Stoughton voters have approved a massive $3.3 million transfer from the completed high school project to the new elementary school project, a move designed to drastically reduce borrowing costs for taxpayers. During Tuesday’s Select Board meeting, Chair Stephen Cavey lauded the results of the previous night’s Special Town Meeting, where residents also voted to dissolve the Visiting Nurses Association (VNA) enterprise account. Cavey said he was grateful to the wisdom of town meeting for reallocating the funds, noting that the VNA nurses will continue to operate with a modified mission under the oversight of the Fire Department. Town Meeting voted to dissolve the enterprise account for the VNA. The nurses will continue to operate with a slightly different mission under Mike Carroll, Cavey explained, emphasizing that the $3.3 million shift was a strategic financial win for the town.

The restructuring of the VNA followed a detailed report on the program’s long-term sustainability. Member Louis Gitto noted that while the VNA has served the community since the 1890s, the current healthcare landscape had left the program with a significant deficit. The report itself is really good... the VNA operations, I agree there's a huge deficit in that program. We are looking at a new mobility health program, Gitto said. In a poignant moment, Gitto also announced his upcoming departure from the board, telling the room, I'm going to be saying adios, and a lot of people will [be happy]. Town Manager Thomas Calter addressed the transition by noting that while communication can always improve, the town’s financial footing remains strong with $20 million currently in various savings accounts.

The atmosphere turned sharp as Member Joseph Mokrisky addressed an incident of perceived disrespect toward Congressman Stephen Lynch during the Town Meeting. Mokrisky praised Lynch for his consistent support, which recently included securing $1 million for the exterior of the town’s train station. That's not the place for politics, yelling and putting your finger in the face of a sitting congressman who has been there for Stoughton every chance he's been asked, Mokrisky said, defending the congressman’s contributions to the town's infrastructure. Chair Cavey echoed these sentiments, describing Lynch as highly engaged and attentive to local needs.

In business news, the board held a public hearing for a new Jersey Mike's Subs location at 106 Sharon Street. Vice Chair Debra Roberts opened the hearing, reading the legal notice to consider the application for the Common Vic license of Five-Star Franchise MA-10 LLC doing business as Jersey Mike's Subs. Owner-operator O'Loughlin told the board, This is our tenth location in Massachusetts. The board welcomed the business warmly, especially after hearing about a recent fundraiser the shop held for the high school music program. Motion Made by J. Mokrisky to close the public hearing. Motion Passed (5-0-0). Following the closure, the board moved to finalize the paperwork. Motion Made by J. Mokrisky to approve the Common Victualler License for Jersey Mike's Subs. Motion Passed (5-0-0).

The meeting also served as the launchpad for the Stoughton Reads Together program. Library Director Christopher McGee explained that the initiative is about more than just reading. Community reads are really intended to promote camaraderie and community and just giving a shared topic of conversation, McGee said. A library staff member revealed this year’s selection is a historical novel set in 1761 Cape Cod following a widow named Liddy Berry. The novel gives a vivid look at daily life in colonial Massachusetts while exploring themes that still resonate today, she said, adding that the program will conclude with a trip to Old Sturbridge Village on April 29. Resident Ms. Walsh, a frequent critic of town proceedings, offered a rare compliment to the board, noting that officials had finally addressed her long-standing complaints regarding the audio quality in the Great Hall. After my repeated criticisms, I wanted to recognize the fact that as I arrived tonight, they were actually [improving the audio], she said.

Finally, the board reviewed the consent agenda, which included a request for the 14th Annual Narragansett Summer Running Festival in July. Member Scott Carrara raised a cautionary note regarding the cost of police details for the event organizers. I hope you will impress them that the union says whether it's four hours, it's four hours. One minute beyond the four hours becomes eight. Just let them know they're paying for it, Carrara warned. Motion Made by J. Mokrisky to approve Consent Agenda items A and B. Motion Passed (5-0-0).