Officials Address Multiple Concerns

on

The Conservation Commission took action and pondered more action at Monday’s meeting.

Voting to redouble their efforts on enforcement at Leisure Shores Marina, members crafted language for a letter calling out the business for “unpermitted activities, which are causing pollution.” Those activities include boat-bottom cleaning, paint scraping, and ineffective quality control.

In addition, the Commission agreed to press the DEP on its oversight of a controversial project on Goodspeed Island, where neighbors and others reported numerous environmental violations – confirmed by the Conservation Commission in May.

“We’ve allowed DEP to take the lead,” said Chair Peter Newton while responding to residents’ questions Monday night. “But at some point we might have to take independent action.”

After some discussion and revisiting the issue later in the meeting, members voted to send a formal request to the DEP.

“I don’t think there’s a problem sending them a letter asking them to pick up the pace,” Newton said, “because this is a big issue for us.”

Elsewhere on the agenda, the Commission approved the installation and step tests for wells at the Mattapoisett Water and Sewer Commission Pump Station off of Acushnet Road, but stopped short of giving the go-ahead on a prolonged pump test as part of the Notice of Intent. Drilling on the project will begin in August.

D&B Quality Construction received a Certificate of Compliance at 15 Cedarcrest Ave. after removing a deck, shower, and sauna tubes over protected wetlands on the property. D&B has also replanted blueberry and winterberry in the wetlands.

“I think it’ll grow back fairly quickly, now that it’s exposed,” Conservation Agent Elizabeth Leidhold said.

The Conservation Commission also advised principals from the Mattapoisett Shores Association to apply for a Notice of Intent in their quest to implement a beach nourishment program.

The Commission acknowledged receipt of letters of interest for an open seat and planned to ask the Board of Selectmen for what will likely be an extension from Aug. 13 to Aug. 27 in recommending a candidate.

Finally, Leidhold reminded Mattapoisett residents of the importance of the Open Space Survey available for quick completion at www.mattapoisett.net. The survey offers residents a chance to have a say in the town’s plans.

The next Conservation Commission meeting is scheduled for Aug. 12.

By Shawn Badgley

Police Investigate Theft of Safe

on

Rochester Police are investigating the theft of a safe from a home in the 200 block of Cushman Road. Police were called to the scene by the homeowner who discovered the safe missing Thursday evening. Officers at the scene did not find any signs of forced entry to the home.

Rochester Police put out a BOLO about the theft to area police departments and were contacted later that night by Acushnet Police who located the stolen safe in the area of Wing Road.

The safe is being processed for fingerprints by the BCI Unit of the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department. Rochester Police do have a possible suspect in the theft and the investigation by Officer Shaun Peterson and Sgt. William Chamberlain is ongoing.

Janet Claudette Turcotte

on

Janet Claudette Turcotte, age 64, passed away quietly on Thursday, July 18, 2013 after a long illness. She was born in New Bedford, grew up in Acushnet and lived for a time in Mattapoisett before moving back to New Bedford. She attended St Francis Xavier School in Acushnet and Sacred Heart Academy in Fairhaven. She worked as an assembler and packager at John I. Paulding Company and Aerovox. She also worked as a greeter at Walmart in Fairhaven. She loved the Red Sox, Celtics and classic TV shows and movies from the 50’s and 60’s.

She was the daughter of the late Henry G. Turcotte and Aurore J. Turcotte. Survivors include her brother, Richard Turcotte and his wife Carol of Newport, RI; niece, Laura Guiney and her husband Paul of Norton, MA; nephew, Nathan Turcotte and his wife Karen of North Kingstown, RI; niece, Ellen Turcotte of East Providence, RI; seven grand nieces and nephews, and cousins Daniel Gautreau and Gerard Gaudette of New Bedford.

The family would like to thank the kind people of Preferred Home Services, Ease Care Ambulance Service, Cedars Assisted Living, Eucharistic Ministers from St. Anthony’s Parish, Dialysis Center on Faunce Corner Rd, and her doctors and the staff at Hawthorne Medical and St. Luke’s Hospital for their service, kindness and support that meant so much to Janet as she faced her illness and disabilities.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Janet’s memory to St. Anthony’s Parish Food Pantry, 1359 Acushnet Ave, New Bedford, MA 02746 or to St. Vincent de Paul Society, St Joseph Conference, 5 Mann Ave, Newport, RI 02840.

