Claus Flew for Good Cause

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A New England lighthouse close call with lasting drama was not about a ship but instead about an airplane and its pilot playing Santa Claus.

            The incident happened in 1929 just before Christmas when pilot William Wincapaw, in spite of weather reports of an impending snowstorm, took off in his single-engine airplane over the rocky coast of Rockland, Maine. It wasn’t the first time a well-experienced Maine native chanced flying in heavy weather, but it would turn out to be nearly his last.

            Wincapaw soon knew he was in trouble with so much snow falling that he could not see out his window, and his instruments were not working properly. He soon was blown off course and was flying blind and almost out of fuel. At the last minute, he took a chance, dropping down below the clouds, hoping to break free of the inclement weather.

            That’s when an unexpected, but fortunate, familiar lighthouse beam came shining through to him from a Castine lighthouse down below. Then five more lighthouses led him safely to his own airport in Rockland, Maine. A grateful Wincapaw took off again a few days later and dropped packages of cookies, coffee and a copy of an Old Farmer’s Almanac with a note of thanks for the beam that saved his life. These gifts became a Christmas tradition, and a coffee company loaned him a seaplane for the future.

            Some other businesses were contributing cash and gifts to support the picture of a flying Santa Claus, as in my illustration. Wincapaw went on to immortalize this holiday-saving image until, in 1936, he left for Bolivia to take on a new job of flying gold from the mines there. He was replaced by a writer and historian named Edward Roe Snow, who perfected a new method of tying several packages together to be caught in the air on the way down.

            Pilot Wincapaw and Snow both had heart attacks when flying missions, and The Friends of Flying Santa Claus organization was incorporated after their deaths just in time for the tradition to celebrate 70 years of operation, while lighthouses up and down the coast blew their fog horns to mourn the apparition of human heroics coming true on wings of flying angels before the wondering eyes of children of lighthouse keepers.

By George B. Emmons

Marion Garden Group

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To the Editor,

            We wish to thank everyone who participated in the Annual Holiday Boutique at the Marion Music Hall last Saturday. Members of the Marion Garden Group had been making unique ornaments and other decorations for months, and then arrangements of fresh greens were created in a week along with embellished wreaths, swags, garlands and Grinch trees, too! Special thanks to the support of local merchants and the hundreds of shoppers who braved the cold and supported our sale. It only happens once a year. Proceeds support the mission of MGG “to assist in the enhancement of the town’s parks and landscape projects, and to further expand members’ knowledge of gardening through discussions and presentations by experts in the field.”

            Gratefully,

Suzy Taylor, President MGG

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.

From the Files of the Rochester Historical Society

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Of all the symbols of the Christmas season, I find the Christmas tree the most evocative. From the smell of evergreen boughs and the decorating of the tree to the wrapped presents underneath it, they all remind me of Christmases past. When we lived in Weymouth, the whole family would go to whatever tree lot my father had chosen. Over the years, the trees all looked pretty much alike, either a fir or a balsam and always so tall that the top had to be trimmed as well as the base in order to fit it into the living room.

            My father was both a cautious and frugal man, so the tree lights could not be kept on if no one was in the room, even if you left for just a few minutes. This continued for years even after the small lights that stayed cool came out. That was his cautious side. His frugal side meant we reused tinsel (back when it was a relative to aluminum foil.) Peeling it off the ball it had been molded into the previous January was the least pleasant part of decorating.

            Every family has its traditions around when to put up the tree. After my younger sister was born on Dec.22, our tree didn’t go up until the 23, so she wouldn’t confuse her birthday and Christmas. When my husband was growing up, his father brought the tree home on Christmas Eve. They never knew until they were older that the reason for waiting until the 24th was that the trees were cheaper then.

            When we moved to Amherst, we bought our trees from the Boy Scouts. One year, my mother thought she would like a Scotch pine. Looking at it in the stand made her realize she didn’t like it. Fortunately, we lived next to the Boy Scout leader, and my brother and I were able to return it. I think the fullness of the Scotch pine was too much for someone who had grown up with white pine Christmas trees.

