Rehoboth Approves Land Swap, 2023 Budget

Voters at the May 14 town meeting approved a land swap between the town of Rehoboth and the Housing Authority.

In exchange for giving the town a six acre parcel of land off of Anawan Street, the Housing Authority will be given control over 5.41 acres of land on Bay State Road which contains the Anawan School and the adjacent site where the former Council on Aging was located.

On the warrant article, there were 115 yes votes and 26 no votes. A motion to table the article failed to gather the two thirds needed for approval.

Paul Jacques, chairman of the Housing Authority, has proposed constructing 30 units of senior housing. The group is working with the Women’s Development Corporation, the Historical Commission, and the Community Preservation Committee on the project.

The $11.8 million town budget for 2023 was approved. Selectman Michael Deignan proposed an amendment which would treat the budget as a single appropriation. It allows the Board of Selectmen to transfer funds between town departments as needed.

“It makes town government more efficient,” Deignan explained.

The amendment passed by a vote of 89 to 48.                              

The $20.3 million Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School budget was approved, an increase of 3.1 percent over last year.

Other articles which passed include:

• the appropriation of $20,000 for expenses of the purchase relating to the preservation, rehabilitation and restoration of the Grear property, Winthrop Street, Map 39 Lot 56, to include engineering, administrative, and filing costs for the development of the Conservation Restriction. Funds will be drawn from the Community Preservation Committee undesignated fund for fiscal year 2022.
• the appropriation of $20,000 for expenses of the purchase relating to the preservation, rehabilitation and restoration of a portion of the Francis Farm property, 151 County Street Map 34. Lot 1, to include engineering, administrative and filing costs for the development of the Conservation Restriction. Funds will be drawn from the Community Preservation Committee undesignated fund for fiscal year 2022.
• Raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds the amount of $287,251 into the Town’s stabilization fund.
• vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds up to $225,000 for the purposes of reimbursing the actual cost, upon completion and inspection for asbestos tile abatement and air handling repair/replacement and electrical services at Beckwith Middle School