Pine Tree Wars Leading to American Revolution

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In 1722, because there were not enough appropriate trees in England, NH settlers could not cut white pine larger than one foot in diameter as they were needed by the English navy for their ship masts. New Hampshire colonists had to pay England’s royalty to cut white pines on their own land. As you can imagine, this did not sit well with the colonists. Come to the Rochester Historical Society’s meeting on Wednesday,October 16at 7:00 pm, 355 County Road and hear the outcome of this situation as told by Mack Phinney, the RHS President. Refreshments will be served and it is free and open to the public.

Margaret T. “Terry” Dwyer

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Margaret T. “Terry” Dwyer, 90, of Marion, died peacefully on Wednesday, October 9, 2019 at Sippican Healthcare Center in Marion after a long illness. She was the wife of the late Francis P. Dwyer.

            Born in Brookline, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Delia (Duggan) Flynn. Mrs. Dwyer lived in Stoughton for many years where she raised her family. She moved to Marion in 2009.

            Mrs. Dwyer was a daily communicant of St. Patrick’s Church in Wareham. An active parishioner at the church, she also volunteered for the weekly community lunch at St. Patrick’s Table. She also enjoyed reading and was her happiest when spending time with her family.

            Survivors include her children, Steven Dwyer and his wife Gina of Carver, Dianne Cosman and her husband Charles of Marion, Irene Stapleton of Sandwich, and Tracy Ellertson and her husband David of Wareham; her sister, Irene Johnson of Portsmouth, RI; her brother, John Flynn of Scituate; her grandchildren, Nathan Dwyer, Patrick Dwyer, Timothy Weineck, Ashley Stetson, Brianna Cavaco, Matthew Stetson, Hannah Stapleton, Haley Ellertson, and Sean Ellertson. Also surviving are 10 great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her son, the late Joseph Dwyer, and her siblings, the late Mary Flynn, Charles Flynn, and Katherine McCann.

            Relatives and friends are invited to visit at the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Hwy. (Rt. 28), Wareham on Wed., Oct. 16, 2019 from 9 to 10:30 am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick’s Church, High St., Wareham at 11 am. Interment will be private at a later date.

            In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to St. Patrick’s Table c/o of St. Patrick’s Church, 82 High St., Wareham, MA 02571 OR Friends of Marion Council on Aging, P.O. Box 937, Marion, MA 02738.

Sippican Historical Society

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In 1998, the Sippican Historical Society commissioned an architectural survey of Marion’s historic homes and buildings. The survey was funded half by the Sippican Historical Society and half by the Massachusetts Historical Commission. Due to the limits of funding, not all of the historic buildings were surveyed, but over 100 were catalogued and photographed. The results of the survey are in digital form on the Massachusetts Historical Commission’s website and in four binders in the Sippican Historical Society’s office (and at the Marion Town Clerk’s office).

            Marion (Old Rochester) is one of the oldest towns in the United States, and the Sippican Historical Society maintains an extensive collection of documentation on its historic buildings. The Sippican Historical Society will preview one building a week so that the residents of Marion can understand more about its unique historical architecture.

            This installment features 32 Cottage Street. The Queen Anne house at 32 Cottage Street displays the compact, boxy, and rectangular form that was characteristic of houses built in the early 19th century. It was built for Emma and George F. Handy. He was a painter and paperhanger. The Handy family owned this house until at least the 1920s.

RMS Waits For Word On Solar Progress

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            Superintendent Doug White told the Rochester School Committee on October 3 that a potential roof-mounted solar project at Rochester Memorial School is still in the negotiation process between the Town of Rochester and the solar developer.

            In September, the Rochester Board of Selectmen postponed taking any further action toward approving an agreement with Select Energy to allow town counsel more time to work with the developer.

            “We’re in the process of having the contract looked at,” White said, adding that he has since then met with the town administrator and town counsel who are still studying the language of the contract leading up to a signed agreement.

            “Until that happens, we’re on hold,” White said, until the committee receives further direction from the town.

            Back in September, Matt Shortsleeve of Select Energy gave a presentation on placing roof-mounted solar energy panels at RMS that could save the district around $600,000 throughout the 20-year life of the contract.

            The school district and the Board of Selectmen would contract directly with Select Energy, which will then design, engineer, permit, procure the equipment, install, and maintain the equipment. The district and the board must first enter into an agreement with Select Energy, and sign a lease granting Select Energy access to the location. A payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreement with the Town of Rochester would then follow.

            Shortsleeve cautioned, however, that the parties should decide on moving forward sooner rather than later since tax incentives will decrease as time passes, which means contracted electricity rates would rise.

