Rehoboth Voters Approve Francis Farm Purchase

Rehoboth will be getting a new Council on Aging and a new Town Hall. Voters at Tuesday’s town meeting approved the purchase of Francis Farm at a cost of $2.8 million. The senior center will be located on the 47 acre property. 34 acres will be preserved for open space. 

Primary funding for the purchase and upgrades to existing facilities will come from insurance proceeds received after fire destroyed the previous Council on Aging building last September. The Board of Selectmen explained the purchase of this property and buildings will not raise real estate taxes.

Voters also approved $995,000 to purchase the land and building located at 340 Anawan Street to serve as the Town Office Building. Gerry Schwall, a former selectman who is now serving as a project manager, said the property would suit the town’s needs and could be expanded in the future. Building a new town hall from scratch would cost $6.4 million, Schwall noted.

Following the votes, Selectman Michael Deignan said the residents “had made history.” “Not only have you saved a generational legacy, a historic icon of Rehoboth’s years past, which now thanks to your foresight, will continue to be enjoyed by generations of future Rehoboth residents in the decades to come,” Deignan continued. Deignan also praised Schwall for his efforts in negotiating the purchase agreements for Francis Farm and 340 Anawan Street. Schwall was “the right man in the right place at the right time,” Deignan added. The meeting attendees applauded and gave Schwall a standing ovation.