Latest Solar Project Draws Crowd

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            In a short but well-attended meeting Tuesday, Rochester’s Conservation Commission approved an Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation confirming the bordering vegetated wetlands boundaries at a new address on Walnut Plain Road for an application from Walnut Plain Road Solar LLC.

            Concerned abutters filled the meeting room as project representative Andrew Gorman explained via Zoom that the property is “entirely forested.” The map he presented on the Zoom screen indicated the wetland areas on the northern, eastern, and southern sides of the project footprint.

            Rochester Conservation Agent Merilee Kelly, who inspected the site work, confirmed it was “a good delineation. A little complicated but it made sense.” The commission, directed by Acting Chair Ben Bailey, easily accepted the delineation after no follow-up questions.

            After the vote, Bailey advised the residents in attendance that this is merely approval of the wetland’s delineation, and they should return to comment when the board reviews the developer’s actual plans for the site. The abutters said they are there to express concerns about yet another solar energy installation coming to town.

            In related action that also drew the residents’ attention, the commission continued to its next meeting its Public Hearing on the Notice of Intent application for proposed work on an access road for a ground-mounted solar array in the area of 600 Snipatuit Road upon the applicant’s request. The proposal by Logging Swamp Solar dba ReWild Renewables includes work within bordering vegetated wetlands, the 200-foot riverfront area associated with an on-site perennial stream, as well as within a local 25-foot No Disturb zone.

            The commission also continued until the next meeting its Notice of Intent hearing filed by Sealord Enterprises, LLC for construction of a 20,000 square-foot commercial building for contractor bays with associated access drives, parking areas, utilities and stormwater management system at a new address on Cranberry Highway within 100 feet of wetlands.

            The next Rochester Conservation Commission meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 17, at 7:00 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.

Rochester Conservation Commission

By Michael J. DeCicco

From the Files of the Rochester Historical Society

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The picture with this article is of the Town Hall entrance with the plaque sourced by the Historical Commission. It bears the year that this version of Rochester Town Hall was built after earlier buildings were outgrown.

            The town has been governed by residents beginning several years after the Proprietors purchased the land on which our town sits. If we had the ability to look into those meetings, we would see only men conducting the business of the town. It was only recently that those elected to help lead the town have gone from “selectmen” to “select board”.

            However, after 135 years, in 1972, the town’s first female Town Clerk, Evelyn Aiken, was elected. Prior to her new job, she had been an executive secretary, managed a Boston hotel and was a script writer for WBZ radio. She had a master’s degree in psychology and had directed a psychological research department. It was no doubt this extensive resume in so many fields led to her being elected.

            While working in Town Hall, she became fascinated by all the history tucked away within the building. In the attic, she found old school slates that are now at the Historical Museum. In the basement, she unearthed old town records, including one large paper with a $2.00 bill attached. That $2.00 was pay for one full day’s work.

            Evelyn was the Town Clerk for 12 years. During that time, she had the town history that she had found bound into books and stored in the vault for safe keeping.

            In later years after her retirement, she moved to Westminster, MA. A Standard Times reporter interviewed her there in 2000 when she was 95 years old and she shared some memories of her days in Rochester.

            Rochester was lucky to have had someone in the Town Clerk’s position whose curiosity and love of history saved irreplaceable artifacts that provide an important look back into Rochester history.

By Connie Eshbach

Mattapoisett Road Race

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With less than a month until the 4th of July, it’s time to lace up your sneakers and start training for the Mattapoisett Road Race, “4 on the 4th”. When this tradition was started in 1971 by Bob and Doris Gardner, 15 runners raced from Point Connett to Shipyard Park. Over the years, the route has changed a few times, and now, over 1000 runners start at Shipyard Park, run through the village, around Ned’s Point lighthouse, and finish at Shipyard Park. Townspeople line the course and cheer on the runners. Proceeds from the race are used to fund awards for college-bound senior athletes from Old Rochester Regional High School, as well as support Old Rochester athletics. Over the years, more than $200,000 has been given to deserving students from Mattapoisett, Marion and Rochester. Registration for the race is online only, up until the start of the race. Until July 2, the registration fee is $25, on July 3 and 4, it is $35. T-shirt and number pickup is from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm on July 3, and 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm on July 4. For more information and registration, please visit mattapoisettroadrace.com.

MAC Theater presents “The Glass Menagerie”

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 The MAC Theater Presents the Tennessee Williams classic, The Glass Menagerie, directed by Donn Tyler. Performances are held at the MAC’s Anne Braitmayer Webb Theater, located at 80 Pleasant St. Marion.

