MATTAPOISETT — An old tradition might see a new life in the Town of Mattapoisett in the near future. 

The Boston Post Cane is traditionally bestowed upon the oldest resident in a community, and was created by Boston Post Publisher Edwin Grozier, who sent canes to the Board of Selectmen in 700 New England towns in 1909. 

Currently, Mattapoisett’s cane is locked away in Town Hall, and selectmen estimate that the last recipient was acknowledged in around 2004, or 2005, however the tradition will likely start up again very soon. 

John DeCosta and Bruce Rocha met with the Board of Selectmen on Tuesday, Jan. 14 to discuss the future of the town’s Boston Post Cane. 

DeCosta and Rocha said that they would like to start honoring recipients again, and create a display case in Town Hall for the cane itself. 

To prevent someone from losing the cane, recipients would be allowed to keep a plaque, or a pin, but the cane will return to Town Hall after recipients are acknowledged in an initial ceremony. They added that an anonymous donor has already agreed to help their idea become a reality.

Town Administrator Michael Gagne showed support for the idea, although he did share a cautionary tale. 

Because the cane is linked with aging, and aging brings to mind thoughts of death it has some superstitions associated with it. While Gagne was Town Administrator in Dartmouth, a 103-year-old woman was less than enthusiastic when he visited her home to give her the cane. 

“If you give that cane to me, sonny, I’m gonna hit you in the head with it,” she told him. 

After hearing this, DeCosta and Rocha agreed that they would ask potential recipients if they want the cane, before presenting it to them.  

When asked about why he took on this initiative, Rocha said that as a Mattapoisett resident, he felt like it is a tradition that the town should continue, and that he wanted to embrace the “civic spirit” of the Boston Post Cane.