Seaside Picnic Raises Funds for Local Groups

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            Conversation and music filled the air over the Munro Preserve as more than 150 patrons dined at the Mattapoisett Museum and Land Trust’s Annual Great Community Picnic fundraiser on Thursday evening, August 6.

            The picnic supports general operations for both groups, as well as trail maintenance and acquisitions for the Land Trust. It has been a major funding source for both organizations since its inception a decade ago, bringing in thousands of dollars annually.

            For dinner, attendees were encouraged to bring their own drinks and food. A raw bar with dozens of $1 oysters was donated by growers at Mattapoisett Oysters and Copper Beech Oyster Farm of Mattapoisett Neck, and Blue Stream Oysters of West Island in Fairhaven.

            Ale from Buzzards Bay Brewing was also available.

            The annual table decoration contest was won by the party at table No. 3 for the third consecutive year. Their theme was the Academy Awards, featuring a red carpet leading to a table decorated with Oscar statues and patrons dressed as celebrities, security guards and paparazzi.       

            “We love dressing up,” said Sue O’Connell, a member of the winning team. “We definitely want to support the fundraiser. It’s a beautiful evening with our neighborhood. It’s absolutely wonderful.”

            Second place was awarded to table No. 6 for its tropical tiki theme, and third place went to table No. 19 with a golf theme. Other decorated tables featured themes around America, Christmas and lemons.

            Gary Brown, former superintendent of Old Colony, and Seth Asser, a guitarist in the North Woods Band and the Southcoast Troubadours, performed the music at the event.

By Zakary Sarkarati

A Latin American Festival

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The Marion Concert Band will present a Latin American “Festival” of music on Friday, August 14. The diverse program includes music from Mexico, Spain, Brazil and the Caribbean, as well as familiar music that demonstrates the influence that Latin American musical styles have had on American popular music. To add to the festive atmosphere of the evening, the audience is encouraged to wear tropical or Latin-American attire. The program is as follows:

Commandante (Marche Espagnole) – G. Guentzel

España Cañi (Paso Doble) – P. Marquina

Mexican Overture – arr. M. Isaac

Iberian Escapades – R. Sheldon

Brazilian Festival – A. C. Jobim

Cantico – A. Grayson

Tijuana Brass in Concert – arr. T. Ricketts

Mas Que Nada – J. Ben

Granada – A. Lara

Martinique – R. Washburn

Montego Bay (samba) – S. Nestico

Serenata – L. Anderson

Copacabana – J. Feldman

Blue Mambo – M. Sweeney

Malagueña – E. Lecuona

            The concert, under the direction of Tobias Monte, will begin at 7:00 pm at the Robert Broomhead Bandstand, Island Wharf off Front St. in Marion. All concerts are free and open to the public. “Like” us on Facebook at “Marion Town Band” for up-to-date announcements and rain cancellation notices.

Celebrate the End of Summer at the Elizabeth Taber Library

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Summer Reading is winding down at the Elizabeth Taber Library, but there is still fun to be had. The last day for kids to get their reading log stamped for a free ice cream coupon is Saturday, August 15, but they have until the first day of school to complete their goal and receive a free book.

            On Saturday, August 15, at 1:00 pm, the library is hosting local funk band Get the Funk Out for a family-friendly funk concert on the library lawn. Bring your own lawn chair or blanket. You won’t want to miss this show.

            The buzz of beekeeping is coming to the library on Tuesday, August 18. Adults are invited to join us at 6:00 pm for An Introduction to Beekeeping from the Bristol County Beekeeping Association.

            Children’s programs will be on hiatus from Monday, August 17, to Friday, September 4. Our fall programs, including after-school programs, begin on Tuesday, September 8. You can find our fall program schedule at elizabethtaberlibrary.org/events.

Habitat for Humanity Seeks Development

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            At its Tuesday, August 11, meeting, the Mattapoisett Select Board met with representatives from both Habitat for Humanity and the Sons of the American Revolution.

            First, they approved the minutes from their July 14 meeting, followed by the approval of minutes from various Executive Sessions dating back to January 2023. They then approved the Election Warrant for the Statewide Primary Election on Tuesday, September 1.

