From the Files of the Rochester Historical Society

on

There will be an Open House from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm on May 22, rain date May 23, at 355 County Road. See the exhibit, enjoy food, bake sale, raffles, and gift shop.

            People may wonder what kinds of facts you can learn and what kind of artifacts you can find at the Rochester Historical Society Museum. In pictures, you can see the boarding house in Rochester Center that was home to out of town students attending the Rochester Academy. You can follow Rochester’s growth in a series of maps beginning in 1704 which are also available for purchase. In memoirs and articles you can learn that Judah Hathaway (retiring in 1868 from a life at sea and becoming owner of the mill at Hathaway Pond) had the first bathtub in Rochester, maybe to stay surrounded by water, or that bog iron was once plentiful in Rochester’s watery areas and of value. Back to those maps, you can trace road changes, such as Rochester Street becoming Hartley Road.

            Our exhibit, opening on Saturday, May 22 from 10:00 am– 3:00 pm is made up of some of the interesting items donated to or collected by the Rochester Historical Society for the museum over the last 50 or so years. It is supported by the Rochester Cultural Council, a local agency, supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

            In addition to the exhibit, we will be serving lunch, holding a raffle of some amazing items donated by generous local businesses, selling desserts and baked goods, and our Rochester items. We look forward to seeing you.

By Connie Eshbach

Five Marion Students Awarded Scholarships

on

The Marion Scholarship and Education Committee has announced its 2021 scholarship awards, and Rachel Fantoni, Jhett Labonte, Katelyn Luong, Abigail McFadyen,and Daphne Poirier were chosen from the large pool of qualified applicants.

            All applicants were required to live in Marion and were asked to submit their academic transcript, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement.

            The scholarships are made possible through the generosity of Marion citizens who donated to the Scholarship Fund throughout the year. Those who are interested in donating to this fund or to the Education Fund, which provides equipment and resources to Sippican School that are not covered by the school’s budget, may send donations to Marion Scholarship and Education Fund, Marion Town House, 2 Spring Street, Marion, MA 02738.

Nelson, Henry Win Planning Board Seats

on

            Marion’s Planning Board took on a new look after the May 14 election saw Alanna Nelson and Jonathan Henry voted into two open seats vied for by five candidates, including incumbent Andrew Daniel.

            Henry and Nelson, representing the bookends of experience and new blood, garnered 241 and 245 votes respectively to outdistance Tucker Burr (213), Daniel (207), and Tom Friedman (107) in the town’s only contested race. There was one write-in vote and 116 ballots left blank.

            Asked if she felt more exhilaration or relief at the result, Nelson answered, “Gratitude, because I appreciate the confidence people had in me and I appreciate the way people have opened up…. I feel very grateful for all the time people put in, introduced me, sharing perspectives.”

            A former four-term selectman, Henry brings decades of experience in municipal government and readily admits he entered the race at the 11th hour out of concern that the seats might not be filled. Now he begins a three-year term on a board he had never served on until now.

            “It was holding the Planning Board up, not getting that business done, so I said I’m not going to, you know, ‘Hottest place in hell is reserved for him who is idle in a crisis,'” said Henry, paraphrasing 12th century Italian poet Dante Alighieri. “I’m glad to do something.”

            For Nelson, the what-I-would-do thoughts of an outsider take on a whole new weight with the result and the experience of being sworn-in by Town Clerk Lissa Magauran.

            “I feel like I have a lot of homework to do over the weekend to make sure I can go to Monday and really be as on top of things,” said Nelson, referencing the scheduled May 17 Planning Board meeting. “That’s one of the things that I learned over this process; it’s kind of like sailing. You can never do enough of it, you learn every time that you go out and, so, just like when you sail, you’re observant and you try to be ready for it. That’s kind of the way I’m going to approach the Planning Board.

            “It’s funny, the analogy, because it’s like one of those things you keep on learning, and maybe that’s why it appeals to me,” Nelson continued. “The winds are different every time, and you do your best to be prepared for it.”

            The infinite waters and wrinkles in cases presented require dedication and discipline and, at the same time, a mind unfettered by expectations.

