An application for a special permit to install a pool and build a cabana on a non-conforming lot was sent back to the drawing board after neighbors to the project expressed concern to the Marion Zoning Board of Appeals on March 7 that the size of the structure would negatively impact their quality of life. […] Read more »
The Old Rochester Regional School Committee voted to accept its final version of the fiscal year 2020 school operating budget totaling $19,211,913, up $682,841 from last year – an overall increase of 3.69 percent. Superintendent Dr. Doug White broke down the details of the FY20 budget on March 7 during the committee’s school budget public […] Read more »
The four Tri-Town school districts are contemplating a new policy that would prohibit school staff from sharing any personal information about students online – intentionally or unintentionally – in order to protect the identities and private data of the students who attend their school. This new policy would not only require staff to refrain from […] Read more »
Mattapoisett will have a full-time harbormaster starting July 1 this fiscal year 2020, if the Town Meeting voters are so inclined. But definite changes are being reviewed and developed by the Marine Advisory Board at the direction of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen. During the March 12 meeting of the Board of Selectmen, Marine Advisory […] Read more »
Once upon a time, the conservation agent in Mattapoisett was part of the Building Department, assisting property owners with site visits for wetlands flagging, finding the best locations for septic systems, interfacing with state agencies, and encouraging best practices for remediation. That bit of history came to light as the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission on March […] Read more »
“Effective April 1, all property owners who have a municipal sewer stub associated with their property will be paying a privilege fee,” said Henri Renauld, Mattapoisett’s Water and Sewer superintendent. The fee has been necessitated for a variety of reasons, not the least of which are the payments made to Fairhaven for the capacity they […] Read more »
The Rochester Planning Board on March 12 finalized its draft of a new bylaw to regulate recreational adult-use cannabis establishments and voted to send it off to the Board of Selectmen, who will then send the bylaw back to the Planning Board to hold a public hearing ahead of the Annual Town Meeting. Board member […] Read more »
In its continuing pursuit to save money wherever it can in order to provide Tri-Town students with quality education, the Old Rochester Regional School Committee on February 27 voted to explore solar energy as a way to save on utility costs and direct as much funding as it can towards academics. The new school business […] Read more »
A resident wanting to build a large farm structure on his property got approval from the Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals on February 28, but first he had to come up with a reasonable “hardship,” one of the three requirements for a variance. Another thing the applicant needed was a “super majority” ZBA vote – […] Read more »
Special Permit applicant Mike Achilles got his approval to open up the Mary Celeste Neighborhood Lounge at 149-151 Front Street, but it wasn’t a unanimous vote amongst Marion Planning Board members, and residents also remained divided on the issue. Achilles began his presentation on March 4 by reminding the board that he and his wife […] Read more »