Show and Tell to Help Kids Get Used to School in 2020-21

on

            Halloween is still several weeks away, but if a child sees his principal wearing a facemask on a computer screen, perhaps he or she won’t be spooked by the sight on the first day of school. That, and a ton of pertinent information, has been Derek Medeiros’ message to Rochester Memorial School students gearing up for a return to classrooms on Wednesday, September 16.

            The Rochester Memorial School principal recently held a Zoom question-and-answer session with families and told the Rochester School Committee that the videos are meant “to orient the students to what they’re going to see so that’s not a shocking experience when they walk in on the first day.”

            Rochester Memorial will have new signage on the ground and on its walls. The sneak preview, complete with administration behind masks, is an ice breaker for the new year.

            “Just to give them a nice little preview on what they’re going to see,” said Medeiros, who told the parents, “I apologize if you feel inundated the next week or so.”

            If inundation lessens apprehension, that may lead to more comprehension and better education.

            One of the more affable educational leaders in the Tri-Town, the RMS principal is known online for the “Medeiros Minute” on the school’s website that makes its comeback this academic year.

            Medeiros’ Principal’s Report, issued during the Rochester School Committee’s first official meeting of the 2020-21 academic year on September 2, was full of appreciation to the behind-the-scenes workers who have made a return to class possible. “Thanks Mr. Ouellette. I think, if I ask them to move one more desk, I might get one thrown at me,” he joked.

            From the rearranging of classrooms to ensure safe-distancing practices and common areas, HVAC and ventilation maintenance and improvement, and all kinds of tweaks toward proper safety and sanitizing standards, Medeiros showed excitement to get the year off and running.

            “The parents and guardians had some wonderful questions… a lot of positive feedback,” he said, alluding to placement letters going out on September 2, the establishing of cohorts and moving students around, and communicating with kindergarteners’ families.

            “It’s certainly a busy time, but we feel like we’re moving on,” he said. “We’re excited to see our building coming back to life.”

            Chairperson Sharon Hartley, who will continue to serve this year as the chairperson of the committee, called its hybrid meeting to order at 6:36 pm. Before breaking into Executive Session five minutes later, Hartley said she is happy to be back in school on Wednesday, September 16. Lasting one hour and 20 minutes, the committee’s Executive Session was held to discuss collective bargaining and non-union personnel.

            Upon the rejoin to public session, Hartley praised the administration for its attention to detail and reported from her visit with senior citizens at a Council on Aging function. She was encountered with questions and concerns, but when she relayed the information emanating from the many meetings this summer there was a collective sigh of relief and a mandate to relay their thanks.

            “There are no concerns in terms of being able to occupy the building,” said Old Rochester Regional Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson, who attended the school committee meeting in person. “We’re in a really good place with classroom spacing and traffic flow in common areas… building transportation needs continue to be examined… strict guidelines in terms of the number of students… on buses.

            “Everything that we do is going to be a little bit different this year, and it really takes a lot of time.”

            Nelson wants to see Rochester Memorial’s support staff “really sit down and talk about the needs of our students; they know our building best in terms of coming up with plans that make sense for Rochester Memorial.”

            Nelson thanked everyone involved for their patience and support. “I’ve truly been humbled people by so many difference roles have reached out not only to myself but to educators in general with their support,” he said, noting the ideas and references that have been sent his way.

            Nelson said that the ORR School District issued between 450 and 550 Chromebooks, and said ORR’s IT team has been working to ensure they are sanitized and in working order. also checking on everyone’s needs including hot spots.

            ORR’s Learning Management System (LSS) has endorsed Google Classroom as its official program throughout the district because they do not want to spread too thin with access platforms. Asynchronous (i.e. prerecorded lessons) online education will be accessed using a program called Screen Pacify that has no capacity limits. Synchronous online learning will use the Zoom platform with secured licensing for all of the district’s educators.

            Nelson said ORR plans to move away from the card model used in the spring distribution of Chromebooks, having determined it is “not the best practice.” Instead, ORR will be providing each student their own Chromebook. “We don’t want to be in a place where, if school was closed, we don’t know which Chromebook went with each student,” he said.

            The hybrid (two days in per week) attendance model is how the school year will start, but by no means is the program meant to cast away other possibilities.

