New Fencing, Community Messages Make Sippican a Happy Place

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            Sippican Elementary School Principal Marla Sirois saw such a positive reaction to the community-authored “Welcome back” messages on themed bulletin boards that she doesn’t want it to be a one-time thing.

            “They were so well received, we’re probably going to make it an annual event, with groups and families coming in,” said Sirois in her Principal’s Report to the Marion School Committee during the latter’s October 14 hybrid meeting that partially took place in the media room at Old Rochester Regional Junior High School and on Zoom.

            Getting children back into school, even on a limited basis, has been an emotional boost to all concerned, and Sirois said the return to Sippican was made better in part by a better fence surrounding school property.

            Sirois publicly thanked the Town of Marion and Old Rochester Regional Central Administration for replacing and expanding the fence that surrounds Sippican. “The cleanup by the DPW has just been phenomenal,” said Sirois.

            Students on hybrid-out days have seen fire-protection videos and received activity bags. Their full-remote days will include virtual field trips and enrichment opportunities.

            The principal also summarized revisions to the Student Handbook.

            “You’re simply looking at additions because I didn’t take anything out,” said Sirois, who wanted to achieve consistency with Rochester’s policies as a member of the tri-towns in the same school district.

            Additions included asynchronous and synchronous learning on Pages 9-10, social distancing and the lunch program (not using the cafeteria at Sippican) on Pages 13-14, and the wearing of facemasks (this was written before ORR had established a policy) on Page 16. Also included are marking period dates, health, and safety (COVID-19 guidance for symptoms such as fever, cough, loss of taste and smell, etc.), busing with social distance for 2020-21, and parent drop-off/pickup for 2020-21.

            “We absolutely will meet every family where they are,” said Sirois.

            Excessive traffic at the intersection of Main Street and Park Street was discussed, as administration continues to analyze the twice-a-day jam in an effort to improve flow.

            Howie Barber, ORR’s assistant superintendent of Finance and Operations, gave an overview of the financial picture to the school committee during the meeting.

            Effective with the September 30 closing of the FY21 budget, Barber reported that ORR currently has just under $1,500,000 in “unencumbered” funds in the overall $6,200,000 budget. That does not account for some transportation and insurance obligations that have not been fully encumbered, a process that Barber said usually takes until the middle of October. Then they are paid off throughout the fiscal year.

            Barber is still waiting on the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for completion of the official approval process for some grants, which would allow ORR to restore appropriated funds to its general fund and get its balance back in the black.

            At Sippican so far, food pickups on Mondays are not reaching the mid-teens, and Barber said the funds generated from those are meant to offset the costs. A food-service debt of $170,000 incurred over the final three months of the 2019-20 academic year was submitted for CARES Act reimbursement.

            Committee Chairperson Michelle Smith told the meeting that she has been asked by some parents about an expansion of meal pickup hours beyond noon to 1:00 pm. Barber said that a second pickup time would result in a greater operating deficit. Sirois said families looking to pick up for one another are encouraged to do so.

            Two pending staff positions remain open that Sippican School is looking to fill.

            Janell Pearson-Campbell, ORR’s assistant superintendent of Teaching and Learning, summarized the latest in the weekly progression of faculty support with professional development including remote, social-emotional learning, and a session on equity featuring a guest speaker.

            Pearson-Campbell is also working on a Google site for parents where they can become comfortable learning how to access the platforms of the future especially as it will apply to their children’s public education.

            Craig Davidson, director of Student Services, reported that ORR’s paraprofessionals district-wide took part in a master-level training E-learning platform and said it is something ORR will continue on professional development days, the next of which is scheduled for November 3.

            Davidson and Pearson-Campbell joined the Assistant Superintendent Leadership Seminars with approximately 20 district leaders in Massachusetts.

            A school committee stipend was discussed.

            The year 2020 has been a year like no other for school committees, and the volunteerism it takes to run a school system, to act as a collective organizer, contract negotiator, crisis manager, event planner, policymaker, problem solver has made for a life-consuming challenge amidst the coronavirus pandemic. Some members spend up to 20 hours per week just attending various subcommittee meetings, and 2020 began with the superintendent search.

            The meeting began with Executive Session to discuss collective bargaining.

            The Sippican School Council met with parents on October 19, its first such meeting of the academic calendar.

            The next meeting of the Marion School Committee was not set at the meeting.

