Open Space Not for Yard Waste

            Trees are expected to be obstacles to the Point Road Path — but not yard waste. To that end, the August 5 meeting of the Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission discussed ways to get that message across to the pathway’s abutters on Joanne Drive.             Having asked new MOSAC member Deb Ewing to write […] Read more »

FinCom Names New Rep to Capital Planning

            As the Rochester Finance Committee took care of old business on Monday night, August 9, and talked out its anticipation of the town’s October 18 Special Town Meeting, its members also voted to appoint Richard Munroe as FinCom’s new representative to the Capital Planning Committee.             Munroe is familiar to the Finance Committee as […] Read more »

Emergency Repairs Ordered for Ship Street

            On August 10, Mattapoisett’s Highway Surveyor Garrett Bauer met with the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission to discuss an emergency repair. Recent heavy rains and the need for maintenance to a drainage outfall system that discharges into the harbor at the end of Ship Street had been reported as failing by residents in the area. “The […] Read more »

Long List of Improvement Projects Addressed

            On August 10, Mattapoisett’s Select Board and the public heard from Town Administrator Mike Lorenco on the current state of improvement projects, many of which have been wending their way through state and federal review processes and grant applications for years.             None on Lorenco’s list has been more omnipresent than the Mattapoisett Bike […] Read more »

Chairman: Law on Bailey’s Side

            Acknowledging the frustration of the half dozen abutters present for the August 10 continued public hearing to argue against Ben Bailey’s proposed 720-foot road extension at 0 Gerrish Road, Rochester Planning Board Chairman Arnie Johnson empathized with their concerns but maintained that the Planning Board is bound by the town’s rules and regulations.             […] Read more »

Tri-Town Doors Open to Town Planners

            Mattapoisett has joined Marion and Rochester in the market for a new town planner. A recommended candidate declined the Rochester job vacated last month by Steven Starrett, and Gil Hilario is leaving Marion this month to become town planner in his hometown of North Attleboro.             When Mary Crain stepped aside as Mattapoisett’s part-time […] Read more »

Two New Members, Still No Quorum

The Rochester Conservation Commission meeting was over before it began on August 3 because the commission was unable to conduct any business due to a lack of a quorum.             Although the commission had two brand new members in attendance – both appointed by the Board of Selectmen the night before – neither of them […] Read more »

Marion Receiving Mask Message

            In responding to Marion Public Health Nurse Lori Desmarais’ confirmation of widespread suspicion that COVID-19 cases are increasing, Marion Board of Health Chair Dr. Ed Hoffer was somewhat pleased to notice more people wearing masks than a couple of weeks ago.             “COVID hospitalizations are going up statewide; nothing like last winter, but well […] Read more »

MRC Recommends Updated Aquaculture Regs

            The Marion Marine Resources Commission met on August 2 to review the final draft of its updated aquaculture regulations for recommendation to the Select Board, but not without some debate over whether to make a tweak for clarification’s sake.             That tweak, proposed to delineate between existing aquaculture grant holders and new grant holders […] Read more »

EMC Thinking for A Greener Future

            Evidence of the Tri-Town’s good fortune in brilliant citizens, mostly retirees, who cheerfully volunteer their talent and time to think their communities into a better future was on display July 28 when Marion Energy Management Committee gave Lisa Sullivan of the state’s Green Communities Program a projects tour.             “I just go out to […] Read more »