Aggie Weekly
Good Afternoon Students, Parents, and Community Members:
It was a busy week for Bristol Aggie this week, with Lt. Governor Politio signing a Community Compact at the Dighton Town Hall and specifically acknowledging Bristol Aggie as a “great treasure.” (see below for the full story in the Taunton Gazette). In addition, the Bristol Aggie building project continues to move forward and on Wednesday, Mr. Braga, HMFH Architects, and Colliers, visited MSBA on Wednesday to explain the project needs. We will continue to update the community as we progress (see article in the Taunton Gazette below).
Jordan Deschenes jdeschenes@tauntongazette.com
DIGHTON — The Dighton Board of Selectmen officially entered into the state’s Community Compact Cabinet on Tuesday, marking the start of a closer collaborative relationship with the commonwealth and Beacon Hill.
Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, who heads the statewide cabinet, came to Town Hall to sign the agreement and provide her thoughts on what she said is a proactive step for Dighton’s municipal future.
Local politicians in attendance included state Sen. Marc Pacheco, D-Taunton, state Rep. Patricia Haddad, D-Somerset, and Dighton selectmen Brett Zografos, John Taylor and Nancy Goulart.
"Of all the compacts that I’ve signed, this is the first time we’ve come across an initiative like this," Polito said.
"Of course, you have unique assets here, beautiful assets and a great treasure in the Bristol Aggie."
ABOVE: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito signs Dighton’s Community Compact Cabinet Agreement as town Selectman Jack Taylor looks on.
RIGHT: From left, Dighton Selectmen Nancy Goulart, Brett Zografos and Jack Taylor, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, state Rep. Patricia Haddad and state Sen. Marc Pacheco.
TAUNTON GAZETTE PHOTOS | JORDAN DESCHENES
"I’m just excited to have Dighton recognized by the executive branch, here in the state of Massachusetts. ... I think it shows Dightonians that our leadership in the state knows us and cares about us and will be there for us if we need anything."
— Dighton Selectman Brett Zografos
According to Polito, the Community Compact Cabinet was the "very first" executive order signed into effect by Gov. Charlie Baker when he took office in 2015. Both Baker and Polito worked to create the cabinet as a means of strengthening the partnership between local, municipal governments and Beacon Hill, according to Polito."We knew that it would not be a ‘top-down’ approach," Polito said.
"You set the terms, and we’ll supply you with the resources and the talent needed to get the job done."
One of the promises written in the compact, which has been joined by 305 of 351 cities and towns statewide, is that the commonwealth will promote "mutual standards of best practice" between local and state government and create "clear standards, expectations and accountability" between the two.
In Bristol County, 17 out of 20 municipalities have joined the compact, all except for Berkley, Freetown and Swansea.
When each municipality signs onto the CCC, local elected officials must determine a set of "best practices" to which communities will commit themselves. According to Taylor, the town chose two best practices: the implementation of stormwater management measures and the completion of an open space and recreation plan.
According to Zografos, the town will also be pursuing the creation of an agricultural commission.
Zografos said that an agricultural commission will allow for local studies to be condu cted and eventually permit Dighton to become a Right to Farm! community under the state’s Right to Farm statutes. The state’s Right to Farm law prohibits individuals who move into a farming community from filing nuisance lawsuits against farmers who have been in operation in one location for over a year.
Zografos, who will be in charge of the formation of the agricultural commission, also said that the specifics of the planned stormwater management measures will need to be discussed in further detail. The Board of Selectmen confirmed that Dighton’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System, also known as an MS4, is approaching a renewal deadline with the state. "I think everything’s on the table in terms of stormwater. It’s really important and it’s a valuable natural resource. I think it’s going to focus more on education of the residents and employees in Dighton of how important and valuable stormwater really is," said Zografos.
"It’s more just making improvements on what’s already in place — and letting the public be more aware."
Taylor said that he supports the town’s decision to join the CCC because of the best practices that were chosen. Taylor said he believes the majority of Dightonians want to keep Dighton’s identity as a rural town and all of the best practices chosen for the CCC agreement demonstrate a commitment to residents’ wishes.
