Richard J. Moniz

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Richard J. Moniz, 81, of Rochester died February 16, 2023 peacefully at home.

            He was the husband of Dr. Deborah A. Hartley, and the son of the late Francisco and Rosemary (Bento) Moniz. Richard was born and remained in New Bedford before moving to Rochester 35 years ago.

            He was formerly employed as a police officer with the New Bedford Police Department for 28 years before retiring as detective. Prior to that, he was a machinist and served 4 years in the U.S. Coast Guard.

            He enjoyed spending time with his family, working in his vegetable garden, listening to music, and the company of his dogs.

            He had a sense for adventure, riding his motorcycle, traveling, boating, and spending time in Florida with his family and friends.

            Survivors include his wife; his son, Richard J. Moniz, Jr. and his companion Lynn Cousins of Dartmouth; his daughter, Deborah Morrison of Acushnet; his former wife, Lorraine (Ferro) Moniz of Rochester; 5 grandchildren, Luke Morrison, Ava Morrison, Jamie Moniz, Richard Moniz-Faria and William Brightman; a great-granddaughter, Josephine Walker; and several nieces and nephews.

            He was the father-in-law of the late James Morrison and the brother of the late Frank Moniz and Manuel Moniz.

            His visiting hours will be held on Friday, February 24th from 4-8 pm in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6), Mattapoisett. For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Denitrification Systems – Not Yet

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            A new Plan of Record was presented by David Davignon of Schneider Davignon Leone representing James and Sharlene Craig, 12A Aucoot Road on February 13 to the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission.

            The changes from the original plan now call for a smaller footprint for a new residence, and a place for future septic upgrade. Davignon said the Craigs wondered if they should put in the newest type of denitrification system now in advance of new regulations being put forward by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. Davignon counseled his clients to put in a qualifying Title 5 system but to wait before installing another type of system because, “It may not meet the regulations.” The updated plan was approved.

            MassDEP has been rolling out their proposal to require denitrification systems in areas where nitrogen is at unacceptable levels. Mattapoisett as well as others in the tri-town area have sent letters expressing concern.

            Mattapoisett’s letter reads in part, “The proposed regulations have prompted vast anxiety from our residents.  Several residents are concerned about the cost, impact, and timing of this proposal.  Approximately 70% of all homes within our community use standard septic systems.  Many are struggling with the possibility of affording and installing a denitrification system, which is an expensive solution that not only fails to eliminate nitrogen entirely, but also uses more energy than a conventional Title 5 system while requiring annual maintenance.  Additionally, many of the other nitrogen reducing solutions (such as permeable reactive barriers and LSTA treatment systems, etc.) being applied in other communities are in early experimental phases, leaving many to question whether a sustainable infrastructure option related to wastewater treatment is truly available at this time.

            The Town of Mattapoisett is full of residents who understand the importance of watershed protection and the Town has been doing its part by purchasing vital parcels for conservation and supporting the expansion of stormwater and sewer improvements.  We know that our community will continue to do its part to protect its waterbodies, but we contend that the current DEP proposal will hurt our residents in the pursuit of this common goal. 

            While we appreciate the extension of the public comment period, we believe more time and local collaboration is needed to properly inform residents and be better equipped to construct an appropriate plan as to how best to counteract the effects of nitrogen by not over burdening the residents of Massachusetts.” The letter was written by Town Administrator Mike Lorenco at the request of the Select Board. In a follow-up Lorenco said that the town is also pursuing grant funding to test waterbodies in the community in advance of testing by the DEP, “We don’t want to wait a year or more.”

            In other business Requests for Determination of Applicability received negative decisions and were filed by Mary LaPointe, 4 Ocean View Avenue for the installation of a shed, and Chase Wingate, 2 Tara Road for a septic upgrade.

            Notices of Intent being conditioned were filed by Kenneth Ackerman, 4 Grove Avenue for the construction of a two-story garage, Christopher Oliveira, 107 County Road for the construction of a single-family home, and, David Wilson, 15 Fieldstone Drive for the construction of a porch and deck.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission is scheduled for February 27 at 6:30 pm.

