Updated Floats Garner Favor

            Marion Conservation Commission member Jeff Doubrava recused himself from his commission role for his February 10 public hearing as an applicant in a Notice of Intent to improve access from 47 East Avenue to the waters of Planting Island Cove, Sippican Harbor, and Buzzards Bay for recreational boating, fishing, and swimming by removing the […] Read more »

Residential Density Limits Heading Down

            Two important matters were addressed on February 16 by the Marion Planning Board, and neither was a public hearing, but in order to get an article reducing the allowable density in the Multi-Family District from 12 units per acre to six, there will be a minimum of two public hearings.             The matter was […] Read more »

State Denies Marion’s Latest Request for Vaccine

            The Town of Marion was unable to acquire another 100 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for its residents this week after the commonwealth denied the town’s request for more doses to continue its effort to vaccinate those over age 75.             Public Health Nurse Lori Desmarais told the Marion Board of Health on February […] Read more »

As Vaccinations Begin, Uncertainty Remains High

            On February 10, the Mattapoisett Board of Health received the good news that COVID-19 vaccines had been distributed to the first group of 100 residents lucky enough to have their application drawn from the first pool.             Public Health Nurse Emily Field and soon-to-be-retired Public Health Nurse Amanda Stone reported that the town had […] Read more »

Small Frontage Poses Big Problem

            Walter Hartley had a hard time convincing the Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals that it is safe to build a house on 15 acres of property with only 16 feet, 8 inches of frontage during the board’s February 11 meeting. Nonetheless, Case No. 1160 was continued with plans for a site visit last weekend. […] Read more »

Selectmen Consider Adding Town Engineer

            As outgoing Mattapoisett Highway Surveyor Barry Denham came before the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen on February 16, he reminded all that the FY22 budget will be “the new guy’s budget.” Denham had previously announced his retirement when he came before the Finance Committee earlier this month, and, as he had with that committee, he […] Read more »

Sippican Reopens Full Time for K-2

            The Marion School Committee on February 8 voted to reopen Sippican School to full-time in-person learning for Kindergarten and Grades 1 and 2 beginning after the winter break on Monday, February 22.             The committee approved an action plan to prepare the school building for educating its early learners last month, and Sippican School […] Read more »

Business Expansion Subject to Two Boards

Robert Ferreira of ILC Development LLC came before the Rochester Planning Board on February 9 to begin an informal discussion on his plans for a potential expansion of his business.             According to Ferreira, new regulations in place due to COVID-19 have resulted in a need for increased office space at his place of business. […] Read more »

MRC Begins Full-Scale Aquaculture Review

            Monday night’s Zoom meeting of the Marion Marine Resources Commission removed any doubt that the applications received by the town for the aquaculture grants forfeited last year by Shea Doonan will not yield a grant in time to farm in 2021.             “I already feel it’s too late for this year. It was [too […] Read more »

FinCom Gets Look at FY22 Budget

            The day after Town Administrator Jay McGrail presented Marion’s Fiscal Year 2022 budget to the Board of Selectman, he met with the Finance Committee on February 3 to do the same, and the message was consistent. Department heads were asked to present a level-services budget.             “This is not where we started. A lot […] Read more »