Richard B. DaSilva

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Richard B. DaSilva, 79, of Marion died Friday, February 3, 2023 at Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River after a brief illness. He was the husband of Jean (Rogers) DaSilva.

            Born in Wareham, Mr. DaSilva was the son of the late Henrique and Laura (Barros) DaSilva. Mr. DaSilva was a lifelong resident of Marion and was well known in the area, especially in his Point Road neighborhood. He worked as maintenance engineer for Johnson and Johnson in New Bedford for many years. After his retirement, he continued to work as a caretaker in Marion.

            Mr. DaSilva was an avid collector, and his yard was always filled with good finds. His family and friends always looked forward to his annual pig roast at his home, and St. Anthony’s feast at the Point Road playground.

            Survivors include his wife, Jean of Marion; his children, Richard DaSilva, Jr. of Southboro, Robin M. DaSilva of Marion, Ryan E. DaSilva and his wife Gina of Dartmouth, Rhea L. Ford and her husband Willie of Marion and Jeremy K. Bunch of Greensboro (N.C.); his siblings, Elizabeth Mendes of Canton, Shirley Downing of N. Dartmouth, and Harry B. DaSilva of Marion; his grandchildren, Shanice M. Lea and her husband Ryan, Sydney R. DaSilva, Mekei W. Ford, Baeley K. Ford, Brody J. DaSilva, and Tristen J. Bunch. He was predeceased by his siblings, the late Lillian Corbett, Dorothy Coleman, Henry DaSilva, Jr. and Edward Silva. He also leaves many loving nieces and nephews and three godchildren.

            His funeral will be from Chapman Funerals & Cremations – Wareham, 2599 Cranberry Hwy. (Rt. 28), Wareham on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023 at 9 am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick’s Church, 94 High St., Wareham at 10 am. Interment will follow in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Wareham. Visiting hours will be Thursday from 4 – 7 pm at the funeral home.

Visiting Engineer Shares Optimism

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            Bob Silva of Septic Preservation Services visited the Marion Board of Health on January 19 to talk about denitrification technology in septic systems. He told the board that his company services all “advanced-treatment” units and is a distributor of Singulair advanced-treatment units.

            Acknowledging the unmatched expertise of George Heufelder, Silva asked why the board wanted to hear from him.

            Board member Dr. Ed Hoffer said it was due diligence on the town’s part to hear from different experts in the field, as one of many towns looking to advocate for homeowners.

            Silva said that 25 years ago, Hawaii passed the same essential law that MassDEP is trying to pass. Using that state’s failed experiment, Silva said the law has no power without the logistical underpinnings necessary to create compliance. It took a new training program over a number of years for Hawaii to, even in part, begin to make compliance attainable.

            “There are a whole range of problems that we have to overcome for that initiative to be successful,” he said of Massachusetts. “I hope that as we work through that whole comment section of the law and how they’re going to implement it … from a cost perspective, I don’t think it’s going to be as bad as a lot of citizens think that it’s going to be.”

            For example, Silva said it remains unclear if replacement of entire systems will be required.

            “I think, at the end of the day, what’s going to make sense is that they’re going to say, ‘No, you don’t have to replace the whole thing. Let’s go in and take the tank out, and let’s put the treatment tank in.’ So, yes, there is a cost, but hopefully they realize the whole system does not have to be replaced,” said Silva. “They’re still working through all of this.”

            In discussing septic technology, Silva compared bacteria to elves. “They love sugar,” he said, going on to explain that new systems require biological augmentation to feed the billions of spores that enter from the surrounding air.

            “Operationally, what’s happening is the need to operate onsite systems is increasing faster than the industry can provide qualified operators. It’s a problem,” said Silva, who said the competing systems “are all the same. … We’re competitors, but the bottom line is the onsite industry in Massachusetts is a $2,000,000,000-a-year industry. There’s more work than all of us can handle, so we don’t need to be jerks to each other. … Biologically, this process really has not changed in 2,000 years.”

            Attending remotely, Maggie Fieldsteel of Marion referenced her own professional experience in septic technology and suggested the town make sure the new systems are properly tracked and maintained.

