Farm Stand Hearing Postponed

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The May 15 meeting of the Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals included a Special Permit Application filed by Mike and Elizabeth King for property located at 84 North Street. The agenda item reads, “Case #1563: Petition of Micheal and Elizabeth King, Wyandotte Farm… request to seek a special permit for a Farm to Fork Stand and Farmers Market.” But prior to the meeting, King was advised that a Variance not a Special Permit was required on the advice of the town’s legal counsel.

            In a follow up, King said there had been some confusion but had been told a Special Permit was needed not a Variance. He asked for and received a postponement to allow for further clarification in this matter before filing anything further. The new date was scheduled for June 26.

            In other matters, a request for a Variance solicited by Timothy and Shyana Fisher, 4 Mattakiset Road was granted. The applicants’ plans include the removal an existing garage and shed.

            North Eastern Trade Service, on behalf of Nancy Griswold, 5 Bay Road, filed a Special Permit request for the construction of a master bedroom above an existing garage with no outward expansion. The request was granted.

            A Special Permit filed by James DePierre, 20 Cove Street for the construction of a new home on a flood compliant foundation was granted. Also granted was a Special Permit requested by George Luber, 13 Waterman Street to elevate an existing home.

            Representing Alexandra Ablon, 4 Island View Avenue was David Davignon of Schneider Davignon and Leone for a Special Permit to construct a breezeway and garage addition to a single-family dwelling. The garage will become an accessory dwelling unit. The permit was granted.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals is scheduled for June 19 at 6:00 pm in Town Hall.

Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals

By Marilou Newell

Leaving the WHO/Defunding USAID Penny Unwise and Pound Foolish

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Penny Unwise and Pound Foolish

President Trump announced on the day of his inauguration that he was withdrawing the U.S. from the World Health Organization, a process that takes a year under a joint resolution of Congress passed in 1948. The stated reason was the WHO’s failure to quickly sound the alarm about COVID-19.

            In fact, the WHO’s general director told the world to get ready on Jan 23, 2020, and a week later declared a world-wide public health emergency. It was the Trump administration that down-played the pandemic and delayed the U.S. response, leading to hundreds of thousands of avoidable deaths.

            On March 28, the Trump administration announced it was shutting down the US Agency for International Development (USAID), including all its disease-fighting initiatives around the world.

            Do either of these decisions help the U.S.?

            U.S. foreign aid in all its facets accounts for some 1% of the federal budget, and health-related spending is only a fraction of that.

            What do we get for our financial support?

            A global vaccination campaign led by the WHO led to the elimination of smallpox from the world. Global efforts have produced a 99.9% reduction in yearly polio cases, with polio now endemic only in Pakistan and Afghanistan. American support has led to a dramatic reduction in AIDS in South Africa. Malaria and tuberculosis deaths will both rise because U.S. aid has been stopped, and American tourists will also suffer.

            With the world totally connected by trade and tourism, outbreaks in a distant country will inevitably reach the U.S. and strain our health system. When a few imported cases of Ebola occurred in 2014, 45 health centers here spent over $53 million to gear up. Since the question is not “if” but “when” the next pandemic arises, do we want to fight it alone?

            WHO initiatives have directly benefitted Americans. Efforts by the WHO led to the discovery and standardization of oral fluid replacement for children suffering severe diarrhea, and this treatment is now widely used in the U.S.

            Cutting American support for the WHO and reducing our support of health efforts around the world will save us a little money in the short-run but at the cost of millions of deaths in less-developed countries and in the long-run will end up costing us more as diseases first spread abroad and then reach American shores.

            Write your Representatives and Senators and beg them to reverse this short-sighted decision.

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

What Does The Doctor Say?

By Dr. Edward Hoffer

Mattapoisett Friends Meeting

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On Sunday, June 1, Mattapoisett Friends Meeting will have a small celebration for a wedding that took place 117 years ago. Florence Martocci of Mattapoisett has donated her grandparents’ Quaker wedding certificate to the meeting. Joseph Lilburne Hiller and Florence Louise Crowell were married in the meeting house May 28, 1908.

            After a 10:00 am to 10:30 am unprogrammed (silent) meeting for worship, there will be a brief explanation of Quaker weddings, the tradition of Friends’ wedding certificates, and the Hiller family. This will be followed by mounting the original marriage certificate and light refreshments in the community hall. All are welcome.

