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West Falmouth, MA · Municipal

The Independent

partner publisher · 2.6M followers

Sheriffs across Massachusetts have requested $241 million to repair and renovate their jails

Jail Funding Massachusetts ASSOCIATED PRESS Bristol County Sheriff Paul Heroux is seeking $27 million in state funding to renovate the Dartmouth House of Correction, so he can close the 148-year-old Ash Street Jail. But Heroux is facing competition from sheriffs across Massachusetts . They’re all seeking a share of limited state funding for major repairs and renovations at their facilities. Among the contenders is a jail even older than Ash Street: the Dukes County jail on Martha’s Vineyard, built in 1873, which needs structural and fire-safety repairs and more space. Essex County seeks to overhaul Middleton jail’s kitchen and dining area, while Worcester County wants to renovate deteriorating jail housing units and demolish a former hospital nurses’ home. Heroux shared his funding proposal with The Light for the first time, providing new details about the work needed to close Ash Street and its estimated cost. Five of the state’s 13 other sheriffs who run jails — Franklin, Berkshire , Dukes, Essex and Worcester — also shared their applications with The Light. Together, the sheriffs have requested about $241 million, far more than the $125 million to $150 million the state expects to allocate through the program. Franklin, Dukes and Essex

Bristol County, MA · 2h

newbedfordguide.com

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New Bedford Fire Watch: “City Budgeted $800K to Pay Firefighters Not to Work While Claiming No Money to Keep Engine 9 Open”

NEW BEDFORD — A local advocacy page is drawing attention to a large increase in the city’s budgeted unemployment compensation costs in the FY2027 budget, arguing the figures show officials planned for firefighter layoffs tied to the proposed closure of Engine Company 9. According to a post from...

New Bedford, MA · 1d

fairhavenneighborhoodnews.com

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Acushnet’s St. Gelais flips seat from Dem to Rep

Last week’s election results took a little bit longer to count than usual. The Neighb News had to go to print with some races and ballot questions still not decided. Now, 99% of the votes are in. Domestic mailed-in ballots postmarked by 11/3 had to be in by 11/6. Ballots mailed from outside the US have until 11/13 to arrive and still be counted. So counting cannot be finished until after then. The results need to be certified by 11/18.

Acushnet, MA · 1d

The Herald News

partner publisher · 9.3K followers

National Grid offers Fall River homes free home battery systems

National Grid is launching a pilot program that will provide no-cost home battery systems to as many as 125 income-eligible households in the Fall River area. The BackupBattery+ program will offer systems with up to 45 kWh of battery storage, according to a community announcement. The batteries can provide at least four hours of backup power during outages while also helping reduce demand on the local electric grid when electricity use is high. National Grid is partnering with Haven Energy and Citizens for Citizens on outreach to eligible residents. The pilot is designed to test whether coordinated residential batteries can address local grid needs while expanding access to technology that can carry significant upfront costs. “BackupBattery+ will deliver a direct benefit to Fall River area customers, providing no-cost access to backup power and battery storage technologies that have traditionally been out of reach for many households,” said Steve Caldwell, vice president of Energy Efficiency and Clean Programs at National Grid. “This pilot will also help us test how coordinated home batteries can address local grid needs and learn whether this model can deliver meaningful value for participating households, the local community, and the broader electric system.” How the home battery

Fall River, MA · 3d

Cape Cod Chronicle

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Peck Named New DPW Director

HARWICH – In continuing to build his leadership team, Town Administrator Jay McGrail makes no apologies for choosing proven talent. This week, he announced another former colleague from Middleborough, Christopher Peck, to serve as Harwich’s next director of public works. Peck’s was among 14 applications reviewed by a...

Harwich, MA · 2d

vineyardgazette.com

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Edgartown Adopts Residential Tax Exemption

The Edgartown select board this week approved a residential tax exemption that will shift some of the property tax burden from year-round residents to seasonal homeowners. The board voted unanimously Monday in favor of enacting a 5 per cent residential tax rate exemption after holding hearings earlier this year. This is the first time that Edgartown has enacted the residential exemption, which has been employed by several other municipalities on the Island.

Edgartown, MA · 1d

theweektoday.com

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Lakeville Finance Director has contract extension through 2030

LAKEVILLE — Lakeville’s Finance Director/Town Accountant Michael Ellis is staying in town through the start of the next decade. Select Board members have approved a new contract for Ellis that would begin July 1, 2027 and run through June 30, 2030. His current contract ends June 30, 2027.

Lakeville, MA · 1d

WPRI 12 News

partner publisher · 60.5K followers

Swansea to discuss proposed AI data center Tuesday night

A proposed AI data center is on the agenda in Swansea as more communities raise questions about these facilities.

Swansea, MA · 3d

Cape Cod Chronicle

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Our View: Move Forward With Sea Camps

The more than $1.7 million that Brewster voters will be asked to spend on capital improvements to the Sea Camps bay property at Monday’s special town meeting is an investment worth making. The defeat of master plan funding for the property was a setback; on Nov. 16 voters have an opportunity to put rehabilitation of the property back on track. The money, which comes from community preservation funds and free cash, will rehabilitate tennis courts, allow demolition of up to 21 buildings, replace a water main in an environmentally sensitive area and develop landscaping and trail plans. The property holds the potential for being a real centerpiece for the town, and these steps will continue movement in that direction.

