Town Looks Back and Ahead

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            Board of Selectmen Chairman Paul Ciaburri recognizes the need for the Town of Rochester to modernize so it can preserve its past.

            Ciaburri, whose term expires in 2021, was voted during the board’s September 21 hybrid meeting as the Selectmen’s representative to the MBTA Advisory Board. He is also in his 33rd year as Emergency Management director for the town and suggested a process to replace him begin. He has never been paid but has always volunteered to handle the job. “I’m no spring chicken,” he said.

            Town Counsel Blair Bailey said that the job is absorbed in many towns by the fire or police chief. Vice Chairman Brad Morse asked Ciaburri to write down a description of the job and said, “It should absolutely be tied to another (job).”

            Town Administrator Suzanne Szyndlar noted that the contract of Police Chief Robert Small will expire in June 2021.

            One of Ciaburri’s concerns moving forward is the preservation of archives and documents and said he would like to see the town put $3,500 “back to into putting our ancient documents into these books so they won’t get lost… Some of the old ones are deteriorating and eventually we’re not going to have them.”

            Bailey noted that in New Bedford the clerk’s office does both, making a digitized copy searchable online and also a safe hard-copy archive funded by grant money. Ciaburri suggests Rochester can archive “a little at a time and keep doing it until we’re caught up.”

            Both Morse and Selectman Woody Hartley said that documents at the Annex building are not archived, and all boards contribute to the challenge.

            “It’s come to a head with another problem… we’re slowly losing our institutional memory (people) so documents become more important,” said Bailey.

            The Board of Selectmen addressed its goals as part of Monday’s agenda.

            Hartley was pleased to note the professional codification of Rochester’s bylaws with an outside consultant. Bailey said that the zoning bylaws should be online soon. Hartley also hopes for a preliminary planning meeting on public safety. Morse agreed, and stressed the need to continue building up stabilization funds “so we’re ready for dealing with these things like COVID and who knows what else.”

            Szyndlar reiterated the need to put some seed money in the town’s stabilization fund.

            “We’re financing our own town, that’s a good thing,” said Hartley. “Better to do it this way,” agreed Morse. “Continue to set policy to meet the needs of the taxpayers, that’s our job as selectmen.”

            Bailey cited the completion of the codification “so we know where we are with the bylaws” and discussed buildings, planning ahead for the Annex, and for fire and police. “Looking further down the road, we know we need a fire station,” he said.

            Ciaburri reported that Rochester received a $2,700 grant from Mass. Emergency, an increase from $2,400 last year. The town is using the money to purchase a 6×10-foot box trailer to use for a dispensing site, be it a vaccine in a drive-through program. Ciaburri said the trailer will free up storage space at the Senior Center. A contract is due October 30.

            In her Town Administrator’s Report, Szyndlar told the Board of Selectmen that Rochester is in Phase 4 of the CARES Act, the state reimbursement program for non-budgeted, pandemic-related expenditures. The Phase 4 reporting deadline was extended from October 1 to October 30.

            “Schools are just getting open, there’s still a lot that needs to be done,” said Szyndlar, who referenced a new form that tells what towns can expect by October 30 and also by December 30. It is designed so that the state can reallocate CARES Act funds to more needy municipalities as necessary. The recovery process for any town is not on overnight delivery.

            “I submitted for reimbursement in July, have not received it yet,” reported Szyndlar. She said the state had received 75 percent of its reports, has covered approximately 30 percent of them and has hired extra staff to help expedite the process. “It’s tedious… they question everything,” said Szyndlar, who was happy to note that the state responded positively Rochester answers. “They said everything’s good… Hopefully, we’ll get out first round (of reimbursements) soon.”

            Rochester’s free cash coffers are certified normally around $1,100,000 or $1,200,000 and approximately $500,000 is put back into the town’s operating budget. This year Rochester is receiving $1,687,000. Szyndlar called the amount “a one-shot deal, not a pattern,” saying that free cash should be used to improve the town’s stabilization fund or for capital items not covered by the budget. “If we go to build a fire station, we’ll be in good shape with that bond rating,” she said.

