News

Proposed Gym Sparks Complaints

After hearing the details of homeowner Jorge Rodriguez’s plan and neighbors’ concerns, Rochester’s Zoning Board of Appeals on August 28 continued a Special Permit Request to allow a personal fitness gym at 12 Mayflower Lane to its next meeting to give Rodriguez time to rethink his proposal. Rodriguez explained he is looking to […] Read more »

Eagle Scouts Receive Official Honors

Rochester’s Select Board met Tuesday to award citations congratulating four local Boy Scouts for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. Noah Bellesville, Logan Empey, and Reece Bethoney of Troop 31 were present to receive their honor in person. The fourth honoree, Quinn Thompson, was unable to attend. “While it’s a rare honor, it’s not […] Read more »

Flags to Fly for Retiring Members

The Marion Marine Resources Commission held a brief meeting on August 20 at the town’s Maritime Center Conference Room. The meeting spanned less than 13 minutes but was filled with some unforgettable tributes. The Select Board and the MRC gave citations to retiring commissioners: Toby Burr, Greg Houdelette, Peter Borsari, and Eiv Strand. […] Read more »

Parks Seek Doubled Budget

Rochester’s Park Commission on August 21 focused its discussion on needing a bigger budget for FY26. Commission Chair David Sylvia said the board hasn’t had a budget increase since he began serving on the board 21 years ago. Its annual allotment is $25,000 for expenses and another $7,000 for salaries. He said the department […] Read more »

Farm Stand’s Withdrawal Lacks Closure

Michael King’s variance petition case 1563 involving King’s right to use 84 North Street as a farmstand came to an end on August 21. King, through his attorney James Marsh, asked for a withdrawal without prejudice which was granted by the Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals. King’s long journey to get a definitive ruling […] Read more »

To Rent or Buy? Harvesting Milfoil

The water-choking, invasive, plant species milfoil or water milfoils (Myriophyllum) was recently found growing in four of Rochester’s ponds: Snipatuit; Snows; Leonard; and Hathaway. The Rochester Water Commission may have a unique solution to the problem by buying its own weed-harvesting equipment. The Water Commission met on August 13 to discuss this and other concerns […] Read more »

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Upcoming Events

Sep 5

7:30 pm

Timeless Tunes, Tales and Tributes

Sep 5

7:30 pm

Timeless Tunes, Tales and Tributes

Sep 6

9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Mattapoisett Congregational Church Yard Sale

Sep 6

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Full Moon Party

Sep 6

7:30 pm

Timeless Tunes, Tales and Tributes

View Calendar

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Events

New Programs at the MAC

The MAC has added two new programs to their fall slate of fun activities. Art + Pla[...] Read more »

South Coast Chamber Music Series

The South Coast Chamber Music Series offers a Place to Pause. When life moves too fast and the world feels loud, we all need a place to pause. The Sou[...] Read more »

Welcome Home

On Sunday, September 7 at 10 am the Mattapoisett Congregational Church will hold its annual homecoming in the sanctuary at 27 Church Street in Mattapo[...] Read more »

Early Life History of The Humpback Whale

On October 10 the Marion Natural History Museum will be hosting “Early life history of the humpback whale” at 6:30 pm at the museum. Humpb[...] Read more »

Upcoming Events at the Elizabeth Taber Library

Join Miss Macy for family story time for ages 0-5 on Tuesday mornings at 10:30 am. [...] Read more »

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Opinion

Summer Reading Program

To the Editor; Everyone at the Ma[...] Read more »

Island Wharf

Dear Editor, The poem below is de[...] Read more »

Mattapoisett’s Town Meeting

To the Editor; On May 12, Mattapo[...] Read more »

May 12 Town Meeting

To the Editor: It seems like the [...] Read more »

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Sports

Mattapoisett Yacht Club Race Results

Tuesday Night Ensign Races. August 19 – Uncle Fester Wins the Night beating Odyssey in a tie b[...] Read more »

Mattapoisett Yacht Club Race Result

Tuesday Night Ensign Series August 12 – Three tie breakers tonight in the hotly contested Ensi[...] Read more »

Mattapoisett Yacht Club

August 5 & 6 – ORR Bulldog Sail team joined the Tuesday night Ensign racers on a beautiful[...] Read more »

Mattapoisett Yacht Club

July 2025 Racing Series is in the books. Ensigns Series – Odyssey wins both races Tuesday nigh[...] Read more »

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Features

Renovations Begin; Town House Closed

Construction in the Marion Town House began on Monday, September 1 with the Town House functions being moved to the Town House Annex on the other side of Route 6 at 14 Barnabas Road. All functions, in[...] Read more »

Summer’s Over, Sorry Kiddos

The sun has begun its slow retreat, the cicadas are turning down their concerts, and the halls are filled with the smell of erasers and sharpened pencils. Yes, summer break is over, and with it, the a[...] Read more »

Kindergarteners’ First Bus Ride

The first day of kindergarten is a significant moment – and this year, some of Rochester’s newest students had a little extra company for the ride. &nbs[...] Read more »

‘A Proclamation for Suppressing Rebellion and Sedition’

This week in Revolutionary War History, let’s discuss what was going on 250 years ago in and around the colonial Province of Massac[...] Read more »

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Happenings

From the Files of the Rochester Historical Society

A while ago Walter Hartley gave me a copy of a 1917 newspaper article that he had come across. Just recently, I found a similar copy in papers from Ca[...] Read more »

Drive Safely

All drivers, regardless of age, are welcome. Become a safe and more confident driver. Take the one-day AARP Smart Driver course on Thursday, September[...] Read more »

Rochester Historical Museum

We have received some interesting tools for our exhibit opening on October 4, but we always have room for more. If you have any old tools that reflect[...] Read more »

Fun Volunteer Opportunity

By becoming a”Hospital Caring Clown” with The Smile Factory Clowns, located at 88 Hatch Street, Suite 213, in New Bedford you can have fun[...] Read more »

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Schools

Academic Achievements

The University of Rhode Island celebrated its newest alumni during the University’s 2025 Comme[...] Read more »

ORRSD Welcomes New Human Resources Manager

Superintendent Michael S. Nelson is pleased to announce that Sarah George has been appointed as the [...] Read more »

Academic Achievements

William Thomas of Mattapoisett, a student at Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Florham Campus i[...] Read more »

Academic Achievements

The following Kathleen Dunn of Mattapoisett was named to the 2025 Spring Semester Dean’s List [...] Read more »

Academic Achievements

Gracie McCarthy of Marion received a B.A. in Public Relations and Anthony Steele of Rochester receiv[...] Read more »

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