Events for Kids and Families during ArtWeek

on

The Marion Art Center (MAC) hosts ArtWeek 2019 with several FREE events for kids and families. Come to the MAC on Saturday, April 27, 10:00 am – 11:30 am for the Process Art Party: Found Object Instruments with instructor Benares Angeley from Children’s Art Lab in Mattapoisett. In this instrument-making workshop, we’ll use recyclable materials to create working instruments along with festive masks and banners. At the end of class, there will be a joyful parade around the MAC! Benares is an enthusiastic “artistic guide” for kids, giving them the tools and space to explore the creative process. 

            Later in the day on Saturday, April 27, from 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm, there will be Irish Step Dancing hosted by O’Riley Irish Dance (OID) on the MAC Stage. Join us for an afternoon of traditional performance and participatory dancing with live music! OID is a non-competitive program for kids and teens and is located in Boston. They will perform a selection of dances from their show “In Harmony,” plus some new pieces. After the performance, the audience will be invited up for a family ceili! All dances will be easy, inclusive, and taught for kids and families to enjoy. 

            The Council on Aging will co-host the Seniors & Children: Create & Connect workshop at The Benjamin D. Cushing Community Center, 465 Mill Street in Marion (just up the street from the MAC) on Saturday, May 4, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. Instructor Barbara Greenspan will guide the group in making this unique project using a small wooden tray, modge-podge, tissue, and decorative papers. These trays can be for personal use or given as a gift. This is an easy and creative way for seniors and children to connect in a relaxed and friendly environment! 

            To wrap up ArtWeek, the MAC will offer a day of fun for all ages – it’s the MAC Sidewalk “Sale-abration” on Sunday, May 5, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm. Shop the treasures unearthed while cleaning out the MAC from attic to basement – and participate in a community art project led by artist Tracy Silva Barbosa. Using water-based chalk paint, we’ll decorate the surface of Main Street in front of the MAC with designs based on the famous blue and white tiles known as “Azulejos” in Portugal. Adults and children are welcome to participate. There will also be a food truck, face-painting, a balloon artist, and bargains galore on everything from theater props to art supplies. Note: The Azulejos street painting with Tracy Silva Barbosa will take place from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm. Balloon art is scheduled from 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm, and face painting will occur between 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm.

            All of these events are free! Please note that registration is required for all events except the “sale-abration.” Children must be accompanied by an adult for all activities – bring the entire family! Register online at www.marionartcenter.org/artweek.

Machacam Club Meeting

on

The Machacam Club will hold its’ May meeting on Wednesday, May 1. The meeting will be held at the 3 Depot Street Legion Hall. Social time begins at 5:30 pm with dinner beginning at 6:00 pm. Our own Chef Colby is offering a diner style meat loaf dinner. Our guest speaker is member Dick Langhoff: his presentation – “What’s out there – the unimaginable magnitude of the Universe” – is sure to be enlightening and fun. We promise a filling and delicious meal and an informative meeting.

            Callers please report your lists by noon Monday, April 29 to 508-758-1326 or cwmccullough@comcast.net.

Sippican Historical Society

on

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

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

            This installment features 12 Main Street. Built in 1820 by a member of the Blankinship family, the home at 12 Main Street represents a small, shingled ten-footer common in the early 19th century. At the turn of the century, Richard Harding Davis, the famous war correspondent, rented this home and used it as a club (the Fin de Siecle Club), where some of the men in town could meet.

Alzheimer’s Advocacy

on

To the Editor:

            Recently I had the honor of attending my 6th Alzheimer’s Advocacy Forum in Washington, DC. There were 1,200 advocates in attendance representing every state in the Union. When I use the term Alzheimer’s, it encompasses all related dementias. As Alzheimer’s Ambassador to Congressman William Keating, I was able to talk to the Congressman about the current Alzheimer’s requests from the federal government. Alzheimer’s is a health crisis of epic proportions and we all need to be concerned about the future. It is the 6th leading cause of death and over 5.5 million have been diagnosed in the U.S (130,000 in MA). It is also the most expensive illness to treat, and in 2018 sixteen million family members provided 18.5 billion hours of unpaid care to those living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias (an economic value of approximately $234 billion). There is no cure, no prevention, and no effective treatment for Alzheimer’s and related dementias.

