FinCom Wants Revival of Personnel Committee

on

The Marion Finance Committee made a few tweaks to a letter addressed to the Board of Selectmen on January 29 and is preparing it to inform the selectmen that the committee is interested in reconstituting a Town personnel committee.

“There are some personnel decisions we should be involved in,” said Finance Committee Chairman Peter Winters.

A more formal Personnel Board supported with bylaws was dissolved back in 2000, according to Selectman John Waterman, and replaced by a more informal personnel committee composed of the selectmen and the Finance Committee members, which has been inactive for some time now.

Adding to the conversation, Finance Committee member Alan Minard had hoped to be chosen as a member of the committee to select a new town administrator but was not appointed.

The Finance Committee members discussed its availability to attend the next Board of Selectmen meeting on February 5 to talk about their personnel board idea, as well as the Reserve Fund transfer request to fund Town Administrator Paul Dawson’s 5.4 percent pay raise that the Finance Committee declined to approve during its last meeting.

Committee members on January 15 approved a Reserve Fund transfer request to fund the fire chief’s 8.8 percent pay raise, but declined to approve Dawson’s because, as Minard put it, “It ties the money up. … It’s not going to be necessary.”

The selectmen had asked Winters to attend its last meeting on January 22, but Winters was not able to attend, and neither was Minard in Winter’s place.

In other matters, the board discussed budget updates, specifically those of the Department of Public Works and a capital list of significant length. Trash is an issue with a fate that is still undecided as the town’s trash district approaches the end of its solid waste disposal contract with SEMASS and Marion’s trash collector trucks often breaking down.

“I think you’re going to see a lot of capital,” said Finance Director Judy Mooney. “It’s a big capital list.”

The Marion School District draft budget appears to be up only around 1.7 percent at this time, but the FinCom expects the Planning Board budget to be of some concern with its request to hire temporary part-time Town Planner Gil Hilario as a permanent full-time town planner.

The next regular meeting of the Marion Finance Committee is scheduled for February 6 at 6:00 pm at the Atlantis Drive facility, followed by another meeting on February 12 at 6:00 pm at the same venue.

Marion Finance Committee

By Jean Perry

Tri-County Symphonic Band

on

The Tri-County Symphonic Band will have a concert entitled “Going Green” featuring Leslie Stroud, flute soloist. The concert is Sunday, February 10at 3:00 pm in the Dartmouth High School Auditorium, 555 Bakerville Road, South Dartmouth.

Machacam Club Meeting

on

The February meeting of the Machacam Club is scheduled for Wednesday, February 6. We meet at the American Legion Hall on Depot Street. Social time begins at 5:30 pm, dinner at 6:00 pm. Efforts are underway to secure a speaker for our dinner meeting. Chef Colby has planned an Italian-style dinner that we know will satisfy your appetite! Callers please transmit your counts for dinner to 508-758-1326 or email to cwmccullough@comcast.net.

Academic Achievements

on

Jake Yeomans of Marion was named to the University of Connecticut2018 Fall Dean’s List.

The following Tri-Town residents were among 1,595 students from Worcester Polytechnic Institute(WPI) named to the university’s dean’s list for academic excellence for the fall 2018 semester:

-Alex Tavares of Marion is a member of the class of 2020 majoring in computer science.

-Nicole Mattson of Marion is a member of the class of 2020 majoring in biomedical engineering.

-Drew Robert of Mattapoisett is a member of the class of 2020 majoring in robotics engineering and mechanical engineering.

The criteria for the WPI Dean’s List differs from most other universities as WPI does not compute a grade point average (GPA). Instead, WPI defines the dean’s list by the amount of work completed at the A level in courses and projects.

Emily Faulkner of Rochester & Casey Allaire of Mattapoisett have been named to the Plymouth State UniversityPresident’s List for the Fall 2018 semester. To be named to the President’s List, a student must achieve a grade point average of 3.7 or better for the Fall 2018 semester and must have attempted at least 12 credit hours during the semester.