            Individual departments met their deadline last week to submit articles for the warrant for the Special Town Meeting scheduled for Monday, November 16. According to Szyndlar, there was little in the way of the draft. requests, including three from the Highway Department.

            Szyndlar plans to meet with the Capital Planning Committee for its review of the departments’ first request. The Finance Committee will also review the first request.

            On Monday, October 19, department heads will meet, the week following the town will post notice of the Special Town Meeting, and the Board of Selectmen will sign the warrant on October 19. “So (until then) we only have one (Board of Selectmen) meeting (Monday, October 6)… the timeclock is ticking,” said Szyndlar.

            Szyndlar reported a pandemic-related delay with the state’s Department of Public Utilities where it concerns Rochester’s municipal aggregation plan that achieves lower electricity rates for the residents. The town sent letters to the DPU as well as the state Representative William Strauss and state Senator Michael Rodrigues, and both responded. The plan, originally scheduled for April 28, needs DPU approval. Szyndlar said the state anticipates holding public hearings in the fall.

            Rochester has signed off on Right of Entry for repairs and upgrades that the Massachusetts Department of Transportation needs to perform on land owned in common by the tri-towns aka the “Herring Run Project” at the corner of River Road and Fairhaven Road in Mattapoisett.

            Bailey explained that the parcel is a piece of land that belonged to Fairhaven, located off of Route 6 at a bridge near the end of Mattapoisett’s annual boat race. Fairhaven is no longer using the land, and Szyndlar was authorized by the selectmen to sign on behalf of Rochester for the sidewalk work that the DOT needs to do there.

            Except for Morse, who abstained due to conflict, the selectmen signed the Connet Woods road acceptance.

            The SEMASS Resource Recovery Facility (waste to energy) pilot payment to host town Rochester for August 2020 was $313,589.

            The Rochester Democratic Committee’s request for the appointment of nine poll workers was approved.

            The Park and Recreation Department’s Revolving Fund requested $10,000 to supplement its budget, primarily for irrigation.

            In other business, Hartley addressed “tree trimming going on all over town” and said residents have questions as to whether the wood on their properties will be retrieved. Bailey said the work is being done by contractors for electric utilities and suggested calls to Eversource.

            Hartley also said he was happy to see kids back in school, calling the 2020-21 year “much better organized.” Bailey noted the coordination with Fire and Police improving traffic patterns.

            The next meeting of the Board of Selectmen is scheduled for Monday, October 6.

Rochester Board of Selectmen

By Mick Colageo

In Her Own Words – My Life During the War

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            Josephine “Jo” Pannell by anyone’s reckoning was a force of nature. Her seemingly tireless volunteerism which lasted for decades marked her as a “go-to” person in Mattapoisett when something needed doing. From the Girl Scouts to the elderly, from supporting the library to cherishing and preserving the town’s history, Jo was a woman for all seasons.

            Jo’s good works were honored in many ways during her lifetime, not the least of which was receiving the 2016 Standard-Times Woman of the Year Award. At that time Council on Aging board member Liz Field said Jo’s efforts were instrumental in the town’s purchase of a wheelchair-accessible van.

            But long before Jo came to Mattapoisett (1974) and long before she could focus 100 percent of her many talents and endless energy supporting various organizations and town boards, she was a daughter, a child living in England during WWII. Her memories of those years formed a narrative that she shared for decades with family and friends and then expanded to giving presentations at her children’s and grandchildren’s classroom “show-and-tell” and other venues. With her strong British accent, she charmed her audiences young and old alike.

            One of the many things Jo left behind when she passed away in May at age 92 was a memoir of how she and her family lived through the bombing of London and surrounding areas during World War II. She speaks with the voice of someone who survived terrifying events, yet with the tone of a young child. It is through that child’s lens that we see a world turned upside down by war. We also hear from one sentence to the next that very British sentiment, “Stay calm and carry on.” Carry on she did. These are her words. No doubt she’d be delighted to know her story is being told once again.

