Upcoming Events for the Rochester Historical Society

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Celebrating the 250th Anniversary of our country means that there is a lot going on. We are collaborating this year with other town organizations to maximize the events planned. On May 9, the Historical Society will be holding its May meeting at the Plumb Library to hear Robert Barbosa speak about his book, “Patriots of the South Coast”. His book is a collection of stories about those on the South Coast who were active during the Revolutionary War. The talk will begin at noon.

            Also, in May, it’s time to get out your baking pans or warm up your sweet tooth. The Historical Society will be having a Red, White and Blue Bake Sale on May 30 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. We’ll once again be at the Rochester Land Trust Pony Pasture off of Mattapoisett Rd. More information for those who want to help out by baking will be available soon.

Learn About Our Amphibian Neighbors with the MLT

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Have you ever been curious about the quacking and peeping going on in the woods behind your house? There’s a good chance there is a vernal pool nearby. Join the Mattapoisett Land Trust during School Vacation on Saturday, April 25 at 1:00 pm at our Woodcock Preserve to learn more about vernal pools. Vernal pools are a vital breeding habitat for resident amphibians and invertebrates such as wood frogs (the ones that quack.), spotted and blue-spotted salamanders, and fairy shrimp. Local vernal pool enthusiast Gary Johnson, who has certified numerous pools in town, will lead this walk. The pool is just a short hike from the parking lot. Once there, we will examine frog and salamander eggs and learn more about the amphibians and invertebrates that call these pools home.

            The exploration is free and open to all, including residents of other towns. The walk will begin at the parking area at our Woodcock Preserve on Long Plain Road. Please leave your dog friends at home – this walk is focused on wildlife observation and dogs may impact our opportunity to see some species. Please wear appropriate clothing including rubber boots. The exploration will take place rain or shine. For more information, go to our website www.mattlandtrust.org, call 774-377-9191 or email manager@mattlandtrust.org.

Article 31

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To the Editor:

            What unfolded at Marion’s Select Board meeting on March 31, 2026, appeared routine: three agenda items, swift approvals, and a Town Meeting warrant closed in just over twenty minutes. But beneath that efficiency lies a more consequential story, one defined not by what was debated, but by what was avoided.

            The meeting began with perfunctory actions: appointing an Election Warden and approving 53G Fund regulations for the Department of Public Works. Both passed without discussion. The central task followed: closing the Town Meeting Warrant, comprising 47 articles that will shape decisions before Marion residents.

            What followed was striking. Articles 1 through 31 were approved in rapid succession, motion, second, unanimous vote, no discussion. Governance reduced to cadence.

            That rhythm broke briefly at Article 31.

            Vice Chair John Hoagland paused: “Let’s talk about this one.” The article proposed transferring land at Island Wharf from the Marine Resources Commission (MRC) back to the Select Board. Originally conveyed to the MRC in 2009, the parcel was described as underutilized. Member Norm Hills suggested that returning it might allow eventual placement under a proposed Parks Department.

            It was a question of land use, stewardship, and long-term intent, one worthy of public airing.

            The discussion was cut short.

            Chair Randy Parker immediately rejected the idea: “I don’t support that.” Within moments, he moved to remove the article entirely from the warrant. The motion passed, with only Mr. Hills dissenting. The matter did not proceed to Town Meeting. It did not reach the public. It vanished from consideration.

            Removing an article from the warrant does more than delay a conversation; it prevents one. Residents are denied the opportunity to debate or vote on land that is, by law and legacy, theirs.

            Island Wharf’s green space is not incidental property. The 1901 deed is explicit: the land is to be used “for public purposes only and not for commercial purposes.” For generations, it has functioned as a public park, open, passive, communal, and is recognized as such in the town’s Open Space and Recreation Plan.

            Yet its character has shifted incrementally. A bandstand was installed. Pavement added. Parking expanded. Individually modest, collectively transformative.

            Today, the change is unmistakable. Vehicles: cars, trailers, commercial trucks, and heavy equipment regularly encroach onto the green space. Soil is compacted. Grass recedes. The function of the land shifts from parkland to staging ground.

            A public park cannot coexist indefinitely with industrial use without ceasing to be a park.

