News Notes

E. Otis Dyer Left His Mark on the Town
E. Otis Dyer Jr. passed away unexpectedly on September 26. He was a lifelong resident of Rehoboth and a descendent of the founders of the town. According to his obituary, he graduated D-R High School in 1978 and the University of Maine in 1982. He worked as an engineer and surveyor and had his own surveying business in Rehoboth. Dyer was a local historian and often wrote articles on the history of the town for the Reporter. For many years, he supported and was involved with the Antiquarian Society, the Carpenter Museum and the Rehoboth Historical Commission. In 2003, the barn at the Carpenter Museum was dedicated to, and named for Dyer in recognition of his service to the Antiquarian Society.

Mold Clean-up Planned at Rehoboth Town Hall
Selectmen have chosen a company to remove mold from the town offices’ building. Polygon US Corp. of North Attleboro will perform the work at an estimated cost of $8,500-$9,000.

Court Throws Out Harassment Conviction
The State Supreme Judicial Court threw out the harassment conviction of Harvey Bigelow, saying the letters he sent to former Selectman Mike Costello in 2011 were constitutionally protected free speech, according to an article in the Sun Chronicle. The court also said that the same protections did not apply to Costello’s wife, Susan, because she is not an elected official. The court sent the case involving Susan Costello back to district court for a new trial on the same charge. Bigelow was convicted in August 2014 of two counts of criminal harassment, sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to write letters of apology to the Costellos. No word on when the new trial will take place. Costello resigned from the board of selectmen a few months ago due to increasing business obligations.

Wheeler Street Bridge May be Completed by Spring
Reconstruction of the Wheeler Street Bridge, which has been closed for more than six years, is expected to be completed in the spring, according to an article in the Sun Chronicle. Work began last fall and was expected to take a year. The bridge was washed out during torrential rains and flooding in March 2010. Most of the work is being paid with federal and state funds.

Miss Massachusetts Alissa Musto of Rehoboth Makes it to Top 15 at Miss America Pageant
Alissa Musto didn’t take home the crown at the Miss America Pageant last month, but she can add the experience to her list of accomplishments. Musto, 21, a Harvard graduate, made it to the top 15, competing against 51 other women in Atlantic City. Her platform was a non-profit organization she started called “Changing Keys: Connecting Kids with Keyboards” that provides pianos to at-risk schools and community centers. She played the piano in the talent competition. Miss Arkansas, Savannah “Savvy” Shields, was crowned Miss America.

Rehoboth Lawyer Honored with St. Thomas More Award
Frank Corso of Rehoboth was one of five individuals to receive the St. Thomas More Award for dedication and service to the law and justice system. The award was presented at the 20th annual Fall River Diocese Red Mass last month. Corso runs Corso Law, LLC of Rehoboth and Boston. He has been practicing since 1985.