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 »

            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 »

            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 »

            The Marion Board of Selectmen know that its article to spend $350,000 on a comprehensive wastewater management plan will likely be a hard sell to Town Meeting voters on May 13, but Selectman John Waterman is fighting hard to get residents to understand why this plan is critical and he urged voters to consider Article […] Read more »

            Coming before the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission on April 22 were representatives from CLE Engineering, Susan Nilson and Jeremy Packard, with a request to amend an Order of Conditions filed by the Town of Mattapoisett for the construction of Phase 1b of the pedestrian path, aka, the bike path.                         During the long design phases which were […] Read more »

            The Rochester Board of Selectmen voted on April 22 to recommend a Town Meeting article to approve borrowing $2 million to upgrade the athletic complex at Old Rochester Regional High School, but the Finance Committee refrained from making any recommendation at all.             It is customary for the selectmen and the Finance Committee to inform voters […] Read more »

            There is an apparent movement to decrease the town clerk’s salary from $19,493 to $1 for fiscal year 2020 via a motion on the floor of the Annual Town Meeting.             Marion Selectman John Waterman told the Marion Finance Committee on April 17 that the “buzz” among some residents on the street and on social media […] Read more »

            The Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen meeting held on April 23 was an opportunity for the community to hear a comprehensive presentation for the proposed new fire station.             Three presenters each took an aspect of the new construction project focusing on matters that will undoubtedly be aired when Town Meeting is asked to approve the spending […] Read more »

            Disgruntled abutters to a project proposed for Beach Street left the Marion Planning Board meeting dissatisfied on April 16.             The late afternoon public hearing for a new subdivision was cut short due to a scheduling conflict with the Board of Selectmen brought on by the Monday holiday.             It was a packed agenda when the board […] Read more »

            With few other options for his conundrum, Mark Freitas, owner of 273 Snows Pond Road, withdrew his special permit application to allow two houses on one lot – an application that came before the Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals on April 11 as a result of a complaint lodged by a tenant who was resentful […] Read more »