‘No Excuse,’ Says Store Owner

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            As per the Town’s policy, the Rochester Board of Selectmen on February 19 ordered Daniel Costa, owner of Lloyd’s Market, to close off the section of the store where alcohol products are displayed for one business day after a store employee was found in violation of the alcohol regulations.

            Early in January, Lloyd’s Market was cited for selling alcohol to a customer under the age of 21 during the Police Department’s undercover sting operation visiting the few establishments in Rochester authorized to sell alcohol.

            Rochester Police Chief Robert Small told the selectmen on February 19 that a first offense should result in a one-day loss of a liquor license to be carried out on a weekday between Monday through Thursday. This would be the case for Lloyd’s as a first-time offender since the business changed hands to Costa.

            Costa apologized to the board, saying, “I take full responsibility. I take it very seriously.”

            Costa said one of the first things he did as the new owner of Lloyd’s was to implement strict tobacco and alcohol policies and drill them into each of his employees. The register, he said, requires the employee to verify the age of every customer purchasing alcohol before the sale can be completed.

            “The person that’s in question that sold to a minor, I had just hired her,” said Costa. He added that he did have her signature on the policy that Costa had introduced to her upon hiring her. Despite that, though, the employee violated the policy.

            “She was terminated that day,” Costa said. “That’s how serious I take it. It should never happen. It just can’t happen is how I explain it to my employees.”

            He said he is “constantly reminding” his staff, “Make sure you’re carding.

            “In this case, she just didn’t,” Costa said. “No excuse. … Whatever the [board’s] decision is, I’ll stand by it, that’s fine.”

            Selectman Brad Morse suggested, instead of allowing Costa to choose a day that he would prefer to close off alcohol sales, that the board pick a date for Costa, a date that must be within 30 days of the public hearing. Morse selected Tuesday, March 5, which Costa approved.

            “Sorry,” Selectman Paul Ciaburri said to Costa. “You know, we made these policies and if we don’t enforce them – sorry it happened and all that, but we kind of – now we’ve got it written that we have to enforce them.”

            As the public hearing was closed and Costa left, Morse said to Costa, “Be diligent,” giving Costa a thumbs-up.

            The next meeting of the Rochester Board of Selectmen is scheduled for March 4 at 6:00 pm at the Rochester Town Hall.

Rochester Board of Selectmen

By Jean Perry

Boating Skills and Seamanship Course

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Have you asked yourself questions like: Why should I take a Boating Safety & Seamanship class? Why do I need a Safety Check List before getting underway? I want to buy a boat – what is the best boat for me? How much safety equipment must I have on my boat? I have a cell phone -why do I need a marine radio? If I swamp my boat – what do I do? Do I really have to wear a life jacket? What are the major causes of accidents that happen out on the water and how do I avoid them?

            You can get answers to these questions and more by registering to take a Boating Skills and Seamanship Course that will be offered by the Onset/Marion Flotilla 63 of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. Classes will be held on Wednesday nights from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Marion Marconi Building in the conference room at 13 Atlantis Drive, Marion, Massachusetts. 

            Registration and classes will begin on Wednesday, March 6at 7:00 pm. 

            This course is directed to the first time boater and as a great review for the more experienced boater. Subjects to be covered include “Which Boat is for you”, “Equipment for your 

Boat”, “Trailering your Boat”, “Handling your Boat”, Your Highway Signs”, “The Rules 

you must follow.” There is a minimal fee of $40.00 for course materials.

            For more information contact Warren Washburn after 6:00 pm at 508-789-3680. 

ORR Hockey Staying Mentally Tough

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            Through the midway point of the season, Old Rochester Regional/Fairhaven hockey was out and down on its luck with a 2-7-1 record. After losing several important parts from the 2017-2018 group and ushering a new coach, Chuck Jancaterino, and a new coaching style with it, it made sense the program would experience an adjustment period.

            “We lost a couple games there and we talked to the kids and said, ‘I’m not coming here and yelling at you guys. You’re down 3-0 and there wasn’t anybody that quit on this team,’” Jancaterino said, alluding to ORR/Fairhaven’s 3-1 January 16 loss to Apponequet/Bishop Connolly/Old Colony. “‘Everybody played until the end. The only way you can get back into this thing is to keep doing what you’re doing. Just come out, compete, work hard in practice and stay with it. Don’t get frustrated: don’t get down: don’t start thinking we’re never going to win a game.’”

