Frank H. Warrington

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It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Frank H. Warrington on Sunday, April 18, 2021 at the Royal of Fairhaven Nursing Home. He was the husband of Nancy C. Warrington, with whom he shared 65 loving years of marriage.

            Born in Acushnet, he was the son of the late Frank W. and Gertrude (Harwood) Warrington. He lived in New Bedford for most of his life.

            Frank was a graduate of New Bedford Vocational High School. After completing high school, he was employed as a machinist at the Continental Screw Company in New Bedford. He then moved to California with his family and was employed by Lockheed. Upon returning to New Bedford, he became an educator sharing his craft and trade in the machine shop with high school students. Frank was employed at Apponequet Regional High School in Lakeville, Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School in Rochester, and Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational High School where he retired. Frank’s love of teaching did not end after his retirement as he continued to sub for many years.

            A passion of Frank’s was coaching. He was a baseball coach at Ted Williams Baseball Camp in Lakeville for many years. He also coached basketball at Dave Cowens Camp. Additionally, he was a football, basketball, and baseball coach at Apponequet Regional High School.

            A hobby of Frank’s was his enthusiasm for trains. This was something he was able to share and pass on to his grandson, Matthew. In his spare time, Frank was always there to support his grandchildren participating in their different sports, watching the Red Sox, Patriots, and Celtics and spending time by the pool. He also enjoyed golfing with his brother, Glenn, and grandson. Most of all, he loved every moment he spent with his family and friends.

            Frank was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his wife Nancy; a daughter, Wendy Hasson of Taunton; two sons, Dana Warrington and his wife Susan of Florida and Marc Warrington of New Bedford; five grandchildren, Matthew Hasson, Lauren Hasson, Carly Warrington Medeiros and her husband Kevin, Jamey Warrington, and Katey Warrington; his brother, Glenn Warrington and his wife Norma of New Bedford; and several nieces and nephews.

            Family and friends are invited to attend his burial service at the Acushnet Cemetery, 91 Main St., Acushnet, MA on Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at 12:00. Arrangements have been made with the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Mattapoisett Library Young Adult Programming

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STEAM Projects To Go brings a new project for May! STEAM Projects To Go are created for busy teens grades 6 to 12 who still want to engage with library programming and their community. We will explore how plants grow and what kills them. The project will be to plant seed paper and will include an extra random packet of seeds to up the bounty! Students will learn how to create their own planters from paper as well. Further, it will inspire teens to take it one step further with a list of extension projects.

            Each Steam Project To Go includes supplies needed for the project, instructions, information about the theme, a library book related to the theme, and ideas for more projects. If you are interested in getting a STEAM Project To Go, register at the library’s website (mattapoisettlibrary.org) on the calendar or by calling the library. You can register at any time between now and the end of May. Once you have registered, you will be contacted to arrange pick up (library card required). If there are no spots left, please register for the waiting list.

            Please contact Michelle Skaar at mskaar@sailsinc.org or call the library. All programs are free and open to the public.

First Congregational Church of Marion

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Join us for Worship on Sunday, May 2, at the First Congregational Church of Marion at 10:00 am. Vi Taylor, principal cellist for the Fall River Symphony Orchestra, will be presenting the special music. She has taught at the Friends Academy in Dartmouth and is a middle school teacher in Falmouth. The Church is on 28 Main Street in Marion, Massachusetts.

Smaller Harbormaster Facility Maintains View

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            Marion residents will still be able to see the harbor at Island Wharf, based on a revised design for the proposed Maritime Center that was presented on April 26 during a special meeting of the Marion Board of Selectmen via Zoom.

            In substantial contrast to the original design presented to over 100 attendees in the fall at the Sippican School, project representative Tim Sawyer said the footprint of the building is now smaller, but one thing that cannot be changed is the flood elevation.

            “We were trying to promote a public-elevation site…. We’ve stripped away much of that in the revised design,” he said. “We’ve pared it down to the basic necessities.”

            Shorter by several feet and not as wide, the revised design has stripped away a public reception room and restrooms. The intermediary deck was eliminated so that elevated decks only accommodate access to the elevated level, a 50 percent reduction. The building itself has been reduced by 29 percent.

