Harris Bids MOSAC Official Farewell

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            Vice Chairman Alan Harris decided not to run for re-election to the Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission primarily because he believes new blood is needed to strengthen the group. Chairman John Rockwell said during MOSAC’s May 6 Zoom meeting that he hopes Harris will remain interested in what commission is doing.

            “Mostly, Alan, thank you for your guidance and thoughtful suggestions over the years on guiding us through turbulent times,” said Rockwell.

            In his Point Road Path update, Rockwell reported that he put down some stakes with assistance from area resident Carol Molander, and more needs to be done.

            “I will not be on MOSAC at that time, but I will be there,” said Harris, noting that Deborah Ewing is running unopposed for the commission’s open seat in the May 14 town election. “I highly recommend her,” he said.

            Clearing for power lines resulted in a lot of stumps, according to Rockwell, who suggested the path be far enough off the road to avoid many construction problems.

            In his Hoff Property Conservation Restriction update, Rockwell reported positive feedback to pathway cleanup performed by the Sippican Lands Trust.

            Open space maintenance has been focused on fire roads on existing trails, and Rockwell reported on a meeting with Fire Chief Brian Jackvony, who wrote a memo indicating interest in looking at two of the properties involved. Rockwell told members he and Jackvony are working on setting up a walking expedition.

            MOSAC is looking to update its bike path plan where it borders Sherman Briggs’ proposed development off Spring Street near Mill Street.

            Under the approval of April meeting minutes, Harris noted for the minutes a fire at Peirson Woods, which he emphasized is Sippican Lands Trust property but not his property.

            Car traffic at Grassi Bog has become more consistent, according to Harris, who suggested a sign be posted there. Harris believes the signs reminding dog owners to clean up after their pets are working.

            Harris’ final word as a MOSAC member to his peers was, “Thank you all for all your work.”

            The next meeting of the Marion Open Space Acquisition Committee is scheduled for June 3 at 7:00 pm.

Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission

By Mick Colageo

ORR Students to Perform ‘MacBeth’

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The Old Rochester Regional High School Drama Club will perform “Macbeth” on May 21-22 as an outdoor film event at the high school.

            Based on “The Tragedy of Macbeth” by Sir William Shakespeare and starring Tyler Trudeau as Macbeth and Chloe Bean as Lady Macbeth, the cast includes Isabel Friedrichs, Lee Grondin, Jimmy Harrington, Bessie Pierre, Jessica Vance, and Max Tucker.

            Directors Beth Trout and Matthew P. Houde say, “Macbeth is a play about the desire to have it all while not caring who you hurt along the way. Macbeth and Banquo, two generals from King Duncan’s army, fight to move up the line of succession to become King of Scotland. During their physical and mental battles, Macbeth takes matters into his own hands while involving a slew of other characters to do his dirty work. He eventually reaches his goal of King, but not while hurting many people along the way. In the end, does Macbeth truly win it all?”

            The play is supported by Assistant Director Margaret Berry and Stage Manager Bailey Gosse with Set Construction by John Ashley, Costume Design by Marina Stephens, Set Design and Poster Art by Taylor Green, Lighting by Cooper Newton, Camera Operator Chris Bell, and Property Manager Tiago Duarte. Berry and Bell serve as the production’s editors.

            The event opens at 7:30 pm with an 8:30 pm showtime. The ORR softball field will be the outdoor film event venue, and refreshments will be available for purchase at concession tables.

            Advance tickets are $30 carload or $5 per person the night of the film and can be purchased through Eventbright beginning Wednesday, May 5. For more information, visit the FORD website: bit.ly/ORRDrama-FORD-2021.

Joseph S. Gumlak

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Joseph S. Gumlak, 71, loving husband and father, of Marion, MA, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 8, 2021 after a period of declining health. He was the son of the late Joseph and Stella Gumlak.

            He is survived by his wife Mary (MacNeil) Gumlak, daughter Sarah Gumlak, sister-in-law Elaine Gumlak, and nieces Denise, Darlene, Delaine, and Diane (with all their kids and grandkids!), as well as the countless friends, colleagues, and clients whose lives he touched. He was predeceased by his brother Jerry and sister Joan.

            Joe was born in Buffalo, NY, and after the death of his parents was raised by his brother and sister-in-law, Jerry and Elaine Gumlak. He graduated from St. Francis High School and attended Marquette University before serving in the Army as a linguist, training at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey. When he completed his service, he returned to finish his undergraduate degree at Canisius College in Buffalo. He then went on to obtain a Masters in Psychology at Xavier University in Cincinnati.

            As a psychologist, Joe dedicated his practice to helping his clients live the lives they wanted to live, as well as inspiring those clients to offer support to their peers and communities through local organizations. He worked at several institutions over the years, including Doctors Hospital (now Adcare) and Fallon Clinic, both in Worcester, MA, Healthcare Plan in Buffalo, NY, and most recently, High Point Treatment Center in New Bedford, MA. In his personal life, Joe and Mary enjoyed decades of home improvement projects and gardening, traveling the country and beyond, and raising their daughter Sarah, who is now a psychiatrist in Maine. Joe loved kids, dogs, flowers, and baseball. The last thing he did with his wife and daughter was a Simon and Garfunkel sing-along, and the last thing playing on his TV was a Red Sox game.