Her Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, July 26, 2013 at 11am at St Anthony of Padua Parish, 1359 Acushnet Ave, New Bedford. Burial to follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Visiting Hours will be held Friday; from 9:30am – 10:30am prior to the Mass. Arrangements are in the care of the Rock Funeral Home, 1285 Ashley Blvd, New Bedford.

Marguerite Peet Foster

on

Marguerite Peet Foster passed away peacefully at her beloved Rockwood Ridge Farm in Bluemont, VA. She was 87 years old. A memorial services will be held on August 3, 2013 in Wickeden Chapel, Tabor Academy at 10:00 am. She is survived by her four sons, Reginald C. Foster of Needham, MA, H. Peet Foster of Riverside, CT, Adam R. Foster of Bluemont, VA, Charles O. Foster of Friday Harbor, WA; three granddaughters, Katherine J. Foster, Frances P. C. Foster, Christine S. P. Foster; two grandsons, Samuel P. Foster, Austin K. Foster; three step grandsons, Phillip C. F. Devor, Christopher B. Devor, John R. Devor.

Marguerite grew up on a farm that is now part of downtown Kansas City, Kansas. Riding was a lifelong passion. She competed both in jumping and dressage and fox hunted regularly with her father and his friends. The first woman in her family to attend college, Marguerite graduated from Smith College in 1947. She recalled her father’s shock that the cost of educating a young girl was so dear at $1,500.00 a year. She completed her Masters of Education at Harvard University 1977.

She met and married Rockwood H. Foster (aka “Adam”) of Needham, MA in June of 1948 and moved to Washington, DC. While Adam worked in the Foreign Service of the State Department, Marguerite taught biology at Cathedral School for girls. When she was pregnant with her fourth child, Adam was transferred to London. Given only two weeks notice, Marguerite dutifully packed up the house and crossed the Atlantic on the SS United States, two years before the dawn of transatlantic jet service, eight months pregnant with three boys 2, 4, and 6 years old in tow. While living in London, she grew friendly with a group of bell ringers and later brought them over to Washington to ring the inaugural peal of the newly competed bell tower at The Washington National Cathedral.

After returning from London in 1960, she became very involved in many activities, clubs, and areas of public service, including hosting a mid-day television show at WTTG for the Junior League. Marguerite, Adam, and their four young boys started summering in Marion, MA in 1961, initially co-renting with the Hugh Foster cousins, then buying their house on Allens Point Road. Marguerite was supporter of the Marion Antiques Show, Sippican Lands Trust, Marion Arts Center, Coalition for Buzzards Bay, Marion Fireworks, Elisabeth Taber Library, Blankenship Cemetery, New Bedford Whaling Museum, Gleason YMCA and Appalacian Trail. She was a longtime and active member of the Beverly Yacht Club, Kittansett Club, Sippican Tennis Club, Piney Point Beach Club and Chilton Club. Marguerite was a founding Board Member of The Buzzards Bay Musicfest, which is held annually in July at Tabor Academy.  From its modest beginnings in 1996, the Buzzards Bay Musicfest just completed its 17th season of presenting several days of free concerts performed by top tier musicians from all over the country. Dozens of musicians have enjoyed their stay at “Hotel Foster” during their visits.

A science teacher by vocation, in the mid ‘60s Marguerite returned to her lifelong passion as a teacher of Earth science at The Potomac School in McLean, VA. In the ‘80s, she was instrumental in starting the first computer lab at Potomac School.

During the summers, she created an oceanography program out of the basement of her summer house in Marion, MA, zooming all over the inner and outer harbor with the children of friends, collecting specimens and studying marine habitats and ecosystems. In the early ‘70s, she persuaded Tabor Academy to add her program as a summer school elective, which she taught consecutively for the next thirteen years. It quickly became a popular and oversubscribed course and was the fore bearer of today’s marine sciences program at Tabor. In later years, Marguerite became an active and dedicated member of the Tabor board, where her quiet leadership resulted in Tabor’s magnificent Marine and Nautical Science Center, which opened in 2005.