            “I grew up in the Borough of Romford in the County of Essex (b. December 1927). Essex is the county east of London that had a populations of about 50,000.” She describes a bucolic environment rich with fresh fruits, vegetables, and livestock. Market day was an event full of the sounds of clucking poultry and squealing pigs, layered with flowers and produce. The family lived in a semi-detached home near the town’s center. In that home were her mother, father, sister, and two brothers. Jo was the eldest.

            “My first realization of what a war might mean was early in 1939 when the government delivered Anderson Shelters in sections of corrugated iron to each house on my street. A big hole had to be dug, cement poured for the floor and the molded sheets of corrugate iron assembled to form a rounded shelter 6 feet by 6 feet; steps and a passageway were cut down to the narrow doorway. The earth from the hole was then shoveled on top and the entrance was shielded by bags filled with earth. All of this was accomplished by neighbor helping neighbor over the summer of 1939. All the men dug and shoveled from one end of the street to the other. The shelters were placed at the bottom of the gardens as far away from the houses as possible. Our shelter housed six bunks in two tiers along the sides and back.”

            “Next came the gas masks. We had to go to town hall and be fitted. This was scary to a child. Not that we worried or knew anything about gas, but the gas mask was awkward to get on, had to be pulled from the back until it was tight around our face, had a horrible smell of rubber. It was difficult to breathe in, the visor got steamed up so you couldn’t see out… their importance was impressed upon us.”

            “The evacuation of the children from London started at the end of August (1939)… towns and villages in the country were assigned to a district and children went to live with people who had volunteered to look after them in their homes.”

            Jo wrote,“…we lived quite close to the coast from which Germany would send aircraft. We were shepherded onto the underground and then a train at Paddington Station. The train stopped in Windsor. I still remember the wonderment of looking up the hill from the train station and seeing the fairytale turrets of Windsor Castle.” The family was split up with Jo, her sister, and mother staying in one home and her two brothers in another.

            “On Sunday, September 3, 1939, at noon we were called into the sitting room to listen to the Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, on the radio as he declared war on Germany. The air-raid sirens went off … nobody was sure what was happening, for all we knew the Germans were overhead in planes. The people with whom we were staying suggested that everyone put on their gas masks. There we stood for about quarter of an hour until the all-clear was sounded.” Here she stops and reflects upon the adults in the room: “It seems amusing to me now, but it must have been so hard for adults, with the added responsibility of strange young children, to know what was happening and what to do.” That was the only time she ever donned the gas mask, she explained.

            “Life for a child carried on as usual… Windsor is a beautiful town with the castle, parks alongside the serene River Thames. The Royal Family have a home there. One day I saw the King and Queen while I played in the park.”

            The family returned home, however, given that “…there seemed to be a hiatus as regards any kind of bombing activity. My Mother decided early in December of 1939 that it was safe to go home to be with Father.”

            Food rationing began in early 1940, she wrote, including candy, “…to a child that was when war really hit.” She goes on to talk about her mother’s struggles in feeding four children adequately. “It must have been hard on the mothers who worried whether their children were getting enough nutritious food … for those mothers it must have been a nightmare.” There would ensue nine years of food rationing. But nearly everything else that constituted living a good life was also rationed including clothing and shoes. “This was quite a hardship on growing girls who wanted to be in fashion with the movie stars.”

            Summer of 1940, all hell broke loose as the Battle of Britain began. “We’d lay in the grass watching the dog fights, counting the hits and seeing parachutes fluttering down. Once the bombing had started the whole family slept in the shelter. As the nights got darker and colder, we children would be on our bunks by 5 pm.”

            “October 10, 1940, our house was bombed. The bomb went into the ground in front of our house on an angle and blew up the whole insides. From the garden, the back of the house looked perfectly normal. As neighbors came to the shelter with the bad news, I remember my mother calmly saying, ‘That’s all right, now we can buy some new furniture.’” Jo said this conveyed to her and her siblings that everything was going to be alright if a little exciting at the moment. The family moved across the street to an uncle’s home where the children slept under the stairs in a cupboard. The uncle’s house would be bombed soon thereafter.