            Joe had early onset Alzheimer’s, and we are grateful for the excellent medical care he received. In lieu of flowers, donations in Joe’s memory may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association MA/NH Chapter at www.alz.org/manh.

            We have decided to defer a memorial service to a later date, most likely in late summer, so that friends and family who live at a distance may safely join us if they wish. Joe’s obituary on www.saundersdwyer.com will be updated when service details are finalized so please check back.

Revising Float System a Delicate Matter

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            The manner, method, and size of how William E. Weber Jr. and Elizabeth Weber would replace an existing float and bottom-anchored chain system with a pile-held, two-float system at their 21 East Avenue home was discussed by the Marion Conservation Commission in a continued public hearing on April 28.

            Continued from April 14, the discussion was a deep dive into the length of pile stops, their impact on shellfish habitat, and recommendations of the state Division of Marine Fisheries.

            The emerging opinion among Conservation Commission members was that Division of Marine Fisheries standards should be followed. DMF recommended 30-inch float stops was interpreted as a gauge for shellfish disturbance.

            Chairman Shaun Walsh told project representative Dave Davignon of Schneider, Davignon & Leone Inc. that a smaller float than what is proposed might come with DMF’s blessing to use 24-inch float stops.

            The Webers filed a Notice of Intent for work in shallow water that would hopefully allow the family to enjoy the float this summer, but approvals are complicated.

            ConCom member Jeff Doubrava reported his struggle with the area of disturbance. “I don’t begrudge anybody the right to use the waterways,” he said, noting it is now a 60-foot float.

            Davignon said the gangway is 45 feet long, at least twice the length of a normal gangway, and it is so heavy it needs to be centered on the float. “That can’t be corrected unless we put in a pile-supported pier in the waterway,” he said.

            One ConCom member asked if the applicant knew what the harbormaster recommended, and Davignon and William E. Weber Jr. reported the harbormaster’s support for their plan.

            Although ConCom Chair Shaun Walsh determined that the lack of depth of the water in the area negate navigational interference for boats, he said it’s on the applicant to come up with a design that meets DMF approval. Davignon said the plan had not yet been submitted to DMF and it could be, but Walsh said he prefers for ConCom to see and vet the plan before it goes to the state level.

            “I would strongly urge the applicant to revise the plans to meet DMF’s recommendations,” said Walsh.

            Based on the time it takes to obtain a Chapter 91 license, Davignon told ConCom he doesn’t believe he’ll be able to install pilings until winter or spring of 2022. “But we can certainly revise the plans to comply with the 30-inch height requirement regardless of the method that they be installed for this year and next year.”

            Walsh reasserted that 30-inch float stops would be within DMF’s recommendations.

            Davignon agreed to a continuance to the commission’s May 12 meeting at 7:00 pm.

            Sippican Lands Trust was issued negative determinations of applicability for two of three RDAs filed on April 12 that were continued to April 28.

            One negative determination will allow the placement of boards atop existing rocks allowing passage over a stream for visitors to White Eagle parcel at Old Indian Trail Road. The other negative determination will allow the repair of a stone wall, and removal and cutback of invasive vegetation across from 173 Front Street.

            In the continued public hearing proposing the rerouting of the Osprey Marsh trail to avoid encroachment of private property at 354 Point Road, the SLT reported ongoing work with a design engineer to survey of the applicable portion of the property. No timeline had been established by the April 28 meeting. Walsh said that once the land is surveyed and stakes are established to delineate the property line, the option will be there to “go back out to look at the least invasive rerouting” of the path.

            The case was continued to May 12 at 7:00 pm.

            In a continued public hearing, Todd Zell was issued a Negative 3 determination of applicability for what ConCom called buffer-zone work associated with a construction project involving a roadway, underground utilities, and stormwater management spanning the Rochester town line.

            In a public hearing continued from April 14, Anne Bramhall was issued a three-year Order of Conditions to remove non-invasive vegetation and trees within the buffer zone to bordering vegetated wetlands at 260 Converse Road. No cutting of vegetation will be permitted within 25 feet of the wetlands line.

            Under Action Items, ConCom voted to approve Diane Sorace’s request for a Certificate of Compliance for work at 12 West Avenue.

            The Zoning Board of Appeals requested comment from ConCom, which considered the cases of Antoinette Russell and Louis Bailey at 63 Pleasant Street and the case of Nicole Gotthold at 39 Ryder Lane not to be within its jurisdiction.

            In a new public hearing, Kyle Prien filed an RDA for construction of a shed measuring 16 by 16 feet on a slab at 19 Giffords Corner Road. In keeping with Marion’s remote-access meeting policy, the case was presented and continued to May 12.

            The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission is scheduled for May 12 at 7:00 pm.

Marion Conservation Commission

By Mick Colageo

Mattapoisett Candidates

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Editor’s note: The Wanderer invited candidates in contested races (more candidates than open seats) to write up to 350 words explaining their candidacy. Questions submitted by the League of Women Voters South Coast helped provide talking points for the candidates. Two candidates are running for open seat on the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen that is being vacated by Paul Silva. The seat held by the late John DeCosta will be addressed in a separate election. The entries for the May 18 election are presented in alphabetical order:

Jodi Lynn Bauer – Mattapoisett Selectmen

            After hearing of Paul Silva’s retirement, the time felt right. I feel a woman’s viewpoint will help with the general operations of Town Government. I’ve been encouraged by townspeople for years to run because I am involved, caring and supportive.