Mattapoisett Conservation Commission

By Marilou Newell

Upcoming Events at Rochester Historical Society

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In a month, it will be Spring and the resumption of activities at the Rochester Historical Society will be blooming along with the tulips and crocuses. Our 2023 Membership Drive continues. For information on that, you can email Connie at eshbach2@aol.com or call or email Sue sash48@comcast.net or 508-295-8908.

            We have some dates to circle on your calendar: 1st meeting of 2023 on Wednesday, April 19 – Connie Eshbach, Celebrations from Rochester’s Past.

            The most important date, the May 7, Dedication of Rochester’s newest war memorial honoring those who served in the War for Independence. Watch for more information.

            While you’re circling dates, our second meeting’s speaker will be the owner of Nettie’s Bees on Wednesday, May 17. Meetings are at 7:00 at the Rochester Historical Museum, 355 County Road.

            Also, we’re planning a 2nd tour of the Rochester Center Cemetery (doing the half that we didn’t get to) in June with the date to be announced soon. There will be more info and more speakers announced in the coming weeks. We look forward to sharing a new season with you.

Marine Center Conditioned

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            Asked if he had a demolition timeline on Marion’s existing harbormaster building, Derek Redgate, civil engineer and project manager with Coastal Engineering, said he has been told the town is in the process of revising the project cost that would be brought before this spring’s Town Meeting. All permitting, he said, will be in place when funding is sought. After that, presumably, construction on the new Marine Center would begin.

            The Marion Conservation Commission got its opportunity to vet the revised project during a February 8 public hearing and voted to issue an Order of Conditions formulated by Commissioner Ethan Gerber.

            Conditions include prevention of harbor pollution and stormwater damage by the installation of a minimum of 20 feet in additional siltation fencing or 10 hay bales prior to disturbance. Roof runoff shall discharge via structure devices, and impervious surfaces shall be sloped so as to collect any runoff.

            The town filed a Notice of Intent for the proposed demolition, construction of the new harbormaster facility and related parking and site improvements at 1 Island Wharf Road. The new office would move its location and expand in size to cover 15,000 square feet, a drastic reduction over the original plan.

            “Basically, anything on the water is going to be in Conservation’s jurisdiction, but the entirety of our site is in land subject to coastal flooding. That and within 100 feet of coastal bank,” said Redgate.

            In displaying the site plan, Redgate confirmed with a blue dashed line the 100-foot buffer zone and with a red dashed line the required 30-foot setback. The northern tip of the new Marine Center extends almost 8 feet closer to the north-facing seawall than the allowed setback.

            Commissioner Ethan Gerber would later ask if the new construction can be relocated so that it does not encroach that setback.

            Redgate said it took a lot of design work to get it so that the north-facing side of the building comes no closer than 22.2 feet from the seawall. He added that originally, the side setback was found to be in violation of the zoning bylaw, but the building commissioner found it to be adequate.

            “Could it be moved? I think it would be very difficult for us to move it, and I think we would prefer to ask for that waiver,” said Redgate, noting that the site had been previously developed.

            Commissioner Matt Schultz asked about the stability of the seawall itself and added a question about the number of pilings to support the new building and how they will be installed.

            Redgate said that the deterioration of the seawall is not part of the construction project, and he considers the new construction to be at a safe distance from it, also pointing out that the areas of deterioration are to the west of the new construction. He anticipates approximately 20, helical, drilled piles.

            Redgate further noted that there was much discussion as to the building’s location and views of the harbor from a safety-function standpoint.

            The site map presented also included a green dashed line to mark a 15-foot No Touch zone, but Vice Chairman Emil Assing, acting as chairman in Jeff Doubrava’s absence, said Marion has no bylaw defining a hard, firm setback.

            “It’s more that we have guidelines that we prefer to see,” said Assing. “The 15-foot ‘no touch’ would be like a ‘no disturb’ zone, where we want to see no new proposed structures and things like that. The 30-foot (buffer) is more of an area where we would allow modest changes.

            “With a project like this, it’s … my opinion that being the harbormaster station, it’s vital that it’s close to the water, has access and views of the harbor itself. It makes sense where it’s located.”

            Assing asked Redgate if the shell walkways will remain or be restored. Redgate said the building will be installed, followed by landscaping.

            “The intent is to keep a lot of the features that are here but fix them up postconstruction,” said Redgate. “I think the walkways will come out, some of the crush shells up against the wall will probably stay. Then we’ll blend everything in with landscaping.”

