Voters Reelect Morse for Selectman

on

            Selectman Brad Morse was reelected on April 10 for a fifth term on the Board of Selectmen, despite an apparent write-in campaign to elect Michael Murphy, a current Planning Board member and prior 2018 candidate for Board of Selectmen.

            Murphy received 33 write-ins, which wasn’t enough to exceed Morse’s 230 votes.

            “Thank you to the town for believing in me,” said Morse just after 8:00 pm when the polls closed at the Senior Center on Wednesday night.

            Constable of 20 years David Hughes will remain Constable after he got 195 votes, and coming in second with 156 votes, enough to win him the second open Constable position, was Marc Slabodnick. Carolyn Pruchnik received 130 votes – close, but not enough to secure her a win.

            There were 299 ballots cast, making for an Annual Election voter turnout of just over 7 percent.

            The following are the results of the remaining uncontested races: Jeffrey Eldridge, Highway Surveyor, 269 votes; Diana Knapp, Board of Assessors, 239 votes; Lori Souza, Cemetery Commission, 253 votes; Glenn Lawrence, Board of Health, 265 votes; David Hughes, Park Commission, 249 votes; Dennis Desrosiers and Kimberly Burt, two seats for Library Trustees, 235 and 186 votes, respectively; Sharon Hartley, Rochester School Committee, 240 votes; Richard Charon, Water Commission, 254 votes.

By Jean Perry

‘Prize Patrol’ Surprises Local Sweepstakes Winner

on

            Folks, we’ve all dreamed about being a sweepstakes winner like the people we see on TV, and some of us have even entered our names once or twice. “I’ll never win,” many of us might have said, or, perhaps, “Nobody ever wins these things.”

            But the truth is, people actually do win these sweepstakes. Just ask John Hall, the latest Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes winner.

            April 15 seemed like any other ordinary Monday for Hall, a longtime Rochester resident and former town treasurer.

            After a relatively uneventful rainy day just after 3:00 that afternoon, Hall sat inside his Snipatuit Road home talking to a friend on the phone when he thought he heard someone at the door. Unsure of the sound, he ignored it and went on talking. But minutes later he thought he heard someone knocking again, so he got up and looked out his front window to find a row of cars parked in front of his house.

            Hall hung up the phone, looked around, and made his way out back to his garage to investigate. Wearing only socks on his feet, he stopped at the big barn door and called out to the strangers peering into the windows of his workshop, “Can I help you?”

            Over hurries a sharp-dressed man – one arm outstretched to shake Hall’s hand and the other arm clutching a bouquet of white roses and what appears to be a white poster board. A man holding a TV camera rushes over.

            Hall looks a little confused as he shakes the hand of the man who introduces himself as Howie Guja. But Hall interrupts him, saying, “Yeah, I know who you are.”

            Yup, Hall had seen Guja’s face in photographs and videos, smiling as he handed gigantic checks and flowers to the unsuspecting prize winners standing outside their doors. Only Hall never expected to see the Prize Patroller’s face smiling at him outside his own door.

            Little did Hall know, over an hour before, the members of the Publishers Clearing House (PCH) “Prize Patrol” were assembling in the parking lot of Blossoms, a florist in Mattapoisett. There, Guja ordered a dozen roses for the occasion while the cameraman prepared his equipment. People from inside the surrounding businesses watched from their windows as Guja taped an introduction to the surprise that was to come. “Is this for real?” one woman asked. “Yup, this is definitely real,” Guja told her.

            The small caravan of cars made the 15-minute ride to Hall’s house, everyone hopeful that he would be home. If not, it wouldn’t be the first time, said Guja. There have been times when the Prize Patrol has had to wait hours for a winner to return home. There is no pre-Prize Patrol surveillance. It all happens by chance, and how it unfolds is always a surprise for everyone.

            When no one answered to Guja’s attempts at the two front doors, the group quietly proceeded to the back of the house. There the group spotted two cars in the gravel driveway, a good sign, Guja remarked. But when no one answered after several minutes of knocking on several other doors, everyone began to wonder where Hall could be. It wasn’t until just after 3:30 that Hall found himself face to face with one of those gigantic checks with his name on it – written out for $50,000.

            “Wow,” said Hall with a calmness that bordered on unenthused. Not an uncommon response, said Guja who has seen it all, from winners jumping and screaming in hysterics to patients on oxygen gasping for air.

            Hall might have been cool, calm, and collected at first, but it wasn’t long before it started setting in.

            “Alrighty!” he perked up.

            Then Guja asked Hall the $50,000 question of the day: “What do you plan to do with all this money?”

            His one-word reply: “Debt,” said a sensible Hall. And the $50,000 should take care of most of it, he said graciously. But, man, it would be nice if he could win that grand prize of $14,000 a week for life a few weeks later, he alluded.