            “And you need to remember where you’re going; that’s the other part. You’ve got to stay focused on where you want to go,” said Nelson. “Fortunately, we’ve got some good guidance on that in terms of what’s been set up in the town so far, so we can follow that.”

            Motivated in part by potential property interests on a personal level, Nelson said she began attended Planning Board Zoom meetings in early January. “It’s helpful to know what are the topics that the town is looking for, so I’ve been lurking for a while,” she said.

            By all accounts, Friday’s turnout was a disappointment, numbering only 565 voters. Polls at the Cushing Community Center closed at 7:00 pm instead of the traditional 8:00 pm, and two bewildered would-be voters arrived during the aftermath only to learn of the truncated schedule. The Select Board had approved the change and the town had published the change. It was also a slow day for write-in votes, as a total of 24 were spread thinly across seven elections.

            With 494 votes, Select Board Chair Randy Parker ran unopposed and begins a new three-year term. The race saw six write-in votes and 65 ballots left blank, as were incumbents George “TJ” Walker (426 votes against four write-ins and 135 blank) to the Board of Assessors, Brad Gordon (470 votes against five write-ins and 90 blank) as town moderator, and John Howard (431 votes against three write-ins and 131 blank) to the Board of Health.

            Marion School Committee incumbents Mary Beauregard (414 votes), Michelle Smith (402), and April Rios (394) ran unopposed and were re-elected, Smith and Rios to three-year terms. Because Beauregard was appointed in the days following the 2020 election after a write-in winner declined the seat, her term will expire in 2023. According to Magauran, the appointment of an elected official expires at the end of the current term. Then that appointee would have to be elected for the next term. There were three write-ins in the 2021 race with 482 ballots left blank.

            Deborah Ewing (428 votes) will fill the seat vacated by Open Space Acquisition Committee Vice Chair Alan Harris, who chose not to run for re-election. There were two write-ins and 135 ballots left blank.

Marion Town Election

By Mick Colageo

Marion Democratic Town Committee

on

Registered Democrats in Marion will hold a caucus on June 17 to elect Delegates and Alternates to the 2021 Massachusetts Democratic State Convention. The caucus will take place virtually. Registered Marion Democrats who wish to participate may join the Zoom Meeting: us02web.zoom.us/j/89977386439?pwd=VlM1dmFxRW92bmo4QUVKdkFRTHJadz09

Meeting ID: 899 7738 6439

Passcode: 881795

One tap mobile

+19292056099,,89977386439#,,,,*881795# US (New York)

            This year’s state convention will be held on September 25 (location forthcoming), where Democrats from across the state will come together to adopt a Party platform, discuss Party business, and celebrate our successes as we prepare for upcoming elections. The event will take place in-line with all federal, state, and local health guidelines and will include a virtual option for participation.

            The caucus is open to all registered and pre-registered Democrats of Marion. Pre-registered Democrats who will be 16 by June 15, 2021 will be allowed to participate and run as a Delegate or Alternate. Marion can elect three Delegates and three Alternates to the Convention. (Delegates/Alternates must include male and female participants.)

            Youth, minorities, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals who are not elected as a Delegate or Alternate may apply to be an Add-on Delegate at the caucus or at www.massdems.org by August 6.

            Those interested in getting involved with the Marion Democratic Town Committee should contact Sharon Matzek at 603-759-9287 or visit our Facebook website.

Taber Library Seeks Input

on

The Elizabeth Taber Library needs your help! We are planning for the future and would like the input from everyone in the Tri-Town area. What do you love about the Elizabeth Taber Library? What could be improved? What is on your wish list? Please take a few minutes to fill out the survey and let us know your opinion. Everyone who fills out the survey is entered into a chance for a gift card to either Uncle Jon’s or Kate’s Good Eats! Thank you. Here is the link: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf0FAsK6ZZJrbYR1Swj3dF7MQLVfRtzVr42oSYbTAKLg_AYCw/viewform

            For more information, call Liz Sherry, ETL director, at 508-748-1252.