            As with most of our holidays, we would end our day in Rochester. My grandfather always cut down a white pine from the edge of the gravel pit next to the house. I loved those trees. They always had a feathery, enchanted quality. As my grandparents grew older, the trees became smaller tabletop size, but they always seemed magical.

            Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

By Connie Eshbach

Bryan Noel “Dola” Dawson

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Bryan Noel “Dola” Dawson, 76, of Foxboro, died Dec. 4, 2022.

Born in Christchurch, New Zealand, he was the son of the late Noel and R. Joan (Gall) Dawson. He was the father of the late Annie Dawson.

Bryan was a commercial fisherman on boats in Alaska and New Bedford. Always a seafarer, he visited many foreign ports as a Merchant Marine.

Survivors include his faithful longtime companion of 11 years who remained by his side, Patricia Christy of Foxboro; his sons, Brodie Dawson of New Bedford and Darren Taylor of Australia.

Private arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, MA.

For full obituary, guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Public Opinion Sought on Septic

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            As the Tri-Towns strategize to locate sources of nitrogen pollution in hopes the state Department of Environmental Protection will relent on a sweeping septic regulation requiring an expensive upgrade to existing systems in areas deemed nitrogen sensitive, elected officials are raising their arms like a linebacker on the home team, trying to drum up noise for a big play.

            The Marion Board of Health was on hand for Tuesday night’s Select Board meeting to discuss the issue and seeking public comment now that the DEP has extended the comment period to January 30.

            “I’d like to see a … more thorough examination of the groundwater pollution that’s alleged instead of just sampling the water that’s in the bay,” said Board of Health member Albie Johnson, referencing the chain of events that leveraged the town into spending $13,000,000 to clean up and re-line a lagoon at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. “It’s my understanding at the time they didn’t find any (nitrogen) around the lagoon.”

            He called the state’s plan “a little bit excessive.”

            Dr. John Howard, the Board of Health chairman, reported 32 denitrification septic systems in Marion. “I’m not sure how many are functioning,” he said, noting that 14 have been built since Marion’s new denitrification septic regulation went into effect earlier this year. The regulation only applies to new or upgraded septic constructions.

            Howard said the board has been monitoring the new systems and that they are doing well. A key element to that sustainability, says Dr. Ed Hoffer, a board member, is the homeowners’ accountability for testing and maintenance of the new systems.

            “This is ultimately a political process like everything else. … We have to ask … what is the most cost-effective and reasonable way to do it?” said Hoffer, openly considering how much nitrogen is generated from the Kittansett Club and/or how much from Great Hill Dairy Farm. “We need to go about this in a rational manner and not just take a dictate from DEP.”

            The problem with sweeping regulations, noted Hoffer, is that the new denitrification systems work “reasonably well for year-round dwellings; they work poorly for seasonal dwellings.” He said that new systems on seasonal properties may be less efficient than the systems they replace.

            Executive Assistant Donna Hemphill indicated that the town will send out an email and post the matter on town web and Facebook pages.

            Acknowledging a respectful disagreement with Interim Town Administrator Judy Mooney, Parker sought “a vote of confidence” to discuss a measure that would beef up health insurance benefits for town employees. He believes a stronger package would allow the town to maintain and attract more good employees.

            Select Board member Toby Burr offered support, adding that job turnover costs the town money in training and performance. Select Board member Norm Hills noted the ongoing budget process and said the matter requires some research and analysis. “I need to understand what I’m looking at here, too,” he said.

            The total annual cost of the benefits program is $128,102.88 for 64 employees, said Parker. Mooney said she is willing to research the matter further.

            In her Town Administrator’s Report, Mooney announced that Marion has received an additional $250,000 from the DEP for the Lagoon lining project, to which Select Board Chairman Randy Parker publicly thanked Representative William Straus.

            Mooney also announced that the state Seaport Economic Council has granted the town another $300,000 toward the construction of the new Marine Center. That leaves the town $700,000 based on May 2022 cost estimates (Town Meeting.) Mooney said she hopes to meet with Tim Sawyer of architect Catalyst to discuss cost, noting that the design for the new harbormaster’s headquarters is not totally complete.

