Toll Brothers Plans Progress

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            The Marion Conservation Commission took no issue with the Toll Brothers Inc. proposed 48-unit condominium development at the November 5 Conservation Commission meeting at the town police station conference room.

            At the previous hearing on October 22, TBI representatives Mark Bambauk and Jeff Heidelberg said that Field Engineering, which represents both the Conservation Commission and the Planning Board, said part of the property, at 78 Wareham Road, said that plans would be revised after a review from Field Engineers, which represents the interest of the town.

            TBI also sought feedback from other town sources, including the Fire Chief and the Marine Division Director.

            TBI representatives on November 5 said one fire hydrant would be moved, per the review of the fire chief, while some areas would be sloped at different angles to direct water to a storm water basin.

            The Fire Chief also asked that the development refrain from harboring gas storage on site but residents can have gas storage for smaller, recreational purposes within their homes.

            At the October 22 hearing, Heidelberg also said Field Engineering asked for wider access areas so backhoes can access the water detention basins. Field Engineering also asked that the developers widen an existing grass trail and TBI is “amenable” to that request.

            Also at the October 22 hearing, Bamburak said that the state Division of Fisheries & Wildlife determined there would be little or no impact to the nearby aquatic habitat.

            Commissioners and Town Planner Doug Guey-Lee noted that one Conservation Commission condition requires each roof to have its own storm water system but agreed that the condition is superfluous given that the development has a stormwater management system in place.

            Also on the Conservation Commission’s light November 5 agenda was a request from the Barrett family at Blackhall Court to remove an existing deck within a wetlands zone and replace it with a new deck.

            That drew new opposition from the Conservation Commission. The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission is scheduled for Wednesday, November 19.

Marion Conservation Commission

By Jeffrey D. Wagner

Nasketucket Bird Club Meeting

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The Nasketucket Bird Club will host Counting for Conservation: Stories and Trends from the Massachusetts Christmas Bird Count on Wednesday, November 19 at 6:00 pm at the Mattapoisett Free Public Library, 7 Barstow St, Mattapoisett.

            Each winter, birders across Massachusetts brave the cold to take part in the Christmas Bird Count (CBC); one of the longest-running community science projects in North America. Hear highlights from recent counts, surprising species sightings, and stories from the field that reveal how local observations are shaping global bird conservation. Presented by Justin Barrett, Nasketucket Bird Club president.

            All meetings are free and open to all. Check our website at: www.nbcbirdclub.com.

Bulldog Pride Alumni Association Grant Program

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The Bulldog Pride Alumni Association (BPAA) is pleased to announce the launch of its Grant Program for the 2025–2026 academic year, supporting creative and impactful initiatives at Old Rochester Regional Junior High School (ORRJHS) and Old Rochester Regional High School (ORRHS).

            The program is open to students, teachers, and current staff of ORR schools. Applicants must complete the digital application as directed and are kindly asked to inform their school principal of the proposed project prior to submission.

            BPAA grants aim to fund programs that enhance the educational experience during the current school year. Disbursements for equipment and services will begin on February 2, 2026, while reimbursements for materials and supplies must be submitted no later than June 1, 2026.

            Applicants may indicate if their proposal is part of a multi-year project. Upon successful completion of the first year’s goals, they may apply for an additional grant for the 2026–2027 school year. The BPAA Grants Committee will evaluate these applications based on the merits of the completed project.

            For the 2025–2026 cycle, the BPAA is committing $3,000 to support selected projects through this grant program.

            Application Deadline: All applications must be submitted by Monday, December 22 at 11:59pm.

            To apply, visit: www.orralumni.org/apply-for-a-grant.

            For questions or more information, please contact the BPAA Grants Committee via the website.

Acknowledging Veterans Through The Decades

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            The 2025 Veterans Day event held annually in Mattapoisett featured a special guest speaker. Connie Eshbach is well-known for her commanding knowledge of local history, more specifically the history of the tri-towns once collectively known as Rochester.

            In recognition of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, Eshbach briefly explored the
Tri-Town’s impact on events leading up to that war.

            Eshbach began, “I’m going to talk about Rochester and by that, I mean old Rochester that included Marion and Mattapoisett.” She said Rochester played a significant role in the history of the three towns and the Revolution.

            Esbach said a statement made by the principal orator in 1879 at the 100th anniversary celebration of Rochester noted that the region had sent more men to fight in the Revolutionary War than any other community of its size. It wasn’t a partisan statement she noted and pointed to history for clues.