            “I know that we all want to see our students in person,” said Nelson. “What I feel most proud in terms of our back-to-school plan as it currently stands is: I feel it accomplishes the goal that we sought out.”

            ORR did its best to prepare to be able to pivot to another learning model based on “what we know at that time,” according to Nelson, who stressed that the hybrid model being used to open the new academic year is subject to change.

            The Rochester School Committee took the opportunity via the Zoom connection to welcome Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Dr. Jannell Pearson-Campbell, Assistant Superintendent of Finance & Operations Howie Barber, and Director of Student Services Craig Davidson.

            “This is my eighth day, but thank you for having me today,” said Pearson-Campbell, who has designed a 10-day COVID-19 plan for preparation as faculty and staff in district schools.

            In his financial report, Barber reported a $20,000 emergency relief grant through the Plymouth County arm of the CARES Act and credited Rochester Town Administrator Suzanne Szyndlar for her assistance.

            Davidson started working a few nights and weekends and will start full time on Tuesday, September 15.

            Nelson outlined the segments of the Policy Subcommittee engaged to make ORR District schools actively anti-racist. He reported having met with the five school committee chairpersons with the common theme an idea for each school adding a subcommittee on anti-racism. Forgoing discussion, the Rochester School Committee voted unanimous in favor of a subcommittee on anti-racism. Member Kate Duggan was announced as the first who will serve on the subcommittee.

            The committee also accepted with a unanimous vote the Anti-Racism resolution including the responsibility of each school to create a policy, commit to annual professional development, to champion inclusion and diversity, to identify systemic racialized practices with the understanding that school leaders can no longer remain silent, and guarantee that racial oppression is eradicated.

            Hartley made sure to include that the policy needs to be posted in a prominent place so it can be seen and students will know how to access it.

            Nelson said the new policy will go in the student handbook at Rochester Memorial.

Rochester School Committee

By Mick Colageo

Nature Journal with the NMHM

on

Nature journaling is the practice of taking your careful observations of nature and expressing them by drawing and/or writing in your own individual style. It requires that you slow down and clear your mind as well as increase your attention to detail and appreciation of beauty. There’s something about the act of writing it down, or making a sketch, that will help you to remember the scene forever.

            Our journaling guide is Tricia Cassady local artist, educator, and naturalist who has done many similar programs for Soule Homestead Education Center in Middleboro among others.

            Things to bring: a sketchbook, drawing pencils, and colored pencils. If you wish you may want to bring your own watercolor paints, a brush, and some felt-tipped pens (water-soluble and water-resistant). Also recommended are a campstool or blanket, sunscreen, bug spray, and a hat.

            Please note that as getting outside is essential, this workshop is weather dependent and will be rescheduled if conditions are too severe. The program is limited to ten adults, and pre-registration is required.

            We will be observing all social distancing practices and managing group size for the safety of all our guests attending this program. To pre-register for this program please contact the Museum Director at Director@marionmuseum.org. Partial funding for this program was provided courtesy of the Marion Cultural Council. Date: October 3, 2020, from 9:30 to 11:30 am, Cost is $20 per participant. Marion location to be provided at registration.

Walter A. Pierce, Jr.

on

Walter A. Pierce, Jr. 72, of West Wareham died peacefully on Friday, September 11, 2020 at St. Luke’s Hospital, New Bedford with his wife and daughters by his side. He was the husband of Carol L. (Peltola) Pierce.

            Born in Wareham on December 2, 1947, he was the son of the late Walter A. Pierce and Emily J. (Vecchi) Pierce of Rochester. Walter graduated from Old Rochester Regional High School in 1965. He worked several jobs in his early years; Hayden Separator in Wareham, Braincon Corporation in Marion and Maxim Motors in Middleboro. He was in business with his cousin, Glenn Pierce at Pierce T.V. & Electronics, Inc. in Rochester for 23 years. For over 50 years, Walter was a member of the Town of Wareham Fire Dept and then later the Wareham Fire District Fire Dept, as well as their dive squad before retiring in December 2013. During the 51 years married to his wife, Walter was supportive of the family cranberry business, Big Rock Farm, Inc. in Middleboro. He maintained the bogs for over 20 years; recently with his grandson, Owen.