            With increased in height over the existing facility, the lowest structural member will sit only 2 feet below the 22.25-foot floor elevation.

            While the old harbormaster building will be demolished, the two bathrooms and concrete slab will remain. Town sewer runs to the bathrooms, and a new connection will be established to the new building.

            Other improvements will include handicap-accessible parking, new curbing and walkways. The plan to improve the bathrooms will be part of a separate project further into the future.

            Redgate outlined “during construction” erosion-control measures, a black dotted line on his site plan indicating where the bank will be lined with a straw wattle and silt fence around the perimeter of the construction area.

            The temporary entry point for vehicles will be gravel and have wheel washing to stop sediment from being carried away from the site.

            “We’ve looked at the site carefully so we’re not adding any more runoff to those (detention basins) already in place,” said Redgate, noting the existing stormwater-detention basins along Island Wharf Road. “We haven’t expanded them, we haven’t made them smaller, we haven’t added any new grates or pipes to those existing detention basins. We’re essentially saying, ‘We’re designing this project so that it models what’s already flowing into those basins.”

            The new construction will have its own underground, dedicated filtration system that will take the roof drains and fully infiltrate the new roof and not allow runoff. An overflow drainage pipe will run to the north-facing seawall.

            In answer to Commissioner Shaun Walsh, Redgate said the existing drainage pipe will remain in place and experience a “modest” reduction in discharge.

            “There will certainly be an improvement in addition to groundwater recharge and fully treated,” said Redgate, who said the system is sized to a 25-year storm.

            Island Wharf Road will serve as access to the construction site.

            Before the commissioners voted to close the public hearing, Select Board member Norm Hills suggested that the demolition is highly unlikely to happen prior to the completion of the new construction.

            The Estate of Alexander Harcovitz received an Order of Conditions to proceed with a proposed seawall repair/improvement at 17 Seaside Lane.

            Before deliberation and vote, project representative Dave Davignon submitted a revised plan based on the commission’s feedback from the last public hearing on the case. He highlighted revisions, including the face and rough texture of the sloped seawall, designed to anticipate as much wave action as possible. The height of the seawall was also increased to match the level of the patio.

            Davignon said 10,000-pound boulders are being used at the seawall.

            Mark Brown, in attendance, was invited to speak, but his participation functions froze. Shaun Walsh said an email was received from Brown notifying the commission that he did not plan on making any comments.

            Steve Wymer and Hope Sidman were also issued an Order of Conditions for the removal of nonnative plant species and planting of native species to create a new landscape area on a coastal bank at 137 Allens Point Road.

            Hills attended to represent the Planning Board and gather feedback from the Conservation Commission on the Draft Municipal Storm System MS4 Bylaw being authored by DPW engineer Meghan Davis with Hills’ assistance. The town used existing bylaws in other towns for reference.

            The Zoning bylaw will primarily require any project covering over 10,000 square feet to go before the Planning Board. “‘Cutting’ may be going a little bit too far,” said Walsh.

            Hills said the word can be edited out so as to avoid overstating the intention of the bylaw. Assing asked that Doubrava get an opportunity to comment. Hills assured the commission that this was not its only opportunity to comment and that the Planning Board still needs to hold a public hearing on the bylaw before it can go to Town Meeting.

            The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission is scheduled for Wednesday, February 22, at 7:00 pm.

Marion Conservation Commission

By Mick Colageo

Celebrating Black History Month

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            By the time you read this, all three of the Tri-Town land trusts will have a story or trail walk featuring a children’s story written by black authors. These installations add to the growing partnerships between land trusts, libraries and other local institutions, and the organization Tri-Town Against Racism (TTAR.)

            On February 11, the Mattapoisett Land Trust story walk opened at their Dunseith Park property (located at the intersection of North Street and Route 6) with the story “Black Is a Rainbow Color.” MLT Education Director Ellen Flynn said that the selection committee, comprised of Flynn, Wendy Copps also of the MLT, Jessica DeCicco-Carey of Mattapoisett Museum and Alison Noyce of TTAR, researched black children’s authors to find just the right book for the installation. They picked “Black Is a Rainbow Color” by Angela Joy.

