OPM Request Met with Scrutiny

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Rochester’s Select Board Monday rejected Public Safety Building Committee Chairman Arnold Johnson’s request to hire an owner project manager with $140,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, preferring to learn first what exactly an OPM would accomplish for them at this stage of the project to combine, replace or rehab the town’s space-challenged police and fire stations.

            Johnson said his committee, which recently received the project’s feasibility study, wants to take the next step by using the ARPA funds for an OPM with the expertise to evaluate design and cost options for the rehab/replace plans being proposed.

            Select Board member Brad Morse did not agree with this plan. He said he wants to recommend putting this expense before town voters for their approval first, noting the town doesn’t even have a specific replace or rehab plan yet. “This is putting the cart before the horse,” said Morse.

            Johnson responded that the committee can’t do any more evaluating of the feasibility study’s conclusions until it gets an OPM’s expertise. However, fellow Select Board member Adam Murphy agreed with Morse. “I think voters will question this,” Murphy said.

            A resident added to the pushback by noting the town has yet to share the feasibility study with the public. “To hire a project manager is way premature,” he said. Very cart before the horse. There has been zero communication with the townspeople.”

            Johnson countered that the feasibility study has been discussed in open meetings, televised on local cable and reported in the press. “We are doing our due diligence,” he said. “To bring a big number to town voters in the past was a waste of time. We just need to get a better next step this time. No one’s disrespecting the voters. I’m not against bringing this to the voters.”

            The Select Board concluded discussion by tabling a decision, after Murphy moved to have Town Administrator Glenn Cannon put together information on what an OPM does and what that person would be doing in this case. “For $140,000?” Murphy said. “We don’t even know what we’d be getting for that.”

            In other action Monday, the board opened the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting, which it noted is scheduled for May 13. The warrant will remain open until Friday, March 22.

            The board appointed police officers Connor Leddin and Austin Alves for detail work at the March 5 Presidential Primary election.

            Cannon reported that the transfer station site assignment request should be available for signing at the March 18 Select Board meeting.

            Cannon reported the Massachusetts Cultural Council has received a $5,800 grant for its dispersal this year.

            On February 27, the Select Board met briefly and approved spending $1,300,000 of ARPA funds on town priorities.

            Prior to the vote, Cannon explained to Select Board Chairman Paul Ciaburri and Murphy, who were present in person, and Morse, who was attending via a telephone link, that by March 1 the Plymouth County commissioners need an estimate of what the town wants to spend its ARPA funds on. If those funds aren’t spent by the town by the end of the year, they will be reallocated for other county priorities.

            The board swiftly approved forwarding to Plymouth County the memo that allocates $1,309,227.77 of ARPA funds for the following town needs: new ambulance at $384,000, Revenue Loss Allocation $218,226.35, Technical Upgrades $250,000, Overtime Reimbursement $150,00, Emergency Services Power Stretcher $30,262.46, two Defibrillators $4,938.98, COVID tests $5,000 and Dispatch/jail-cell doors $100,000.

            The last item became this designation after Murphy noted it is uncertain whether police cell doors, the initial intent for that amount, would qualify for ARPA funding, which must be related to the negative financial impacts of the COVID pandemic and public health and safety needs. Murphy suggested adding dispatch-center costs to this item, as the town will need its own equipment should the regional dispatch center Rochester now relies on ever shuts down. Cannon said he will research further as to whether cell doors will so qualify for these funds.

            The technical-upgrades priority will be spent on new radios and radio repeaters for the Fire Department, said Chief Scott Weigel. Officials previously reported that $216,413 of ARPA funds would be used to acquire digital radios; this amount is in the new $250,000 sum. Overtime Reimbursement will be for the costs paid during COVID for employees who had to work in the office despite the pandemic.

            Rochester was initially awarded $1,021,846.89 in total ARPA funds. Cannon explained in a later interview that the county asked the town to calculate extra funding into its estimate in case a reallocation of funds occurs.

            The Rochester Select Board set its next meeting for Monday, March 18, at 6:00 pm at the Senior Center, 67 Dexter Lane.

Rochester Select Board

By Michael J. DeCicco

From the Rochester Historical Society

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In early New England, the most important man in town was most likely not the owner of the biggest house, the town clerk, or a selectman, but rather the minister of the town’s church. Rochester’s first two ministers, Reverends Arnold and Ruggles, both served for many conflict-free years while growing the size of the congregation to over 300 parishioners.

