January 2, 2008
#5) Changes in Boards of Selectmen. In Raynham, newcomer Joe Pacheco replaced longtime Selectmen Raymond Platt (who had decided not to seek another term of office). In Bridgewater, three ran for two seats. Incumbents Herb Lemon and Mary Beth Lawton also had a newcomer challenger in Chris Flynn. Although technically two open seats, in reality the battle was over the second seat (Herb Lemon was figured to be re-elected) in a bruising campaign between Lawton and Flynn. When all was counted, Bridgewater also had a new Selectmen with Chris Flynn triumphant. Later in the year, Selectmen Lemon stepped down as Bridgewater Chair (becoming Vice-Chair) and Mark Oliari became Chair of the Selectmen Board.
#4) Middleboro Casino. Although not yet a done deal, it appears likely that a casino will open only miles from downtown Bridgewater. The effects of a casino so close to Bridgewater could have dramatic effects on traffic, population, public safety and many other areas.
#3) New Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School opens. Several years of construction culminated with students beginning school in a brand new building on August 28th. Although parts of the complex came on-line later in the year – including Bridgewater-Raynham’s first Friday night football game under lights – and parts are still in progress, students and faculty are pleased with a facility that provides better educational opportunities than existed in the prior building. There are seven computer labs, a foreign language lab, 18 room science wing, gymnasium that can be divided into four sections, 850-seat auditorium and a larger cafeteria.
#2) Town Budgets and Over-rides. Raynham passed their first (as far as I know) operational over-ride in 2007. Bridgewater’s Annual Town Meeting in May passed two budgets – one to operate and a contingency budget (contingent on an over-ride). June 16th voting defeated the $2.9M over-ride by a vote of 3893 to 3504. July 30th, Bridgewater Special Town Meeting at the College had an unprecedented turnout with over two thousand residents voting on a re-certified B-R School budget. By a vote of 1082 to 1006, Bridgewater accepted the B-R School budget of $55.7M. This set the stage for Bridgewater to have another over-ride vote on September 8th for $2.2M. This also failed, by a vote of 3553 to 3303. Bridgewater ultimately closed the budget discrepancy by using one-time funds, moved money between accounts, reduced funding for Recreation and Senior Center (much raised by the public to keep the Senior Center running) and greatly reducing the hours of the Library (perhaps to result in its loss of certification by the State). For Bridgewater in FY2009, it should be an interesting budget-setting time.
#1) Hope and goodwill. Although a tumultuous year in Bridgewater, there is still much to be proud of. People and businesses came forward to provide funding to maintain services at the Senior Center. Although this should not be considered a long-range solution, these efforts did allow the continuation of services. Citizens continuing to volunteer to be part of future solutions – nineteen people applied to be part of the B-R Superintendent Search Committee, nine people submitted their names to study Bridgewater’s government structure. Dale Higgins and Starlight Charities once again brought Bridgewater the annual Festival of Lights display on Alexander Drive. Bridgewater Lions once again decorated the Town Common, and the Bridgewater Business Association helped coordinate Santa arriving for Christmas on the Common. The Bridgewater Fire Department helped bring Santa to the community as they drove him around town the weekend before Christmas to say hello to all of the children (young and old).
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Joseph Gillis Jr.
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