Mattapoisett Boatyard Clears ConCom

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            During the January 23 meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission, the owners of the Mattapoisett Boat Yard and Brandt Cove Marina, David and Ned Kaiser, finished providing details for two projects on the agenda.

            The first project heard was a Notice of Intent filing for the boatyard located on Ned’s Point Road. That location suffered a devastating fire that destroyed all the buildings on the property, along with many boats and vehicles in the late summer 2022.

            The Notice of Intent as laid out by representative David Davignon of Schneider, Davignon and Leone, Inc. includes the construction of a two-story, 10,570-square-foot metal building situated 12 feet from the south property line along the waterfront.

            Davignon said this structure is the beginning for a larger master plan still in the works but also represents a 56% overall decrease in lot coverage from the original layout. He said that the timeframe for construction is pending due to long lead times for receiving the metal building materials. Davignon also noted that a Zoning Board of Appeals approval will be sought for the 12-foot setback.

            It was further pointed out that the boatyard still has a fully compliant boat-washdown system registered with the Environmental Protection Agency.

            After some discussion on state Department of Environmental Protection performance standards, that is the lack thereof for a project of this scope, the commission’s agent Brandon Faneuf requested that the applicant provide a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) and that this request be part of the conditions imposed upon the project. The project was conditioned as noted. Next step for the applicant – the Zoning Board of Appeals.

            The Kaisers also filed a Notice of Intent for their marina located at 21 Dupont Drive in the Brandt Island neighborhood. Previously submitted in the spring of 2021, the proposed project was for the expansion of Brandt Cove Marina (Buzzards Bay Management LLC.)

            The earlier proposal had met with some neighborhood pushback, Davignon said, primarily around possible eel-grass beds and a large-wave attenuator associated with the dock field. That larger project, Davignon said, is now reduced to a mere 2,000 square feet and minus the wave-attenuating fence. The updated project also includes the installation of 39 pilings, some to aid pilings in place and some new. Approximately 10 new slips will be added with the extension.

            Conservation Commission Chairman Mike King added that the project will require permitting and oversight by the Army Corps of Engineers and a Massachusetts Waterways Chapter 91 license. The project was conditioned for construction.

            In other business, a NOI filed by Kenneth and Elizabeth Ackerman, 4 Grove Avenue, for the construction of a two-story garage with second-floor living space was continued to February 13. The filing includes the removal of eight trees with in-kind replacement and a request by the agent that a study of the mean high-water mark for a stream on the property be conducted. Faneuf said he wanted to accurately depict the stream’s activity for the file. The project will also require permissions from the ZBA.

            A NOI filed by McGrath Realty Trust was conditioned. The project includes the repositioning of boulders and a completed lot survey that was submitted for the planned 20×30-foot parking area adjacent to 7 Cove Street. The plan also includes the planting of beach grass.

            A Request for Determination of Applicability filed by Jeffrey Dunn, 0 Angelica Avenue, for the installation of 300 feet of 8-inch water line with a hydrant in the roadway for future development of house lots received a negative decision.

            During the agent’s report later in the meeting, Faneuf reported that the Board of Health has been notified and is taking action to stop the flow of raw sewage being discharged into wetlands at Brandt Point Village. “I have never seen anything like this in my 25 years,” he commented. The apparent problem, he explained, was the connection of sewer pipes to stormwater systems in the subdivision.

            King ordered a cease-and-desist letter be sent to the property owner identified by last name only (Napolitano) for lots 56 and 57 on Brandt Island Road for failing erosion controls.

            King also requested that a letter be sent to Farland Corporation for issues of construction debris and collapsed erosion controls that the owner was previously asked to clean up at Martha’s Vineyard Drive lots 5 and 6.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission is scheduled for Monday, February 13, at 6:30 pm.