Marion School Committee

By Mick Colageo

Autumn Striped Bass Migration Makes for an Active Canal

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            When the family of ospreys moved south in late September, leaving behind the empty nest on a tall pole just behind our seaside terrace on Little Bay in Fairhaven, my wife Jan and I thought our afternoon bird-watching entertainment had come to a close until next Spring. However, the panoramic view there extends for several miles up and down the coastline in both directions for a diverse wildlife observation. And as shorter days and longer nights soon brought a change of activity, the empty void around the shore was soon filled with clamoring flocks of diving gulls and terns to snatch up rising baitfish driven up to the surface of the water to escape schooling striped bass (see illustration).

            As a prized trophy-game fish around Buzzards Bay, the striped bass has earned an abridged nickname of “striper” by devoted anglers, many of whom are dedicated fly fishermen and women for this iconic effigy of the sport-fishing mentality.

            The striper is named for the seven dark stripe markings that extend all along the upper body from head to tail. Similarly, the popular brook trout has been dubbed “a brookie” by freshwater followers. And because the striper is frequently taken close to shore of their preferred habitat, rocky jetties, and breakwater peninsulas, it is often considered a rock bass. Along the reaches of autumn migration south, it is a route below the water of the Atlantic flyway of the ospreys, following their seasonal retreat.

            There are three major striper areas that make up for the migration, either coming or going in season: Cape Ann Bay, Cape Cod Bay, and Nantucket Sound. Moving through a funnel of activity, the Cape Cod Canal serves as the landscape aorta of aquatic circulation of stripers, often lining up bait-, fly- and spin-casting hopefuls all along its reaches. Some are able to cast almost the full width to the other shore, and local fishing publications often outline accepted etiquette manners for participants to avoid tangling lines.

            Sportsmanship is the byword of the striper world, as is conservation to preserve the species to recover from commercial over-fishing of the year 1970 with strict regulations to keep only one fish, more than 28 inches or more than 35 inches. These ranges of size give smaller ones a chance to grow bigger and larger ones, often females, the opportunity to annually lay a half-million eggs.

            State and federal tagging programs have revealed that, after migrating south from here, they head for the mouth of the Hudson, Connecticut, or Delaware rivers, as far as the Chesapeake Bay.

            They are anadromous, meaning they are looking to return to their natal river source to spawn in freshwater. This phenomenon is also practiced by herring, shad, and salmon. How they are able to find the very ideal location, often where they themselves were spawned, is a matter we researched with Dartmouth College when I was active with the Berkshire Hatchery for the Connecticut salmon restoration program. We began by correcting the identification failures by imprinting the fingerlings to be stocked with fluids of amino acids of the Connecticut River itself so that, when they later in life migrated down from Newfoundland past the outgoing current, they would recognize it as coming from their mother pools and turn in to follow their lead to the source.

            On Little Bay, as water temperatures dropped below 60 degrees, we marvel that cold nights also painted the deciduous forest with brilliant shades of autumn, and schools of striped bass are following the ospreys in migration. They are moving by as falling leaves fly by our seaward windows, toward the spawning location of their own reincarnation as orchestrated by the planets in the heavens.

Marion Cultural Council Seeks Local Funding Proposals

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Marion Cultural Council is excited to receive online grant applications for individuals and organizations for art and STEM-related projects that will help to enrich the Marion community beginning October 1, 2020. Marion Cultural Council has set a November 15 deadline for organizations, schools, and individuals to apply for grants that support cultural activities and proposals for community-oriented arts, humanities, and science programs in the community. These grants can support a variety of artistic projects and activities in Marion, including exhibits, festivals, field trips, short-term artist residencies, or performances in schools, workshops, and lectures. This year we ask applicants to consider a possible virtual or “backup” option/and or dates for their events if possible. The inability to do this will not hinder your consideration however maybe helpful for your project.

            The Marion Cultural Council is part of a network of 329 Local Cultural Councils serving all 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth. The LCC Program is the largest grassroots cultural funding network in the nation, supporting thousands of community-based projects in the arts, sciences, and humanities every year. The state legislature provides an annual appropriation to the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, which then allocates funds to each community.

            For questions regarding the Marion Cultural Council, contact marionculturalcouncil@gmail.com Online application forms and more information about the Local Cultural Council Program and a list of the council’s priorities are available online at www.mass-culture.org/Marion

Mattapoisett Halloween Plans

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The Town of Mattapoisett would like residents to celebrate this year’s Halloween holiday safely. 

            With the risk of COVID-19 still very much present, and with positive case counts both nationally and locally on the rise, local officials are strongly discouraging door-to-door trick-or-treating this year. 

