The Stoughton Select Board took a significant step toward stabilizing the town’s long-term fiscal health on Tuesday by appointing Heidi Chuckren as the new Finance Director and Town Accountant. Chuckren, who brings an auditing background and experience from nearby Brockton, was recommended for the dual role by retiring Town Accountant Elizabeth Biz Deanna. Deanna told the board that Ms. Chuckren does have the abilities and the financial know-how to do this job, specifically highlighting her expertise in debt service and Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds. Town Manager Thomas Calter emphasized that while technical skills were the initial priority, finding a candidate who would fit the organization was equally vital. We believe strongly we've found the perfect candidate for Stoughton, Calter noted. Motion Made by J. Mokrisky to appoint Heidi Chuckren as Town Accountant and adopt the contract as presented. Motion Passed (5-0-0).

During the interview, board members questioned Chuckren on her approach to financial transparency and management. Member Louis Gitto encouraged Chuckren to look toward neighboring municipalities for inspiration on public reporting. A suggestion that I would make to you is to look to the community of Easton that publishes a lot for the people in the town, Gitto said, noting his desire for increased progress in public financial communication. When asked by Chair Stephen Cavey how she handles professional setbacks, Chuckren described herself as having a laid back personality, telling the board, everyone makes mistakes, you've got to make them to learn, while assuring them that her strong point remains auditing. Cavey praised her poise, stating, Your credentials are obviously very strong... To be able to weather change really expresses to me that you're able to be flexible through a lot of ambiguity.

The appointment comes as the town begins navigating a complex five-year capital planning cycle. Assistant Town Manager Mark Tisdale presented a draft of the FY27-FY31 Capital Plan, which utilizes a new four-tier ranking system to prioritize projects based on safety and necessity. Tisdale characterized the plan as a very fluid, dynamic document that currently lacks specific data from the school department, which is undergoing its own facility study. The draft outlines potential major municipal investments, including the future of the police station and the armory. Town Manager Calter noted that the board will eventually face a significant policy decision regarding whether to prioritize a new police station before embarking on another major school building project, which could otherwise be delayed by a decade.

Board members were quick to manage public expectations regarding the capital draft. Member Joseph Mokrisky clarified that the presentation did not represent the operational town budget. This is in no means our town budget. It is a draft of a five-year capital plan... The things you will hear tonight are not budget items, Mokrisky said. Chair Cavey echoed this sentiment, describing the draft as step one in a 30-step process and cautioning residents not to read too much into the preliminary rankings at this early stage.

Procedural decisions regarding the upcoming Town Meeting season also dominated the session. The board moved to open the warrant for the Fiscal Year 2027 Annual Town Meeting but intentionally delayed opening the Special Town Meeting warrant. Motion Made by L. Gitto to open the warrant for the Fiscal Year 2027 Annual Town Meeting. Motion Passed (5-0-0). Gitto advocated for the delay to ensure residents have ample time to submit citizen petitions as afforded by the town charter. Tisdale explained that holding a Special within the Annual remains a strategic move for the town, noting, It's good operating practice... The money is available right away... You can save up to a month and a half to order capital.

Community accessibility and meeting efficiency were also raised during the evening. Resident Cynthia Walsh addressed the board during public comment, pointing out that recent snow piles at Town Hall created barriers for residents with mobility issues. I could not access the apron because there was a snow pile there, Walsh said. The more barriers we put in front of people like me, the harder it is for us to fully participate in town government. Later in the meeting, Mokrisky suggested that the board establish a realistic cutoff time for their sessions to protect the well-being of town staff. We do have employees that work here... and there have been times where people have waited in this hall for much longer than they should, Mokrisky observed.

The board concluded with routine business, including the approval of early voting dates and minor corrections to past records. Member Scott Carrara sought to ensure that meeting minutes focused on substance rather than verbatim transcriptions. Motion Made by S. Carrara to approve the consent agenda as amended. Motion Passed (5-0-0). Vice Chair Debra Roberts took a moment to reflect on recent community outreach, specifically a Martin Luther King Jr. event where representatives from the State Treasurer's office helped residents identify unclaimed funds. I was glad that I had someone at the MLK event that our residents found helpful and informative, Roberts said.