What's Going on in Rehoboth?

Town Meeting Approves $24 million Budget for Fiscal Year 2017
Voters at town meeting on May 9 approved a $24 million budget for the next fiscal year, which is a 3.4% increase over this year’s budget. Of that, $16 million is for the Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School district. Other articles approved were: $220,000 to fund the FY2016 capital campaign including two police vehicles, an SUV for the fire chief and a new overhead door for the highway garage; $548,259 for students to attend Bristol Plymouth Regional Technical High School and $61,344 for Bristol County Agricultural High School.

Conservation Area Named for Walter Munroe
Voters at town meeting overwhelmingly approved naming a parcel of land off Plain Street the “Walter Munroe Conservation Area” in memory of Munroe, who passed away in August 2015. The land was purchased with Community Preservation Committee and Agricultural and Natural Resource funds.

Otis Dyer Sr. Honored for Service to the Town
At town meeting, the board of selectmen honored Otis Dyer Sr. for serving 51 years on the Historical Commission as well as many other town boards and committees over the years. State Rep. Steve Howitt presented Dyer with a citation for his service to the town. For more information on the town meeting, see Town Clerk Laura Schwall’s column in this issue.

Costello Resigns from Board of Selectmen
Selectman Michael Costello resigned from the board of selectmen last month. Costello says work commitments have been taking him out of town often lately and he is not able to spend the time that is needed on the position. He says he loves being a selectman and will continue to help out in other ways. Costello has served on the board since 2011. His term expires in April 2017. The board has decided not to hold a special election to fill the position due to the cost and the fact that the position comes up for re-election next year.

Rehoboth Considering Purchase of Land That May Be Site of Gas Compressor Station
The town is reviewing the possibility of purchasing land off Cross Street, according to an article in the Sun Chronicle. The land is being considered as the site for a natural gas compressor station. A parcel of land that abuts land owned by Algonquin Gas Transmission LLC, one of the companies behind the proposed Access Northeast natural gas pipeline expansion project, receives a tax break under Massachusetts law. The law allows property to be assessed at a lower rate if it is reserved for recreational and open space use. The law also allows municipal governments the right of first refusal to purchase the land if its use is changed to business or residential. Only part of the land receives the tax break and the location of the proposed compressor station is not known. Algonquin already owns land off Cross Street. The project has been criticized by some residents due to public safety and environmental issues, as well as the cost. The company says the pipeline expansion is needed to increase the supply of gas to the Northeast.

Proposed New Municipal Complex Will Be On October Town Meeting Agenda
An article asking voters to approve a new municipal government complex, which was postponed during the May town meeting last month, will be decided at a special town meeting in October. Town officials wanted more time to convince voters of the need for a new town hall and public safety building. The cost for the new complex is expected to be about $8.4 million and selectmen are proposing a temporary tax increase to fund the project. The Municipal Complex Committee will work on plans for the project, which will be built behind the present police/fire facility on Anawan Street/Rt. 118.

Residents Oppose Plans for Gas Pipeline & Compressor Station
An informational forum was held last month on the Access Northeast Pipeline Expansion Project. Plans call for the construction of additional natural gas pipelines, compressor stations and storage facilities. A local group, South Coast Neighbors United is opposed to the project. They are concerned about possible leaks in the gas pipelines, the environmental impact of potentially dangerous chemicals from the compressor stations, and the additional cost to electric customers. One of the compressor stations would be built off Cross Street in Rehoboth. The improvements are reportedly needed to bring additional supplies of natural gas to power electric generators in New England.

Rehoboth has a new Veterans Services Officer
Selectmen last month named John Kramer as the new veterans services officer for the town. Kramer replaces Richard Grenier, who resigned in March after serving for less than a year.