            “Life went on. I don’t feel that I missed out on any normal growing-up activities. We went to the movies often, played tennis with Dad, I was a Girl Guard, hiked, picnicked, visited relatives, and as I got older went dancing and to plays and concerts in London.”

            “June 1944 Hitler launched the V-1 (rocket) against the south of England. By this time I was old enough to be scared.” She recalled walking the busy streets of London with its hustle and bustle, “when a ‘doodle-bug’ (V-1) engine cut out overhead and it was as though every noise had ceased… like somebody breaking something in a crowded room… everyone took cover.” Jo dove into the nearest building pressed to the floor hands overhead. “The attacks were so frequent and horrendous that by July children were again being evacuated from London.”

            V-2 rockets came next but those attacks were short-lived, she reported, but not before commenting that, “one either forgot about them till they hit or you became a basket case worrying about them.” However, the Germans were by then in retreat.

            She recalled it all, Germans strafing civilians, Churchill’s speeches, recovering items from the family’s destroyed home, jitterbugging with the Yanks in Covent Garden Opera House, and especially poignant and delightful is the following recollection, “I was one of those young teens sitting on Queen Victoria’s Monument outside Buckingham Palace on May 13, 1945, chanting ‘We want the King’ who did appear many times on the balcony with the Royal Family.”

            Jo ends her memoir this way: “On a very positive personal note, I feel that our family and many others in Britain developed an amazing closeness to each other because of the time we were forced to spend together. Communication was open and love and concern for each other was paramount. I never remember my Mother and Father leaving us in the evening, their job was to protect their young and they did a wonderful job for which I shall ever be grateful.”

            Josephine Pannell’s memorial Mass will be held on Monday, September 26, at 11:00 am at St. Anthony’s Church, 22 Barstow Street, Mattapoisett.

By Josephine Pannell

Contributing Correspondent Marilou Newell

SWC to Visit Highfield Hall and Gardens

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On Friday, October 9, the Sippican Woman’s Club will visit Highfield Hall and Gardens.  Weather permitting, there will be two walking tours – one of the mansion and one of the gardens. Docent Sally Colacicco will lead a walking tour of the restored 1878 estate of the Beebe family. The Mansion is one of the few remaining examples of Stick-style Queen Anne architecture in the Northeast. A separate tour, led by George Chapman, Director of Landscape will lead a tour of the property’s two magnificent gardens which underwent restoration from 2011 to 2013. We will split into two groups and each group will have an opportunity to see the gardens as well as the mansion’s exterior.

            This visit will be canceled in case of inclement weather. Lunch will be a “bag” lunch provided by Shipyard Galley. There are garden benches or chairs on the porch, or you may bring a beach towel on which to sit to safely spread out. RSVP is required. For information on transportation and lunch choices, please go to the website www.sippicanwomansclub.org 

From the Files of the Rochester Historical Society

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As summer winds down and we savor the last delicious ears of fresh corn on the cob, it’s a good time to look back at the history of the fields where some of our local corn is grown and that of the roads that border them. Vaughan Hill Rd. has had a continuous history of working farms. As long ago as 1754, maps show Henry Vaughan with a farm on the corner of Mendel Road and what would become Hartley Road. In the 1800s, there is mention of Jonathan, Henry, Daniel, and David Vaughan all owning land on both sides of what is now Vaughan Hill Road.

            In the 1850s, a 100-acre farm there was owned by Charles Blackmere and over the ensuing years, the land had many owners, some of them lawyers who leased out the farm. From 1926 to 1933, it was called Jenney Farm after the lawyer who owned it. The land went on to be farmed by George Knight, Walter Reynolds and in 1951, it was purchased by Raymond White of Acushnet who installed Manny Lima to live on and work the farm which had about 50 cows.