            Upon the death of Rev. Ruggles, a recently ordained Harvard graduate, Jonathan Moore became his successor. While he had preached at Brattle Street Church Boston prior to his ordination, this was his first official position. He came to the Rochester Center Church during the lead up to the Revolutionary War. When it became time for Rochester men to march off to war, he “shouldered his musket” and joined them as chaplain to one of the companies.

            The first of his ministerial years saw him providing “good services” to his congregation and during his tenure, his recordkeeping and other writing provided valuable information to the historic records.

            Unfortunately, he became a minister at a time of change in the church and society. A new doctrine, the half-way Covenant, caused some disagreement among parishioners and a perceived decline in religion blamed on the French influence from the war made congregational calm less easy to come by. However, in the case of Rev. Moore (most frequently referred to as Mr. Moore in Abraham Holmes memoirs), it was more likely his personality that led to conflicts. Holmes refers to him as an impudent man and an anonymous writer in 1815 said that Moore “was a man of constitutional fearlessness of heart. The face of men in any garb had no terror for him.” This meant he was happy to argue and disagree with just about anyone. As time passed, he was more and more involved in “disputes and lawsuits with his parish”.

            He openly feuded with Justice N. Ruggles. It is obvious in some of Holmes accounts how much the two men disliked each other. When a prayer was proposed for an important meeting, “Ruggles said if there must be prayer, he hoped it would not be by Mr. Moore, for he had heard so much of his praying on Sundays that he could not bear to hear him on a weekday, for that man had done more hurt in Rochester than he ever did, or ever would, or ever could do good”.

            Not to be outdone when called upon to offer a prayer, Moore proceeded to offer a few opinions of Ruggles, referring to his ” depraved and wicket heart” and then led the group in prayer.

            In 1789-90, it became apparent that the Rochester Church’s enrollment was declining. This was blamed on Rev. Moore by a committee studying the situation. This “brot on a violent discussion in the meeting.” Things went from bad to worse and after many, many church and committee meetings, Moore was dismissed in 1792. For quite a while after this, he refused to accept his dismissal and held competing services in his home. He also sued for back salary that he felt was due him. The suit went to court and after a lengthy trial, the jurors decided against him even though the court felt that he was in the right.

            Even though he was removed from the roll of the church at that time, upon his death in 1814, he was taken back into the church. He is buried in the Rochester Center Cemetery beside his first wife.

By Connie Eshbach

MNHM Coastal Explorations

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The Marion Natural History Museum is offering two summer sessions of Coastal Explorations. During our weeklong programs, we explore some of Marion’s unique natural areas, including shorelines, salt marshes, estuaries, riverbanks, ponds, swamps and bogs. These programs are designed for small groups of students entering grades 3-6. We meet from 9 – 12 in a variety of locations in town. Our first session is July 8 to 12 and second session is August 6 to 10 and registrations are now open at the museum’s website www.marionmuseum.org. Come join us for a week of summer fun exploring our natural areas.

Mattapoisett Trees

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To the Editor;

            Let’s hope that the next meeting to discuss the proposed road work in Mattapoisett will be held in a venue that can accommodate all of us who want to be present.

            I have a fondness for old things and think they epitomize strength, durability, charm, and character, just as the trees lining our shady roads add to our vision of Mattapoisett as an old New England seaside town.

            I fear that the proposed tree removal will turn our lovely village into something resembling a supermarket parking lot.

Sharon Schneider

The views expressed in the “Letters to the Editor” column are not necessarily those of The Wanderer, its staff or advertisers. The Wanderer will gladly accept any and all correspondence relating to timely and pertinent issues in the great Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester area, provided they include the author’s name, address and phone number for verification. We cannot publish anonymous, unsigned or unconfirmed submissions. The Wanderer reserves the right to edit, condense and otherwise alter submissions for purposes of clarity and/or spacing considerations. The Wanderer may choose to not run letters that thank businesses, and The Wanderer has the right to edit letters to omit business names. The Wanderer also reserves the right to deny publication of any submitted correspondence. All letters must be typed and submitted directly to: news@wanderer.com.

Martin Sparks Bulldogs to Playoff Win

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The Old Rochester Regional High School boys’ basketball team opened the MIAA Division 3 state tournament on March 1 with a 65-59 victory over Foxborough in Mattapoisett.

            Gavin Martin was named the player of the game, dropping 18 points, 5 assists and 4 steals. Zach Maurao added 18 points. The host Bulldogs, seeded second, were behind in the first quarter and were down one point at the half. After scoring 20 third-quarter points, the Bulldogs led 50-45 going into the fourth. In a back-and-forth final quarter, the Bulldogs ultimately pulled away with the win.