The following students have been named to the dean’s list at the University of New Hampshirefor the fall 2018 semester;

-Olivia Ucci of Marion with High Honors

-Amanda D’Amico of Marion with High Honors

-Megan Iverson of Marion with High Honors

-Abigail Stark of Mattapoisett with High Honors

-Alexandra Nicolosi of Mattapoisett with Highest Honors

-Amanda Colwell of Rochester with High Honors

-Emily Ziino of Rochester with Highest Honors

Guided Mindfulness Walk

on

Enjoy the peace and beauty of nature with Jessica Webb and the Buzzards Bay Coalition during a mindfulness walk at the White Eagle parcel of Aucoot Woods (Parlowtown Road, Marion) on Saturday, March 16at 11:00 am. Through guided mindfulness meditation, participants will experience the outdoors with their senses wide open.

            White Eagle is one of two publicly accessible parcels of Aucoot Woods, a stretch of more than 1,000 acres of protected land in Marion, known for its deep forests, running streams, freshwater wetlands, and acres of cranberry bogs.

            All fitness levels are welcome on this free, one-hour walk. The walk will be conducted at a deliberately slow and mindful pace in social silence without digital devices. Please wear appropriate footwear for wet conditions to ensure you are dry and comfortable during the walk.

            Pre-registration is required. To RSVP, visit www.savebuzzardsbay.org/events/mindfulness-walk-white-eagle-mar-16-2019/ or contact the Buzzards Bay Coalition at 508-999-6363 ext. 219 or bayadventures@savebuzzardsbay.org.

            This event is part of Discover Buzzards Bay, an initiative to help people across the Buzzards Bay region find unique and exciting ways to explore the outdoors, get some exercise, and connect with nature. Local residents can use Discover Buzzards Bay to get outside and discover woods, wetlands, and waterways from Fall River to Falmouth. To learn more, visit savebuzzardsbay.org/discover. 

A Real Glass Menagerie

on

Nestled in a former mill in a city whose history includes a noble past of glassmaking resides the New Bedford Museum of Glass (NBMOG) at 61 Wamsutta Street. If you haven’t visited this sparkling gem of a museum, you might want to do so very soon as the museum is relocating to the Wamsutta Club on County Street, up the hill one might say, from its current location. Plan your trip within the next two weeks, or, wait until June when its cases will be aglow at the new digs.

In the meantime, you might want to familiarize yourself with glass as art versus its utilitarian aspects. Simply put, glass as a substance is amazing and when crafted into shapes such as animals will capture one’s imagination in unexpected ways.

That was the case when NBMOG Executive Director Kirk Nelson gave a presentation at the Marion Council on Aging on January 28. Hosted by the Friends of the Marion Council on Aging, Nelson’s lecture gave a group of more than 60 attendees an opportunity to learn a bit about the art of glassmaking and its local history.

Nelson said that the owners of the Sandwich Glass Company located just over the canal in Sandwich were great craftsmen, but truly horrendous business people. With whaling well on its way out as a good investment strategy, business leaders were looking for other industries for revenue generation. That was how the Sandwich Glass Company came to be located in New Bedford and quickly renamed the Mount Washington Glass Company.

As the story goes, a group of businessmen purchased the Sandwich operation, a group who already owned a glassmaking factory in South Boston named Mount Washington Glass Company, a tongue in cheek nod to the region’s highest hill. Thus, in the mid-1800s, glassmaking came to New Bedford and flourished. This company would in 1957 become the Pairpoint Company.

“It was a very high-end production,” Nelson said, “… employing as many as 1,200.”

We can surmise that the end of the glassmaking industry in New Bedford went the way of the whale, but art glass continues to inspire artisans around the globe.

Nelson was a name dropper extraordinaire. He spoke of masterpieces created by Lalique, Steuben, and Wedgewood. His presentation included magnificent photography that demonstrated the breadth of techniques and styles of glassmaking and with each image the audience could barely contain their awe. Oh, and let us not forget the island of Murano in Italy, known to this day for its production of breathtaking art glass.

