Mattapoisett Town Band

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            The Mattapoisett Town Band would like to thank everyone who attended the Latin American Celebration Concert last Wednesday.

            Our next concert will take place on July 30, 7:00 pm at Shipyard Park. At this performance, we will celebrate our 125th anniversary as the Mattapoisett Town Band. Representatives from the town and the state will join us to help celebrate our 125th year. The concert program will feature some town band favorites, as well as a John Philip Sousa march that is also celebrating 125 years.

From the Files of the Rochester Historical Society

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As mentioned previously, Rochester had many one and two-room schools scattered around town. This enabled students to walk to and from school, though many walked as much as a mile in all kinds of weather. Over time many of the smaller ones were closed and schools became more centralized. This led to a school bus being provided in the 30’s and 40’s.

            Over the years there were a variety of bus drivers including “a bleached blonde woman” who was purportedly a poor driver as well as scandalizing the riders with her hair coloring. The bus had bars over the windows to keep children from sticking their heads out and so was dubbed the “Chicken Coop”. Reading through the Rochester Journals it would seem that the most memorable bus driver was Tuck Hartley.

            The Waterman School was built in 1833 near the home of George Waterman, hence the name. As older schools were closed, some of the buildings were moved to the Waterman to increase its capacity. The town also leased the Academy from the Church to accommodate the ever- increasing numbers of schoolchildren.

            As early as 1923, there was a call to build a new schoolhouse in the Center District, but nothing came of it. With student population growing and buildings aging, concerns were raised again. Deliberations began in the 1930’s as to the possibility of a new consolidated school being built. Under Superintendent of Schools, Arthur B. Webber, talks continued until finally in 1952, close to 25 years later, the town voted to build a school big enough for all of the town’s students. The Rochester Memorial School was built on the site of the Waterman School.

            In a town where “waste not, want not” must have been the motto, the Waterman School building was moved to a nearby site where it became the fire station and continues that role today, and so the building built in 1833 has been in use (no doubt with some retrofitting) as the home of Rochester’s fire- fighting equipment for over 70 years.

            The picture with this article is of a postcard that my grandmother sent to her mother in 1916 to share a picture of “where she went to work” each day.

By Connie Eshbach

Tick Cases Rising Statewide

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            The Marion Board of Health met on July 17 for a quick but informative meeting at the Town House, touching upon the rise of tick-borne illnesses and the safety of town beaches.

            Health Director Lori A. Desmarais informed the board that Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE or “Triple-E”) and West Nile Virus cases, both caused by mosquitoes, are lower this year. However, there has been a general rise in tick-borne illnesses statewide. Desmarais said there have been no reported EEE cases, and one goat in Worcester County tested positive for West Nile Virus.

            Tick-borne diseases have been on the rise, but so far Lyme Disease cases in Marion are down from 43 last year to 41 this year, according to Desmarais. She said there has been a rise in other tick-borne illnesses in Marion and in the state. She advised that anyone who finds a tick embedded in his or her skin for several hours should consult a physician. She also recommended doxycycline for those who test positive for Lyme Disease.

            In other health news, Desmarais reported that she has been visiting camps and advised the board to update its fee structure, especially with late fees. The director reported that there have been 270 Emergency Medical Service visits to the Health Board staff this year. She attributed the high number to more people being aware of this in-town service.

            Desmarias also reported that all beaches, public and semi-public, have been tested and passed water-quality tests as of July 14.

            Newly hired Health Agent Gabrielle Almeida was introduced to the board at the July 17 meeting. Almeida has been busy visiting town beaches, and she has conducted some food inspections, reporting only some minor infractions from a food vendor at Washburn Park.

            The next meeting of the Marion Board of Health is currently scheduled for Thursday, August 7, at 4:30 pm in the Town House.

Marion Board of Health

By Jeffrey D. Wagner

Town Party Preparations

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The Marion Select Board meeting on Tuesday, July 22 took only 30 minutes, but the board managed to make some appointments, preview the Town Party this weekend, and offer an update on the bumpy Point Road.

            At the Police Station’s meeting room, the Select Board promoted Sommer Cardosa to Marion Police sergeant and Adam Murphy, the town’s harbormaster, as a full-time Marion Police officer.

