Stoughton property owners along the Park Street sewer extension received welcome news Tuesday night as the Select Board finalized betterment assessments significantly lower than initial projections. Thanks to a aggressive pursuit of state and federal grants, the net cost of the multi-million dollar infrastructure project was slashed by two-thirds, allowing the board to cap the financial burden on residents at a fraction of what was originally estimated.

Town Engineer Mark Tisdale detailed a financial success story for the Park Street and Campanelli Industrial Park sewer expansion. While the project was initially authorized with a $7.5 million budget, the actual construction bid arrived at $6.2 million. More significantly, the town secured approximately $4 million in funding from MassWorks, federal ARPA, and EDA grants—far exceeding the $1.5 million originally anticipated. This brought the net project cost down to $2.25 million. Assistant Town Engineer Craig Horsfall noted that 17 properties have already tied into the system, including the Chateau restaurant, which paid a $90,000 privilege fee to connect. These connections allowed these businesses to stay open where septic systems would have been impossible, Horsfall said.

The board voted to maintain a 25% betterment assessment for property owners, with the town absorbing the remaining 75% to spur economic development. For a single-family home, this translates to a one-time assessment of $2,398 if paid upfront, down from a 2020 estimate of $5,930. Motion Made by L. Gitto to adopt the order of assessment of betterments for the sewer line improvements for the Park Street/Campanelli Industrial Park sewer expansion project, using the uniform unit method. Motion Passed (4-0-0). Chairman Stephen Cavey praised the management of the expansion, stating, The original project was $7.5 million, and you came in 17% under budget. Total savings to the taxpayers of $5 million. This is such a well-managed project.

The meeting also included a somber continuation of a public hearing regarding a German Shepherd named Chase. After hearing testimony from the victim’s family, neighbors, and animal control, the board officially designated the animal a dangerous dog following an unprovoked June 9 incident involving a minor. Animal Control Officer Michelle Carlos classified the bite as a Level 2 on the Dunbar scale, noting that while it was a natural instinct for a dog to chase a running object, the attack was unprovoked. Rebecca Dama, representing the victim, disputed the severity of the injury, noting, It did take two and a half weeks for two of the sites to close. There was a pretty deep puncture per the doctor's notes. Neighbor Ashley Tremblay spoke in defense of the owners, telling the board, I have personally witnessed the Lees walking Chase with a muzzle, and I have Ring camera footage to prove it. They are being responsible dog owners.

Chairman Cavey noted that under state statute, the depth of the bite is irrelevant if a physical injury occurred without justification. Motion Made by S. Cavey to deem the dog dangerous in accordance with the statutory definition under Chapter 140, Section 136A. Motion Passed (4-0-0). Motion Made by S. Cavey that the owner be required to fence the dog in their backyard; that the dog be leashed and muzzled when in public; and that the dog be muzzled in the backyard until the gates are confirmed to be secure. Motion Passed (4-0-0). Vice Chair Debra Roberts, who presided over the hearing, underscored the board's obligation to follow state law in quasi-adjudicatory proceedings, noting, We resume the public hearing... concerning a dog owned by Francis Lee.

Safety improvements near local schools dominated the traffic agenda. The board approved the creation of a new school safety zone on Pine Street at the exit of the Doss School. Craig Horsfall explained that the current intersection geometry is awkward and lacks proper curbing, leading to frequent rolling stops. The plan includes new ADA ramps, solar-powered flashing stop signs, and a speed limit reduction to 20 miles per hour. Motion Made by L. Gitto to designate the area as a school zone and implement the work shown on the plan. Motion Passed (4-0-0).

Similarly, the board moved to address what Deputy Chief O'Connor described as a disaster at the Gibbons School during dismissal. Parents start lining up two hours before school gets out, O'Connor said, describing children bolting between cars parked on both sides of Bradford Street. Motion Made by L. Gitto to approve the recommendation to make Bradford Street on the southeast side from the Gibbons School to the driveway of 78 Bradford Street 'No Parking' from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM on school days. Motion Passed (4-0-0).

During citizen comments, resident Cynthia Walsh urged the board to prioritize an expansion of the Senior Center on the town’s Capital Plan. I'm not asking for a new Senior Center; I'm asking for the current one, Walsh said, noting that the facility is currently offering fewer programs. Town Manager Tom Coulter cautioned that the town is near its debt limit and needs a formal process to build consensus before spending on feasibility studies. Mark [Tisdale] and I have to deal with the financial realities of our town, Coulter said. We're in good structural financial shape, but we've got limitations on borrowing. The discussion touched on the town's broader fiscal discipline, echoing the board's recent decision to opt for a 20-year repayment plan on school debt to save $24.5 million in interest.

Member Louis Gitto raised concerns about the accessibility of town sidewalks, citing a child in a motorized wheelchair he observed struggling on Morton Street. I turned the corner and went up Plain Street and noticed that in the middle of the sidewalk are telephone poles, Gitto said. It's important to think about how we are planning to get people around town. He also warned residents about a draft water policy that could impose a $1,000 annual surcharge on the 150 holdouts who have not yet installed compliant water meters. Town Manager Coulter noted that the new meters allow the town to detect catastrophic underground leaks before they result in massive bills.

The board also briefly addressed neighborhood aesthetics. Resident Ms. Morris questioned if the town could compel owners of abandoned buildings like the former theater or Murmax to take action. The aesthetics of the town—it looks horrible, Morris said. Chairman Cavey suggested the town research ordinances used in other communities that impose daily fines for vacant storefronts. This follows the board's recent order to demolish the former theater at 797 Washington Street due to structural failure.

In other business, the board approved a petition from National Grid to install two poles and supporting anchors on Willow Street to improve safety for wires crossing Route 24. Jared Akir, representing National Grid, confirmed that Willow Street is the correct location after a clerical error in the petition originally listed Washington Street. Motion Made by J. Mokrisky to close the public hearing and approve the petition as amended. Motion Passed (4-0-0).