School Safety, Zoning Headline Stoughton Special Town Meeting

STOUGHTON, MA — The Board of Selectmen have scheduled a special town meeting for Dec. 2. Among the warrant articles expected to be voted on is a $126,000 allocation for school safety upgrades. Superintendent John Marcus told Patch the money will be used to purchase upgraded two-way radios and add more security cameras.

The board opened the warrant at its meeting Oct. 1. Town meeting members have a week to propose articles before the warrant closes on Oct. 15.

Marcus said the money was awarded through the state's Chapter 70 funding, and a special town meeting is needed to allocate the money out of the general fund.

He said the schools are safe, and the district has an excellent relationship with the Stoughton Police Department, but this was about making the schools even safer and ensuring the extra funding went to the schools.

Selectman chair Bob O'Regan said serious incidents across the country influenced the board's decision to schedule a special town meeting.

"My own opinion is that alone is a serious enough reason to call a special town meeting," O'Regan said."

Expanding the downtown zoning district will also be on the warrant, Town Manager Robin Grimm said. There may also be an article from the Department of Public Works for money to pre-treat and seed town land.