            In this story, a little girl thinks and considers what is black and comes to the realization that black is many things, even if it isn’t a color in the rainbow. She considers her girlfriends’ braids, birds, skillets, stones and black-eyed peas but concludes each time that black is not a rainbow color. Then, expanding the scope of her ponderings, she considers Martin Luther King, Thurgood Marshall’s robe and the role of civil rights activism. All this contemplation sweeps through black history then and now, told gently but clearly, and brings the girl to the conclusion that although black isn’t a rainbow color for her, black is all the colors in her crayon box.

            The Sippican Lands Trust installation at Peirson Woods off Point Road is, “The Sun Is So Quiet” by the highly respected author, Nikki Giovanni. Her accomplishments include recognition with a Caldecott Honor, Newberry honor and a Coretta Scott King award. She describes herself as a “…Black American, a daughter, a mother and a professor of English…” Giovanni has also been an activist, giving her time, talent and strength to the early days of civil rights movements. On the story walk, we find words of encouragement and hope.

            An example of Giovanni’s work can be found here in a piece titled, Knoxville Tennessee: “I always like summer best, you can eat fresh corn from daddy’s garden and okra and greens and cabbage and lots of barbeque and buttermilk and homemade ice-cream at the church picnic, and listen to Gospel music outside at the church homecoming and go to the mountains with your grandmother and go barefooted and be warm all the time, not only when you go to bed and sleep.”

            Rochester’s “trail tales” walk at Lionberger Woods off Haskell Ridge Road will be up after press time, but we found the story that will be used, an inspiration not only for black children but for all children, focusing on the importance of inclusion and acceptance that requires early understanding.

            In the RLT selection, “The Year We Learned to Fly” by Jacqueline Woodson, we learn that bored siblings stuck in an inner-city apartment are quarreling constantly. They are stuck with nothing to do, yet their caregiver, their grandmother, uses her experiences and her knowledge of how to handle conflict and trouble to help the children use their minds to gain freedom.

            Grandmother tells the children to consider other people and their struggles, but also that no one can take your imagination away from you and by using your mind, you can escape where you are and go wherever you want to go through flights of the mind. When the children move to the suburbs, they are confronted by racism. Here, Woodson with great tenderness confronts the reality of being a minority resident in a predominantly white neighborhood. The children remember their grandmother’s teachings. In the end, these children teach the other children in the neighborhood how to fly.

            Alison Noyce, TTAR president, told us, “We are really excited to have Black History Month story walks/trail tales in each of the towns of the Tri-Town. We partner with the land trusts and in Rochester, also Plumb Library to make these happen. It’s a great way for people of all ages to get out in nature, enjoy local trails, while celebrating Black History Month. We want to celebrate hope, joy, inclusion and diversity, while paying tribute, honor and respect to black Americans past and present.” She went on to say, “There are so many wonderful books to choose from. We want to honor black history and use books with beautiful images.”

            Another event planned for Black History Month brings opportunity for teens to express their thoughts through art. Noyce shared, “TTAR wanted to honor Black History Month and wanted to create an opportunity for students in Grades 7-12 to let us know what Black History meant to them. It’s a creative-expression contest, so students can submit entries using art, song, video, dance, as long as it is creative and original, the sky’s the limit.

            “We have been absolutely floored by the thoughtfulness and talent of the entries. This is our third year offering the contest, but because of Covid this will be the first year of in-person entries, a full exhibit of the entries in collaboration with the Mattapoisett Museum with awards given in person. This year’s theme is Black resistance.”

            Works of art and performance will be displayed and/or shown at the Mattapoisett Museum. Submission deadline is Monday, February 20. Details can be found at TriTownAgainstRacism.org.

Rochester Cultural Council Grantees

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The Rochester Cultural Council is excited to announce that we have awarded $5,800 in grant funds to support 12 projects in 2023. Grants ranged from $150 to $750 and were awarded in the categories of arts, sciences, and humanities. Emphasis was placed on funding programs that benefited Rochester residents and are to be held locally in town as well as projects that are free to participants or available at a reduced rate.

