Academic Achievements

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Bree Killion of Rochester, Brady Lee of Mattapoisett, Drew Mastovsky of Marion, Gracie McCarthy of Marion, George Psichopaidas of Mattapoisett, and Zachary Zutaut of Rochester have been named to the Fall 2024 Dean’s List at Roger Williams University in Bristol, R.I. Full-time students who complete 12 or more credits per semester and earn a GPA of 3.4 or higher are placed on the Dean’s List that semester.

            Dean College is pleased to announce that Emily Kilpatrick of Marion has earned a place on the Dean’s List for the Fall 2024 semester. Students named to the Dean’s List have demonstrated a serious commitment to their studies while at Dean College.

            Annabell Nestler of Kottmar (Walddorf) excelled during the fall 2024 semester at Hofstra, achieving a GPA of at least 3.5 to earn a spot on the Dean’s List. Annabell’s major is Pre-Health.

            Stonehill College proudly recognizes Maxwell Brulport of Rochester, Samuel Parks of Marion, Matthew Curry of Mattapoisett, Amelia Joseph of Mattapoisett, Hannah Squires of Mattapoisett, Andrew Poulin of Rochester, Martha Savage of Mattapoisett, Ella Caesar of Marion, and Allison Winters of Rochester, who were named to the Fall 2024 Dean’s List. To qualify for this recognition, students must achieve a semester grade point average of 3.50 or better. They must also have successfully completed all courses for which they were registered during the term.

            Plymouth State University recognizes Summer Williams, a Psychology major of Rochester and Olivia Lapierre, a Criminology major of Rochester who made the Dean’s List for the Fall 2024 semester.

Firearm Safety Messages and Resolutions

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The Rochester School Committee on January 16 adopted a resolution directing Superintendent Michael Nelson and Police Chief Michael Assad to craft a communication to parents and guardians on the safe storage of firearms in their home.

            The resolution stems from an incident a week before at Rochester Memorial School, said committee member Kate Duggan. A Rochester Memorial School student brought an unloaded BB gun to school. The Rochester Police Department responded promptly to the situation and the matter was quickly resolved, she said. The result was a resolution proposed by the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, of which Duggan is a member, to put adults on notice about safer, secure storage of firearms away from the reach of children. “This will be our way to assure families that our school is safe,” she said.

            The only push back before the vote came from committee member Josh Trombly, who objected to some of the language in the resolution. He said he loves the resolution and its point at the end. But he noted statistics within the preamble that might not be accurate and wanted them stricken from the RMS resolution.

            “I have some concerns about some of the statements here,” he said. He noted one of the 12 preambles where-as statements declare 5.6 million children live in homes with loaded, unlocked firearms. “I looked into that statistic, and it’s based on a small sample size,” he said. In reaction to another section, he noted Massachusetts actually has a lower incidence level of gun violence compared to other parts of the country. “Can we get rid of the preamble?” he asked and added, “It would get us the same plan without a whole lot of the extra stuff. Some of it gets political. We are here to represent 100-percent of our community.”

            Other board members agreed to revise the final language before issuing the resolution to Superintendent Nelson to implement in cooperation with Assad. The resulting vote to approve supporting the resolution was unanimous.

            In other action, the committee honored RMS fourth grade student Maggie Sommers, age nine, as winner of a Feinstein Foundation Golden Ticket, which earned her a $500 check that she will donate to the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism. The honor also earned Rochester Memorial School a $5,000 grant from the Feinstein foundation, an organization based in Cranston, RI whose Leadership School program has attracted over 60,000 young participants for promising “to do good deeds and the make the world a better place.” Five student Golden Tickets are randomly selected by drawings held on WPRI Channel 12 each week. Sommers was also awarded certificates of congratulation from the Feinstein organization and RMS.

            The committee recognized the recent retirement of Lisa Mazzuca after 17 years of service at Rochester Memorial School and awarded her the book “The Summer Nick Taught His Cats to Read” by Curtis Manley and Kate Berube. Also, the committee was introduced to Rochester Memorial School’s new secretary, Alison Rotella.

            The committee accepted the following grants: a $7,800 openSciEd grant that supports a pilot science program at RMS and $2,244.33 from Shutterfly for fall school pictures.

