We have started our spring cleanup, and it would be very helpful if you would remove your Christmas decorations by March 15. All Christmas decorations will be picked up and removed to the landfill after the 15th. If you want to throw your decorations away, you can put them in the trailers closest to you. Do not put your Christmas trees under bushes or other people’s spots. Thank you for your cooperation, Superintendent, Cushing Cemetery Dana Tripp.
Tuesday night’s meeting of the Mattapoisett Select Board found the members reviewing potential warrant articles for the May 8 Annual Town Meeting. The list of potential articles from Town Administrator Mike Lorenco contained proposed bylaw changes, property sales and even the acquisition of the iconic Ned’s Point Lighthouse.
Select Board member Jordan Collyer said on Tuesday night that Coast Guard Auxiliary member Joseph Dawicki brought to his attention months ago that the auxiliary wishes to sell the structure. Much-needed money for such things as regular maintenance and neglected repairs plague the lighthouse, and no financial support from the federal government can be expected, reported Collyer, who cautioned the board of the potential loss of the lighthouse through a private-party sale and/or deterioration.
The overall Mattapoisett operating budget for FY24 now stands at $32,405,000, a 4% increase over FY23. “We have a levelly funded budget,” Lorenco stated during Monday’s working session of the Select Board and department heads.
On Tuesday night, Lorenco listed potential warrant articles brought to his attention, including: a nip-bottle ban, a veteran’s tax work-off program, the need to transfer funds from the sale of the Water Department building on Church Street to the Water Enterprise Fund, funding the Old Colony feasibility study, adding scenic-roadway status to the town’s General Bylaw, establishment of alternate members for the Planning Board and Capital Planning Committee, establishing a cemetery commission and the sale of town-owned properties.
The Select Board also met with Dr. Dale Leavitt of Blue Stream Shellfish. Leavitt said that in spite of predation from the Eastern Oyster Drill, a type of snail with the capacity to drill through the shell of oysters after secreting an enzyme that softens the shell, 2022 was a good year. He therefore requested the release of another 20 acres of aquaculture area in Brandt Cove. That was quickly approved. He also asked the Select Board to consider letting Blue Stream pay the $200 per acre fee in oysters that the town could plant for the benefit of the residents. The board took that request under advisement.
The Select Board made two appointments on Tuesday of Thomas Simpson as a civilian paramedic and Norman Lussier as plumbing inspector.
Lorenco shared that a recent meeting between several towns had taken place on the topic of a broadband-aggregate program. He will attend future meetings to get further details for the Select Board to consider. He said he also attended a state Department of Transportation meeting in which the DOT sought input from towns regarding Route 6 modifications. More details will follow, including how the public can get involved.
On Monday, the Select Board members met at the Fire Station to continue ongoing working sessions with department heads as FY24 budgets are reviewed and refined. They met with Fire Chief Andrew Murray, Police Chief Jason King, Recreation Department Director Greta Fox and Water and Sewer Superintendent Henri Renauld.
The proposed Fire Department FY24 budget stands at $931,320.
Murray made the case for a third daytime-staff firefighter. While debating the pros and cons, including Murray’s assertions of the importance of having another firefighter immediately available to operate apparatus, it came to light that the $50,000 requested was already in the budget. Lorenco said he would work with Murray reallocating that sum to the proper spreadsheet column.
The Select Board also heard that an increase of $12,500 in the on-call column from FY23 (from $250,000 to $262,500) for FW24 was necessary. Murray said it was difficult to control the number of on-call firefighters who respond to incidents, especially on nights and weekends. Lorenco said covering the budget overage has not been an issue.
Murray defended his request for a new SUV for $55,000, reminding the Select Board that the current vehicle in service has mechanical issues and that in all the years he has been associated with the department, “We have never asked for a vehicle.”
The estimated FY24 Police Department budget is $2,613,080, and the Ambulance Service is $481,700.
King thought that his request for a new domain server and radio console (totaling $145,000) could be funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant. After discussing the request and the importance of effective communications equipment, the board pondered next steps to effectuate the request. Lorenco will follow up on the process for using funding in this manner, including consultation with the Finance Committee.