            Sawyer said office has been consolidated and usage combined, eliminating the potential for private offices beyond that of the harbormaster, whose office will include a small meeting table. Outside there will be an open, shared administration space. A 10 to 12-person meeting table will do double duty as a break room.

            The building will have ADA access, the lift going from grade to the elevated level, and there will be a rear side egress.

            Thanking Selectman John Waterman for meeting a dozen times, Town Administrator Jay McGrail said that Monday’s presentation was meant to seek addition feedback and is a step in what could be a process lasting a few years.

            On May 1, with the selectmen’s blessing, the town will be seeking $300,000 in grant funding from the state Seaport Economic Council. The 80/20 grant match would require the town to seek 20 percent in the Fall Town Meeting. The project, he said, is estimated at $2,500,000 divided up in $1,500,000 for site design and engineering and $1 million for construction. Marion, said McGrail, would be on the hook for $500,000. Debt service would not affect taxes, he said, because it would come out of the Waterways Account.

            McGrail said the internal design team has put together a Q&A summary accessible by visiting marionma.gov. It explains what has changed and why renovation of the current facility is considered not to be feasible.

            Invited to respond, Selectman Norm Hills said many of his ideas from the original design have been incorporated into the revised design, and preferred the floor be opened to public response.

            Reading from a letter to the selectmen, Jared Dourdeville respectfully stated his opposition to the project primarily based on its size. He noted that the current Harbormaster’s Facility measures 220 square feet and the project proposes 1,700 square feet, a factor of eight. Coupling the present facility’s three full-time employees with the state’s recommendation of 200 square feet per employee, he calculated based on a 600 square feet per employee that it would be a $1 million investment per employee. Acknowledging the pending grant funds, he said they are all tax dollars, regardless of the source.

            “It’s not fair to Marion residents to decide between the current facility and what we see here,” he said.

            Others who spoke said the harbormaster’s staff needs at least the amount of space in the revised design.

            Bob Partridge asked if consideration has been given to pivoting the building’s footprint by 45 degrees so that it falls between the bandstand and the northeast corner. Sawyer called the northeast an “underutilized corner” bound by required setbacks from the revetment wall and said the building has to move back to maintain the restroom pod locations. The intent, Sawyer said, is that the memorial gardens remain in place and perhaps be enhanced.

            Fresh off her meeting with the town’s Energy Management Committee, Alanna Nelson asked Sawyer about energy efficiency for the larger replacement building, the cost of utilities, discussion about solar panels, and the outlook on sewer.

            Prefacing his comments with his concern about the view, resident Edward Brainard II asked the town to consider a pile-driven system to lift the building up and down, a scheme he said would use low power and, in the unrealized case of a house he had planned, had the state’s blessing. He called this “a wonderful opportunity to put up something ground level” and said, “Don’t rush too fast.”

            Chris Collings, a member of the Marion Planning Board and volunteer director of the town’s boating program, noted how many people were enjoying community boating and was therefore happy to see the bathroom facilities remaining in place.

            Meg Steinberg agreed with Collings that shade on the bathrooms is more desirable, so they don’t look like two outhouses. “Also, the elevation facing the town with the huge doors looks uninviting, so forbidding,” she said.

            Complimenting the team on the work it took to revise the plan, Andrew Bonney asked about how the insurance cost is factored by the building’s size. McGrail said he will look into the matter. “It would be helpful to have a run rate,” said Bonney. Sawyer suggested that because the new facility would be constructed out of the flood zone per FEMA guidelines, Marion may wind up paying less to insure the building.

            McGrail invited the public to continue emailing himself or Harbormaster Isaac Perry with additional feedback.

            “If we’re successful with the grant application, then there will be more opportunity for feedback before design is final,” said McGrail, noting that more public sessions will take place before the Fall Town Meeting and that an updated document will be posted on the existing harbormasters page at marionma.gov.

Marion Board of Selectmen

By Mick Colageo

Rodrigues, Bulldogs Ready for Encore

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            As a high school freshman from Fairhaven participating in the Whaler volleyball clinic for the first time, Kailee Rodrigues was involved in a warm-up drill when her catch-and-release skills caught some attention. The instructors were surveying the floor and making teams when they saw Rodrigues and saw four years into the future.

