Stoughton municipal employees in the Department of Public Works will see an 8% total wage increase over the next three years following a new collective bargaining agreement presented to the Select Board on Tuesday night. The contract, covering fiscal years 2026 through 2028, shifts significant focus toward professional development and specialized certifications for town staff. Labor Counsel Kate Feodoroff explained that the agreement includes cost-of-living adjustments of 2.5% in the first two years and 3% in the final year, while also reducing premium pay for snow-related overtime from 15% to 10%.

Town Manager Tom Coulter noted that the contract was designed to make the town a more competitive employer by rewarding workers who obtain commercial driver’s licenses and other technical certifications. This contract, more than any other right now, is on professional development, Coulter said. Feodoroff added that the deal includes new performance evaluation structures and a formal vehicle use policy to improve operational efficiency. Following the presentation, the board moved to the consent agenda where routine business was handled. Motion Made by D. Roberts to approve the consent agenda. Motion Passed (5-0).

The long-awaited renovation of the Stoughton train depot is also nearing its finish line. Responding to an inquiry from Vice Chair Debra Roberts, who noted the project's progress has been such good news, Coulter announced a tentative completion date of December 5. The Town Manager reported that crews are currently finishing intricate woodwork on the building’s doors, though he warned that utility coordination remains the final hurdle. The only thing that can get in the way of that is National Grid, Coulter told the board.

Public safety at the intersection of Turnpike and Central Streets dominated a portion of the evening’s discussion after Member Scott Carrara reported persistent issues with heavy trucks. Carrara described a resident’s frustration with vehicles traveling from Avon that fail to stop before making right-hand turns on red lights. The trucks are coming around the corner; they're not stopping. They're just flying through, Carrara said, suggesting the board use its authority as street commissioners to ban right turns on red at the location if compliance does not improve. Member Joseph Mokrisky noted he has been investigating the intersection’s jurisdiction for several months, explaining, I've been working on that for about four months, getting some facts and information together for a homeowner.

The board also spent considerable time refining the Town Vehicle Use Policy, adopting several amendments to tighten oversight of municipal assets. The updated policy now requires employees to self-report any changes to their driver’s license status to Human Resources within five days and mandates that the town consider leasing options before purchasing new vehicles. While the board tightened some rules, they also codified certain allowances. Individuals assigned a vehicle may take incidental personal uses, such as stopping at a grocery store or bank, Chairman Stephen Cavey noted while reading the revisions. Member Carrara successfully pushed for language ensuring the Select Board receives copies of any policy exemptions granted by the Town Manager, arguing, The town manager should not be dealing with policies. We are policy makers. Keep that underneath our umbrella.

Motion Made by J. Mokrisky to require leasing options be considered prior to vehicle purchase. Motion Passed (5-0). Motion Made by J. Mokrisky to require license status self-reporting within five days. Motion Passed (5-0). Motion Made by J. Mokrisky to allow incidental personal use of town vehicles. Motion Passed (5-0). Motion Made by J. Mokrisky to adopt the Town Vehicle Use Policy as amended. Motion Passed (5-0).

During public comment, resident Chet Collins praised the board for its recent transparency, specifically citing Chairman Cavey’s appearance on a Stoughton Media Access Corporation (SMAC) program. Your description of what's going on in the town was honest, open, and informative, Collins said. He also threw his support behind a proposal by Member Mokrisky to create a Veterans Memorial Wall at Faxon Park, offering his personal assistance to the project. Mokrisky responded that such a memorial is becoming necessary as the town is running out of squares for traditional individual dedications.

The board concluded the evening by updating the Veterans Memorial Square dedication policy to allow families to submit applications at any time, rather than waiting for specific milestones. Motion Made by D. Roberts to adopt the Veterans Memorial Square Dedication policy as amended. Motion Passed (5-0). Additionally, the board greenlit a request for an electronic billboard. Motion Made by J. Mokrisky to approve the electronic billboard request. Motion Passed (5-0). As the meeting drew to a close, Member Louis Gitto urged the board to remain focused on high-level strategy rather than administrative minutiae, stating, We can't spend quality time on doing things that are really important if the agenda remains cluttered with secondary items.