            In 1768, the Boston Committee was working against Great Britian and for independence. Esbach stated The committee called for a Convention at Faneuil (at the time it was not called Faneuil Hall but simply Faneuil) to pass resolutions against the taxes being imposed by the King of England. They wanted area towns to send delegates. She said as a whole Plymouth county was apathetic to all messages being sent out by the committee. James Warren told Samuel Adams (and Eshbach quoted), “Plymouth county towns could not be raised except by a power that would wake the dead.”

            “Rochester was the exception,” Eshbach reported.  In April 1774 a large group of Rochester men marched through Wareham picking up others along the way as they headed towards the Barnstable County Courthouse in an effort to prevent the court from going into session and to force the judges to sign pro-patriot pledges.

            On April 19,1775, the Battle of Lexington took place. Rumors reached Rochester. Many believed them to be unbelievable. Thus 12-year-old Abraham Holmes was dispatched to Middleboro to gather information. Eshbach noted that he did so on foot. He brought back the confirmation that the war had begun.

            Three Rochester militia companies headed to Roxbury at the behest of Lexington. Eshbach concluded, “Put all this together and you can see why so many Rochester men would have enlisted.”

            Eshbach, whose historical research brings vividly to life soldiers whose graves dot the landscape in the Tri-Town, told the assembled that one solider stands out, one Nathan Haskell.

            Haskell enlisted in the Continental Army and rose to the rank of major. He stayed with the Army as the fighting moved to other areas such as New York and New Jersey. He would become an aid to General Washington. Eshbach said, “If you go to the Capitol in Washington there is a large painting of the surrender of British General Burgoyne on the dome.”

            Eshbach’s parting comment was to thank all veterans then and now.

Mattapoisett Veterans Day

By Marilou Newell

The Great Buoy Tree

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            The Marion Select Board passed on a chance to procure solar panels right now for the newly constructed Department of Public Works building but gave the green to a new tradition – a holiday buoy tree to raise money for a local food pantry.

            These were two items discussed at length at the November 4 Select Board meeting at the police station conference room.

            Members of the Energy Management Committee told the Select Board that if the town were to place solar panels on a portion of the roof, it would power the entire DPW’s electricity costs and could generate revenue for other town electric costs. They said if they were to do it before a June deadline, the town would be eligible for a 30-percent federal tax credit, decreasing the upfront costs from $90,000 to $67,000.

            EMC member Jennifer Francis said the federal tax credit is expected to end in June. She said even without the tax credit, it would only take the town a little over six years to pay off the initial costs. Without the credit, it would take around five years, Francis said.

            Select Board Chair Randy Parker said that it is not a possibility to pay for that in the middle of the budget cycle and without Town Meeting approval.

            Though Parker said he is not against the idea, he said there were risks involved, including maintenance such as snow removal.

            EMC members and other officials said that there is little to no maintenance and snow removal is not necessary. Citing her own home, she said that the panels produce energy with snow on them and there is no leakage or other issues on many of the arrays on residential homes.

            Select Board members John Hoagland and Norman Hills spoke in favor of it, saying it would help the town financially.

            “We all know the cost of electricity is going up and it is not going to change. We know the sun is going to be there and it’s not going to change,” Hoagland said, adding it would be a legacy for town officials to approve this project, saving money for future generations.

            Hoagland agreed with Parker that paying for the upfront costs in the middle of a budget season is not a possibility. Town Administrator Geoffrey Gorman also agreed that the timing was not right.

            The Select Board recommended that the EMC go before the Capital Improvement Planning Committee and get it approved to be on the May Town Meeting warrant.

            Francis also told the Select Board that the town has made over $1.1 million through its ownership in wind turbines. She asked the town to start a revolving fund and use that money to improve energy efficiency in town buildings, as well as other energy saving initiatives.

            Parker said because that request was not on the agenda the board could not entertain any vote on it.

            Francis said she and the EMC will report to the next Select Board meeting on November 18 for that request.

            Tabor Academy students Morgan Karvonen, Taylor Karvonen, and Deming Dwyer received approval for a new tradition – a wooden tree with 300 buoy ornaments on them. The three high school juniors said they have started a non-profit and have raised $5,000, which will go to a food pantry in Wareham.

            The tree, which will be lit, will be near the town Music Hall and to the left of its civil war monument.

            Taylor Karvonen told the Select Board that the location is in the center of town and is close to an electric supply outlet.

            Chris Karvonen, the father of Morgan and Taylor, said it will be approximately 10 feet high with a five-foot base. He said it will be built so it can be easily taken apart and put up. Morgan and Taylor Karvonen, as well as Dwyer, said they have been selling pre-painted buoys and plain ones so townsfolk can decorate the tree. The non-profit group has sold $400 worth of painted ornament buoys and $275 in plain ones. The group has also relied on local businesses for support and hope to have the tree up by Thanksgiving.