            “The first time they saw me set, they said, ‘You’re going to be a setter,'” she recalls, now a senior co-captain ready to lead the Old Rochester Regional High School girls volleyball team toward what she hopes will be a South Coast Conference championship.

            As the girls basketball team had been through the winter season, the girls volleyball team has been dominant through the Fall II season. It obviously helps that athletes and leaders such as senior co-captain Meg Horan and junior outside hitter Maggie Brogioli have brought their basketball momentum with them.

            “Our players that did play basketball, they’re kind of freak athletes who are amazing at everything. They came in and they were ready to get another (championship). I think it made us more eager,” said Rodrigues. “We had a pretty good team for a long time, but nobody meshed well. I saw all the talent that we had, and it was a really amazing group of girls. They’ve all brought a lot more to the table this year, especially Maggie, more than expected for sure.”

            Junior Sally Butler (11 kills, eight blocks and 14 service placements in the victory against Fairhaven), Sydnee Pires, and Emma Thorell were also members of the championship basketball squad.

            Head Coach Jimmy Oliveira (New Bedford class of 2007) did not discover the setter position with the same sense of destiny.

            “When I played in high school, my coach (Steve DeRossi) said, ‘Jimmy, you’re going to setter today.’ I’m like, ‘What? Coach, I can’t do that.'”

            Oliveira learned that he could set the ball, and he’s a big believer in Rodrigues’ ability to take the role to a high level. “There’s only one kid that gets to do that. It’s a very difficult position,” he said. “It’s really, with the young kids coming in, it’s just hard to pick up the game speed. It takes a lot of reps…. I can do this, it’s tough, but it’s part of the game. As a sophomore, she had all the skill, it was just getting use to that speed.”

            Models are not easy to find, and it takes a special connection to inspire or influence another’s career. The player who caught Rodrigues’ eye was Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech setter Courtney Carreiro. “I saw her set once and I wanted to be like that,” she said. Carreiro went on to play volleyball at UMass Dartmouth.

            With errors inevitable and the consequences hinging on her performance, Rodrigues tries to stay focused on perfecting her skill, connecting with her hitters, and thinking about her next move.

            “You’re like the quarterback of the team, you always have to have a plan in place … you’re constantly thinking about your next move,” she said. “It’s usually on you. You’re touching the ball more than anybody on the team, so there’s a lot more mistakes to be made.”

            Rodrigues had 25 assists in Monday night’s victory at Fairhaven that completed the Bulldogs’ regular season at 11-0 and clinched the top seed in the South Coast Conference tournament. The undefeated Bulldogs open the SCC quarterfinals on Friday, April 30, on home court against the winner of Tuesday night’s play-in match between Seekonk and Somerset Berkley.

            Until dropping the second set of Monday night’s four-set win at Fairhaven (25-16), the Bulldogs had only lost sets in non-league matches to Durfee and Brockton. The seniors obviously want badly to end the season in victory, and they will rely on timely contributions from many corners. On Monday, for instance, sophomore Emma Van Ness was 8-of-10 in receiving serve.

            “I don’t think we could have grown this far without being a supportive team. We don’t have any drama…. There’s never pointing a finger or anything like that…. Everyone’s really supportive and that makes you want to do better,” said Rodrigues. “There’s just a lot of talent on the team, too. I figured that out early last season. Everyone kind of knew that we could to far.”

            The Bulldogs are fueled by camaraderie, passion for the game and one especially bad memory, having won the first two sets in their last playoff match against Dennis-Yarmouth only to fall in five sets.

            “We really weren’t good at picking ourselves up. That game was heartbreaking for us,” said Rodrigues. “Especially last season, we like to make it a lot harder for ourselves and have slow beginnings. It takes us time to get warmed up and be ready.”

            Oliveira has made believers not only for his volleyball acumen but, of greater importance, his ability to connect with his student-athletes.

