The Coalition Announces Intent to Sue Town

Just when the Marion Board of Selectmen celebrated the Environmental Protection Agency’s acceptance of an alternative (and less expensive) plan to tackle ongoing wastewater discharge, the Buzzards Bay Coalition issued the Town an official notice of its intent to file a lawsuit over violations of the Massachusetts Clean Water Act (CWA). Nine private citizens are […] Read more »

Well vs. Town Water – Tie-in Mandatory?

December 18 was yet another Marion Planning Board meeting during which some board members wrangled with engineer David Davignon regarding 111 Wareham Road, which has raised a number of issues over an apparent uneven application and unclear articulation of town policies. Davignon, of N. Douglas Schneider & Associates, presented revised plans for the project, addressing […] Read more »

A Nearly Silent Night

As winter darkness fell across the open spaces, vegetated bordering wetlands, riverbanks, fresh water ponds, vernal pools, and associated buffer zones in Rochester, the Conservation Commission met for the last time in 2017. On December 19, with only one public hearing and another one continued, the ConCom, Conservation Agent Laurell Farinon, and administrator Margaret Gonneville […] Read more »

Planning Board Undertakes Marijuana Moratorium

With an April 1, 2018 deadline on the horizon, the date when an act to ensure the safe access to marijuana goes into effect, the Mattapoisett Planning Board is feeling the pressure to do something and do it quickly. On December 18, they began that difficult task. During the special Planning Board meeting held on […] Read more »

Farmer’s Market Developer Withdraws

Instead of a farmer’s market, Rochester may soon have another solar farm, one of several options property owner Craig Canning will be exploring. The plans for a farmer’s market off Marion Road in Rochester are no more, now that Canning has withdrawn his Special Permit application with the Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals and his […] Read more »

Towns Wants ORR 20-Year Capital Plan

The town administrators of the three towns have asked the Old Rochester Regional School District to devise a prioritized 20-year capital plan, which led the Old Rochester Regional School Committee on December 6 to seek feedback from the budget subcommittee before moving forward with the seemingly daunting task. Members of T.U.R.F. (Tri-Town Unified Recreational Facilities, […] Read more »

Menthol Cig Ban Discussion Cools Down

The Marion Board of Health is not yet ready to take any action on its proposal to ban flavored tobacco products and menthol cigarettes outside adult-only retail stores, with Chairman John Howard saying that the board was still in the “gathering information stage.” Still, representatives on both side of the issue continue to attend Board […] Read more »

Mattapoisett to Join Community Compact Program

With the end of the year fast approaching, the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen on December 12 handled a variety of agenda items – some of which should help the town now and in the coming years. Town Administrator Michael Gagne told the selectmen that their fellow member Jordan Collyer, who was not in attendance on […] Read more »

Over 55 Housing Slated for Town Center

The open field beside Plumb Corner on Rounseville Road may soon be the location of a 24-unit age 55+ housing development. J.C. Engineering filed a Form B Application for Approval of a Preliminary Subdivision Plan on December 12 and received approval from the Rochester Planning Board. A Form B simply allows the subdivision of land […] Read more »

Town, Residents Want Marijuana Moratorium

On December 11, residents attended a special meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board to publically discuss the Town’s options regarding recreational marijuana regulations. Police Chief Mary Lyons, Fire Chief Andrew Murray, Public Health Nurse Amada Stone, Selectman Tyler Macallister, and Town Administrator Michael Gagne joined the Planning Board. As the clock ticks down on a […] Read more »