King reported that other grants funded the purchase of bullet-proof vests and body cameras. He said he is only requesting one new cruiser for FY24.
Receipts from the Ambulance service have reached a point where that department can fund its own operation, King commented. Further review is expected.
King and Lorenco confirmed a grant will pay for an emergency utility, all-terrain vehicle, augmenting emergency responses in wooded or inaccessible locations. The Ambulance service is run by the Police Department, and all police officers are EMT’s.
Fox’s time with the board was brief, given few if any changes from FY23 to FY24. The FY23 and FY24 budget requests were and are $58,600. She said all camps and programs fill up quickly and that financial aid is available for Mattapoisett residents wishing to have their children enrolled in summer camp.
The Water Enterprise fund’s FY24 budget is $2,339,820, and the Sewer Department lists $2,198,376.
Renauld talked about upcoming infrastructure projects such as Oakland and Pearl Streets, and the plan to approach the residents of Peases Point and Hollywoods neighborhoods for a sewer betterment project. Some 130 homes would be impacted, Renauld said. He also briefly discussed the Eel Pond sewer-line replacement project and the intention to have that project funded through grants with a cost estimate of $3,000,000 listed on the Capital Plan. Also listed on the Capital Plan is $3,700,000 for piping and plant upgrades for the Fairhaven sewer treatment plant.
In closing out the meeting, Lorenco noted that the Veterans Office is seeking the expansion to two full-time employees from two part-time employees. He said Veterans’ Agent Chris Gerrior is reaching more veterans than ever before, linking them to more services and proposes more outreach and networking opportunities. The position is shared through the Tri-Towns, thus splitting the proposed cost increase of $14,700 three ways if all towns agree. Collyer asked for a report from Gerrior outlining his plans and goals.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Select Board is scheduled for Tuesday, March 7, at a time to be determined.
Mattapoisett Select Board
By Marilou Newell
To see the sun sparkling on the water,
To watch the Osprey circle high above the bay,
Is to feel the blessed miracle of sight,
And to glory in the beauty of God’s world.
The doctor’s voice was gentle and sympathetic,
As he pronounced me legally blind.
But I live not in a cold, grey world.
For I can see with my heart.
To hear my little bird say, “You’re so beautiful,”
And “I love you” is to see once more,
Her lovely green feathers and rosy breast,
For I still see her with my heart.
To feel our cats, Cricket and Marty,
Brush against my leg, looking for affection,
I can feel their soft fur,
Know I still see them in my heart,
Though the faces of my dear ones are blurred and formless.
My memory holds generations of my children,
Through infancy, childhood to adulthood.
Each as dear and perfectly clear,
For I hold them in my heart.
And my grandchildren, their faces bright, eager,
In their embrace and kisses,
I feel their warm energy and their love,
And I can see them with my heart.
I remember the beauty of the trees, the flowers,
The sunsets and the blue sea and sunlight.
For God granted me a deeper vision,
When He took away my sight.
Editor’s Note: Hope Bradley Finley passed away on January 13 at age 95. The Mattapoisett resident was thrilled to have The Wanderer publish her poems and essays, something we will continue to do this winter.
By Hope Bradley Finley
The Rochester Select Board’s February 21 meeting began with word that Town Clerk Paul Dawson won’t be seeking reelection and a suggestion the position should change to be appointed instead of elected.
Town Administrator Glenn Cannon revealed Dawson’s recent letter stating that “serious health matters” in his family have made the time he has been able to spend at his job uneven. For that reason, Dawson said in his letter, “I will not seek reelection as town clerk.”
Select Board Chairman Woody Hartley responded there is still time for other candidates to sign up for the 2023 Town Election ballot. But he emphasized another point, that it might be time to look into making town clerk an appointed position. “Paul has done a good job for us as town clerk,” Hartley said. “But it is a job requiring a lot of professional skills.”
Hartley said that is why someone appointed rather than elected every three years would be a better fit for the job of being Rochester’s town clerk. The board then agreed to discuss the matter further at its next meeting on March 6.
Next, Personnel Board Chairman Adam Murphy provided an update on the new panel’s main goal, which is to rewrite and improve the town’s Personnel Bylaw. Murphy said the amount of work that reaching this goal demands means a new bylaw won’t be available for a Town Meeting vote until the fall.