            Meanwhile, related discussions continue elsewhere. At a subsequent Marine Resources Commission meeting, Island Wharf was explicitly addressed. Proposals included seasonal permits for commercial vehicles, coordination through the harbormaster, and even reimagining the space as managed parking infrastructure. One remark captured the shift: “the idea that you can never put stuff on the grass is just not a reality.”

            That framing moves the question from whether the land should be protected to how its use can be accommodated.

            This is why the removal of Article 31 matters.

            While discussions about Island Wharf’s future are clearly underway, in recommendations, commission meetings, and planning documents, the public forum where those issues might be openly contested has been narrowed. The opportunity for residents to weigh in was not postponed. It was precluded.

            What remains is a pattern worth examining: a warrant advanced with unusual speed; a single article paused, then eliminated; a land-use question halted before public review; parallel planning conversations proceeding elsewhere.

            Individually, each action may be defensible. Together, they suggest a process shaped as much by omission as by open debate.

            Island Wharf is more than a parcel. It is a test of how Marion interprets its obligations, balances pressure against principle, and includes the public in decisions that shape shared space.

            The deed is clear. The designation is clear. The condition of the land is increasingly clear.

            What remains uncertain, and urgent, is whether the public will be fully included in deciding what comes next.

Eileen J. Marum, Marion

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.

Rochester Fire Quelled Before Tri-Town Aid Arrives

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On Monday morning around 7:20 am, the Rochester Fire Department responded to a structural fire just off Cranberry Highway, Route 28, near the Wareham line.

            The fire began at the recycling facility operated by E.L. Harvey & Sons, Inc. Seven engines, Tower 1 and Units 190, 193, 198, 192, 210, initially responded to the call, along with the Rochester Police Department. Upon their arrival, firefighters discovered the fire was mostly contained within a metal compartment used in aluminum recycling. Employees of Harvey had been able to partially contain the fire and reduce its intensity before the engines arrived by flushing the system of some of its garbage, or fuel.

            Through the system of mutual aid, assistance had been called upon from both Marion and Mattapoisett. Though while the other Tri-Town’s departments were enroute, their help was called off. Within 20 minutes of Rochester Fire Department’s arrival, the fire had been extinguished.

            The prior evening, the RFD had responded to the neighboring town of Freetown’s mutual aid request for a separate structural fire.

By Sam Bishop

Maintenance in the Children’s Department a at the Mattapoisett Library

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We are excited to share that a complete flooring replacement will be taking place on the bottom floor of the Mattapoisett Free Public Library. From the Large Meeting Room to the hallways, to the entire Children’s Department, a team will be working throughout May to install a brand-new floor.

            We are planning for the work to begin on May 4, and preparations for the work crew will begin on May 1. It is expected that the project will take around 3 weeks to complete. In order for the work crew to complete the work as soon and as safely as possible, the lower floor of the library will be closed to all patrons starting on May 1.

            We look forward to welcoming everybody back to the refurbished space in June, but in the meantime, we will have take-home bags for children available upstairs starting on May 2nd, but that’s not all. Storytimes will continue as scheduled; they will simply be held outside, weather permitting. We will also be hosting “Mini Big Top”, a small but mighty circus show and workshop on Saturday, May 23 at 11am, outside on the library lawn. You will not want to miss this.

            In case you still have some questions or concerns, here is a quick set of FAQs:

            How can we return our books, DVDs, etc.? As always, all checked-out items can be returned at the upstairs desk. Except for Wonderbooks and Backpacks, they can be placed in the bookdrop or returned to other libraries.

            How can I check out books for my kids? Your Mattapoisett library card works at more than 40 other public libraries in this area. You can also order books from those libraries and have them sent here for pickup at the upstairs desk.

 Are the librarians on vacation? Nope. They are in the Marine Room or helping out upstairs. The Children’s Department may be closed, but Summer Reading is getting closer every day.

            More information is available on our website, mattapoisettlibrary.org, or by calling 508-758-4171. We hope to see you in the library soon. Until then, keep reading.

Books & Play at Plumb Library

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On Friday, April 24 we’ll be having two Freeplay Fridays sessions: One for ages 0-5 from 10:30 am to 11:30 am and another for ages 6-12 from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm. On Saturday, April 25 at 12:00 pm noon we’ll be doing an adult storytime, because listening to stories isn’t just for kids. Listen to Kristen read a short story aloud, followed by some information and book recommendations for participating in the Massachusetts Center for the Book Reading Challenge.

