Tri-County Symphonic Band Tickets

on

Ticket sales have begun for the upcoming Annual Benefit Pops Concert for the Tri-County Symphonic Band. The theme for this year is “Flay Day: 250 Years of Independence.” The concert will, once again, be held on the waterfront in a grand tent on the campus of Tabor Academy in Marion. Fine music, cupcakes and lemonade, a raffle for prizes and a fun-filled festive afternoon is planned for Sunday, June 14. Advance tickets can now be purchased at Mimi’s of Marion, the Symphony Music Shop in North Dartmouth and online at tricountysymphonicband.org.

MPD Welcomes Cameron Wentworth as New Harbormaster

on

Chief Richard B. Nighelli and the Marion Police Department welcome Cameron Wentworth as the Town of Marion’s new Harbormaster.

            Following a unanimous vote Tuesday evening, May 12, by the Marion Select Board, Wentworth was selected to serve as Harbormaster pending successful contract negotiations.

            “I am honored to be given the opportunity to serve as the Marion Harbormaster,” Wentworth said. “As someone who truly enjoys time on and around the water, I understand how important the harbor is to the residents, visitors, commercial industries and recreation. I look forward to working with all of the interested parties and partners in the harbor to continue to provide a safe, organized, and enjoyable environment for everyone.”

            Harbormaster Wentworth has been splitting his time between three towns, working full-time as Assistant Harbormaster in Plymouth, and part-time as a Berkley Police officer and a Carver firefighter. He became a POST-Certified Officer in 2019 and graduated from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in 2020.

            “I have had the privilege to work as an Assistant Harbormaster for the Town of Plymouth for the past six years after graduating from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy,” Wentworth said. “I have also worked part time as a police officer for the Town of Berkley, and a Call Firefighter and Rescue Diver for the Carver Fire Department. I hope to bring a piece of each of these experiences to Marion to serve the Town to the best of my ability.”

            The incoming Harbormaster has earned numerous certificates – 50-Ton Masters Captains License, National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) Officer Water Survival, MA Shellfish Constable, DEP Oil Spill Response, USCG Towing Endorsement, Marine Medical Emergencies, Boating Under the Influence Detection, FAA Part 107 Drone Pilot, NASBLA Boat Crew Member, NASBLA Pursuit and Stop, Open/Water Dry Suit SCUBA Diver and Police ATV Operations – satisfying Harbormaster Training Council Requirements.

            The Town of Marion’s Harbormaster is the individual responsible for leading and safeguarding Marion’s harbor and waterways.

            “On behalf of the Marine Resources Commission (MRC), I welcome Cam to Marion and look forward to a productive relationship,” said Marion Marine Resources Commission Chair Vin Malkoski. “The MRC is committed to working closely with the Harbormaster to manage the harbors and local waters, and we look forward to a productive relationship.”

            As the primary authority on the water, the Harbormaster serves as a trusted liaison to the boating community, marine businesses, and residents, while overseeing the enforcement of all federal, state, and local maritime laws and regulations.

            “Cameron is a very qualified professional, and I feel confident he will serve the Town of Marion well as Harbormaster,” said Marion Select Board Chair Randy L. Parker. “His application really checked all of the boxes for us. His wide-ranging experience in both the police and fire professions will be invaluable as he takes on this vital role.”

            Working under the direction of the Chief of Police, this role partners closely with public safety agencies to ensure Marion’s harbor remains safe, well-managed, and respected throughout the region.

            “I’d like to welcome our new Harbormaster to our department and to our community,” said Chief Nighelli. “I am confident he is well-prepared to take on this important public-facing role. I have conveyed to him that he will find strong community support here, and I look forward to him fostering positive relationships with the boating community and all harbor stakeholders as he works to ensure the safe and effective management of our waterways.”

After Year-Long Hiatus, Burr Voted Back

on

            Marion held its Town Election on Friday, May 15. There were two contested races: that of the Select Board with the seat occupied by Norman Hills and a seat on the Old Rochester Regional School Committee.

            In the end, there were 847 votes, including those from early voting. As candidates gathered, waiting in the Benjamin D. Cushing Community Center, Town Clerk Katrina Desroches read results after about 45 minutes of tabulation. Carleton “Toby” Burr had won back a seat on the Select Board, after deciding not to run in last year’s election and his seat going to current Vice Chair John Hoagland. Burr won by a 102-vote margin, unseated Hills, a multiterm incumbent.

