Selectmen Deem Dog ‘Dangerous’

            During the May 7 Marion Board of Selectmen meeting, the board voted to classify a dog  belonging to Michael and Kate Devoll as “dangerous” during a dog hearing pertaining to an alleged attack on March 3, during which the Devolls’ dog was reported to have attacked two dogs and their owner in the Olde Knoll […] Read more »

Weigel Sworn-in as First Full-time Fire Chief

            Firefighters of all ranks from Rochester and other area towns lined the perimeter of the Rochester Town Hall in formal dress on May 6 to witness a moment of Rochester history.             During the Rochester Board of Selectmen meeting that evening, the selectmen signed the employment contract appointing current Fire Chief Scott Weigel as the town’s […] Read more »

Inside the Budget Process

On May 1, the Mattapoisett Capital Planning Committee (CPC) met to prioritize its list of projects priced over $10,000 to be advanced at Town Meeting. The year-long process of receiving requests from town departments including the two schools, Center and Old Hammondtown, takes into consideration the town’s ability to afford the projects without increasing taxes. […] Read more »

FinCom Chair Questions Water Bill Increase

            On May 2, the Mattapoisett Finance Committee began its town meeting warrant article review, but only after Chairman Pat Donoghue questioned her most recent water bill.             Donoghue said that she did not recall Water and Sewer Superintendent Henri Renauld ever discussing an increase in water rates when he met with the committee during previous months; […] Read more »

Trash District Now Sticklers for Stickers

            If you’re a resident from one of the towns belonging to the Carver, Marion, Wareham Regional Refuse Disposal District (CMWRRDD) – or any other town for that matter – and you have been sneaking into any one of the District’s three transfer stations without a sticker or with prohibited materials, prepare to change your ways. […] Read more »

FinCom Resumes Article Recommendations

            On April 24 during the Marion Finance Committee’s first television performance, the committee continued its Town Meeting Warrant article recommendations, beginning where they left off: Article 23 to appropriate $30,000 to replace the tank on the Fire Department’s brush breaker, which it voted to recommend.             Article 26 would appropriate $582,090 to buy a new front-loading […] Read more »

No Quorum Continues Subdivision Hearing

            The lack of a quorum during the Marion Conservation Commission’s April 24 meeting forced a continuance for the Notice of Intent for the proposed subdivision on Beach Street known as “22 Cove Street, LLC.” In the absence of Chairman Jeff Doubrava and Cynthia Callow and the recusal of commission member Marc Bellanger, engineer David Davignon […] Read more »

Finance Committee Begins Final Article Review

Mattapoisett Finance Committee By Marilou Newell             Chairman of the Old Rochester Regional (ORR) School Committee Cary Humphrey wanted the Mattapoisett Capital Planning and Finance Committees to understand the difference between the prior “T.U.R.F.” project and the current proposal, as a member of a committee comprised of school committee members, school facilities staff, and several members […] Read more »

Planning Proceeds for Landfill Solar Project

            On April 19, Mattapoisett Town Administrator Michael Gagne came before the Zoning Board of Appeals with an application for a Special Permit for the construction of a photovoltaic solar array on top of the capped landfill located on Tinkham Hill Road.             Gagne said that an expired Special Permit had been issued about six years prior. […] Read more »

Planning Board Endorses 40R ‘Smart Growth’ Article

            The focus of the Rochester Planning Board meeting on April 23 was the public hearing for the Annual Town Meeting article to adopt a Smart Growth Overlay District Bylaw to allow for a 40R residential development.             Developer Ken Steen and Attorney Paul Haverty gave an overview of what adoption of the article would allow – […] Read more »