September is Library Card Sign-up Month

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The Mattapoisett Free Public Library, 7 Barstow Street, celebrates Library Card Sign-up Month with a raffle for teens and adults who register for a new library card or use their existing card throughout September. The Children’s Department will also have a raffle. Current library patrons can earn one ticket per day by presenting their card, physically or digitally, at checkout. Staff will draw the winners from each pool of raffle tickets at the end of the month and notify the lucky patrons.

            Did you know your SAILS library card grants you access to more than just books and magazines? At the MFPL, you can borrow discounted museum passes, WiFi hotspots, musical instruments, various household items, and more. Your library card also allows access to eContent, such as Libby, Hoopla, Mango Languages, Niche Academy and GALE Databases. A library card has something to offer everyone in the family. Library card sign-up is easy and can be done online or in person. Ask a librarian for more information. Please call us at (508) 758-4171 or email us mfpl@sailsinc.org with any questions.

Coming in September at the Rochester Historical Society Museum

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September is coming and so are two events at the Society’s museum at 355 County Rd. The first is our monthly meeting on September 18 at 7:00. David Schafer of the Sons of the American Revolution will speak on the research that it takes to locate the graves of Revolutionary War Patriots in order to install a memorial markers.

            This is a prelude to an event on October 26 at 11:00 in the Rochester Center Cemetery to honor Thomas Bassett of Rochester who was a soldier during the Revolutionary War.

            The second event will be our annual Cranberry Bake Sale on September 28 from 10-3. Along with delicious bake goods the day will include the reopening of our current exhibit, sales of our Rochester items, a chance to upcycle jewelry and buttons and much more. More info on that as we get closer to the date.

Vergoni Keeps VASE Going Strong

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Johanna Vergoni was a student at Sippican Elementary School in the late 1980s, which were formative times for the school, its community-based support systems and students who many years later would become key volunteers.

            “I can remember VASE … and I can remember MOP, Marion Occupational Program, where we had members from the community come in and talk to our fifth and sixth graders about their jobs. I remember that when I was a kid,” said Vergoni, her emphasis on the lasting impact of those memories and lessons. “To think that we still have that tradition today, I think that really speaks to the community that we have and the individuals that we have serving and volunteering. That’s what I love about our town and our community, that we have these traditions and they continue 50 years later.”

            Vergoni’s eventual efforts to continue these traditions impressed multiple peers in a success nomination of her as recipient of the 2024 Keel Award for the Town of Marion.

            An acronym for Volunteers at Sippican Elementary (School), 50-year-old VASE is a volunteer-run, citizen’s organization that raises funds and garners supplies that enrich student life for Grades 1-6 in Marion.

            If there is a field trip, it’s a good bet that VASE was not only instrumental but essential in the fund-raising and organizational efforts that made it possible.

            “Johanna’s passion, dedication and energy are unmatched,” said Gina Hermenegildo. “Her sacrifices and efforts are done selflessly, without any need for acknowledgement. Because of this, as a parent, friend and community member, I respectfully recommend Johanna’s formal acknowledgement as a community leader.”

            A stay-at-home mother, Vergoni joined VASE when her 14-year-old daughter was in kindergarten.

            “The 2019-20 school year is when I really got involved,” said Vergoni, who began as a member at large and learned from April Nye and Christina Bonney, who were serving as president and vice president at the time. “They kind of brought me in and showed me the ropes. Really, I learned from those two, and Barbara Moody was a part of the board at that time.”

            A little involvement begets greater involvement.

            “Yeah, and that’s really how it works. That’s how it worked with me. You know, I would help, volunteer here and there, and then April said, ‘You know, you seem to enjoy this. If you like this, what do you think about being a member at large?’”

            Anyone can volunteer to participate in VASE’s after-school programs. Volunteers need not be parent to be involved. Since childhood, Vergoni’s favorite VASE event has been its holiday shop, something a student can engage and at the same time become more financially literate.

            “Now we have the high school come in, Old Rochester ambassadors, come into Sippican. They help the kids shop, they set out a budget,” she explained. “They work with the kids to say, ‘okay, this is how much money you have.’ Again, it’s not just any one person, it really is a team and a community. Everyone plays a role, and that saying, ‘it takes a village,’ it really does, and this is our village. … We offer outside of the classroom.”

