Sunset on The Harbor

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            On Thursday, August 7, the Mattapoisett Museum and the Mattapoisett Land Trust hosted their annual Great Community Picnic at Mattapoisett’s Munro Preserve on the waterfront. Every seat was filled, and tickets were sold out to the event of which proceeds went to the two organizations.

            While oysters and beer could be picked up at the venue tents, every table was in charge of bringing their own spread to their own “smorgasbords.” Along with food, each table had a theme, a centerpiece, and costumes to match.

            Table 5, or the Disney-themed table, won the night and a victor’s ribbon. Other themes included shark attacks (with a barbie mimicking the poster from Jaws), tie-dye hippies, beach party, and many more. Those not participating in the theming event simply came for a good time.

            Volunteers Gary Brown and Bill Santos were in charge of jamming, playing hits from Bob Dylan, Harry Nilson, Tom Petty, and many more classics. Not all of Munro Preserve was covered with tables though, with many wandering about watching the bees and butterflies. The event went throughout “golden hour” and ended just after sunset.

            The winning team, Table 5, Disney Princesses: Caitlyn Potter – Jasmin, Jennifer Risio – Merida, Kerin McKinnon – Cinderella, Aimee Bayles Wilson – Ariel, Nicole Doyon Lynch – Moana, Sue O’Connell – Snow White, Jo Norton – Maleficent, Stacy Marino – Belle, Shawn Sweet (not in attendance) – Pocahontas.

The 2025 Great Community Picnic

By Sam Bishop

Johnson Takes Aim at Denitrification Bylaw

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            The Marion Board of Health on August 7 met at the Marion Police Station and had a long discussion on whether new or updated homes should be mandated to use the more expensive denitrification septic systems.

            Board Chairman Albin Johnson III was adamant that residential septic systems do not contribute much, if anything, to polluting waterways. He estimated that 90% of pollution to town waterways or marine habitat is caused by stormwater runoff. He contended that the Board of Health adopted this new regulation during the Covid-19 shutdown and with insufficient public input on the matter.

            The board asked health officials to compile data of how many municipalities statewide have adopted this regulation. Johnson said that the Marion’s regulation requiring the septic upgrade to denitrification technology for any new construction or footprint expansion puts an unnecessary burden on new homeowners without a sewer connection, especially without enough data to prove that the older Title V (state-compliant) septic systems are responsible for polluting waterways.

            “It’s way overkill. It’s like a sledgehammer for a fly,” Johnson said of this regulation, which is in Section 4 of the Board of Health Regulations.

            Health Board Vice Chairman Dr. Ed Hoffer said the board should consider seeking and applying for a grant for comprehensive data. To that, Johnson said the state should have compiled that data before urging Marion to adopt a regulation of this sort. He contended that per local regulations, septic systems only have to be 100 feet from drinking-water wells. Hoffer asserted that the regulation is in place to protect marine life. He said most forms of nitrogen are not toxic to people but are a problem for marine life.

            To that, Johnson said that the waterways are filled with excrement from birds and marine animals. He said that there is not enough data that private septic systems are a problem. These new systems, according to Johnson, are more than septic systems, describing denitrification systems as a treatment plant on private property. These systems are inspected annually by health officials and costly to homeowners.

            Johnson also used the word “swamp” to describe Marion’s landscape, adding that there is a large number of brooks and other streams that flow into the harbor, making it difficult to blame septic system run-offs for pollution. Johnson used Westport as an example, saying that there are many more septic systems in that community and few public sewer lines, but some officials there have claimed that water pollutants are mostly from dairy farms and fertilizers.

            Westport has this regulation in place, but Johnson several times said it might be “overkill” for Marion, which has more public water and sewer-disposal systems.

            Board of Health member Dr. John Howard agreed that more data should be compiled, leading to the board asking health officials to compile a database of how many communities statewide have this regulation.

            In other Board of Health news, Health Director Lori Desmarais reported that the number of tick-borne illnesses is about the same as last year. She advised that the public should have a tick panel conducted by a physician if they have any symptoms such as lethargy or a fever.

            Desmarais said there have been seven cases of mosquitoes with EEE found in the state this year, including four in Plymouth County (one in Bridgewater and three in Halifax). She advised that the public take precautions, especially during dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.

            Desmarais said the Board of Health will be offering flu clinics in the fall and that anyone over the age of 65 is encouraged to get a Covid-19 vaccination.

