The Rochester Historical Society will be at the Library Christmas Sale selling all things Rochester. We hope to see you there on December 9.
December 10 at 2:00, we’ll be showing off our organ with a Holiday Organ Sing. This will be followed by refreshments. Please bring an unwrapped gift for a child or teen. We’ll also gratefully accept any donations to our organ fund as we work to repair some of its age -related issues.
The Mattapoisett Congregational Church would like to invite the community to several special events to kick off the Advent season. On December 2 from 9 am-1 pm, the Christmas on Church Street Holiday Fair will be held in Reynard Hall with baked goods, handmade craft items, including knitted hats and sweaters as well as handcrafted jewelry and other Christmas décor. The White Gifts Pageant which celebrates the birth of Jesus will be held during worship on Sunday, December 10 at 10 am with a donation of gift cards collected for needy families in our area. A beautiful Christmas Cantata by the Mattapoisett Congregational Church choir and performers from Seaglass Theater will be held on December 17 at 10 am in the sanctuary.
Every Sunday in Advent will be celebrated with lighting of the Advent candle with a culmination of all the candles being lit on Christmas Eve.
On Christmas Eve, there are three services planned.
The Fourth Sunday in Advent service will be held at 10 am.
The Christmas Eve Family Service will be held at 5 pm.
The beautiful Candlelight Service will be held at 10 pm.
Everyone is invited to celebrate the Advent season at Mattapoisett Congregational Church. Please see our website at mattapoisettcongregationalchurch.org for more information.
To the Editor,
The November 14th meeting of the Mattapoisett Select Board concerning Trees and the Main Street to Marion Road project is not a consensus. The public should be made aware that the Select Board’s vote to approve Proposal 4, with sidewalks added to the south side, will require the removal of many of the old heritage trees in the Village. And because the electrical wires are on the north side of the street, no new trees will be planted on that side of the street, leaving our Village void of trees between Barstow and North Street and unable to plant new trees in this area.
The electrical review submitted to the Select Board by Carlos DeSouza, PE suggests ½ mile of the roadway be put underground. This will not only save trees, it alleviates wires crisscrossing the roadway, and it avoids unsightly extensions on the utility poles for mandated clearances. Yes, this option should have been discussed earlier, and now that it has been brought up, are we doing enough to convince Eversource that this is the time to take ½ mile of the many miles of utilities that line our streets of Mattapoisett and put them underground?
Further down the road on Beacon Street, where Proposal 4 only has a sidewalk on the north side of the street, adding a south sidewalk will again require the removal of many of the old heritage oak trees. And while sidewalks are a good thing as noted during the meeting for the runners and walkers going to Ned’s Point, Ned’s Point Road does not have any sidewalks and we all manage this route. Therefore, adding the south sidewalk on Beacon Street does not need to happen if adequate crosswalks are put into this road plan.
Sidewalks and crosswalks, when properly placed, enhance walking, safety and access; equally heritage trees in our town enhance Town character and provide needed shade. We can have both without the removal of large parts of our tree canopy. Join me in asking the Town to reconsider their recent decisions to remove so many stately oak trees from Water and Beacon Streets.
Sandra Hering, Mattapoisett
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.
Robert A. Grome, 84, of Mattapoisett, formerly of Wellesley passed away peacefully on Monday, November 27, 2023, surrounded by the love of his family.
Born in Newton on February 11, 1939, he was the son of the late Andrew and Mabel Grome.
Bob grew up in Wellesley and graduated from Wellesley High School. He was a member of the Air National Guard. Throughout the years he worked as a maintenance machinist for many different companies including Carlings Brewery, Corning, Balzers, and Contravis.
Bob was married for 31 years to the late Dorothy E. Grome and is survived by his sons Robert W. Grome and his wife Sarah, of Franklin, Allen L. Grome and his wife Laura, of Framingham, his daughter, Brenda L. Swartzel and her husband John, of Holliston and seven grandchildren, Andrew and Melissa Swartzel, Christopher and Nicole Grome, and Katherine, Rebecca, and Rachel Grome. He also leaves his sister Carol Passarello and her husband Al and several nieces and nephews. Bob is also survived by his dear friend, Jo Ann Giovanella.
