Elks Student of the Month

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The Elks of Wareham / New Bedford Lodge No. 1548 sponsors the Elks Student of the Month and Student of the Year Awards for students enrolled in local area high schools. The criteria used in nominating a student includes a student who excels in scholarship, citizenship, performing arts, fine arts, hobbies, athletics, church, school and community service, industry and farming.

            We congratulate Senior Kelsea Kidney of New Bedford for being selected as Student of the Month for February by the Old Rochester Regional High School faculty and staff. Kelsea is a straight A student. She earned All-Conference and South-Coast All-Star as a senior Cross Country runner and followed it up with a successful Indoor Track season. She is positive, self-motivated, self-advocating, respectful to staff and her peers, and can often be found volunteering to help her classmates and with the special-ed students in the Learning Center. She was awarded the prestigious Silver Key award for exceptional artwork in New England by the Boston Globe, an award previously awarded to Truman Capote, Sylvia Plath, and Andy Warhol. She participates in Destination Imagination (DI), a national STEM competition, where her team recently finished 2nd in the entire nation out of more than a thousand competing teams. She also volunteers her time to coach a DI team of elementary students. She also volunteers serving 2-3 times a week in local elementary schools helping the School Psychologist and Counselor work with students having life challenges. Kidney is the model of what a successful American student can be and we are excited to see what her future holds. 

Daniel S. Sanford

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Daniel S. Sanford, 30, of Marlboro, died peacefully at home on April 2, 2019. Son of Stephen P. and Jill J. (Johnson) Sanford of Mattapoisett (formerly of Hopkinton), Dan lived in Hopkinton most of his life before moving to Marlboro seven years ago. For many years Dan participated in activities sponsored by the Employment Options organization in Marlboro. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially when visiting his grandparents at Newfound Lake in New Hampshire and at Buzzards Bay in Wareham. Dan loved music, playing video games with his friends, and was a car enthusiast from an early age. He always looked forward to playing with his family dog Jazzy, and his sister’s dog Riley. Dan will be deeply missed by his family and friends. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his sister, Kara Sanford of North Attleboro; his brother, Sean Sanford of Mattapoisett; his paternal grandparents, E. Lorraine (Spaulding) Sanford and the late George B. Sanford, of Wareham; his maternal grandparents, E.A. “Pete” and Ruth (Potvin) Johnson of Bonita Springs, FL; his aunts and uncles, Richard and Margie Sanford of Taunton; Bill and Denise Sanford of Norton, David and Juliet Johnson of Spring, TX; and Wayne and Nicole Johnson of Naples, FL; his cousins, Amy Johnson, her husband Johnny Manzanarez and their son Tyler of Key West, FL; Eric Sanford and Renee Sanford of Norton; and Dan’s friends and staff at 509 Lincoln St., Marlboro. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, April 11, 4:00-8:00 pm in the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals in Mattapoisett at 50 County Road/Route 6. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, April 12 at 11:00 am at the funeral home, followed by a burial at Cushing Cemetery, Mattapoisett, MA. Donations may be made in Dan’s memory to Mobile Ministries of New Bedford, 884 Kempton St, New Bedford, MA 02740 (mobile-ministries.org), Employment Options, 82 Brigham St., Marlboro, MA 01752 (employmentoptions.org), or The Kennedy Donovan Center, 1 Commercial St, Foxboro, MA 02035 (kdc.org). For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Selectmen Ask Pickles to Resign as Town Clerk

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The Marion Board of Selectmen has asked Town Clerk Ray Pickles to resign from his town clerk position in light of the recent statewide grand jury criminal indictment for allegedly stealing over $600,000 from the Carver, Marion, Wareham Regional Refuse Disposal District (CMWRRDD).

            In a letter signed and dated April 2, the selectmen acknowledged the criminal wrongdoings alleged against the former CMWRRDD executive director, who is also one of three defendants in a civil action filed against Pickles, his wife Diane Bondi-Pickles, and former CMWRRDD board chairman and retired Carver Health Agent Robert Tinkham, Jr.

            “The Board of Selectmen is deeply troubled by these allegations,” the letter reads. “We acknowledge the presumptions of innocence enjoyed by all criminal defendants. However, we believe that effective public service requires that each and every public official must hold himself or herself to a higher ethical standard. It is difficult for any elected official to perform their sworn duties while ensnared in the controversy and mistrust arising from such criminal proceedings.”

