Magauran Appointed Town Clerk

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Elizabeth “Lissa” Magauran was appointed as the Town of Marion’s permanent full-time town clerk on September 20, after five years serving as the assistant town clerk.

            It was the resignation of former town clerk, Ray Pickles, on September 3 that prompted the Board of Selectmen to first appoint Magauran as the temporary town clerk that same day to serve out the remainder of Pickles’ term, which expires in 2020. Now, later in the month, the selectmen took Town Administrator Jay McGrail’s recommendation to appoint Magauran as the permanent town clerk and make her a full-time, non-union employee.

            With the assistance of Finance Director Judy Mooney, McGrail said the town was able to comprise a preliminary budget that would allow for a full-time town clerk because switching to a full-time town clerk, McGrail said, “reflects the needs of the town.”

            Magauran’s former position as part-time assistant town clerk will not be eliminated since it is a union position, but it will not be filled.

            “Although she wouldn’t have an assistant,” McGrail said, “to be honest, not much would change in her life.”

            As town clerk, Pickles was rarely if ever spotted in the Town Clerk’s Office alongside Magauran, and Magauran appeared at the previous election and annual town meeting in Pickles’ absence.

            According to McGrail, the new full-time town clerk arrangement will save the town $7,000 annually.

            “I’m not [recommending Magauran as the full-time town clerk] because I think the savings are a real issue,” said McGrail. “… I think the board has an opportunity to, yes, save a little money, but also do the right thing for the community.”

            Town Meeting voters accepted an article to make the elected town clerk position an appointed position during the 2019 Annual Town Meeting in May, giving the Board of Selectmen the appointing authority. Coincidentally, the Annual Town Meeting was McGrail’s first day on the job as town administrator.

            “When this opportunity immediately… presented itself on my first day on the job at Town Meeting, I immediately knew this was the direction that I thought the town should go,” said McGrail.

            “I think, honestly, it fits the building, the personnel, and the needs of the town in the best, most adequate way,” McGrail said. “Lissa does a great job.”

By Jean Perry

“Unstuck”: an OCD Film for Youth and Adults

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“Recognize Mental Illness Awareness Week” will take place October 6 to 12 at the Mattapoisett Library. Adults and youth are invited to a free screening of “Unstuck: an OCD Kids Movie” on Wednesday, October 9 at 6:30 pm. “Unstuck” is a short documentary that explains obsessive compulsive disorder through the eyes of children and their families. This educational and inspiring film follows a group of kids through recovery as they explain what OCD is and how they learn to face their fears and take their lives back. 

            A panel with knowledge and experience in the field of OCD treatment will make a brief presentation and will welcome comments after the film. The panel will include Caitlin White, LICSW, who is a Senior Clinical Social Worker at McLean Hospital’s Child and Adolescent OCD Institute, where she works with children and families with OCD and related disorders; and Morgan Browning, BA/BS, a Community Residence Counselor at McLean Hospital’s Child and Adolescent OCD Institute, as well as a researcher with labs at Brown University, University of Florida, and McLean Hospital.

Future of ORR Solar Depends on State, Tri-Towns

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            Installing a solar panel canopy over the parking lot at Old Rochester Regional High School has proven to be more complicated than expected, Superintendent Doug White told the Old Rochester Regional School Committee on September 12.

            The committee voted back on June 11 to authorize White to work with an attorney to review a 20-year contract with solar developer SunPower. White reported that the attorney had some reservations due to the fact that, as a regional school district, statute does not allow for a lease/contract for such a long length of time.

            “That put a little bit of a stall in what we’re trying to do… because, if you were to do that, you’re putting the three towns in a liability,” said White.

            The solution, he said, is to petition the state for special legislation to allow for the 20-year agreement, something White said he has already discussed with State Senator Marc Pacheco who has agreed to file on behalf of the ORR District. Once that special legislation is granted, White said the three towns would have to agree to allow the district to proceed with the contract.

            In the meantime, a lengthy pause in the process would mean the district would likely see the ensuing 20-year guaranteed electricity rate increase, which would decrease the anticipated $2.9 million in net savings to the district over the 20 years. However, according to White, SunPower has offered to front the $7,500 application fee for state solar subsidies to keep the process moving forward to ensure the highest savings possible for the district. If the special legislation or approval from the towns falls through, said White, “We can step out of it.”

            White specified that a vote that night would be to allow SunPower to file the application on the district’s behalf, not the approval of a signed contract with the developer. He said he was optimistic that the special legislation would be granted, given that the state often favors solar projects and regional projects.

