Mattapoisett Tax Reclassification Part Two

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Even the best organizations have an ‘oops’ protocol, and so when the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen met on December 19 to vote on the tax reclassification for the town, it was the second time they had done so.

During their regular meeting on December 4, the agenda included meeting with Principal Assessor Kathleen Costello for her report on the reclassification study her department had completed and to vote on the tax structuring and rate.

However, state regulations require that this topic be advertised individually, and a public hearing held exclusively for this purpose.

Thus, on December 19, the selectmen held a brief meeting which had been advertised following the public meeting protocol to solidify their earlier decision and cast their votes following state guidelines.

Regarding the issue of a single – versus a split-rate, Costello offered that residential homeowners would not benefit from a split tax rate as only 6.7 percent of all properties in the community are classified as commercial or industrial businesses.

“Even the maximum allowable tax shift to these classes produces a relatively negligible decrease in the tax burden for the residential property class,” said Costello.

At the same time, the tax burden on those businesses would go up $6.61 or $19.83 per $1,000 in assessed value, she calculated.

Costello said the average single-family home had an assessed value for fiscal year 2019 of $484,356. She further pointed out that the total revenue raised by both tax and non-tax sources for FY2019 is $34,653,529, an increase of 4.8 percent from FY2018.

In explaining the importance of maintaining a single-rate tax base for all real estate, Costello affirmed the residential homeowner would not benefit from a split-rate and asked the selectmen to vote for a modest increase of $0.20, or an increase of 1.5 percent, bringing the rate per $1,000 of assessed value to $13.21 from $13.02 in FY18.

The selectmen again voted unanimously to maintain a single rate and the 1.5 percent increase.

The next regular meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen is scheduled for January 8 at 6:30 pm at the Mattapoisett Town Hall.

Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen

By Marilou Newell

Locals Keep Beloved Sippican Harbor Tree Tradition

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            It’s back! If you’ve stopped by Silvershell Beach in Marion recently, then you’ve probably seen the Christmas tree out on the block in the harbor. It’s a notable return for townies, but also somewhat of a mystery to many in regards to its origin. According to Dan Crete, “It’s sort of a cobbler’s-kids-have-no-shoes story.”

            Dan and Kellie Crete of Marion began the tradition several years ago on a whim. Although Dan, the owner of Saltworks Marine in Marion, found time to serve his customers by hauling their boats out of the water throughout the fall, his family boat was always left for last.

“Years ago we decided to leave our boat, Courage, in through Christmas. Kel and I went back and forth about doing something fun with our kids to show some Christmas spirit. Maybe a big wreath on the boat?” said Crete. “No. How about a tree on the boat?

“Then we thought of putting one somewhere with the boat so everyone could see it,” Crete said. “Maybe Meadow Island? One of us thought of the Blockhouse. It seemed perfect. We checked in with the harbormaster, received his blessing, and here we are.”

            It takes a village, or so they say. The Crete’s tree operation and its group have evolved over the years. There from the beginning is Crete’s friend, Larry Hall. The outing to place the tree, though, now includes several families from both Marion and Rochester, providing enough helpers this year for the two-boat mission.

“The group has grown to involve some of the nicest folks in town,” said Crete. “Kids, dogs, it’s so much fun. Each year is a bit different, but always special. What a great tradition it’s become. Great memories for all of us kids at heart, old and young.”

Crete is modest about his role in the tree’s undertaking, complete with lighting and requiring multiple check-ins and maintenance, given the elements out on the open water.

The tree – the ‘real’ tree – has often been donated by Steve Gonsalves of Marion. Crete’s Saltworks’ crew built an industrial tree stand which the crew ratchet straps to the block. He’s experimented with string lights, as well as solar-powered LED lights.

“This year we have shifted over to white spot lights set around the tree,” said Crete. He admitted he was planning to add a few more spotlights in order to be better viewed from the beach.

The tree has become an anticipated holiday fixture for Marion, and Crete’s affection for his town is apparent.

“We have such a great spirit in the community,” he said.

