Rochester Schools Eyeing Cuts

on

            The Rochester School Committee’s Budget Subcommittee met on Thursday, February 12 in the Superintendent’s Conference Room, 135 Marion Road, and via Zoom to discuss ongoing budgeting challenges, potential cuts, and planning ahead for Fiscal Year 2027. Many staff in Rochester schools and parents attended the hybrid-style meeting due to widespread talks over the town’s school budget shortfalls, with some expressing worries of position security.

            In recent years, most school districts have cut what they deem as non-essential staff, with Rochester School District saying they cut one staff position through attrition. District representatives also stated they have reduced nearly all non-staff spending. At the meeting, Old Rochester Regional Superintendent of Schools Michael S. Nelson warned the budget is becoming unsustainable, and keeping services at current levels will become increasingly difficult.

            In overlooking FY26 budget numbers, the current school operating budget sits at around $7,350,000, and will continue to rise unless cuts are made. An initial budget increase of 13.2% could be lowered to around 7.3%, should four non-specified teaching positions be cut. Costs for special education were also weighed, although they cannot be altered without going against both state and federal ordinances. The district spends a considerable sum on tuition for some special education students to receive services out of district. The ORR District is incapable of reducing these costs, however.

            Town Administrator Cameron Durant explained that Rochester’s budget is also under considerable strain. The town’s largest source of revenue is property taxes, which are limited to a 2.5% annual increase, which Durant noted was due to Proposition 2½, passed in 1981, far under inflation and the general rising cost of goods and services. Overriding the 2.5% limit would be possible through Town Meeting, but it is unlikely to make it on the warrant for the Monday, May 18, Annual Town Meeting. It was also mentioned that housing development would yield more tax revenue.

            As has been discussed at other town meetings, the town is exploring alternate options for employee healthcare and pension programs. The town administrator said, “We are estimating a 10.5% increase in health insurance [costs] through Mayflower health group that we are a part of,” which he estimated at an additional $180,000 in required new revenue. Durant also noted shifts in the town population and class sizes, stating there would be 22 fewer students next year.

            What does all of this mean for Rochester schools, their staff, and their students? To potentially reduce the proposed budget increase, the district may need to eliminate four teaching positions, which would mean larger class sizes in some grades as well as less support for reading and math intervention. Committee members stressed any proposed cuts are due solely to budgetary constraints.

            Administrators stressed there is still much to plan for and much to review. A joint meeting with the Select Board is to be scheduled, as well as a Budget Hearing on Wednesday, March 25.

Rochester School Budget Subcommittee

By Sam Bishop

Bourne-Wareham Art Association Scholarship

on

The Bourne-Wareham Art Association (BWAA) is happy to announce that their Art Achievement Award will be taking place again this year. We are a group of local artists promoting visual arts throughout the Buzzards Bay region. Graduating seniors from the region who plan to pursue a career in visual art are eligible and encouraged to apply. Participant portfolio presentations will be Saturday April 18th, noon, at the Wareham Free Library, 59 Marion Road, Wareham, MA 02571. The award, $500+ is provided to the winner(s) after they forward evidence of a first semester passing grade to the BWAA president. Cutoff date to submit application forms is April 10. Parents, teachers, and counselors are welcome to attend the student presentations. To obtain a copy of the registration form or for more information, you can go to lindahannonart.com/bwaa-achievement-award/ or email LindaHannonArt@gmail.com.

Academic Achievements

on

Grace Ribeiro, of Mattapoisett was named to the University of Mississippi’s Fall 2025 Honor Roll. Ribeiro, in the B.A.Ed. in Elementary Education program, was named to the Chancellor’s Honor Roll, which is reserved for students who earn a semester GPA of 3.75-4.00.

            Benjamin D. Giumetti, son of Shannon and Don Giumetti of Mattapoisett has earned Dean’s List honors at Providence College for the Fall 2025 semester.

            Macy G. Ingham of Mattapoisett, a sophomore and a math major at Clemson University was named to the President’s list with a 4.0 GPA.

The Last Diet Advice You Need to Read

on

Paleo, Keto, Carnivore, Intermittent Fasting , Whole30 – each diet purporting to solve all your health problems. None are terribly healthy and none solve all your health problems.