            He was a member of the Wareham Fire Association, the Dude’s Crossing Health Club in Tihonet and a 44-year member of the Tri Town Golf League. He enjoyed; fishing, hunting, golfing, table shuffleboard with the “Bog Rats,” also cribbage and poker with his buddies. He also enjoyed working on his 1986 Buick Grand National and taking it to classic car shows.

            Survivors include his wife; his daughters, Nicky (Pierce) Wilson, of Mattapoisett, MA; Jessica (Pierce) Kinney of Rochester, MA and five grandchildren, Owen Kinney, Delaney Wilson, Olivia Kinney, Makenzie Despres, & Jeffrey Despres. Walter had six sisters; Frances Florindo & Gail Purdy of West Wareham, and Bonnie Hartley of Rochester. He was predeceased by his sisters Laurianne Lowe of Minnesota, June Gainey of N. Carolina and Joyce McWilliams of W. Wareham.

            Relatives and friends are invited to a graveside service at 11:00 am on Saturday, September 19, 2020 at Hillside Cemetery, 380 High Street, Rochester. Appropriate COVID-19 protocol will be required including the use of face masks and social distancing.

            Donations in his memory may be made to the Wareham Fireman’s Association, 273 Main Street, Wareham, MA  02571.

Hazel (Stanfield) Conlon

on

Hazel (Stanfield) Conlon, 77, formerly Worcester and Mattapoisett, passed away on Friday, September 11, 2020.  

She was predeceased by her loving husband of 48 years, Francis J. Conlon II; her parents, Ivan Stanfield and Marjorie Graham. Hazel was born in Belfast, Ireland and graduated high school from the Belfast School of Girls. She married her husband in 1962 in Germany, where they met while he was stationed abroad. 

Hazel lived in Worcester for many years before moving to Mattapoisett. Hazel was a bus driver for Worcester Public Schools for over 35 years, before moving to Mattapoisett, where she worked as a bus driver for Laidlaw Bus Company for over 10 years, before retiring to Briny Breeze, FL, before her husband’s passing in 2010. 

Hazel enjoyed spending time with her family and loved ones, along with knitting and spending time at Crescent Beach. She is survived by three sons; Graham Conlon and Christopher Conlon of Worcester, and Joseph Conlon and his wife Nancy of Oxford. Hazel is also survived an honorary daughter, Ella Wrubleski of Connecticut, and by her only living cousin, Grant Smith of Carrichferfus, Ireland, and by six grandchildren – Michael Conlon and his wife Elizabeth of Worcester, Mandee Yursha and her husband Jonathan of Auburn, Christopher Ferris of Orlando, FL, Liam Conlon, Riana Conlon and Rylee Conlon of Oxford. Hazel also leaves 3 great-grandchildren, Liliana Kay, Kristopher Kay Jr., and Lucas Yursha of Auburn. 

Memorial calling hours are Thursday, September 17, 2020, from 5-8 p.m. at Paradis-Givner Funeral Home, 357 Main Street, Oxford.

paradisfuneralhome.com

Lynnea Beth (Johnson) Walker

on

Lynnea Beth (Johnson) Walker, 65, of Rochester, MA gained access to the secrets of the universe upon her passing unexpectedly on September 10, 2020. She was the daughter of the late Walter and Sandra Johnson of Bethany, CT.

            She is survived by and was the loving “child bride” of her husband of 36 years, Bradley Stedman Walker; her four girls, Morning Amanda Walker of Fairhaven, Carrie Lee and husband Jason Sousa of Fairhaven, Bethany Lowell Walker and her partner John Chester of Providence, RI, and Elizabeth Stedman and husband Joseph Ulbin of Lakeville; her sister, Syndie Johnson of Orleans; and her brother Clark Johnson of Branford, CT. She was Nee Nee YaYa to her favorite grandson, Connor Bradley (for whom the sun rose and set in his eyes) and strong little granddaughters, Alayna Lee, Lucy Quinn and Liza Valentina, whom she adored. She is also survived by friend and family member, Margaret Ulbin of Lakeville.

            Lynnea studied Theatre and English at Quinnipiac College and wrote for several publications. Being a talented and passionate dressage instructor and lover of her thoroughbred “C.J,” she rode, trained and showed with her daughter Carrie. Her barn that they raised themselves would go on to become the infamous Men’s Room. She worked in sales along with Bradley for Nynex, sat on the Town of Rochester Master Plan Revision Committee and was elected to the Planning Board where she served for 6 years. Lynnea was also the past president and vice president of the Rochester Land Trust. She served the community as real estate agent for Upper Cape Realty until her passing.