            Rather than celebrating Halloween in the traditional manner, local organizations are providing safe alternatives to residents.  We are hopeful these events can help keep the spirit of Halloween alive for all children and families in Mattapoisett.

            The Mattapoisett Lions Club will be holding a Free Fall Family Drive-By event at Old Hammondtown Elementary School on October 24 from 12:00 to 3:00 pm. They will be handing out (1) pumpkin and (1) goody bag per child.

            The Mattapoisett Police Association has cancelled this year’s Halloween Parade. Instead, the Association will be having its own Trick-or-Treat drive through event on Halloween at Center School on October 31 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm.

            Proper precautions will be taken at each event so that families can enjoy the holiday with their loved ones safely.

            The Town of Mattapoisett has done an admirable job of slowing the spread of COVID-19, but the efforts can not end now. We must all remain vigilant in preventing any further transmission of the virus. Please help by doing your part in celebrating Halloween safely.

Rockwell, MOSAC Prepare Case for Town Meeting

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            The Marion Open Space Acquisition Committee held a special, remote access meeting on October 15 to prepare its presentation to the November 5 Special Town Meeting and its representation to the Community Preservation Committee.

            During the meeting, MOSAC Chairman John Rockwell bounced off the membership his Powerpoint presentation under construction for Town Meeting aimed at correcting what he says are misconceptions about the ramifications of MOSAC’s activities.

            While the town is concerned that open space purchases subtract parcels of land from the taxable base, MOSAC contends that only one purchase has been made since 2010 and with very limited impact.

            That purchase, when first listed the asking price was $589,900. It was subsequently appraised at $310,000, and MOSAC negotiated a price of $300,000. According to Rockwell, this one purchase met nine of the top 11 criteria established through citizen surveys to evaluate such acquisitions.

            Furthermore, Rockwell contends that the loss of that $300,000 from total town private property valuation would result in a $1 annual tax increase for a $500,000 house.

            Articles 5-8 of the Special Town Meeting warrant will be presented by MOSAC.

            Article 5 is to see if the town will vote to authorize MOSAC to spend no more than $250,000 to purchase a Conservation Restriction on 33.7 acres for conservation and passive recreation purposes.

            According to mass.gov, “Conservation Restrictions are legal agreements that prohibit certain acts and uses, while allowing others, on private or municipally owned property in order to permanently protect conservation values present on the land.”

            Article 6 is to see if the town will vote to authorize MOSAC to accept as a gift for conservation and passive recreation purposes a Conservation Restriction consisting of 1.3 acres. Articles 7 and 8 are like unto Article 5, albeit for respective parcels of 0.2 acres and 7.8 acres.

            “There’s been an attack on open space really, as though it’s worthless,” said Rockwell, suggesting MOSAC’s presentation of Town Meeting articles of interest include words from Sippican Lands Trust representative Dot Brown.

            “We haven’t bought anything since 2011 and we’re picky. This is a truly remarkable piece of property,” said Brown of the targeted Hoff property acquisition.

            Sippican Lands Trust’s campaign wraps up on October 29, and MOSAC will meet on Monday, November 2, at 7:00 pm. to establish a dollar amount to bring forward to the November 5 Special Town Meeting. Marion’s Special Town Meeting will be held on November 5 at 6:45 pm at Old Rochester Regional High School auditorium.

Marion Open Space Acquisition Committee

By Mick Colageo

Nick’s Pizza Faces Temporary Suspension of Licenses

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            On October 16 a special Board of Selectmen’s meeting was held in Mattapoisett. The continued hearing concluded that Nick’s Pizza should be sanctioned for not adhering to Governor Baker’s emergency orders for the wearing of facemasks by staff working in the popular restaurant.

            After discussion and hearing from the business’s representative, the board agreed that both common victualer and malt and wine licenses would be suspended. No food may be served on October 25 and 26, a two-day suspension, and no beer or wine may be served between October 25 and October 31, a seven-day suspension.

            The continued hearing took a far different tone than the communication that precipitated the special meeting.

            After swearing in the representatives of the business, Daphne and Kosta Vrakas and Board of Health Agent Kayla Davis by the town’s counselor, Brian Riley of KP Law, Selectman Paul Silva read the charges. Silva stated that between May 26 and September 30, anonymous as well as verifiable complaints were received stating that masks were not being worn by restaurant staff.

