Ryon Thomas taking control for ORR football

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            With Bryce Guilbeault taking over for Ryan Kogler as head coach of Old Rochester Regional football, and with the roster experiencing a lot of turnover following the graduation of 22 seniors, it wasn’t going to be an easy task for the 2019 Bulldogs roster to maintain the same level of success the program has in years past.

            Naturally, a significant amount of the pressure falls on the quarterback, Ryon Thomas.

            It’s the nature of the position.

            Well, the junior continues to rise to the occasion on a weekly basis, most recently leading the Bulldogs to a 42-7 over GNB Voc-Tech to improve to 2-1 on the season.

            Thomas finished with three scores on the day, rushing into the end zone twice and connecting with Cam Brezinskiin another instance.

            Following the win over the Bears, Brezinski had high praise for his quarterback.

            “He reminds me of Tom Brady a little bit with the way he reads the defense,” the senior said. “He gives audibles during the play when we’re setting up. He just changes the play based on the defense.”

            A quarterback couldn’t ask for a better compliment than to have his ability to read a defense compared to the Super Bowl-winning Patriots quarterback.

            Thomas’ coach, however, knows there’s still plenty of room for the quarterback to grow, but he feels Thomas is taking the appropriate steps to do so.

            “I think he’s settling in nicely and he’s doing some great things for us,” Guilbeault said. “When he makes mistakes, he tries to learn from them… He’s doing a good job.”

            Meg Hughesremains one of the area’s top goal scorers in girls soccer. In ORR’s last two wins, Hughes has scored five goals. She also logged four assists for the Bulldogs between the two matches.

Old Colony

            Thomas Stantoncontinues to run all over the opposition for Old Colony football. In the Cougars’ 43-12 win over Bristol-Plymouth, Stanton set the tone early with a nine-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter. The running back would go on to score two more times, once in the second quarter and again in the fourth. He finished the game with 126 rushing yards on 13 attempts.

            Although Stanton had a dominant game on the ground all around, he actually finished second in rushing for Old Colony. Blake Dennisonled the way with 156 yards on 14 carries, averaging 11.14 yards per carry to Stanton’s 9.69. Dennison also scored once.

            Matt Bumpusand Phil Proctorscored Old Colony’s other two touchdowns, finishing with six as a team on the day.

            Luke Butlerwas the low medalist in Old Colony golf’s latest match. He shot a 39 against Bristol-Plymouth at Scotland Links, pacing the Cougars to a 6-3 win to improve to 6-3-1- on the season.

            Old Colony volleyball continued its strong start to the season with a 3-1 win over Cape Cod Tech, only losing the second set of the match. The Cougars are now 8-1 in 2019.

            Kat Kirbyhad 16 kills in the win while Savanna Hallehad six blocks and Nina Castillohad three. Jordyn Dexterfinished with 14 assists against Cape Cod Tech.

High School Sports Update

By Nick Friar

The Hybrid Tiger Trout

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            The popular sporting trout, the hybrid tiger trout, is named not because of the tiger-like coloring and zigzag pattern of interlocking markings from head to tail, as illustrated. The tiger is an artificial insemination hybrid crossbreed species from female brown trout eggs fertilized by male brook trout sperm, or milt. The purpose of crossbreeding is to combine the furious bait-taking habit of the brook trout with the fighting hooked fury of the deep-water diving brown trout.

            As a sterile hybrid, like the mule offspring of a donkey and a horse, the tiger trout cannot reproduce itself. Consequently, it dictates all its energy to feed and rapidly grow from stocking size to a potential 20-pound trophy within a few years. It is known to be piscivorous (fish-eating) and a good control against unwanted bait populations. It also can be tightly controlled in population as a sterile species.

            Tiger trout are produced and stocked locally by the Sandwich State Fish Hatchery just across the Sagamore Bridge in Cape Cod. The tiger trout is stocked in ponds in Rochester, as well as in Plymouth. The Sandwich Hatchery is also open seven days a week, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm for visitors to view and feed the fish. Similarly, the Berkshire Hatchery, near my previous residence in Western Massachusetts, annually invited visits from groups of underprivileged inner city youth from New York City for overnight camping and environmental education. Each youngster was given fly fishing lessons in our stocked pond. Catching a tiger trout for a youngster was always a trophy prize, but pulling it in was somewhat like having a tiger by the tail.