            The board then heard from a representative from Habitat for Humanity regarding their potential development of affordable housing on a plot in town. The representative noted the local branch of the non-profit had recently celebrated its 30th anniversary. The representative noted the hardest part of their job is finding suitable land. The plot in focus is undeveloped and is on the corner of Maplewood Street and North Street. He noted there is no history of development on the site, nor any conservation notices.

            He said funding would come from donations and grants, and construction would take eight to nine months, with volunteers being present throughout the process. Pricing would be “around $200,000, and we offer zero percent interest mortgages,” he said.

            The organization has built one other home in Mattapoisett in the past and 13 in the region. Clerk Jordan C. Collyer said, “I think this would be great for the town,” with other members agreeing.

            Members sought information on projected tax revenue for the town, and it was also stated that an inspection would be needed for the site.

            The board then discussed a possible town event hosted by the Sons of the American Revolution, a men’s-only genealogical society whose members are descendants of Revolutionary War soldiers or other participants. It was proposed for Saturday, September 19, and would take place at Hammond Cemetery on River Road. It was said there could be a bus from Old Hammond Elementary, which could also stop at the Council on Aging to pick up interested visitors on the way to the event.

            The representative also requested the closure of River Road for about two hours during the event, as having the road closed and the bus would limit traffic impacts in the area. The board did not vote on it but stated they supported the event.

            For announcements, the board stated there would be a Public Hearing on Monday, August 17, at 7:00 pm in Town Hall for the Cottage Community Development Bylaw. They also stated they sought applicants to be the Community Liaison for the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness 2.0 Program.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Select Board is scheduled for Tuesday, August 25, at 6:30 in Town Hall and on Zoom.

Mattapoisett Select Board

By Sam Bishop

Democratic Town Committee

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All Marion Democrats are welcome to come to the next monthly meeting of the Marion Democratic Town Committee. The meeting will be held at 5:30 pm, Thursday, August 20, at 10 Cove St., Marion. A brief business session will be followed by a writing campaign intended to engage voters in swing states. If you would like to attend and need more information, contact Sharon Matzek, 603-759-9287. Light refreshments will be served.

Mattapoisett Yacht Club August Race Results

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The Tuesday Night Ensign fleet finally had a perfect night of racing after suffering through most of July with bad wind and thunderstorms. In the first race, Odyssey finished first, followed by Black Ice, Hamburglar and Recess. But in the second race, Black Ice turned the tables and finished ahead of Odyssey to win the race and the tiebreaker for the night. Hamburglar finished third and Recess was fourth.

            In the Wednesday PHRF series, Kindred Spirits continued its winning ways, with Restless in second, Coconuts third, and Oddball fourth in the Class A division. In Class B, it was Chickadee winning over Fir Na Tine in second, Lindisfarne third, Kinsail fourth, and Seven Belles fifth.

Election Information for Mattapoisett Voters

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The State Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, September 1. Mattapoisett voters will cast their ballots at Old Hammondtown School, which is located at 20 Shaw St. Polls will be open from 7:00 am until 8:00 pm. In-person early voting will take place at Town Hall, 16 Main St., on Saturday, August 22, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm and Monday, August 24 to Friday, August 28, from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Vote-by-mail ballots have been mailed to those who have requested them. If you have a vote-by-mail or absentee ballot to return, please return it as soon as possible. Place ballots in the drop box, which is located on the front lawn of Town Hall. Voted ballots must be received by 8:00 pm on September 1 to be counted. If you have any questions regarding the election, please call the Town Clerk’s Office at 508-758-4100 ext. 2 or email Town Clerk Catherine Heuberger at townclerk@mattapoisett.gov.

Mattapoisett Congregational Church Yard Sale

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On Saturday, September 12, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, the Mattapoisett Congregational Church will once again host its annual yard sale in Reynard Hall, rain or shine.

            Lots of great items will be available, including home furnishings, housewares, collectibles, beautiful handbags, sports equipment, books, small furniture, toys and games, as well as new handmade items and yummy baked goods. You are sure to find so many treasures.

            Cash and checks are accepted. All proceeds will benefit the ministries of the Mattapoisett Congregational Church.