            Harbormaster Isaac Perry, according to Mooney, remains very confident about grant funding for the project.

            Parker reported that architect Will Saltonstall is in the process of getting cost estimates for the new Department of Public Works operations center.

            The Town Administrator Search Committee held three interviews on Tuesday and had three more scheduled Wednesday of this week. Out of 27 applicants, the committee hopes to bring four finalists to the Select Board in January.

            “It’s tough to get down to seven or six … last time we lost candidates on a daily basis … it’s a lot of work, it’s very draining,” said Parker of the all-day interviewing process.

            Mooney told the board the rates for community aggregation of electricity will be 10.470 cents per kilowatt hour (c/kWh) through December 2023 (year-long cycle), a “significant savings” relative to Eversource’s rate of 25.649 c/kWh. “We encourage residents to visit our website (marionma.gov),” she said.

            The following 14 applicants are being considered to join Sippican Historical Society-recommended member Will Tifft for six other positions on the Historic District Study Committee: Margie Baldwin, Dan Crete, John DiSalvo, Charles Duane, Mary Endsley, Kevin Gretton, George Morton, Erin Murphy, Alanna Nelson, Ken Parsons, Jill Pitman, Shelly Richins, Stephen Swain and Mallory Waterman. Meg Steinberg pulled her name out of consideration.

            During the Public Comment session, longtime Marion developer Sherman Briggs articulated concerns about Creek Road, offering a 21-year sketch of mishaps and apparently wasted investments on the part of the town without available information or a remedy for a water main that he and Hills agree is unusable.

            “I’ve seen the pictures of it, I’ve never seen anything so bad in my life,” said Hills, who said he has a report from the engineer on the process.

            “As a taxpayer … I don’t want to see Creek Road not rebuilt not the proper way,” said Briggs. “I think the Marion taxpayers deserve answers to these questions.”

            The DPW has requested $122,000 in capital funds to address the matter. Briggs says that the town already approved $250,000 in funding that has seen the water main never tested, chlorinated or activated.

            The Select Board voted to approve a revised sewer application at 460 Front Street, changing from a 6-inch pipe to a 4-inch pipe that runs out to a sewer connection.

            The board approved the following Water/Sewer commitments: $265,845.12 (liens December 7th), $643.34 (final readings December 9th), $1,364.31 (quarterly billing December 12th) and $1,309,999.66 (quarterly billing December 16th.)

            The meeting began with a brief executive session pursuant to Purpose 3 of state General Law c. 30A, s. 21(a)(3) regarding strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation.

            The next meeting of the Marion Select Board is scheduled for Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at 6:00 pm at the Police Station.

Marion Select Board

By Mick Colageo

Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals

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To the Editor;

            Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals Clarification. Based on some recent postings, it is clear that there is a misunderstanding of the role of the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA.) The ZBA is made up of un-paid individuals appointed by the Select Board. The current members of the ZBA are all professionals including engineers and attorneys.

            The ZBA is allowed to offer relief from the town’s zoning bylaws in the form of Special Permits and Variances provided these reliefs do not violate state laws. The ZBA is required to make sure certain conditions are met before any relief can be considered. It is up to applicant to make the case. Hearings are public with all parties given an opportunity to speak in favor or against a petition. The ZBA may include stipulations in a decision to address specific concerns. In other matters, the ZBA will hold public hearings if a party disagrees with decisions made by the Zoning Enforcement Office (Building Inspector) or the Planning Board.

            The ZBA does not, and can not, enforce zoning by-laws or decisions made by the ZBA. This would be a conflict of interest. The Zoning Enforcement Officer can enforce by-laws independent of complaints from individuals. Individuals that want the Zoning Enforcement Officer to look into possible zoning violations must submit a signed letter outlining what is believed to be the violation. The Zoning Enforcement Office is required to report findings in writing. Again, if any party disagrees with these findings, they can file an appeal with the ZBA and a public hearing will be held.