            Vergoni became VASE president before the 2022-23 school year. Moody was her first vice president, and Hermenegildo serves in that role now.

            “She is by far the most organized individual I know. Then, once the activity is set up, Johanna is there, in the trenches, assisting in the event,” said Moody, citing examples, including free field trips for all Sippican Elementary students, schoolwide activities adding culture and experiences to student life, events such as a holiday shop, field days and After School Enrichment (ACE). “The Booster-thon Fun Run generates a majority of needed funds for the year, and it is Johanna who leads those on the VASE committee to accomplish this endeavor.

            “From open houses to sixth-grade, yearlong activities to playground supplies, it is Johanna who sees the need and assists in large part to organizing it. Her countless hours are to be commended. She does so without fanfare nor seeking out recognition.”

            Next year, Vergoni will miss VASE, and VASE will miss her. That’s how it goes with the committed, they make lifelong friends through their volunteerism. The more they put into the cause, the more it hurts to say goodbye.

            “This will be it because my son is a sixth-grader, so he’s going to be moving on next year to the junior high, and then I’ll be done,” said Vergoni with more than a hint of sadness. “I may go back to work, but I think that I’ll probably still be around, helping out here and there.”

Marion Keel Award: Johanna Vergoni

By Mick Colageo

Editor’s note: The Keel awards are presented in today’s issue of The Wanderer, each of the tri-towns’ recipients being recognized as a guiding force in the community.  Like the keel of a ship that keeps the vessel from capsizing, the recipients of the Annual Wanderer Keel Award will be recognized for their stalwart efforts in keeping the community on an “even keel.”

Village Roads Project on 2028 TIP

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            Coming before the Mattapoisett Select Board on August 27 was Greg Russell of VHB, the engineering firm hired to help the town navigate the hundreds of steps needed to climb in order to secure TIP funding (Transportation Improvement grant monies) for its village roads redevelopment project.

            On this night, Russell addressed the current status of the project and what has transpired since the June public meeting that was held by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.

            During that meeting, the DOT team discussed the 25% design as drafted by VHB with local input. It also opened up the dialog with the community by asking the residents to forward their comments and questions directly to the DOT.

            To date, 56 letters have been received, it was noted. Russell said the comments included advancing the design as currently conceived, a sidewalk on one side, implement traffic-calming measures and the consideration of underground utilities.

            The project has yet to be acted upon for the next step in the process (75% design) due to the need to incorporate such items as the hiring of an arborist to evaluate the current health of trees with a report by the end of September. Until recently, these trees were slated for removal. Also holding up the step is the question as to whether the public wishes MassDOT to consider making all or part of Water Street one-way traffic.

            That option, which had been forwarded during previous public meetings, found Select Board member Jodi Bauer digging into decades of old board minutes.

            “Back in the 1980s, the town voted to make Water Street one way – it failed,” said Bauer, noting the negative impact the action had on businesses and residents. “We should learn from the mistakes of the past.”

            Another reason why the one-way plan would prove difficult would be the routing of traffic onto narrow side streets. Russell said that upgrades of side streets would be necessary to handle the increased traffic flow. Highway Surveyor Garrett Bauer was not in favor of the one-way, also citing the impact on other village roads.

            Russell said that other aspects of the project to consider included two sidewalks, bicycle accommodations, on-street parking and a wider tree belt.

            Moving forward, Russell said the town needs to identify a preferred concept to share with DOT. Further, he said it is necessary to incorporate agreed-upon design changes and resubmit an updated 25% design (anticipated in winter/spring 2025), then advance the project to the 75% design status.

            Select Board member Tyler Macallister asked that a table-top-size design be made available for public review. Another public-facing piece will now be a website exclusively for this project where information can be made available and public input received.

            On the subject of stormwater discharge, Mike Huguenin, president of the Mattapoisett Land Trust, wanted to make sure that the MS4 regulations would be part of the planning. MS4 mandates specific cleanliness of water being discharged into the sea. Town Administrator Mike Lorenco cautioned that fines may be levied against towns failing to meet the standards.

