Emerging Business Wants a Piece of Marion

            Aspiring kelp farmer Amy Tamagini went before the Marion Marine Resources Commission at its June 29, remote access meeting to present her proposal to farm kelp in Marion waters.             “I’d like to have a potential site off of Wing’s Cove,” she told the meeting, summarizing a plan to grow the algae seaweed in depths of […] Read more »

Mattapoisett Harbormaster Puts Safety First

            Things are popping at the Mattapoisett wharves now that summer is in full swing. Just ask Harbormaster Jamie McIntosh. Coming before the Mattapoisett Marine Advisory Board on June 25, the first meeting the board has held since February and their first plunge into remote access public meetings, McIntosh updated the board on wharf projects, future […] Read more »

Planning Begins for FY21 Budget

            During the June 30 meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen, the primary focus was on planning a revised FY21 budget.             Retired Town Administrator Mike Gagne, along with current Town Administrator Mike Lorenco, explained to the board what early steps have been taken as the town faces revenue shortfalls related to business declines in the […] Read more »

Historical Society Donates $150,000 to Town House

            The work being done around the Marion Town House will continue, thanks to a $150,000 donation from Sippican Historical Society.             Frank McNamee and Will Tifft represented Sippican Historical Society at Monday’s special, remote access meeting of the Marion Board of Selectmen where the latter’s membership voted to accept the donation.             Selectman John Waterman told the […] Read more »

Rebuilt Zoning Bylaw, Master Plan in the Works

            Presentation is an important piece in achieving dialogue with town residents that are dealing with their own building issues and also the big picture of where Mattapoisett is heading.             To that end, two guests dominated Tuesday night’s remote access meeting of the Planning Board: consultant Judi Barrett and Grant King of the Southeastern Regional Planning […] Read more »

Steen, Seasons Back at Odds over Ring Road

            The Rochester Planning Board tackled confusion over updated plans pertaining to a new development on Cranberry Highway in their Zoom meeting held on June 23.             Phil Cordeiro, representing Steen Realty and Developments, began a presentation of the updates to the project and noted that traffic engineers had been working to develop new plans for the […] Read more »

Citizens Question, Ultimately Agree at End of Long Night

            On June 22, registered voters in the town of Marion met at the Sippican School for the annual Town Meeting to debate and vote on the proposed, 58-article warrant. To address the dangers of coronavirus, Town Administrator James McGrail developed a plan to allow for an in-person event, while maximizing the safety of those participating. […] Read more »

Petition Bid for Tax Reduction Voted Down

            Town Meeting almost didn’t make its 75-member quorum, and when it did, there were not enough town meeting members in favor to pass the citizen’s petition that would have transferred $50,000 from Rochester’s free cash for the purpose of reducing the tax rate.             Article 20, the final article on the warrant, was among three that […] Read more »

Historic Groundwater Issues Resurface

            It’s said that still waters run deep. Or in the case of those living downstream from antiquated stormwater drainage systems or the lack thereof, still waters are bubbling up.             Groundwater and drainage concerns were aired once again for a residential subdivision located near Tupelo Lane, Channing Road, and Mulberry Drive, all south of Pinebrook Lane […] Read more »

Beaches, Budgets Top Topics

            The Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen, including the newly elected John DeCosta, dealt with issues around beach use and establishing a July operating budget when they met on June 23. After Chairman Paul Silva and Vice Chairman Jordan Collyer welcomed DeCosta, the trio got down to the business by approving a one-twelfth operating budget for the […] Read more »