Mattapoisett Conservation Commission

By Marilou Newell

Mattapoisett Harbor Bills

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Mattapoisett harbor invoices for the upcoming 2023 season were mailed in November. The due date on these invoices is January 30. Harbor customers would have received their invoices online if an email address is on file. If not, hard copy bills were printed and mailed. This is a friendly reminder to pay your invoice(s) as soon as possible to avoid late fees and/or future revocation of your harbor spaces. For any questions relating to these bills, please contact the Town Clerk’s Office at 508-758-4100 x 2.

Machacam Club

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The next meeting of the Machacam Club is scheduled for Wednesday, February 1.  We meet at the American Legion Eastman Post on Depot Street.  Doors open at 5 pm for social time followed by dinner at 6 pm.  Our speaker program begins at 6:45.  Colby will be preparing a filling and delicious meal. New members are always welcome.  Please contact Chuck at cwmccullough@comcast.net with questions.

Hope B. (Farren) Finley

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Hope B. (Farren) Finley, 95, of Mattapoisett died peacefully January 14, 2023 at home surrounded by her family.

Hope was born in New Bedford, daughter of the late James and Alice (Viera) Farren. After her father was seriously injured while working on a project in his home workshop, she and her sister Grace (Nisbet) had to quit school when she turned 16 to help support the family.

While volunteering at the USO in New Bedford, she met Henry Syswerda, a soldier from Michigan and they soon married. His life was cut short by a German sniper in 1945, and as a young widow she moved to Michigan to live with his family for a couple of years.

When she returned to New Bedford, she took a job as a clerk at Star Store, where she met John A Bradley of Mattapoisett. They married in 1949 and moved to Phoenix where the first of their four children was born. They returned to Mattapoisett where she would live for the rest of her life. John passed away in 1996.

Hope was well known by people throughout the region as the friendly hostess who greeted them at the Cathay Temple in Mattapoisett, where she worked for 47 years. She was a friend and mentor to countless customers and staff who loved her for her grace and warmth. Having lunch at Ying Dynasty was one of her favorite activities when family would come to visit, although she never failed to remark, “It’s not the same.”

In her 50’s Hope returned to school at Bristol Community College to finally earn a high school diploma where she found her passion for writing. Receiving a near-perfect score on her GED test was one of her proudest accomplishments.

In her 70’s she became close to the late Rev. Don Finley, retired minister of the Congregational Church and father in law to her son, David, after Don’s wife Alma passed away. While late in life for both of them, these next several years as a married couple were some of her happiest times. With Don’s encouragement she began writing poetry, some of which has recently been published in The Wanderer.

Survivors include her 4 children, David A. Bradley and his wife Marcia (Finley) of Mattapoisett, Kathryn L. Bradley of Siasconset, Nantucket, Paul D. Bradley and his wife Sarah Mitchell of Marion, and James S. Bradley and his wife Maeve (Kenny) of Beverly, along with eight grandchildren and twenty great-children. She is also survived by her three nieces, Linda Painter, Nancy Nisbet and Diane Barraclough of Pennsylvania, daughters of her late sister, Grace (Farren) Nisbet.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 18th from 1-3 PM at the Saunders Dwyer Mattapoisett Home For Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6), Mattapoisett on what would have been her 96th birthday. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you hold your loved ones tight, read more poetry, and order some Chinese food to celebrate her memory.  For online guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com. 

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Residential Dock Cleared for Repairs

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            Thomas Bowler was voted an Order of Conditions to conduct maintenance repairs to his 165-foot existing timber dock at 17 Moorings Road.

            Meeting on January 11, the Marion Conservation Commission heard from Ben Foley of Foth, who represented Bowler with a presentation indicating plans to replace the “structural elements” supporting the residential, licensed dock. The project lists “in-kind replacement of various timber, conduit and hardwired components” and “full replacement of the timber stairs with new handrails.”

            Acknowledging the straightforward project, Town Planner Doug Guey-Lee asked the Commission to consider the fact the entire staircase was missing during his site visit. “It’s almost so specific that I wondered in the implementation of this work, you discover an extra brace gone, would we be asking you to come back for an amendment?” he asked.