            I have been a business owner in town for 35 years and also handled the financial affairs for our family concrete business. I was elected to the Community Preservation Committee, decision making to support or not recommend taxpayer dollars on preservation, land purchase and other projects. I actively attend town meetings and pay attention to Mattapoisett’s fiscal standings.

            It’s important to consider the needs of the older residents in town. Most of these residents have lived here their entire lives and raised families here. They have paid taxes for years and deserve to stay here. There needs to be options for older residents to downsize or find affordable living. I support the Council on Aging and we need to continue to offer services to our seniors. If change is needed to Mattapoisett’s Zoning ordinances, I’d encourage affordable housing for the older population and the new young homeowners. We also have an industrial district that could accommodate more business, and Route 6 could grow.

            How does anyone generate interest to the public to serve any office? Working as a boy scout leader for years, encouragement is key and helps lead by providing information. Residents that commit their time to serve on boards/committees are citizens that care for their community. If you have ideas, devote yourself. It’s rewarding and makes you aware of what’s going on in your community.

            Mattapoisett currently holds a AAA bond rating, key to keeping this town’s high standards with borrowing so we can continue to proceed with larger projects. I will work with the town administrator, selectmen, Finance Committee and the town’s financial team to continue our successful financial standing. If the town were to receive a $1,000,000 grant to use as I wanted, depending on the stipulations of such monies, I’d look into housing at this time. Thank you.

Nicki Demakis – Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen

            I grew up here and, while I’ve had a home in Mattapoisett village for many years, I now live here permanently and want to lend my professional services to my hometown. Mattapoisett faces a perfect storm of initiatives and challenges that will require experienced leadership.

            I am a trained trial lawyer with significant experience building consensus across groups of people with diverse viewpoints, working toward common goals. As a business owner and partner of a law firm, I play a leadership role in setting policy, implementing procedures, and enforcing an annual strategic plan. This skillset aligns well with the responsibility of a selectman.

            Affordable housing for certain populations in town is in demand and below the 10 percent threshold required by law, triggering 40B consideration. I have other ideas how Mattapoisett could use existing zoning bylaws to allow Accessory Dwelling Units or in-law apartments to be utilized more dynamically. Mattapoisett’s Zoning Ordinance, per Section 7.3 of Mattapoisett’s Zoning By-laws, can only be amended at an annual or special Town Meeting in accordance with the provisions of MGL Section 5 Chapter 40A. This means that they may only be changed by town vote.

            To generate more interest in public service, I would retool our municipal workforce to avoid having employees report to family members in positions of supervision. Qualifications for public office should not be dependent upon family legacy, rather based on education, professional skillset and relevant/business experience.

            If elected, my first priority in improving Mattapoisett’s financial standing would be to keep our Triple A Standard & Poor’s bond rating so we can continue negotiating favorable borrowing rates and retire debt before taking on new debt, while continuing to explore ways to reduce the tax rate and increase revenue from other sources.

            If Mattapoisett received a $1,000,000 grant to use any way I wanted, I would fund an assessment of all town buildings, establish a grant matching account so the town has funds available for any project partially funded by a grant, and what remains to be used on capital items considered by the board.

Editor’s note: The Wanderer invited candidates in contested races (more candidates than open seats) to write up to 350 words explaining their candidacy. Questions submitted by the League of Women Voters South Coast helped provide talking points for the candidates. Two candidates are running for the open seat vacated by retiring Mattapoisett Highway Surveyor Barry Denham. The entries are presented in alphabetical order:

Garrett Bauer – Mattapoisett Highway Surveyor

            My name is Garrett Bauer and I am a candidate running for Mattapoisett Highway Surveyor. I was raised in Mattapoisett, graduated from Old Rochester Regional High School in 2009 and earned a bachelor’s degree from Plymouth State University. I have been with the Highway Department for nearly nine years and have developed the skills and responsibilities to lead the department. I am licensed in all aspects at the Highway Department and continue to better myself by attending classes related to municipal budgeting, capital planning and the latest OSHA standards.

            With roughly 45 miles of paved town road, it is important that we apply basic maintenance to achieve full longevity of pavement. In areas of town where a reconstruction is needed, we apply compliance with stormwater management, ADA-compliant sidewalks and communication with the Water/Sewer Department and local utilities. While reconstructing to modern standards, we keep in mind the character of Mattapoisett and the importance of access to town services. With COA, the town nurse, library, tennis courts, waterfront and Town Hall centralized in the village, it is vital to have safe pedestrian travel to these services and recreational facilities. Not only is the village a concern for pedestrian travel, areas like North Street towards the Rochester line, the bike path intersections and safe road crossing along Route 6 need to be taken into account. I intend to look at all of that mileage and determine what is best for the town.

            Having grown up in Mattapoisett with an extensive family history, I genuinely care for the community. I love my job and the people I work with and take pride in the department. I understand the department’s capital needs and the importance of a balanced budget. I know where the town needs to improve roadways, where to do maintenance and take responsibility to provide the residents with safe and convenient roadways. While good condition of pavement is pertinent, providing the town with solid service and maintenance is expected. I look forward to the election and hope to be elected as Mattapoisett’s next highway surveyor.

