Voters at the June 3 Spring Town Meeting approved the FY’26 budget and a number of bylaw changes.
The budget for the next fiscal year includes $14.8 million for Town Government services. $24.1 million will be allocated for the Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School District. $1.49 million will be allocated for Regional Vocational Schools (Bristol-Plymouth and Bristol Agricultural).
This year’s budget represents a 2.8 percent increase over FY’25, excluding the fixed costs such as Health Insurance, Town Insurance and Pension, according to the Finance Committee.
The overall budget for the Dighton Regional School Committee’s operating and Capital Assessment increased 3.79 percent over last year. The assessment to the Town of Rehoboth for FY’26 is 5.63 percent or $1,288,967 increase over last year. This includes Capital Debt assessment of $623,800.
“Our high school enrollment is on the rise,” said Dighton-Rehoboth School Superintendent Bill Runey. “And more students are enrolling in our Career and Technical Education programs as well.”
Runey said the district hired a full-time grant writer, who has secured nearly $600,000 in competitive grant funding.
“These efforts are aimed at lessening the burden on you as taxpayers while continuing to invest in the quality education our students deserve,” Runey continued. “The Governor’s budget has failed to keep up with inflation and unless action is taken, the financial burdens on towns like Rehoboth will grow heavier with each passing year.”
An amendment to the Zoning bylaws with respect to Accessory Dwelling Units passed with 140 in favor and 41 in opposition.
The bylaw states: “ADUs are allowed as a matter of right in the Residence/Agricultural and Business Zoning Districts, subject to the requirements of this Section. ADUs are prohibited in all other districts.”
“Only one ADU is allowed as a matter of right on any property. ADUs may not be used as Short-Term Rentals, as such term is defined in G.L. c. 64G, §1 or otherwise rented for a period shorter than thirty-one (31) days.”
“Relationship to non-conformities. If an attached ADU is proposed for a pre-existing, non-conforming single-family primary residence, the requirements of Section 270-6.1 of this Zoning Bylaw shall apply, as may be required, provided that no special permit may consider the ADU use or impose conditions on such use.”
The MBTA Communities Act requires 177 cities and towns in Eastern Massachusetts — designated as rapid transit, commuter rail, adjacent, and adjacent small town communities — to rezone near T stops to allow for multi-family housing as of right. “As of right” means multi-family housing would be allowed to go up in the rezoned areas without special permits or other discretionary processes.
MBTA requires Rehoboth to provide 250 units “in an appropriate area,” according to Jay Talerman, the town’s legal counsel.
“We have to do it,” explained Selectman Lenny Mills. “So when people come in for permits, we want to make sure they’re (following) our bylaws we have now. This is our attempt to try to retrofit (the MBTA Communities Act) for Rehoboth.”
Opponents worried about the impact of non-residents being allowed to stay in town.
“It’s a relatively private community and we do not need transient people coming in and spending the week, two weeks, three weeks, in our community,” said Joe Nunes. “Let’s keep this community safe and let’s keep those type of individuals out of our community.”
A new bylaw in the town’s Stormwater Management bylaws was approved with respect to Land Disturbance and Post Construction Runoff Control for property that is less than one acre.
The wording in the town warrant noted: “During recent years, there has been a significant increase in real estate development in all areas of Town. During the course of construction of individual lots and properties that are not otherwise subject to regulatory oversight for stormwater and erosion control under the existing Town Bylaws and Regulations, the Town has incurred damages and others harms to its roadways and drainage systems as a result of the failure of persons to provide stormwater and erosion control measures at development sites across Town. These circumstances have resulted in unnecessary costs to the taxpayers of Rehoboth and public sentiment seeking better regulatory controls.”
The bylaw gives town officials the authority to issue a deadline to the property owner to complete abatement or remediation.
“The order shall further advise that, should the violating Person fail to abate or perform remediation within the specified deadline, the Town of Rehoboth may, at its option, undertake such work, and the violating Person shall reimburse the Town's expenses.”
Voters approved the Consent Agenda which consisted of six articles, including the authorization of disposal of surplus Town equipment and materials from any Town departments, fixing the salary and compensation of all elected officials, funding for the Community Preservation Committee, and accepting the reports of the Board of Health, Blanding Library, and Housing Authority.
Other articles which were approved:
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here