Solar Bylaw Discussed in Marion

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A lively discussion was held by the Marion Planning Board at their meeting on Monday evening regarding the Solar Bylaw that will be presented at the Fall Town Meeting in October.

Jennifer Francis of the Marion Energy Management Committee addressed the Planning Board. Norm Hills, a Planning Board member, is also a member of the Marion Energy Management Committee. The members were given a draft of the bylaw, but some members had not seen the draft and wanted time to review it before discussing it in detail.

Another solar issue discussed was how to handle an abandoned solar installation. The board will hold a special public meeting at 5:00 pm on Aug. 12. Public comments are welcome. A copy of the bylaw draft is available at the Town House.

In other business, the board reviewed and approved an Approval Not Required at 208 Sprint Street proposed by 210 Spring St., LLC c/o Existing Grade Inc. The case involved the purchase of 9,595 square feet from the Wave Restaurant that is being sold to the 40B project, which is adjacent to the property. The additional land will provide access to the service road into the project, thereby avoiding contact with the existing wetlands.

Next, the board heard from Sandy Conaty of the Southeastern Regional Planning & Economic Development District (SRPEDD). Conaty handed out a copy of Westport’s Master Plan for 2014, which described the process and public input in how the town envisions their future. The board agreed to put together a survey for town residents and ask them to complete the survey. An online survey program known as Survey Monkey will be used. Publicity on the survey will follow to make sure residents are aware of the importance of their opinions on the future of the town.

Just before closing resident Carol Sans asked the board if they had considered the issue of medical marijuana sales. “If someone wants to come into town and provide this service, we should have the dos and don’ts already in place. It’s coming, so we should be dealing with it.”

By Joan Hartnett-Barry

John A. Vermilya

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John A. Vermilya, 71, of Wallingford, MA died peacefully on Thursday, July 25. Born in Wareham on April 5, 1942, a son of the late William I. and Ruth E. Walsh Vermilya, he worked as a machinist in New Haven, CT. He is survived by his beloved family, his wife Joan Rooney Vermilya; his sons, Daniel W. Vermilya and his wife Joanne of Branford, CT and John E. Vermilya of Durham, CT; his grandchildren Danielle Vermilya, Jonah Vermilya, and Alaina Vermilya; his brothers, David Vermilya and his wife Caryl of Rochester, Thomas Vermilya and his wife Judy of Fallbrook, CA, and the late Franklin Vermilya; his sister, the late Ruth Ann Vermilya Handy, and many nieces and nephews. The family requests that gifts in memory of John be sent to The Multiple Sclerosis Assoc., 659 Tower Ave., 1st flr, Hartford, CT 06112. A service was held August 3, at the Pine Island Cemetery in Mattapoisett.

Robert J. Saltmarsh

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Robert J. Saltmarsh, 86, of Mattapoisett, passed away peacefully on Sunday August 4, 2013 at his home surrounded by family after years of declining health due to Alzheimer’s. He was the beloved husband of Maura (Brabin) Saltmarsh.

Born in New Bedford, he moved to Mattapoisett 17 years ago. He was the son of the late Robert C. and Edna (Stoessel) Saltmarsh. Bob was a graduate of New Bedford High School, Class of ’42’, who proudly served as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war he utilized the G.I. Bill to study languages in Europe, eventually becoming fluent in five languages. In 1956 he boarded a tramp steamer and traveled around the world. Bob became a world class sailor and was a true Corinthian. He was a Past Commodore of New Bedford Yacht Club and truly enjoyed racing Lasers around the world. He was also a member of the Abraham Howland Lodge, A.F. and A.M. in New Bedford.

Robert was well known for owning and managing Saltmarsh’s Department Store, an institution in Downtown New Bedford.

Survivors in addition to his wife are daughter Kitty Voos of East Aurora, NY and her husband Rick Hill; son Patrick Saltmarsh and his wife Michelle of Mattapoisett; stepson Jeffrey Isherwood and his wife LuAnn of Rome, NY; five grandchildren, Natalie and Whit Voos of East Aurora, NY; Lexi, Tori, and Patrick J. Saltmarsh; and a great grandson Brayden Saltmarsh, all of Mattapoisett.

His Funeral Mass will be on Friday, August 9, at 10 AM at St. Anthony’s Church in Mattapoisett. Visiting hours are omitted. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Community Boating Center, 1641 Padanaram Avenue, New Bedford, MA 02740 www.communityboating.org. The family would also like to thank the ladies at the Fairhaven Social Day Program. Arrangements are by the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Mattapoisett. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Grace (Mellor) Messier

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Grace (Mellor) Messier, 94, of Hendersonville formerly of CA and Rochester, passed away Sunday August 4th, at home at Crossfield Place in Hendersonville, TN. Grace was the wife of the late Roger P. Messier.

Grace was born in Rochester, MA the daughter of the late Arthur and Maggie (Heys) Mellor. She worked for many years as a bookkeeper in the auto industry.