Gary Bowman – Mattapoisett Highway Surveyor

            My name is Gary Bowman and I am running for the position of Highway Surveyor in Mattapoisett. I live here in Mattapoisett with my wife and son and I am a lifelong resident. My biggest inspiration to run for this position is my father, who held the position for 19 years. His love for the town and dedication for the job made a lasting impression on me.

            I have grown up around construction and as a teenager spent a lot of time at the Highway Department. I witnessed firsthand the duties of the Highway Department and how they were done. For over 20 years, I have also been a part-time snowplow operator for the town.

            I have owned a small excavation business for the past nine years. I perform excavation for foundations, water, sewer, other utilities, grading and some landscaping. Working for myself has given me a lot of experience working with a budget, working with customers and other contractors. Before starting my company, I worked for a sand gravel company for 12 years. My job was to operate all equipment, service and make repairs. My duties included building cranberry bogs, irrigation ponds and the maintenance of gravel haul roads. This was a very small company and we were required to perform every task efficiently.

            The Highway Department, the town and the duties of the highway surveyor have grown a lot from years ago, and I accept that challenge. My goals are to keep operating costs down without affecting the great service that the people of Mattapoisett receive. This means making major purchases only when absolutely necessary, pursuing all state and federal monies that are available for road improvements and, most of all, helping keep the tradition of great work that past and present workers and surveyors have done for Mattapoisett. Thank you.

Editor’s note: The Wanderer invited candidates in contested races (more candidates than open seats) to write up to 350 words explaining their candidacy. Questions submitted by the League of Women Voters South Coast helped provide talking points for the candidates. Three candidates including incumbents William Osier and Elizabeth Sylvia are running for two open seats on the Mattapoisett Library Trustees. The entries are presented in alphabetical order:

William Osier – Mattapoisett Library Trustees

            Currently serving as Chairman of the Mattapoisett Free Public Library Board of Trustees, I am running for re-election in 2021.

            The public library is an institution central to the community and for the great benefit of all citizens. Not only is the Mattapoisett library a remarkable collection of 49,028 books and a total of 55,973 items, and in addition to books, lending everything from a fishing pole to a telescope, but also sponsors numerous cultural programs, including lectures, films, music performances, etc. From all directions, the library is an essential part of the Mattapoisett Community.

            As a former educator, teacher of English, and Head of School, I have always been closely associated with libraries, and now I am delighted and honored to participate in this extraordinary service, led by our talented Director and wonderful staff.

            I thank you for the opportunity I have had to serve, and I look forward to continuing this rewarding work.

Jennifer F. Shepley – Mattapoisett Library Trustees

            By running for Library Trustee in the hometown I love, I seek only to serve. I believe in public service. For me, our library is integral and necessary to the community.

            Who am I? I earned my master’s degree in Education and taught English and Gender Issues in public schools for eight years. I now work as a Certified Financial Planner in town, following in my father’s footsteps. Reach me online at Shepleyplanning.com.

            I served many years on the Friends of the Mattapoisett Library board. We raised funds to improve the library for all patrons. You may recognize me from book sales and other fundraisers. I enjoyed the relationship the FOML had with the librarian and with the library trustees.

            I want to continue the efforts to support the library and librarian for Mattapoisett by serving as trustee. Please vote. Every vote matters.

Elizabeth Sylvia – Mattapoisett Library Trustees

            I am currently running as a candidate for re-election to the Mattapoisett Library Board of Trustees. I have served on the board for three years and hold the role of board clerk. I was initially asked to run for the position by the former director Susan Pizzolato because of my family’s deep love for the Mattapoisett Library. Before the pandemic, rarely a week passed without our family visiting the library, often more than once! As a parent and an English teacher, children and youth programming are particularly important to me. Our library has a wonderful children’s department that draws families from surrounding communities, which is an important metric of a library’s vitality. I hope to continue working on maintaining youth engagement as children age so that today’s picture book readers become tomorrow’s “upstairs” patrons.

            As the world changes, the library’s role will continue to change. I hope to be able to continue supporting the library’s innovative programs and collections, like the STEAM kits and 3D printer, that create new ways for patrons to use the library, and I will continue to support the library’s commitment to collections diversity. Last year, at my suggestion, the library began a diversity audit; the picture books collection exceeded expectations for representing diversity, and the junior books collections are now working towards meeting that goal.

            Like every institution, the library has faced unexpected challenges in the past year. I’m proud of how well the new director worked to retain our community’s connection to the library, and as we move towards returning to “normal,” it is essential that the library continues to reach out and reengage with the community through a variety of means. I see meeting and exceeding pre-pandemic levels of community usage as the library’s single most important mission in the next year. Libraries are essential institutions of community literacy and civic engagement! Please support my candidacy so that I can continue supporting our wonderful library.

Editor’s note: The Wanderer invited candidates in contested races (more candidates than open seats) to write up to 350 words explaining their candidacy. Questions submitted by the League of Women Voters South Coast helped provide talking points for the candidates. Three candidates, including incumbent James Muse (chairman), are running for two open seats on the Mattapoisett School Committee. The entries are presented in alphabetical order:

Eric Beauregard – Mattapoisett School Committee

            I am Eric Beauregard, announcing my candidacy for Mattapoisett School Committee for a couple of important reasons. The 2020 global pandemic economically and emotionally strained every family, presenting our community with impactful challenges.

