The Elizabeth Taber Library is once again celebrating Halloween with our Great Pumpkin Contest. Visitors to the library can check out a real pumpkin for free with their library card, then return their decorated pumpkin by Wednesday October 23 to be entered into our Great Pumpkin Contest. The community will vote on their favorites during our Halloweekend celebration Thursday, October 24 to Saturday, October 26.
Anticipating the new state housing law going into effect in February, the Marion Select Board and Planning Board conducted a joint session to discuss potential modification of existing town bylaws in compliance with both the state law and the town’s needs. The law requires all municipalities to allow homeowners to create accessory dwelling units, or ADUs.
The response to the state is being prepared by the Codification Committee of the Select Board.
On Monday evening, the Planning Board met with the Select Board to review and discuss guidelines for the Codification Committee to consider when finalizing the language.
The two boards worked through a list of at least ten items to be clarified with specific details, such as what constitutes “gross floor area,” what size ADUs to be allowed under different scenarios, and in which zoning districts will they be allowed. Also, how to handle condos and multi-family buildings with separate owners, public safety considerations, and potential changes to water and sewer regulations.
The questions of incorporating existing accessory apartment units and regulations and short-term residence restrictions were also discussed at length.
The joint boards, along with building Commissioner Bob Grillo, came to agreement on several issues, and agreed to seek clarification from Town Counsel or other parties as needed.
The group’s next step is to meet again in Joint Committee to finalize recommendations for the Codification Committee, after which the committee will draft the new bylaw and present it to the Planning Board. Once bylaw language is approved but no later than December or January, the Board will conduct public hearing(s). A warrant for the Annual Town Meeting in May must be submitted in March.
The meeting adjourned at 6:55 pm and was followed by the Planning Board meeting.
The date of the next Joint Committee Meeting will be announced once it has been scheduled. The next regular meeting of the Select Board will be on October 16 at 6:00 PM at the Marion Town House.
Marion Select Board & Planning Board
By Mary McCann Fiske
On October 7, Dr. Portia Silk of Southern New England Radiology was hosted to speak at the Joseph H. Plumb Memorial Library on the topic of mammograms. If you are a woman, you, like many others, dread the squishing and pulling that goes along with getting the best images possible. The importance of annual screening cannot be overstated. Simply put, it saves lives. As many as 1,000 women a year are saved by screening.
For over 20 years, the doctor has been screening women for breast cancer. She said there is no clear reason why these cancers occur, except possibly in cases where familiar DNA predisposes for cancer.
Over the years, some have believed that the radiation received during testing was too high a risk to take. That is simply not true. Every day, we are bombarded by radiation from the natural environment at rates higher than those used in mammogram screenings. Like many things in medicine, we need to consider the risk/benefit ratio. With cancer rates rising in younger women, those considerations need to come sooner rather than later. It is recommended that women 40 years of age should begin getting annual mammograms and continuing screening into senior years (above 75 and older).
Silk said that although the technician may take many images, “…it doesn’t mean anything is wrong…they are just trying to get the best images possible.”
The doctor spoke using much medical terminology but explained terms such as tomosynthesis (3D imaging), distortion (breast tissue that is abnormally shaped), calcification (calcium deposits), and pleomorphic (cells of differing shapes).
One of the more common terms a woman may hear is that her breasts are “dense.” Dense breast tissue makes imaging more difficult Silk explained, not that cancer is present. Therefore, dense breast tissue makes detecting cancer all the more difficult. Real images were part of the presentation. These specimens drove home just how difficult it can be to see cancers even in non-dense breasts.
High breast density isn’t rare. Silk said 10% of dense breasts are fatty, 43% have scattered density, 39% have heterogeneous breast and 8% would be classified as extremely dense.
After screening, Silk said you may get a call to come back in for more imaging. She said the majority of the time its just to get a better image – not that anything has been found or is wrong. Easily said, “Don’t worry,” but returning to get more imaging done is necessary to get conclusive test results that nothing is wrong.
Silk presented facts regarding breast cancer risks. She mentioned both personal data and heredity data are taken into consideration. Personal details include the onset of menses, onset of menopause, no children or children after 30, postmenopausal obesity, hormone replacement therapy, alcohol use, physical inactivity, and type 2 diabetes. On the heredity side are 1st degree relatives with breast cancer before 50, two or more family members with breast or ovarian cancer, first degree relative with ovarian cancer, any male breast cancer, and gene mutations such as BRCA (breast cancer gene).