            Guey-Lee directed his question more at the commissioners. In response, Conservation Commission Chairman Jeff Doubrava anticipates the applicant will come back for a Certificate of Compliance, and the Commissioners will take it from there.

            The hearing was closed, and Commissioner Ethan Gerber took the lead on a motion for an Order of Conditions, including special conditions to avoid damage to coastal resource areas at the site.

            Bracken Realty LLC was voted an Order of Conditions after filing a Notice of Intent for a proposed seawall, staircase improvement and a patio at 1 West Drive.

            Representative Dave Davignon of Schneider, Davignon & Leone, Inc., said the applicant is looking to improve on what he described as “the scary access” (an uneven, stone staircase) down to the beach. The plan proposes to remove a portion of the vertical seawall in favor of a 6-to-1 sloped, 4-foot-wide walkway.

            Acknowledging significant change in grade, the plan proposes erosion controls.

            Doubrava, who visited the site, agreed on the adventurous beach access. He said he had no concerns based on the plan, but his motion included siltation fencing, hay bales and measures to manage roof runoff. The membership concurred.

            Davignon’s plan for seawall repair and improvement at the Estate of Alexander Harcovitz at 17 Seaside Lane was not met with approval.

            Representing Harcovitz, Davignon described the project as a very old home protected by multiple seawalls that require upgrade to a consistent, 10-foot dimension with the removal of random stones and boulders.

            The state Division of Marine Fisheries sent a letter with comments that held weight with the Commission, the members of which had, as Shaun Walsh put it, “many concerns” with the project as designed. Walsh cited the vibrant marine life in the resource area.

            Town Planner Doug Guey-Lee asked Davignon to take the comments from DMF and organize alternative designs that would resolve the footprint and regulatory constraints. “I’m happy to work with you on that,” said Guey-Lee.

            The case was continued to January 25 at 7:00 pm.

            In a continued public hearing, a Notice of Intent filed by Michael Popitz and Timothy Milbert was met with an Order of Conditions for the treatment and removal of invasive phragmites within the wetland resource area at 64 and 72 Indian Cove Road.

            Acknowledging the expertise of Representative Brad Holmes of ECR, Commissioner Emil Assing expressed concerns about the methodology of herbicide treatment and mowing and sought the Commissioners’ feedback. Doubrava found more precedence in the plan, and Walsh suggested a condition limiting mowing and spraying beneficial and desirable species. Guey-Lee suggested incorporating a Natural Heritage agency letter in the decision.

            In response to the Zoning Board of Appeals’ request for comment on Don Easterday’s application to build a garage at 52 Cove Circle, it was determined there are wetlands 63 feet from the proposed structure on the adjacent site. The Commission plans to recommend Easterday file a Request for Determination of Applicability with the Conservation Commission.

            Guey-Lee discussed a recent heating-oil spill at 604 Point Road, resulting in an Emergency Order. Pads applied to the area are designed to absorb oil but not water. Guey-Lee said there is progress and no evidence of contamination of the wetlands at the site.

            The Commission discussed its budget report for FY23 and voted to approve a level-funded budget for FY24. The funds are mainly used for educational/training purposes. The Commissioners also voted to accept its Annual Report.

            The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission will be held on Wednesday, January 25, at 7:00 pm at the Police Station and also accessible live via Zoom.

Marion Conservation Commission

By Mick Colageo

Good Friday

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To the Editor:

            I was quite disappointed to see that the ORR Joint School Committee voted to make Good Friday a full school day for the 2023-2024 school year.

            ORR already tried to make Good Friday a school day back in 2014. Hundreds of residents publicly objected to the change at the time, and when Good Friday 2015 arrived, ORR Jr. High School saw a student absentee rate of 20 percent, and the high school saw 21 percent. The district rightfully returned Good Friday to a day off.

            Between the exposition of sexually explicit comic books and the Good Friday decision, something is going very wrong in the ORR school district.

            Our community should all work to make some much-needed changes.

David F. Pierre, Jr., Mattapoisett

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.