            Book Buds is back. Come talk about books with other young readers and enjoy some snacks. Book Buds for ages 8-12 is on Monday, April 27 from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Ages 6-8 meet on Tuesday, April 28 from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm. Ages 12-18 meet on Wednesday, April 29 from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm. Please register on the library’s online events calendar. The library’s monthly book group for adults also meets this week, on Thursday, April 30 at 6:30 pm. The group will be discussing The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna and copies are available to borrow at the library.

Students Turn Food Waste into a Hands-On Learning Experience

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Students across Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55 schools are gaining a deeper understanding of food systems and sustainability through a hands-on food waste workshop led by the Marion Institute’s Grow Education program.

            Designed to make food waste visible, measurable, and meaningful, the workshop engaged students in sorting cafeteria waste into landfill, compost, and animal feed categories – helping them better understand their role as everyday consumers and the environmental impact of their choices.

            “By making food waste tangible, students are able to see the direct impact of their decisions in real time,” said Nate Sander, Grow Education Program Manager at the Marion Institute. “This kind of experiential learning sparks important conversations around responsibility, sustainability, and how we care for our shared resources.”

            Through the activity, students explored how small, daily actions – like what they choose to throw away – connect to larger environmental outcomes. The workshop also encouraged critical thinking about food systems, waste reduction, and opportunities to divert organic material away from landfills.

            This workshop was an eye-opening experience for our students, transforming how they view their daily meals,” said Jill Henesey, Director of Food and Nutrition Services at Old Rochester Regional School District & MA Superintendency Union #55. “Reducing food waste begins with the very first step: choosing the foods they want to eat. Our goal is for students to fuel their minds with nutritious choices, while also empowering them to make the next best decision if they have leftovers – saving food for later or sharing it with a peer through the share table. By making waste tangible, we help students become mindful consumers who recognize the value of their resources and understand the impact of their choices.”

Voting Clickers Donated for Town Meeting

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            The Rochester Select Board had much to say about the May 18 Annual Town Meeting when it met with the Finance Committee to review the meeting’s 33-article warrant on Thursday, April 16.

            The first revelation of the night was about a donation meant to make voting easier that night. Town Administrator Cameron Durant reported an anonymous entity has donated 400 remote voting clickers for Town Meeting voters with a $1,800 grant. Durant said Rochester is one of three Massachusetts communities to receive this generous donation “and also the software, in perpetuity. No strings attached,” he said. “Unsolicited. No one at Town Hall applied.”

            Durant added that representatives of the manufacturer, Meridia, will come to town the night of Town Meeting and walk officials through how the device will work. Select Board member Brad Morse liked the idea and said it will make voting simpler and easier for residents at Town Meeting. “No more holding up cards and taking hand counts,” he said. The board quickly approved acceptance of the donation.

            When the Select Board and the Finance Committee began its review of the Town Meeting Warrant, three articles were placed on hold for further revision or discussion at a separate meeting in April.

            Article 17 seeks to transfer $10,000 from free cash for the maintenance, repair and replacement of existing kitchen equipment at the Council on Aging Senior Center. The hold here is to add “qualifications” and controls on who will decide how this money is spent. The board agreed to hold off.

            The other holds are for Article 19, which would transfer $250,000 from free cash to supplement the school system’s Special Education out-of-district tuition, a cost that has risen dramatically this year to $1,100,000, and Article 20, which would transfer from free cash $100,000 to establish a Special Education Fund that could be used for this type of future expense.

            Resident David Eckhart argued that, because the town is expecting a state earmark of $250,000 to reimburse this cost, the town should influence how the money is spent should this amount be received. “All the financial squeezes on the town are due to squeezes from the schools,” he said. He noted with alarm that the student population has declined but school expenses are rising. The town should take control of how that earmark money is spent, he indicated.

            Robin Rounseville and Katherine Duggan of the Rochester Memorial School Committee protested this suggestion, saying this money needs to go only to school Special Education. “We have 72 new students, but costs are not the same for every student. We have much greater needs. You are comparing apples and oranges,” Rounseville said.

