Ned’s Point Egg Hunt

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            The annual Mattapoisett Lions Club Easter Egg Hunt was at Ned’s Point last weekend after having been delayed a week from its originally scheduling due to inclement weather.

            The hunt brought out several hundred people under light-blue skies. The bit of sunshine had little tykes of all ages come out as they enjoyed scampering around scooping up eggs filled with goodies to put in baskets they brought from home.

            Compared to the previous weekend, weather was clear, though a bit chilly, which allowed kids and the Easter Bunny alike to frolic around the lighthouse.

By Marilou Newell

Means of Balanced Budget Debated

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            The once-problematic, proposed town budget for FY27, that Rochester residents will be asked to vote on at the Annual Town Meeting, will be balanced once and for all.

            Last week, Town Administrator Cameron Durant informed the Rochester Select Board that the $27,900,000 town operating budget for the next fiscal year was up against $29,200,000 in department requests at the same time town revenues were set to be only $900,000 higher than FY26’s $27,200,000 budget.

            On Monday, Durant told the Select Board that the town’s FY27 budget proposal is now out of trouble thanks to one-time revenues and recalculating what revenues will be available. “I am happy to announce the budget as presented is now balanced,” he said.

            He explained one-time funds are a big reason. These include additional monies from the New England Rodeo’s time leasing the 65 Pine Street field and $100,000 from a school assessment fund that sets aside monies for school budgeting.

            Durant is also recalculating projected revenues. He is now counting all local receipt revenues at 90% of expected rather than the previous calculation of 85% of expected. “No other cuts have been made,” he said. “Nothing else has changed.”

            Acting Select Board Chair Paul Ciaburri and member Brad Morse were agreeable to these moves, but reluctantly.
            “It’s not good using one-time funds this way,” Morse said, shaking his head. “We’re using one-time funds for things we shouldn’t have to.”

            Durant responded, stating this is the best solution possible for now. He noted the budget is still subject to Finance Committee approval. He noted the Finance Committee will meet next on April 13.

            Budget concerns followed the Select Board through other items on the remaining agenda. They were poised to approve new department head contracts for a police lieutenant, the fire chief, the treasurer, and the facilities manager. The board ultimately agreed to Morse’s motion that a vote be delayed until after upcoming FY27 school budget meetings.

            When Durant reviewed an initial draft of the 2026 Annual Town Meeting warrant, he highlighted articles paying toward school costs, including $716,000 to pay the town’s share of the Old Rochester Regional School District health insurance debt. Rochester resident and retired school superintendent Dr. Kristine Nash was quick to criticize having to pay this debt, saying someone within school-budget circles must be held liable for incurring this debt. “Who do we hold responsible?” she asked.

            Durant said this aspect of this debt is being investigated, but the money is still owed. “We have no choice but to pay this obligation,” he said.

            In other action, the board voted to deactivate the By-Law Review Committee with the option to revive it at a later time. They were responding to a request from Committee Chair Jeffrey Costa to dissolve the panel. Durant argued on Costa’s behalf that the panel has had a hard time maintaining a quorum for members. Durant added that a grant from the state agency SRPEDD will allow this organization to help the town with by-law review. Ciaburri suggested making the review panel inactive in case its local members are needed again.

            The FY27 budget and a 32-article warrant will be voted on by residents at the Annual Town Meeting on May 18.

            The Rochester Select Board did not set its next regular meeting before adjourning.

Rochester Select Board

By Michael J. DeCicco

Marion Candidates’ Night

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The League of Women Voters of the South Coast invites you to Candidates’ Night on Thursday, April 23, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm in the Multipurpose Room at Sippican School. Please plan to arrive by 6:45 pm and kindly leave all campaign materials outside the school. Attorney Jack Eklund will serve as the moderator.

            All candidates for Town Offices have been invited. The evening will feature two engaging components:

            Meeting the Candidates: Unopposed candidates will have five minutes to introduce themselves. This is a chance to clearly present qualifications, explain suitability for the role, and demonstrate understanding of the position’s responsibilities. Please note audience questions will not be included in this portion.

            Issues Forum: Candidates in contested races will begin with a two-minute opening statement outlining their qualifications and perspectives. The forum will follow League of Women Voters guidelines, including no “empty chair” or proxy representation. Audience members will have the opportunity to submit written questions for these candidates, encouraging thoughtful discussion on key issues.

            To confirm your participation, please email Chair Eileen J. Marum at u_emarum@umassd.edu by Friday, April 17. Your timely response is greatly appreciated and helps ensure a well-organized and productive event.

            The League of Women Voters and its Education Fund are strictly nonpartisan and do not support or oppose any political party or candidate.

            We look forward to an informative and engaging evening of civic dialogue.

Mattapoisett Democrats Candidates’ Night

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On Wednesday April 29 from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm, the Mattapoisett Democratic Town Committee will host a Candidates’ Night in the downstairs public meeting room of the Mattapoisett Free Public Library.

            All candidates for any elected position in our upcoming Municipal Election on May 19, 2026, will be extended an invitation and provided an opportunity to give a brief opening statement to the public and answer questions of attendees.