            What wasn’t expected was the 5-0-2 run the Bulldogs went on in response. The stretch concluded with a 3-0 loss to Plymouth South on Saturday, but it still gave the Bulldogs a chance to qualify for postseason play with a win and a tie in their last two games of the season.

            “They’ve persevered,” Jancaterino said. “They’re mentally tough, yeah. They’re committed to the program no matter what. They want to compete. When the going gets tough and you all stay together and you keep working hard, keep going at it, that’s how you get out of slumps and going out of the right direction.

            “You got to give credit to the seniors,” Jancaterino said. “They held it together. It just turned around. You get a win and it just keeps building.”

            The two seniors leading the charge have been forward Sam Austinand defenseman Owen Powers. Austin leads the team with 12 goals and 21 points, while Powers had 10 assists to his name along with his nine goals (19 points). Junior Robert Ramseyand sophomore Ben Austin, Sam’s younger brother, have both pitched in 18 points apiece.

            But the rock for ORR/Fairhaven has been goalie Jacob Demoranville. Over 500 shots have come the junior’s way this year and he’s still maintained a 2.29 goals-against average and 93 save percentage.

            Following Tuesday’s matchup against Plymouth North, the Bulldogs take on Plymouth South again, this time in Plymouth, on Wednesday at 5:30 pm.

            Old Rochester Regional boys swimming took home the Division 2 State Title in an event, with Jacob Cuocotaking first in the 100 butterfly, a 50.96-second effort. Colin Kulakwas the Bulldogs’ other top finisher, placing 10thin the 50 freestyle (23.18 seconds).

            ORR’sMegan Nolancontinues to dominate in goal for BMW/ORR girls hockey. The junior has saved 454 of the 476 shots that have come her way this season (.954 save percentage) and only averages 1.34 goals against.

Old Colony

            After making a last-minute push, Old Colony came up just shy of qualifying for the postseason, finishing with a 9-11 record. The Cougars entered their final six games of the season with a 4-10 record, needing to win six in a row. They won four before their first loss, but still managed to close out with a win, knocking off South Shore 39-26. The Cougars graduate Lauren Patenaude, Hannah L’Heureux, and Lauren McGowan.

            Old Colony boys basketball was unable to capture the Mayflower Small Vocational championship, falling short against South Shore, 61-52. Both Jake Jasonand Zach Soucyscored 18 points each in the loss, with Tony Wrightpitching in 10. The Cougars (17-3) await State Vocational Tournament seeding prior to Division 4 State Tournament play.

Tabor Academy

            Tabor Academy girls hockey came up just shy in the Independent Schools League regular season title, with the Noble and Greenough winning 4-3. Cindy Giandomenicogot the scoring started for the Seawolves to make it 1-1. Abby Newhooklater scored with Tabor down 3-1. Annie Berrybrought it to within one goal for the Seawolves, but Tabor (18-1-3) would come up just short.

High School Sports Update

By Nick Friar

Town Considers Land Swap with Boatyard

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            The Marion Conservation Commission on February 13 tackled the long-standing issue of the Town-owned land at Boatyard Park that has been encroached upon by the adjacent boatyard for over 25 years.

            The Town purchased the land in 1996 from the Trust for Public Land during the development of The Cove.

            At a previous meeting, the commission had informed the current owners of the boatyard, A&J Boat Corp, that they would be interested in a land swap to resolve the issue. The boatyard owners, Shawn and Richard Patten, were represented on February 13 by Attorney John Mathieu, who proposed the swap of a 4-acre parcel of wooded land off Rezendes Terrace in exchange for the approximately .40-acre land adjacent to the boatyard.

            The Pattens currently have a Purchase and Sale agreement on the Rezendes Terrace parcel.