Visiting hours will take place on Thursday, November 30th from 4 to 7 pm at Eaton Funeral Home, 1351 Highland Ave in Needham, Massachusetts. The funeral service will take place on Friday, December 1st at 1 pm at Carter Memorial United Methodist Church, 800 Highland Avenue in Needham.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to the American Diabetes Association.
The Marion Select Board denied two requests for sewer abatements, one of those cases especially painful given its five-figure, bottom line.
Frederick Mock will have to pay his $11,133.56 sewer bill, despite not being present when approximately 30,000 gallons of water went through his sprinkler system at 5 Moorings Road while he was away.
Department of Public Works Director Becky Tilden, who recommended against issuing the abatement based on established billing practices, reported to the Select Board that the owner of the private sewer system had not received an occupancy permit until after the billing period. The meter, said Tilden, was installed on July 6 and despite an initial glitch that was rectified the next day, was operable through the billing period.
Select Board member Norm Hills compared the 30,000 gallons of water to what would be held by 3½ tanker trucks.
“I’m surprised it didn’t wash away,” he said, explaining to Chairman Toby Burr that even without an occupancy permit, “they still owned the property. Whether they were there or not, the meter was still running.”
Burr was admittedly torn on the matter. “We know it didn’t go into the sewer,” he said.
Tilden said an abatement would only have precedence if the inflated bill was due to a leak outside the dwelling, and that would be a partial sewer abatement only if the property owner showed proof that it was a leak. An example would be irrigation but not a faulty toilet.
Select Board member Randy Parker conducted several electrical inspections on behalf of Marion’s Building Department. He said it is a brand-new house with nobody in the house.
“I’d like to do something, but I don’t know how,” he said.
Town Administrator Geoff Gorman relayed from Marion’s legal counsel that there is support on either side of the argument.
“I would think that volume or property certainly didn’t go through the sewer,” said Parker, who admittedly gained familiarity with the project while on five or six electrical inspections. “I want to do the right thing. I just want to be fair with everyone. … It’s too bad we don’t have some sort of a mechanism. There’s not that much we can do about it unfortunately.”
Hills articulated concern against setting a precedent. He further suggested that the owner should be “really upset” with the people running the sprinkler. “We weren’t in drought,” he noted.
The vote denying the abatement was unanimous.
Parker recused himself from the discussion and vote on the $516.12 sewer-abatement request made at 460 Front Street by property owner George Linzee.
Tilden once again explained her recommendation against approving an abatement. She explained a billing anomaly based on estimated bills from two prior quarters.
“I believe that the bill was due to the two estimated bills (based on the previous three quarters, one of which under prior ownership), and this one is a catch-up,” said Tilden. “I did say I’d bring it forward. … I don’t recommend (approving an abatement) because we would need a reason. Tilden further explained that consumption was running high on both meters, the one in place and the one that replaced it to test.
The board held a shorter meeting on November 21.
Among the board’s actions was the approval of a Water/Sewer commitment for $3,332.27 (final readings November 13.)
Gorman was excited to promote the Old Rochester Regional Unified Basketball Team’s fundraiser game against Tri-Town Police and Fire personnel, which was to follow the meeting at the high school gym.
Other events coming up include the Senior Dinner scheduled for Saturday, December 2, at 12:00 pm at the Cushing Community Center. Prior registration was required, as was the case for the Marion Police Brotherhood’s “Pizza with Santa” event on Sunday, December 3, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, also at the community center.
At both events, new, unwrapped toy donations will be accepted for the annual “Fill a Cruiser” drive.
In other actions made on Tuesday, the Select Board approved the Beverly Yacht Club’s request for a change of officers and postponed the appointment of a police officer at Chief Richard Nighelli’s request. The matter will be taken up at the board’s December 19 meeting.
