Summer Activities at the Marion Natural History Museum

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Come in to the museum and pick up a free copy of Ted and Elizabeth Brainard’s children’s story book. The museum has many displays to explore as well as a massive Lego table. Admission is free, and we are open every Wednesday and Friday from 10 – 4.

            Coastal Explorations – During our week-long Summer programs (July 8 – 12 or August 6-10) the Museum is offering a half-day summer program to explore some of Marion’s unique natural areas. We will be exploring our rocky inter-tidal shoreline, salt marshes, estuaries as well as freshwater riverbanks, forest, swamps, ponds and bogs. Daily we will take trips to look for the birds, amphibians, fish and invertebrates that make these areas so special. Perfect for children entering grades 2-6.

            You can sign up for daily excursions or for the whole week. We have many other summer programs coming up, including Amazing Animal Ambassadors on July 10 at 1:00 pm. Please go to the museum’s website to enroll for some or all of these programs, www.marionmuseum.org.

From the Files of the Rochester Historical Society

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Looking at the picture accompanying this article, you’re probably wondering why I’m writing about Halloween in June. This is a picture from our collection and I want to pose a question for you. What could this picture have to do with our new exhibit which will be opening Saturday and Sunday (June 22 & 23) at the museum on County Rd.? The exhibit shows how Rochester residents have entertained themselves for the last 337 yrs. and we don’t cover trick or treating.

            In setting up this exhibit, we have discovered that even with all the hard work that our ancestors had to do, they always found time for fun. Even in the late 1700’s and 1800’s, time was found for singing and dancing and some chores, like husking corn were turned into social events.

            It also became apparent that the lack of radio, TV and social media didn’t keep people in town from having busy social calendars. My mother’s scrapbook was full of items related to dances, plays, camp, groups and family gatherings. The Brotherhood, Grange, Women’s Club and Men’s Club among others provided many occasions for people to come together.

            We’ve had a lot of fun putting this exhibit together, even though we had to face the fact that some toys we played with as kids are now classified as antiques.

            Come and visit us from 10-3 and if you want to wear your Davy Crockett cap or Mickey Mouse ears, feel free to do so. We’ll be there rain or shine.

            We hope you’ll also enjoy our Bake sale and music from the Buzzard Bay Buccaneers. Bring a chair (and a child if you can find one) and settle into the shade as you follow us down memory lane and if you like, you can muster like a colonial soldier or tie knots like a privateer (reformed pirate).

            If you know any children, there will plenty for them to do and oh, yes, you’ll find out how the picture connects to the exhibit.

By Connie Eshbach

Academic Achievements

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The following students were named to the Dean’s List at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) for Spring 2024:

            Chaz Aguiar, of Mattapoisett, Massachusetts, class of 2027, majoring in Electrical and Computer Engineering

            Rudy Arsenault, of Mattapoisett, Massachusetts, class of 2027, majoring in Robotics Engineering

            Emma Carroll, of Rochester, Massachusetts, class of 2025, majoring in Mechanical Engineering

            Rachel Foye, of Rochester, Massachusetts, class of 2025, majoring in Data Science

            Paige Sommers, of Rochester, Massachusetts, class of 2025, majoring in Biomedical Engineering

            Hayden Duke of Mattapoisett, Kate Marsden of Marion, Quinn O’Brien-Nichols of Mattapoisett and Lauren Rapoza of Marion were named to the Dean’s List during the spring 2024 academic semester at Salve Regina University. To qualify for the Dean’s List, students must earn a semester grade point average of 3.6 for full-time students completing at least 12 graded credits, or a semester grade point average of 3.8 for part-time students completing at least six credits.

            Bryant University is pleased to recognize Elizabeth Hall of Mattapoisett for demonstrating an unwavering commitment to academic excellence and achievement by being named to the Spring 2024 President’s List.

            Bryant University is pleased to recognize the students who have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to academic excellence and achievement and have been named to the Spring 2024 Deans’ List which includes Elizabeth Hall of Mattapoisett, Brooke Hammond of Rochester, Sydney Mendonca of Mattapoisett, Raegan Rapoza of Marion and Aiden Woods of Marion.

            Meghan Craig was named to The University of Alabama Deans List for spring semester 2024.

            Jacob DesRoches of Marion has been named to the Plymouth State University Dean’s List for the Spring 2024 semester.

            Kinsley Dickerson of Mattapoisett was named to the Spring 2024 President’s List at the College of Charleston. Dickerson is majoring in Psychology.

            Luke Tougas of Marion was named to the College of Charleston Spring 2024 President’s List. Tougas is majoring in Undecided.

            Jack Howard of Marion was named to the Spring 2024 Dean’s List at the College of Charleston. Howard is majoring in Finance.

