Bulldogs Showed Character in Run to Second Straight State Final

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The Old Rochester Regional High School boys’ basketball team played Norwell in the MIAA Division 3 state championship on March 14 and lost, 64-61, in overtime at the Tsongas Arena in Lowell. Norwell guard Ronan Coffey hit a game-tying 3-pointer to send the game into overtime, where Norwell ended up winning.

            However, only the ending was negative for ORR.

            Coming into the 2024-25 season, the Bulldogs were without three of their starters from last year’s team that had also reached the state final. Senior guard Zack Mourao and junior center Brendan Spenard were injured and were ruled out. In order for Old Rochester to match last year’s accomplishments, the Bulldogs needed some players to step up, and that most certainly happened.

            “I think a lot of different kids stepped up. I knew Gavin Martin was going to do what he did, but Noah Thorell, Brody Hiles, Hunter Horsey, and certainly Grady Oliveira. Grady really had a tremendous year. Senior Finn Kavanagh was probably our most electric shooter out there, so it was really a great thing. They all stepped up,” said ORR Head Coach Steve Carvalho.

            Through injuries and a 3-3 start, the Bulldogs rallied to finish 11-9, heading into the MIAA Division 3 state tournament as the 20th seed.

            “I felt we were playing our best basketball in February, but we were going to have a very tough schedule coming up, including the first game out in central Massachusetts, beating (13th seeded) Tantasqua,” said Carvalho.

            Through it all, the Bulldogs ended up making it all the way to the finals, nearly winning the championship.

            “We had just knocked off the number-one seed St. Mary’s, which was one of the most tremendous victories in this program’s history, and took the number-two seed within a second (of victory in regulation time). So, I just thank them again for their tremendous efforts and for shaking up the Massachusetts basketball world. As much as (falling short) hurt in that locker room up in Lowell, down the road they’re really going to see what they accomplished, which is awesome,” said Carvalho.

            The Bulldogs have four seniors whose 2025 graduations will end their high school basketball careers, including Gavin Martin, Zack Mourao, Finn Kavanagh, and Ayden Monteiro.

            “I want to thank Ayden Monteiro and Finn Kavanagh, and certainly my two captains. Especially what Zack went through. But how much love of the game they have, how they show a lot of enthusiasm, they are hard working. I can’t wish enough for their bright futures,” said Carvalho. “They were a resilient, hard-working, and some may say an overachieving group. We were 8-9 a few weeks back before the tournament. What a resilient group who believed, ‘why not us?’ I cannot thank them again for wearing that Bulldog jersey with a lot of pride and effort.”

            Senior guard Gavin Martin has been named a South Coast Conference All-Star, and Grady Oliveira and Finn Kavanagh earned SCC Honorable Mention status.

Old Rochester Boys Basketball

By Aiden Comorosky

65-Car Pinewood Derby

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For 72 years, the Pinewood Derby has challenged cub scouts to compete in races with their own miniature, hand-crafted wooden race cars. For six years, the Narragansett Council of Scouting America, which represents all the scout packs in Southern New England, has held its Southeastern regional competition for these races at Rochester Memorial School.

            The March 22, 2025 Pinewood Derby attracted a record crowd there. Rochester Pack 30 Cub Scoutmaster Kevin Thompson noted as the ceremonies began that the largest crowd ever was attending, prompting scout leaders to set up more tables in the RMS cafetorium and order more food (hot dogs, pizzas, donuts). He thanked the “almost 200 strangers” for filling the room that day.

            His pack, which includes Cub Pack 31, served as the event’s hosts. A total of 65 cars were registered to race, all winners of local competitions within the Narraganset Council’s Southeastern Massachusetts and Southern Rhode Island District (New Bedford, Acushnet, Fairhaven, Dartmouth, Marion, Mattapoisett, Rochester, Wareham, Fall River, Somerset, Westport, Swansea, Seekonk, Portsmouth, Middletown, Newport, Tiverton, Little Compton, East Providence, Bristol, Warren, and Barrington). Their builder/owners ranged in age from kindergarten to fifth grade and included both boys and girls. All cars had to be hand-constructed of (guess what?) pinewood and had to weigh in at five ounces or less. Four race lanes were set up sloping down from the cafetorium stage to a mini-‘Finish Line’ sign. Each car raced eight times, getting that number of chances to clock in as first, second, third, or fourth place finishers. The 20 tops scorers at the end of the day earned the chance to compete at the Council Championship later this spring (date and place yet to be determined), for council member packs stretching as far as Connecticut.