            The accusations, the selectmen wrote, if proven true, “constitute a staggering abuse of the public trust.”

            The selectmen asked Pickles to tender his resignation immediately “in the interest of maintaining transparency and restoring the trust that our residents expect and deserve.”

                  “I have no idea what the response will be,” said Board of Selectmen Chairman Norm Hills on April 2, “but at least we’ll be on the record.”

By Jean Perry

ConCom Accepts Araujo’s Restoration Plan ‘Alternative’

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The former site of a much beloved Boy Scout camp located on the shores of Leonard’s Pond is no longer used as such, but is part of one land owner’s dream – a dream that has, however, been more of a nightmare as of late.

            Jose Araujo purchased the more than 25-acre site with the dream of building a retirement home for himself and his wife, as well as four additional homes, one each for his children. But what he failed to do prior to cutting down trees was seek regulatory permits to do so, resulting in a cease and desist enforcement order.

            On April 2, Araujo returned to the Rochester Conservation Commission to ascertain just how he could satisfy their demand for restoration of trees, shrubs, and other native plantings. Updated plans were submitted, but now with a twist. Araujo was offering a permanent conservation easement along some five areas including shoreline areas.

            Engineer Rick Charon, representing Araujo, detailed what he hoped would be an acceptable compromise, given that an earlier restoration proposal was not feasible due to the poor quality of the soils in disturbed areas.

            “I think we have a plan that satisfies what happened out there,” Charon said. “Mr. Araujo is trying to atone for his misstep. The easement language needs town counsel review, but we’d like to file for a notice of intent; then the easement can be perfected and become part of the orders of conditions.”

            Originally, the commission had asked for hundreds of trees, shrubs, and other plants to replace the several hundred cut down by Araujo. Now he was returning with what he hoped would be a better and more viable resolution – a conservation easement and a modified planting plan.

            At least one commission member thought they were sending the wrong message to other property owners asking for forgiveness versus permission and then getting a slap on the wrist.

            But, just like back on March 19 when the proposal was first discussed, Conservation Agent Laurell Farinon thought the plan was worthy of consideration.

            “I think we’ve come a long way,” she began. “The most important thing is that we move in the right direction.” She said she thought the message to the public was one of “enforcement” when unpermitted activities were uncovered.

            Of the conservation easement, Farinon said it was different from others the commission had seen in the past. This easement did not provide for public access, but a permanent prohibition of development activities allowing the acreage to remain natural.

            Commission member Daniel Gagne wanted planting to begin as soon as possible. Araujo said he was ready to go.

            In the end, the commission approved the planting plan, requiring it as part of a notice of intent Araujo would have to file, that would include plans for the first of five future homes on the site.

            In other matters, the way was cleared for the development of plans for the construction of age-restricted residential units off Rounseville Road, when the commission issued an order of conditions to Brian Wallace of J.C. Engineering, Inc., for the rehabilitation of stormwater systems on the site. Wallace said the next step was approval by the Planning Board, which he anticipated would be received later in the week.

            T-Mobile’s continued NOI filing was once again continued, this time until June 18, when representative Marty Cohen, Network Building and Consultants, failed to supply operations and maintenance plans or the name of a contractor as the commission had requested. Cohen apologized, but said that the utility would not be providing that level of detail until all permits in all cities and towns had been secured. A letter supplied by the utility did not satisfy the question of safety and maintenance, thus the public hearing was continued to give Cohen a substantial amount of time to secure the necessary documents.

            Other public meetings and hearings included the issuance of a Certificate of Compliance for property located at 4 Sparrow Lane to Decas Cranberry Company; a Negative determination of applicability to Mario DiBona for property located off Dexter Lane for the construction of a new single-family home with septic systems and associated site work; and a Negative determination on an RDA of non-significance on plan change to Mark Sollauer for plan changes made outside an order of conditions for property on Mendell Road.

            The next meeting of the Rochester Conservation Commission is scheduled for April 16 at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall meeting room.

Rochester Conservation Commission

By Marilou Newell

ORR Baseball a Mix of Youth and Experience

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Last season, Old Rochester Regional High School (ORR) baseball had a bona fide high school No. 1 starting pitcher in Mike Kennefick. The righty went 4-2 for the Bulldogs, striking out 48 over 28 2/3 innings. Not to mention, he posted a rock bottom 1.59 ERA, making him one of the toughest pitchers in the South Coast Conference and at the Division 3 level.