            Sure, the odds of winning the super prize are about 2.4 billion to 1. But, as Hall wisely pointed out, “If you don’t play, you won’t win.” And Hall plays every chance he gets.

            “Every time I get one, I put it in the mail,” said Hall. He doesn’t spend his time on the PCH website entering to win: he just does replies whenever a chance comes in the mail. And he will continue to play, he said, because now he knows it pays off.

            “Just believe,” said Hall. “Don’t not do it just because it’s like everything else.” Then, having successfully stifled the one or two tears that tried forming in his eyes, he said, “For all my complaints in life, this is pretty nice. That’s gonna make life a whole lot better.”

9th Annual Bike Summit

on

The South Coast Bikeway Alliance (SCBA) is pleased to announce their 9th Annual Bike Summit will be held Thursday, April 25from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at the Fort Taber Community Center, 1000A S Rodney French BLVD, New Bedford, MA 02744. This year’s summit focuses on “Creating Connections with Bikeways: Past and Future” and hopes to bring awareness to the numerous pathway projects, large and small, within the South Coast communities. The keynote will focus on what can be learned from the 14.5 mile, 30-year-old, East Bay Bike Path, in Rhode Island. Light refreshments will be offered. Pre-registration is appreciated. Go to www.southcoastbikeway.com and click on “events calendar.”

MNHM Summer 2019 Coastal Explorations Program

on

The Marion Natural History Museum’s Summer Program is an educational science-based program with an emphasis on our coastal environment and is one of the most well known and well regarded in the Southcoast area. Children from across the country visit us each summer and participate in the program.

            During Summer 2019 the Marion Natural History Museum is offering a half-day summer program to explore some of Marion’s unique natural areas. We will be exploring our rocky inter-tidal shoreline, salt marshes, estuaries as well as freshwater riverbanks, forest, swamps, ponds, and bogs. Daily we will take trips to look for the birds, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates that make these areas so special.

            Each morning will involve hands-on exploration, experiments, crafts, and journaling while being outdoors. Your child will enjoy being a Coastal Explorer with the Marion Natural History Museum! Space is limited so make sure to register early for this summer program. Perfect for girls and boys entering grades 3 – 6.

            Summer Schedule: 2 Weeks Available:

Coastal Explorations Week 1: July 8 – July 12, 2019, 9:00 am – noon.

Coastal Explorations Week 2: July 15 – July 19, 2019, 9:00 am – noon.

            Cost: $125/participant/week. Each week will involve different activities so sign up for one week or both! To register please go to: www.marionmuseum.org/summerprograms.php.

Annual Easter Pie and Cake Sale

on

The Friends of the Mattapoisett Council on Aging are having their Pie and Cake Sale on Saturday, April 20from 8:30 am to noon. Please come to buy some cakes or pies for your Easter Dinner. American Legion Hall, 3 Depot St. Anyone who would like to bake some goodies would be a big help.

BOH Moves to Ban Sale of Flavored Nicotine, Tobacco

on

            The Marion Board of Health has chosen May 7 to hold the public hearing on its proposed ban on flavored tobacco and nicotine delivery products, which would include flavored cigars and flavored liquids used in electronic vaping devices. 

            This amendment to the existing tobacco and nicotine regulation was conceived in 2016, but the board sent it to the sidelines last year so it could take up the adult-use recreational marijuana ball and run with it. Now that the field is clear, the board is again ready to tackle the issue.

            The amendment to the regulation would add three new definitions: characterizing flavor, flavored tobacco product, and adult-only retail tobacco store.

            A “characterizing flavor” is defined as a “distinguishable taste or aroma, other than the taste or aroma of tobacco. …” Not considered a “characterizing flavor”, however, are products with the aroma or taste of menthol, mint, or wintergreen.

            A second definition, “flavored tobacco product,” encompasses anything with the aforementioned characterizing flavor.

            The other definition, “adult-only tobacco retail store”, is defined as an establishment not required to possess a retail food permit whose primary purpose is to sell tobacco products and paraphernalia, and entrance is restricted to people 21 and older.

            The amendment would restrict the sale of flavored tobacco and nicotine to adult-only tobacco retail stores, of which there are currently none in Marion.

            For many months, the Board of Health was bent on becoming the first town in the entire country to successfully ban the sale of menthol cigarettes, but earlier this year the board abandoned that agenda.

            The regulation amendment, written by and presented to the board by Cheryl Sbarra, the senior staff attorney and director of the TobaccoCessation and Prevention Program and Chronic Disease Prevention Program for the Massachusetts Association of Health Boards, would prohibit the sale of flavored tobacco and nicotine products in any of the existing establishments that currently sell cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, and vaping products.