            Mathieu described a portion of the lot as wooded swamp, suggesting that this makes it a valuable lot for protection. He also suggested the parcel may possibly be a buildable lot, and abuts a number of residential properties on Rezendes Terrace and Point Road. The boatyard, Mathieu pointed out, would pay taxes on the boatyard parcel once they acquired it.

            Conservation Commission Chairman Jeff Doubrava inquired about the access to the parcel, which does not abut Rezendes Terrace. Mathieu reported that there is a 40-foot “paper street” across, which the Town would have a right of way to access the parcel.

            Doubrava then turned his questions to the boatyard parcel, wondering how the process would play out if the commission decided to move forward with the swap. Mathieu informed the commission, based on his title work, that he believed the small parcel was a separate lot, 41A, as shown on the plan of land that accompanied the original conveyance in 1996. Therefore, Mathieu said, the parcel would not need to be subdivided from the rest of the Town’s land included in the original purchase.

            Doubrava outlined the procedure the Town must follow in order to convey the Town-owned parcel. The two parcels would need to be appraised for market value to determine that they are comparable in value. The conservation value of the two parcels would also need to be assessed. The Board of Selectmen would need to agree to place the parcel on the Town Meeting warrant for Town Meeting to adopt with a 2/3 majority. The parcel is considered conservation land under state Article 97, so there would need to be a 2/3 vote by the state legislature to release it from conservation use.

            Doubrava lamented that, while there were other parcels he would prefer to be protecting in the land swap, such as Ram Island, he believed this was a fair swap.

            Member Cynthia Callow reminded the commission that it is in the best interest of conservation to protect tracts of contiguous land, which this parcel has the potential of being with abutting parcels of open space.

            Member Kristen Saint-Don Campbell voiced her concerns about the timing of the decision, asking, “How do we make a decision without an appraisal?”

             Patten has an appointment to appear before the Board of Selectmen at a future meeting to get the article on the warrant.

            Doubrava suggested that the commission move ahead with its approval contingent on the results of the appraisals.

            “If the appraisals come back insufficient,” said Mathieu, “[the commission] can say you don’t support it at Annual Town Meeting.”

            The commission voted to approve the land swap pending favorable market and conservation value appraisals. Doubrava added that the Article 97 issue could be pursued in parallel with the Town process.

            Also during the meeting, the commission acknowledged the resignation of ConCom’s longest-serving member, Joel Hartley. In his letter of resignation to the town clerk, Hartley acknowledged his 20-year tenure on the commission. He expressed his confidence in the current commission as the reason for the timing of his resignation.

            “Currently the commission is full of very qualified members,” Hartley wrote. “The Commission will be in very capable hands.”

            Doubrava echoed the praise of Hartley by the other commissioners, saying, “[He’s a] good engineer – didn’t say a lot, but when he did, it mattered.”

            In other business, the commission issued a Negative determination on the Request for Determination of Applicability filed by Dean and Carole Burpee to rebuild a deck off their home at 52 West Avenue.

            A Negative determination was issued for Garry Holmes’ RDA to add a 218 square-foot three-season addition at 31 Beach Street, as well as a 771 square-foot deck and a 785 square-foot garage.

            The commission issued a Negative determination on the RDA filed by Seth Farquharsan, 33 River View Lane, to construct a 16-foot by 25-foot garage with an attached 150 square-foot garden shed adjacent to the existing one-car garage.

            N. Douglas Schneider presented the proposal by David and Linda Nielsen, of 203 Front Street, to construct an elevated utility platform supported by timbers set on sonotubes. The platform will be raised to 17.87 feet, which is above the base flood elevation of 16 feet. The RDA received a Negative determination.

            Schneider also represented Joseph and Caroline Sheehan for their Notice of Intent to construct a 12-foot by 32-foot in-ground swimming pool at 17 Nokomis Road. The commission had asked that a fence, currently required by the Board of Health, be added to the plan; the applicants complied. In addition, in issuing the Order of Conditions, the commission required that the owners install siltation fence and the pool drainage be plumbed so that treated water cannot be discharged into the wetlands.

            The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission is scheduled for February 27 at 7:00 pm at the Marion Town House.