            Also during the meeting, the committee had a rather heated discussion over high school gymnasium rental fees for private sports organizations after the Old Rochester Travel Basketball Association’s (ORTBA) three-year contract expired, resulting in a $10,000 fee increase the association’s director thinks is unfair.

            In 2015, the district and the association entered into a three-year agreement for a flat rental fee to increase by $500 each year, beginning with $6,500 and ending last year with $7,500. This year, the district billed the association under its standard $150 per hour rental fee, totaling $17,800.

            “We need to think about how we adjust that… and really look at how the facility is utilized for what amount of time,” suggested White.

            The $150 hourly fee breaks down into $100 for the space, and $50 for utilities. White commented that the rental fee policy was essentially based on the concept of a one-time use rental.

            White suggested starting the conversation at $25 per hour – $20 for the space and $5 for utilities – a “reasonable place to be,” he said, but some committee members had reservations on such a low number. 

            Still, said committee member Paul Goulet, “Seventeen thousand, 800 [dollars] is absolutely asinine to charge a travel team… How are they going to afford that?”

            School Committee member Heather Burke had examples of fees other schools charge, such as Somerset-Berkeley and Wareham that both charge $100 an hour. She said the policy subcommittee has been reviewing this policy as the topic arises.

            “I’m not against charging,” Goulet said, “but $17,000…”

            On behalf of the ORTBA, Greg Yeomans told the committee that he felt more like he was present to defend his case rather than as a “partner” with the school district, a position he would prefer.

            “You’re coming at a very political moment,” said committee member Tina Rood, “and it’s not your fault, but we have been told consistently over the last nine months that taxpayers in the Tri-Town really only want to fund this facility for the school day and the school activities and they don’t really want to invest in the wear and tear of other groups…

            “People who use it need to pay a fair share,” Rood continued. Perhaps not $17,800, she said, “But we need to keep the facilities up and we don’t have the funds in the capital budget to do that… It’s just the reality of how the district is funded.”

            Rental fees go directly into the operating budget – something Rood said should cease in order to reinvest the funds to maintain the facilities.

            ORTBA requested another three-year agreement with $500 incremental increases, but the committee was only comfortable granting a one-year $8,000 agreement for now until it can devise a “fair” rental fee for the group.

            White interjected to caution the committee and said, although he appreciates the ORTBA partnership with the district, “Our budget cannot subsidize other programs. It’s not even covering the current cost of our own athletics program. Our own athletics program only has $160,000 in the budget – it costs us close to $400,000 for our own athletes and we have to be careful with the dollars that we have that it’s not subsidizing other programs without taking care of what our first obligation is.”

            The discussion turned to adopting a policy to collect a one-time $100 fee per student to access all the clubs offered at ORR High School.

            The next meeting of the Old Rochester Regional School Committee is scheduled for October 23 at 6:30 pm in the ORRJHS media room.

Old Rochester Regional School Committee

By Jean Perry

Annual Fair Way Golf Tournament

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The 4th Annual Fair Way Golf Tournament put on by The Church of the Good Shepherd will be held on Saturday, October 5at Little Harbor Country Club. Shotgun start at 8:30 am. $80 per golfer/$320 a team.  All proceeds benefit homeless, hunger, substance abuse programs, and other outreach ministries in Wareham and beyond. For more information or RSVP call Natecia at 774-260-1924 or email natecia17@gmail.com

New Play coming to the MAC Stage

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The Women of Lockerbie, written by Deborah Brevoort and directed by Jennifer Palmer, opens on the MAC stage on October 18: 

            The Year is 1995. A mother from New Jersey roams the hills of Lockerbie Scotland, looking for her son’s remains that were lost in the crash of Pan Am 103.  She meets the women of Lockerbie who are fighting the U.S. government to obtain the clothing of the victims found in the plane’s wreckage. The women, determined to convert an act of hatred into an act of love, want to wash the clothes of the dead and return them to the victim’s families. The Women of Lockerbie is a poetic drama about the triumph of love over hate

            Show dates are Friday, October 18– Sunday, October 20and Thursday, October 24– Sunday, October 27.  Thursday, Friday, Saturday performances begin at 7:30 pm, while Sunday matinees are scheduled at 2:00 pm.  The cast features Kate Fishman, Jessica Harris, Susan Massey, Frank Mitchell, Linda Monchik, Margo Ruggiero, and Jacob Sherburne.  Tickets will go on sale to MAC members ($18) on Friday, September 27 and to non-members ($20) on Friday, October 4.  