            What do we know, based on lots of observation and backed by science, about what constitutes healthy eating?

            First, make plants the foundation of your diet. Whole grains, fresh fruits and fresh (or frozen) vegetables should make up much of your food intake. Use legumes as a healthy source of protein. Use nuts or minimally-processed nut butter as a snack food. A plant-heavy diet reduces inflammation, reduces coronary disease and cuts your cancer risk.

            Eat fatty fish, preferably wild-caught, 2-3 times a week to get more protein and omega-3.

            Use red meat sparingly and do not eat processed meats such as bacon, hot dogs or salami. Despite the new USDA guidelines, heavy consumption of red meat adds to coronary risk and may be carcinogenic.

            Avoid highly-processed foods. If you look at the label and see items you cannot pronounce and that are not found in normal kitchens, don’t buy it or eat it.

            Get adequate dairy for calcium. Best are fermented dairy products such as yogurt, kefir and cheese.

            Limit your alcohol intake. Modest (1-2 drinks/day for men, 1/day for women) alcohol intake probably reduces heart disease a bit and increases cancer a bit – sort of a wash. If you enjoy an occasional glass of wine, you do not have to stop, but you certainly do not have to drink for health reasons.

            For coffee-drinkers, the news is good – 2-3 cups/day may lower dementia risk, reduces the risk of atrial fibrillation and seems to have no harmful effects. Do not drink it at night if it causes insomnia. Regular or green tea (but not herbal) probably has similar benefits.

            Finally, loosen up occasionally. Very few foods are dangerous in small quantities; it is the day-to-day that matters. If you are taking your grandchildren to an amusement park, have an ice cream cone. If your boss has you over for a cook-out and serves hot dogs, eat one. You can get back on your normal healthy diet tomorrow.

            Edward Hoffer MD is Associate Professor of Medicine, part-time, at Harvard.

What Does The Doctor Say?

By Dr. Edward Hoffer

Hoop Teams Finish Strong

on

            Old Rochester’s boys basketball team played Fairhaven (13-7) in their final game of the regular season on February 13 and won 64-45. Grady Oliveira scored 25 points, and Brody Hiles scored 17 along with 6 rebounds and 6 assists. The Bulldogs ended the regular season with a 13-7 record and 9-4 record in the South Coast Conference. They’re co-champions of the SCC Large Division with Dighton-Rehoboth.

Girls Basketball

            The Bulldogs hosted Falmouth (11-8) on February 11 and won 43-33. Carly Mello and Hannah Thorell were named the players of the game. Old Rochester takes a 14-4 record into its regular-season finale against New Bedford (7-10) on Thursday, February 19.

            Seeds and divisional brackets for the 2026 MIAA state basketball and hockey tournaments will be posted on Saturday, February 21, at miaa.net.

Sports Roundup

By Aiden Comorosky

Music at the MAC: Paul Bielatowicz & Simon Fitzpatrick Duo

on

Sounds of Silents is a multimedia concert experience featuring Paul Bielatowicz (guitar) and Simon Fitzpatrick (bass/chapman stick), of Carl Palmer’s Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Part concert, part cinematic experience, entirely unforgettable.

            The show is on Thursday, March 19 at 7:30 pm, at the MAC, located at 80 Pleasant Street, Marion. Tickets are $25 for members and $30 for nonmembers. The show is general admission.

            Simon Fitzpatrick has performed with Kee Marcello (Europe), Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow / Deep Purple), Jennifer Batten (Michael Jackson, Jeff Beck) and numerous acclaimed artists across the rock and fusion world. His unique bass and Chapman stick style has earned him a reputation as one of the most versatile players on the modern progressive scene.

            Paul Bielatowicz has recorded and toured with some of the biggest names in progressive rock, including Neal Morse, Dream Theater and Arthur Brown. His genre-defying approach combines classical precision with the sonic power of modern guitar.

            Both musicians are veteran members of Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy, bringing a deep authenticity to their interpretations of Emerson, Lake & Palmer’s music, some of which audiences can expect during this show.