            The RCC is proud to be able to announce our support the following grantees for FY23: Mattapoisett Land Trust, Friends of Old Rochester Drama, Vincent Lovegrove Jr., MUSIC Dance.edu, Marion Art Center, New Bedford Museum and Art Center, Onset Bay Association, Rochester Historical Society, Rochester Memorial School PTO, Sippican Choral Society, South Coast Children’s Chorus and the Tri-County Music Association. All events are ongoing through December 31, 2023. For more detailed information of events, please visit the MA Cultural Council website at massculturalcouncil.org/local-council/rochester or our Facebook page.

            The Rochester Cultural Council is a group of volunteers appointed by the Rochester Select Board for three-year terms. Our mission is to promote excellence, access and diversity in the arts, humanities and sciences to enhance the quality of life in Rochester. The RCC strives to achieve these goals by diligently evaluating grant requests and allocating the funds provided by the Mass Cultural Council to projects best serving Rochester residents. The Rochester Cultural Council is always recruiting new members. Please visit our town website at www.townofrochestermass.com/cultural-council and get in touch with a member of the council to learn more.

Academic Achievements

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Samuel Dunn of Mattapoisett has been named to the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Fall 2022 Chancellor’s List for outstanding academic achievement during the fall semester of the 2022-2023 academic year. To qualify, students must have completed 12 course credits and earn a GPA of 3.8 or higher.

Benefit for Becket

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            Residents of New Bedford and surrounding towns might be familiar with the brand “Rayn’s Revolver” or perhaps the woman behind the brand, Amberrayn Vaughn. Both her store and her aesthetic speak of forging one’s own path, something she credits in part to her dear friend, Becket W. Kiernan.

            “Becket walked through life with intense passion and love for everyone that he crossed paths with,” Rayn’s Revolver’s website reads.

            “Becket was a scholar-warrior,” Lynda Kiernan, Becket’s mother, reported. “He was an avid reader, especially of military history – from reading the Art of War to pieces written about every conflict and war throughout history and pieces written by contemporary Marines – he absorbed it all.”

            Becket W. Kiernan joined the Marines as a 17-year-old after graduating from Old Rochester Regional High School as an honor student. While residing at Marine Corps base Twentynine Palms (California), Kiernan fell ill and was taken to a nearby hospital a few days later after base doctors were unable to treat him. He passed away from a bacterial infection that same day, too soon for his family to reach him. He was only 18 years old.

            “One of Becket’s greatest gifts was his ability to make people see the good and the great potential in themselves,” Lynda Kiernan said. “He inspired people. He made people believe in themselves, and he would often check in with friends and the adults in his life, asking, ‘Are you okay?’

            “He attended many leadership schools across the country and organized and directed encampments for hundreds of Young Marines, while he himself was still a teenager … and at each and every one, he always made sure he ate last.”

            In the years preceding his death, Becket W. Kiernan ran several successful Toys for Tots campaigns, collecting 1,000 toys in the year before his enlistment. He had been a member of the Young Marines for seven years, as well as being the Color Sergeant for the Color Guard of his Fall River Young Marine Unit and participated in countless community service events.

            “For about two years before he enlisted at 17, Becket and I went back and forth about the course he was to take to achieve his goals,” Lynda Kiernan recalled. “He was so brilliant, I asked if he would consider continuing school and enlisting through OCS. But he was adamant. He wanted to enlist as infantry in the Corps, telling me that he felt he couldn’t be the most effective leader unless he walked in the shoes of those he was leading.”

            His death left a wound that still aches for those who knew him, and his loved ones are adamant that it could and should have been prevented.

            “Becket’s family, Lynda, Mallory and Maeg, came to me with an idea to create a memorial for Becket in our hometown,” said Vaughn. “I had reached out before about what else I could do to help keep Becket’s memory alive, and this was the perfect opportunity to do so.”

            A benefit is planned for February 19 at the Galactic Theater in Warren, Rhode Island. It will be a night of live music with local artists and raffle prizes, including gift cards to House of Rage and the Cask & Pig, as well as tickets to see the Led Zeppelin tribute band Get the Led Out. All proceeds are going towards a memorial for Beckett W. Kiernan, as well as raising awareness and support for SaveOurServiceMembers.org. The event is 21-plus. Those wishing to make a direct donation without attending the event can contact raynsrevolver@gmail.com.

