Conservation Agent to Assist in Office

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            During Monday night’s meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission, it was announced that the commission’s agent, Brandon Faneuf, will be handling clerical duties in the absence of a clerk in the commission’s office.

            Faneuf asked for the community’s patience as he handles additional duties for the town and the commission and asked that those needing to reach him should send an email message to consagent@mattapoisett.net.

            Agenda items handled on this night included the continuance of SE44-1510, a Notice of Intent filing by Allan Pineda and Mary Manning for property located at 33 Church Street. The case was continued pending a Zoning Board of Appeals hearing scheduled for November 16 at 6:00 pm.

            Continued until November 27 was a NOI filed by Jay Dupont, 12 Old Mattapoisett Neck Road, for a septic-system replacement. The case is pending a NEP File Number.

            Also continued was a NOA filing from Stephen Schwartz, 48A Shore Drive, for the repair of an existing stone jetty.

            A Certificate of Compliance requested by Jessie Davidson Trust, 22 Pine Island Road, was issued.

            A COC requested by David Meeker, 93 Mattapoisett Neck Road, was tabled pending Faneuf’s confirmation that work was completed as permitted.

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

Mattapoisett Conservation Commission

By Marilou Newell

Blending History with Art

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James Parker likes to keep busy. After a very active life filled with military service and commercial business success, he turned to his love of painting and research of all things Americana.

            For many years now, Parker has been painting in the self-taught folk or primitive style. He has found that nearly every street, harbor, park, boatyard and more holds a rich history yet to be explored. It is as if these places have been waiting for someone like Parker. Some 30 or more of his paintings are now waiting for you to explore at the Mattapoisett Free Public Library, now through November 30.

            “When I paint a scene, everything in that scene is from the same era,” Parker said. Thus, when he painted antique cars, part of the Sandwich Heritage Museum collection, each vehicle was meticulously studied, and the people, their clothing and other objects were circa-specific. In some instances, he used antique postcards as reference material or visited museums to get the clothing as accurate as possible. The result is stunning.

            “I use the old English way of painting watercolors,” said Parker, explaining that this early method is achieved by layering the paint, applying color on top of color until the right intensity has been accomplished. The result is a painting with extremely complex hues and tones versus, say, what one might find in traditional watercolors.

            When listening to Parker, one gets a sense that the detective work he employs to best understand the subject of a painting is equally as interesting to him as the actual painting itself. “It’s like mixing history and art,” he said.

            The themes that interest this artist the most are those that give him a chance to learn and then, through the painting, tell and/or teach the viewer a bit of history.

            One example of his marrying art to history can be found at the Osterville Historical Museum. There, one of his pictures of a catboat accompanies a skeleton of one such marine vessel. He is quoted in the August 2021 issue of Cape Cod Life magazine as saying, “I’m creating something where kids can see the wreck but also an image of the way catboats were in their prime.”

            Long before finding his voice through painting, Parker was an entrepreneur owning a long list of successful businesses. And before that he served in the Navy during the second Suez (canal) war in the 1950s. One of his first forays into painting happened at this time. He was asked to paint the U.S. ship he was on to give as a gift, a tradition among ambassadors. That painting remains in royal custody somewhere in the Persian Gulf area.

            Parker remains curious with a very inquisitive mind. Age hasn’t slowed down this entrepreneur of all things historical and quintessentially New England. He proudly noted to us that he is 89 years of age. We can also say that listening to all his plans for future projects would exhaust someone decades younger.

            As he smiled at our photographer, the twinkle in his eyes shown like lasers – his mind is clearly supercharged with ideas waiting to appear for all to enjoy. To learn more, google watercoloristjamesparker.

Mattapoisett Library

By Marilou Newell

Rochester Historical Museum

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The Rochester Historical Museum at 355 County Rd. will be open from 1:00-3:00 on Sundays, November 19 and 26. It’s a good time to view the exhibit and get a head start on your Christmas shopping. Watch for information on our December Holiday Organ Sing.

