The Rochester Republican Town Committee will be meeting on October 13, at 6:30 pm, at the Ponderosa Sportsman Club, Acushnet. David Hughes, an Old Colony School Committee member, will be in attendance and will speak about the Old Colony Vocational building project. All are welcome to attend.
Rochester’s Select Board Monday approved two warrants for the November 18 Special Town Election. One will ask voters in the Old Colony Regional Vocational-Technical High School district (Acushnet, Carver, Lakeville, Mattapoisett, and Rochester) to approve a new school building. The other will be the town’s question seeking approval of a debt-exclusion override to fund its share of the new construction.
The vote came as the board added its own take to that Election Day approval by motioning there be no early voting allowed in Rochester with the new school question “pending Town Counsel approval.” Town Administrator Cameron Durant urged this qualifier after noting this voting provision might not be legally allowed.
Durant said, due to state mandates, the elections must be on separate warrants but on one date, and neither election can have a no-early-voting restriction. He agreed the questions Rochester voters are being asked to decide on are confusing and complicated and might need some separation. The new school building would mean a $288,000,000 borrowing measure the district’s five member towns would share in funding (with or without the help of a debt exclusion; that part is up to the individual town). Either way, Rochester’s two warrants must be run simultaneously.
Durant said, however, Rochester’s Town Counsel is studying the matter further. That’s why his ultimate suggestion was the “pending Town Counsel approval” phrasing. Select Board member Brad Morse noted absentee voting will still be allowed either way.
In other action, Durant announced a variety of grant awards the town has received. Rochester has been awarded a $66,000 Rural Development Grant to fund recodifying town bylaws. The results of this rewriting of town regulations will need to be approved at a Town Meeting, he said. Other new grants totaling $158,000 are funding new electric-vehicle charging stations ($50,000), library hotspots and digital access devices ($17,000), and Police Department radar guns (from a $25,000 traffic-safety grant). Durant said one of these new charging stations will be available for the public to utilize, for a cost.
The board approved a $41,000 contract with Vadar for new financial software services.
The board approved adopting a new wine and malt license law that will allow restaurants with this type of license to trade up to an all-alcohol license “pending Town Counsel approval.”
The board appointed Sarah Jacques and Kathryn Tarkenton to the Cultural Council.
The board appointed Keith Riquinha as a new associate member of the Zoning Board of Appeals.
The next meeting of the Rochester Select Board is scheduled for Monday, October 20 at 6:00 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.
Rochester Select Board
By Michael J. DeCicco
The Elizabeth Taber Library will remain closed on Sundays for the remainder of 2025.
Join us in welcoming Jeff Belanger back to the Elizabeth Taber Library with Wicked Strange New England: Your Guide to Ghosts, Monsters, Oddities and Urban Legends from New England, Friday October 10 at 6:00 pm. Copies of Jeff’s newest work will be available for purchase during the program. No Registration required.
The Banned Book Club will meet at the Library on Tuesday October 14 at 6:00 pm to discuss the horror classic Dracula by Bram Stoker. All are welcome to attend, find copies available at the circulation desk.
There will be a break in regularly scheduled children’s programs between October 15 and October 24. Storytime and Afternoon Activities will be held as scheduled on Tuesday, October 14.
School is out early on Thursday, October 23 and Friday, October 24. You can join us for Early Dismissal Lego Days from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm both days. Participate in our building challenges or free build.
For more information on the Elizabeth Taber Library visit us at www.ElizabethTaberLibrary.org or email the library at ETLibrary@sailsinc.org. 8 Spring Street Marion, MA 02738. 508-748-1252.
The Marion Special Fall Town Meeting will be held on Monday, November 24, at 6:45 pm in the Sippican School Multipurpose Room.
The Select Board will close the warrant at their Tuesday, October 14, meeting which will be held at the Marion Police Department Conference Room, 550 Mill Street, at 6:00 pm.
The Select Board and Planning Board will hold an informational Special Town Meeting Warrant Review on Monday, November 17, at 6:00 pm in the Music Hall. The public is invited to attend.
To the Editor;
On October 5, Mattapoisett held a Special Town Meeting to consider a certified citizen petition – signed by 335 residents, nearly 10% of all registered voters – calling for a vote to rescind the May 12 action expanding the Select Board from three members to five.
Unfortunately, the meeting never voted on the substance of that question. Instead, a motion to postpone indefinitely was approved — a parliamentary move that ended debate and prevented a Yes-or-No vote on the issue.
In other words, the meeting voted not to vote.
The Moderator and Town Council acted within their understanding of procedure, but the effect was to silence discussion and deny citizens the vote they requested – an outcome that may follow the letter of the law but not the spirit of Home Rule.
Our petition was not improper and did not challenge the legality of the May vote. It simply asked voters to reconsider a major change – a right guaranteed under Massachusetts law.
A former State Representative claimed the speed of the earlier bill’s passage was “normal.” But the record shows the original Home Rule petition sat in committee for months before suddenly advancing and being signed into law on August 22 – just days after our petition was certified. That sequence was highly unusual and effectively preempted a local vote.
