Enrollment Down, Budgets Up

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            On April 2, the Mattapoisett Select Board met jointly with the Finance Committee, Old Rochester Regional Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson and Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Howie Barber to discuss the FY27 School Budgets.

            The two-hour meeting featured deep dives into funding sources and more than 20 pages of where funds are spent.           

            Barber reported a proposed FY27 Mattapoisett Schools (elementary) budget of $9,039,058, an estimated 4.9% increase over the FY26 local budget of $8,618,094. Barber proceeded to identify some of the “level” operational costs, while explaining the requirements of state law and pay raises resulting from collective bargaining. There are also scenarios of staff replacement in particular teaching positions that mitigate the overall result with new teachers earning less.

            The proposed FY27 budget for Mattapoisett’s portion of ORR Schools is $6,484,945, a 5.75% increase over the FY26 budget to which Select Board Chairman Tyler Macallister expressed concern. He disagreed that the town’s stabilization fund, paid into by the town’s taxpayers, should be sourced to address what he defined as the school district’s problems.

            The basic question coming back from elected officials was one that has been asked on an annual basis: If enrollment is trending downward, why are expenses rising?

            Mattapoisett’s share of the FY27 Old Colony operating budget is proposed at $824,922.

            “We feel that we have been working within the financial parameters that Mr. (Mike) Lorenco (town administrator) has set for the schools in terms of ultimately reporting to the school committee,” said Nelson, who noted the ORR School Committee’s approval of the proposed ORR Schools budget and the then-upcoming vote of the Mattapoisett School Committee of the town’s elementary-schools budget scheduled for Tuesday, April 7.

            Several times during the meeting Finance Committee members returned to the matter of school enrollment and questioned why decreasing enrollment did not equate to a smaller budget. No conclusions were forthcoming, but Nelson also referred to an increase in Kindergarten enrollment with 58 new students currently enrolled.

            Finance Committee member Paul Amoruso asked if the local schools had given any further consideration to merging Old Hammondtown and Center School and asked the school administrators to come up with a plan for the committee’s consideration.

            “Just for the record, we fully cooperated with the Collins study when that was initiated by the town several years ago. We provided every bit of information they wanted, we sat in every meeting, every discussion. We held presentations for the public. Very few if any from the public came to hear it,” said Nelson, recalling five options having been presented to the Select Board and School Committee with associated cost estimates. “We’re happy to participate in that process again, whatever that may look like … I want to be clear, the (ORR) administration and the School Committee fully participated.”

            Lest he sound defensive on the matter, Nelson clarified his response being for the sake of the public record. He later noted that he has ongoing correspondence with Town Administrator Mike Lorenco and said he wishes to comment on those matters when Lorenco can be present. (Lorenco provided some of the financial figures for this article.)

            There was pushback from the Select Board regarding the increase in school budgets with Jordan Collyer saying he could not accept the budgets and would not give them an affirmative vote. Aaron Goldberg, a Finance Committee member, said, “We need an honest effort, a hard look…” at the budgets.

            Also on the agenda was a previously continued, dangerous dog hearing. After careful consideration by the Select Board over the course of two meetings, it was confirmed via vote that Rocco of Cathaway Road must be leashed at all times by owner Mark Brogoli when in the public, must be remained behind adequate fencing, but does not need to be muzzled.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Select Board did not announce the date of its next meeting.

Mattapoisett Select Board

By Marilou Newell

Happenings at the Rochester Historical Museum

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Coming soon will be our first Rochester Historical Society meeting of 2026 at the Historical Museum at 355 County Road, Rochester at 7:00 pm on April 15. After a short business meeting, Mac Phinney and Howie Smith will present a program on their research on where and when Wareham men fought in the Revolution. This will be very similar to Rochester men as the two towns were very close both geographically and historically. Mac will also share how genealogy provided information on his 7-times great grandfather, John Gault, a Revolutionary War Veteran.

            In addition, there will be information that has been sent to me by Cornelia Dougall on the genealogical background of William Sherman, one of the Revolutionary soldiers from Rochester who is buried in the Rochester Center Cemetery.

Poet, Ann Wallace, to Speak at Sippican Woman’s Club

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The Sippican Woman’s Club is especially pleased to announce that in observance of National Poetry Month, their April speaker will be Ann Wallace, Poet Laureate Emeritus of Jersey City, and author of recently published Keeping Room, her third book of poetry. The title of her presentation is “Writing My Way Through,” regarding her own redemptive experiences of coping, by means of the writing process, with ovarian cancer, multiple sclerosis and Long Covid, as well as loss and grief. Hope, love, and strength, often found through nature, are the take-aways from her work. Her books will be available for purchase.