            The Select Board approved the project.

            The Select Board also met with the Board of Assessors and agreed to keep the town at a single tax rate because 94 percent of tax revenue is residential.

            Assessors said that the Department of Revenue has approved that rate.

            The Select Board members also met at length with members of the Old Rochester Cable Television representatives.

            ORCTV representatives said that with cable revenue cut in half in recent years, ORCTV has had to work with fewer staff and work harder to maintain community programming, which include government meetings for Marion, Mattapoisett, and Rochester, as well as school-based programming. So far, there is no plan to cut programming, but ORCTV representatives said they are hoping a legislative bill on the table will help generate revenue for local access cable across the state.

            In other news, Gorman reported that the new DPW building is almost complete and will be move-in ready by the end of the month.

            The next meeting of the Marion Select Board will be Tuesday, November 18 at 6:00 pm in the Marion Police Department.

Marion Select Board

By Jeffrey D. Wagner

Douglas Homer Watson

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Douglas Homer Watson died at his home in Marion on October 28, 2025 after living valiantly with Parkinson’s disease for 16 years. His beloved wife, JoAnn was by his side.

            Doug was born in 1949 in Bryn Mawr, PA. to Anne Sweetser Watson and L. Hoyt Watson. He attended The Booth School, in Rosemont, PA and Friends Academy in North Dartmouth, MA. In 1967 he graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, NH and then attended Trinity College in Hartford, CT. To avoid being drafted during the Vietnam War he left college and enlisted in the US Coast Guard Reserves and served for 6 years.

            In the summer of 1969, Doug moved to Freeport, Maine where he helped build Collins Brook School, the Summerhill school founded by his brother, Jacob, and wife, Sharon. As the school grew, he continued to be involved in the construction of new buildings. He also worked for Cookies, a construction company founded by Rick Leslie, a friend and architect of the school buildings.

            In late summer 1973, having just completed his time with the Coast Guard, he threw away the wig under which he had hidden his long hippie hair, and headed across the country in a VW bug to join his sister Lea and friends on a commune in Boulder Creek, CA.

            During six years on the commune, Doug became an excellent guitar player, became interested in the emerging field of solar heating, and got his contractor’s license. For several years he worked in Santa Cruz building Bill Lee’s line of ultra light race boats. Then for a year he attended The International Boatbuilding Training College (IBTC) in Lowestoft, England, a renowned training center for traditional boatbuilding and joinery. This is where he found his calling for wood craftsmanship and made the decision to move back to Marion, the place where he felt his heart truly belonged.

            In 1991 Doug met JoAnn Jackson, a native of Marion. Three weeks later they decided to get married. In 1992 they were married on Ram Island. For 33 years he was JoAnn’s devoted husband, companion and protector, and held her in the highest regard. Both being excellent and avid sailors they spent summers cruising the New England coast on the family Block Island 40, Swamp Yankee, with her distinctive white spars and red hull. Doug and JoAnn were avid birders and travelled to Guatemala, Panama, Costa Rica. Honduras, Belize, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Ecuador, Peru, Bahamas, Argentina, Trinidad and Tobago, Bermuda, Antarctica, Galápagos, Spain, France, Iceland, and Ireland on birding expeditions, even in later years as Doug lived with the challenges of late stage Parkinson’s disease.

            From 1995-2013 Doug worked for Ballantine’s Boat Shop in Cataumet, MA as a ship wright and rigger. Doug was a skilled craftsman and fixer of anything that needed to be fixed on land or sea. His craftsmanship can be seen in two hand-restored houses where he and JoAnn lived on Pitcher Street and Oakdale Ave. in Marion, on the Altar in St. Gabriel’s Chapel, in many boats that sail Buzzard’s Bay and in the Herreshoff Museum in Bristol, RI.

            Doug loved Marion, where he spent every summer of his childhood. Marion was his favorite place in the world. For many years he crewed for his cousin, Bill Saltonstall in 110s, Shields, J22s, and the J30, Arbella. Bill says of Doug: “Whether cranking a winch or undoing a snarl of almost any kind, Doug was the go to person on our boat, and he took pleasure in solving each challenge”.

            Doug was a family man, beloved uncle to his nieces and nephews. He taught many of them how to ride bikes, drive cars and sail and drive boats. He was gentle, generous and determined, never giving up on anybody or anything.

