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Marion Town Meeting approves $2.7 million in road and sidewalk funding

MARION — After reaching a two-thirds majority vote, Marion Town Meeting approved the appropriation of $2.7 million that will fund sidewalk, road and way repairs on Monday, May 12. With Town Meeting approval confirmed, the proposal will now appear on...

Local author talks loneliness and how to avoid it

MARION - Have you called your mother today? Or your sibling, or even your best friend? If you haven’t, you’re not alone. Today’s busy world often causes a lack of connections, author and Marion resident J.W. Freiberg and a nationally recognized...
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Marion historic district rejected at Town Meeting

MARION — Following months of contentious discussions, voters opposed the creation of a Marion historic district at Town Meeting on Monday, May 12. Requiring a two-thirds majority, the district bylaw was rejected with 154 voters in favor of the...

Funds set aside for future affordable housing projects

MATTAPOISETT — In the closest vote of the night and the only one that required a headcount to determine the outcome, Town Meeting narrowly approved transferring $250,000 from the CPA Undesignated Fund to the CPA Community Housing Fund. The amount...

Stretch Energy Code removed from Marion bylaws

MARION — Town Meeting finalized the removal of the Stretch Energy Code from Marion bylaws, triggering the town to leave the Green Communities Program on Monday, May 12. The Stretch Energy Code established specific energy efficient demands for new...

Over $3.3 million approved for Marion Town House renovations

MARION — Marion Town Meeting approved over $3.3 million in funding for Town House renovations on Monday, May 12. Accessibility improvements, a fire suppression system and a new HVAC system are among the renovations that will be added to the Town...

Renovations may be coming soon to the Mattapoisett Highway Building

MATTAPOISETT — After decades without any major work done, renovations to the Mattapoisett Highway building are now one step closer. Town Meeting approved the Mattapoisett Highway Department’s request for $4 million on May 12 to pay for renovations,...

Petition moves forward to increase Mattapoisett Select Board size

MATTAPOISETT — After a contentious debate that nearly saw the postponement of a citizens petition to increase the Select Board size from three to five members, Town Meeting approved of expanding the Select Board in a voiced vote, which will go into...

Meet Board of Health candidate Douglas Schneider

Board of Health candidate Douglas Schneider couldn’t be reached for an interview, but attended a candidate’s night hosted on April 30 by the League of Women Voters Southcoast. MATTAPOISETT — For the past 40 years, Douglas Schneider has been...

Meet Board of Health Candidate Michele Bernier

MATTAPOISETT — Incumbent Michele Bernier is no stranger to the Board of Health, but she is new to campaigning. After writing in her name in the blank candidates spot three years ago and winning the seat, Bernier is now running to stay on the Board...

Two candidates vie for a seat on the Board of Health

MATTAPOISETT — Two names will appear on the ballot for one Board of Health seat in the upcoming Mattapoisett town election, which will be held on Tuesday, May 20. Douglas Schneider, who has been involved in the development business with a focus on...

Sippican Woman’s Club gives $1,000 grant for technology, website improvements

MARION — The Sippican Woman’s Club 2024 Holiday by the Sea House Tour, which was held on Dec. 7, 2024, was a “fantastic success,” the organization said. The Club partnered with Tabor Academy, homeowners who opened their homes to the public and local...

Camp out with a new scouting troop

A new all female scouting troop may soon be coming to the Tri-town. Leadership from several area troops in Scouting America are working to put together a troop for girls ages 11 through 18, with the closest troop currently located in New Bedford...

Two contested races as the Mattapoisett Town Election approaches

MATTAPOISETT — As the May 20 town election approaches, there are two contested races on the ballot, with two candidates running for one seat on the Old Rochester Regional School Committee and two candidates vying for one seat on the Board of Health...

Two contested races as the Marion Town Election approaches

MARION — With Marion’s Town Election set to be held on Friday, May 16, the races for the available Select Board and the Open Space Acquisition Commission seats are the only ones contested and will feature some familiar faces. Four candidates are...

Rochester Town Meeting to address Rochester Crossroads, school improvements and more

ROCHESTER — The upcoming Rochester Town Meeting will feature an expansion to the Rochester Crossroads housing development project, Rochester Memorial School improvements and a $27,022,457 town operating budget. Rochester voters will face those and...

Three candidates run for two seats on the Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission

MARION — Three candidates are running for two three-year terms on the Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission in the upcoming Friday, May 16 election. Open Space Acquisition Commission members John Rockwell and Adele Sands are running to secure...