Peter B. Hodges Memorial Scholarship Awards

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Robert Haley, President of the Mattapoisett Lions Club, one of 49,000 Lions Clubs around the world, is pleased to announce that Emerson Gonet and Bailey Pelland, both seniors at Old Rochester Regional High School, are recipients of the Mattapoisett Lions Club’s Peter B. Hodges Memorial Scholarship Award. Each student was awarded $2,000 towards their school of higher education.

            Emerson and Bailey are recognized for their numerous achievements in community service, academic achievements and career goals.

            Funds for these scholarships are raised through the efforts of Mattapoisett Lions Club members at their annual Harbor Days Arts and Crafts Festival, as well as other events. For information on how to join the Mattapoisett Lions Club please go to www.mattapoisettlionsclub.org/contact.

Upcoming Events at the Elizabeth Taber Library

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Spark your imagination and create custom metal jewelry with Karenna Maraj, Saturdays in June at 10:30 am. All tools and materials are included. This series is supported by grant funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. Spaces are limited, call the library to register. Sign up for one or multiple classes; June 7 – The Art of Wire Wrapping; June 14 – Cabochon Pendant; June 21 – Copper Cuff Bracelet, Kids can create fun and wearable jewelry at Karenna Maraj’s kids beaded jewelry workshop, for ages 7-13; June 28 – Kids’ Beaded Jewelry Class

            The Elizabeth Taber Library is transitioning to our summer programming schedule, so be sure to take a close look at our event calendar. We look forward to sharing more about our summer reading program with you soon.

            The last family story time for the spring will be held Tuesday, May 27 at 10:30 am.

            On Thursday, May 22 from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm our afternoon activities program will introduce the principles of 3-D Design using the library’s 3-Doodler 3-D pens. The final afternoon activities program of the school year will be held from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Thursday, May 29 as participants build and decorate butterfly houses. Afternoon Activities programs are recommended for kids grades K-4.

            When school releases early on Wednesday, May 28, tweens in grades 5-7 are invited to the Library for a Tween Takeover. Drop in anytime between 12:30 pm and 3:00 pm to make DIY Croc Charms.

            For more information on the Elizabeth Taber Library visit us at www.ElizabethTaberLibrary.org or email the library at ETLibrary@sailsinc.org.

Daniel P. Vigeant

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Daniel P. Vigeant, 50, of Marion, passed away surrounded by his family after an unexpected cardiac event on Thursday, May 22, 2025.

Born in New Bedford, he was raised in Mattapoisett before moving to Marion.

Dan was a movie fan and loved watching Jaws and Back to the Future. He was the life of every party and was a friend to everyone. Dan loved his daughters Sophie and Mackenzie and his fiancée Lisa very much. Dan enjoyed going on his boat and was a big part of the local boating community.

Dan worked as the Technology Director for the Brockton Public School system for over 20 years.

Survivors include his daughters, Sophie and Mackenzie Vigeant of Rochester; his fiancée Lisa Ando; his mother Susan and her husband William Murray; his father Warren Sylvia; his siblings, Timothy Murray and his wife Sarah of Mattapoisett, Andrew Murray of Mattapoisett, Erica Sylvia and her partner Michael Price of California, Lindsey Sylvia of Florida, and Maxwell Sylvia of Fairhaven; his mémère Estelle Vigeant; his nieces and nephews Jordan, Ava, Liam, and Ella; and many cousins, aunts, uncles and friends. He will be missed by many.

He is predeceased by his stepson Anthony Ando.

His Funeral will be held on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at 9 am from the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Road Mattapoisett, followed by his Funeral Mass at St. Anthony’s Church at 10 am and burial in Riverside Cemetery. Visiting hours will be Tuesday from 4-8 pm. For online guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Camp Sunshine athttps://www.campsunshine.org/donate-today

Rene A. Goyette

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Rene A. Goyette, 91, of Mattapoisett died Sunday, March 30, 2025. He was the husband of the late Mary Lou (Goulart) Goyette. They were married for 59 years before her passing in 2021.

Born in Fall River, son of the late Albert L. and MarieAnge (St. Laurent) Goyette, he lived in Mattapoisett most of his life.

Mr. Goyette was employed by the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company as an instrumentation technician. He retired with 18 years of service when the plant closed in 1991.

Survivors include his brother, Robert F. Goyette and his wife Lorraine L. Goyette of Port Charlotte, FL; a sister Georgette A. Lamothe of Fall River; many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

According to Rene’s wishes a private graveside burial was held.