Invasives ‘Not That Bad’

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            The Mattapoisett River Valley Water Supply Protection Advisory Committee heard from David Wong of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection during the former’s monthly public meeting on Tuesday afternoon, and the message about the invasive species discovered at Snipatuit Pond in Rochester and the Mattapoisett River Watershed is that they have spread, but on the other hand, “the good news is that it’s not that bad.”

            Sharing his screen in the Zoom meeting, Wong brought up startling graphics indicating that Asian Clams are infesting Massachusetts lakes and rivers and “change the whole ecological system.”

            This species was not found in the state prior to 23 years ago and started in the Charles River. Wong says that climate change is what has allowed the clams to find their way throughout the Massachusetts coastline and toward the central region of the state. In many regions of Massachusetts, their sightings are up from 2016 in data realized in 2019 but not locally.

            Citing Mass DEP field data, Wong also went through three distinct kinds of invasive species, Fanwort, Reed Grass (phragmites) which have grown up to an “unimaginable” 27 feet high in Concord, and Swollen Bladderwort.

            While a mechanical cutting of rooted phragmites below the water line cuts off the oxygen supply for the plant and effectively drowns them, Swollen Bladderwort floats and has no roots.

            Wong compared Swollen Bladderwort to a bacteria and said it eats tiny animals. While dominant in eastern Massachusetts, Snow’s Pond is the only waterbody with data showing Swollen Bladderwort.

            “You don’t need to spend a lot of money or a lot of time,” said Wong, noting that expensive efforts to eradicate phragmites “are not that good.”

            Three phases of response have proven successful when working together: eradication, containment and long-term management.

            Showing a tracing map indicated that boating brings invasives to Massachusetts from out of state as far away as Idaho via dragging on boat carriers and inside piping, Wong suggested two measures, a mechanical one including hot water and pressure washing of the boat, and an acid-chemical herbicide.

            “Dog Detector Popeye” is a successful example of how well-trained canines sniff out invasives and give their boat owners an advantage.

            There are four distinct funding opportunities available via the state to take preventive measures, and Wong left his contact information for the committee’s use.

            Upon conclusion of the MRV Water Supply Protection Advisory Committee, the MRV Water District Commission opened its public meeting with the addition of Mattapoisett Town Administrator (and voting member) Mike Lorenco.

            In reporting to the commission, Mattapoisett Water and Sewer Department Superintendent Henri Renauld said Borden & Remington has invoiced the MRV $12,751.83 for its six-week chemicals delivery, part of $29,018 in October expenditures.

            Tata & Howard representative Jon Gregory told the commission that he emailed a FY25 draft budget to the members on November 6. Having put the budget together with subcommittee members Vinnie and Jeff Furtado, Renauld and Meghan Davis, Gregory said the FY25 budget represents a 1.4% increase from FY24.

            Member David Pierce asked why capital costs decreased; Gregory traced the reduction to the procurement process for the new filtering system now being funded with loans. He said the MRV needs to continue building up funds for the next filter changeover in 10 to 15 years. Administration fees doubled because a different loan is being managed.

            The plan is for the commissioners to vote on the FY25 budget at the MRV’s next meeting on December 12.

            Pierce called the FY25 budget “a very modest increase compared to other boards and committees, I’m delighted.”

            Regarding the Water Treatment Plant project upgrade, Gregory said Tata & Howard representatives met with Koch representatives on March 2 at the plant, as the designer of the new filtration system needed to audit electrical and instrument components at the facility. Gregory and MassDEP are tentatively scheduled to meet virtually on November 30 to discuss design.

            An emergency response management training course was conducted November 1-2 at the Music Hall, and Gregory thanked Davis for procuring the famed venue.

            The commissioners voted to authorize Tata & Howard to prepare the annual report; the plan is to have a draft ready at the MRV’s January meeting.

            In his Water Treatment Plant operations update, Renauld said the plant is running “fairly well” and noted that Fairway LLC removed all the tornado-damaged trees. The fence has been taken away, and poles are going in to anchor a new fence.