            The young contestants and their parents who were participating revealed that while all the scouts designed the cars themselves many had the help of their scoutmasters in the construction phase during workshops at scout meetings. An example of this help comes from Brian, age 10 of Pack 30, Rochester, who has attended the competitions for four years. His father Brandon said his den leader is a shop teacher at Old Colony Regional Vocational-Technical High School who took the scouts as a group to his shop classes. “They used the tools there, the band saws, the drills, the sanding, and would go over the safety stuff,” Brandon said.

            Dan Jr., age eight, and Liam, age nine, are members of pack 51, Acushnet. Dan Jr. is attending the competition for a second year. Both their fathers, Dan Sr. and Joseph, said they helped their sons by cutting the wood with their workshop saw. Then Dan Jr. did the rest, Dan Sr, said, sanding his vehicle and applying enamel paint and the decorative pieces that turned it into his own creation, a Sponge Bob race car.

            Asked why he likes competing in the derby, Dan Jr. said simply, “I like racing. It’s fun.”

            Dan Sr. added, “And the dad likes to win.” He noted he too participated in the Derby when he himself was a cub scout years ago.

By Michael J. DeCicco

Eversource and Bio-Hydrological Fluids

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The Rochester Planning Board met briefly Tuesday to approve the Groundwater Protection District Special Permit and Site Plan Review Permit for the proposed Eversource Substation at 214 Rounsville Road.

            The final endorsement of the large project, upgrades necessary to interconnect distributed generation facilities in town, came with the addition of a waiver important to Eversource officials. Company Representative Heather Sykes had asked for a change in the draft language. She had said the company will have to use heavy lift crane equipment for a portion of the work and that it would be difficult to find such machinery that uses bio-hydrological fluids. These are fluids that don’t contaminate soil and groundwater. That is why their use is a Planning Board requirement for machinery at such work sites.

            On Tuesday, Board Chair Arnold Johnson said an exemption allowing the use of crane equipment not containing bio-hydrological fluids will be included in the two Eversource permits after all. Specifically, he said, this equipment will be allowed on-site because it will only be used briefly to move heavy materials. The exemption decrees that this equipment will be at the site for no more than a week. The resulting approval vote for both permits was unanimous.

            In other action, the board signed the permit for the Definitive Subdivision plan at 386 Snipatuit Road after an update from the applicant’s engineering consultant Rick Charron. He said he has finally heard from the Natural Heritage Foundation regarding endangered species. He reported that the property owners will do a turtle assessment of the property and then do whatever that assessment concludes needs to be done. The plan here is to divide 24 acres into one lot containing an existing home and outhouse on two acres and two other lots with frontage on a new roadway to be named Peter Crapo Cartway.

            The Rochester Planning Board’s next meeting will be on Tuesday, April 8 at 7:00 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.

Rochester Planning Board

By Michael J. DeCicco

Mattapoisett Select Board

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To the Editor

            I would like to express my opinion on expanding the Mattapoisett Select Board from 3 to 5 persons. I have lived in Mattapoisett full time for 27 years. I have seen many changes in those 27 years. However, having a select board that consists of only 3 people makes the select person’s position very difficult.

            If a select person is absent from a meeting or must recuse themselves from participation in a specific matter or meeting due to a potential conflict of interest or bias. It narrows the input of the decision. A 5-member board allows for a broader input of information and aids in the decision-making process. It also eases the possible violation of open meeting law and improve better decision making.

            A 5-member board allows for 2 Select Board members to discuss issues and views to help in the decision process. I am in support of the Citizen’s Petition proposing a Warrant Article at Town Meeting on May 12, 2025, voting to expand our Select Board from 3 to 5 members.

            It will improve the decision-making process for the Town of Mattapoisett and help Mattapoisett to stay as beautiful as it is and grow into the future.

Diana Harlfinger, Mattapoisett

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.

St. Anthony-St. Rita Mother’s Day Garden Party

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Join us on Saturday May 10, 10:00 am until 1:00 pm outside at the front of St. Anthony’s Parish in Mattapoisett, 22 Barstow Street. Come and find a gift for a special Mom. We will offer an array of baked goods to enjoy with coffee and tea, floral arrangements, and vendors selling jewelry, hand-poured candles, pottery, Nantucket basket bags, musicians playing live music, and more. We hope to see you there.

Richard I. and Helen A. Arthur 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, 2025.

            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.

Patricia “Pat” McPartland

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Patricia “Pat” McPartland, age 74, passed away on March 17, 2025 peacefully at home. She was born in Passaic, New Jersey. Pat lived a remarkable life defined by intellectual curiosity, professional achievement, and a profound commitment to personal and spiritual growth.

            A lifelong learner, Pat was committed to education and public health. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Missouri, followed by a Master’s Degree in Preventative Medicine from Ohio State University. Her academic journey culminated with a Doctorate in Education from Columbia University – a testament to her unwavering dedication to learning and helping others.