            Wherever they are stocked today, the performance of the tiger trout lives up to its name. It is also increasing in numbers because conservation-minded sportsman use barbless hooks for catch and release so they can grow bigger to be caught again. Hopefully this hatchery-grown hybrid species will continue on to be nationally rated in what I would call the ‘Anglers Hall of Fame’. It might rank with the colorful western cutthroat trout that lights and livens up the waters of glacial melts that run like a river through the Rocky Mountains of the Continental Divide Another is the acrobatic surface jumping of the colorful rainbow trout that, in autumn, can annually migrate downriver to the sea and change color to a salty metallic shade with a name change to steelhead trout. And last, but not least, is the Atlantic salmon that became king of the fighting fish kingdom in both Britain and Scotland since the eighteenth century literary publication of The Complete Anglerby father of all angling culture, Izaak Walton, and is now enthroned on both sides of the pond. With this article and drawing, I would nominate the tiger trout as a possible member of this distinctive sporting aristocracy.

By George B. Emmons

Stephen DeCosta

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Stephen DeCosta, 66, of Mattapoisett passed away peacefully at home after a battle with cancer. 

            Born in Fall River, the son of the late Joseph and Irene (Isadore) DeCosta, he had lived in Mattapoisett since 2003. 

            He is survived by his son, William J. DeCosta and his wife Cherie (Gagnon) DeCosta of Fall River; his brothers, Rev. Joseph F. DeCosta of Killingworth, CT and Paul DeCosta of Fall River; his fiancée, Gail A. Joseph of Mattapoisett, and her children, Julie J. Joseph and Andrew J. Joseph and his companion Diana Boucher, all of Mattapoisett, and Angela M. Joseph and her companion Ryan Walker of New Bedford; and six much loved grandchildren, Ethan J.A. DeCosta, Amelia L. Joseph, Harley S. McMullen, Zoey L. Joseph, Caleb A. DeCosta, and Gabriel J. Joseph. 

            His Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Monday October 7, 2019 at 11 AM at St. Anthony’s Church, Mattapoisett. Visitation will be on Monday morning from 9-10:30 AM at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Christopher Davis Richards

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Christopher Davis Richards, 69, of Mattapoisett passed away Sunday September 29, 2019 surrounded by his family. 

            Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Thornton M. Richards, Jr. and Marion (Browne) Richards, Christopher was raised in Fairhaven. He attended Marlborough Academy graduating in 1968 going on to Roger Williams College graduating in 1973 with a BFA in Music. 

            Christopher was best known for his musical talents. Although Chris had several different jobs along the way, you can take the music out of the man, but not the man out of the music. He was the happiest when performing. Being a self-taught guitarist Chris could break apart a song by ear and perform a rendition that would leave you wanting more. If you ever heard Chris perform Roxanne or What’s Going On, you would understand. He had a great ear for music and could play any genre. His chops, voice, harmonizing ability, easy going personality made him the man he was with so many friends and very respected in the music community. 

            The Richards family was on a trip to New York City when the boys stressed to their Dad the need to get them home so they could watch the Beatles debut on the Ed Sullivan Show. Chris’ older brother Tony had a little tenor guitar and that was the start of it all. Once he got his hands on that little guitar he never stopped playing. Chris was 15 when he played in his first band. He played with Steeplejack; The McCarthy Richards Band; The Butch McCarthy Band; The Stunners; a solo artist; MRL, The Quartet, and with many, many musicians. Chris’ best friend in life and music was Kenny Richards. The duo played music together for over 52 years. Chris was so happy he was able to perform with Kenny in Greece. 

            Survivors include his daughter, Molly K. Richards and former wife Christine, both of Mattapoisett, his daughter, Sarah S. Gill and her husband Jimmy of Rumford, RI, his son, Benjamin C. Richards of South Carver, his brother, Peter Richards and wife Susan of Nantucket, and his nephew Parker Richards of New York. 

            He was predeceased by his brother, Thornton M. Richards III. 

            A service of remembrance will be held on Saturday October 19th at 11 AM at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett. Visitation will be on Friday October 18th from 4-8 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Friends of Old Rochester Music (FORM) for scholarships to those going on to study music. Checks may be mailed to: 38 Marion Road, Mattapoisett, MA 02739. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Jacqueline E. (Mongeau) Bertrand

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Jacqueline E. (Mongeau) Bertrand, 80 of Mattapoisett died September 28, 2019 unexpectedly at home.

