Macallister Wins Special Election

            “I ran because people told me they needed me in there doing what I do,” stated Tyler Macallister on the eve of the special election to fill the unexpired term on the Mattapoisett Select Board created by the passing of John DeCosta.             On Tuesday night, Macallister secured his return to the conference room […] Read more »

ConCom Approves Snipatuit Road Solar

            The Rochester Conservation Commission wasn’t expecting to issue an approval for Snipatuit Road Solar, LLC’s Notice of Intent application for a large-scale solar farm off Snipatuit Road; however, after a lengthy discussion, the commission felt confident that it could cover all its bases in its written decision, even though important documents and state permits […] Read more »

RMS Fills Committee Vacancy

            Jason Chisholm was unanimously voted onto the Rochester School Committee during the July 19 Board of Selectmen meeting at the Town Hall.             The May 26 Annual Town Election failed to produce a winner for an open seat after longstanding member Tina Rood chose not to run for reelection. No one pulled papers and […] Read more »

Propane Business on Track

            There is a successful conclusion in sight for Papa’s Real Estate, LLC’s propane storage business planned for Luce Avenue, but before the Marion Planning Board votes to approve the application filed by Dena Xifaras there are still some technical matters to resolve.             During its July 19 meeting, the Planning Board’s peer-review engineering consultant, […] Read more »

ConCom Prefers ‘Safe’ over ‘Sorry’

The Marion Conservation Commission consistently took the ‘better safe than sorry’ approach as it considered a variety of applications on July 14, preferring the proverbial ounce of prevention above allowing 2,500 gallons of neutralized chlorinated water to be discharged into the stream on Creek Road.             During the discussion of the Marion Department of Public […] Read more »

Glacial Erratic Impacts Church Street Property

            Long ago as the glaciers slid towards the sea, left behind were not only the glacial till that fill our yards and rocks later used by our forebears for stonewalls, but also massive rocks of every humongous size imaginable, rocks known as glacial erratic. Think Witch Rock on New Bedford Road in Rochester or […] Read more »

Restaurant Can Have Live Music

            Abutters were again heard from on Monday night at the Music Hall, where the Marion Select Board’s continued public hearing for the entertainment license sought by the Mary Celeste restaurant was reopened.             This time, the hearing was closed, and the Select Board members voted to award the license to applicant Mike Achilles, who […] Read more »

Patience Sought in Wake of Police Chief Arrest

            During the July 20 meeting of the Mattapoisett Select Board, Chairman Jordan Collyer asked for the public’s understanding as the town works through the weekend arrest of Chief of Police Mary Lyons.             Reading from prepared notes, Collyer called it “an unfortunate matter. [Chief Lyons] has been placed on administrative leave with pay effective […] Read more »

Finning Resigns Amid Conflict

            Dr. Shannon Finning has tendered a letter of resignation from the Mattapoisett School Committee effective July 13. The resignation also ends her membership on the Old Rochester Regional Joint School Committee / Superintendency Union #55, for which she had served as union-side chair.             In her letter to the Town of Mattapoisett, Finning cited […] Read more »

Bike Path Bridge Planks Failing

            It came at the end of a long Planning Board meeting – troubling revelations that the planking on Mattapoisett’s heralded bike path Phase 1b was failing.             Planning Board Administrator Mike Gagne advised the board members of discussions that have taken place with state agencies involved in the design and construction oversight of what […] Read more »