Acushnet Lands $1 Million MassDOT Commitment for Long-Delayed Slocum Street Project

ACUSHNET -- November 6, 2025, Acushnet Board of Selectmen receives $1 million MassDOT commitment for the long-stalled Slocum Street reconstruction project. State Representative Mark Silvia of the 10th Bristol District and State Representative Steve Ouellette appeared before the board Thursday to announce the commitment, which follows a joint letter to MassDOT and Governor Healey in March and months of direct advocacy; a formal contract between the town and MassDOT is expected to follow. Silvia noted bond authorization for the project has existed since 2014 with a reauthorization in 2022 but no dollars had reached the town until now. Ouellette also reported that two FY2026 budget earmarks totaling $45,000, $25,000 for a school gym leak or HVAC and $20,000 for a senior center HVAC unit, have been released by the governor. The board also opened but immediately continued its fiscal 2026 real estate tax classification hearing to November 13 at noon, pending certification of new growth estimated at $192,400; under a continued 35 percent commercial shift, the residential rate would fall to $10.50 per $1,000 of value against a maximum allowable levy of $23,605,706.