As a country girl from the mid-west with no prior sailing experience, Marguerite plunged into the sailing scene, skippering her Herreschoff 12 in countless ladies’ day races. For several years, she was involved with organizing the Junior Regatta and cruise and supporting the Buzzards Bay Regatta. Hundreds of visiting sailors have enjoyed a bed, breakfast, and Marguerite’s wonderful hospitality at her house.

Over the next sixty years, there was hardly a winter organization in Washington nor a summer activity in Marion that did not enjoy Marguerite’s energetic, enthusiastic, and generous participation. She was active in the National Zoological Society, the Smithsonian Women’s Committee, and the Founders Board of St. John’s Community Services, from whom she received the Pillow Lee award for her lifetime contributions. Even after she moved back to the farm life in Virginia in 2007, she continued to contribute her time, energy, financial support, meals, beds, and love to her friends, relatives, and students of all ages.

Memorial services will be held at the Wickenden Chapel, Tabor Academy in Marion, MA on Saturday, August 3, 2013 at 10:00am.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions in her name be made to your favorite Marion-based non-profit organization.

Woman Injured in Hit and Run

on

On Sunday, July 21, 2013 at 4:10PM, the Marion Police Department responded to a report of a pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle on County Road, in the area of the Wareham town line.

Officers located the female victim, a 40 year old Wareham resident, who was suffering from serious injuries.  She was treated at the scene by Marion Fire and Wareham EMS and transported to Tobey Hospital.  She was then flown by Med-Flight to Rhode Island Hospital.

The vehicle that struck the victim had left the scene.

About five hours later, officers received information of a possible suspect vehicle.  They went to a residence on County Road and located the vehicle and operator involved in the crash.

Arrested was David R. Pajunen, age 22, of Wareham.  Pajunen is charged with 1) Leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident, causing injury & 2) Marked Lanes violation.  He is currently being held at the Marion Police Station & will be arraigned later today at Wareham District Court.

The victim had been walking two dogs at the time.  One dog was deceased; the other was transported by Animal Control to a local veterinarian.

Police are looking for any witnesses or anyone who may have information on this accident to call 508-748-1212. This crash remain under investigation.

The accident is under investigation by Sgt. Jeffrey Tripp and the Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section and Crime Scene Services.

Gerald A. Sherman

on

Gerald A. Sherman, 77, of Fairhaven, died July 18, 2013 unexpectedly  at St. Luke’s Hospital.

He was the husband of Patricia A. (Gamble) Sherman.

Born in Mattapoisett, the son of the late Thornton and Gladys  (Westgate) Sherman. He was raised in New Bedford by the late Lena and  Walter Cleary.

Mr. Sherman was formerly employed as a teacher and Dean of  Administration at Kinyon-Campbell Business School for 41 years until  his retirement.

He served in the U.S. Air Force. Mr. Sherman enjoyed walking, playing  cards, crossword puzzles, scrabble, reading and was an avid Boston  RedSox fan.

Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Carla Sherman of Alpharetta,  GA; a son, Wayne Sherman, his wife Maria and his beloved grandson  Weston, all of Dartmouth and; a brother, William Sherman and his wife  Jackie of Pennsylvania; 2 half-sisters, Marilyn Urquhart and her  husband Sandy and Marjorie Borsari and her husband Peter, all of  Marion; nieces and nephews.

He was the brother of the late James Sherman and his twin Geraldine Miller.

His Funeral Service will be held on Thursday at 10 AM at the  Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6,  Mattapoisett. Burial will follow in Cushing Cemetery. Visiting hours  will be on Wednesday from 4-8 PM. For directions and guestbook, please  visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Marion Thanks Employees and Boards

on

Marion town employees were treated to a free lunch on Friday when they were invited to Bicentennial Park for a cookout. The event was hosted by the Marion Recreation Department and the Marion Board of Selectmen, with members of the Recreation Department flipping burgers at the grill. The employee event started at 12:00 pm and ended at 2:00 pm. The event was meant to have happened on Thursday, but rain postponed it.

“We do this to show our appreciation,” Donna Hemphill said. Employees sat at picnic tables under white tent canopies and enjoyed hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, macaroni salad, chips, and cold water and soda.

“This is great that they are doing this for town employees,” Carol Brown said. “It’s nice to get a thank you.”