            In the other contested race, multiterm incumbent Margaret E. McSweeny came out on top in the race for ORR School Committee. She won by over 400 votes.

            Results from the final tally are below:

Select Board: (Vote for One)

Carleton “Toby” Burr Jr.: 368

Norman A. Hills: 266

George T.J. Walker: 201

Write in: 1

Blank: 11

Board of Assessors: (Vote for One)

Patricia Ann Decosta: 690

Write ins: 7

Blank: 150

Board of Health: (Vote for One)

Albin R. Johnson III: 670

Write in: 7

Blank: 170

Planning Board: (Vote for Three)

Ryan Burke: 603

Ann Voorhees Morgan: 531

Sean C Sweeney: 573

Write in: 18

Blanks: 814

Marion School Committee: (Vote for Two)

Nichole Nye McGaffey: 614

Mary Beauregard: 606

Write in: 6

Blank: 468

Old Rochester Regional School Committee: (Vote for One)

Margaret E. McSweeny: 578

Katharine M. McAuley: 174

Write in: 1

Blank: 194

Open Space Acquisition Commission: (Vote for Two)

Patricia Ann De Groot: 620

Norman A. Hills: 586

Write in: 14

Blank: 474

Marion Town Election

By Sam Bishop

Women Lead Five-Member Select Board

on

            On Tuesday night, the results of the Mattapoisett Town Election were announced after polls closed at 8:00 pm. For the contested races: Kathy J Eklund took the one-year Board of Health seat with 1181 votes to Michael D King’s 521. This is to fill a vacancy on the board. For the seat on theCommunity Preservation Committee, Susan F Wilber with 1213 votesclinched the victory to James Andrew Pierson’s 1145

            The Select Board now has five members, and three of them are women. Nicole Doyon Lynch and Judith M Mooney came in with over 1000 votes and Frances-Feliz Kearns won with 757 over Ned Kaiser’s incredibly close 752.

            Results from the final tally are below:

Select Board: (Vote for three)

Nicole Doyon Lynch: 104

Judith M Mooney: 1031

Frances-Feliz Kearns: 757

Ned Kaiser: 752

Eric Beauergard: 614

James Francis Harlfinger: 498

Assessor (Vote for one):

Raymond H Andrews: 1314

Board of Health (One Year): (Vote for one)

Kathy J Eklund: 1181

Michael D King: 1017

Board of Health (Three Years): (Vote for one)

Carmelo Nicolosi: 1220

Mattapoisett School Committee: (Vote for one)

Margaret Daisy Pullo Breese: 1164

ORR School Committee: (Vote for one)

Frances-Feliz Kearns: 1144

Water Sewer Commissioner: (Vote for one)

Daniel William Chase: 1281

Planning Board: (Vote for one)

Karen J Field: 1269

Housing Authority: (Vote for one)

Leda A Kim: 1182

Community Preservation Committee: (Vote for one)

Susan F Wilber: 1213

James Andrew Pierson: 1145

(Note: results are unofficial)

Mattapoisett Town Election

By Marilou Newell

Betty Jean (Smith) Voss

on

Betty Jean (Smith) Voss, 93, of Marion, passed away on April 27, 2026 surrounded by the love of her family. She joins her beloved husband of 66 years, Donald C. Voss of Wareham, with the Lord in Heaven. She was born in New Bedford on Mother’s Day, May 8th, 1932. Amid the hardships of the post-Depression era, Edith and Herbert Braley of Marion, opened their home to Betty and her brother George, raising them as their own children.

            She met her future husband while attending Wareham High School. On their senior class trip, Betty and Don shared their first kiss at the base of the Washington Monument. They sealed their love on September 9th, 1951 at First Congregational Church of Marion.

            In her teens, Betty worked as a fountain attendant at Browne’s pharmacy in Marion and also as a roller skating attendant at a gasoline station. Three years after Betty and Don had their first child Sandra, they moved to St. Petersburg, Florida.

            In her early 20s, Betty accepted several modeling job offers, doing various shows in nearby Clearwater for Montgomery Ward and for Wilson Chase Department Store on Central Avenue in St. Petersburg. She became a long distance switchboard operator for General Telephone Company in St. Petersburg, while handling land taxi and offshore vessel calls.

            In 1962, she was expecting her baby Ruth while working at Softwater Laundry in St. Petersburg. When she began to show, she was let go due to her “condition”.