            Summer Williams of Rochester has been named to the Plymouth State University President’s List for the Spring 2024 semester.

            Dylan Pallatroni of Marion was named to the Champlain College Dean’s List for the Spring 2024 semester.

PT Proposed at Lockheed Martin Property

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Fusion Physical Therapy will not be allowed to renovate space in the former Lockheed-Martin property until at least July 1 when it is presumed a required five members of the Marion Planning Board will be present for a continued public hearing for a Special Permit.

            The four members who were present for Monday night’s presubmission conference with applicant Sippican Holdings, LLC, Chairman Andrew Daniel, Vice Chair Alanna Nelson, Clerk Eileen Marum and member W. Dale Jones, voted 4-0 to determine no site-plan review will not be required.

            Nelson made that motion based on a site plan including no exterior change, as explained by Sippican Holdings, LLC, representative Steve Gioisa of SITEC Engineering.

            The site, at 13 Barnabas Road (Map 24, Lot 10B) is zoned Limited Industrial and would be the third site for the company, which began operations in the south end of New Bedford before relocating several years ago to Ashley Boulevard in the city’s north end and then opening a second office on Route 6 in Mattapoisett.

            Gioisa gave the board a rundown on the project, noting that this business will take up space in the very first building in the complex accessible from Route 6 onto Barnabas Road. The area is a single-story, office building with 10,000 square feet of space that had been used for general purposes – not manufacturing, said Gioisa – and has general parking in front and “serpentine parking” in the back.

            Parking will be at the at-grade walkway; while there will also be some parking in the front, the business will be accessed from the back of the building.

            An architect’s floor plan showed that the applicant intends to use the main body of the site for physical therapy, and the project will reach the north wing of the building and associated corridors. All the work will take place within the building itself.

            Marum asked if chemicals, lotions or solutions would be used; Gioisa did not have that answer at the ready. Daniel noted that the fire chief conducted a walk-through of the site.

            Nelson asked about existing tenants in the office space and the logistics of remodeling. Gioisa said the owner has space and will lease other space but not to displace an original tenant; the project is in an unoccupied portion of the building.

            The public hearing for the Special Permit was opened only to continue to July 1 at 7:20 pm; it involves a change of use from business office to medical office.

            The Planning Board’s agenda of loose ends included two other public hearings, an Approval Not Required (ANR) application and another presubmission conference and managed to adjourn in 36 minutes.

            Matt Sperry was back before the board looking to tie up his situation but was also continued to July 1 (7:25 pm). The continued public hearing for Sperry Fabric Architecture c/o Matt Sperry, 19 Marconi Lane, is awaiting the results of Major Site Plan Review for his project at Map 24, Lot 13V, zoned Limited Industrial.

            Noting that the fire chief signed off on his plan, Sperry was advised to prepare a response to the site-plan review for the July 1 continued public hearing.

            Town Planner Doug Guey-Lee told Sperry that peer-review consultant Field Engineering was eager to get it done and that Ken Motta will work with Sperry behind the scenes to address matters in advance of the July 1 hearing.

            Noting her third appearance for presubmission conference will be her last before giving way to professional representative G.A.F. Engineering, Jennifer Jones was back before the board to advocate for FSJ Holdings, LLC’s plan to modernize and expand (from 14 to 20 units) via reconstruction her residential rental property at 207-215 Wareham Street.

            Map 11, Lots 90, 91 and 91A, the location of the project, is zoned General Business. Jones is looking to transfer over to a residence zoning to accommodate her project. She said she is working on the riverfront aspect of the property to see if she needs to maintain it as such. “If so,” Jones said, the plan will get smaller, not larger.

            None of the units is larger than three-family. Her plan is to demolish an eight-unit building in the complex that was constructed in the 1950s. The plan is to raze that building at the end of a construction project that covers 30% of the lot, well below the 40% maximum allowed.

            Nelson asked if the hope is to not raze a building. Jones said she prefers not to but that G.A.F. Engineer will determine the best course of action.

            Jones agreed to open a 53G account with the town with $5,000 as its starting point. That number can rise as peer review’s task expands.

            “I think the big one’s going to be drainage,” said Daniel.

            Bob Rogers of G.A.F. Engineering appeared remotely to represent Repurpose Properties, LLC, 387 County Road, in an ANR plan at the rear lot/Tucker Lane and a Public Hearing for a Special Permit.

            The land (Map 21, Lot 6J) is zoned Residence D.

            Rogers explained that the Form A and Special Permit applications constitute the same exact plan and that the applicant went before Marion’s Conservation Commission last week (its Notice of Intent for wetland flags was continued).

            There is a stream in the middle of the wetland area, and the ConCom needs to determine if it is intermittent or perennial, said Rogers. The Planning Board determined it should wait on the ConCom before proceeding.