            In other matters, Lorenco said early voting is now available at Town Hall and that public input is still being sought for the Hazard Mitigation survey available on the town’s website.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Select Board was not announced at adjournment.

Mattapoisett Select Board

By Marilou Newell

A Boston Pops Season Finale

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On Friday, August 30, the Marion Concert Band will close its 2024 season with a concert in the style of the Boston Pops Orchestra. The program, which includes a tuba soloist and selections by Boston Pops arranger Leroy Anderson and former Pops conductor John Williams, is as follows:

Montmartre March – H. Wood

Barber of Seville Overture – G. Rossini

Strike Up the Band – G. Gershwin

Tubby the Tuba – G. Kleinsinger

            Reece Ashley, tuba / Scott and Jennifer Estacio, narrators

Belle of the Ball – L. Anderson

Bugler’s Holiday – L. Anderson

Clarinet Escapade – R. Ward

John Williams: Evening at Pops – arr. J. Higgins

Mancini. – H. Mancini

Young Person’s Guide to John Williams – arr. J. Bocook

The Stars and Stripes Forever – J. P. Sousa

            Reece Ashley is an active tubist in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts. Along with the Marion Concert Band, Reece has performed with many ensembles, including the Washington Commanders Marching Band, the Cape Ann Symphony Orchestra, the Longwood Symphony Orchestra, the Metrowest Symphony Orchestra, the Tri Country Symphonic Band, and many more. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Tuba Performance from Rhode Island College, and is attending the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, pursuing a master’s degree in Tuba Performance.

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

Important Election Information for Mattapoisett Voters

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The State Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, September 3. Mattapoisett voters will cast their ballots at Old Hammondtown School which is located at 20 Shaw Street. Please be aware that at the request of school administration and local public safety officials, we are using the gymnasium instead of the cafetorium for polling. As a result, voters will be utilizing different doors to enter and exit the school. We plan to have adequate signage to assist voters with this new traffic pattern. Polls will be open at 7 am and will close at 8 pm. 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. Ballots must be received by 8 pm on September 3 to be counted. Please do not bring your early /absentee ballot to the polls on Election Day. If you have any questions regarding the election, please call the Town Clerk’s Office at 508-758-4100 x 2 or email Town Clerk, Catherine Heuberger at townclerk@mattapoisett.net.

September Events at the Mattapoisett Library

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The Mattapoisett Library, located at 7 Barstow Street, has a few activities to keep you busy this month.

            Throughout September, the library is celebrating Library Card Sign-Up Month with a raffle for children, teens, and adults. To enter, patrons must register for a new library card or present their library card, digitally or physically, at checkout. Limit one raffle entry per day.

            Our next Cookbook Club meeting is scheduled for September 17 at 6:30 pm. New members are always welcome. This month, we’re reading “The Cook You Want to Be: Everyday Recipes to Impress.” Limited copies of the book are available for pickup at the library. Stop by and snag one.

            Join our new writing group on Tuesday, September 24, at 6 pm in the Marine Room. Bring your favorite writing accessories (e.g., paper, pen, computer) and get ready for the spark as ideas pop up in this creative writing session facilitated by Alanna Nelson. You’ll be on your way to creating work to submit to Sippizine, the community culture journal.

            These events are free and open to all. Check the calendar on our website for additional information and updates. If you have questions, please email mfpl@sailsinc.org or call us at (508) 758-4171.

Robert A. Brown

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Robert A. Brown, 86, of Mattapoisett, MA, passed away peacefully on August 19, 2024, after a short illness.  

Bob spent his childhood between Indianapolis, Indiana, where he was born and Massachusetts, attending grade school in Mattapoisett and high school in Fairhaven. When his family settled for good in Indianapolis, he spent summers by himself in Mattapoisett, teaching sailing and finding fun and adventures in Buzzards Bay. 

He graduated from Brown University, Providence, RI., married his first wife, Sarah (Rose), and settled in Mattapoisett for good in 1966.  Bob worked for many years as an engineer for different companies including Sippican Company, Marion, and Acushnet Company (Titleist); he holds many patents for his unique inventions. Most recently, he had been advancing his theories on brain function utilizing his Spike Timing Principles.