            “One of the biggest things in why I think our team is so successful is our coach, Jimmy,” said Rodrigues. “He’s not someone who just cares about as a player on a team; he’s there for you, shaping us to be better people, too. He’s a very dedicated and amazing coach.”

            Last year, Rodrigues was focused on setting consistency, locating the ball for her hitters. This year, Oliveira challenged her to take it up a level with her communications and become responsible for reading what kind of pass is coming her way and to guide her hitters. “If it’s a good pass, we’re running a certain offense,” he explained. “Last year, we didn’t do the faster offense thing, but when (Rodrigues) came in she immediately had leadership skills; she was always the one picking the team up, keeping everyone positive.”

            The message has stayed positive even when the engine sputters.

            “Hey, listen, we’re expecting this to be difficult,” said Oliveira. “We’re not expecting perfection; it’s not just you by yourself, we’re going to work on it together. She’s done a great job accepting that role. One of the things that I always tell them is we don’t want to be 100-percent comfortable. If we are, we’re not going to get better.”

            A lifelong rider of horses, Rodrigues has practiced patience. She works part time for AVIV, a company that practices equine-assisted psychotherapy by working with the horses on basic care and clinician training, incorporating them into the program. “The clients get to bond with horses,” she said.

            Rodrigues, 18, grew up in Fairhaven, but when she reached her freshman year, she wanted to expand her horizons.

            “I just kind of wanted to try something new; there wasn’t a real reason,” she said. “I loved ORR…. The volleyball program is really what’s kept me there and the people I met and the friendships there.”

            One of her two younger sisters is a freshman on ORR’s junior varsity volleyball team.

            Rodrigues remains undecided on a college but plans to study on a pre-veterinarian track. “Animals have been a huge part of my life. I’m a big rescuer,” she said.

By Mick Colageo

John N. DeCosta, Jr.

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John N. DeCosta, Jr., 58, of Mattapoisett died April 28th at Charlton Memorial Hospital. 

            He was the husband of Marianne (McGrath) DeCosta.

            Born in New Bedford, son of the late John N. “Jackie” and Geraldine “Gerry” (Francis) DeCosta, he lived in Mattapoisett all of his life. 

            He was employed as a Park Supervisor for the Department of Conservation and Recreation.

            Mr. DeCosta continued a family tradition of service to the Town of Mattapoisett started by his grandparents and later by his father. He was one of the founding members of the town’s Community Preservation Committee, a member of the Capital Planning Committee and Open Space and Recreation Committee, served as a call firefighter for 17 years, worked for the water department for 15 years and was presently serving as selectman.

            He enjoyed local and American history. Spending time with family and friends.

            Survivors include his wife; a son, John N. DeCosta, III of Mattapoisett; 2 sisters, Carolyn Lopes and her husband Clifton of Mattapoisett and Jacqueline Barrett and her husband Bruce Lemieux of Bath, ME; 3 grandchildren, Jacoby, Noah and Aubrey and their mother Sarah Kaempf; and several nieces and nephews.

            He was the father of the late William F. DeCosta.

            His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, May 3rd at 9:30 am in St. Anthony’s Church. The family requests that the public meet directly at church. The church capacity is 100 guests. Burial will follow in St. Anthony’s Cemetery. Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, May 2nd from 1-6 pm in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home For Funerals, 50 County Rd., Mattapoisett. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mattapoisett Historical Society, 5 Church St. P.O. Box 535 Mattapoisett, MA 02739. For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

            Please be advised that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there are strict guidelines that must be adhered to for the safety of everyone. You MUST wear a mask to be allowed entry to the services. Please practice social distancing and avoid any close contact. Guests will be permitted to pay their respects and depart to allow the next guests to enter. Capacity at the funeral home will be limited so there could be wait times outside the funeral home.

Ronald C. Guillotte

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Ronald C. Guillotte, 51, of Mattapoisett died April 27, 2021 peacefully, surrounded by his loving family after a courageous two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. He was the husband of Mary C. (Cooper) Guillotte.

            Born in New Bedford, son of Ronald A. and Mary Lee (Edwards) Guillotte, he grew up in Fairhaven and lived in Mattapoisett most of his adult life. He was a self-employed plasterer who was a perfectionist and artist sought after for his craft. He was a sports enthusiast and avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, cooking and sharing food with his family and friends. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. His quick wit and jokester personality will be missed by many.

