Marion residents will still be able to see the harbor at Island Wharf, based on a revised design for the proposed Maritime Center that was presented on April 26 during a special meeting of the Marion Board of Selectmen via Zoom.             In substantial contrast to the original design presented to over 100 attendees in the […] Read more »

            Although the Town of Marion amended a bylaw in 2020 to require all new construction septic upgrades to exceed Title 5 compliance and include approved denitrification technology, a tie-in to town sewer, when possible, is much preferred, according to Conservation Commission Chairman Shaun Walsh.             In its April 14 meeting, the commission heard a […] Read more »

            The April 15 meeting of the Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals was not chockablock full, nor did it feature more than one case. But the case before the ZBA members would be a bit tricky given the L-shaped lot in question with an existing watermain easement running through the middle.             The variance and […] Read more »

            Marion Harbormaster Isaac Perry told the Marine Resources Commission on April 19 that he is troubled by the Harbormaster Department’s rising indirect costs, which he estimated to top out at $188,000 for Fiscal Year 2020. He asked that the item be included for discussion on the MRC’s May 17 meeting agenda.             Alluding to […] Read more »

            Brian Grady of G.A.F. Engineering, Inc. came before the Rochester Conservation Commission on April 20 to discuss a Notice of Intent filing brought forth by Ben Bailey. The proposed work would see the construction of a 700-foot roadway to provide access to a single-family house lot. Though the project is still in the application […] Read more »

            Following the April 7 meeting of the Mattapoisett Finance Committee, which included a financial presentation from Old Rochester Regional Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Howie Barber and Superintendent Mike Nelson, the April 14 meeting returned to the subject of school budgets.             “The school numbers were very disturbing,” began FinCom Chairman Pat Donoghue, […] Read more »

            According to the Marion Board of Health on April 20, Animal Control Officer Sue Connor has received a record number of resident phone calls reporting wild animal sightings.             The discussion over the impending annual oral rabies vaccine distribution kicked off the conversation.             Public Health Nurse Lori Desmarais said that during this spring […] Read more »

            Flanked by engineer Bob Collucio and installer Troy Phillips, applicant Dena Xifaras presented a well-organized proposal on April 20 before the Marion Board of Selectmen that is meant to eventually yield a special permit to operate a propane storage business at Luce Avenue.             But Xifaras’ application was met with stern opposition from abutter […] Read more »

            Coming before the Mattapoisett Board of Health on April 14, Public Health Nurse Emily Field provided an update on what has clearly changed our social culture – the COVID-19 pandemic.             Field began her comments by saying that Mattapoisett is in the yellow zone, which translates to a 3-percent positivity rating over a 10-day […] Read more »

            The warrant articles for the Rochester Annual Town Meeting got the seal of approval from both the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee during the former’s hybrid meeting held on April 20. Town Meeting will be held Monday, May 24, at 7:00 pm at Rochester Memorial School.             After the public hearing was […] Read more »