Nolan Gibbons Memorial Fund Scholarship

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The Nolan Gibbons Memorial Fund (NGMF) has opened multiple scholarship and grant applications for talented young people. There are three primary opportunities:

            – Music Mastermind – 3-month virtual Artist Development Program worth $8,000

            – Musical Theatre Mastermind – 3-month virtual Artist Development Program worth $8,000

            – General Arts Grant to cover anything a young artist could need: e.g. computer software, classes, instruments, travel, etc. Several grants available ranging from $100 to $1,000, depending upon requests and the number of applications.

            The Nolan Gibbons Memorial Fund was created to empower and support performing artists. “We know how much it takes to perform and make music. Nolan was constantly taking new classes, traveling and buying new technology and instruments. We are thrilled to offer these scholarships in his name, to help others who want to perform or produce music but may need some financial help to move forward. We designed the General Arts Grant specifically to cover many items or experiences that a young performer may need to help them grow.” – Sheila J. Gibbons, Founder of NGMF.

            The following two scholarships were generously donated by Melissa Mentus Mulligan:

            The Music Mastermind program includes live sessions, including: songwriting & artist development with platinum-selling songwriter Coley O’Toole, music production mentorship with Grammy-winning and pro-level producers Mike Mangini and Skip Glogan, marketing, life coaching and fan base with Melissa Mulligan and special industry experts, professional reviews of your work and more. Artists complete the program with improved songs, self-produced and mixed versions of songs, the skills and tools to repeat this award-winning recording process, a social media fan funnel to connect with your ideal fans, a world class digital portfolio for booking gigs, industry meetings and a community of like-minded artists.

            The Musical Theatre Mastermind program will provide artists with the best performances of your professional audition material, a professional self-tape collection of your best material, brand new audition-finding, get-myself-seen strategies for your strengths, your professional audition book in all categories, personalized professional vocal warm-up, cool down, and exercise routine, a step-by-step plan to find work, book work, and become a go-to pro in the industry.

            These scholarships and grants are funded by donations to The Nolan Gibbons Memorial Fund and proceeds from the annual NolanFest live music event held each summer at Silvershell Beach in Marion.

            For more information and to apply, please visit: www.nolangibbons.org/scholarships

Harbormaster Pitches ‘Natural Resources’ Dept.

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            Leveraged by Massachusetts’ Police Reform Act into what its personnel considers a crawl space between the rock of new budgetary constraints and the hard place of increasing demand for job-related services, the Marion Harbormaster Department has rolled out a proposal to create a new town Department of Natural Resources.

            If approved by the Select Board, Marion’s DNR would be part of the town’s Police Department, explained Deputy Harbormaster/Shellfish Officer Adam Murphy to the Marine Resources Commission during the latter’s public meeting held Monday night at the Police Station.

            “We’re proposing a separate union,” said Murphy. “We’re trying to avoid reducing the services. We feel the budget should reflect that. … If I’m going out on a patrol call or backing up the Police Department (under the proposed conditions), my budget isn’t only coming out of the Waterways Department.”

            Because they were not part of the same collective-bargaining agreement, said Murphy, full-time Harbormaster Department personnel is required to put in more training and to perform all the duties of a police officer in Marion but does not receive the same benefits package, including retirement.

            Murphy cited Weymouth, Falmouth, Bourne, Wareham and Yarmouth as municipalities that have instituted some form of a DNR to mitigate negative impact on their harbormaster departments.

            Marion’s new department would not change in terms of optics with Harbormaster Isaac Perry acting as director, Murphy as deputy director/shellfish officer and Dave Wilson as assistant director and assistant shellfish officer. The addition would be the Animal Control officer (Susan Connor.)

            “Sue is coming to the end of her tenure,” said Murphy. “We fully intend on this position to be a Natural Resources position and taking our boat guys from three to four. Between the three of us, we really don’t take vacations in the summer. With this position, it’s going to give us a little flexibility.”

