Streamlining New MS4 Bylaw

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Fresh off a successful Town Meeting for their proposed and passed Article S1, the Marion Planning Board met on Monday to discuss the newly adopted MS4 bylaw.

            Before discussions, Chair Andrew Daniel moved to dissolve the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) Subcommittee. As said group was formed to draft the bylaw, it is now no longer needed, and the board voted to dissolve it.

            The board moved into a public hearing on the town’s Stormwater Management Bylaw and Subdivision Control Law. The plan was to merge in other stormwater-management regulations relating to subdivisions to fit next to the new MS4 Bylaw. “By marrying the two, we basically completed the tasks that were assigned to us by the (Environmental Protection Agency),” Daniel said. Vice-Chair Alanna Nelson added that it would make everything easier if it could be one unified process. “They’re going to follow the same process,” she said, referring to different potential residential projects.

            This streamlining alleviates any confusion, while also making it easier for the EPA to confirm the town holds proper regulations. This hearing was continued to the board’s next meeting.

            The next meeting of the Marion Planning Board will be on Monday, December 15 at 7:00 pm in the Marion Police Department, 550 Mill Street.

Marion Planning Board

By Sam Bishop

Rochester Republican Town Committee

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The Rochester Republican Town Committee will hold its December meeting at the Ponderosa Sportsman’s Club, Acushnet, on Monday, December 8, at 6:30 pm. There will be a discussion about the voting results for the Old Colony project. All are invited to attend.

Upcoming Events at the Elizabeth Taber Library

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The Friends of The Elizabeth Taber Library’s Holiday Book Sale starts Thursday, December 4 at 2:00 pm, and continues through Saturday, December 6, at the library. Find a wide selection of books, puzzles, and games, and check out our Holiday Raffle Baskets. All proceeds benefit the Elizabeth Taber Library.

            Join the Banned Book Club’s discussion of Like Water for Chocolate, Tuesday December 9 at 6:00 pm.

            The Cozy Cup Book Club will be discussing Joanne Flukes Plum Pudding Murder on December 10 at 11:00 am. As always, coffee and tea are provided.

            Visit the library on Friday, December 12 at 6:00 pm to welcome the holidays with the Cooking Club Holiday Spectacular. Join chef Jeni Wheeler as she shares her holiday tips and tricks for hosting this holiday season. Free small bites, mocktails and fun. Registration is Required- call the library at 508-748-1252 or register online.

            Join Miss Macy for two exciting Saturday programs on Saturday, December 6. At 11:00 am we have Saturday story time for ages 0-5. This engaging story time includes songs, rhymes, movement activities, and stories – of course. Then, kids ages 3+ and their grownups can drop by anytime between 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm to celebrate the December full moon, the cold moon, at our full moon party. We’ll sip hot chocolate and create cozy crafts.

            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.

Henry A. Zajac

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Henry A. Zajac, 85, of Mattapoisett, passed away peacefully at home on December 2, 2025, with his loving wife by his side. Born on September 26, 1940, he was the son of the late Henry M. and Janet K. Zajac. He grew up in the South End of New Bedford and attended Holy Family High School before enrolling at New Bedford Institute of Technology. He joined the Army Reserves and was very proud of his service in the Military Police. He had a fulfilling 25-year career with the Reece Corporation, which brought him great joy, lasting friendships, and opportunities to see the world. After leaving Reece, he worked at Sippican Ocean Systems and later retired from American Power Conversion.

Known to many as Henry or Hank, and to those closest to him as Bunny, he cherished every stage of life, especially the years when he became lovingly known as “Grampa Bunny”. A devoted family man, he was celebrated for his kindness, charm, and quick humor, always ready with a song, a story, or a one-liner. He could repair almost anything, big or small. He loved reading, learning, and keeping up with current events, and was an avid Celtics and Yankees fan. Bunny’s passing leaves a hole in our hearts that can never be filled. He will be deeply missed.

Survivors include his beloved wife of 46 years Kathy; a son, John Zajac and his wife Nicole Saquet of Wrentham, MA; a daughter, Jane Zajac of Mattapoisett; two brothers, Mort Zajac and his wife Barbara of Mashpee and Peter Zajac and his wife Nancy of New Bedford; 2 sisters, Rosemary Bowman of Mattapoisett and Janet Shartle of Fairhaven; a brother-in-law, John Connor and his wife Joan of Lakeville; 3 grandchildren, Henry, Nicholas and William; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by Michael Zajac, Ann Zajac, Walter Bowman, Leonard Shartle, Judith Zajac, and Eileen Connor.

His family would like to thank all those who helped to care for Bunny in his time of need.