            The next meeting of the Marion Board of Health is scheduled for Thursday, August 21 at 4:30 pm in the Marion Town House Annex, 14 Barnabas Road, due to construction at the Town House proper.

Marion Board of Health

By Jeffrey D. Wagner

Hello from Plumb Library

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Calling all crafters. This is your heads up to save the dates for the upcoming Friends of Plumb Library Crafting Sale. The Friends of the Library will be holding their first ever sale of craft supplies on Friday August 22 from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm and Saturday August 23 from 10:00 am to 1:30 pm. The sale will take place in the Library’s Downstairs Program Room, which is handicapped accessible. Items for sale include fabric, yarn, notions, patterns, crafting magazines, needles and hooks and hoops, scrapbooking materials, and so much more. Payment accepted by cash or check and all proceeds support the Friends of the Library in their mission to bring programs, events, and activities for all ages to the Library.

            Donations of items for the sale can be dropped off at the Library during open hours through Saturday August 16 at 2:00 pm. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call or email the Library.

            Please consider becoming a member of the Friends. Membership forms are available at the Library.

            Library hours: Monday and Thursday 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm; Tuesday and Wednesday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm; Friday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm; Saturday 10:00 am to 2:00 pm; closed on Sundays and Holidays. Contact us: call 508-763-8600 or email at info@plumblibrary.com during regular hours. Check our Events Calendar, Newsletter, Facebook, and Instagram pages for information, upcoming events, and more.

            Library cards are required for checkout. If you’ve lost your card, it can be replaced for $2.00. Download the SAILS Mobile app, it’s a quick and easy way to always have your card with you. We’re happy to show you how it works.

St. Philip’s Episcopal Church

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St. Philip’s Church located next to the Town Beach in Mattapoisett will host visiting clergy, The Rev. Michael Pearson, Assisting Priest, St. Stephen’s Church, Providence, RI on August 17. The services are at 8:00 am and 10:00 am and use the 1928 Book of Common Prayer. All are welcome to attend.

Island Wharf Parking

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To The Editor:

            The ongoing debate in Marion over whether to convert a cherished open space at Island Wharf into temporary parking is about much more than just convenience – it’s a textbook example of what ecologist Garrett Hardin famously called the Tragedy of the Commons.

            At first glance, the proposal seems practical. The Marion Select Board recently agreed to create approximately 75 temporary lined parking spots at Island Wharf to address parking shortages in the village. A subcommittee has been tasked with studying the issue in more detail.

            But the area in question is not just any open space. It’s a grassy, waterfront commons used year-round by families for picnics, by residents attending concerts at the bandstand, and by patrons of local businesses. It’s also used by boaters with trailers, who currently face parking limits and logistical challenges. Now, some town officials want to prioritize that space for boat trailer parking – at the expense of nearly everyone else.

            The harbormaster argues that without access to the grassy area, boaters may park on side streets during their allowed 72-hour window, which he says could be a “nuisance” for officials and boaters alike. But it’s worth questioning whether that’s a compelling justification for turning a shared open space into a temporary storage lot. Is preserving government convenience more important than protecting a valued public asset?

            One Select Board member raised a valid concern: that using the green space for boat parking could deter community use altogether. And rightly so. If a family wants to enjoy a picnic or attend a concert, they shouldn’t have to navigate around parked trailers and marine equipment. Safety also becomes an issue – especially when crowds and vehicles compete in the same congested space.

            This is where Hardin’s Tragedy of the Commons comes into sharp focus. In his theory, individuals acting in their self-interest can exploit shared resources – like open land – until those resources are degraded or lost altogether. That’s precisely what’s at stake here: short-term convenience for one group could destroy the long-term value of this commons for everyone.

So what’s the solution?

            Hardin didn’t believe the commons could survive without some form of management. In this case, that could mean designated off-site parking for boaters, shuttle services, stricter time-based parking regulations, or permit systems that discourage overuse. Most importantly, the town must reaffirm its commitment to preserving shared spaces for passive recreation – a need that is just as valid, if not more so, than vehicle storage.

            Island Wharf is not just a patch of grass; it’s a symbol of what makes Marion special. Sacrificing that for short-term convenience would be a mistake we’d all pay for.

Sincerely,

Eileen J. Marum

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.

