Masks Still Up for Debate in 2021-22

            The Rochester Memorial School Committee was the last of the Tri-Towns’ individual school committees to meet, holding its final gathering of the academic year on Monday, June 14.             While Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson told the RMS Committee members, “We’re excited to get back to a new normal” and thanked the committee for […] Read more »

Wish List Includes Full-Time Agent

            At the end of the June 14 meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission, member John Jacobsen brought up the matter of the soon-to-be-vacated position of conservation agent. Liz Leidhold, who has been the part-time agent a number of years, tendered her resignation months ago. Her last day of employment is scheduled for July 20. […] Read more »

ZBA Supports Spring Street Project

            Marion Zoning Board of Appeals Chair Cynthia Callow told the membership during its June 10 Zoom meeting that the town’s Planning Board requested comments from the ZBA regarding the residential townhouse development that Sherman Briggs and Hamblin Homes are proposing for Spring Street at Mill Street. The case will come before the Planning Board […] Read more »

SLT Project Draws Rare Positive

            The Sippican Lands Trust was praised by Marion Conservation Commission Chair Shaun Walsh for its work, particularly its work at the Brainard Marsh Property off Delano Road, during the commission’s May 26 meeting. But the commission’s job is nonetheless ongoing after the SLT filed a Request for Determination of Applicability for proposed dredging of […] Read more »

Longbow Lane Gains Traction

            Ben Bailey’s Longbow Lane project took a giant step forward during Tuesday night’s meeting of the Rochester Planning Board at Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School library. All but two waivers requested for his proposed private driveway/road at his Gerrish Road residence were approved before the public hearing was continued to June 22. […] Read more »

EMC Contemplating Climate Identity

            With a number of the energy conservation projects originally identified by Marion’s Energy Management Committee now completed, the members considered whether or not it was time to expand their role in the community and rebrand their committee. The idea of adding “climate” to the name of the committee inspired the discussion during the June […] Read more »

Recreation Dept. Looking to Spread Wings

            Mattapoisett’s Master Plan Committee met on June 2 to discuss all things recreation with Mike Huguenin, president of the Mattapoisett Land Trust, Greta Fox, director of the Mattapoisett Recreation Department, and Jackie Coucci, director of the Mattapoisett Council on Aging. But it didn’t take long for the discussion to once again turn to the […] Read more »

MRV Bids Farewell to Two Key Members

            The Mattapoisett River Valley Water District Commission and Water Protection Supply Committee said goodbye to two valuable contributors, as Lauren Farinon and Paul Silva attended their final meeting.             Farinon is leaving her long-standing post as Rochester’s conservation agent, while Silva chose to vacate his seat on the Mattapoisett Select Board.             MRV member […] Read more »

Abutters to Contest Front Street Solar

            Several abutters gathered for the June 7 Zoom meeting of the Marion Planning Board for the express purpose of attending a scheduled public hearing with applicant My Generation Solar, which applied for minor site plan review and a special permit for construction of a 610 square-foot, ground-mounted solar array in a Residence B zoning […] Read more »

A.D. Makepeace Proposes Restoration Plan

            Whoever replaces Laurell Farinon as Rochester’s conservation agent is going to hit the ground running after the mitigation plan proposed by A.D. Makepeace at the Morse Swamp Reservoir was continued to July 20.             “There’s a lot of moving parts on this one,” Farinon told the Rochester Conservation Commission during its June 1 meeting, […] Read more »