Join us on Saturday May 10, 10:00 am until 1:00 pm outside at the front of St. Anthony’s Parish in Mattapoisett, 22 Barstow Street. Come and find a gift for a special Mom. We will offer an array of baked goods to enjoy with coffee and tea, floral arrangements, and vendors selling jewelry, hand-poured candles, pottery, Nantucket basket bags, musicians playing live music, and more. We hope to see you there.
The Sippican Lands Trust seeks applicants for its Richard I. and Helen A. Arthur Scholarship. The applicant for this $2,000 award must be a Marion resident in their last year of high school or enrolled as a freshman or sophomore in college elsewhere. This award may be given to the same recipient at a maximum of two (2) times. The following schools will be notified: Bishop Stang High School, Old Rochester Regional High School, Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School, Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical High School, Bristol County Agricultural High School, and Tabor Academy. A preference will be given to applicants who are majoring in or plan to major in environmental studies or a related field.
The scholarship is made available through the Sippican Lands Trust Scholarship Fund. This award was created and named after Richard I. “Dick” (1933-2018) and Helen Adams Arthur (1940-2008), who were beloved residents of Marion and long-time volunteers for the organization. Dick and Helen held a deep interest in the preservation of the beautiful open spaces in Marion.
SLT’s Scholarship Committee will review all completed applications and will award the scholarship to the student(s) whose pursuits most closely reflect Dick and Helen’s wishes, as mirrored by the mission of Sippican Lands Trust: to acquire, preserve, and provide access to open space throughout Marion for the benefit of the public today and for future generations.
Requirements for the application include:
-A completed Richard I. and Helen A. Arthur Scholarship information sheet
-A personal statement highlighting the applicant’s educational goals and interests. Please include information about environmental course(s) taken, community service completed, volunteer involvement, or jobs held, as applicable.
-Two letters of reference with contact information (examples: teacher, guidance counselor, coach, employer, Scout leader, community leader, etc.).
All forms will be available in guidance offices and on the SLT website at www.sippicanlandstrust.org/scholarship.
Completed applications should be postmarked by May 1 to be considered. Please mail to: Sippican Lands Trust, Attn: Scholarship Committee, P.O. Box 848, Marion, MA 02738
All applicants will be notified of their status by email by June 1, 2025.
For more information, contact the Sippican Lands Trust at 508-748-3080 or info@sippicanlandstrust.org. Please note that volunteer opportunities are available at the Sippican Lands Trust.
Patricia “Pat” McPartland, age 74, passed away on March 17, 2025 peacefully at home. She was born in Passaic, New Jersey. Pat lived a remarkable life defined by intellectual curiosity, professional achievement, and a profound commitment to personal and spiritual growth.
A lifelong learner, Pat was committed to education and public health. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Missouri, followed by a Master’s Degree in Preventative Medicine from Ohio State University. Her academic journey culminated with a Doctorate in Education from Columbia University – a testament to her unwavering dedication to learning and helping others.
She retired as the Director of the Adult Education Program at Upper Cape Tech. Over the course of her career, she published 32 articles in the field of public health and presented 40 academic papers at national and international conferences, establishing herself as a respected voice in the academic community.
Her intellectual achievements were matched only by her deep spiritual wisdom and openness to growth. Pat was an active member of Toastmasters, where she honed her gift for thoughtful communication. She was a beloved member of Unity on Cape Cod. Her exploration of the mind-body connection led her to collaborate with Dr. Joe Dispenza’s organization, participating in research on the effects of meditation and spirituality on health. More than her professional and academic achievements, Pat will be remembered for the way she made people feel. She inspired all who knew her with her deeply spiritual optimism, always choosing love over fear. Her kindness, wisdom, and joy, left an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to know her.
She is survived by her sister Mary Ellen Stiehl and her nephew William Stiehl of New Jersey.
A celebration of Pat’s life will be held at Unity on Cape Cod on Saturday May 31st, at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Unity on Cape Cod, 147 Walton Ave. Hyannis, MA 02601. Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6), Mattapoisett. For online guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
They have been diligently scrolling through spreadsheets and discussing cuts here, increases there, and reviewing copious amounts of data through the winter months. Now with the Spring Town Meeting right around the corner, the Mattapoisett Select Board has rounded the final corner on all things financial. With a budget topping out at $35,083,626, that’s no small task.