The board closed the public session of Tuesday’s meeting and entered executive session to strategize for negotiations nonunion personnel in the Marion Fire Department and the harbormaster and also with respect to litigation with Marion Golf Club.
The next meeting of the Marion Select Board is scheduled for Tuesday, December 5, at 5:00 pm at the Cushing Community Center, where the Board of Assessors will also appear for the town’s annual tax-classification public hearing. Immediately following the meeting will be the town employees’ holiday party.
Marion Select Board
By Mick Colageo
Indoor Holiday Book Sale December 2 to December 23. Find great gifts for the whole family at our annual holiday book sale at the Elizabeth Taber Library. Get books, puzzles, DVDS, games, library T-shirts and raffle tickets to an array of prize baskets.
We are now accepting donations for our holiday book sale. Please only donate books in giftable condition, puzzles and games in original boxes with no missing pieces, DVDs in original cases with no missing discs, and vinyl records in their original sleeves. The library does not accept text books, VHS tapes, music CDs, or damaged or stained materials, or materials that have been written in or have highlighted passages.
3D printed holiday ornament kits – Available starting December 4. Convert drawings into 3D printed holiday ornaments. Makes a unique holiday keepsake. Pick up a kit with instructions and materials and return your design to the library to be printed. View the website for more details.
Krampus Karaoke – Thursday December 14 at 6-8 pm. Food, fun, and music at the library. Join us to celebrate the season with Krampus Karaoke.
For more information on the Elizabeth Taber Library visit us at www.ElizabethTaberLibrary.org or call us at 508-748-1252
Superintendent Michael S. Nelson and Principal Kevin Tavares are very proud to announce that Old Hammondtown School has been ranked in the top 5 percent of all elementary schools in Massachusetts.
“I am extraordinarily proud of the hard work and results being achieved by our students, faculty and staff,” Superintendent Nelson said. “In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, with our nation’s finest public schools, the annual U.S. News report firmly places Old Hammondtown among not only the finest elementary schools in the state but also in the top tier nationally.”
In the U.S. News 2024 Best Elementary Schools ranking, Old Hammondtown was ranked 72 out of 1,563 elementary schools in Massachusetts.
“It is an incredible honor to be recognized by US News and World Report as a top 5% performing elementary school in Massachusetts,” Principal Tavares said. “It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of both teachers, students, and the entire school community. It’s an amazing accomplishment, and our community should be proud to celebrate its achievement.”
Schools ranked in the top 40% nationally achieve status as a U.S. News Best Middle School. Schools are ranked on their performance on state-required tests, graduation rates and how well they prepare their students for high school.
Out of 958 ranked schools in Massachusetts, Old Hammondtown was also listed at or near the top 10 percent in Reading Proficiency (Ranked 99 out of 958 schools) and Math Proficiency (84 out of 958.)
The Marion Art Center will kick off the month of December with the opening of its new play, Miracle on South Division Street, written by Tom Dudzick, directed by Donn Tyler and Maura Van Voris. The show opens Friday, December 1 and runs through Saturday, December 16, with a total of seven performances. Don’t miss this lighthearted and heartfelt comedy on the MAC stage. See all details and purchase tickets at marionartcenter.org/events.
Visit the MAC during the Annual Holiday House Tour sponsored by the Sippican Women’s Club on Saturday, December 9. The MAC will have extended hours from 10 am-5 pm. Shop for unique, one-of-a-kind gifts and artwork from the current gallery exhibition, Small Works + Holiday Shop. Artworks are all under 14 inches, and the shop features a curated selection of handmade goods, such as jewelry, textiles, ceramics, woodworks and more. All pieces may be immediately removed from the galleries upon purchase for this cash and carry show.