            Town Administrator Geoffrey Gorman gave details to the Select Board on Point Road and said a contractor has been called on to repair sewer trenches. Gorman said the first attempt was not professional, so the contractor has agreed to return to working on the trenches.

            Gorman said this was just temporary work, but the town is preparing its own contractor to conduct a curb-to-curb repaving of the road. Gorman said he hopes that work is conducted in the fall.

            “We are looking at it aggressively,” Gorman said.

            Select Board Executive Assistant Donna Hemphill, who plans the annual Town Party, said this year it should be bigger and better. She said many volunteers and businesses have stepped up to donate time and/or money to the event.

            Hemphill said this year’s event will feature a rock wall for kids to climb, face painting, and other family-friendly events. The event starts at 4:00 pm at Silvershell Beach, and proceeds go to the Marion Cultural Council and the Marion Firefighters Association.

            Gorman will be preparing some food as well.

            Last year, the event was canceled due to mosquito-borne diseases in the area. The Health Department recently reported that, according to state records, only one goat tested positive for West Nile Virus in Worcester County, and no cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE or “Triple-E”) have been reported. Hemphill said, to stay ahead of that issue, she has asked for the area to be sprayed prior to the event.

            The Annual Marion Town Party will be held on Saturday, July 26 with a rain date of Sunday, July 27 at Silvershell Beach. The next meeting of the Marion Select Board is scheduled for Tuesday, August 5 at 6:00 pm in the Town House.

Marion Select Board

By Jeffrey D. Wagner

Academic Achievements

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Gracie McCarthy of Marion received a B.A. in Public Relations and Anthony Steele of Rochester received a B.S. in Finance received their degrees in May as part of the Class of 2025 at Roger Williams University.

            Katherine Solowey, of Mattapoisett has been named to the Dean’s List at Hamilton College for the spring 2025 semester.

Mattapoisett Museum

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The Mattapoisett Museum, 5 Church Street, is delighted to announce its upcoming events for August that are open to the community and are sure to please. For more information on all of these programs, please consult mattapoisettmuseum.org/events.

            The Great Community Picnic will be held on Thursday, August 7, from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm at Munro Preserve adjacent to the town wharf. This event, hosted by the Mattapoisett Land Trust and the Mattapoisett Museum, will provide tables, chairs, and tablecloths. Attendees bring their own food, utensils & plates. Live music will be provided by Gary Brown & Bill Santos. Tables available for 4 ($160), 6 ($240), 8 ($320) or 10 ($400) dinners. A place at the community table costs $40. Buy a ticket for the community table or buy a table.

            Tickets are available online and sales will end on Monday, July 28 or when they sell out, whichever comes first. Make plans now to join the Museum for this festive, memorable evening.

            On Saturday, August 9, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm the Museum will host Hot Club Cheese Roll, back by popular demand with a trio that stars Jason Smith (guitar), John Birt (guitar), and Mark Russell (violin). Founded by guitarist Jason Smith in 2016 and inspired by the music of Django Reinhardt and Stephan Grappelli of The Hot Club of France, they will perform a mix of music of pre-WWII jazz and of jazz standards as well as more contemporary hits interpreted in the gypsy jazz/hot club style. Entrance to hear The Hot Club Cheese Roll costs $18.00 to Mattapoisett Museum’s members; non-members’ entrance fee is $20.00.

            Mark T. Small will perform on August 16 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Mattapoisett Museum. Mark is an internationally recognized musician and entertainer who has performed in numerous venues throughout the United States & Europe. His CD was named Best Acoustic Blues Album in 2014, and his recordings have reached the top 20 on National Music Charts.

            You will hear Mark’s signature, foot stomping blues, boogie, early rock and honky-tonk selections. Instrumental selections include: America The Beautiful, Amazing Grace, Autumn Leaves, Maple Leaf Rag, and many other dazzling, fancy guitar arrangements. Entrance to hear Mark T. Small costs $18.00 to Mattapoisett Museum’s members; non-members’ entrance fee is $20.00.