            Wallace grew up in Marion, graduated from ORR, received her undergraduate degree in art from Drew University, her Master’s in Women’s Studies from Rutgers, and her Doctorate in English Literature from The City University of New York. She is Professor of English at New Jersey City University. A lover of nature and gardening, she is also a host and producer of a monthly podcast for The Native Plant Society of New Jersey called “The Wild Story: A Podcast of Poetry and Plants.”

            The program, to be held at the Club’s home, Handy’s Tavern, 152 Front St., on Friday, April 10, will begin at 7:00 pm, preceded by a light supper at 6:00 pm. Guests are very welcome.

OCRVTHS Learn CPR Through Partnership With RFD

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Nearly 150 Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School freshmen recently learned CPR through training provided by the Rochester Fire Department, giving students life-saving skills they could use in an emergency.

            A total of 148 freshmen participated in the annual training, which is built into the school’s curriculum to ensure every student learns the fundamentals of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

            Firefighters from the Rochester Fire Department worked with students to demonstrate CPR techniques and provide practical instruction designed to prepare them to respond during medical emergencies.

            “This training gives students real skills that could help them save a life in an emergency,” said Superintendent Aaron Polansky. “We’re grateful for our continued partnership with the Rochester Fire Department and their commitment to making sure our students are prepared to help others.”

Town Meeting Warrant Closed

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To the Editor:

            Re “Town Meeting Warrant Closed” (news article, The Wanderer, April 2):

            The Island Wharf green space is not an incidental parcel of land; it is protected ground, bound by a clear and enduring legal and moral commitment. The 1901 Deed to the Town of Marion explicitly mandates that this land be used “for public purposes only and not for commercial purposes.” That language is neither vague nor optional. It is a binding covenant that defines the character and limits of how this land must be treated.

            For generations, this grassy area has been understood and used as a Town Park. That understanding is not merely tradition; it is reinforced in official policy. The recently approved Marion Open Space and Recreation Plan formally recognizes Island Wharf as part of the town’s open space and recreation inventory. By definition and by law, this land is intended for passive public use, not commercial exploitation.

            And yet, over time, that protected green space has been steadily diminished. A bandstand was installed. A paved parking area was carved out. MS4 stormwater swales were added. A new Harbormaster building was constructed. While each of these changes may have offered some public benefit, together they have eroded the very open space the deed was meant to preserve. The cumulative effect is undeniable: the green space has been shrinking, piece by piece.

            Now, what remains is under direct threat. The use of this land as a parking lot for non-residents and as overflow workspace for commercial operations is not a minor encroachment; it is a direct violation of the deed’s covenants and a fundamental breach of the land’s intended purpose. This is not open space. It is a misuse.

            The consequences are not only legal; they are physical and immediate. With each passing season, cars, boat trailers, commercial trucks, and heavy equipment encroach further onto the grass. The land is compacted, damaged, and stripped of its ability to serve as a place for passive recreation. At the same time, the presence of heavy machinery in what should be a public park creates an obvious and unacceptable risk to public safety. Parkland should never double as an industrial staging ground.

            The events of Tuesday, March 31, 2026, make this situation even more troubling. During the Select Board meeting to close the Town Meeting Warrant for May 11, Articles 2 through 30 were approved with little deliberation. But when Article 31, concerning the transfer of this very parcel of land, was reached, the process broke down. This article directly involved land governed by the 1901 deed, land that must remain dedicated to public, non-commercial use.

            When Mr. Hills proposed transferring the land to the Parks Department, an action that would have reinforced its status as protected parkland, Mr. Parker immediately rejected the proposal. His response was swift and unequivocal: “I don’t support that.” He then moved to remove the article from the Warrant entirely. Only Mr. Hills voted to preserve the article and allow the issue to be decided by the residents of Marion.

            That decision did more than halt a proposal; it denied the public their rightful voice. Removing the article from the Warrant effectively stripped Marion residents of the opportunity to vote on the future of land that belongs to them and is legally designated for their benefit. This is not representative governance; it is the suppression of public participation in a matter of public trust.

            The facts are clear. The intent of the 1901 deed is clear. The ongoing damage to the land is visible and accelerating. Allowing commercial use and vehicle storage on this parkland is not only unlawful; it is a betrayal of the town’s obligations and its shared heritage.

            Island Wharf must be protected, restored, and respected as the public park it was always meant to be. Anything less is a failure to uphold both the law and the responsibility entrusted to the Town of Marion over a century ago.

            Sincerely,

Eileen J. Marum, Marion

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.

Ned’s Point Egg Hunt

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            The annual Mattapoisett Lions Club Easter Egg Hunt was at Ned’s Point last weekend after having been delayed a week from its originally scheduling due to inclement weather.