The biggest take away was not only the shear importance of breast cancer screening but the age to begin – 40.
Visit sneradiology.com to schedule a breast cancer screening appointment or call your doctor. There’s no time like the present.
Joseph H. Plumb Memorial Library – Rochester
By Marilou Newell
Looking through the current exhibit at the Historical Museum, I was struck by the fact that with all the changes in town over time, there are some events that have spanned the years. One that comes to mind is the Rochester Boat Race on Memorial Day that began in 1934. Another is the annual clam bake. A third is the continued existence of Boy Scout Troop 31. These three events all share a common element.
The boat race started by Jim Hartley for his 4H group was later sponsored by the Rochester Brotherhood. This was the same organization that held the annual clam bake and sponsored Troop 31 when it separated from Troop 30.
The Rochester Men’s Brotherhood was a non-denominational group begun in the 1950’s that met in the First Congregational Church Hall. They worked to help townspeople who were going through hard times. They planned community events in conjunction with the Grange.
When the Brotherhood disbanded after 15- 20 yrs., the Fire Association, in many ways became the “new brotherhood”. They took over planning and putting on the annual clambake, stepped in to make sure that the boat race continued, and joined with the Rochester Grange to sponsor Boy Scout Troop 31.
When you look back through town history, you also see members of the Fire Department and Association active in the various town celebrations, fielding a baseball team, being on one end of a tug of war or putting on a muster. And, of course, then there’s Donkey Baseball (cue the picture of the donkey in a baseball helmet).
Duffy Clapp, former fire chief, remembered what it was like to participate in such a game. He was involved in hiring a traveling company. They brought the donkeys (nice, that you didn’t need to bring your own). The rules of the game had the pitcher and catcher on their own two feet. The basemen were on donkeys but could get off to field a ball but then they had to climb back into the saddle. The pitcher had to stay in a defined box.
What Duffy remembered most was that the donkeys were trained to take off when the batter leaned to hit the ball and then to stop short on the way around the bases, sending the rider over its head and onto the ground. Maury Gifford and Freddie Randall also took part.
Dave Watling is sure that he heard of donkey basketball being played at the Women’s Club, but so far no one has come forward to agree with him.
By Connie Eshbach
The Marion Art Center will host an artist presentation on Tuesday, October 15, from 7:00-8:00pm in the MAC galleries at 80 Pleasant Street, Marion. Exhibiting artists Pamela Hoss and Kim Barry will discuss their paintings and their processes, and answer guests’ questions about their work. The current show, Pamela Hoss and Kim Barry, Two, Painters, Two Friends, is up through Friday, November 1 at the MAC. Read more about Hoss and Barry, and view artist interviews at marionartcenter.org/on-exhibit. Gallery hours are Thursday-Saturday, 10am-2pm, or other days and times by appointment.
Superintendent Michael S. Nelson and Old Rochester Regional High School (ORRHS) Principal Michael Devoll are pleased to announce that the school has ranked Gold on CollegeBoard’s 2024 AP School Honor Roll.
The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools whose AP programs have successfully motivated and prepared students for college success. The criteria reflect a commitment to increasing college-going culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit, and maximize college readiness.
College Board’s Advanced Placement® Program (AP) enables students to pursue college-level studies—with the opportunity to earn college credit, advanced placement, or both—while still in high school. Through AP courses in 38 subjects, each culminating in a challenging exam, students learn to think critically, construct solid arguments, and see many sides of an issue—skills that prepare them for college and beyond.
“We are incredibly proud to be named to the College Board Gold AP Honor Roll,” said Director of Academic Counseling and Assessment Lauren Millette. “This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our students and teachers who strive for excellence every day. It reflects our commitment to providing rigorous academic opportunities that prepare students for success beyond high school.”
There are four levels of distinction: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Last year, 9% of the 15,150 eligible schools received the Silver level recognition, ORRHS being part of this group. Additionally, only 6% of eligible schools received the Gold honor.