            Sounds of Silents is not simply a concert, but a cinematic event – equally at home in theatres, concert halls, arts centres and music festivals. A celebration of film, virtuosity, and imagination, this is a performance not to be missed.

            Tickets and information about the event can be found at marionartcenter.org/events.

Rochester Planning Board

on

Dear Editor,

            Rochester residents are requesting that the Town Planning Board pause advancement of the proposed border rezoning near Mary’s Pond Road to pursue a comprehensive, independent impact analysis sufficient to justify the Planning Board’s recommendation and establish a defensible public record.

            In recent statements made to Sippican Week and at the February 10 public meeting, the Planning Board suggested that the Town faces financial strain, that rezoning would increase tax revenue, and that surrounding property values would rise, despite the absence of a traffic study, fiscal analysis, or defined development plan. In response, residents are asking for more than blanketed statements, saying assertions of this magnitude require fact, data, and supporting analysis. Planning Board officials, as recently as February 6, indicated that no such data has been gathered nor studies conducted.

            If rezoning is expected to generate net fiscal benefit, Town residents want disclosure of a cost-of-services or fiscal impact study accounting for public safety, public works, capital, and long-term infrastructure obligations. If property values are expected to increase, residents want to know how and why – they need evidence and empirical analysis supporting that conclusion. If traffic impacts are presumed manageable, the Planning Board should provide standard trip-generation and level-of-service modeling to substantiate the claim. However, thus far, none of the above has been furnished.

            The affected parcels are located within an area predominantly zoned Residential/Agricultural, subject to groundwater and watershed overlays, and are not contiguous with existing Limited Commercial districts. Put simply, rezoning without a defined project scope or impact analysis does not constitute responsible, evidence-based planning.

            Established planning standards do not permit zoning changes to be justified by hypothetical future uses or generalized claims of economic benefit without a defined proposal and supporting analysis. Proceeding without that foundation introduces avoidable risk and undermines the integrity of the Town’s adopted planning framework.

            In response to the Planning Board’s Notice of Hearing, several Town residents cited inconsistencies with the Town’s Comprehensive Master Plan and requested, via a letter dated February 10, that the Planning Board put forth a Town Meeting warrant authorizing a not-to-exceed appropriation to fund a comprehensive, independently procured study. The proposed scope would include fiscal modeling, traffic impact analysis, groundwater and environmental review, property value assessment, commercial demand analysis, legal sufficiency review, and independent peer review. However, these studies do not come with a small price tag and can cost taxpayers or a potential developer upwards of approximately $1.5 million. Although authorizing the estimate does not obligate full expenditure, some residents in opposition to the amendment hold that it ensures analytical objectivity and integrity of process.

            Importantly, these residents maintain that their request does not represent opposition to economic development, but instead, a request for substantiation prior to altering zoning classifications and reallocating development rights. According to these residents, the ask is simple: they want the Town officials to do their homework.

            If the proposal is as financially beneficial and low-impact as suggested, a comprehensive analysis should be able to confirm it. However, if such studies prove the opposite, the Town’s taxpayers deserve to know that information before voting on the Planning Board’s recommendation at the Annual Town Meeting.

Sean M. Carney, Esq.

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.

Vested in The People

on

Tri-Town Elections and Town Meetings

By Sam Bishop

Marion:

            Special Town Meeting: Monday March 23 at 6:45 pm in Sippican School. Deadline to submit Citizens Petitions is Friday, March 6. The signatures of 100 registered voters are required for the submission to be accepted by the town clerk.

Town Election: Friday, May 15: Nine (9) positions are open across seven government bodies. Board of Assessors (1), Board of Health (1), Select Board (1), Marion School Committee (2), ORR School Committee (1), Open Space Acquisition Commission (2), and Planning Board (3). Nomination papers are available at the Town House Annex, 14 Barnabas Road, and must be returned to the Town Clerk by Friday, March 27 with at least 28 signatures.

Mattapoisett:

            Annual Town Meeting: Monday, May 11 at 6:30 pm in Old Rochester Regional High School.  The warrant for this meeting will be made available at least one week prior.

