News

News

One contested race so far as election ballot begins to take shape

Three candidates will vie for a seat on the Board of Health in this spring’s town election with all other offices uncontested. On the April 2 ballot will be two seats on the Select Board, two on the School Committee, one Board of Health seat, two on...

Black Earth curbside food scrap collection program is expanding

Black Earth Compost has expanded the service area of its Curbside Food Scrap Collection Program to more Dartmouth residents. The collection service can help reduce household waste by 30% by diverting fruit peels, bones and other food scraps from the...

Weekend storm passes through Dartmouth quietly

It was a relatively quick and quiet storm that passed through Dartmouth over the Feb. 8 and 9 weekend, thanks in part to the work of the Department of Public Works. Though the storm was the biggest the town’s seen this season, cumulating 3 inches,...

Farmers cultivate crops and conversations

Discussions of farming techniques, equipment and crops filled the Dartmouth Grange hall as local farmers, experienced and young alike, came together to enjoy a meal with food primarily grown or raised on their farms. Held on Friday, Feb. 7, the...

Back to square one in Dartmouth town administrator search

The search for Dartmouth’s next town administrator continues to go on. At its Monday, Feb. 10 meeting, the Select Board unanimously voted to rescind its offer to candidate Bridget Almon, who is currently the director of finance in Fall River, after...

The South Coast Rail will soon pull into the station

The ongoing South Coast Rail project, which was designed to reconnect the South Coast with Boston for the first time since the late 1950s, is on track to open on March 24. “We are absolutely at the finish line,” Jean Fox, the South Coast Rail...

Dartmouth sees decline in overdose deaths in 2024

Overdoses were down in Dartmouth for 2024, with the town seeing two fatal and 17 non-fatal overdoses, down from six fatal and 37 non-fatal overdoses in 2023. Detective Christina Brum announced the news at the Dartmouth Advocates for Addiction,...

UMass Dartmouth graduate among the victims of D.C. plane crash

Chris Collins, 42, a UMass Dartmouth graduate and Dighton native, was among the 67 victims of the Washington, D.C. plane crash between American Eagle Flight 5342 and a Black Hawk helicopter. “Our family is devastated by the loss of Chris, our...

UMass Receives $75,000 from BayCoast Bank to promote education to Southcoast youth

UMass received a $75,000 grant from BayCoast Bank, funding the university’s College and Career Awareness Initiatives that allows for local seventh and eighth grade students to visit the UMass campus and experience an “interactive, academically...

Dartmouth Natural Resource Trust seeks accreditation renewal

The Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust is applying for renewal of accreditation through the national Land Trust Accreditation Program. This program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting...

Select Board pushes for increase in Public Works Board membership

After eight years of service on the Board of Public Works, Richard Alves has resigned, reigniting conversations in the Select Board about a possible increase in board members. After the announcement of Alves’ resignation at the Select Board Monday,...

Applications open now for parks department summer roles

Every summer season, the Dartmouth Parks & Recreation Department begins preparing by hiring approximately 50 seasonal summer employees to work as lifeguards, gate guards, laborers, concession staff, and playground instructors. Applications for...

‘A miracle’: Coyotes hunters reunite small dog with Dartmouth family

It was a typical Wednesday afternoon when Mary Kate Roy’s son let out the family dogs for their usual business, but things took a “ruff” turn when Pearl, the 7 year old Pomeranian, took off. Pearl may have only joined the Roy family a few weeks ago...

Public Works to reduce sewer connection fees for pilot program

The Board of Public Works has moved forward in authorizing the department’s director to reduce fees for septic to sewer connections for residences along the Apponagensett Bay watershed by $1,000 — under a few conditions. At its Thursday, Jan. 23...

Smart cookies: Girl Scouts sell sweets and support local charities

A full rainbow of multicolor Girl Scout cookie boxes was spread across a green clothed table outside the State Road Walmart in Dartmouth on a warm winter afternoon Sunday, Jan. 26. A lineup of girls dressed in bright green berets, vests and winter...

Trash talk: Public Works Board raises annual trash fee

Dartmouth’s annual trash rate is increasing by $20 in Fiscal Year 2026, bringing up the fee to a total of $110. At its Thursday, Jan. 23 meeting, the Board of Public Works voted for the increase after considering multiple options presented by...

Dias Landing will be storage-ready by May

The approximately $1 million renovations at the Arthur F. Dias Town Landing will be ready in time for the start of the season on May 1, announced Harbormaster Steve Melo. The popular pier will be ready for seasonal, on the dock storage of dinghies...

