Farmer Mike King has been attempting to secure municipal approval(s) to open the now-closed farmstand on North Street using the Dover Amendment. In part, the Dover Amendment law exempts “agricultural, religious, and educational uses from certain zoning restrictions. By limiting what zoning requirements apply to land and structures that hold these uses, the Dover […] Read more »
Rochester’s Park Commission focused its meeting Monday on spending the remainder of its funds for FY25 before the new fiscal year, FY26, starts on July 1. The commission approved spending $4,999 to replace 150 feet of fencing at Gifford Park with a durable vinyl one. Next, the board granted another $2,980.12 to start fertilizing […] Read more »
Rochester Affordable Housing, Inc. (RAHI) hosted a June 30 informational workshop on Massachusetts’ new law allowing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU’s) by right on residential properties across the commonwealth at the Council on Aging Senior Center. The goal was to answer Rochester residents’ questions on what this new law means to them and settle their […] Read more »
The Conservation Commission at its June 25 meeting endorsed a project initiated by the Sippican Lands Trust (SLT) that will use herbicides at the Brainard Marsh to target what the trust calls one of the worst invasive species – phragmites. The commission applauded the effort and acknowledged that the effort will help restore the […] Read more »
The Town of Rochester almost dropped its long-held municipal insurance policy with the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association (MIIA) to pay lower premium rates with another company. But MIIA’s lower bid over the weekend preserved the status quo. Last Thursday, the Select Board met with representatives of that other agency, the Sylvia Group, whose clients include […] Read more »
The Old Rochester Regional Joint School Committee met on June 12 for a public meeting between Marion, Mattapoisett, and Rochester elected committee members and ORR Administration. Following the recent end of the academic year, the air was positive, and attendees were excited for a deserved break and prep-time for the coming school year. […] Read more »
The Marion Resources Commission conducted 10 successful harbor rescues in the month of June alone, according to Harbormaster Adam Murphy. “Last week we pulled three people out of the water and three people out of the boats,” Murphy said at the June 17 meeting.” He added, “There have been a lot of people who […] Read more »
It’s a seaside community, and with the beauty comes the issues associated with coastal erosion. The June 23 meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission found the commissioners exploring the technicalities of waterfront modifications along oceanfront and barrier-beach locations. Coming before the commission was Dave Davignon of Schneider, Davignon & Leone Inc., representing property owners […] Read more »
The June 24 meeting of the Mattapoisett Select Board included the board members meeting with the two finalists, Marissa Hughes and Sandra Soutter, who were vying for the soon-to-be-vacated position of Recreation Director. Each candidate was given the opportunity to share their professional and relevant backgrounds as well as asking the board any questions that […] Read more »
The Marion Marine Resources Commission (MRC), at its own public meeting last week, discussed how there is not enough parking for boaters at Island Wharf and the adjacent open space property. Some who attended the June 17 public meeting of the Marion Select Board complained of the opposite: not enough parking for non-boaters in […] Read more »