            The cast includes: Oliver Asker, Tim Moynihan, Cher Sauter, Eva Watts-Pine, Assistant Director/Costume Designer: Bethany Lamoureux, Stage Manager: Michele Letourneau, Technical Director: Steve McManus.

            The performances will be June 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29 with Friday and Saturday shows at 7:30 pm and Sunday shows at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $20 for MAC members and $23 for nonmembers. More information and tickets: marionartcenter.org/events

            Amanda Wingfield had imagined a better life for herself, but she now lives in a drab apartment with son Tom and daughter Laura. The father has left home, Tom supports the family with a job he hates, and Laura lives in a world of her own. When Amanda convinces Tom to bring home a “gentleman caller” for Laura, all of the family’s dreams depend on the outcome of his visit.

Farmstand Snag Remains Unsolved

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Coming before the Mattapoisett Planning Board as a walk-in to the regular meeting on June 2 was Mike King, who has been attempting to receive the needed permissions to re-open a farmstand on North Street where locally grown vegetables, meat and poultry have been sold.

            As King noted, the night before his Special Permit hearing (May 15) with the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), he received notification that a Variance was required, not a Special Permit. King said that the ZBA gave him a continuance, translating into time that might be adequate for receiving clear guidance from the Building Department.

            On Monday, King fully detailed for the Planning Board the confusion he has been experiencing in what he said several times is “a right to farm community.”

            He told the board members that in November 2024 he was selling Christmas trees at the farmstand and giving away hot cocoa. He said he was swiftly notified by Town Hall, “that I couldn’t do that,” without a Special Permit.

            King said he subsequently reached out to the town planner for assistance but didn’t hear back on his request for a site-plan review. In researching state requirements for farmstands, King now held that state statues allowed the farmstand to be open if it obtained a site-plan review from the Planning Board.

            King did meet with the Zoning Board of Appeals on May 15, at which time his request for a Special Permit and/or Variance was tabled in order to obtain final clarity from either the building inspector or Planning Board.

            During the discussion on June 2 when King met with the Planning Board, he gave some background saying the North Street location was a farm owned by the Ferguson family for decades. He said he has a 10-year lease on the property to grow produce there and sell it at the stand. The original homestead was built in 1810. King stated that delays in receiving a permit to operate the stand not only puts him in financial straits but threatens the Fergusons as well.

            King appealed to the board for a site-plan review. Possible hearing dates were discussed. Matters were directed to the town planner for follow-up.

            Board member Bill Wennerberg was flummoxed, saying he didn’t see what the problem was. He was ready to make a motion for the requested site-plan review.

            Chairman Tom Tucker said, “I think this is headed to Town Counsel.” As of Tuesday, the matter has been reviewed by the Town Counsel, Town Administrator Mike Lorenco stated. He concurred when asked that if this is a unique situation, as the town doesn’t have many farmstands.

            King still has a scheduled hearing with the Zoning Board of Appeals on June 19.

Earlier in the proceedings, the board members confirmed language changes for roadway-construction bylaws. The members also discussed cottage-style subdivisions in the Route 6 corridor and the size of Accessory Dwelling Units.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board is scheduled for Monday, June 16.

Mattapoisett Planning Board

By Marilou Newell

Burgers on The Grill

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            Most schools in the Tri-Town are out and graduations have wrapped up. The weather is getting warmer, and window rattlers have been installed. Spring rains are still here (seemingly nailing every weekend with calculated precision), but Memorial Day weekend heralds in the unofficial beginning of the summer season. Festivals and celebrations have already begun across New England, with tourism ramping up and roads already getting bogged down with seasonal traffic.

            Farmers markets are back, with the Washburn Park market now being open every Tuesday, and numerous others as well as farm stands are also beginning to pop up. Strawberry season is coming in fast! Food trucks are also becoming more prevalent.

            Camping under the stars is always fantastic in the region, especially with the cool nights offering respite from the heat. Increased solar activity has already seen this month deemed perfect for aurora borealis viewing, even being this far south.

            America 250, the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War or “United States Semiquincentennial,” also warrants an excuse to venture out and explore the past. There is no better region in the country to experience its colonial past than Massachusetts, especially given the prevalence of planned celebrations commemorating momentous historic events. This summer is predicted to be the hottest on record, with increased risk of wildfires and hurricanes. That being said, travel numbers will likely also break records. Airbnb predicts 40% of Americans will travel to domestic destinations, rather than international, to save money. Coupled with this, USA Today cited many Americans surveyed plan to drive instead of fly to cut costs.

