Mattapoisett’s roots in the shipbuilding industry are rich and well documented. But take a short trip through the town’s history, through the local museum, or up Acushnet or River Roads, and you’ll find plenty of evidence that agriculture was once a necessary and important part of daily life for this seacoast community.

            Looking back, Mattapoisett’s history blends coastal activities, like fishing and boatbuilding, with farming, just a few miles away, which supported it all. Without farming, the population would not have been able to feed its growing population. Today, Mattapoisett’s farming community is a tiny fragment of what it once was. Yet there are community members who are working to keep the historic farming activities alive and well.

The Nunes and Randall families are two of several in Mattapoisett whose interest in agricultural pursuits runs deep in the bloodlines. The families have several members on Mattapoisett ‘s Agricultural Commission. Their desire to preserve farming and agricultural pursuits in Mattapoisett stems from generations of devotion to the land and commitment to a farming heritage.

The Massachusetts State website answers the following questions about agricultural commissions: What is an Agricultural Commission (AgCom)? A town agricultural commission (AgCom) is a standing committee of town government, created through a vote of Town Meeting and appointed by the Board of Selectmen or governing body of the town. AgComs represent the farming community, encourage the pursuit of agriculture, promote agricultural economic development and protect farmlands and farm businesses, and preserve, revitalize and sustain agricultural businesses and land. In some communities they focus on farmland preservation efforts, while in others they review regulatory proposals developed by other town boards (planning board, board of health, conservation commission, etc), or provide marketing coordination to assist all farms in town. Others have played key roles in mediating farmer/neighbor disputes, or simply providing referrals for farmers needing better information. By working within town government through an AgCom, farmers enhance their credibility, and are viewed as part of the problem-solving team. What does an AgCom do? Serves as a local voice advocating for farmers, farm businesses and farm interests, provides visibility for farming, works with other town boards about issues facing the town that affect agriculture, helps resolve farm related problems or conflicts, protects farmland and natural resources. Who can start an AgCom? Any local resident or group concerned about their communities’ farming, farm businesses, growth, rural character, open space, etc. can start organizing support for an AgCom. Why are town AgComs formed? Many towns trying to balance growth and quality of life issues are creating AgComs. The intent of an AgCom is simple: protect agricultural lands, preserve rural character, provide a voice for farmers, and encourage agricultural based businesses.

The Mattapoisett’s Agricultural Commission is committed to all of those elements. Bob Spooner, one of the Chairmen of the commission, said, “We want to preserve the heritage of farming in Mattapoisett.” There have also been instances where the commission has been able to successfully mediate the interests of residents and abutting farmers. Spooner shared the story of a farmer who was fighting an endless battle with crows in his cornfield by using explosive discharges from early morning until evening. Residents at their wits end were able to reach a compromise with the aid of the Agricultural Commission.

As the Mattapoisett Agricultural Commission continues to scope out just how they will impact the local farming community, board members – Chairman Bob Spooner, Cheryl Randall, Shi Major, George Randall, Jess Collier, Gerald Randall, and Pierce Randall, many of whom have backgrounds in farming – will continue to partner with other boards and commissions in town to assist in maintaining a farming culture before it is lost to future generations.

The commission members receive some limited financial support from the residents through a vote at Town Meeting. The State Regulations state: Each town should decide what is an appropriate budget for the AgCom. Existing AgCom budgets range from $0 to $1,000 per year.

Massachusetts regulations also note: Unlike some other town committees, AgComs do not operate under regulatory authority from the Commonwealth. While town conservation commissions implement the State Wetlands Protection Act and planning boards enforce the local zoning code, AgComs are created at Town Meeting to represent farming interests in the town – but they do not have any legal mandate or enforcement authority.