Time for Summer Clean Outs

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The Rochester Historical Society is looking for those items that are still in good working order but which you no longer want or need. We are looking for clean, serviceable items that you would want to buy, that is if you weren’t giving them away. We really appreciate it when people donate “stuff” that we can sell in order to fatten our bank account. We also do not appreciate it when boxes arrive full of things so outdated, broken or dirty that we then become the people who have to get rid of them.

We’re happy to take small, working electronics (lamps, can openers, coffee pots, hot plates, etc.), but we can’t take TVs of any size. We do take books, CDs, toys, small furniture, Christmas decorations, bedspreads and more. However, we don’t take clothing.

            The sale will be on August 2 and 3 at the Rochester Historical Museum at 355 County Rd., Rochester on Saturday from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm and Sunday from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. The remaining drop-off date is July 29 from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm. If you have missed our other dates and need to drop things off at a different time, please call 617-750-2818.

Cases Continued to August 26

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            On Tuesday,Rochester’s Planning Board began a review of a proposal for a three-lot Definitive Subdivision on an 8.67-acre parcel at 19 County Road.

            Robert Esposito, engineer for the petitioners Robert and Christine Murphy, explained that one lot will be for the existing house lot. The two new lots would also be for four-bedroom residential housing. The parcel is close to 0 Mary’s Pond Road to the rear and is near the Wareham town line. There are few trees, the lots are mostly grass and gravel, and the parcel is very flat and will need minor grading. A road measuring approximately 350 feet and a water drainage system between lots two and three are being proposed. He has sent a letter to the Wareham Water Commission to place a fire hydrant at the cul-de-sac.

            Planning Board Chair Arnold Johnson responded with a long list of requirements for when the hearing continues at the panel’s next meeting. He told Esposito the list of waivers needs to be longer. Esposito will want waivers of the requirements for a traffic study and a tree-cutting plan. The application will need to specify that the road will be private, and a Homeowners Association Agreement will need to be submitted for that street.

            Applicant Robert Murphy pushed back against needing such an agreement so soon. He said he doesn’t know who will ultimately buy the lots. “We’re just selling to a contractor,” he said.

            Johnson explained the application needs a Homeowners Association Agreement with specifics that will be transferred to whomever buys or sells the property. This will protect the town against liability when a flooding problem occurs.

            The board ended discussion by continuing the hearing to August 26.

            In other action, the board also continued until August 26 the Special Permit and Site Plan Review hearing for the proposal from Logging Swamp Solar dba ReWild Renewables to install a solar panel array on 49 acres in the area of 600 Snipatuit Road. The panel also continued to that date the Special Permit and Site Plan Review hearing for the construction of floating and ground-mounted solar arrays at 53 Dexter Lane. For both projects, the board also extended their decision deadlines to September 30.

            The board canceled its regularly scheduled next meeting, which would have been held on August 5. The Rochester Planning Board’s next meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 26 at 7:00 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.

Rochester Planning Board

By Michael J. DeCicco

Further Organization and Discipline

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            This week in Revolutionary War History, let’s discuss what was going on 250 years ago in and around the colonial Province of Massachusetts Bay.

            The best way to figure out what was going on was to read Washington’s papers and General Orders of the time period, as there was daily correspondence and orders put out to his officers and troops.

            Last week, we discussed Washington’s General Orders of July 17, where he would reiterate the importance of his orders to his officers and their duty to pass on the contents of such to lower ranking troops. Coming into mid-July, Massachusetts, 1775, George Washington is still headquartered in Cambridge, conducting the Siege of Boston for the next few months. Militiamen from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Rhode Island have all arrived in the past weeks, eventually amounting to around 10,000 troops under his command in the region.

            On July 18, Washington would thank Yankee political representatives for nominating and supporting his ascension to the role of Commander in Chief, telling the Governor of Rhode Island Nicholas Cook by letter, “You will please to accept my Sincere Acknowledgments for your favor delivered me by General Green, on my Appointment to the chief Command of the American Army – The Voluntary Choice of Freemen contending in the great Cause of civil Liberty, & the concurring Approbation of the wise and good, at the same Time that they confer the highest Honour upon the Object of that Choice, demand the utmost Energy & Exertion of my poor Abilities.”

