MNHM Summer 2019 Coastal Explorations Program

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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

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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

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            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

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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

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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

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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

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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

Meet the New Police Chief

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            Robert Small, Rochester’s newly appointed Police Chief, will be the speaker at the April 17Speakers Night at the Rochester Historical Society at 7:00 pm at the museum located at 355 County Road. Chief Small has been on the police force for thirty years and will be speaking on the changes during that time period and about the future of the department. Any and all are welcome. There is no charge. Come early and browse through the museum. Refreshments will follow.

Build That Boat

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            The second annual Boat Building Seminar took place under clear skies on Saturday, April 4, a perfect spring day in the lot next to the Rochester Fire Department. Art Benner, chairman of the Boat Race Committee, greeted each visitor and got them started with registration, a map of the Mattapoisett River course, race rules, and boat-building tips.

            “The race was founded in 1934 by Jim Hartley,” Benner recounted. “I got involved with the boat-building when I was a kid in 4H. … There is no charge to enter the race, so the raffles really help. Even road races have registration fees … but we’ve been doing it this way all along.”

            Many visitors were quietly purchasing $5 raffle tickets – sometimes one ticket, sometimes 20. The sunlit array of boats, paddles, great info, and the nearby RMS playground drew people to visit the Rochester Fire Station to learn more.

            The race is legendary in the Tri-Town, and a point of pride for Rochester, with close ties to the Rochester Fire & Rescue Department. Among the boats on display was a well-worn craft from 1978, which was much wider and more flexible than the ones built in more recent years. Paddles have also changed and carbon fiber paddles are now favored for being extremely strong and lightweight. Two different types of these paddles were on display to be raffled.

            “These paddles are the best. I made these and I make several different kinds which are similar,” said Rochester Firefighter Bill Watling, III, as he held his son David while his daughter, Katelyn, hugged his leg.

            Long-time participants like Gary Stopka of Rochester spent years paddling with their kids, and then handed the paddles off when their teens were eager to pair off and set their own records.

            “Yes, they’ll be back this year to defend their record,” said Stopka of his daughter Caitlin who is from Rochester, and her race partner, Emma Knox of Mattapoisett. Both are college freshmen and living in different states.

            There is always a great party at the finish with food and beverage concessions provided by the RFD. Proceeds benefit Rochester Fire & Rescue.

            Important dates for this year’s race include the following: Registration dates are Friday, May 10, and Friday, May 17, 6:30 pm at the Rochester Senior Center. Starting position drawing is Friday, May 17, 8:00 pm at the Rochester Senior Center. Ham and Bean Supper is Saturday, May 25, 5:00 pm at the Rochester Senior Center. Race date is Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, 8:30 am. The Awards Ceremony is Monday, May 27, 7:30 pm at Rochester Memorial School.

Submitted by Erin Bednarczyk

Sweet Meeting for Planning Board

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Rochester Planning Board member Mike Murphy stepped up his game on April 9, clearly exceeding the expectations of the board with a sugar-shocking supply of candy straight out of a grown boy’s dreams.

            Murphy, the apparent candy man to the board, is depended upon every meeting to deliver an assortment of the favorite candies enjoyed by members predominantly seated on the west end of the conference room table. This week, Murphy slid two plastic tubs of various colored and mixed candies across the conference table like it was a Candy Land game board and Murphy was challenging them to a game.

            Meanwhile, representatives for the Site Plan Review and Groundwater Protection District Special Permit request for Attorney Patricia McArdle on behalf of Sofia Darras presented the board with two plan change proposals. The first was the elimination of a swale left of the lot at 565 Rounseville Road, Plumb Corner, with that being replaced with two catch basins. The second was the removal of a section of pipe at the stormwater discharge into the wetlands and the introduction of some riprap and concrete there to improve the conditions.

            The representatives said that their client would next prepare a draft Approval Not Required as a result of the plan changes and subsequently complete a land conveyance to swap equal amounts of land between the abutting properties affected by the project, including the proposed 22-duplex age-restricted residential development slated for next door.

            Easements will also be granted for septic and infiltration and construction.

            The hearing was continued, however, because McArdle wanted further time to communicate with Darras over the latest plan proposal.

            In other matters, the board granted an Approval Not Required request for Muriel and Joseph Dvorski, 349 High Street. The board members to the west of the table didn’t comment much as they chewed and then rolled their tongues around and between their teeth and gums, hands clasped as if quietly waiting for an appropriate amount of time to pass before reaching for another candy.

            Planning Board member to the east, John DeMaggio, gave in to the urge to get up and reach long for a flawless candy grab 48 minutes into the meeting. After, as he looked west, his face expressed an obvious regret over not having grabbed a bigger handful.

            The next Planning Board meeting will feature the public hearing for the Smart Growth Overlay District Zoning Bylaw slated for the Annual Town Meeting Warrant. Johnson said he hopes for a good turnout of residents who still have questions “in order to make a proper and good decisions on the night of Town Meeting.”

            The next meeting of the Rochester Planning Board is scheduled for April 23 at 7:00 pm at the Rochester Senior Center.

Rochester Planning Board

By Jean Perry