            There are some variations in the way zoning enforcement and a ZBA may operate from town to town, but the essentials are the same. Rochester’s Building Department is presently in transition with new personnel, but will work to provide guidance to those with questions.

Richard Cutler

Rochester ZBA member

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.

Developer Receives Partial Surety Return

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            Coming before the Mattapoisett Planning Board on December 19 was Christos Kulipoulos of The Preserve at Bay Club, the developer of the Split Rock neighborhood within the Bay Club subdivision. Kulipoulos sought the return of a $125,000 roadway surety being held by the town.

            Kulipoulos stated to the board that the roadway work is done, complete, that the contractor has been paid for the roadway and therefore the contract with the town is complete with the exception of two items.

            Board member Nathan Ketchel inquired what was incomplete. Kulipoulos responded that manholes needed to be cleaned for an estimated cost of $1,000 each and that removal of erosion controls in the form of silk fences needed to take place. The board agreed that a sum of $25,000 should be held back until the unfinished work is completed. They further agreed to return $100,000 at this time.

            Also coming before the board was Andrew Stackpole of Field Engineering, representing the Bay Club in an informal discussion for the construction of 12 duplex units at the site that originally was to have been for the construction of a conference center.

            The new plan, which received a Variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals on December 15, calls for the construction of 12 zero-lot-line, residential townhouse homes, each with two bedrooms and a loft space. Stackpole referred to the plan as “cluster housing” with 45 feet of frontage. A formal filing will be submitted at a future date, including all necessary stormwater calculations and system designs.

            Dave Andrews of Bay Club Realty also came before the board to request an extension of the completion of roadway work on White Pine Lane. He explained that an anticipated completion in 2022 became impossible due to dropping temperatures. The date was extended until June 30, 2023.

            Continued until February 6 is the Site Plan Review for a planned solar array to be located at 156 Acushnet Road. A letter from the firm Outback Engineering noted that state approvals were still pending.

            In other matters, the board agreed that Ketchel would represent the board on the newly created Holy Ghost Grounds Use committee.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board is scheduled for Monday, February 6, at 7:00 pm.

Mattapoisett Planning Board

By Marilou Newell

Duplexes Planned at Bay Club

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            On December 15, the Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals convened to hear two appeals and did so in nearly record time.

            Coming before the board on this night was David Andrews of Bay Club Real Estate with what was filed as a Variance and ultimately accepted as a Land Use Variance application for the construction of 12 two-bedroom, duplex units.

            The agenda noted, “The applicant is seeking a Variance under section 5.9.1 as provided by Section 7.2.3 of the Zoning By-Laws to request permission to create a new residential use in a limited industry zone to build up to 12 residences as part of the Bay Club.”

            The parcel planned for construction is located at the north entrance to the larger subdivision near the bike-path extension that runs to the Marion town line.

            Andrews described the units as two-bedroom with a loft in a real estate category known as “fee simple.” In a follow-up, Andrews said that the homeowners will own specific outdoor spaces on their side of the overall structure. An internet explanation of the term “fee simple” states, “fee simple is a legal term that means full irrevocable ownership of land, and any buildings on that land,” (the same as a single-family home). It goes on to state, “it means the land is owned outright without any limitation or restrictions other than local zoning ordinances.”

            The original submitted and permitted use of the parcel in question was for the construction of a conference center. As the years have gone by, the desire and need for such a structure has been deemed much less useful than more housing units. Board member Colby Rottler thought housing was indicated as much needed and has been a topic of the Master Plan Committee. That prompted Chairman Susan Akin to say, “But I don’t think they’ll be affordable.” The board members were unanimous in approving the request.

            The other filing was from Thaddeus and Ann Yukna, 25 Silver Shell Avenue, for the construction of a new deck with zero setbacks. The request was viewed as in keeping with previous requests from the neighborhood and was unanimously granted a Special Permit.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals was not scheduled upon adjournment.

Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals

By Marilou Newell

Sippican Historical Society Welcomes New Executive Director

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The Sippican Historical Society has named Alanna Nelson as its next Executive Director, replacing Leslie Thayer Piper who steps down in December. Ms. Piper will continue in her role as SHS Archivist through June of 2022.

            Originally from Wisconsin, Alanna Nelson worked as a National Park Ranger in college, lived for 11 years in Italy and moved to Marion in 2020. In the last decade, she has created marketing campaigns and managed events for nonprofits, small businesses and artists. She is also a fiber artist who recreated historic textiles at the Isabella Stuart Gardner Museum in Boston. She calls herself a community connector, and as a member of the Marion Planning Board, loves to think about what aspects of our past should be found in the future.

            Ms. Nelson has also served as VP of the Sippican Historical Society and is very pleased and excited to take over the position of Executive Director beginning in January.

Gerald E. Johnson

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Gerald E. Johnson (Jerry) passed away peacefully at home on December 17, 2022. He was 75.

            Jerry was an exceptional father. His devotion to his girls brought him to every dance and musical performance, sports game, track meet and graduation. But beyond that, he bestowed upon them and his grandchildren unconditional love always and demonstrated for them how to live a life of integrity, one filled with intellectual curiosity and a commitment to serving others.  Jerry possessed a steadfast heart and his superpower was making people feel loved and cherished.

            Jerry loved exploring the world with his family, playing ball and reading to the grandchildren, skiing, sailing and dogs. He loved food, especially pastries—witness the raspberry bear claw from the Shipyard Galley— seafood and coffee ice cream.

            He had an incredible mind. As a “walking encyclopedia of useless facts,” he had an uncanny ability to recall not only dates significant to him but obscure statistics relating to all sports from baseball to tennis—local, national and international.

            Jerry was a lover of the English language. He could quote Shakespeare and lines from movies with equal agility. At least 25 percent of our family’s repartee came from Jerry’s favorite movies, among them Blazing Saddles, Multiplicity, Sleepless in Seattle and Running Scared. His terrible puns and awesome wordplay led to laughter and occasional groans from his family.

            Jerry possessed the highest ethical standards and the strongest sense of integrity in work, as in life. He was a proud graduate of Brown University (1969) and Western New England College School of Law (1976). Admitted to the RI Bar (1977) and MA Bar (1978), he opened the Law Offices of Gerald E Johnson in Swansea in 1978 where he practiced until 2018. Jerry often said, “I love the law!”

            He served the Town of Swansea as assistant to the Town Counsel from 1985 to 1988, Co-Counsel from 1989 to 1991 and Counsel from 1992 to 1998. According to his associate, Christopher Carreiro, “After all, Jerry is known in these parts as our Town Attorney.”

            In addition to his legal practice, Jerry was an adjunct professor at the University of Phoenix and Bristol Community College. Jerry served the Town of Mattapoisett, where he lived for 25 years, as a member and chairman of the Mattapoisett School Committee for 15 years. He was an active member of the Mattapoisett Land Trust.

            Jerry was devoted to the democratic process. He used to tell us that he was always in a great mood on election day, saying “Today, I got the power!”

            He was an athlete. He ran track in high school and college. He completed two Pan Mass Challenges, benefitting Dana Farber Cancer Institute, three Buzzards Bay Watershed bicycle rides and multiple Tours de Crème.

            Jerry was predeceased by his parents James and Helen Johnson, brother Jim Johnson, and wife Ginny Johnson. He is survived by his wife, Cindy Johnson of Fairhaven; daughter, Anne Landry and her husband Ryan of Reading; daughter, Emily Johnson and her partner John Concado of New York City; and grandchildren, Michael and Charlie Landry. Jerry is also survived by dearly beloved brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and grandnieces and grandnephews.

            A memorial service for Jerry will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at 1 pm at the Mattapoisett Congregational Church. A reception will follow. Arrangements are by the Fairhaven Funeral Home, 117 Main St., Fairhaven. For memorial register please visit, www.hathawayfunerals.com.

            In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to the Mattapoisett Land Trust or the Buzzards Bay Coalition in Jerry’s memory.