Henry’s visiting hours will be held on Friday, December 12th from 3-6 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6), Mattapoisett. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, December 13th at 9:30 AM at St. Anthony’s Church. Anyone attending the Mass is invited to meet directly at Church. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, remembrances in his name may be made to the Salvation Army at 619 Purchase St. New Bedford, MA 02740.  For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Vote Could Make ORR Acushnet’s High School

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            The Old Rochester Regional School District will learn on December 9 whether the Town of Acushnet will begin sending its students to Old Rochester Regional High School.

            Superintendent Michael Nelson reported at the ORR School Committee meeting on November 20 that Acushnet has been looking into forming a new school district partnership or partnerships for the 2025-26 school year because the town’s current contracts with Fairhaven and New Bedford expire with the conclusion of this academic year.

            Nelson said he and other ORR officials visited the Acushnet School Committee on August 26 to give a presentation on why the ORR district should become the town’s new partner. In November, Acushnet school officials toured the school; some tours were conducted by the ORR students themselves. Since then, ORR officials have met again with the Acushnet School Committee to discuss the issue further. But decision day for the Acushnet will be December 9, he said. That’s when the town’s school committee will meet to vote on its choice.

            For that reason, the ORR School Committee authorized Nelson to negotiate a tuition-based contract should Acushnet choose ORR for its new high school partner. He noted Acushnet estimates having 120 high-school-age students this school year, though approximately half of them attend Old Colony Regional Vocational-Technical High School.

            In other action, the committee re-elected Michelle Smith as its chair as it reorganized.

            The committee accepted the following donations and grants: $1,526.22 from Shutterfly for ORR Junior High School student pictures; a tuba from Friends of Old Rochester Music to the ORR Junior High School Music Program; all recent donations related to the Tri-Town Senior Citizen Thanksgiving Dinner at ORR Junior High School such as monetary donations of $750, food/paper goods, apple cider, store-bought apple pies, gift cards and/or other items for door prizes and fall/festive decorations; all recent donations related to the Day of Service at ORR High School such as monetary donations, gifts cards to Walmart and Amazon, paint, craft and baking supplies; $870 from the Mattapoisett Land Trust to Elizabeth Kennedy for a trip to Silverbrook Farm; $5,000 for DESE for Fund Code 0453: Strengthening Career and Technical Education; $500 mini-grant from the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office Community Reinvestment Funds for the ORRJHS Tri-Town Senior Citizen Thanksgiving Dinner; $1,000 from the Feinstein Foundation to ORR Junior High School; and $30,000 for DESE Fund Massachusetts Farming Reinforces Education and Student Health (MA FRESH) Competitive Grant.

            The next Old Rochester Regional School Committee meeting will be held on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 6:00 pm at ORR Junior High School Media Center, 133 Marion Road, Mattapoisett.

Old Rochester Regional School Committee

By Michael J. DeCicco

Could I be Having a Heart Attack?

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            Until the late 20th century, getting to the hospital quickly with a heart attack was not that critical. Very little was done for heart attack sufferers beyond letting them rest and treating some complications.

            Around 1990, use of clot-dissolving drugs to dissolve the clot in the coronary artery that caused the heart attack became the standard of care. The earlier they were given, the better they worked, and the mantra became “time is muscle.” The drugs worked best when given within 6 hours of symptom onset.

            In the early 2000’s, an even better treatment became standard: angioplasty – opening the blocked coronary artery by putting a catheter in the artery and opening the artery with a small inflatable balloon. Current best practice is to then put in a stent to keep the artery open.

            What has happened in the past 35 years with these advances is that the early (30 day) death rate from an acute heart attack has fallen from over 20% to under 5%. To achieve these results, the earlier the better. Hospitals strive to get a patient from arrival at the emergency room to the cath lab in under 90 minutes. Most hospitals that provide emergency angioplasty have systems in place to achieve this goal.

            The weakest link? The patient calling 911! To get the best contemporary care and to have the best odds of surviving a heart attack, it is key that someone experiencing a heart attack gets care ASAP.

            How do you suspect you may be suffering a heart attack? The textbook description is crushing pain felt under the sternum (breastbone). The pain is often felt in the jaw and/or left arm as well. You may get sweaty, and you may feel nausea. The pain is not always excruciating – heart attacks are not as painful as childbirth or kidney stones – but there is something about it that tells you “this is serious.”

            Unfortunately, your body has not always read the textbook.

            Some people experience sudden shortness of breath rather than pain. Some become profoundly weak. Some feel abdominal rather than chest pain. In most situations, this is a new symptom, one you have not had before.

            Women, particularly young women, much more than men, are likely to have non-textbook symptoms, and as such are more likely to delay seeking care and/or be treated less urgently than men who show up complaining of “something sitting on my chest.” Some 40% of younger (under 50) women with heart attacks do not complain of chest pain. (By the time women pass 65, they have similar symptoms as men.)