When asked why he thinks the residents of Marion love the tree, he shared that he felt it’s the kind of thing that transcends the social boundaries created these days.

“I think it’s a bit of an extension of the Christmas spirit that starts to build prior to the Christmas Stroll here in town,” said Crete. “The sight of the tree out there standing proud against the elements always brings a smile to my face. It’s good fun to hope that might be just a little bit infectious.”

And that it is.

By Shawn Sweet

Family Black Light Yoga Party

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On Wednesday, January 9at 6:00 pm, The Encompass Community at Friends Academy, 1088 Tucker Road in North Dartmouth, will host a Family Black Light Yoga Party for children and parents. This event is free and open to the public.

The event will be a fun and exuberant evening of yoga, music, dancing, face-painting, and joy in the spirit of togetherness. No experience with yoga is necessary.

This event will be facilitated by Jennifer Potter, a 200-hour registered Yoga instructor and Certified Buti Yoga Facilitator. Potter is an Encompass Team Member who facilitates the organization’s family yoga classes for playgroups meeting at Friends Academy. She is also the founder of South Coast Mamas and Babies, a local non-profit serving parents and children.

Please bring a yoga mat and wear comfortable clothing.

Please register for this event at: encompasscommunityforindependentlearning.campbrainregistration.com/

For more information, contact egouveia@friendsacademy1810.org. The Encompass Community is a grant-funded initiative of the Center For Education Innovation. They are located on 65 acres of wilderness at Friends Academy in Dartmouth, Ma. They offer enrichment and resources to homeschool families and life-long learners of all ages.

Citizens Petition for Cannabis Ban Article

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To the Editor:

I read with interest the item in the Wanderer of the proposed Citizens Petition for Cannabis Ban Article which “prohibition would include establishments that sell, distribute, cultivate, process or package cannabis in any form.” However, one should consider that deaths associated with marijuana use are negligible compared with the estimated annual 88,000 deaths associated with the use of alcohol and 480,000 deaths associated with smoking tobacco. It would seem reasonable for the restrictions on tobacco and alcohol to be made equally strict as any placed on cannabis.

David W. Briggs, Marion

The views expressed in the “Letters to the Editor” column are not necessarily those of The Wanderer, its staff or advertisers. The Wandererwill gladly accept any and all correspondence relating to timely and pertinent issues in the great Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester area, provided they include the author’s name, address and phone number for verification. We cannot publish anonymous, unsigned or unconfirmed submissions. The Wandererreserves the right to edit, condense and otherwise alter submissions for purposes of clarity and/or spacing considerations. The Wanderermay choose to not run letters that thank businesses, and The Wandererhas the right to edit letters to omit business names. The Wandereralso reserves the right to deny publication of any submitted correspondence.

Mary Rachel (Naclerio) Barron

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Mary Rachel (Naclerio) Barron, endearingly known as Maisie, of Marion, MA, formerly of Quincy, Braintree and Harlow’s Landing, died peacefully surrounded by the love of family, December 22, 2018. She was the cherished wife of the late James B. Barron, with whom she shared fifty three years of marriage. Daughter of late Ralph and Annie (Robertson) Naclerio, and loving sister of late Ralph Naclerio, Lawrence Naclerio, and Virginia Parrish. Maisie’s devotion to her children, Kelly and her husband, Tim Kelleher, of Marion, James and his wife Ana Maria of Jamaica Plain, Michael and his wife Colleen of Braintree, Rachel and her husband Stephen Lynch of Marion, Stephen and his wife Merike of Marion, and Aimée and her husband Dennis Driscoll, of Milton, and grandchildren, Aimée, Timothy, Brendan, Julia, Chloë, Madelyn, Matthew, Emily, Owen, William, Patrick, Isabelle and Sophie, many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and cherished friends, is her enduring gift. She will be dearly missed.

