State zoning bylaws now allow greater flexibility to lots previously merged and/or meeting square-footage requirements, and the emerging potential of lots being considered buildable for multi-unit occupation has members of the Mattapoisett Planning Board concerned. During the board’s September 16 public meeting in which both ADU (additional dwelling units) and family-related apartments were discussed, […] Read more »
CIPC Gets Whiff of Water/Sewer Needs
The Marion Capital Improvements Planning Committee got a nose full on Monday at the town’s Wastewater Treatment Plant. “This is probably the most-complex thing we’ve got going in town that comes in with capital requests, and it’s good for the committee to know the basic pieces,” said the CIPC’s chairman, Dave Janik. On […] Read more »
Applicant Wants Heads-Up on Requests for Comment
Rochester’s Zoning Board of Appeals on September 12 approved a Special Permit and variances for the construction of an accessory dwelling unit above an attached garage at 48 Pierce Street, but not before debating another town board’s reaction to the plan and whether the applicant should wait until a new law goes into effect. […] Read more »
FinCom Receives Definition of Terms
It’s been said that the best way to understand a subject that is new to you is to break down the unique vocabulary associated with, say, a college course or new job. On September 12, the Mattapoisett Finance Committee heard from Town Administrator Mike Lorenco, who presented them (primarily new members) with an introductory, crash […] Read more »
Police, Fire Allocated ARPA Funds
In a rare Tuesday afternoon meeting, Rochester’s Select Board spent a lot of money on the town’s Police and Fire departments, all of it from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The board began the meeting by approving and signing a $179,520 contract with Industrial Protective Services, LLC, to obtain 33 new sets of […] Read more »
Cove Street Maintenance Planned
Taking listed agenda items out of rotation during the September 9 meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission, Robert Sylvia of Cove Street addressed the matter of maintenance of the private roadway. Currently on file with the Highway Department are two municipal agreements that provide for snow removal and twice-annual grading of Cove Street, but […] Read more »
Variance Could Be Replaced by Permit
Rochester’s Planning Board meeting on Tuesday night approved the request by Snipatuit Solar LLC to extend for one year the special permits for its proposed solar-energy installation on 128 acres at 529, 523 and 0 Snipatuit Road and Featherbed Lane within the Mattapoisett River Valley Watershed and groundwater protection district. The vote came after […] Read more »
Accessory Units Subject to State Law
Marion’s Affordable Housing Trust held its monthly meeting on Tuesday night. Chairperson Eileen Marum called the meeting to order and asked for comments on the minutes of the previous meeting. These were unanimously approved as written, and the group proceeded with the scheduled agenda items. The first of these was an update and […] Read more »
E-V Charging Ports Being Considered
Town properties in Marion could soon be home to several, revenue-generating charging stations for electric vehicles. In his Town Administrator’s Report to the Marion Select Board on September 4, Geoff Gorman said that the town has the opportunity to install “fast” Level 3 DC chargers at various locations, providing electrical-vehicle charging and a new […] Read more »
Seasoned Pro to Crunch Numbers
Judy Mooney doesn’t mind helping out some in her retirement, and that makes members of the Mattapoisett River Valley Water Supply Protection Advisory Committee and Water District Commission very happy. The recently retired Town of Marion finance director agreed on Tuesday to serve both arms of the MRV as treasurer, a part-time job that […] Read more »