Mattapoisett Library Watercolor Events

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Visit the library this week and next to participate in Weird and Wonderful Watercolors. Starting Saturday, February 25 at 1 pm, join us for Weird and Wonderful Watercolors for Adults and Teens. We will create beautiful watercolor paintings using surprising materials: water-based markers, sharpies, artists’ Bristol paper and white crayons. Participants will be able to explore the art form and can create up to three unique watercolor paintings. Recommended for ages 12 and up.

            A second Weird and Wonderful Watercolors will take place specifically for children on Tuesday, February 28 at 3:15 pm. This event will function very similarly to the previous, but catering to children ages 6 and up.

            As a bonus, both of these events will begin work on a community acrylic painting, and all participants will have the opportunity to contribute. When the paintings are complete, they will be on display in the library.

            Registration is required for both programs.

            All programs are free and open to the public. If you have any questions or need special accommodations, please contact the library at 508-758-4171 or email mflp@sailsinc.org.

The MAC Seeks ArtStart Teachers, Theater Directors and Technicians

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The Marion Art Center is seeking a music teacher and a theater teacher for ArtStart 2023, the summer program for kids ages 4.5-9. Teachers are expected to be available for all five weeks of the program, which runs for Mon-Fri, 9:00 am-12:30 pm late June through July. Some exceptions may be made for occasional days off as needed. Those interested should send a letter of interest, a resume with relevant work experience and a list of any conflicting dates during the summer program to info@marionartcenter.org with “ArtStart teacher application” in the subject line. The program director will reach out to potential candidates for interviews. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until positions are filled. Learn more at marionartcenter.org/artstart.

            The MAC Theater is searching for play directors and sound/lighting interns or assistants. The Marion Art Center Theater produces up to five plays each year. Productions run the gamut from poignant dramas to laugh-out-loud musicals, all made possible by volunteer performers and crews passionate about creating theater of the highest quality. The stage has a professional lighting and sound system, and the intimate 60+ person theater was recently updated. The MAC offers a wonderful local theater experience to anyone who wants to get behind the scenes and join our troop of actors and stage crew. Directors and technicians both receive a stipend for each production. Training is available for those with limited experience who are interested. The MAC is a member of the Eastern Massachusetts Association of Community Theaters (EMACT). Interested parties should send name, contact info, and a resume or list of relevant work experience to info@marionartcenter.org with “MAC Theater Director” or “MAC Theater Tech” in the subject line.

Residents Can Opt Out of Aggregate

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            John O’Rourke of Good Energy came to the Rochester Senior Center on February 15 to explain a plan that will lower the townspeople’s electricity bills.

            His company has helped Rochester and five other towns in the region reach a Community Aggregate Agreement with electricity supplier Direct Energy that will charge residents a lower fixed rate for electrical service. The town’s rate will be 16.31 cents per kilowatt hour, rather than Eversource’s current Basic Service rate for residential customers of 25.649 cents per kWh.

            O’Rourke emphasized last Wednesday night that residents now face a deadline to decide on whether to opt out of this new program. Otherwise, residential and business customers in town will be enrolled automatically.

            A letter has been sent to all Rochester residential electricity customers that this is the new program’s Launch and Customer Notification period for what is called the Rochester Community Electricity program. Residents had 30 days, until February 20, to notify the company that they wish to not join in.

            The opt-out options were: Postmark and mail the card enclosed with the notification letter, call Direct Energy at 866-968-8065 or submit an opt-out form at Electricity.TownOfRochesterMass.com.

            The 16.310-cents-per- kWh rate will be for Standard residential service, O’Rourke said. The rate will be 17.850 cents per kWh for Rochester Plus customers who add renewable energy to the supply mix. The electricity generator will remain Eversource.

            The new rate will appear on the March meter reading and will be valid until December 2024, said O’Rourke, adding that his company will seek going out to bid for a new supplier contract months earlier, in the summer of 2024.

            Direct Energy was chosen under a competitive bid process that involved both town officials and Good Energy personnel in the decision-making, Select Board Chairman Woody Hartley explained.

            The other five communities under this agreement are Cohasset, Marshfield, Scituate, Westwood and Uxbridge.

            Hartley then elaborated on why such a program was not pursued sooner. He said the Select Board opposed the idea in 2016. He urged reconsidering that opposition when he became a Select Board member, and the proposal passed overwhelmingly at a recent town meeting.

            “Massachusetts has the highest tax rate in the nation,” O’Rourke noted. “At a 14-, 16-cent rate, you’re still below average with this program.”