            The committee approved accepting book donations from the RMS PTO: “Because of Mr. Terupt” by Rob Buyeas, “Zinnia and the Bees” by Danielle Davis and “The Last Mapmaker” by Christina Soontornvat.

            The committee approved Robin Rounsville as its representative on the new Health and Wellness Committee.

            The committee announced its next meeting will be March 20. The next district Joint School Committee will be January 23 at ORR Jr. High School, Mattapoisett.

            The Rochester School Committee will meet next on March 20 at 6:00 pm in the Rochester Memorial School band room, 16 Pine St., Rochester.

Rochester School Committee

By Michael J. DeCicco

From the Files of the Rochester Historical Museum

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As you may know I always like a good history mystery. A while ago I found a poster that presented me with one. Given that I found a poster at the museum asking the question at the heart of this mystery, I know it has been looked into before, but there was nothing to show if any answers had been forthcoming.

            The question in question is “Did you know that there was once a Wild Animal Farm in Rochester?” Now, here is what I do know about the “farm”. Its location was on Donald George’s property near Mary’s Pond Rd. When asked about it, Donald said that his family moved onto the property when he was a child and that he remembered finding a variety of small structures and wire cages there.

            The wild animal farm would have been open in the early half of the 1900’s (think 1930’s) as both George Church and Maurice Fuller remembered that they went there as children, but that’s where their memories ended. Barbara King Besse remembered seeing a sign for the farm hanging on a fence in the area where the entrance had probably been located.

            Eydie Johnson did some research that showed that prior to the George family, there were many owners of the property, but no mention of a wild animal farm was found. I wonder if anyone has ever seen any pictures of such a place when going through family photos or come across an advertisement or remember an older family member or acquaintance reminiscing about a visit there.

            Of course, at first, mention of wild animals conjures images of lions. tigers and bears (oh, my). I’m thinking more realistically that the animals would have been smaller (to fit into the cages that Donald George remembered) and probably native to the area. They could have been weasels or fishers or raccoons and hopefully, something a bit more exotic. I’ll look forward to seeing if anyone can shed some light on this local mystery.

By Connie Eshbach

Rochester Firefighters Association

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To the Editor:

            The Rochester Firefighters Association wants to keep town residents safe, but we need your help.

            As a Rochester resident for over 50 years and as a member of the Rochester Firefighters Association, I want to share an urgent matter that affects the safety and well-being of our entire community. Rochester residents, we need your support!

            On Monday, January 27, at 7:00 pm, the Town of Rochester will hold a Special Town Meeting at the Rochester Memorial School to discuss Article #7, which seeks funding for engineering costs for a proposed new fire station. This is a critical step toward modernizing and expanding our fire and EMS facilities to meet the growing needs of our town.

            Our current fire station, built in 1883, has served us for generations. However, despite multiple additions and modifications, it no longer meets the demands of modern emergency services. The existing station and its location are insufficient for the expansion needed to meet current and future demands.

            Why Do We Need a New Fire Station?

            1.Outdated and Insufficient Space:

            -The current station cannot accommodate modern fire apparatus due to limited garage space and the door size limits the apparatus we can purchase. Due to lack of storage, we are forced to store some equipment outdoors, leading to increased wear and tear and slower response times.

            -There are no dedicated decontamination bays for cleaning gear, increasing the risk of hazardous exposure to carcinogens embedded in fire gear. As well as a lack of space for EMS supplies and essential training spaces.

            2. Ventilation Issues:

            -The ventilation system is not up to code, allowing exhaust fumes from vehicles to permeate the bays, living quarters, and sleeping areas. This creates unsafe working conditions for our staff.

            3. Inadequate Facilities for Staff:

            -The station lacks proper living and sleeping quarters to accommodate our personnel.

            -It is not ADA compliant, making it inaccessible for community training and other vital uses.

            A Growing Need for Advanced Services. In 2014, we transitioned from a Basic Life Support (BLS) to an Advanced Life Support (ALS) system, providing 24/7 ambulance services. Over the years our emergency call volume has increased significantly, putting additional pressure on an already outdated facility.