            With these facts in mind, the advocates in Washington met with their senators and representatives to make four requests. The first is an additional 350 million for the NIH (National Institute of Health) research. The second is 20 million to implement the BOLD act passed last year. BOLD directs the CDC to strengthen the public health infrastructure by instituting effective Alzheimer’s interventions. The third is a bill to support educating physicians and the public to the Medicare coverage authorized to cover comprehensive care planning when a dementia diagnosis is determined. The last request is to have the Older Americans Act (OAA), which passed in 1965, benefits available to any person receiving a dementia diagnosis regardless of age. Currently the OAA only applies to those age 60 and over. Personally, I consider this last request extremely important. I have many friends who have received a younger-onset diagnosis. The impact on a family in this age group is devastating. These are families with young children who now face the possibility of losing an income, the emotional support of a spouse or partner, and a future that becomes increasingly challenging.

            I am writing this letter to implore you to contact your senators and representatives and tell them how important these issues are. We have the good fortune to live in a state whose elected officials are very supportive of Alzheimer’s legislation. However, I believe it is critical we remind them of our concern. It is too easy for an issue to get lost in the demands of federal issues.

            If you have not been touched by Alzheimer’s or another dementia, you will be in the not too distant future. I was a caregiver for my partner who was diagnosed at age 67. Her journey ended in 2015, but mine has not. I will continue to advocate until there is an end to the heartbreak of a dementia diagnosis.

            Respectfully submitted,

Barbara A. Meehan

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.

Joan F. Healy

on

Joan F. Healy, 85, of Marion, died Sunday, April 21, 2019 at her home in Marion with her family by her side. She was the wife of the late Richard L. Healy. They were happily married for over forty years and she never stopped missing or loving him.

Born in Lowell, she was the daughter of the late Francis and Julia (Murphy) Mullen. She graduated from Lowell State Teacher’s College, now UMass Lowell, and received her M.Ed. from Boston College. Joan taught elementary education in various towns in the Greater Boston area, The Loft School in Marion and retired from the Bourne Public School system.  She also taught overseas in Japan on an American military base where she realized her love of sushi, Ikebana and Sogetsu floral design.

Joan was a former member of the Kittansett Club where she loved to play golf with her friends, the Beverly Yacht Club where she “raced” her Bull’s Eye and enjoyed time with Rich on the Curmudgeon as well as the Piney Point Beach Club where she looked forward to Tuesday night dinners. Joan loved floral design and was a member of both the Marion and the Wareham Garden Clubs. She was a National Flower Show Judge, a member of Judges Council and the Design Study Group. She could also be found playing Bridge with various group of friends whenever asked. She loved to travel – the planning in advance of her trip, the trip itself and the reminiscing after. There are many wonderful memories from adventures with Rich, with Clare and with friends.

With a passion for books and libraries, in the 1980’s it was her great honor to serve as the board president of the Elizabeth Taber Library when two wings were added to provide much needed stack space. She and Rich were long time committee members of the Marion to Bermuda Race through which they made many friends and discovered a deep love of Bermuda. They returned again and again. Joan served as a board member for Community Nurse Home Care and, in return, the Community Nurse team took exceptional care of her over the years.

Deep gratitude and eternal appreciation go to three special women who comprised “Team Joan.” With love and laughter Cathy, Becky and Rita made it possible for Joan to enjoy her home until the end. When they first met they were caregivers, they become friends and will forever be considered family.

She is survived by her daughter, Clare Healy Foley, who loves her more than words can express and her husband Paul of Marion. She leaves behind a much beloved Springer Spaniel “Lola”. She is also survived by an inspiring group of family and friends who made life worth living until the last breath.

Her funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, May 11, 2019 at St. Anthony’s Church, Barstow St., Mattapoisett at 11 am. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Community Nurse Home Care, 62 Center St., Fairhaven, MA 02719 OR the Elizabeth Taber Library, 8 Spring St., Marion, MA 02738 OR Friends of the Marion COA, P.O. Box 937, Marion, MA 02738. If a donation is not your thing, please read a book, arrange some flowers or tell a friend how much they mean to you; all fitting tributes to Joan.

Arrangements by Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, Wareham. For directions or to leave a message of condolence, visit: www.ccgfuneralhome.com

Support Mounts to Defund Town Clerk Salary

on

            There is an apparent movement to decrease the town clerk’s salary from $19,493 to $1 for fiscal year 2020 via a motion on the floor of the Annual Town Meeting.