Bauer Wins Select Board Race

on

There were flowing tears of joy from Jodi Lynn Bauer and her campaign workers on May 18 as the election results were read by Mattapoisett Town Clerk Cathy Heuberger: Bauer with 1,154 votes and Nicole Demakis with 821.

            “I’m glad its over,” Bauer exclaimed while still wiping away tears. She said the last few months had been long, but she was delighted. And she made it clear that she wanted to be called a “selectman,” not a Select Board member because the title change was not officially accepted at the state level yet. The gender-neutral title passed at the May 10 Spring Town Meeting.

            Bauer said she is proud to have the opportunity to work with Select Board member Jordan Collyer and Town Administrator Mike Lorenco and felt honored to be given the chance to do so. She said this election was unique for the number of people that came out to vote, something she said she had never witnessed before for a local election. Over 1,500 voters turned out in what Heuberger said was a steady stream all day. One voter slipped in with only seconds to spare.

            When asked, Bauer conceded that name recognition had most likely helped her win, along with owning a local barber shop with what she termed as “wonderful clientele.” She said she also believes that her many years of volunteering on a number of boards and committees added to the positive result. “I’ve always been involved, and I’ll continue to be involved,” she said.

            Bauer was asked how she felt as a mother, given her son Garrett Bauer was elected as the new highway surveyor with 1,148 votes to Gary Bowman’s 766. With tears once again welling in her eyes, she turned her thoughts to her own mother. She said she was eager to speak with her mother, who at 83 years old, held signs for her family members. “She must be thrilled to have lived long enough to see all our accomplishments,” Bauer beamed. Bauer’s mother, the former Mattapoisett town clerk for decades, Lois Ennis, was by their side all the way.

            Bauer gave much credit for her election win to her dedicated campaign workers, hugging them after the elections results were declared.

            Other contested races were two seats on the Mattapoisett School Committee with James Muse keeping his with 1,178 votes and Tiffini Reedy taking an open seat with 877 votes. Elizabeth Sylvia received 1,170 votes for a seat on the Library Board of Trustees, as did William Osier with 983 votes.

            The single question on the ballot, Question One, asked voters allow the town to be exempt from the provisions of Proposition 2 ½, an amount required to pay for the bond issued in order to pay costs associated with the 75-percent design needed for the Village Streets roadway project. Voters agreed with 1,057 ‘yes’ votes against 634 ‘no’ votes.

Mattapoisett Town Election

By Marilou Newell

David E. Fox

on

Attorney David E. Fox, 80, of Mattapoisett, Massachusetts died on May 17, 2021 at his home in Mattapoisett after a brief illness.

            He leaves his wife of 47 years, Barbara (White) Fox, his daughter, Deborah (Fox) Medici; sons, David B. Fox and his wife Janice of West Bridgewater; Todd Hutchinson of Titusville, FL; and a brother, John Fox of Greensboro, GA; 5 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; and a niece and 2 nephews.

            He was preceded in death by his son Brad Hutchinson of Irving, TX; sister, Elizabeth (Fox) Jacobs of Ohio, his parents, John T. and Florence E. (Noble) Fox, and a wife, Brenda Fox.

            Born in Keene, NH, he was raised in Southern Vermont and moved to Pembroke, MA to raise his family before retiring to Mattapoisett in 2013.

            He was formerly employed as a trust & estate attorney for Plymouth Home National in Brockton and had a private law practice in Norwell with the late Charlie Hayes, and later with John T. Reynolds.

            David, affectionally known as “Papa”, is remembered for being highly devoted to his family, and always putting them first! One of his greatest passions was sailing, and he owned several sailboats in his lifetime. He was also an avid rower, hiker and camper.

            David was a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association; The Twenty Associates of Brockton; Whaling City Rowing, New Bedford; and the Mattapoisett Yacht Club.