Rochester Select Board

By Michael J. DeCicco

Planning Board

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To the Editor,

            I’m writing in response to the February 6, 2023 Planning Board meeting and to the subsequent article in the Wanderer’s February 9 Issue. I would like to set the record straight regarding the Planning Board’s concern with the proximity to Route 6 of the new houses being built on Chapel Road. In Jan of 2018 I decided to develop my property on the North side of Chapel Rd. I consulted my engineer, attorney and the zoning enforcement officer at that time. By mid-Feb.we concluded that the best way to move forward was through the Towns Zoning by-law Article 3.11 Special Residential Development (SRD), I chose this development model because I wanted to do a project that allowed for smart development and also minimized the impacts to the existing neighborhood and Rte 6 corridor. The Intent of SRD as stated in the by-law is “to permit the maximum flexibility for developing land for residential purposes, broaden housing opportunities, encourage the preservation of open spaces and promote the more efficient use of the land in harmony with its natural features”. To be considered for a Special Permit, an applicant must provide the board with a “Yield Plan”. The “Yield Plan” simply proves how many units can be built under conventional zoning. This forms the basis from which the Planning Board determines how many units can be allowed under SRD. In May I decided to move forward with an informal discussion with the Board to see if they would allow my project to move forward using the SRD development model. I was placed on the agenda for May 7th under the label “Chapel Street informal Discussion/ Special Residential Development. I submitted two plans showing what the project might look like under “Conventional Subdivision”. I also submitted an SRD plan showing a huge reduction in the overall disturbed area (by more than half), preserving 2.5 acers of “Green Way” along RT.6 (To be donated to the Mattapoisett Land Trust) all in keeping with the intent of SRD as stated above. To put it another way, there would have been a large area of open space and a natural wooded buffer between the homes and Route 6. During that meeting it became evident that some of the board members had reservations as to whether we could qualify for SRD permitting, it seemed the yield plan was their main source of concern. In an effort to resolve the matter, the Board decided to have Town counsel review the application to ensure its consistency with the requirements and intent of the SRD’s Special Permit and the meeting was continued. Town counsel reviewed the matter and in a formal letter dated May 21st, he opined that either yield plan as presented met the intent of the regulation and could be considered, as he repeatedly stated in the letter a total of 6 times. He also stated that the Board has great discretion and broad authority to grant or deny a special permit. Upon receiving a copy of the letter, I was convinced that the Board had the answers they needed and that we would be allowed to move forward with our SRD application. Wrong. At the subsequent meeting (our last), three members of the Board chose not to heed Town counsel’s advice and decided not to support our application. Janice Robbins, Karen Field, and Arlene Fildago all indicated for the record that they would not support our request. That was in 2018. In 2022 I sold the land to a builder along with plans for each individual lot permitted under conventional zoning and signed by some of those very same individuals. Under the conventional zoning regulations, the builder is limited to where he can build within each lot, which reduces the open space and natural buffer along Route 6. Although the builder is building some beautiful homes, it’s unfortunate that the result is void of any of the intent of an SRD to facilitate smart, low impact development and ensure open space. To this day I cannot fathom why they chose not to support a plan that was clearly a much better option, potentially avoiding what we have now, massive clearing and no green space. In retrospect I hope that in the future the Planning Board will keep an open mind and work with developers to permit projects that reduce sprawl, permanently preserve open space and better serve the community.

            Respectfully, David Nicolosi

                  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.

Weaving on a Rigid Heddle Loom

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            Artist and Instructor Lisa Elliott will teach a new session of Weaving on a Rigid Heddle Loom, this time as a two-day workshop over two full Saturdays at the Marion Art Center, April 15 and 22. The class will meet both Saturdays from 9:00 am-4:00 pm, with a one-hour lunch break each day. Have you ever wanted to try weaving but not sure where to begin? In just two all-day classes, you can learn a new fiber skill and take home your very first woven project. Students will weave one of the following: a scarf, table runner, set of placemats, or set of tea towels. Looms and weaving equipment are provided, but students will provide their own yarns. Students will meet in the downstairs MAC Studio. The cost is $150 for MAC members and $160 for nonmembers, and the class is limited to six students. Register at marionartcenter.org/adult-classes.