            “The boys displayed resilience and did what they had to, securing a gritty win and advance,” said ORR head coach Steve Carvalho.

            ORR took an 18-4 record into its March 6, Round of 16 home game against 15-seed Salem (6:30 pm tipoff at the ORR gym for Wednesday’s online readers).

Girls Basketball

            ORR, seeded 22nd, fell at Watertown, 47-28, on March 1 in the MIAA Division 3 Round of 32. The Bulldogs finished the season 15-7.

By Aiden Comorosky

FY25 Capital Planning

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            On March 4, the Mattapoisett Capital Planning Committee, chaired by Mike Dahill, presented the Select Board with the town’s FY25 plan.

            Dahill began his presentation by first stating that the biggest expense the town is facing is the upgrades project required at the Fairhaven Sewer Plant. While final cost estimates are still being calculated ($8,000,000), Dahill said that grant funding was being sought, thus bringing the town’s share a bit lower.

            Under the Water and Sewer Enterprise Funds for FY25 are sums earmarked for a new Water and Sewer headquarters building. Under the Water Enterprise, $2,100,000 plus another $900,000 from the Sewer Enterprise is planned for that construction project.

            The Waterfront Enterprise Fund will cover costs of $25,000 for a new stretcher (with another 50% coming from the Police Department.) Also, $25,000 will be allocated for docks and floats and $10,000 for a pump-out engine.

            There are 19 non-enterprise-fund, capital needs being requested. Those are: $360,000 new ambulance, ambulance stretcher $40,000, fire-helmet replacements $11,000, fire hose replacements $18,000; Highway Department Ford F250 Pick-up truck (2007) $75,000; annual road improvements $300,000, Center and Old Hammondtown schools paging servers $65,800, replacement pump for Fire Department truck $8,000, Town Hall exterior trim painting $50,000, Highway Department exhaust fan $10,000, Old Hammondtown and Center schools water-heater replacements $36,000,  library elevator upgrade $25,000, Pine Island culvert design and engineering $130,000, Center School fire doors replace and repair $26,000, Center School window-seal replacements $20,000 and Old Hammondtown School VCT flooring replacement $25,000.

            Enterprise requests total $11,060,000, and nonenterprise needs are $1,224,800.

            Dahill said the committee is awaiting Old Rochester Regional Junior and Senior high schools’ capital needs but indicated the list would be substantial.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Select Board was not announced upon adjournment.

Mattapoisett Select Board

By Marilou Newell

DeSousa: Going Underground Would Save Trees

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            Public meetings in Mattapoisett rarely require overflow rooms to accommodate attendees, but such was the case when the Mattapoisett Tree Committee held its February 29 meeting. The Fire Station training room was packed, requiring Town Administrator Mike Lorenco to open up Town Hall. A streaming of the meeting via Zoom granted those audience members audio and video coverage.

            Tree Committee Chairman Sandy Hering expressed her delight at the turnout, giving validation to her belief that townspeople wanted and needed more details on the proposed village streets project.

            The project, now heading towards the 25% design as required by Massachusetts Department of Transportation, is on the 2026 TIP list for state and federal funding. However, the Tree Committee believes the loss of old oaks and other mature trees that line the waterfront area would be a “tragedy.” Hering said several times during the meeting that the removal of trees to comply with state and federal regulations would change the character of the village area for a lifetime.

            The information offered was detailed in scope, outlining specific trees that would be slated for removal, width of sidewalks for ADA compliance, location of new sidewalks and where new trees would be planted.

            Presenters for the evening (including Hering) were Bonne DeSousa, Carlos DeSousa and committee member Dianne Tsitsos. While Hering carried the bulk of information to the attendees, Carlos DeSousa spoke to a redesign of the project that would include underground conduits for electrical and network cables. He asserted that by placing these utilities underground, the need to remove so many trees (some 30 at last count) would be mitigated, shade canopies would be untouched and critical services would become more viable during storm events.

            Tsitsos shared images of the village area in full summer mode with events being enjoyed where sidewalks currently exist and shade trees are in full, leafy bloom.

            Noting that the Fire Station planning and associated costs had necessitated the inclusion of a steering committee to navigate all the moving parts, Hering wondered aloud why a steering committee had not been put in place for a project with such wide-ranging impact.

