Stoughton frees up parking spots; water connection rate drops

More parking available in the Center

In an effort to provide more parking for Stoughton shoppers, Marc Tisdelle, the director of development services and town engineer, proposed a parking policy that temporarily would add parking spaces to the southwestern side of Stoughton Center.

It was approved, 5-0.

The plan would take 27 parking spaces from the Railroad Avenue lot to about where Avocado’s restaurant is for usage by the town. Sixteen would become permitted parking spaces for businesses, while 11 would become public parking spaces during the pandemic. These numbers could be altered in the future as needs shift.

“There’s an opportunity to open up those permitted parking spaces to be public spaces for a period of time, until this pandemic settles down,” Tisdelle said. Previously, they had been permitted for MBTA commuters and business owners and employees. During COVID-19, they have been under-utilized.

Break on water connection fee

Officials voted, 3-1, to lower the water connection fee by $500. Selectperson Bob O’Regan voted in the negative, while Joe Mokrisky’s Internet connection dropped before the vote.

To put Stoughton more in line with neighboring towns, the water connection fee now will be lowered from $2,500 to $2,000.

There will be a moratorium on connection fees from April 1 to June 30, 2021, if homeowners are considering connecting next year.

“The purpose of the fee early on was to support the system as a whole,” said Vice Chair Steve Cavey, who initiated the vote. “But the water system itself is self-sustaining at this point. But the question of the fee, if it’s impeding people’s interest in connecting, is ultimately harmful to the mission of the Water Department and to the town as a whole.”

The fee pays for retained earning for the enterprise fund for developing the water system in the future, such as for water pumps, capital projects and pipes.

There are currently 900 to 1,000 dwellings connected to the well system that could be connected, according to Water and Sewer Superintendent Phil McNulty.

O’Regan dissented because he said he was looking for a “fairness aspect” for people who already have paid into the system. He proposed a base capital fee and then a connection fee depending on how the water is connected.

“We also have to keep in mind that the infrastructure has been put in by people who have paid in,” he said. “It’s a balancing act. The current ratepayers all paid a connection fee.”

If there is a connection at the curb and not at the water main, O’Regan said he “thought it would be worthwhile exploring that actual cost for that connection.”

Roberts asks to be Stoughton rep to MBTA Advisory Board

Selectperson Debra Roberts requested to represent the Select Board at the MBTA Advisory Board at its meetings when its board asked if there was a representative from Stoughton present.

The MBTA recently has curtailed commuter rail service to 9 p.m., and there has been an uproar throughout the South Shore about the South Coast Rail project’s future.

Mokrisky made a motion to appoint Roberts to the board.

“There’s some vital information going on regarding COVID, and I believe we need representation there,” he said, noting he had asked about Select Board involvement ahead of time.

Chair Christine Howe said she will post it on an upcoming agenda for proper public notification.

Microenterprise grants still available for 35 small businesses

Town Manager Robin Grimm said there are still at least 35 microenterprise grants available for small businesses in Stoughton, according to Economic Development Director Pam McCarthy.

Ten businesses have have received these funds, which do not have to be paid back, and have helped them stay afloat during the pandemic.

Businesses with five or fewer employees, including the owner, are encouraged to apply. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Grants of up to $10,000 are available to businesses impacted by the coronavirus.

For more information, Contact McCarthy at 781-232-9265 or pmccarthy@stoughton-ma.gov for more information.

Public Safety Building Committee vacancies

There are two vacancies on the Public Safety Building Committee. The committee will work on the location of the new joint building and how it best will suit the needs of the town. It also may discuss the feasibility of building separate fire or police stations. These two vacancies are volunteer positions.

The committee meets monthly and works with the town’s architect and owners project manager to determine the scope and nature of the building or buildings required for Stoughton. People with backgrounds in design, capital building projects and planning are encouraged to apply, as well as end-of-user public facilities buildings.

Submit resumes and letters of interest to Select Board chair Christine Howe at chowe@stoughton-ma.gov by Dec. 10.