Marion Conservation Commission

By Sarah French Storer

Visiting Artist Shares Work at Tabor Academy

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The ceramics program at Tabor Academy will host potter Michelle Grey as this year’s Tomlinson Visiting Artist in Ceramics from Monday, February 25 through Thursday, February 28. Grey will give practical workshops on pottery design and the ceramic surface in the Braitmayer Art Center during classes Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. 

            On Monday evening, February 25from 6:45 pm – 7:30 pm, Grey will present an image illustrated talk about her life as an art potter, exploring the history of her work with clay, and sharing the experiences and ideas that are important to her as an artist. This talk will be held in the ceramic studio in the Braitmayer Art Center and is free and open to the public. An exhibition of her work will be on view in the gallery adjacent to the ceramic studio during her stay on campus. 

            Grey is a young potter, having graduated in 2017 from Massachusetts College of Art in Boston, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in ceramics. She worked for a year as post-baccalaureate student in the ceramics program at the University of Massachusetts, and also as a summer resident artist at Tabor alumus, Charlie Barmonde’s ceramic art gallery and studio, Arch Ceramics, in Tiverton, Rhode Island. Grey is currently a resident artist in ceramics at the Worcester Center for the Arts.

            Grey produces functional, artistic ceramics working in porcelain and with the exciting soda-firing process. Her work balances the softness of clay with the hard edge geometric surface design work in glaze and color, producing useful and artistically dynamic handmade vessels of many types. Her beautiful work will be available for purchase. 

LWV Blue Book

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Is your listing in the Blue Book correct and up to date? Want to list a mobile number instead of your landline? Have you moved? A new edition of THE BLUE BOOK is in the works. The 2019-20 phone directory to be published by the Tri-town League of Women Voters will be mailed FREE OF CHARGE to every postal patron in Marion, Mattapoisett, and Rochester in July.

            The book contains the names, addresses, and phone numbers of each town’s residents and businesses as well as advertisements by area businesses and professionals for their products and services. An online version of this book contains the residential listings and classified business listings and can be found at: lwvmmr.org/phonebook.

            The only printed residential phone book in this area, THE BLUE BOOK is highly popular, providing an important communication tool for the three towns. To make the book as accurate as possible, residents can submit additions, deletions, and corrections to their listings by email at lwvphonebook@comcast.net or by postal mail to LWV-MMR, PO Box 812, Marion, MA 02738. Advertising information can be requested using the same addresses.

            The league is proud of this community service and appreciates the support of the advertisers who help to make this book possible.

Local Wildlife in Late Winter

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            Looking across Little Bay from my back porch window, the icy grip of winter seems to be breaking up after each rising sun and with the ebb and flow of daily tidal movement. The panorama overhead also comes to life on warming winds and whistling wings of waterfowl unfolding to drop into edges of liberated open waters. However, as a relatively new resident of Buzzards Bay, my weather expectations have proved to be consistently wrong.

            I moved here after some twenty years of consistently similar winters past in high Appalachian elevations of the Berkshire Mountains of Western Massachusetts. Some years a blanket of snow covered the ground before winter even began until too long after it was over. Hibernation for cold- and warm-blooded creatures was always a survival command performance. And snow was still around for telltale tracks when they decided to come out and about. (My illustration is of a flock of Wild Turkeys going to roost for the night in a late February blizzard to take shelter in the upper branches of a tall white pine with the light of the full moon called the Snow Moon by the Algonquin.)

            For the white-tailed deer also, the ground food was consistently covered, so they would gather for the winter under a canopy of thick conifer cover of cleared ground. This was known as a winter deer pen. After a long period of near-starvation, a doe could burn up most of her body fat, including the embryo of her unborn fawn. But if the winter is short and mild, a doe can often give birth to two and sometimes three fawns.

            My monthly wildlife column and drawing for a local Berkshire paper for some twenty years was inspired by wildlife adapting to seasonal location. Some of them raised eyebrows of disbelief, such as documenting and illustrating mountain lion sightings passing through, almost unseen, coming down from the high ridges to visit the deer pens. Mountain lions in that area had been classified as extinct by state and federal authorities. It was almost believable, until my wife, Jan, saw one along the road a mile from our house.