Brewster, MA · 2d

Taunton Daily Gazette

partner publisher · 6.7K followers

'Despicable.' Taunton City Council OKs budget after heated lawyer fight

After a heated debate, Taunton city councilors voted 7-1 to approve the supplemental budget they rejected two weeks ago, without any changes and without a budget line item specifically for an attorney for the City Council. Previously, the Council voted 5-4 to reject the supplemental budget because it did not contain funding for an attorney specifically for the City Council . The supplemental budget contains funding for firefighters, funds the pension of a city employee serving in the military, and also adds $481,000 to the city's reserve account where it can be used in the event of an economic downturn or other financial challenge. At the most recent Tuesday, Nov. 10, council meeting, Chief Financial Officer Patrick Dello Russo said that hypothetically, money was available for the council to hire their own attorney. But he said that he would not make the money available until the Council came to an agreement with City Solicitor Matt Costa about the role of such an attorney. Costa, for his part, said that he had "legal concerns" but that he was "open to having the discussion." Ultimately, City Councilor Debra Botellio said that "we need to pass this for the sake of the people

Taunton, MA · 2d

sandwichmass.org

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Select Board Endorses Revised DPW & Fire Substation Proposal; Town to Begin Public Outreach

The Sandwich Select Board unanimously endorsed a revised proposal for a new Department of Public Works (DPW) facility and Fire Substation at a shared-use site at 500 Route 130 during its November 12 meeting. The Board expressed strong support for moving the project forward into a public engagement period, marking an important step in the Town's efforts to address long-standing infrastructure needs for these two essential municipal departments.

Sandwich, MA · 19h

fairhavenneighborhoodnews.com

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Special TM facing nine articles, including Flock ban bylaw

Fairhaven Town Meeting members will vote on nine articles at the special TM on Tuesday. Most articles are spending articles, carried over from FY 26. There are also two bylaws articles. Article one would allow $168,628.08 in insurance proceeds to be used to repair damages to an elementary school caused...

Fairhaven, MA · 1d

fairhavenneighborhoodnews.com

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Fairhaven Residents say Building Insp. has too much discretion

The Fairhaven Select Board heard from several residents at its meeting on 11/9/26 during the public comment session regarding building projects on West Island that neighbors say violate either bylaws or state law. Bob Pink told the board that the situation is creating a cloud on some titles/deeds. At present,...

Fairhaven, MA · 1d

fallriverreporter.com

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Massachusetts DOT announces they will be installing wrong way vehicle detection system in Fall River; here are the impacts

FALL RIVER – The Massachusetts Department of Transportation has announced that it will be installing a wrong way vehicle detection system on I-195 exit 13 eastbound and westbound ramps at Plymouth Avenue in Fall River. The work is scheduled for Tuesday, November 17th, between the hours of 7:00 a.m....

Fall River, MA · 2h

The Herald News

partner publisher · 9.3K followers

New historic calendar captures Fall River memories

Fall River residents can revisit nearly a century of local memories in the Fall River Scholarship Foundation’s 2027 historic calendar, featuring scenes from Sandy Beach, Main Street, the Braga Bridge and other familiar city locations. The $5 calendar is now on sale at several area businesses, according to a community announcement. Proceeds from calendar sales will fund a scholarship for deserving students next year. James Rogers, editor of the annual calendar, said its 12 photographs highlight Fall River’s history and enduring character over the past 100 years. The cover captures a summer day at Sandy Beach, where hundreds of people are shown swimming and enjoying activities along the waterfront. Another photograph looks back at the huge roller coaster that once stood at Sandy Beach. The calendar also captures two dramatically different winters. One photograph shows cars creeping along Main Street during a raging 1967 snowstorm. Another, from December 1968, shows snow-covered Main Street decorations during the Christmas season. Historic Fall River moments fill the calendar Other photographs capture an April walk over the Braga Bridge, old typewriters once used in classrooms, a smiling young girl strolling a baby carriage and two seniors laughingly “hitchhiking” in front of the downtown senior

Fall River, MA · 15h

theweektoday.com

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Four finalists selected for Middleboro Town Manager post

MIDDLEBORO -- Middleboro has narrowed its choices for the next town manager to four. The finalists are Shawn Cadime, Anthony Delmonaco, Timothy McInerney and Matthew Wojcik. Cadime has been the town administrator in Seekonk since 2014 and previously worked in the City of Fall River. Delmonaco is the chief financial...

Middleborough, MA · 1d

theweektoday.com

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Household hazardous waste day for Marion and Mattapoisett

MARION —Marion and Mattapoisett residents can dispose of household hazardous waste on Nov. 14 from 9 a.m. to noon. The event is only for residents of the two towns, and proof of residency is required. The maximum load is 10 gallons or 10 pounds. Acceptable hazardous waste includes clearning...

Marion, MA · 1d

capecod.com

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Wellfleet Emergency Management seeking volunteers to assist with storm sheltering operations

WELLFLEET – The Wellfleet Emergency Management Team is seeking community volunteers to help operate emergency shelters during severe weather events, including warming and cooling centers and overnight shelter accommodations. Town officials are recruiting residents willing to assist with emergency shelter operations at Nauset Regional High School when severe weather...

Wellfleet, MA · 1d

Cape Cod Chronicle

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Zoning Board More Receptive To Proposed Apartment Building

CHATHAM – Plans for a proposed apartment building on Route 28 have been revised, reducing the total number of units and changing the traffic flow on the property at 1134 and 1142 Main Street. At an informal discussion Nov. 5, zoning board of appeals members appeared more receptive to...

Chatham, MA · 1d