Washburn Plaque Coming to Old Landing

            A plaque honoring the late Warren L. Washburn (1927-2001) will reside at Old Landing after the Marion Select Board enthusiastically voted to honor the request made by his son, Warren “Buddy” Washburn, during Tuesday night’s public meeting at the Police Station.             The senior Washburn was a lifelong Marion resident, only ever leaving town […] Read more »

Protest Signs Not Allowed on Town Property

            Lawn signs that say “Protect the Second Amendment. Stop HD Bill 4420” are all over Rochester. The signs refer to a revision of state gun regulations that according to the Mass Live website, “would require a police officer to conduct a personal interview with anyone seeking to apply for a gun license” and “would […] Read more »

Plant Moves Forward after Tornado

            Given the floor on Tuesday to offer the Mattapoisett River Valley Water District Commission a Treatment Plant operations update, Henri Renauld got right to the point.             “We got hit by a tornado,” he said, describing a scary scenario in which both gates were temporarily blocked with one person at the site. “Mr. Barros […] Read more »

‘Discovery’ First among Workshops

            Its resident survey already launched, the Town of Rochester announced on Tuesday morning the public process toward developing a Master Plan with the guidance of the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD.)             Town Planner Nancy Durfee serves on the Master Plan Committee and will focus on land use with Planning Board […] Read more »

MRC Hopes Pamphlet Will Produce Votes

            The Marion Marine Resources Commission hopes soon to be distributing a pamphlet intended to dispel false rumors about funding for the new Maritime Center that the commissioners say persist despite facts on public record.             “It’s a checks-and-balances thing at Town Meeting, it’s not really from the taxpayers. I still hear people say the […] Read more »

New Era at RMS

            It’s been a decade since Rochester Memorial School began a school year without Derek Medeiros as its principal, but the elementary school has moved on by introducing Heidi Letendre as interim principal for the 2023-24 academic year.             Letendre had worked at RMS as a student-teacher 30 years ago, so her introduction was part […] Read more »

Dog Bites at Washburn

            There were two dog bites at Washburn Park, and Marion Board of Health members have asked Health Director Lori Desmarais to send out an e-blast warning the public and dog owners to take notice and precautions.             During the board’s September 7 public meeting, Desmarais said a person riding a bicycle was bit and […] Read more »

Megan’s Permit under Final Review

            Rochester’s Planning Board Tuesday came a step closer to approving the Special Permit and Site Plan Review application for the commercial building at 621 County Road that will include the recreational marijuana retail store Megan’s Organic Market, but not to the satisfaction of the petitioner’s attorney.             The Planning Board reviewed the draft decision […] Read more »

Select Board Caught off Guard

            After numerous meetings which have taken place over several years, the Mattapoisett Select Board was caught off guard as they met with VHB, the town’s village street planner. Coming before the board were Shawn Giatas and Jamie Pisano to discuss the massive roadway improvement project for the village streets Main Street, Water Street and […] Read more »

Pouches to Secure Cell Phones

            The Old Rochester Regional School District is engaging a grant program that would magnetize Junior High School students’ cell phones via a special pouch as a means of upgraded security and creating the potential of limited usage during school hours at select locations in the building.             In its first public meeting of the […] Read more »