The Future for Housing Types

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The Monday meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board once again found the members exploring possible new land-development options. What began as informal discussions regarding affordable-housing needs and possible impact of ADU’s (accessory dwelling units) in the community grew to include such construction types as ADU, Route 6 corridor bylaws, and more recently “cottage communities.”

            These discussions have had the effect of bringing up such matters as short-term rentals, building density, and neighborhood cultural changes due to possibly increased density-bylaw changes in cottage-style developments.

            Board member William Wennerberg, a developer who has extensive experience building cottage-style communities, believes this type of development could fit well in the Mattapoisett aesthetic. To illustrate his point, Wennerberg shared floor plans from a development he built, including landscaping schemes. He said that landscaping is a critical element in this type of land development, not only for appearances but also for noise dampening.

            Local businessman and property owner David McIntire said he supported Wennerberg’s concepts. He pointed to the nestled neighborhood that includes Cannon Street as an early example of high-density, cottage-style development. He said that today’s zoning bylaws would not support such limited setback requirements but that it could work today. Wennerberg noted, “You can accomplish a lot on a small lot.”

            Regarding ADU construction, the board discussed topics such as not having ADU’s stacked on a lot, septic oversight where sewer is not available and allowing one ADU structure as a “by right” construction, while any others on the same parcel would require zoning approvals.

            Member John Mathieu said that ADU’s should be regulated to preclude structures from being closer than the principal building’s frontage.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board is scheduled for Tuesday, June 2, at 7:00 pm at Town Hall.

Mattapoisett Planning Board

By Marilou Newell

Rochester Elections

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Editor’s note: Since the Covid-19 outbreak in 2020 interrupted the South Coast League of Women Voters’ annual effort to host candidates’ nights, The Wanderer has been offering a platform for candidates in contested races for elected offices in the tri-towns. This year, candidates were invited to submit up to 250 words in one paragraph. Candidates in each race are listed in alphabetical order. Statements from candidates in the Marion and Mattapoisett town elections appeared in the May 15 issue of The Wanderer. Statements from Rochester candidates appear below. The Rochester Town Election will be held on Wednesday, May 28, from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm at the Senior Center/Council on Aging at 67 Dexter Lane.

Rochester School Committee

Sharon Hartley is retiring from school committee, and two candidates are on the ballot for her expiring seat on a three-year term.

Kirstin Jimenez

Born and raised in Rochester, I bring a lifetime of connection to our community as a Rochester Memorial School graduate, the parent of a current RMS student, and the RMS PTO president. My deep and unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing RMS motivated me to run for a seat on the RMS School Committee to ensure the school can obtain the resources and curricular materials needed to keep up with evolving state requirements, best practices in education, and our changing world. As RMS PTO president for the past six years, I’ve already made many positive impacts at Rochester Memorial School. I have grown and expanded fundraising efforts to support school programs such as the Book Vending Machine initiative to promote literacy, and successfully brought back school assemblies to enrich student experiences and fund transportation for field trips. I believe strongly that while our students must always remain our ultimate focus, supporting our teachers is essential to providing the best possible education. Teachers who are well-resourced, respected, and not overwhelmed by stress can give their full attention and creativity to our children, creating a positive classroom experience. As an RMS School Committee member, my experience in fundraising and resource allocation will be crucial in navigating these financial constraints. I would be honored to serve Rochester’s students, teachers, and families on the School Committee, and I ask for your vote on May 28.

Barbara Lee

My name is Barbara Lee. I am a mother of two children in the Rochester school system, and we are proud to call Rochester our home for nearly four years. When given the opportunity to move, I chose Rochester for the country living, the close community, but most importantly for the stellar reputation of the school system. Over the past four years, I’ve grown to know many of the parents and residents of the town through volunteering my time between the local Cub Scouts, PTO events, and the RMS School Council. I also work full time with an investment company for the last 20 years. As an assistant client service manager, I’m responsible for leading a list of clients’ pension operations, reporting, as well as handling all escalations that arise. I have over 25 years of customer service experience with the majority being in financial operations. With my financial background, I intend to pay special attention to the budgets and expenses, keeping the residents in mind. If I am fortunate enough to be elected, I will serve the town of Rochester by being a representative who listens and shares the community’s voice on school issues and financial obligations. I feel that the RMS School Committee has collaborated well this past year by avoiding injecting political ideologies or personal agendas into their work. If elected, I would be fully committed to this as well. I respectfully ask for your support and would appreciate your vote on May 28th.

Rochester Park Commission

Two candidates, incumbent David Hughes and challenger Nate Reece, are on the ballot for one, three-year term.