Summer Mindfulness Walk in the Woods

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Spend time in the more than human world at the MLT Brandt Island Cove District. Join Kathleen Urquhart who will lead you through 90 minutes of quiet nature-focused time based on Kripalu’s approach to mindfulness outdoors. The walk will be on Saturday, August 16 at 8:30 am. We will meet at the Anchorage Way kiosk, on the corner of Anchorage Way and Tara Road.

            The Mindfulness walk will involve some gentle movement; slow walking over uneven terrain and participants will be invited to sit on the ground for a short period of time.

            This session is open to adults who are comfortable with the mobility described. Please bring a towel to sit on, sunscreen or bug repellent if that will make you more comfortable.

            Please dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes. Carve some quiet time for yourself in the outdoors. Email manager@mattlandtrust.org with any questions.

Rochester Summer Remembrances

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            Summers in Rochester haven’t changed in over a quarter century. They still carry the same vibe. I can attest to this from personal experience. When I was a child growing up in the North End of New Bedford, my father, John DeCicco, frequently took me to Snow’s Pond, where his cousin owned a cottage and we had a key that let us past a padlock-chained road to enjoy swimming and picnicking.

            Today, the roads we traveled to the cottage are still mostly pristine scenes of modest homes and open fields in shades of green and tree-bark brown. There’s still a crisp smell of pine and fresh air. Back then, “The Country Whip” near the top of Robinson Road had just opened. The same ice cream cone sign there now marked the spot (or it’s an exact replica of the original one). The only ice cream flavor choices then, though, were vanilla or coffee.

            Just past the “Entering Rochester” sign on Robinson Road, the “Ponderosa” was already open, though then my young mind wondered if it had any connection to the “Bonanza” television show. We’d pass the “Hartley Saw Mill” shack that’s still there on Hartley Road. A little farther down the road, I saw the early frame of the Rochester Memorial School.

            Then we arrived at my favorite place to swim as a child and my favorite memory of my late father. The visit to the cottage was our regular routine, Saturdays and Tuesdays in the summer (mom never liked going to the beach but also must have known that father-son time was important).

            Dad was the oven man at a baking company in New Bedford, and those two days were his only time off. His hands were rough (he was an army veteran of World War II, Pacific Theater, Philippines), but his touch was gentle when he made sure I was dry and clean after a day of swimming there, and he checked me for rashes.

            Old tire inner tubes were available at the cottage in place of the typical store-bought inflatable swimming tubes for floating in from the pond shore. They were a lot bigger, for sure. But I did end up with a red rash once or twice.

            I remember my dad’s patience on those days. Patience with my boyish energy back then. Patience as my older cousins that we sometimes brought along tried to get pop tunes from WPRO on his scratchy AM radio. The only time I ever saw him angry was when my younger cousin Jimmy spilled his ice cream (from “Country Whip”, of course) all over the back seat of his car. He stopped the car halfway down Hartley Road to tell Jimmy he was licking the cone the wrong way. I learned the right way to lick an ice cream cone that day!

            He called our “Snow’s Pond” destination, “Phil’s Cottage.” Only years later did I learn it was named after a cousin, Philomena. Maybe he didn’t want my young mind confused by his nickname for his female cousin.

            He always gave me a choice of going to “Phil’s Cottage” or “Mary’s Pond” (when it was more of a sandy beach). I always chose the cottage. I was more comfortable there. It meant more peaceful, quiet privacy.

            I dare say these attributes are more of what the summer swimming areas of Rochester and the roads that lead to them offer even today. Let it always be so. Rochester, thank you for the memories!

By Michael J. DeCicco

From the Files of the Rochester Historical Society

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The new exhibit that will open at the Rochester Historical Society Museum this fall is ” The Tools and Industry that Made Rochester” and it is supported by the Rochester Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. The picture accompanying this article is one of the tools that will be part of the exhibit, and it is part of the museum’s permanent collection.

            Since it’s a very warm day today, it’s nice to think about a tool used in the winter. This ice axe was donated to the museum by Fred Tripp. When I was a pretty, young child, my grandfather took some of us over to Snow’s Pond in the middle of winter. The pond was solidly frozen in a way that doesn’t seem to happen these days. It was a sunny day with a blue sky, and we were bundled up against the cold.

            With Grandpa we walked out on the ice toward the center of the pond. After a yard or so, we stopped. I can still remember being in awe that we were standing on top of the water that we had been swimming in months before. The water was so clear that you could see all the way to the sandy bottom. I seem to remember seeing turtles hibernating on the pond floor.