            The facility is using small heaters for now and anticipates updates to electrical panels the week after Thanksgiving. Renauld said another generator is coming in and that all coordination is with the insurance company for each repair project.

            In other news, Jeff Furtado reported that the member town of Fairhaven is officially off chlorine. “Complaints have dropped off immensely,” he said, noting that there are a couple of areas with discolored water that he described as “light tea” rather than the “dark red or black” the town was seeing. “What we did help immensely, it really did.”

            In other Advisory Committee business, Jeff Furtado delivered his Treasurer’s Report, saying he still needs to reconcile with Fairhaven Town Hall on the committee’s June 30 bank balance. For the four-month period from July through October, Furtado reported total payments of $14,318.63 and a total interest of $144.60 from Rockland Trust over that time.

            “Hopefully next month I will reconcile everything with Ann (Carreiro),” he said, noting that since receiving bank statements and ledger numbers from different sources he requires a meeting so the figures can be reconciled.

            Fairhaven’s assessment payment was processed on October 16, and representatives of Marion and Mattapoisett indicated that their payments are in process.

            MRV Chairman Vinnie Furtado added a request to pay on new invoices to Tata & Howard ($1,111.25), Dave Watling ($251.72) and Blair Bailey ($50.) The committee voted to authorize him to pay the invoices.

            The committee learned that Middleborough representatives will attend the regional meeting of water officials scheduled for November 29 but that Wareham representatives cannot attend. The meeting will be held at 4:00 pm via Zoom, and MRV representatives were encouraged to invite their respective select boards and other key committees to attend.

            In his Tata & Howard Report to the committee, Gregory said that another older level logger needs replacement and that together with a recent new purchase, has left the MRV with one spare. The MRV still has three original level loggers in service, so the committee voted to purchase an additional level logger so that there will be two spares.

            The committee also voted to have Gregory and Tata & Howard prepare the committee’s annual report. Gregory said he intends to have a draft at the MRV’s January 2024 meeting.

            Brendan Annett of the Buzzards Bay Coalition appeared briefly to invite members to a gathering Monday morning at 197 Acushnet Road in Mattapoisett to celebrate the completion of the MRV Drinking Water Resilience Project that protects 240 acres of conservation land in Mattapoisett, Acushnet and Rochester.

            The next meeting of the MRV Water District Commission/Water Supply Protection Advisory Committee is scheduled for Tuesday, December 12, at 3:30 pm and 4:00 pm via Zoom.

MRV Water District Commission/Water Supply Protection Advisory Committee

By Mick Colageo

Musician Navigates Lyme with Songs

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More than four years ago, 26-year-old Alex Cannell had just graduated from college and was working in the wealth management field in Boston. Cannell’s life then took a twist when he contracted Lyme disease. He had trouble getting the right diagnosis, causing his condition to worsen and force him to go on work disability.

            A musician and songwriter, Cannell moved to Mattapoisett where he has strong family roots. He took his four-year journey and poured it into an album titled, “Things in Motion.” Cannell describes the album as a do-it-yourself effort, featuring himself on drums, bass, guitar and vocals.

            The album will be released digitally on Thursday, November 16, on the underground streaming service bandcamp.com. On Thanksgiving, November 23, it will be released on all major streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.

            Cannell, a musician for St. Gabriel’s Church in Marion, says he drew artistic inspiration from the picturesque Mattapoisett. His work at the Episcopal Church and his beekeeping hobby helped him connect with nature and use that as a source of healing.

            The album cover features waves crashing and the moon, both of which go through complex cycles.

            “The waves and tides continue on – no matter what,” Cannell said. “It represents the fluidity of life in general.”

            A guitarist first, Cannell says he also drew musical inspiration from the Grateful Dead, the late Jerry Garcia and the jam-band tradition.

            The last piece is an instrumental, meditative piece – a perfect way to end an album that culminates the last four years of Cannell’s life – taking his pain and confusion from Lyme disease and turning it into a source of inspiration for others.

