Grant Will Improve 911 Communication

Since the Town of Rochester switched its municipal 911 system to the Regional Old Colony Communications Center last year with its initial state grant funding of nearly $1.7 million, the town has received an additional transition grant for $17,000 to cover the cost of portable radios for local first responders. It has now received another […] Read more »

ZBA Interviews Conclude, But Still No Vote

            The Marion Board of Selectmen on August 20 held the final two of four interviews as they prepare to appoint – or reappoint – someone to fill the two ZBA seats up for grabs.             It started out well enough as current ZBA Chairman Marc LeBlanc gave an overview of his experience as a real estate […] Read more »

State to Start Round 2 of Mosquito Spraying

The threat of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) continues in Plymouth County prompting state officials to conduct a second round of aerial mosquito spraying that was slated to begin Wednesday night, August 21, and continue over the next several nights.             The first round of aerial spraying was completed between August 8-11 during nighttime hours and covered […] Read more »

Police Chief Oks Shooting Range Operation

            With the OK from the police chief, the Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals on August 8 approved the special permit for a tactical training and shooting range sought by Steven Morrell, owner of a secluded property off County Road.             During the July 25 meeting, the ZBA found no problem with the proposal but held out […] Read more »

Board Appoints New BOH Member, ‘Blesses” New Sign

            After a third and final interview for the one-year appointed position to the Marion Board of Health, the Marion Board of Selectmen on August 13 chose Dot Brown as the one who will fill the seat left vacant by Betsy Dunn, who resigned from the board some weeks ago.             Brown made an impression on the […] Read more »

Big Agenda, Easy Filings

            While it is true that wetland related rules and regulations are often complicated for residents, a packed conservation commission agenda doesn’t always mean complicated cases. That was the case when the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission met on August 12.             The one filing that brought in a crowd that evening – a crowd that sat cheek to […] Read more »

Selectmen Set Special Town Meeting

The Rochester Board of Selectmen has set the date for the fall Special Town Meeting, settling on Monday, November 18.             The deadline for warrant article submissions will be September 6.             The board was originally looking at October 28 as a date, but the town clerk was unavailable for that date.             The November 18 Special Town […] Read more »

Tri-Town EEE Threat Raised to Critical

            The first human case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in the area has been confirmed, raising the Rochester and Marion EEE risk level to “critical”.             State and local health officials announced the risk increase on August 10 after a resident identified only as someone living in southern Plymouth County had contracted the mosquito-born virus.             Some local […] Read more »

Town Hopes Trash Collection Picks Up the Pace

Marion Selectman John Waterman is looking forward to the day when he can finally go about his business in the center of Marion without somebody coming up to him complaining about trash pickup.             On August 7, the Marion Board of Selectmen discussed the tough transition the town has experienced since it swapped its municipal run […] Read more »

Health Agent Misreports On EEE Death

            During the August 13 meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen, Town Administrator Michael Gagne said that Mattapoisett Health Agent Dale Barrows reported to him that the unidentified Tri-Town resident who had contracted Easter Equine Encephalitis (EEE) died of the virus earlier in the day. That information, however, was wrong.             Barrows’ incorrect information stopped the […] Read more »