The Dighton Board of Selectmen, together with Town Administrator Michael Mullen, is pleased to share that Congressman Jake Auchincloss visited the Town of Dighton earlier today to discuss infrastructure, public safety and economic development funding for the community.
Congressman Auchincloss was joined by Sen. Marc Pacheco and Rep. Patricia Haddad alongside local officials and business owners as they toured the Town of Dighton, including the Spring Street Mill, Dighton Fire Station #1 and Alice’s Last Stop restaurant. Congressman Auchincloss’ visit to Dighton coincided with Congress’ current focus on its $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill and Dighton’s need for infrastructure funding.
“We appreciated the opportunity to have Congressman Auchincloss visit Dighton with Rep. Haddad and Sen. Pacheco,” said Town Administrator Michael Mullen. “The Board of Selectmen has been placing a top priority on smart development and diligent fiscal and capital planning. Today’s meeting with the Congressman, our legislative delegation and a number of stakeholders reinforced that Dighton works best when we work together. There is no doubt that an ongoing partnership with federal and state officials is going to be key in funding and addressing our needs.”
The tour began at the Spring Street Mill with discussions of the 34-acre property’s economic development and revitalization. The property, which is owned by the Feeney Brothers, is a 522,000 square-foot former textile mill and Raytheon Company manufacturing facility built in 1904. As part of its proposed revitalization, a portion of the mill will include a marijuana cultivation facility.
Following the visit to the Spring Street Mill, officials then visited Dighton Fire Station #1 on Main Street to discuss Main Street infrastructure including the current fire department facilities, water main replacement request and more.
A major focus of the fire station visit was discussing the need for public safety facility upgrades and its potential funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and related federal assistance. Dighton’s two fire stations both originally served only call/volunteer fire personnel and no longer meet the needs of its department’s personnel. Dighton Fire Station #1 on Main Street was built approximately 60 years ago and doesn’t adequately meet the needs of its permanent, round-the-clock fire and paramedic personnel while Station #2 on Chase Street is more than 100 years old yet still serves as an outdated training facility.
Members of the fire department gave Congressman Auchincloss a tour of the facilities at Station #1 and spoke about the need to either modernize their current facilities or the possibility of combining fire department operations in a centralized town location.
Officials also discussed the current $4 million Dighton Water District earmark request for a water main replacement on Main Street. Project funding would support the installation of 11,600 linear feet of new 12-inch, cement-lined ductile iron water main in addition to all appurtenances, including hydrants, gate valves and water services, along all of Main Street.
The visit then concluded at Alice’s Last Stop restaurant. At the restaurant, Congressman Auchincloss met with Dighton Trails Committee Chair Jeff Carvalho to discuss the ongoing efforts of Dighton’s Trails Committee, including its feasibility study to link the Dighton trails network to the Taunton network. Numerous officials and stakeholders also discussed Route 138 economic development planning and the potential for sewer expansion in the area.
“Dighton is home to growing opportunity and advancement. From the revitalization of the Spring Street Mill to the proposed expansion of the Dighton Trails network, Dighton is making the investments needed to spur economic development and increase connectivity throughout the South Coast. I look forward to my continued partnership with Dighton,” Congressman Auchincloss said.
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