For a school to be recognized on the AP School Honor Roll in a given year, it must meet the following criteria:
College Culture: 40% or more of the graduating cohort took at least 1 AP Exam during high school.
College Credit: 25% or more of the graduating cohort scored a three or higher on at least one AP Exam during high school.
College Optimization: 2% or more of the graduating cohort took five or more AP Exams during high school. At least one of those exams was taken in 9th or 10th grade so that students are spreading their AP experience across grades rather than feeling disproportionate pressure in any single year.
“It is an honor to receive this recognition,” said Superintendent Nelson. “Our committed students and faculty successfully advanced ORRHS to the Gold ranking and it’s reflected in the excellent work they do each day. Our district takes college and career readiness very seriously and this achievement is proof of our commitment.”
Rochester’s Select Board Monday approved the Board of Assessors’ recommendations for the town’s FY25 tax classification that include a reduction in the tax rate for the next fiscal year to $10.82 per thousand dollars of value.
Rochester’s estimated tax rate for FY24 was $11.06, down 6.82% from FY23. Assessor Jana Cavanaugh told the board Monday the tax rate being recommended for FY25 is a 21.7% decrease from that.
The select board followed the Board of Assessors’ recommendation to keep a factor of one tax rate for FY25, meaning that residential and commercial/industrial property will not be taxed at a higher rate. Secondly, the board agreed with the assessors to vote “no” on offering open space, residential, and small commercial exemptions. Cavanaugh explained residential exemptions are for communities with a high percentage of non-owner-occupied units. Small commercial exemptions are for communities with a high commercial presence, which Rochester does not have.
The town’s total valuation of its real estate and personal property, Cavanaugh said, is $1,578,360,510, a 96.4% valuation increase. She said the average Single-Family-Home assessment for FY25 is $610,247. The average single-family tax bill therefore will be $6,602.87, a 2.25 % increase over FY24.
Next, the board appointed two new full-time Rochester Police officers, Zachary Dupere and Jonathan Domagala. Police Lieutenant Don Kemmett introduced Domagala as a former policeman in Seekonk and Dupere as a former K-9 officer with experience in computer work. Assad said that is a skill the department needs right now. “These are two really great candidates,” Kemmett said.
In other action, the board approved a request of $3,500 in town ARPA funds to ASAP Engineering for police station detention jail cell area design services.
The board approved the purchase of one AED unit for the library for $2,546.18, using $1,183.89 from town ARPA funds and $1,362.29 from SEMASS donation funds. The board also approved purchasing three AED units totaling $7.638.54, one for the Council On Aging and two for the Police Department. For this expense, $6.015.56 will come from County ARPA funds and $1.622.98 will come from SEMASS donation funds.
Tabled, however, was a request of $8,152 for ARPA funds for a Rochester Police Department drone. Board chair Brad Morse requested holding this request because he wanted to hear more from the police chief about this expense.
These votes came even after Town administrator Cameron Durant informed the board that these expenses would max out the town’s ARPA funds for the year.
The board also appointed Sandra Keese to the Mattapoisett River Valley Water District Commission for a term to expire April 30, 2027.
The next meeting of the Rochester Select Board is scheduled for Monday, October 21, at 6 p.m. in the Town Hall conference room, 1 Constitution Way.
Rochester Select Board
By Michael J. DeCicco
Join Miss Macy for story times every Tuesday and Thursday at 10:30 am, starting in October.
Join us at the library for Ghosts and Legends with Jeff Belanger, Friday, October 11 at 6:30 pm. For over 20 years, Jeff Belanger has been exploring the unexplained. He seeks out history, folklore, ghosts, monsters, and legends all over the world and in your backyard. His talk presents highlights from his own adventures, a look at the investigation process, and compelling audio and visual paranormal evidence. Not just focused on ghost stories, Belanger’s presentation will delve into the reasons behind the legends. Call the library to register for this free event.
The Banned Book Club returns to discuss the widely censored horror story The Picture of Dorian Gray on Tuesday October 15 at 6:30 pm. Eat, drink, and discuss Oscar Wilde’s classic gothic novel and the terrors of censorship. Copies of this month’s title are available at the library’s circulation desk.