But it was the animals that featured most prominently in Nelson’s talk. He spoke of the method of “flame working” glass into tiny animal forms, once so popular at traveling carnivals. He said the museum had a large collection of flame worked animals, a favorite of children.

There were delicate birds and robust gorillas, muscled panthers, and slithering snakes. There were colors that inspired the mind’s eye to see the beauty of the art while appreciating anew the animals that were depicted. How could one not be concerned about the future of a hippopotamus after looking at the image of one carved from crystal clear glass and realizing the future of both the real and the imaged rest in our hands?

Nelson said that for 3,000 years humans have used glass to capture nature’s beauty, to harness in miniature the power of animals, and to create art from liquefied sand.

To learn more about the New Bedford Museum of Glass, visit www.nbmog.org, or ‘like’ them on Facebook.

By Marilou Newell




ZBA Continues Converse Road Hearing

on

The Marion Zoning Board of Appeals made quick business of their meeting on January 24. Scheduled before the board this evening was the case of Mark Ross and Margot Mims of 195c Converse Road. Once the required quorum was achieved, Chairman Marc Leblanc called the meeting to order. He read a letter from the applicant’s attorney, John Markey, requesting the issue be continued in order for the applicants to finalize the plan for the proposal. Ross, who was present at the meeting, requested the issue be continued to February 7 at 6:30 pm. The meeting was adjourned.

Ross and Mims’ special permit application is to raze an existing non-conforming structure and rebuild in the same location. At issue for the board is the question whether this proposal would be considered “reconstruction” under the pertaining section of the bylaw. In addition, the Planning Board, as well as an abutter, has raised the issue as to the applicability of another section of Marion zoning bylaw pertaining to construction in the velocity zone.

The next meeting of the Marion Zoning Board of Appeals is scheduled for February 7 at 6:30 pm at the Marion Town House.

Marion Zoning Board of Appeals

By Sarah French Storer




OC Player’s 2,000th Point Sets Scoring Record

on

Not too many current and former high school basketball players can say they scored 1,000 points over the course of their career. Whether it’s playing for a program riddled with talent or struggling to score early as a freshman or sophomore because of the difference in physical maturity, reaching the 1,000-point mark is no small feat at the high school level.

Jake Jasonpassed that mark as a sophomore at Old Colony.

Generally, players who eclipse that mark as early as he did attend a junior/senior high school that carries seventh and eighth graders on their roster. That was not the case with Jason, who accomplished the feat in two years. Of course, that put 2,000 points within striking distance, as well as Old Colony’s all-time basketball scoring record, which Karen Walshhad set at 2,009 points.

Jason surpassed both marks in Monday’s 73-38 win over Sacred Heart.

“I’m glad it’s over, to be honest,” Jason said. “I’m really glad it’s over with. I was tight: I was pressing out there a little bit. It was just like that when I scored my 1000th point. I was tight in that game, too. But I was expecting it. I was a little nervous.”

Jason’s family – mom Cathy, father Jim, and sister Brooke – were all on hand to witness the senior forward reach both milestones. As were his teammates, of course, and coaches, who were excited to witness something unique.

“It’s probably something you see once in a lifetime,” Old Colony basketball coach Matt Trahan said. “I go back to knowing him as a kid seeing him progress over time. We had a mark of him getting his thousandth point as a sophomore and when it happened fairly early, you knew this was possible. He’s just a great kid in the fact that he’s an adult in a kid’s body. He’s mature beyond his years and knows how to handle tough situations: he speaks well: he’s a great kid, a model student, you couldn’t ask for a better representation of what basketball players should be.”

“It was amazing because I’ve worked with him over the last four years,” Old Colony center Tony Wright said. “To be able to watch him go through the 2,000, watch him get all those points, it’s an honor to be with him. He’s a really great kid: he works hard for it. He deserves it.”

Now Jason can just focus on playing with the distractions in his rearview mirror. He and the rest of the Old Colony Cougars (12-1, 2-1 Mayflower Small Vocational) host Upper Cape on Friday at 6:30 pm, following their Wednesday matchup with Norfolk Aggie.

