Coming before the Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals on January 16 was architect Charles Rose representing clients Paul and Bettina Henderson, 2 Shipyard Lane. Requesting a Variance to retrofit a garage into additional living space to accommodate a growing family, Rose said the changes would not include a kitchen. Rose said that two bays […] Read more »
The discussion was wide-ranging from drainage systems to the highway department headquarters, from culverts to snowplowing and grass cutting when the Mattapoisett Capital Planning Committee met with Highway Surveyor Garrett Bauer on January 21. Bauer brought the committee up to speed on repairs and renovations that have been taking place at the department’s headquarters […] Read more »
The Rochester School Committee on January 16 adopted a resolution directing Superintendent Michael Nelson and Police Chief Michael Assad to craft a communication to parents and guardians on the safe storage of firearms in their home. The resolution stems from an incident a week before at Rochester Memorial School, said committee member Kate Duggan. […] Read more »
The Planning Board on Tuesday and residents at length discussed how to modify its accessory apartment bylaw in compliance with the state’s new accessory dwelling unit draft regulation. The board also discussed a potential bylaw to regulate short-term rentals for accessory dwellings. Norm Hills, a select board member and a member of the Codification […] Read more »
Rochester’s Select Board Tuesday focused its attention on filling the three town hall positions recently vacated by retirements: Town Planner, Town Accountant, and Police Captain. Discussion began with its review of a request from the Freetown Town Administrator to share a Town Planner, as that nearby town currently does not have its own. The […] Read more »
Rochester’s Planning Board Tuesday endorsed an Approval Not Required (ANR) application for the construction of three single-family dwellings on two-acre lots on High Street at Forbes Road but not without push back from board based on its closeness to Connet Woods. Connet Woods is designed as a regulated subdivision, Planning Board Chair Arnold Johnson […] Read more »
On January 14, immediately at the commencement of the Select Board meeting, member Jordan Collyer asked to make a public statement. Speaking from prepared notes, Collyer said he wanted to dispel rumors regarding whether or not he’d be running again in the upcoming spring elections. He confided to the public that he was a recovering […] Read more »
The Marion Conservation Commission Wednesday, January 8, whittled through an agenda of many routine projects within flood and wetland buffer zones. Commissioners mostly expressed concern about a project on Dexter Road seeking to reuse boulders and build an accessory garage. Commissioners also expressed concern about a project seeking to remove an old cottage and […] Read more »
In a continued informal discussion regarding possible erosion issues sustained near the footings of benches installed at the entrance of the bike path boardwalk on Good Speed Island, environmental agent Samantha Carew reported her findings. Carew said that the benches in question were not on the original plan of record and had not been permitted. […] Read more »
The Marion Zoning Board of Appeals held its first meeting of the new year on January 9. Two special permits were requested. Susan Billings of 17 Kabeyun Road sought a special permit to allow for the reconstruction of a non-conforming single-family dwelling. The building has a 7.8-foot deviation towards the property line. The owner […] Read more »