To understand the subject matter of the May 20 Mattapoisett Planning Board, one would have been best served by holding a degree in civil engineering with possibly a master’s in hydrology. But that is nothing unusual when it comes to making decisions about subdivision construction and it is why governing boards oftentimes use peer-review consultants […] Read more »
On May 16, the Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals was ready for business. Chairman Susan Akin welcomed the public by introducing the panel for the evening, which included acting clerk Tony Tranfaglia, and ZBA members Ken Pacheco, Colby Rottler, Norman Lyonnaise, as well as secretary Robin Shufelt and Director of Inspectional Services Andy Bobola. Whether […] Read more »
Water and sewer rates will go up, which, in light of the circumstances facing Marion, is no surprise, at least to the Marion Board of Selectmen. But for water and sewer ratepayers, the surprise might not come from the rates, but more from the restructuring of the three tiers. On May 21, Finance Director Judy […] Read more »
The Town of Rochester is seeking a $20,000 recycling grant from the state, and as the town administrator continues to follow through with the grant application paper work process, Suzanne Szyndlar told the Rochester Board of Selectmen meeting on May 20 that part of that process will have to be delayed until spring of 2020. […] Read more »
Mike Huguenin from the Mattapoisett Land Trust (MLT) wasn’t thrilled when Mattapoisett Conservation Commission Chairman Mike King relayed some of the conservation agent’s suggestions for the MLT’s plan to eradicate 20,000 square-feet of invasive phragmites on property located at the end of Noyes Avenue known as Newmann Preserve. First thing during the May 15 meeting, […] Read more »
Marion voters elected to adopt all four of its ballot questions on May 17, making Marion the first of the Tri-Towns to vote in favor of the $2 million Old Rochester Regional artificial turf, track, and auditorium project. The Proposition 2 ½ exemption, Question 5 on the ballot, garnered 660 ‘yes’ votes versus the 323 […] Read more »
There was jubilation, shouts of “Yes!” and backslapping all around as Mattapoisett Town Clerk Catherine Hueberger read the Annual Election results that featured two Proposition 2 ½ override questions. The voters spoke passing both by considerable margins. Question 1 asked voters to approve an override that will allow the town to borrow $9.2-million for the […] Read more »
A number of residents weren’t pleased when their request to speak on Town Meeting floor about the $2 million ORR project was ignored or interrupted by Town Moderator Kirby Gilmore demanding questions only, no comments. Still, the Annual Town Meeting voters spoke loudly on May 20 in favor of Article 15, allowing it to proceed […] Read more »
By the time you read this, Mattapoisett’s Annual Town Meeting will be history. But knowledge is power. To that end, on May 8, the Mattapoisett Planning Board met to provide a public forum for discussion of the proposed zoning bylaw changes that would be presented on May 13 at Town Meeting. Two zoning bylaws that […] Read more »
The Marion School Committee voted on May 8 to opt out of participation in the School Choice program for the next school year, keeping with the school district’s trend over the last several years. Superintendent Doug White reminded the committee that it must inform the Department of Education by June 1 whether or not it […] Read more »