            Under a new DNR, Animal Control would increase from four to seven days a week, while other familiar programs, such as educational outreach, safety courses and inspections for hunting and safety would all continue and possibly expand. Murphy said the seasonal, part-time staff would not change.

            “The things that Waterways pays for now would be the same. There’s nothing on there that they’re not doing now,” said MRC Chairman Vin Malkoski.

            Murphy said Chief of Police Richard Nighelli would be reaching out to the MRC for feedback.

            The MRC is supportive but urged Murphy to take it slow, as a public hearing on the matter is likely before the Select Board considers voting its approval.

            “It’s not something that we can kick the can down the road,” said Murphy, who took the lead Monday night in the absence of Perry, who was listening remotely while recovering from a January 10 back surgery. Perry is expected back in April.

            Meantime, Murphy shared a PowerPoint presentation on the department’s budget and four major projects reaching a critical stage, most notably the new Marine Center that was approved in Town Meeting. The other three: a replacement for the department’s aging patrol boat, seawall erosion and severe infrastructural decay at Old Landing.

            To help mitigate the problem, Murphy recommended significant, across-the-board fee increases for users of Marion’s harbor.

            Base charges for moorings will increase for Marion’s 290 commercial moorings from $180 to $250, not counting the per-foot increase from $5 to $8. The $70 base fee for recreational moorings (Marion has 828) would increase to $115, along with the same per-foot increase. Adding on the Transient fee increase, the total projected increase in Waterways Department revenues for FY24 is $320,280.

            With between 1,300 and 1,400 total Waterways permits, Murphy told the MRC that merely by bringing its fees in line with similar Massachusetts harbor communities, such as Plymouth, Scituate, Dartmouth and Duxbury, the Harbormaster Department can make a dent in its budgetary challenge.

            “We’re throwing at consumers an average of 50% increase. I don’t think it will warm their hearts,” said MRC member Michael Moore.

            Murphy countered that there are 198 people on Marion’s waiting list. “One way or another, we have to generate revenues to pay for these things. … And it’s not just the building, we have a lot of things that we need to discuss,” he said.

            Malkoski cautioned that the department secure assurance that fee increases will not wind up in another bucket.

            “We have always worked to be as responsible as we can. … We’ve always been asked to increase fees and we asked, ‘What are these fees going to be used for?'” said Malkoski. “Can we do it all at once? Maybe not. Turning down the (Seaport Economic Council) is not really an alternative.”

            In FY22, the Waterways Department generated $268,739, down $10,000 from FY21. Total FY22 revenues were $466,973.97 and total expenditures $456,228.63. Murphy reported that indirect costs are down 12% for FY22 to $182,178.63 from $206,190.33, but he is not sure what has changed.

            “The ‘indirects’ are always the elephant in the room,” said Murphy. “We need to put away more than $10,000 a year.”

            Malkoski emphasized that the harbor cannot serve as a profit center for the town. “It is illegal. The harbor does not belong to the town,” he said, noting the trend toward parking fees as a means to take control of income to the town.

            The Select Board will vote on any measure to increase fees.

            The new Marine Center is hanging in the balance after a recent meeting with architectural designer Catalyst revealed a $1,000,000 increase in projected construction cost. Compounded atop a $700,000 shortfall in total grant applications of $2,300,000 with the state’s Seaport Economic Council, the double whammy has left the town scrambling against the clock for a viable Plan B.

            The SEC averages $1,000,000 in distributions, according to Murphy, noting that Marion received a greater-than-average amount of grant funding ($1,600,000) toward its new harbormaster headquarters. But he also noted that grant funding is available to support repair of the seawall and infrastructure at Old Landing. The deadline for the seawall-repair grant application is February 17.

            Last estimated five years ago to be worth $650,000, it is anticipated a new patrol boat would cost between $850,000 and $1,000,000, based on a 90-day quote on a 10-year bond.

            According to Murphy, Marion’s patrol boat is basically a recreational Boston Whaler. Now 17 years old, it shows cracks in the separation of the house and also under the rails as well as the transom.