            Morse said the language could be changed for Article 19. Select Board Chair Adam Murphy recommended a meeting be scheduled to explain all the aspects of current, out-of-district, Special Education costs. Eckhart agreed to this meeting.

            In other business, the board announced that long-time, Board of Assessors member Jana Cavanaugh recently passed away. In his written tribute, Durant noted, “she served with distinction as a long-time elected and Chairman of the Board of Assessors. She was also an educator at Rochester Memorial School, where she made a lasting impact on the lives of her students.”

            The next meeting of the Rochester Select Board and the Finance Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, April 23 at 6:30 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.

Rochester Select Board & Finance Committee

By Michael J. DeCicco

Mattapoisett Looks into Saturday Town Meetings

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On Saturday, March 18, the Mattapoisett Select Board stated they were seeking input from the community. More specifically, the board is exploring opinions on moving the date in which future Town Meetings are held to a Saturday.

            The posting states, “The Board is considering moving the meeting to a Saturday in May, which would require an amendment to the Town’s General Bylaws.” Such a change in town bylaw would require a vote of approval at a Town Meeting.

            This would be another big shakeup to longstanding norms, alongside the enlargement of the town’s Select Board from three to five members, approved by voters at last year’s Town Meeting.

            Other towns in Massachusetts hold their meetings on Saturdays, though it’s fairly sporadic and doesn’t seem dependent on region. Nearby municipalities with Saturday town meetings include Plymouth, which just held theirs on April 11, and Hingham. Other towns are in the Greater Boston Area out farther west.

            Residents are encouraged to submit their thoughts or ideas. It could be possible to vote on this year, were such a question added to the 2026 Town Meeting Warrant. Mattapoisett residents looking to share their thoughts can do so at a Select Board meeting or by visiting

mattapoisett.gov/597/Saturday-Town-Meetings—Input-Wanted.

By Sam Bishop

Cutler’s Curtain Call Continued

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            The highlight of the April 9 meeting of the Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals was what had almost happened.

            It would have been the last meeting for Richard Cutler after serving roughly 40 years on the ZBA, except the two hearings its members opened that night both needed continuances to April 23.

            Cutler, whose long service to the town also included stint as a selectman, began the meeting by reading from a prepared statement to address his retirement. “It is with mixed emotions that I am leaving my seat on the ZBA,” he said. “It has been a privilege to have served with so many people dedicated to preserving the intent of the zoning bylaws and by extension the rural character of my community. But it is time to step aside and let younger people continue the work. I look at the people here and feel confident that well-considered decisions will continue.”

            Meeting action delayed that retirement by another two weeks. First, the board continued to the next meeting its hearing into a request to allow a shortened front setback for a new home construction at 28 Marion Road. Property owner and engineer Nelson Bernardo said he needs to be allowed a 34-foot setback rather than the required 40-foot setback because he inadvertently built his house foundation too close to setback lines. He said his plan is to build a modest set of steps to his front door to match the colonial style of his home with landscape screening. Board members noted this is his own design and construction. “It’s a self-inflicted hardship,” board member Jeffrey Costa said. They instructed him to return with the original plans stamped and certified.

            Next, the board heard a request for a special permit to allow a kennel license for 15 dogs at 19 County Road. Property owner Anita Milka explained her plan is for a kennel behind the house she is building there. Milka explained she handles small-breed dogs, Bernedoodles and “Oxie” doodles, she said. Her intent is to breed them and sell them.

            The board’s main response was that the hearing was advertised incorrectly and may need to be readvertised. The kennel would be on 2.5 acres of Lot 1, not on the 8 acres on the full, three-lot parcel as advertised in The Wanderer. The board continued this hearing to April 24 to give Milka time to resubmit plans.

            Before this continuance, abutters attending the hearing lent their support. “I’m here to support what she wants to do,” Planning Board member Michael Murphy said. “This is what this town is all about. Small business and animals. Everybody in town has a dog. These kennel owners are people that will take pride in those dogs, treat them well.”

            Scott Mackus said he attended the hearing because he feared a kennel bringing in 15 dogs every week. “But raising and breeding dogs,” he said. “I’m all for that.”
            The next meeting of the Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals will be held on Thursday, April 23 at 7:00 pm at 1 Constitution Way.

Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals

By Michael J. DeCicco