            The board members thanked Silva for sharing his experience.

            Asked by Finance Director/Interim Town Administrator Judy Mooney and Finance Committee Chairman Shay Assad, Health Director/Nurse Lori Desmarais told the board that she revised the department’s FY24 budget to be level funded in all areas except wages.

            Desmarais said she shifted some money from supplies to inspections and licensing. As of January 19, she was waiting on a budget figure from Rochester Health Director Karen Walega, the former Marion employee when the town and Rochester shared a joint district.

            Walega’s pension increased to $33,993, along with $1,000 for bookkeeping service, and Marion also sent $4,128 for Walega’s benefits, according to Desmarais. The budget line item increased roughly $5,000 to $19,561.

            Hoffer noted that the district still has over $10,000 in a Santander Bank account. Desmarais agreed to revisit the matter with Mooney and potential discuss the matter with Rochester.

            The state Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup was addressed. Hoffer said that Hiller Oil had spilled some oil at 604 Point Road and agreed to clean it up.

            In her report to the board, Desmarais said the town distributed 900 vaccines in 2022, including 582 flu shots and over 300 COVID-19 vaccinations.

            The next meeting of the Marion Board of Health was not scheduled upon adjournment.

Marion Board of Health

By Mick Colageo

Bird Watching the Tufted Titmouse

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The Titmouse is a familiar songbird with its hallmark crest on its head found everywhere in the south shore of Buzzards Bay. It is no bigger than the similar Chickadee in anatomy and behavior. Both are very selective at not eating directly at a bird feeder but instead carrying their food away from where they found it to another place where they can leisurely pick through it looking for an edible size and nutritional content to their own taste and liking.

            In distinctive appearance and small size, they are easily identified in a blending of gray and brown appearance (as in my illustration) with the male being darker and more profoundly colored than the female, being camouflaged with earth-tone shades not too easily identified while sitting on her nest.

            Artwork of both male and female is easily clarified by naturalist experts in reproduction of mated pairs.

            Both parents have learned to selectively reproduce with four or five eggs and not to begin incubating until the last is laid so that all will begin finally hatching at the very same time, develop and mature effectively and adapt to their environment.

            My mission of bird reporting is to acknowledge examples of Darwin’s formula for inner habits for survival of the species.

            We all know that conditions of the natural world are daily developing into a troubling climate change with a virus pandemic that may also have an effect on the natural conditions of planet earth; we don’t know much about affecting many different species of birds.

            My mission of documenting the obvious, daily change and effect of habitat is turning out to be a moving target to find remedial answers.

            My inspiration in writing and illustrating about bird watching of the Tufted Titmouse is to further reader understanding of wild bird behavior, no matter how small but before our very eyes and in our own backyards.

By George B. Emmons

Rochester Historical Society Membership Drive

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The Rochester Historical Society is always happy to welcome new members. We welcome anyone who is interested in history and we are not limited to Rochester residents. Our active season runs from April through December. Our regular monthly meetings are held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at our museum at 355 County Road and begin at 7:00 pm. The current exhibit at the museum is Maps, Signs and Celebrations, Part 1. While we don’t have current open hours, we are always happy to open up by appointment.

            Our April meeting will be on April 19, with a talk on Rochester’s many celebrations. Other upcoming events will include a special event, a second cemetery tour in June.

To become a member, make an appointment to visit the museum. To discuss any other history related subjects, you may contact Sue at 508 295 8908 or email sash48@comcast.net or Connie at eshbach2@aol.com. We hope to see you in the spring.

Mattapoisett Women’s Club

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Ms. Korinn Petersen, Esq., vice president for Clean Water Advocacy at the Buzzards Bay Coalition, will be the featured speaker at the Mattapoisett Women’s Club on Thursday, February 16 at 11:30 am at the Mattapoisett Congregational Church, 27 Church Street, Mattapoisett. Attorney Petersen will discuss her advocacy work on behalf of the Coalition and focus on the long-term sustainable use of Buzzards Bay by managing both local and regional projects designed to reduce nitrogen pollution from wastewater. Attorney Petersen is admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst with a BS degree, cum laude, in Resource Economics. She received a Master of Studies in Environmental Law, cum laude, and a Juris Doctor from Vermont Law School.