            What’s at Stake? Neighboring towns like Mattapoisett, Carver, and Onset have recently constructed modern fire stations with features such as larger garage bays, advanced ventilation systems, and ample storage. Rochester cannot afford to fall further behind. Funding the engineering costs for a new fire station is a vital first step toward creating a facility that meets our community’s current and future needs. Without this investment, it affects the safety of our firefighters, EMS personnel and the well-being of our entire community

            Your Voice Matters. We urge all residents to attend the Special Town Meeting on January 27th to learn more about the challenges we face and the solutions we propose. For more details, visit the Rochester Fire Department Facebook page at facebook.com/RochesterFireDepartment to watch a video explaining the project.

            Together, we can build a safer and stronger future for Rochester.

            Sincerely,

Daniel Ferreira

50 Year Rochester Resident

Member of the Rochester Firefighters Association

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.

Artist-In-Residence Instructs Center School Students on Traditional Native Art

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Superintendent Michael S. Nelson and Center School Principal Linda Ashley are pleased to announce the successful run of an artist-in-residence program that brought renowned Aquinnah Wampanoag artist Elizabeth James-Perry to the Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55’s Center School on Jan. 13 and 14.

            Students in grades 1 through 3 at Center School participated in an immersive experience led by Elizabeth James-Perry, who taught them about the traditional artwork of the Eastern Woodlands and Algonquian peoples. The two-day residency offered students a unique hands-on experience, engaging them in a process combining personal creativity with cultural education and providing them with a deeper appreciation of Native American art, heritage, and history.

            Under James-Perry’s guidance, the students made weavings with small looms and corn husks, which were dyed in different colors using all-natural, local plant materials.

            “I enjoy teaching corn husk weaving to cultivate proficiency in the arts and inspire appreciation for the environment and natural materials,” James-Perry said. “This was an excellent opportunity to share with the students at Center School, and it was wonderful to see how they embraced the experience. Their enthusiasm and creativity remind us of the importance of preserving and teaching these traditions to future generations.”

            James-Perry’s art is deeply rooted in her cultural heritage as an Aquinnah Wampanoag woman and her connection to the tribe’s homeland on Martha’s Vineyard/Noepe. “Noepe” – the name given to the island by the Wampanoag people, the Indigenous tribe of Martha’s Vineyard – means “land amid the streams.”

            Known for her mastery of woven wampum, twined basketry, quillwork, and sashes, James-Perry was a 2023 National Endowment for the Arts Heritage Fellow. She continues to be celebrated as one of New England’s most accomplished living Native American artists. Her artwork has been commissioned at institutions including the Museum of Fine Arts, Rhode Island School of Design Museum, and the Allard Pierson Museum.

            “We were delighted for this opportunity to host Elizabeth James-Perry and to share her exceptional artistry and cultural knowledge with our students,” said Principal Linda Ashley. “Our students were immersed in their weaving art projects this week with our visiting artist. Their creativity and inspiration were amazing. We thank Ms. James-Perry for sharing her expertise and heritage with Center School. And thank you to Mrs. Greta Anderson and all the parent volunteers for their support.”

            Superintendent Michael S. Nelson praised the art program’s impact on students by providing them with an engaging cultural experience. Superintendent Nelson said he looks forward to similar events being held at the Center School in the future.

            “This experience exemplifies the importance of integrating art and cultural heritage into our curriculum,” Superintendent Nelson said. “We are proud to provide opportunities that inspire and educate our students in meaningful ways.”

Board Debated Key Changes to ADUs

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The Planning Board on Tuesday and residents at length discussed how to modify its accessory apartment bylaw in compliance with the state’s new accessory dwelling unit draft regulation. The board also discussed a potential bylaw to regulate short-term rentals for accessory dwellings.

            Norm Hills, a select board member and a member of the Codification Bylaw Committee, met with the Planning Board with a draft. Hills said the draft had been modified by town counsel in the hopes of aligning with the state ADU draft, which aims to allow more rentals across the state to battle the housing shortage.

            “The purpose is to get more reasonable (priced) housing,” Hills said.

            However, many questioned how to modify the town’s accessory dwelling bylaw to align with the state but not hinder the rights of homeowners, including some who have rented their homes or additions to supplement their income and help pay for home repairs.

            Right now, Marion has a bylaw that allows residents to rent 900 square feet of rental space – or “in-law” style apartments to family members only. Board members agreed that many residents in town build accessory apartments for family members but – once those family members move out or pass on – they continue to rent the space to other people.