            Kennefick more than held his own at the plate, too. The 2018 grad hit .429 and has six doubles, one triple, 17 RBIs and scored 24 runs at the heard of Old Rochester Regional’s order.

The Bulldogs also graduated their sure-handed shortstop, Jake Asiaf, who had the arm and range that put him among the best high school infielders. He could swing it, too, batting .358 at the Bulldogs No. 2 hitter – .529 over his last eight games with ORR.

            “Jake did it all for us as a hitter who hit for average and power [and] aggressively ran the bases,”Old Rochester Regional coach Steve Carvalho said after the 2018 season. “He’s an outstanding young man who comes to work daily.”

            That leaves the Bulldogs without one of the program’s best pitchers and infielders in recent history heading into the 2019 season.

            “We got to plug some holes,” Carvalho said. “There’s no doubt about it.”

            But the ORR coach doesn’t move forward empty-handed.

            The Bulldogs return three major pieces from last year’s lineup, one being senior corner infielder Adam Breault. Also one of ORR’s three starting pitchers, Breault hit .410 with seven doubles, three triples, a home run, and 15 RBIs in 2018.

            The Bulldogs also return two-thirds of their outfield, with Chris LaBelleand Bryce Afonso, who both had big hits in ORR’s final game of the 2018 season, which was a loss to Falmouth in the quarterfinals of Div. 3 South Sectional tournament. The outfield should be the steadiest portion of the roster, given their experience.Nick Dextradeurand Thomas Couccishould factor into the outfield, as well.

            Mike Barryis taking over for his old double-play partner, Asiaf, making the move from second base to shortstop. John Farrell, who played catcher quite a bit in 2018, will now play up the middle with Barry. John Hamiltonwill also see time in the infield.

            “Afonso, Barry, LaBelle, and Breault still allow for production,” Carvalho said. “How the other guys fit in, we’ll see.”

            On the mound, ORR will have Breault, Bob Ross, and Nate Kvilhoug. Who emerges as the top option remains to be seen. As of now, all three are on the same playing field, relatively.

            Noah Maxwelland Jack Meehan will also factor in on the mound. Maxwell can also play third, which Coucci is an option at first. Aidan Tremblayprovides another option at the corners, as well as behind the plate.

            “I’m moving a few guys around,” Carvalho said. “It’s always a tough South Coast Conference. It’s going to take pitching, defense, and timely hitting, as always.”

Old Colony

            Old Colony boys lacrosse welcomes in Sam Botelhoas the program’s new head coach. A graduate of Middleboro High School, Botelho walks into a unique situation, not only because it’s his first job as a head coach, but also because he’s only 22 years old.

            His youth offers a fresh perspective to the game; however, he’s been aware from the start that this is a major adjustment for his athletes. Botelho has done his best to handle that accordingly.

            “For these seniors, I can only imagine what it’s like having a young, new lacrosse coach come in their senior year and get things started,” Botelho said. “We started the first day of camp just talking about any feelings they had towards the program – good, bad, or indifferent – we started fresh that day.”

High School Sports Update

By Nick Friar

Eloise Ricciardelli

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Eloise Ricciardelli, née King passed away on Monday, April 1st 2019 at the age of 90. She went peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones.

            By all accounts, Eloise lived her life to the fullest. She was born on February 18, 1929 in New Jersey to Christina Pernas and J. C. King. Despite chronic motion sickness, she lived a life on the move, spending her childhood in South America with years in Brazil and Uruguay alongside her older brother, Frank, and younger sister, Margherita. She moved back to the US shortly after WWII and finished up her schooling, attending Stevens College and, from what we know, raising hell.

            Not to take the simple road, she moved to New York City and began a career. She had a number of different jobs, including working for Capital Records before eventually starting up at MoMA. She worked through the ranks, from the Film Department to Museum Registrar. Her work took her across the globe, including Russia, Australia, Japan, France and more. As an expert in the field, she continued to work after her retirement in 1991, lending her expertise to the New Bedford Whaling Museum and the Mattapoisett Historical Society.

            A modern, independent woman, Eloise was married and divorced a couple of times throughout her life. First to Don Smith, father of Cassandra and Marc, and later to Alex Ricciardelli, father of Matthew. Unfortunately, no man could really keep up with Eloise, so she raised her three children primarily as a single working mother from the 60’s and through the 80’s.

