Here are the problems Dighton hopes federal infrastructure money will help fix
DIGHTON — The town needs to fix its business development and water infrastructure problems and fire station space constraints, all of which are expensive propositions, officials said.
When U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss visited three sites in Dighton that illustrate these problems on Nov. 12, he pledged his support, particularly with federal infrastructure funding measures that could help with the solutions.
Fire station No. 1 at 300 Main St., town officials told Auchincloss, opened 60 years ago as a facility just for call firefighters to meet and then head out on the town's engines.
Now it's used 24-7 for full-time fire and paramedic personnel. Offices double as bunk bedding for personnel on the overnight shift, Fire Chief Chris Maguay said.
Right outside the station's entrance onto Main Street water mains need to be replaced, Building Commissioner James Aquiar added.
Funding of this project would support the installation of 11,600 linear feet of a new 12-inch cement-lined iron water main that the town needs to upgrade its water system. It would also help with Dighton's plans to resurface Main Street in its entirety.
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The reason for both problems is the same:
"Unbelievable growth," Aguiar said. "Four hundred houses have been added in town over the last 10 years. Our housing growth is beyond our control."
Auchincloss was proud to note he has sponsored legislation to help fund local and fire EMS agencies' infrastructure needs: $1 billion proposed in HR 3728 for that purpose to be administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Regarding the water main problem, Auchincloss said the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act President Joe Biden would be signing into law Monday, Nov. 15, will help fund the town's water infrastructure improvements. The Newton Democrat said he would be Biden's guest at the signing ceremony. Massachusetts will receive approximately $1.1 billion over five years to improve water infrastructure across the state, he said.
Along with state Rep. Patricia Haddad, D-Somerset, and state Sen. Marc Pacheco, D-Taunton, Auchincloss also visited the Spring Street Mill, 620 Spring St., a former manufacturing building that is being revitalized to fit tenants in the technology field and a marijuana cultivation facility.
They ended their tour at Alice's Last Stop, where sewer and economic development and sewer expansion is needed on Route 138, which is also the proposed site of a Dighton trail to connect with a regional Taunton to SouthCoast trail.
There, a $22 million sewer expansion for the Route 138 corridor, relying on the results of an economic development study and Economically Distressed Area designation, is being planned.
At each stop, Auchincloss complimented the town on its ability to fix its issues on its own, such as encouraging the Spring Street Mill development, and not waiting for federal or state help.
"These problems are too complex for one sector to do on its own," he said.
"We came here to learn," said Pacheco, adding that he too is pleased to hear the town talk about local partnering as the solution to some problems.
He pointedly told town officials, "Don't count on (federal) funding. It's up to local funding, local planning, to solve these problems."
Auchincloss added, "This was a visit to highlight the impact of the bipartisan infrastructure bill we'll be signing in Washington."
He elaborated, however, that the amount of funding the town will get depends on how state and federal funding will be spread throughout the commonwealth, but he remains hopeful Dighton will like the result.
Selectmen Chair Kenneth Pacheco said he was very satisfied by Auchincloss's visit.
"It went very well," Kenneth Pacheco said. "He's familiar with Dighton, and he will give us the help we need."
Selectman Brett Zografos noted the town sent him a letter regarding the fire station construction grant act, and he has signed on to support it.
"He is responding to our needs," Zografos said.
Selectman Leonard Hull said he was happy that Auchincloss reinforced the town's feelings about the need for regional agreements, such as for water infrastructure cooperation with other towns.
"He will make water and sewer improvements a major focus of his," Hull said.
This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Dighton infrastructure: fire station, water mains need improvement
