ZBA Mourns Loss of Member David Bramley

            Members of the Marion Zoning Board of Appeals were shocked and saddened to learn that member David Bramley had passed away on September 2 at age 72.             Chairperson Christina Frangos made a statement on behalf of the ZBA at the board’s September 10 Zoom meeting: “We’re saddened by his passing. I only knew David for […] Read more »

Show and Tell to Help Kids Get Used to School in 2020-21

            Halloween is still several weeks away, but if a child sees his principal wearing a facemask on a computer screen, perhaps he or she won’t be spooked by the sight on the first day of school. That, and a ton of pertinent information, has been Derek Medeiros’ message to Rochester Memorial School students gearing up […] Read more »

‘Balanced Cohorts’ Start at Sippican on September 16

            “Meaningful” learning opportunities remain the objective for the Marion School Committee and Old Rochester Regional Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson, despite the daunting task of reopening schools for the 2020-21 school year. At their scheduled meeting on September 2, Nelson took a moment to provide a “brief overview” of how the school year is coming […] Read more »

Selectmen Chew on Potential Source of Additional Revenue

            Exploring new ways to create revenue for the town is one of Mattapoisett’s new town administrator’s goals. On September 8 during the regular meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen, Mike Lorenco demonstrated one way that new revenue sources could be secured: a local meals tax. The quest for ways to increase revenue while leveling […] Read more »

Conflicting Narratives End in Revocation of Aquaculture License

            By the time the revocation of Shea Doonan’s aquaculture license got to the Marion Board of Selectmen at its September 8 meeting at the Music Hall, the license had been suspended for three weeks and nothing the selectmen decided was likely to override a decision that had essentially already been made at the state level. […] Read more »

Steen, Seasons Turn Corner in Ring Road Dispute

            The Rochester Planning Board meeting held on September 8 brought updates to the longstanding public hearing on the proposed mixed-use development at 22 Cranberry Highway adjacent to Seasons Corner Market.             Phil Cordeiro, representing Steen Realty and Rochester Crossroads LLC’s project that includes 208 residential units and commercial space, began his presentation with a basic outline […] Read more »

Planning Board Discusses Two-Lot Subdivision

            On September 8, Marion’s Planning Board held informal discussions with David Davignon of Schneider, Davignon, and Leone, Inc. for a two-lot subdivision proposed by Todd Zell for property he owns off County Road.             The concept includes two residential parcels of approximately 5 acres each with a shared private roadway off County Road. Zell also owns […] Read more »

Busy Labor Day Weekend for Harbormasters

What do you get when the weather is super fine for boating and you are the harbormasters of very popular seaside locations – oh, and toss in a summertime holiday weekend? You get busy.             As summer winds down in fine weather style, Isaac Perry, Marion harbormaster, and Jamie McIntosh, Mattapoisett harbormaster, found their departments in […] Read more »

A SAFER Rochester, via FEMA Grant Funding

            A proud Fire Chief Scott Wiegel and Grant Writer Marcia Kessler met with the Rochester Board of Selectmen on September 8 to discuss the $120,155 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant funding awarded in August. This grant acquisition is a part of the larger FEMA $41,300,000 nationwide “SAFER” program, which is designed to improve […] Read more »

Not All Solar Arrays Are Created Equal

            The Rochester Conservation Commission began its meeting held on September 1 by addressing a request for determination of applicability on a new solar array project. Their review primarily centered around whether or not the proposed project fell under the commission’s jurisdiction.              Eric Las of Beals and Thomas Inc., representing the applicant, shared his screen over […] Read more »