            Throughout the past year we learned which policies worked and which didn’t. The School Committee and Administration worked extremely hard last summer ensuring that our children maximized the opportunity to return for Academic Year 2021; it’s a thankless task that I will be the first to say thank you for all of your efforts. I am an advocate on mitigating identifiable risk and avoid being risk adverse because, if we are ever again confronted with a pandemic, we must be ready to keep our communities safe and functioning.

            I believe that with an elected seat on school committee I can offer attributes critical to the committee keeping our students and faculty strong, resourced and competitive using leadership, followership, andtrust. Yes, leadership is important providing purpose, motivation and direction; however, I value followership as critical element for the school committee that is often overlooked because followership welcomes new ideas, putting the needs of others before your own.

            A community builds trust from a common understanding that ultimately strengthens the culture of the School Committee and Administration. I believe that a candidate should also have a “common understanding” within the community beginning with children actively enrolled in the school system because it grounds elected leaders from a bottom-up approach as opposed to a top-down policy push through student and parent interaction. As our community finally postures for normalcy and the academic year nears completion, we need to keep in mind that we got here because of your sacrifices and contributions from a strong community, voicing your ideas, addressing your concerns, and I am eager to roll up my sleeves and get to work. I ask for your vote because the most important asset we have in this election is our children so please invest in our future.

            For more information visit Facebook; Eric Beauregard for Mattapoisett School Committee.

James Muse – Mattapoisett School Committee

            I have had the privilege of serving the citizens of Mattapoisett as a member of School Committee for nine years. My fellow members elected me as their chair for the last two years. In addition to serving on the Mattapoisett School Committee, I have been the committee’s designee to the Old Rochester Regional Committee for six years. I have served on the finance, contract negotiation, superintendent search and other subcommittees for both the district and elementary school boards. I served on the Elementary School Building Committee overseeing the schools’ reconstruction. I have been on the Board of Directors of the Southcoast YMCA for the past 20 years. I was a trustee at Southern New England School of Law for nine years until it became the UMass School of Law at Dartmouth.

            I am a candidate for re-election because I believe I have an obligation to support our community whenever and however I can. Community service is a family affair, I could not serve if not for the support of my wife and children. My wife and I are extremely grateful to the administrators, teachers, staff, and taxpayers of our town for giving our children a truly compassionate top-quality education. I hope to ensure that our current and future students have the same opportunities.

            This “Covid” year has been challenging to say the least. When our newly hired superintendent took over, he had to immediately hire almost a whole new team, including the assistant superintendent for Finance, assistant superintendent of Teaching and Learning as well as a director of Student Services. This team and all the teachers, administrators and staff, with the support of parents, town boards and officials, school councils and committees, developed a flexible plan that was thoughtfully modified and executed to provide a safe and equitable public education to all our children.

            I am proud to have supported our schools in these unprecedented times. If elected, I will draw on my personal experiences and institutional knowledge to help our school system deliver quality educational opportunities to every student in what we all hope will be less turbulent times.

Tiffini Reedy – Mattapoisett School Committee

            I was inspired to run for a seat on the Mattapoisett School Committee in part to advocate for and support increased mental health services and social and emotional learning supports in our schools.

            I’m a nurse practitioner certified in both primary care medicine and psychiatry across the lifespan. I practice in two busy outpatient clinics treating both children and adults. One thing I quickly learned during the COVID-19 pandemic is that mental health care has never been needed more.

            Our family decided to move to this beautiful seaside town nearly two years ago largely for the renowned school system. Currently, I have a daughter at Center School and a son who will join her in two short years. This year, I’ve attended all school committee meetings and am acutely aware of the roles, responsibilities, challenges and opportunities presented to committee members. As a parent of children in the elementary district for the next eight years, I also have a vested interest in our district’s attention to the whole child.

            I have clearly heard the importance of ensuring our schools provide healthy and welcoming environments for all children, families and employees, prioritize scaffolding/additional supports for children and teachers ‘post-pandemic’ with emphasis on social, emotional and learning supports, working with our school leaders to make processes associated with student services (IEPs and more) more transparent for students and families, ensuring our district is a thoughtful steward of taxpayer investments, and making sure all stakeholder voices are considered in town-wide capital planning efforts that will consider uses of our existing school buildings.

            I believe every child deserves an educational experience second to none. I believe in transparency and working together to create a better, brighter future. I trust in our dedicated educators and hope to support them, along with students and families, as we all continue to navigate these unprecedented waters. Any questions, please contact me at Tmm1119@gmail.com. I close by asking for your vote on Tuesday, May 18. With your support, I know tomorrow will be a better day for our children and families!

MAC Seeks Artwork for Online Auction

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Ready to downsize to a tiny house (or at least a smaller one)? Need to make room for new artwork? Ready to part with that piece of sculpture you thought you couldn’t live without? Now is the time! Back by popular demand, the Marion Art Center is preparing for its second summer online art auction fundraiser with a request to the public for donations of well-cared-for, preowned pieces of art. Potential donations cover a broad range of categories including framed wall art, sculpture, glass, handmade ceramics, objets d’art, and more. On the suggestion of last year’s enthusiastic bidders, a new category, jewelry, will be introduced to this summer’s offerings.