            Vaughan Hill Road, along with Rounseville Road and Bowen’s Lane, form a triangle of fields where Cervelli’s grow corn today. These fields at one time belonged to L.C. Humphrey. L.C. was born into a Rochester farm family in 1864. In addition to owning a 200-acre farm with chickens, sheep, and cows, he was also the town assessor for 33 years. Like Abraham Holmes, L.C. Humphrey left us his memoirs which report on all aspects of Rochester life.

            In 1952, Humphrey sold his property to Raymond White (White’s Dairy) which he added to his other acreage on Vaughan Hill. He used Humphrey’s land to grow corn to feed his many cows spread throughout the area towns. Fortunately for us, the corn grown there today is for people to eat rather than for cows.

By Connie Eshbach

Timothy J. Watterson

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Timothy J. Watterson, 63, of Mattapoisett died September 22, 2020 unexpectedly at home.

            He was the husband of Cathleen J. Dupont.

            Born in Newport, RI, son of the late Frederick J. and Mary C. (Dudley) Watterson, he lived in Newport until 1987 and then moving to Mattapoisett in 1991.

            He was formerly employed by Liberty Mutual as a financial auditor for 40 years until his retirement last year.

            He was a graduate of the University of Rhode Island.

            Mr. Watterson enjoyed running, walking his dog Archie and tutoring GED students.

            Survivors include his wife; his daughter, Paige Watterson of Mattapoisett; 3 brothers, David Watterson and his wife Lynn of Warwick, RI, Paul Watterson and his wife Barbara of Sarasota, FL and Robert Watterson and his wife Mary of Newport, RI; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

            His funeral will be held on Monday, September 28th at 9 am from the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Road, Route 6, Mattapoisett, followed by his Funeral Mass at St. Anthony’s Church at 10 am. Burial will follow in St. Columba’s Cemetery in Middletown, RI. Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, September 27th from 2-5 pm. 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. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Michael Jon Eldridge

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Michael Jon Eldridge, of Rochester, MA; 36 years old passed away unexpectedly on September 8, 2020.  Michael will be missed dearly by his beloved family and friends. Michael had such a great sense of humor that touched so many lives. He had a huge heart; and would kindly offer it to those that were less fortunate than he, in so many different ways. His true sense of gratitude was beyond what anyone might expect from him. He always went out of his way to thank anyone for even the smallest, kind gesture.

            Michael had a very kind, and gentle side to him. He was a sensitive and humble soul. Michael was truly liked, by many people. He had the most genuine smile that was so perfect, that it made people smile themselves.

            Michael was very hardworking. He has worked in the trades for several landscaping companies, as well as painting, masonry, sheet rocking, foundations, flooring, and carpeting over his years of employment. He at times could produce the work of two, maybe 3 people. Michael was a vey helpful person to many people, including his family.

            Michael lived for the great outdoors. He was in his element no matter what season it was outside; he spent countless hours outside, no matter if it was, Spring, Summer, Winter, or Fall. He loved to work, and play in the snow, rain, sunshine, as well as in storms. He enjoyed, all that it takes to maintain a yard like shoveling, raking, mowing, and making fires to burn the brush; and with all that it takes to keep up a yard. Work was like play to him in this realm. Michael was a very adventurous person. He loved to camp, and ski, bike, and hike.

            Michael had a true love of music. He really loved many different genres. Music was often, his saving grace. It spoke to his heart and soul.

            Michael left behind his beloved daughters, Ava Mae Laplante, 9 years old of Rochester, MA. Kiera May Eldridge, 5 years old of Rochester, MA. He held them so dear to his heart. He took the time to engage with them whenever they were together with him. His beloved parents; He also leaves behind his Mother, Ann Janet (DeSorcy) Eldridge of Rochester, MA and his Father, David Eldridge of Rochester MA. His younger Sister, Sarah Ann Eldridge of Rochester, MA. His Maternal Grandparents, Elaine (Caron) DeSorcy, and Joseph DeSorcy both of Marion, MA. His late Paternal Grandparents formerly of Mattapoisett; Frederick Eldridge, and Myrtle (Johnson) Eldridge. His late uncle, Roy Eldridge also of Mattapoisett. On both sides of the family he is survived by several Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Nieces, and Nephews.