            There was no quorum on April 9 during the board’s regular meeting so no vote was taken to move the amendment forward to public hearing, but, according to Health Agent Karen Walega, that vote could be taken at the board’s next meeting. As for the language of the amendment, Walega confirmed that it would likely be presented as-is, saying, “I think were just waiting on [town counsel].”

            The next meeting of the Marion Board of Health is scheduled for April 23 at 4:30 pm at the Marion Town House.

Marion Board of Health

By Jean Perry

Rochester Council on Aging

on

Please note that the Senior Center will be closed on Monday, April 15 for Patriot’s Day and Friday, April 19th closing at 2:00 pm for Good Friday. 

            Senior Book Club meets at the Rochester Senior Center on Tuesday, April 16 at 10:15 am. The discussion will be led by the Library Director. The book being discussed this month is, The Muralist, written by B.A. Shapiro.

            Please join us for Good Friday Supper on Friday, April 19 at 5:30 pm. We will be serving baked haddock, clam chowder, baked potato, green beans, and confetti cake! The cost is $10.00/per person. Please sign up no later than April 17! 

            Hanna’s Special Luncheon will be held at 12:00 pm on Monday, April 22! Hanna and friends will prepare a delicious lunch at the Senior Center. All are welcome, but reservations are needed. A $5.00 anonymous donation is suggested. Going forward, all special lunches on Mondays require advance sign-up and a donation of $5.00. This policy has been initiated by the COA Board of Directors. Donations will be refunded if you need to cancel in advance.

            Conversational French is canceled for the month of April due to scheduling conflicts! See you in May!

            Grocery Shopping trips will resume now that the weather has improved! Please call us to let us know if you would like to be included in a grocery shopping trip, which days are best for you, and which stores you would prefer. 

            We have a new Day Trip Policy. A $5.00 donation should be made when you sign up. This will secure your seat on the van. This donation is non-refundable.

            Volunteers Needed! We are looking for people to volunteer for various positions. We need breakfast cooks, dishwashers, and wait staff. We also need help with the special lunches on Mondays and special events. You can sign up for a regular position or as a sub. Join our team!

            RIDES: We provide free transportation for Rochester residents. Please call for a ride with one of our friendly drivers at least 24 hours in advance so we can schedule a driver!

            Rides to medical appointments in Boston and Providence: Medical transportation to Boston or Providence is available for $5.00 via a grant program made available by Coastline Services. Call 508-992-5978 at least 2 weeks in advance!

            Please contact us at the Senior Center at 508-763-8723 for more information or to make reservations for rides and/or events! 

Marion Natural History Museum April Vacation Week

on

The Marion Natural History Museum will be open Wednesday from 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm during April vacation. On Wednesday, April 17,come to the museum for play, puzzles, coloring, and visiting our exhibits. We have loads of legos for creative play and lots of floor room to play on. Additionally, the museum has a newly donated dollhouse available for gentle play time and many of displays to explore. The Museum’s new Virtual Reality set will be available (by appointment only please) from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm. To schedule a time, please contact the museum director at info@marionmuseum.org. Come in and check out our new VR programs! Won’t you join us for a free, fun, and creative time at the Museum!

TerraCorps Selects SLT as Service Project Recipient

on

TerraCorps, an AmeriCorps national service organization focused on connecting communities to the land, selected Sippican Lands Trust (SLT) as its Service Project recipient this spring. They do this by supporting up to 36 service members annually who spend 11-months serving local nonprofits focused on land access and conservation. Throughout the year, the TerraCorps team comes together to complete large-scale service projects that benefit different communities in Massachusetts like Marion.

            TerraCorps plans to bring 30-35 AmeriCorps members on Friday, April 12 to tackle several land stewardship projects at some of Sippican Lands Trust’s properties in Marion. TerraCorps members will spend most of the day pruning trails, clearing brush, and helping with office tasks.

            Mathew MacDonald, Community Engagement Coordinator for TerraCorps, said that “he hopes the efforts of TerraCorps will bring joy to folks in Marion, as they celebrate the season ahead in the woods and marshes that they call home. As always and as a TerraCorps member, it’s great to be part of a team and to help an organization that cares deeply about protecting and improving land for others.”

            Sippican Lands Trust’s Executive Director, Jim Bride, praised TerraCorps for their dedication and service to land conservation work around the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Bride stated that “he is grateful for this extraordinary act of service from TerraCorps members to help advance land stewardship work at some of Sippican Lands Trust’s properties in Marion.”

Recreational Marijuana

on

To the Editor:

            As I turn back the pages of my diary to early January 2019 – when Article “26” Recreational Marijuana Establishment By-Law became official. – Great News – Beware – Beware there is news of a By-Law change. Slow Down. A close watch needs to take place. We need to know who, what, when, where, and why!!! 

            Mattapoisett is home to many good people. Mattapoisett is a very special place. She needs to be protected at all costs.

            Respectfully,

George Randall, Mattapoisett