            If you experience symptoms that may be a heart attack, call 911 and get an emergency ambulance. Do not drive yourself to the emergency room. In some communities, the advanced Emergency Medical Technicians who arrive may be able to initiate treatment even before you get to the hospital.

            In virtually every situation, arriving by ambulance will get you seen and treated faster than presenting at the front desk.

            If it is not a heart attack? Great – you will be allowed to go home and follow up with your doctor for any more testing needed. Never be “embarrassed” by a false alarm. Every emergency physician will tell you it is better to come in when you are not having a heart attack than to stay home and suffer the consequences when it is one.

            Edward Hoffer MD is Associate Professor of Medicine, part-time, at Harvard.

What Does The Doctor Say?

By Dr. Edward Hoffer

What is the greatest story ever told?

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Dear Editor,

            The Christmas season prompts me to ask this question: “What is the greatest story ever told?” For me, there are several elements worth considering. First, the greatest story should affect the most people; it should be extremely creative, imaginative, comprehensive, inclusive, universal, and engaging; it must have integrity and completeness; and finally, I would say the greatest story ever told must pack unparalleled power to change its readers for the better.

            I do not know about you, but a particular story comes immediately to mind. It is the account of Jesus Christ-the One who supernaturally came to earth as a man to bear witness of the truth. Of all the books ever written, I am quite certain that few if any boast a main character as unique and impacting as Jesus Christ. This figure was sent as the highest gift of God to save mankind from sin by dying on the Cross. His was a legacy filled with supernatural ability, wisdom in the fullness of Father God, ultimate authority obtained via humility, love, and victory over all things evil, including death. His life is depicted in an epic novel that was written over 1,500 years through 40 or so hands, consists of 66 books, and stands as the all-time bestseller by many millions of copies. If there is another tale as affecting… if there is another work as creative, imaginative, comprehensive, inclusive, universal, and engaging… if there is another author as capable of capturing integrity and completeness… if there is another piece of literature that packs such power to restore its reader, then I would be very interested in getting my hands on it.

            Friends, the “greatest story ever told” is quite a concept. Only one title is worthy. And while there are many possibilities out there, I am convinced my selection offers an unequaled distinction. The Bible brings to bear this wonderful holiday we call “Christmas.” I mean, just listen to the beauty of the prose in Luke 2:10-11: Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” How great is that?

            Merry Christmas.

            Steven J. Bouley

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.

Marion Village Stroll

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The Marion Village Stroll will take place on Sunday, December 14 from 3 to 5:30 pm. Coordinated by Angela Rossi and sponsored by The Marion Business Community Association, local merchants offer hospitality and treats; Santa arrives via boat at the Old Landing at 3:00 pm; Clydesdale horses pull wagons of happy guests. Added to this are crafts, games, and musical performances, and the Tree lighting at 5:30 pm at the Bandstand. During the Stroll, The Sippican Woman’s Club’s clubhouse, aka “The Tavern”, 152 Front Street will be open to sit, visit and enjoy.

Children’s Department at the Mattapoisett Library

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Due to the success of our food drive during the month of November, we will be continuing to collect donations for local food pantries in the form of non-perishable food, pet food, diapers, cleaning supplies, and items to help with personal hygiene. Unlike in November, we will no longer be waiving late fees on library materials for donated items. We thank the generosity of our community, and we hope to have another successful month of collecting items for those in need within our community.

            Graphic Novel Book Club continues this month with Scout is not a Band Kid by Jade Armstrong. The book club will be meeting on Friday, December 13, at 3:30 pm – registration is required, and we have extra copies of the book available to check out.

            Need some gift ideas? Try homemade. Or library-made. Come make some crafts for gifts and decorations this holiday season and have some hot cocoa while you’re at it. No registration required. This Family Gift Workshop will be on Saturday, December 13, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm.

            To register for our events or for more information, please check out our website, mattapoisettlibrary.org, or give us a call at 508-758-4171. We hope to see you in the library soon. Until then, keep reading.

December at the Rochester Historical Museum

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December is a busy time for everyone, especially Santa and his elves. The Rochester Historical Society is happy to help out the folks at the North Pole. We’ll be at the Plumb Library Holiday Fundraiser on December 13 from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm with lots of Rochester clothing, hats, books and maps and more. This year we have a new item, a fleece vest with our embroidered logo. Everything would look great under anyone’s tree.

            The next day, December 14 at 1:30 pm, we’re having a Christmas party, show-casing holiday music on our rare and wonderful Vocalion organ. After enjoying the music and even singing along with Tom and Sheila Perry, we will enjoy some holiday treats downstairs. The only price of admission is an unwrapped toy or item for a child or teen.