            In the early 1970’s, Betty became a beautician after attending LeBaron Beauty Academy in New Bedford. After a time, Betty chose to switch careers and after graduating from Upper Cape Regional Vocational School in 1975, she began working at Jordan Hospital in Plymouth, MA. She also worked as a private nurse for several years. Betty truly cared for her patients as she held each of them very close to her heart.

            Betty and her husband Don spent their years of retirement exploring the country in their motor home, spending winters in Florida and summers in New England to be with their friends and family.

            To say Betty was ‘multi-talented’ would be an understatement. From the beautiful artistry of her oil paintings, her homemade freshly baked pies, or a quilt she lovingly gifted, the care she put into each one was immeasurable. She continually challenged herself to expand her interests by doing furniture restoration and carpentry, quilting, sewing, and floral arrangements for the church, among others.

            Perhaps one of Betty’s greatest gifts was her voice. Whether it be as a soloist or as a church choir member, the sweetness and conviction of her voice sent a message of inspiration and brought joy to all.

            Betty also frequently sang with a guitar accompanist her friend and server Scott at All American Assisted Living in Wareham. As a resident, she treated each person she met like family and was loved by everyone there.

            Betty Jean attended Sunday School at Church of the Nazarene, when she was a young girl realizing later that a life of service to the Lord would be her calling.

            Her faith in Christ and his teachings were unwavering and deeply rooted in her love and compassion for others. Although she faced many challenges in her lifetime, her spirit endured and her faith remained strong.

            Betty is survived by her daughter, Sandra (Voss) Halley and her husband Gordon of Virginia, her son, Dana Voss and his wife Donna (Cregg) of Wareham, and her daughter, Ruth Voss and her partner Ken Shelton of Boston.  She also had a fourth child, Cheryl Lynn Voss, who lived only for a brief time.

            Betty’s brother, George Smith predeceased her and is survived by his two sons, Kenn Lane and his wife Beth of Oklahoma and Michael Moulder and his wife Emma of Texas.  She is also survived by her sister, Judy Trapp of Alabama.

            Betty is also survived by two granddaughters and two grandsons, four great granddaughters, and one great grandson, and one great great granddaughter and two great great grandsons as well as several nieces and nephews.

            A Celebration of Life service for Betty will be held on Saturday, May 30th, at Emmanuel Church of the Nazarene, 6 Rogers Ave., Wareham, followed by a reception. Colorful attire is encouraged.

            Donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in lieu of flowers.

Land Swap Moves Bike Path Forward

on

The Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission met in person in the Police Station on May 7 for discussions on the land swap between the commission and the Select Board, tree removals, and other updates.

            Following the approval of the minutes from the commission’s April 16 meeting, Chair John Rockwell moved to discuss the Land Bank Report fund. However, it was noted by commission members the most recent report would not be available until the following week, therefore delaying this conversation to next month’s meeting.

            Next, the chair opened discussion on the Open Space Property Transfer for the Marion Shared Use Path. The transfer of nearly 3,000 square feet near Washburn Park was approved by voters at the Special Town Meeting in March. In handing over the land to the Select Board, the Open Space Acquisition Commission was transferred 13 acres in between Old Indian Trail and Parlowtown Road.

            Rockwell said the commission’s newly acquired property contains two restrictions, or easements, in relation to land usage. One of the nearby homes has the ability to access part of the land as well as the federal government due to wildlife conservation efforts at the nearby bogs.

            The Select Board already independently voted to approve the transfer, with the commission voting this night to also support it. Rockwell said there was a separate vote taking place by the Massachusetts General Court on Wednesday, May 13, which they were expected to support.

            The commission then moved to the discussion of updates on tree removals at Grassi Bog. Before tree removal can commence, a budget estimate needs to be assessed. The chair stated, in meeting with experts, work on felling the trees would only take a day but removal of the debris could take up to four days. “The small stuff would be obliterated,” Rockwell said, noting only larger pieces would require extraction.

            On the timeline of the project, Rockwell clarified, “we have no money until a year from now,” signifying the project will not get the go-ahead until 2027.

            The next meeting of the Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission is scheduled for Thursday, June 4.

Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission

By Sam Bishop

The Rochester Historical Society is at it Again

on

On May 30 the Historical Society is having a Red, White and Blue Bake Sale from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Rochester Land Trust Pony Pasture on Mattapoisett Road. After another expensive winter, we see a need to rebuild our cash resources the best way we know how – hold a bake sale.