If a Town Meeting is scheduled for October, Personnel Board member Kristine Nash said that would give the town enough time to integrate changed job and salary classifications into the town budget.
Murphy explained a total of 24 employees fall under bylaw provisions that he says should be revised. He said new job descriptions need to be written before a fairer-pay compensation plan can be written. Meanwhile, descriptions for new jobs have had to be created, he said, such as for the newly full-time Zoning Board of Appeals clerk position that the town is on the verge of filling.
Cannon noted the Highway Department is looking to hire a new mechanic, a position that will also need possible reclassification. Because of the work the Personnel Board has done on these new job descriptions, Cannon praised their help for being so good at “meeting our needs, with new positions written and filled.”
William Chamberlain of the town Republican Committee then asked the Select Board to recommend that every town panel recite the Pledge of Allegiance before every meeting. “Either by a citizen petition or the selectmen asking all boards do it,” Chamberlain said. “We are looking for the board’s guidance.”
Cannon reported that town counsel has told him the Select Board cannot mandate that town boards enact such a practice. Hartley said it is a matter of free speech.
Board member Paul Ciaburri proposed the solution, drafting a motion to “encourage” all boards to start their meetings with the Pledge of Allegiance. Hartley agreed.
The board then approved a new Town Counsel policy. To better control how town departments and boards access the town’s legal adviser, such requests must be delivered in writing to the town administrator. A board’s request for opinion and/or use of town counsel must be approved by a majority vote of that board. Requests to initiate litigation or defense will require approval of the Select Board.
The board also approved two athletic events that will travel through town: the Annual Patriot Half-Marathon on June 17 and the Buzzards Bay Coalition’s 17th annual Watershed Ride on August 17.
The board also agreed not to exercise the town’s right of first refusal (to purchase) property at 0 High Street, which is being taken out of Chapter 61A agricultural land protection to site a wireless communications tower there.
Next, the board supported a letter that will permit the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD) to test the water flow at Snipatuit Pond. A flow gauge would be installed, Town Planner Nancy Durfee said. ARPA funds totaling $20,000 will fund the beginning of the project, but the measurement project will take one to two years, she said. So more money, Municipal Vulnerability Funds, will be sought later.
Hartley said this will be a way to see if the City of New Bedford is withdrawing too much water from the pond.
The Select Board scheduled its next meeting for Monday, March 6, at 6:00 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.
Rochester Select Board
By Michael J. DeCicco
Curry College congratulates Ariane Dias of Rochester who was named to the Fall 2022 Dean’s List.
The University of Maine recognized Griffin Lawrence of Mattapoisett for achieving Dean’s List honors in the fall 2022 semester.
Emma Thorell of Mattapoisett, who is in the physician assistant program and Cecilia Prefontaine of Rochester, who is in the ASL-English interpretation program, were named to the Dean’s List at Rochester Institute of Technology for the fall semester of the 2022-2023 academic year. Full-time degree-seeking undergraduate students are eligible for Dean’s List if their term GPA is greater than or equal to 3.40; they do not have any grades of “Incomplete”, “D” or “F”; and they have registered for and completed at least 12 credit hours.
Charlotte Cole of Mattapoisett, Drew Mastovsky of Marion and Gracie McCarthy of Marion have been named to the fall 2022 Dean’s List at Roger Williams University in Bristol, R.I. Full-time students who complete 12 or more credits per semester and earn a GPA of 3.4 or higher are placed on the Dean’s List that semester.
The library is celebrating Black History Month. Visit all month long to find novels, histories, cookbooks, essays, graphic novels, picture books, crafts and more celebrating Black history and culture.
In honor of Black History Month, the Excellent family is so excited to celebrate with the Elizabeth Taber Library on Friday February 24 at 10:30 am for poignant and inspiring tales, songs and art celebrating Black history and stories.
Friends of the Library coffee hour Thursday March 2 at 9:30 am. Learn more about the brand new Friends of the Elizabeth Tabor Library at our recruitment coffee hour. Serve the community of Marion by supporting the library.
