Bulldogs Sweep on Track

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            The Old Rochester Regional High School track-and-field teams hosted Somerset Berkley on May 1 and came away victoriously as ORR’s boys won, 105-31, and ORR’s girls won, 104-31.

            There were lots of great times and throws in this meet, as Zach Gates won shot put (44 feet, 11.75 inches) and discus (126-10). Wes Archelus won the 110-meter hurdles (14.9 seconds) and 200-meter dash (23.2). Nolan Bushnell won the 800-meter race (2:01.6) and 1 mile (5:00). Seb Harrigan won the 400 hurdles (61.0), and 400 (51.8). Other winners include Braeden Christopher (high jump), Jacob Gear (javelin), Henry Berry (long jump), Malik Washington (triple jump), and Stefan St. Louis (100).

            For the girls, Ella Milhench won the 2 mile (13:07) and 1 mile (6:22). Audrey Thomas won the 100 (12.7) and 400 (60.2). Gabby Pinhacos won the 100 hurdles (17.9) and triple jump (31-2). Other winners included Morgan Patraiko (javelin), Delilah Post (400 hurdles), Phoebe Cowles (800), and Rayn Lauradin (200). Both teams took 4-0 South Coast Conference records into Tuesday’s meet against league rival Dighton-Rehoboth.

Girls Tennis

            The Bulldogs hosted Seekonk (7-4) on April 29 and won 5-0. Old Rochester has been dominant all season and still hasn’t dropped a match, as their record is 9-0. They’ve won every single match 5-0, except for one (4-1 against Apponequet). They will face Apponequet (8-2) in a rematch on Thursday, May 8.

Boys Lacrosse

            Old Rochester faced Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech (1-12) on May 2 and won 18-2. Tucker Roy and Benji Baptiste were named the players of the game. Roy won over 80% of the faceoffs, and Baptiste scored three goals. Winners of seven consecutive games, the Bulldogs took an 8-2 record into Wednesday’s home game against Somerset Berkley (3-7).

ORR Sports Roundup

By Aiden Comorosky

Buzzards Bay Musicfest

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The Buzzards Bay Musicfest will be returning to Marion this summer from July 9 through July 13 in the Fireman Performing Arts Center at Hoyt Hall on the campus of Tabor Academy. World class musicians will grace the stage in a five-concert series that is completely open with free admission to the public. On Wednesday, July 9, there will be an open rehearsal at 2:00 pm. That evening, the first concert of the series will feature a full orchestra with works by Mozart, Stamitz and Beethoven. The concerts that follow are a chamber music concert on Thursday, a jazz concert on Friday, another chamber concert on Saturday and the finale on Sunday will be the full orchestra. Start times for the evening concerts is 7:30 pm. The Sunday afternoon concert is at 2:00 pm. Please visit www.buzzardsbaymusicfest.com/ for more detailed information.

ORR Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

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Friends of Old Rochester Music invites you to attend the ORR Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Saturday, May 17 from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm at Marion Music Hall. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased at friendsofoldrochestermusic.org using Paypal or at Isabelle’s in Mattapoisett, Marion General Store, or Friend’s Market in Rochester. The inaugural inductees are Rebecca Correia ’99, Stan Ellis (Educator), Wayne Ferreira ’70, Daniel Lomba ’79 (Posthumous), Marcus Monteiro ’00, Hannah Clark Moore ’75, Orlando Pandolfi ’76, Rosemary Ramos Williams ’11. There will be live music from Orlando and Rebecca, among many others, plus food and a cash bar. All proceeds support music student scholarships.

June in Bloom

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The Mattapoisett Woman’s Club is pleased to announce its biennial garden tour, “June in Bloom,” for Saturday, June 28, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, rain or shine. Be inspired by unique and beautiful gardens while spending an unforgettable day with friends and nature.   For security purposes, the location of the gardens remains secret until the day of the tour.