Bob loved sailing and tennis. He spent his childhood at the beach and on the water, learning to sail from Polly Storrow, who rented him a room during his teens, allowing him to spend summers in Mattapoisett. He pursued his passion for tennis at the Mattapoisett Casino, where he cared for the clay courts and continued to play well into his 80s. He loved riding bicycles; his “twin” Schwinn transported the whole family with front and back child seats. He designed his own bikes and rode a recumbent along the new bike paths in town. He enjoyed walking to the beach and beyond, recently using his new walking sticks.

 His passion for the beach was evident over many years, and he spent countless hours restoring Cannonville Beach to manage road runoff. He planted grasses that protected the beach from erosion. Bob was a thoughtful person and spent many hours in conversations on his porch with friends, debating all manner of interesting topics and scientific theories.

He is survived by his son, Christopher T. Brown of Marion, MA, and his daughter, Sandy E. Panek (Jeff) of RI and two grandchildren, Justin J. Panek and Nicole E. Panek, as well as nieces Jennifer Brown (Robert Ziegler), Alice Brown, and nephew Nathaniel Brown. He is predeceased by his parents, Harold James, and Marie (Harbor) Brown and his brother James Harold Brown and sister-in-law Dorothy (Swanton) Brown, as well as his first wife Sarah Brown. 

He will also be remembered by his second wife, Marie Anderson (div.) and the sons, Christian and Michael, of his longtime companion, the late Christine Bertrand.

Services will be private. To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit www.warehamvillagefuneralhome.com

Durant Hired as Town Administrator

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It’s official. Cameron Durant, previously the Human Resources director for the Town of Fairhaven, will become Rochester’s new town administrator on September 9. He will be introduced to the public at the Select Board meeting on that date.

            “Municipal government is my passion,” said Durant during the interview with the Select Board that led to the job offer. He noted it has been a personal hobby and is now a professional pursuit. Becoming a town administrator has been his goal for over a decade.

            After negotiations with the Select Board last week, Durant, who was offered the job on August 14, agreed to a three-year contract that will extend to June 30, 2027.

            Meanwhile, Interim Town Administrator Suzanne Szyndlar will remain at Town Hall as finance director, giving up the dual role she has held since March. “I will be going back to my original position,” she said. “But I’ll be around. I’ll always be here to help with the transition.”

            The town administrator position was vacated by Glenn Cannon when he accepted a similar role in Carver in March.

            Select Board member Adam Murphy said during Durant’s interview that his appeal to the board was his engaging personality and eagerness to learn. It was something Murphy identified as crucial, especially considering Szyndlar’s plan to retire not only from her post as interim town administrator, but at the end of June 2025, from her job as the town’s finance director.

            Durant also noted in his interview that he started out as an operations manager at Amazon and Lyft. Having worked for the Town of Fairhaven in the Public Works department, a permitting position, before getting his human-resources certification, he said he doesn’t consider himself “the most innovative” person but able to get to use his communication skills to get “the buy-in” on town-wide projects.

            He joins a town facing the financial challenge of building a new fire station and upgrading both the police station and Rochester Memorial School.

Rochester Select Board

By Michael J. DeCicco

‘Garden Party’ Art Show a Hit

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Garden artists and clothmakers drew many onlookers on August 22 at the Rochester Council on Aging.

            The Friends of the Rochester Senior Center held their annual Art Show, and the theme of the night was “Garden Party,” a festive take on different art pieces that lined the tables of the Senior Center.

            Artists lined up at a long table and displayed their art pieces to guests. The guests chose their favorite artists in the “People’s Choice” awards to determine the winners of this year’s theme.

            Guests chatted amongst themselves as snacks and sweets catered event attendees. Others chatted amongst artists and got to look at the artworks they made.

            Artist Bunny Mogilnicki used pastels to create her piece “Flowers Galore,” a soft view of trees and grass complemented by flower beds. “You put a little bit of oil in them and powder, and then they go on and they’re very bright,” she said.

            Artist Lynnette Torres depicted a Rochester fishing pond during an autumn morning. “Nice and calming,” said Torres.

            Blue and white flowers adorned tables, and green bouquets lined the walls of the Senior Center, giving the venue a fresh appearance for the evening and its offerings.

            The Rochester Council on Aging thanked the chefs for a job well done.

By Jared Melanson