            Michael had a private service on September 19, 2020 surrounded by family, and friends, in the yard in which he worked so hard to keep beautiful.

            In Michael’s final days he wrote a post on Facebook that we would like to share with the world. It is dated July 13, 2020 at 2:02am.

            I apologize to everyone for not doing better. Everyone that has ever met me knows that I am a good person. I have an addiction problem. It’s held me down and back the majority of my life.; making choices that are not in my best interest. I am running out of the most precious commodity known to man, and beast. Can you guess what it is? It’s time; at 36 years old I feel I have wasted too much time here on earth. I feel sad, and lonely. It’s only because of the good family, that is loving, caring, and forgiving that I have made it this far. If I have hurt you, or disappointed you along the way; know that it wasn’t me, it was a chemical calling the shots. Be careful my friend’s; if you are reading this please pray for me.

            May God Bless you Michael, and May You Rest In Peace.

Planning Board Discusses Master Plan Committee

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            The discussion of what is happening at this point in time regarding the development of Mattapoisett’s new Master Plan sounded, at times, like the famous Abbott and Costello routine, “Who’s on first… what’s on second…” during the September 21 meeting of the town’s Planning Board. But there were also expressions of concern that the creation of a town-wide committee charged with developing a strategy for the Master Plan was being taken over by the Town Administrator Mike Lorenco.

            Chairman Tom Tucker asked board members Janice Robbins and Nathan Ketchel and board administrator Mary Crain how the Master Plan workshops hosted by the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD) several weeks ago had gone. While the trio said the workshops were helpful and produced some suggestions and ideas, there seemed to be a desire to keep things unchanged in Mattapoisett.

            But when the board got around to discussion of a committee to continue the development work, some board members questioned the involvement of the town administrator.

            Robbins pressed Crain on the list of people who had previously expressed interest in participating in the process, a list that Crain gathered at the beginning of the year. Robbins asked several times what became of those interested parties and who, in fact, is selecting committee members.

            “I’m having an issue on the way this committee is being put together,” Robbins stated. “The Planning Board should put the committee together by state statute… we’ve got to get this thing going.”

            Crain confirmed that delays in pulling a Master Plan committee together had slowed the process down, not the least of which was the emergence of COVID-19. She said that Lorenco had wanted to add a couple of names to the list, but to date she had not heard anything more from him.

            Tucker asked, “Were those people kicked to the curb?… How come we aren’t having more input on the committee members?” he wondered aloud.

            Robbins said again, “I’m having an issue… sounds like he (Lorenco) is taking it over.”

            “Thank you, Janice, my thoughts exactly,” responded Tucker.

            Tucker offered the idea of having subcommittees within this yet-to-be-created Master Plan committee, with chairmen on each. The subcommittee chairmen would then come together to share the work of each group. Tucker said this type of committee work had been successful at his place of employment. Master Plan subgroups would consider such matters as affordable housing, infrastructure, cultural assets, and economic development.

            Crain was asked to share the list of interested residents with the board members for their review and to follow-up with Lorenco to ascertain the status of his suggestions.

            During the workshops hosted by SRPEDD, coordinator Grant King had indicated that a Master Plan takes as long as two years to complete and he anticipated that to be the case for Mattapoisett. Crain was asked to also follow-up with King for next-step guidance.

            In a follow-up with Lorenco, the town administrator said that he was simply, “offering my assistance, nothing more.” He said, regarding the appointment of committee members, that recommendations would come from the Planning Board and that the Board of Selectmen would appointment the final candidates. Lorenco did say that he suggested no more than two Planning Board members be on the Master Plan Committee.

            Other matters handled by the Planning Board included a Form B Preliminary Subdivision Plan filed by Stephen Randon for property located off Route 6 near Randall Road. Representing the applicant was Bill Madden of G.A.F. Engineers, who outlined the one-lot subdivision being proposed.