            The department figures the boat still has value if taken away from department rigors. Murphy readily admits that the boat is not a safety hazard at this point, but because it took two years to acquire a motor for another boat, it would be risky to continue with the patrol boat.

            Having shown the MRC several popular models highlighting their capabilities, flaws and costs, Murphy said he figures Marion’s current patrol boat is still worth $80,000 to $100,000, “if we move on it sooner rather than later.”

            It takes a year to acquire a boat, and given the process of achieving that authorization, Murphy considers it prudent to move now.

            The MRC took volunteers to form subcommittees to tackle the subjects facing the Harbormaster Department, including the Marine Center, the patrol boat, the decaying seawall and the deterioration at Old Landing. MRC member Scott Cowell, who said during the meeting that the cables at Old Landing haven’t been changed in 50 years, will lead the subcommittee formed to study and make recommendations there.

            As of January 18, Murphy and Perry have received their certificates of successful completion of the Municipal Police Training Committee Bridge Academy Training Program. Assistant Harbormaster Dave Wilson is ahead of schedule with his training, putting him on pace to complete the program by the time Perry returns to work.

            The Marion Marine Resources Commission will hold a special meeting on Monday, February 6, at 7:00 pm.

Marion Marine Resources Commission

By Mick Colageo

Speed Reductions a Slow Process

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            The Town of Marion’s plan to reduce overall driving speed limits on all local roads from 30 miles per hour to 25 (unless otherwise posted) will take time to implement, Department of Public Works engineer Meghan Davis reported during the Marion Select Board’s January 18 public meeting.

            The plan, the product of meetings of the Pedestrian Safety Study Group appointed by the Select Board in August 2022, requires the approval of the state Department of Transportation and excludes any roads managed by commonwealth.

            Along with Davis, group members include Police Lieutenant Jeff Habicht, Noel Pardo, Mike Russo and Hal Curtis.

            In distributing maps illustrating the proposed changes, Davis summarized other recommendations of the group: Implement a 20 mile-per-hour speed safety zone around school areas on Main and Spring Streets and on a portion of Front Street, install a removable speed cushion on Front Street near the Music Hall and install transverse markings on the southern portion of Point Road.

            The speed cushion, said Davis, is removable for snow plowing in winter and helps reduce speeds for Marion’s increased summer population, especially at the heart of the village and down to Silvershell Beach.

            “Transverse markings are a series of white stripes on a curved area that are spaced appropriately so it looks like you’re … traveling faster than you actually are,” explained Davis.

            Asked by Select Board member Toby Burr, Davis confirmed that the Planting Island Causeway will remain a 15 mile-per-hour speed limit.

            At the entry points to Marion, road signs will be posted stating the new 25 mile-per-hour limit unless otherwise posted.

            MassDOT still dictates and posts state-ordained speed limits on state roads such as Route 6, but the agency also must approve all of Marion’s regulatory limits. “We are currently working with MassDOT on the process to implement these revised speed limits in town,” said Davis, indicating that Select Board member Norm Hills has been participating in that effort.

            Once MassDOT approves of the changes, a cost estimate will be established, followed by public notification. Then the DPW will coordinate with the Police Department on a timeline.

            Last year at the beginning of the process, the DPW presented a GPI study bringing about recommendations that the Select Board approved. Not much in the way of public comment was made, but the comments were supportive of the measures.

            Burr suggested revising the map to highlight roads with adjusted speed limits.

            The Select Board voted to approve the DPW’s pursuit of implementation of the presented plan.

In her report to the board, Interim Town Administrator Judy Mooney said indications from architectural firm Catalyst show the construction price of the new Marine Center to be growing.

            “Unfortunately, they have gone up significantly,” said Mooney. Future meetings will look at funding options.

            Mooney also said that cost estimates for construction of the new Department of Public Works operations center were expected from lead designer Will Saltonstall within the next week.

            The public is urged to visit marionma.gov to learn about two connected issues facing the town.