            Marion Selectman John Waterman told the Marion Finance Committee on April 17 that the “buzz” among some residents on the street and on social media is to defund Town Clerk Ray Pickles’ salary in light of his recent felony charges of Larceny over $250 pertaining to his former position as executive director of the Carver, Marion, Wareham Regional Refuse Disposal District.

            Pickles is accused of stealing over $600,000 from 2012 to 2018.

            The Town of Marion has no legal recall option for the elected position, and Pickles has shown no sign of resigning as town clerk, despite an official request from the Board of Selectmen.

            As the Finance Committee made their recommendations on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant articles, the topic was raised as the committee reviewed Article 2, the FY20 operating budget.

            “I’m not going there,” said Finance Director Judy Mooney.

            “I’m not going there either,” Finance Committee Chairman Peter Winters commented.

            Waterman explained that the Town’s hands are essentially tied, and so a motion to amend the town clerk salary line item was the only viable option to impact Pickles in his position.

            “Is that even legal?” Finance Committee member Alan Minard asked.

            “Yeah,” said Waterman. “[Pickles is] an elected official, so …”

            The committee pondered how this motion would best be executed given that, should Pickles resign as a result of defunding his salary, someone else would likely be appointed to perform his duties.

            Mooney suggested that if one were to move to amend Article 2, the motion to reduce Pickles’ salary to $1 should be accompanied with language that would transfer the remaining $19,492 to the Reserve Fund.

            “You want to be able to have that availability if you need to appoint someone,” said Mooney. “You’ll want that ability to move it quickly.”

            “So you need a motion to reduce and transfer,” said Winters.

            “If that’s your intention,” Mooney said.

            “All I know is what the buzz is,” said Waterman.

            “We need to be prepared,” said Winters. “If there is a resignation then we need to have money to cover somebody else.”

            The committee voted to recommend adopting Article 2 as presented, with the understanding that it could happen that someone might make the aforementioned motion on May 21.

            “The buzz isn’t good enough,” said Minard. “It should happen,” he stated.

            “People are motivated,” said Waterman.

            In other business, the Annual Town Meeting Warrant this year is a lengthy one, featuring 61 articles – some involving spending money, others unrelated to finances. The FinCom makes recommendations only on the finance-related articles, but since the warrant has already printed, these recommendations will not appear in print for voters the night of Town Meeting. The committee spent the evening going through the articles one by one – recommending most, recommending one with a “sigh”, holding off on making a recommendation until later for some, and “not” recommending two.

            The FinCom voted “not to recommend” adoption of Article 22, a new $325,000 ambulance for the Fire Department, and Article 31, the $2 million Old Rochester Regional “TURF” project.

            The committee acknowledged Fire Chief Brian Jackvony’s prior explanation for this article to replace a 2008 ambulance that has broken down this year multiple times, but the FinCom preferred to take a different approach – “If it breaks down, you fix it,” as Minard put it.

            “Everybody needs a shiny new vehicle,” Minard commented.

            But Waterman pointed out that not only did the ambulance break down more than once, it broke down while en route to the hospital with a patient on board.

            Still, the vote to not recommend adoption of the article was unanimous.

            As for TURF, “It’s up to the voters on this one,” said FinCom member Margie Baldwin.

            “We can’t afford it at this point,” said Minard.

            The committee refrained from making recommendations on the following articles in order to receive further information: Article 11, $2.8 million to replace the water main pipe on Mill Road; Article 17, $105,000 for the design of the Point Road-Delano Road water main replacement project; Article 23, $30,000 for the Fire Department to replace the water tank of its brush breaker; and Articles 25 and 26 that pertain to the Town either outsourcing its trash collection, or buying a new trash truck. The bids for the cost of those two proposals will not be available until after April 26.

            The next meeting of the Marion Finance Committee is scheduled for April 24 at 6:00 pm at the Marion Police Station.

Marion Finance Committee

By Jean Perry

Elizabeth Taber Free Lending Public Library

on

            On Spring Street in Marion, the Elizabeth Taber Library has stood since the year 1872. It is an historic landmark of Victorian architecture and houses both the library and the Natural History Museum.

            The building was donated by Elizabeth Sprague Pitcher Taber (1791-1888). She had grown up here to become a schoolteacher and eventually marry a New Bedford clockmaker named Stephan Taber. Their three children all died before they reached the age of five. During the Civil War in 1862, her husband died, leaving her a childless but wealthy widow by her own astute financial investment in railroads.

