The Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission met in person in the Police Station on May 7 for discussions on the land swap between the commission and the Select Board, tree removals, and other updates. Following the approval of the minutes from the commission’s April 16 meeting, Chair John Rockwell moved to discuss the Land […] Read more »
New Restaurant Receives Permissions
On May 12 the Mattapoisett Select Board held a hearing at the request of Tracey White for licenses to operate a recently vacated restaurant located at 33 County Road. The Select Board questioned White about the number of occupants anticipated, if the footprint would change, hours of operation, and outdoor dining. An abutter asked […] Read more »
Alternative to Gas Line Approved
The Rochester Planning Board Tuesday approved a minor modification of the Site Plan Review application for 0 Cranberry Highway that would allow the use of a propane tank instead of a public gas line for the site’s 10-contractor-bay building’s heating system. The tank that the applicant Sealord Enterprises proposes will be located off […] Read more »
New Harbormaster Selected From 27 Applicants
The Marion Select Board quickly approved two new police officers and a shellfish constable during their May 12 special meeting in the Police Department. First, Police Chief Richard Nighelli announced the passing of Michael Paolella on May 8. Paolella served in the U.S. Air Force and was formerly Assistant Harbormaster in Marion. Next, […] Read more »
ORR Health Insurance Will Cost
For a comprehensive tally on Town Meeting results, see the end of this article. Marion held its annual Town Meeting on Monday night. On the docket for the direct democracy vote were 43 Articles and two Special Articles. Beginning promptly at 6:00 pm, Moderator Brad Gordon began with an introduction before turning it […] Read more »
Voters Say ‘No’ to Cottage Bylaw
The first motion of the Mattapoisett 2026 Spring Town Meeting came from the moderator, Liz Anne Campbell, who asked the voters to declare her decisions on whether or not a simple majority or a two-thirds majority had been decisively achieved, versus declaring the actual hand count or, motion to allow the moderator to call […] Read more »
ZBA Bids Farewell to Richard Cutler
The Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals on April 30 finished work on two continued hearings and said goodbye to retiring long-time member Richard Cutler. The meeting began by accepting the withdrawal of a Variance Petition to allow a shortened front setback for a new home construction at 28 Marion Road. At the board’s […] Read more »
SRPEDD to Assist Open Space Planning
On May 4, the Mattapoisett Planning Board met with Taylor Perez of the Southeastern Regional Planning & Economic Development District (SRPEDD) to discuss drafting an updated Rules and Regulations document for the town. Perez explained that her input would be primarily involved with clerical aspects of the project, formatting the document to conform with […] Read more »
Weeds Threaten Snipatuit Pond
As Rochester’s Conservation Commission Tuesday further reviewed the Town of Rochester’s Notice of Intent application for proposed work with a harvester to cut and remove invasive aquatic weeds in Snipatuit Pond, the commission mulled over a variety of alternative ideas for eradicating the water-choking plants. Conservation Agent Merilee Kelly began the discussion by […] Read more »
Outdoor Water Meters up for Consideration
The final article on the warrant for the Marion 2026 Annual Town Meeting is a previously tabled Citizens Petition from November’s Special Town Meeting asking if voters support property owners’ right to install, at their own expense, a secondary meter for outdoor water usage. A successful Article 43 may help some homeowners avoid […] Read more »