            Madden said the lot in question would require waivers, nearly all that could be sought in order to access the three-acre, buildable parcel situated in and around a working cranberry bog. Madden said of the roadway rule he would be seeking a waiver from the 50-foot width requirement of pervious materials to a 40-foot entrance of crushed stone.

            Madden asked if the Planning Board would grant a site-plan review, which would avert the need to seek a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals. The request was granted. Madden will return for plan review in approximately a month.

            Also reviewed for a second time was the continuation of an informal discussion regarding driveway access off Long Plain Road to a solar-array site located in Acushnet. Representing the owners was Rick Ricco of Field Engineering, who said he had spoken with the fire departments in Acushnet and in Mattapoisett to assure access meets with both towns’ emergency requirements.

            Crain reported that Jonathan Silverstein of KP Law, the town’s counselor, noted that the Planning Board has no jurisdictional oversight in this matter.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board is scheduled for Monday, October 5, at 7:00 pm via remote access.

Mattapoisett Planning Board

By Marilou Newell

New Young Artist Program at The Mac

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To support young artists in our community, the Marion Art Center has created a new Young Artist program in collaboration with local high schools. The MAC developed the YA program with input and advice from community arts educators with the goal of encouraging student artists and offering them resources for creating and exhibiting their art.

            The MAC’s YA program features: A continuing online student art exhibit on the MAC website, currently “Finding and Creating Culture in a Cup” by Old Rochester Regional High School students and “The Distance Experience” by Tabor Academy students; rotating student artworks on display at the MAC in a dedicated location on-site; a student art exhibit in the MAC galleries in early 2021; free time for student artists to work in the MAC studio; a mentor program that pairs professional artists with young artists, offering connection and perspective not only about creating art, but also about what It means to work as an artist; Emerging Artist Labs, hands-on workshops on topics such as installing an exhibit; small group tours of MAC exhibits led by our executive director and/or exhibiting artists; a MAC student membership for students ages 14-22 with full MAC member benefits at the discounted price of $25.

            According to Jennifer Wolfe Webb, president of the MAC Board of Directors, “Our YA program is a way to offer student artists an expanded community of support during the pandemic and beyond it. We hope to make a meaningful difference in the trajectories of young artists.” The response from local arts educators has been an enthusiastic thumbs up. Joanne Mogilnicki, an educator at Old Rochester Regional High School, commented “I am so very excited that we have started this collaboration… What a fantastic opportunity for our young artists.” 

            The MAC YA program will be ramping up this fall as students return to school, and some aspects of the program are already underway, announced MAC Executive Director, Jodi Stevens: “I’m currently communicating with a new MAC student member so that he can schedule MAC Studio time. He hopes to work on building his art portfolio for his college applications.”

            For more information about the Young Artist program at the MAC, visit our website at marionartcenter.org/yap. The Marion Art Center is located at 80 Pleasant Street in Marion, MA. Hours and directions can be found online at marionartcenter.org. Contact the MAC by calling 508-748-1266 or by emailing info@marionartcenter.org.

            More about the Marion Art Center: The Marion Art Center (the MAC) is a dynamic non-profit organization offering a broad range of cultural experiences both in our historic building and across the tri-town area. Our mission is to enrich the SouthCoast community by supporting and promoting a vibrant arts experience for all. The Marion Art Center is housed in a restored 1830 Universalist Church on the corner of Main and Pleasant Streets in Marion. There are two light-filled galleries, a beautifully refurbished theater that seats approximately 70, and a large studio workshop space. We recently expanded our footprint to include adjacent outdoor space with a patio. MAC programs include art exhibits, theater, music concerts, classes and workshops for children and adults, and a number of special events.  During the COVID-19 pandemic, we developed “The Virtual MAC” to serve our community. 