            Given the floor, resident Lee Gunschel sought and received clarification that the barn at the site is coming down and that there will only be one house for the entire property.

            The board voted to continue the ANR and the public hearing to July 15 at 7:10 pm.

            The next meeting of the Marion Planning Board is scheduled for Monday, July 1, at 7:00 pm at the Police Station.

Marion Planning Board

By Mick Colageo

District Students Hear from Herren

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Superintendent Michael S. Nelson is pleased to report that Chris Herren was the keynote speaker at an all-school assembly at the end of the school year, at Old Rochester Junior High School.

            The assembly, sponsored by the Tri-Town town nurses through grant funding from the Southcoast Public Health Collaborative (SCPHC), aimed to educate students about the critical issues of substance use disorder and wellness, with a focus on vaping.

            Herren, a former professional basketball player and person in long-term recovery, has shared his powerful story with over 1,000,000 students, athletes and community members since 2009. His presentations spark honest discussions on substance use and wellness, challenging audiences to rethink their perspectives on addiction and emphasizing the importance of prevention education.

            “We are incredibly fortunate to have Chris Herren speak to our students,” said Superintendent Nelson. “His message of resilience, recovery and the importance of making positive choices aligns perfectly with our commitment to student wellness and education.” He added, “I am especially thankful for JHS School Nurse Linda Deveau, who worked with the Tri-Town nurses to make this event possible.”

            Principal Silas Coellner echoed these sentiments, adding, “Our students were eager to learn from Chris Herren’s experiences. His ability to connect with young audiences and foster a deeper understanding of substance use and wellness is invaluable. We are grateful to the Tri-Town town nurses and the SCPHC for making this event possible.”

            This assembly was part of the district’s ongoing efforts to address the impact of substance use and promote mental health among students. The SCPHC, utilizing funding from the Public Health Excellence Grant, supports initiatives like these to bring impactful speakers to the community, fostering a well-informed and healthy environment for young people.

            “Our school nurse noted the remarkable impact of such presentations on our students,” said Principal Coellner. “Their engagement and attentiveness during these sessions underscore the importance and effectiveness of bringing real-life experiences into our educational programs.”

World Class Musicians in our Backyard

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The musicians for the Buzzards Bay Musicfest come from around the country and, indeed, around the world. They perform in the finest concert halls, opera houses and ballet theaters while continuing to collaborate with world-class artists that make their experiences unique and profound. From the Chicago Symphony Orchestra to the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and from the Dallas Symphony Orchestra to the recording studios of Hollywood, the biographies of these players are remarkable and will astound you with their accomplishments and musical pedigree.

            Charles Stegeman, Concertmaster, Artistic Director, violin, is the co-founder of the Buzzards Bay Musicfest as well as the Sunflower Music Festival. He is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music (accepted at the age of 14) and the Juilliard School, with a bachelor’s and master’s degree, respectively. Mr. Stegeman has performed for approximately five million people on four continents in a performance career that spans five decades, averaging approximately 70 concerts a year for the last 50 years, performing concerts nationally and internationally as soloist, concertmaster and chamber musician and is internationally sought after as a teacher and master clinician.

            Antony Walker, Guest Conductor, is Music Director of Pittsburgh Opera and Artistic Director of Washington Concert Opera in D.C. Since making his debut in Sydney, Australia in 1992, Maestro Walker has conducted over 100 operas, as well as large scale choral orchestra/symphonic works with companies and orchestras in Australia, the U.S., Asia, the UK, and Europe. He has led operatic performances for The Metropolitan Opera, English National Opera, Opera Australia, Opera di Firenze, Teatro Comunale in Bologna, Welsh National Opera, Canadian Opera Company, Santa Fe Opera, and New York City Opera, amongst others. Symphonic engagements include a recent debut with the Mozarteum Orchestra in Salzburg, as well as the Orchestre Colonne in Paris, Orchestra of the Antipodes, Sinfonia Australis, Melbourne Symphony, and Orchestra Victoria. Maestro Walker is also the founding Artistic Director and now Conductor Emeritus of the award-winning Pinchgut Opera in Sydney.

            The Buzzards Bay Musicfest is a series of five concerts, all free admission, from July 10 through July 14, in the Fireman Performing Arts Center on the campus of Tabor Academy, 245 Front St., Marion. For more detailed information, please visit: www.buzzardsbaymusicfest.com.

Mattapoisett Band

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Summer has arrived. Mattapoisett’s Town Band will begin concerts in Shipyard Park on July 3 at 7 pm. Concerts will continue on subsequent Wednesday nights through July and August. In the meantime, rehearsal will take place on June 26 from 7:00 to 8:30 pm for all members and new members are welcome.