            In addition to generating much needed funding to underwrite the operating costs of this treasured Southcoast resource, the online art auction promotes MAC’s mission to support and promote vibrant art experiences in the community. Donating objects for the auction provides an opportunity for the greater community to gift quality works of art, confident that they will provide years of viewing pleasure and appreciation to a new owner.

            “We are accepting items until June 15, but early donations to the auction are strongly encouraged,” says the MAC’s Executive Director Jodi Stevens. She notes that this will provide the opportunity to photograph each piece and gather as much information as possible to document a submission’s provenance. This year, in addition to being able to view auction offerings online, the public is invited to visit the Marion Art Center during our Summer Art Auction Days scheduled July 28-31, where each auction item will be on exhibit.

            Spring is an ideal time to declutter, revaluate, and renew your interiors, including items buried deep in a closet or relegated long ago to the attic or cellar. Contact the Marion Art Center today set the process in motion – you and the community will be better for it! Call the MAC at 508-748-1266 or email info@marionartcenter.org with “Auction Donation” in the subject line.

ORRHS Term 3 Honor Roll

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The following students have achieved honors for the third term at Old Rochester Regional High School.

                  High Honors, Grade 9: Noah Bongiorno, Theodore Cecil, Henry Cooney, Sara Costa, Elizabeth Harrington, Matthew Kennefick, Camryn Maniatis, Owen Modracek, Garrett Salit, Reese Souza, Tyler Williams. Grade 10: Mya Braga, Torsten Brickley, Tyler Cardinal, Failenn Fitzpatrick, Alexander Harrigan, Sofia Irish, Philip le Gassick, Jillian LeBlanc, Jordan Nguyen, Jeffrey Radek, Lauren Rapoza, Kira Sarkarati, Norah Schiappa, Samuel Williamson. Grade 11: Jaelyn Allen, Amanda Armanetti, Isabella Correia, Anna Dube, Jillian Ferreira, Edward Gonet, Mia Hall, Mia Hemphill, John Kassabian, Drew Miranda, Emily Murphy, Olivia Mydlack, Sawichaya Phimolmas, Isabella Romig, Emma Thorell, Cameran Weaver. Grade 12: Taylor Amaral, Shelby Carmichael, Margaret Carroll, Mia Costa, Colin Kulak, Brianna Machado, Colin Mackin, Abigail McFadyen, Lindsey O’Donnell, Daphne Poirier, Kathleen Tenerowicz, Mason Tucker, Emma Vivino, Emma Williamson.

                  Highest Honors, Grade 9: Chloe Bean, Murray Callahan, Meredith Cameron, Julia Crain, Alia Cusolito, Dylan Durgin, Amber Engel, Cole Goldie, Jaymison Gunschel, Jacob Hadley, Corinne Hibbert, Macy Ingham, Theo Jacobsen, Lily Johnson, Sara Kroll, Keelin Lienkamp, Anthony Marraffa, Marina Martins, Megan McFadyen, Ava McLeod, Derek Moreau, Jonathan Nguyen, Cattarinha Nunes, Brenna O’Donnell, Camila Paraskeva, Emilia Perriera, Andrew Porter, Kelly Quinlan, Marcus Robichaud, Kamryn Rodrigues, Gabriella Romig, Aiden Sellinger, Mariana Sudofsky, Angela Tomasso, Paetyn Tripp, Arielle Troupe, Jackson Veugen, Hanna Whalley, Allison Winters, Tyler Young, Liam Yurof. Grade 10: Rudy Arsenault, Ava Barrows, Reese Burger, Colin Carroll, Theodore Carroll, Caitlin Collier, David Costa, Julia Foye, Paige Fuller, Lila Galavotti, Liam Geraghty, Leo Grondin, Mason Hanks, Sakurako Huynh-Aoyama, Jacksen Martin, Landon Maxwell, William McIlmail, Quinn O’Brien-Nichols, Aidan O’Donnell, William O’Shaughnessy, Andrew Poulin, Corinne Robert, Reagan Rock, Ella Shultz, Arianna Vinagre, Emma Welter, Summer Williams, Sarah Wyman. Grade 11: Erin Besancon, Brendan Burke, James Coleman, Matthew Curry, Samuel Harris, Isabella Hunt, Emma Levasseur, Amaya McLeod, Stephen Old, Maria Psichopaidas, Maxwell Tucker, Klara Whalley, Nathan Yurof. Grade 12: Margaret Berry, Curtis Briggi, Alexander Craig, Meghan Craig, Erin Davis, Mariana Ditata, Rachael Fantoni, Sydney Feeney, Christina Fisher, Lauren Hartley, Lindsay Holick, Jhett Labonte, Jake Louden, Katelyn Luong, Serena O’Connell, Bessie Pierre, Rachel Pina, Raegan Rapoza, David Reynolds, Kennedy Serpa.