A Registered Nurse, Maisie specialized in obstetrics and pediatrics, retiring as nursery supervisor, after forty years of dedicated service at Quincy City Hospital. She was beloved by her colleagues and the patients for whom she cared. Beautiful Maisie was the consummate mother and grandmother; she doted on her family- caring, guiding, encouraging, supporting and cheering for them quietly, from the sidelines. She enjoyed life, gathering family and friends around her kitchen table, the loving preparation of multi-cultural recipes, decorating her home for the holidays, gardening, dancing, bird watching with grandchildren, egg decoupage, travel, quiet walks on the beach, coffee with the Hail Mary circle, and Tuesday Night Dinners with friends at Piney Point. Maisie’s generosity of spirit was powerfully felt by the people she touched. Her genius for friendship and her incandescent smile illuminated the journey of her well-lived life, and her family is grateful to the many friends and care-givers who shared her journey. Maisie was the proud recipient of the Diocese of Fall River Marian Medal, for contributions to her beloved parish, Saint Rita’s Church, Marion.

Her Funeral will be held on Thursday, January 3rd at 10 am from the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett, followed by her Funeral Mass at St. Anthony’s Church at 11 am. Burial will follow in Old Landing Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Wednesday, January 2nd from 3-7 pm. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to St. Rita’s Church, or Boston College High School- James B. Barron Scholarship Fund. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Fire, EMTs Rescue Dog Trapped in Icy Waters

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Murphy the dog is safe and warm tonight, but on December 20, Rochester firefighters and EMTs rushed to a cranberry bog off Sarah Sherman Road in Rochester to rescue poor Murphy who had fallen through the thin ice.

Although Jeff Eldridge called it “just another day” for him as a Rochester firefighter, it was no ordinary day for Murphy and witnesses of the rescue which had Eldridge crossing 300 feet across the water on top of an ice sled to reach the Brittany spaniel who had broken through the ice and could not escape.

Hours prior to the incident, Murphy had run off from his family and was not heard from or seen until someone walking near the bog heard Murphy’s yelps for help and called 911.             According to Eldridge, a second dog was spotted at the scene barking, but ran off when help arrived. Eldridge credited the dog for possibly helping to alert others to Murphy’s whereabouts from his loud barking.

A helicopter overhead captured the rescue on video as it unfolded, and Eldridge could be seen hoisting a willing-to-be-rescued Murphy onto the ice sled, and the two were quickly pulled to the edge where EMTs were waiting to take Murphy to the ambulance for treatment and warming.

“He was in trouble,” Eldridge said during a phone interview with The Wanderer on December 24. “The dog was fine and he went along for the ride.”

Animals falling through the ice and becoming trapped are not uncommon occurrences in Rochester this time of year, Eldridge said. He’s rescued dogs before, as well as five or six deer during his time with the department. Eldridge said he has only participated in one rescue of a human who had broken through the ice on Snipatuit Pond.

“It doesn’t matter if it was a dog or a person and anyone else. It’s what we do,” said the humble hero.

It surprised Eldridge that the story had reached the news in Akron, Ohio, and local television news sources were also reporting on the rescue and broadcasting the helicopter video footage.

Eldridge said he was glad there was a happy ending to this story and that Murphy was now back safe with his family.

“I never met the people who own Murphy, but to see the kid on TV happy his dog was home, it was a really cool ending. Seeing the dog running through the yard with the boy – I think that’s the best part about all of it.”

By Jean Perry

Christmas Day Swim – Hands and Hooves United

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The joy and excitement was palpable as Christmas morning swimmers and their vocal supporters lined the beach in Mattapoisett on December 25, 2018. For the fifteenth year, the festive and fun Christmas Swim, a fundraiser for Helping Hands and Hooves, brought out family and friends who have made this event part of their holiday celebration.

From small children to those whose salad days had long passed, this Christmas plunge has become a fun way to celebrate the season of giving, sharing, and, most of all, caring for one another.

The sky was clear and bright above the calm water with temperatures for both hovering in the low-40’s range as the participants and their fans prepared to baptize themselves in Mattapoisett’s historic harbor. Some of the shore huggers remembered past swims that found only a few brave souls shoveling snow off the beach to gain access to the water. But that was not the case this year as some declared the weather “balmy” with participants crowding the beach.