            Survivors include his wife; his parents; 4 sons, Ronald C. Guillotte, Jr. of Rochester, Jesten Guillotte of Dartmouth, Jarred Guillotte of Fairhaven, and Tommy DeBortoli and his fiancée Julie Ingham of Mattapoisett; a sister, Kelly Zucco and her husband John of Mattapoisett; 4 brothers, Lee Guillotte and his wife Christyn and Kevin Guillotte and his wife Willow, all of Fairhaven, Shaun Guillotte and his wife Kristy of Acushnet, and Timothy Guillotte and his wife Rebecca of Rochester; 5 grandchildren, Aaliyah, Daniel, Emily, Ceri and Briann; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

            His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, May 1st at 9:00 am in St. Anthony’s Church in Mattapoisett. Visiting hours will be held on Friday, April 30th from 3-8 pm in the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Mattapoisett. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to help offset the cost of Ron’s funeral expenses, c/o Tim Guillotte.

            For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com. Please be advised that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there are strict guidelines that must be adhered to for the safety of everyone. You MUST wear a mask to be allowed entry to the services. Please practice social distancing and avoid any close contact. Guests will be permitted to pay their respects and depart to allow the next guests to enter. Capacity at the funeral home will be limited so there could be wait times outside the funeral home.

Marion Annual Town Meeting and Town Election Update

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We are asking anyone who is interested in attending the Annual Town Meeting on Monday, May 10, at 6:45 pm at Sippican School to contact Lissa Magauran in the Town Clerk’s office to make a reservation. Due to COVID-19 Safety Protocols, there is limited seating and we want to make sure we have the capacity to ensure everyone is comfortable with the seating arrangements. There will be 3-foot social distancing in the main auditorium and 6-foot social distancing in the Library, Cafeteria, and Band Room. Each room outside of the auditorium will have audio/visual capabilities as well as moderators to assist residents if they would like to ask questions at Town Meeting. You may make a reservation by emailing (lmagauran@marionma.gov) or calling 508-748-3502 and indicating in which room you would like to sit.

            Early Voting by Mail is now available to anyone who wishes to cast their ballot ahead of the Election. You may request a ballot by using the application on the Town Website (www.marionma.gov, select Town Clerk) or by a written request signed by you; either must be returned to the Town Clerk’s office prior to Monday, May 10, and the voted ballots returned to the Town Clerk by 7:00 pm on Friday, May 14.

            There is the possibility of In-Person Early Voting beginning on May 10 and ending on May 14; however, it must be voted upon the Board of Selectmen at their May 4 meeting, so stay tuned!

Rochester COA Candidate’s Night

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The Rochester Council on Aging invites Rochester town residents to attend its annual Candidate’s Night on Thursday, May 6, at 6:00 pm. Candidate’s Night will be held at the Rochester Senior Center, 67 Dexter Rd., Rochester and via webinar.

            The link for the meeting is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8576249633?pwd=Q3gwcDdYL3VDNVVaQXplZkN3Ym5WQT09

The meeting ID is 857 6242 9663.  The passcode is COA.

            Face coverings and social distancing guidelines will be adhered to at the Senior Center.

            For additional information, please call the Rochester Senior Center at 508-763-8723, visit the Facebook page, or view the newsletter online at ourseniorcenter.com.

Mary Lou (Goulart) Goyette

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Mary Lou (Goulart) Goyette, 80, of Mattapoisett died Saturday, April 17, 2021 unexpectedly at St. Luke’s Hospital.  She was the wife of Rene A. Goyette.

            Born in Fairhaven, daughter of the late Manuel and Emily (Andrade) Goulart, she lived in Mattapoisett for most of her life.

            She was employed as a secretary at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company for 25 years until her retirement.

            Mary Lou enjoyed going on yearly vacations with friends and cycling. She and Rene also enjoyed touring on their Harley, often traveling thousands of miles per year.

            A private burial was held at St. John’s Cemetery in New Bedford. For online guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.