During the October 29 meeting of the Mattapoisett Marine Advisory Board, once again Mattapoisett Harbormaster Jamie McIntosh presented financial realities that would have a direct impact on the Waterfront Enterprise Fund’s ability to complete the wharfs’ to-do list.             First up was a discussion to finalize increases and maintain control over tackle inspections. McIntosh […] Read more »

            During the October 29 meeting of the Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals, several hearings dealt with applicants petitioning to add multi-family structures to existing single-family residences.             First up was Town Planner Donald Spirlet, 9 Coombs Road. Spirlet’s filing requested a variance that would grant the construction of a garage and mudroom with a […] Read more »

            The Mary Celeste Whiskey & Wine Library gained two approvals after a 4:30 pm public hearing with the Marion Board of Selectmen on November 3 at the Marion Music Hall.             The first was for the transfer of an on-premises alcohol license from 149-151 Front Street to 7 Cottage Street. Founder/Manager Mike Achilles represented […] Read more »

            SunRaise, LLC, developer of large-scale solar arrays, was again before the Mattapoisett Planning Board on November 2 to discuss hiring a peer-review consultant. Before getting into those specifics, the board members continued to ask questions about the scope of the project itself.             Board member Karen Field asked what happens to the property after […] Read more »

            Monday night’s pre-submission conference with Distributed Solar Development only yielded a formal meeting scheduled with the Marion Planning Board for November 16, but a lengthy discussion during the board’s November 2 Zoom meeting indicates that the potential for a solar array atop the Benson Brook landfill is stronger than it was five years ago […] Read more »

            Anticipating that Mattapoisett would bounce back to ‘yellow’ on the state’s COVID-19 map, Public Health Nurse Emily Field emphasized in her comments to the Mattapoisett Board of Health during their October 28 meeting at Center School that, even when it’s not making noise, the coronavirus is silently present.             “We need to realize there’s […] Read more »

            Town Administrator James McGrail and the Marion Board of Health wish to share with the community information about the new measures announced by the Baker-Polito Administration to address the recent steady increase of COVID-19 cases in the state.             On Monday, November 2, Governor Charlie Baker announced a series of targeted measures to disrupt the increasing […] Read more »

            The October 21 meeting of the Mattapoisett School Committee was held to confront mounting frustration on the part of citizens on two related fronts: There is a crisis of faith with the Old Rochester Regional School District’s lack of transparency where it concerns a full, in-person learning plan for the 2020-21 academic year; there […] Read more »

            One of three cases scheduled to be heard at the October 22 meeting of the Marion Zoning Board of Appeals was discussed, but without resolution. Case No. 780 filed by Katrina Trull, 12 Emil’s Way, requests a Special Permit under Section 230-8.6 for an in-law apartment.             Trull was accompanied on Zoom by her […] Read more »

            Marion Town Planner Gil Hilario told Monday night’s October 26 Energy Management Committee meeting that he has received official notice from the state giving Marion the approval to spend from the Green Communities grant.             “We will start completing the projects very soon,” said Hilario. “They’re all small projects, except for the Community Center.” […] Read more »