            “This benefit is more than just about raising money, it’s an opportunity to bring his loved ones and friends together to enjoy a night of remembrance,” said Vaughn. “Grief can be very lonely, this gives us a chance to grieve him together. New friends and strangers wander into this event as well. It’s a perfect time to share his story, share who he was, share our love for him with new people.”

            This benefit will be the second one, having previously raised $1,800 in 2022.

            “The last event had such an amazing crowd filled with new and old friends, Becket’s loving family and our Young Marine staff members,” Vaughn reminisced. The freshly named “Becket’s Annual Night of Shenanigans” will, as the title suggests, be a yearly event.

            Family and friends of Becket W. Kiernan are asking that anyone who served with him or was stationed at Marine Corps Base Twentynine Palms in February of 2018 and has information regarding Becket’s death contact them through the Save Our Servicemembers project.

            “He truly lived the tenants of selfless leadership, generosity of spirit, loyalty, honor, character and service,” Vaughn added. “Becket was an amazing friend. He continues to be a role model for MANY people. Our passion to remember him will last a lifetime. He was the kindest, most selfless and brilliant leader many of us have ever known. We hope to inspire thousands with his story.”

By Jack MC Staier

Pools, Plans, and Stations

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The Planning Board started its February 14 meeting by approving the special permits for the construction of an in-ground swimming pool behind a multi-unit home at 7 Marion Road.

            The board had to decide whether to permit the pool under both Scenic Highway and Groundwater District regulations.

            The permits will allow building owner Kerri Souza to install an 18×36-foot pool with a steel wall vinyl liner that she alone will use behind her four-unit building. The project’s installer Gary Medeiros promised in his January meeting with the board that the pool won’t be visible from the road. An ornamental aluminum fence will surround it, and the entire fill created by the work will remain on-site. Souza assured the board this would be a private pool for her use only. It will be accessible from the back door of her unit. She rents out the other three units.

            The Planning panel’s next action Tuesday was to release the subdivision covenant to allow construction at 253 Hartley Road, Lawrence Way, Gilmore Cranberry Company. The board then voted to recommend the selectmen not acquire land at 0 High Street that is being taken out of 61A agricultural land protective status. The property is being proposed for a wireless telecommunications tower.

            Next, the board approved sending to the selectmen three zoning articles for the spring annual town meeting. Town Planner Nancy Durfee said that what’s needed will be language revisions to regulations regarding ‘orderly development’, marijuana retail and production regulations and correcting a typo: regulation 53C should read 53G.

            Lastly, board chairman Arnold Johnson updated panel members on the Public Safety Facility Feasibility Committee that he also chairs.

            That board, he explained, agreed to focus on a three-fold plan to renovate and expand the 26 Dexter Lane police station, build a new fire station headquarters at either 65 Pine St. or 0 Mendell Road and further down the timeline, build a fire sub-station at 0 High St., where a quicker emergency response will be needed when a proposed 60-unit senior housing development is built at Route 28.

            Johnson said the police station’s existing sally port is being demolished and replaced by a larger port that will fit modern-size patrol cars and ambulances and will connect to the mail building through a corridor. He said it was agreed to not rush having a design proposal for the spring town meeting. For that purpose, there likely would be a summer special town meeting.

            Planning Board member Ben Bailey asked how such a large project would be funded. Johnson said some town debt will soon be retired from other town capital projects, and now is the time for the Finance Committee to get involved in the planning process.

            Town Planner Nancy Durfee announced that the board’s recording secretary Lori Walsh has left that position to become the new full-time administrative assistant in the Building Department. Planning panel administrative assistant Dawn DiMaggio has temporarily replaced her while the town interviews two applicants to permanently replace her.

            The board’s next meeting will be February 28 at 7 pm in the town hall conference room, 1 Constitution Way.

Rochester Planning Board

By Michael J. DeCicco

Marion Natural History Museum

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Attention Pre-Schoolers and Homeschoolers, the Marion Natural History Museum is now open to the public on Friday mornings. The museum features collections of minerals, fossils, butterflies, birds of prey and many other specimens. Appointments may be made for field trips.  If you would like to schedule a time to come in and view these specimens as part of a lesson or just for fun, please contact the director for an appointment. We are open Wednesdays 10 – 4 pm and Fridays 10 – 4 pm.