Marion Memorial Day Remembrances and Procession

on

The 2026 Memorial Day Remembrances and Procession will take place on Monday, May 25 starting at 9:00 am in front of the Music Hall at 164 Front St, Marion. In the event of rain, the event will be relocated to the Multipurpose Room of Sippican Elementary School.

            The event will feature the Sippican School Marching Band led by Director Hannah Moore as well as The Portuguese American Band. The route of the procession is the same as in past years, stepping off from the Music Hall northbound on Front Street, marching 0.6 miles up Front Street to the Veterans’ Memorial at Old Landing. Upon arrival at the Veterans’ Memorial, the Town will pay tribute to our military’s “honored dead” who “gave the last full measure of devotion”.

            The ceremony will conclude with members of the Select Board laying a wreath at the Veterans’ Memorial. The master of ceremonies for the event will be Technical Sergeant Mandy Givens of the Massachusetts Air National Guard.

            Residents are encouraged to attend the remembrances as well as stand along the parade route on Front Street between Cottage Street and Ryder Lane.

At the Interface of Land and Sea: Understanding Salt Marsh Ecology

on

After the museum’s quick annual meeting, we will be welcoming Callista Macpherson, Research Assistant with the Buzzards Bay Coalition. Callista will be speaking about her work monitoring some of our salt marshes. The event is on May 15 from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Please RSVP at www.marionmuseum.org.

            Existing at the interface of land and sea, salt marshes are as vital as they are complex and dynamic. Driven by a number of biological, physical, and chemical processes, understanding what makes up a salt marsh, is not always as clear as understanding the services they provide. Salt marshes support communities from the local to global level by providing critical wildlife habitat, continuous carbon storage, and coastal infrastructure protection. However, salt marshes, and the services they provide, are threatened by legacy impacts and complex modern stressors.

            Join Callista Macpherson from Buzzards Bay Coalition as she discusses what defines a salt marsh and the ongoing efforts to protect and restore them.

ORRSD Receives Best Communities for Music Education Award

on

Superintendent Michael S. Nelson is proud to announce that the Old Rochester Regional School District has been recognized as a Best Community for Music Education by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation.

            For 27 years, the Best Communities for Music Education has been awarded to districts nationwide that demonstrate outstanding efforts to provide music access and education to all students. This is the fourth consecutive year that Old Rochester has received the award.

            “This honor belongs to our entire community, from our dedicated music teachers and talented students to the families and administrators who champion the arts,” said Richard Laprise, general music and band teacher at Old Rochester Regional Junior High School. “At ORR, we believe music is an essential part of a well-rounded education, and this award validates our commitment to keeping music vibrant in our schools. Thank you for your continued support in making our district a place where music thrives.”

            Recipients were selected based on a rigorous application and review process, which included verified data on funding, instruction time, participation and community engagement.

            “Congratulations to all of our music educators and students,” said Old Rochester Regional Junior High School Principal Silas Coellner. “Their dedication to the arts is the reason we have been recognized as a Best Community for Music Education for four years. We are always proud to see how our students grow as musicians and people during their time at Old Rochester. The encouragement and support they receive from their teachers creates a learning environment where they can thrive.”

            “We are proud to be recognized as a leading district in music education,” said Superintendent Michael S. Nelson. “Earning this honor four years in a row is a testament to our commitment to supporting a well-rounded education in academics and the arts. We understand the impact music has on our students, and are proud to provide them with a music program that builds confidence, teamwork and resilience.”

Outdoor Water Meters up for Consideration

on

            The final article on the warrant for the Marion 2026 Annual Town Meeting is a previously tabled Citizens Petition from November’s Special Town Meeting asking if voters support property owners’ right to install, at their own expense, a secondary meter for outdoor water usage.

            A successful Article 43 may help some homeowners avoid footing Marion’s substantial sewer costs by changing how they are billed. A second water meter for outdoor usage would allow residents to use town water outside and not be billed for putting it through the town’s sewer system.

            The Town Meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 11 at 6:00 pm in Sippican School.

            The annual review of the Town Meeting Warrant was held on Wednesday, April 29, with the Marion Select Board and other town representatives in the Marion Music Hall, where they had met the night prior to go over the Harbor Management Plan.

            Articles 1 – 5: Town Administrator Geoffrey Gorman kicked off the meeting, explaining the Select Board would be going through each article chronologically and asked those with questions to rise to the podium. Executive Assistant Donna Hemphill began reading though the beginning articles which focus on finance and budget: Article 1 was to pay town officials; Article 2 is the town operating budget for FY27; Article 3 is the operating budget for the Water Enterprise Fund; Article 4 is the operating budget for the Sewer Enterprise Fund; and Article 5 is for the transfer of $25,000 from the Overlay Surplus Account to the Board of Accessors for revaluation of property.