            “The last song is 100 percent guitar – no words or lyrics,” he said. “I did a meditative, peaceful solo to close out the album in a peaceful way.”

            Cannell said he went through many doctor visits and medications before he was officially diagnosed with Lyme disease. Four years ago, he had just graduated from St. Lawrence University and was working in the city when the mysterious symptoms left him with no energy and some complex medical issues.

            “The aim of the album is to help people with similar afflictions to have somebody to connect with and be inspired by,” Cannell said. “From an illness aspect, people can relate to the title; it represents the cycle of being and living with a chronic illness. It holds the promise that things can come together and unveil a brighter future.”

            The album features 10 tracks that “pack a punch,” Cannell said. The songs are short, two to four minutes, but are bound to connect to a “broader community to help them on their journey.”

            Those interested in Cannell’s journey or the album itself can also follow Cannell on Instagram.

By Jeffrey D. Wagner

Mattapoisett Museum

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Look for these upcoming holiday events at the Mattapoisett Museum. In addition to remaining open this fall, the Mattapoisett Museum has two spectacular events planned before the end of the year.

            Holiday Craft Fair: On Saturday, November 18, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, the Museum will be open for our annual Craft Fair. Avoid mall parking lots. Don’t get stuck in holiday traffic. Instead shop for unique, local, and one-of-a-kind items right here.

            There will be a large selection of handmade creations available: art prints, notecards, glass, crocheted stuffed toys, woolens, photography, jewelry, leather goods, shell and resin ornaments, herbal items, and more. Refreshments will be served.

            Holiday Sing-Along: On Sunday, December 17 from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm, join us for a Christmas Singalong led by Steve LaValley. His song list will include old time favorites such as Jingle Bells, Rudolf, Deck the Halls, White Christmas and many more. After the singalong, participants will enjoy some festive refreshments.

Helen G. Johnston (Bettencourt, DeConinck)

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Helen G. Johnston (Bettencourt, DeConinck) of Clayton NY passed away peacefully Friday, November 3rd at the Samaritan Keep Nursing Home in Watertown, NY.

            She was born in Watertown on February 29th, 1932, to the late William and Helen (Dygert) Graf. She was a long-time resident of Mattapoisett, MA, where she raised her children and three of her grandchildren.

            Helen served as a home health care aide and she loved riding Morgan horses and breeding St. Bernard dogs as well as watching football, basketball, Gunsmoke, and the Kentucky Derby.

            Helen is survived by three of her children: Joseph Bettencourt Jr., Carol McCauslin and Katherine Bettencourt, two siblings: Phyllis Johnson and David Graf, six grandchildren: Joeseph Bettencourt III, Ronald Ewan, Carol Leigh Ewan Carvalho, Mike McCauslin, Jim McCauslin and Tony Dewitt, as well as eight great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

            Helen is predeceased by her parents, her brother William “Beano” Graf, two children Paul and Debra Bettencourt, one grandson Daniel Ewan, and her best-friend Bubba.

            A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Anthony’s Parish in Mattapoisett, MA on December 16th, 2023 at 10am. Helen will be laid to rest in St. Mary’s Cemetery in New Bedford, MA.

Solar, Self-Storage Cases Continued

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            Rochester’s Planning Board Tuesday delayed deciding the fate of two big proposed projects until its next meeting on December 12.

            BWC Snows Pond LLC’s plan is to build a solar array on 12.55 acres of a 31-acre parcel at 0 Cushman Road to include a 2.39 MW, DC, single-access tracking photovoltaic array and associated battery energy storage.

            Engineering consultant Andrew Hamel updated the board with the information that the array will be screened from surrounding properties with a chain-link fence at one end, a stockyard fence at the other end and 97 arborvitaes planted in staggered fashion. The buffer will not result in any increased water runoff.

            As she did when the project was reviewed by the Conservation Commission on November 7, the site’s nearest Jason Lane neighbor, Melanie Sherman Morrison, expressed objection, stating that she is such a close neighbor that she will have to constantly look at this solar array once it is erected.