            “The sooner we go, the better chance that you’ll get a better rate,” said Shortsleeve back on September 5. “It will creep up on you if you wait.”

            Shortsleeve gave a rate estimate of $0.049 per kilowatt-hour if the deal goes through before 2020, a savings of roughly $30,000 a year in electricity costs to the school. In 2020, the offered rate could increase to $0.059, Shortsleeve said.

            Still, if this project does not come to fruition, White said RMS, like Old Rochester Regional High School, could look to parking lot solar canopies for generating solar energy. But like the roof-mounted solar project, time is of the essence in order to lock-in the lowest rates for a higher incentive.

            In other energy-related matters, Facilities Director Gene Jones had been looking into performing an energy assessment of the school with Mass Save to finds ways to decrease energy consumption, especially through LED light replacements.

            “And we have in other buildings across the other districts the opportunity to put LED lighting in,” said White. However, RMS will have to hold off on any energy assessments with Mass Save as the Town of Rochester performs its own requirements in its quest for Green Community designation. White said he did not want a school district-led energy assessment to interfere with the town’s own efforts.

            “We are constantly looking for ways to save energy, including the possibility of getting the lighting in this building addressed as well,” said White. “We’re hoping that that will happen through the Green Community grant application that the town is doing.”

            “I think it’s great opportunity for us to work hand-in-hand with the town as well,” said committee member Tina Rood.

            The next meeting of the Rochester School Committee is scheduled for November 7 at 6:30 pm at Rochester Memorial School.

Rochester School Committee

By Jean Perry

Mattapoisett Selectmen Sign Warrant on a Sunday

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            With the clock ticking down for the signing of the Fall Special Town Meeting warrant, Mattapoisett Selectmen Jordan Collyer and Paul Silva met at Town Hall on Sunday, October 6, in the nick of time to sign and post the warrant two weeks before a special town meeting as mandated by state law.

            The warrant for the October 21 Fall Special Town Meeting contains 20 articles and begins with Article 1 that asks voters to accept the provisions of the Massachusetts Veterans’ Brave Act. The Brave Act that was signed into law last summer by Governor Baker allows cities and towns in the Commonwealth to waive property taxes for residents who have a family member whose life was lost in while serving in the military. Town Administrator Michael Gagne had stated at a previous meeting that possibly five families in town would be eligible to apply for the exemption.

            Other highlights of the warrant include Article 4, sponsored by the Board of Assessors and the Board Selectmen, asking voters to grant a Home Rule Petition that would help protect the town’s interests related to alternative energy developers who may balk at signing a payment in lieu of taxes agreement (PILOT).

            “So far we have been lucky,” said Kathleen Costello, administrator of assessing. She explained that a loophole in the law governing the development of commercial solar arrays and other alternative energy sources has the potential for those developers to take advantage of language intended to benefit homeowners and agricultural businesses.

            Costello said that, currently, the regulations governing such installations is so poorly written that large commercial developers are trying to use the no taxation clauses to their advantage when, in fact, that language had been intended to grant relief to homeowners and agricultural entities.

            “The solar developer we’ve been working with has been good to work with,” she said of Blue Wave, LLC. But she cautioned that with the closing of the Brayton Point and Plymouth power plants, “Solar companies have found us and our open lands.”

            Costello said that the Home Rule Petition (HRP) would not affect the PILOT agreements currently in place, if adopted at Town Meeting. Only new alternative energy producers would be required to pay personal property taxes. They would not be able to avoid taxation if this passes, Costello said.

            Speaking for assessors across the Commonwealth, Costello said they have been trying to get the legislature to move on this matter and, frankly, are fed up with inaction.

            “If this passes, Mattapoisett would be the first town in the state to have such a law,” she said. “It’s a bold move.”

            But, believing “nothing ventured nothing gained,” Costello hopes the voters will understand that, by forcing legislative action, Mattapoisett would gain further protections when commercial alternative energy producers come calling.

            Costello said if the HRP passes, it would further protect Mattapoisett against litigious actions that commercial alternative energy developers may take against PILOT agreements in the future.

            Article 3 is another HRP being put before the voters, asking that costs for police officers and school resource officer services be shared between the three towns for Old Rochester Regional Junior and Senior High School.

            Other highlights include Article 5 for the establishment of a seven-member committee appointed by the Board of Selectmen to study the future of maintaining two elementary schools and a cost feasibility study for the construction of a new town hall versus other alternatives.

            Article 12 will ask the voters to appropriate “a sum of money” from the Waterfront Enterprise Fund and certified free cash for the restoration, improvement, and repair to the town’s historic wharves.