            Lynnea loved cooking (which Bradley showed her the love of) and feeding loved ones delicious meals. She always said she was keeping her feasts smaller this time, but she did not. Her greeting was “Are you hungry?”.

            She adopted strays of the four-legged and two-legged variety and created Christmas extravaganzas, but her favorite was Thanksgiving- a time to be grateful for friends and family. She playfully pantsed Bradley on a train platform and for 36 years he has said he would get her back for it. She had the last laugh.

            Lynnea lived in such a way that she is not gone. If you listen carefully, she will share the secrets of the universe with you in the canter of horses, when you feed people, in the mischief of redheads, when you vote, on days at the cottage, the laughter of children, in silly puns and in the authenticity of true friends. Loving her was easier than anything we’ll ever do again.

            Her visitation will be held Saturday, September 19, 2020 from 12-4 pm in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6), Mattapoisett. In lieu of flowers, donations in Lynnea’s memory may be made to the Nauset Light Preservation Society, P.O. Box 941, Eastham, MA 02642. For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

‘Balanced Cohorts’ Start at Sippican on September 16

on

            “Meaningful” learning opportunities remain the objective for the Marion School Committee and Old Rochester Regional Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson, despite the daunting task of reopening schools for the 2020-21 school year. At their scheduled meeting on September 2, Nelson took a moment to provide a “brief overview” of how the school year is coming into focus, addressing issues ranging from cohort schedules, desk spacing, bussing, and hygiene protocols.

            Some of the major work has been done to promote hygiene practices, handwashing, and marking the floors of the school for traffic patterns. Classrooms will “look different” according to Nelson, but they are working on those classrooms to “look inviting to our students” while maintaining 6 feet of distance between students and staff members. Bus occupancy has been reduced to 25 to promote spacing.

            The hybrid school year begins on September 16, said Nelson, and will feature two cohorts: Cohort A will attend on Tuesdays and Thursdays and Cohort B will attend on Wednesdays and Fridays. All students will be remote on Mondays. The ORR School District has secured independent assessments on HVAC and air quality reports at Sippican School, and Nelson reported that administration was “extremely pleased with (the) results.” They will continue to monitor HVAC and air quality needs, and Nelson pledged to upload these regular testing results to the school website.

            Cohort assignments will be communicated to families prior to school start on September 16.

            “It doesn’t mean expectations have changed,” said Chairperson Michelle Smith, later in the meeting. After thanking administrative staff, teachers, paraprofessionals, parents, and other community stakeholders for their hard work to make the school year safe, Smith put a positive spin on an uncertain year: “We still expect our students to meet and exceed (these) challenges … we know the Sippican community will rock this year. We know this is going to be a great year.”

            Smith led the Committee in a moment of silence for Nolan Gibbons, a 15-year-old Marion student who passed away suddenly at home on August 18. Smith referred to young Gibbons as a “remarkable student” and a “talented young man.”

            In a Central Office staff update, Superintendent Nelson received a round of applause from the Marion School Committee members when he announced that the Central Office is now fully-staffed. After a recruitment process that Nelson called “thorough and thoughtful,” he announced the appointment of Howie Barber to the position of assistant superintendent of Finance and Operations, Dr. Jannell Pearson-Campbell to assistant superintendent of Teaching and Learning, and Craig Davidson, director of Student Services. “We finally have a full team,” Nelson said, calling the new administrative leaders to be “the right folks who can serve our district now … and into the future.” Superintendent Nelson praised Barber, Pearson-Campbell and Davidson for their impressive backgrounds and for jumping right into one of the most “unique school years I think we all can remember.”

            The committee unanimously approved the creation of a district-wide Anti-Racism Subcommittee, which – pending similar affirmative votes from Rochester and Mattapoisett school committees – will be staffed by representatives of each town’s school committees. This subcommittee will be charged with translating meaningful conversations to policy creation to promote tri-town equity and inclusion “meaningfully, but also in a sustainable manner,” according to Superintendent Nelson. In a separate vote, the committee appointed Mary Beauregard to serve on this regional subcommittee, and adopted an anti-racism resolution, based on a similar resolution shared by the Massachusetts Association of School Committees. Mattapoisett and Rochester school committees will be also asked to adopt this resolution.

