M. Alice (Surette) Lapointe,

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M. Alice (Surette) Lapointe, 97, of Mattapoisett died peacefully October 25, 2022 at Sippican Health Care Center surrounded by her family.

            She was the wife of the late H. Raymond Lapointe.

            Born in Fall River, the daughter of the late Marcel and Marie Catherine (Bernier) Surette, she lived in New Bedford for many years before moving to Mattapoisett in 2008.

            Mrs. Lapointe was a communicant of St. Anthony’s Church in Mattapoisett.

            She was formerly employed as a stitcher in several local textile mills for many years until her retirement.

            Mrs. Lapointe enjoyed family, bowling, dancing and going to casinos.

            Survivors include 3 daughters, Vivian Beaudry and her husband Bill of Dartmouth, Janet Fontaine and her husband Robert of Westport and Diane Lapointe of Mattapoisett; 6 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

            She was the sister of the late Elphege “Al” Surette, Joseph Surette and Doris Haire.

            Her visiting hour will be held on Friday, October 28th from 9:30 – 10:30 am in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home For Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6) Mattapoisett followed by her Funeral Mass at St. Anthony’s Church at 11 am. Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Frances “Nancy” (Backman) Dixey

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Frances “Nancy” (Backman) Dixey. 97, of Mattapoisett, died peacefully at home on Saturday, October 22, 2022. She was the wife of the late John Dixey.

            Known to most as Nancy, she was born in Buffalo, NY, daughter of the late Kenneth and Frances (Garver) Backman, she lived in Newton most of her life before retiring to Mattapoisett.

            Nancy worked for New England Lawn Tennis Association for many years. She enjoyed cooking, volunteering, entertaining and feeding her family. She liked spending her time looking at the ocean and watching the wildlife in her backyard. She loved to read, play Scrabble, Skip-Bo, and Wordle. Nancy will always be remembered for her generosity, kindness, and sense of humor. She had a passion for people with warm hugs for all.

            Survivors include her children, Jack Dixey and his partner Rose McNamara, Mark Dixey and his wife Veronique, Paul Dixey, Barbara Dixey and her husband Terry Lewis, Judy Kane and her partner Glenn Veit, and Anne Hall and her husband Vance; her grandchildren, Eavan, Benjamin, Tyler, Cameron, Annalee, Paige, and Darius; her great-grandchildren, Iris, Oscar, and Benjamin.

            She is predeceased by her daughter Priscilla Dixey; her son Neal; her grandchildren, Ethan and Rebeccah; her daughter-in-law Jane Loisdaughter; and her sisters, Anne Hurley, Jean Gleason, Sally Powers, and Judy Benedict.

            Nancy’s private services are by the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals.

Mary T. (Platt) Cunha “Maria”

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Mary T. (Platt) Cunha “Maria”, died suddenly on October 25, 2022, at St. Anne’s Hospital in Fall River, MA.

            Survivors include her 3 children, Michelle Gordon, Lynda Schneider, and John Platt.

            No services are scheduled.

            Memorial Contributions can be sent to the First Congregational Church of Wareham, 11 Gibbs Avenue, Wareham, MA 02571.

Rochester Women’s Club

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The Rochester Women’s Club will be hosting a talk with Gayle Suzanne Draigicevich on November 7 at 7:30 pm.

            Gayle Suzanne is an author, speaker and life coach. Her presentations are funny, inspirational and positive. She has been referred to as the hope coach for damaged souls. Gayle is described as relatable, wise and enthusiastic.

            Join us for this fun evening. This event is free. Our space is small, therefore seats are limited. If you are interested in tickets, please make a reservation by calling Marsha at 508-322-0998. The Rochester Women’s Club is located at 37 Marion Road, Rochester.

Mattapoisett School District Public Engagement – School Study

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The Town of Mattapoisett is reviewing its strategic vision, part of which includes the condition and use of all town facilities. The Edward J. Collins Jr. Center for Public Management has been engaged by the Town, with cooperation from the School District to study school consolidation. This study was primarily born from the decline in student enrollment the Mattapoisett Public School District has experienced over the past decade. The Town and District are not alone in facing this demographic trend, and like many other communities, the per pupil expenditure has continued to rise steadily alongside other Town and District priorities competing for scarce resources.

            As part of this study, the Collins Center will be soliciting public feedback to help determine the values and priorities our residents hold surrounding educational programming and facilities. This effort will include both a survey and two public engagement sessions.

            Beginning October 21 and continuing through November 11, an online survey will be available here: www.surveymonkey.com/r/MattapoisettSchoolConsolidationSurvey

            On November 2, at 10:00 am and 6:00 pm, the Collins Center will host two public engagement sessions. These facilitated events will last two hours, and participants will be expected to actively engage in the discussion as your values, ideas and general thoughts relating to educational facilities in Mattapoisett are important.