            She was the wife of the late Joseph A. Bertrand.

            Born in New Bedford, daughter of the late Joseph L. and Irene A. (Gendron) Mongeau, she lived in Mattapoisett most of her life.

            She was formerly employed by Goodyear for several years and later was a waitress at Cerulli’s in Mattapoisett.

            Mrs. Bertrand enjoyed raising and showing pugs and watching dogs in her home. She also enjoyed playing tennis.

            Survivors include her 2 daughters, Monique Bertrand and her companion Brian Pires of New Bedford and Danielle West and her husband Timothy of Chelmsford; 3 grandchildren, Troy Muldoon, Jameson Muldoon and Lily West. 

           Her Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, October 9th at 11 AM in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett. Burial will follow in St. Anthony’s Cemetery. Visiting hours will be held Tuesday, October 8th from 4-7 PM. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com 

Safe Driving

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To the Editor;

            DANGER! Rt. 6 MATTAPOISETT SPEEDWAY!

I survived a high-speed rear end collision 50 feet west from Turk’s parking lot on September 23, 7:20 am. Thanks to seat belts and air bags and a strong Nissan Rogue, I and my dog survived!

            The driver of the high speed vehicle was distracted by her own statement.

            Rt. 6 from the North St. traffic lights to the Marion line has had a large number of severe accidents.

            The excuse used by officials is that Rt. 6 is a state highway with very little law enforcement on Rt. 6. My advice to all drivers is to wear seat belts and do not be distracted by using your cell phone. Be alert, be safe!

            Thanks to the Mattapoisett police and paramedics for their professional, kind attention paid to me and my dog. You did your job!

Jim Huntoon

Retired public official of Mattapoisett and Rochester

The views expressed in the “Letters to the Editor” column are not necessarily those of The Wanderer, its staff or advertisers. The Wandererwill 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 Wandererreserves the right to edit, condense and otherwise alter submissions for purposes of clarity and/or spacing considerations. The Wanderermay choose to not run letters that thank businesses, and The Wandererhas the right to edit letters to omit business names. The Wandereralso reserves the right to deny publication of any submitted correspondence.

The Greening of Marion

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Are you ready for some good news for a change? Then read on!

            The mission of Marion’s Energy Management Committee (EMC) is to pursue opportunities to move Marion toward renewable power, conserve energy, and in the process, also save money. As the urgency to address the climate crisis gains prominence and momentum around the world, contributions by local communities are crucial to help move the needle. We thought you’d like to know about your town’s recent progress on this front.

            Back in 2016, the EMC helped negotiate a power purchase agreement to supply all of Marion’s municipal electricity from the wind turbines in Plymouth at a substantial discount. As of this writing, the agreement has saved the town over $275,000.

            In 2018, after a four-year effort led by the EMC, Marion achieved the designation of a Massachusetts Green Community, opening the door to substantial grants to pay for improvements to town facilities that increase energy efficiency. The initial Green Community funds are already at work: installing energy-efficient lighting in Sippican School and replacing the fire station’s old boiler with a high-efficiency system. 

            As a part of our qualification process for Green Communities, the town’s energy use has been cataloged into an online monitoring system that will track energy use (electricity and fuels) to help identify new opportunities to save energy and to document savings from upgraded facilities.

            The EMC initiated and managed the replacement of all the town’s street lights with LED fixtures, saving about $16,000/year in electricity costs. A grant through the Green Communities program which helped pay for the new fixtures.

            Two town employees are driving new all-wheel-drive, plug-in hybrids whose leases are almost completely funded with state grants, an initiative originally pursued by EMC members. Two more vehicles are on the way.

            In collaboration with the Planning Board, Select Board, Town Planner, and DPW, the EMC is leading an effort to identify the town’s vulnerabilities to coastal flooding, which poses the greatest environmental threat to our property and infrastructure. A state grant has funded a study of our sewage pumping stations, all of which are threatened by storm flooding.

            The previously approved solar project on our capped landfill — stalled because of insufficient capacity in the electrical grid network — is being revived with the help of a regional consultant. Stay tuned for news about this project.

            If you are concerned about the risks posed by climate change, rising energy costs, and environmental deterioration, please consider joining the EMC team! We are looking for new members who are passionate about continuing our momentum – as a town and as a country. Please come to one of our meetings to find out more, or contact the Town Planner, Gil Hilario (ghilario@marionma.gov), for more information. 