            The Buzzards Bay Coalition adopted an ambitious Strategic Plan that highlighted the need for more advocacy if the Coalition was going to live up to the promise of its founders to Save Buzzards Bay. As always, Mattapoisett Women’s Club programs are open to the community please join us on Thursday, February 16, at 11:30 am and learn about the decades of hard work and significant resources invested in reducing pollution, saving vital watershed lands and making Buzzards Bay more resilient in the face of climate change.

Title-5 Changes

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To the Editor;

            The Tri-Town is an amazing geographic area; ‘It’s Nicer’ – ‘It’s Special’ – ‘It’s God’s Country.’ Sailing, surfing, swimming, paddling, walking thru the forest, sitting by a stream or simply birdwatching we find joy in own backyards. Heads up: we’re in danger of losing it all if we don’t prevent further degradation of our waterbodies.

            Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s proposed Title-5 changes shed light on the critical condition of Commonwealth waterways. Rochester’s ponds and rivers are choking up with weeds. These weeds, some nonnatives that easily spread from pond to pond, are fed by an excess of Nitrogen and Phosphorus. Whether from septic systems, storm or agricultural runoff, fertilizers or even pet waste most nutrient overload points to human impact.  We as humans need to fix this. We need to protect our water.

            Current Title-5 regulation addresses nutrient pollution near well water and drinking water supplies. That will remain the same. New regulations aim to reduce nutrient pollution entering surface waters. Surface waters include bays, estuaries, ponds and rivers. This nutrient overload in both salt and freshwater is destroying aquatic environments and their unique eco systems. If we don’t act now the consequences are grim. Toxic bays, poisoned ponds, and rancid rivers are not a legacy I want to leave behind.

            Recently MassDEP has designated areas called ‘Natural Resource’ Nitrogen Sensitive Areas (NSA’s.) Rigorous studies in these areas demonstrated adverse effects on the watershed due to nitrogen. Massachusetts Estuaries Project (MEP) collected data for years mostly on Cape and now have the science indicating nitrogen sources. Once pollutant source is identified a TMDL (total maximum daily load of pollutant allowed to enter a waterbody) is calculated and pollution reduction targets are set. This is where the newly proposed Title-5 regs and/or Watershed permit regs come in.

            MassDEP has two options on the table;

            Option 1: If a watershed is designated as NSAs, and that watershed is proven to have excess nitrogen, septic system owners would have to upgrade to systems with ‘Best Available Nitrogen Reducing Technology’.

            This option puts the financial burden (30-50k!) of a new septic on homeowners. Knowing this would cause an uproar MassDEP has an alternative Option 2 where the burden is shared.

            Option 2: If a watershed is designated as NSAs, the community (town or municipality) can apply for a Watershed Permit or file a Notice of Intent to do so within 18 months of NSA designation.

            A watershed permit forces towns to create a watershed plan that decrease nitrogen (and hopefully phosphorus) by 75% within the next 20 yrs. A watershed plan allows for a holistic and adaptive approach that can adjust and modify strategies to address community-based causes of water quality impairments. Towns would be required to monitor and evaluate the watershed and report results.

            As president of the Snows Pond Association in Rochester, I’m aware of water quality issues and the importance of monitoring and data collection. I’ve reached out to local and state entities sharing concerns about the degradation of our ponds.  If better watershed practices and protective measures are not implemented, a Cyanobacteria bloom may be closer than we think.

            It’s likely that new Title-5 regulations will not impact our area for another ten years. I’m urging Tri-Town residents and local governments to act now. Towns must seek and allocate funding to preserve watersheds. Let’s work together for the betterment and protection of natural water resources before we’re obligated by the state. Isn’t clean and healthy water a good enough reason to prioritize this effort?

            Water pollution is a serious global issue exacerbated by earth’s rising temperatures. I’m relieved that the Commonwealth is making strides to address it. We’ve been taking our beautiful and abundant waterways for granted. It’s time to protect waterways so they remain beautiful and abundant for generations to come.