Elsie Lee (McCarthy) Marvin

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Elsie Lee (McCarthy) Marvin, 92, of Mattapoisett died peacefully on September 21, 2019 at Kesslerwood Place Assisted Living Community in Indianapolis.

She was the wife of the late Donald K. Marvin. 

Born in New Bedford, the daughter of the late Joseph L. and Mary A. (Murphy) McCarthy, she was raised in Fairhaven before moving to Mattapoisett in 1958. Mrs. Marvin received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Regis College and a Master of Arts degree from Wellesley College. Mrs. Marvin was formerly employed as a teacher at Fairhaven High School and Dartmouth High School before retiring from Bristol Community College. She enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends. 

Survivors include her two sons, Thomas Marvin and his wife Marta of Indianapolis, IN and John Marvin and his wife Emilie of Chuluota, FL; six grandchildren, James, Steven, Tess, Elizabeth, David and Andrea; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

She was the sister of the late Betty Pendergast and Robert McCarthy. 

Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, September 28th at 10 AM in St. Anthony’s Church, Mattapoisett. Burial will follow in Cushing Cemetery. Visiting hours are omitted. Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home For Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6) Mattapoisett. For online guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

A Bit of Downton Abbey in Marion

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            As many wait patiently for the big screen return of the much beloved series Downton Abbey, the Sippican Woman’s Club enjoyed a walk down Masterpiece memory lane during their September 13 monthly meeting. The guest speaker would take the group on a virtual trip to the stately home by way of her deep appreciation for period clothing and interest in all things vintage.

            On the theme of fashion as seen in the TV series and soon in movie theaters, Karen Antonwicz is an expert. She earned her master’s degree in textiles and fashion merchandizing with a concentration in historic clothing from the University of Rhode Island. She has also owned a vintage clothing store, taught in various college settings, and has given innumerable lectures on the subject of period clothing.

            But nothing seems to strike her fancy more than when she has the opportunity to talk about fashion as it relates to that grand show aired on PBS, Downton Abbey. In the five seasons the drama aired on TV, Antonwicz found all the things she loves the most – vintage clothing, antique furnishings, and, oh yes, juicy drama.

            Antonwicz’s presentation did feature a discussion about women’s clothing from the late 1800’s through WWI, but she also led the audience romping through those five seasons the Crawley family graced TV screens using video clips. Club members were guided from one glorious room to the next and through every outrageous event to the next when, all the while, the ladies of the estate never had a hair out of place.

            Antonwicz explained how the evil corset scaffolded those fashions popularized by the unnatural but highly regarded look of the Gibson girls. The female figure was idealized the most when the waist was cinched by tightly held bone stays, which also had the effect of making the bosom tilt forward into a “mono-bosom” while pushing back the rear-end. In profile, the women resembled the letter “S”.

            Over time, fashions turned away from the impossible layers of the Edwardian and Victorian styles. Waistlines, like the empire waist, became more fluid like the dropped waist. Hemlines rose from sweeping the floors to the tops of shoes to just below the knee. And while heavy clothing faded out, fabrics, colors, and design options increased.

            But before we completely leave behind those complicated articles of clothing, it’s interesting to note that because getting dressed was so difficult, the well-heeled lady of privilege needed a maid to help her dress. First, there were the drawers and chemise worn against the body, followed by the corset. Over this went the corset cover, and then the dress itself. “Corsets and dresses were never laundered,” said Antonwicz, “but underclothing was.”

            One can only imagine what a bathroom call must have required.

            Downton Abbey’s cast of characters donned fabulous articles of clothing that left viewers in awe. As Antonwicz pointed out in the stills and video clips from the show, the younger women were the first to embrace the changing designs. It is later in the series that we find the Dowager dispensing with her bird-plumaged hats for more sedate choices – much later.

            Antonwicz is not only thoroughly versed in fashion and all its trends, she is a natural entertainer, making her material and subject matter less like a presentation and more like a show in itself. In spite of struggling with modern technology that several times failed to cooperate that afternoon, Antonwicz’s good humor and promise that the upcoming video clip “will be worth the wait” averted any awkwardness. The audience was willing to wait for the next slice of Downton Abbey to be served before their eyes to once again be transported by motorcar to an imagined castle wearing silk velvet and silver beads as the butler greeted us at the door saying, “Good afternoon, my Lady.” Oh, Carson, how we’ve missed you…

            For more information about Antonwicz’s presentations, visit www.spiritsoffashion.net. The Sippican Woman’s Club meets monthly every second Friday. For more information go to www.SippicanWomansClub.org, or call Jeannie Lake at 508-748-0619.