            The hunt brought out several hundred people under light-blue skies. The bit of sunshine had little tykes of all ages come out as they enjoyed scampering around scooping up eggs filled with goodies to put in baskets they brought from home.

            Compared to the previous weekend, weather was clear, though a bit chilly, which allowed kids and the Easter Bunny alike to frolic around the lighthouse.

By Marilou Newell

Means of Balanced Budget Debated

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            The once-problematic, proposed town budget for FY27, that Rochester residents will be asked to vote on at the Annual Town Meeting, will be balanced once and for all.

            Last week, Town Administrator Cameron Durant informed the Rochester Select Board that the $27,900,000 town operating budget for the next fiscal year was up against $29,200,000 in department requests at the same time town revenues were set to be only $900,000 higher than FY26’s $27,200,000 budget.

            On Monday, Durant told the Select Board that the town’s FY27 budget proposal is now out of trouble thanks to one-time revenues and recalculating what revenues will be available. “I am happy to announce the budget as presented is now balanced,” he said.

            He explained one-time funds are a big reason. These include additional monies from the New England Rodeo’s time leasing the 65 Pine Street field and $100,000 from a school assessment fund that sets aside monies for school budgeting.

            Durant is also recalculating projected revenues. He is now counting all local receipt revenues at 90% of expected rather than the previous calculation of 85% of expected. “No other cuts have been made,” he said. “Nothing else has changed.”

            Acting Select Board Chair Paul Ciaburri and member Brad Morse were agreeable to these moves, but reluctantly.
            “It’s not good using one-time funds this way,” Morse said, shaking his head. “We’re using one-time funds for things we shouldn’t have to.”

            Durant responded, stating this is the best solution possible for now. He noted the budget is still subject to Finance Committee approval. He noted the Finance Committee will meet next on April 13.

            Budget concerns followed the Select Board through other items on the remaining agenda. They were poised to approve new department head contracts for a police lieutenant, the fire chief, the treasurer, and the facilities manager. The board ultimately agreed to Morse’s motion that a vote be delayed until after upcoming FY27 school budget meetings.

            When Durant reviewed an initial draft of the 2026 Annual Town Meeting warrant, he highlighted articles paying toward school costs, including $716,000 to pay the town’s share of the Old Rochester Regional School District health insurance debt. Rochester resident and retired school superintendent Dr. Kristine Nash was quick to criticize having to pay this debt, saying someone within school-budget circles must be held liable for incurring this debt. “Who do we hold responsible?” she asked.

            Durant said this aspect of this debt is being investigated, but the money is still owed. “We have no choice but to pay this obligation,” he said.

            In other action, the board voted to deactivate the By-Law Review Committee with the option to revive it at a later time. They were responding to a request from Committee Chair Jeffrey Costa to dissolve the panel. Durant argued on Costa’s behalf that the panel has had a hard time maintaining a quorum for members. Durant added that a grant from the state agency SRPEDD will allow this organization to help the town with by-law review. Ciaburri suggested making the review panel inactive in case its local members are needed again.

            The FY27 budget and a 32-article warrant will be voted on by residents at the Annual Town Meeting on May 18.

            The Rochester Select Board did not set its next regular meeting before adjourning.

Rochester Select Board

By Michael J. DeCicco

Marion Candidates’ Night

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The League of Women Voters of the South Coast invites you to Candidates’ Night on Thursday, April 23, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm in the Multipurpose Room at Sippican School. Please plan to arrive by 6:45 pm and kindly leave all campaign materials outside the school. Attorney Jack Eklund will serve as the moderator.

            All candidates for Town Offices have been invited. The evening will feature two engaging components:

            Meeting the Candidates: Unopposed candidates will have five minutes to introduce themselves. This is a chance to clearly present qualifications, explain suitability for the role, and demonstrate understanding of the position’s responsibilities. Please note audience questions will not be included in this portion.

            Issues Forum: Candidates in contested races will begin with a two-minute opening statement outlining their qualifications and perspectives. The forum will follow League of Women Voters guidelines, including no “empty chair” or proxy representation. Audience members will have the opportunity to submit written questions for these candidates, encouraging thoughtful discussion on key issues.

            To confirm your participation, please email Chair Eileen J. Marum at u_emarum@umassd.edu by Friday, April 17. Your timely response is greatly appreciated and helps ensure a well-organized and productive event.

            The League of Women Voters and its Education Fund are strictly nonpartisan and do not support or oppose any political party or candidate.

            We look forward to an informative and engaging evening of civic dialogue.

