On February 6, members of the Mattapoisett Finance Committee began the process of crafting a fiscal year 2020 budget as they met with members of the Finance Department and the Assessors’ Office. Before beginning the preliminary overview of Town finances, Town Administrator Michael Gagne shared insights into how the Town is moving towards preparing employees […] Read more »
The application of Mark Ross and Margot Mims for a special permit was continued again on February 7 as the Marion Zoning Board of Appeals wrestled with the applicability to the proposal of several Town zoning bylaws. Ross and Mims are requesting a special permit under Zoning Bylaw 230-6.1C, which regulates non-conforming uses and structures. […] Read more »
After interviews with the two finalists for the treasurer/collector position on February 8, the Marion Board of Selectmen unanimously chose Susan Laak, currently an employee of the Town of Eastham. A resident of Sandwich, Laak told the board that the similar-sized Town of Marion, along with the shorter commute, appealed to her and prompted her […] Read more »
“Is anybody else incensed about that letter?” Marion Finance Committee member Alan Minard asked, broaching the subject of a letter the Board of Selectmen handed to Minard and FinCom Chairman Peter Winters during the selectmen’s February 5 meeting. “It was a passive aggressive kickback because we wouldn’t approve that [Reserve Fund transfer request],” said Minard. […] Read more »
Before the February 5 meeting of the Rochester Conservation Commission kicked off, Conservation Agent Laurell Farinon introduced two new members. Filling vacant slots on the commission and making their first official appearances were Lena Bourque and Kevin Thompson. Then it was on to the business at hand, continuing hearings, and opening a new one for […] Read more »
State Representative Bill Straus gave his word to the Marion Board of Selectmen on January 30 that as the town’s legislator and one who regularly “bumps” into the governor, he would advocate for the full $2 million share of a state bond bill to be granted to the Town of Marion to assist in the […] Read more »
As is the case on many local boards and commissions, those volunteering their time to aid municipalities in such important matters as subdivisions do not always possess technical backgrounds or experience in complicated issues such as soil analysis or threshold rainfall depth for groundwater saturation. Yet, given sufficient total immersion through the public vetting process, […] Read more »
The Rochester Board of Selectmen is in no hurry to enter into a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreement with Clean Energy Collective (CEC), the solar developer of a solar array field at 268 Mattapoisett Road. On February 4, Principal Assessor Charles Shea told the selectmen about the disparity he sees between the PILOT […] Read more »
It was a full house at the Marion Planning Board meeting on February 4 as the board heard the arguments at a public hearing for and against a proposed neighborhood lounge in the village. Mike Achilles, the applicant for the Minor Site Plan Review and Special Permit to open proposed bar/restaurant at 149/151 Front Street, […] Read more »
If the Sewer ratepayers of Marion were unhappy about having to pay for a $2.5 million wastewater treatment plant upgrade by December 1, they will be even unhappier when they hear the actual price is going to be nearly double. The Marion Board of Selectmen on February 5 was waist-deep in wastewater woe as it […] Read more »