            At the age of 79, she returned to Marion with resources and the determination to buy ten acres of land on Spring Street from Captain Allen. Then she donated $4,000 for the library building, as well as $15,000 for its endowment. The building served its dual purpose well, and, in the 1980s, two wings were added to expand the children’s area with meeting rooms for educational programs.

            According to the present children’s librarian of 15 years’ experience, Rosemary Gray, the emphasis on children’s programs, books, and activities has always been a main library objective from its very founding. Last year, children’s books and related materials added up to more than one-fifth of all lending.

            The Library recently hired a very well qualified new director, Elisabeth Sherry, from the Mattapoisett Library. She was highly recommended for her record of eight and a half years as the adult services and reference librarian. She had been trained and actively instrumental in handling the electronic and technical advancement of the Sails Library network. This network allows patrons to checkout and return books at some 50 other member public libraries, as well as 36 academic libraries. In one year with this access, 16,904 books were received from other libraries, and Mattapoisett provided 38,904 to other libraries as part of the service agreement.

            To show my own appreciation to Ms. Sherry for her expert and willing electronic research, as well as e-mail transmission of my articles and illustrations to The Wanderer, both she and Elizabeth Taber are rendered in my illustration. From my previous research on my articles on the Mattapoisett and Fairhaven Libraries, Taber’s contribution to Marion is no less than that of George Purrington and Henry Huttleston Rogers to Mattapoisett and Fairhaven, respectively. They all were motivated by a remarkably profound literary insight into the future of the written word for the future, especially now in modern times for children. Their contribution to their community, in my opinion, earns them the esteem of worthy members of a class of benefactors that I regard as the greatest generation of late 19th century industrial benefactors, alongside Rockefeller and Carnegie, better known to all. Each of them wanted to give back to the public what they had achieved. To quote from Rogers’ friend Mark Twain’s address at the Fairhaven Library dedication, “A public library is the most enduring of memorials, and the truest monument for preserving the language of books, that will always speak in a lost tongue to our posterity.”

            In Marion, a statue will be dedicated to Elizabeth Taber on the edge of Bicentennial Park on Spring Street facing the buildings she created. And inside her library, her husband’s grandfather clock is still a working timepiece. It is wound by hand and key weekly, and ticks on into the future like the sound of a living heartbeat for the wellbeing of the library.

By George B. Emmons

Discover Vernal Pools with the MLT

on

Vernal pools are a vital breeding habitat for resident amphibians and invertebrates such as wood frogs, spotted and blue-spotted salamanders, and fairy shrimp. The Mattapoisett Land Trust (MLT) is once again offering an introduction to vernal pools and instructions as to how to certify them through a field trip into the Old Aucoot District. 

            On Saturday, April 27, at 1:00 pm, we’ll meet at the MLT parking area on Prospect Road. We´ll proceed east through the woods to the southern end of the Martocci Preserve. Together we´ll complete all of the field work necessary for the state certification of the pool through the Commonwealth’s Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program. This will be a wonderful opportunity for parents and children to learn together about the wetlands of Mattapoisett and their special characteristics.

            The exploration is free and open to all, including residents of other towns. The Prospect Road parking area is located approximately 0.4 miles south of Route 6. Please wear appropriate clothing including rubber boots. The exploration will take place rain or shine. For more information call 774-377-9191 or email info@mattlandtrust.org.

ORRHS Field/Track/Auditorium Renovation Project

on

On March 26, the ORR School Committee voted unanimously to approve a project to renovate ORR’s main athletic field, track, and auditorium. Voters in Marion, Mattapoisett, and Rochester will now vote on the project at their spring Town Meetings (Marion and Mattapoisett on May 13 and Rochester on May 20) and, if passed at Town Meeting, at the ballot box shortly thereafter.

            Come to a Community Information Presentation at ORRHS on Thursday, April 25at 7:00 pm to learn more about this important community project. Information regarding the ORR Renovation Project will be presented by Kaestle Boos Associates, Inc. – one of the leading designers of sports and recreation facilities; Brock USA – makers of a new nontoxic, organic, sustainably harvested, US-made alternative field infill material; ORR School Committee members; and others.

            Prior to the presentation, there will be an opportunity to walk the main field and track to view their current conditions. Please meet at the entrance of the main field at 6:30 pm.

            This is your opportunity to learn more about this important community project from those who have studied the facilities, understand the problems, and designed the solutions. Please attend and encourage your friends and neighbors to attend as well. Be an informed voter.