            Tickets are available just in time for a special Mother’s Day gift. Advance tickets are $35 and available at the following Mattapoisett locations: Pen & Pendulum, Isabelle’s, Ying Dynasty, and the Town Wharf General Store. In Fairhaven, they can be purchased at Periwinkles and Gotta Have It. Marion has three locations: Always in Bloom, Fieldstones, and Eden Florist. Tickets are also available online at www.mattapoisettwomansclub.org.

            On June 28, tickets will be available at the Mattapoisett Woman’s Club tent in the parking lot next to Ying’s Dynasty on Route 6 in Mattapoisett for $40/each.

            This fundraiser directly supports the scholarships, programs, and community outreach of the Mattapoisett Woman’s Club.

            The Club is open to new members from the Southcoast area. For more information and a membership application, please visit our website at www.mattapoisettwomansclub.org.

Richard J. McNeil

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Richard J. McNeil, 76, of Rochester, passed away on May 7, 2025, at Tobey Hospital in Wareham. He was the much-loved husband of Ingrid A. (Hill) McNeil and the son of the late Richard J. and Leocadia (Sypek) McNeil.

            He was born in Boston and had lived in Rochester since 1981.  He graduated from B.C. High School and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from Tufts University as well as a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Babson College.  He proudly served in the U.S. Navy Reserves for over 20 years retiring as a Commander. He was also a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War.

            During his years at Tufts, he was an active participant in the Newman Center where he formed many dear friendships and met the love of his life, Ingrid. They married in 1972 and began a life together that saw them journey from Beverly to South Dartmouth and finally to Rochester where they settled down in 1981. While always dedicated to his work as an IT Specialist working in Hospital Systems, most recently at Southcoast Hospital Group, his joy and strength came from his love and service to his faith and family. When he wasn’t taking a well-deserved nap or enjoying a slice of sausage and mushroom pizza, he was an excellent teacher and doer, spending much of his free time tinkering, repairing and finding the most effective and efficient way to get things done, ensuring his children had what they needed to grow and thrive. He relished time he got to spend with his grandchildren and they, in turn, always appreciated the drawer full of snacks he kept stocked for their visits. Rich loved and served the parish family of St. Rose of Lima Church. He sang in the choir, cut watermelons for the annual cookout, (when he wasn’t single-handedly providing the mobile kissing booth), kept the kids in line during catechism and served faithfully on the parish council. But most of all he loved his family.

            Survivors include his wife, Ingrid A. (Hill) McNeil; two sons, Richard J. McNeil and his wife, Tracy and Thomas F. McNeil; and a daughter, Heidi McNeany and her husband Brian, all of Rochester; his brothers and sisters: Robert McNeil of Stoughton, Christopher McNeil of Norwell, Gregory McNeil of Foxboro, Mary Perry of Westboro, and Nancy Hamel of Mansfield; three grandchildren: Geoffrey McNeil and Cora and Owen McNeany; as well as fifteen nephews and nieces.

            We are deeply grateful to the doctors, nurses and staff at Tobey Hospital for their care and support.

            His funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 15, 2025 at St. Rose of Lima Church, 282 Vaughn Hill Rd., Rochester.  Burial will follow at the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne.

            In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to St. Isidore Parish, 340 Center St., Middleboro, MA 02346 or at: https://giving.parishsoft.com/app/giving/saintisidore

Burr Applauded in Final Meeting

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            The Marion Select Board met on Tuesday for a long list of action items and correspondences, which served as their last meeting before the Annual Town Meeting scheduled on the following Monday (May 12).

            Before adjournment, it was announced that this was Vice Chair Carleton “Toby” Burr Jr.’s last regular meeting of the Select Board. He received an ovation from the room and thanks from many.

            Following the approval of minutes from their April 15 meeting, the board began with a Water/Sewer abatement for 270 Delano Road. It was stated the water meter had not been checked by a representative of the town prior to the meeting. The homeowner was present and stated the typical water bill hovers around $2,500 with the home being seasonally used. The house has recently been winterized after previously having issues. The homeowner said the bill signifies “five weeks of water coming through in a matter of days” with further clarification from Town Administrator Geoffrey Gorman signifying 8-gallons-per-minute of usage, that being similar to a running faucet.