            Articles 6 – 10: Continuing on with budgetary items, Article 6 is the transfer of $15,000 in Free Cash to the Compensated Absence Account for town employees; Article 7 is the transfer of $50,000 in Free Cash to the Facilities Department to complete building maintenance projects; Article 8 is the transfer of $7,675 in Free Cash to the Tree Warden for the emergency removal of diseased and storm-damaged trees; and Article 9 is the transfer of $25,000 in Free Cash to supplement the remaining balance from Article 10 of the 2008 Town Meeting which was for instituting tax-foreclosure proceedings on delinquent real estate parcels. The town administrator then read, with Article 10 being the reallocation of $36,000 originally allocated to Article 14 of the 2024 Town Meeting to be now used by the Department of Public Works for the construction of a water main at Island Wharf.

            Articles 11 – 15: Article 11 is the reallocation of $50,000 originally allocated to Article 9 of the 2022 Town Meeting to be now used by the Department of Public Works for the upgrading of the East and West Wells; Article 12 is the reallocation of $61,000 originally allocated to Article 16 of the 2025 Town Meeting to be now used by the Department of Public Works for the construction of stormwater upgrades to 290 Delano Road; Article 13 is for the transfer of $300,000 in Free Cash to the Department of Public Works for the improvement of public ways; Article 14 is the transfer of $20,000 in Free Cash to the Finance Department to complete the final phase of the Compensation Review; and Article 15 is a list of prioritized capital improvement projects.

            Articles 16 – 20: The town administrator continued, with Article 16 being the transfer of $684,823 from the General Stabilization Fund to the Old Rochester Regional School Committee to fund the deficit of the Gateway Health Trust; Article 17 is the transfer of $75,000 from the School Stabilization Fund to the remaining balance from Article 9 of the 2024 Town Meeting for the purpose of funding out-of-district placement; Article 18 is the transfer of $25,000 to the 175th Anniversary Committee to fund celebrations for the town’s anniversary next year; Article 19 is the transfer of $52,060 to the Information Technology (IT) Department to upgrade the online licensing/permitting system for the town; and Article 20 is an annual article for the transfer of $100,000 in Free Cash to the Other Post-Employment Benefit (OPEB) Liability Trust Fund.

            Articles 21 – 22: Article 21 is the transfer of $2,000 from the Chester A. Vose Fund to the Board of Assessors for the reduction of taxes, and Article 22 is the transfer of $87,069,68 from the DPW Operations Building Construction Fund to the Board of Assessors for the reduction of taxes.          Articles 23 – 30: These articles are to see if the town will vote in favor of recommendations made by the Community Preservation Committee (CPC). Article 23 is to allocate $12,000 from FY27 for the committee’s administrative expenses; Article 24 is for the allocation of $153,702 to meet the requirements of the Community Preservation Act and $346,638 to the Community Preservation Act Budgeted Reserves; Article 25 is the allocation of $146,800 from CPA Undesignated Funds balance and $100,000 from the Historic Preservation Reserves to restore, repair, and stabilize the Soldiers and Sailors Monument on the corner of Front Street and Cottage Street; Article 26 is for the allocation of $22,140 from the Open Space and Recreation reserves to be allocated to renovate the Washburn Park Bathhouse and make it America With Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant; Article 27 is the allocation of $22,140 from the Open Space Recreation reserves to renovate the Silvershell Beach Bathhouse and make it ADA compliant; Article 28 is the allocation of $37,600 from CPA Undesignated Funds to Point Road Bike Path design and engineering; Article 29 is the allocation of $79,900 from CPA Undesignated Funds to install Sparrow Hills Trails and Interpretive Signs; and Article 30 is to extend the period for the completion of the Marion Shared-Use-Path Easement Appraisals from June 30, 2026, to June 30, 2027.

            Articles 31 – 35: Article 31 is a larger article and is to Amend Chapter 109 (Animal Control) of the Code of Marion to include provisions on feces removal, kennel inspection, kennel licenses, and more; Article 32 is the authorization of imposition of municipal charge liens in tandem with the recently approved Stormwater Management Bylaw; Article 33 will authorize but not require the Select Board to accept grants for easements of street, water, drainage, sewer, and utility purposes; and Article 34 and Article 35 are for the reauthorization of the Recreation Revolving Fund and the Public Health Revolving Fund, respectively.

            Articles 36 – 42: Article 36 is to authorize the Select Board to apply on behalf of the town to state or federal agencies for aid or other funds; Article 37 authorizes the Select Board to defend the town pursuits of law; Article 38 authorizes the Select Board to get rid of surplus; Article 39 authorizes the Select Board to sell or transfer taxation possession property held by the town; and Article 40 authorizes the Select Board to negotiate and enter into lease agreements. Article 41 asks the town to consider reports from town officers and committees; and, finally, Article 42 sets ballots and open positions for the May 15 Town Election.