            Davis stated that, when she visited the establishment, complaints had been received and continued to be received after her inspection; she did not witness staff without masks. She said that during her visits and when speaking to Thanasi Vrakas (not present during the hearings), “things didn’t go well.” At the October 13 meeting of the Board of Selectmen when the hearing was first opened, Davis had testified that Vrakas had said he would not comply with “fake masks rules.” She said that management expressed their opinions about the wearing of masks.

            On June 20 a letter was hand-delivered to the restaurant management to alert them that mask compliance was being breached. That letter was delivered by Christine Richards, who works in the Selectmen’s office. A second hand-delivered letter reached Nick’s Pizza management on October 14 after an earlier missive via certified mail advising the business of the hearing was not collected by the business at its post office box.

            Kosta and Daphne Vrakas were asked by Silva if they wished to make a statement. Thanasi’s younger brother Kosta was quick to respond.

            “I’m half owner,” Kosta Vrakas began. He apologized for his older brother’s reactions to Davis’ site visits, saying, “My older brother is hot-headed, (and) I clash with him every day. None of what he said that day reflects how we do business.” He said when he found out what had transpired, “I was shocked.”

            Vrakas said that after the statewide shutdown in March, “We were scared.” He said since reopening, “It’s been non-stop crazy busy,” and again apologized for his brother’s behavior and stated that their stress had been very high.

            The selectmen took turns airing their opinions.

            Selectman John DeCosta began by asking the question, “What in the future ensures this won’t happen again?” Vrakas said that most rules have been enforced on a daily basis. He said that a couple of employees had respiratory problems, but that at least one of those employees no longer works at the restaurant. “I guess … no mask, no employment,” he offered.

            Silva spoke next, saying, “We, the board, were very concerned about getting businesses opened as soon as possible, to help them within the constraints of the governor’s orders. The Board of Health helped … we really wanted to help. However, more importantly was making sure our residents are safe when doing business.” Silva went on to say that Mattapoisett was surrounded by towns now in the “red zone” with high numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases and that new cases in Mattapoisett had also recently been reported. “Obviously we are very concerned … we want to make sure everyone complies.”

            Silva confirmed with counsel that the town did not have the authority to impose fines but that withdrawal of permits to operate the business was an option. The selectmen discussed permit suspensions.

            DeCosta stated, “This business has been a positive in the community,” adding that he didn’t want to hurt businesses and yet safety had to be taken into consideration and, “it’s a matter of fairness to other businesses.” He said he had wrestled with what penalties should be imposed.

            Selectman Jordan Collyer added his voice. “The rules were violated and documented. I don’t give credit to anonymous complaints but, written complaints, I can go with that. It’s the trend I can’t ignore.” He said he also could not ignore that other businesses were complying and, while Nick’s was “a pivotal business,” the health and welfare of the community is at stake. While he thanked the family members and business owners for their willingness to attend the hearing, he also stated, “there was a blatant disregard for authority, rules were violated.”

            Silva said, “We all feel that Nick’s has been good to the community, but there was a pattern, there were violations.” Fairness to other business owners, Silva said, weighed into the board’s decision.

            As the board members discussed the length of time Nick’s Pizza would lose its permits, Collyer made his position clear. “If the trend continues, I’d have no problem calling a hearing for any other businesses; anything I move tonight will be consistent with other hearings.”

            Davis was directed to visit the business after its reopening and to report her findings to the selectmen.

Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen

By Marilou Newell

Mattapoisett Library Hosts Author Darcy H. Lee

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Darcy H. Lee, author of Ghosts of Plymouth, Massachusetts, will talk about her book via Zoom on Thursday, October 29 at 6:00 pm. Plymouth is known worldwide as “America’s Hometown,” the 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 eighteenth-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, after which she 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 two books – the IPPY Silver Medal Award Winner, Eric Hoffer Book Award Finalist and International Book Awards Finalist Ghosts of Plymouth, Massachusetts (2017), and The Fantastic, Fabulous, Funny, and Factual Follies of a Facebook Friend (2010).

            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. 

Elizabeth Taber

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To the Editor;

            Elizabeth Taber continues to put “some snap” back in Marion!!!

            In the time of COVID, the legacy of Elizabeth Taber endures and thrives. Not only will there be a statue in her memory in October but there was also a pop up concert series at the Music Hall five Thursdays this summer. Elizabeth Taber built the Music Hall to provide musical performances for the people of her hometown and this year, the lawn of the Music hall resonated with jazz, rock ’n roll, the American Songbook, the Beatles, and the classics.