            The owner and a family friend who works in construction both stated they found no evidence of the water arriving in the house, nor water damage. Chair Norman Hills pushed for the water meter to be checked and “we’ll get back together.” No decision was made at this time.

            The next item was for a Performance Extension of 30 minutes for Tabor Academy’s alumni weekend on June 7. This was approved unanimously. The board then also approved its Annual Water Restriction Schedule unanimously.

            A discussion began for Town Meeting Warrant Article 17, regarding work on Town House compliance. The chair of the Finance Committee, Shay Assad, was present with other members to discuss their findings.

            “We believe there is going to be substantial capital requirements for the schools. We only should be spending money on what’s absolutely necessary.” Assad and the committee sought to split the costs of the article, that being HVAC, a sprinkler system, and compliance, into different articles to give the people “a choice.” He later cited HVAC installation as 30% of total costs and asked if the town could put out for a re-bid and have the voters decide in the October Town Meeting on separate works.

            “We don’t believe we should be going forward with the package as it’s currently constructed,” said Assad, who then brought up tariffs and the possibility of those affecting costs, or “unknown costs,” he added. “They need to realize there’s going to be some substantial capital costs coming down,” he reiterated, citing Town Counsel’s need to advise the populous on the forthcoming effects of tariffs.

            “Schools aren’t the only thing we’re facing,” Hills added.

            There was a disagreement over the communication of information regarding school-related cost increases between Assad and Select Board member Randy Parker, who was upset that he was only finding out about rising school costs now (Assad cited a $6,000,000 rise). He stated it seemed like an “excuse” to go after Article 17, with Assad opposing the accusation.

            Assad and the Select Board with the town administrator argued over the dissemination of information to each other, with neither party arriving at an agreement. Gorman stated the Finance Committee had received all of the Article 17 bid information “months ago,” with Assad denying anyone had spoken to him directly about it.

            At the end of the discussion, the Select Board agreed to take the Finance Committee’s recommendation but chose not to act and allow voters to decide whether or not to approve the package bid under Article 17. Assad finalized his statements by assuring he has faith in the Marion people and “feels very fortunate” to be able to rely on them to make the decision they feel is right. Finance Committee member Thomas Crowley then spoke, warning of tariff costs and unforeseen consequences of such without knowing any exact protections in the original bid contract.

            The Select Board then approved five Special One Day Alcohol Beverage Licenses. They were for ICJ Corp at the Marion Music Hall on May 17 for a hall of fame induction, for the Marion Social Club at 44 Pumping Station Road on May 31 for a graduation party, for ICJ Corp at the Marion Music Hall on June 7 for a wedding, for the Marion Social Club at 44 Pumping Station Road on July 20 for a pig roast, and finally another for the Marion Social Club at 44 Pumping Station Road on August 17 for a chicken bake.

            The next meeting of the Marion Select Board will take place after the elections and Town Meeting, and is currently scheduled for Tuesday, May 20, at 6:00 pm in the Marion Town House Conference Room.

Marion Select Board

By Sam Bishop

Groundbreaking of New Raynnor Gifford Park

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The Park Commission marked the imminent installation of a new playground at Raynnor Gifford Park with a well-attended groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, May 1.

            The 3,649 square-foot, $81,724.68 playground at 13 Mary’s Pond Road will be suitable for children ages 2 to 12. It will include a slide, swing sets, a Cyclo Cone Climber, a curved balance bean, a balance and bounce house and two benches for children and parents resting between play. It is replacing deteriorating equipment that has already been removed from the spot behind a ball field at the park.

            Park Commission Chair David Hughes noted before the ceremony that the new equipment had arrived at the park only a day before. He then ushered the dozen residents of various ages with shovels in their hands to the mound of earth at the base of the ‘Coming Soon’ sign in front of the bare ground where the new equipment sat, and he instructed them to “dig a little dirt to get the playground that is overdue underway.”