            The uncontested race candidates (Mattapoisett School Committee, ORR School Committee, etc.) will proceed first and then the contested races for the Select Board, Library Board of Trustees, and Board of Health will be the last of our presentation.

            Please come with a neighbor, family member or friend and bring any questions you might have for the candidates or just listen in. For more information, please reach out to William Morse, Chair, mattapoisettdtc@gmail.com.

ORRJH Inaugural ‘Wellness Morning’

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Superintendent Michael S. Nelson, Principal Silas Coellner and Assistant Principal

Kelly Chouinard are pleased to share that Old Rochester Regional Junior High School held its first Wellness Morning on Tuesday, March 24, in a school-wide event that focused on fostering resiliency and healthy decision-making, featuring stress management activities including stretching, breathing exercises, and social-emotional “recharge stations.” The school plans to make this an annual event.

            “Our goal for Wellness Morning was to ensure that every student feels seen, supported and connected,” said Director of Guidance and Student Services Christina Costello Cioffi. “Wellness Morning reinforced that our well-being is not just something we talk about – it’s a skill set we can actively develop, practice and strengthen over time. We are really encouraged by the impact of this year’s event and hope to continue growing Wellness Morning into an annual tradition. I’d like to recognize our Counseling Team for their leadership in helping bring Wellness Morning from an idea to a successful event. I’d also like to thank our teachers and counselors for facilitating stations, as our students wouldn’t have had such a positive experience without their support and enthusiasm.”

            During the morning, seventh-grade students took part in an annual SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment) screening, facilitated by the nurse’s office and guidance office, focusing on healthy decision-making and awareness. Eighth graders participated in SOS, which stands for Signs of Suicide, an activity that emphasized help-seeking skills and mental health awareness.

            At the same time, students rotated through a series of wellness stations led by school staff, including the following activities:

            Connection and Kindness Lab – This station offered a social-emotional “recharge” by allowing students to build community through low-stakes, positive interactions. Students participated in a short gratitude-based project, creating thank you notes and letters for people who support them, such as a parent, guardian, teacher, coach or other trusted adult. The goal was to strengthen connection and build empathy, helping students reflect on the positive relationships in their lives during a high-pressure developmental stage.

            Creative Expression Station – This station provided a low-key calming space for students to reset through art. Students were able to choose from options such as mandala coloring, free drawing, word art, mini vision boards, affirmation posters and more. The focus was not so much on building artistic skills but on using creativity as a healthy way to unwind, relax, express feelings and take a mental break.

            Yoga/Movement stretches – This station offered students a chance for a physical reset for the school day, helping students release tension from sitting at desks so much and spending time on digital devices. Through guided, athletic stretching, this station encouraged self-regulation and mindfulness, giving students a quick, healthy way to manage stress and return to learning with improved focus.

            Healthy Competition – Designed to provide students with an opportunity to engage in healthy competition in a fun, low-pressure environment. Students were able to play non-technology games that encouraged communication and connection with one another. The focus was on building positive relationships while practicing teamwork and good sportsmanship.

Wellness Morning builds on the work of the District Wellness Committee, in keeping with the District Wellness Program Policy implemented by the Old Rochester Regional School District and Massachusetts Superintendency Union #55. This committee, which meets at least four times per year, works to assess the implementation of the District Wellness Policy and to promote it, along with overall student and staff wellness.

            “We’re very proud to be able to hold our inaugural Wellness Morning, showing our students how important it is to cultivate wellness and maintain a healthy mind,” said Assistant Principal Kelly Chouinard. “This event was spearheaded by our Director of Guidance Christina Costello Cioffi. Without her leadership this event would not have been as successful as it was. We hope this becomes an annual tradition here, providing our students with tools that they can put to use in their daily lives, empowering them to take charge of their mental health and prioritize wellness in what can be such a busy, stressful world.”

            “Wellness Morning showed our students that we care about them and their well-being,” said Principal Coellner. “It was such a great event. We look forward to our next Wellness Morning and to otherwise continue stressing the important help-seeking and self-regulation tools that we learned on this day. We want our students to know when to seek help when they feel overwhelmed and that support is available for them.”

            “This event underscores how seriously we take health and wellness in our school system,” said Superintendent Nelson. “Thank you to all of our staff and teachers who helped implement and facilitate this event. It was a great success, and we look forward to repeating it.”

Marion’s Jigsaw Master Update

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            Last week, we covered Marion’s Emma Williamson and her rise in the world of competitive jigsaw speedpuzzling. Having recently had a breakout at last year’s 2025 World Jigsaw Puzzle Championship, we caught Emma last week just before she went off to Atlanta for the 2026 USA Jigsaw Nationals.

            As the competition was livestreamed online, we back home could root for Williamson from here! So, here’s a recap:

            Emma finished in third place for her first round of individual with a time of 39:32. In the final round of the individual, she came in 21st with a time of 48:19. In each individual round, competitors completed one 500-piece puzzle.

