Before opening any public hearings, Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman Richard Cutler let fellow ZBA members know that he has become aware of a large-scale affordable housing development entering the pipeline early next year. The 208-unit affordable housing development slated for the corner of Routes 58 and 28 would be classified as a Chapter […] Read more »
Attorney General Maura Healey has rejected Rochester’s attempt to extend its temporary moratorium on adult-use cannabis; as a result, the AG’s Office says Rochester’s moratorium has expired and thus Rochester must immediately begin accepting applications for adult-use cannabis businesses. Rochester Town Meeting in May voted to adopt an article extending the temporary moratorium past its […] Read more »
When house values go up, the tax rate goes down, and so it goes in Marion as Marion Assessor Brad Eames reported to the Board of Selectmen on December 11 that property values overall have increased by 9.4 percent. The last time property values were assessed was three years ago. The current fiscal year 2018 […] Read more »
After an extended discussion by the Marion Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) on December 6 comparing two sections of the zoning bylaw, the applicant for 195c Converse Road decided to withdraw their application without prejudice. The public hearing for the application of Mark Ross and Margot Mims of 195c Converse Road began with ZBA Chairman […] Read more »
As the outside world debated the 21stcentury political correctness of well-known holiday songs, the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission members were in harmony on December 10. Emphasizing their desire to view projects that come before them as acceptable until proven otherwise, Chairman Mike King said he was speaking for himself and the other commissioners when he said, […] Read more »
There isn’t much on the site redevelopment plan for a daycare facility at 15 Cranberry Highway that isn’t already there, Rochester Planning Board member Gary Florindo pointed out on December 11. The only significant issue that needs attention, really, is the stormwater system, which currently has the project held up with the Conservation Commission. Some […] Read more »
Smoking in public on town-owned property isn’t allowed in Marion, and that goes for everyone, says the Marion Board of Health – even you, Elizabeth Taber! The Board of Health on December 11 signed a letter addressed to the Sippican Historical Society voicing their concern about a statue of Elizabeth Taber slated for placement across […] Read more »
The denial of a Special Permit for a solar array field at 78 Wareham Street still stands, but on December 10 the Marion Planning Board gathered to review the language of a draft decision letter while two dissenting board members (and one Finance Committee member) voiced their disappointment with the decision. Although Planning Board member […] Read more »
Rather than have the Marion Conservation Commission possibly issue a Positive determination on November 28, Sippican Lands Trust (SLT) Executive Director Jim Bride requested a continuance so that he may rework his Request for Determination of Applicability proposal. At issue is a path from Delano Road to Brainard Marsh, which the SLT owns and maintains […] Read more »
The Marion Board of Selectmen took its first steps towards filling two top town positions on November 28, but still have some decisions to make when it comes to qualifications for a Department of Public Works director, and job description for a new town administrator that may or may not require a bylaw change. An […] Read more »