Committee Upholds Book Decision

            An unsuccessful appeal of a book by Rochester resident Sandra Bock was heard by the Rochester School Committee at its February 28 public meeting.             Referencing Policy IJR regarding Reconsideration of Instructional Resources, Old Rochester Regional Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson explained that the book “It Feels Good to be Yourself” by Teresa Thorn […] Read more »

Pencil Proposal to Be Heard

            Marion Board of Health member Albin Johnson described watching a YouTube video of a beautician “scarifying” skin as part of the process of creating eyebrows to be “an eye opener.”             Johnson was discussing Health Agent Shallyn Rodriguez’s idea that pencils in beauty salons and tattoo parlors be used in this technique only once […] Read more »

Hard Armoring Denied

            During the March 11 meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission, the members heard from David Davignon of Schneider, Davignon & Leone, Inc., representing Derek and Kylene Gregiore for a Notice of Intent filing for property located on Goodspeed Island. The applicants are seeking to build a single-family home. The updated plans presented by Davignon […] Read more »

FY25 to Reform Town Employee Plan

            Rochester’s Finance Committee Monday reviewed a new Personnel Classification and Compensation Plan for town employees that will be on the May 13 Annual Town Meeting warrant and will add $19,833 to the FY25 budget.             Presenting the results of her committee’s review of the town’s current plan, Personnel Board Chairperson Kristine Nash explained that […] Read more »

Large Garage to Re-Apply

Rochester’s Zoning Board of Appeals on February 29 approved a request to withdraw without prejudice the variance application for the construction of a 1,600-square-foot garage at 405 Neck Road, which would be larger than the 1,000 square feet allowed by town zoning bylaw.             Acting Chairman Thomas Flynn said the applicant, Michael Walsh, needs to […] Read more »

Subdivision Proposal for Holly Woods

            The March 4 meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board had one agenda item, an informal meeting to discuss a proposed, eight-lot subdivision off Holly Woods Road. The property owner is Collin Labrie, 7 Holly Woods Road, represented on this night by Chris Vandenberghe of Civil and Environmental Consultants.             The primary plans call for […] Read more »

Castles Get Castle in Order

The Marion Conservation Commission voted Jonathan and Jill Castle an Amended Order of Conditions for their thrice-amended project at 406 Point Road.             Representative Rick Charon described the project as “fits and starts,” noting the discovery of structural issues with the house resulting in a reinvention of the project to raze the house and rebuild. […] Read more »

Fieldstone Abutters Concerned for Future

The backside abutters living on Olde Sheepfield Road came out to Monday night’s Marion Planning Board meeting to weigh in on Arnie Johnson’s expansion proposal for Fieldstone Market on Route 6.             Given the floor during the public hearing, some abutters rejected elements of the expansion plan itself, but more abutters seemed to be primarily […] Read more »

OPM Request Met with Scrutiny

Rochester’s Select Board Monday rejected Public Safety Building Committee Chairman Arnold Johnson’s request to hire an owner project manager with $140,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, preferring to learn first what exactly an OPM would accomplish for them at this stage of the project to combine, replace or rehab the town’s space-challenged police […] Read more »

FY25 Capital Planning

            On March 4, the Mattapoisett Capital Planning Committee, chaired by Mike Dahill, presented the Select Board with the town’s FY25 plan.             Dahill began his presentation by first stating that the biggest expense the town is facing is the upgrades project required at the Fairhaven Sewer Plant. While final cost estimates are still being […] Read more »