            After the first spring week of thawing temperature, a local mother bear would awaken from under a brush pile of a nearby swamp and make her usual spring neighborhood rounds. She would break down every bird feeder to feed two or three cubs making their first public outing. One day a cow moose casually strolled through the center of the small town, showing off a newborn calf, while they both grazed on the cleared athletic field behind Town Hall.

            Meanwhile, back in our South Shore coastal environment, you may have read in the Old Farmer’s Almanac that if winter came in like a lamb, it could go out like a lion. This may be unpleasantly inconvenient for all of us, but critical for the habitat, sustenance, and reproduction of wildlife in late winter. I will share this progression toward spring with you in The Wandererin these following weeks.

By George B. Emmons

Suzanne Buttler Robertson

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Suzanne Buttler Robertson, 64, passed away peacefully, Wednesday, February 20th. Suzanne was born August 27, 1954, and grew up in Mattapoisett. She was a graduate of Old Rochester HS and Cape Cod Community College. She served in the US Army from 1975-78 in Kansas and Seoul, S. Korea. Suzanne worked as a registered nurse at St. Luke’s Hospital until 2013.

            Suzanne loved adventures and gatherings with friends and family. Her garden was amazing and she loved sharing it. Suzanne had a passion for helping people—beyond her job. She loved gift-giving, cooking, basket weaving, sewing, knitting, walking, and biking. Suzanne traveled extensively, visiting and making friends wherever she went. Suzanne was a friend to all and she will be missed greatly.

            Suzanne leaves four surviving siblings, Bruce Robertson, Mattapoisett, Mark Robertson (and Deborah Vieira), Mattapoisett, Scott Robertson and his wife, Rebecca, South Dartmouth, Cynthia Robertson Kirchhoff and her husband, Georg Eric, Medfield. Predeceasing her, her brother, James D. Robertson II (1989), her mother, Mary T. Robertson (2003), and her father, James D. Robertson (1995).

            Suzanne leaves numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and godchildren: Shayne Ball, Luke Robertson, Trevor and Lyndsay Robertson, Robbie & Daniel Southerland, Aislinn and Leah Robertson, Carl James and Maira Lucille Kirchhoff, Rachael Robertson, Archer and Langden Ball, Angele Gracia (godchild), and Alex Cuddy (godchild).

            Arrangements will be made by Fairlawn Mortuary in Fairhaven. Celebration of Life will be held March 9th from Noon to 2 pm at the Seamen’s Bethel in New Bedford. Military ceremony and internment at the National Cemetery in Bourne, Friday, March 15, 2:30 pm.

            The family of Suzanne would like to thank the nurses and staff at Our Lady’s Haven for loving, compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Suzanne’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association, 309 Waverley Oaks Road, Waltham, MA 02452 and Hospice.

            For online tributes please visit: www.waring-sullivan.com

Harriet Ane (Johannessen) Didriksen

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Harriet Ane (Johannessen) Didriksen, 76, of Mattapoisett passed away peacefully at St. Anne’s Hospital in Fall River on February 3, 2019 with her son Dana holding her hand. She was the daughter of the late Dorothy H. (Ellis) Johannessen and Johan Johannessen. Harriet started working at New Bedford ShipSupply Co., Inc. when she was just 13 years old. This is where she met a fisherman, Didrik Didriksen, the man who would later become her husband and father to their two beautiful children, Jennifer and Dana. Harriet and Didrik always wanted to own their own fishing vessel and in 1968 that dream came true. They built the 100-foot-long dragger, F/V Pioneer. They later built F/V Bagatelle and F/V Settler; F/V Settler is still operating today and can be found on the New Bedford waterfront. Harriet spent her entire life immersed in the fishing industry. After working for 40 years at New Bedford Ship Supply Co., Inc., she inherited the business when her aunt and uncle, Sarah and Rasmus Tonnessen, passed away. Dana will now own and operate New Bedford Ship Supply Co., Inc.

            Harriet was held in high regard as an authority in the fishing industry. She travelled up and down the eastern seaboard, tirelessly advocating on behalf of the fishing community, small independent fishing vessels and the individual fishermen for whom she truly cared about. Harriet was a member of the New Bedford Port Society Ladies Branch and Trinity Lutheran Church. Harriet’s compassion, extraordinary generosity and kind heart were clear to all whose lives she touched.

