Stoughton Awarded $15,000 Grant For Downtown Improvement

STOUGHTON, MA — Selectmen Chair Bob O'Regan announced at Tuesday's selectmen meeting that Stoughton was awarded a $15,000 grant from the Massachusetts Department of Housing Community Development to use towards improving the downtown.

According to Economic Development Director Pam McCarthy, the money will be used for a feasibility study to determine the best use for the former Randolph Savings Bank, which Stoughton owns after town meeting voters agreed to purchase it.

"We can look at the property and determine what the next steps are," McCarthy said.

O'Regan praised McCarthy, saying the town is going to be able to make visible improvements to Stoughton's downtown largely because of the grants McCarthy applied for.

"I lost track of the total in grants in loans and programs she brought in this year, but if it isn't more than $800,000, I'd be surprised," O'Regan said.

Other recent large-scale grants the town received include $75,000 to restore the Stoughton train depot and almost $600,000 for signs, lighting, and awnings on downtown storefronts. About two years ago, the town also received a $27,000 grant to improve parking downtown.

O'Regan said downtown improvements will start to become visible as construction season begins this Spring.