"I think the compact is an opportunity to really keep Dighton somewhat like it is, because the rural nature of Dighton is what the citizens really think is important. That’s really exciting, to get help from the state to try and maintain that," Taylor said.
With regards to stormwater management efforts, Taylor said that the town would be looking into a way to expand its sewage system into the southern part o! ftown, where residences have individual septic tanks. One way that he suggested that the town approach this route would
be to attract responsible commercial development to the area. With more commercial development, Taylor explained that the town would be able to pay for a sewage system without increasing residential taxes, by taking in more commercial tax revenue.
By joining the CCC, municipalities become eligible to apply for CCC-exclusive grants and other incentives, such as a Community Compact information technology grant, which can provide up to $200,000 to fund one-time costs related to technology infrastructure and assistance projects, as well as necessary equipment upgrades. Although the state will be the one approving the grants, Dighton and other southeastern municipalities in the CCC will mostly be communicating directly with the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD) to address their needs and make suggestions.
"All communities — not just the ones that are signing on — are in need of technical assistance," said Pacheco.
"They need resources and training to put staff on projects to help communities really meet their needs. These are very important grants...even a small grant like $10,000 to employ the services of a specialist in a particular area, to give a community the right set of choices for them to decide how they’re going to tackle a specific community problem."
According to Goulart, Dighton initially received a $10,000 grant through SRPEDD after applying to join the! CCC, which she said will be used to fund educational efforts needed to create the agricultural commission and develop new stormwater management measures.
Goulart, who will be heading the stormwater management effort, said that she first heard about the CCC while she was at the State House for the signing of the Municipal Modernization Act. Goulart said that by entering into the compact, Dighton will receive extra "points" when applying for competitive grants because the CCC creates a special designation for municipalities that have joined it.
"By getting this designation, I think it opens up doors and opportunities for us to apply for more grants," Goulart said. Before signing on to the CCC, Goulart said that she was unaware that most of the grants available under the compact even existed.
Currently, Goulart said that she is already looking at two grants in particular, one relating to improving solid waste disposal methods and the other pertaining to software upgrades necessary to comply with new state public records laws.
In addition, she said that the Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School will be able to apply for CCC-related grants now that the town has joined.
"I just wanted to congratulate the town and in particular, the leadership of the community for really thinking about the future in ways that can be much more effective and efficient at the local level," Pacheco said.
"We will continue to do our part at the state level to make sure that we continue to fund local aid as much as possible and do everything we can to have those resources available for cities and towns throughout the commonwealth."
"I’m just excited to have Dighton recognized by the executive branch, here in the state of Massachusetts. It’s really nice and I think it shows Dightonians that our leadership in the state knows us and cares about us and will be there for us if we need anything," Zografos said.
Formation of At Commision
MS4 Storm water permit. Expand ed program to 4 groups SERPIT
Makes the town eligible for additional grants
Doing your part at the local level we will support you at the state level Marc Pacheco
PH the future is necessary but never forgetting your past and keeping the character of this wonderful town of Dighton
Educating taxpayers and looking for opportunities to move forward the community KP
Thank you for your leadership at the local and state level
Compact strengthens partnership between local and state governments. Local districts set the terms and state provides the resources
304 community partnership
Jordan Deschenes jdeschenes@tauntongazette.com
DIGHTON — Bristol County Agricultural High School is in the early stages of planning a major construction and renovation project, Assistant Superintendent and Principal Kevin Braga said.
Braga said the project is needed because the school is looking to expand its student body from 450 to 640 over the next year or two.
The project is currently in an early schematic review phase, Braga said.
"We’re making sure that we’re doing our due diligence in working out the best plan with our current resources," Braga said.
The project, which will include the remodeling of Gilbert Hall and the creation of an all-new Center for Science and the Environment, is being designed by the Cambridge-based HMFH Architects Incorporated.
Braga said that the science center is currently planned to hold multiple departments, including natural resource management, environmental science, animal science and all science classrooms. The building will also contain a cafeteria, according to Braga, who mentioned that a new barn is also planned for construction.