            We need people to visit and buy bake goods, but before then, we need bakers. To make things easier not everything needs to be red or white or blue, but we are hoping to get cakes, pies, breads, cookies, and muffins to sell. Please, let me know by phone 617 750 2818 or email me at eshbach2@aol.com, that you will bake something for our sale. We are discouraging cupcakes because we have found they don’t sell. If you can help, it will be greatly appreciated. If you don’t bake and don’t eat sweets or know anyone for whom you can buy them, we’d still like to see you and we’re always happy to receive donations.

More Calls for Independence

on

            This week in Revolutionary War history, let’s check up on what was going on 250 years ago in New England and the northern Thirteen Colonies. Last week, rumors and anxieties swirl over reports that 12,000 Hessian mercenaries from Germany are on their way to support British lines. At the same time, the Colony of Rhode Island was the first to declare independence while a meeting of delegates in Virginia is moving toward the same motion.

            On May 10, 1776, General George Washington writes his cousin and manager of his estate of Mount Vernon Lund Washington, informing his manager, cousin, and friend that “I am not able to form any idea of the time of my return.” He then thoroughly outlines the repayment procedure he expects of Lund for various debts to other neighboring estates or business partners. He finishes, “The many matters which hang heavy upon my hands at present do not allow me time…”

            On May 11, in response to fears over the arrival of thousands of Hessians, Washington proposes to John Hancock “may it not be advisable and good policy to raise some companies of our Germans to send among ‘em when they arrive, for spirit of disaffection and desertion?” Washington hopes bands of German-speaking American soldiers can convince the Hessians to either stand down or switch sides.

            On May 12, Washington’s General Orders inform carpenters, boat builders, and painters in New York to be ready the next morning at sunrise. They are being called upon to assist in the fortification efforts of the city.

            On May 13, John Adams speaks in front of the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. The delegate from Massachusetts calls on Pennsylvania to not dismantle their government, but to for a new one, separate from the Crown. He adds, “We can’t go upon stronger reasons, than that the King has thrown us out of his protection. Why should we support governments under his authority?”

            Pushes away from the authority of the Kingdom of Great Britain seemed to be spawning across the empire, with the town of Maugerville, Nova Scotia voting against the rule of the Crown. In a meeting attended by most residents of the Canadian settlement, eight resolutions were passed to both condemn rulings by the British Parliament and express desire to be under the government of Massachusetts, formally requesting protection from the Commonwealth. The people of Maugerville voted to “share with them the event of the present struggle for liberty.”

            The next day, in response to Rhode Island’s formal declaration of independence, the Fifth Virginia Convention meets in Williamsburg. Delegates from across the colony vote unanimously “to propose to that respectable body to declare the United Colonies free and independent states, absolved from all allegiance to, or dependency upon, the Crown or Parliament of Great Britain.”

            That same day, the motion John Adams had been advocating for was passed by the Congress, though the delegation from Maryland left the vote in protest. The passage of this “preamble” would serve as the foundation of a later certain declaration. On the vote, Adams would say, “This day the Congress has passed the most important resolution that ever was taken in America.”

This Week in Revolutionary War History

By Sam Bishop

Academic Achievements

on

Rebecca Mann of Mattapoisett has been named to Southern New Hampshire University’s Spring 2026 Dean’s List.

Upcoming Events at the Elizabeth Taber Library

on

Readers’ Advisory Group meets every 4th Wednesday at 11:00 am. If you enjoy discussing reading or books, join our Adult Readers’ Advisory group for popular book ideas, to see what others are reading, and to explore new genres!

            Do you like knitting, needlepoint, embroidery, or crocheting? Join our newest club; Fiber Arts Club, Fridays at 11:00 am! Meet new people, share fiber art project ideas, work with others, and share some laughs!

            Join the Elizabeth Taber Library on Wednesday, May 27 at 1:00 pm for a lively and immersive program with Linda Booth Sweeney, author of The Noisy Puddle, winner of the Massachusetts Book Awards picture book/early reader category. Designed for young children and their caregivers, this special event blends storytime with hands-on discovery, celebrating the wonder of vernal pools and the living systems they support. The program will begin in the library with a read-aloud of The Noisy Puddle, followed by a conversation with the author. Families will then be invited upstairs to the Marion Natural History Museum for guided, hands-on exploration.

            For more information on the Elizabeth Taber Library visit us at www.ElizabethTaberLibrary.org or email the library at ETLibrary@sailsinc.org.  8 Spring Street Marion, MA 02738.  508-748-1252.