On March 25, the board met with Harbormaster Isaac Perry, Police Chief Jason King, and Town Administrator Mike Lorenco to finish one-on-one budget talks.
Before diving into those agenda items, the board met with Garrett Bauer. The discussion was regarding the nearly 50-percent increase in construction estimates for the Highway Department renovations. The estimate now rests at $4,000,000 which is several years old. Newer estimates raise the earlier number.
Discussions centered around funding and how best to address possible voter pushbacks at the Spring Town Meeting. Lorenco was confident that a substantial sum could be raised from stability finds and free cash. The free cash figure which has been certified is $2,700,000. When asked Lorenco confirmed that a bulk of financing will come from borrowing.
The Police Department’s budget held no surprises with increases being in line with higher costs overall. The department’s operating budget $2,711,928 and the ambulance budget is $560,612.
Of the body cameras which have been in use for over a year, King said that the officers find them beneficial. He said that his capital needs list includes on new cruiser, and that he is developing a fee structure for cruiser deployment to commercial and other non-municipal related details. Monies earned would go towards vehicle maintenance.
Perry, talking about the Waterfront Enterprise fund, said that the motor for the pump out boat was currently under repair and that materials for floating dock construction were in hand. The board also noted that the transition of the shellfish prorogation program will be transitioning to the Waterfront Enterprise in the future, no longer under the direction of the department of natural resources. The fund’s budget is up 1.73-percent.
The Town Hall budget was not extensively reviewed and was up a modest 1.27-percent. Lorenco said he anticipates the warrant will include 29 articles.
In other business, the board met with Disabilities Commission Chairman Joanna Ingham. Inram said the commission was seeking Select Board approval to apply for a grant to make improvements to several public locations to accommodate people with disabilities. In a letter submitted by the commission it reads, “The Mattapoisett Disability Commission has agreed on selected items for ADA accessibility at Shipyard Park for the proposed project for the Massachusetts Office on Disability Municipal ADA Improvement Grant for FY26.
Six areas were identified by the commission as needing modifications. They chose Shipyard Park with accessibility to the gazebo. The modifications sought include route to the gazebo stairs, path to the wayside, ramp to the gazebo, correct handrail, accessible route to accessible picnic table, and accessible route to a bench. The commission was thanked for their work and granted permission to pursue grant funding.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Select. Board was noted at adjournment.
Mattapoisett Select Board
By Marilou Newell
Old Rochester Regional (ORR) School District and MA Superintendency Union #55 Superintendent Michael S. Nelson, High School Principal Michael Devoll, Junior High Principal Silas Coellner, Rochester Memorial School Principal Heidi Letendre, Sippican School Principal Lynn Desset, and Old Hammondtown School Principal Stephanie Wells are proud to celebrate the success of two March concerts presented by the nonprofit FORM.
FORM, which stands for Friends of Old Rochester Music, welcomed the community for two nights of extraordinary student performances as part of the 2024-25 Concert Series, including the FORM Choral Concert held on March 11 and the FORM Instrumental Concert on March 18. These two concerts, which raise money for FORM music scholarships, featured chorus and band performances by students from Old Hammondtown School, Rochester Memorial School, Sippican Elementary School, Old Rochester Regional Junior High School, and Old Rochester Regional High School.
“FORM Scholarship Concerts are a wonderful reminder of the many talents of our students and staff members across the district,” said Old Rochester Regional High School Principal Michael Devoll. “I love being able to see the progression from our youngest musicians to our oldest musicians. Providing students with scholarship opportunities is a wonderful way to send off our graduating senior musicians.”
These two recent FORM Scholarship Concerts aren’t the end for the 2024-25 Concert Series. “A Night of Jazz” is taking place at Old Rochester Regional High School on April 15 at 6:30 pm and the Spring Concert is being held on May 14 at 6:30 pm. After that, Old Rochester Regional Junior High School is holding its Spring Concert on May 21 at 6:30 pm.