Mattapoisett Democrats Candidates’ Night

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On Wednesday April 29 from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm, the Mattapoisett Democratic Town Committee will host a Candidates’ Night in the downstairs public meeting room of the Mattapoisett Free Public Library.

            All candidates for any elected position in our upcoming Municipal Election on May 19, 2026, will be extended an invitation and provided an opportunity to give a brief opening statement to the public and answer questions of attendees.

            The uncontested race candidates (Mattapoisett School Committee, ORR School Committee, etc.) will proceed first and then the contested races for the Select Board, Library Board of Trustees, and Board of Health will be the last of our presentation.

            Please come with a neighbor, family member or friend and bring any questions you might have for the candidates or just listen in. For more information, please reach out to William Morse, Chair, mattapoisettdtc@gmail.com.

ORRJH Inaugural ‘Wellness Morning’

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Superintendent Michael S. Nelson, Principal Silas Coellner and Assistant Principal

Kelly Chouinard are pleased to share that Old Rochester Regional Junior High School held its first Wellness Morning on Tuesday, March 24, in a school-wide event that focused on fostering resiliency and healthy decision-making, featuring stress management activities including stretching, breathing exercises, and social-emotional “recharge stations.” The school plans to make this an annual event.

            “Our goal for Wellness Morning was to ensure that every student feels seen, supported and connected,” said Director of Guidance and Student Services Christina Costello Cioffi. “Wellness Morning reinforced that our well-being is not just something we talk about – it’s a skill set we can actively develop, practice and strengthen over time. We are really encouraged by the impact of this year’s event and hope to continue growing Wellness Morning into an annual tradition. I’d like to recognize our Counseling Team for their leadership in helping bring Wellness Morning from an idea to a successful event. I’d also like to thank our teachers and counselors for facilitating stations, as our students wouldn’t have had such a positive experience without their support and enthusiasm.”

            During the morning, seventh-grade students took part in an annual SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment) screening, facilitated by the nurse’s office and guidance office, focusing on healthy decision-making and awareness. Eighth graders participated in SOS, which stands for Signs of Suicide, an activity that emphasized help-seeking skills and mental health awareness.

            At the same time, students rotated through a series of wellness stations led by school staff, including the following activities:

            Connection and Kindness Lab – This station offered a social-emotional “recharge” by allowing students to build community through low-stakes, positive interactions. Students participated in a short gratitude-based project, creating thank you notes and letters for people who support them, such as a parent, guardian, teacher, coach or other trusted adult. The goal was to strengthen connection and build empathy, helping students reflect on the positive relationships in their lives during a high-pressure developmental stage.

            Creative Expression Station – This station provided a low-key calming space for students to reset through art. Students were able to choose from options such as mandala coloring, free drawing, word art, mini vision boards, affirmation posters and more. The focus was not so much on building artistic skills but on using creativity as a healthy way to unwind, relax, express feelings and take a mental break.

            Yoga/Movement stretches – This station offered students a chance for a physical reset for the school day, helping students release tension from sitting at desks so much and spending time on digital devices. Through guided, athletic stretching, this station encouraged self-regulation and mindfulness, giving students a quick, healthy way to manage stress and return to learning with improved focus.

            Healthy Competition – Designed to provide students with an opportunity to engage in healthy competition in a fun, low-pressure environment. Students were able to play non-technology games that encouraged communication and connection with one another. The focus was on building positive relationships while practicing teamwork and good sportsmanship.

Wellness Morning builds on the work of the District Wellness Committee, in keeping with the District Wellness Program Policy implemented by the Old Rochester Regional School District and Massachusetts Superintendency Union #55. This committee, which meets at least four times per year, works to assess the implementation of the District Wellness Policy and to promote it, along with overall student and staff wellness.

            “We’re very proud to be able to hold our inaugural Wellness Morning, showing our students how important it is to cultivate wellness and maintain a healthy mind,” said Assistant Principal Kelly Chouinard. “This event was spearheaded by our Director of Guidance Christina Costello Cioffi. Without her leadership this event would not have been as successful as it was. We hope this becomes an annual tradition here, providing our students with tools that they can put to use in their daily lives, empowering them to take charge of their mental health and prioritize wellness in what can be such a busy, stressful world.”

            “Wellness Morning showed our students that we care about them and their well-being,” said Principal Coellner. “It was such a great event. We look forward to our next Wellness Morning and to otherwise continue stressing the important help-seeking and self-regulation tools that we learned on this day. We want our students to know when to seek help when they feel overwhelmed and that support is available for them.”

            “This event underscores how seriously we take health and wellness in our school system,” said Superintendent Nelson. “Thank you to all of our staff and teachers who helped implement and facilitate this event. It was a great success, and we look forward to repeating it.”