            Harriet is pre-deceased by her former husband Didrik and her daughter, Jennifer. She is survived by her son Dana, her daughter-in-law Rachel and her two beloved and “spoiled-by-her” grandchildren, Agnus and Rasmus of Bridgehampton, NY. She is also survived by her much-loved brother Sigurd Johannessen, whom she held a special place in her heart for, and sister-in-law Kelly Johannessen of Little Compton, RI, as well as her dear cousin and friend, Sarah Lawton of Mattapoisett, in addition to many other cousins and friends here and in Norway.

            Harriet was as strong in sickness as she was in life. As per Harriet’s request, there will be no funeral, but we welcome you to join us for a celebration of her life at the New Bedford Whaling Museum, 18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, MA, in the Harbor View Room on Saturday, March 23, 2019 between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm.

Mattapoisett Recreation

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            Mattapoisett Recreation is offering the following spring programs, registration is now open. 

            Kid Fit is open to children in Grades K-3 on Tuesdays from 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm starting March 19 through May 14 at the Center School Gym. Join Mr. C. for a new session of Kid Fit. Classes are designed to increase physical fitness and expend some energy – all while having fun! Different games and sports will be played each week. 8 week session. Cost is $105 and Registration deadline is March 12. This class fills quickly – sign up today.

            Sport Fit is open to children in Grades 4-6 on Thursdays from 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm starting March 28 through May 23 at Old Hammondtown Gymnasium. This is a new program. Classes are designed with drills and games based on sports conditioning to increase speed, agility, and strength. 8 week session. Cost is $105 and Registration deadline is March 21.

            Running Club is open to children in Grades 4-6 on Tuesdays from 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm starting March 26 through May 14 at OHS Gym. The goal is to get kids off the couch and into their running shoes and to help them develop a lifetime love for running and a healthy lifestyle. Runners of all abilities will leave the program with a greater belief in themselves. Join Mrs. Hughes for this 7 week program – Cost is $55 Registration deadline is March 18.

            Gymnastics & Tumbling is for children Ages 5 & up on Fridays from 3:15 pm – 4:15 pm and 4:15 pm – 5:15 pm. Starting March 15 through May 17 at Old Hammondtown Gymnasium. Gymnastics and/or Tumbling classes are perfect for beginner gymnasts as well as students with previous gymnastics experience. Qualified instructors will work individually with each gymnast on all 4 gymnastic events: Floor Tumbling, Balance Beam, Bars, and Vaulting. Tumbling classes are designed for any gymnast or cheerleader interested in working solely on their floor/tumbling skills. 8 week session. Cost is $155 and Registration deadline is March 8th.

            Fencing is on Mondays: Ages 7-11 are from 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm and Ages 10-14 are from 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm starting on March 25 through May 20 in the Center School Gymnasium. Blackstone Valley Fencing Academy will teach your child the basic techniques and language of fencing. Their goal is to promote self-confidence and self-reliance as a fencer and an individual. All equipment is provided. 8 week session. Cost is $165 and Registration deadline is March 18.

            Robotics: Learn to design, build and code robots in this 6-week program. Children will experiment and problem solve while working on team building skills. All LEGO materials are provided. Cost is $85 and Registration deadline is March 4. Center School program is open to Grades 2 & 3 on Thursdays from 2:45 pm – 4:00 pm and starts on March 14 through May 2 in the Center School Computer Lab. Old Hammondtown Program is open to Grades 4-6 on Wednesdays from 2:45 pm – 4:00 pm starting on March 13 through April 24 in the Old Hammondtown Computer Lab. 

            Girls Golf at the Bay Club. Join the Bay Club’s PGA Pro for a complimentary indoor golf clinic. Clinics will focus on the fundamentals of golf and participants will receive instruction and try the indoor golf simulator. Please email us at mattrec@mattapoisett.net to sign up for this free clinic. Open to girls ages 9-14years old. 

            Space is limited so register on-line today at www.mattrec.net. Questions on any programs please email mattrec@mattapoisett.net or call 508-758-4548.