            The next meeting of the Marion School Committee is scheduled for October 14.

Marion School Committee

By Anne O’Brien

Be An Engaged Health Care Consumer

on

            As more senior citizens begin a Medicare journey necessitated by the ravishes of aging and illness, educating seniors on how to understand Medicare summaries, pamphlets, annual guide books, and a whole host of other health care documents is also necessary. Add to this the threat of fraud, identification theft, and plain old ordinary clerical errors, well it’s a lot to take in. But help is available.

            Most councils on aging offer annual Medicare workshops, and Medicare also has layers of services available online. But what if something goes wrong and you need help untangling a billing problem on your account – enter Senior Medicare Patrol.

            On September 2, Mattapoisett’s Council on Aging hosted a remote presentation featuring Dennis Hohengasser of the SMP. Established in 1997, this watchdog group works to protect, detect, and report health care fraud and to provide assistance with claims resolution when things go wrong.

            Hohengasser stressed the importance of reading Medicare summary statements to ensure that services that were paid on your behalf were correct. Fraud, waste, abuse, and errors in Medicare billing amounts to a mind-blowing $60,000,000,000 every year, 10 percent of the estimated $600,000,000,000 spent on Medicare services.

            Seniors, Hohengasser stressed, are the first line of defense against taxpayer’s dollars being stolen or wasted. He said that Medicare statements should be thoroughly reviewed and saved for up to two years. He cautioned that when services are inappropriately billed to an account, the patient may be denied treatment or services in the future. He used the example of a one-time medical procedure being billed to an account when it never took place. Subsequently, when the real claimant needed that service, they were denied because it appeared in records that they had already received the procedure. “It can take months to clear up a problem,” he said so it’s important to take action.

            Hohengasser also discussed the importance of protecting one’s Medicare card. He said it is not necessary to carry it with you at all times. Identification theft as well as scams can cost the system hundreds of thousands of dollars, and the claimant months of agony trying to correct matters. “Never give out your Medicare or Social Security numbers over the phone or online,” he pleaded.

            On the topic of record-keeping, Hohengasser promoted the use of a health care journal, a small diary where one can keep track of medications, treatments, and procedures, as well as questions for the doctor and the doctor’s answer. He also pointed to the importance of asking your doctor questions. “Ask the doctor, ‘Do I really need this test or procedure, what are the risks, is there a simpler option, what if I do nothing, what’s the cost.’”

            Reporting of subpar care was another topic touched on by Hohengasser. He told the story of his aunt who was admitted into a rehabilitation facility. She experienced stomach pain that was treated as if it were simple constipation. After two days she called an ambulance to the facility and had herself taken to the emergency room. She was suffering from a serious colon condition. If poor quality care either in the home or in a facility is an issue, the organization to contact is Kepro, a quality-assurance contractor for Medicare reachable at 888-319-8452. You may also contact Medicare’s Senior Medicare Patrol at medicareoutreach.org. A video of Hohengasser’s presentation and two other related videos are available at orctv.org.

            Earlier in the day, the Mattapoisett COA board of directors met. The monthly meeting covered repairs to the COA van in the sum of $1,600 and grants being used to provide more movement classes.

            On the issue of bringing programming back inside for the winter, COA Director Jackie Coucci said, “I don’t know what to say about that at this time.” She said she had discussed the possibility of using the Congregational Church hall, given its spacious interior, but needed to work with the Board of Health and town administrator. Coucci said that pandemic guidelines will most likely restrict the number of participants to any given activity. She also said she personally is not in favor of reopening the spaces used for the COA at Center School yet, saying, “Just because we can doesn’t mean we should.” However, she also asked the board to vote on whether or not she should move forward pursuing that option. The board moved to have Coucci begin those discussions and return to the October meeting with a plan.

            Shirley Haley, board vice chairman, brought the group up-to-date on the recent Master Plan workshops. She said it is important for everyone to complete the online survey in order to give voice to their thoughts and ideas. The survey can be found at mattapoisett.net.

            Coucci said that the COA continues to provide a variety of services from rides to medical appointments and grocery shopping, to podiatrist services, distribution of medical equipment, legal and financial counseling, and friendly caller outreach. “In spite of the closure we are still servicing the community,” she said.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett COA is scheduled for Wednesday, October 7, at 8:30 am. Remote details will be available at mattapoisett.net.