Park Lane Extension Tabled

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            Coming before the Mattapoisett Planning Board on June 17 were property owner Andris Rieksts

and his representative David Davignon of Schneider, Davignon & Leone, Inc. In filing a Form J request, Rieksts sought to have one of several lots, part of a subdivision situated at the private end of Park Street now known as Park Lane Extension Estates, released for construction.

            Citing the amount of work completed thus far, the request before the board asked for the lot currently held as roadway surety to be released, giving the lot owner the opportunity to begin construction. But immediately following Davignon’s statements in support of the request, the board questioned the completeness of the project.

            Read into the minutes was a letter from town-hired, peer-review engineer Field Engineering in which retaining walls were described as eroded and in a dangerous state of disrepair. It was further noted that there is $45,000 of road work yet to be completed.

            Highway Surveyor Garrett Bauer confirmed that the walls were not stabilized, which is creating a public safety hazard. “The retaining walls and guard rails need to be constructed,” said Bauer.

            Board member John Mathieu said, “I don’t think this is far enough along, it’s not close to being done.” He concluded he could not support the request at this time. However, when he brought up other forms of surety to Rieksts, a solution seemed to evolve.

            Mathieu offered, “There are other forms of surety. One is lots, two is a bond, three is a letter of credit and four is cash.”

            Rieksts said he could come up with an acceptable surety other than lots. The request saw no affirmative or negative action by the board.

            In other business, a Form A, Approval Not Required (ANR) request for the adjustment of existing lot lines to give a small portion of an existing lot to an adjoining family member was approved. The applicant was Almeida Living Trust, Karen Almeida, Ocean Drive.

            Also submitting a Form A, ANR request was Jeffrey Dunn for the creation of four lots on Angelica Avenue, each measuring 30,000 square feet and meeting frontage requirements. The request was approved.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board is tentatively scheduled for Monday, July 1, at 7:00 pm.

Mattapoisett Planning Board

By Marilou Newell

George J. Edwards Jr.

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George J. Edwards Jr., 70, of Mattapoisett passed away on Tuesday June 18, 2024 after complications with cancer. Born September 2, 1953 in New Bedford, George was the son of George Sr. and Lorraine Edwards and brother to Douglas Edwards and the late Shawn Edwards. George is survived by his wife of 32 years, Carla Edwards; his children, Rory Edwards, Justine Racheotes, and Sarah Fuller; his granddaughters Miri, Laina, Lola, and Cleo, and his former wife Erica Nelson.


George is also survived by many great friends, including the Coucci family, the Hughes family, and the Wilbur family.


George enjoyed hunting, fishing, walking in the woods, taking drives around Mattapoisett to the dock and Town Landing, doing crosswords, antiquing, and watching classic movies with his wife. For many years George worked for Brownell Systems, where he met Carla, and retired from Brodeur Machine Company after more than 20 years.


The family will host visiting hours Monday June 24, 2024 from 4 – 8 pm at Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home For Funerals at 50 County Road in Mattapoisett. If you knew George, he didn’t like these things – he was a jeans and T-shirt kind of guy – so please come as you are. For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Old Hammondtown Hires New Principal

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Superintendent Michael S. Nelson is pleased to announce Stephanie Wells’s appointment as the new principal of the Old Hammondtown School. Wells will begin the position on July 1 and will replace retiring principal Kevin Tavares.

            Wells was selected following a comprehensive search and interview process that included input from multiple stakeholders, including Old Hammondtown School faculty and staff, parents, community members and administrators.

            “On behalf of the entire district, I would like to congratulate Stephanie Wells and welcome her to the Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55 community,” said Superintendent Nelson. “Stephanie has proven to be a dedicated and resourceful educational leader through her previous work experience, and I am confident in her ability to take on this role.”

            Wells, a Plymouth native, comes to Mattapoisett from Rockland Public Schools where she served as assistant principal since 2022. During her time as assistant principal, Wells collaborated with school administration to help open a new elementary school, combine three schools into one and implement the school’s new systems. In addition to these responsibilities, Wells maintained daily administrative operations of the elementary schools in the absence of elementary school principals.

            Prior to her role in Rockland, Wells served as assistant principal for Taunton Public Schools.

            In 1995, she began her career in education as a first-grade teacher at Scituate Public Schools before joining Plymouth Public Schools as a kindergarten teacher in 2007 and as a technology integration specialist in 2013.

            She holds a bachelor’s degree from New York University, a Master of Education in elementary education from Bridgewater State College and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) from the University of New England.

            “I am honored and excited to have been chosen as the next principal of Old Hammondtown School,” said Wells. “I am eager to meet and connect with staff, students and families in the coming months. Together, we will begin the process of getting to know one another and exploring how I can best support this incredible community that has such a strong commitment to student success.”