            Hering also stated that public hearings under the jurisdiction of the Planning Board regarding the fate of each and every tree currently tagged for removal should be scheduled. In a follow-up with Lorenco, he stated that the Scenic Streets Bylaw will require the trees scheduled for removal to follow the tree-removal process of public hearings.

            Rising to speak once questions and answers began was Select Board member Tyler Macallister, providing a timeline of how the project has progressed thus far and the need to move the project along to the final funding stages.

            Pointing out the number of public meetings the project has undergone, 20, that began in 2014, Macallister said that since April 2021 there had been six public meetings not including this one. He said that the November 2016 Town Meeting approved the spending of $300,000 for the project’s engineering and permitting and again during the May 2021 annual Town Meeting another $450,000 to reach 75% design.

            Macallister further noted that original estimates for the project had been around $4,500,000 but now were closer to $11,000,000. From prepared notes, Macallister stated, “The average annual debt impact (should the town decide to pay for the project from borrowing) would be approximately 35 cents on the tax rate, which would calculate to approximately $257.48 for the average single-family home. Over 20 years, the taxpayer would pay $3,862.” Culvert replacements have also impacted total cost estimates.

            Regarding underground conduits, Macallister said that Eversource is unwilling to entertain that option due to the high costs, some, if not most would be passed along to the town.

            In the beginning, 2014, the seed was planted for the village streets project. Concerns and considerations resulting for aging gas and water lines propelled the town and the then-sitting Select Board of Paul Silva, Jordan Collyer and Macallister to explore design and funding options for the large road-improvement project. Mike Gagne was the town administrator.

            When asked what their next steps might be, Hering asked that the public let their voices be heard by writing to the Select Board.

            As for now, the town awaits a final acceptable 25% engineered design, as requested from its consultants, VHB. A variety of tweaks were discussed at their last meeting with the Select Board, including trees to be removed and new trees to be planted.

Mattapoisett Tree Committee

By Marilou Newell

Upcoming Events at the Elizabeth Taber Library

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The seed library is back. Check out seeds and educational materials to get your garden growing.

            Join the Library for A Banned Book Club Special Presentation – Think of the Children: Banned Picture Books, Tuesday, March 12 at 6:30 pm. Learn about the picture books and juvenile literature titles that have been banned or challenged in the United States. All welcome.

            Come and hunt for lucky ducks at our Golden Duck Scavenger Hunt: Friday March 15 at 3 pm.

            Join actress Sheryl Faye and the Friends of the Elizabeth Taber Library for a showing of the one-woman show “Her Majesty — Queen Elizabeth II” Sunday, March 24 at 3:00 pm at the Marion Music Hall. The performance will be preceded by an afternoon tea featuring a selection of sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and preserves, and a variety of special sweets. Tickets can be purchased at the library for $40. Proceeds will benefit the Elizabeth Taber Library.

            Get your team together to challenge friends and neighbors in a battle of wits at the Third Annual Lizzy T Trivia Bee – Friday, April 5 at 7 pm at the Marion Music Hall. $200 for team registration, team sizes limited to 5-6 people. Silent auction, cash bar, and free table snacks available. Spaces are limited, get your registration form at the library.

            Storytimes for all ages Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10:30 am.

            For more information on the Elizabeth Taber Library, visit us at www.ElizabethTaberLibrary.org or call us at 508-748-1252.

Capital Requests Rearranged

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            The Marion Select Board is rearranging the lists of FY25 capital requests as recently presented by the Capital Improvements Planning Committee.

            On Tuesday night, Town Administrator Geoff Gorman told the Select Board that the requests presented in two basic categories – those relating to the Department of Public Works versus anything else – could for the board’s consumption be further divided, separating out Sewer and Water requests.

            A Hazard Mitigation program grant from FEMA, said Gorman, will effectively takes the Creek Road Pumping Station out of the capital equation. Citing positive feedback from DPW personnel, Gorman said, “We do anticipate 100% grant funding for the station.”

            In summarizing other sewer-related projects, Gorman said the North Well on Perry Hill is in the wetlands and will need capital to construct an access road. Board member Norm Hills asked if the item might require application to the Rochester Conservation Commission.

            Other water-related capital needs include funding for four generators at the Marion-owned wells, a replacement of the Island Wharf water main that also feeds Bardon’s Boat Yard.

            Gorman folded Highway Department needs into the projects requiring assistance from the General Fund because it has no enterprise fund.

            He then summarized a 21-item list, finishing with two items that were not submitted in time for consideration by the CIPC before the committee made its rankings and reported to the Select Board.