The 2nd Annual Lizzy T Trivia Night Fundraiser – Friday March 24 at 7 pm – Gather a team of 5-6 members and compete in a battle of wits to benefit the library. Topics include local history, sports, pop culture and more. Find registration forms at the library or on our website, $200 team entry fee.
Tables of Content Fundraising event May 7 & 19 at 6 pm – A fundraising event that pairs a delicious dinner in a Marion neighbor’s home with a lively book discussion. Find registration forms, including available titles at the library or on our website. Tickets are $75 per person. Join us for story times every Wednesday (baby lap sit) and Friday (all ages) from 10:30-11:30.
For more information on the Elizabeth Taber Library, visit us at www.ElizabethTaberLibrary.org or call us at 508-748-1252.
You may be surprised to hear that lying is running rampart in Washington and environs. It’s true. In fact, it has surpassed baseball as the national pastime. (That’s a lie. We all know pickleball is the national pastime.)
Lying goes way back in Washington. George Washington, for whom the city was named, cut down a cherry tree. Right? Wrong, it was a lie. A minister and writer named Mason Locke Weems included the story in a biography of our first president to promote the idea that Washington was a mythical hero much greater than he was … and to sell a lot of books.
In some circles even today, some scholars say that the fact that old George was our first president is a lie. John Hanson, a representative from Maryland, was elected President of the United States by Congress in 1781, followed by eight more gentlemen who held the position until the Constitution was completed in 1789, when Washington was elected unanimously.
The lie about Washington’s wooden teeth (they were actually made from human, cow and horse teeth. Ugh!) was perpetuated by journalists for reasons that remain unknown. Another group who, if you believe today’s politicians, are even bigger liars than they are.
Lying is ingrained in the culture of our nation’s capital. Even the White House lies. Imagine that. Every year, a giant white bunny shows up at the annual Easter Egg Roll. Come on man! No bunny rabbit is that big. It’s not nice to fool little kids.
Abraham Lincoln knew about liars. He said, “You can fool all of the people some of the time; you can fool some of the people all of the time, but you can’t fool all of the people all the time.” Politicians have been ignoring old Abe’s advice ever since. They all say, “I will lower taxes, eliminate poverty and drain the swamp.” Really? One person can’t do that alone. A little critical thinking goes a long way in sniffing out lies. You don’t have to be in Washington to hear a politician lie his or her way into office. When was the last time you heard a local politician say they would not run for a second term?
Wasn’t it P.T. Barnum who said, “there is a sucker born every minute”? No, that’s another lie. A banker named David Hannum, another conman, lied when he a claimed a “giant” body he owned was a petrified man. He must surely be the patron saint of politicians.
Then there is the biggest lie of all, the one about the jolly guy with a white beard who wears a red suit and shows up in December bearing gifts. I know that’s not true. When I was a little kid, I once saw him placing gifts under our Christmas tree. He wore grey pants, a white shirt and glasses. No beard. If that wasn’t true, even my mom lied. Moms don’t lie. Right?
Politicians have taken over the mantle of top-notch liars, but let’s face it, we all lie occasionally. You do and so do I … well you do. Have you ever said, “The check is in the mail” or “It’s great to see you” when you don’t mean it? I’ve said that to politicians I’ve met. How about “I love it” when you get a gift you can’t stand? Washington doesn’t have a corner on lying. It is in the fabric of our America, and it is here to stay. And that’s the truth.
Editor’s note: Mattapoisett resident Dick Morgado is an artist and retired newspaper columnist whose musings are, after some years, back in The Wanderer under the subtitle “Thoughts on ….” Morgado’s opinions have also appeared for many years in daily newspapers around Boston.
Thoughts on…
By Dick Morgado
The Mattapoisett Capital Planning committee has begun meeting with department heads to more fully probe requests. The total amount of the town’s capital needs for FY24 stands at $10,791,000. The proposed spending includes: $55,000 for a new Fire Department SUV, two Highway Department reconstruction projects totaling $1,400,000 for Oakland and Pearl Streets (planned funding via capital debt exclusion) and $170,000 for a highway backhoe loader.
Also listed on the Capital Planning spreadsheet: Replace flooring at Center School $25,000 and kitchen oven for $19,500, security server $10,000, Old Hammondtown School’s fire panel $19,000, replace roof soffits and gutters $48,150 and replace window seals $20,000.