"The barn is part of it," he said.
Braga said that overall cost estimates for the project currently range from $70 million to $100 million, although he expects those numbers to change as the project moves along.
Braga, along with HMFH representatives, was planning to meet with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) in Boston on Wednesday regarding the project.
TURN TO AGGIE, PAGE A5
From left, Builder's Project Manager Mel Overmoyer, HMFH Architects Inc. Associate Robert Williams, Architect Suni Dillard and HMFH Architects Senior Principal Laura Wernick stand beside the rendering of the project they are working on for Bristol Aggie.
TAUNTON GAZETTE FILE PHOTO | MIKE GAY
If the MSBA approves the project, Braga said that the next step will be for HMFH representatives to meet with the school and the community to approve and reject ideas, as well as to get suggestions.
With regards to a timeframe, Braga said that he is hoping that the project will be approved and voted on by Bristol Aggie’s School Building Committee by the end of the school year, if it gets the go-ahead from the MSBA.
"The best case scenario would be May, for everything to be voted on and approved," Braga said.
Socktober Challenge: From today through Friday, October 20th we will be collecting socks. “Each night in the United States, an estimated 600,000 people live on the streets. This October, we want 2 million people to show that even a small act of love, such as donating a pair of socks, can make a big difference in the lives of our neighbors who are homeless.”
In the Classroom:
- ELA: Mrs. Noel’s freshman honors English class recently worked in cooperative groups to tackle some challenging literature content: one of Edgar Allan Poe’s bizarre and complex short stories, “The Facts in the Case of M.Valdemar.” Students used the Expert Jigsaw Strategy to teach each other the material. They rose to the challenge and diligently tackled the material using teamwork and poring over their portion of the text. Just as in a jigsaw puzzle, each student’s piece is critical to understanding the whole puzzle (or work of literature in this case) as they shared their expertise with one another. Listening and working with their peers enhanced their overall comprehension and understanding of the material – a successful venture with puzzling Poe!
- Science: In Mr. Johnson’s biology class were learning about the structure and shape of deoxyribonucleic acid (or DNA) and used a 3D printer to better visualize the shape. The entire process took about 2 hours and produced a robust model of DNA that biology classes will be able to use to learn about DNA. The original design was by jharris and the plans can be found at thingiverse.com/thing:412973
This week the Lady Chieftains Volleyball team hosted their #DigPink rally on Thursday. Excellent event and a great cause in supporting breast cancer research. #BAPride #playlikeagirl
Safety:
This week we had a new light with a timer on Center Street to help our students with crossing the street. Safety is our top priority.
Athletics and Activities:
- Cross Country: Congratulations to the boys and girls cross country teams. The lady chieftains defeated Diman and Bishop Connolly during yesterdays meet. The girls are now 5-1 and face off against conference rivals, Old Colony in next week's meet. The meet was highlighted by captains, Cameron Platt and Lauren Biedak who both beat their personal records by 21 seconds and 7 seconds respectively. Nice job chieftains! Come support the team next Wednesday at West Bridgewater and see if Cam Platt can break the 18 minute mark.
Week Ahead:
- Monday, October 9
- No School-Columbus Day
- Tuesday, October 10
- Assembly-Gym
- Girls Soccer: Home vs Avon 3:30
- Board of Trustees Meeting-Keith Hall - 7:00 pm
- Wednesday, October 11
- Ocean Bowl B23: 3 pm-4pm New members welcome!
- Geek Club Rm 119: 2:30 pm
- Boys Soccer: Home vs Blue Hills 3:30
- Volleyball: Home vs Old Colony 3:30
- PTO Meeting: 7:00 pm in Library
- Thursday, October 12
- Extends: 2:30-4:00 pm (Library)
- Student Council: 2:30 RM B19
- Boys Soccer: Home vs Wareham- 3:30
- Friday, October 13
- Midterms will be emailed to students and parents
- Boys Soccer: Home vs Norfolk 3:30
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