            The two items not included in the CIPC report were Town House security at the main entrance doors at $50,000 and $19,322 to upgrade harbor radios to digital.

            The paving of the Cushing Community Center parking lot estimated at $1,800,000 for construction (the design is several years old but “complete”) was recommended by Parker to be held “until the 44 acres in back are decided.”

            Gorman said that removal of the request for a patrol boat, which would cost from $750,000 to $800,000 (from the Waterways Account or as a debt exclusion) is possible but said that patrol-boat grants are “very competitive.”

            The Select Board has two more meetings (March 19 and April 2) to finalize the warrant. Parker said the board could vote in all the requests and then retract their inclusion, mitigating the deadline.

            Marion is estimating a 5% increase in the Old Rochester Regional School District budget for FY25.

            Finance Director Heather O’Brien reported that the town has maintained its AAA bond rating.

            A 6:00 pm Pole Hearing with N-Star Electric Company (dba Eversource Energy) covering the installation of 44 feet of conduit and two handholes on Front Street raised questions from resident electrician Randy Parker. The plan is for new underground service and the removal of overground service, including a pole.

            Parker asked N-Star representative Faye Sweatman where the transformer would be located, noting from a site visit a large house on Front Street with a 400-amp service and another with a 200-amp service. He also noted that the pole has already been installed. Sweatman said the plan is to run underground wire pole to pole.

            “I love the underground, a little more detail would be good. We need to know if there’s going to be a transformer there and if it’ll be a pole mount or a pad mount,” said Parker.

            While Sweatman assured the board she would seek and report answers to Parker’s questions, Marion resident George TJ Walker was on hand in hopes of getting answers to questions he had about three poles on Point Road that are leaning. Walker considers them dangerous and said he put in two calls to each organization with no result.

            “No one knows who owns them,” said Walker. “If it falls over, there’s no guidewires and it’s leaning. There’s a lot of wires up there.”

            Parker clarified that while Eversource has rights to all utility poles in Marion, Verizon is the “pole setter” and owner. Parker then added that the pole located in front of the Police Department on Route 6 opposite Benson Brook Road is in similar condition. “That one’s really listing,” he said.

            Walker will meet with Gorman and give him pole numbers. “This will be an education for me too,” said Gorman.

            The public hearing was continued to March 19 at 6:15 pm.

            Tom Farrell represented the Holmes Woods Forest Stewardship Plan in an appointment to bring the Select Board up to date on the grant-funded bird habitat. In reviewing the forest’s history, Farrell noted some facts and made recommendations for the forest’s health.

            Three decades after a 1902 donation and maintenance as a forest, two hurricanes demolished the forest, and the town invested in a replanting featuring red pine. Farrell said that until 2010 and 2017, not much had been done and by then the red pine died out completely. He said the tree was “not really in its home range” and “never thinned out.” It got to a point where the root systems got big, stressed out and more susceptible to disease and insects.

            Crowded trees, he said, do poorly, while a thinner planting allows the sun to work more effectively. Farrell said he worked with forester Bill Benjamin, and the white pines that were thinned out “started really exploding into that sunlight.”

            Noting the trees’ resiliency, Farrell recommended removing some of the smaller trees to make more room for more vigorous trees. The more diversity in tree species, he said, the better for birds and also in resisting disease.

            Norm Hills asked Farrell for advice on invasive species.

            Farrell advised against chemicals such as RoundUp and recommended manually cutting and pulling the plants. “Some of those who pull, pull, pull, they do have some results,” he said. “If you can’t remove the invasives, just cutting them when they start to fruit and flower, (helps because it keeps insects away).

            “Really, you’re identifying the most vigorous trees out there and just removing the little stuff around it.”

            In his Town Administrator’s Report, Gorman said the new Harbormaster building’s pillars are in progress and publicly credited Building Commissioner Bob Grillo for support on the project.

            Bid documents for the new DPW building are complete and posted; general bids are due on March 28. Gorman says Marion has received 21 requests for documents.

            The Police Accreditation visit was a success, said Gorman, referencing a February 29 site review resulting in “zero repair work.” The next step will be approval of those results by the state Police Accreditation Commission. Gorman publicly credited Lieutenant Jeff Habicht for his preparation effort and the department, noting that the facilitators said Marion “made it easy because they do the right things every day.”

            Gorman reported that MassDEP is considering regulation revisions for waterways, including elevation of new development areas in coastal floodplains, etc. Comments are open until April 30; Gorman said he is attending sessions and will bring back feedback for a town comment.