            Eloise retired from MoMA and moved to Mattapoisett, MA in the early 90’s. She spent those years volunteering, continuing to travel and teaching her grandchildren how to protest. With family all over, she had opportunities to visit across the US and overseas to Cyprus, Belgium, Hong Kong, Bali, Canada and more after her retirement, in addition to regular visits to New York.

            Despite moving to Maine in the later years of her life, she built a vibrant and close community of friends. Her days were filled with exercise classes, spanish table, movies, concerts, operas, lectures and chatting up strangers at Woodman’s. Eloise was an absolute treasure of a human being who touched everyone she met. She was sassy and sophisticated, she knew how to have a good time and not take life too seriously. She faced her life fearlessly and cared little of what others might think. She will be sorely missed.

            She is survived by her brother, Frank King; daughter, Cassandra Babbitt; son, Matthew Ricciardelli; five grandchildren, James, Ian, Hilary and Fiona Babbitt and Vincent Smith; and 2 great-grandchildren Eloise and Clementine Cummer-Babbitt.

            A celebration for her life is planned at a later date when extended family may join us. In lieu of flowers the family asks for a donation to the Orono Land Trust (PO Box 4, Orono, ME 04473), or a charity of your choice.

Dwayne J. Lopes

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Dwayne J. Lopes, 50, of Dartmouth passed away unexpectedly Sunday, March 31, 2019.

            Born in New Bedford, a son of Nancy (Frates) Lopes of FL and the late John Lopes, Sr. He was a lifelong area resident.

            Dwayne worked at Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School and was also a licensed electrician. He was a hardworking, humble man that could fix anything. When not working, he loved spending time at the beach.

            In addition to his mother, he is survived by two children, Amanda Lopes of RI and Nathan Lopes of AL; siblings, John Lopes Jr., Darryl Lopes, Shawn Lopes, Richard Lopes, Don Lopes, Lori Porter, Marcia Ferreira, and Timothy Ferreira; longtime girlfriend and life partner, Lisa Faria; numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was the father of the late Tristan Lopes and brother of the late Lonnie Lopes.

            His memorial visitation will be Tuesday, April 9, 2019 2-5 pm in the Waring-Sullivan Home at Dartmouth, 230 Russells Mills Rd., Dartmouth. For online tribute/directions www.waring-sullivan.com.

Sippican Historical Society

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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 314 Front Street. The Captain Henry Delano House at 314 Front Street presides over a front yard enclosed by a simple mid-19th-century cast-iron fence in the heart of the Old Landing area. This house was built for Captain Henry Delano in 1837. The distinctive attic window also appears on the Reverend Leander Cobb House at 28 South Street and represents the only other residence with this Greek Revival-style window in Marion. This house was owned by Laura J. Gibbs from 1900 until her death on August 12, 1925.

Earth Day Trash Bash!

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Streets will be cleaned and closets cleared as the Marion Cub Scouts Pack 32 and Marion Boy Scouts Troop 32 join forces with GiftstoGive, the Marion Recreation Department, and Marion Department of Public Works for a spring cleaning! Please join us when we rally at Washburn Park on Saturday, April 27from 8:00 am – 11:00 am. (Rain date is April 28th at the same time) Participants will be given trash bags, recycling bags, gloves, and will be provided with a yellow vest. Assignments will be handed out and participants will clear the trash and other debris left from winter.

            In addition to cleaning up our streets, spring clean up includes cleaning out our closets! The GiftstoGive truck will be at Washburn Park from 8:30 am – 11:00 am, collecting new and gently used children’s items. (please see their website for details about items they accept www.giftstogive.org/ ). 

            After participants finish the town-wide clean, all community members are invited to celebrate the season by joining the Sippican Land Trust (SLT) back at Washburn Park from 10:00 am -3:00 pm. Scouts will be joining the SLT at their Spring Festival and will host a recycling art project sponsored by the Marion Cultural Council, an information booth about scouting, an inflatable archery range for our younger citizens, alongside several other activities for community members of all ages including performances by the Toe Jam Puppet Band and the Sippican School Festival Band along with face painting, crafts, and walks lead by the SLT . 

Open Table

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The next Open Table will be on April 12in Reynard Hall in the Mattapoisett Congregational Church. The menu will be meatless because it is Lent. There is no charge for the meal, although donations are gratefully accepted. Doors open at 4:30 pm and dinner is served at 5:00 pm. This is a community event and everyone is welcome. Invite a friend, neighbor, or family member. We look forward to seeing you on Friday, April 12th.