From the Files of the Rochester Historical Society

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During the opening of our new exhibit, “Rochester and the Revolution,” someone said he understood that Rochester had once been part of Marion. Some other museumgoers felt that many were unaware as to why the term Tri-Town is used. So, to straighten this out, Old Rochester (official name: Rochester – Town of New England) originally included a section of town known as “Seppacan” (today’s Marion; remember that the name Marion was from a Revolutionary War general), a section known as Mattapoisett, and until 1739, a large section of today’s Wareham. The term Tri-Town refers to the three towns that were Rochester until the mid-1800s.

            This means when we talk about veterans of the Revolutionary War, we are including all those buried in cemeteries in Marion and Mattapoisett, because in 1775–1783, all these men were from Rochester and buried in Rochester.

            One such veteran was John Pitcher. He was born in Scituate on January 11, 1736. Many of Rochester’s earliest settlers came from towns that had grown up as Plymouth Colony expanded. Scituate was one such town.

Pitcher’s father was Zeruiah Booth Pitcher. We don’t know when John Pitcher arrived in Rochester, but we know he married Elizabeth Sprague, became a surgeon and was the father of five children: three boys (one named Zeruiah) and two girls.

            His first muster card is for “Pitcher, John-Rochester – Capt. Nathaniel Hammond’s (2d Rochester) Co.” They marched on April 20, 1775, at the alarm of April 19. The company marched to Marshfield, and the length of his service was four days. His next muster card has him as a “Surgeon, Col. Theophilus Cotton’s Regiment – return of field and staff officers dated camp at Roxbury October 7, 1775.”

            He is also on the record as a surgeon in Col. Benjamin Howes’ Regiment, entering service August 5, 1778, and discharged on September 12, 1778. He was in service one month and nine days when his regiment marched to Rhode Island.

            Dr. John Pitcher died in Falmouth on June 12, 1794. He is buried in the Evergreen Cemetery, which is in today’s Marion. He has an impressive tombstone. The inscription reads “A physician eminent in his profession and chief surgeon of a regiment in the Revolutionary War.”

By Connie Eshbach

Coffee Shop Hearing Continues

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            The Marion Planning Board met on Monday, August 3, for two public hearings. However, one was continued, leaving only the hearing for the new proposed Uncle Jon’s Coffee on the docket.

            After approving the minutes from its July 20 meeting, the board quickly approved a payment of $413.69 to Toll Brothers, Inc. for a field test engineering peer review at 78 Wareham Way.

            Next, the board continued its already-continued public hearing on the proposed expansion of the existing structure at 14 Barnabas Road by applicant Paul Downey until its Monday, August 17, meeting.

            The board then continued another public hearing for a site plan application for the new proposed Uncle Jon’s Coffee location at 413 Wareham St. Many architects and engineers were present for the review, representing coffee shop owner Jonathan Pope. They began by going over the traffic and parking study.

            Much of this time was spent clarifying various aspects of the proposal, with it being noted that the new shop would allow the current Front Street location to be moved to the new site. It was also stated that the proposed parking area complies with town zoning bylaws, with the site not planning to use Wells Road for its parking compliance. Representatives said Wells Road may eventually be used for loading, as well as potentially for staff parking, but still sought confirmation, as the town may look to improve the small, 300-foot-long street.

            The representatives also noted that the dumpster location, as well as the loading area, would not impede local traffic. They stated they had reached out to the local fire department to confirm that the site is accessible to emergency vehicles. Although they had not yet received a reply, they confirmed, “the site is very accessible.”

            There was an additional presentation on the site plan review itself, where the representatives explained how work on the site will maintain compliance. It was also stated that the sidewalk on Wareham Road may be replaced/widened, and that an environmental and soil study will be needed because the plot originally housed a gas station.

            For stormwater management, various improvements are proposed for the site. The current system has not yet been fully reviewed for compliance, though the applicant has requested a waiver from the town’s stormwater requirements.

            The board unanimously supported continuing the hearing. The next meeting of the Marion Planning Board is scheduled for Monday, August 17, at 7:00 pm in the Marion Police Department.

Marion Planning Board

By Sam Bishop