Jody Dickerson came up with the idea and worked with fellow Selectmen Steve Cushing and John Henry, as well as Town Administrator Paul Dawson.

On Thursday, another cookout was held for the members of the town boards. Board members from the Council on Aging, Conservation Commission, Cultural Council, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Board of Selectmen, Board of Health, Marion School Committee, Alternative Energy, Recreation Board, Pathways Committee, Cemetery Commission, Elizabeth Taber Library, as well as representatives from the Upper Cape Vocational Technical Board were all invited.

“We want to thank everyone who volunteers to come out, often in the evening, away from their families at the dinner hour, to serve on committees in our town,” Dawson said. “We appreciate their service.”

By Joan Hartnett-Barry

Super Duper Summer Fair

on

Fun for all ages! Bring the children to First Congregational Church of Marion (28 Main Street) on July 27, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, to craft a puppet, do some woodworking and play games such as cake walk, putting green, beanbag toss and bounce house. Enjoy music provided by the Show Stoppers, Harpoon Harmonizers, Three Buoys and a Gull, and more.

Savor our renowned lobster rolls and delicious chicken salad wraps at the Chapel Cafe. Bid on exceptional items at the Silent Auction and have fun at the Mystery Pound Auction. Stock your freezer with scallop casseroles and other delicious prepared foods. Treat yourself to yummy home-baked goods, candy, cheese and fresh picked local blueberries.

Perk up your garden with plants and vegetables. Scour the White Elephant, Crafts and Fine Gifts tables for treasures; pick up great beach books, and nautical and sports items. Enjoy grilled swordfish and fresh catch from the boat by Harbor Blue Seafood, along with hot dogs and hamburgers at the Sidewalk Grill. For information, go to www.marionfirstchurch.org.

Marion Art Center Announces Musical

on

Reservations are now being accepted for the Marion Art Center’s summer musical production: “Stars & Stripes Forever Musical Revue.” The show opens on August 15 and will run on August 16 and 17. All shows are at 8:00 pm. The Art Center is located at 80 Pleasant Street, Marion.

This rousing revue will mimic a USO show, with the audience being entertained as the “troops,” and will feature the velvet tones of the sensational “Swanson Sisters from Sheboygan: Dixie, Trixie & Pixie,” (played by Caroline Blaise, Pam Breton and Denise Bastos) and hosted by the hilariously funny “Frankie B. Sharpe” (played by Eric Bosworth). Caroline, Pam, Denise and Eric are all members of the Occasion Singers, who perform regularly at MAC. Audiences will delight in hearing some lovely old standards like “Sentimental Journey,” “Fever,” and “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” and be invited to participate in a patriotic sing-a-long at the end.

The MAC theatre will be set up cabaret style, and guests may bring their own refreshments. Tables are available for reserved parties of four.

Tickets are $12.50 for MAC Members and $15 for non-members and may be purchased online at www.marionartcenter.org/buytickets. Email reservations are also accepted. To make an email reservation, please email marionartcenter@verizon.net. In the email subject line, type “Summer Musical Tickets,” then state full name, number of tickets needed, date attending and phone number for confirmation. Or, call in your reservation and pay at the door. Call 508-748-1266 and leave a voice message that includes your name, telephone number, date you are attending and the number of tickets needed.

Reservations are highly recommended.

Tri-Town Graduates and Awards

on

Berklee College of Music announces that Benjamin Burns of Mattapoisett has earned placement on the Dean’s List for the spring semester of the 2013 academic year.

The following Tri-Town residents were named to the Dean’s List during the spring 2013 semester at Salve Regina University: Allison LaCrosse of Mattapoisett, a junior majoring in Nursing, and Abigail McBride of Marion, a junior majoring in Marketing.

Eleanor Severance was named to the spring 2013 Dean’s List at Choate Rosemary Hall.

Taylor Craig, Mattapoisett, was a recipient of the Dean’s Award for academic excellence during the 2013 spring term at Colgate University, where Craig is a member of the Class of 2015 and studies History.

Robert Gammell, Mattapoisett, has been named to second honors on the Clark University Dean’s List. This selection marks outstanding academic achievement during the spring 2013 semester.

Andrew Hadley of Marion graduated from Assumption College with a Bachelor of Arts degree.