a full presentation by the institute will be held at the Select Board meeting.

            In its executive summary, which the institute issued in September, outdoor public spaces needing evaluation were identified and included bike path intersections, public beaches, Ned’s Point, Shipyard Park, and the town landing.

            The GIS survey of the top five busiest intersections identified by the town’s safety officer are Tobey Lane at Main Street, Depot Street at Main Street, Church Street at Main Street, Pearl Street at Church Street, and Baptist Street at Church Street.

            The summary further noted that the town should have a corrective action plan with ADA improvement projects being completed within a five year period.

            Town Administrator Mike Lorenco is the town’s designated ADA Coordinator. If you have questions or concerns regarding matters related to ADA compliance contact the Select Board and or Lorenco at 508-758-4100.

By Marilou Newell

Rochester Furthers Solar Development

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Tuesday, Rochester’s Planning Board reviewed, without a definitive resolution, a plan to place new utility poles and lines on Robinson Road just as residents complain about how that plan has changed.

Joseph Harrison of ReWild, representing Cushman Solar LLC, explained to the board that the work is part of Eversource substation upgrades to connect utility power to the Cushman Road solar array. The current proposal, he said, is to eliminate original plans of four new poles on Robinson Road in favor of underground utilities and placing the Eversource meter and transformer on a five-by-five foot-pad. Basically, under a large manhole in the road at the solar array panel. He said this is a more expensive option, but it would eliminate the need to remove trees on Robinson Road.
            8 Robinson Road resident Christine Hutchins and neighbor Julie Koczera, who have granted easements for that new utility infrastructure across their properties, said the new plan will disturb their neighborhood with narrow rights of way between poles for vehicles, and the construction may even cause safety concerns.

            Koczera voiced concern that the change to underground utilities will create a different space for vehicles to enter and exit her property as well as safety concerns when construction begins. “How wide will my right of way become?” she asked. “How will emergency vehicles reach my house if there is a construction trench there?”

            Kim Ryan of 9 Robinson said this part of the street floods out easily and asked how the design will guard against that.

            Board chair Arnold Johnson said the developer is bound by the terms of the permit that was granted to maintain the appropriate standards to keep the site in good shape. He admitted the work will be less than 100 percent convenient for the affected residents; but the town has no ability to tell Eversource how to design its work as it sees fit, he said.

            Johnson suggested that Hutchins and Koczera work with ReWild on these details. Harrison said the company’s next meeting with Eversource will be Friday, October 25. Koczera asked to join the Zoom call for that meeting.

            Johnson said more details of this plan will be discussed at the board’s next meeting in November.

            In other action, the board approved the Field Engineering service agreement for the preliminary subdivision plan on 28 acres at 386 Snipatuit Road. The proposal would add two new homes to a parcel with an existing dwelling unit. The board began Tuesday’s meeting with a review of this proposal. Johnson told project representative Rick Charron that the board formulate conditions for the permit for the board’s next meeting.

            The board re-opened the public hearing on the bylaw amendments that were approved at the spring 2024 town meeting. Johnson explained the board had violated (by one day) the mandate that the public notice for scheduling the hearing for these articles last spring be posted for 14 days. The board merely had to re-post and re-advertise to do it correctly, per mandate. No further town meeting action will be necessary.

            The new bylaw sections were on large-scale solar voltaic installations and the ground-mounted solar voltaic installations, protection of ‘historical resources,’ agricultural-residential district back lots, lot dimensions, and access to lot changes.

            The Rochester Planning Board’s next meeting will be Tuesday, November 12 at 7:00 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.

Rochester Planning Board

by Michael J. DeCicco

Heart Saver Training Class

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The First Congregational Church of Marion is pleased to sponsor a “Heart Saver Training Class” to members, friends, and the Marion community. This is an opportunity to learn valuable techniques to be prepared for an emergency. It is for anyone with little or no medical training.

            This 3 to 4 hour class will be held on Sunday, November 10 at 12:00 pm on the second floor of the church’s Community Center. Local EMT instructors promise some fun as you are trained in CPR, Basic First Aid, AED (Auto Electric Defibrillator), Heimlich, Chest Thrusts, Bandaging, Choke Saving, and instruction to stop bleeding. The training is done on mannequins.

            The class is open to adults and youth 12 years of age or older. Upon receipt of payment and successful course completion, a certificate that is valid for two years is issued. The cost is $75 per person. Our Community Center is located at 144 Front Street (rear of the General Store parking lot).

            To sign up for the class, call the church office at 508-748-1053 (Tuesday through Thursday 9:00 am to 2:00 pm). A $75 check payable to The First Congregational Church of Marion should be brought to the church office in the Community Center or paid at the start of the class on November 10. The deadline to sign up for the class is Tuesday, November 5.

Mysteries Of The Midwater

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Come join the Marion Natural History Museum on November 8 from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm, as we hear about the Mysteries Of The Midwater: Exploring the Ocean Twilight Zone with Benjamin Grassian of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

            Benjamin Grassian is a Postdoctoral Investigator from WHOI working with imaging, acoustic, and net data collected during the Ocean Twilight Zone project. He is working with zooplankton image data collected from the “Stingray” and shipboard acoustic data. He focuses on describing the variable Diel Vertical Migration habits for different groups of animals. Come hear about the fascinating creatures who use this technique to survive.

            Suggested donation to the museum: $10. Please go to www.marionmuseum.org to register for this exciting event.

Marion Historic District Plans In Motion

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The town drew one step closer toward establishing a local historic district in Marion Village.

            Meg Steinberg, chairman of the town’s historic commission and advisor to the historic study committee, met with the planning board Monday with plans for the new district. Steinberg said historic officials will share plans with the planning board for further review, as well as the state’s historic commission. Once the study committee receives feedback and makes any suggested alterations, a bylaw would be proposed to voters at next year’s town meeting.

            Last year, the study committee formed and completed a survey in which 90 percent of respondents favored having a historic district. The study committee did further outreach over a year ago and Steinberg said that many residents prefer a district that is less restrictive than other types. Steinberg told Planning Board members that homeowners within the district can renovate homes and can even demolish some properties, as long as the rebuild matches the neighborhood within the village. Steinberg said most renovation and remodeling projects would not need any local approval as long as the visible front exterior still maintains the same historic facade. For instance, new windows or a new roof would not need local review, Steinberg noted.

            Steinberg said homeowners can even make significant alterations to the backside of a home as long as it is not visible from a public way. “Everything will be a balance between looks, appearance, and cost,” Steinberg told the Planning Board on Monday. “We want you to review the report and get your support at the town meeting.”

             Steinberg said there are 100 towns with local historic districts in the state and around 200 overall. “We jumped on the bandwagon finally,” she said.

            In other planning board business, the board met with developers for two separate housing applications: one on Wareham Road and another on Wareham Street.

            The board, looking for more information, delayed one site plan review hearing for FSJ Marion’s proposal for a multi-lot development on Wareham Street until November.

            The board opened its hearing for an affordable housing village, proposed by Mark Zuker. Board members said issues such as sewer and water to the development proposed at 78 Wareham Road must still be vetted locally before moving forward. According to Zuker’s presentation earlier this year, the development would encompass 30 acres and feature 36 detached dwellings and 12 townhouses.

Marion Planning Board

By Jeffrey D. Wagner