She is survived by her step son Robert Messier of Enfield, CT and many loving nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. She is the sister of the late Irene Gallagher and Arthur Mellor.

Visiting hours will be on Thursday August 8th, from 2-4 & 7-9pm in the Wareham Village Funeral Home 5 Center Street Wareham, MA.  Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. Her funeral service will be on Friday August 9th, at 10am in the funeral home followed by her committal service at the Massachusetts National Cemetery (1 Bennington Blvd.) at 11:15am. Memorial Gifts may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital www.stjude.org

Officials OK Tree Removal

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Although Dr. Seuss’s Lorax might not agree with the decision made by the Mattapoisett Planning Board in concert with Tree Warden Roland Cote regarding the removal of trees at 86 North Street, the homeowners Walter and Cecile Callahan certainly do. After careful consideration of all the trees in question along one of Mattapoisett’s important scenic byways, six of 13 trees will be removed.

Board members, along with Cote, made a site visit and reviewed each and every tree the couple had requested removal of. Cote said, “one tree has been chopped by NStar” and really was no longer a viable tree. Other trees were selected for removal either because they are diseased or were weaklings that would never mature well.

The number of trees finally selected for culling was also supported by the Mattapoisett Tree Committee. The Board approved the number of trees and the specific trees to be removed. One further note, which the Lorax might have liked: Much of the hardwood from the culled trees will be milled into fence posts.

The next meeting was to discuss with John Boza of Gail’s Goodies and More a repaving project that had not been vetted through the Planning Board or other boards prior to work being done. Mrs. Boza was present to let the board know how and why the work had been done without their approval. Boza told them that the original parking area had been paved but after underground were removed stones had been put down instead of repaving at that time. She said that she had conferred with her abutting commercial neighbors and with Building Inspector Andrew Bobola, who had informed her a permit was not required. However, Chair Tom Tucker said the issue was storm water runoff. Boza said she had also received a letter from the Conservation Commission on this matter and after meeting with them, they were now satisfied. The board requested a letter from the contractor who had completed the work stating the square footage that had been repaved to ensure it was under 5,000 sq. ft. Boza said she was happy to supply that information.

Planning Board member Ron Merlo made a public announcement reiterating what others from various boards had implored the public to do – complete the open space survey on the Town of Mattapoisett website. He said it was only 25 questions, but the information was invaluable to helping the town craft a land use plan that met the needs of all interested parties. Only 51 residents have taken the 10-minute survey. Given the number of registered voters, that is a woefully small number, officials said. Merlo urged the public to take just a few minutes to complete a very important aspect of participatory town management. Go to www.mattapoisett.net and click on the “survey” button to take the survey.

After approving minutes from the last meeting, the board completed the necessary appointment of their chair and clerk. Remaining in place until the end of his term, Tucker continues as the chairman. Merlo will also remain in place as the clerk. Next meeting is Aug. 19.

By Marilou Newell

Facilities Manager Discussed in Marion

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The Marion Board of Selectmen approved the wording for a job description for a town Facilities Manager at their meeting on Wednesday

According to Dawson, the Facilities Manager will keep a maintenance record for each town-owned property so the town will have a better grasp on upcoming maintenance. Currently, maintenance issues come up, and the town grapples with how to fund property that needs repair or replacement.

In other business, the Selectmen approved a one-day all alcohol license for a family party at the Marion Social Club on Aug. 11. Another one-day alcohol license was approved for a family gathering on August 3 at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post.

The Selectmen approved the applications by volunteer members of all town boards.

A discussion followed regarding a request for a champagne toast after a wedding at Silvershell Beach. A reception will follow at the Marion Music Hall, but the Selectmen were being asked to approve the alcohol use at the beach on August 17. The board approved the request with the condition that the applicant provide a Certificate of Insurance for liquor liability that spells out that coverage will apply both at the beach and at the Marion Music Hall.

The Selectmen closed the meeting to go into executive session for contract negotiations with non-union personnel.

By Joan Hartnett-Barry

Philip Carl Gustafson

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Philip Carl Gustafson of Rochester, MA passed away on Saturday, August 3, 2013 at his summer cottage, Lil’ Acre, in Fairhaven after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Born on January 27, 1942, in New Bedford, MA he was the beloved son of the late Pauline (Gifford) Jacobson of Wareham and the late Philip Carl Gustafson Sr. of Somerset. He was the brother of the late Susan Jacobson of Wareham. He was the dearly loved husband of Kimberly (Barrett) Gustafson of Rochester.

He was a graduate of Wareham High school, class of 1959 and went on to attend college at Lowell Tech. Phil began his work career as a draftsman at the Acushnet Process Co. before becoming a Union Construction Laborer as a proud member of Laborers’ Local 721 in Brockton, MA before retiring in 2005.