                  Honors, Grade 9: Emily Abbott, Helena Anesti, Ryan Arruda, Lila Bangs, Hunter Bishop, Emily Borges, Sofia Bouley, John Bowman, John Butler, Jorge Carrillo, Tyler Chick, Rylie Coughlin, Andrew Cournoyer-Geary, Amalia Dupre, Ryan Elicier, Ethan Furtado, Eva Hartley, Aubrey Heise, Rylee Kouta, Logan Leblanc, Zach LeBlanc, Lucas Long, Nashajia Monteiro, Caden Neves, Anna Pereira, Logan Perry, Madelyn Pham, Noah Pittsley, Alice Prefontaine, Allison Root, Katherine Scherer, Aidan Silk, Emma Whittaker, Remy Wilson. Grade 10: Samuel Balsis, Gabriella Berg, Ryan Blanchette, Ryan Cordeiro, Brady Dias, Joseph Dupre, Matthew Eby, Kate Feeney, Sawyer Fox, Keira Harkins, Dylan Hartley-Matteson, Derek Hiralall, Thomas Janicki, Aiden Lamontagne, Brady LaPierre, Ashley Lawrence, Emmanuella Lawrence, Kyle LeBlanc, Brady Lee, Mackenzie Luong, Drew MacGregor, Alexander Marsden, Jacob Maxwell, Kyle McCullough, Alexander Nguyen, Ava Noone, Abigail Paulette, Kaitlin Peck, Paul Petronelli, Grace Picewick, Nathaniel Robertson, Makenna Servais, Jacob Smith, Kyle Smith, Noah Sommers, Emma Van Ness, Isabella Vanderpol, Mackenzie Vigeant. Grade 11: Justin Allain, Brianna Arruda, Nathaniel Bangs, George Barry, Claudie Bellanger, Magdalena Brogioli, Sally Butler, Evan Correia, Jake Cronin, Sabrina Cunningham, Meredith Davignon, Emily DellaCioppa, David Ditata, Logan Fernandes, Isabel Friedrichs, Thomas Galavotti, Jenna Gamache, Brody Garber, Keira Gleasure, Taylor Green, Colby Gross, Ava Hall, Brooke Hammond, Lauren Higgins, Michael Holmes, Isabella Hunter, Chase Johnson, Lauryn Lent, Sean Lund, Keane MacGregor, Jamie MacKenzie, Jillian Martin, Sofia Martins, Drew Mastovsky, Ethan McElroy, Lucas McElroy, Brendan McIntire, Cole Meehan, Steven Morrell, Elijah Motta, Katherine Nilson, Ethan Perez-Dormitzer, Sydnee Pires, Marc Pothier, Zachary Proffit, Natalya Rivera, Hannah Rottler, Chase Ryan, Stephen Sauerbrey, Julia Sheridan, Damon Smead, Callie Tavares, Savannah Teixeira, Autumn Tilley, William Tirrell, Tyler Trudeau, Jennifer Williams, Madeline Wright. Grade 12: Stephen Arne, Novalye Arruda, Alexia Blais, Maya Blouin, Elizabeth Bungert, Isabella Carrillo, Emma Carroll, Steven Carvalho, Jillian Craig, Tessa DeMaggio, Carly Drew, Joseph Dumas, Katherine Dwyer, Reign Fernandes, Owen Fitzpatrick, Zachary Fitzpatrick, Abigail Forcier, Davis Fox, Prosser Friedman, Maeve Geraghty, Colby Graham, Samuel Guillotte, Griffin Henriques, Meghan Horan, Jaggar Jones, Tyler Karo, Sean Lally, Isabella LaPointe, Griffin Lawrence, Madisyn Leavitt, Emma Mello, Rebecca Milde, Christian Noble Shriver, Samuel Noblet, Evan O’Brien-Nichols, David Oliver, Faith Oliver, Brian Palker, Quintin Palmer, Jonathan Pereira, Ryan Quinlan, Aidan Root, Evan Smith, Paige Sommers, Sophia Sousa, Jacob Spark, William Stark, William Thomas, Jessica Vance, Tyler Wadman, Amanda Wheeler, Elizabeth Wiggin, Paige Zutaut, Rachel Zutaut.

Board Recommends Flood Plain Bylaw Article

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            Rochester Planning Board on May 11 held a public hearing for an Annual Town Meeting Warrant article pertaining to an amendment to the flood plain zoning bylaw, something Town Counsel Blair Bailey said the town must undergo every few years as the federal flood insurance regulations change every so often.

            Bailey said most people won’t notice anything resulting from the bylaw amendment, “But the ones who do pay [for flood insurance], they know.”

            The amendments, though, are positive in nature, Bailey said, as they do provide additional definitions and more clearly spell out specific situations and questions that have become common. The bylaw amendments will make having to dig through federal regulations to answer common questions of applicability less frequent for residents, he said.

            “Make no mistake … we don’t really have a choice,” said Bailey when it comes to adoption of this specific article. “This is what we’re told we have to pass in order for residents of the town to get coverage under the federal flood insurance program.” However, he added, it does not alter the program as it currently stands.

            With no questions from the board or the public, the board voted to recommend the article at Town Meeting on May 24.

            Before adjourning, Planning Board Chairman Arnie Johnson reminded the public that this was the final remotely held hybrid meeting of the Planning Board. All future meetings will be held at Old Colony in-person only; if the public has any questions about any current or future agenda items, he advised, “You must do it in person.”

            The public hearing for a Special Permit for Snipatuit Road Solar, LLC for a large-scale solar photovoltaic installation slated for 0 Snipatuit Road was continued until May 25 at the applicant’s request.

            The public hearing for a Definitive Subdivision Plan application, “Longbow Lane,” for Planning Board member Bendrix Bailey was also continued until May 25 at the applicant’s request.