A chill drill: First responders gear up for icy rescues

Over the weekend, Fire District 1 took to the ice to hone in on their ice rescue skills and to Facebook to remind residents that “no ice is safe ice.” The department commended their members’ performance in the training, highlighting the importance...

Dartmouth to support homeless through Bristol County Continuum

As the housing crisis continues, there simply aren't enough homes for everyone in Bristol County. In Dartmouth alone there are about 12 to 15 individuals without homes, with many more in the middle of evictions, living in their cars and other...

‘Snow’ much fun at Dartmouth Middle School

Dartmouth got a couple inches of snow over the Sunday night, Jan. 19, leaving the town blanketed for the Monday holiday. Residents took this as an opportunity to hit the Dartmouth Middle School hill for some sledding. Families ran up the hill with...

Parking ban to go into effect due to upcoming storm

Due to the upcoming storm, there will be a parking ban from 8 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 19 through 12 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 20, per the order of the Department of Public Works. During the ban, cars should be parked on the side of the street without fire...

Buzzards Bay Coalition permanently protects 200 acres of farmland

The Buzzards Bay Coalition recently purchased three Dartmouth Farms, permanently protecting nearly 200 acres of land. The coalition purchased the 32-acre Jordan Farm, an 11-acre farm at the site of the former Wainer/Jansal Valley Farm near the end...

Senator Mark Montigny elevated to Dean of the Senate

Sen. Mark Montigny (D — New Bedford) opened the 194th session of the Massachusetts General Court on Jan. 1, presiding as the Dean of the Senate. As the Dean of the Senate, Montigny, who is the Senate’s longest continuously serving member, will call...

‘Piering’ into the future of Dias Town Landing

Currently under construct, residents will see the popular Arthur F. Dias Town Landing looking a bit new and improved this summer as it undergoes nearly $1 million in renovations, according to Harbormaster Steve Melo. The project is part of the...

Select Board working on contract for Town Administrator position

After choosing Bridget Almon , currently the director of finance in Fall River, as the next town administrator, Select Board members must now present to her a job contract for the position. The Select Board is currently drafting the contract and...

Select Board considers ending remote-only board and commission meetings

At a Select Board meeting on Monday, Jan. 6, the Select Board discussed sending a letter to town boards and commissions announcing their desire to transition back to holding meetings primarily in-person. During the Covid pandemic, the state...

All remaining ARPA funds allocated despite the deadline passing

Despite passing the Dec. 31 deadline for allocating federal American Rescue Plan Act funds, the Select Board directed the town of Dartmouth’s remaining $1,035,000 to two final projects on Monday, Jan. 6. The two projects were already in queue for...

Nearly $1 million in college scholarships available to local high school students

The SouthCoast Community Foundation, one of the largest providers of scholarships in southeastern Massachusetts, has opened its 2025 online application , with a January 21 deadline. Students complete just one application and are automatically...

Dartmouth Pathways Committee seeking volunteers

The Dartmouth Pathways Committee, created by the town Select Board to promote and address issues pertaining to pedestrian and bicycling infrastructure development, is seeking resident volunteers to serve on the committee. The Pathways Committee is...

Dartmouth Pathways Committee offers e-bike tips

The Dartmouth Pathways Committee has compiled tips to keep e-bikes and their batteries in top condition over the winter months. The first step in properly caring for an e-bike is to consult the instructions provided by the battery manufacturer to...

Dartmouth Lilly Pad Boutique Brings Lilly Pulitzer to State Road

Fire extinguishers only come in red, but the hallmark of Lilly Pulitzer clothing is the vibrant palette of colors that cover the spectrum of the rainbow, which played a big role in Kara Magoni’s decision to put fire extinguishers on the back burner...

Southeastern Educational Collaborative students create and sell ornaments at youth vendor fair

A youth vendor fair held on Dec. 15 in Fairhaven showcased the talents of a group of students from the Southeastern Educational Collaborative who made and sold holiday ornaments. Southeastern Educational Collaborative, with its office located in...

Bittersweet season ahead for Dartmouth Girls Basketball seniors

Dartmouth High School seniors Katherine Cheesebro and Kate Sullivan, both 17, and Remy Barber, 18, have been playing basketball together since they were four years old so it is no surprise that their last year playing together is proving to be...