Some say they “had the votes” anyway. But democracy isn’t about predicting outcomes – it’s about allowing citizens to decide. If opponents were confident, they should have welcomed a public vote, not blocked it.
To those who signed but couldn’t attend, this shows why participation matters. When we don’t show up, others decide for us.
No vote was taken on rescinding Article 34. The law expanding the board to five stands. But the question – whether Mattapoisett should remain with three, a model that has served us well – remains unanswered.
Paul Criscuolo
21 Beacon Street, Mattapoisett
The views expressed in the “Letters to the Editor” column are not necessarily those of The Wanderer, its staff or advertisers. The Wanderer will gladly accept any and all correspondence relating to timely and pertinent issues in the great Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester area, provided they include the author’s name, address and phone number for verification. We cannot publish anonymous, unsigned or unconfirmed submissions. The Wanderer reserves the right to edit, condense and otherwise alter submissions for purposes of clarity and/or spacing considerations. The Wanderer may choose to not run letters that thank businesses, and The Wanderer has the right to edit letters to omit business names. The Wanderer also reserves the right to deny publication of any submitted correspondence. All letters must be typed and submitted directly to: news@wanderer.com.
This past Tuesday, the Mattapoisett Free Public Library continued their October Frightfully Fun Film Fest. This week was James Whale’s Frankenstein from 1931.
This version of Frankenstein was the first time Victor Frankenstein’s monster was put in a major motion picture. The film, based on a 1927 play of Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel, spawned numerous sequels over the next 15 years. Boris Karloff, or “Karloff the Uncanny,”played the monster in three films.
At the library that night, the temperature had finally started to cool, and the sun began to set. A projector and pop-up screen were set up on the front lawn, and those looking for true chills showed up with lawn chairs, blankets, and popcorn to watch; some passersby slowed down their stroll too. The famous “it’s alive!” could be heard down on Church Street. If only there was a thunderstorm to complete the immersion!
This continuing series of spooky films will grace Mattapoisett on Tuesdays this month. The next movie will be Blackbeard’s Ghost from 1968.
Mattapoisett Frightfully Fun Film Festival
By Sam Bishop
When the smoke cleared on October 4, 2025, at Old Rochester Regional High School, site of Mattapoisett’s historic, one-article Special Town Meeting, more than 500 voters slowly poured out the doors and into what remained of a brilliant fall day. They had shown up in numbers almost never seen at town meetings, and they had participated in what was dubbed the purest of democratic activities – a town meeting.
Voters came out to say “yes,” we want a five-member Select Board or “no,” three is working fine. They came to either affirm what the May Town Meeting had voted – for a five-member board (subsequently becoming law in August after it was processed through the state legislature) – or to try and unwind the May 12 Town Meeting vote.
Paul Criscuolo, author of the Special Town Meeting Citizens’ Petition and president of the Mattapoisett Republican Committee, told the audience that voters had prevailed upon him to write a Citizens’ Petition challenging the May vote. He and his supporters believed that the May vote had been somehow flawed because so many voters had left the meeting after Article 33 passed, leaving some voters unable to voice their position.
Before proceedings could begin, however, long lines waited up to 30 minutes to check in. The meeting began 37 minutes late.
Criscuolo said that voters on that May night had not had sufficient time to weigh Article 34 or ask questions of the petitioners. He said that the vote was “called” from the floor which stopped the debate. Those in favor of keeping a three-member board felt the author of Article 34 had rushed the vote that ultimately was in favor of a five-member Select Board.
The supporters of Article 34 held that an expanded Select Board would bring greater diversity, would tap into heretofore untapped talent that could help the town and bring greater diversity to the decision-making process.
Criscuolo and his supporters believed the change would bring chaos to the Select Board process, and possibly less coherence to complicated issues and projects facing the town.
In August, the legislature affirmed Article 34, making it a law.
Nicki Demakis defended the May vote. In her comments to the voters, Demakis asked for a subsidiary motion to indefinitely postpone voting on this new petition. The vote was called. The debate was over, and the motion to permanently postpone was passed, 317-218.
In a follow-up, Criscuolo said it was unclear what the way forward should be but that focusing on the elections to come was a priority.
Demakis was also thinking about the future elections, saying, “there is a lot to be done both locally and for the mid-terms. She said she was aware of several residents interested in running for the Select Board. She hoped to hold an informal meeting that would explain to potential candidates what the responsibilities are for various municipal positions.
In a follow up, Town Administrator Mike Lorenco indicated that the election of new Select Board members will be a staggered process. The candidate receiving the most votes will be given a three-year term. Subsequent elections will be held on an annual basis.
Correction
In the October 8, 2025, edition article entitled, “Five-Member Select Board Upheld,” Paul Criscuolo should have been identified as Co-Chair of the Mattapoisett Republican Town Committee, but that the Committee took no vote or official action on this petition, and he acted solely as a citizen petitioner. Criscuolo believes expanding the Board could dilute accountability, create slower decision-making, and complicate consensus-building on complex issue and will not bring chaos as reported. While others may have contended that the May Town meeting results were flawed, Mr. Criscuolo has never made those claims.