            Sherman Morrison asked why the project developer would be taking out trees on the parcel. Hamel said they were doing so only to fit bylaw requirements regarding in what direction the solar array should be pointing. Sherman Morrison wanted to know why a stone wall will be split open to fit an access road. Hamel assured her this action is being taken for access to the site only. Planning Board members assured her they will inspect what is done with the stone afterward.

            Planning Board Chairman Arnold Johnson gave Hamel the homework to completely stake out the project’s borders correctly so the board can inspect the site and to install poles where the fencing will be placed.

            “It’s important to get the site-line adjustments,” Johnson said. “Notify us when those are complete. Then we will need 48 hours’ notice when we post the site visit.”

            The resulting vote to continue the hearing to December 12 was unanimous.

            Next, the board reopened the public hearing for JPF Development’s plan to build a 15-acre, self-storage facility at Kings Highway and Route 28 that will feature the construction of seven, self-storage buildings and an office with associated, paved access drives, parking areas, utilities and a stormwater-management system.

            Consulting engineer Bill Madden asked for and received a continuance to December 12 because of information he is missing. He said he is still waiting for full drawings of the buildings that will be erected there. He is also waiting for a response to his reply to the town’s consulting engineer’s peer review and correspondence with important input from his fire-prevention specialist.

            While he was there, Madden noted there are some changes to the plan the board originally saw but nothing major. Smaller units will be added to the ends of the storage-unit buildings. An underground basin will be installed for roof stormwater runoff, and a wooden guardrail will be built along the Kings Highway side to keep water runoff from ever reaching passing motorists. “But nothing that’s a major change,” he said.

            In other action, the board endorsed an Approval Not Required application for a lot-line adjustment plan at 2 Bishop Road but not without a “no” vote from Johnson.

            Consulting engineer John Romanelli had said at a previous Zoning Board of Appeals meeting that the 12×16-foot shed at 2 Bishop Road is less than 40 feet from 0 Bishop Road because he made a mathematical error when drawing the lot lines. Now the owner of 0 Bishop Road, Mark Wilson, wants to sell his vacant lot and needs his parcel to be a legally conforming size. But the pool shed owned by Romanelli’s client, Logan Smith, 2 Bishop Road, is massive, filled with electrical and plumbing infrastructure, and would be difficult to move to make the lots conform.

            On November 14, Romanelli presented the Planning Board with a solution. Smith and Wilson have agreed to trade lot lines. Romanelli said, however, that Wilson has not signed an affidavit proving he agrees to this trade. Romanelli said Wilson is away on vacation but will sign the affidavit at the end of the week.

            Johnson voted against approving the ANR, explaining that proof from Wilson should come first. But the majority of Planning Board members approved the ANR, and the motion passed.

            The entire board then passed on appointing two of its members to the new Zoning Bylaw Review Committee. Johnson reasoned Planning Board members have busy schedules already, and they don’t need to be on the new board because they can simply share their notes on the subject with the new panel and vice versa. The board’s final motion on the issue was to find out what days Zoning Bylaw Review Committee meetings will be scheduled.

            The Rochester Planning Board will meet next on Tuesday, December 12, at 7:00 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.

Rochester Planning Board

By Michael J. DeCicco

More Than Thank You – Appreciation

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            It’s tradition every Veterans Day to commemorate our active duty, retired and deceased military men and women. It’s a time to reflect on what it means to live in a democratic society and the people that were or are willing to sacrifice everything to protect and defend the principles of freedom.

            Mattapoisett held such a ceremony at Old Hammondtown School shortly after the tolling of the bells at the Congregational Church, noting the end of World War I on the 11th day, of the 11th month, of the 11th hour.

            The day’s ceremony was hosted by the American Legion Florence Eastman Post 280, and the Tri-Town Veteran’s Office led by agent Chris Gerrior. Providing a lyrically significant note were members of Showstoppers Performing Arts group, who sang the “Star Spangled Banner” and the emotive “Bless Our Troops.”

