News Notes

Beckwith Boys Soccer Team Wins Massasoit League Division
The Beckwith Boys Soccer Team are the 2016 Massasoit Middle School League Soccer Champions. The team ended the season with a record of 11 wins, 0 losses and 1 tie. The team will be honored at a banner ceremony on Dec. 7 between the girls and boys basketball games. This year’s roster included 8th graders: Hunter Brierly, Colin D'Ambrosio, Matt Duarte, Ben Horowitz, Cam LeBlanc, Marshall Morgado, Aiden Searle, Cole Tavares; 7th graders: Reece Cordeiro, Bryce Downs, Colin Foster, Ethan Mourao, Ian Papa, Rian Pontes, Luke Taylor, Marc Thaler, Ben Wheeler, Tom Zibrida; and 6th graders: Luke Flanagan and Nathaniel Wheeler.

Citizens Against the Rehoboth Compressor Station Growing in Numbers
More people are joining the group Citizens Against the Rehoboth Compressor Station. Representatives told the Board of Selectmen that its membership has grown to more than 1,000 people in the area, according to articles in the Sun Chronicle. The group is planning to meet with U.S. Rep Joe Kennedy soon to discuss their opposition to the proposed gas pipeline and compressor station. The Access Northeast project, planned by Spectra Energy, Eversource Energy and National Grid, involves upgrading and expanding part of the existing pipeline through several states including Massachusetts. The project includes construction of a compressor station in Rehoboth, off Finnegan’s Way, on the Rehoboth-Attleboro line. Compressor stations pressurize the gas and help it move along the pipeline. The project is currently under review by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and if approved, will begin construction in 2018.

Town May Hire Facilities Manager
The Board of Selectmen discussed hiring a facilities manager to inspect town buildings on a regular basis and handle any problems that may arise. Conditions at town hall especially are deteriorating and there are a number of issues there that need to be addressed, selectmen said.

Special Town Meeting Scheduled Jan. 23
There will be a Special Town Meeting on January 23 at 7 p.m. at D-R High School to vote on the proposed new Municipal Complex, as well as a few other administrative articles. Voters will decide whether the Municipal Complex project should be put on the ballot in the April town election. Voters will not have to approve the funding for the project in January. Funding will be decided in April. The proposed Municipal Complex will include a new town hall, police department and fire department at the site of the current public safety complex on Anawan St. (Rt. 118). The expected cost of the project is approximately $8 million.

Michael Costello Appointed Highway Superintendent
Former selectman Mike Costello was appointed last month as the town’s new Highway Superintendent. Costello resigned from the board of selectmen in April. He was one of three candidates for the position. Costello served on the board of selectmen for six years. He previously served on the planning board and conservation commission and as stormwater officer. Costello started the job on November 15.

Teens Camp Out for the 10th Year to Raise Awareness for Homelessness
More than 100 young people and 25 adults slept out for two nights in cardboard boxes at Mason Field in North Attleboro to raise awareness for the hungry and homeless in the community. The annual event, in its 10th year, took place Friday, Nov. 11 to Sunday, Nov. 13. Teens raised money and collected food donations at various locations throughout the area over the weekend. Some also volunteered at local soup kitchens. Since the event began at Rehoboth Congregational Church ten years ago, more than $93,000 has been raised. The donations benefit the Attleboro Area Council of Churches' Food 'n' Friends Program and the Homes with Heart program as well as many local soup kitchens, food pantries and homeless shelters.

Rehoboth School Enrollment Increases Slightly Over Last Year
According to data recently reported to the Massachusetts Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education, school enrollment in Rehoboth has increased slightly from 2,911 in the 2015-2016 school year to 2,975 this year. The totals do not include out-of-district students who live in the town but are sent to other area school districts for special programs. According to an article in the Sun Chronicle, Rehoboth is one of the few districts in the area that saw an increase. Enrollment in most districts in the area remained steady.

State Rep. Steve Howitt Wins Re-election
State Rep. Steven Howitt won re-election against Democratic challenger Paul Jacques of Rehoboth. Howitt won a fourth term in the 4th Bristol District which includes Seekonk, Rehoboth, Precincts 1 and 2 in Norton and Precincts 4 and 5 in Swansea. He won 12,914 to 7,803 votes.

U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy Wins Re-election
Incumbent U.S. Rep Joseph Kennedy won a third term, beating Republican challenger David Rosa of Dighton. Kennedy won 261,356 to 111,890 according to New York Times results. Kennedy is a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. He was first elected in 2012 when he won the seat formerly held by Congressman Barney Frank.

Incumbent State Senator James Timilty Wins Another Term
James E. Timilty ran unopposed in this year’s election. Timilty represents the Bristol and Norfolk district. He was first elected in 2004. Timilty serves as the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security and as Vice Chair of the Revenue Committee.

Voters Approved Ballot Questions on Legalization of Marijuana and Ban on Keeping Farm Animals in Small Cages
Voters approved two of the four ballot questions in Massachusetts. Questions on the legalization of marijuana and banning farm animals from being raised in small cages were both approved. Questions on allowing additional slots-only casino licenses and expanding charter schools were rejected.