Mattapoisett candidates address challenges at forum

MATTAPOISETT — As the Mattapoisett Town Election nears, candidates for two contested races are facing off to discuss how they would address the concerns facing the Board of Health and the Old Rochester Regional School Committee. On Wednesday, April...

The ship hasn’t sailed yet: Join in on the Rochester Memorial Day Boat Race

ROCHESTER — Every year since 1934, the Mattapoisett River has seen the craftsmanship of local boaters put to the test. Generations have floated, sank and tipped over into the rushing water on their way to the finish line of the Rochester Memorial...

Mattapoisett Town Meeting to discuss Select Board seats, Oakland Street reconstruction and more

MATTAPOISETT — A $4 million renovation of the Highway Department building. A $1.3 million Oakland Street drainage project. Expanding the Select Board from three to five members. Six requests for Community Preservation funds and a $34,474,066 town...

Marion Town Meeting to discuss historic district, road repairs and more

MARION — Voters will consider the creation of a Marion Village historic district, a nearly $3.3 million renovation of the Town House and a proposal to remove the town from the Green Communities Program, along with several other proposals, at the...

Swings, slides and a ceremony: Rochester breaks ground on Gifford Park Playground

ROCHESTER — Building a playground is no walk in the park. After a year of planning , the Rochester Parks Commission and the non-profit organization Tri-Town for Protecting Children celebrated the new Gifford Park Playground with a groundbreaking on...

Marion candidates share potential plans and perspectives at forum

MARION — In preparation for the Marion Election on Friday, May 16, nine candidates from the Planning Board, Open Space Acquisition Commission and the Select Board discussed their intentions and ideas for the town at a forum on Tuesday, April 29. All...

Proposed Marion Town House renovation to focus on accessibility

MARION — Marion Town House renovations have been considered for over 15 years. With the structure’s current lack of ADA compliance and fire suppression system, some Marion officials are emphasizing that this proposed project should be prioritized...

Yee-haw! Rochester Select Board approves New England Rodeo license

ROCHESTER — Boy howdy! Barrel racing and bull riding could come to Rochester this summer. The Select Board approved a license agreement with the New England Rodeo for temporary use of the fairgrounds at 65 Pine Street during a meeting on Monday,...

Meet the candidates running for the Old Rochester Regional School Committee

MATTAPOISETT — Two candidates are running for one available three-year term on the Old Rochester Regional School Committee, as the impending annual town election approaches on Tuesday, May 20. Candidates sat down with reporter Abby Van Selous to...

Old Rochester Regional School Committee candidate profile: Nina Datshkovsky-Ennis

MATTAPOISETT — Ever since she moved to Mattapoisett in 2010, Nina Datshkovsky-Ennis has looked for ways to get involved in the community. Now, she is running for the open Old Rochester Regional School Committee seat in the May 20 election to address...

Old Rochester Regional School Committee candidate profile: Betsy Stewart

MATTAPOISETT — Betsy Stewart spent 16 years volunteering her time in her children’s schools and being an active member of the Parent-Teacher Organization in the Franklin Public School District. Now she’s looking to apply her experiences to the Old...

Marion Election Candidates Forum

MARION — Marion Election Candidates will have a chance to share their perspective at a Candidates Forum hosted by The League of Women Voters SouthCoast on Tuesday, April 29 at 7 p.m. in the Sippican School Multipurpose Room. The event is open to the...

Sowing new seeds: Mattapoisett Tree Committee honors life of teacher Bill Spark

MATTAPOISETT — The Mattapoisett Tree Committee and Highway Department helped a new memorial take root at Center School to honor the legacy of longtime teacher Bill Spark who passed away from leukemia in 2009. Following an Arbor Day Observance...

Two contested races as the Rochester election takes shape

ROCHESTER — With the Rochester town election approaching, the ballot is shaping up to have two contested races for the election on Wednesday, May 28. Three newcomers have taken out nomination papers for one Rochester School Committee position, with...

Rochester welcomes familiar Tri-Town face to planning

ROCHESTER — While Michaela Shoemaker has had careers in Hanover, Falmouth and Kingston — she’s finally returning to her roots as Rochester’s new Town Planner. Shoemaker is a Marion native and moved back home five years ago. She said her onboarding...

Pawsome pals: Meet Marion Institute’s newest furry friend

MARION — Hot dog! There’s a new Chief Morale Officer at Marion Institute, and she’s quite fetching. Meet Biscuit the dog, a four-month-old yellow labrador and Marion Institute’s newest puppy pal. She was adopted by Human Resources Director and...