New cooking series dishes out town information

In most homes and some offices, kitchens are simply a place to cook a meal, but in the Dartmouth Community Media office, the kitchen and break room doubles as a film studio. Equipped with not only a stove and oven, the kitchen features a forward...

Dartmouth Natural Reserve Trust to preserve cranberry bog

For the first time in their over 50-year history, the Dartmouth Natural Reserve Trust owns a cranberry bog. Acquired in 2023, the 43-acre, long-retired bog, located across the street from one of the trust’s reserves, had been on the organization’s...

Looking back on the year 2024 in Dartmouth

When the clock approaches midnight at the end of the month, there are a number of moments for the town to look back on from the year 2024, whether in celebration, mourning or for hope. This year marked the first in which the town hit over $100...

Paradox Acres to receive $17,000 agriculture grant

Paradox Acres in Dartmouth will receive nearly $18,000 in grant funds to improve its composting operation in 2025 as part of an overall agricultural program aimed at maximizing farm production. The $17,812.50 award will be used for the purchase of a...

Holiday recycling tips for Dartmouth residents

The town of Dartmouth is offering residents holiday clean-up options to encourage recycling and composting to avoid waste and save landfill space. Below are disposal options for real Christmas trees after all decorations have been removed. Real...

Kwanzaa ceremony welcomes unity into the community

Nyla Walker, 7, read aloud the seven principles of Kwanzaa as kids took turns lighting the seven candles held in a kinara and her mom, Samia Walker, told visitors about the holiday. Each candle the kids lit symbolizes one of the seven principles of...

Transfer station rates to increase January 1

Several transfer station disposal rates, including fees for construction and demolition waste and bulky item waste, are set to increase on Jan. 1. The fee increases come after concerns that a large number of people are disposing of commercial waste...

Board selects candidate for town administrator position

In a 4-1 vote Monday night, Dec. 16, the Select Board decided to offer the position of town administrator to Bridget Almon, who is currently the director of finance in Fall River. The vote in opposition came from Select Board Chair Shawn McDonald,...

Frosting, sprinkles and friendly competition make for holiday fun at the library

As the clock ticked, kids frantically mixed their frosting and laid out the sprinkles and fondue that were sure to make their holiday cupcake stand out in the annual cupcake decorating competition Saturday, Dec. 14 at the North Branch Library. For...

Rotary members serve as ‘My Brother’s Keeper’ to help families in need

MIDDLEBORO – Members of the Middleboro Rotary Club and their families and friends visited My Brother’s Keeper in Dartmouth to select and wrap presents for families that would otherwise not have a Christmas. For the third year in a row, club members...

Proposal made to amend town garbage regulations

A proposed amendment to the town’s garbage regulations would require homeowners and contractors to complete an asbestos inspection before disturbing materials for renovation and demolition projects. The amendment would make it a requirement for...

How to dispose of burnt out string lights

As residents prepare for the holidays and begin decorating their homes, any burnt out string lights should be brought to the Dartmouth Transfer Station at 976 Russells Mills Road for recycling. String lights recycled at home can get stuck in the...

Revisions made to Dartmouth’s electricity aggregation plan

The town of Dartmouth is holding a 30-day public review period for its revised aggregation plan for Dartmouth Community Electricity Aggregation, which is the town’s official electricity supply program. The program provides new electricity supply...

Fill the Bus comes home for Christmas

The seats of two school buses were packed on Saturday, Dec. 7, but not by kids on a weekend field trip but by dozens of donated toys. Bags stuffed with toys sat in every row on the bus, organized by volunteers from the Dartmouth Police Department...

Tree lighting decks the Hall

Cheers and applause filled the crisp December air as Dartmouth welcomed in the holiday season with the annual Town Hall tree lighting ceremony. Hundreds of people gathered together in front of Town Hall on Saturday, Dec. 7, joining voices in a...

Cross Road improvements hearing spurs logistical questions

As rain poured down Wednesday morning, Dec. 11, Dartmouth commuters who took Cross Road were given a gentle reminder of just how bad the flooding can get as they passed by Potter Elementary School. A “Road Flooded” sign has made its permanent home...

‘A Hallmark movie in our own town’: Padanaram shows off its festive side

As the clock approached 6:30 p.m., a crowd joined together, huddled in the cold, at the Maritime Center where a tree of decorated buoys stood tall. Under the string lights, they sang in unison to holiday songs with Santa and Mrs. Claus after an...

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