            Doug is survived by his wife, JoAnn of Marion and Sarasota, Florida; his brother, Jacob Watson of Portland, Maine; his sister, Lea Watson, of Felton, CA; his sister Molly and her husband Rick Hawley of Ripton, Vermont. He was a loving brother and with JoAnn faithfully attended weekly sibling conference and video calls for over 15 years. He was also a loving companion to their dogs Molson, Jack and Reid with whom he had a mutual agreement to take care of each other. Doug is predeceased by his sister-in-law Kristine Watson, and his parents Anne and Hoyt Watson.

            Friends, colleagues and family dearly miss him.

            A celebration of Doug’s life will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2026, Doug and JoAnn’s 34th Wedding anniversary, at 10:30 am on Nye’s Wharf in Marion.

            Donations in Doug’s memory may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation and the Community Boating Center in New Bedford.

SMEC Clarifies Finances

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            The Marion School Committee met on Thursday, October 30 for a brief meeting. Chair April Nye began the meeting by greeting, via Zoom, Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson and Assistant to the Superintendent and the School Committee Melissa Wilcox.

            Superintendent Nelson invited Catherine Cooper, executive director of the Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative (SMEC), to speak regarding her proposed amendment to the SMEC Capital Reserve Account. The amendment would primarily be that of a language change, with Cooper saying, “The purpose of this amendment – is pretty much just clarification language, making it more clear.” Another change would be to increase the maximum potential balance in the account. She asserted this was not a request for more funds, but a grammatical clarification and increase of the stated maximum dollar amount. The current maximum is $500,000 with the increase pushing it to $2,000,000.

            “We do not have anywhere near that amount of money,” she added. SMEC is looking for state funding and would need the increased maximum to have a place to put the money, if awarded. The account was established in 2015 and was previously amended in 2019, with this being the second amendment.

            The committee unanimously approved the proposition, though SMEC still needs approval from other school committees it serves.

            Next, Doctor Leslie J. Sattler, associate professor at the School of Social Work at Bridgewater State University, presented her plan to conduct research examining the effectiveness of comfort dogs, namely being the Plymouth County Comfort Dogs Program dog Norman with his handler Marion Police Officer Jonathan Tracy. The superintendent spoke of his and the administration’s support for the program, though he said Sattler wasn’t available at the time of the meeting. Regardless, the research proposition was approved unanimously by the committee.

            Next, the committee approved various donations: $1,000 from the Ludes Family Foundation for Project Grow, from eight to 10 “Thankful Boxes” from the First Congressional Church of Rochester with food items for families during Thanksgiving, two to three Thanksgiving dinners for Sippican families from Girl Scout Troop 67041 of Marion, 18-20 holiday wish-list gifts for Sippican families from the Friends of Jack Foundation, and four books in memory of Leslye Ribeiro from Sue Bender and other retired teachers. All donations were accepted with a unanimous vote of approval and much thanks.

            The next meeting of the Marion School Committee is scheduled for Thursday, December 11, at Sippican Elementary School. The next Joint School Committee meeting will be held on Thursday, January 29, in the ORR Junior High School Media Room.

Marion School Committee

By Sam Bishop

The MAC Holiday Show

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The MAC Theater is once again featuring a holiday play by popular playwright Tom Dudzick and directed by returning director Jennifer Palmer.

            Andy has a sweet Catholic mother, a sour Catholic father and an intellectually disabled younger sibling named Mickey. When he brings his Jewish atheist fiancé to meet the folks on Christmas Eve, his worst fears about family blow-ups are realized. But when Mickey, whose entire vocabulary has been limited to “oh boy” and “wow,” suddenly spouts the word “Greetings.” the entire family’s belief system is turned upside down. For it seems an ancient, wise and witty spirit who is set upon healing the family’s wounds has borrowed Mickey’s body.

            The show’s cast includes Arturo Ferreiro, Bethany Lamoureux, Michele Letourneau, Tristan McCann and Frank Mitchell. The Stage Manager is Marisa Biever, Steve McManus is the Technical Director and the set construction is ably handled by Ron Biever.

            The show opens on December 5 and runs on December 6, 12, and 13 at 7:30 pm and on December 14 as a Sunday matinee.

            More information and tickets are available at marionartcenter.org/events/greetings.

Henry David Oberlander

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Henry David Oberlander of Norwood, MA passed away on November 5, 2025 at the age of 29 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Beloved son of David and Beth Bruno Oberlander of Mansfield, MA, Henry is also survived by his brother Cal Oberlander of Queens, NY, his grandparents Ann Bruno of Mattapoisett, MA and Robert and Anita Oberlander of Rehoboth, MA, as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins who adored him. He is preceded in death by his grandfather, William “Nonno” Bruno, with whom he shared a special bond. Some in the family suggested that Henry was a Nonno-in-training, largely due to his love of family gatherings, his big hugs, and his effortless smiles.

