At their September 25 meeting, the Marion Conservation Commission held several hearings on routine matters, mostly involving property additions. The presence of Japanese knotweed and the presence of an elusive stream around the Wareham Avenue area drew some conversations but no controversy. The commission started the meeting by approving three notices of intent […] Read more »
During the October 7 meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board, open discussion about earth-moving activities at the motel located on Route 6 were aired. Member John Mathieu said that the owner of the property, who was never named during the discussion, had a right to perform certain activities. But he asserted several times, …”it […] Read more »
The Rochester School Committee on October 3 reviewed a plan to join a program partnering with the national group devoted to stemming school gun violence, the Sandy Hook Promise. Assistant Superintendent Dr. Shari Fedorowicz said the Sandy Hook Promise school program’s mission is to promote safer schools by empowering students and educators to […] Read more »
Anticipating the new state housing law going into effect in February, the Marion Select Board and Planning Board conducted a joint session to discuss potential modification of existing town bylaws in compliance with both the state law and the town’s needs. The law requires all municipalities to allow homeowners to create accessory dwelling units, or […] Read more »
Rochester’s Select Board Monday approved the Board of Assessors’ recommendations for the town’s FY25 tax classification that include a reduction in the tax rate for the next fiscal year to $10.82 per thousand dollars of value. Rochester’s estimated tax rate for FY24 was $11.06, down 6.82% from FY23. Assessor Jana Cavanaugh told the […] Read more »
It’s colorless, odorless and tasteless, but radon is far from being harmless. It rises up from far beneath the earth’s surface, thus making it a naturally occurring element swirling around in the atmosphere, causing serious illnesses to the unsuspecting. On September 25, Mattapoisett Public Health Nurse Emily Field hosted Jen Lajoie, an environmental […] Read more »
“You can still paint your front door purple,” said consultant Eric Dray, who has been helping the Marion Historic District Study Committee prepare a Historic District Draft Bylaw that the committee hopes to put before voters at the Annual Town Meeting in May 2025. The committee met on Monday to discuss Dray’s final tweaks […] Read more »
American Rescue Plan funding has been supporting cities and towns since COVID began damaging the financial stability of our country. But use of funds, which is audited, must follow guidelines. Two major areas of spending allowed by the federal government are roads and infrastructure. On September 1 as the Mattapoisett Select Board met, critical […] Read more »
Marion’s Select Board Tuesday received a $625,000 check from the Plymouth County Commission that will allow the town to replace all of its back-up generators at the Front Street waterworks pumping station. Plymouth County Commission Chairman Jared Valanzola and state Senator Marc Pacheco delivered the check to the board, noting these are ARPA […] Read more »
The house lots in Mattapoisett’s village district predate all zoning bylaws. That said, it’s not unusual for a resident to step outside their door and be standing, technically speaking, in their neighbor’s yard. Such is the case with a two homes owned by family members on Water Street. Coming before the Mattapoisett Zoning Board […] Read more »