            Lisa Elliott will lead the MAC’s second Textile Tuesday gathering on Tuesday, February 28 from 6-8 pm. Join other fiber artists in the Marion Art Center Studio the last Tuesday of each month for a textile studio session. This is not a class but an opportunity to work on your own project next to other artists, share challenges, ideas and tips, show off projects (in process or completed) or ask for feedback. Enjoy the art-making process in a social setting and get inspired. Projects may include: knitting & crochet; embroidery or hand stitching; rigid heddle loom (pre-warped) or tabletop weaving; Sashiko mending; needlepoint felting; fabric collage; spinning; small quilting projects; other handicraft projects. This program is free to attend, but the MAC gladly accepts cash donations of any size to help offset its operational costs. To learn more and to register, visit marionartcenter.org/events.

Lawrence G. Leger

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Lawrence G. Leger, 86, of Rochester, died peacefully on Friday, February 17, 2023.

            Born in New Bedford, son of the late J. Edgar and Louise (Landry) Leger, he lived in Rochester most of his life.

            Larry worked as a Pipefitter with Local 51 Plumbers and Pipefitters and served in the U.S. Coast Guard. He enjoyed spending time with his cats and dogs, and liked to bird watch.

            Larry is survived by numerous family members and friends.

            Larry’s urn burial will be held on Saturday, March 4th at 9 am in Sacred Heart Cemetery.

Election Time, Winners, and Losers

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            Those were the days, standing outside my local post office accosting perfect strangers, asking them to sign my nomination papers. After six years of attending school-committee meetings, finance-committee meetings, select-board meetings and other assorted civic deliberations as an observer, in a moment of weakness, I decided to run for public office.

            What was I thinking? I attended so many meetings that one local newspaper dubbed me the “official” town civic auditor.

            Well, our town elections here-a-bouts are coming up in May, so it is the time of the year to bite the bullet, stop complaining and run for office. Nomination papers are available for a variety of spots in our local elections.

            My first foray into local politics was to run for a seat on the school board. After attending so many of their meetings and being a teacher at the time, I assumed I was eminently qualified to hold this high position in the community. I positioned myself by the post office door on a Saturday morning, and it didn’t take long for the requisite number of signers to add their signatures to my papers. I was pumped that so many folks supported my campaign until I realized that any registered voter could sign whether they supported me or not.

            Next stop: my basement.

            My campaign budget was so small that I made my own signs. I had so few that I carefully positioned them at each road leading into town, one to be seen as people entered and the other when they left. Weeks of campaigning followed. Chicken dinners at the local business association luncheon and Lions Club meetings, eating chocolate chip cookies at the PTA meetings, being asked to kiss a pig at the town picnic (I declined, which I am sure lost me the pork lovers’ vote.)

            I soon learned this about politics: Even if you are running altruistically, there are those who will assume you have an agenda and others who say you have a hidden agenda. The loudest ones will find your phone number early on.

            Election Day arrived, and I stood outside the polling place in the cold and rain for 12 hours, anticipating an overwhelming victory. In a small town, it doesn’t take long to count the ballots … and I lost! A newcomer to town took out nomination papers just before the deadline and split the vote. I lost by 50 votes.

            Even before I could congratulate the winner, I was offered a variety of consolation prizes. The PTA asked me to join their Board of Directors, and the business association of which I was a dues-paying member did the same. The fact that no one else expressed interest may have influenced them. Not long after, I was asked to run for selectman and state representative. The Arts Council called and so did the youth soccer league. I turned them all down, feigning campaign exhaustion.

            It remains a mystery why, after having been defeated in my first venture into elective politics, I continued to be offered various positions on boards, committees, commissions, foundations and other distinguished honors.

            As it happened, the chair of the school board ran for selectman in that same election and won. I was soon appointed to fill his vacancy on the school board. I won two more elections … one by a landslide and in the last one, I was unopposed.

            So, my friends, it’s time to put your time where your opinion is. Get those nomination papers, there’s a spot waiting for you in the front of the post office. Even if you lose, all the trust and goodwill that comes your way will make you feel like a winner.

            Go for it.

            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

Hidden Old Growth Forests of Massachusetts

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The Marion Natural History Museum will be hosting David Orwig, Senior Ecologist and Forest Ecologist with Harvard Forest on March 31 at 7:00 pm at the Museum. David will be sharing his research into the presence of old-growth forests in our state. The talk will include a broad discussion of old-growth forests in Massachusetts- What are they? Where are they? What can they tell us? Through pictures and data from many old-growth forests in the state, many aspects of why these rare forest gems are so special will be described along with the many threats they face. Suggested donation to the museum – $10.00/person. To register, please go to the museum’s website: www.marionmuseum.org and search under community programs.

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