            Washington is busy… very busy. In this time, he is constantly sending out notes and letters. Many of thanks, many of orders. On July 18, he is trying to further gather supplies in Cambridge. He asks, in his General Orders for the day, for “Spades, pick-axes, wheel-barrows, hand barrows, axes and crow-barrs; and to mention the number and quality, of any of these implements, that are still wanting, to carry on their respective works.” He needs tools! The positions are being entrenched and dug in for the long siege ahead. Not to mention, supply lines must be protected, as he awaits more troops on the long march from New Hampshire. The General Orders of July 19 are lost to time, but it is likely more of the same.

            On July 19, however, he wrote to John Hancock of the intention of Matthias Ogden and Aaron Burr (“sir”) to join the Continental Army, and his support and favor of such for the Continental Congress to award them high positions. Both Ogden and Burr would soon head north with Benedict Arnold to attack Quebec. On July 20, Washington, still managing organization and discipline, would gripe over the time of drums being played, saying “Certain drums in, and near Cambridge, very improperly beat – this morning before day; although the troops are ordered to be under arms, half an hour before day light; it does not follow the drums are to beat at that time.” He also reiterates the importance that all goods coming into the camp be regularly logged. His “Aids-de Camp” are in charge of this task, among others.

            The following day, he writes to his brother Samuel Washington, lamenting at the difficulties of his task but also ending with hope, saying “The village I am in, is situated in the midst of a very delightful Country, and is a very beautiful place itself, though small – a thousand pities that such a Country should become the theatre of war – A Month from this day will bring on some Capitol change I expect; for if the Enemy are not able to penetrate into the Country, they may as well, one would think, give up the point & return home.” Rather misplaced, but it at least shows he was fond of Massachusetts and, at least in writing, maintained the war would be over soon. It would not. The General Orders of the next day, July 21, are also lost. He would, however, inform Hancock of his intention, with the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts Bay, to raise another 700 men from Massachusetts. He was also in communication with the Rhode Island Assembly to raise more troops there. The same day, he would urge Jonathan Trumbull of Connecticut to expedite troop arrivals from his state “with all possible expedition.”

            The next few days, Washington is reorganizing officers and his newly raised troops into regiments and brigades. He also lays out the individual military needs of these men, as well as needs for transport boats – swivel guns, anchors, oars, etc. Importantly, he is also still trying to figure out how to differentiate his troops as well as those of different ranks, writing “As the Continental Army have unfortunately no uniforms, and consequently many inconveniencies must arise, from not being able always to distinguish the commissioned officers, from the non-commissioned.” He’d continue, “For instance, the Field Officers may have red or pink colour’d Cockades in their Hatts: the Captains yellow or buff.”

            These hundreds of letters per week were sent out from less than 50 miles north of us, 250 years ago.

This Week in Revolutionary History…

By Sam Bishop

Seahorse Explorer Summer Campers

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The Recreation Department’s Seahorse Explorer Summer Campers theme of the week was “Mattapoisett is Special,” and to discover why, campers headed to the Mattapoisett Museum just around the corner from their home base at Center School. Campers ages 4-7 (Starfish and Crabs) and ages 8-12 (Rays and Sharks) visited on consecutive days.

            Curator and Administrator Connor E. Gaudet introduced them to some pertinent vocabulary about artifacts. The Rays and Sharks enjoyed a walk through the village to learn stories about Mattapoisett’s history from Carole Clifford and Lee Heald. They also participated in a scavenger hunt through the Museum as Education Team volunteers explained the meaning or significance of certain displays or artifacts.

            The Crabs and Starfish enjoyed a seek and find activity with pictures of artifacts on their papers. When they found an item with their group, they received a sticker to put on it.

            All campers wrapped up with Gaudet and were given time for sharing their favorite artifacts in the Museum and to ask questions. The 1940s phone, the blacksmith shop with its huge bellows, anvil and tools, the model of the saltworks and its pans and covers as well as the diorama of the Wampanoag village were all mentioned as favorites.

            Campers and volunteers left after their visits with a better idea of why Mattapoisett IS so special.