Mattapoisett Council on Aging

By Marilou Newell

Friends of The Mattapoisett Bike Path Are Fundraising

on

The Friends of the Mattapoisett Bike Path (the “Friends”) announced today that they have undertaken a concentrated effort to raise the last funds needed to complete the Marion Connector. 

            The Town of Mattapoisett was recently awarded a $110,000 state MassTrails grant for construction of a section of the bike and pedestrian path between the eastern end of Industrial Park Drive and the Marion Town line, known as the “Marion Connector.” (At the border, it will connect with a similar shared use path to be constructed in the future by the Town of Marion.) While state funding for trail projects has been cut back by necessity, this grant gives us a great opportunity to continue building our community’s shared-use path. Since the Town hopes to combine the Connector project with its Industrial Drive reconstruction project (already funded from federal and Town money), it is looking to private sources to make up the remaining difference.

            The budgeted construction cost for the Marion Connector is $410,000. The Town is authorized to match any non-Town funds dollar for dollar. If the Friends can raise $95,000 in commitments from private sources, the project will be fully funded and can be put out to bid this December with the other planned Industrial Drive improvements. Construction of the Marion Connector could then begin next year and open by the end of 2021.

            The Board of the Friends has taken on this fundraising challenge, already raising more than $50,000 in cash and commitments for this project, so only $45,000 remains to be raised.

            “We are very excited that we are so close to making this piece of the bike path a reality,” said Bonne DeSousa, President of the Friends. “This multi-use path will provide safe, off-road access for runners, walkers, and cyclists, not only to Marion but also to trails leading to the Tinkham Forest, to the Old Rochester Regional High School campus, and to a host of beautiful wooded trails on Sippican Lands Trust Property. When the Marion pathway is built, our “connector” will enable pedestrians and bicyclists to walk, run, or ride from the harbor in Fairhaven to Point Road in Marion on low traffic roads or paved trails away from heavily traveled roadways.”

            The Friends is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization, so contributions to the Friends for the construction of the Marion Connector are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. The  Friends will apply 100% of contributions toward the construction of the Marion Connector. Commitments payable during 2020 or 2021 will count toward meeting the required funding.

            Friends of the Mattapoisett Bike Path, PO Box 1336, Mattapoisett, MA 02739. Contacts: Liz DiCarlo, 508-942-9343, lizdicarlo@comcast.net, and Bill Coquillette, 216-789-2303, william.coquillette@gmail.com.

Eco-Friendly Beaver Much More than Nuisance

on

            Beavers can best be described as Mother Nature’s ecosystem-beneficial engineers, by building dams that benefit both people and wildlife. They work day and night to industriously produce and sustain enriching backwaters of slow-moving ponds and streams for every creature imaginable that breeds life into an otherwise-sterile habitat. They create homes for water-loving birds, mammals, insects, and a variety of warm water fish.

            Slow-moving waters also filter out nitrogen and heavy metal sediments that sink to the bottom, preventing them from spreading downstream. Studies of ecohydrology prove that beaver-dam wetlands thrive with islands of widely distributed vegetation during periods of drought and provide wildlife refuge during dry-season wildfires.

            No other animal has had greater influence on the habitat of North America than the beaver. Subsequently, Native American tribes called it “the sacred center of creation in the land.”

            It was one of the reasons Europeans first colonized the continent for beaver pelts in the late 1600s and 1700s, finding them more valuable than spices originally sought. Subsequently, British and French trappers nearly overhunted, trapped and traded with Indians, almost to extinction. Millions of pelts were shipped to European hat makers for a process called felting, and stretched over frames to dorm top hats.   The meat from the tails was salted down in wooden barrels and sent to England to be eaten, while they were classified as fish for tax purposes in customs records. Pelts became so valuable Britain and France fought wars to control the fur trade.

            Beavers were once hunted for their castoreum, which was used in perfume and folk medicines, as well as for their meat and pelts.

            Legal protection and resupplying efforts worldwide began in the early 20th century, and today because of conservation efforts beavers now number about 15,000,000 in America.