Upcoming programs for Plumb Library

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Register now for Plumb Library’s virtual storytimes. The fall session will begin the week of October 5 and end the week of November 16. The days/times will likely be: babies and toddlers ages 9 – 24 months, Tuesdays at 10:30 AM; preschoolers ages 3-5, Wednesday at 10:30 am or Thursdays at 1:30 pm; twos and threes, Fridays at 10:30 am. However, a modified schedule will be offered if there is not enough interest in four different classes. Please register on the Event Calendar on the library’s website www.plumblibrary.com as soon as possible so the class schedule can be finalized. Registration is REQUIRED for the session, but you do not have to attend every class. Please do not register if you feel you can not attend somewhat regularly. The classes are the most fun for all when we have several families attending! Once the class schedule is confirmed, you will receive a private Zoom Meeting Invitation Link which you can use for your weekly class. If you have any questions, please call the library at 508-763-8600 or email info@plumblibrary.com

            Take a fun and enlightening journey through Boston Red Sox history with Martin Gitlin, the author of the Ultimate Boston Red Sox Time Machine Book. This presentation features videos and photographs of the greatest and most fascinating players, teams, events, and moments in franchise history. The program also includes trivia questions for patrons to ponder and covers Sox history from the Royal Rooters, who launched Red Sox Nation, all the way to the four World Series championships and beyond. It will conclude with a question-and-answer period. Author Martin Gitlin will have autographed and personalized copies of his book available online following the program. The program will take place via Zoom on Thursday, October 1 at 6:30 pm. This program is best for ages 7 and up.  Register on the Event Calendar and the link will be sent to you in your confirmation email.  Please call or email if you have any questions.

            The library has returned to their regular hours for curbside pickup or book returns in the book drop.  The hours are: Monday and Thursdays, 1:00 to 8:00, Tuesdays and Wednesdays 10:00 to 6:00, Fridays 10:00 to 5:00, and Saturdays 10:00 to 2:00. The book drop is open while the library is staffed. 

            Calling all crafters, makers, artists, and bakers! You have to check out our newest eResource, Creativebug. Creativebug has thousands of award-winning art and craft video classes taught by recognized design experts and artists for creators of all skill levels. You can find projects for every occasion, nurture your creative soul by learning new skills and practice your craft every day. Plus, Creativebug offers free templates, recipes, and patterns and even has classes for kids—it truly is screen time you can feel good about!  Available to Rochester-based library cards that start with the numbers 23548. Find it on our website under the Online Services tab.

SRPEDD to Help Assess Town’s Needs

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The Marion Affordable Housing Trust voted to support two financial requests during its September 15 meeting at the Music Hall.

            In the first request, the Trust asked the Community Preservation Committee for $45,000 in 2015 and needed to do so again in 2020 to fund a feasibility study approved at Town Meeting and meant to identify possibilities and fund further investigation into affordable housing, assisted living, and elderly housing.

            Chairperson Casey L. Cole-Vieira and coordinator Terri Santos had met with Town Administrator Jay McGrail on the matter. Santos said Marion is consulting with Barrett Planning Group LLC in Plymouth. Barrett has worked with local builder Ken Steen.

            At the cost of $8,000, the second is a request being made to the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD) to assist the town in updating its Housing Production Plan. SRPEDD will compile and analyze data in order to inform the Housing Production Plan of its Housing Needs Assessment.

            The meeting started with a reorganization of the committee. Casey L. Cole-Vieira remains chairperson, and member Ethan Gerber was voted to become the new vice-chairman. Gerber will also represent the Trust on the Community Preservation Committee. According to Norm Hills, CPC meetings are expected to start after the new year.

            The Trust may soon gain a sixth voting member, as Minhtram Tran has submitted an application that Cole-Vieira supported and will soon go to the vote of the Marion Board of Selectmen. Seven members is the maximum allowed to serve on the Trust. Hills is an ex-officio member and therefore does not count against that number.

            The next meeting of the Marion Affordable Housing Trust is scheduled for Tuesday, October 13, at the Music Hall.

Marion Affordable Housing Trust

By Mick Colageo