'The Codfather' connection has led to headaches at Hawthorne Country Club, realtor claims

DARTMOUTH — Over 10 months after the May 7, 2023 fire that reduced the Hawthorne Country Club building in Dartmouth to a burnt ruin, Jeffrey Hathaway — realtor and husband of the current owner — says its prospective buyer remains under agreement to purchase the property. And while it remains unclear what the outcome of that buyer's proposal for the site will be, Hathaway says seeing the property change hands will be a relief.

"It will be nice to finally get this project sold," he said. "The amount of vandalism before and even after the fire has to stop."

According to records at the Bristol County Registry of Deeds in New Bedford, the deed to the Hawthorne Country Club property at 970 Tucker Rd. changed hands to Bliss Investors, LLC in January 2021. Hathaway's wife, Ivonilde (Rafael) Hathaway — daughter of indicted former fishing mogul Carlos Rafael — is listed as agent for the LLC. Jeffrey Hathaway noted Bliss Investors, LLC is also managed by his wife's sister, Stephanie (Rafael) DeMello.

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"There is a need for 55 and over [housing] in Dartmouth," said Jeffrey Hathaway, who works as a realtor for Seaport Realty Inc., the firm handling the property's sale.

"It will be a great place for this type of development and will bring in a great tax revenue to the town," he said, also adding that the age restriction means the development "will not be a burden to the school system."

Jeffrey Hathaway said the property has been under agreement to be purchased by development firm Toll Brothers for $3 million since around last April, the proposed housing project being that company's endeavor. He said he's currently awaiting word from town officials on the status of a water treatment study town officials had said was in the works, the findings of which would play a role in their decision. Dartmouth officials had also mentioned a zoning change may be needed for 55+ housing to be developed at the site, Jeffrey Hathaway said.

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In the meantime, Jeffrey Hathaway says he hopes the town will consider the benefit such a project will bring, "especially for those that want to downsize and still remain in Dartmouth."

Town: Toll Brothers 'refining' project details

According to Dartmouth Communications Coordinator Magnolia McComish, as of Wednesday, Toll Brothers had yet to submit formal plans to the town, and it was not expected to come before the upcoming Spring Town Meeting in June. Toll Brothers last presented their "proposed concept to relevant department heads in late November," McComish wrote in an email.

"The concept from the Toll Brothers is still in the concept development phase," McComish said. "Toll Brothers have been working on refining the proposed development project in response to the feedback they received during that presentation and will bring the project back before Planning to finalize the review process.

"It is possible that in the progression of the project it may come before the Zoning Board of Appeals, among other departments."

When it came to the sewer study, McComish was not able to provide an update in time for this publishing.

When asked for any status updates on the company's project proposal, Toll Brothers Public Relations and Social Media Director Andrea Meck wrote in an email "unfortunately, it is too early in the process to share community details...."

Hathaway: Family has been 'dragged through the mud' since country club fire

When it comes to the vandalism at the property, Jeffrey Hathaway claims that, as well as other mistreatment he says his family has been subject to, to his father-in-law simply being who he is. Carlos Rafael was released from prison in March 2021 after a 46-month sentence for illegal fishing practices. The story made national headlines and drew the attention of documentary filmmakers, including those behind the Netflix docuseries "Rotten" in 2018.

"Boarding up windows every week has turned into a full time job," Jeffrey Hathaway said, noting the burned clubhouse building still stands on the property as the fire investigation continues. He also said his wife has been "verbally attacked" on social media over a "conspiracy theory."

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"Our family has been dragged through the mud over this place," he said. "Carlos has received his fair share of hate mail, but he has paid his debt to society and owes nothing to nobody."

Tips still sought in fire investigation

Mass. Department of Fire Services Public Information Officer Jake Wark said, "as a matter of practice," he was unable to share details about how the investigation is going, or what led investigators to deem the fire "suspicious," but reminds the public that any information they may have would still be helpful.

"The case is still open, and we ask anyone with information to share it with the Arson Watch Reward Program Hotline at 1-800-682-9229. Tipsters may remain anonymous if they wish," Wark wrote in an email.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Revised 55+ housing proposal for Hawthorne Country Club in the works