Julie Craig is the driving force behind the annual swim that raises money used to offset expenses associated with her therapeutic horseback riding program, a program that has been helping people with special challenges for well over a decade. When TheWanderercaught up with Craig in 2004, she, along with her family, friends, and students, were grieving the loss of a very special horse, one that Craig used to help launch her program. That horse was named Cooper.

Craig’s background as an equestrian is exceptional. Having started at the age of three, Craig trained with several Olympic medalists before earning USEF certification as an instructor. She shared with me that in the beginning it was a friend’s brother who has autism that inspired her to begin thinking about using horses for therapy. Fast forward, with her business partner and longtime friend Debbi Dyson, the duo created a non-profit program for people with special needs, thus was born Helping Hands and Hooves.

Each year, some of Craig’s students participate in the Special Olympics, a high point for all involved. Yvonne Haitsma, a volunteer at the stables, said that Craig’s program always has representation at the Olympics.

Pat Goss whose family has been involved in Craig’s program and the annual swim since 2004 said that there are a variety of programs available for youths and adults with special needs, but unless one searches for them, one might not be aware of their availability.

“They can’t go into the schools, for instance, because of privacy issues,” Goss explained. She said that having a program such as Craig’s located in Mattapoisett was a blessing. Goss also shared that the Christmas swim has grown substantially over the years due primarily to the efforts of Craig and Dyson and the families they serve.

And how did this year go? Well there were 47 registered swimmers with donations coming in at $2,500.

To learn more about Helping Hands and Hooves visit www.helpinghandsandhooves.org.

By Marilou Newell

Marion Art Center

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The Marion Art Center (MAC) announces new hours beginning in 2019. The Marion Art Center will be closed December 23 through January 7, 2019. New Winter/Spring Hours are as follows: Tue-Wed: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, Thurs: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, Fri-Sat: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, Sun-Mon: closed.

Join us as we welcome the new season with the opening reception for our Winter Members’ Show on Friday, January 11, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm. All current MAC members are invited to participate in the exhibition. Drop-off date for work is Tuesday, January 8 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.

Auditions – The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov – The Marion Art Center has announced open auditions for all roles in the upcoming production of The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov, a drama (dramedy) that examines and illustrates the prevailing class structure of Chekhov’s Russia. Ranevskaya struggles to deal with the realities of losing her family estate, her daughters Anya and Varya choose their own ways to deal with the big changes ahead of them. Meanwhile their neighbor, Lopakhin, tries to solve everyone’s problems with new money and new ideas.

Auditions will be held on Saturday, January 5at 10:00 am and on Monday, January 7at 7:00 pm at the Marion Art Center, 80 Pleasant St. (the corner of Main and Pleasant Streets), in Marion. Performances will be Friday, March 15, 2019 through Sunday, March 17 and Thursday, March 21 through Saturday, March 23. The Sunday performance will start at 2:00 pm and all other performances will start at 7:30 pm.

Director Kate Fishman will be casting five females and ten males with several roles as guests and servants for anyone wanting to start in theater without a heavy responsibility. Actors should read ages near real age, between seventeen through fifties, with one male role who will read in his eighties.

Auditions will consist of a cold reading from the script, which can be accessed on www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/7986 .

No prior acting experience is necessary; both accomplished and aspiring actors are encouraged to audition. Participants can expect 2-3 rehearsals a week during January, February, and early March. Rehearsal scheduling will be flexible and take actors needs into consideration.

Director Kate Fishman states, “I’m also looking for volunteers for stage manager, set builders, and other tech help, so please contact the Marion Art Center if you’d like to be part of this production. We’d love to hear from you!”

For more information, email mactheater1957@gmail.com. You will also find information by visiting our website www.marionartcenter.org.

Academic Achievements

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Isabella King, a Marion native, qualified for the Fall 2018 dean’s list at Belmont University. Eligibility is based on a minimum course load of 12 hours and a quality grade point average of 3.5 with no grade below a C.

Citizens Petition for Cannabis Ban Article

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Thirty Marion residents have put their signatures on a Citizen Petition requesting an article be placed on the 2019 Annual Town Meeting warrant calling for a prohibition of adult use cannabis establishments in Marion.

