Self-storage Approved at Lockheed Site

Following a brief public hearing on Monday, the Marion Planning Board approved a request from Sippican Holdings LLC to allow construction of self-storage units in an existing building on its property at 13 Barnabas Road, site of the former Lockheed Martin property.             Developer representative John Collins shared plans for the project, which will include […] Read more »

R20 Setbacks Won’t Fly

During the August 15 meeting of the Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals, Eric Lawrence of 4 Beacon Street came before the board requesting that R20 setbacks be allowed for 0 Foster Street versus current zoning for R30.             In his presentation, he advanced that idea of granting a zoning-status change in order to build a […] Read more »

Hazard Mitigation Plan Update

On August 19, the Mattapoisett Planning Board met with Gabrielle Belfit of Tighe and Bond, an engineering firm which specializes in geotechnical, electric and mechanical, civil and environmental engineering and consulting services, as well as provides technology and sustainability services. The town, under the leadership of Water and Sewer Superintendent Henri Renauld, engaged the firm […] Read more »

Opt-out Language Made More Specific

The Rochester School Committee met briefly on August 19 for the purpose of approving changes to the Student Handbook for the 2024-25 academic year and approved changes.             Committee member Robin Rounseville had requested language be included that spells out the “opt-out” option that parents/guardians have regarding their children’s ability to check out any library […] Read more »

Town Meeting Postponed

Rochester’s Select Board Monday postponed the Special Town Meeting, previously scheduled for October 21, to January 6, 2025, because of the interim town administrator’s workload.             Suzanne Szyndlar, who is also the town’s finance director, noted that because of her dual role for the town, she hasn’t had adequate time to put to together a […] Read more »

West Nile Mosquito Touched off Concern

            Several days before Tuesday’s announcement that a mosquito in Marion had tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (prompting cancellation of the August 24 Town Party), the Marion Board of Health was already recommending precautions in light of a prior discovery that a Marion mosquito tested positive for West Nile Virus.             Publicly thanking Marion […] Read more »

Creek Road Project Scrutinized

            A presentation by the Marion Department of Public Works at Tuesday night’s Select Board meeting celebrated the news that most of the town’s previously dormant wells are now up and running. Then it came time to tackle the subject of Creek Road.             Accompanied by Tata & Howard engineer Jon Gregory, DPW Director Becky […] Read more »

Rochester Welcomes New Police Chief

            The Town of Rochester welcomed new Police Chief Michael A. Assad, Jr. in grand fashion Tuesday night with warm wishes, a large crowd and a march to bagpipes.             Boston Police Pipe and Drums Corps musician and retired Marion Police Sergeant Derryl Lawrence played the Marine Corps anthem on the bagpipes, as Assad and […] Read more »

Lean Staff Has Harbormaster Leaning on Retiree

            Just when it seemed as though things were coming together for the Marion Harbormaster Department, the recent loss of two key staff members has Harbormaster Adam Murphy once again improvising during an extremely busy season.             Carl MacDermott, retired from his job as a captain in the Bridgewater Police Department, is working 40-plus hours […] Read more »

Flagging Fix Continues Solar Expansion

            Concerns over negative impacts from possible future expansion of the Crystal Springs Road solar array operated by New Leaf Energy were aired during the August 12 meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission.             Coming before the commission were members of the New Leaf team headed by Brandon Smith, who represented the ANRAD (Abbreviated Notice […] Read more »