            Town Election: Tuesday, May 19 from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm in Old Hammondtown School. Nomination papers are available through the Town Clerk, with the last day of submissions being Tuesday, March 31. There are 17 positions open across 12 government bodies. Positions open are Town Clerk (1), Select Board (3), Assessor (1), Mattapoisett School Committee (1), ORR School Committee (1), Trustee of Public Library (2), Moderator (1), Water/Sewer Commissioner (1), Board of Health (1), Board of Health Vacancy-Fill (1), Planning Board (1), Housing Authority 1), and Community Preservation Committee (2).

Rochester:

            Annual Town Meeting: Monday, May 18 in Rochester Memorial School at 7:00 pm.

            Town Election: Wednesday, May 27 at the Rochester COA from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. The last day to submit nomination papers is Wednesday, April 22. The list of vacancies has not yet been finalized.

State-Wide:

            Last Day to Register For Primary Election: Saturday, August 22

            Massachusetts State Primary Election: Tuesday, September 1

            Last Day to Register For General Election: Saturday, October 24

            General Election: Tuesday, November 3

Fire Department Makes FY27 Pitch

on

            The Marion Finance Committee met February 12 at the Town Hall Annex in another round of meetings to prepare for Fiscal Year 2027.

            The committee started by recapping its last meeting with the Marine Resources Commission about its budget problems, and committee members mentioned that they will work with the Select Board, MRC, and other sources to look at the fee structure. They said the MRC has a shortfall, but there is money to cover it by prior-year funding availability, such as reserve funds. However, the MRC said that taking a close look at the fee structure would address long-term sustainability.

            The Finance Committee met with Fire Chief Brian Jackvony, who mentioned that the budget he has prepared reflects the increase in calls and medical services. Jackvony said that this year was the department’s busiest year and that calls to the department have been on the rise.

            The chief said they work with a local mechanic who has kept service expenses under control. “We are doing our best, and that calls on us to look at grant opportunities,” he said.

            Still, Jackvony has proposed an annual budget increase of just over 4%.

            He said that, due to activity in town, including the most recent snowstorms, the department has had to dip into overtime costs. He added that the overtime line items increased this fiscal year, but that money has been expended, calling for a need to increase that line item.

            Jackvony stressed that the department is in need of two working trucks and two ambulances at the same time. He mentioned that at one point there was a recall of one of the trucks, which made response difficult for the department.

            Some committee members discussed a different financial model for addressing public needs, noting the fire, police and marine services have been struggling financially – and are all needed public services.

            No decisions were made, but the Finance Committee is meeting with each department and will make its final recommendation to the Select Board by the end of next month.

            The Select Board will meet shortly thereafter and finalize the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting, which sets the money line items for all departments for FY27.

            The Marion Finance Committee was scheduled to meet on Tuesday, February 17, for a discussion with the town’s Capital Improvements Planning Committee.

Marion Finance Committee

By Jeffrey D. Wagner

From the Files of the Rochester Historical Society

on

When you think of Rochester’s past industries, boat building may well not spring to mind. However, we know that prior to the 1850’s, ship building in the Sippican and Mattapoisett sections of town was of course attributed to Rochester. Whaleboats were at one time made in North Rochester.

            As part of our current exhibit, “The Tools and Industries That Made Rochester”, we have some antique tools used in the making of wooden boats. They are on loan from William Womack, who owns a wooden boat building company in Wareham.

            Anyone who has ever owned a boat knows that maintenance is pretty much constant. This is particularly true of wooden ships. One such maintenance job for old wooden ships was to have their seams caulked to prevent leaks. (My grandfather every spring would threaten to plant petunias in the old wooden rowboat that we were allowed to use before he caulked the seams to make it seaworthy).

            The picture shows three tools used in the caulking process. The front one is called a “reefing tool” and was used to remove the old caulking. The other two tools are a “caulking iron” and a “caulking mallet”. Working together they forced the cotton material between the seams of the ship. When wet the boards would swell and tighten the seal.

            These are just a few of the tools used in building and maintaining wooden boats both in the past and today that are on display at the Rochester Historical museum. The museum is currently closed but when the snow melts, anyone interested in viewing the exhibit can call Connie at 617-750-2818 to arrange a time.

By Connie Eshbach