            Visiting hours will be held on Friday, May 21st from 4-7 pm at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home For Funerals, 50 County Road, Mattapoisett. For directions and online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

            In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the American Cancer Society, https://www.cancer.org/involved/donate.html

MRV Water District Earns Award

on

            The news may have come at the end of the June 11 meetings of the Mattapoisett River Valley Water Supply Protection Advisory Committee and Mattapoisett River Valley Water District Commission, but it was hailed as a great accomplishment when Mattapoisett Water and Sewer Superintendent Henri Renauld announced that the district had received a Massachusetts Environmental Protection Agency award for Outstanding Performance and Achievement. Renauld said the award spoke to the work done by all to ensure the safety of public drinking water in the district.

            Earlier in the meeting, Laurell Farinon, Rochester’s conservation agent and representative on these committees, announced her departure. She still has another month to go before heading towards a new career in nursing, but the impact of her departure will have far reaching implications not only in Rochester but throughout the MRV, which serves the Tri-Town and Fairhaven. Farinon has been the clerk on both the committee and the commission for many years, and her contributions, all agreed, exceeded much more than setting up meetings and taking minutes.

            Chairman Vinnie Furtado of Fairhaven said he would like someone on the two committees to step up and volunteer but understood if people wanted a chance to think it over. The vacancy will be on the June agendas.

            Jon Gregory of Tata and Howard said he is willing to assist in any way possible. “We’re here to help,” said Gregory, who also reported that new pieces for the level loggers, devices that measure water levels and other critical data, have been installed and are functioning properly. Gregory also suggested a quarterly report from his office to the members, an overview on monitoring data. He also mentioned the need to renew contracts moving into FY22 for both entities.

            Moving into their MRV Water District Commission meeting, Gregory said that a pilot test of new filters is underway. He explained that the sampling will take four weeks with two rounds of samples sent to the Department of Environmental Protection. Gregory said that once the pilot program has concluded, a full scope will be drafted for the towns’ consideration. Gregory also reported that chemical bid estimates are pending and will be ready by the end of June.

            Renauld noted that the plant located at Tinkham Lane is having raw water sampling inconsistencies. Renauld said that there had been some abnormal tests and will most likely conduct some line flushing to see if that clears up the issue.

            The next meetings of the MRVWSPAC and MRVWDC are scheduled for June 8 beginning at 3:30 pm.

Mattapoisett River Valley Water Supply Protection Advisory Committee/District Commission

By Marilou Newell

Junta Mon: Together in Music

on

The New Bedford Symphony Orchestra (NBSO) and Cape Verdean Association (CVA) will be holding Junta Mon: Together in Music, a collaborative musical event on Saturday, June 5, 2021 from 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm at Island Park at 1157 Acushnet Avenue in the North End of New Bedford. This no-charge musical event for the whole family will feature songs by Cape Verdean musicians, a second set by several NBSO musicians, and then culminate as the two groups play together in partnership.

            Musicians for the CVA include Carlos (Kalu) Lopes on the bass guitar and José (Josca) Lopes and Vicente Brito on acoustic guitar. Musicians for the NBSO include Peter Zay on the cello, EmmaLee Holmes-Hicks on the violin, and Piero Guimaraes on percussion. This fun and informal concert will include a wide range of styles including Cape Verdean, popular, classic, and fiddling. This project is funded in part by Wicked Cool Places, financed by the City of New Bedford’s Arts, Culture, and Tourism Fund. This concert will follow all applicable state and local safety measures.

            The event will celebrate the park construction scheduled to start in July. Plans for the park’s renewal include transforming the empty lot into an area with an amphitheater, open lawn seating, lawn oval, paved walkways, and plantings. Island Park is located alongside the former Strand Theatre at 1157 Acushnet Avenue and features a multi-panel mural painted by local artist Eden Soares. The theater is currently undergoing renovation into a multi-purpose Cape Verdean Community Cultural Center, which will reflect the City’s diversity and inclusivity.

Wear Your Life Jacket to Work Day

on

Help raise boating and life jacket safety awareness! Come to Ready, Set, Wear It Life Jacket event on Friday, May 21, sponsored locally by U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 63 Onset Marion to raise awareness of the life-saving importance of always wearing a life jacket while boating. Visit www.safeboatingcampaign.com or www.facebook.com/flotilla63 for more information.

            U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 63 Onset Marion reminds you to always wear your life jacket while boating.