Variance Granted for Garage Construction

Long-time Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals member Davis Sullivan sat on the other side of the meeting room table on July 10 as he asked the panel to approve his variance request to allow the construction of a detached garage at 6 Union Church Terrace.             The board granted Sullivan a variance of the 40-foot […] Read more »

Mattapoisett Year End Transfers

“That’s a wrap,” as they say, as Mattapoisett’s fiscal year came to an end. The total amount being shifted from saving realized when employee group health enjoyed a savings of $323,500. The transfers are in accordance with Chapter 44, Section 33B of the Massachusetts General laws.             The transfers were as follows: $50,000 to cover […] Read more »

Island Warf Park Lacks Parking Enforcement

The Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission (OSAC) met briefly via Zoom on July 3 but covered some important topics, mostly regarding use of Island Wharf Park.             Member Norm Hills said two years ago, the wharf area’s jurisdiction was transferred over to the Marine Commission. However, the use of the wharf has expanded to parking for […] Read more »

North Street Farmstand Site Plan OK’d

            Farmer Mike King returned to the Mattapoisett Planning Board on July 7 having submitted a packet of requested documentation for the board at the previous meeting. On this night, the board was now prepared to render a decision regarding the site plan. The review was requested by King in his efforts to gain municipal […] Read more »

Solar Array Vote Delayed

TheRochester Planning Board met briefly Tuesday to continue until its next meeting the Special Permit and Site Plan Review hearing for the proposal from Logging Swamp Solar dba ReWild Renewables to install a solar panel array on 49 acres in the area of 600 Snipatuit Road, a property located within a Residential-Agricultural District and partially […] Read more »

Zoning Board of Appeals Approves Three

The Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals met on June 26 and approved three Special Permit Requests.             The request for a Special Permit at the 420 Cove Road property owned by James D. Pierre for the construction of the new house in a flood zone with flood zone compliant foundation and connections to town water […] Read more »

Zoning Board Upset Over Multiuse Decision

The Marion Planning Board on Monday met briefly and expressed concern about the Zoning Board of Appeals’ (ZBA) split decision to allow an industrial building to turn into housing – Sippican Holdings LLC at 14 Barnabas Road.             Board members at the Police Station meeting room acknowledged that the ZBA can issue a variance if […] Read more »

Car Dealer License Approved Amid Concerns

            Facing a roomful of concerned abutters voicing their concerns, Rochester’s Select Board Monday approved a Class II Used Car Dealers License for Briggs Hobby Barn, which stores and repairs collectible automobiles, trucks, and other motor vehicles at 618 New Bedford Road on land within the historic district.             The expansive, two-building business owned by […] Read more »

Funding Approved for Snow Shortfall, Dock Repairs

The Marion Finance Committee at its June 25 meeting approved three Reserve Fund transfers to help three different departments pay for unexpected expenses in Fiscal Year 2025.             With a winter that did not bring much snow, a request from the Department of Public Works for $3,495 for snow removal drew some questions from Finance […] Read more »

Solar Development Worries Abutters

Rochester’s Conservation Commission began its meeting Tuesday by swiftly endorsing the Notice of Intent application to build a single-family home within the 100-foot buffer zone at 28 Marion Road with a Positive Order of Conditions. This first agenda item of the night was approved quickly because the commission had received what it lacked from petitioner […] Read more »