By Marilou Newell

Sippican Historical Society

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To the Editor:

            In March of 1819 Congress appropriated money to establish a lighthouse on Bird Island. On Saturday, September 14, 2019 the Marion Harbormaster’s Department hosted at the Music Hall a Bicentennial Celebration of the Bird Island Light and Signal. 

            It was a grand event and all responsible should be congratulated for a job well done. The food was great and plentiful. A slideshow of Bird Island played all during the event.

            Charles Bradley gave an historical outline of the rejuvenation of the lighthouse. Next, he introduced his brother, Eddie Bradley, who told the incredible story of finding a 1913 painting by Clarence Braley titled Bird Island Light and Signal. He purchased it in 2017. 

            For some time, the brothers debated where to donate the painting. The decision came down to the Sippican Historical Society as most appropriate. This incredible gift was gratefully received by Sippican Historical Society curator and will be placed on display in the museum for all to enjoy.

Pete Smith, Curator, Sippican Historical Society 

Mattapoisett’s Pedestrian Bike Committee

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Mattapoisett’s Pedestrian Bike Committee is inviting all town residents, and most especially those residing in the neighborhood north of Route 195 on North and adjoining streets, to an informal meeting on Thursday October 3at 6:30 pm in the cafeteria at Center School. The committee wants to hear directly from residents prior to completing a prioritized plan under the “Complete Streets” program for state funded improvements.

            Both this meeting, as well as future meetings focused on other neighborhoods are critical in assisting this committee plan for healthful, safe, neighborhood-based walking and cycling opportunities. 

            Many concerns have already been brought to the committee’s attention from residents of this “North Street North” neighborhood about unsafe walking and riding options in this area. Resident involvement and approval of any proposed changes is being actively solicited and desirable before any changes are planned.  

Mattapoisett Tree Committee

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Mattapoisett’s tree canopy is one of its most precious resources, enhancing the town’s beauty and charm and helping to define its character as much as its seaside location. According to the Arbor Day Foundation, trees “offer cooling shade, block cold winter winds, attract birds and wildlife, purify our air, prevent soil erosion, clean our water…”  In addition, the trees around us serve an increasingly vital purpose of helping to slow climate change by absorbing carbon from the atmosphere, storing it in trees and soil, and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere. 

            On a more personal level, just a few deciduous trees planted on the south and west sides of your home can reduce your energy use by up to 30%, and trees shading air conditioners can reduce electricity use by 10% compared to units in the sun, says the U.S. Department of Energy.

            Recently, the Town Tree Planting Committee has enhanced two of the Town’s key programs to encourage residents to participate in adding to Mattapoisett’s stock of trees: street tree planting and memorial trees.

            Mattapoisett’s street tree planting program has been constrained somewhat by the presence of utilities, sidewalks, and other public features limiting the number of potential planting sites on town land. Recently, however, the Town of Mattapoisett and the Mattapoisett Tree Planting Committee have adopted a new program aimed at expanding opportunities for residents to help increase the Town’s tree cover. The Street Tree Setback Planting Program allows the Tree Warden to plant trees within 20 feet of the road. The new program enables residents to enjoy Town trees, at no cost to the homeowner, within the area of their property, if they so choose.

            For the first three years, the Town will own and maintain the tree(s).  Participating homeowners will sign an agreement with the Town, allowing the Tree Warden to plant on their properties and agreeing to be responsible for the care of the tree(s) after the three-year period is up. 

            Mattapoisett’s memorial tree program, familiar to residents as long-lasting way to honor a loved one’s memory or mark a special occasion, will now include Ned’s Point as a location for planting. The Tree Committee’s guidelines will be modified slightly to ensure that plantings at Ned’s Point will be part of the Ned’s Point Planting Plan recently designed. Residents wishing to contribute a memorial tree will “buy into” the plan by paying for the purchase of a tree whose species and location at Ned’s Point have already been designated as part of the plan for gradually replacing trees at the Point. Because of the nature of the location, memorial trees here will not have plaques. 

            For more information, or to express interest any of the Town’s tree planting programs, please contact our Town Tree Warden Roland Cote at (508) 989-2017 or email the Tree Committee at mattapoisetttreecom@gmail.com.