Mattapoisett Free Public Library is seeking carpet replacement on bottom floor $45,000 and historic slate-roof repair and restoration at $85,000.
Recently added to the Capital Plan are expenses and needs associated with the bike path. For FY24, those are $75,000 (grants being sought.)
A sum of $35,000 is proposed for a Town Hall feasibility study. Town Administrator Mike Lorenco recently told The Wanderer that although it’s been known for a number of years that the viability of the Town Hall building on Main Street must be evaluated, nothing has been done thus far. Lorenco seeks to fund a study that will evaluate the building’s condition and possible relocation. In the meantime, there are furniture needs for various town department locations estimated at $25,000.
Waterfront Enterprise capital needs are: $45,000 for new pilings (via grant), a harbor management plan for $30,000 (free cash), new dinghy dock $25,000 (free cash) and $20,000 (grants being sought) for new floating docks.
Listed for Old Rochester Regional High School are $24,000 for asphalt repair, $24,000 for floor-tile replacement and $23,000 for boiler-control updates.
On February 21, the committee met with Henri Renauld, Water and Sewer superintendent. Renauld said of the proposed Peases Point/Hollywood Beach sewer project ($3,100,000 via a bond) that 131 homes would be included in the program and to be accepted requires 66% of the homeowners to agree to betterment fees. He said that project is 75% through design and that a meeting will be planned to discuss the project with residents of the areas involved sometime in March.
Other capital projects proposed are the Oakland Street water-system replacement that will include replacing old cast-iron pipes with 8-inch PVC $510,000 (from ARPA funds pending Select Board approval), study of lead and copper in the water system $30,000 (grants to be sought), water-well updates $30,000 (grants to be sought) and village-area, water-main replacement $120,000 (debt exclusion.)
The Sewer Department is seeking $35,000 for station rehabilitation (grants to be sought) and $6,700,000 via debt exclusion for an Eel Pond force main, along with plant and piping updates.
Board of Health Agent Gail Joseph met with the Select Board to discuss the $75,000 capital need for reorganization of the Transfer Station. Joseph said that the goal is to continue cleaning up and organizing the site, “to make it more useful to the town,” including generating revenue. Joseph said she hopes to build an area for the collection of hazardous materials.
Currently available to residents are cardboard, glass and household-trash drop-off at no charge. Mattress, television and textile-collection areas have also been set up. Joseph emphasized, “The vision is to get it running so it makes a profit.” Last year, retained earnings were approximately $6,000.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Capital Planning Committee is scheduled for Tuesday, February 28, at 5:30 pm.
Mattapoisett Capital Planning Committee
By Marilou Newell
The Rochester Republican Town Committee is planning on holding its monthly meeting March 14, at the Ponderosa Sportsman Club 242, Robinson Road in Acushnet. The meeting will begin at 6 pm. On the agenda will be a discussion and planning for Rochester’s Town Meeting May 22 and town elections to be held May 24. Also on the agenda will be future fundraising events and increasing membership. All members of the community are invited to attend. You do not need to be a member of the committee to participate in discussions. Should you have any questions, you may contact Bill Chamberlain at 508-272-6793 or by email: pauln75@verizon.net.
The Marion Board of Health approved a septic variance requested at 13 Washburn Lane during its February 16 meeting at the Police Station.
Brian Grady from G.A.F. Engineering represented the property owner, describing the project as an upgrade to a failed system. An existing tank is being replaced with a FAST system going to a field of unknown construction.
Grady reported that George Heufelder, Marion’s review, had no comments and said that the plan is suitable for approval.
The board also voted to approve the septic plan at 2 Sassomon Trail based on a three-bedroom plan.
Dr. Ed Hoffer chaired the meeting in the absence of Board of Health Chairman Dr. John Howard.
In her update, Health Director/Nurse Lori Desmarais said she would need to spend $18,500 to match last year’s vaccine order.
Health Agent Shallyn Rodriguez reported on inspections that passed and minor violations that were corrected on the spot.
The next meeting of the Marion Board of Health is scheduled for Thursday, March 2, at 4:00 pm.
Marion Board of Health
By Mick Colageo