Phil enjoyed spending time with family and friends, music, vintage movies, camping, fishing, cribbage, Christmas nights on County Road, Summers at his cherished summer cottage Lil’ Acre and entertaining many with his fabulous singing and guitar playing. Phil mostly looked forward to putting on Sunday dinners for his entire family during the fall and winter months.

He was a life member of the Improved Order of Redmen, Cromesett Tribe #156 of Wareham and also a Past Great Sachem of The Massachusetts Great Council. He was a member of the Wankinquoah Rod and Gun Club.

Survivors include his wife Kimberly, his son Cullen Gustafson and his wife Laurie of Plymouth, his daughter Delacy Gustafson and her partner John Revil of Bridgewater, his son Scott Gustafson and his wife Stefanie of Plymouth, his twin daughters Tara Bazarewsky and her husband Todd of Plymouth and Audra Schiappa and her husband Emo of Wareham, his daughter Heidi Gustafson of Bourne, his daughter Heather Barrett of Middleboro and his daughter Stephanie Johnson and her husband Billy of Sagamore Beach. Mr. Gustafson had 19 grandchildren who he loved and adored. Mr. Gustafson was very close with many of his cousins, especially Jennifer Rusinoski of Mattapoisett who spent much of her free time sharing old family stories and recipes and was often with him providing comfort during his recent battle.

His funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 9, 2013 from the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Hwy., Wareham. Interment will follow at Rochester Center Cemetery Dexter Lane Rochester.

Visiting hours will be held from 4 to 8 pm on Thursday August 8, 2013 at Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Highway (Rt. 28), Wareham, Mass.

In Lieu of flowers, Donations may be made to the James Desroches Memorial Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 52, South Carver, MA, 02366. Jimmy Desroches was Dad’s best friend and they planned to retire together on the same day from The Laborers’ Union and travel the country in an RV before Jimmy was taken from us too soon. Dad worked to honor his friend by raising money in his name to help working families with the high cost of education.

Richard L. “Dicky” Silva

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Richard L. “Dicky” Silva, 68, of Marion, died Sunday, August 4, 2013 at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. He was the husband of Beverlyn (Bessette) Silva.

Born in Marion, the son of the late Louis R. & Catherine P. (Youngson) Silva, Mr. Silva was a lifelong resident. Mr. Silva was caretaker for the Trumbull Estate in Marion for 40 years.

Mr. Silva was a Vietnam veteran serving two tours of duty in the U.S. Air Force.  He enjoyed sports, especially golf.

Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Rachelle “Shelley” Erickson and Grayson E. Bessette Silva both of Marion; three sisters, Nancy J. Silva of Marion, Roberta L. Nelson of Dartmouth and Patricia A. Melody of New Bedford; three grandchildren, Catherine R., Emily J. and Parker S. Erickson all of Marion.

His funeral service will be held on Wed., August 7, 2013 at the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Highway (Rt. 28), Wareham at 10:00 AM. Interment will be in Little Neck Cemetery, Marion. Visiting hours will be Tuesday from 7 – 9 at the funeral home.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168. For directions and on-line guestbook visit: www.ccgfuneralhome.com

Mattapoisett Women’s Club Garden Tour

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The Mattapoisett Women’s Club is branching out across town searching for Mattapoisett gardens – small or large – for our 2014 Biennial Garden Tour. Even the foliage of a recently established walled vegetable garden could be your ticket for inclusion in our garden tour.

So, if your garden is growing happily, please consider sharing your horticultural paradise with other like-minded gardeners by contacting one of the following Women’s Club members: Peg Olney, 508-758-3069; Leda Kim, 508-758-2526; or Eileen Marum, 508-748-1282.

No life is well-rounded without the subtle inspiration of a garden.

The Showstoppers Need Your Help

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The Showstoppers singing troupe has been sharing their time and talent delivering live musical entertainment to the community on a volunteer basis for several years, but now they need the community’s support. They are gearing up for their August 8 Walt Disney World performance at the Waterside Stage in Downtown Disney and are $4,000 short of their fundraising goal.

They have set up an online fundraising campaign in an attempt to raise the remaining funds needed to offset some of their travel expenses. Donations can be made up until August 8 by visiting www.gofundme.com and typing in “Showstoppers Walt Disney World Performance” to make a tax-deductible donation.

The performance troupe, comprised of 29 talented boys and girls from the local area who range in age from 6 to 19, delivers more than 50 shows per year at nursing homes, senior centers, fairs and festivals, community fundraisers and other civic events. This year they have been rewarded with an invitation to perform in Disney World, just as the troupe before them did five years ago.

“This is such a fitting reward for an amazing group of kids who bring so much joy to others through song. They are not just performance-loving kids; they are a group of kids who care about their community, who embrace the elderly, and who reach out to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate. It has been a pleasure to work with them,” said Kelly Zucco, Co-Founder and Director.

Showstoppers Performing Arts Inc. is a registered nonprofit organization that is all-volunteer run. For more information about the troupe, fall auditions, or to book a performance, email info@showstoppers.us or call 508-758-4525.