            Article S1 transfers $219,869.19 of Free Cash to the DPW to pay for expenses associated with the removal of record snow, and Article S2 transfers any remaining balance in the FY26 Group Insurance budget to the General Stabilization Fund.

            Chair Randy Parker of the Select Board put forth a motion to adjourn, which was approved by the board. The Marion 2026 Annual Town Meeting is on Monday, May 11 at 6:00 pm in Sippican School, 16 Spring Street.

Marion Town Meeting Warrant Review

By Sam Bishop

Rochester Memorial Day Boat and Kayak Race

on

The Rochester Fire Department will again sponsor the Rochester Memorial Day Boat Race. The Rochester Memorial Day Boat Race on the Mattapoisett River will take place on Monday, May 25, starting at 8:30 am at Grandma Hartley’s Reservoir, Snipatuit Road, in Rochester and finishing at the Mattapoisett Herring Weir at River RD and Route 6.

            A Kayak Division will again be included in the race this year. Basic guidelines for the division are: minimum age 18, single person kayak that the contestant can sit inside of the cockpit, contestant must wear an approved USCG personal flotation device for the entire race, and there will be a $10 entry fee. See the rules document for all information pertaining to the kayak division.

            For the Mattapoisett River Racer (MRR) boats, the minimum age for contestants is seven years old on Memorial Day. There will be two persons to a boat. The boat must be a homemade river racer design of any material you choose. There are no limitations or restrictions on types of paddles.

            Divisions include the kayak division and the MRR open/men’s, women’s, junior boys, junior girls, co-ed and parent/child divisions. Junior division teams are both contestants under 14 years old. Parent/child is for a parent with his/her child (child under 14 years old) or an adult (25 or older) with a child (child under 14 years old). Trophies will be awarded to the first, second and third place finishers in each division.

            A boat building seminar will not be held this year, but free plans are available for the asking. Contact Art, (artbenner@comcast.net) or Bill (watlingw@gmail.com). We can put you in touch with experienced MRR boat builders that can answer your questions and offer tips, tricks and considerations for building the boat.

            Pre-Registration Is Required. Only one registration session will be held at the Rochester Council on Aging (RCOA) Senior Center, 67 Dexter’s LN Friday, May 15, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Starting positions will be assigned or drawn after the registration closes. A signed registration form must be submitted by each contestant for a team to be eligible for a starting position. Registration forms and rules may be obtained at Lloyd’s Market, at Art’s house, 319 Cushman RD or at the registration session or email Art (artbenner@comcast.net) and request the rules and registration form.

            You may deliver the completed forms to 319 Cushman Road, or, you may return the forms by email but you must bring the original, signed forms, to the registration session, or, you may return them by regular mail (USPS). If returned by email or USPS mail, you’ll get acknowledgment that they were received. If you don’t get a reply from Art, assume the forms were not received and hand deliver a set. Registration forms must be in the Committee’s hands by Friday, May 15, 8:00 pm in order for last year’s teams to be assigned a starting position based on last year’s finish position or for new teams to draw a starting position for this year. Kayak division contestants will draw starting positions after the MRRs.

            The traditional Ham and Bean Supper will take place at the RCOA, Senior Center at, 67 Dexter’s LN, Saturday, May 23, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Supper tickets may be purchased at the door.

There will be raffles for each of two carbon fiber racing paddles made by Bill Watling III. There will be a silent auction for two additional carbon fiber paddles. Also, a red, white and blue afghan made by Cecelia Hall will be raffled. Tickets for the raffles will be sold at the registration session and at the Ham & Bean supper. The winners will be drawn at the supper.

            For further information contact Boat Race Chairman, Arthur F. Benner, 508-763-2024 or email; artbenner@comcast.net. Visit Facebook, “Rochester Memorial Day Boat Race” for any changes or updates.

Patriots of the South Coast

on

The Historical Society will be co-hosting with the library staff a talk by Robert Barboza on his book, “Patriots of the South Coast”. His book introduces us to some of those locals who fought the Revolutionary War from the high seas as well as from land.

            The Historical Society will provide refreshments, a sneak peek at our 2026 exhibit and a sign-up sheet for those willing to bake for the Red, White and Blue Bake Sale on May 30.

            Looking forward to seeing you at the Plumb Library at noon on May 9.

OCRVTHS Awarded $2 Million State Grant

on

Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School has been awarded a $2 million grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Education to modernize its Machine and Tool Technology program, an investment that will enhance student learning while reducing costs for the district’s member towns.

            Old Colony was one of 30 schools statewide selected for funding through the competitive initiative, which supports career technical education programs aligned with workforce needs.