Additional details for Agricultural Commissions as noted on the state’s website also include: adopting local right-to-farm by-laws, raising monies for farmland protection and economic development, starting local farmer’s market, providing mediation and conflict resolution on farm related disputes within town, collaborating with other town boards on development proposals, educating town residents about the value of agriculture in the community, holding educational workshops on intergenerational transfer of property, Chapter 61 lands, farm viability, agricultural preservation restrictions, and obtaining technical assistance on nonpoint source pollution, conservation farm planning, manure management, and environmental stewardship.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Agricultural Commission is February 1 at 7:00 pm. All are welcome to come and learn more about the farming history in Mattapoisett.

By Marilou Newell

Dateline: December 18, 1959 – Baltimore – Event – Clayton King goes on a blind date that will change his life. On this momentous date, Clay met Veronica (or ‘Roni’ as she is known by family and friends). Little did they know this was the beginning of a journey that would change them forever.

Born in Orono, Maine, King’s family migrated to New Bedford where he graduated from New Bedford High School.  He then went on to study at Providence College (graduated in 1959) and finally at the University of Baltimore’s School of Dentistry. He would be the first in his family to graduate from college. While at dentistry school, another student suggested that King go on a blind date with his girlfriend’s friend. That was when and where Clay met Roni. Fortunately for them, they both agreed to the date, and the rest is history.

Clayton and Roni married and eventually settled in Mattapoisett, where they raised their children Mike, Kathy and Dan (besides his children, King has five grandchildren). Almost from the beginning when he opened his dental practice, Clay or ‘Doc’, as he became known, began giving back to the community.

King would spend the next fifty- plus years working as a dentist in Mattapoisett while also working tirelessly for the community that he loved. “Clay is a driver … [developing] social events for couples at the Lions,” said Chuck McCullough, a good friend and long-time associate from the Lions Club. Bill Calusine, a fellow Lion said, “No one is more deserving [of the award] than Clay.” Calusine continued, “Besides pulling teeth … he made numerous contributions to the community.”

There apparently wasn’t an event or community need in the area in which the Doc hasn’t been involved. From membership on the committee that spearheaded a tri-town regional school district, to commercial endeavors with the development of an industrial park, to his participation in the Lions Club – in 1992, he was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellow in recognition of his commitment to serving the world community – to his involvement with the Knights of Columbus and the soup kitchen at the Puritan Church in New Bedford, King was there. He never rested if there was a need or community activity that could benefit the people of the area. And he managed all of this while being a dental professional, as well as a devoted husband and father.

On December 6, the Massachusetts House of Representatives honored King with a Certificate of Appreciation for his work in aiding, assisting, and being an asset in the community he served. He received his award at the Sippican Nursing Home, where he is recovering from a recent stroke. It is a statement of the love and appreciation from his family, friends, and his community that many were present when R. Tyler MacCallister, Chairman of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen, presented the award conferred on King. King was smiling.

Friends and family gathered around King as he received this acknowledgment of his work, his desire to be an example of what is possible, and his desire to improve the lives of those around him by simply doing all he could, all the time.

“I’ve never seen him without a smile on his face,” said Barbara Saunders, who has worked with King at the soup kitchen at the Puritan Church in New Bedford. Donald Fleming said, “I’ve known him for fifty years!” and the fact that he was there to witness this award speaks volumes to King’s positive influence. But it was his families’ remembrances which struck the chord of what he truly means. His niece Beth Valliere said, “He is an amazing role model.”

His son Mike said, “Sometimes he was paid with vegetables or fish if the people couldn’t pay for their dental bills.” He didn’t turn anyone away.

By his side through it all has been his wife, Roni. Speaking on behalf of her husband, along with their daughter Kathy Goulart, they shared that he was the prime mover in establishing the annual Easter Egg Hunt at St. Anthony’s, various art auctions and antique evaluations through the Lions Club, and numerous events through the Knights of Columbus. He himself is a past King Lion. Goulart said, “He‘s probably hung over 200,000 posters…” indicating his devotion to and marketing know-how of the community events he was so committed to over the years.

The outpouring of love and support King received is a measure of the man whose work for the community has been unceasing and outstanding for decades.

By Marilou Newell