            Residents who rent or build rental apartment space that exceeds 900 square feet must secure a special permit.

            Planning Board members appeared to agree that scrapping “the family restriction” would be a great first step. They also discussed allowing residents to build rental additions by right up to 1,200 square feet, just as long as that addition does not greatly exceed the footprint of the primary residence in the lot.

            For example, a 1,000 square foot ranch house would not be allowed to build a 1,200 square foot accessory apartment for rent – an example used on Tuesday.

            The board also discussed how to address short-term rentals, which is prohibited within the state’s ADU draft and is not permitted in town within accessory apartments – but admittedly – is still done by some residents.

            Residents in town by right can still rent their primary residences for short-term leases, just not accessory apartments.

            Planning Board Chairman Andrew Daniel recommended a bylaw that condensed the accessory apartment issue with a short-term rental bylaw.

            Hills said that issue was raised to legal counsel but was not recommended, especially with the state’s goal of creating more affordable long-term apartments and not short-term rentals.

            Town Planner Doug Guey Lee said that the intention is to make Marion more affordable, allow residents to maintain rights within their properties and help the state meet its housing goals.

            He warned board members not to get caught up in “tertiary issues.”

            The board reconciled debate by agreeing to discuss short term rentals at its February 3 meeting while also continuing its hearing on long-term accessory dwelling units.

            Board members expressed interest in agreeing to a bylaw for both before the spring Town Meeting. 

            The board also voted to continue hearings for two housing developments for February 3 – 78 Wareham Road and another on Wareham Street.

            Developers on both projects asked for a continuation to the February 3 meeting.

Marion Planning Board

By Jeffrey D. Wagner

Bulldogs Triumph and Swimmers Excel

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Girls Basketball Team

The Old Rochester Regional high school girls’ basketball team hosted Somerset Berkley on January 14 and won 58-27. Emma Johnson was named the player of the game. The Bulldogs moved to 5-3 and have won four consecutive games. Their next game will be at home against Falmouth (4-6), on January 22.

Swimming

            The boys’ and girls’ swimming team faced Durfee in their third meet of the season on January 14. The final scores were Durfee girls 109, Old Rochester 69, and Old Rochester boys 104, Durfee 63. For the girls, Bree LeFavor swam a strong 100 fly with a time of 1:13 seconds. On the boys’ side, Riley Karo qualified for sectionals in the 100 freestyle with a time of 53 seconds. The boys are now 3-0, and the girls are 0-3. Their next meet will be at New Bedford high school on January 23.

Sports Roundup

By Aiden Comorosky

Macallister Cast in New Discovery Program

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Tyler Macallister is a renaissance man. He appreciates the beauty of nature, believes in conservation efforts and enjoys hunting, especially harpoon hunting. He also has been a select board member in Mattapoisett for the last thirteen years. He holds degrees in education, business, and biology. But it is his lifelong love of fishing that has brought him into the national limelight.

            Macallister was selected by the Discovery Channel to be one of the starring fishermen in the new show “Harpoon Hunters” which debuts on January 24 at 9:00 pm. He had previously reached out to the producers of Discovery’s adrenaline pumping seafaring programs of human versus nature and was selected for a popular reality show about fishing. That never came to pass, however, as aligning production schedules with his schedule didn’t work. But his resume as a fisherman and deep knowledge of both sport and commercial fishing had left an impression. When Macallister was contacted for Harpoon Hunters, it was a go.

            Crews were deployed to the area and taping took place over the summer months of 2024. Macallister said that the camera crew deserved a great deal of credit noting that there was a day during the taping when, “…they got every hit.” He said there aren’t any do-overs in real time, you either get the shot or you don’t. We wondered aloud if this type of fishing was a young person’s game. His reply explained the harpoon is not so much thrown out but instead down as the boat crew maneuvers the craft into position for the kill. But he did say “it takes balance.” On his website, which features a number of videos taken from his boat, we see the captain traversing the 29-foot-long beam to and from the “pulpit” like an Olympian balance beam athlete. We conclude it takes balance and physical strength.