            She retired as the Director of the Adult Education Program at Upper Cape Tech. Over the course of her career, she published 32 articles in the field of public health and presented 40 academic papers at national and international conferences, establishing herself as a respected voice in the academic community.

            Her intellectual achievements were matched only by her deep spiritual wisdom and openness to growth. Pat was an active member of Toastmasters, where she honed her gift for thoughtful communication. She was a beloved member of Unity on Cape Cod. Her exploration of the mind-body connection led her to collaborate with Dr. Joe Dispenza’s organization, participating in research on the effects of meditation and spirituality on health. More than her professional and academic achievements, Pat will be remembered for the way she made people feel. She inspired all who knew her with her deeply spiritual optimism, always choosing love over fear. Her kindness, wisdom, and joy, left an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to know her.

            She is survived by her sister Mary Ellen Stiehl and her nephew William Stiehl of New Jersey.

            A celebration of Pat’s life will be held at Unity on Cape Cod on Saturday May 31st, at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Unity on Cape Cod, 147 Walton Ave. Hyannis, MA 02601.  Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6), Mattapoisett. For online guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Mattapoisett Select Board Completes FY26 Review

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They have been diligently scrolling through spreadsheets and discussing cuts here, increases there, and reviewing copious amounts of data through the winter months. Now with the Spring Town Meeting right around the corner, the Mattapoisett Select Board has rounded the final corner on all things financial. With a budget topping out at $35,083,626, that’s no small task.

            On March 25, the board met with Harbormaster Isaac Perry, Police Chief Jason King, and Town Administrator Mike Lorenco to finish one-on-one budget talks.

            Before diving into those agenda items, the board met with Garrett Bauer. The discussion was regarding the nearly 50-percent increase in construction estimates for the Highway Department renovations. The estimate now rests at $4,000,000 which is several years old. Newer estimates raise the earlier number.

            Discussions centered around funding and how best to address possible voter pushbacks at the Spring Town Meeting. Lorenco was confident that a substantial sum could be raised from stability finds and free cash. The free cash figure which has been certified is $2,700,000. When asked Lorenco confirmed that a bulk of financing will come from borrowing.

            The Police Department’s budget held no surprises with increases being in line with higher costs overall. The department’s operating budget $2,711,928 and the ambulance budget is $560,612.

            Of the body cameras which have been in use for over a year, King said that the officers find them beneficial. He said that his capital needs list includes on new cruiser, and that he is developing a fee structure for cruiser deployment to commercial and other non-municipal related details. Monies earned would go towards vehicle maintenance.

            Perry, talking about the Waterfront Enterprise fund, said that the motor for the pump out boat was currently under repair and that materials for floating dock construction were in hand. The board also noted that the transition of the shellfish prorogation program will be transitioning to the Waterfront Enterprise in the future, no longer under the direction of the department of natural resources. The fund’s budget is up 1.73-percent.

            The Town Hall budget was not extensively reviewed and was up a modest 1.27-percent. Lorenco said he anticipates the warrant will include 29 articles.

            In other business, the board met with Disabilities Commission Chairman Joanna Ingham. Inram said the commission was seeking Select Board approval to apply for a grant to make improvements to several public locations to accommodate people with disabilities. In a letter submitted by the commission it reads, “The Mattapoisett Disability Commission has agreed on selected items for ADA accessibility at Shipyard Park for the proposed project for the Massachusetts Office on Disability Municipal ADA Improvement Grant for FY26.

            Six areas were identified by the commission as needing modifications. They chose Shipyard Park with accessibility to the gazebo. The modifications sought include route to the gazebo stairs, path to the wayside, ramp to the gazebo, correct handrail, accessible route to accessible picnic table, and accessible route to a bench. The commission was thanked for their work and granted permission to pursue grant funding.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Select. Board was noted at adjournment.

Mattapoisett Select Board

By Marilou Newell

Success of March FORM Concerts

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Old Rochester Regional (ORR) School District and MA Superintendency Union #55 Superintendent Michael S. Nelson, High School Principal Michael Devoll, Junior High Principal Silas Coellner, Rochester Memorial School Principal Heidi Letendre, Sippican School Principal Lynn Desset, and Old Hammondtown School Principal Stephanie Wells are proud to celebrate the success of two March concerts presented by the nonprofit FORM.

            FORM, which stands for Friends of Old Rochester Music, welcomed the community for two nights of extraordinary student performances as part of the 2024-25 Concert Series, including the FORM Choral Concert held on March 11 and the FORM Instrumental Concert on March 18. These two concerts, which raise money for FORM music scholarships, featured chorus and band performances by students from Old Hammondtown School, Rochester Memorial School, Sippican Elementary School, Old Rochester Regional Junior High School, and Old Rochester Regional High School.