            This was the brainchild of Phil Sanborn, member of the Music Hall Advisory Committee, who gathered local musicians who entertained us with this varied program:

Thursday, July 23 – Charlene Monte, cello and former student Sarah Nichols, cello

Thursday, August 6 – Gilda’s Trombone Quartet: Mike Rocha – tenor trombone, Phil Sanborn – tenor trombone, Mike Gallant – tenor trombone, Travis Blischke – bass trombone

Thursday, August 20 – The Monteirobots; Marcus Monteiro – saxophones, Nick Sanfilippo – keyboards, Chris Bryant – guitar, Eric Falter – bass, Pete Antunes – drums

Thursday, August 27 – The Tri-County Brass Quintet; Toby Monte – trumpet, Bill Kingsland – trumpet, Phil Sanborn – trombone, Liz MacKenzie – trombone

Friday, September 4 – The Furtado String Quartet; Marilyn Melanson – violin, Teresa Ouellette – violin, Susan Bouley – viola, Judith Stotenberg – cello

            Our profound thanks to them all. There was very little publicity but the crowd grew by word of mouth. The last concert was a lovely string quartet of four sisters who ended the series with a fitting song – Over the Rainbow.

            We think that Elizabeth Taber would be over the moon to see that her legacy is still providing music for her beloved community.

Chrissie Bascom and Margot Stone

Co-chairs of the Music Hall Advisory Committee

The views expressed in the “Letters to the Editor” column are not necessarily those of The Wanderer, its staff or advertisers. The Wanderer will gladly accept any and all correspondence relating to timely and pertinent issues in the great Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester area, provided they include the author’s name, address and phone number for verification. We cannot publish anonymous, unsigned or unconfirmed submissions. The Wanderer reserves the right to edit, condense and otherwise alter submissions for purposes of clarity and/or spacing considerations. The Wanderer may choose to not run letters that thank businesses, and The Wanderer has the right to edit letters to omit business names. The Wanderer also reserves the right to deny publication of any submitted correspondence.

Mattapoisett Lions Club

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The Mattapoisett Lions Club held its fifth electronics and household appliance fundraiser event on October 17. Families and companies emptied their attics, basements, garages, storage areas, boats, etc. of surplus and unused electronic items including, video, audio, kitchen appliances, office equipment and much more. People in over 135 cars and trucks participated in the event which was staffed by local club members. All staffers wore facemasks and worked to maximize the safety of everyone donating at the event. The event raised close to $7,500 in four hours for local and international Lions Club Charities. The Mattapoisett Lions Club would like to thank everyone who helped and donated to make this event such a huge success.

Busy Night Leaves ConCom Waiting on Continued Proposals

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            Amidst a complex beachside project, Marion Conservation Commission Chairperson Shaun P. Walsh told applicant Lance Scott that continuances and requests are for his benefit because a hasty approval by the commission could be appealed at the state level.

            Lance and Kathleen Scott filed a Notice of Intent for site redevelopment on the lot across from 18 Wianno Road. The work included the removal of invasive vegetation and the construction of a formal stone rip-rap slope and beach nourishment. The hearing was continued from September 23.

            The Scotts were represented by engineer David Davignon, who explained the effort in detail. The new plan is not to disturb any of the boulders on the beach, but small stones and pieces of concrete will be picked up to help create a sandy surface. They are now proposing what will amount to a 15- by 30-foot beach expansion, including a gentle slope of beach grass. The roadside parking area was eliminated; that area will now become lawn.

            Walsh said Marion is the only town in the region of Massachusetts without a conservation agent so the assistance of Andrew Poyant, the Department of Environmental Protection’s Wetlands circuit rider, has been enlisted for feedback. Walsh said it is only the second time ConCom has sought help from that state-level source and that having done so will likely help avoid the DEP taking issue with a ConCom approval.

            He told Davignon he would like to schedule a site visit prior to the next meeting. He also encouraged Davignon to look at old photos that were filed decades ago in reference to prior activities at the site.

            “We’ve got a whole team of experts; we’re really trying to do the best we can,” said Lance Scott, alluding to each iteration costing time and money. “It’s an unsightly lot at this time, we’re trying to clean it up … I think there should be some reasonable, good-faith effort to provide some resolution here.”

            Walsh said that ConCom is “trying to get this right” because, “if we don’t,” the DEP can appeal it to themselves. ConCom continued the case to Wednesday, October 28, at 7:10 pm. There will be a site visit on Saturday morning, October 24.

            The hearing was one of 11 scheduled, along with several action items and other correspondence that made an October 14 meeting last 2 hours and 25 minutes.