Michelle Kirby

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

No Injuries in House Fire

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A Rochester family and its pets safely exited a house fire on Stuart Road early Thursday morning, the February 2 call going to the Rochester Fire Department at approximately 5:00 am, according to a report published by the Rochester Fire Department.

            The call reported smoke and fire inside the house. Firefighters arriving at the scene found the family outside the house with pets and observed fire from outside the house.

            Crews mounted an aggressive interior attack knocking the fire down quickly and preventing further extension into other parts of the house. Crews worked at the scene for approximately 45 minutes before calling the fire under control.

            There were no injuries reported. According to Fire Lieutenant Kevin Richard, the cause of the fire was later determined to be an electrical issue with the service to the house.

            Fire crews from Acushnet, Freetown, Marion and Mattapoisett responded and provided assistance both at the scene and via Rochester Fire Station coverage. Rochester Police assisted at the scene.

            Stuart and Walnut Plain roads were blocked to traffic while firefighters worked to clear the scene.

Beauty through a Lens

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            On January 30, a breath of fresh air blew through the Mattapoisett Free Public Library when Richard Van Inwegen gave a presentation on the style of photography he enjoys pursuing and enjoys sharing with the public: primarily nature and the great outdoors.

            That hasn’t always been the case. As a young boy, Van Inwegen would find himself taking accident-scene photographs for the local newspaper in the small town where he was raised. “I’ve been taking pictures as long as I can remember,” he told us. After a long career in pharmaceutical research and development, Van Inwegen now makes his home in Mattapoisett, a place with endless opportunities to see natural wonders on a daily basis.

            During his presentation, Van Inwegen stated that the most important tool one possesses is the brain. Imagining what a finished photograph would look like as he looks through the lens, he tells his students to, “See the subject.” Like a coach, he said, “If you’re not making mistakes, you’re not doing anything,” and that knowledge of one’s camera and its capabilities will enhance the composition being sought.  

            The best light, he cautions, is not necessarily apparent on the first choice. Van Inwegen said to “work and rework the scene from multiple angles.” He suggested that by becoming familiar with the place one intends to shoot – even going so far as working with a local guide or, put another way, “Use a local as a guide.”

            Van Inwegen is not a commercial photographer in spite of his early experience taking photographs filled with the serious side of life, death and accidents. He seeks out beautiful locations and subject matter for his own pleasure. “It’s for my use.”

            Taking photographs while on vacation brings Van Inwegen joy. While traveling, he said being lucky, being in the right place at the right time is critical, but sometimes you, “… just get what you get.”

            To enjoy the experience of travel photography, he thought people should remember, “These are your memories, your stories, your photographs.”

            The photographer also gives back to the world he inhabits. For years, Van Inwegen has been the photographer for the New Bedford Symphony and has given his time and talent to the Boston Marathon medical team as well as the medical team for the Falmouth Road Race.

            Van Inwegen said that it is a myth that to take good photos you need an expensive camera, further encouraging the average person to take up photography as he now has as a hobby. But probably the most important bit of advice he imparted was, “If you want to be a better photographer, stand in front of more interesting stuff.”

            Now on view in the library’s reading room are examples of Van Inwegen’s works where you’ll see how he has used computer programs to create real works of art.

By Emily and Marilou Newell

Fire, Police Present Wish Lists

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            Mattapoisett may be a small, seacoast community, but when it comes to the safety and protection of its citizens, that takes dollars and cents. On January 30, the Mattapoisett Capital Planning Committee, led by Chairman Chuck McCullough, met with Fire Chief Andrew Murray and Police Chief Jason King to discuss FY24 capital needs.

            Committee member Mike Dahill was given the floor to explore the short list of needs the Fire Department is requesting. For FY24, only one line item appears, a new sport-utility vehicle for the chief.