            Please join us! Be part of the solution!

Marion’s Energy Management Committee

FCCR Roast Pork Dinner

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First Congregational Church of Rochester (11 Constitution Way in Rochester) is hosting a Roast Pork Dinner on Saturday, October 19from 5:00 to 6:30 pm. On this less-than-“boaring” night, you can pig out on roast pork, mashed potatoes with gravy, mixed vegetable surprise, green beans, applesauce, rolls, and your choice of apple or pumpkin pie for dessert. Open-seating tickets are available by calling the church office at 508-763-4314. Make a hog of yourself for only $12 for adults and $6 for kids (ages 12 and under). Don’t wallow around! Get your tickets soon as they are only available until October 16. No tickets will be sold at the door.

Macallister Resigns, Applies For Town Administrator Job

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            It came as a surprise to Selectmen Jordan Collyer and Paul Silva, as well as Town Administrator Michael Gagne, when, after adjournment of the September 24 meeting of the Board of Selectmen and just before calling executive session, Selectman Tyler Macallister said he had to recuse himself. Macallister then presented the board with a letter of resignation and is tossing his hat in the ring for the position of town administrator.

            “It is with great hesitation [that I submit] this letter of resignation effective immediately pursuant to MGL 268A section 21A. I appreciate and have enjoyed the 8+ years we have worked together to make Mattapoisett a better place and wish you the best of luck moving forward. Have a great day!”

            In a follow-up, Collyer said he was surprised, but then went on to explain that Massachusetts Law allows an elected official to be considered for employment with the town after a 30 day “cooling off period”.

            An initial pool of candidates for the town administrator position was selected by a search committee, but the frontrunner for the job went on to accept an offer from another town before the second round of interviews with the Board of Selectmen. Shortly thereafter, the selectmen, including Macallister, decided to start the search again, only this time with the assistance of a professional search consultant to help the town find qualified candidates.

            “Nothing would change,” said Collyer on the search process. “We have a robust process in place, but no candidates.” Collyer said that Macallister would have to follow the process just as other candidates will.

            “We didn’t expect this,” Collyer said. “We are not breaking stride,” he said regarding the screening process. While the town will be using a professional search firm, Collyer said it would also repost the job. “We have to do what’s best for the town.”

            “It changes nothing,” Selectman Paul Silva told The Wanderer. “We were surprised as we went into executive session.”

            Silva said Macallister’s qualifications would be evaluated along with any other candidates that are advanced for the selectmen to interview.

            Gagne said that the Request for Proposals from professional search firms was posted with a deadline of October 10. He said that a decision to select a firm would happen sometime in November.

            Gagne confirmed that final candidate interviews are not likely to take place until January. His retirement was to have begun in mid-October, but he will remain in place until a successful candidate is chosen.

            Calls and texts from The Wandererto Macallister elicited the following text response: “I am not commenting on my decision to resign from the board at this time.”

            As well as serving on the Board of Selectman, Macallister served on the Conservation Commission for five years and also on the Plymouth County Advisory Board.

            Macallister was reelected to the Board of Selectmen unopposed in 2017. His term would expire in 2020.

Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen

By Marilou Newell

Mattapoisett Seeks Help in TA Search

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            A search committee tasked with providing the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen with qualified candidates for town administrator has been unable to do so.

            According to Town Administrator Michael Gagne, who announced earlier this year that he would retire on October 15, the committee was unsuccessful in the search for his replacement.

Gagne said the search committee screened more than 20 applications and narrowed down the field to about six, with one candidate standing out over all others. That candidate, however, has now taken a job in another municipality. Now, Gagne said that he would be proposing to the selectmen that a professional search company be engaged; a move he believed would help the town in finding qualified candidates.

            Gagne did discuss the matter with the search committee during its September 20 meeting. At that time he told the members that a comprehensive request for proposals would be posted for professional services. He also said that to help candidates make informed decisions regarding Mattapoisett, additional documents would be made available on the town’s website containing information on open space and recreational plans, waterways plans, water and sewer certifications, demographics, historical profile, income reports, bond sales and other financial documents, including the town’s Master Plan.

            Noting that the job of a small town administrator is unique and requires a myriad of skill-sets, Gagne smiled and said, “One minute you are handling a $20,000,000 budget and the next you’re trying to figure out why the lights keep turning off in an 1800s building.”

            Gagne has been town administrator for Mattapoisett for 10 years.

By Marilou Newell