During the February 25 meeting of the Mattapoisett Marine Advisory Board, Harbormaster Jamie McIntosh discussed the importance of reviewing waterways fees.             McIntosh has been making the rounds during the FY22 budget season, meeting with various boards, including the selectmen, to share the good news on completed projects and departmental services to boaters and […] Read more »

            The Marion Finance Committee on February 24 wrapped up its review of the Department of Public Works Fiscal Year 2022 budget after meeting with DPW Director David Willett to talk about Highway Department staffing.             Willett presented data the Fincom had requested to demonstrate how former solid-waste employees have been reallocated to other DPW […] Read more »

            The Mattapoisett and Marion School Committees each met over the past two weeks to review the full, in-person return of Grades K-2 and to hear a presentation of the FY22 budget for ORR and the elementary schools. On February 24, Marion School Committee was told by ORR Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson that on […] Read more »

Mattapoisett’s Capital Planning Committee continued its review of departmental needs exceeding $10,000 and with a lifespan of up to 10 years when its members met on February 24.             Coming before the committee with Mattapoisett School District capital expenses was Old Rochester Regional School District Facilities Director Gene Jones. In the FY22 column are listed […] Read more »

            Having engaged in more intense scrutiny of 10 applications for FY22 Community Preservation funding on February 26, the Marion Community Preservation Committee heads toward its March 5 public hearing. CPC votes will determine which projects are taken to Town Meeting floor this spring and in what amounts.             Applications include seven made by the […] Read more »

            The Rochester Board of Selectmen likes how it’s going as a member of the Duxbury-hosted Regional Old Colony Communications Center and anticipates a renewal of its inter-municipal agreement (IMA).             ROCCC provides 911 police, fire, and EMS emergency dispatch service for six towns, as Director Michael Mahoney told the selectmen during their March 1 […] Read more »

            The Marion Board of Health learned on March 2 that a shortage of COVID-19 vaccine in Massachusetts has resulted in the town having to cancel its March 5 vaccination clinic to administer a second dose to residents that received their first dose last month.             Marion was authorized back on January 30 to receive […] Read more »

            With active COVID-19 cases standing at 15 and the town’s infection status in the green zone, the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen discussed the reopening of at least two town buildings, the library and Town Hall.             Coming before the board during its March 2 meeting was Library Director Jennifer Jones, who offered a phased […] Read more »

            The Marion Board of Selectmen voted unanimously during its March 2 meeting to turn down Diane Bondi Pickles’ proposal of a memorial bench in honor of her late husband Raymond Pickles that she would donate and set near the Harbormaster’s office at her own expense.             Ray Pickles, former Marion town administrator, town clerk, […] Read more »

            Walter Hartley will not be building a house on the 15-acre Pine Street parcel that was once in the family and recently acquired after all.             Representing his daughter, applicant Katherine Hartley of 16 Walnut Plain Road, to the Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals in a February 25 public hearing, Walter Hartley could not […] Read more »