Rehoboth Animal Shelter

The Rehoboth Animal Shelter is currently home to two large dogs, both affectionate but in need of training. Brandy is a Fila type about four or five years old and scheduled to be spayed. She enjoys human attention and is interested in other dogs but not inclined to share her toys. Pictures and information about both dogs are online at Petfinder.com. To learn more, to make an appointment, or to report a lost or found pet, please call 508-252-5421, ext. 126, and leave a message.

Rehoboth Selectmen Warn of Budget Cuts

By Joe Siegel

The Rehoboth Board of Selectmen are warning residents about what will happen if funding for the Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School building project is rejected.

The board voted Monday to place a debt exclusion question on the April 4 election ballot. Last November, voters rejected a debt exclusion, which is a temporary tax increase, to pay for the town’s share of the $305 million project.

Selectman Michael Deignan explained the town would have to pay between $550,000 and $600,000 annually.

“There really is no way for us to absorb that in the town budget without making significant cuts to town services,” Deignan said. “We are obligated to pay that debt service to Bristol/Plymouth. If we don’t pass (the debt exclusion), we’re going to be in a world of hurt financially.”

The building project was approved in March 2022.

Although the project was rejected in Rehoboth, there were enough votes for passage in the member communities which included Berkley, Bridgewater, Dighton, Middleborough, Raynham, and Taunton.

Chairman Skip Vadnais said a rejection of the debt exclusion would have a far reaching impact.

“(Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School District) is going to lose revenues,” Vadnais noted. “(The town of Rehoboth) pays (the school district) over three million dollars a year in monies over and above what our requirement is by the state. We hope to be able to continue to do that but before we start dismantling the highway department and the police department and our safety network that we’ve put together here, there’s going to be reductions also to the schools.”

The Massachusetts School Building Authority provided authorization for a Project Funding Agreement for the Bristol-Plymouth project in September 2021. The agreement includes reimbursement of 62.25 percent of eligible project costs up to a maximum reimbursement amount of $125, 569, 759 toward construction of a modern Bristol-Plymouth school facility.

Selectmen Appoint Pimental to Finance Job

By Joe Siegel

The Rehoboth Board of Selectmen has appointed former selectwoman Sue Pimental to serve as the town’s Director of Finance and Compliance. Former selectman Gerry Schwall previously served in the position.

“This position is vital to the town,” Chairman Skip Vadnais said Monday.

Pimental will work on a per diem basis until the vetting process is completed. Pimental served as a member of the Finance Committee for six years and has an extensive accounting background.

“I feel very comfortable jumping into this role,” Pimental said.

D-R Superintendent Affirms School Safety

By Joe Siegel

Dighton-Rehoboth School Superintendent Bill Runey told parents about the steps being taken to make sure the schools remain safe.

“Over the past few days, more than 15 school districts across the Commonwealth have been victims of a very disturbing hoax known as ‘Swatting,’ Runey wrote on February 16.

Officials in Milton, Norton, Lexington, Norwood, Gloucester, Salem, Lowell, Leominster, and Lynn reported receiving threats Wednesday, less than 24 hours after at least a dozen other districts were targeted Tuesday.

“For the second consecutive day, Massachusetts State Police units are responding to assist local police in multiple communities following bomb and shooting threats to schools,” state police said in a statement Tuesday. “Thus far every call has been determined to be a hoax.”

“Within our District, those who would be answering phones have been spoken to regarding what to do and what to ask - AND taking everything seriously,” Runey explained. “We will go into