            One is Weston and Sampson’s study on Marion’s Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan (CWMP); there will be opportunities for public feedback in March.

            The other is a reminder that the public-comment period for the state’s Title 5 septic regulations (requiring denitrification technology in all areas deemed nitrogen-sensitive) is set to expire on Monday, January 30, at 5:00 pm. Two final public hearings, slated for January 24 and 25, required preregistration and were accessible via marionma.gov.

            Mooney also updated the meeting on the search for a new town administrator in the wake of Evan Lehrer’s decision to remain with the Town of Mashpee. The Select Board scheduled an executive session on January 19 to discuss strategy.

            The board voted to approve water/sewer commitments of $250 (new water tap December 9, 2022), $260.09 (final readings December 30, 2022), $595 (backflow tests January 3) and $421.72 (final readings January 5.)

            There was no public comment at the January 18 meeting.

            The next regular public meeting of the Marion Select Board is scheduled for Tuesday, February 7, at 6:00 pm. The Capital Improvements Planning Committee is scheduled to present its rankings of capital projects for FY24.

Marion Select Board

By Mick Colageo

From the Files of the Rochester Historical Society

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The inspiration for the “celebration” piece of our 2022-2023 museum exhibit, “Maps, Signs and Celebrations Part!” is the large sign pictured with this article. I first saw this sign a year or two ago in the barn at the Hartley-Rhodes cranberry bog. The sign evokes Rochester’s history which has been celebrated many times since it was incorporated in 1686. Walter Hartley was kind enough to loan it for our exhibit.

            I don’t know if this has ever happened to you. You come across a reference to something that you’ve never heard of. It might be a dog breed, a name, a brand of beer, or a town. Suddenly, whatever that thing was, you see it everywhere. That’s what happened to me with the painter (Charles T. Matthews) of our sign.

            The first time I heard his name was when I asked who painted the sign. As I continued to put the exhibit together, I came across a large double-sided sign used by the historical society when they had a craft guild in Sam Corse’s old office. It was painted by Mr. Matthews. Next, I found a Standard Times article about him from 1979 and then one of our members said that he had spent one summer working for Mr. Matthews.

            It turns out that Charles T. Matthews was a well-known sign painter from the days when the signs on billboards were painted, not printed on paper that was then glued to the board. Charles Matthews was born in the South End of New Bedford and after living in a number of different places, he moved to Rochester in 1947 and continued to live there with his wife on Marion Road.

            At an early age, Matthews inherited his interest in painting from a great uncle. Over the years, he studied the art of painting, first at The Swain School for several months when he was 15, and later, he completed three different art correspondence courses.

            At the same time that he was studying at Swain, he began to work at the Blair Sign Co. of New Bedford where he acted as a sign board painter’s assistant. This job involved a variety of tasks: putting up staging, mixing paints and filling in large areas of color that had already been outlined by the artist. Matthews learned much from other artists, especially a Mr. Braley and a Mr. Sullivan and by the age of 30, he was an accomplished billboard artist.

            Billboard artists at that time usually were contracted by advertising agencies. They would receive a sketch of the proposed ad which they would then enlarge and block out on the billboard and paint. They were usually paid by the square foot for their work. Some of Matthew’s more well-known signs are a 12 ft. high Miss Sunbeam (bread) and a 40-foot beer bottle. His work took him throughout New England and New York, and he painted in all kinds of weather. In 1955, he opened his own shop in Buzzard’s Bay where he painted all kinds of commercial signs.

            When he finally retired, he stopped painting signs, but continued with picture painting, a hobby he had indulged in alongside the painting he had done as a business. In 1979, he was working on a 4×2 ft. oil painting entitled “Town Green.” The painting depicts the four buildings: Town Hall, the Academy, the 1st Congregational Church and the Plumb Library, that are situated in Rochester Center.

            There is another sign in our exhibit that we believe is an example of his work. The Rochester Boat Race sign is typical of ones that were carved by Bill Watling and painted by Charlie Matthews, a true Rochester partnership.

By Connie Eshbach