Guests will have another opportunity to shop and join the MAC festivities during the Marion Holiday Stroll on Sunday, December 10 from 3:30-5:30 pm. Take your own fun family photos, pet portraits and selfies in the MAC’s winter wonderland igloo. Use your new photos for a fun holiday greeting card. Tag the MAC or check in on social media to get a free glitter tattoo from the Glitter Witches, who will be on site from 4:00-5:00 pm. The Marion Art Center is located at 80 Pleasant Street in Marion. All are welcome.
Looking for the perfect gift? The Marion Art Center now offers gift cards. Gift cards can be purchased for any amount and used for anything at the MAC including artwork, tuition for classes, memberships, concert or play tickets, and more. They make great stocking stuffers, birthday presents, and are the perfect gifts for those hard-to-shop-for folks in your life. Give the gift of art.
Stay tuned for the MAC’s 2024 season. The first gallery show of the year, the Winter Members’ Show, will open on Saturday, January 13, with an opening reception scheduled 3:00-5:00 pm. All MAC members are invited to enter up to two pieces each and should plan to deliver works to the MAC on Saturday, January 6 between 10 am-2 pm or Tuesday, January 9 between 10 am-4 pm. To learn more, visit marionartcenter.org/on-exhibit. The MAC will close for the season on Saturday, December 16, and office hours will resume on Wednesday, January 3. See all events and programs at marionartcenter.org.
Wings of History with the Marion Natural History Museum community group. On November 29, from 10:30 to 11:30 am, please join us in crafting a distinctive butterfly mobile for the museum. We will be drawing inspiration from the detailed illustrations of Maria Sibylla Merian. In this workshop, participants will combine historical accuracy with modern design to produce a captivating display that will hang above our antique butterfly case. Together, we’ll recreate life-sized butterflies, capturing the essence of their natural movement. Be part of this collaborative effort where art, history, and science converge. No prior art experience required. To RSVP, please go to the museum’s website: www.marionmuseum.org/login.
On Wednesday, November 29 from 3:30 to 4:30 the Marion Natural History Museum afterschool group will design their own perfect watershed. Let’s build mountains, lakes, rivers, houses and farms in our stream table and explore what happens when you add water. Participants will get a little messy, so please dress accordingly. To register, please go to the museum’s website: www.marionmuseum.org.
Polly-Ann (Cotter) Mort, 89, died peacefully at the Mattapoisett home she loved on Thanksgiving morning.
Polly-Ann was an amazing person whose love for her family and thoughtfulness towards others were central to her life. She loved having the family together. She hosted holiday dinners with a house full of people until she was 81 years old and notably, the last holiday dinner she cooked may have been the most delicious one ever. She truly was the backbone and guiding light of our family.
Polly-Ann was active in Mattapoisett having served as the Guidance Secretary & Registrar at Old Rochester and worked at Town Hall. She is a past board member of the Council on Aging and the TriCounty Music Association. She and her husband were previous co-owners of the Harbor Beach Club. She was a member of Grace Episcopal Church where she previously served on several committees. Polly-Ann graduated from Lasalle University.
Polly-Ann is survived by her daughters Joanna Robbins and her husband Tom and Polly Mac Donald and her partner, Bruce Farrington as well as her beloved six grandchildren and great granddaughter. She is sadly pre-deceased by her husband, John, and her two sons, Jonathan and David. She is survived by her siblings, Suzanne Gulbranson and her husband Gary and her brother, Charles Cotter and his partner, Marilyn Saint Aubin. She was predeceased by her parents, Harold and Anne Cotter and her siblings, Mary-Lou McNair, James and Peter Cotter.
Prior to passing, Polly-Ann left written thoughts, something for us to consider. “I want you all to remember, life is not about living forever. It’s about making the journey count. I hope you all have a great journey.”
A wake will be held on Thursday, November 30, 2023 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett 50 County Rd. Rt. 6, Mattapoisett. Her funeral service will be held on Friday, December 1, 2023 at 11:00 am in Grace Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers and in memory of Polly-Ann, the family asks that you perform a simple act of kindness for someone else. For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