            Article 20 seeks approval for the borrowing of $2,535,000 for Public Works Projects such as a bridge on Acushnet Road, improvements to Industrial Drive, an east entrance for the new fire station off Route 6, Pearl Street and Tobey Street drainage improvements, and design and engineering for stormwater drainage systems for Holly Lane, Wildwood Terrace, Knollwood Drive, North Street, and the subdivision streets off North Street.

            Other articles that will appear on the warrant:

            Article 2 that would allow board members absent from a meeting to cast a vote on any hearing missed by submitting a letter certifying they have reviewed all relevant documentation and are fully informed on the matter.

            Article 6 is to accept a gift of land from Robert Gingras located off Fairhaven Road adjacent to Randall Road.

            Article 7 is transfer $500,000 from surplus revenue/free cash to various stabilization funds: $100,000 to the Special Education Reserve Stabilization, $300,000 for Debt Service Stabilization, and $100,000 to the Capital Improvements Stabilization.

            Article 8 asks for $51,000 to review and update the town’s master plan.

            Article 9 is an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2020 budget for increases to Health Department salaries, $7,500; Fire Department Salaries, $10,000; and Town Building salaries, $10,000.

            Article 10 is for $167,000 to supplement the FY20 budget from certified free cash to the following funds: Reserve Fund, $40,000; Town Shade Trees and Beautification, $5,000; Vehicle Leases, $20,000; Town Insurance Deductible Reserve, $20,000; Parks Facility Improvement, $5,000; Workplace Safety Training and Compliance, $10,000; Land Appraisals Phase 2A Shared Use Path, $10,000; ADA Evaluation and Priority Planning, $12,000; Accrued Liability Funding, $40,000; and Elections Town Meetings, $5,000.

            Article 11 is for $62,000 in free cash to be appropriated as follows: town building repairs, $15,000; town and school infrastructure appraisals, $25,000; and replacement of lawn and snow removal equipment, $22,000.

            Article 13 is for $50,000 to fund the design, engineering and bidding work for a solar energy system on the closed town landfill, harbor improvements and dredging, repairs to Long Wharf, EPA regulatory compliance, and OSHA workplace safety compliance. (No specified amounts per item are listed).

            Article 14 would set part-time library and town personnel schedules.

            Article 15 would authorize the Board of Selectmen to enter into negotiations with the American Legion regarding the meeting hall on Depot Street to be used by the town for municipal meetings and to appropriate funds to repair the roof.

            Article 16 grants the Selectmen authority to enter into agreements for easements necessary for stormwater street drainage improvements for drainage systems off Knollwood Drive, Wildwood Terrace, and Holly Lane as a taking/gift to the town for that purpose.

            Article 17 would also give the Selectmen authorization to enter into easement agreements for the purpose of providing service to photovoltaic arrays located on Lot 9 Map 28 contiguous to the town’s closed landfill.

            Article 18 would authorize the Board of Selectmen to approve and accept trails within the Tinkham Forest for public access.

            Article 19 would authorize the Selectmen to issue a Request for Proposals for lease and license agreements for the installation of solar panels and production of electricity on the closed town landfill located off Tinkham Hill Road. The town would have the option of using the energy for municipal needs.

            In other matters, the board touched on the possibility of holding a special election to fill the Board of Selectmen seat left vacant after Tyler Macallister resigned last week in order to pursue the town administrator position.

            Selectman Jordan Collyer said the board could call a special election, but it would take 64 days, according to Massachusetts General Law, before the special election could be held. He also noted that the public could call for a special election, saying, “If 200 registered voters sign a petition calling for a special election, we’d hold one, but the same 64-day period must take place.”

            In both instances, that would put a special election sometime in early 2020.

            Collyer said he and Selectman Paul Silva had not had the time to discuss the matter of special elections and were awaiting some legal clarifications from town counsel on several matters related to the vacancy. Collyer confirmed that such discussions had to take place in the public domain, but were not scheduled at this time.

            “There’s a lot we don’t know right now,” said Collyer.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen is scheduled for October 9 at 6 pm in the town hall conference room.

Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen

By Marilou Newell

Melvin E. Trott, Jr.

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Melvin E. Trott, Jr., 90 of West Wareham passed away at home on Saturday October 5, 2019. He was the loving husband of 38 years to Constance H. (Broman) Trott. He was born in Springfield, Massachusetts the son of the late Melvin E. and Lillian (Green) Trott Sr.