Serving as standard bearers for the posting of colors were Boy Scouts from Rochester Troop 31. Hadley Perron led the Pledge of Allegiance, Chaplain Langhoff led the group in prayer, and Geneva Gerrior read the governor’s proclamation. Veteran Raymond Hanks announced Mattapoisett’s inclusion as a Purple Heart community and emerging plans for recognition of Revolutionary War veterans buried in the town.

            Taking the podium as guest speaker was Dr. David Vacchi, whose military career includes 20 years of active duty including the Iraq war. His military awards include Legion of Merit, a Bronze Star and seven awards for meritorious service. Vacchi is a lifetime member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Vacchi began his comments by sharing that he had always wanted to be of service to others; it was paramount in his early development and continues to this day.

            His transition from military duties to helping veterans transitioning back into civilian life, included returning to school for higher education opportunities. His book “Straight Talk for Veterans” is a guide for veterans navigating what can be very choppy waters in a civilian world that oftentimes simply cannot understand what a veteran is going through physically and mentally.

            Vacchi said that supporting veterans even in the smallest way is critical, including simply saying thank you. He now responds to those thanking him for his service with the kind retort, “Thank you for the support.”

            Another way Vacchi said veterans can be supported is by simply talking to them. He acknowledged that the majority of veterans, especially those who have battlefield experience, don’t want to talk about those memories. Vacchi said it is important to start off slowly, asking about what they ate, where they slept, small, nontraumatic bits and pieces that may eventually lead to memories that can finally be released, being absorbed into yesterday, no longer damaging today.

“We need to hear those stories,” he said.

            Representative William Straus offered that more than being thankful for a veteran’s service we should say we “appreciate” their service. “Appreciation conveys more than just gratitude, it says we value their service, it has worth,” said Straus.

Town of Mattapoisett Veterans Day

By Marilou Newell

From the Files of the Rochester Historical Society

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            Old Rochester was never known for rich, fertile soil, but it was known for its water, ponds, rivers, streams and brooks. Because of all that water, Rochester soon became known as a town of mills. Wherever early settlers found moving water, they dammed it to create waterpower. In our current exhibit is a map created by Betty Beaulieu that shows both the location of many mills and also how the mills’ uses changed over the years.

            The Proprietors knew that the new town would need “millwrights”, men who knew how to build both dams and mills. They would also need “millers”, men who knew how to run the mills. Many of the mills were on sites that had once been forges.

            The mills that were most needed by early settlers, all of whom were farmers, were gristmills to turn corn and grain into flour. Prior to the building of the first gristmill, that work would take up most of a woman’s day as she did it by hand. In 1704, a gristmill was built on Leonard’s Pond. Over the years, there were at least 9 gristmills in town at various locations.

            At one time or another, Rochester was home to 57 mills. On the pictured map are 9 sawmills, 8 boxboard, 9 shingle and 1 bark mill as well as 9 gristmills and 3 fulling mills. However, one site could be utilized as more than one type of mill over time. For instance, the Hartley Sawmill site had many owners and uses. In 1725, it was a forge. On 1823, 1840 and 1879 maps, there is a gristmill at the site. In 1879, it became a boxboard and shingle mill. It was purchased in 1888 by James Hartley and continued in operation into the 60’s as a shingle, boxboard mill and then a sawmill.

            Fulling mills are probably the ones with which people are less familiar. Their job was to take cloth that had been woven at home out of wool and flax and to dress it. The fulling process which accomplished that brushed the surface of the cloth to create a soft, flannel-like surface. The brushing was done by a “teazle”. The “teazle” was a burr that took two years to grow and another year to harden. The burrs had little hooks that were rolled over the cloth’s surface. They picked up the threads of the cloth and brushed the surface. You can find three fulling mills; one in North Rochester, one at Leonard’s Pond and one near Bear Swamp and Parlow Town Rd. on our maps.

By Connie Eshbach