            The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 25, at 7:00 pm and will be in-person only (no Zoom) at the Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School Library.

Rochester Planning Board

By Jean Perry

Bulldogs Learning from Title Run

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            For the first time since 1980, Old Rochester Regional High School volleyball is the cream of the crop in the South Coast Conference. After going a perfect 11-0 throughout the regular season, the Bulldogs managed to secure the SCC title by knocking off Somerset Berkley, GNB Voc-Tech and Case.

            “Going into that last game, we knew it was going to be the hardest game because we were going for both the undefeated season and the SCC; Case was going for the SCC and some revenge,” ORR coach Jimmy Oliveira said. “I absolutely think we got their best game. It was three sets, but it felt like a five-set thriller…. We were put in situations at the end of each set where we were tested, and we didn’t buckle. We didn’t leave the door open for them, and we finished the job.”

            While it took over four decades for ORR to earn another SCC volleyball banner, the 2020-21 Fall II season was only Oliveira’s fourth as varsity head coach. Winning the conference is a goal he has set for the team since he was promoted from coaching the JV squad, but now he doesn’t want his players to stop at the SCC title in the coming seasons.

            “Now that we’ve won the SCC, I want it to be the expectation now that they know that we’re capable of doing it,” ORR’s head coach said. “I think our confidence was riding high after beating Bourne, Case, and Voc-Tech, but I think finally getting over the hump and winning the SCC will go a long way with the group that we have returning, as well as the younger kids that go to witness it.”

            Of course, a perfect regular season with an SCC title was the absolute best the Bulldogs could have done this year. There was no MIAA state tournament for them to contend in due to the pandemic, but Oliveira thinks there was a little something extra his players walked away with this season — to go with their flawless record.

            “This team, yes, it was skilled – and I’ve said it before – but I think they really came together as a group on and off the court,” he said. “I feel like it’s hard to tell kids, ‘I want you to take life lessons from this, I don’t want it to be just about volleyball.’ I think this group really came around on that and they bought into that idea. They were able to push each other without having issues on the team, [and] I was able to push them. They’re just a great group of kids that responded really well.

            “I’m not here to be a preacher and tell them, ‘This is right, and this is wrong,’ but I want them to learn some things that they’ll find valuable in life. Whether they go onto college or a job, I want them to think back and be like, ‘Coach did this and it kind of relates.’”

Old Rochester Regional Football

            After an up-and-down regular season, ORR football worked its way into a chance at winning the SCC Blue Division title. They just had to get through their Thanksgiving Day rival, Apponequet. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, an SCC title was not in the cards after losing to the Lakers on May 8.

            Despite being on the wrong side of the 42-7 finish, the Bulldogs were the first to score in the game. Ryon Thomas found his brother, Dylon Thomas, for a 27-yard touchdown pass, then ORR’s QB knocked him the PAT to take an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter. From there, it was all Apponequet.

Sports Roundup

By Nick Friar

The American Lobster

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            The American Lobster is a classic coastal symbol of enormous national seafood environmental recognition steeped in history 400 years to the landing of the Pilgrims in Plymouth.

            Lobster had been so plentiful before then, the Mi‘kmaq natives easily found them along the water’s edge after a windstorm. They subsequently could be gathered by the plantation settlers for fertilizer and bait-fishing hooks or later fed to prisoners, slaves, and servants to the point that household help wrote into servitude contracts they could not be served shellfish more than twice a week.

            This environmental natural cornucopia of edible seafood grew to such proportion along the New England ports of call over the centuries, an industry was born that grew and changed the arts of nautical seagoing crafts that flourished and put nature’s most productive crustation on the colonial map.

            The nautical era of the lobster boat soon replaced the use of sailboats to reach distant productive shoals and deep waters, when outboard and inboard motors allowed fishermen to station boats above lucrative locations with ease of coming and going out of port, making the workday go faster and easier. Early lobster boats also had an open area of the hull where flowing saltwater could keep freshly caught lobsters alive and well.

            As technology advanced over the centuries, they decked out with radar depth sounders, location positioning, and radios for communication. This gradually made a very hard-working occupation of the sea-bitten laborers go somewhat faster and easier, but the industry itself remained hazardous and long suffering for, as they say, some went down to the sea in ships.

            Most modern lobster traps are factory-made of wood, covered with metal screens to consist of two main chambers, the kitchen and the parlor. The lobster first enters through funnel-shaped doors that lead to the kitchen where the bait is tied. Then it enters into the parlor with a smaller exit that permits only smaller and undersized ones to escape, leaving behind those of a larger, legal size to await their fate when the trap is pulled out of the water. Those big enough have two large claws, the largest a big tooth crusher for pulverizing shells, and the other a finer edged ripper for tearing soft flesh. They both appear in the market with rubber bands to protect the handler.

            The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission estimates for southern New England a severely depleted stock in the coming season. Our lobsters migrate, moving out to sea for colder water when necessary, and now already evacuated all the way to Maine, due primarily to global warming.

            The severe threat of environmental damage and flooding along our shores is more serious than we are aware of, but the exodus of a 400-year-old industry habitat of a historical way of life and means of occupation is noteworthy for the future and worthy of recognition now rather than after it is already too late to anticipate the consequences of such global proportion.

By George B. Emmons