            He lived most of his life on Indian Ledge Farm in Mattapoisett, where he raised chickens, and had a small business providing fresh eggs to the community. Mel also worked for New England Telephone for 30 years as a mechanic, retiring in 1968. He and Constance married in 1981 and they moved to Warren, New Hampshire in 1987. Mel worked part time for a local newspaper company delivering periodicals throughout the state. He was also the Transfer Station Manager for the Town of Warren. Both he and Connie moved back to Massachusetts in 2010, eventually settling in Wareham.

            In addition to his wife Connie, he is survived by three children, Melanie and her husband Duane Sylvia of Middleborough; Melvin E. Trott III. And his wife Stephanie of Falmouth and Michael Trott and his wife Donnis of Denton, Maryland. He was also the grandfather of Jenna, Jeremiah, and Justin Sylvia of Middleborough, Katelyn, wife of Brian Behunin of Wareham; Matthew J. Trott of North Falmouth; Elianna and Abigail Trott of Barre, MA; and a great-grandson, Matthew J. Trott Jr. of Mashpee. Mel also had two half-brothers, the late Gerrish Trott of Maine, and the late Alden Trott of California.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, October 13, 2019 at 1:00 pm at Lakeville Christian Fellowship, 1 Wind Rush Hollow Rd., Lakeville, Massachusetts.  To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit www.warehamvillagefuneralhome.com

Julio Marques

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Julio Marques of Marion passed on Saturday October 5th surrounded by family after a brief, yet courageous fight with cancer and complications from a stroke.

            Born in Sao Miguel to Joao and Maria (Tavares) Marques, Julio leaves his loving wife Diane; son and daughter-in-law Julien and Kim Marques; son and daughter-in-law Justin and Krissy Marques; and grandchildren Abigail, Graham, and Logan. Julio will be greatly missed by his mother-in-law Norma Cabral, brother and sister-in-law John and Ana Marques, and the countless others who his life touched over the years.

            Julio came to the United States in 1972. He earned his GED and real estate license while working multiple jobs to support his young family in his new country. His career took him into manufacturing and quality assurance, first at Borg Warner/New Bedford Gear, and then to Arch Gear in Wareham, and finally at Autopart International.

            Julio enjoyed cooking, the ocean, cars and much more. But his true love was his family. Though he and Diane were married for more than 40 years, they would still take frequent walks on the beach near their home, hand-in-hand. Any family gathering would find him chatting with his two sons about anything and everything from the newest Panera sandwich to new developments around town. It was with his grandkids, though, that you would see Julio at his happiest. Julio’s smile was never larger than it was when he was playing with Abigail, Graham and Logan.

            The family would like to extend their gratitude to the women and men of the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at St. Luke’s Hospital for the compassion and care they exhibited for Julio and his family.

            In lieu of flowers, and keeping with Julio’s wishes, donations can be made to St. Jude’s Research Hospital. Private arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Rt. 6, Mattapoisett. For online guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Friends of the Marion Council on Aging

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At the Annual Meeting of the Friends of the Marion Council on Aging (FMCOA) held on September 30, 2019, there was an abundance of gratitude expressed for the generosity of donors, who helped the Friends meet its fundraising goal to replace cubicles and with floor-to-ceiling walls, providing offices with much needed and required privacy. Additionally, appreciation was expressed to many who have contributed to the COA’s success over the past year: first to Karen Greggory, Director of the COA and the COA staff, the many volunteers, Sean Cormier, the Town Facility Manager, to members of the Recreational Department for their compatibility and support, the Selectmen and Town Manager and to Bob Raymond, an Architect who has volunteered his expertise. Specific accomplishments and acknowledgements include the success of the FMCOA summer fundraiser (An Evening on Sippican Harbor), extensive COA programs and volunteer dedication, and the formal dedication and plaque acknowledging Friends of the Marion Visiting Nurse Association (FMVNA) for fully funding the folding floor-to-ceiling wall divider. 

            An AARP representative presented a plaque certifying that the Town of Marion has committed to becoming more age friendly under criteria established by AARP and the World Health Organization and is a member of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities. A grant from AARP has been received to assist in preparation and send out of an Age-Friendly Needs Assessment Survey to Marion citizens ages 55 and older during October. The ultimate goal is to continue to make Marion an even more livable for all ages with a focus on the Town’s anticipated aging and increasing over 55-year-old population.

St. Gabriel’s Church Rummage Sale

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St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church in Marion will hold its Annual Rummage Sale on Saturday, October 12from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Sponsored by the Adult Choir of St. Gabriel’s, the sale will benefit both the music program and St. Gabriel’s outreach and relief efforts. The sale takes place in the Parish Hall of St. Gabriel’s Church, located at 124 Front St. in Marion, and will feature furniture, rugs, gift items, sporting equipment, antiques, housewares, tools, a Christmas room, and much more. This is the ninth annual event, and it just keeps getting better each year – shop early for the best selection. The choirs will also host a food sale at the same location, so plan to come and spend some time browsing and picking up some delicious baked goods, soups and casseroles. For more information, contact Leslie Piper at lesliepiper@msn.com.

Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride

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            Over 300 cyclists raise record $213,000 for clean water at 13th annual Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride. Pedaling beneath sunny skies and moderate winds on a cool fall day, cyclists broke records for both participation and fundraising at the 13th annual Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride, held on Sunday, October 6. A record 307 cyclists, supported by over 130 volunteers, raised $213,000 and counting for clean water.

            This annual event supports the Coalition’s work to ensure clean water in all Bay communities, restore and protect Bay ecosystems, and get people of all ages outside and engaged with their Buzzards Bay. Supporters can still donate to the Watershed Ride by going to savebuzzardsbay.org/ride.

            The sun rose orange and pink over a cool, breezy autumn morning at Sakonnet Point in Little Compton, where 93 riders departed at 8:00 am on the Watershed Ride’s 100-mile “century ride.” The route wound through Little Compton and Westport’s rich coastal farmland to the wave-washed coast along Horseneck Beach State Reservation, where another 73 riders began their 75-mile route at 9:00 a.m.

            After enjoying views of South Dartmouth’s picturesque shoreline, the breezy coast and working waterfront around New Bedford Harbor, and the changing leaves along the bike trail through Fairhaven and Mattapoisett, riders stopped for lunch at East Over Farm on Leonards Pond in Rochester. Gathered beneath the festive yellow barn, riders took a few minutes to sprawl in the farm fields beneath the sunshine, enjoying lunch from the Oxcart Food Truck before hitting the road once more.

            At noon, 104 additional riders joined the Ride from East Over Farm for its final 35 miles. After winding past Rochester and Wareham cranberry bogs brimming with red berries for harvest, cyclists passed over the Bourne Bridge and onto Cape Cod. Beneath pearly patches of clouds, riders took in stunning stretches of salt marshes on Falmouth’s Shining Sea Bikeway and the beaches along Vineyard Sound before biking into the bustling village of Woods Hole.

            Energetic supporters cheered riders across the finish line at the Marine Biological Laboratory’s Swope Center in Woods Hole to celebrate their accomplishments at a lively party. Participants and their guests enjoyed food, drinks, complimentary massages, live music by the Morrissey Blvd Band, and an awards ceremony recognizing top fundraisers and multi-year participants.

            “The route, the towns and cities we rode through, were absolutely spectacular bicycling, and to showcase the gorgeous riding on the South Coast and the Buzzards Bay side of the Cape was a delight,” said Galen Mook of Allston, who was participating in his first Ride. As Executive Director of MassBike, an advocacy group for safe bicycling throughout the state, Mook added he was impressed with the collaboration at the event between many different groups and advocates. “It was nice to showcase some of the off-street infrastructure for safe biking, and to highlight how we need to work on connecting local pathway networks.”

            The Watershed Ride drew cyclists of all ages and abilities from over 100 communities in 14 states, coming from as far away as Michigan, Virginia, and Texas. The oldest riders were 80-year-old husband and wife Leonard and Patricia Johnson, of North Falmouth, who both completed the 100-mile ride. More than half of the riders participated as part of one of 29 teams, made up of groups of friends and family who train, fundraise, and ride the course together.

            The top fundraisers were Drew Dimmick of Vineyard Haven, who raised $7,000; Chip Johns of Mattapoisett, who raised $6,061; and Leslie Knowles of Dartmouth, who raised $5,066. The top first-time fundraiser was Robert “John” Holden of Cataumet, who raised $3,108.

            The top fundraising team this year was also the largest one: the Bourne Rail Trail Blazers, whose 59 members raised an impressive $42,741, earning them this distinction for the second consecutive year. The Blazers rode to raise support for the construction of a proposed bike path through Bourne connecting the Cape Cod Canal Bikeway and the Shining Sea Bikeway. This year, a group of donors pledged to match the Blazers’ Ride donations, meaning that every dollar raised for the Coalition also meant a dollar towards the Rail Trail’s construction.

            “We were thrilled to be a part of the Ride again this year,” said Russ Salamone, Treasurer of the Bourne Rail Trail Blazers. “For me personally, having the opportunity to ride 100 miles alongside my wife, brother and sister-in-law, friends, fellow board members and the Coalition, all to benefit Buzzards Bay and create the Bourne Rail Trail, was amazing.”