            Born on August 8, 1996, Henry grew up in Mansfield and was an active and adventurous kid. He became obsessed with skateboarding, perfecting a number of tricks. This passion morphed into a love of snowboarding on Friday evenings with friends at Wachusett Mountain.

            Henry was a member of Xaverian Brothers High School Class of 2015. After making the varsity wrestling team as a freshman but only recording one varsity win, Henry dedicated himself to improving his skills in the off season. He returned sophomore year and recorded forty wins. Henry went on to be named a captain, earn accolades including Division 1 South Sectional Champion, and place at State, All-State, and New England tournaments. At Xaverian, Henry also mentored underclassmen as a Spirit Hawk Leader. Perhaps his most significant mentoring was for his brother Cal, both socially and academically.

            Henry attended Bridgewater State University and graduated in 2020 with a Bachelor’s degree in psychology. While there, Henry captained the wrestling team and was a two-time NCAA Division III Academic All-American Scholar. After college, Henry became an avid practitioner of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and represented Connors Martial Arts Academy in Norwood. His physical strength was impressive to his teammates at Connors who also valued his work ethic, humor, and warmth. In past years, Henry was a volunteer coach for the Mansfield High School wrestling team and was excited to return this winter to Xaverian to coach as well.

            For five years, Henry worked as a laborer in Boston Local 560. This year, he attained a septic inspector license and pursued coursework to enable him to take on a role in his father’s engineering business. Henry had visions of growing the family company.

            Henry loved spending time with family and lifelong friends at the beach in Mattapoisett. He loved cooking, baking, and digging into meals that others had prepared; hot wings, charcuterie boards, pho, and steak tips were favorites, but he was adventurous and tried anything. Often, Henry was the one to pick the most exotic item on the menu.

            Henry was gifted with physical strength, but his soul was kind, gentle, and generous. He took his role as eldest Bruno cousin to heart. According to a young Henry, his brother’s and each successive cousin’s first word was “Henry.” Henry will be sorely missed and never forgotten; this Nonno-in training is leaving a formidable hole in the hearts of his loved ones.

            Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Friday, November 14, 2025 from 3-7 pm at the Sherman & Jackson Funeral Home, 55 North Main Street, Mansfield. His funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, November 15, 2025 at 11 am in Saint Mary’s Church, 330 Pratt Street (Route 106) Mansfield. Burial will be private and at a later time.

            In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Xaverian Brothers High School in memory of Henry D. Oberlander. www.xbhs.com/gifts-in-memory

From Mattapoisett to Marbella

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Mattapoisett’s very own Julie Gallagher is in Marbella, Spain to compete in this year’s annual Ironman Pro Series 70.3 World Championship. Gallagher qualified for this strenuous, multi-faceted race last year and has been training since.

            She and her two daughters, Addie and Ansley, left our neck of the woods and headed to Spain on Monday night. The race itself is on Saturday, November 8, so here’s hoping there’s time for sightseeing as well as some last-minute preparations. For Marbella, the average temperature is around 64 degrees at the mouth of the Mediterranean. The family deservedly gets a warm reprieve from our cold, wet week.

            The race starts at 7:50 am CET, so 2:50 am our time! It starts with a 1.2-mile/1.9-kilometer swim around the town’s beach, Puerto Banús. Next, Gallagher will embark on the 56-mile/90.1-kilometer bike section heading north out of town towards the Andalusian highlands, or the Cordilleras Béticas. Elevation here is from sea level to about 1,750 feet. Circling back down to Marbella, for the last leg, the racers make two laps around town in a 13.1-mile/21.1-kilometer circuit, finally passing the finish line back at the beach after traveling 70.3 miles/113.1 kilometers through their own bodies’ strength and determination.

            “I’m definitely excited,” Julie told The Wanderer. We caught her a few hours before she and her daughters departed! In being asked if she was nervous, she brushed it off and replied “It’s going to be fun! I can’t wait.”

            Gallagher’s swim coach, Bodil Perkins, remarked that “her swimming and her dedication just amazes me!” Perkins coached Gallagher three times a week for the swimming section in the lead up to the race in Spain. She concluded, “She is an incredible inspiration and an amazing athlete.”

            On top of this race, Gallagher also recently qualified for the 2026 Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Nice, France. Another well-deserved Mediterranean getaway!

            Best of luck to Julie from The Wanderer and your friends in the Tri-Town. We’re rooting for you! ¡Pásalo bien!