These events are held with the help of donations to FORM, which is now celebrating 42 years of scholarship awards for graduating seniors. Using private fundraisers to support special events, programming, transportation, and musical instrument purchases, FORM is able to provide additional opportunities for young musicians beyond the regular school district budget.
FORM is also now launching a local Music Hall of Fame, recognizing talented musicians who have graduated from ORR since the 1960s.
Inaugural inductees to the Music Hall of Fame, selected by a FORM committee, will be announced at the “A Night of Jazz” concert.
“Your participation truly matters to our success,” said FORM, in a message welcoming the community to this year’s concert series. “We invite you to contact us about becoming involved. Warm thanks to our sponsors, donors and ticket buyers whose generosity ensures our students have the resources they need to flourish and continue to enrich our community with music.”
Another ticketed event will be held on May 17 at the Marion Music Hall to celebrate the launch of the Music Hall of Fame, its inaugural inductees and all of the nominees.
Donations for FORM can be made by mail, with checks sent to P.O. Box 1143, Mattapoisett, MA 02739. To learn more, email FORM@OldRochester.org or go online to FriendsOfOldRochesterMusic.org.
The FORM Choral Concert on March 11 also provided an occasion to celebrate the career of Old Rochester Regional Junior High School’s longtime chorus director and music teacher, Angie Vaughn, who has dedicated 27 years to inspiring young voices and fostering a love of music. Vaughn, who holds a master’s degree in music education from Illinois State University, is retiring at the end of this current school year, after beginning her career at Old Rochester Regional Junior High School in 1998.
“Mrs. Vaughn’s passion, dedication, and impact will resonate for years to come,” said Old Rochester Regional Junior High School Principal Silas Coellner. “We thank her for her unwavering commitment, and we all wish her a happy retirement. Nevertheless, Mrs. Vaughn’s legacy of music and teaching will always sing on in the hearts of all her students, colleagues and members of the Old Rochester community.”
“We are always so impressed by the incredible skills and abilities of our musicians and vocalists,” said Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Jaime Curley. “Not only do they possess amazing individual talents, but they work so well together in harmony. Bravo to our music teachers for preparing and orchestrating these amazing FORM concerts that we look forward to every year. Thank you to FORM for all of its work to equip our students and provide scholarships, helping them to reach their musical potential.”
“It was a pleasure to be in attendance for these wonderful performances by our students presented by FORM,” said Shari Fedorowicz, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning. “To see how our teachers have worked to develop the talents of our student musicians is phenomenal. Thank you to FORM for all of its work to assist with the cause. FORM is such a worthy cause that is making a remarkable impact on the lives and future of our students.”
“I congratulate all of our vocalists and instrumentalists for honing their talents and sharing their amazing abilities with all of us during our incredible FORM concerts each year,” said Superintendent Michael S. Nelson. “These incredible ensembles are an inspiration for everyone, including the younger generations of musicians in our community. I’d like to recognize Mrs. Vaughn for a remarkable career in music education, enriching the lives of our ORR students for so many years. All of our music teachers have done incredible work preparing these students for these performances. We look forward to seeing our musicians and vocalists continue to perform in ORR concert stages and beyond.”
The annual Earth Day town wide clean up sponsored by the Rochester Women’s Club will be held on Saturday, April 19 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The Women’s Club will be open during those hours for you to stop by, grab your street cleaning supplies and a cup of coffee. There will be a dumpster on site. Details will be published in March with explicit detail concerning the trash that can go into the dumpster. Call to sign up early for the street you prefer to clean. Call Marsha at 508-322-0998.
The Rochester Women’s Club has been sponsoring this town wide clean-up for over 25 years. We are as always very grateful to our enthusiastic members, the Boy Scouts and their leaders, Jeff Eldridge and his staff at the Rochester Highway Department and the wonderful, caring members of our community who show up and support our efforts to keep our beautiful Rochester clean and shiny as we can.
Marion Social Club is cordially inviting you to our “Taste of Italy’ on April 13 at 1:00 pm. The menu will be antipasto, lasagna, chicken parmigiana, and chicken alfredo and dessert for $15.00 per person. Doors open at noon for socializing. For ticket information, please call Ann Cowell at 508-758-8411. Cutoff date is April 3. Hope to see you there.
The Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals met on March 20 hearing four cases, one of which was a Special Permit sought by Elizabeth Turowski Revocable Trust for 28 Pearl Street. The petitioner plans to rebuild portions of a porch and stairs within the existing footprint. The application also states that a new shed is part of the renovation work placed in the “same general location” of an existing shed.
From an abutter came questions regarding if the Special Permit would require the applicant to maintain a 5-foot set back. The applicant was represented by Mat Leone of Schneider Davignon and Leone, Inc. Leone said that the new shed would be a two-story structure 14-feet by 16-feet used exclusively for storage with no water or other utilities.
The board, along with the abutter and Leone discussed at length whether it was necessary to have the noted setback given that plans indicate the shed will be in the same general area as the new one. Ultimately, the board moved to grant the Special Permit with the 5-foot set back documented.
Other Special Permits heard were Shane Mills for the construction of a new home at 57 Church Street the location of a large glacial stone. The applicant had previously received a Special Permit for the same location, but that permit had expired.
The single-family home will include site work, the construction of a retaining wall and storm water systems. The Special Permit was granted.
A Special Permit was granted to Kim and Jennifer Randall, 3 and 5 Mechanic Street for the redefining of lot lines. The two homes on the properties are owned by sisters who sought the Special Permit in an effort to straighten lot lines. The filing was approved. The property owners now must file an Approval Not Required request with the Mattapoisett Planning Board stated Bob Field of Field Engineering their representative.
A fourth Special Permit was granted to Highland Avenue Trust, 12 Highland Avenue for the construction of a two-story deck on the easterly side of the existing home.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals was not announced.
Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals
By Marilou Newell
Entering the Elizabeth Taber Library on March 24 for the grand reopening upon the completion of renovations, one was first struck by the gleaming appearance of the newly renovated space – shining bright like a diamond. The 15-week renovation project was funded by a local benefactor who had remained anonymous until now.
Executive Board member Lucia Jaccaci stated, “we thank Nancy Braitmayer, without whom none of this would have been possible. … Nancy’s love for our town and her passion for the library are both inspirational and transformational. Her generosity, dedication, and vision were instrumental in every aspect of this renovation.” Speaking directly to Braitmayer, Jaccaci said, “Nancy, from the bottom of our hearts – thank you for making this dream become a reality.”
Other comments included were from Executive Board member and Chair of the Building Committee Kyle Pardo, who thanked all for their attendance and support, then introduced Board of Trustees Association President David Finn-Clarke.
Finn-Clarke said that, for generations, the library has been a cherished gathering space. He spoke of the numerous programs and learning opportunities the library has offered over the decades, and now is ready for continuing its service to the community.
“While the heart of the library had remained strong, the time had come for much needed renovations to ensure it continues to serve our community,” Finn-Clarke said, calling it “an exciting new chapter.”
Finn-Clarke went on to say there was a clear vision, which was to honor the library’s rich history while creating a fresh, inviting and functional space. He said they had worked hard to preserve its classic architectural charm while adding modern updates for the comfort and accessibility of the spaces. He also gave special thanks and acknowledgement of board members Kyle Parso and Lucia Jaccaci of the renovation committee for the spearheading of the renovations and coordinating a myriad of details.
Library staff members were thanked by Finn-Clarke for their flexibility, patience and dedication throughout the two moving processes required to keep library services operational while the main building was under construction. Those employees are Macy Davis, Marie Yang, Lynda Schneider, Emily Newell and Library Director Liz Sherry.
Pardo’s additional comments and words of gratitude were for the town’s administration including the Select Board, town administrator, and the town’s Facilities Department managed by Shaun Cormier.
The project architect was David King, project manager John Sabbag, and constructors Stukel Contractors.
In attendance was State Representative Mark Sylvia, who gave the library an official congratulatory citation.
Elizabeth Taber Library
By Marilou Newell
Kathleen Dunn of Mattapoisett has been named to the 2024 fall semester dean’s list at Simmons University in Boston.