            Please preregister for a session to assist the Center with planning: www.surveymonkey.com/r/MattapoisettPreregistration.

ZBA Grants Four Special Permits

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Behind the scenes, members of many permitting boards individually visit construction projects and other sites to gain firsthand knowledge of what they will be required to hear and act upon once public hearings are underway. That was the case on October 20 when the Mattapoisett ZBA opened its meeting. During the course of the proceedings, several members noted they had visited various addresses to gain a sense of what had driven property owners to seek special permits.

            The first of those heard on this night was an application for a Special Permit filed by Peter Turowski, 3 Indian Avenue, for construction of a new deck with a nonconforming setback. The residence on the property is a ranch-style, 1975 structure, the filing detailed. ZBA member Tony Tranfaglia commented, “It’s a nice project.” A Special Permit was granted by unanimous vote.

            Next up was a request for a Special Permit by Steven and Joy Warren, 8 Briar Road. The filing requested the permit to build an elevated, first-floor, 366-square-foot deck.

            Represented by David Davignon of Schneider, Davignon & Leone, Inc., the Warrens’ plans had previously received clearance from the Conservation Commission, Davignon said. ZBA member Colby Rotler commented that the project was in keeping with the neighborhood. The Special Permit was granted.

            Number three in the series of special permits receiving unanimous approval was a filing by Jeffrey and Tania Phillips, 3 Pigwacket Lane, for the construction of a detached garage. Also representing the Phillips, Davignon said the 23×27-foot structure would not include living space above the garage. He confirmed that the site, complex for its location in a riverfront zone, was vetted by the Conservation Commission. He also said that the home planned for the site, not part of this filing, would receive water and sewer service. The Special Permit was approved.

            The final hearing of the evening was filed by Michael and Cecilia Halter, 5 Beach Road, for a second-floor addition measuring 225×40 feet. Developer Christin McCullough said that the original footprint of the home would be maintained and that the reason for requesting a Special Permit was due to an existing easement through the property. The board approved the request.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals was not scheduled upon adjournment.

Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals

By Marilou Newell

Upcoming Events at the Elizabeth Taber Library

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Throughout October: Check out a pumpkin at the Elizabeth Taber Library. Pick up a pumpkin, take it home to decorate and return it to the library by October 28 to enter our Great Pumpkin Contest. (Carved pumpkins will be accepted only between October 26 – 28.)

            Tim Weisberg from Spooky Southcoast – Thursday October 27 from 6:30 pm – Tim Weisberg visits the Elizabeth Taber Library for a thrilling and chilling program on local legends. Paranormal vortexes, ghosts, UFOs, cryptids and true crime in our own backyard.

            Great Pumpkin Party – Friday October 28 from 3-5 pm – Join the library for pumpkin decorating, spooky book crafts and more. Help us pick some winners in our Great Pumpkin Contest.

            For more information on the Elizabeth Taber Library, visit us at www.ElizabethTaberLibrary.org or call us at 508-748-1252.

Banning Books

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To the Editor;

            On the topic of banning books in our school libraries: Our forefathers guaranteed certain freedoms in this country. Uneducated narrow-mindedness and bigotry, should not be allowed in our school system. Libraries should contain books that inform and appeal to all. If you don’t like a book, don’t read it. The choice is yours but the ability to choose must be there. Don’t let a few people govern our choices.

Sharon Schneider, 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.

ORRJH Students of the Month

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Silas D. Coellner, Principal of Old Rochester Regional Jr. High School, announces the following Students of the Month for September, 2022.

Green Team: Megan A. Kroll & Owen S. Harrington

Orange Team: Rafael H. Duarte & Jessa K. Bentz

Blue Team: Claudia R. Surace & Connor P. Nelson

Red Team: Nathaniel J. Tse & Sadie Hartley-Matteson

Exploratory Team: Matthew R. Williams & Jayilson Debrito

Mattapoisett COVID-19 Bivalent Booster Vaccination Clinic

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The Public Health Nursing Office, on behalf of the Mattapoisett Board of Health, will be hosting a clinic for Moderna COVID-19 Bivalent booster vaccinations on Tuesday, November 1, from 11 am-2 pm.

            This clinic will be at the Public Health Nursing Office at Center School, 17 Barstow Street. Residents will need to preregister for this clinic prior to arrival. To register, please visit the Town website and click on the registration link.

            If you have any questions or need assistance with registration, contact the Public Health Nursing Office at 508-758-4118. We look forward to seeing you.