            Gorman also reported that the Buzzards Bay Coalition has received grant funding that will result in the replacement of two culverts on Delano Road to be done in conjunction with the Marion DPW.

            “We’ve been waiting to do that for a long time,” said Parker.

            Longtime Rochester Water Commissioner Fred Underhill attended the meeting and noting his age (85), said he is not sure how much longer he will be involved in public service.

            Underhill encouraged the Marion Select Board to “please keep the lines of communication with Rochester open. … I’ve been through three periods when, at least from Rochester’s standpoint, things weren’t working very well. When you’re doing anything out there, (communication) helps solve any rumor mills.”

            The board approved a Bond Anticipation Note (BAN) Renewal for various approved debt projects. Parker thinks the town should reconsider bonding a septic betterment loan.

            “Maybe there’s some grant funding out there, I’m not sure this is a good idea,” he said, noting the importance of what would happen should a property be sold.

            Gorman said he will review the contract.

            “I think it’s a great idea, but I don’t think we should bond it with what we normally bond. There’s got to be some other money out there,” said Parker, asking, “… how are we going to get our money back? I think we can sort it out. I’m not crazy about bonding the taxpayers’ money against septic.”

            The board also approved a Motion of Intentions to discontinue Wells Road (portion) as a Town Way. This action is meant to support further commercial development on area properties. Gorman said the abutters’ attorney is working to get an easement in place for the four-part plan to convey the land to the abutters, hold a 45-day comment period to the Planning Board; see if Town Meeting will authorize the Select Board to negotiate with the abutters and get legal easements in place.

            Gorman said there is no pressure to get this process to the May 13 Annual Town Meeting, but he said if the town can arrive at a compensation agreement, that would be in the warrant article.

            The board approved the reappointments of Kristen Saint Don-Campbell to the Marion Cultural Council, Randy Parker as wiring inspector and Stephen Dixon as alternate wiring inspector.

            The board approved a special one-day alcohol beverage license for ICJ Corporation for an August 17 (3:00 pm to 9:00 pm) wedding at the Marion Music Hall where 50 guests are expected.

            The board approved Water/Sewer commitments of $150 (water service January 10) and $740.31 (final readings February 27) but held off from voting on a Water & Sewer Abatement Policy. The board intends to vote at its next meeting.

            The next meeting of the Marion Select Board is scheduled for Tuesday, March 19, at 6:00 pm at the Town House Annex meeting room.

Marion Select Board

By Mick Colageo

From the Files of the Rochester Historical Society

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In the early days of Rochester when people had to go somewhere, they walked. When Abraham Holmes was sent to find out the results of the Battle of Concord and Lexington, he headed toward Middleboro on foot. As time passed, horses and wagons came into town, but few people traveled far from home.

            Once shipbuilding got underway, small sailing ships, “packets”, traveled up and down the coast with goods which would be brought to certain landings where they would be picked up and carried on horseback or ox cart.

            By 1793, Samuel Sprague and Andrew Kershew of Acushnet had started stagecoach routes that carried both goods and passengers. One route went through Acushnet, Middleboro and Bridgewater to Boston. Another went by Post Road to Perry Hill to Rochester and then through Wareham and Sandwich to Barnstable.

            In 1794, mail began to be carried on this route. The word “Post” added to the names of roads came from those roads being used to deliver the mail. Records show that Jesse Smith had a contract to run a stage three times a week to carry mail from West Middleboro to North Rochester from 1836-1841.

            In the Museum’s current exhibit, we have a map showing stage routes and taverns. The two go hand in hand as stagecoaches stopped at taverns which often acted as rest stops for both horses and passengers. In addition to carrying passengers, some stagecoaches carried freight and express baggage on some of their routes.

            The early routes that ran through southeastern Massachusetts were originally nothing more than foot or horse paths. They were barely big enough for the stage. The earliest drivers with their helpers had to whack their way through trees and underbrush. The rough roads made for uncomfortable rides for passengers who after being tossed about were happy for tavern stops.

            Stage travel could also be dangerous. There are records that show at least two drivers froze to death driving in the dead of winter. Another report from the end of the18th century tells of a stagecoach accident. Snowdrifts had hidden the edge of a pond and the coach fell through the ice. The driver and a passenger drowned.

            The stagecoach traveling on the road and rushing into town was an impressive sight. Some with four horses harnessed together made people stop to watch and some were so accurate that they could set their clocks by them. The stagecoaches were eventually replaced by trains putting an end to an era.

By Connie Eshbach