            Grampa told us that when he was growing up, there was no electricity to run refrigerators and people had ice chests to keep their food cold. He explained how men would use ice axes to cut blocks of ice out of the pond. It would be loaded on wagons or trucks on beds of sawdust from the mill and delivered to homes around town. It wasn’t until I was at the museum that I actually saw an ice axe.

            We are looking for anyone who has an old tool that would/could have been used in Rochester’s past. It could be something used in farming, at one of the mills, in a dairy or used on a cranberry bog. Tools like the axe that were used to accomplish jobs around town are also welcomed. You can loan items for the length of the exhibit or donate them outright. If you have something that you are willing to share and that we are able to use, please, contact me at eshbach2@aol.com or call 508-763-5492 or 617-750-2818.

By Connie Eshbach

3 vs 5 Select Board

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To the Editor;

            Much debate and awareness has now occurred regarding the 3 vs 5 select board vote taken at a recent town meeting where the 297 voters in attendance discussed this issue. The resulting “simple majority” spoke for the 5,970 voters in town. Here are some thoughts to ponder. A few years ago, Mr. George Pierce Randall upset a long-term incumbent to win a seat on the select board. His win ousted a long term, popular incumbent. His bid showed that if the message and timing are right, long-term incumbents certainly can be voted out.

            Diversity has many faces, and that particular select board proved to be one of the most diverse, having both the oldest (age 80) plus the youngest members in the state of Massachusetts. This certainly made for some robust discussions. Upon losing his re-election bid Mr. Randll did not seek to change the form of governmental structure – just to have a seat at the table. He continued to work for his town. He attended all town meetings in their entirety, and educated people on the history of his town.

            People come to, and remain for generations, in small towns for many diverse and meaningful reasons. Many changes within small towns are out of our local control Not this issue however.

            Let’s keep our government small to minimize costs and complexity. Why does one of the smallest towns in the state need one of the biggest select boards? If petitions are signed, as in the original effort to bring this before the town, and another town meeting is held, or better yet a special town election, I hope that more of my small-town neighbors will have the opportunity to voice their opinion to enable this to be a more complete picture of the will of the people in this special town.

            Respectfully,

Cheryl A. Randall-Mach, 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.

Athletic Fields Get Green Light

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            The Old Rochester Regional High School’s athletic fields will finally be getting some much-needed repairs and improvements beginning with bids opening on August 20.

            Representatives Megan Kearns and Josh Millonig from the engineering firm Weston & Sampson stated during the August 11 meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission that the project is in buffer-zoned areas of the property, will be contained to the existing footprint and did not require a Notice of Intent filing. Instead, the project will require the lesser filing of a Request for Determination of Applicability.

            Mattapoisett Town Administrator Mike Lorenco said that the project is being funded in total by a $750,000 state bond bill authored by recently retired Representative Bill Straus. The estimated costs for the project were not discussed at this meeting, but Lorenco stated that funds are not coming from local taxes.

            Kearns and Millonig detailed the construction methods primarily noting that grassed areas will be contoured for better drainage and new grass planted. The commission rendered a Negative 3 decision.

            Mike Dahill, 0 Shore Drive, filed an RDA for the installation of a platform and stairs fabricated from aluminum to repair concrete stairs that allow water access to his property.  Dahill said the 4-foot by 8-foot platform will be constructed over existing stairs and footings, which are now under the beach sand. He also said that the stairs will be removed during the winter season. He received a Negative 2 decision.

            Bill Madden, 11 Melissa Lane, also filed an RDA request for the construction of a 26-foot by 20-foot garage with pea stone driveway. Madden, of GAF Engineering, represented himself. During the discussion, it was determined that the request would be continued, pending notification from Natural Heritage.

            Nat DaSilva of Farland Corporation, representing Adam Walorz of 0 Nantucket Drive, received conditioning for a Notice of Intent filing for the construction of a new single-family home. DaSilva discussed additional beefed-up conservation erosion controls necessary for the topography of the site.

            In other matters, the commission will be pursuing possible parking at the town owned Cove Street property for purposes of giving residents access to the area for recreating and shell fishing. The commissioners are researching options.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission is scheduled for August 25 at 6:30 pm in Town Hall.

Mattapoisett Conservation Commission

By Marilou Newell