            Meantime, two ongoing projects at Kittansett Club and Wings Cove were continued at the request of the applicants to October 28.

            The Kittansett Club’s Notice of Intent, previously continued from September 9 and 23 for expansion of its overflow parking lot on the southern end of its 11 Point Road property, was met with ConCom’s request that the club explore an alternative plan to avoid heavily impacting vegetated wetlands partly within the 100-foot buffer zone to a coastal bank and home to wildlife habitat. The October 28 hearing is scheduled for 7:00 pm.

            Walsh indicated that the Friends of Wings Cove, homeowners at 35, 43, 51, 67, 75, 83, 95, and 99 Holly Road who have been seeking the removal of phragmites from their properties adjacent to their properties, may file a new NOI after a third continuance to October 28 at 7:30 pm.

            Aucoot Cove Properties LLC filed an NOI to demolish an existing barn and build a new barn at 98 Indian Cove Road. Davignon represented the applicant and explained that the existing barn/workshop that does not comply with FEMA regulations would be torn down and replaced by a barn that does have flood vents and will comply with FEMA regulations. It is a flood-zone project subject to coastal saltwater flowage. ConCom conducted a site visit on October 10. In keeping with remote-access public-hearing policy, the hearing was continued to October 28 at 7:20 pm.

            Three public hearings were closed.

            Timothy Dexter of the state Department of Transportation received a negative determination of applicability after a hearing that was continued from September 23 for work at Wareham Road (Route 6) and Jerei Lane. The project will remove hot-mix-asphalt (flexible) sidewalks and wheelchair ramps and installation of concrete sidewalks and wheelchair ramps, granite curbing, thermoplastic crosswalks, pavement markings, and utility and drainage adjustments. ConCom member Cynthia Callow researched the matter and recommended the negative determination.

            Marion Garden Group was issued a negative determination of applicability for maintenance work that included cutting down trees that had sprouted at the base of four bio-retention basins at Island Wharf. Vice-Chair Marc Bellanger researched the project and recommended the negative determination.

            Also continued from September 23, 122 Register Road LLC filed an NOI to build a dock in the waterway of Wings Cove for recreational boating, fishing, and swimming. It was recommended during the public hearing that boats leaving or returning should do so no later than two hours after high tide. Member Jeff Doubrava recommended ConCom issue an Order of Conditions stipulating construction methodology previously outlined in the project narrative as presented on September 10. Other aspects were stricken. ConCom voted to issue the Order of Conditions.

            Other hearings that were continued to Wednesday, October 28, included the following:

            Dale and Laura Briggs requested an amended Order of Conditions for revisions to plans that would reorient their design to reduce Riverfront Area disturbance and reduce the size of a planned house at 23 Dexter Road. Walsh called it a challenging site.

            Marion DPW Engineer Meghan Davis seeks an RDA to remove two sections of old fence and install new fences at Old Landing Wharf. ConCom made a site visit on October 10, and Walsh called the fence “pretty rough” with rust, deterioration, and vegetation growing through it. Marion Fence Company, said Walsh, intended to use existing posts, but he would like Davis to request the last post repair avoid letting concrete fall into the ocean.

            Saltworks Marine LLC filed an NOI to clear a small, wooded area and build a pair of arched poly boat storage shelters at 288 Wareham Road.

            David Croll withdrew his application for an NOI to elevate an existing house onto a new foundation in compliance with FEMA and state building code at 10 Lewis Street.

            Under action items, Henry DeJesus was issued a complete Certificate of Compliance after new plantings at the site of his proposed development at 78 Wareham Road. Walsh referenced a site visit that yielded requests from ConCom and positive results. “There are irrigation bags … it looks good. The rest of the property is naturally revegetating. I think it’s good now,” he said. The commission voted unanimously in favor.

            David Andelman was awarded a complete Certificate of Compliance after plantings at 538 Point Road, where a long driveway up to the leech field needed a trench alongside the driveway. A site visit on October 10 resulted in ConCom’s decision to approve.

            Requests for partial Certificates of Compliance were approved for Burt Pina at 58 Bullivant Farm Road under the wire of the October 15-scheduled sale of the property and also William LaPointe at 16 West Rover Road.

            Under correspondence, Walsh acknowledged that the Board of Selectmen accepted Doubrava’s donation of an osprey pole and platform at Boat Yard Park. Doubrava will remain ConCom’s representative to and chairperson of the Marion Community Preservation Committee. Walsh thanked him for serving the town.

            The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission will be held on Wednesday, October 28.

Marion Conservation Commission

By Mick Colageo