            “FORM Scholarship Concerts are a wonderful reminder of the many talents of our students and staff members across the district,” said Old Rochester Regional High School Principal Michael Devoll. “I love being able to see the progression from our youngest musicians to our oldest musicians. Providing students with scholarship opportunities is a wonderful way to send off our graduating senior musicians.”

            These two recent FORM Scholarship Concerts aren’t the end for the 2024-25 Concert Series. “A Night of Jazz” is taking place at Old Rochester Regional High School on April 15 at 6:30 pm and the Spring Concert is being held on May 14 at 6:30 pm. After that, Old Rochester Regional Junior High School is holding its Spring Concert on May 21 at 6:30 pm.

            These events are held with the help of donations to FORM, which is now celebrating 42 years of scholarship awards for graduating seniors. Using private fundraisers to support special events, programming, transportation, and musical instrument purchases, FORM is able to provide additional opportunities for young musicians beyond the regular school district budget.

            FORM is also now launching a local Music Hall of Fame, recognizing talented musicians who have graduated from ORR since the 1960s.

            Inaugural inductees to the Music Hall of Fame, selected by a FORM committee, will be announced at the “A Night of Jazz” concert.

            “Your participation truly matters to our success,” said FORM, in a message welcoming the community to this year’s concert series. “We invite you to contact us about becoming involved. Warm thanks to our sponsors, donors and ticket buyers whose generosity ensures our students have the resources they need to flourish and continue to enrich our community with music.”

            Another ticketed event will be held on May 17 at the Marion Music Hall to celebrate the launch of the Music Hall of Fame, its inaugural inductees and all of the nominees.

            Donations for FORM can be made by mail, with checks sent to P.O. Box 1143, Mattapoisett, MA 02739. To learn more, email FORM@OldRochester.org or go online to FriendsOfOldRochesterMusic.org.

            The FORM Choral Concert on March 11 also provided an occasion to celebrate the career of Old Rochester Regional Junior High School’s longtime chorus director and music teacher, Angie Vaughn, who has dedicated 27 years to inspiring young voices and fostering a love of music. Vaughn, who holds a master’s degree in music education from Illinois State University, is retiring at the end of this current school year, after beginning her career at Old Rochester Regional Junior High School in 1998.

            “Mrs. Vaughn’s passion, dedication, and impact will resonate for years to come,” said Old Rochester Regional Junior High School Principal Silas Coellner. “We thank her for her unwavering commitment, and we all wish her a happy retirement. Nevertheless, Mrs. Vaughn’s legacy of music and teaching will always sing on in the hearts of all her students, colleagues and members of the Old Rochester community.”

            “We are always so impressed by the incredible skills and abilities of our musicians and vocalists,” said Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Jaime Curley. “Not only do they possess amazing individual talents, but they work so well together in harmony. Bravo to our music teachers for preparing and orchestrating these amazing FORM concerts that we look forward to every year. Thank you to FORM for all of its work to equip our students and provide scholarships, helping them to reach their musical potential.”

            “It was a pleasure to be in attendance for these wonderful performances by our students presented by FORM,” said Shari Fedorowicz, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning. “To see how our teachers have worked to develop the talents of our student musicians is phenomenal. Thank you to FORM for all of its work to assist with the cause. FORM is such a worthy cause that is making a remarkable impact on the lives and future of our students.”

            “I congratulate all of our vocalists and instrumentalists for honing their talents and sharing their amazing abilities with all of us during our incredible FORM concerts each year,” said Superintendent Michael S. Nelson. “These incredible ensembles are an inspiration for everyone, including the younger generations of musicians in our community. I’d like to recognize Mrs. Vaughn for a remarkable career in music education, enriching the lives of our ORR students for so many years. All of our music teachers have done incredible work preparing these students for these performances. We look forward to seeing our musicians and vocalists continue to perform in ORR concert stages and beyond.”

Rochester Women’s Club Earth Day

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The annual Earth Day town wide clean up sponsored by the Rochester Women’s Club will be held on Saturday, April 19 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The Women’s Club will be open during those hours for you to stop by, grab your street cleaning supplies and a cup of coffee. There will be a dumpster on site. Details will be published in March with explicit detail concerning the trash that can go into the dumpster. Call to sign up early for the street you prefer to clean. Call Marsha at 508-322-0998.

            The Rochester Women’s Club has been sponsoring this town wide clean-up for over 25 years. We are as always very grateful to our enthusiastic members, the Boy Scouts and their leaders, Jeff Eldridge and his staff at the Rochester Highway Department and the wonderful, caring members of our community who show up and support our efforts to keep our beautiful Rochester clean and shiny as we can.