            Hughes began his pre-ceremony speech by noting he and fellow commission members David Sylvia and Ken Ross would like to thank everyone who helped to make the new playground happen. “We would like to thank ‘Tri-Town For Protecting Children’ for their donations that made this possible,” he said. “We would also like to thank the town Highway Department for their hard work and to our parks here at Gifford and Dexter. Also, we would like to thank Town Administrator Cameron Durant for patience dealing with me throughout the turmoil of this process. Also, PCC Corp. for donating their time and also their machinery to help out.”

            Jackie Ekhart, representing the local non-profit “Tri-Town For Protecting Children” that donated half of the funds for the playground (the other half was paid for with town ARPA funds), added as she held the shovel she was using, “We’re building a place to create dreams, laughter and fun for the children, where they can build friendships. This playground will be full of joy and creativity and community.”

            Residents in previous Park Commission meetings had expressed concerns about “Tri-Town For Protecting Children” being the lone private donor for the new playground; a plaque in the group’s name will be placed at the site. Residents felt the playground plan quickly became a done-deal without the chance for more than one private group to contribute toward the proposal or for the town to create a larger master plan for the park.

            After the ceremony, Hughes dismissed this as an important factor. He said the new playground is important for the town because “We need to bring the town together so that we can have a decent playground for all the children. I don’t believe politics should be involved here. This is important for all of the community.”

            Select Board Chair Brad Morse added, “I’m very glad to have the playground here replaced, because it was in a very degraded condition. And our children need a safe place to play.”

            Hughes said the playground’s construction will be complete rather quickly, within seven to ten days. A bed of wood chips one foot deep will cover the ground around the equipment along with rubber safety mats to make the playground accessible to the disabled, he said. Landscaping around it will be refined. Concrete barriers will protect the area from vehicles traveling to and from the nearby parking lots.

By Michael J. DeCicco

Mattapoisett Republican Town Committee

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The Mattapoisett Republican Town Committee invites members, guests, and community residents to join us for our monthly meeting on Thursday, May 15 from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm at the Niemad Building, 57 Fairhaven Road, Mattapoisett.

            We are honored to welcome our guest speaker, David Ladd from O.U.R. Rescue, who will begin at 7:30 pm. O.U.R. Rescue is a global organization dedicated to fighting sex trafficking and child exploitation by educating and empowering communities, parents, and workplaces to recognize the signs and take action. This is a vital topic for all concerned community members and families. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how you can help protect children and promote safety in our own neighborhoods. Enjoy light snacks, a cash bar, and great conversation.

            For questions, contact: Paul Criscuolo, Chairperson at PCMattyGOP@proton.me.

Historic District

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To the Editor,

            As a resident of the proposed Historic District, I write to express my opposition to the bylaw proposal as currently written. While I value our village’s unique historical character and initially approached this initiative with an open mind, my engagement with the Historic Commission’s process – and a careful review of the data – has led me to conclude that the bylaw is overly broad, lacks evidentiary support, and is driven more by subjective aesthetics and political concerns than by objective need.

            My home, built in 1853 by local carpenter Augustus Handy, is a piece of Marion’s history that I cherish. I have attended public meetings held by the commission, where concerns about “insensitive” renovations and the emergence of “McMansions” were repeatedly raised. However, despite frequent claims, the commission provided no concrete examples or data to support the idea that development is actively harming the village’s historical integrity.

            Motivated by this lack of data, I conducted my own review of the 207 properties within the proposed district. I focused on the past decade, examining renovations, demolitions, and new construction. Here’s what I found:

            Renovations and Additions: About 17% of properties have seen some form of investment, from new siding to additions. These projects were largely respectful of original designs and materials. Rather than detracting from the area, they have enhanced the look and integrity of the neighborhood.