            She competed with Annabelle Platt of Waltham in the pairs competition, where they finished the first round in 10th place with a time of 25:55. For the final round of pairs, the two from Massachusetts came in 19th with a time of 33:30. In the pair rounds, the two also completed one 500-piece puzzle.

            For teams, they crushed it, especially with their team’s name. Emma was on a team with Emily Chandran, Emma Pan, and Min-Yee Deng. Their team, “M&Em&Em&Em,” finished 5th in the first round with a time of 1:01:53. In the final round, they came in 6th with a time of 1:15:13. In the first team round, teams completed one 500-piece puzzle and then a 1,000-piece. In the final, they assemble two 1,000-piece puzzles back-to-back.

            Keep an eye out for Emma and any jigsaw developments that may be in the works! The World Jigsaw Puzzle Championship begins in Spain on September 16.

By Sam Bishop

Upcoming Events at the Elizabeth Taber Library

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Do you like knitting, needlepoint, embroidery, or crocheting? Join our newest club. Meet new people, share fiber art project ideas, work with others, and share some laughs. Fiber Arts Club meets every Friday from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm.

            Starting to plan ahead for April Vacation? Keep the Library in mind. We’re hosting Little Sparks Theater on Wednesday, April 22 at 11:00 am for Big Kid Creative Drama – an engaging and highly interactive drama program for kids ages 6-8/grades 1-3. On Friday, April 24, we’re running our very own escape room. Sign up for a timeslot to Escape the Library. Both programs require registration and more information can be found at elizabethtaberlibrary.org/events.

            Tickets are available for the Friends of the Elizabeth Taber Library’s Afternoon Tea Fundraiser. Performer Sheryl Faye returns in “Liberty and Legacy” as Abigail Adams on April 12 at the Marion Music Hall. Doors will open at 2:30 pm, Tea service starts at 3:00 pm. Finger sandwiches, scones, and desserts will be served. Tickets can be purchased for $45 at the library, or online at elizabethtaberlibrary.org/friends-of-the-elizabeth-taber-library.

            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.

Sippican Lands Trust Scholarship

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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.

            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.

Annual Afternoon Tea Fundraiser

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The Friends of the Elizabeth Taber Library invite you to our annual Afternoon Tea Fundraiser hosted at the historic Marion Music Hall on Sunday, April 12. Performer Sheryl Faye returns as Abigail Adams in “Liberty and Legacy.”

            Guests are encouraged to wear festive hats and/or time period appropriate attire to add to the fun! Doors will open at 2:30 pm. Tea service starts promptly at 3:00 pm. Finger sandwiches, scones, and desserts will be served. The performance will begin after teatime.

            Tickets are $45/per person.* You may purchase tickets in the library or online. Book Clubs are encouraged to purchase a table to sit together! Ticket sales end on Friday, April 10. *If you purchase tickets online, there is an additional convenience fee ($3.00).

            To purchase online tickets, please navigate to the Friends of the Elizabeth Taber Library page on the library website: elizabethtaberlibrary.org/friends-of-the-elizabeth-taber-library/.

Richard P. Schaefer

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Richard P. Schaefer, age 85, passed away peacefully with his daughters by his side on April 3, 2026, at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford, MA, following complications related to a fall. He was born on March 12, 1941 to Harold and Anne Schaefer of Hartsdale, NY. Richard was a 1959 graduate of Iona Preparatory School in New Rochelle, NY, and a 1963 graduate of Tufts University. Richard served as an officer in the U.S. Navy from 1964-65 on the USS Henley out of Norfolk, VA. He went on to earn his JD from Fordham Law School in 1968 and his LLM in taxation from Boston University in 1978.

            Richard practiced law and thrived in his work, establishing the firm Schaefer & Kunz in the early ’90’s, and later merging to form Titus, Ryan, Schaefer & Kunz. He loved calling Marion, MA home for more than 50 years, embracing everything the town had to offer – its beauty, its community, and the deep friendships he formed there. He was an active participant in local affairs, contributing his time to many organizations. For decades he helped to organize the town’s annual Salvation Army holiday fundraising campaign, enlisting as bell ringers friends and family, including his grandsons. He also served on the boards of the Marion Art Center; the Sippican Lands Trust; and Community Boating Center of New Bedford, among other organizations. He was an engaged member of the Beverly Yacht Club and the Kittansett Club, and was happiest when on his Grand Banks trawler, the Alibi, exploring Buzzards Bay and beyond with his first mate, and wife of 59 years, Loretta (Lori).

            Richard was predeceased by Lori and his daughter Elizabeth. He is survived by daughters Catherine Schaefer Nellis (Barrington, RI), and Christine Gleason (Madison, CT), along with sons-in-law Doug Shattuck (Catherine) and Joshua Gleason (Christine), and grandsons Eli, Theo, James and Andrew, who brought him great joy. A celebration of Richard’s life will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Richard’s memory may be made to Community Nurse, 62 Center Street, Fairhaven, or at www.communitynurse.com, or the Community Boating Center of New Bedford, MA at www.communityboating.org.

            Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6), Mattapoisett. For online guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.