This prohibition would include establishments that sell, distribute, cultivate, process, or package cannabis in any form.

Submitted by Henry Mauro of 19 Ichabod Lane, the petition was time stamped by the Town Clerk’s Office on November 8, but not introduced to the Marion Board of Selectmen’s agenda under the correspondence section until the December 18 meeting. The petition, however, was not discussed during the meeting.

A citizen petition requires a minimum of 10 verified signatures from registered voters for the Annual Town Meeting warrant.

Adding an article to the Town Meeting warrant is the first step Marion would need to take towards prohibiting adult use cannabis operations in town, given that voters approved the legalization of adult use marijuana by a narrow margin during the November 2016 state election. If voters adopt the article at Town Meeting, then the matter must move forward as a ballot question on the Annual Election ballot before prohibition is official.

Should the processing, cultivation, and sale of adult use cannabis products be banned in Marion, use of marijuana products remains legal, and adult residents would still be allowed to cultivate up to six plants per adult for a maximum of 12 cannabis plants per household for personal use.

Medical marijuana establishments would remain legal in Marion, but are restricted to the Marijuana Zoning Bylaw designated area, the Limited Industrial Zone located near the Sippican Industrial Park off Route 6.

In other news, the selectmen have authorized Town Administrator Paul Dawson to request a Reserve Fund Transfer from the Finance Committee for $6,000 to engage Weston & Sampson in a contract to explore solid waste and recycling options for the Town.

Temporary Department of Public Works Superintendent Jon Henry initiated the discussion with representatives from Weston & Sampson, with verbal support from Selectmen Jon Waterman and Randy Parker. Henry asked, should the Town outsource its trash collection and where should the solid waste be disposed of once the Carver, Marion, Wareham Regional Refuse Disposal District (CMWRRDD) contract with SEMASS expires at the close of 2020?

Board of Selectmen Chairman Norm Hills was concerned about redundancy, given that the CMWRRDD just hired a new executive director to explore these very options, but Parker felt the board should be leading this matter, saying, “Two years is a short time.”

“Having an engineer on board along the way, as a tool for them,” said Parker. “It’ll give us a little lead on what we should be doing. … Two years municipal time is tomorrow.”

But the CMWRRDD does have a contract to honor, Hills pointed out. “But it doesn’t hurt to have a backup plan,” said Parker. “We need some leverage.”

“I think it’s a good investment for us without committing,” said Waterman. “I’m not convinced there’s benefits to sticking with the CMW long term.”

“I think it’s a tool that will actually pay a dividend in the end and keep us ahead of the curve,” said Parker.

There are several options the Town could adopt, said Waterman, including buying a new truck for waste collection, outsource curbside collection, or privatize.

“Any option voters will need to approve and maybe seek an override,” said Waterman.

“Any of those options are going to cost the voter more money.” He later said, “Maybe the CMW’s the best way to go long term, but we also have to think, is there an alternative … and what does that look like?”

“We’re not gonna make the ultimate decision; the voters are going to make the ultimate decision,” said Parker.

“I think it does have to be based on voter feedback,” Waterman said.

If the Finance Committee approves the Reserve Fund Transfer, the selectmen have authorized Dawson to execute a contract with Weston & Sampson.

Also during the meeting, the board approved Police Chief John Garcia’s request to change Lt. Richard Nighelli’s appointment as Lieutenant from probationary to permanent.

The board approved a petition from Verizon and Eversource to relocate a utility pole on Spring Street to accommodate the new Buzzards Bay Coalition building.

Dawson also received permission to apply for recertification of the Town’s Tree City USA status.

The board also acknowledged Dawson’s birthday after the meeting during a short celebration with cake before entering into executive session for legal strategy related to the Buzzards Bay Coalition’s lawsuit against the Town.

The next regular meeting of the Marion Board of Selectmen is scheduled for January 8 at 7:00 pm at the Marion Town House.

Marion Board of Selectmen

By Jean Perry