Rehoboth Declines to Contribute Opioid Settlement Funds

On Monday, Rehoboth Town officials expressed their opposition to a proposal discussed during a recent Zoom meeting among Bristol County town administrators. During that meeting, another town manager suggested that each municipality contribute $7,000 annually from their opioid settlement funds to support a substance abuse program operated by the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office.

Contrary to earlier reports, the State of Massachusetts did not ask the Town of Rehoboth to return any portion of its settlement money.

Director of Finance Sue Pimental explained that the state receives 100% of the opioid settlement funds from various companies, retains 60% for statewide distribution to nonprofits and agencies, and allocates the remaining 40% to cities and towns that opted into the settlement.

“If the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office needs money, why don’t they go tap into the state?” Pimental said. “Why in the world would the Town of Rehoboth want to give money back to the state? It’s a state agency, so get the money from the state.”

Selectman Dave Pereira agreed, stating, “It’s a hard no from me. My big problem with this is taking money away from our community and our children.”

Town officials emphasized that Rehoboth has already earmarked its settlement funds to partner with another community in hiring a clinician to support prevention efforts in local schools.

Rehoboth has received approximately $40,000 so far from the settlement and expects to receive between $12,000 and $15,000 annually for the next several years, depending on each company’s payment schedule.

Under the statewide settlement, funds must be used for prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery initiatives. Municipalities may apply for additional grants through the state’s share of the funding.

The issue before the Board of Selectmen was not about how the settlement funds could be used, but whether the town would contribute $7,000 per year from its share to the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office—a proposal town officials unanimously rejected.

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