            The grant will fund the replacement of equipment that, in many cases, dates back to the school’s opening in 1975. The upgrades will bring the program in line with current industry standards and ensure students graduate with the skills and experience needed for careers in advanced manufacturing.

            Superintendent-Director Aaron Polansky praised the collaborative effort behind the successful application and highlighted the financial impact of the award.

            “The cost savings to our member towns will be significant. We are talking about hundreds of thousands of dollars saved for each of our five member communities,” Polansky said. “Just as important, these upgrades will bring our Machine and Tool Technology program into the present day and ensure students are learning on the same types of equipment used in industry.”

            Massachusetts Secretary of Education Stephen Zrike Jr. emphasized the broader value of expanding career technical opportunities for students.

            “This investment, I want to be clear, is about listening to our students and delivering what they’re asking for, what they’re telling us,” Zrike said. “They want the chance to explore their passions and discover their interests. They want to see the full range of opportunities in front of them, and they want to feel like learning is relevant.”

            Old Colony’s Machine and Tool Technology program prepares students for careers in advanced manufacturing, a sector that continues to grow across Massachusetts. With new equipment and updated technology, students will gain hands-on experience with modern tools and processes used throughout the industry.

            The grant supports Old Colony’s ongoing effort to provide high-quality career technical education while remaining mindful of the financial impact on its member communities.

Stepping Down

on

To Marion Voters,

            After 12 years of service on the Marion Planning Board, I am stepping down following my final meeting on Monday, May 4.

            During my tenure, I made it a priority to show up consistently, prepared, and ready to do the people’s business. I missed only three meetings in those 12 years and approached each one with the seriousness and diligence the role requires.

            I also served on the Board’s Codification Committee with a perfect attendance record. I served on the Marion Energy and Management Committee, helping the Town become a Green Community, and I represented Marion on the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District for five years. That role required regular travel to Taunton in all weather conditions, along with written and oral reports back to the Board, responsibilities I fulfilled without exception.

            Among my most significant contributions was drafting the Town’s marijuana bylaw. I attended multiple workshops to ensure the language and structure were legally sound and ultimately wrote the bylaw independently. While criticism surfaced late in the process, those voices had not participated in the preparatory work. I submitted the draft to the Attorney General without their input, and it was approved on the first submission.

            I have always believed that public service requires more than holding a position; it requires preparation, follow-through, and a consistent standard of respect for others. Those were the standards I upheld throughout my service.

            There were times when the conduct of some colleagues did not reflect those same standards. While that was disappointing, it did not deter me from doing the work or from maintaining the level of professionalism I believe the public deserves.

            To the residents of Marion: thank you for your trust and support over these past 12 years. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve you and took seriously the responsibility that came with your votes.

            I leave this role knowing I gave it my full effort and upheld the responsibilities of the office with integrity, consistency, and respect. Public service is, at its core, about accountability, and I believe my record reflects that.

            With gratitude,

Eileen J. Marum

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.

David T. Rocha

on

David T. Rocha, 86, of Mattapoisett died Thursday, May 7, 2026 at Tobey Hospital after a long illness. He was the husband of Elvita (Baptista) Rocha, with whom he shared 36 years of marriage.

Born in New Bedford, son of the late Joseph and Maria (Taft) Rocha, he lived in New Bedford and Mattapoisett for most of his life.

He honorably served in the United States Navy from 1963-1966.

David graduated from Brown University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1961 and later graduated from Cranbrook Academy of Art with a Master of Fine Arts degree in 1968.

He was formerly employed as an art teacher with New Bedford Public Schools for many years until his retirement.

David was a very talented artist who especially enjoyed creating pastel paintings. He loved to travel, was a great cook, and enjoyed going out to dinner.

He is survived by his wife, Elvita; his son, Sean Rocha; his daughter, Kali Rocha and her husband Michael Krikorian; his sister, Sandra Ayres; two grandchildren, Barlow and Savria Krikorian; and many nieces and nephews.

His Funeral Service will be held Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 10 AM in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Mattapoisett. Burial will follow in St. Anthony’s Cemetery. Visiting hours will be Wednesday, May 13th from 4-7 PM. For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Marion Police Department Locates Deceased Individual in Vehicle; No Foul Play Suspected

on

The Marion Police Department is informing the public that officers located a deceased individual in a vehicle on Thursday morning, but that foul play is not suspected.

On Thursday, May 7, at approximately 8:30 a.m., the Marion Police Department was called to the area of 350 Front St. for a report of an unresponsive man in a vehicle. 

Officers arrived a short time later and determined that the 76-year-old man in the vehicle was deceased. 

Police notified the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office, which is investigating the death. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner took possession of the deceased individual. 

Based on a preliminary investigation, foul play is not suspected. 

Any additional inquiries should be directed to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office.