            More information on the ORR Renovation Project can be found at www.RestoreORR.org and at Facebook.com/RestoreORR.

Mattapoisett Fire Station Front and Center

on

            The Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen meeting held on April 23 was an opportunity for the community to hear a comprehensive presentation for the proposed new fire station.

            Three presenters each took an aspect of the new construction project focusing on matters that will undoubtedly be aired when Town Meeting is asked to approve the spending next month.

            First up was Fire Chief Andrew Murray who told the story of the firehouse from its earliest days in the 1950s to the 21stcentury concerns and issues the building and the staff are facing.

            Murray honed in on the unsafe conditions the building itself presents to the firefighters, a long list that includes no decontamination capabilities from secure locations for contaminated gear; a lack of a shower; no vehicle exhaust system to keep exhaust fumes from permeating the structure; no ventilation systems; outdated heating, electrical, and plumbing systems; insufficient toilet facilities; no first floor space for public interactions; no handicap accessibility; a substandard kitchen; no sleeping accommodations; and no training areas.

            Next up was Chairman of the Fire Station Building Committee Michael Hickey. Hickey took the audience through the complexities of selecting the owners’ project manager (OPM), Vertex, and an architect, Context. The committee also had to make site visits throughout the state to study newly constructed fire stations, talk with fire chiefs and town management teams to ascertain the processes they used during the pre-construction phases, and had to learn first-hand what they would have done differently.

            Calling it “an elaborate process,” Hickey said, “We went through it three times,” referring to assessing space requirements. Each time the OPM and architect were sent back to the drawing board to squeeze out costs while preserving the “must have” items that had been identified. Even with that, the disparity of the estimates between the two firms was troubling.

            In the end, the teams came up with a two-story building measuring 16,000 square feet that includes all mandated safety features as well as 4.5 bays with a drive-through for vehicles, dorm rooms, first-floor handicap access, 49-seat training space, public lobby, indoor training facilities, and a fitness room.

            Town Administrator Michael Gagne gave the most complicated part of the evening’s presentation – the matter of funding the $9,275,000 project.

            Gagne likened the financing to a “three-legged stool”, one that included new growth from solar PILOT (Payment In Lieu Of Taxes) programs, retiring debt, and a moderate Proposition 2 ½ override that would cost the average homeowner $13.38 per year.

            “It’s very doable,” Gagne said. He pointed to retiring debt as the biggest contributor to the financing plan with some $8 million freed up within the next six years.

            Gagne also said that the town had made a commitment to defer new growth revenue into a fund that is earmarked for other capital projects with sums of over $150,000 per year becoming available. Thus, other capital items would not be negatively impacted by bonding a new fire station, he projected.

            The proposed new fire station must go through the final stages of the capital improvement process and must pass at the Annual Town Meeting.

            In other business, Gagne said that on Thursday, May 2 at 9:00 am at the YMCA Camp entrance located at the end of Reservation Road, there would be a ceremonial ground breaking for Phase 1b of the Mattapoisett Bike Path. He encouraged the public to join in this much-anticipated event, which has taken 20 years to realize.

            On the subject of energy savings, Gagne said he had been in contact with Eversource regarding a buyout of the 375 lamps throughout town. The cost for the depreciated lamps is $17,000. However, grants are available, he said, that could cover up to 35 percent for the purchase of energy saving equipment. Presently the town pays $50,000 per year for street lighting.

            In other business, the board will be selecting members for a search committee for Gagne’s replacement. The board voted to establish a committee that would be comprised of at least one senior citizen, a Finance Committee member, a staff member from the town’s financial department, and two citizens at large. Gagne said the town administrator’s position will be advertised beginning in May.

            A Class II Used Auto Dealer’s License was granted to Jerry Pinto.

            Town Moderator John Eklund asked voters interested in presenting “substantive amendments” to get those motions to him for town counsel review ahead of Town Meeting. He said such documents could be submitted to the town clerk. He also said that if anyone planned on using a PowerPoint presentation that those must be reviewed prior to Town Meeting to ensure they adhere to a 10-minute length and may also be given to the town clerk.

            Town meeting is May 13 at 6:30 pm in the Old Rochester Regional High School auditorium. Annual town elections will be held on May 21 from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm at Old Hammondtown School.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen is scheduled for May 14 at 6:30 pm in the town hall conference room.

Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen

By Marilou Newell