David Hughes

I have been a full-time Rochester resident since 1972, and before that, I spent summers here at my family’s cottage on Snows Pond. My wife and I raised our four children in this town and appreciate all the town had to offer. I take great pride in this town and want to do my part to keep Rochester beautiful by keeping our parks a beautiful and safe place for all residents. I’ve been on the Park Commission for nine years, and we have always operated within our town-approved budget. The Dexter Lane fields are used by Tri-Town Soccer, lacrosse, women’s softball, Old Rochester Youth Baseball and Old Colony and Old Rochester baseball practices. Dexter Lane also provides space for basketball, pickleball, a skate park, picnic tables, playground and walking trails. During my existing term as chairman for the board, we upgraded the basketball court with new backboards and nets. Added two pickleball courts along with new fencing. A new shelter was installed to cover the existing picnic tables. New bleachers were installed at Gifford Park, thanks to Old Rochester Youth Baseball’s donation. Thanks to a donation from Tri-Town for Protecting Children and the Town of Rochester’s matching funds from ARPA, we have begun construction of a new playground at Gifford Park. I also have to thank the Rochester Highway Department for their hard work on this project and hopefully more to come. I monitor the supplies for the park, enlist part-time help during the summer months and ensure that all bills are paid in a timely manner. I am semi-retired and do not work during the summer, which gives me more time to maintain the parks.

Nate Reece

My name is Nate Reece and I’m running for the Rochester Parks Commission because I believe our parks are vital to the health, happiness, and unity of our community. I grew up just over the border in Middleboro and have lived in Rochester for the past six years with my wife and young children. As a father, Cub Scout leader, and youth sports coach, I use our parks regularly and hear from families about what’s working – and what could be better. Professionally, I’m a mechanical engineer with over a decade of experience managing complex projects in the energy and insurance industries. I also hold a Master’s in Technology Management from UMass Dartmouth. My background equips me with the skills to plan, prioritize, and execute improvements efficiently and transparently. If elected, I’ll focus on three key goals: increasing resident engagement with park decisions; developing a multi-year parks plan; and expanding recreational opportunities – especially by exploring the creation of a Recreation Department and collaborating with neighboring towns to offer complementary programming. I bring fresh energy, practical experience, and a deep commitment to making our parks places where the community can come together. It’s time for a fresh voice and a forward-thinking approach. I’d be honored to earn your vote. Thank you.

Cougars Build Momentum

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Starting pitcher Sharon Delancey and the Old Colony Regional Vocational-Technical High School softball team won a pair of games last week that raised her record to 7-5 and the team’s record to 9-7 overall (5-2 Mayflower Athletic Conference Small) heading into a May 14 Senior Day game against South Shore.

            In a 24-3 victory against Cape Cod Tech on May 13, Delancey got the win with two innings of work, allowing no runs, no hits and striking out five batters. Paige Borges pitched three innings, allowing a run on 2 hits while fanning five. Offensively, senior Patty Spillane went 3-for-3 with a double while scoring 3 runs, knocking in 4 runs and stealing two bases. Leah Robitaille went 2-for-2 with a double, scoring 2 runs and knocking home 4, while Madison Caton hit a 2-run triple in her only at-bat, scoring 3 runs, and Maeve Hunter (1-for-1) scored 3 times and had 2 RBI’s. Freshman Braylee Bettencourt got her first varsity hit.

            In a 21-14 win on May 12 at Norfolk Aggie, Delancey went 4-1/3 innings, allowing five earned runs on 3-hit ball while striking out two batters. Kayleigh DeSousa had a monster performance to lead the Old Colony offense, going 5-for-6 at the plate, hitting a 2-run home run and a double, while scoring 5 runs, knocking in four and stealing a base. Delancey pitched in at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double, 2 runs and 2 RBI’s, while Emma Yelle went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles, 2 runs scored and a run batted in, Laila Servis went 2-for-5 with 2 runs scored and 3 RBI’s, and Caton went 2-for-4 with a double, 3 runs scored and a stolen base. In the game, Spillane got her 100th career hit and 100th career RBI.

Girls Lacrosse

            Old Colony defeated Bristol Aggie, 17-4, on May 13 with goals by Maddie Burnham, Ella Harkins, Addie Tyler, Lauren LeBeau, Logan Crook, Maddie Caulkins and Lilah White. Annabella Putignano had 2 assists.

Old Colony RVTHS Sports Roundup

By Nic Giokas