            Summer offers us the ability to break free from routine and find joy in new adventures. Time for new hobbies or time for that long-delayed repair/renovation. Many use it as an opportunity to search for new work or begin their careers after graduation.

            Whatever your plans for this summer, regardless of the solstice being on June 20, the summer season is here, at least in spirit. “Summer was on the way; Jem and I awaited it with impatience. Summer was our best season: it was sleeping on the back screened porch in cots, or trying to sleep in the tree house; summer was everything good to eat; it was a thousand colors in a parched landscape; but most of all, summer was Dill.” – To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee.

The Unofficial Start to Summer

By Sam Bishop

Peter “Taki” Konstantopoulos

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Peter “Taki” Konstantopoulos, 85 of New Bedford and Mattapoisett, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 6, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of the late Pepe Xifaras Konstantopoulos, with whom he shared 55 wonderful years of marriage.

            Born in Athens, Greece, Peter was the son of the late Athanasios Konstantopoulos and the late Despina (Kritikou) Konstantopoulos. He proudly served in the Greek military and later established his own successful plumbing business in Athens. In 1966, during a boat cruise to Paris, he met the love of his life, Pepe. Together, they embarked on a new journey, immigrating to the United States to build their life as a married couple. They wed in Lowell, Massachusetts, and soon settled in New Bedford.

            Peter initially worked in local mills before opening his own business, Peter’s Variety Store, in downtown New Bedford. A few years later, he returned to his trade as a plumber and was employed by Chamberlain as a pipe fitter.

            Peter split his time between New Bedford and Porto Rafti, Greece, enjoying the best of both homes. He found immense joy in spending time with his grandchildren, whom he adored deeply. He also enjoyed playing poker and traveling back to Greece whenever he could.

            A devoted member of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Dartmouth, Peter remained connected to his faith and heritage throughout his life.

            He is survived by his devoted daughter, Debra Konstantopoulos-Psichopaidas and her husband, Nick G. Psichopaidas of Mattapoisett. He also leaves behind his cherished grandchildren, Maria Nicole Psichopaidas and George Nicholas Psichopaidas. He was the brother of the late Stelios Konstantopoulos and Theodora Bousdris and is survived by his sister Barbara Helioutou along with many nieces and nephews.

            Peter will be remembered for his strong work ethic, generous heart, deep love for his family, and his unwavering ties to his Greek roots. The family of Peter would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to all the health care providers and staff at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Southcoast Hospital for their compassionate care and support.

            His funeral will be held on Thursday morning, June 12, 2025 at 8:30 from Aubertine-Lopes Funeral Home followed by a service at 10:00 in St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 186 Cross Rd., Dartmouth. Visiting hours Wednesday evening June 11, 2025 from 5:00-8:00. Burial in Pine Grove Cemetery.

            In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 186 Cross Road, Dartmouth, Mass. 02747.

            Funeral arrangements committed to the care of Aubertine-Lopes Funeral Home, 129 Allen St., New Bedford. Expanded lighted parking area with handicap accessible entrance to rear of funeral home.

            For online condolences and directions, please visit www.aubertine-lopes.com.

ORR Class of 1975 50th Reunion

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The 50th reunion will take place on Saturday, September 20 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Reservation Golf and Beach Club, 10 Reservation Road, Mattapoisett. Please share this information with anyone who may not have been contacted so that we can forward an invitation to them. Contact email: ORRHS1975@gmail.com.

ArtStart Summer Camp Finalizes Teachers

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ArtStart is the MAC’s summer art program for children ages 4 1/2 to 9 years, offered in June and July each year.

            ArtStart teachers are specialists in music, dance, theater, and art, most of whom teach throughout the year and are professionals in their fields. Activities include arts and crafts, theater, music, games, and storytelling. This year, working with program director Elyse Laurelle, is Beth McLacklan in art, Jess-Ellis Wilson teaching theater and Garrett Olson, teaching music. More information and registration at marionartcenter.org/artstart.

Community Tennis Association

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The MCTA, Community Tennis Association which serves the towns of Mattapoisett, Marion, Rochester, Wareham, and Fairhaven is seeking adult men and women as new members to play in their Summer tennis drop-in league. We currently have about 24 active participants and about 50 members in total. The drop-in begins at 8 am on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays during the summer at a central location on Route 6. New players should play at a level of 3.5 or higher. We welcome anyone who would both enjoy playing tennis with no promise of playing in the U.S. Open and also enjoys having a good time with many sociable people as well. For further information please call Mike at 781-888-1110 or Ellen at 978-844-1117.