Rochester’s Conservation Commission approved plans for MassDOT Cape Main Rail and Transit railroad tracks and a pig farm at its meeting on Tuesday, September 1. In response to a request for a Determination of Applicability to conservation bylaws for MassDOT’s proposal to remove vegetation within the wetlands buffer zone around its third track near […] Read more »
Plans Discussed for Marion’s 175th Anniversary

The Marion Select Board convened on Tuesday, September 1, at 6:00 pm at the police station. The meeting opened with updates on the town’s 175th anniversary celebrations from Kellie Crete, a member of the anniversary’s planning committee. In early 2027, they will kick off with a winter fest, followed by a 175th birthday […] Read more »
Home Projects Face Scrutiny Over Wetlands

Marion’s Conservation Commission met on Wednesday, August 26, in the police station’s conference room, where they had a full agenda to tackle. Commission membership was limited at the meeting, with only Chair John Walsh and Commissioner Matt Shultz present, along with two Associate Commissioners, Natalie Burgo and Tom Drechsler. Drechsler, being the more senior […] Read more »
Petition Withdrawn Without Prejudice

The Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals’ brief meeting on August 27 focused on whether the board should allow a petition to be withdrawn “without prejudice.” The hearing on its agenda was an application for a special permit for an accessory dwelling unit larger than 900 square feet at 128 Dexter Lane, filed by Conservation […] Read more »
ZBA Approves Addition to Tobey Lane Home

For Rachel Westgate, expanding her small Tobey Lane home means making room for her family to return to Mattapoisett full time. The Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously approved a special permit on Thursday, August 20, allowing Westgate, who is also known as Rachel Briggs, to construct an addition to her single-family home at […] Read more »
Moorings and More

The Marion Marine Resources Commission met with full attendance on Wednesday, August 19, at 6:00 pm to discuss recent operations, financial planning, and shortening the town waitlist for mooring boats — which is estimated at 10 to 20 years, according to a 2022 Wanderer article. Chair Vincent Malkoski Jr. expressed interest in surveying the Beverly […] Read more »
Camper Request Raises Zoning Questions

A request to place a camper on a Cove Street property led to an extended discussion Tuesday night as Select Board members questioned how the town’s zoning bylaw applies to the site and ultimately held off on acting on the permit. Michael King sought permission to place a camper at 0 Cove Street […] Read more »
ORR Cleared of Title IX Violation in Bathroom Complaint

An independent Title IX investigation stemming from a May bathroom incident involving two 9-year-old students at Rochester Memorial School has concluded that school staff and district administrators acted in compliance with the law and found that no violation of a student’s Title IX rights had occurred. The Old Rochester Regional School District announced […] Read more »
Marion Golf Club Case Resolved

The full Marion Select Board met on Tuesday, August 21, at 6:00 pm, accompanied by Town Administrator Geoffrey Gorman and Finance Director Heather O’Brien, to discuss the Bike Path, town roads, new roles and a lawsuit settlement with the Marion Golf Club. The board unanimously approved altered layouts to Washburn Lane and Spring Street […] Read more »
Coffee Shop Plans Pass Hurdle

The Marion Planning Board met Monday night in the Police Department and via Zoom, where it held continued public hearings on two notable developments in town: the Sippican Holdings, LLC apartment complex and the expanded Uncle Jon’s Coffee site on Route 6. After the board approved minutes from its August 3 meeting, Chair […] Read more »