Marion Select Board candidate profile: Sean Sweeney

MARION — After 25 years of building career experience in management and civil engineering at MIT and several consulting firms, Marion Select Board candidate Sean Sweeney is now looking to bring his diverse skillset to the position if elected on...

Marion Select Board candidate profile: John Hoagland

MARION — Candidate John Hoagland was first elected to the Marion Select Board in 1986 at the age of 29 and went on to serve two terms. Now Hoagland is running in the Friday, May 16 election to return to the Board to address many of the same issues...

Marion Select Board candidate profile: George “TJ” Walker

MARION — For almost two decades, Marion Select Board candidate George “TJ” Walker has committed himself to serving the town as a member of the Planning Board for six years, including five years as chair, and as a current member of the Board of...

Meet the candidates: Four contenders run for one seat on the Marion Select Board

MARION — Four candidates are running for one available three-year term on the Marion Select Board, as the impending annual town election approaches on Friday, May 16. The open seat is left behind by Select Member Carleton Burr, Jr., who decided not...

Marion Select Board candidate profile: Cynthia Callow

MARION — Select Board candidate Cynthia Callow has served the town of Marion for over a decade as past chair of the Conservation Commission and current chair of the Board of Appeals. Now she intends to apply her experience to the Select Board if...

Old Rochester Credit for Life Fair plays at personal finance

MARION — Old Rochester Regional High School’s second annual Credit for Life Fair was held on Tuesday, April 8 to teach seniors about financial literacy. "There are two things I hear at every fair: One, adults saying they wish something like this was...

Old Rochester seniors pursue the real questions in AP Research

MATTAPOISETT — Old Rochester Regional High School honored this year's AP Research students following the completion of their year-long presentation and oral defense projects Friday, April 11. The 12 AP Research students selected topics and designed...

Eggs-citing Easter extravaganza at Silvershell Beach

MARION — Multicolor plastic eggs decorated Silvershell Beach as crowds of kids and parents gathered in the sand, eager to kick off the second annual Saint Gabriel Episcopal Church Easter egg hunt. Participants were treated to face painting, egg...

It takes a village: Rochester Council on Aging funds expansion with community donations

ROCHESTER — The expansion of the Rochester Council on Aging center has been discussed for over two decades, but with rising attendance and lack of space, renovations are now underway. Senior center attendance has grown significantly since Executive...

Buzzards Bay Coalition puts $7.6 million purchase of Little Neck Land on hold

MARION — The Buzzards Bay Coalition is putting their potential $7.6 million purchase of Little Neck land that extends across the coast of Sippican Harbor along Hermitage Road in Marion on hold after failing to reach an agreement with landowners in...

Giddyup! New England Rodeo looks to host events in Rochester

ROCHESTER — New England Rodeo is looking to get back in the saddle this summer, seeking approval to host their events at 65 Pine Street on the Rochester Fairgrounds. According to rodeo Strategic Advisor and Producer Kelly Pina, the “family-friendly...

SouthCoast artist uses Notes App and free parking to produce local landscapes

MARION — John Vliet is living proof to the saying, “An old dog can learn new tricks.” With just an iPad, his car and motivation to leave the house, Vliet has been providing Tri-Town Facebook groups with digital landscapes to give the feeds of...

Turning the page: Mattapoisett on its way to hire new library director

MATTAPOISETT — Following the abrupt resignation of previous Mattapoisett Library Director Colleen Tierney in November 2024, the Library Board of Trustees has been in search of a permanent director to fill the role. Two candidates will move forward...

Not far-fetched: Comfort dog awards su-paw-star students

MARION — Who has four legs, one tail and his own set of awards at Sippican Elementary? Norman does! Although, Norman isn’t the one choosing the recipients. Students are nominated each month by teachers for the recently introduced Norman Award when...

Fighting food insecurity at Marion Institute’s Frogfoot Farm

WAREHAM — One in three people in Southeastern Massachusetts experience food insecurity and do not know where their next meal will come from, according to Marion Institute Executive Director Liz Wiley. Food insecure residents' lack of access to fresh...

United States’ 250th birthday celebration committee in the works

MATTAPOISETT — The United States of America turns 250 years old in 2026 — and Mattapoisett resident Bobbi Gaspar is in the mood to celebrate. Gaspar went in front of the Mattapoisett Select Board on Tuesday, April 8 to bring forth the idea of a...

Some Marion officials fear financial burden of $3.2 million Town House renovation

MARION — Marion is looking to approve over $3.2 million for the renovation of the Town House at the annual Town Meeting on Monday, May 12, but some officials are concerned with the financial burden. The request has been recommended for favorable...

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