Old Colony girls basketball snapped its three-game losing streak with a 37-24 win over Sacred Heart. Savanna Hallescored 12 in the win, while both Katherine Kirbyand Isabel Souzascored nine. The Cougars now improve to 4-9 (2-2 Mayflower Small Vocational) on the season.

Old Rochester Regional

Old Rochester Regional girls basketball continues its tear through the South Coast Conference – and pretty much whoever else is willing to face them – improving to 8-8-1 in the league (12-1 overall) after moving past GNB Voc-Tech 45-23 and then Wareham 50-23.

Maggie Brogioliled the Bulldogs in the win over the Vikings with 12 points, while Annie Perryscored nine. Ashley Soaresand Mary Butlerled the Bulldogs against Voc-Tech with 12 and 10 points, respectively. ORR visits Somerset Berkley on Friday at 6:30 pm.

After taking down GNB Voc-Tech 80-71, Old Rochester boys basketball came up just short against Wareham, losing 74-63. Following the loss, Old Rochester (9-3, 7-2 SCC) remains the top team in the SCC Large Division, only having two losses to everyone else’s three. (Wareham is the top team in the SCC regardless of division with only one loss.) Cole McIntyreled the Bulldogs with 21 points in the loss, while Nick Johnsonscored 18 and Noah McIntyreadded 11. ORR hosts Somerset Berkley on Friday at 6:30 pm.

 

High School Sports Update

By Nick Friar




Rochester Council on Aging

on

Ham and Bean Supper with trivia is on Thursday, February 7at 5:30 pm. Tickets are $10.00 and can be purchased in advance at the Senior Center. This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Rochester Senior Center, Inc. This is a fundraising event for the Senior Supportive Day Care Program.

Free Legal Appointments for Rochester Seniors is on Monday, February 11from 11:30 am – 2:30 pm. 30 minute appointments are available by calling the Senior Center for scheduling. This free service is funded through a Federal grant from Coastline. The paralegal can assist with most legal issues. This is available specifically for Rochester Seniors. Appointments should be made in advance.

Senior Book Club is meeting on Tuesday, February 19at 10:15 am at the Senior Center. February’s book is I Heard the Owl Call My Name, by Margaret Craven. Rochester’s Library Director leads this group.

BINGO! Is on Wednesdays from 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm! All seniors are welcome to play.

Ye Olde Breakfast Shoppe is open every Monday-Friday from 7:00 am – 9:00 am. Breakfast is served at the Senior Center. All are welcome! Prices are reasonable and bottomless coffee is served. Breakfast is free on your birthday! Sponsored by the Friends of the Rochester Senior Center and The Lions Club.

Podiatrist Appointments with Dr. Sarah Desrosiers is available by appointment on Thursday, February 28. If you have not seen her before, please call her office at 508-946-1444 to schedule an appointment. If you are a returning patient, the doctor’s office will contact you to confirm your appointment.

Movies are shown every Friday at 1:30 pm! All are welcome and there is no charge.

The 2018 Annual Year of Remembrance Program will be held on Friday, February 15, 2019 at 1:00 pm. This event is an opportunity to celebrate the lives and memories of friends and volunteers of the Rochester Senior Center who passed away in 2018. All are welcome to join us. Refreshments will be served and there is no cost. We do ask that, if possible, you let us know if you plan to attend so that we know how many people to expect.

Please contact us at the Senior Center at 508-763-8723 for more information or to make a reservation! Also, you can read the full monthly newsletter on our website www.rochestermaseniorcenter.com and follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/rochestercoa.

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




Open Table

on

The next Open Table will be on February 8in Reynard Hall at the Mattapoisett Congregational Church. Celebrate Valentine’s Day early with family and friends with a delicious meal and music. There is no charge for the meal, although donations are gratefully accepted. Doors open at 4:30 pm and the meal is served at 5:00 pm. This is a community event and everyone is welcome. Stay after the meal for Game Night at 6:00 pm. Watch or join the competition of the $100,000 Pyramid. Teams of two can sign up to play. No money prizes – just lots of fun.