Halloweekend events at the Elizabeth Taber Library are happening from Thursday, October 24 to Saturday, October 26. Check out a pumpkin with your library card all month long (while Supplies last). Return your decorated pumpkin by Wednesday, October 23rd to be entered into our Great Pumpkin Contest. Vote for your favorites during our Halloweekend celebration activities. Are you brave enough to explore the library’s first ever mini haunted library? What ghouls will you meet as you wind your way through our haunted stacks? Visit Thursday- Saturday to find out.
Make some Halloween Boba after school, for ages 9+ Thursday, October 24 from 3:00-4:00 pm, then join us for costume karaoke starting at 6pm for food, fun, and music for all ages.
Make Halloween decorations that light up at Pumpkin Paper circuits with Miss Macy, Friday, October 25 from 3:00 to 4:00 pm for ages 5-9
Play at our Boo Bash Games event Saturday, October 26 from 11:00 am-12:00 pm for a Halloween Scavenger Hunt, spooky sensory bags, mummy races and more. At 1:00 pm join us for adult crafts with Emily to make Fall Book Centerpieces. This craft project is recommended for ages 12 and up.
Support the library by enjoying a delicious dinner and lively book discussion at a Marion neighbor’s home at Tables of Content, a fundraising event for the Elizabeth Taber Library – Sunday, October 20 & Friday, October 25. Go to the library’s website to register, select your book choices and date, get your book assignment & start reading, receive your dinner location and enjoy your evening. Tickets are $75 per person; all proceeds benefit the library. Learn more and view title options by visiting our website.
For more information on the Elizabeth Taber Library visit us at www.ElizabethTaberLibrary.org or call us at 508-748-1252
Town Administrator Geoffrey Gorman is pleased to share that Marion Select Board Chair Norm Hills was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the Southeastern Regional Planning & Economic Development District (SRPEDD) at the SRPEDD Annual Meeting on September 25. Hills serves as Marion’s Commissioner to the SRPEDD.
The Distinguished Service Award is given to a present or former commissioner for leadership and outstanding service to SRPEDD in recognition of a range of contributions.
Nominated by fellow SRPEDD Commissioners, Hills was called to the Venus de Milo restaurant podium in Swansea and presented the award by Executive Director Jeffrey Walker.
“This award recognizes your able and longstanding leadership on behalf of the community, as a valued Planning and Select Board Member and equally dedicated SRPEDD Commissioner, as current Treasurer and Member of the Finance and Personnel Committees, your prior service as Secretary, and other noteworthy contributions on myriad other agency committees and initiatives,” Walker said at the Annual Meeting.
“We are truly the beneficiaries of your experience and commitment to Southeast Massachusetts, and it is with heartfelt gratitude that we present you with the Distinguished Service Award.”
The SRPEDD Commission Award has been awarded to exemplary Commissioners since 1977.
Hills has been on the SRPEDD Commission since 2017 and serves on both the Finance and Personnel Committees, as well as being the Treasurer. He formerly served as the SRPEDD Secretary.
Carl A. Macedo, 77, of Rochester passed away Thursday, October 3, 2024 surrounded by his loving family at Charlton Memorial Hospital following a lengthy battle with cancer. He was the beloved husband of Barbara J. (Duclos) Macedo with whom he shared 59 years of marriage and son of the late John and Lillian (Spindler) Macedo.
Born in Acushnet, he resided in New Bedford for 21 years and in Dartmouth for several years before relocating to Rochester 35 years ago.
Mr. Macedo was employed as a truck driver for Jack Brassells, Inc. and Medeiros & Sons Construction both located in Dartmouth and also for G. Bourne Knowles in Fairhaven until his retirement. Tending his vegetable garden was a favorite pastime, especially during his retirement years.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son, Mark A. Macedo and his companion, Susan Frates of New Bedford; his brother, John Macedo of Enfield, New Hampshire and several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Macedo was predeceased by his infant son, Scott A. Macedo, his brother, Richard Macedo and his sister-in-law, Elaine “Penny” Macedo.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Southcoast Cancer Center, 206 Mill Road, Fairhaven, MA 02719 or you may donate online at southcoast.org/services/cancer-care and click on Giving at the top of the page.
Funeral arrangements have been committed to the care of Aubertine-Lopes Funeral Home, 129 Allen St., New Bedford. www.aubertine-lopes.com