            Murray explained that the vehicle he currently uses has a yet-unsolved issue – it simply shuts down. He said that during a response the SUV quit in the roadway, requiring the fire engine to go around it. In spite of the problem, Murray said he wants to keep the 2016 SUV for local travel and for travel to training academies with recruits. The wisdom of keeping of malfunctioning SUV was questioned by Dahill and member Bob Burgmann, who said, “Maybe it’s time to get rid of it, it could die on the way to Stow.”

            Dahill asked Murray to help the committee in the collection of data that will be used to better understand the lifecycle of municipal vehicles and the need to add to the fleet by completing a form being used by the committee for study purposes. “If we get the data, it may help to understand your needs better,” he said.

            Cost for a new SUV was estimated at $55,000 from free cash. It was also noted the lead times for receiving vehicles remains problematic.

            Regarding the new fire engine currently under construction for the town, Murray said that final inspection in the Buffalo suburb of Hamburg, New York, would take place on February 15. He said that after that, the engine will be fitted with equipment and that training will also be part of the process of getting the new emergency vehicle into service sometime in early spring.

            Looking further down the fiscal road, FY25 lists $6,800 for a replacement pump for the Forestry vehicle, $11,000 for new helmets and $18,000 for hose replacements (grants to be sought) all from free cash. Further still is a FY28 replacement of Engine 2 for $600,000.

            Engine 2, planned for replacement, is a 1989 workhorse with 45,000 miles clocked in. Murray said it received some refurbishment six years ago.

            Two line items on the Fire Department spreadsheet are for discussions on the possibility of purchasing a ladder truck and a tanker truck. Murray said most fire departments have a ladder truck, not so much to reach high locations but for lateral reach. He reflected on the boatyard fire, saying a ladder truck from another community was used as well as tanker trucks in mutual aid.

            Town Administrator Mike Lorenco said current bylaws prohibit building structures higher than 30 feet. A bylaw change would be required to modify that height restriction, but taller buildings would make it more compelling to look at a ladder truck. Ladder truck estimates are $1,700,000 and tankers approximately $450,000.

            The total FY24 request from the Fire Department is $55,000, FY25 $35,800 and FY26 $358,000.

            Police Chief Jason King presented a narrative that shed light on the work of the department. In 2022 there were 7,539 calls for service, 736 ambulance runs, 108 calls for ambulance mutual aid, 1,246 motor-vehicle violations and 78 arrests. The department is staffed by 18 full-time officers with three vacancies. King said the department is currently undergoing accreditation.

            Regarding rapid response, King said that the Live911 system is in process. This system allows 911 calls to go directly to cruisers in the area.

            Turning to fiscal matters, King shared that the Police Department has received a grant for Live911 laptop computers and $61,534 for 911 training and medical dispatching. Grants for body-worn cameras and body-armor vests totaling $95,000 have been received. The department also received an unspecified grant for new automated external defibrillators.

            The department’s FY24 capital needs list contains one line item for $55,000 for a new police cruiser. In FY25, the list currently contains $113,200 for two new cruisers, $310,000 for a canopy solar voltaic station over the parking lot to produce power for the station (grant monies will be sought) and $50,000 for radio consoles from ARPA funds.

            There was also discussion regarding the need of a utility-task vehicle (UTV) for off-road search and rescue. In a follow-up, Lorenco said a grant request to a private agency was submitted for $20,000 for an UTV. He noted that a UTV would be helpful, especially for conservation lands and the bike path.

            Lorenco also shared that cost estimates for the installation of new flooring in part of the Police Station have been high. That problem was solved when police officers, along with King, took it upon themselves to do the repair work at no cost to the town.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Capital Planning Committee is scheduled for Monday, February 6, at 5:30 pm.

Mattapoisett Capital Planning Committee

By Marilou Newell

The Stillness Within

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Listen, listen Dear, within yourself.

Listen to the stillness.

Listen to the peace and quiet.

No more hurry,

No more worry,

No more stress,

No more strain.

Know that you are loved and lovable,

No matter what you have done.

Find the love that is your essence and your heritage.

The love of God,

That is there for you now, today.

And for all the days of your life.

Listen and be grateful.

            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.

The Poet’s Corner

By Hope Bradley Finley