            Demolitions and Rebuilds: Seven homes—roughly 3%—have been torn down and rebuilt in the last 10 years. In nearly all cases, the original structures were beyond reasonable repair. Their replacements were designed by local architects and built with high-quality materials. None resemble the oversized, poorly constructed homes implied by the term “McMansion.”

            The word “insensitive,” often used by the commission, is inherently subjective. Based on my observations, the new homes are thoughtfully designed and compatible with the community’s character. Some developments, like new condominiums, serve a clear public good by providing age-appropriate housing options for longtime residents.

            I’ve shared my findings with commission members, and while our conversations have been respectful, our disagreement centers on size and scale. But these are planning and zoning concerns—not matters of historic preservation. If the goal is to prevent out-of-scale development, we should pursue targeted zoning reforms like adjusting building coverage ratios or setbacks—not a sweeping historic bylaw that adds another layer of subjective oversight.

            This bylaw seems like a solution in search of a problem. Marion is not undergoing a teardown crisis. What I see is a town benefiting from thoughtful renewal. Homeowners are preserving and improving their properties. Local tradespeople are thriving. Our tax base is growing, helping to fund schools and infrastructure. This isn’t a threat to be stopped; it’s a sign of a healthy, evolving community.

            We must ask: what kind of change are we resisting? Marion has always been a blend of architectural styles shaped over centuries. Preserving its character doesn’t mean freezing it in time. It means guiding change with intelligence and fairness—best accomplished through effective zoning, not rigid historic regulation.

            On May 12, I urge my fellow residents to vote no on the proposed historic bylaw. Let’s reject unnecessary oversight and embrace a vision of Marion that respects our past while welcoming well-designed investment in our future.

            Sincerely,

            Johanna Vergoni

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.

Cottage Bylaw Being Researched

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The lack of affordable housing in Mattapoisett has long been an issue. Time and time again, various boards have acknowledged the need for housing, especially for young families and senior citizens. But little in the way of action has been forthcoming. That is about to change.

            Recently, the current configuration of the Planning Board (Chairman Tom Tucker and Members Karen Field, William Wennerberg, John Mathieu, and Nathan Ketchel) has taken up the matter by not only having meaningful discussions, but in drafting bylaw(s) for the public to digest and comment on.

            One such bylaw is known as the Cottage Bylaw.

            Members Mathieu and Wennerberg have rallied around the concept of expanding the Route 6 corridor to allow for greater density and variety of structural styles. During the May 5 meeting, the board members discussed the pros of having this new category of housing and how it would benefit the community.

            Planner Victora Alfaro stated that a seminar she had attended talked about high-density cottage style zoning options. Wennerberg and Mathieu agreed it was very close to what they envision as a viable housing option for the town. Alfaro was asked to prepare a draft of a cottage bylaw for the board’s review. Tucker remined the board that a public meeting was needed prior to advancing any new bylaws to a Town Meeting vote.

            Alfaro presented the board with a copy of a state drafted bylaw titled Cottage Community Bylaw. The board members will now research the matter further and add their comments. Public comments are welcomed Tucker noted.

            The cottage bylaw draft currently reads in part “…Cottage housing development represent an alternative form of detached housing becoming a crucial component of the town’s comprehensive housing strategy… (the bylaw would) …provide housing types that are responsive to changing household demographics, would reduce development footprints, and encourage the creation of more useable space…”

            The draft goes on to note there would be open spaces, common open space, that would foster a sense of community.

            Design standards were discussed with Mathieu staying…”I don’t want to see any board having too much control over what a developer designs, “ such as color or structural style. But he and Wennerberg concurred that “all the moving parts” seemed to be in place for creating a new bylaw.

            There was some discussion regarding ADU (accessory dwelling units) and guest/family apartments. Suffice to say the board is exploring options. Family apartments and ADU homes are governed by either local bylaws or state bylaws. No changes to those were noted.

            These matters will be discussed again on May 19 at the next board meeting.

Mattapoisett Planning Board

By Marilou Newell