            Long ago in mythology of the Delaware and Wyandot, they were thought to possess artistic, cultural, and almost supernatural powers as one of the creators of the natural world. But in modern, rural, and urban environments it is often a considered nuisance for damming and flooding drainage systems and low-lying property as well as basements of houses. Although there is still some trapping for pelts worth several hundred dollars in Buzzards Bay backwaters, to help effected landowners a special permit must be purchased in advance.

            There have evolved many non-lethal methods of beaver control with the clash of wildlife renewal and modern living. As the cambial layer between a tree’s bark and inner wood is a mainstay of a beaver’s diet, they have four sharp incisors and 16 other teeth for grinding and chewing for digestion.

            Landowners may wrap fencing or metal barriers around tree trunks or apply a compound called thiram that gives off a strong odor to irritate a beaver’s nose. If they clog culverts in ditches, mesh cages at culvert openings, or running a pipe through the dam to control water flow can be costly and difficult. Whenever possible, wildlife managers prefer to assist landowners in relocating beavers to more suitable habitats.

            Understanding beavers’ place in the global system and respecting their instinct to engineer and construct dams is necessary if we are to successfully share the world and its water with these inventive creatures.

By George B. Emmons

Selectmen Chew on Potential Source of Additional Revenue

on

            Exploring new ways to create revenue for the town is one of Mattapoisett’s new town administrator’s goals. On September 8 during the regular meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen, Mike Lorenco demonstrated one way that new revenue sources could be secured: a local meals tax. The quest for ways to increase revenue while leveling or decreasing property tax burden has begun.

            Lorenco calculated that over the course of the last several years the town could have collected annually between $80,000 and $90,000 of income through a .75 percent meals tax. In 2020, that sum could have been as much as $94,172. He said that at his prior post in Eastham, where he held the position of assistant town administrator, that that community had joined the ranks of nearly every other community in the commonwealth that generate local revenue in this manner. He said he wanted to open the discussion up with residents and local businesses, but Selectman Paul Silva commented, “That’s a significant sum of money. I think it’s a decision we should make and let it go to town meeting.”

            Selectman Jordan Collyer said he sees the local meals tax throughout his professional travels and was in favor of pursuing it, as was Selectmen John DeCosta.

            Staying on the theme of money, Lorenco said that additional monies will be coming to the town from the Plymouth County-administrated CARES Act funding to reimburse non-budgeted, COVID-19 expenses and to aid Old Rochester Regional and Old Colony Regional Vocational-Technical high schools with masks and hand sanitizers. He said that the state has calculated a $225 allowance per student. While the town is scheduled to receive another $279,000 for unplanned emergency expenses, Lorenco said the program is set to expire in December and that the greater needs of other communities may impact what Mattapoisett may receive.

            Lorenco also brought the board up to date on construction around the police station and location of the new fire station. He said that Hubbard’s Way will be closed on September 11. Entrance to the police station will be through Church Street, as drainage systems for the police station site and construction of the fire station proceed.

            Rounding out his updates, Lorenco said that Freetown has expressed an interest in sending students to Old Colony Regional Vocational-Technical High School. He said a public meeting would be held on Wednesday, September 23, at 6:00 pm to discuss what he felt was, “exciting news.”

            Town Hall hours of operations were also discussed as the selectmen sought to have expanded evening business hours balanced by a day of early closure. Silva said, “Residents are our customers.” He said that, while employee concerns need to be weighed, the needs of the community are important. “We can find a good balance.”

            Lorenco said residents can make their voices heard on the town’s Facebook page as well as its website.

            Further discussion on the merging of the Shellfish and Harbormaster departments was tabled, as well as appointments to functional areas therein until such time as the selectmen can meet in Executive Session.

            Earlier in the evening, the selectmen appointed a number of existing employees and volunteers to various boards and committees. A full list of those positions can be found at mattapoisett.net. School committee appointments were tabled until members of the school committee could be present as well as the town moderator. Up for the four vacant slots are John Jacobsen, Van Cantor, Mike Rosa, and Mike Dahill.

            Mattapoisett will honor its newest and soon-to-be retirees at a brief ceremony planned for September 22 at 4:00 pm at the gazebo in Shipyard Park. While large gatherings are not encouraged, it was decided that holding a brief ceremony at the outdoor venue will allow for adequate social distancing.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen is scheduled for Tuesday, September 22, at 6:30 pm via Zoom.