            “…[Macallister] is one of the sharpest fishermen in the harpoon community…he knows the fishery better than most captains,” stated one of the show’s producers. It is, in fact, considered a very dangerous job. Macallister said, “Everything is moving, the fish, the boat, the water…”

            There has to be confidence. Since he was a small boy boating and fishing near his Cape Cod home Macallister has felt at home on the water. He shared a memory saying he credits his grandfather with instilling in him a love for fishing, “…they got me a small boat which ended up sinking in 4-feet of water.” Chuckling, he said after that he was given a better boat.

            Today Macallister keeps two boats either in Sandwich or in Mattapoisett Harbor depending on what activity he is pursuing. Charters are a mainstay of his fishing life. He takes groups wherever the fish may be including groups of young people who he enjoys introducing to the sport. While he enjoys the hunt, he also respects the conservation of the animal.

            Over the years, he has worked directly with NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. In the 1970s tuna stocks were declining rapidly and were nearing collapse. Overfishing and poaching were major contributing factors. In 1990, quotas were instituted. The recovery plan worked. “The conservation efforts saved the industry,” Macallister stated. Fishermen are compelled by regulations to report their catch from the entire fleet is measured for compliance. “No one should feel guilty about eating blue fin tuna,” Macallister said. The fish is now plentiful within the established limits.

            To learn more about Harpoon Hunters, visit the Discovery Channel website. To learn more about fishing, visit Macallister’s website at fvcynthiac.com.

By Marilou Newell

Matt Dems – How To Run For Public Office

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The Mattapoisett Democratic Town Committee will hold its first meeting of 2025 on Wednesday January 29 at 6:00 pm in the downstairs public meeting room of the Mattapoisett Library. We will offer our forum, “So you want to run for Public Office,” providing useful tips and information for anyone interested in running for public office or being appointed to any one of our town boards.

            This forum will be moderated by Nicki Demakis, Chair of the Mattapoisett Democratic Town Committee, with contributions from Nicky Osborne, Treasurer of the Mattapoisett Democratic Town Committee and Frances-Feliz Kearns, Mattapoisett Representative to the ORR School Committee. They will be joined by other local elected and appointed representatives who will share their tips and insight into what it takes to run and win a successful campaign for any local public office.

            The forum will provide a road map from pulling papers with your local Clerk, to how to run and manage a campaign through election day. We will provide the tools to encourage those who may have thought about running for public office but weren’t sure how to do it. We have the answers.

            We will highlight the list of all elected positions up in 2025 as well as open slots on appointive boards and committees which offer great opportunities for volunteer service to our town.

            Please come with a neighbor, family member or friend and bring any questions you might have or just listen in. For more information, please reach out to Nicki Demakis, Chair, at ndemakis@tidlaw.com.

Davin’s 3rd Annual Food Drive Raffle Smashes Goal

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A shining example of generosity and determination has again emerged this past holiday season. Young Davin Alves of Marion has once again successfully organized and executed a fundraiser aimed at supporting local food banks. His initiative not only brought joy to many families during the festive period but also highlighted the power of youth-led community service and kindness.

            Davin’s journey began with a profound desire to help those in need. Inspired by the spirit of giving, he decided to take action to address food insecurity in the community. With the support of his family and friends, Davin announced his 3rd food drive.

            To ensure the success of his fundraiser, Davin set clear and achievable goals. He aimed to raise $5,000. His determination, coupled with the experience of doing this twice before, quickly mobilized his community, with many people eager to support the cause. Local businesses also stepped in.

            One of the most remarkable aspects of Davin’s fundraiser was the way it brought the community together. Local residents and businesses all rallied around the young boy’s cause. The spirit of unity and collaboration was palpable as people from all walks of life joined forces to support the fundraiser. Local businesses all played a crucial role in the accumulation of donations with their sponsorship.

            In the end, Davin raised $5,800, exceeding the goal. These donations were used to purchase 38 shopping carts full of food. The community had rallied together in an extraordinary way. The funds raised and food donated have provided much-needed relief to families facing food insecurity. Moreover, Davin’s actions continue to show others the importance of being an involved and caring member of your community.

            Davin’s mother Kathy Lee is rightfully ecstatic about her son’s massive success. “In 3 years, he raised almost $ 10,000 which was used entirely to donate to local food pantries!” she said. “On behalf of Davin and our family we would like to sincerely thank all those who gave to Davin’s Food Drive.”

By Sam Bishop