The Mattapoisett Woman’s Club invites interested local residents to its October 16 monthly meeting featuring local author Jack Matthews. Mr. Matthews grew up in Mattapoisett, where he sailed and fished on Buzzards Bay, the setting for his novel Arte Perdida. Jack, a retired professor, spent seven years working on the novel, traveling to Germany, the Azores, and Newfoundland, exploring background material for the book. Arte Perdida: A saga of art, love, greed, revenge and murder, has been described by readers as a thrilling page turner with complex characters and a frightening twist. Books will be available for purchase and signing. Visitors are welcome to attend this program which will begin at 12:45 pm at the Mattapoisett Congregational Church in Reynard Hall.
The Mattapoisett Woman’s Club is a civic, social, educational and philanthropic organization. Membership is always open to local women who are interested in the objectives and mission of the organization. For more information or questions please contact info@mattapoisettwomansclub.org.
With profound sadness and abiding love, we announce the passing of Robert “Bob” E. Keegan, 82, of Mattapoisett, who entered eternal rest on October 5, 2025, at 3:30 PM, the Hour of Mercy.
Bob’s life was a testament to faith, family, and quiet strength. Raised in Roxbury, Massachusetts, by his devoted mother, Bob was an only child who never knew his father, but he grew into a man of deep conviction, guided by the light of the Church and the love he cultivated in his own home.
From a young age, Bob’s spiritual foundation was strong. He served faithfully as an altar boy at St. Patrick’s Church in Roxbury and St. Philip’s Church in Roxbury and was an active member of the Legion of Mary, embracing a life of service, humility, and devotion. His Catholic faith was not just a belief, it was the compass by which he lived, and the comfort that sustained him through life’s trials and triumphs.
Bob married his beloved Joyce in a sacred ceremony officiated by Fr. William J. Connolly. Their union, blessed by God, endured for 60 beautiful years. Together, they built a life rooted in love, laughter, and unwavering commitment. Joyce was his partner, his confidante, and his greatest joy. Their marriage was a shining example of grace, patience, and enduring devotion.
Professionally, Bob was a skilled foreman with Local 17, specializing in HVAC systems for hospitals and prisons throughout Massachusetts. His work was meticulous, his leadership respected, and his dedication unmatched. He believed in doing things the right way with integrity and precision. Bob’s hands built comfort for others, and his heart built a legacy of care.
A member of the Knights of Columbus, Bob continued his lifelong commitment to faith and fellowship. He was a man of quiet generosity, always ready to help a neighbor, mentor a friend, or offer a prayer. His friendships were deep and lasting, marked by loyalty and mutual respect.
Bob’s life was not defined by titles or accolades, but by the love he gave and the family he devoted his life to. A faithful husband to Joyce for 60 years and a loving father, he found his greatest joy in the home they built together. He is predeceased by their first daughter: Mary. He is survived by his children: Pamela Chan, and her husband John; Robert Keegan, and his wife Ramune; Catheryn Keegan; Joseph Keegan, and his wife Maureen; Matthew Keegan, and his wife Kaitlin; and Therese Keegan. He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Gabriella, Katrina, Kierra, Bridget and Peter; his adopted family: Jessy and Binu and their children, Rion and Roma; and a community of friends who were blessed to know him. Though our hearts are heavy, we take comfort in knowing Bob has returned home to the Lord he served so faithfully.
His Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at 11 am at St. Anthony’s Church, 1359 Acushnet Ave., New Bedford. Burial will follow in St. Anthony’s Cemetery, Mattapoisett. Visiting hours will be Monday, October 13th from 4-7 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Mattapoisett. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice in Bob’s memory, honoring his lifelong commitment to service and compassion. For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdywer.com.
Rest in Peace, Bob. Your faith was your foundation, your family your joy, and your life a quiet triumph of love.
Prize-winning regional poets will read their work on Sunday October 19, at 2:00 pm, at the Mattapoisett Library. This event is free and open to the public.
Featured poet Margot Wizansky will read from her most recent collection, Random Music in a Small Galaxy, whose poems explore the transcendent beauty of life even as they confront human mortality. Rich with images and emotion, Wizansky’s tender poems bring attention “to war, migration, environmental crises, and religion with intimate details,” in the words of poet Alexis Ivy.
Wizansky will be joined by two other members of the Mattapoisett Poets, Vivian Eyre and Eileen Paccia. Eyre’s most recent collection, Ishamel’s Violets, explores the endangerment of whales with its human, scientific and literary connections. A devoted steward of marine life, Eyre draws from her work monitoring whales and sea turtles in her writing and organizes the Poets in Conversation series at the Imago Gallery in Warren, RI.
Eileen Paccia, a New Bedford poet, works with the Martha’s Vineyard Poetry Collective. Her narrative and lyrical poems explore the connections between humanity/nature in urban/ocean settings.
The poets will be introduced by Elizabeth Sylvia. Light refreshments will be served, and questions will be taken after the reading.