It finally happened on January 26; the demolition of the iconic Bowlmor Lanes located in the heart of Mattapoisett. The sound of cracking, snapping, and crashing could be heard throughout the village as the soundwaves created by dismantling cranes reverberated off Center School. The end of an era has arrived.             The members of […] Read more »

            The Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals voted on January 14 to permit Plumb Corner, LLC to display a temporary sign bigger than what the bylaw allows, but not quite as big as the developer had hoped.             The original request was for an 8- by 4- foot sign, exceeding the bylaw’s 9 square-foot maximum by 23 […] Read more »

            The Marion School Committee has not yet followed in the Mattapoisett School Committee’s footsteps, which on January 11 unanimously voted to bring back Grades K-2 to school on a full-time basis beginning January 19. But significant steps have been taken so that Marion can decide to follow suit.             Sippican School Principal Marla Sirois presented a […] Read more »

            Marion Harbormaster Isaac Perry and Deputy Harbormaster/Shellfish Officer Adam Murphy have their work cut out.             In the aftermath of Shea Doonan’s pulled aquaculture license, the two have worked countless hours cleaning up Doonan’s former gear and product. But they cannot bring closure with a new licensee because the town’s Board of Selectmen wants a reset […] Read more »

            The Mattapoisett Board of Health met with public health nurses Emily Field and Amanda Stone on January 13 and discussed the latest COVID-19 vaccine distribution information. All of the news was sobering.             As of January 13, the total number of COVID-19 cases in Mattapoisett stood at 293 with a small percentage of hospitalizations, said Stone. […] Read more »

            Town Administrator Jay McGrail was pleased to report to the Board of Selectmen at its January 19 meeting that the state had just issued approval for the Town of Marion to repeat last week’s drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Cushing Community Center with the second round of shots for first responders from the Towns […] Read more »

            In its January 19 meeting, the Rochester Conservation Commission addressed a public hearing relating to the construction of a new solar array near Featherbed Lane. Eric Las, of Beals and Thomas Inc., who has been representing the project since its inception in February of last year, spoke with commission members about the project’s progress over […] Read more »

            The January 19 meeting of the Marion Planning Board was very brief, with only one filing before the members for their consideration. But with time available, the board members aired their positive feelings about new businesses in the community, and at least one member the need for evenhanded deliberations.             Vice-Chairman Andrew Daniel said he felt […] Read more »

            History was key in the Marion Zoning Board of Appeals’ vote to grant a Special Permit for the legal division of 61 and 63 Oakdale Avenue, where separate homes have existed for 70 years.             On January 14, Attorney Robert L. Perry once again appeared on behalf of the estate of Joan E. Botelho, seeking to […] Read more »

            Delayed by and discussed in light of COVID-19, Mattapoisett’s Master Plan will take shape as the Master Plan Committee begins digging into the massive task of developing a draft, a new set of priorities and realities for the Planning Board’s review.             On January 13, the large volunteer group heard from Southeast Regional Planning and Economic […] Read more »